Open Mike 16/08/2017

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, August 16th, 2017 - 53 comments
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53 comments on “Open Mike 16/08/2017 ”

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  1. Sanctuary 1
    16 August 2017 at 6:36 am

    Jacinda has handled her first minor kerfuffle over Barnaby Joyce adroitly, and as a result there is no traction here for Labour’s opponents and I hear the Aussie media is saying Julie Bishop’s attack has backfired. Nicely managed.

    • tc 1.1
      16 August 2017 at 9:25 am

      Watch the Oz media hopefully cut bishop to ribbons, they know turdbulls regime is ineffective/unstable/full of vipers like her, Chris pine and Abbott to name but a few.

      She’s had it coming awhile now, yet another litigator turned polly meddling for the cause.

      • patricia bremner 1.1.1
        16 August 2017 at 9:46 am

        Julie Bishop is a great friend of JK.

        Ergo a friend of National NZ.

        Looks and smacks of desperation .

        Looking forward to the polls in NZ … They must be dire!!

  3. miravox 3
    16 August 2017 at 7:47 am

    Rachel Stewart bluntly spoon-feeds the responses to the arguments against Labour’s freshwater policy.

    I listen to each and every argument from the industry and, because I’ve been writing about water issues for years, I sit back and wait patiently for their predictable lines. They never disappoint

    … You’d have to be high to think that a 1 to 2 cent royalty is the end of farming as we know it. Either that, or you simply don’t care about the future of our waterways. Which is it?

  4. Eco maori 4
    16 August 2017 at 7:51 am

    It’s good to see Jacainda handle the media with out using avoid answering the question tactics. Like most politicians.
    She is way above the other parties leaders National is out

  5. Plan B 5
    16 August 2017 at 7:59 am

    Reading the Sydney Morning Herald this AM
    I get the feeling that the Liberal Government attacks on NZ Labour are not working because Australians do not really think of us as particularly ‘foreign’ and definitely not a ‘power’

    • weka 5.1
      16 August 2017 at 8:13 am

      Lol, I’ve been thinking that too. Seymour is having a good go at making out we’ve destabilised the region cos North Korea though.

    • alwyn 5.2
      16 August 2017 at 12:20 pm

      Ever lived in Australia?
      Your supposition about not thinking of us as a “power” is absolutely correct. “not particularly foreign” is unfortunately not true. They are, in general quite scornful about New Zealand and denigrate the country.
      They are also almost totally ignorant of New Zealand. I lived in Melbourne. If asked 4 out of 5 people would tell you the Capital of New Zealand was Auckland. It was the only city they had heard of.

  6. AsleepWhileWalking 6
    16 August 2017 at 8:25 am

    So…electric cars for the government fleet. I would hope NZ is careful about where components especially Cobalt come from.

    https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/01/Child-labour-behind-smart-phone-and-electric-car-batteries/

    • Molly 6.1
      16 August 2017 at 9:36 am

      Spent a wasted 20 minutes on the phone being put through to various people at Auckland Council, asking where I could get information about the current recycling process of all the things we put in the recycling bin. 20 min of my life I won’t get back, all I managed was to get some enthusiastic person telling me I could now mix all my recycling in one container. Apparently after it has been collected it disappears into a black hole.

      Our lack of knowledge regarding extraction methods, manufacturing, and recycling etc. means we don’t make informed choices. The issue around slavery is a relevant one, the incidence of slavery around the world is growing. Even is good ol’ NZ, we see the evidence of it.

    • mpledger 6.2
      16 August 2017 at 11:16 am

      We’ve got a Fair Phone although it was a bit of a job to get it to NZ.
      https://www.fairphone.com/en/

      • greywarshark 6.2.1
        16 August 2017 at 2:03 pm

        mpledger
        That’s interesting, positive.

        Next thing to include, is a hang-around-neck cord and facility to press wait so that you can get on with something while you wait half an hour to speak to someone who will tell you that they aren’t the right person and to phone someone else.

        The phone will be left on wait mode and when a voice comes on it will let you know to listen so you don’t drop out of the queue and can do your jobs, concentrate on study while you wait.

        And it will go onto some cheaper phoning mode, perhaps you can get special lowpriced modes to your favourite government department, or other arrogant, uncaring entity that wants to keep you as a specimen connected electronically so they can send signals to you to make you jump. They will be working on methods so they can photo how high as I speak.

        Perhaps a phone that will go on hold for you while you get on with your life beside it has already been developed. If so it should be available for sale or hire purchase at special low rates each People’s Day which will be set for at least once a year, when it is the thing to consider other humans in a friendly, supportive and kindly way, even if it is just once a year.

      • Molly 6.2.2
        16 August 2017 at 4:24 pm

        I have a couple of technology interested sons, so knew about the Fairphone. Bit of a hefty price tag for us, unfortunately, but a good example of ethical business practice and supply chain accountability. (We usually make do with being the first leg of re-use, and buy second-hand. If we ever have a surplus, this is the type of business I would prefer to support). The website is really worth looking at to see how they approach the sourcing of materials and manufacturing.

        I believe it is also important to allow initiatives like this to make mistakes (as long as they correct them), because there are few frameworks around to design your business to, and few if any mentors, or support services that can offer experienced advice.

    • Ms Fargo 6.3
      16 August 2017 at 4:43 pm

      I think the Nats are frightened and are thinking very small…
      Why only float the idea of replacing fossil fueled cars with electric ones?
      All they are doing is replacing like with like.
      This will only mean the same number of vehicles (and number still increases…) with one occupant in it are on the road. All the while, still clogging roads and forcing more numpty ideas like roads of national inpotence to be initiated.
      If they had any vision they would have cut out the middle man and gone hard out on public transport.

  7. Penny Bright 7
    16 August 2017 at 9:34 am

    Seen this?

    “UN prepares to grill NZ government

    14 Aug 2017 15:36 PM

    New Zealand’s performance on racism and human rights comes under scrutiny this week at the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Geneva.

    As well as holding two three-hour sessions with government representatives, the committee will take into account reports from the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, Action for Children & Youth Aotearoa, Peace Movement Aotearoa, Save Our Unique Landscape and other non-government organisations.

    Examples of where the Government has fallen down on compliance include the New Plymouth District Council (Waitara Lands) Bill, Ihumatao and the Special Housing Area in Mangere, the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary, deep-sea oil seismic exploration and drilling, and the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Act 2011;

    There are also concerns around the care and protection of Maori children, the treatment of Maori children in state care, and access to education, health services and a minimum standard of living for Maori and Pasifika children;

    Some submitters has also alleged institutional racism and structural discrimination in the administration of justice, employment, and the health system. ”

    #ChangeTheGovernment

  8. Muttonbird 8
    16 August 2017 at 10:11 am

    Here’s this week’s John Key fluff piece, brought to you by the National Party campaign team.

    Watch for these appearances and endorsements of the National Party to continue and for Key to get ever closer to English…

    Watch for them to increase if National’s poll numbers continue to drop.

    http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2017/08/sir-john-key-big-mark-richardson-fan.html

    • tc 8.1
      16 August 2017 at 10:30 am

      Key will want to distance himself given the Barclay saga hes in as deep as Bill is on and what attempts he made to matain equal rights for kiwis in Oz now his mates across the ditch have put that into play.

      Oh what a web we weave etc etc

    • Red Blooded 8.2
      16 August 2017 at 12:32 pm

      After watching that it makes me wonder if all the bottles of wine he has given to “so called” journalists and now at least one box of golf balls to a National Party shill, are gifts like that (when so publically made) classified as election spending?

  9. Robert Guyton 9
    16 August 2017 at 10:40 am

    “taxation is the price we pay for civilisation” quotes Chris Trotter in his latest Bowally Road piece.
    It’s certainly one of the prices we pay, Chris.

    • Molly 9.1
      16 August 2017 at 4:39 pm

      Picked up a gardening magazine with you in it this afternoon at the library, Robert.

      In it you talked about propagation, and I thought of the recent Gardener’s World I watched on Youtube, where Monty Don was attempting propagation in the midst of summer, suggested by Jimi Blake from Ireland, earlier in the programme.

      A couple of episodes later, he showed the results. Eighteen astrantia plants showing strong growth. I’ve been successful with propagation while plants are dormant, but might give this a try this year.

      (Uncomfortable sensation of being a child teaching a grandmother to suck eggs, but FWIW )

      • Robert Guyton 9.1.1
        16 August 2017 at 5:07 pm

        Thanks, Molly, that’s really interesting and I’ve recently talked with two people who recommend “out of season” propagation; for plum and blueberry. Both are masters at their art and I’ve seen the results. I’ve also learned recently about shade houses and the benefits they offer for recently grafted trees- the success and growth rates are significantly higher when the plants are shaded in that way. I’m pretty much propagating at all times now – there’s no time to waste and a whole planet that needs to be reclothed – as Masanobu Fukuoka said, our only hope lies in the initiating a 2nd Genesis. I’m giving it all I’ve got. I reckon we’ll do it 🙂 I’ll look at your link tonight, thanks again.

        • Molly 9.1.1.1
          17 August 2017 at 7:25 am

          Have the One-Straw Revolution book, it’s a good read (and a bargain, withdrawn from the library for 20c).

          • Robert Guyton 9.1.1.1.1
            17 August 2017 at 7:45 am

            Molly – I’m reading “Braiding Sweetgrass” at the moment and there’s a lovely line therein discussing “Man’s” position in the hierarchy of creatures saying, ‘Plants know how to make food and medicine from light and water, and then they give it away”. Humans are regarded as the “younger brother” who knows least about the world and how to function in it.

    • Robert Atack 9.2
      16 August 2017 at 8:10 pm

      Extinction is the other price )

  10. rod 10
    16 August 2017 at 10:52 am

    Surprise Surprise, Sir John Key is a great fan of Mark Richardson. Who would have thought that.

  11. Ad 11
    16 August 2017 at 10:57 am

    Jacinda Ardern pauses for a selfie with schoolchildren, and they sing a song for her, and so of course she will get TV1 news for it tonight.

    On top of that, she announced dedicated mental health workers for Christchurch children:

    https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/watch-jacinda-ardern-serenaded-in-te-reo-talented-christchurch-school-kids-pose-fun-selfie

    At this point it’s pretty hard to see her doing any wrong at all.

  12. greywarshark 12
    16 August 2017 at 12:22 pm

    As time goes on towards the election, and bits of furrin news drip into my ears and I find I get stressed, sharp and unpleasant I think I will treat myself to a regular witticism or wry comment from a book from Guardian readers.

    New political and ecological crusade?:

    ‘My son has cost me a fortune with his chronic Lego addiction.
    It is time to ban this plastic brick filth.’

    (I believe that Lego are seeking to do exactly that. So things do progress somewhere in the world if not here.)

  13. Eco maori 13
    16 August 2017 at 12:35 pm

    I’m mowing my new clients and all the police can do to me is tell my new clients lies and try and intimate me by following me .Did anyone no that the police can use a witness with no credibility offer them money and a get out of jail free card to give manufactured everdance . That is why the jails are so full in a public litigating
    These witnesses would be deemed in fit to give evedince

    • greywarshark 13.1
      16 August 2017 at 4:49 pm

      Eco maori
      Hope all goes well with you. Can you get an advocate and get an appointment to see the police, and ask – calmly – why they are following you? The advocate should be someone who has good standing, a good hearted pastor or lawyer.
      Ask for a chance to do some work without having the police shadow you and spoil your efforts. But have someone with you, might give the police a surprise to actually talk to you man to man, sort of. It might take you a while to impress them but you want to get free of this profiling.

      • Eco maori 13.1.1
        16 August 2017 at 9:09 pm

        There is no way that’s going to happen I rang a big wig In the police force talk for about 20 min and they stepped up the intimidation Greywarshark

  14. Eco maori 14
    16 August 2017 at 12:49 pm

    Think about The Tina Porter case you cannot even defend against these lieing wittness because they are classed as confidential witnesses WTF

  15. adam 15
    16 August 2017 at 12:52 pm

    Every get the feeling that the Tory’s in this country are actually racists?

    Why say such a thing??!?

    We have had a major terrorist attack in the USA, and the deathly quite from the usual rowdy suspects when it is Muslims based terrorist attack is staggering.

    Where is the outcry from them, where is the wringing of hands, the calls for bans, annihilation, and bombs.

    Deathly quite, not even a condemnation.

    If I was a Tory in this country – I be scared some leftist wanker would point this out.

  16. Eco maori 16
    16 August 2017 at 1:14 pm

    My client’s are to scared to be a witness for my case against the cops because they are being threatened with charges of aiding and abiding a criminal

    • Eco maori 16.1
      16 August 2017 at 5:02 pm

      I got pissed off when I first talked to my 90 year old client she said she would pay when I finished mowing is that all right I replied you are the boss and we had a laugh I shook her hand when I finished mowing she looked terrified and open the scean door just enough to put check out the door I asked if she was all right she looked scared . The police don’t care that this old lady is frail as she could have health problems because of there actions.But the police don’t care so long as they are intimidating me I no they got nothing on me I feel sorry for my client’s they did nothing to be treated like this The old lady well being means nothing to them WTF she just a old Asian I’m going to try and sell run I can handle these Muppets but my clients don’t need there shit she lives by her self to it looks like she gets home help

      • greywarshark 16.1.1
        17 August 2017 at 1:12 pm

        It seems you need an outside mentor. Sorry about this happening to you. Police and other forces set in their ways can be hard to convince. Have you spoken to any of the helping agencies that have actual experience of this and can understand where you are coming from. Blokes who know the hard life but have either turned themselves around or have been able to live with or near it and not fall into negative ways themselves.

        Can anyone suggest a muscular organisation that deals in help and kindness to others trying to make good?

  17. Molly 17
    16 August 2017 at 1:49 pm

    Sanctions – corporate style.

    Fletcher’s Mark Adamson paid a $2.9m exit package.

    My partner works closely with Fletchers and says that no-one had anything good to say about the CEO, who was encouraged – very strongly – to leave (…to wreak havoc elsewhere no doubt.)

  18. OncewasTim 18
    16 August 2017 at 4:36 pm

    Jesus Christ!
    …. watching Oz Parlyarmint QT.
    DOES Joolie Bishop not seriously understand that the opposition was laughing at HER?
    I SUSPECT NOT.
    Thank Christ I got the hell out of there in the early 70s.
    And I realise NZ gNats are so in awe of them, my hope is they’ll do the decent thing and fuck off and join them

  19. mikesh 19
    16 August 2017 at 5:08 pm

    If Bill English is not “delivering for NZ”, Brett Hudson certainly is. I’ve just had a letter from him asking me to party vote National in Ohariu. The letter had no stamp so it must have been hand delivered.

  20. odysseus 20
    16 August 2017 at 7:55 pm

    Any inklings from anyone on what the TV1 political poll will reveal tomorrow?

  21. Robert Atack 21
    16 August 2017 at 8:09 pm

    http://robinwestenra.blogspot.co.nz/2017/08/july-hottest-on-record-despite-no-el.html

    I think if you are alive in 5 years you are going to be a lonely radioactive cannibal.

    • lprent 21.1
      16 August 2017 at 8:22 pm

      In 5 years? I always knew you were an optimist.
      But after the tragic and missed death of travelleve, I guess she is over compensating.

      The trick is to pace yourself. Yeah it is completely stupid. But it takes time to educate the stupid to the point where they have alternatives and those become fashion items. I’ve been at it for 40 years…

  22. mosa 22
    16 August 2017 at 11:26 pm

    Clutha Southland have their new MP Hamish Walker.
    He has the perfect National party pedigree……Business advisor , Degree in business , commercial fisherman and police jailor , and gold miner with a seat on the lotteries board to boot.

    And not forgetting the all important rugby credentials he is a world class rugby referee just to put the icing on the Clutha cake.

    Not that any of this matters because the good people of Southland would vote for a dog turd as long as it was standing for the National party.

    Well he is not Todd and has not been selling backey so he will be a safe bet as long as he does not remark ” can i get that on tape ” even as a joke.

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1708/S00342/national-selects-clutha-southland-candidate.htm