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Open mike 16/10/2015

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, October 16th, 2015 - 90 comments
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90 comments on “Open mike 16/10/2015 ”

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  1. Matthew Hooton 1
    16 October 2015 at 6:16 am

    Clever cartoon in Herald today by Rod Emmerson on Labour’s current leader. Little is right up there (down there?) with Bill English in 2002/3.
    http://m.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11529860

    • Paul 1.1
      16 October 2015 at 6:28 am

      Yup, I partly agree with you Matthew about Labour’s TPP positioning.
      Labour missed the chance to stand firmly against the TPP.
      Chris Trotter nailed it.

      ‘Why has Andrew Little rejected a winning TPPA strategy for a guaranteed loser?’

      Trotter suggests that Labour may no longer be “committed to meaningful social and economic change”.

      http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/10/14/flouting-the-rules-why-has-andrew-little-rejected-a-winning-tppa-strategy-for-a-guaranteed-loser/

      • Matthew Hooton 1.1.1
        16 October 2015 at 7:45 am

        He could have kicked for touch (waited for text), opposed TPP or declared victory and supported TPP. Any of these would have had internal integrity and been politically ok. He managed to find the one form of words certain to fuck off both pros and antis and make him and his party look ridiculous. Quite an achievement in its own way!

        • Jenny Kirk 1.1.1.1
          16 October 2015 at 8:12 am

          Andrew Little did “kick for touch”, Matthew Hooton, and he’s been descried for doing so ! He’s said he didn’t know all the details, what’s fully in the text, and he’s opposed parts he does know about, and what’s more – he’s also said that if necessary a Labour government would breach parts of the agreement it doesn’t approve of. What more do you all want ?

          • weka 1.1.1.1.1
            16 October 2015 at 9:29 am

            1. Labour opposes the TPP on principle unless it meets these 5 bottoms lines (list them again).

            2. At this stage Labour has no control over whether NZ is part of the TPP, only National does and its allied parties.

            3. Labour will not pull out of the TPP when it is government, because we feel that is not in NZ’s best interests (provide an explanation of why this is so).

            4. Instead Labour will endeavour to address each of our 5 bottoms lines one by one eg Labour will still pass legislation restricting overseas land ownership.

            5. We will then fight any disputes process that happens as a result. (here Labour needs to provide a very clear explanation of what that actually means, including how it will deal with being sued by corporations).

            That’s the gist of what they’ve done, but the issues in brackets in 3. and 5. haven’t been explained and sorry, but I don’t trust Labour on those things.

          • Chris 1.1.1.1.2
            17 October 2015 at 1:56 pm

            Little and Labour stuffed up its position on the TPP in exactly the same way it did on the flag change fiasco and three bloody peaks or whatever it’s called. It’s either because the people in there have such opposing views on everything that any attempt at a compromise will always fail or they’re just very very stupid when it comes to strategy. Suspect it’s way more than a bit of both.

        • tracey 1.1.1.2
          16 October 2015 at 9:17 am

          Clearly the voters don’t give a shit about integrity Matthew or National wouldn’t be in a third term. They forgive lying and misleading regularly if they believe the nonsense about them getting a better life. I mean even you were prepared to dance around the law and its intent for your ideological beliefs and career progression?

          • infused 1.1.1.2.1
            16 October 2015 at 7:47 pm

            You might want to think about the shit show the country has to vote for as an alternative. But hey.. keep saying the public is stupid. Seems to be working.

    • Morrissey 1.2
      16 October 2015 at 6:54 am

      Emmerson?!!??!??

      In April 2002, when the New Zealand Herald cartoonist Malcolm Evans dared to criticize the Holy State for its depradations in the Occupied West Bank (this was just after the Jenin massacre) the Israeli consulate, in concert with influential supporters including David Nathan, Dame Lesley Max and David Zwarz, mounted a sustained campaign of character assassination and vilification against Evans, combined with snarling threats against the Herald‘s editor, Gavin Ellis, a weak character who needed little more than a few swear words down the telephone to frighten him. He sacked Evans eventually, replacing him with the pisspoor Rod Emmerson.

      http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/protest-against-former-herald-editor/5/141168

      • joe90 1.2.1
        16 October 2015 at 12:08 pm

        Your mentioning Dame Lesley Max had me search TS to find this and sure enough, her dreadful comments have disappeared into the ether.

        • Morrissey 1.2.1.1
          16 October 2015 at 7:24 pm

          Sterling work, joe! I know how you feel about Max’s comments having disappeared into the ether. That’s the problem with leaving it to the unreliable archivists at Radio New Zealand.

          It’s for that reason that I spend so much time committing the words of people like Lesley Max to paper. That way we can confront them with evidence of their villainy whenever we want….

          Open mike 17/08/2011

    • b waghorn 1.3
      16 October 2015 at 7:15 am

      I’ve found Littles views on the tpp easy to understand anyone who is struggling is either listening to the people that have set out to deflect trouble away from the nats pathetic bargaining in the negotiations of the tpp or is one of the shit stirrers

      • Paul 1.3.1
        16 October 2015 at 7:29 am

        Can you point me to a link showing his unqualified opposition to TPP?
        I really want to see the Labour Party standing against it.

        • savenz 1.3.1.1
          16 October 2015 at 8:27 am

          Yep you would think Labour could be bothered clearing up the variation between Littles statements and their TPPA position on their website or FB page at least.

          Little’s statements don’t seem in line with their ‘official’ TPPA position which has more holes in it anyway than swiss cheese, and doesn’t even seem to be able to stick with that either.

          And b wag horn you can dismiss all the ex Labour supporters as

          set out to deflect trouble away from the nats pathetic bargaining in the negotiations of the tpp or is one of the shit stirrers

          which maybe Labours official position on anyone who is confused (they are just shit stirrers) but again that 15% of votes they lost last election should be a ring-a-ding moment for understanding that those angry ex supporting ‘shit stirrers’ are voters who are sending them a message that after 7 years you would think they might concede they need to address.

          • savenz 1.3.1.1.1
            16 October 2015 at 9:26 am

            And like me, are still giving Labour their electorate vote so stop National getting it.

            It can still get a lot worse for Labour – they are antagonising their voters who still give their electoral vote to them.

          • Matthew Hooton 1.3.1.1.2
            16 October 2015 at 9:29 am

            I think Labour’s problem is that had convinced themselves the TPP would be diabolical. When they learned on Monday all five of their bottom lines had been met, they experienced cognitive dissonance that they need to work through. In the meantime, they are stuck in that awful place where ten facts are not the ones you want to believe.

            • weka 1.3.1.1.2.1
              16 October 2015 at 9:32 am

              “all five of their bottom lines had been met”

              how do you know that?

              • tracey …
                16 October 2015 at 9:51 am

                He is probably referring to Little’s briefing from Groser and all the inside information he doesn’t have on TPP which would mean someone is breaching the crucial secrecy which denied the rest of us access to same.

                • weka …
                  16 October 2015 at 10:07 am

                  heh, I was wondering if Hooton was a fly on the wall, or simply spinning.

                  • tracey …
                    16 October 2015 at 10:29 am

                    My observation of Matthew is unless he is getting hot under the colour and going all screamy and ad hominem he only pushes hard (and repeatedly) on things he is SURE about (apologies for the mental image that may have produced, not intended). he may not have seen stuff but somebody/s have told him enough for him to feel he is on sure ground… which would also be a breach of the secrecy

          • b waghorn 1.3.1.1.3
            16 October 2015 at 9:00 pm

            I guess some here need to decide what’s more important getting a new government or killing labour and hoping something better rises from the ruins.

        • b waghorn 1.3.1.2
          16 October 2015 at 8:41 pm

          I never said they opposed it, my take on it is ;
          In the lead up to signing they applied as much pressure on national as they could to get them to not sell us out .
          After the signing they have gone for a sensible amount of caution on what they say so as not to be tricked into tight corner by key and co .
          While also making it clear they will find away to legislate for protecting nz residents chances of owning there own home.

          People need to learn to keep an eye on what the main players are saying and not getting sidetracked by all the chatter coming from likes of hooton .

  2. Jenny Kirk 2
    16 October 2015 at 7:46 am

    to Paul @ 1.3.1. on Stuff, 11 October 2015 – at end of story re “bigger gains for dairy from India, Indonesia” –
    Andrew Little is quoted as saying ” If it came to walking away from the TPPA to get a better deal elsewhere, Little said a Labour government reserved that right”.

    • savenz 2.1
      16 October 2015 at 8:49 am

      Hi Jenny – reserving your right is not really saying NO to TPP.

      I think that is what Labour don’t get. People don’t want to support a party that does not give a clear message on TPP, which is going to affect all part of Kiwi’s lives, heath, housing, law, copywrite, justice, security, transparancy, sovereignty and trade.

      The fact it was pushed through so that Obama can have some sort of legacy (after the trillions in US debt and an un win able occupation) is even worse. Obama has hardly left the US or the planet in better shape after his presidency. A last ditch attempt to put US and other countries jobs at risk and the reduction in environmental sovereignty into corporate control under TPP seems to be more of the same.

      People have a right to know concrete policy before they support a party. Labour can ‘reserve’ their right to walk away on TPP even the Natz can, but we all know they will not.

      • Matthew Hooton 2.1.1
        16 October 2015 at 5:39 pm

        “Reserving the right to withdraw” utterly meaningless. All 12 TPP countries “reserve the right to withdraw”. That is why they put the withdrawal provisions in the deal.

    • tracey 2.2
      16 October 2015 at 9:20 am

      “get a better deal ”

      Does that mean more money? Cos I don’t see any major party judging this on anything other than $$$$. Not on erosion of rights or sovereignty etc.

      Also, has he laid out which law changes Labour would oppose, he clearly has some in mind?

    • weka 2.3
      16 October 2015 at 9:33 am

      Andrew Little is quoted as saying ”If it came to walking away from the TPPA to get a better deal elsewhere, Little said a Labour government reserved that right”.

      Yep, better deal elsewhere. Labour don’t have a problem with free market neoliberalism. I don’t think they have any intention of moving left, they’re just going to tinker with the edges a bit. Think Clark government lite.

      • savenz 2.3.1
        16 October 2015 at 2:02 pm

        They are worse than Clark because she at least had the balls to complain about international stuff that was wrong (like Israeli agents stealing disabled NZ identities and be caught) and do something about it. I think both Key and Little would just let any similar incident ride rather than cause an international incident. Key would probably be keen to make money out of passports anyway (finally a return on investment from the disabled – fake international passports).

        As for Labour being briefed on the document – it is massive – so as with any agreement the devil is in the detail. I’m sure it all looks rosy in the briefing papers but try to get the whole agreement to see if it is true. No can do as Prof Kelsey has found. And apparently noone can find out for 7 years.

        Sounds transparent and fair – NOT.

  3. ScottGN 3
    16 October 2015 at 7:47 am

    It’s the last few days of the Canadian federal election campaign.
    The central issue of the longest campaign in Canadian history has been how to get rid of Stephen Harper.
    It looks increasingly likely that Canadians have decided Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party are the means by which that will be achieved.
    The Grits have established a 4 to 7% lead over the Tories nationally but more importantly they’re leading by 10 to 13% in Ontario (which accounts for over a third of all the federal ridings).
    http://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/poll-tracker/2015/index.html

  4. Tory 4
    16 October 2015 at 7:49 am

    I hope today that when John Key meets with Australian PM, he advocates on behalf of law abiding Kiwis living in Australia getting a better deal rather than the sc*m who assulted, robbed, raped and burgled law abiding people and now are claiming they have been discriminated against as they are being deported from a country that opened its door to them.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 4.1
      16 October 2015 at 8:03 am

      No you don’t. You don’t care a damn about anyone other than yourself.

    • vto 4.2
      16 October 2015 at 8:46 am

      You’re ignorant on this issue too aren’t you… keep that talkback radio turned up

      • savenz 4.2.1
        16 October 2015 at 8:57 am

        + 1 VTO

      • Draco T Bastard 4.2.2
        16 October 2015 at 12:49 pm

        Tories are, inevitably, ignorant on pretty much everything. It’s that lack of knowledge combined with their inability to think that allows the psychopaths running National to lead them around by the nose.

        • infused 4.2.2.1
          16 October 2015 at 7:53 pm

          No. Just the left being incoherent dumb asses who think they know better than everyone else.

          • maui 4.2.2.1.1
            16 October 2015 at 8:17 pm

            Why do you hangout with so called dumb asses so often then and complain about the site being full of whingers when you’re whinging most of the time?

            I thought you had turned a corner and right now I feel a bit let down.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 4.3
      16 October 2015 at 8:52 am

      Take this comment for example. Classic flamebait, calling people “scum”, wishing human rights abuse upon them, and then paying lip service to personal responsibility makes Tory a dull hypocrite.

      For his next trick, Tory will vote for the party that always generates more unemployment – yes it does, that’s a fact – and then start hating on poor people.

      Go smash a ten-year-old rugby player, trash.

  5. Tory 5
    16 October 2015 at 8:24 am

    OAB, no I support personal responsibility rather than reliance on the State as a surrogate wet nurse that you and the confused from the left advocate

    • dv 5.1
      16 October 2015 at 8:26 am

      So you would reject the SFC bail out, the 30mill to comalco etc

    • One Anonymous Bloke 5.2
      16 October 2015 at 8:32 am

      Lying about your own beliefs and mine. If you had an inkling of personal responsibility you’d know how to form an argument that doesn’t rely on Mr. Strawman.

      • McFlock 5.2.1
        16 October 2015 at 12:14 pm

        And somewhat hypocritically “tory” will refuse to take personal responsibility for being such a fucking moron.

        Tory will just blame us for failing to pretend they made the insightful coup de gras that, as the smartest guy in the room, they must have made…

    • vto 5.3
      16 October 2015 at 8:44 am

      ” I support personal responsibility rather than reliance on the State as a surrogate wet nurse that you and the confused from the left advocate”

      Like SCF bailout by the state of business and right wing investors

      Like government handouts to farmers for irrigation. Why can’t they stand on their own two feet like grown-ups? If their business cannot attract attention from private investment, then rather than by subsidised by the taxpayer it should be allowed to fail.

      Like Rio Tinto getting state welfare in Invercargill.

      Like the stock exchange even. That great bastion of personal responsibility – ha ha ha ha. Recall one of the reasons for floating SOE’s was to support the failing private stock exchange. Fucking useless pricks.

      Like welfare support for Hollywood and Peter Jackson. Unable to stand on their own two feet either.

      Like farmers penchant for all structures socialist – heard of Fonterra? or Ravensdown? Two of NZ’s largest cooperatives – know what cooperation means fulla?

      Doesn’t leave much in the world of private personally responsible right wing tory business does it.

      Wake up idiot.

    • tracey 5.4
      16 October 2015 at 9:26 am

      you undersdtand that those people you dont like are being sent back here, to live next door to you or your friends… just so long as you are clear.

      Oh and the children who have not committed offences and never lived in NZ?

      You support personal responsibility from the position of someone who has deluded themselves that everything they have today was down tot heir own hard graft and sheer brilliance…

      • One Anonymous Bloke 5.4.1
        16 October 2015 at 12:55 pm

        Tory doesn’t support personal responsibility: all you have to do is read the lying comments he sprays around the place.

        Of course, even if he weren’t lying, right wing personal responsibility doesn’t exist. So that would make him a dupe.

        Which is it? Who cares?

    • KJT 5.5
      16 October 2015 at 6:00 pm

      So you support Hide taking responsibility for the disaster that is the Auckland amalgamation, Bradford for our runaway power bills, Douglas for the increase in working poor since 1984, Key for the loss of nearly 900 million in dividends from power companies, Don Elder and the National party for Solid Energy etc, etc.

      Personal responsibility. LOL.

  6. Ben 6
    16 October 2015 at 8:37 am

    Latest Roy Morgan is out.

    “During October support for National rose 5.5% to 50% well ahead of a potential Labour/Greens alliance 40.5% (down 5.5%) according to the latest Roy Morgan New Zealand Poll. If a NZ Election were held now the latest NZ Roy Morgan Poll shows National would be easily re-elected.”

    Up and down like a …..’s trousers, but not surprising given Labour’s recent performance.

  7. reason 7
    16 October 2015 at 8:48 am

    So our ‘Tory’ troll does not believe in state education, our state health system or people being free and moving on with their lives once they have done their time and paid for their crimes ……………….

    He’s probably all for rich tax cheats though …………………….

    • maui 7.1
      16 October 2015 at 9:32 am

      The worst kind of bludger, when’s he going to pay back his education, health and policing costs.

      • Muttonbird 7.1.1
        16 October 2015 at 10:36 am

        The worst kind of bludger, when’s he going to pay back his education, health and policing costs.

        -maui

        He had an education?

        • KJT 7.1.1.1
          16 October 2015 at 6:02 pm

          No wonder why he rejects socialism.

          His Teachers failed him!

          What happened to “personal responsibility”.

    • ianmac 10.1
      16 October 2015 at 9:32 am

      So true:
      “I think the general consensus is that it’s ironic that we have been able to vote on a flag change which is…”
      Trivial.
      “Well surface-level stuff, while something like this that’s really representing our country overseas has been kept secret for a long time. Do you think this sets a precedent for the way the New Zealand government will interact with the public in the future?”

      • weka 10.1.1
        16 October 2015 at 9:35 am

        smoke and mirrors. Let the population feel like they’ve been consulted. Meanwhile, over here, do evil as you can.

  11. ianmac 11
    16 October 2015 at 9:20 am

    The Key Team have found many ways to mislead and distort Demoracy.
    But Canadian Harper is even better/worse at it than Key!

    As Harper tries for a fourth term in office at the Canadian federal election next week, he is trailed by an extraordinarily long list of allegations. ……
    ….Some of these allegations have been proved. In the 11 years since he became leader of the country’s Conservatives, the party has been fined for breaking electoral rules, and various members of Team Harper have been caught misleading parliament, gagging civil servants, subverting parliamentary committees, gagging scientists, harassing the supreme court, gagging diplomats, lying to the public, concealing evidence of potential crime, spying on opponents, bullying and smearing. Harper personally has earned himself the rare rebuke of being found to be in contempt of his parliament…..
    … the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), which has been described eloquently by the Globe and Mail as “a 90-person juggernaut of political strategists, ‘issues managers’ and party enforcers who exercise strict control over cabinet, the houses of parliament and the bureaucracy….”
    Sound familiar?
    http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/15/stephen-harper-master-manipulator

    • savenz 11.1
      16 October 2015 at 9:30 am

      But what about their opposition – do they stand by and wave the corruption through in Canada – while ineffectually complaining about it- and then agreeing with much of what the conservatives are doing anyway?

      That is the true trick of the right. To noble your competition by trickery and they don’t even comprehend you are doing it and then start to join in too (unsuccessfully).

      • ianmac 11.1.1
        16 October 2015 at 9:38 am

        Trickery and getting away with it.
        “….a bus full of aboriginal voters, who were very unlikely to vote Conservative, and who were misdirected by calls and ended up not voting at all. That riding – Nipissing-Timiskaming – went to the Conservatives with a majority of only 18.”
        And the source of the calls could not be found.

    • Enough 11.2
      16 October 2015 at 9:37 am

      At least some, of the Canadian media, appear to have their critical faculties intact, unlike their NZ counterparts.

    • Nigel Gregory 11.3
      16 October 2015 at 10:34 am

      I personally know many Harper supporters.
      He has fostered an air of fear in Canada for both financial and personal security. As many western governments do.
      It’s a disgrace.

      The Liberals are no better….another ultra “centrist” establishment party which these days signifies fear and violence.

  12. Sabine 12
    16 October 2015 at 9:40 am

    and booom

    https://theintercept.com/drone-papers

    so 90% who where killed by drone bombings were not target? Say it ain’t so.

    One can’t just make that shit up.

  13. Chooky 13
    16 October 2015 at 9:58 am

    Why did this happen?…was it an accident?…the other side of the story:

    ‘US forces in Afghanistan knew Kunduz site was hospital – report’

    https://www.rt.com/usa/318786-us-analysts-kunduz-hospital/

    …”The site, operated by Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres, MSF), was attacked five times in the span of an hour by a C-130 gunship, despite repeated pleas by the MSF to US forces. MSF officials described repeated strafing runs against the main hospital building, which housed the emergency room and the intensive care unit. No surrounding buildings were hit, they say.”

    ( a question many have been asking themselves)

    ‘Did Obama Bomb Doctors Without Borders for Opposing TPP?’

    http://theantimedia.org/doctors-without-borders-bombing-tpp/

    …”Had the President of Nobel Peace Prize-winning Doctors Without Borders not warned us of the “imminent threat to global health” posed by the TPP, would these 22 doctors and patients have lost their lives early Saturday?…

    Doctors Without Borders Calls Airstrike a War Crime

    • savenz 13.1
      16 October 2015 at 2:48 pm

      I don’t think it is to do with TPP, more that Obama has lost control of the military in Iraq, and the US military and private contractors and overseas troops are doing whatever they like, and Obama is reluctant to try to bring his own military and private contractors to account.

    • Clean_power 14.1
      16 October 2015 at 10:15 am

      Ouch! Not to worry: Jacinda to the rescue.

    • Nigel Gregory 14.2
      16 October 2015 at 10:35 am

      Wow….what the hell.

    • Ad 14.3
      16 October 2015 at 11:36 am

      Good dose of reality for the anti-TPPA activists here, and results I commented on and fully expected.

      National have recovered in October after Labour did them like a dinner in September.

      Labour need to forget TPPA entirely, get back to attacking weak Ministers, and back to issues that are both media-positive and resonant with actual citizens’ direct interests.

      Portfolios like:
      – Social Welfare
      – Employment
      – Corrections
      – Housing
      – Economic Development
      – Education

      And if the existing Labour shadow portfolios aren’t up to making good hits, then either support them with more staff, or reshuffle them.

  15. Matthew Hooton 15
    16 October 2015 at 10:41 am

    Great comments by Phil Goff on TPP. Some sanity seems to be returning within Labour.http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/73073182/labour-unlikely-to-breach-tppa-over-concerns–phil-goff

    • tracey 15.1
      16 October 2015 at 10:56 am

      which is why the Right are keen to promote him to Mayor of Auckland. You understand that when National (and its supporters) are praising Clark and Goff……

      sanity is not defined by who agrees with you Matthew.

    • ianmac 15.2
      16 October 2015 at 11:59 am

      I agree with what Phil said:
      “He denied Labour was “stuck in the dark ages” regarding the TPPA, and said the party had not yet decided whether it would support or oppose the deal.

      “I think the party is doing the right thing at the moment – until you read the fine print, you don’t sign the document.

      “We’ve had a briefing from Tim Groser and that was really helpful, but there are things that he couldn’t answer…and we’ve got to see the detail of it.”

  16. Anne 16
    16 October 2015 at 10:58 am

    Once in a blue moon I am moved to comment on one or other of the MSM news sites. The last time was a TV3 news/opinion piece about the axing of Campbell Live. My comment contained critical language concerning Julie Christie and Mark Weldon whom I saw as the principle protagonists in the demise of the show. Ever since I appear to have been barred from the TV3 comments section. I can’t even read them to see what other readers have to say. No problem reading comments elsewhere.

    What a pair of lily livered, pouting pratts. I’m happy to see TV3 is going down the gurgler with that pair in charge. Sometimes people do get what they deserve.

    • McFlock 17.1
      16 October 2015 at 12:20 pm

      wake me when they don’t need a track

      • Brett Dale 17.1.1
        16 October 2015 at 1:24 pm

        Skate parks are going to be developed and some theme are jumping aboard also.

        • McFlock 17.1.1.1
          16 October 2015 at 1:50 pm

          actually, depending on power efficiencies it might be good in dedicated areas like warehouses. Ignoring the vertical storage issues, of course.

          Theme parks… maybe. Or they could just upscale an air hockey table, for less.

          But the thing about skate parks is that they’re largely created to try to get skateboarders out of public spaces, particularly because of the damage they can cause to benches etc. But skateboards are a valid (if dickish, and not just because one almost hit me today) form of transport outside of parks. And boards are relatively cheap, not requiring batteries or liquid nitrogen.

          So yeah, might be a fad for rich kids, but not for long and not widespread.

    • Das 18.1
      16 October 2015 at 11:34 am

      Very disappointing from Little.
      Labour members and supporters, as well as progressive voters, should take a leaf from the approach of Little and his entourage by flouting requests for donations and help.

    • Ad 18.2
      16 October 2015 at 12:36 pm

      Trotter is such a Splitter.

      He’s stuck in 1984.

      We’re in 2015, and the Labour Party is not ever reverting to some prelapsarian Socialist form. (That question was asked in 2014, and the answer was resoundingly: NO).

  19. Puckish Rogue 19
    16 October 2015 at 1:30 pm

    Well John Key he wanted to close the gap with Australia

    http://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/australias-middle-class-no-longer-the-worlds-wealthiest-20151013-gk7pwa.html

    Another reason it’ll be three more years for John Key

  21. savenz 21
    16 October 2015 at 2:52 pm

    US invaded Afghanistan and Iraq to bring in democracy, freedom of speech, human rights and because of 9/11. (Yeah right).

    Why are they attacking the wrong countries then?

    Mother of Saudi Teen Sentenced to Crucifixion Urges Obama: ‘Rescue My Son’
    Ali Mohammed al-Nimr was sentenced to death at the age of 17 after taking part in a rally for equal Shia rights in Saudi Arabia

    http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/10/14/mother-saudi-teen-sentenced-crucifixion-urges-obama-rescue-my-son?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=socialnetwork

  22. millsy 22
    16 October 2015 at 4:25 pm

    Does Ad support privatisation or is it just me?

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    12 hours ago

  • Government support for Levin community hit by tornado
    The Government is contributing $100,000 to a Mayoral Relief Fund to help the Levin community following this morning’s tornado, Minister for Emergency Management Kiri Allan says. “My thoughts are with everyone who has been impacted by severe weather events in Levin and across the country. “I know the tornado has ...
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    1 day ago

  • Statement from the Quintet of Attorneys General in support of Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova a...
    The Quintet of Attorneys General have issued the following statement of support for the Prosecutor General of Ukraine and investigations and prosecutions for crimes committed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine: “The Attorneys General of the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand join in ...
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    1 day ago

  • Andrew Little Budget 2022 post-Budget health speech, Auckland, 20 May 2022
    Morena tatou katoa. Kua tae mai i runga i te kaupapa o te rā. Thank you all for being here today. Yesterday my colleague, the Minister of Finance Grant Robertson, delivered the Wellbeing Budget 2022 – for a secure future for New Zealand. I’m the Minister of Health, and this was ...
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    2 days ago

  • Govt helps supermarket shoppers get a fair deal
    Urgent Budget night legislation to stop major supermarkets blocking competitors from accessing land for new stores has been introduced today, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Dr David Clark said. The Commerce (Grocery Sector Covenants) Amendment Bill amends the Commerce Act 1986, banning restrictive covenants on land, and exclusive covenants ...
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    2 days ago

  • Prime Minister: Wellbeing Budget 2022 speech
    It is a pleasure to speak to this Budget. The 5th we have had the privilege of delivering, and in no less extraordinary circumstances.  Mr Speaker, the business and cycle of Government is, in some ways, no different to life itself. Navigating difficult times, while also making necessary progress. Dealing ...
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    2 days ago

  • Future resource management system implementation funding
    Budget 2022 provides funding to implement the new resource management system, building on progress made since the reform was announced just over a year ago. The inadequate funding for the implementation of the Resource Management Act in 1992 almost guaranteed its failure. There was a lack of national direction about ...
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    2 days ago

  • Funding certainty for quality public media
    The Government is substantially increasing the amount of funding for public media to ensure New Zealanders can continue to access quality local content and trusted news. “Our decision to create a new independent and future-focused public media entity is about achieving this objective, and we will support it with a ...
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    2 days ago

  • Funding boost secures Defence capabilities
    $662.5 million to maintain existing defence capabilities NZDF lower-paid staff will receive a salary increase to help meet cost-of living pressures. Budget 2022 sees significant resources made available for the Defence Force to maintain existing defence capabilities as it looks to the future delivery of these new investments. “Since ...
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    2 days ago

  • Budget 2022 supports resilient and sustainable cultural sector
    More than $185 million to help build a resilient cultural sector as it continues to adapt to the challenges coming out of COVID-19. Support cultural sector agencies to continue to offer their important services to New Zealanders. Strengthen support for Māori arts, culture and heritage. The Government is investing in a ...
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    2 days ago

  • Minister of Finance: Wellbeing Budget 2022 Speech
    It is my great pleasure to present New Zealand’s fourth Wellbeing Budget. In each of this Government’s three previous Wellbeing Budgets we have not only considered the performance of our economy and finances, but also the wellbeing of our people, the health of our environment and the strength of our communities. In Budget ...
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    2 days ago

  • Wellbeing Budget 2022 Speech
    It is my great pleasure to present New Zealand’s fourth Wellbeing Budget. In each of this Government’s three previous Wellbeing Budgets we have not only considered the performance of our economy and finances, but also the wellbeing of our people, the health of our environment and the strength of our communities. In Budget ...
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    2 days ago

  • Coronial delays addressed by Budget 2022
    Four new permanent Coroners to be appointed Seven Coronial Registrar roles and four Clinical Advisor roles are planned to ease workload pressures Budget 2022 delivers a package of investment to improve the coronial system and reduce delays for grieving families and whānau. “Operating funding of $28.5 million over four ...
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    2 days ago

  • Paving the way for better outcomes for disabled people
    Establishment of Ministry for Disabled People Progressing the rollout of the Enabling Good Lives approach to Disability Support Services to provide self-determination for disabled people Extra funding for disability support services “Budget 2022 demonstrates the Government’s commitment to deliver change for the disability community with the establishment of a ...
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    2 days ago

  • Investing in education so all Kiwis can succeed
    Fairer Equity Funding system to replace school deciles The largest step yet towards Pay Parity in early learning Local support for schools to improve teaching and learning A unified funding system to underpin the Reform of Vocational Education Boost for schools and early learning centres to help with cost ...
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    2 days ago

  • Primary sector backed to grow and innovate
    $118.4 million for advisory services to support farmers, foresters, growers and whenua Māori owners to accelerate sustainable land use changes and lift productivity  $40 million to help transformation in the forestry, wood processing, food and beverage and fisheries sectors  $31.6 million to help maintain and lift animal welfare practices across Aotearoa New Zealand A total food and ...
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    2 days ago

  • More support for first home buyers and renters
    House price caps for First Home Grants increased in many parts of the country House price caps for First Home Loans removed entirely Kāinga Whenua Loan cap will also be increased from $200,000 to $500,000 The Affordable Housing Fund to initially provide support for not-for-profit rental providers Significant additional ...
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    2 days ago

  • Budget lifts up to 14,000 children out of poverty
    Child Support rules to be reformed lifting an estimated 6,000 to 14,000 children out of poverty Support for immediate and essential dental care lifted from $300 to $1,000 per year Increased income levels for hardship assistance to extend eligibility Budget 2022 takes further action to reduce child poverty and ...
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    2 days ago

  • A booster for RNA research and development
    More support for RNA research through to pilot manufacturing RNA technology platform to be created to facilitate engagement between research and industry partners Researchers and businesses working in the rapidly developing field of RNA technology will benefit from a new research and development platform, funded in Budget 2022. “RNA ...
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    2 days ago

  • Unleashing business potential across NZ
    A new Business Growth Fund to support small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to grow Fully funding the Regional Strategic Partnership Fund to unleash regional economic development opportunities Tourism Innovation Programme to promote sustainable recovery Eight Industry Transformation Plans progressed to work with industries, workers and iwi to transition ...
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    2 days ago

  • Securing the wellbeing of Pacific communities
    Budget 2022 further strengthens the economic foundations and wellbeing outcomes for Pacific peoples in Aotearoa, as the recovery from COVID-19 continues. “The priorities we set for Budget 2022 will support the continued delivery of our commitments for Pacific peoples through the Pacific Wellbeing Strategy, a 2020 manifesto commitment for Pacific ...
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    2 days ago

  • Government delivers timely support for whānau
    Boost for Māori economic and employment initiatives. More funding for Māori health and wellbeing initiatives Further support towards growing language, culture and identity initiatives to deliver on our commitment to Te Reo Māori in Education  Funding for natural environment and climate change initiatives to help farmers, growers and whenua ...
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    2 days ago

  • Government delivers critical infrastructure
    New hospital funding for Whangārei, Nelson and Hillmorton 280 more classrooms over 40 schools, and money for new kura $349 million for more rolling stock and rail network investment The completion of feasibility studies for a Northland dry dock and a new port in the Manukau Harbour Increased infrastructure ...
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    2 days ago

  • A health system that takes care of Māori
    $168 million to the Māori Health Authority for direct commissioning of services $20.1 million to support Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards $30 million to support Māori primary and community care providers $39 million for Māori health workforce development Budget 2022 invests in resetting our health system and gives economic security in ...
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    2 days ago

  • Investing in better health services
    Biggest-ever increase to Pharmac’s medicines budget Provision for 61 new emergency vehicles including 48 ambulances, along with 248 more paramedics and other frontline staff New emergency helicopter and crew, and replacement of some older choppers $100 million investment in specialist mental health and addiction services 195,000 primary and intermediate aged ...
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    2 days ago

  • A Secure Future for New Zealanders’ health
    Landmark reform: new multi-year budgets for better planning and more consistent health services Record ongoing annual funding boost for Health NZ to meet cost pressures and start with a clean slate as it replaces fragmented DHB system ($1.8 billion year one, as well as additional $1.3 billion in year ...
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    2 days ago

  • Cost of living package eases impact on households – 2.1 million Kiwis to get new targeted payment
    Fuel Excise Duty and Road User Charges cut to be extended for two months Half price public transport extended for a further two months New temporary cost of living payment for people earning up to $70,000 who are not eligible to receive the Winter Energy Payment Estimated 2.1 million New ...
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    2 days ago

  • Budget highlights underlying strength of economy in face of global headwinds
    A return to surplus in 2024/2025 Unemployment rate projected to remain at record lows Net debt forecast to peak at 19.9 percent of GDP in 2024, lower than Australia, US, UK and Canada Economic growth to hit 4.2 percent in 2023 and average 2.1 percent over the forecast period A ...
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    2 days ago

  • Budget 2022: A secure future in difficult times
    Cost of living payment to cushion impact of inflation for 2.1 million Kiwis Record health investment including biggest ever increase to Pharmac’s medicines budget First allocations from Climate Emergency Response Fund contribute to achieving the goals in the first Emissions Reduction Plan Government actions deliver one of the strongest ...
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    2 days ago

  • Budget 2022: A secure future
    Budget 2022 will help build a high wage, low emissions economy that provides greater economic security, while providing support to households affected by cost of living pressures. Our economy has come through the COVID-19 shock better than almost anywhere else in the world, but other challenges, both long-term and more ...
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    2 days ago

  • Health Minister to attend World Health Assembly in Geneva
    Health Minister Andrew Little will represent New Zealand at the first in-person World Health Assembly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from Sunday 22 – Wednesday 25 May (New Zealand time). “COVID-19 has affected people all around the world, and health continues to ...
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    3 days ago

  • New efforts to counter illegal timber trade
    New Zealand is committing to trade only in legally harvested timber with the Forests (Legal Harvest Assurance) Amendment Bill introduced to Parliament today. Under the Bill, timber harvested in New Zealand and overseas, and used in products made here or imported, will have to be verified as being legally harvested. ...
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    3 days ago

  • Deaths in New Zealand lower than expected so far during the pandemic
    The Government has welcomed the release today of StatsNZ data showing the rate at which New Zealanders died from all causes during the COVID-19 pandemic has been lower than expected. The new StatsNZ figures provide a measure of the overall rate of deaths in New Zealand during the pandemic compared ...
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    3 days ago

  • New law helps secure New Zealand’s maritime domain
    Legislation that will help prevent serious criminal offending at sea, including trafficking of humans, drugs, wildlife and arms, has passed its third reading in Parliament today, Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta announced. “Today is a milestone in allowing us to respond to the increasingly dynamic and complex maritime security environment facing ...
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    4 days ago

  • Trade and Export Growth Minister to travel to Bangkok for APEC
    Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor is set to travel to Thailand this week to represent New Zealand at the annual APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) meeting in Bangkok. “I’m very much looking forward to meeting my trade counterparts at APEC 2022 and building on the achievements we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Government welcomes historic pay-equity deal
    Settlement of the first pay-equity agreement in the health sector is hugely significant, delivering pay rises of thousands of dollars for many hospital administration and clerical workers, Health Minister Andrew Little says. “There is no place in 21st century Aotearoa New Zealand for 1950s attitudes to work predominantly carried out ...
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    4 days ago

  • Government delivers new ICU space at Christchurch Hospital
    Health Minister Andrew Little opened a new intensive care space for up to 12 ICU-capable beds at Christchurch Hospital today, funded from the Government’s Rapid Hospital Improvement Programme. “I’m pleased to help mark this milestone. This new space will provide additional critical care support for the people of Canterbury and ...
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    5 days ago

  • Next steps for specialist mental health and addiction services
    Budget 2022 will continue to deliver on Labour’s commitment to better services and support for mental wellbeing. The upcoming Budget will include a $100-million investment over four years for a specialist mental health and addiction package, including: $27m for community-based crisis services that will deliver a variety of intensive supports ...
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    5 days ago

  • 195,000 children set to benefit from more mental health support
    Budget 2022 will continue to deliver on Labour’s commitment to better mental wellbeing services and support, with 195,000 primary and intermediate aged children set to benefit from the continuation and expansion of Mana Ake services. “In Budget 2022 Labour will deliver on its manifesto commitment to expand Mana Ake, with ...
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    5 days ago