Open Mike 18/06/2018
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6:00 am, June 18th, 2018 - 111 comments
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- Additional MIQ for ChristchurchAn additional hotel will be added to our network of managed isolation and quarantine facilities, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “I have approved and Cabinet is in the final stages of signing off The Quality Hotel Elms in Christchurch as a new managed isolation facility,” Chris Hipkins said. ...2 days ago
- NZ COVID-19 response earns another major digital investmentMinister for the Digital Economy and Communications Dr David Clark welcomes Amazon’s Web Services’ (AWS) decision to establish a Cloud Region on New Zealand shores, further boosting New Zealand’s growing digital sector, and providing a vote of confidence in the direction of New Zealand’s economic recovery. “Amazon is the second ...2 days ago
- New Zealand invests in cutting edge cancer R&DScaling up the manufacture of CAR T-cell cancer therapy for clinical trials Advancing New Zealand’s biomedical manufacturing capability Supporting future international scientific collaborations Transforming cancer care with targeted, affordable solutions Research, Science and Innovation Minister Hon Dr Megan Woods has announced that the fight against COVID-19 will not stop the ...2 days ago
- Expert group appointed to lead New Zealand’s future health systemAn outstanding group of people with extensive and wide-ranging governance and health experience have been appointed to lead the Māori Health Authority and Health New Zealand, Health Minister Andrew Little says. “This Government is building a truly national health system to provide consistent, high-quality health services right across the country. This ...2 days ago
- Funding to help clean up contaminated sitesThe Government is supporting the clean-up of contaminated sites in Northland, Dunedin and Southland to reduce risk to people’s health and protect the environment. Environment Minister David Parker said the funding announced today, through the Contaminated Sites Remediation Fund, will help us turn previously hazardous sites into safe, usable public ...2 days ago
- Predator Free apprenticeships open up new job opportunitiesThe expansion of a predator free apprenticeship programme is an opportunity for more people to kick-start a conservation career, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says. “The Predator Free Apprenticeship Programme is focused on increasing the number of skilled predator control operators in New Zealand through a two-year training programme. “The Trust ...3 days ago
- Further NCEA support confirmed for Auckland studentsThe number of Learning Recognition Credits for senior secondary school students will be increased for Auckland students, Education Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today. This recognises the extended time these students will spend in Alert Levels 3 and 4. “It means students in Auckland will have a fair opportunity to attain ...3 days ago
- Long-term pathway next step to better mental wellbeing for New ZealandersThe Government is taking a new approach to support people who experience mental distress, Health Minister Andrew Little says. “Kia Manawanui Aotearoa – Long-term pathway to mental wellbeing (Kia Manawanui) is the first 10-year plan of its kind that targets the cause of mental distress and also sets out how ...3 days ago
- Keeping our Police safe to keep our communities safeThe Government is committed to keeping our frontline police officers safe, so they in turn can keep New Zealanders safe – with one of the largest investments in frontline safety announced by Police Minister Poto Williams at the Police College today. The $45 million investment includes $15.496 million in ...3 days ago
- Clean Vehicles Bill passes first checkpointThe Land Transport (Clean Vehicles) Amendment Bill will help New Zealand drive down transport emissions by cleaning up the light vehicle fleet, Transport Minister Michael Wood says. The Bill passed its first reading today and will establish the legislative framework for key parts of the Government’s Clean Car Package, including ...4 days ago
- Funding boost supports ongoing Māori COVID-19 responseThe Government is responding to the need by whānau Māori and Māori Health providers to support their ongoing work responding to COVID-19 and to continue increasing rates of Māori vaccination, Associate Minister for Health (Māori Health), Peeni Henare and Minister for Māori Development Willie Jackson announced today. This increased ...4 days ago
- Significant increase to COVID-19 penaltiesPenalties for breaches of COVID-19 orders are set to significantly increase from early November 2021 to better reflect the seriousness of any behaviour that threatens New Zealand’s response to the virus, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “Throughout this Delta outbreak we’ve seen the overwhelming majority of people doing ...4 days ago
- Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill returns to ParliamentThe Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill has returned to Parliament for its second reading in an important step towards giving enforcement agencies greater power to protect New Zealanders from terrorist activity. “The Bill addresses longstanding gaps in our counter terrorism legislation that seek to protect New Zealanders and make us safer,” Justice ...4 days ago
- Joint Statement: New Zealand and Australian Trade MinistersHon Damien O'Connor MP, New Zealand Minister for Trade and Export Growth, and Hon Dan Tehan MP, Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, met virtually on Monday 20 September to advance trans-Tasman cooperation under the Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement (CER). CER is one of the most ...5 days ago
- Prime Minister’s Post Cabinet Press Conference/COVID-19 Update opening statement***Please check against delivery*** E te tī, e te tā, nau mai rā [To all, I bid you welcome] As you will have seen earlier, today there are 22 new community cases to report; three of which are in Whakatiwai in the Hauraki area, and the remainder in ...5 days ago
- Major milestones for Māori COVID-19 vaccine rollout as new campaign launchesWhānau Ora and Associate Health (Māori Health) Minister Peeni Henare acknowledges two major milestones in the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme for Māori. “I am very pleased to announce more than 50 percent of eligible Māori have received their first dose and 25 per cent are now fully vaccinated,” ...6 days ago
- Government funding to fight infectious diseases$36 million for research into Covid-19 and other infectious diseases The investment will improve our readiness for future pandemics Research will focus on prevention, control, and management of infectious diseases The Government’s investing in a new Infectious Diseases Research Platform to boost Aotearoa New Zealand’s Covid-19 response and preparedness for ...6 days ago
- Quarantine-free travel with Australia to remain suspended for a further 8 weeksSuspension to be reviewed again mid to late November Decision brought forward to enable access from Australia to first tranche of around 3000 rooms in MIQ Air New Zealand working at pace to put on more flights from Australia from October The suspension of quarantine-free travel (QFT) with Australia has ...1 week ago
- Extra support for Ethnic Communities to share vaccination informationExtra support is being made available to Ethnic Communities to help them share COVID-19 vaccination information within their communities, Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities Priyanca Radhakrishnan said. “We know we need to get every eligible person in New Zealand vaccinated. A fund being launched today will allow for ...1 week ago
- School holidays remain unchanged for Auckland regionSchool holidays in Auckland will continue to be held at the same time as the rest of the country, starting from Saturday, 2 October, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “I’ve carefully considered advice on the implications of shifting the dates and concluded that on balance, maintaining the status quo ...1 week ago
- Government continues crackdown on gangs and organised crimeOperation Tauwhiro extended until March 2022 Since it was launched in February, Operation Tauwhiro has resulted in: 987 firearms seized $4.99 million in cash seized 865 people charged with a firearms-related offence Gangs and organised crime groups will continue to be relentlessly targeted with the extension of Police’s successful ...1 week ago
- Speech to Body Positive 'HIV Treatments Update Seminar 2021'E ngā mana E ngā reo E ngā iwi Tēnā koutou katoa Ka huri ki ngā mana whenua o te rohe nei. Tēnā koutou. He mihi hoki ki a tatou kua tau mai nei I raro I te kaupapa o te rā. Nō reira tēnā koutou katoa Acknowledgements It’s a ...1 week ago
- Power bill changes bring fairness to chargesA key recommendation of an independent panel to make electricity charges fairer across all households will be put in place, the Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods has announced. “Phasing out the regulations on ‘low-use’ electricity plans will create a fairer playing field for all New Zealanders and encourage a ...1 week ago
- NZ economy’s strong momentum will support rebound from Delta outbreak; COVID fund replenishedThe economy showed strong momentum in the period leading up to the recent Delta COVID-19 outbreak, which bodes well for a solid economic rebound, Grant Robertson said. GDP rose 2.8 percent in the June quarter, following on from a 1.4 percent increase in the previous March quarter. This was a ...1 week ago
- Projects create benefits into the futureMaking a well-known lake swimmable and helping to halt the decline of the endangered hoiho/yellow-eyed penguins are among a suite of new projects being supported by the Government’s Jobs for Nature programme across the southern South Island, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says. “It’s no secret that many of our most ...1 week ago
- Opening statement for Whāriki Indigenous Small Business RoundtableKei ngā tōpito e wha o te āo e rere ana te mihi maioha ki a koutou nō tawhiti, nō tata mai e tāpiri ana ki tēnei taumata kōrero mo te ao hokohoko arā mā ngā pākihi mo ngā iwi taketake Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa – Pai Mārire. ...1 week ago
- New members appointed to KāpuiaThe Government is adding four additional members to Kāpuia, the Ministerial Advisory Group on the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch mosques. “I’m looking forward to having Pamela MacNeill, Huia Bramley, Melani Anae and Katherine Dedo join Kāpuia and contribute to this group’s ...1 week ago
- Timeline confirmed for Emissions Reductions PlanCabinet has agreed to begin consulting on the Emissions Reduction Plan in early October and require that the final plan be released by the end of May next year in line with the 2022 Budget, the Minister of Climate Change, James Shaw confirmed today. “Cabinet’s decision allows organisations and communities ...1 week ago
- Pay parity pathway for early learning teachers confirmedPay parity conditions and higher funding rates for education and care services will come into force on 1 January, 2022, Minister of Education Chris Hipkins confirmed today. The Government signalled this work in Budget 2021. “From 1 January, 2022, centres opting into the scheme will receive government funding and be ...1 week ago
- Speech to the New Zealand Nurses Organisation Conference 2021Kia Ora tatau katoa. Ka tuku mihi ki nga nēhi, He pou Hauora o Aotearoa, E ora ai tatou. Whakatau mai I runga i te kaupapa o te ra Te NZNO conference. Tena koutou tena koutou Tena tatou katoa Good morning, and thank you inviting me ...1 week ago
- Scotty Stevenson: Love, rugby, and the story of my family
Ahead of tonight’s hundredth Test between the New Zealand All Blacks and South Africa’s Springboks, Scotty Stevenson reaches deep into his own family history, within which the two nations and their personalities are deeply entwined. This essay was first published in Dylan Cleaver’s newsletter The Bounce. Subscribe here.There will be ...37 mins ago - China’s problems in property are a difficulty for everyone
As China’s most indebted property developer Evergrande hovers on the brink, the question is where the government will draw the line on support for the firm – and for the financial system. Markets are nervous but the consensus seems to be that while an example may be made of ...3 hours ago - Live updates, September 25: Is Auckland’s delta outbreak coming under control?Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for Saturday September 25, by Toby Manhire. Get in touch on info@thespinoff.co.nzThanks for your company today. All our coverage of the Covid response is made possible thanks to Members’ contributions. Help keep the show on the road by joining today.The day (and night) aheadThere ...4 hours ago
- How build-to-rent can help ease New Zealand’s housing woesA glimpse into a brighter future for New Zealand’s lifelong renters.While New Zealand’s build-to-rent market remains in its infancy, a leader in property development believes a significant opportunity exists with the emerging asset class to provide better quality rentals on terms friendly to both tenants and landlords.New Ground Capital managing ...5 hours ago
- Just how far can kindness travel?
Are Kiwis capable of caring about people in low-income countries when we have pressing social problems in our own backyard? The University of Auckland's Dr Nikki Turner speaks to UNICEF Aotearoa about the impacts of the pandemic, and why vaccination coverage is critical wherever you live. Doctor Nikki Turner is a fast ...6 hours ago - Short story: The Big Game, by AP Gaskell
Ahead of tonight's All Blacks vs Springboks match, we reprint the greatest rugby short story of all times, from 1947 The football match at Carisbrook was over. Dusk was already falling, and during the last part of the game the flight of the ball and even the movements of ...6 hours ago - Dodgy tickets, huge mark-ups – what is Viagogo really up to?Offshore touts are trying to flog off expensive tickets to concerts all over New Zealand. And sometimes those tickets may not even exist. What can be done to stop it?Adam Webb is hovering over his keyboard, frantically searching for information. He has multiple internet tabs open and fake credit cards ...6 hours ago
- Learning to teach teens in a pandemicFrom refereeing shots at the rubbish bin to instructing from his mum’s lounge, a new teacher looks back on his first year.Between the wild passions and imbalances of puberty, the so often uninspired curriculum, the leaky (if not mouldy) buildings and toxic political discourse that pollutes education, learning to teach ...7 hours ago
- New Tall Fern Taia has Dad close at hand
A huge few weeks for basketballer Ashley Taia will be capped off by wearing the Tall Ferns singlet for the first time in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup. Ashley Taia knows her “biggest fan” – her late dad – will be watching over her when she makes her debut for the Tall ...7 hours ago - View from The Hill: Barnaby Joyce falls (sort of) into step for the ‘net zero’ march
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Lukas Coch/AAP The Coalition brigade is assembling, readying for the final march to a place it once regarded as enemy territory and poisoned ground, too dangerous to approach. Josh Frydenberg waved the flag ...14 hours ago - Travellers grounded after surprise Covid rule change
Air New Zealand and people hoping to fly back into Auckland this morning were blindsided - and stranded - by a new rule that came in at midnight last night After six weeks down in Queenstown waiting out Auckland’s lockdown, it was finally time for John Gosney to come ...18 hours ago - Mayor Meets With Ministers Over Three Waters Reform Proposal
This week Mayor Rehette Stoltz met with Ministers, including the Minister for Local Government Nanaia Mahuta to discuss the Three Waters reform proposal. Government is proposing to move the management of the three waters away from individual Councils ...19 hours ago - New Zealand Red Meat Sector Welcomes Chinese Taipei’s CPTPP Membership ApplicationThe Meat Industry Association (MIA) and Beef + Lamb NZ (B+LNZ) welcome Chinese Taipei’s formal application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Sam McIvor, chief executive of Beef + Lamb NZ said the ...19 hours ago
- NZ kiwifruit reportedly tests positive for Covid in China
A Covid scare with Kiwi produce imported into China could have repercussions for New Zealand exporters Chinese officials say a batch of New Zealand kiwifruit imported into the country has tested positive for Covid-19, in news which could concern Kiwi exporters wary of any clampdown. The CCP-owned Global Times reported ...20 hours ago - Week in Politics: Auckland moves down, doubt cast on elimination strategy
Analysis - Critics accuse the government of giving up on its elimination strategy and Speaker Trevor Mallard's move to stop unvaccinated people entering Parliament's precinct raises debate. ...20 hours ago - The Friday Poem: Young Adult Success Stories, by Erik KennedyA new poem from Christchurch poet Erik Kennedy.Young Adult Success StoriesThis fantastic article outlines how, at the tender age of twenty-two, Brad got seed money for his underwear delivery start-up and bought a Bugatti. What an amazing tale of industry and sticktoitiveness. How did he do it? Ah, yes, it’s ...20 hours ago
- Most 2019 Budget mental health intiatives on track – reviewDeputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson said a stocktake of the $1.9 billion mental health package found strong progress had been made since its announcement. ...20 hours ago
- Wenda blames nurse’s death on Indonesian military crackdown for Papuan mining, palm oilAsia Pacific Report newsdesk The United Liberation Movement of West Papua has blamed the Indonesian military over the attack at a hospital in Kiwirok, near the Papua New Guinean border, in which a nurse was killed. Interim president Benny Wenda of the ULMWP has issued a statement in response to ...20 hours ago
- Taliban ‘journalism rules’ open way to censorship, persecution, warns RSFAsia Pacific Report newsdesk Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says it is very disturbed by the “11 journalism rules” that the Taliban announced at a meeting with news media on September 19. The rules that Afghan journalists will now have to implement are vaguely worded, dangerous and liable to be used ...20 hours ago
- Covid deaths soar in New Caledonian crisis – 16 in one dayRNZ Pacific New Caledonia recorded 16 covid-19 deaths yesterday — the highest single day total since the delta strain of the virus arrived in the territory less than three weeks ago. A spokesperson for the territorial government, Gilbert Tyuienon, said the archipelago “is going through a crisis never seen in ...20 hours ago
- Auckland mayor Goff makes ‘roll up your sleeves – take covid jab’ pleaAsia Pacific Report newsdesk Auckland Mayor Phil Goff has appealed to the 1.7 million people in the city to “roll up your sleeves” and get vaccinated immediately to help New Zealand cope better with the covid-19 pandemic. Writing in The New Zealand Herald today to back the newspaper’s 90% Project ...20 hours ago
- New Amazon data centres risk unbalancing NZ's fragile electricity network
At risk of being churlish, we say Amazon Web Services must invest not just in jobs but also in utility-scale renewable energy ...21 hours ago - ‘Don’t be a dick’: Nigel Latta’s advice for surviving Covid while stuck at homeProperty investors at this year’s virtual Property Conference probed the psychologist on all things Covid and working from home. Reweti Kohere listened in as the keynote speaker responded with some home truths.Working from home is a thing now, an acceptable way these days to clock in and out of one’s ...21 hours ago
- Court Ruling A Victory For Common SenseGreat news and a victory for common sense and for people seeking abortion services. That's the response from Family Planning to a High Court decision today where a group of health professionals opposed to abortion have lost a court case over whether their ...21 hours ago
- VIDEO: Michelle Grattan on AUKUS fallout and the government moving to net zeroSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra University of Canberra Professional Fellow Michelle Grattan alongside University of Canberra Associate Professor Caroline Fisher discuss the week in politics. This week the pair discuss the announcement of the AUKUS, in particular the reaction ...21 hours ago
- Mahuta spurns call from civic leaders to go with the flow – and go slow – with contentious Three...
A press statement we received from Nanaia Mahuta, speaking as Minister of Foreign Affairs, dealt with the findings of an independent review into New Zealand’s export controls system, which regulates the export of goods to foreign militaries, police forces or paramilitaries. Produced by David Smol, a former Chief Executive of ...21 hours ago - Covid-19 briefing: Upper Hauraki to move to alert level 2The Upper Hauraki area will join most of New Zealand in alert level 2 after no further positive results, the deputy prime minister has confirmed. Watch the government's latest Covid-19 briefing here. ...21 hours ago
- Meet the Pacific social services helping keep the team of five million safeWhen the latest lockdown became much more than a health crisis for many South Auckland families, it was their local, Pacific-led social services that stepped up to help. Patricia Tosogu is beaming with relief as she stands in the doorway of her new temporary home in Ōtāhuhu, while the sounds ...22 hours ago
- Two governments claim to run Myanmar. So, who gets the country’s seat at the UN?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Simpson, Senior Lecturer, University of South Australia As world leaders have gathered for the UN General Assembly in New York this week, there has been uncertainty over who should be representing Myanmar. Since a coup on February 1, Myanmar’s military ...22 hours ago
- Building trust with migrant and refugee communities is crucial for public health measures to workSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Devaki Monani, Lecturer, Social Work, Charles Darwin University Shutterstock During COVID-19 we’ve seen racism and discrimination against migrant and refugee communities erode trust between them and authorities.So as the Delta variant spreads, we must find ways ...22 hours ago
- Our air defences are down – only some RNZAF aircraft can reach for the sky as Orions are retired
There are sad faces around Whenuapai today as the RNZAF retires the first of its five Lockheed Orions. The aircraft is flying to Woodbourne for breaking and parting – essentially for spares. The Orions came into service in 1966 and have become a familiar presence in the south Pacific, saving ...22 hours ago- Bernard Hickey: Fashion’s greenwashing problem and how to see through it
It’s getting increasingly tough to buy clothing that isn’t the result of practices that exploit both workers and the environment. Bernard Hickey talks to the founder of a local tech start-up that wants to help consumers all over the world make better choices.Follow When the Facts Change on Apple Podcasts, ...22 hours ago- The Spinoff Covid tracker: 20 live graphs that tell the story of delta in Aotearoa
Everything you need to know about how the Covid-19 pandemic is tracking in New Zealand, through regularly updated data visualisations.The Spinoff Covid tracker brings together all the relevant Covid data – cases, tests, vaccination and mobility – in one place.The aim of this page is to show the numbers in ...23 hours ago- Watch live: Grant Robertson and Dr Caroline McElnay give an update on the current Covid-19 outbreak
Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson and Director of Public Health Dr Caroline McElnay are providing an update on the current Covid-19 outbreak. ...23 hours ago- Facebook livestreams of PM’s 1pm update swarmed by anti-vax misinformation
The benefits of reaching the wider audience outweigh the risk of damage, says Ardern.The daily 1pm updates have become the central set-piece of New Zealand’s response to the Covid-19 crisis. Among the popular live streams of these Beehive briefings is that on the prime minister’s own Facebook page. Yesterday’s, for ...23 hours ago- Carterton District Council Responds To Three Waters Reform Proposal
Carterton District Council is preparing to submit its response to the Government’s Three Waters Reform proposals on 1 October. Chief executive Geoff Hamilton has written a draft letter to be sent to the Department of Internal Affairs on behalf of the ...23 hours ago- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending September 24
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.Auckland only had one day back in action before we came nagging for sales figures, which seems a ...23 hours ago- $62 Million Dubai Pavilion Is Insulting Extravagance
NZTE’s $62 million pavilion unveiled today in Dubai is an unseemly extravagance during a pandemic, says the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union . Union spokesman Louis Houlbrooke says, “NZTE has completely misread the room by proceeding with the Dubai ...23 hours ago- Soft Penalty For Council Fraudsters Shows Law Change Needed
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling for increased penalties for defrauding public bodies after two men stole $178,365 from Hurunui District Council using false invoices . “Stealing $178,000 from ratepayers ought to land you in jail, not home ...23 hours ago- Government proposes tougher safety rules for adventure activity operators
The government wants to bring in tougher safety rules for adventure activity operators, in response to the deadly 2019 Whakaari / White Island eruption. ...23 hours ago- Letter to the Editor – MIQ
Dear Government Stop thanking me for doing my bit as an Aucklander. Why wouldn’t I? Stop celebrating the vaccination statistics when we could have been ahead of the game if you had just agreed to pay the asking price for the Pfizer vaccine way back ...24 hours ago- Keith Rankin Data Analysis – Table of Excess Deaths from Covid19
Data and Analysis by Keith Rankin. Keith Rankin. The table below uses raw-death data published downloaded from https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/excess-mortality-raw-death-count to predict what death numbers would have occurred in 2020 and 2021 had there been no Covid19 pandemic. The actual death numbers are compared with the predicted (counterfactual) numbers to calculated excess ...1 day ago- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – September 24 2021
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. You can sign up to NZ Politics Daily as well as New Zealand Political Roundup columns for free here. Today’s content Modelling dispute, Govt Covid strategy RNZ: Modeller stands ...1 day ago- Late Pay Parity Red Tape Could See Teachers Miss Out On Pay Rise
70% of surveyed providers won’t opt in to the government’s Pay Parity offer after months of waiting, meaning teachers could miss out on the pay increase promised by the Minister of Education. “Providers were promised Pay Parity progress and ...1 day ago- Medical Groups Should Canvass Members On ‘Conversion Therapy’ Ban
Family First NZ is calling on the NZMA and the Pediatric Society to canvass its members after more than a quarter of doctors in the UK said that they did not support the British Medical Association (BMA) lobbying to ban ‘conversion therapy’. Both ...1 day ago- Super Fund money in blacklisted China firms criticised
Pension funds and institutional investors' talk about responsible investing is not being backed up when it comes to China, an international NGO says A new report has raised concerns about the Super Fund’s investments in Chinese companies blacklisted for their role in human rights abuses, saying pension funds should not ...1 day ago- Beyond 90% – the graphs that tell the story of our vaccination challenges
A vaccination rate of nine out of every 10 eligible New Zealanders is a great headline number. But it can also be deceptive. The Spinoff’s head of data Harkanwal Singh explains.This work is only possible thanks to Spinoff Members. To support more important data journalism on the Spinoff, join now. Today ...1 day ago- Surge In Imports Results In Record Monthly Trade Deficit
Imports increased $1.8 billion in August 2021 compared with August 2020, resulting in a record monthly trade deficit of $2.1 billion, Stats NZ said today. Exports were little changed, down $42 million. "This is a larger deficit than normal because ...1 day ago- New Zealand to donate more Covid-19 vaccines to the Pacific
New Zealand is donating more Covid-19 vaccines to the Pacific and to the Covax initiative which supports global equitable access to vaccines. ...1 day ago- New Zealand Government Eases COVID-19 Lockdown In Auckland
Tom Peters, Socialist Equality Group 23 September 2021, original url https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/09/23/auck-s23.html On Wednesday the lockdown in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, was eased from “alert level 4” to “level 3,” despite new cases of the highly infectious ...1 day ago- Surge In Imports Results In Record Monthly Trade Deficit
Imports increased $1.8 billion in August 2021 compared with August 2020, resulting in a record monthly trade deficit of $2.1 billion, Stats NZ said today. Exports were little changed, down $42 million. "This is a larger deficit than normal because ...1 day ago- Mayor: Reports, Public Opinion Cast Further Doubt On Three Waters Reform
Two new reports received by Timaru District Council show that case for Three Waters Reform isn’t as compelling as the Government claims, and a significant majority of the community polled also aren’t convinced. Councillors considering their official ...1 day ago- Government agreed to subsidise MIQ costs for international sports stars
The government agreed to subsidise international sports stars' managed isolation and quarantine bills last year - paying hundreds of thousands of dollars per team. ...1 day ago- Angela Merkel’s career shows why we need more scientists in politics
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Johnston, Professor and Dean of Science, UNSW For 16 years, German chancellor Angela Merkel has guided her country through wave after wave of uncertainty, from the 2008 global financial crisis to Brexit, the imperative to drop fossil fuels, and of course ...1 day ago- On the eve of an AFLM grand final like no other, can the shadow of the pandemic make us strive for s...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Klugman, Research Fellow, Institute for Health & Sport, member of the Community, Identity and Displacement Research Network, and Co-convenor of the Olympic Research Network, Victoria University On the last Saturday of September every year many of the inhabitants of Melbourne, and ...1 day ago- Tom Wills’ story is the AFL’s opportunity for truth telling about its ugly history
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jess Coyle, Lecturer, Sports Management, Western Sydney University This article discusses colonial violence against First Nations peoples. There is reference to people who are now deceased. There has been a new revelation by researcher Gary Fearon that cricketer and founding father ...1 day ago- German election: the race to replace Angela Merkel and why it matters to New Zealand
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mathew Doidge, Senior Research Fellow, University of Canterbury Shutterstock From a distance, the big news about Germany’s coming election on September 26 is the end of Angela Merkel’s reign after 16 years of leadership in Germany and Europe. Closer up, ...1 day ago- New preliminary evidence suggests coronavirus jumped from animals to humans multiple times
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hamish McCallum, Director, Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University The origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has caused the COVID-19 pandemic, has been hotly debated. This debate has caused substantial difficulties in the Australia-China relationship, with a call by ...1 day ago- Live updates, September 24: TPM modelling criticised for causing ‘unnecessary fear’
Welcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for September 23, by Alice Neville. 8.00am: TPM modelling criticised for stoking ‘unnecessary fear’Economic modeller Rodney Jones has continued his criticism of Te Pūnaha Matatini’s modelling of the future of New Zealand’s Covid response, which was presented by Shaun Hendy at yesterday’s 1pm government briefing. ...1 day ago- The sun’s shining and snakes are emerging, but they’re not out to get you. Here’s what they’...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy N. W. Jackson, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Australian Venom Research Unit, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock It’s early spring in southern Australia and the sun is, gloriously, out. You decide to head to your local patch of greenery – by ...1 day ago- Vital Signs: a simple way to cut carbon emissions — don’t let polluters hide
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Holden, Professor of Economics, UNSW Shutterstock World leaders and about 30,000 others from assorted interest groups will converge on Glasgow in November for the United Nations’ 26th annual climate summit, COP26 (“Conference of the Parties”). It will be five ...1 day ago- Hidden women of history: Annie Lock was a bolshie, outspoken Australian missionary, full of contradi...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Bishop, Postdoctoral Fellow, Macquarie University Missionary Annie Lock with Enbarda (Betsy) left, and Dolly Cumming, both children from the Alice Springs area in Central Australia. Photo taken in Darwin. National Archives of Australia Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander readers are ...1 day ago- What our vaccinated future could look like
Nearly everyone needs a jab to avoid more level four lockdowns, according to the government’s latest research, Justin Giovannetti writes in The Bulletin.Vaccinations alone won’t be enough to control delta. Jacinda Ardern made the case for near universal vaccination rates yesterday as she unveiled new modelling from Te Pūnaha Matatini that ...1 day ago- NZ gives vaccine to islands – but needs help reaching its own Pacific peoples
The 712,000 doses are belated but welcome fulfilment of NZ's commitment to more vulnerable neighbouring nations, writes Jonathan Milne. Now NZ must address its own vaccine inequities. Analysis: When Pacific island nations distribute the vaccine to teenagers, the messaging is a little different to that in New Zealand. No, the vaccine will not change ...1 day ago- Covid-19 vaccination campaign needs to move away from 'one-size-fits-all' approach
Businesses are launching their own vaccination campaigns to reach people they say are being overlooked by the government's messaging. ...1 day ago- Covid-19 vaccination programme moving away from 'one-size-fits-all' approach
Businesses are launching their own vaccination campaigns to reach people they say are being overlooked by the government's messaging. ...1 day ago- Five prickly questions: The legal minefield around work and vaccines
Businesses are struggling with what to do around Covid vaccinations in the workforce, with oft-conflicting legislation and little clarity from Government. ...1 day ago- Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 24 September
1 day ago- Newsroom daily crossword, Friday 24 September
1 day ago- What is rapid testing and when is it coming to New Zealand?
DIY Covid-19 tests are all the rage overseas but how do they work and are they any good? Mirjam Guesgen finds out.What is rapid testing?Rapid tests are also called antigen tests, RATs (rapid antigen test), at-home tests, lateral flow tests, or self tests.Rapid tests look and work a lot like ...1 day ago- The beacons and black holes of NZ’s big new mental health plan
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https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/104785300/thousands-of-government-department-employees-to-vote-on-coordinated-strike-action
MBIE and IRD voting on strike action apparently.
Well I wouldn’t like to suggest that theres been a lot more strikes and suggested strike actions since a change of government happened but it’ll be interesting to see how this plays out
A lot of pent-up frustration and low wage increases for the best part of 10 years will do that.
My thoughts as well Craig.
I suspect it is because at last they have a government that might listen to their concerns
That and won’t try to criminalise them as well.
It is time to reclaim some balance in New Zealand industrial relations after getting hammered by employers since 1991.
Increased industrial action is a positive sign. Workers no longer standing for tiny wage increases and bully boy tactics from employers
Norway wants to start commercial electric airplane flights:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-17/tesla-loving-nation-now-wants-to-be-a-pioneer-in-electric-planes
Norway is the largest exporter of oil and gas in Europe, but they also plan to cut emissions by 40%.
Helpfully they have few ethical quandaries about their continued economic, environmental and social success.
They are not claiming long-haul electric flights will ever be viable, just the short ones to start with.
http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/cancellation-party-registration-0
End of a political party
I can’t see many people being sad about this
There were a lot on here who thought they were fantastic.
As opposed to the joke they were.
At least they helped kill off mana.
These things are relative. They were infinitely better than the then government, and offered some prospect of justice for Dotcom for the abuses he suffered at the hands of the Key kleptocracy.
But as a booster for that sleazy pack of scum you feel threatened by anyone not succumbing to illegal shit like armed raids on an unarmed household.
Are you claiming the party was a means for Dotcom to avoid due process in the legal system?
Make a point gosman, your attempts to put words in peoples mouths is really disengious, as well as tiresome. It really is quite a dishonest way to have a discussion.
I agree with Adam about “Are you saying..? Is your belief..? Stop framing the argument through another’s supposed view, Gosman. It’s boring and a waste of our time.
Such is the life of the ideoligically aligned NaCT Party spin meister – on duty from dawn til dusk and overnight.
I’ve seen Harcourt’s Real Estate agents who’ve given up for less. (At least they had a questioning mind – going forward)
I asked a question to clarify this point “…and offered some prospect of justice for Dotcom for the abuses he suffered at the hands of the Key kleptocracy”.
Perhaps you can give your interpretation on what this means given that to me it suggests one of the points of the party was to counter the legal proceedings Dotcom was facing at the time.
Really, you don’t do it all the time? You don’t ask questions to put words in peoples mouths? Then you never get all huffy when someone points out your dishonest way of debating?
Seriously gosman, you got a couple of day ban for that diengious style of yours. I see you still doing it.
“Huffy”
And no, perhaps I won’t. Adam’s right.
Certainly not – as subsequent court rulings showed, he was illegally denied it.
If he was illegally denied it what is the current government doing about it considering they could intervene?
You would have to ask them, Gosman.
Dawn raids don’t seem to be part of it however.
How about you go after the guilty and leave the bystanders alone for a change.
How about you start asking the hard questions of the side that you support for a change?
These are the same fools that took about a decade to come round on Zaoui – they’re not about to risk anything for Dotcom.
But as I said – Key abused the powers of his office, illegally spying on and seizing Dotcom’s property, with the intention of facilitating an illegal prosecution by US interests.
Why are you such a pathetic apologist for Key, Gosman? That was the shit the Nazis pulled to glom Jewish wealth – not something to tolerate for a heartbeat – but you did.
I’ve never been a rah rah for Key. If you’ve followed my comments on this blog you should know this. I just think he was better than the left wing alternatives as evidenced by the current rabble in power.
You never called him on any of his numerous dishonesties or abuses of power – but you want to call the coalition on not helping Dotcom? That’s a double standard too far.
I criticised Key all the time. I just criticised him for different things to what you generally criticised him for. In some areas we might have had common cause but certainly not on the Dotcom issue. I personally don’t think there was any political interference in the Dotcom case. If there was then it would be very serious and as such I would expect it to be a priority of the current government to sort out. Given they aren’t doing this it would tend to support my view rather than yours.
“all the time” eh.
So you’ll be able to cite a couple – I don’t recall any.
No, it actually doesn’t. There’s several possible meanings two of which are:
1. There’s simply no evidence of wrong doing despite the prima facie evidence that there was. This doesn’t mean that wrong didn’t happen – just that the evidence to prove it doesn’t exist.
2. The present government is following the ‘legal’ position that governments aren’t responsible for what happens under their watch in government departments because they’re not supposed to get involved in day to day operations.
3. They actually believe that Key et al did nothing wrong.
“illegal shit like armed raids on an unarmed household”
I had almost forgotten about that. Not surprising I suppose that one tends to forget things that were actually more than 10 years ago.
It was certainly absolutely disgraceful behaviour by the Police and Government of the time.
What was the Government so worried about?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_New_Zealand_police_raids
Dotcom’s home was invaded by armed police in 2012.
No. The raids were in 2007. You must be thinking about something else. 2012 was when the trials took place and only a few people ended up being charged and there were guilty verdicts on only a few trivial arms offenses.
Then in 2013 the raids were found to be illegal and in 2014 the poor old Police Commissioner had to go and apologise for them.
The responsible politicians were by then keeping well out of the way. The one who was ultimately responsible for the disgraceful activities had by then fled the country and was tucked away in New York. Never did admit to doing anything wrong and never apologised.
Dotcom’s home was invaded by armed police in 2012.
Hey Alwyn, everything else you believe is wrong too.
Are you starting to understand why you’re known as a liar yet?
You aren’t talking about the same thing are you?
I was talking about the dreadful affair in the Urewera area. They were certainly the worst case of Police behaviour in my lifetime, with the possible exception of 1951.
If you had read my link you should have realised that.
But you really don’t read properly do you? Why do you worry about minor affairs and ignore the serious misbehaviour?
You see why you are known as an idiot yet?
You are the only one in this thread talking about the terror raids. You started by replying to Stuart Munro who was making the point that the police raided Dotcom’s home all military style for no good reason.
“What was the Government so worried about?”
Not a damned thing. It was a quid pro quo for a trade deal they’ve wanted forever – and, as with Jenny taking the tariffs off, achieved precisely nothing.
Except to crush NZ’s emerging cyberlocker sector, and destroy Dotcom’s life and NZ’s reputation as a law abiding country.
Kim Dotcom’s home was raided on 20th January 2012. I would have thought that even a Fifty Cent Army member such as yourself would be able to figure out that 2012 is less than ten years before 2018.
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/simon-bridges
End of a political party
I can’t see many people being sad about this
There were a lot of people who thought they were fantastic
As opposed to the joke they were
At least they helped kill of ACT.
I agree with you on this, it’ll be Judith Time!
Also a poem I just created for Judith, its my best yet:
I think that I shall never see a politician as lovely as Judy
Judy, whose hungry mouth is prest against the earth’s sweet flowing breast (might be a tad sexy)
Judy that looks at God all day, and lifts her motherly arms to pray;
Judy that may in Summer wear a nest of defeated opponents in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who intimately lives with rain. (Thats pretty hot)
Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make Judy
That’s really quite impressive PR – have you considered leading the Conservative Party?
Unfortunately I’m the shy and retiring type so politics wouldn’t suit me 🙂
poetic repartee.
Unfortunately that would make you a perfect leader especially with your unhealthy obsession or crush on Collin’s
Unfortunately I have some ideas that I don’t think the Conservatives would like 🙂
There once was the member for Papakura,
Whose husband worked for Orivida
When hubbys milk was delayed
She didn’t care if NZ paid
She went and dined to ensure “hey no problem”
Now if this sorry tale you doubt.
Its time to to read all about…
For dirty politics was the book
That showed Judith as a crook
sometimes love is blind as a…………………………..
Sorry PR…..just have to tell you the bad news on your crush
Could you do another verse and mention her eyebrows? And you could include some swamp kauri as well, perhaps – lol.
Sorry but inspiration doesn’t come that easy 🙂
Just once a day, Pucky, then you’re spent?
Can’t be that difficult, googling ‘poem’.
Are you suggesting I…plagiarise?
Who ever did you get that idea from 🙂
Fine I’ll prove it then, here’s my magnum opus and you’ll see how similar it is to my other works
Roses are red
Violets are blue
I love Judith
and so should you
I think you’ll find that’s a pretty compelling argument
It could begin; “Up to her eyebrows…”
Up to her eyebrows in muck
Judith is sh*t out of luck…
Up to her eyebrows in mire
Judith should quickly retire…
I like where this is potentially going…
I’m now thinking…
Those eyebrows are in dire need of plucky
Perhaps Jude could call upon …
Dammit! Can’t get the rhyme!
Got me stumped as well
Jude’s past is decidedly muckish
She needs service from someone named…
Dammit!
Completely dried up!
(stumped – gotta give you some credit for that…I suppose…)
The poetry doesn’t seem to be working so I thought I’d “branch” out into comedy writing
Judith’s a never ending source of material for you then.
I think this ‘po em’ has been ‘appropriated’from someone else. Where did you get it from?
Trees
By Joyce Kilmer
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/12744/trees
Coincidence 🙂
i thought they would get 7%….but the fjk video and the moment of truth stuffed that
Tuned into NR politics at 11 this morning. Seems Hooten was also reliving the times, start a rant on how unstable Peters is. Like any analyst worth his salt can see Labour learnt the lesson, National deputy rolled his leader and Peters has been living off the victimhood every since. Every time Hooten re tells this piece of propaganda I swear NZF jumps in the polls.
“Every time Hooten re tells this piece of propaganda I swear NZF jumps in the polls.”.
Is that what is doing it? I have been at a loss to understand how Winston First could possibly still be up at the 2.4% they are in the Newshub/Reid poll. On their behaviour they should be under 1%. Below ACT in fact.
Keep quiet Hooton. Let Winnie sink beneath the surface of the swamp.
This looks good for minister Clark – not
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12072583
James. The issue is really over the underfunding of Health, over the last 9 years. Sadly some innocents who tried to manage the deficits were hurt. And more sadly some losers try to make capital out of the mess left behind.
You are like those who revel in someone else’s car wreck
You may say that is the issue – but this *is* and issue in its own right. All you are doing is deflecting by refusing to discuss this issue in its own right.
Clark deserves everything he gets on this.
Considering Clark’s response towards the end of the article, it would appear either that you didn’t read it to the end, or that you are simply happy to give everyone except him the benefit of any doubt, because he is a Labour politician. Neither would surprise me in the slightest.
Be interesting to see if details emerge as to what a joy Rabin was to work with jimbo.
Oh look – the arsonists attacking the fire-fighters again.
The usual attack lines are:
– you’re not putting it out fast enough
– it’s not as big as you say it is (i.e. I only lit a small fire)
– Why are you getting angry and mean and hurting my feelings
National – vandalism on a grand scale since 1949.
AB @ 4.2 Thats brilliant and hilarious
The Royal’s first gay wedding! Sweet.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=12072467
#stilldon’tcare
Just a strange coincidence I’m sure…
Rodney worst ranked prancer 5 out of 6 weeks.
Seymour worst ranked dead hoofer 6 out of 8 weeks.
ACT leaders, made for shit tv.
“ACT leaders, made for shit tv.”
And yet they keep on getting voted back.
That would indicate that the people disagree with you.
Next you will be telling us WHY they voted the way they did.
Pity, I suppose. Some would vote them back on for comedic value, others for more perverse reasons; bread, circus.
I am not convinced the people (indicating many) disagree at all… I think Seymour is being kept afloat by just a tiny number of people with way too much money… #DWTSNZ is not a popularity contest, it is a rich person contest… who has the most $$$ to waste
Yep. I’ll tell you why.
They don’t vote for Seymour – it could be anybody. They vote to give National an extra, unearned vote in Parliament from a pretend party.
Maybe rugged individualists who ooze ‘Personal Responsibility’ from every pore just don’t do dancing – which is sort of wimpy and collaborative?
Interesting read from Nicky Hager on the effects of the police raid on his house: https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/06/17/124563/what-an-attack-on-journalism-feels-like
“They also paid damages, which I am regarding cheerfully as a NZ Police Writing Fellowship.”
🙂
Quote from link provided by Booker:
Of course, the instruction to establish Rawshark’s identity at any cost came from the top of the political tree. The message would have been ‘sent’ in such a way it could not be traced back to the then PM or his office, but police at a senior level would have been in no doubt what they were expected to do.
It was a case of political interference at the highest level, and we all know it was not the only time it happened during the reign of the last government. It also happened under the Muldoon regime – probably to an even greater degree.
“Of course, the instruction to establish Rawshark’s identity at any cost came from the top of the political tree.”
As you say with nothing to back it up – zero evidence etc.
But “Of course” it happened right?
Your tin foil hat is slipping.
I expected you to drop in with something along that line.
Only blind bats can’t see what everyone else with an ounce of knowledge, grey matter and maybe past personal experiences can see. You mate are such a bat.
James’s ability to forgive the wrongs of the Key administration rivals that of Christian martyrs – it’s just a shame his hypocrisy excludes everyone else.
Oh he knows it alright – It just suits his politics to lie about it.
If this was indeed the case it is a gross abuse of the political system Anne. What is the current government doing to look in to it and ensure it doesn’t happen again?
Argh, yes Gosman…
The political system is a gross abuse…as are the dominant systems crushing the life and soul from living beings…
No government will.be changing it, as they are beholden and merged to the Westminster System…such that they are indistinguishable from it…
Tell us all about derivatives again…counter party risk and all that…
Perhaps you’re not the same operator of Gosman who pretended to understand economics and finance…
Try anyway…
Indeed it was a gross abuse of the system Gosman. But when you have a police hierarchy acquiescing to the govt. on the matter and a MSM too lily-livered to investigate properly – and a large section of the voting population who neither understood the issue nor bothered to read the book – then there was little could be done about it. What is worse Key went on TV and radio… blatantly lied and the MSM let him off the hook.
I expect this government will eventually take measures to try an ensure nothing like it could happen again, but they have rather more important matters like housing, health and education to attend to first.
Btw, the Winston Peters saga re- his superannuation over-payments is another case in point. This time it was ‘senior bureaucrats’ who leaked the information to two former cabinet ministers which was also an abuse of their power and position.
How would a government ensure nothing like it could happen again?
Agreed, in the light of the Police’s fulsome apology (and tax payer-funded compensation) to Nicky Hager, ideally the Police and/or politicians will:
(1) Investigate both why and how senior police justified their illegal activities at the time, and
(2) Work towards ensuring that such abuses of power don’t reoccur.
The apology was great, but more analysis is required to avoid repeats. The Urewera ‘anti-terrorism’ raids are another example of abuse of police power, although any political motives were less obvious.
What were the political motives in the Dotcom case?
Not familiar with that case. Do you know of any public apology or expression of regret regarding the ‘handling’ of the Dotcom case?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/98549323/kim-dotcom-reaches-settlement-with-police-over-2012-hollywoodstyle-dawn-raid?rm=m
Hmmm, is it all Police forces that are slow learners, or just ours?
Dancing to Uncle Sam’s tune. A call to Key’s people from the FBI hierarchy, ‘Buddies downunder, we need a hand.’
Political parties in the US are funded by the same small clique of elite that own the bulk of the copyright Dotcom was allegedly exploiting.
When the Kennedys hit the White House JFK’s brother Bob set off to try and put a lid on organised crime. Minor in the grand scheme of things, but there was immense media/public interest and concern.
They introduced a raft of new legislation full of fishhooks designed to snare the Tony Sopranos of the headlines.
These US laws never went away. Dotcom finds himself on Federal charges of racketeering. His problems are bigger than pinching a Bugs Bunny cartoon. Mega started to pay cash to the people that uploaded the most content to their ‘Download Anything Here’ site. In doing so, he fell foul of those same laws that were put in place to collar Gotti et al.
When the final curtain comes down….I don’t think the FBI lose very often.
Right, so after all that went down in Dirty Politics Gosman (7.2.1.1.3), involving the previous National government, you are saying the onus lies with this government to look into it to make sure it doesn’t happen again?
And what about those National MPs and supporters involved in DP? One incident even involved a Labour public servant being threatened! How about making sure these thugs are held accountable for their part? Their accountability just might prevent a similar occurrence taking place!
Oh that’s right, National doesn’t do accountability does it?
Ummm… I’m asking the same question as you. Why doesn’t the current Government ensure those responsible are held to account? It is in their power you realise don’t You?
You know, Gosman, like you, I would prefer to see the current government take steps to prevent any recurrence of the Dirty Politics situation. You know what, though? The best way to make that work would be if the senior National Party figures involved were to unpack their dirty dirty laundry, own up and explain all the ins and outs of what they did and who enabled it to work as it did. If you were to advocate for that, give your vote to those opposing National, and encourage all your friends and acquaintances to do the same, you might have something to say. Until then, all you are doing is being a cock.
Gooseman the problem has been solved Key has gone .
““Of course, the instruction to establish Rawshark’s identity at any cost came from the top of the political tree.”
“zero evidence”
Dishonest people tend to know how to avoid detection.
Emails? Nah.
Witnesses? Nah.
Letters? Nah.
Discussions? Nah.
However, a short sharp verbal discussion in an isolated space to a person with powerl? Yeah.
Put the teacup saga and the Rawshark saga and the Dirty Politics saga together and 1 + 1= 2. Aha.
Care to speculate James as to why the police acted in this way
do people here get paid to engage gosman, wayne, james and the others ?
How much and where does one apply, i know a few people who would happily fling shit about to make some cash. cause thats all it is, flinging shit about stinking the joint up for shits n giggles.
@sabine
Here are a couple of places you could start.
jacinda.ardern@#parliament.govt.nz
winston.peters@#parliament.govt.nz
You may have to wait rather a long time for a reply from the first though.
I am also not sure whether the second one is still used. I heard a rumour that since the Unfortunate Event at Parliament last year he has changed his address to
tsar.winston.first@#bellamys.bar
I’d stick to enquiring to Winston of course. He has an absolute veto over any Government appointment and he doesn’t take kindly to people who don’t appear to understand his total control of all matters.
I believe Winston has largely given up drinking and smoking.
Pregnancy calls for good healthy living.
Did you actually read those two sentences before you hit submit? I certainly hope so because your juxtaposing them gave me the best laugh I’ve had all day and I love the thought that it was deliberate.
Winston changing his living style because he is pregnant?
The mind boggles.
The mind boggles all right, boggles that you didn’t get it, couldn’t get the reference and that anyone could be that stupid as to flaunt a blind stupidity matching their blind partisanship.
That’s nice dear. I’m sorry that your dyspepsia is bothering you though.
Why don’t you cut back on the booze and try a nice warm cup of Milo instead?
I’m sure it will cure your heartburn and you will feel much better.
Or not. Perhaps you just like being an arsehole.
Admit it alwyn, the joke went right over your head. Instead of copping to that (the whole personal responsibility thing, which by the way you keep banging on about – funny never applies to you though), you went the whole personal attack.
Boy it’s going to be a long 9 years.
For those struggling in small terminological tidal pools on the beach of the sea of “liberal” – between neo-liberal, classical liberal, liberal liberals and social liberals, libertarians, and others smashed across the ideological foreshore the foreshore by the Trump-sized tsunami – take comfort that yours is not the only group wondering why the sea is receding:
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/06/16/why-the-classical-liberal-is-making-a-comeback-218667
Good morning Newshub Rodger enjoyed his time on Dancing with the Stars.
trump is a muppet were are the immigrants in Europe that his country created to go into the Sea I can see his grubby hands on Alot of thing happening to tangata who oppose his dumb ass views going down the man loves have all the levers he got and he doesn’t give a shit about who gets hurt in the process of his vendettas.
Ka pai Duncan the reffs are only human so they make mistakes they are part of the foundation of ATOEAROA Rugby And the All Blacks most of them are voluntary doing the job. Ka kite ano