Open mike 18/12/2018

Written By: - Date published: 12:25 pm, December 18th, 2018 - 93 comments
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Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

93 comments on “Open mike 18/12/2018 ”

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  1. mickysavage 1
    18 December 2018 at 12:27 pm

    Oops sorry one of our magic elves slept in …

  2. greywarshark 2
    18 December 2018 at 12:32 pm

    Needs another elf’s pointy green boot in the backside. And a few choice words in Elvish. Here is an old weather forecast in Elvish for a taster.

    • Cinny 2.1
      18 December 2018 at 1:31 pm

      Had the pleasure of meeting Tamati at the election prior to last, geez he’s a lovely man. Switched on and sincere, he’s the real deal. Thrilled he made it in to parliament.

      Epic clip thanks for posting Grey, he does it well 🙂 Cracking up laughing.

  3. ianmac 3
    18 December 2018 at 12:59 pm

    The Eminem’s case:
    “In a decision released today, the Court of Appeal allowed the National Party’s appeal – and reduced the damages payment down from $600,000 to $225,000.”

    But of course they probably used the “Don’t you know who we are?” line. Born to Rule they think.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12178849

  4. ianmac 4
    18 December 2018 at 1:23 pm

    Bet you can’t guess Simon’s first question today?
    “1. Hon SIMON BRIDGES to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all her statements and actions in relation to Karel Sroubek?”

    Perseverance but really what else can the ring out of this?
    Jacinda was asked again by Suzie this morning the same Sroubek questions mimicking Simon. Jacinda thought they were going to talk Climate change but instead the same tired questions with the same tired answers. Why?

    • Cinny 4.1
      18 December 2018 at 1:36 pm

      lmao, just checked that out too.

      Who cares about the planet?

      Actually who even cares about the average kiwi, seeing Sroubeks locked up and not a risk to anyone….

      Not simon anyways.

      Wonder how many climate change questions national has asked this year compared to Sroubek questions?

      • Tony Veitch [not etc.] 4.1.1
        18 December 2018 at 3:50 pm

        “It’s that simple . . . Simon.”

        For which the PM had to stand, withdraw and apologise!

        But the barb struck home – lol.

        • Tuppence Shrewsbury 4.1.1.1
          18 December 2018 at 3:56 pm

          We’Ll bE a NeW kINd OF goVernMent

          • OnceWasTim 4.1.1.1.1
            18 December 2018 at 9:00 pm

            Unlike the opposition well versed in verbal incontinence.
            Perhaps Mark could offer some Verbal Contifit devices. A few Xmas pressies all round with personal fittings for Wodehouse, Mitchell, Bennett and Bridge-less

        • Cinny 4.1.1.2
          18 December 2018 at 4:31 pm

          Was super funny.

    • veutoviper 4.2
      18 December 2018 at 1:49 pm

      While most people see this as an overdone steak (or stake) it is far from that. As I have said a couple of times here, it has more legs than a centipede. That is why people like MS and myself remain interested. The issue of Hardcore’s text to Ardern is a red herring (a very small sardine actually) being used to politically discredit her, but the persistence with that aspect could well backfire. There are some much bigger issues behind the whole situation.

      • Naki man 4.2.1
        18 December 2018 at 2:19 pm

        ” The issue of Hardcore’s text to Ardern is a red herring”

        You keep telling yourself that

        “Newshub has made multiple requests of the Prime Minister’s Office under the OIA for details of official communications she’s had using personal email or messaging platforms. We have been stonewalled and refused every time.”

        https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/12/tova-o-brien-she-may-not-be-but-jacinda-ardern-looks-dodgy.html

        • Puckish Rogue 4.2.1.1
          18 December 2018 at 3:28 pm

          Tova will find herself an unperson if shes not careful 🙂

          “be the most open, most transparent Government that New Zealand has ever had”

          The thing is shes creating the rod for her own back here, if theres nothing in the text then just release them

          Mind you shes very careful to specify these texts, makes you wonder if there are any other texts…

          • Robert Guyton 4.2.1.1.1
            18 December 2018 at 3:47 pm

            “The thing is she’s creating the rod for her own back here, if theres nothing in the text then just release them”
            If, Pucky, Jacinda operates under the understanding that someone sending a text to her, and there must be scores and scores of them, can do so without fear of having that text and their identities revealed under pressure from National Party MPs, she would surely keep to that understanding/undertaking. If she betrays one member of the public, all will be affected. Do you see my point? Do you see Jacinda’s point (she’s explained it often enough).

      • OnceWasTim 4.2.2
        18 December 2018 at 2:59 pm

        Yes do keep telling yourself that @ vv (with ref to Nakibloke @4.2.1) because you are correct. There are some that were trying to warn I L-G he was being set up (via junior MPs) but it obviously didn’t quite get there in time if at all. There might have been a bit too much Chardonnay sipping going on.
        Again, the only thing I L-G is guilty of is placing too much faith in the bureaucracy and processes (which we now know are “under review”).

        And thank Christ INZ (and the Labour Inspectorate – sometimes known as the Labour Expectorant) are finally able to get off their chuffs and collect arsehole exploiters with the involvement of the Police (instead of trying to be their own little Police Force). And its a bloody shame the IAA still doesn’t seem to be up to the task.

    • Gabby 4.3
      18 December 2018 at 2:09 pm

      Soozy didn’t ask her how she reckoned Woodlouse got hold of her texts. Wonder if anyone’s looking into that.

  5. marty mars 5
    18 December 2018 at 1:34 pm

    Hipkins may regret the heavy hand.

    Hipkins said, “I am not convinced that the university engaged sufficiently with the views of those stakeholders who should have their views considered.

    … “The university council that sought the name change followed “well over a year of research, seeking advice from experts and discussion with staff, students, alumni and stakeholders, including a consultation period during which close to 2500 submissions were received”. “

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12178871

    • aom 5.1
      18 December 2018 at 2:06 pm

      It won’t be a matter for Hipkins regret. Right from the start, the VC gave every reason for the suspicion of duplicity. As for the reported consultation, it was a fiction as it pretty much excluded recognition of large numbers of those who opposed, including the staff.

    • alwyn 5.2
      18 December 2018 at 3:49 pm

      I don’t think Hipkins will have anything to regret by this action.
      From my, admittedly unscientific, observations I think allowing the Vice-Chancellor to have his way would have been far more damaging for Chippie.
      I don’t know any faculty members or alumni who are in favour of the change. I know quite a lot of the academic staff and a lot of older alumni. They really do not want to see the change take place.
      Perhaps the younger ones are in favour. I don’t know many of them.
      Personally I would say “Good on Hipkins”. I didn’t know he had it in him.

      • OnceWasTim 5.2.1
        18 December 2018 at 6:19 pm

        Indeed!
        First World problems eh? A re-brand and re-image.
        I can’t think of anything more important (/sarc)

        • In Vino 5.2.1.1
          18 December 2018 at 7:28 pm

          Speaking of which, is it not about time that National Radio got yet another futile and stupid but expensive re-branding, which continues to leave it with a longer and less elegant name that its best and original one – ‘National Radio’?
          (Still by far the best name, because we should not let the National Party steal and pervert the true meaning of ‘National’.)

          • alwyn 5.2.1.1.1
            18 December 2018 at 8:36 pm

            Why don’t you just use its standard nickname?
            Just call it “Red Radio”. Everyone will understand you.

            • In Vino 5.2.1.1.1.1
              18 December 2018 at 8:46 pm

              That misnomer is the reserve of only the obtusely bigoted conservatives. You may well qualify as such, alwyn.

      • Chris T 5.2.2
        18 December 2018 at 6:28 pm

        “I don’t know any faculty members or alumni who are in favour of the change.”

        I do and it isn’t allowing the VC his way, it’s the university council.

        They can still change it anyway in everything but legal name only.

        Other uni’s like Stanford aren’t legally called Stanford. They just promote themselves as that

        It was a dumb decision

    • Chris T 5.3
      18 December 2018 at 6:25 pm

      I agree

      Hipkins made a dumb move.

      But then he is the ex student union president at Vic, is still mates with them and they were the most vocally against the change, so maybe he just caved to pressure

  7. The Chairman 7
    18 December 2018 at 2:03 pm

    The number of tourists visiting New Zealand is expected to grow to 5 million by 2024

    https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/q-and-a/clips/tourism-the-price-of-popularity

    Are we comfortable with current tourist visiting numbers?

    Are we happy with the expected rate of growth?

    Do we need to consider a cap? And if so, at what number? Double the current rate?

    • Gabby 7.1
      18 December 2018 at 2:11 pm

      Could they bring their own water and take their own shit home chairy?

      • SaveNZ 7.1.1
        18 December 2018 at 2:30 pm

        @ Gabby, and their carbon emissions from their vehicles… and their pollution from their cruise ships… that are somehow exempt from the tiny tourism tax…

        • SaveNZ 7.1.1.1
          18 December 2018 at 2:46 pm

          Also if they can build their own airport transfers, new roads and public transport needed, user pays for stadiums and stop stealing harbours for marinas like America’s cup and cruise ships that only seem to benefit the 1% (if that).

          Tourism seems to be piggy backed on public spending and they are the priority for councils and government when their expansion subsidised by rates and taxes from residents for increasingly overseas owned or part owned tourism businesses.

          • Bearded Git 7.1.1.1.1
            18 December 2018 at 3:42 pm

            wrong Savenz…please look at the numbers before you come out with this rubbish…tourism is major earner, employer and tax payer for Godzone, and not just GST but income and company tax.

            I walk tracks near Wanaka where you never see a tourist.

            • Draco T Bastard 7.1.1.1.1.1
              18 December 2018 at 4:06 pm

              Actually, it isn’t.

              https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/89010426/its-not-easy-being-beautiful-new-zealand-tourism-boom-comes-at-a-cost-kiwis-say
              https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11842133

              You’re one of these idiots that sees a few people doing well because of something and calls it good but doesn’t look at the costs that something imposes.

            • greywarshark 7.1.1.1.1.2
              18 December 2018 at 4:56 pm

              That’s the trouble about tourism – look at the numbers. Because of the OTT drive to increase tourism for foreign earnings, the people actually living in this country are being denied their once high quality resources. The overseas earnings has to be gathered so that it balances the imports that we are so wedded to. Usually mport balances are higher than our foreign earnings.

              We are on a treadmill and the more foreign tourists we get the more their
              presence causes the country to be spoiled a little for everyone, after a survivable number has been researched and reached. And the more we are told we are well off and we borrow more personally, and our incomes remain low,then it is hard to pay off without a total change-around of lifestyle and expectation but this is the age of ‘She’ll be right’ and those who aren’t are no-hopers. Nice!

            • SaveNZ 7.1.1.1.1.3
              18 December 2018 at 5:07 pm

              I think you will find that was in the past Bearded Git, you know when Kiwi based and born mums and dads owned restaurants, hotels and B&B’s and shops and Kiwi’s were workers in those businesses not migrant workers paying for the job in many cases.

              Tourism like anything should be run sustainably, unfortunately in NZ it is not, just bums on seats, like many other areas like education, construction and so forth… NZ is unconcerned about quality, long term sustainability or compatibility to morality.

              • The Chairman …
                20 December 2018 at 11:01 am

                Good point, SaveNZ. A lot of the benefits from growing tourism is heading offshore due to the dominance of offshore owned hotel chains, etc.

      • weston 7.1.3
        18 December 2018 at 6:22 pm

        would it not behove us just to start finally and build more toilets gabs ???

    • Draco T Bastard 7.2
      18 December 2018 at 4:00 pm

      Do we need to consider a cap?

      Yes we do. Each place available to then be auctioned off with proceeds going to the government.

      And if so, at what number?

      To be determined through research of the amount that our infrastructure can handle and how many people the country can actually support.

      • The Chairman 7.2.1
        20 December 2018 at 9:00 am

        Placing more costs onto tourists (thus reducing costs for locals) should also help to slow the rate of growth. Giving us more time and funding to improve current infrastructure to meet demand going forward. Which should also help pacify growing local resentment.

        With talk of peak room capacity coupled with a number of other media reports, it seems the country (well certain regions of it) is quickly reaching its capacity unless infrastructure is rapidly improved.

  8. NZJester 8
    18 December 2018 at 2:16 pm

    Another day and another revelation about Donald Trump.

    A comedian and ex-Celebrity Apprentice staffer who claims to have worked with Donald Trump for six years has made shocking new accusations against the US President.

    Noel Casler allegedly worked in talent logistics on the set of Celebrity Apprentice while Trump was host, and also worked on his Miss Teen Universe pageants.

    In a stand-up show this month, Casler accused Trump of recreational drug use and said he acted inappropriately towards teenage beauty pageant contestants.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12178629

  9. SaveNZ 9
    18 December 2018 at 2:36 pm

    Another day another revelation on the Sroubek and his Russian wife that he helped gain residency for, and now in relationship with Natz .

    Angry, desperate phone call from Sroubek to estranged wife released

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12178785

    “Sroubek said Mitchell had failed to appreciate his former wife was a partner in the business which was used to import the MDMA drug.

    “He calls me a ‘gangster’ but, ironically, blindly (and conveniently) defends my business partner.”

    It was the same company he said he used to assist her in gaining residency after she found she didn’t qualify in her previous job.

    He called it a “double standard” saying she “now manipulates the situation to expel me from the country I supported her gaining residency in”.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12177545

    (Anyone get the idea that there seems to be heaps of non residents just going around ‘helping’ people get residency and then getting residency themselves somehow…) The Ponzi continues and will continue until the government actually makes a real criteria and decent time frame so that all these little scams are too hard to keep going over time as are people’s fleeting relationships and businesses operating here being used to aid residency applications need to be verified over a 10 – 20 years not 2 – 5 years by which time things clearly seem to change for most people…)

    • ianmac 9.1
      18 December 2018 at 3:06 pm

      Wonder Who released that phone call and why?

      Sounded as though Sroubek was angry that she had not kept to the deal made 2 weeks ago.

    • OnceWasTim 9.2
      18 December 2018 at 3:56 pm

      It’s all working as designed @SaveNZ. Industrialise Immigration, shoddy Private Tertiary Education that gives NZ Inc. a good earn, Labour Hire Companies and anyone else you choose to create a ‘skill shortage list’ for……. better still, let them also become Immigration Advisors on the side (why not vertically integrate for the purposes of efficiency and effectiveness).
      And the good thing is that if you’re a complete arshole charlatan, the good will be lumped in with the bad. And you can even tinker and pretend by doing things like lifting IELTS 6.5 to IELTS 7, and you can even stand up in Parliament in all good ‘FAITH’, (not unlike the pompous Wodehouse) and feign the very greatest of concern about a fucking Sroubek

      Meantime, NZ ends up with the average and the dross (including the likes of a Thiel), whilst the likes of Canada, a number of European countries, and even some in the Middle East get not only the talented, but the committed.

      Whoar, I feel like a bit of Shania TwAng (not)

  10. SaveNZ 10
    18 December 2018 at 2:51 pm

    On another overseas criminal who NZ is now paying for a prison stay for.

    Transport Ministry fraudster Joanne Harrison to be released from jail and deported to UK

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/109410669/ministry-of-transport-fraudster-joanne-harrison-to-be-released-from-jail-and-deported-to-united-kingdom

    (Maybe a bit of quality control is needed, no wonder NZ jails are filling up and we can’t be bothered/no funds for rehabilitating our own criminals when we have so much sympathy and compassion for the overseas crims).

    • marty mars 10.1
      18 December 2018 at 3:37 pm

      Yep we should send them off to the colonies – oh drat we’ve already done that…

    • OnceWasTim 10.2
      18 December 2018 at 4:09 pm

      You’re not suggesting NZ Inc has fallen victim to UK failed/very average/complete muppet civil servants are you @ SaveNZ?
      That idea would be oh so 1960s and 70s, but I suppose they do know better.
      And they are of more monetary value (currency exchange-wise) than others.
      They can probably even house themselves in luxury and enforce the rulz we’ve become accustomed to living by even if it might take a while to come to terms with a NuZull culcha.

    • greywarshark 10.3
      18 December 2018 at 6:56 pm

      Let’s good rid of the furrin devils who are costing us money. It is the cultural cringe – I think the ‘uman resources try and get overseas people because they expect more money and probably the agency gets a percentage. Moral hazard anyone, if that is the case. Everyone of any colour, creed or race has the potential to be a furrin devil because of the overcrowding our gummint has encouraged, facilitated actually.

      The money-mad still want to be like Switzerland or Luxembourg but they aren’t clever and careful enough, our intellect is below Japanese crows, we behave like sheep and get milked like cows. We should try to be goats, they are much more lively and individualistic.

      Crows:
      http://www.bbc.com/earth/storyoflife/player?clipID=20160713-crows-use-cars-to-crack-nuts

  11. Mr Marshy 11
    18 December 2018 at 4:19 pm

    Interesting to see our ‘kind’ PM insulting the opposition leader with childish name calling, and getting a telling off by her protector Mallard. I’m sure all the socialists are laughing in the almond lattes …

    • ianmac 11.1
      18 December 2018 at 4:24 pm

      Like the end of yet another explanation that Bridges seemed unable to understand she said,
      “Its Simple Simon.”
      I suppose Simple Simon sees himself as a great Debater but the lost cause is Simple Simon.

      • Mr Marshy 11.1.1
        18 December 2018 at 5:00 pm

        And yet another snide socialists falls into the trap of exposing their nasty pathetic side …

        • mac1 11.1.1.1
          18 December 2018 at 5:15 pm

          So, Marshy, you just proved unwittingly the silliness of your assertion that our very capable and assertive PM needs a ‘protector’. Firstly, she dealt capably and assertively, humorously, with Bridge’s boring and repetitive attempts to slur and smear, and secondly the man who you call her protector quite rightly required her to withdraw and apologise, as she was unparliamentary.

          It was a bit funnier and certainly less malicious than Paula Bennett’s “Zip it , sweetie!” made to Ardern, thus exposing her truly “nasty, pathetic side.”

          • marty mars 11.1.1.1.1
            18 December 2018 at 5:19 pm

            yep – it shows a PM with a sense of humour and kiwis LOVE IT.

            • alwyn 11.1.1.1.1.1
              18 December 2018 at 8:30 pm

              It is a truly hilarious comment. Never before in history have we had a Prime Minister who is such a master of stand-up comedy. She is far, far better than anything that David Lange ever managed.
              Billy Connolly and Stephen Fry will be chastened. An amateur who is so vastly better than they ever were.
              She has only one thing to learn. You should come out with your jokes as if they are spontaneous. It spoils it if you are so obviously reading it off a sheet of paper.
              Still, it is the most marvellous attempt at humour that the current Government has managed. So much better than the bitter reactions to questions that are exhibited by so many of the Ministers when they are, as usual, caught out.
              That was a wonderful display Cindy. Long may it be celebrated as the finest achievement of this woeful coalition.

              • In Vino …
                18 December 2018 at 8:58 pm

                alwyn, you forgot Oscar Wilde and George Bernard-Shaw. Please, lay it on properly.
                Actually, Jacinda does not do this very often at all. But when she does it, it is simple and it sticks. Remember when Mike Hosking asked her if she had read his (award-winning?) article, and she asked back, “The satire?’
                His silence spoke volumes.
                She does it rarely, but well. Eat it.

              • marty mars …
                18 December 2018 at 9:12 pm

                You, as a righty, cannot get humour so please don’t try – it makes you look silly al.

        • bwaghorn 11.1.1.2
          18 December 2018 at 6:25 pm

          Simple Simon met the PM
          On the way to the fair
          Said simple Simon to the PM
          Show me that I’m right .
          Show me your proof first said the PM
          But simple Simon said I have none.

      • lprent 11.1.2
        18 December 2018 at 5:44 pm

        Is it up on the parliamentary website yet?

        I make have to amuse myself by posting it on auto play especially for the flavourless and humourless people like Mr Marshy.

        Hey – I could make it always come up in a large full screen popup and playing for him and all people coming directly here from Kiwisilo and Whalescum.

      • Pete 11.1.3
        18 December 2018 at 8:19 pm

        I thought what she actually said was, “It’s simple Simon.”

        • Robert Guyton 11.1.3.1
          18 December 2018 at 9:04 pm

          It was elegant. The Speaker asked her to withdraw and apologise, which she did, but it was too late…

  12. Herodotus 12
    18 December 2018 at 4:36 pm

    I hope our min of justice is taking note, especially given his comments this week.”Justice Minister Andrew Little disagrees.
    “All the laws we have in place are the laws we’ve had in place for a few years now, and judges have to be left to do their decision,” he told Newshub.”

    It is not a good look this case with the offender being given in some a light sentence by the appearance of displaying remorse, her subsequent actions appear to be contrary to this and I wonder how the judge is feeling perhaps being misled.
    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12178882

  13. marty mars 13
    18 December 2018 at 4:45 pm

    Any astronomers out there – I’m looking to get a telescope soon – have semi decided on a refractor sky watcher 100/900 computerised for astrophotography. Any thoughts appreciated.

  14. Macro 14
    18 December 2018 at 5:00 pm

    OOooh gotta have one of these!

    • Macro 14.1
      18 December 2018 at 5:11 pm

      “All I want for Christmas is a Trumpy Bear.”

      “At least until someone makes a Trumpy voodoo doll.”

  15. marty mars 15
    18 December 2018 at 5:03 pm

    “A report published in the New Zealand Journal of Ecology maps the wetland loss of the region (Southland) by comparing satellite images taken in 1990 and 2012.

    It examined 32,814 hectares of wetland and found it was being lost at a rate of 157 hectares per year.

    Since 1990, 3452ha of wetlands were no longer present in the landscape and a further 3943ha were at risk – amounting to 23 percent either lost or in a state of decline.

    Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage said more must be done to protect wetlands.”…

    … Southland Ballance Farm Environment Awards committee chairman Bruce Allan said he hoped the report would prompt a painful, but necessary, change in farmer’s behaviour.

    “I think it’s a wake up call. There’s been a long history of land development across the nation really, we’re probably going to see that slow down and there’s obviously moves to improve habitat,” Mr Allan said.

    “There’s far greater awareness of the issues and there’s a lot more role models out there prepared to show leadership and talk about what they’re doing and pitch in with community initiatives such as catchment groups to turn this situation around and improve things.”

    https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/378556/southland-wetlands-being-lost-at-rate-of-157ha-a-year

    The thing that strikes me with this is that Yes minister we DO have to do more to protect wetlands – this is a no brainer so lets do it. And this ‘wake up call’ idea – surely the wake up has already occurred what we have now is the repeated hitting of the snooze button hoping it all goes away – it won’t go away.

  16. aom 16
    18 December 2018 at 5:30 pm

    Herodotus – It is unconstitutional for the Minister of Justice to be involved in this case at all so what is the point of your comment? Secondly, what is the relevance of the vague comment “…. her subsequent actions appear to be contrary to this ….”. Justice is based on evidence – not appearances. Finally, the Judge’s 8 pages of sentencing notes were uncharacteristically released to the public, so the thinking of the Judge is transparent. Yes, the petition was very well supported but if the prosecutor reviewed the case, consulted with the family of the deceased and was convinced there was a miscarriage of justice, then an appropriate application could/should have been made. If the Judge was mislead at sentencing, she was in a position to act on this when reviewing the case as was provided for went the defendant was sentenced. Agin, something that was uncharacteristic. This seems another situation where the social media justice system, backed by the mainstream media justice system is holding sway. Irrespective of the matters surrounding this case, as a society, we should really be deciding if we should have a criminal justice system. Of course, there is the alternative of relying on ‘trial by media’ to determine the guilt or innocence of alleged offenders and then sentences being imposed on the basis of what is gleaned from media sources.

    • aom 16.1
      18 December 2018 at 5:59 pm

      Damn! This was supposed to be in response to Herodotus at 12 above.

    • Chess Player 16.2
      18 December 2018 at 7:15 pm

      Public comment, criticism or even outcry over perceived injustice is necessary from time to time so that the justice system in any given country can periodically course-correct so that it aligns with the country’s culture.
      Otherwise laws would simply be set once, and never change.
      Laws have to evolve over time, and to reflect what the society generally thinks is fair, whatever ‘fair’ means, otherwise the public will revolt.
      While I am less than impressed with the politicians who have tried to take advantage of this situation, I think if it had been a poor brown boy killing a rich white girl, we all know where that brown boy would be right now, and that’s definitely not at home sleeping in his own bed with his Mum cooking him dinner.
      Consistency is what is needed in order to build trust in any situation, and trust in the justice system is no different.

      • aom 16.2.1
        18 December 2018 at 11:51 pm

        Chess Player – yes, “criticism or even outcry over perceived injustice is necessary from time to time” but it should be informed criticism. Also, as you say, “if it had been a poor brown boy killing a rich white girl, we all know where that brown boy would be right now”. Sentencing of such cases should not be a benchmark for consistency. Which is the greater problem, society’s ingrained prejudices which are manifested by what some perceive as an institutionally racist justice system, or is it a media incited call for blood on the basis of sentiments that are driven by the likes of the Sensible Sentencing Trust who have driven our incarceration rates ever closer to the worst in the world? What is needed is for the community at large to consider the wisdom of the likes of the Commissioner for Children or those whose knowledge of criminology adds research to the discourse, as opposed to ignorant rantings on social media.

  17. Pete 17
    18 December 2018 at 8:30 pm

    I hope the Leader of the House at the beginning of business tomorrow rises and asks for clarification.

    “Mr Speaker, is the word ‘simple’ not to be used in the house? Or if it is just not to be used following the time honoured tradition of no christian names, with a christian name? Is it able to be used with a surname. For example could I say to my colleague “It’s simple Mr Peters or it’s simple Mr Bridges?”

    • In Vino 17.1
      18 December 2018 at 9:05 pm

      Technicality, Pete. Mallard picked up the obvious ‘Simple Simon’ barb, and acted correctly.
      Despite some idiots claiming that he ‘protects’ the PM.
      It seems to be Simon who needs protection..

    • Sacha 17.2
      18 December 2018 at 10:02 pm

      First name verboten. Combination likely to cause disorder.

      PM knew exactly what she was doing, as did every other MP – and the Speaker, hence the immediate response. They will waste no further energy on it.

  18. Eco Maori 18
    19 December 2018 at 10:02 am

    Eco Maori has already stated as fact that with Aotearoa farming emmisions NO ONE was talking about the BIG elephant in the ROOM nitrogin is a big problem and since the 1990 our use of this soil and water poision has gone up x 1000% at least .The reason no one was talking about nitrogin is 2 big companys control the prouduction and importation of nitrogin and they use there money to suppress the facts of there enviromental killing prouduct . I back banning it but the humane side of me says phase it out over 10 years thats enught time for our farmers to switch to organic farming.
    1it destroys our soils it speed up the natural cycle 1000 % and kills off the natural organism in our soils basicly we are stilling our grandchildren future soils using nitrogen.2it kill off our water ways causing alge growth to explode in our awa and tangaroa 3 it increeses climate warming 4 we burn carbon to suck it out of the air 5 its hard on the stocks health. There are many other negtive effects that nitrogen causes hecne how Eco Maori was flabbergasted that know one was talking about this stuff WITH FACTS last year.

    There’s a hidden climate (and river) killer that drives the industrialisation of agriculture.
    Synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. We have to ban it.
    Synthetic nitrogen is one of the key industrial agricultural inputs. Pesticides, livestock feed, antibiotics, irrigation, are some of the others. These things are what drive the high input, high damage way of growing food.
    Without the inputs, industrial agriculture does not work.
    Luckily, the most fundamental input of all is synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. That means, when we get it banned, it will force the de-industrialisation of farming and pave the way for regenerative farming – the only way of farming that provides a glimmer of hope against climate breakdown.
    What is synthetic nitrogen fertiliser?
    It’s a product that is made in factories and then dumped onto farmland in vast quantities to make grass and other crops grow fast. It’s a bit like crack cocaine for plants, a departure from reality and, ultimately destructive.
    It often comes in the form of ‘urea’ but it’s sold under lots of other names too.
    Links below ka kite ano. P.S my computer is playing up again sandflys One has to be care full what video is used as some start out correct and at the end flips to be pro nitrogen the big buck’s at work distorting OUR reality

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/opinion/109207699/banning-new-zealands-hidden-climate-killer–synthetic-nitrogen-fertiliser

  19. Eco Maori 19
    19 December 2018 at 11:06 am

    A video for my above post

  20. Eco Maori 20
    19 December 2018 at 11:15 am

    Eco Maori Video .

  21. Eco Maori 21
    19 December 2018 at 12:05 pm

    Eco Maori backs income equality and equality for all .
    Wahine income being unequal to men is one of the main causes of child poverty wahine and tane start a whano and for some reason they split up most times the children are in the wahines care.Then the marrage settlement most times go in favour of the man{ whom’s got the best lawyer capitlist syndrom more money } so she end up with just enough money /putea to servive to top it off she will only beable to earn in a good situation 80% of what a man makes to try and provide for her children =DEPRIVED children

    Global pay gap will take 202 years to close, says World Economic Forum
    Gender equality has stalled, says WEF, as women globally are paid 63% of what men get
    The global pay gap between men and women will take 202 years to close, because it is so vast and the pace of change so slow, according to the World Economic Forum.
    The WEF, which organises the annual meeting of business and political leaders in Davos, said the global gender pay gap has narrowed slightly over the past year, but the number of women in the professional workplace has fallen. In 2017, the WEF estimated that it would take 217 years to close the pay gap.
    “The overall picture is that gender equality has stalled,” Saadia Zahidi, the WEF’s head of social and economic agendas, said. “The future of our labour market may not be as equal as the trajectory we thought we were on.”
    The WEF found that on average women across the world are paid just 63% of what men earn. There is not a single country where women are paid as much as men. Laos, in south-east Asia, is the closest to achieving parity with women earning 91% of what men are paid.

    Gender pay gap: when does your company stop paying women in 2018?
    Read more

    Yemen, Syria and Iraq have the biggest pay gaps with women being paid less than 30% the level of mens’ wages. The WEF ranked the UK 50th out of 149 countries for gender pay, with women collecting 70% of that paid to men.
    Ka kite ano links below. P.S I seen another wahine leader on The late Show with Stephen Colbert one of my favrourite actress Sandra Ballock we need more movies with wahine as the lead actor for equality to flouroush

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/18/global-gender-pay-gap-will-take-202-years-to-close-says-world-economic-forum

  22. Eco Maori 22
    19 December 2018 at 1:51 pm

    Eco Maori see the big picture and backs Great Britain staying in the European Union It will be a bad move for most people if Britxit goes down as 99.9 % of people will lose .I say this was all started by the alt right neo librale captlist whom are all about the rich
    EU friends of Britain say: we want you to stay

    European Guardian readers share their sadnesses and frustrations regarding Brexit a recent German opinion poll, almost 80% of the people asked were against Brexit and would be more than happy if you remained. I am writing to you as a German citizen with a daughter who has grandparents in England and Germany. Although she is too young to fully understand the unprecedented destruction by Germany that Europe suffered, she does know about Britain’s important role in reinstating civilisation and humanity. My daughter is growing up with a deep belief in peace and freedom in Europe. Equal rights, solidarity with the vulnerable and a lively democracy are important to her.
    The EU is grounded on these values, which developed out of the horror of the second world war. They are not the cause of the world’s problems but the solution. We need a united Europe, and a united Europe needs Britain.

    Sign up to our Brexit weekly briefing
    Read more
    • There is no doubt about it: the Dear friends in Britain: maybe you are not aware of what Europe will miss when you leave. We will miss your refreshing views, as living on the continent can give a blinkered viewpoint. We will miss your international experience and networks. We will miss your calmness and pragmatism in an overheated world. We will miss your standing side by side against populists and anti-democrats. We will miss your long democratic experience in developing the future EU. Together we are strong! Please stay. We are waiting for you with open arms. Merry Christmas. Ka kite ano links below P.S I say a new vote on staying in the EU is needed to prevent a CATASTROPHE IN Britain

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/18/eu-friends-of-britain-say-we-want-you-to-stay

  23. eco maori 23
    19 December 2018 at 6:45 pm

    Kia ora Newshub many thanks to our goverment for razing the min wage as for simon and co they can go jump in there toilet employers will have to become inervative and incress prouductivity we wonder why our productivity is low by OECD standards well a low wage does not make anyone look for prouductivity gains.
    MP’s being charged $55 per invoice is not on get it sorted.
    That was a good ruling by the courts upping the jail time for that unscupulous lady selling her daugther for prostitution when the girl was a minor even if she was of age is not on .
    That is not on having 3 rivers in Canterbry having E.coli I say we need more laws to protect our WAI it would be cool if in 3 years one could take a swim in any water way without worring about getting sick.???????????? after all tourism is our biggest export earner you know there is a lot of money suppresing those facts.
    Eco Maori backs having city centra’s l banning cars and becoming pedestrian friendly and enviromentaly friendly
    The Ebola in the African country Democratic Republic of Congo shows me that the west should put more funds into finding a cure for Ebola why man should no take health threats like Ebola forgranted as it could spread we don’t control nature she controls us put the money in to fix this I wounder who pulled funds out of fighting this ?????????????.
    I say the rail line from Hamilton to Auckland is awsome it will take pressure off the roads. Rail all over NZ is needed It would be good to see Huntly gain from the move. I use to catch a train from Gisborne to Napier years ago it was a good scenic journey.
    Ka kite ano

  24. eco maori 24
    19 December 2018 at 7:00 pm

    Some Eco Maori Music for the minute