Open mike 19/10/2015

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, October 19th, 2015 - 25 comments
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openmikeOpen 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 …

25 comments on “Open mike 19/10/2015 ”

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  1. Tiger Mountain 1
    19 October 2015 at 7:26 am

    was Stuart Nash present or in a near by ante room when the NZ Labour short lineup met Mr Groser’s delegation for their TPP briefing a week ago?

    I recall the presence of Mr Nash being mentioned by Radio NZ in a lead up to Andrew Little’s statement on Radio NZ last Monday, but I suppose it was not so much who was in the line up perhaps, but why Mr Little felt compelled to make an immediate statement trashing the “5 bottom lines”

    there is a reason for the others being present apart from any “usual suspects” criticism–they are members of Labour hierarchy–as Anne pointed out in another thread, and Nash seemed incongruous (though not his right wing views and the statement that emerged from Little) but it would be good to have this settled for historical accuracy and to determine if anything is salvageable for Labour from what appears to be a “one step up two steps back” strategy

    this is important because that meeting will be seen as the opening of the 2017 re-election campaign for the Nats

  4. Quasimodo 4
    19 October 2015 at 10:02 am

    Key, after threatening to be “very direct” with Turnbull, has come away with nothing. He was never going to win.

    Trading money in Wellington, Sydney, Singapore, London and New York may impress parochial grandees in NZ’s ‘National’ party – but he was up against someone who was himself brought up by a single parent and has been journalist, lawyer, investment banker and venture capitalist.

    He was an elected delegate at the Australian Constitutional Convention where he cautioned against mixing roles of president and prime minister, advocating a parliamentary republic.

    In 1996 Turnbull defended Peter Wright, a former MI5 agent who authored Spycatcher, and successfully blocked the Thatcher government’s attempts to suppress the book’s publication.

    Has John Key met his Waterloo ?

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Key
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Turnbull

    • Draco T Bastard 4.1
      19 October 2015 at 1:07 pm

      So, what you’re saying is that Key was massively outclassed by another RWNJ?

    • Stuart Munro 4.2
      19 October 2015 at 4:49 pm

      It’s a good book – read it and Le Carre and you have Smiley’s whole story laid out.

  5. Atiawa 5
    19 October 2015 at 10:16 am

    John Key doesn’t have a problem with his MP Judith Collins having a motor vehicle dealership provide her with a new vehicle and running costs, provided she doesn’t breach issues of transparency.
    Of course he wouldn’t.
    The great man would see such generosity as an extension of the Cabinet Club, which allows the top end of town to chat and discuss with his Ministers and himself the ways and means whereby they can screw the scrum for their own economic advantage.
    Wheres the video referee when he’s needed?

    • savenz 5.1
      19 October 2015 at 11:07 am

      Anyone interested in a National party ‘breakfast’ for a small fee? Great chance to mingle with key people to ‘help’ you.

  6. esoteric pineapples 6
    19 October 2015 at 11:26 am

    I came across the petition below, asking Cartier, which for decades has been using images of pather’s to sell its jewellery, “to be a hero for endangered and threatened panthers around the globe by pledging at least 1% of their sales to panther habitat conservation!”

    http://www.thepetitionsite.com/907/393/071/urge-cartier-to-save-the-panthers/

    I’ve been thinking for a few years of all the businesses around the world that sell products using images of animal species. A great example is koala on boxes of Australian chocolates at the same time as koala numbers are rapidly falling because that species lives in areas where the type of forests they like are not protected. I think it is appropriate that businesses who use images of animal species, especially endangered ones, pay a small “copyright fee” that goes towards protecting these species.

  7. ianmac 7
    19 October 2015 at 12:18 pm

    A bright performance from Political commentator Stephen Mills. Matthew had to back off. Refreshing effort Stephen. (Was in office with Lange and now pollster.)
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/201775188/political-commentators-matthew-hooton-and-stephen-mills

    • wyndham 7.1
      19 October 2015 at 12:44 pm

      Agree ianmac. Where was Mike Williams ? Can we hope (and even pray) that Stephen will be a permanent replacement ?

      • weka 7.1.1
        19 October 2015 at 1:18 pm

        I thought he was good too. Nothing radical, but not letting Hooton get away with his usual spin/bullshit, and Mills spoke clearly and strongly.

      • Gabby 7.1.2
        19 October 2015 at 8:59 pm

        He may have agreed himself completely into a coma.

    • weka 7.2
      19 October 2015 at 1:15 pm

      On the weekend Hooton was talking about how Groser wouldn’t lie about the TPP. On Nine to Noon he repeats a line he’s been running, that the TPP meets Labour’s five bottoms lines. Mills (and I think Ryan) call him on that, so he then goes on to explain one of the ways in which one of Labour’s bottom lines can’t be met ie foreign ownership, although he comes up with a supposed defacto solution, as if we’re now going to believe his assertions given he just lied.

      Ryan at one point challenges Hooton on why should Labour accept advice from the opposing party on the TPP (eg trust Groser) but the point gets moved on from too quickly.

      • Tracey 7.2.1
        19 October 2015 at 1:19 pm

        Hooton is part of the movement to create a meme around the TPP. His job is to use blogs and his NBR space and his radio slot to distort what is said by Labour people to back the meme. He must discredit Labour so their opposition to the detail won’t be taken seriously.

        Pure facts, it seems, isn’t enough for this Government and its supporters to rely upon.

        And then there is his outrage at abuse of the OIA, notwithstanding he abused it himself.

        • weka 7.2.1.1
          19 October 2015 at 1:58 pm

          he’s very good. The OIA thing makes him sound so reasonable and see he must be alright if he supports Kelsey.

        • Draco T Bastard 7.2.1.2
          19 October 2015 at 10:07 pm

          Pure facts, it seems, isn’t enough for this Government and its supporters to rely upon.

          As I say, the RWNJs have to lie because reality always proves them wrong.

    • Tracey 7.3
      19 October 2015 at 1:18 pm

      I guess he won’t be permanent?

    • Hami Shearlie 7.4
      19 October 2015 at 5:02 pm

      It did make a welcome change didn’t it? Long may Mr Mills remain in this slot!

      • Rodel 7.4.1
        19 October 2015 at 9:27 pm

        He was good. Used to have a lot of respect for Williams but not so much now. Mills worth listening to.Not as long winded and predictably blah blah! as Hooton but effective nevertheless. I think a bit sharper than Matthew. Hope he stays on.
        Maybe I’ll resume listening.

  8. aerobubble 8
    19 October 2015 at 2:47 pm

    Evolution of everything, book by a Tory lord about how evolution teaches us that powerful people should not be allowed to regulate as they make a bigger mess than the powerless who must suffer inefficient govt, or worse private lobbying of govt as too many believe their role as representatives is to deregulate.

  9. Penny Bright 9
    19 October 2015 at 6:27 pm

    Any Auckland folks reading this – who are deeply concerned at the ‘democracy for developers’ that is being supported (in my view) by Auckland Council?

    It seems that most of the business arising from the upcoming Auckland Council Unitary Plan meeting this Wednesday 21 October 2015 (1.30pm at the new Auckland Council ‘Tower’ at 135 Albert St – is proposed to be under ‘Confidential’ – with the public excluded?

    http://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2015/10/UNI_20151021_AGN_5925_AT.PDF

    I hereby give notice that an ordinary meeting of the Unitary Plan Committee will be held on:

    Date: Wednesday, 21 October 2015
    Time: 1.30pm
    Meeting Room: Level 26, Room 1
    Venue: 135 Albert Street Auckland

    Exclusion of the Public: Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 That the Unitary Plan Committee:
    a) exclude the public from the following part(s) of the proceedings of this meeting.

    The general subject of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter, and the specific grounds under section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution follows.

    This resolution is made in reliance on section 48(1)(a) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 and the particular interest or interests protected by section 6 or section 7 of that Act which would be prejudiced by the holding of the whole or relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting in public, as follows:

    C1 Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan – Council Position for Mediation and Hearings – Pre-1944 Overlay and Historic Character Overlay Maps

    Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter Particular interest(s) protected (where applicable) Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution

    The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7. s7(2)(g) –

    The withholding of the information is necessary to maintain legal professional privilege. In particular, the report contains legally privileged advice. s48(1)(a)

    The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

    C2 Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan submissions – Council position for mediation and hearings – Rural Urban Boundary – Okura/Long Bay update

    Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter Particular interest(s) protected (where applicable)

    Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7. s7(2)(g)

    – The withholding of the information is necessary to maintain legal professional privilege.

    In particular, the report contains legal privilege. s48(1)(a) The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

    C3 Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan – Council position on Helicopter Flights associated with Pukekohe Park Raceway

    Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter Particular interest(s) protected (where applicable)

    Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution

    The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7. s7(2)(g) – The withholding of the information is necessary to maintain legal professional privilege.

    In particular, the report contains legal advice. s48(1)(a) The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

    C4 Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan – Council position for Mediation and Hearings: Major Recreation Facilities Zone (Maps)

    Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter Particular interest(s) protected (where applicable) Ground(s) under section 48(1) for the passing of this resolution

    The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7. s7(2)(g) –

    The withholding of the information is necessary to maintain legal professional privilege. . s48(1)(a) The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.
    ______________________________________________________________________________________

    There is significant public interest in these matters.

    In my experience, (and opinion), potentially contentious matters are placed under ‘Confidential’ – with the public deliberately excluded – because they are politically sensitive (not commercially sensitive) and quite simply – elected Councillors / Council staff don’t want the public to know that which is being discussed.

    As a confirmed 2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate – I say – ‘OPEN THE BOOKS’ and ‘OPEN THE DOORS’!

    Let citizens and ratepayers of Auckland know how this LUNATIC (sorry) Unitary Plan, is going to affect them, their neighbours and their communities.

    Enough of this ‘democracy for developers!’

    Penny Bright

  10. North 10
    19 October 2015 at 10:08 pm

    Gecko-inspired gargoyle with patterned tie.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11531687

    Interesting article.