NATO allies agreed on Friday to send aircraft and ships to Turkey to strengthen Ankara’s air defences on its border with Syria, the alliance’s chief said, a package that is partly designed to avoid any more shoot-downs of Russian planes.
Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party leader called for “honourable resistance” against security operations in southeast Turkey on Friday (Saturday NZ Time) as state media reported 55 Kurdish militants had been killed in three days of urban fighting there.
I think the countries around Syria should declare a moratorium? and decide that a renewal of war will start again on 1 April. Everything being done is escalating the situation and the unreason in the minds of those plotting and planning against their opposition or enemies proceeds exponentially. Spray them with tranquillisers or something.
Did everyone see that summary of the combatants and power positions from Private Eye. It makes it very clear that this is a murky situation.
When the Fed raised interest rates by 1/4 of a percent, it incentivised banks to keep money in the reserves held by the Fed (risk free return as it also pays 1/4 percent to those banks).
This incentive means less money will be lent to businesses in the US, reducing the velocity of money and potentially crashing the economy.
So you are for more QE then to keep asset bubble going , I don’t think .25 of a percent will crash the economy, there is also an opportunity cost of a ROI of .25 percent, not to mention threat of inflation leading to a negative return
At the risk of exposing my education (the lack thereof), ignorance, naivety, stupidity and plain gormlessness… what exactly does [sic] mean? And when do you use it? 🙁
“sic” is a latin word meaning “thus” and it is used to indicate you are quoting something as it was written, even though you know it is spelt or used incorrectly in some way, and you want to highlight the fact that you have noticed the mistake.
Anne, I note a curious, enquiring and active mind in you….nothing else!
“Sic.” means the mistake in whatever was written was by the original author, if someone is commenting on someone else’s writing. It’s like acknowledging a mistake that someone else has made, or saying “it was written like that”.
Thank-you for the compliment Sans Cle. I was having a bit of a dig at me – you know… that notorious tendency of those “who” came from the Mother country (oops I reveal my bias) to laugh aloud at oneself.
It’s used when quoting someone’s words (written or spoken) where the person doing the quoting wants to make it clear that the mistake in the grammar or whatever is the original person’s mistake, not the quoter’s, and that the original is being quoted.
Key was quoted as saying,
“It’s quite possible that it’s legitimate. There are people that [sic] have multiple passports because they have multiple citizenship. So there are lots of people who travel on both an Australian and New Zealand passport and might theoretically do that at one time.
The person that wrote the article put [sic] there is show that it was Key that said ‘that’ instead of ‘who’. Normally I’d expect the Herald to let Key’s loose use of language stand on its own, but it was funny to see someone pointing it out.
In places like ts, [sic] gets used by pedants who feel the need to point out the error of others as part of their debate strategy (as opposed to clarifying that the quote is the original).
Someone had to ask 🙄 (I only thought about it ;-P ).
usage: 1 A continuing debate in English usage is the question of when to use who and when to use whom. According to formal grammar, who forms the subjective case and so should be used in subject position in a sentence, as in who decided this? The form whom, on the other hand, forms the objective case and so should be used in object position in a sentence, as in whom do you think we should support?; to whom do you wish to speak? Although there are some speakers who still use who and whom according to the rules of formal grammar as stated here, there are many more who rarely use whom at all; its use has retreated steadily and is now largely restricted to formal contexts. The normal practice in modern English is to use who instead of whom (and, where applicable, to put the preposition at the end of the sentence): who do you wish to speak to?; who do you think we should support? Such uses are today broadly accepted in standard English. 2 On the use of who and that in relative clauses see usage at that.
Everyone who thinks you cannot use ‘that’ for people should read Grant’s link. Sorry, but John Key’s use of ‘that’ was perfectly correct, and ‘sic’ should not have been used.
The correct ‘rule’ (i.e., accepted practice) is: Who/whom for people. Which for things.
All of these can be replaced by ‘that’ in a defining relative clause. It is optional.
When the defining relative pronoun is in the object case it can also be entirely omitted.
All these examples are correct;
‘The boy whom I saw yesterday’.
‘The boy who I saw yesterday’. (‘Whom’ is often seen as archaic in modern grammar books.)
‘The boy that I saw yesterday’.
‘The boy I saw yesterday.’ In all these sentences the relative clause is defining because it is telling you which particular boy.
‘That’ cannot be used when the clause is not a defining one, but is just supplying extra info, and separated off with commas. Two such sentences where ‘that’ cannot be used are:
‘Mrs Grey, who is very good at knitting, can speak Swedish.’
‘This car, which has an V8 engine, belongs to Mrs Grey.’ These relative clauses are not telling you which car or which Mrs Grey, and if you try to substitute ‘that’ , you will instantly sense that it is wrong.
Now have a Merry Christmas, and make sure you get all this right in your Happy New Year!
Morning….
sic 1 |sik|
adverb
used in brackets after a copied or quoted word that appears odd or erroneous to show that the word is quoted exactly as it stands in the original, as in a story must hold a child’s interest and “enrich his [ sic ] life.”
ORIGIN Latin, literally ‘so, thus.’
a Saint Teresa
miracle upon miracle
gods knows, god no!
Suitable to purpose
that reindear warrior
and santa’s going down.
My memories don’t fade
a steel steal silences as a sharpened cross,
abused idols abuse.
Detritus is a beach
as the bodies float
stare up at upwards.
A Saintly body, a teary
tree, a snowy sun and
my hand is still dirty
One of the aspects of the Hager raid was the speed with which NZ Police moved on Slater’s complaint last year – first informally to Assistant Commissioner Burgess and then a formal complaint about a week later.
With the release of the Court decision on the Judicial Review into the illegality of the police raid on Hager, similarities (and questions of political pressure) have been drawn to the speed with which the Police moved on the Teapot Tapes episode prior to the 2011 election, involving Bradley Ambrose.
In brief, Ambrose filed this claim a year ago in December 2014 seeking $1.25m in damages from Key for remarks he made about Ambrose at the time of the Teapot Tapes saga.
In March this year, the AKL High Court set down a two-week trial to commence on 16 February 2016. Several pre-trial conferences have been held during 2015, including on 2 Dec – hence my earlier post that day.
RNZ News reported on this High Court hearing on Dec 2 here: https://t.co/PVvQuj5I60[deleted by request]
A further ‘case management’ conference was held yesterday in the High Court, which does not appear to have been reported on by media.
So it would appear that the defamation trial is still likely to go ahead in February 2016, unless an out of court settlement is reached beforehand.
To date, Key has maintained that he would not settle with Ambrose or resile from his statements etc that led to the defamation claims and “in the end it will go through the court process”.
IMHO, the timing of the trial, a week after Parliament resumes and as the second flag referendum starts, will not be a good look or start to the year for Key. It may also well reignite discussion on the Hager raid decision due to the similarities. So, will he do a flip flop and settle to avoid these consequences?
After writing the above comment, I read the discussion last night on Daily Review starting with Karen’s at 7 re Assistant Police Commissioner Malcolm Burgess being a common factor in both the Ambrose teapot tape case and the Hager raid. I had forgotten that commonality.
In that thread, Seeker at 7.2 questioned the role of Burgess and raised Burgess’ remarks at the time (Mar 2012) that the police decided not to prosecute Ambrose BUT that he was probably guilty.
I have replied to Seeker providing links to Burgess’ press release on this and also to a Graeme Edgeler post on this at the Public Address blog. As mentioned in the reply, I would not be surprised if Burgess’ inappropriate* remarks re Ambrose form part of the defamation claim.
* Inapproriate because it is the role of the judicial system, not that of the Police, to determine innocence or guilt.
Agreed Tracey. Thanks once again vv.
How often are assistant commissioners changed and who appoints them? What criteria is used? I noticed the commissioner changed after two or was it three years. M.Burgess seems to have been assistant comm. for quite a while.
I used to be proud of being a New Zealander for a time in the Lange era but especially in the Helen Clark years. Some time ago on a European train journey I met an Italian athlete and others from various countries who admired her, felt positive toward our nation and wanted to talk about New Zealand.and our values.
But now….dunno if I’d mention my nationality thanks to the clownish antics of the current PM as reported on CNN…cringe…
Call me old fashioned but I think/hope our next PM will have a sense of dignity and a little more integrity.
Really? And if ‘the collective’ or ‘the tribe’ is state fascism (Leninism/Stalinism etc) or corporate fascism (Mussolini, Hitler etc) – then what? You think people are ‘hard wired’ to value those things? (Some do value them). But what you’re implying is that there can be no critical evaluation that protects autonomy within a collective or societal context; that forms of fascism are inevitable.
Big topic. And sorry. Any discussion is going to have to wait. Or do I do a ‘break’ post on authoritarianism – on ‘left and right’ – on the position of ‘social democracy’ within that (apparent) dichotomy? Hmm.
edit. Why is there no ‘ism’ for Hitler or Mussolini, but there is for Lenin and Stalin and Mao et al? Just a throw-away…probably unimportant, quiet puzzling.
Rodel ,
Nicely put.
You have reminded me of a previous era and a PM called
Sidney George Holland which was much like the present and quite the opposite to the Lange /Clark era that you have mentioned.
Holland was invited to be a member of the WW11 non-partisan non political cabinet, he attended for a short period and then left and never returned. His next notorious act was of course how he handled the waterfront strike in 1951.
Must be something in the Nat PM’s DNA or they drink the wrong
stuff , dunno but it is becoming a pain again.
Bring on integrity and dignity.
I agree with David Farrar’s prediction – Phil Goff won’t be elected Auckland Mayor.
Only 36% of Auckland voters bothered back in 2013.
No disrespect Labour MP Phil Goff – but what on earth is ‘inspiring’ about your policies, or more importantly, your proven track record as a pro-corporate ‘Rogernome’ – who helped inflict the neo-liberal Rogernomic$ agenda upon unsuspecting New Zealanders in the 1984 – 87 LABOUR Government?
Why would the 64% of Auckland voters – who didn’t bother back in 2013 – be inspired to vote for you as Auckland Mayor in 2016?
What underpinning ‘Rogernomic$’ legislative pillars did you or the Helen Clark led 1999 – 2008 Labour Government ever help to dismantle?
(Nothing personal here Phil – but FACTS are FACTS and TRUTH is TRUTH.)
Also – don’t forget that the Auckland Water Pressure which led public opposition to the hated Metrowater, was founded in Avondale, and with their support in the 2000 Auckland City Council Avondale -MT ROSKILL by-election in 2000, I polled 2nd, 700 votes behind Noelene Raffills, and over 4000 votes more than the City Vision (Labour / Alliance) candidate.
That was over fifteen years ago ….
So – in Phil Goff’s ‘home base’ Mt Roskill electorate – where he is very well known – so am I.
Yes but you didn’t win the by-election Penny. And Metrowater remained. The Water Pressure group achieved nothing except to give Banks his Council majority in 2001 so he could sell the Council Housing and the Airport shares. And in Roskill you ensured that the “Sage of the Whau” had many years to spread her ignorance and christianist bigotry around Council.
Don’t insult people you don’t know. I was there in the 1980’s – working for a Union and against the Rogergnomes. As far as Phil Goff is concerned I have know him since 1981 and I have seen him all the way through. I am not what I was in 1987 and neither is he. I think he is the person in the best position to be elected to be Mayor of Auckland for the widest number of people.
I’m no fan of Goff but at least he has an idea of how local and national politics work, he supports public transport and he is opposed to further privatising of Auckland’s assets. The only policies I have seen from Penny are ones that as mayor she would not be able to achieve, as has been explained to her many times. In addition, her responses to Generation Zero at the last local elections were bizarre, and I have yet to see her resile from them.
Goff’s policies may not be inspiring (whatever that means) but they are a lot better than those being offered by the candidates on the right. I also hope Goff becomes Auckland’s mayor because I would like to see him out of the Labour caucus.
Strange I haven’t seen you at any of the public meetings regarding the quarry redevelopment ando the iffy deals done around land swaps etc.
It’s so bad the local board is intending on filing with the ombudsman given the rights they were given under the supercity have been vetoed by council and the whole thing is headed to the environment court. Not to mention fletchers drafting emails for the minister to send to len brown. (Whose antics during council on this matter have to be seen to be believed…) I would have thought if you regarded yourself a serious candidate you would have been involved with this especially given the slightly wiffy odour eminating from the whole deal…
Am wondering if Peter Dundas Walbran who obtained a NZ passport but originally had held an Australian one should now, be deported back to Australia. Key is saying he obtained the NZ passport illegally, why cannot our government just remove the passport off him and send him back to presumably where he originally came from Australia?? The NZ passport is the most recent one he has obtained. Walbran is obviously a recidivist pedophile and NZ was his second choice for a passport. Why should we have to put up with his noxious habits. Australia may not like it but they are doing much the same with our criminal offenders, many who have often lived there almost all of their lives. Just a thought and will Key will have the guts to do it.
I fear you may have missed one word in what Key said Kate. He didn’t say that he had obtained it illegally, at least in the story I read.
In the Herald he is quoted as saying “”But if it’s an illegal passport, that’s a very different issue but I don’t have any advice about that.”
There is that little word “if” in the statement.
On the other hand Key may have made a later statement that I have not seen. Have you seen a further comment where he did label it as being obtained illegally?
Even if he had obtained the passport illegally it wouldn’t be sufficient reason to deport him though. He would still be, unfortunately, a New Zealand citizen wouldn’t he?
The people that Australia are deporting aren’t Australian citizens, as far as I am aware. They are people who haven’t taken out citizenship there, for whatever reason.
I confess Alwyn that I thought he said it was obtained illegally. Even if it wasn’t, because of his criminal activities if the Government revoked his NZ passport he then would have to live in an airport lounge out of danger to the public, a stateless person – he was a holder of an Australian one previously where he was probably born. It seems crazy to me that he was able to obtain a NZ one anyway. Are Australians able to apply for NZ passports ad hoc for no good reason would you not have to have legitimate criteria to be accepted for dual citizenship. He had a criminal record before he applied so it seems insane he was allowed a NZ passport in the first place. Our Internal/External Affairs needs a good shake up.
Which of private business woman Victoria Crone’s local government knowledge, experience, proven track record and stated policies, makes her ‘fit for duty’ as Auckland Mayor?
Brilliant Morrissey. You have captured the embedded National bloke so well. I know quite a few others just like him except some wear suits. No wonder some of the responses are wild – like seeing their real selves in a mirror. Ha!
“The Prime Minister has been talking about tax cuts in future but he is funding them by cutting services to people who have given years of work to our country.
“The Auckland Council has already looked at chopping free non-peak transport and today ECan is considering cuts as well. This is a short-sighted decision by the Government and will be a Scrooge-like Christmas present for our seniors,” Ruth Dyson says.
National: Kicking poor people in the goolies since forever.
Free non peak travel on local busses got nothing to do with poor people.
We are talking about the gold card holders, our good ole citizens above 65 and they all receive the Gold Card irrespective of income.
But, for many of the retired population that gold card allows them to get out and about a little bit every now and then, and with something like 10 – 15 $ one way from south akl to inner city, or from the shore to innercity it does hurt those on a fixed income.
John Key, the National Posse and their voters / enablers are starting to eat their own.
A fully 3D-printed rocket engine is almost complete: 75 percent of all the necessary parts have already been manufactured, put together and successfully tested by NASA.
As I’ve said before, 3D printing is the future of manufacturing. It is the engine that will destroy global trade as with it any country can produce anything at the same economies of scale and efficiencies as any other country.
For this reason our government should be spending billions per year developing our own 3D printing capabilities.
I’ve noticed that the PM in parliament question time and interviews, in his desperation to make a goading point usually misses (or tries to ignore) the real issue being discussed.
Also noticed that Nat or ACT supporters who contribute (sic) to debates on TS try to emulate John Key by doing the same thing usually inefficaciously.
Is it caused by Crosby Textor mantras, or a fear of engaging in real debate or just intelligence deficit?
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And I said, "Mama, mama, mama, why am I so alone"'Cause I can't go outside, I'm scared I might not make it homeWell I'm alive, I'm alive, but I'm sinking inIf there's anyone at home at your place, darlingWhy don't you invite me in?Don't try to feed me'Cause I've been ...
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It may have been a short week but there’s been no shortage of things that caught our attention. Here is some of the most interesting. This week in Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt took a look at public transport ridership in 2024 On Thursday Connor asked some questions ...
The East Is Red: Journalists and commentators are referring to the sudden and disruptive arrival of DeepSeek as a second “Sputnik moment”. (Sputnik being the name given by the godless communists of the Soviet Union to the world’s first artificial satellite which, to the consternation and dismay of the Americans, ...
Hi,Back on inauguration day we launched a ridiculous RFK Jr. “brain worms” tee on the Webworm store, and I told you I’d be throwing my profits over to Mutual Aid LA and Rainbow Youth New Zealand. Just to show I am not full of shit, here are the receipts. I ...
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the week’s news with regular and special guests, including: on the week in geopolitics, including the latest from Donald Trump over Gaza and Ukraine.Health expert and author David Galler ...
In an uncompromising paper Treasury has basically told the Government that its plan for a third medical school at Waikato University is a waste of money. Furthermore, the country cannot afford it. That advice was released this week by the Treasury under the Official Information Act. And it comes as ...
Back in November, He Pou a Rangi provided the government with formal advice on the domestic contribution to our next Paris target. Not what the target should be, but what we could realistically achieve, by domestic action alone, without resorting to offshore mitigation. Their answer was startling: depending on exactly ...
Photo by Mauricio Fanfa on UnsplashKia oraCome and join us for our weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm today.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news with myself , plus regular guest David Patman and ...
I don't like to spend all my time complaining about our government, so let me complain about the media first.Senior journalistic Herald person Thomas Coughlan reported that Treasury replied yeah nah, wrong bro to Luxon's claim that our benighted little country has been in recession for three years.His excitement rose ...
Back in 2022, when the government was consulting internally about proactive release of cabinet papers, the SIS opposed it. The basis of their opposition was the "mosaic effect" - people being able to piece together individual pieces of innocuous public information in a way which supposedly harms "national security" (effectively: ...
With The Stroke Of A Pen:Populism, especially right-wing populism, invests all the power of an electoral/parliamentary majority in a single political leader because it no longer trusts the bona fides of the sprawling political class among whom power is traditionally dispersed. Populism eschews traditional politics, because, among populists, traditional politics ...
I’ve spent the last week writing a fairly substantial review of a recent book (“Australia’s Pandemic Exceptionalism: How we crushed the curve but lost the race”) by a couple of Australian academic economists on Australia’s pandemic policies and experiences. For all its limitations, there isn’t anything similar in New Zealand. ...
Mr Mojo Rising: Economic growth is possible, Christopher Luxon reassures us, but only under a government that is willing to get out of the way and let those with drive and ambition get on with it.ABOUT TWELVE KILOMETRES from the farm on the North Otago coast where I grew up stands ...
You're nearly a good laughAlmost a jokerWith your head down in the pig binSaying, 'Keep on digging.'Pig stain on your fat chinWhat do you hope to findDown in the pig mine?You're nearly a laughYou're nearly a laughBut you're really a crySongwriter: Roger Waters.NZ First - Kiwi Battlers.Say what you like ...
This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Climate denial is dead. Renewable energy denial is here. As “alternative facts” become the norm, it’s worth looking at what actual facts tell us about how renewable energy sources like solar and wind are lowering the price of electricity. As ...
SIR GEOFFREY PALMER is worried about democracy. In his Newsroom website post of 27 January 2025 he asserts that “the future of democracy across the world now seems to be in question.” Following a year of important electoral contests across the world, culminating in Donald Trump’s emphatic recapture of the ...
The Government hasn’t stopped talking about growth since the Prime Minister made his “yes” speech at the Auckland Chamber of Commerce last week. But so far, the measures announced would seem hardly likely to suddenly pitch New Zealand into the fast-growth East Asian league. The digital nomad announcement hardly deserved ...
Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. The intention was to establish a colony with the cession of sovereignty to the Crown, ...
Te Whatu Ora Chief Executive Margie Apa leaving her job four months early is another symptom of this government’s failure to deliver healthcare for New Zealanders. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Prime Minister to show leadership and be unequivocal about Aotearoa New Zealand’s opposition to a proposal by the US President to remove Palestinians from Gaza. ...
The latest unemployment figures reveal that job losses are hitting Māori and Pacific people especially hard, with Māori unemployment reaching a staggering 9.7% for the December 2024 quarter and Pasifika unemployment reaching 10.5%. ...
Waitangi 2025: Waitangi Day must be community and not politically driven - Shane Jones Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. ...
Despite being confronted every day with people in genuine need being stopped from accessing emergency housing – National still won’t commit to building more public houses. ...
The Green Party says the Government is giving up on growing the country’s public housing stock, despite overwhelming evidence that we need more affordable houses to solve the housing crisis. ...
Before any thoughts of the New Year and what lies ahead could even be contemplated, New Zealand reeled with the tragedy of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming losing her life. For over 38 years she had faithfully served as a front-line Police officer. Working alongside her was Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson will return to politics at Waitangi on Monday the 3rd of February where she will hold a stand up with fellow co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. ...
Te Pāti Māori is appalled by the government's blatant mishandling of the school lunch programme. David Seymour’s ‘cost-saving’ measures have left tamariki across Aotearoa with unidentifiable meals, causing distress and outrage among parents and communities alike. “What’s the difference between providing inedible food, and providing no food at all?” Said ...
The Government is doubling down on outdated and volatile fossil fuels, showing how shortsighted and destructive their policies are for working New Zealanders. ...
Green Party MP Steve Abel this morning joined Coromandel locals in Waihi to condemn new mining plans announced by Shane Jones in the pit of the town’s Australian-owned Gold mine. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to strengthen its just-announced 2030-2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement and address its woeful lack of commitment to climate security. ...
Today marks a historic moment for Taranaki iwi with the passing of the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill in Parliament. "Today, we stand together as descendants of Taranaki, and our tūpuna, Taranaki Maunga, is now formally acknowledged by the law as a living tūpuna. ...
Labour is relieved to see Children’s Minister Karen Chhour has woken up to reality and reversed her government’s terrible decisions to cut funding from frontline service providers – temporarily. ...
It is the first week of David Seymour’s school lunch programme and already social media reports are circulating of revolting meals, late deliveries, and mislabelled packaging. ...
The Green Party says that with no-cause evictions returning from today, the move to allow landlords to end tenancies without reason plunges renters, and particularly families who rent, into insecurity and stress. ...
The Government’s move to increase speed limits substantially on dozens of stretches of rural and often undivided highways will result in more serious harm. ...
In her first announcement as Economic Growth Minister, Nicola Willis chose to loosen restrictions for digital nomads from other countries, rather than focus on everyday Kiwis. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to stand firm and work with allies to progress climate action as Donald Trump signals his intent to pull out of the Paris Climate Accords once again. ...
The Government’s commitment to get New Zealand’s roads back on track is delivering strong results, with around 98 per cent of potholes on state highways repaired within 24 hours of identification every month since targets were introduced, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “Increasing productivity to help rebuild our economy is ...
The former Cadbury factory will be the site of the Inpatient Building for the new Dunedin Hospital and Health Minister Simeon Brown says actions have been taken to get the cost overruns under control. “Today I am giving the people of Dunedin certainty that we will build the new Dunedin ...
From today, Plunket in Whāngarei will be offering childhood immunisations – the first of up to 27 sites nationwide, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. The investment of $1 million into the pilot, announced in October 2024, was made possible due to the Government’s record $16.68 billion investment in health. It ...
New Zealand’s strong commitment to the rights of disabled people has continued with the response to an important United Nations report, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston has announced. Of the 63 concluding observations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), 47 will be progressed ...
Resources Minister Shane Jones has launched New Zealand’s national Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List, documents that lay a strategic and enduring path for the mineral sector, with the aim of doubling exports to $3 billion by 2035. Mr Jones released the documents, which present the Coalition Government’s transformative vision ...
Firstly I want to thank OceanaGold for hosting our event today. Your operation at Waihi is impressive. I want to acknowledge local MP Scott Simpson, local government dignitaries, community stakeholders and all of you who have gathered here today. It’s a privilege to welcome you to the launch of the ...
Racing Minister, Winston Peters has announced the Government is preparing public consultation on GST policy proposals which would make the New Zealand racing industry more competitive. “The racing industry makes an important economic contribution. New Zealand thoroughbreds are in demand overseas as racehorses and for breeding. The domestic thoroughbred industry ...
Business confidence remains very high and shows the economy is on track to improve, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. “The latest ANZ Business Outlook survey, released yesterday, shows business confidence and expected own activity are ‘still both very high’.” The survey reports business confidence fell eight points to +54 ...
Enabling works have begun this week on an expanded radiology unit at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital which will double CT scanning capacity in Hawke’s Bay to ensure more locals can benefit from access to timely, quality healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. This investment of $29.3m in the ...
The Government has today announced New Zealand’s second international climate target under the Paris Agreement, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand will reduce emissions by 51 to 55 per cent compared to 2005 levels, by 2035. “We have worked hard to set a target that is both ambitious ...
Nine years of negotiations between the Crown and iwi of Taranaki have concluded following Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passing its third reading in Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “This Bill addresses the historical grievances endured by the eight iwi ...
As schools start back for 2025, there will be a relentless focus on teaching the basics brilliantly so all Kiwi kids grow up with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to grow the New Zealand of the future, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “A world-leading education system is a key ...
Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson have welcomed Kāinga Ora’s decision to re-open its tender for carpets to allow wool carpet suppliers to bid. “In 2024 Kāinga Ora issued requests for tender (RFTs) seeking bids from suppliers to carpet their properties,” Mr Bishop says. “As part ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today visited Otahuhu College where the new school lunch programme has served up healthy lunches to students in the first days of the school year. “As schools open in 2025, the programme will deliver nutritious meals to around 242,000 students, every school day. On ...
Minister for Children Karen Chhour has intervened in Oranga Tamariki’s review of social service provider contracts to ensure Barnardos can continue to deliver its 0800 What’s Up hotline. “When I found out about the potential impact to this service, I asked Oranga Tamariki for an explanation. Based on the information ...
A bill to make revenue collection on imported and exported goods fairer and more effective had its first reading in Parliament, Customs Minister Casey Costello said today. “The Customs (Levies and Other Matters) Amendment Bill modernises the way in which Customs can recover the costs of services that are needed ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Department of Internal Affairs [the Department] has achieved significant progress in completing applications for New Zealand citizenship. “December 2024 saw the Department complete 5,661 citizenship applications, the most for any month in 2024. This is a 54 per cent increase compared ...
Reversals to Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions begin tonight and will be in place by 1 July, says Minister of Transport Chris Bishop. “The previous government was obsessed with slowing New Zealanders down by imposing illogical and untargeted speed limit reductions on state highways and local roads. “National campaigned on ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced Budget 2025 – the Growth Budget - will be delivered on Thursday 22 May. “This year’s Budget will drive forward the Government’s plan to grow our economy to improve the incomes of New Zealanders now and in the years ahead. “Budget 2025 will build ...
For the Government, 2025 will bring a relentless focus on unleashing the growth we need to lift incomes, strengthen local businesses and create opportunity. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today laid out the Government’s growth agenda in his Statement to Parliament. “Just over a year ago this Government was elected by ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes students back to school with a call to raise attendance from last year. “The Government encourages all students to attend school every day because there is a clear connection between being present at school and setting yourself up for a bright future,” says Mr ...
The Government is relaxing visitor visa requirements to allow tourists to work remotely while visiting New Zealand, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and Tourism Minister Louise Upston say. “The change is part of the Government’s plan to unlock New Zealand’s potential by shifting the country onto ...
The opening of Kāinga Ora’s development of 134 homes in Epuni, Lower Hutt will provide much-needed social housing for Hutt families, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I’ve been a strong advocate for social housing on Kāinga Ora’s Epuni site ever since the old earthquake-prone housing was demolished in 2015. I ...
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will travel to Australia today for meetings with Australian Trade Minister, Senator Don Farrell, and the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF). Mr McClay recently hosted Minister Farrell in Rotorua for the annual Closer Economic Relations (CER) Trade Ministers’ meeting, where ANZLF presented on ...
A new monthly podiatry clinic has been launched today in Wairoa and will bring a much-needed service closer to home for the Wairoa community, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.“Health New Zealand has been successful in securing a podiatrist until the end of June this year to meet the needs of ...
The Judicial Conduct Commissioner has recommended a Judicial Conduct Panel be established to inquire into and report on the alleged conduct of acting District Court Judge Ema Aitken in an incident last November, Attorney-General Judith Collins said today. “I referred the matter of Judge Aitken’s alleged conduct during an incident ...
Students who need extra help with maths are set to benefit from a targeted acceleration programme that will give them more confidence in the classroom, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Last year, significant numbers of students did not meet the foundational literacy and numeracy level required to gain NCEA. To ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced three new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ...
Ki te kahore he whakakitenga, ka ngaro te Iwi – without a vision, the people will perish. The Government has achieved its target to reduce the number of households in emergency housing motels by 75 per cent five years early, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. The number of households ...
The opening of Palmerston North’s biggest social housing development will have a significant impact for whānau in need of safe, warm, dry housing, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. The minister visited the development today at North Street where a total of 50 two, three, and four-bedroom homes plus a ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced the new membership of the Public Advisory Committee on Disarmament and Arms Control (PACDAC), who will serve for a three-year term. “The Committee brings together wide-ranging expertise relevant to disarmament. We have made six new appointments to the Committee and reappointed two existing members ...
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora, good morning, talofa, malo e lelei, bula vinaka, da jia hao, namaste, sat sri akal, assalamu alaikum. It’s so great to be here and I’m ready and pumped for 2025. Can I start by acknowledging: Simon Bridges – CEO of the Auckland ...
The Government has unveiled a bold new initiative to position New Zealand as a premier destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) that will create higher paying jobs and grow the economy. “Invest New Zealand will streamline the investment process and provide tailored support to foreign investors, to increase capital investment ...
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced the largest reset of the New Zealand science system in more than 30 years with reforms which will boost the economy and benefit the sector. “The reforms will maximise the value of the $1.2 billion in government funding that goes into ...
Turbocharging New Zealand’s economic growth is the key to brighter days ahead for all Kiwis, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. In the Prime Minister’s State of the Nation Speech in Auckland today, Christopher Luxon laid out the path to the prosperity that will affect all aspects of New Zealanders’ lives. ...
The latest set of accounts show the Government has successfully checked the runaway growth of public spending, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “In the previous government’s final five months in office, public spending was almost 10 per cent higher than for the same period the previous year. “That is completely ...
The Government’s welfare reforms are delivering results with the number of people moving off benefits into work increasing year-on-year for six straight months. “There are positive signs that our welfare reset and the return consequences for job seekers who don't fulfil their obligations to prepare for or find a job ...
Jon Kroll and Aimee McCammon have been appointed to the New Zealand Film Commission Board, Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “I am delighted to appoint these two new board members who will bring a wealth of industry, governance, and commercial experience to the Film Commission. “Jon Kroll has been an ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has hailed a drop in the domestic component of inflation, saying it increases the prospect of mortgage rate reductions and a lower cost of living for Kiwi households. Stats NZ reported today that inflation was 2.2 per cent in the year to December, the second consecutive ...
Two new appointed members and one reappointed member of the Employment Relations Authority have been announced by Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden today. “I’m pleased to announce the new appointed members Helen van Druten and Matthew Piper to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) and welcome them to ...
Health NZ's CEO has resigned, but frontline healthworkers are sceptical that installing new leadership will make any difference to a system grappling with problems. ...
Gail Duncan, Chairperson of the St Peter’s on Willis Social Justice Group, one of the organisations invited to submit on the Bill, says the Government’s actions are unprecedented. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amani Kasherwa, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland In late January, a rebel group that has long caused mayhem in the sprawling African nation of Democratic Republic of Congo took control of Goma, a major city of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yee-Fui Ng, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Monash University An ad falsely depicting independent candidate Alex Dyson as a Greens member.ABC News/Supplied The highly pertinent case of a little-known independent candidate in the Victorian seat of Wannon has exposed a gaping ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lauren Ball, Professor of Community Health and Wellbeing, The University of Queensland Nik/Unsplash You might have heard that eating too many eggs will cause high cholesterol levels, leading to poor health. Researchers have examined the science behind this myth again, and ...
Everything you missed from the third day of the Treaty principles bill hearings, when the Justice Committee heard four hours of oral submission. Read our recaps of day one of the hearings here, and day two here. Parliament was quiet on Friday for the third day of hearings on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thomas Jeffries, Senior Lecturer in Microbiology, Western Sydney University Tijana Simic/Shutterstock The news last week that three people in Sydney were hospitalised with botulism after receiving botox injections has raised questions about the regulation of the cosmetic injectables industry. The ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jens Blotevogel, Principal Research Scientist and Team Leader for Remediation Technologies, CSIRO Mino Surkala, Shutterstock Lithium-ion batteries are part of everyday life. They power small rechargeable devices such as mobile phones and laptops. They enable electric vehicles. And larger versions store ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edith Jennifer Hill, Associate Lecturer, Learning & Teaching Innovation, Flinders University Netflix Netflix’s new limited series, Apple Cider Vinegar, tells the story of the elaborate cancer con orchestrated by Australian blogger Annabelle (Belle) Gibson. The first episode opens with Gibson’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dee Ninis, Earthquake Scientist, Monash University Greece’s government has just declared a state of emergency on the island of Santorini, as earthquakes shake the island multiple times a day and sometimes only minutes apart. The “earthquake swarm” is also affecting other ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Western Australian state election will be held on March 8. A Newspoll, conducted January 29 to February 4 from a sample ...
She’s back behind the wheel, and this time, she wants to find out what it is that makes us tick. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. After a prolific career on stage and screen, 83-year-old Miriam Margolyes is on the road again. ...
A new poem by Jordan Hamel. Real Poet Every word earned its place and so did he, so should you. Real poet lives in the capital but writes himself into the Mackenzie country golden hour, man of the paper land, he neglects to mention his pollen ...
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.AUCKLAND1 Understanding Te Tiriti by Roimata Smail (Wai Ako Press, $25) No better time to get ...
The committee has published this list to inform the public about its work, and to give clarity to submitters who have contacted the committee asking if they will be invited to make an oral submission. ...
Alex Casey and Gabi Lardies dissect their Laneway 2025 experience. Gabi Lardies: Hi Alex :))))))) Congratulations on not getting sunburnt. Everyone I talked to at Laneway yesterday was braving the sun for one thing. Charli XCX. How was your brat experience?Alex Casey: We will talk about the rest of ...
The US President's suggestion, which sparked enormous debate globally, has been labelled as a threat, not a proposal, by the Federation of Islamic Associations. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christine McCarthy, Senior Lecturer in Interior Architecture, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Interior of Auckland South Men’s Prison.Getty Images Prisons are not colourful places. Typically, they are grey or some variation of a monochrome colour scheme. But increasingly, ...
FICTION1Tree of Nourishment (Kāwai 2) by Monty Soutar (David Bateman, $39.99)Interesting to note that the author of the biggest-selling New Zealand novel in Waitangi Week is Māori (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tai, and Ngāti Kahungunu).2 Kāwai: For Such a Time as This (Kāwai 1) by Monty Soutar (David ...
Remembering the renowned New Zealand writer, who died on February 5, 2025. The Stopover When the trout rise like compassion It is worth watching when the hinds come down from the hills with a new message it will be as well to listen. – Brian Turner Poet, environmentalist, sportsman, journalist, ...
Survivors can choose to have former High Court judge Paul Davison assess their individual claims to tailor payments to their personal circumstances. ...
Are we too modest when it comes to celebrating our putrid plant life?She’s beauty. She’s grace. She smells like a decaying corpse and lurks in the backrooms of Auckland Zoo, wallowing tragically in a bucket. In recent weeks an Australian corpse plant named Putricia has captured the noses and ...
Politicians from the coalition government received a frosty reception at Waitangi this year, but Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says the pōwhiri that received so much attention was just one part of many events throughout the week. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jenny Allen, Postdoctoral research associate, Griffith University A humpback whale mother and calf on the New Caledonian breeding grounds.Mark Quintin All known human languages display a surprising pattern: the most frequent word in a language is twice as frequent as ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Justin Keogh, Associate Dean of Research, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University Jordan Mailata is an Australian-born NFL star who plays for the Philadelphia Eagles as an offensive left tackle. This position favours very tall, heavy and strong athletes who ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nigel Tucker, Research Associate in Environment and Sustainability, James Cook University TREAT volunteers planting treesTREAT Like ferns and the tides, community conservation groups come and go. Many achieve their goal. Volunteers restore a local wetland or protect a patch of urban ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karyn Healy, Honorary Principal Research Fellow in Psychology, The University of Queensland Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock The start of the school year means new classes, routines, after-school activities and sometimes even a new school. This can be a really exciting time for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kerrie Sadiq, Professor of Taxation, QUT Business School, and ARC Future Fellow, Queensland University of Technology The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) released a discussion paper this week on investment tax breaks. The study looks at whether tax incentives, such as instant ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Naomi Zouwer, Visual Artist and Lecturer in Teacher Education, University of Canberra Galleries and art museums can be intimidating and alienating even for adults. Imagine it from a child’s point of view. Stern security guards in uniforms stationed the doors, bags checked, ...
The clock is ticking in the great chain chase. 2025 is an election year in New Zealand. Not the general variation, obviously, but the local form. If you’re thinking of running, nominations open in just five months, and your chances are good – about 50% across the various races; in ...
Meanwhile in Turkey…
Meanwhile in
TurkeyKurdistan…Dangerously close to civil war.
I think the countries around Syria should declare a moratorium? and decide that a renewal of war will start again on 1 April. Everything being done is escalating the situation and the unreason in the minds of those plotting and planning against their opposition or enemies proceeds exponentially. Spray them with tranquillisers or something.
Did everyone see that summary of the combatants and power positions from Private Eye. It makes it very clear that this is a murky situation.
Private Eye has some useful points. (Approx date 7 Dec 2015)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CV8KC-QWIAAE5MJ.jpg
When the Fed raised interest rates by 1/4 of a percent, it incentivised banks to keep money in the reserves held by the Fed (risk free return as it also pays 1/4 percent to those banks).
This incentive means less money will be lent to businesses in the US, reducing the velocity of money and potentially crashing the economy.
So you are for more QE then to keep asset bubble going , I don’t think .25 of a percent will crash the economy, there is also an opportunity cost of a ROI of .25 percent, not to mention threat of inflation leading to a negative return
Last night Spanish PM punched in the face. Hard.
And your point, are you condeming or promoting
Latest ACT candidate announced
At least this guy is a step up from the likes of Garrett, Whyte and Hide.
That’s in fairly poor taste Morrissey: almost Prime Ministerial, akshully.
Sorry. I withdraw and apologise.
Good call – your apology 🙂
It was the decent thing to do.
Penny Bright
I thought the use of [sic] was a nice touch in quoting Key. A journo or subeditor who’s had enough.
At the risk of exposing my education (the lack thereof), ignorance, naivety, stupidity and plain gormlessness… what exactly does [sic] mean? And when do you use it? 🙁
“sic” is a latin word meaning “thus” and it is used to indicate you are quoting something as it was written, even though you know it is spelt or used incorrectly in some way, and you want to highlight the fact that you have noticed the mistake.
Anne, I note a curious, enquiring and active mind in you….nothing else!
“Sic.” means the mistake in whatever was written was by the original author, if someone is commenting on someone else’s writing. It’s like acknowledging a mistake that someone else has made, or saying “it was written like that”.
Thank-you for the compliment Sans Cle. I was having a bit of a dig at me – you know… that notorious tendency of those “who” came from the Mother country (oops I reveal my bias) to laugh aloud at oneself.
It has to be used alot when quoting Key
sic used to point to an exact copy as it was written. “He said he was their (sic)”
It’s used when quoting someone’s words (written or spoken) where the person doing the quoting wants to make it clear that the mistake in the grammar or whatever is the original person’s mistake, not the quoter’s, and that the original is being quoted.
Key was quoted as saying,
“It’s quite possible that it’s legitimate. There are people that [sic] have multiple passports because they have multiple citizenship. So there are lots of people who travel on both an Australian and New Zealand passport and might theoretically do that at one time.
The person that wrote the article put [sic] there is show that it was Key that said ‘that’ instead of ‘who’. Normally I’d expect the Herald to let Key’s loose use of language stand on its own, but it was funny to see someone pointing it out.
In places like ts, [sic] gets used by pedants who feel the need to point out the error of others as part of their debate strategy (as opposed to clarifying that the quote is the original).
“The person that [sic] wrote the article put [sic] there is [sic] show that it was Key that [sic]…”
From today’s pedant-in-residence 🙂
Means they’re reporting exactly what was said and they know it looks like a typo. It’s like “not my bad”.
Now I’m wondering what the [sic] refers to. Is it the use of “that” instead of ‘who’? Or should that be ‘whom’?
Grammar lessons 🙂
Someone had to ask 🙄 (I only thought about it ;-P ).
usage: 1 A continuing debate in English usage is the question of when to use who and when to use whom. According to formal grammar, who forms the subjective case and so should be used in subject position in a sentence, as in who decided this? The form whom, on the other hand, forms the objective case and so should be used in object position in a sentence, as in whom do you think we should support?; to whom do you wish to speak? Although there are some speakers who still use who and whom according to the rules of formal grammar as stated here, there are many more who rarely use whom at all; its use has retreated steadily and is now largely restricted to formal contexts. The normal practice in modern English is to use who instead of whom (and, where applicable, to put the preposition at the end of the sentence): who do you wish to speak to?; who do you think we should support? Such uses are today broadly accepted in standard English. 2 On the use of who and that in relative clauses see usage at that.
So I’d say ‘who’ in both formal and modern usage.
I remember being taught at school that if the ‘answer’ was ‘him’ or ‘her’ then use ‘whom’ – if it was ‘he’ or ‘she’ use ‘who’.
E.g., ‘To whom did you address the email?’ Ans.: – ‘To her’.
E.g., ‘Who received the email?’ Ans.: – ‘She did’.
OooooooOooooooo
So the [sic] is for using “that” not ‘who’, I guess. Who knows with journalists 😈
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/pronouns-for-people-and-animals-who-or-that
Thank you, Grant.
Everyone who thinks you cannot use ‘that’ for people should read Grant’s link. Sorry, but John Key’s use of ‘that’ was perfectly correct, and ‘sic’ should not have been used.
The correct ‘rule’ (i.e., accepted practice) is: Who/whom for people. Which for things.
All of these can be replaced by ‘that’ in a defining relative clause. It is optional.
When the defining relative pronoun is in the object case it can also be entirely omitted.
All these examples are correct;
‘The boy whom I saw yesterday’.
‘The boy who I saw yesterday’. (‘Whom’ is often seen as archaic in modern grammar books.)
‘The boy that I saw yesterday’.
‘The boy I saw yesterday.’ In all these sentences the relative clause is defining because it is telling you which particular boy.
‘That’ cannot be used when the clause is not a defining one, but is just supplying extra info, and separated off with commas. Two such sentences where ‘that’ cannot be used are:
‘Mrs Grey, who is very good at knitting, can speak Swedish.’
‘This car, which has an V8 engine, belongs to Mrs Grey.’ These relative clauses are not telling you which car or which Mrs Grey, and if you try to substitute ‘that’ , you will instantly sense that it is wrong.
Now have a Merry Christmas, and make sure you get all this right in your Happy New Year!
Morning….
sic 1 |sik|
adverb
used in brackets after a copied or quoted word that appears odd or erroneous to show that the word is quoted exactly as it stands in the original, as in a story must hold a child’s interest and “enrich his [ sic ] life.”
ORIGIN Latin, literally ‘so, thus.’
In, ‘other words he/she said it ..not my words.’
Thank-ye kindly all and one. I think I know what it means now.
a Saint Teresa
miracle upon miracle
gods knows, god no!
Suitable to purpose
that reindear warrior
and santa’s going down.
My memories don’t fade
a steel steal silences as a sharpened cross,
abused idols abuse.
Detritus is a beach
as the bodies float
stare up at upwards.
A Saintly body, a teary
tree, a snowy sun and
my hand is still dirty
You should wash your hand. Wash the other one too, just to be safe.
yet the stain remains the same…
One of the aspects of the Hager raid was the speed with which NZ Police moved on Slater’s complaint last year – first informally to Assistant Commissioner Burgess and then a formal complaint about a week later.
With the release of the Court decision on the Judicial Review into the illegality of the police raid on Hager, similarities (and questions of political pressure) have been drawn to the speed with which the Police moved on the Teapot Tapes episode prior to the 2011 election, involving Bradley Ambrose.
Back on 2 December I posted an update (including links) on Bradley Ambrose’s defamation claim against John Key on Open Mike.
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-02122015/#comment-1103686
In brief, Ambrose filed this claim a year ago in December 2014 seeking $1.25m in damages from Key for remarks he made about Ambrose at the time of the Teapot Tapes saga.
In March this year, the AKL High Court set down a two-week trial to commence on 16 February 2016. Several pre-trial conferences have been held during 2015, including on 2 Dec – hence my earlier post that day.
RNZ News reported on this High Court hearing on Dec 2 here:
https://t.co/PVvQuj5I60 [deleted by request]
A further ‘case management’ conference was held yesterday in the High Court, which does not appear to have been reported on by media.
So it would appear that the defamation trial is still likely to go ahead in February 2016, unless an out of court settlement is reached beforehand.
To date, Key has maintained that he would not settle with Ambrose or resile from his statements etc that led to the defamation claims and “in the end it will go through the court process”.
IMHO, the timing of the trial, a week after Parliament resumes and as the second flag referendum starts, will not be a good look or start to the year for Key. It may also well reignite discussion on the Hager raid decision due to the similarities. So, will he do a flip flop and settle to avoid these consequences?
After writing the above comment, I read the discussion last night on Daily Review starting with Karen’s at 7 re Assistant Police Commissioner Malcolm Burgess being a common factor in both the Ambrose teapot tape case and the Hager raid. I had forgotten that commonality.
http://thestandard.org.nz/what-was-nationals-role-in-the-police-raid-on-nicky-hager/#comment-1110497
In that thread, Seeker at 7.2 questioned the role of Burgess and raised Burgess’ remarks at the time (Mar 2012) that the police decided not to prosecute Ambrose BUT that he was probably guilty.
I have replied to Seeker providing links to Burgess’ press release on this and also to a Graeme Edgeler post on this at the Public Address blog. As mentioned in the reply, I would not be surprised if Burgess’ inappropriate* remarks re Ambrose form part of the defamation claim.
* Inapproriate because it is the role of the judicial system, not that of the Police, to determine innocence or guilt.
Always great to read your stuff.
Agreed Tracey. Thanks once again vv.
How often are assistant commissioners changed and who appoints them? What criteria is used? I noticed the commissioner changed after two or was it three years. M.Burgess seems to have been assistant comm. for quite a while.
I used to be proud of being a New Zealander for a time in the Lange era but especially in the Helen Clark years. Some time ago on a European train journey I met an Italian athlete and others from various countries who admired her, felt positive toward our nation and wanted to talk about New Zealand.and our values.
But now….dunno if I’d mention my nationality thanks to the clownish antics of the current PM as reported on CNN…cringe…
Call me old fashioned but I think/hope our next PM will have a sense of dignity and a little more integrity.
Yes, and I’m sure that there are people who vote National that cringe as well.
Why would anyone handover their sense of self worth to a political system or any 3rd party..
Pride is a nation state is a flawed concept
We are tribal beings, evolved to value the collective.
Really? And if ‘the collective’ or ‘the tribe’ is state fascism (Leninism/Stalinism etc) or corporate fascism (Mussolini, Hitler etc) – then what? You think people are ‘hard wired’ to value those things? (Some do value them). But what you’re implying is that there can be no critical evaluation that protects autonomy within a collective or societal context; that forms of fascism are inevitable.
Big topic. And sorry. Any discussion is going to have to wait. Or do I do a ‘break’ post on authoritarianism – on ‘left and right’ – on the position of ‘social democracy’ within that (apparent) dichotomy? Hmm.
edit. Why is there no ‘ism’ for Hitler or Mussolini, but there is for Lenin and Stalin and Mao et al? Just a throw-away…probably unimportant, quiet puzzling.
“Call me old fashioned but I think/hope our next PM will have a sense of dignity and a little more integrity”
I am sure you will be proud of PM Paula Bennett
Rodel ,
Nicely put.
You have reminded me of a previous era and a PM called
Sidney George Holland which was much like the present and quite the opposite to the Lange /Clark era that you have mentioned.
Holland was invited to be a member of the WW11 non-partisan non political cabinet, he attended for a short period and then left and never returned. His next notorious act was of course how he handled the waterfront strike in 1951.
Must be something in the Nat PM’s DNA or they drink the wrong
stuff , dunno but it is becoming a pain again.
Bring on integrity and dignity.
Solution, don’t let politicians define you. otherwise every few years you will be disappointed, unfortunately for the left more years than not.
I agree with David Farrar’s prediction – Phil Goff won’t be elected Auckland Mayor.
Only 36% of Auckland voters bothered back in 2013.
No disrespect Labour MP Phil Goff – but what on earth is ‘inspiring’ about your policies, or more importantly, your proven track record as a pro-corporate ‘Rogernome’ – who helped inflict the neo-liberal Rogernomic$ agenda upon unsuspecting New Zealanders in the 1984 – 87 LABOUR Government?
Why would the 64% of Auckland voters – who didn’t bother back in 2013 – be inspired to vote for you as Auckland Mayor in 2016?
What underpinning ‘Rogernomic$’ legislative pillars did you or the Helen Clark led 1999 – 2008 Labour Government ever help to dismantle?
(Nothing personal here Phil – but FACTS are FACTS and TRUTH is TRUTH.)
Also – don’t forget that the Auckland Water Pressure which led public opposition to the hated Metrowater, was founded in Avondale, and with their support in the 2000 Auckland City Council Avondale -MT ROSKILL by-election in 2000, I polled 2nd, 700 votes behind Noelene Raffills, and over 4000 votes more than the City Vision (Labour / Alliance) candidate.
That was over fifteen years ago ….
So – in Phil Goff’s ‘home base’ Mt Roskill electorate – where he is very well known – so am I.
Penny Bright
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
Yes but you didn’t win the by-election Penny. And Metrowater remained. The Water Pressure group achieved nothing except to give Banks his Council majority in 2001 so he could sell the Council Housing and the Airport shares. And in Roskill you ensured that the “Sage of the Whau” had many years to spread her ignorance and christianist bigotry around Council.
+1 Visubversa
Neither of you seem to have expressed a problem with Penny’s major points:
That Goff has no inspiring policies, and is deeply tied to the ongoing Labour era of Rogernomics-style thinking.
Rogernomics? yawn – 25 years ago. Move on brother.
Visubversa you need to get handle of economics and what the fundamental changes to our economics has been since the mid 80’s.
At present you sound like a fool.
Don’t insult people you don’t know. I was there in the 1980’s – working for a Union and against the Rogergnomes. As far as Phil Goff is concerned I have know him since 1981 and I have seen him all the way through. I am not what I was in 1987 and neither is he. I think he is the person in the best position to be elected to be Mayor of Auckland for the widest number of people.
I’m no fan of Goff but at least he has an idea of how local and national politics work, he supports public transport and he is opposed to further privatising of Auckland’s assets. The only policies I have seen from Penny are ones that as mayor she would not be able to achieve, as has been explained to her many times. In addition, her responses to Generation Zero at the last local elections were bizarre, and I have yet to see her resile from them.
Goff’s policies may not be inspiring (whatever that means) but they are a lot better than those being offered by the candidates on the right. I also hope Goff becomes Auckland’s mayor because I would like to see him out of the Labour caucus.
VICTORIA CRONE:- New Mayor for Auckland.
Strange I haven’t seen you at any of the public meetings regarding the quarry redevelopment ando the iffy deals done around land swaps etc.
It’s so bad the local board is intending on filing with the ombudsman given the rights they were given under the supercity have been vetoed by council and the whole thing is headed to the environment court. Not to mention fletchers drafting emails for the minister to send to len brown. (Whose antics during council on this matter have to be seen to be believed…) I would have thought if you regarded yourself a serious candidate you would have been involved with this especially given the slightly wiffy odour eminating from the whole deal…
The Most Heart-warming Photo of the Year
“Hope is the thing with feathers….”
—Emily Dickinson
http://media.cmgdigital.com/shared/lt/lt_cache/aresize/835×529/img/photos/2015/12/10/fa/a7/trump_eagle_2.PNG
You’re a dag Morrissey.
lol…good pic
and more on unlikely friends
https://www.rt.com/op-edge/326438-trump-putin-media-comment/
https://www.rt.com/news/326378-trump-putin-comment-honor/
Am wondering if Peter Dundas Walbran who obtained a NZ passport but originally had held an Australian one should now, be deported back to Australia. Key is saying he obtained the NZ passport illegally, why cannot our government just remove the passport off him and send him back to presumably where he originally came from Australia?? The NZ passport is the most recent one he has obtained. Walbran is obviously a recidivist pedophile and NZ was his second choice for a passport. Why should we have to put up with his noxious habits. Australia may not like it but they are doing much the same with our criminal offenders, many who have often lived there almost all of their lives. Just a thought and will Key will have the guts to do it.
I fear you may have missed one word in what Key said Kate. He didn’t say that he had obtained it illegally, at least in the story I read.
In the Herald he is quoted as saying “”But if it’s an illegal passport, that’s a very different issue but I don’t have any advice about that.”
There is that little word “if” in the statement.
On the other hand Key may have made a later statement that I have not seen. Have you seen a further comment where he did label it as being obtained illegally?
Even if he had obtained the passport illegally it wouldn’t be sufficient reason to deport him though. He would still be, unfortunately, a New Zealand citizen wouldn’t he?
The people that Australia are deporting aren’t Australian citizens, as far as I am aware. They are people who haven’t taken out citizenship there, for whatever reason.
I confess Alwyn that I thought he said it was obtained illegally. Even if it wasn’t, because of his criminal activities if the Government revoked his NZ passport he then would have to live in an airport lounge out of danger to the public, a stateless person – he was a holder of an Australian one previously where he was probably born. It seems crazy to me that he was able to obtain a NZ one anyway. Are Australians able to apply for NZ passports ad hoc for no good reason would you not have to have legitimate criteria to be accepted for dual citizenship. He had a criminal record before he applied so it seems insane he was allowed a NZ passport in the first place. Our Internal/External Affairs needs a good shake up.
Which of private business woman Victoria Crone’s local government knowledge, experience, proven track record and stated policies, makes her ‘fit for duty’ as Auckland Mayor?
Any information or views on this one?
Penny Bright
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
Nineteen down votes in two hours!
That earns me the honour of having my item highlighted in red.
http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2015/12/general_debate_19_december_2015.html/comment-page-1#comment-1638068
That’s pink ;-p
Brilliant Morrissey. You have captured the embedded National bloke so well. I know quite a few others just like him except some wear suits. No wonder some of the responses are wild – like seeing their real selves in a mirror. Ha!
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/18/republicans-are-so-bullish-on-war-that-30-percent-would-bomb-a-fictional-country
wonder what the result of that poll would be here?
LOL
The problem is that they’d probably vote to use fictional bombs as well – and pay more for them.
Well at least they might find their fictional bombs with their fictional bomb detector (okay, not fictional, bogus, but hey)
Nasty Christmas present for seniors
National: Kicking poor people in the goolies since forever.
Free non peak travel on local busses got nothing to do with poor people.
We are talking about the gold card holders, our good ole citizens above 65 and they all receive the Gold Card irrespective of income.
But, for many of the retired population that gold card allows them to get out and about a little bit every now and then, and with something like 10 – 15 $ one way from south akl to inner city, or from the shore to innercity it does hurt those on a fixed income.
John Key, the National Posse and their voters / enablers are starting to eat their own.
Micky Hager, https://overland.org.au/previous-issues/issue-219/feature-nicky-hager/ talks about keeping sources safe & why he loves doing investigative journalism. The last sentence is a zinger!
‘Enough power for Mars lander’: NASA tests first 3D-printed space engine (VIDEO)
As I’ve said before, 3D printing is the future of manufacturing. It is the engine that will destroy global trade as with it any country can produce anything at the same economies of scale and efficiencies as any other country.
For this reason our government should be spending billions per year developing our own 3D printing capabilities.
Bugger this government – printed rocket engines could get us a better one.
I’ve noticed that the PM in parliament question time and interviews, in his desperation to make a goading point usually misses (or tries to ignore) the real issue being discussed.
Also noticed that Nat or ACT supporters who contribute (sic) to debates on TS try to emulate John Key by doing the same thing usually inefficaciously.
Is it caused by Crosby Textor mantras, or a fear of engaging in real debate or just intelligence deficit?
All three.