Open mike 21/04/2015

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, April 21st, 2015 - 111 comments
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111 comments on “Open mike 21/04/2015 ”

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  1. Michelle 1
    21 April 2015 at 6:35 am

    Listening to Kim Hill interview John Key yesterday morning I am wondering how safe her job is. She was great and John did not sound very happy.

    • felix 1.1
      21 April 2015 at 8:02 am

      It’s so refreshing to hear a journalist on Morning Report for a change.

      • Tiger Mountain 1.1.1
        21 April 2015 at 8:18 am

        Kim’s still “got it” in dealing with duplicitous politicians. She allowed some space around Key for his crap to impact on the listener, nice change from the now prevalent hectoring style that eschews even a micro pause.

  2. Paul 2
    21 April 2015 at 6:52 am

    Brilliant cartoon by Malcolm Evans.
    Totally sums it up.

    http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/04/21/malcolm-evans-anzac-selfies/

  3. amirite 3
    21 April 2015 at 7:06 am

    Election promise broken – ‘The Government will not be delivering on its pre-election promise of free doctors visits for all primary aged children. The ACC Minister has set the Corporation’s funding at a level that will cover only an estimated 90 percent of doctors’ visits for children who are injured(…)Nikki Kaye said the costs of getting the remaining number of injured children free visits outweighs the benefits.”

    Meanwhile, professional rugby players earning 100+K get all the costly treatments for free when injured.
    How is that fair?

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/271689/doctor-visit-promise-falls-short

    • Incognito 3.1
      21 April 2015 at 7:28 am

      It doesn’t matter; it’s the thought that counts.

    • saveNZ 3.2
      21 April 2015 at 7:35 am

      +1 Unbelievable.

    • Lanthanide 3.3
      21 April 2015 at 9:12 am

      “Meanwhile, professional rugby players earning 100+K get all the costly treatments for free when injured.”

      Um, pretty sure they would be paid for by the rugby union. You know, private medicine?

      • weka 3.3.1
        21 April 2015 at 11:10 am

        Are you sure? I thought ACC covered all work place injuries.

        • Colonial Rawshark 3.3.1.1
          21 April 2015 at 12:34 pm

          Yep. ACC also covers accidents outside of the workplace. For professional athletes their organisations typically “top up” the payment ACC provides so that the athlete does not have to cough up the patient co-payment themselves.

        • saveNZ 3.3.1.2
          21 April 2015 at 12:47 pm

          Surely you guys all know by now, that children don’t count in this country and all tax payers money should be used to prop up highly paid Nat loving sports people and corporates!

          • mary-a 3.3.1.2.1
            21 April 2015 at 6:08 pm

            @ SAVE NZ – Hear hear.

            Plus there’s the fact that children don’t vote, while sports people are Gods!

      • Murray Rawshark 3.3.2
        21 April 2015 at 1:27 pm

        Possibly not paid by the RU. I remember when the Warriors started up, ACC assigned special officers to them so any problems could be quickly treated. I would expect a national icon such as the All Blacks to get at least the same level of attention. Or maybe things have changed since those days.

        • Tracey 3.3.2.1
          21 April 2015 at 1:34 pm

          acc works closely with rugby cos nzru acc levies are high… and they want to reduce levies through accident reduction. plus role modelling blah blah.

      • Tracey 3.3.3
        21 April 2015 at 1:32 pm

        insurers i would think… but they do occasionally use public hospital services in emergencies

    • Dave 3.5
      21 April 2015 at 12:11 pm

      Wait a minute, do professional sportspeople get ACC? Or are you talking about highly paid, amateur sportspeople?

      • Tracey 3.5.1
        21 April 2015 at 1:36 pm

        ceos on 2 million a year can get acc. thats partly the point. a system for all. usually they have private insurance both health and income so would not get Acc

        • just saying 3.5.1.1
          21 April 2015 at 2:03 pm

          Private health insurance doesn’t affect entitlement to ACC. If you have it you get both when/if you are injured.
          Also, ACC has long had a unit that deals with the injuries of “special” people – high court judges, sports professionals, politicians, TV presenters etc. -ie the rich and/or powerful have their own unit at ACC dedicated to looking after them separately from the plebs.
          I believe this unit exists because it is important in maintaining the status quo that those whose voices are heard aren’t treated the way ordinary people are.

          • Murray Rawshark 3.5.1.1.1
            21 April 2015 at 2:10 pm

            Everyone gets the same treatment. Some just get more of it and without having to wait, or be told their broken neck from a collapsed scrum is a degenerative condition. Like Australia, we are a nation of equals, where Jack is as good as his master. Just don’t tell Jack though, or he might get ideas.

  4. Dont worry. Be happy 4
    21 April 2015 at 7:39 am

    Kim Hill on National Radio MR….what a treat! Yes, John Key sounded surly and the Health and Disability Commissioner has just had a well deserved hammering over the official response to the stupidity at Greymouth Hospital which killed a 15 year old boy.

  5. saveNZ 5
    21 April 2015 at 7:50 am

    From Granddaddy Herald..

    Ports of Auckland is proceeding with two huge wharf extensions, despite public protests, a political call to halt work and a legal challenge against consents for the work.

    Last night Mayor Len Brown was taking a relaxed approach to the work at the port, saying a council request to halt work was still under consideration.

    The lawfulness of the consents is being challenged in the High Court in Auckland on June 2 by Urban Auckland, a society of architectural and planning professionals.

    Reaction to Mr Hawkins’ statement was swift.

    Stop Stealing Our Harbour spokesman Michael Goldwater said the decision to proceed with the extensions displayed incredible arrogance and complete disregard for what the port’s bosses were saying.

    Waitemata and Gulf councillor Mike Lee accused the port company of insubordination, while North Shore councillor Chris Darby said the company appeared to be deliberately toying with the council and thinks it is “immune to our unequivocal requests”.

    • vto 5.1
      21 April 2015 at 8:06 am

      Carrying out illegal works on their land?

      Seems like they are taking a leaf out of their hero the PM’s playbook.

      It seems to be more common today. People in all spheres are talking more bullshit and telling lies blatantly and deceiving people and doing just whatever they want as they see the PM get away with it. You know, the “whatever it takes” mantra.

      Such fine leadership ……

      no knighthood for key

    • Charles 5.2
      21 April 2015 at 8:40 am

      “Stop Stealing Our Harbour spokesman Michael Goldwater said the decision to proceed with the extensions displayed [ incredible arrogance and complete disregard for what the port’s bosses were saying ] perfect alignment with a capitalist perspective.”

      FIFY

  6. One Anonymous Bloke 6
    21 April 2015 at 7:51 am

    ‘Interesting’ timing…

    Producers will be required to register their powdered baby milk formula with the food and drug regulatory agency, according to a draft revision to the Food Safety Law, submitted to the bi-monthly legislative session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee for its third reading on Monday.
    In an earlier draft, submitted in December, the provision on powdered baby milk formula stipulated that firms should only ensure their formulas were on record.

    Probably just a completely innocent coincidence.

  7. RedBaronCV 7
    21 April 2015 at 7:59 am

    According to Stuff if we turn out on Anzac day we are supprting the deployments against ISIS? How dare they.

    “Australians and New Zealanders are being urged to turn out in force on Anzac Day to show they are not cowed by Islamic State terror plots.”
    “The best thing Australians and New Zealanders can do is to turn up in very large numbers at Anzac events, wherever they are, to support our values, our interests, our armed forces,” Abbott said.”

    No comments enabled on the story

    • vto 7.1
      21 April 2015 at 8:11 am

      Yes I saw that. It is disgusting.

      But you know the reality now? Now that terror threats are on the list at the mall? …. the reality is that the horse has bolted…. we are at war …… the propaganda has passed a tipping point …. the truth is now gone …… you are either with us or against us …… the entire narrative over the middle east, terror, war America Australia has just changed the last few days ….. (always intended of course. in evidence see timing of particular events)

      we must watch what we say

      • Anne 7.2.1
        21 April 2015 at 9:46 am

        Was planning to attend the local ceremony in Devonport this year but the crass and blatant political manipulation of the event by the two most abhorrent Australasian leaders of all time has now ensured I will not be there.

        I will plant my poppy (in memory of my father who saw action in the final year of WW1 and all of WW2) later in the day after everybody has gone.

        • wyndham 7.2.1.1
          21 April 2015 at 9:49 am

          Well said Anne. My thoughts will go with you.

        • Bill 7.2.1.2
          21 April 2015 at 9:58 am

          Maybe there should be a dusk commemoration by those who are remembering as a symbolic counterpoise to those who turn up at dawn but who seem to have forgotten?

          • just saying 7.2.1.2.1
            21 April 2015 at 3:59 pm

            ANZAC DAY PEACE COMMEMORATION to remember all casualties of war will take place at 2pm on Saturday 25 April at the Peace Pole in front of Otago Museum. It will last between 20-30 minutes.

            Organised by the Peace Movement Aotearoa. Not quite dusk,and probably silent, so those who find silence uncomfortable should come late:-)

            • Pasupial 7.2.1.2.1.1
              21 April 2015 at 5:03 pm

              j s

              Thanks for that; I was thinking 12pm not 2pm, must have misread email.

              • just saying …
                21 April 2015 at 5:23 pm

                The time was changed. Will check with PMA to make sure that the correction has been widely circulated. Thanks for letting me know Pasupial.

        • Ron 7.2.1.3
          21 April 2015 at 10:20 am

          +100
          Agree completely

    • vto 7.3
      21 April 2015 at 8:18 am

      Abbott referred to this Iraq “training” squad of close to 1,000 people as “sons of anzacs”………

      What would those who died at Gallipoli and other places think of Abbott, Key and their actions?

      I would guess the true anzacs would not wish this on their sons at all…. and especially not in these circumstances around the US and the middle east the last decade or two.

      The Iraq squad are not sons of anzacs, that is complete and utter horseshit

      • jenny kirk 7.3.1
        21 April 2015 at 8:33 am

        Abbott is so crass ! and crude …. and our PM goes along with all this jingoism presumably because “war” stirs our nationwide pride and will keep him being elected ! Maybe …… and maybe not …. there must be a stirring of disgust starting to run through most NZers at the blatant commercialism going on, surely ? Especially those whose families suffered in one way or another thru WW1.

    • Olwyn 7.4
      21 April 2015 at 9:03 am

      I found that sickening as well – sullying the meaning of a festival that has an established place in the lives of New Zealanders and Australians. The concept of respect is alien to guys like Abbott and Key.

    • Murray Rawshark 7.5
      21 April 2015 at 1:45 pm

      They should be a bit clearer about the values they’re wanting to support. Do they mean the massacre of Palestinian villagers by Kiwi Anzacs:

      http://www.smh.com.au/national/anzacs-atrocity-had-to-be-done-digger-20090724-dw5x.html

      or the machine-gunning of protesting Egyptians by Australian Anzacs:

      http://www.solidarity.net.au/highlights/nothing-to-celebrate-in-anzac-the-bloody-history-of-the-british-empire/

      I suspect they’d support both because the two of them are still hostage to the stupid ideas of racial superiority that led to Gallipoli in the first place.

  8. saveNZ 8
    21 April 2015 at 8:04 am

    BTW – this is the same Ports of Auckland that were fined $40k for deliberately breaking the law in 2012.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10853815

    Welcome to our future… where public amenity is transferred to corporate interests for nothing with no oversight (apart from a few incompetent council resource consents people) and even when there is huge public protest, the so called ‘owner’ the council run by CEO Stephen Town who has been very silent through all of this does nothing, and our elected officials also do nothing.

    While the Ports of Auckland with a strong record of intensionally breaking the law gets a free run to steal our harbour.

  9. saveNZ 9
    21 April 2015 at 8:12 am

    Welcome to our future, where public amenity like our harbour is transferred into corporate control like the Ports of Auckland by a handful of barristers and council resource consent officials and the public is not allowed a say in the process.

    Nothing from Stephen Brown CEO of Auckland Council…. someone check his pulse to see if he is still alive …

    Ports of Auckland is a company with a proven record of illegal action. One would think with the amount of lawyers on speed dial at the council they could get an injunction to stop work, but no, as usual do nothing.

    Ports of Auckland has been ordered to pay $40,000 for deliberately breaking the law in 2012.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10853815

  10. Tautoko Mangō Mata 10
    21 April 2015 at 8:23 am

    “Lynton Crosby, the Conservatives’ election campaign director, is facing a growing Cabinet backlash over his strategy, with ministers worried that the party is pumping out an aggressive and uninspiring message to voters.”

    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tory-mps-revolt-against-lynton-crosbys-aggressive-uninspiring-strategy-10094564.html

    • Tracey 10.1
      21 April 2015 at 10:12 am

      So, the Brits are seeing through it, the Aussies see through it, but 49% of kiwis don’t.

      • adam 10.1.1
        21 April 2015 at 10:43 am

        Because the Crosby campaign is designed to make people not want to vote. It only 49% of people who voted Tracey. Which is just 30 odd % of the population. Another 30 odd % are sick of the politics of hate, fear, and manipulation. These fine souls voted with their feet and did not vote.

        • The lost sheep 10.1.1.1
          21 April 2015 at 10:59 am

          Another 30 odd % are sick of the politics of hate, fear, and manipulation. These fine souls voted with their feet and did not vote.

          The single main reason people do not vote is that they ‘didn’t get round to it, forgot or were not interested’
          Only about 7% of non voters express anything like a ‘protest’ reason for not voting.

          http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/people_and_communities/Well-being/civic-human-rights/non-voters-2008-2011-gen-elections.aspx

          • Crashcart 10.1.1.1.1
            21 April 2015 at 11:15 am

            How many of those who did vote only voted because they were guited into it by the “don’t vote, don’t complain” crowd. I know I have been in this catagory in the past and my wife is currently there. Until there is a box to vote for none of the above then we will not have a truely representative democratic process.

            • The lost sheep 10.1.1.1.1.1
              21 April 2015 at 11:58 am

              I can’t think of anything more pointless than a ‘none of the above’ vote. If that’s all you want to say then just don’t bother voting. Nothing = nothing.

              If you have an alternative in mind, and there are a significant number of citizens that support that alternative, then start a political Party to represent it and get it on the ballot paper so citizens have the opportunity to vote for it.

              • Colonial Rawshark …
                21 April 2015 at 12:15 pm

                I can’t think of anything more pointless than a ‘none of the above’ vote. If that’s all you want to say then just don’t bother voting. Nothing = nothing.

                For some reason you believe that a no confidence vote is the same as a “nothing” vote. You couldn’t be more wrong.

                • The lost sheep …
                  21 April 2015 at 12:59 pm

                  For some reason you think that ‘none of the above’ is the same thing as ‘no confidence’.

                  A ‘no confidence’ vote is a condemnation of a specific person or entity within a system, and has the effect of forcing a positive action to restore confidence in that system.

                  That is quite different to the ‘None of the above’ Crashcart suggests, which is a condemnation of everyone within a system, and as far as I can see, if it happened without some alternative to everyone in the current system being available, it would have no point what so ever. Except anarchy perhaps?

                  • Stephanie Rodgers …
                    21 April 2015 at 1:14 pm

                    “No confidence” doesn’t apply to individual people or entities. In student union elections (at least in Auckland, from memory) there’s a “no confidence” option in multi-candidate ballots.

                    Interestingly there’s also a “no vote” option so one could decide how strongly to assert one’s objections.

                    • The lost sheep …
                      21 April 2015 at 1:23 pm

                      And what actions would those 2 options lead to if they gathered ? level of support Stephanie?

                    • Sacha …
                      21 April 2015 at 2:25 pm

                      I think they have to run the election for that position again. Happened at least once at AUSA.

                  • Colonial Rawshark …
                    21 April 2015 at 1:20 pm

                    For some reason you think that ‘none of the above’ is the same thing as ‘no confidence’.

                    It’s quite similar. It’s certainly not a “nothing” like you claim it to be.

                    • The lost sheep …
                      21 April 2015 at 1:26 pm

                      And so what would it lead to if it gathered a significant number of votes CR?

                      How would it have any point, unless there was an alternative offered?

                    • Colonial Rawshark …
                      21 April 2015 at 2:01 pm

                      that’s not for you or for me to decide mate.

                  • Draco T Bastard …
                    21 April 2015 at 2:05 pm

                    That is quite different to the ‘None of the above’ Crashcart suggests, which is a condemnation of everyone within a system, and as far as I can see, if it happened without some alternative to everyone in the current system being available, it would have no point what so ever. Except anarchy perhaps?

                    Really? Then that’s exactly what we should do as anarchy is exactly what we need.

          • adam 10.1.1.1.2
            21 April 2015 at 1:02 pm

            “The single main reason people do not vote is that they ‘didn’t get round to it, forgot or were not interested’
            Only about 7% of non voters express anything like a ‘protest’ reason for not voting.”

            Piffle

            Then you go on with more piffle The lost sheep – is it the argument of the unthinking or self-righteous, I really don’t know – “go start your on political party”. What a trifling boring and dullard argument. How about you go organise some sheep and put them in a pig pen if your not happy with the world. That’s what you said – piffle.

            People are not happy with this world, or how it’s run – but don’t talk to anyone – just sit in your room and pontificate about how your great system and ideas of governance are the only option. Just more right wing turgid arguments against the people. The TINA buzz sanctimoniously put, just like the late roger dogulas. So if your going to lambaste us with piffle, any chance you could do it with a modicum of originality?

          • miravox 10.1.1.1.3
            21 April 2015 at 6:14 pm

            “The single main reason people do not vote is that they ‘didn’t get round to it, forgot or were not interested’”

            That’s three reasons there, Tls, and they come under the single biggest category of why people didn’t vote – Disengaged – which included:

            I didn’t get round to it or I forgot about it/am not interested 21.0
            I didn’t think it was worth voting because my vote wouldn’t have made a difference 7.1
            I didn’t think it was worth voting because it makes no difference which party is in government 7.0
            I didn’t think it was worth voting because politicians only care about being in power 5.1
            Dislike politicians, the political system, or all parties 3.0(*)

            Total Disengaged 43.2

            (*) Relative sampling error is 30–49.9 percent, and should be viewed with caution.)

            The ‘not interested’ category could probably do with separation from the ‘forgot/didn’t get around to it’ options, imo. Without further explanation it could just as easily fit with any one of the other options in the Disengaged category.

  11. Tautoko Mangō Mata 11
    21 April 2015 at 10:14 am

    I am glad to see that Prof Jane Kelsey has called attention to the incorrect implication given by both Radio NZ and the NZ Herald that the Fast Track for the TPPA had been achieved by Obama. In fact the Fast Track Bill had just been tabled in the US Congress.

    The RNZ headline was “Obama to get fast-track authority for TPP”

    These parts of the report distinctly gave the impression that this was a done deal.

    “The US Congress has agreed to give President Barack Obama the authority to fast-track its signing.
    However, the US commitment still has hurdles to overcome.
    The agreement, struck by the leaders of the tax-writing committees, will grant the president so-called trade promotion authority, which will limit lawmakers to taking only a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote on any eventual trade deal without any power to amend it.
    The Republican chairs of the Senate’s Finance Committee and Ways and Means Committee had to agree to stringent requirements for the trade deal to win over the ranking Democrat on the finance panel.”

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/world/271465/obama-to-get-fast-track-authority-for-tpp

    Tim Groser no doubt was pushing that line. I hope that NZ’s interests are not being sacrificed by Tim Groser on his altar of ambition to become NZ’s Ambassador in Washington.

  12. Philip Ferguson 12
    21 April 2015 at 10:53 am

    Any folks here who are in Dunedin and have an interest in Irish/working class/left history might be interested in a couple of talks I’m giving on campus about the 1916 Rebellion in Ireland and its aftermath.

    The talks are at 5pm, today (Tuesday), April 21 and 5pm, next Tuesday (April 28) and are in Room 4, upstairs in the Clubs and Societies building at 84 Albany Street.

    In the first talk I’ll be looking at the lead-up to the Rising, in particular the arrival in Irish society of the working class as an organised industrial/political force with the formation especially of the Irish Transport and General Workers Union, founded by James Larkin and later led by James Connolly, the development of its newspaper (the widely-read Irish Worker, edited by Sean O’Casey) and of the workers’ militia (the Irish Citizen Army, led by Connolly, Michael Mallin and Countess Markievicz; the formation of the first republican paramilitary organisation, Na Fianna Eireann, founded by Countess Markievicz; the revitalisation of the Irish Republican Brotherhood by young militants like Sean MacDiarmada and the return of the veteran Tom Clarke; the formation of a republican women’s movement (Inghinidhe na hEireann), founded by Maud Gonne; and the Irishwomen’s Suffrage League.

    I’ll look at the 1913 Dublin Lockout and the Home Rule Crisis and the different responses within Irish nationalism to World War 1.

    Bigi linn (all welcome).

    For poster, see: https://rdln.wordpress.com/2015/04/15/dunedin-talks-on-the-1916-rebellion-in-ireland/

    Phil

  13. logie97 13
    21 April 2015 at 11:25 am

    Today’s Herald “Chinese bank giant pushes into New Zealand mortgage market…”

    Stop the World a moment.
    Where is NZ Inc heading?
    We have a person who was singularly able to influence New Zealand social policy for many years as the Reserve Bank Governor, (failed to lead National to government even through “Hollow Men” tactics and push his agenda) now turns up heading a foreign bank which is bleeding more “Decent Ordinary Blokes” money offshore.

    “Industrial and Commercial Bank of China New Zealand began lending last year and made $11.2 million in home loans in the 12 months to December 31, according to a disclosure statement lodged with the Companies Office.”

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11435747

    Apparently these new banks are keeping the Aussie banks honest.
    “Last year Reserve Bank deputy governor Grant Spencer said the arrival of Chinese and Indian banking giants was a “watershed event” that would help keep the dominant Australian-owned lenders “on their toes”.

    Now, what say for starters, the Government instructed that all of it’s business (education, health, roading etc) be put the way of KIWI Bank.

    • freedom 13.1
      21 April 2015 at 12:39 pm

      And speaking of people on boards of big banks – it is forever interesting how the New Zealand Herald (et al), when trumpeting the new Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and its entrance to the NZ market, have completely forgotten to mention that Jenny Shipley is a Director on the Board of the ICBC’s ‘sister bank’ the Chinese Construction Bank and has been since 2007.

      Even when discussing recent NZ Government appointments, and listing the appointees responsibilities and previous experience, they just forget to include this apparently insignificant fact?

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11435185
      http://www.ccb.com/en/investor/biogofdirectors.html

      • saveNZ 13.1.1
        21 April 2015 at 1:20 pm

        Our Jenny Shiply indépendant chair of Mainzeal until 2 weeks before it collapsed into bankruptcy. Great to see the banks want to see such a ‘successful’ director. It’s not cronyism and connections – really….

    • Colonial Rawshark 13.2
      21 April 2015 at 2:17 pm

      “Industrial and Commercial Bank of China New Zealand began lending last year and made $11.2 million in home loans in the 12 months to December 31

      Sounds like they did mortgages on 20 Auckland houses. Nothing to write home about.

      • logie97 13.2.1
        21 April 2015 at 2:37 pm

        Sorry CR but making 11.2 million would be servicing a few more mortgages wouldn’t it??? I took that to read “extracted”. Wouldn’t have thought lending 11.2 would be the sort of small change that Brash would be involved in. Stand to be corrected on that …

  14. freedom 14
    21 April 2015 at 12:08 pm

    Here’s a little story about play nice, or you don’t get paid.

    It’s about a small company legally supplying a necessary service to 15 million people around the world and getting absolutely shafted by corporate bully boys for doing nothing but offering a better business model.

    https://mega.co.nz/#blog_33
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/66829568/paypal-stops-processing-payments-to-kim-dotcoms-mega
    (+ couldn’t see anything on NZH)

    The developed world operates a free market economy? yeah ok, if you say so.

    • saveNZ 14.1
      21 April 2015 at 1:16 pm

      @Freedom +1

      Oh and he lives in NZ, while he waits, assets stripped, to be extradited while JK backslaps with the US Movie industry.

      Another enemy of the people from our Beloved Leader. Nicky Hager, John Campbell, Snowdon, Dotcom, Catton, so many people who seem to want a ‘different’ type of democracy from the Nats and the Entertainment Industry.

      If only Dotcom had invested in residential property all would have been well.

    • Murray Rawshark 14.2
      21 April 2015 at 1:55 pm

      In a free market, a company can make whatever decisions they feel like. If they don’t want to deal with gays or blacks, for example, there will be no legislative pressure requiring them to do so. A company can be as vile as its owners feel like. The free market will end up with concentration of economic power in fewer and fewer hands. It is not a good thing and Paypal refusing to deal with Mega is not against the ideals of the free market.

  15. Marksman33 15
    21 April 2015 at 12:10 pm

    FYI, our favorite ex-Northland MP is now CEO of Carrington Resort on the Karikari Peninsula. The resort is now owned by a Chinese consortium who are buying and developing large tracks of the peninsula. Margaret Mutu conspicuous by her absence. What nexts ?

    • veutoviper 15.1
      21 April 2015 at 1:54 pm

      Much as the early reports on Sabin’s appointment referred to it as to the position of CEO of the Peppers Carrington Resort, a subsequent (edited) report on the NBR corrected this to CEO of Magnificant Jade:

      Former National MP Mike Sabin has been appointed as chief executive officer of Magnificent Jade, which oversees the New Zealand-based assets of Chinese real estate developer Shanghai CRED.

      In 2013, Shanghai CRED bought Northland’s luxurious Peppers Carrington Resort for a sum understood to be almost $29 million. It was reported on NBR ONLINE and other media earlier this week that Mr Sabin had been appointed chief executive officer of the resort.

      However, the Mantra Group, which operates the resort under the Peppers luxury resort brand, has since confirmed that Mr Sabin has not or is not an employee of Peppers, and that Peppers was not consulted on the appointment.
      …
      It is understood that Shanghai CRED is planning to upscale Peppers Carrington Resort into the largest five star resort in New Zealand and Mr Sabin’s appointment as chief executive of Magnificent Jade is central to this development.

      (note: this article has been updated to reflect that Mr Sabin is CEO of Magnificent Jade, and not Peppers Carrington Resort)

      Full article is here –
      http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/sabin-linked-luxury-resort-goes-ground-over-new-ceo-jb-171490

      So it seems that Sabin will not be actually the “on the spot” hands-on manager of the resort itself. Presumably Simon Jones, who has apparently been in this position for some years, will continue to be the CEO/manager of the resort itself.

  16. Colonial Rawshark 16
    21 April 2015 at 12:31 pm

    Sex clubs for wealthy women

    Organised by a girlfriend of Kate Middleton’s. Always reminds me of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire when the elite can’t be bothered to hide their decadence from the rest of society any more.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/love-sex/67901076/What-does-a-sex-club-for-women-look-like

    • saveNZ 17.1
      21 April 2015 at 1:09 pm

      +1 Yep I would have liked to see an enquiry. I don’t think Peter Ellis was guilty or had a fair trial, while people in power like Lord Janner in the UK and the roast buster youths get away with no prosecution.

      On the programme ‘I am Innocent” there was a case where a Dad was put away for abusing his kids, when all along it was their ‘support person’ the Stepfather who was the abuser, who stood behind them in court convicting the Dad, and the kids were confused and were not allowed to retract. The law is unjust in this area.

    • thatguynz 17.2
      21 April 2015 at 1:45 pm

      The planet has truly spun on its axis – I am 100% in agreement with PR.

      *Sigh* indeed.

    • Murray Rawshark 17.3
      21 April 2015 at 2:05 pm

      Peter Ellis was obviously innocent. His bad luck was to be a male working with children at a time that collective madness overtook many social workers and child psychologists. I remember around that time, a microcephalic psychologist tried explaining to me that my father had sexually abused me and that I had suppressed the memories. This was based on nothing except distorted memories of a lecture she’d just been to. God save us from crusading psychologists.

      • Colonial Rawshark 17.3.1
        21 April 2015 at 2:23 pm

        I’m reasonably certain that there was a specific type of vindictive or self righteous professional woman who rejoiced at seeing Peter Ellis pay for his “crimes” – and still does. The result echoes decades down the track – men stay well away from early childhood and primary school education, and as a society we’re Ok with it.

        • Charles 17.3.1.1
          21 April 2015 at 3:51 pm

          Couple of weeks ago I was out running/training at the park I usually run at, big public place, sports teams and that sort of thing present, and a girl roughly 11 or 12 asked if she could run with me. I made the stupid on-the-spot-answer that she could. We ran together for one lap. I walked beside her when she stopped to catch her breath, let her set the pace, encouraged her forward, reinforced that she should pay attention to what she thought and felt. We talked about sport, good practice, and training. I had about five minutes to impress the alternative to what I’d seen the local coaches slamming into the children:

          masculine pain/gain
          division of mind/body
          everyone for themselves
          heroes over teams
          individuals over support.

          I can’t go back to that park now. That’s the price I have to pay. I won’t speak to another young person again – there are only so many parks round here. Society sees a grown man running with a young girl and immediately thinks “Pedophile”. What I should have done, what society wants me to reply to youngsters who approach me, is, “No go away!”

          Thanks NZ. Great country you’re putting together here.

          • Puckish Rogue 17.3.1.1.1
            21 April 2015 at 4:18 pm

            I understand where you’re coming from

          • One Anonymous Bloke 17.3.1.1.2
            21 April 2015 at 4:27 pm

            Thanks Charles, that’s a great story you put together there.

          • rawshark-yeshe 17.3.1.1.3
            21 April 2015 at 4:33 pm

            To the contrary Charles, you should go back to the same park and run as you have always done. If anyone asks to join in, you can easily decline. But please, it should not prevent you from going back again. That just feeds the disease.

            • Draco T Bastard 17.3.1.1.3.1
              21 April 2015 at 4:37 pm

              +1

            • McFlock 17.3.1.1.3.2
              21 April 2015 at 5:19 pm

              easy to say until someone else decides you look dodgy.

              I remember a story of a guy near a local beach who saw a crying, unattended toddler. He felt he had to get a female to go up to the kid, as it would be a bad look if he went up and a parent saw it at the wrong moment (strange guy, crying kid) and went off the handle.

              • saveNZ …
                21 April 2015 at 9:09 pm

                I recommend watching the film “Capturing the Friedmans” an HBO documentary film directed by Andrew Jarecki. It focuses on the 1980s investigation of Arnold and Jesse Friedman for child molestation. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Documentary Feature in 2003.

                It is food for thought on this issue.

  19. saveNZ 19
    21 April 2015 at 4:00 pm

    Extremely heartening to see the vast majority of commentary on the herald article being against TPP.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11435695
    I particularly liked

    May the TPPA die and go back to hell from whence it came. Hey, let’s sell our country for some magic beans! I am amazed the US Congress is staffed by wiser and more intelligent people than our own governing gits.
    John Berry

    Magic beans, I love it!

    And theres is a lot more similar sentiment.

  20. One Anonymous Bloke 20
    21 April 2015 at 4:23 pm

    If these guys are on our side, we’re on the wrong side.

    What’s the difference between Daesh and Canberra? Language and Geography.

    • Clashman 20.1
      21 April 2015 at 4:55 pm

      Bloody Hell!
      Shits getting so bad I’m getting close to the point of burying my head in the sand, its really driving me to despair. Has the whole world gone fucking mad recently or is it just me?

  21. rawshark-yeshe 21
    21 April 2015 at 4:28 pm

    Native Affairs with Mihingarangi Forbes on Maori TV is astonishingly powerful .. check on their website for replays. And next week, they have a vital debate on the importance of public broadcasting in NZ.

    Plus, of course, they are the go-to place on Anzac Day. Sam Neill has made what looks like a fine documentary .. he was interviewed about it last night on Native Affairs … and for sure he is no fan on Pry Minister Key. Definitely worth a watch ..

    http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/national/native-affairs-tides-blood

    ( and yes, Mihi worked a long time on Campbell Live so no surprises there !)

  22. Penny Bright 22
    21 April 2015 at 6:23 pm

    Seen this folks?

    “Alex Swney pleads guilty to a further $2.5 million fraud

    Hamish McNicol · Tuesday April 21, 2015 · 

    Alex Swney, the former boss of Auckland business organisation Heart of the City, has pleaded guilty to further fraud charges of more than $2.5 million.

    Mr Swney appeared in the Auckland District Court this morning to answer a charge brought by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) of dishonestly using documents.

    He has pleaded guilty to the charge and was remanded on bail until his next appearance on April 30.

    The maximum prison term for the charge is seven years.

    Mr Swney created fictitious invoices while at Heart of the City which resulted in payments of more than $2.5 million to accounts controlled by him.

    SFO director Julie Read says the misappropriation increased the cost of the services provided by the organisation and reduced the benefits delivered by it.

    “Fraud of this size by employees who are entrusted with the management and expenditure of substantial sums of money is very costly for both the businesses concerned and more broadly for the community as it harms the integrity of these organisations,” she says.

    In January, Mr Swney also admitted to charges laid by the IRD covering $1.8 million in unpaid taxes.

    He had initially denied the charges last year but after switching lawyers to Murray Gibson changed his plea.

    The IRD also alleges Mr Swney owes $1.4 million in penalties and interest.

    Mr Swney will be sentenced on four of the original IRD charges this month, after another 34 initial charges were dropped.

    He also faces civil proceedings by Heart of the City’s board, which undertook an independent investigation when the allegations surfaced.

    Heart of the City is mostly funded by targeted business rates and its purpose is to promote business in the Auckland CBD.

    In its most recently available annual report for 2011-2012, the organisation records receiving $4.47 million in revenue.

    Earlier this year the association teamed up with Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED) to fund a domestic tourism campaign.

    It also had funded the Whitcoulls Santa each Christmas, but NBR Rich Listers the Mansons and SkyCity are now funding the statue for five years.

    Mr Swney had been at the helm of the business association for more than a decade.

    In 2007 he unsuccessfully ran for mayor of (then) Auckland City Council, which he lost to John Banks. ”
    ________________________________________________________________________________________

    Penny Bright

    http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz

  23. Rodel 23
    21 April 2015 at 7:00 pm

    Happy to watch TV3 news and Campbell live but have an instinctive rapid response when a Paul Henry promo suddenly comes on and I have to panic switch channels quickly to avoid looking at or hearing him.
    Consequently I mostly watch TV1.

  24. The Chairman 24
    21 April 2015 at 7:47 pm

    What’s the chances of Labour jumping on this water issue Campbell live has been highlighting?

  25. greywarshark 25
    21 April 2015 at 9:18 pm

    Retiring in Britain is tiring to contemplate.
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2042630/New-era-hippies-Millions-50s-relying-home-pension.html
    A recent report highlighted the huge financial pressure on Britain’s older people.
    HomeLet, a firm of lettings experts, looked at the number of its clients between the age of 66 and 70 who were selling their home and moving into rental accommodation.
    Over the last year, it found a 30 per cent increase in those putting up the ‘For Sale’ sign – a move likely to be fuelled by a chronic lack of cash….

    Another survey warned yesterday that people turning to renting are facing record costs.
    The study revealed that it is cheaper to buy a home than to rent the same property in 45 of the country’s 50 largest towns…. the asking price of all two-bedroom flats available to buy or to rent…..
    On average, it found the cost of the monthly rental bill higher than the cost of the mortgage.

  26. Brendan 26
    21 April 2015 at 10:14 pm

    Hello Standard people,

    I am writing a theoretical sociological essay with regards to Campbell Live’s potential dumping (or watering down) in the guise of Theodore Adorno’s Culture Industry thesis. Hopefully it’s a good one given the local application. Anyway, does anyone know where I can (reliably) follow up these TV ratings that have been so liberally tossed around in the ensuing arguments over Campbell’s commercial viability? I know this is not discussion, but I’ll be happy to share a link to the essay when it’s done. But only if you’re a fan of Campbell or Adorno, or both 😉

    Brendan.

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