Rubbish. It shows that the agreeement was always an attenpt to free trade and that each party to the negotiations has interest groups for or against certain aspects of it as you would expect.
Gosman, you can sit there lapping up the crap you are being spoonfed by the monied interests pushing TPP or you can re-ignite a few brain cells and do a little research before regurgitating the party line. Suggest you start with:
Gosman, you almost make me miss PG, at least he [seemed to] believe the drivel he wrote.
There is currently underway a co-ordinated global effort to clamp down on real free trade in favour of corporate friendly regimes, written largely by those who will benefit the most from the agreements. Hint, those who will benefit the most are not the workers making the products being traded or the countries those products are being made in.
Start with looking up what these acronyms stand for “TPP/TTIP/TAFTA/CETA/PAFTA”
You will no doubt still insist on making your usual propaganda soaked mantras and I guess there is not much we can do about that. So many here and elsewhere have tried to educate you. What I fail to understand is your stubborn willingness to become a trade unit rather than a member of a functional democracy in a world where people come before profit.
Of course why should you believe a bunch of unions, or doctors, or teachers, or chemists, or software engineers or builders or Universities or Aid agencies or any of the other hundreds of groups that are working full time to bring the realities of these agreements to the public’s attention. They are all just lying right?
How about believing the leaked text on IP from the TPP itself? https://wikileaks.org/tpp/
It plainly states how the public message from the negotiators contradicts the goals of the proposed text, and if it doesn’t why did the negotiators launch a tsunami of press attacks in the hours after it had been released, all screaming in unison that it was just a draft and the real agreement is all different now, but you can’t read it because …???? oh yeah because it’s secret. Does it compute with you that no negotiating team has seen the entire text?
But that is just crazy conspiracy nonsense right? These trans national behemoths would never try to manipulate a nation’s laws to increase their profits and power? No they are the bastions of truth and goddness and happy happy joy joy days.
The link demonstrates little other than that the global power elite of the negotiating parties could not find sufficient political capital from home constituencies to reach agreement and the world’s most powerful but nevertheless declining superpower the US was isolated.
The fifth Labour government appointed the negotiators and set their bottom lines. If I’m not mistaken you’d like to be a Labour MP, which would make you one of the “power elite”, wouldn’t it?
Huh? Leaving aside the idea that MPs have much actual power over anything, what you are saying would put me in the class of ‘wanna-be’ or ‘hanger-on’. And who can be fucked with that.
Perhaps your idea of power-elite and mine are different. The power elite IMO are the 0.1% in a developed western country. They aren’t the $100K pa to $200K pa paid lackeys and higher income professional organ grinders who work for the power elite.
The fifth Labour government appointed the negotiators and set their bottom lines.
LOL its OK then just trust them is I suppose what you are implying.
OAB, are you referring to the pdf link or the wikileaks link?
The pdf has many examples of the potential problems countries face. The pdf also includes numerous examples of current and recent cases where the efforts of big business are not in the best interests of the communities they want to profit from and how the new agreements would be even more problematic.
The wikileaks link was widely covered at the time of its release, which was why so much effort was put into discrediting the leaked text saying it was only a draft.
How does saying it’s a draft (which it clearly is) discredit it?
The whole point of negotiations is to find compromises between competing interests, so it would be an odd negotiation that didn’t provide evidence of said competition.
I said effort was put into discrediting it, I did not say the text was discredited.
The leaked text was openly attacked by those who were embarrassed by its release because of what it exposed and the questions it raised. Questions that went to content which contradicted the numerous public statements being made by the various negotiating teams.
You said “The link demonstrates little other than that the negotiating parties could not reach agreement and the US was isolated.”
Which link? I would just like to know which link you think shows this?
I don’t think it’s necessary to put much energy into discrediting opinions based on false premises. It was a draft. Anyone saying so was merely stating a fact.
It must have been embarrassing for all the Chicken Littles though, to have been assuring everyone that our negotiators were selling us out and then have Wikileaks prove them wrong.
Thank you for answering OAB. I think you already know I completely disagree with your interpretation of the various activity that surrounded the release of the Wikileaks material, so we will just leave that alone as it would achieve nothing.
When it comes to the ‘trade’ agreements mentioned above, I would like to say one thing…. I sincerely hope myself and so many others are completely wrong about our interpretation of the globalists’ plans for your mukapuna.
Don’t get me wrong: I would be implacably opposed to NZ signing up to what the US wants, I just think there is precisely zero chance of us doing so, and the leaked documents support that view.
I prefer to oppose things on solid ground – goes to credibility.
Freedom, for your ‘owning’ response @1.1.1.3 to GooseMan, you have my AAA+, my ten more Gold Stars than you’ll ever need, and my heartiest congratulations.
GooseMan, you have been stunningly ‘proprietorialised’, viz. ‘owned’ by the Good Freedom. It’ll be on ViciousOldThing PaulineHenry@3 – 10.30 tonight, you see.
Time to lick your wounds, pick yourself up, and hobble off back to SlaterPorn where for a millisecond you’ll be acknowledged as a soldier of The Dark back from The Cold, then ignored. For reside there many, many exquisitely madder people than you.
Give up Cuzzy, melt into SlaterPorn. You’re simply not up to it. You realise of course that ShonKey Python thinks you’re a fuckwit. Bombasting and Beavering away while –
“Me ?……..I’m off to play Baldrick to Barak”.
Take your pick – the list is long and undistinguished however in this particular case, the statement you made that I replied to – you know as per the commonly accepted practice in discussion threads.
RNZ 7 am news leading with cricket scandal for 2nd day…and continuing with the Horan distraction.
Is it taking its new selections from the Herald and ZB now?!
This is our public broadcaster.
Green and brown colored cigarettes will apparently be the next battleground in the effort to deter smokers from using tobacco products,
Personally, if it were not for the fact that i grow everything i smoke, the proposed color schemes for ciggies highlighted in today’s Herald would be pleasing when compared to the boring old white variety,
i recommend shocking pink, that might put a few off…
Lolz, there goes my ability at original thought, beaten to it by many years by the look of it, if there’s a market for pink cigarettes i fail to see how Green and Brown ones are going to be off putting to us addicts…
Actually, driving home tonight I heard that one on RNZ and it crossed my mind that the perfect number would be to produce all the ciggies in ‘Lolly Pink’. That’d clear off all those smokey, closety homophobes in one fell swoop. Anyone smoking a lolly pink (sorry) ‘fag’ within 300 metres of a rugby clubrooms or an Eminem (MenInMen) concert’d walk right into the meanest ever re-education/rogering. Never to do it again…….well…….maybe never.
Fark ! Then all [SHIT] would hit the fan and British American Tobacco [BAT] would come over all gay-friendly and sue [NZ] under [TPPA] for more [$$$] than your best bailout. Fark !
And then ShonKey Python’s [BAT][SHIT] would acquire real meaning. Fark !
Meanwhile………crossing to the Rose Room………Barak and Baldrick……..jiving ……..seductively. Fark !
Aue ! I SO need this. Living in Kaikohe. Coining 17 grand a year……..
Identity politics a political distraction in an age of energy and civilisation collapse
Dmitry Orlov hits this one hard –
When I gave the same talk a month later at last year’s Age of Limits conference, the reaction was rather different. There was almost no discussion of impediments to implementation or ideas for overcoming them. Instead, the conversation veered off into gender politics, with some amount of booing and hissing from the female members of the audience. You see, the examples I picked, which included, among others, traditional, religious communities with patriarchal gender roles, were said to be ill-suited as models for such a “progressive” group. (By the way, I never proposed that they be used as models, only as examples from which general principles can be uncovered.) Then there followed some harsh (and, to my mind, ridiculous) criticisms of the Amish, who were said to abuse their wives and children. Compared to the focused and productive discussion at Grand Marais, this one turned out to be a complete waste of time. I was flabbergasted by this reaction, only later realizing that I had blundered into an American cultural war zone. I later realized that none of the criticisms raised had the slightest bit of relevance to the topic under discussion.
and this shocking suggestion about male rape in the US being the most common form – all occurring from behind prison walls. I’ve never seen any anti-rape campaigner include this fact before.
As for minority rights, there are more black slaves in America today than there were before the Civil War—they used to work on plantations, but now they work in prisons, many of which are privately owned, where they make money for their politically connected owners. With regard to the rights of sexual minorities, it needs to be noted that not only does the US lead the developed world in rape, but that here rape is evenly distributed between men and women, male rape being most prevalent, again, among the prison population
So it’s not identity politics Orlov objects to its gender politics? Same for you in truth CV, you call it identity politics but you mean gender or feminist politics dont you? You urged someone to be clear about a comment they made about what type of people buy KFC, so be honest. You object to feminist politics as part of a politic discourse?
You did see Orlov’s commentary on slavery and imprisonment of minorities right? They’ve essentially instituted a New Jim Crow in the USA. I think he is very clear about what he means by the American “cultural wars” of which gender politics is a big part.
You urged someone to be clear about a comment they made about what type of people buy KFC, so be honest. You object to feminist politics as part of a politic discourse?
I’m not interested in putting my energy into any politics which ignores or damages economic justice for the many, especially in an age of energy and resource depletion. If it is politics which does focus on economic justice for the many – I will back it to the hilt.
“While it is the entire country that is being victimized by this system of governance based on the principle of social divide and conquer, it is women and minorities that are the pawns in this game, and the biggest losers, with some of the worst outcomes out of all of the developed countries.”
Sure. If you want to imagine minorities and women as some grouped mass with largely homogenous or at least congruent opinions, identities and perspectives.
Oh bejesus marty, are you jumping on the ‘you listen to an Apple iPod so you can’t complain about cruel Chinese worker factory conditions’ or ‘you live in Herne Bay so you’re not allowed to speak out against poverty’ style of argument.
It’s a bit better than the, ‘you identify with a group and oppose some of what they do yet others lump you in to further their argument’ bandwagon imo 🙂
as for orlov… he could ask why men are not outraged at the high number of men being raped in prison… and start advocating for them.
The answer is obvious; it’s because they tend to be poor young men from minority groups and it is not politically fashionable to help them. And btw few do more useful advocacy work than Orlov, but of course it is not in the area of identity politics, it is in the area of surviving collapse.
was my question at the end too hard. cmon cv… you fudged it….practice what you preached earlier in the week.
I gave you a pretty simple answer. If it’s identity politics focussing on the rights of just a few while the very many still get trodden on, I don’t rate it at all.
nah, you avoided the question, which is your right.
funny you should say no men are advocating on behalf of male rape victims cos its politically unfashionable. it was politically unfashionable to demand the vote, but women did it… same with sexual abuse and rape of children.
Is there a term CV for the often feminist derailing of discussions of wide social problems? Something like Ware feminist heist WFH?
The instant hostility accompanied by well-worn argument that fits every case is notable. It’s as bad as the results of criticising anything relating to superannuitants?. The entitlement to self-absorption is great. And a morning of silence will be held (from non-feminist commenters).
Now there’s a good idea for the Wellington City Council to emulate, the Auckland Council is trialling the collection of food-waste from households so as to short-circuit its inclusion into its landfills,
Not that i plan on putting out the scraps, all of mine and that of one of my neighbour’s goes into my gardens to ensure a healthy grow for the year,
Lolz, with bins full of them in the street i will have a much boosted supply to choose from, no meat scraps please people they bring around the pesky Rats, Cats and Dogs to dig around in the garden looking for a free feed….
Yes, that is a grand idea bad12. I once heard a promoter of sustainable living say that 90% of the methane that emanates from landfill comes from kitchen waste. An excellent reason to compost right there.
Our vego only compost bin has a wee mouse living in it. I think it is multiplying, as there is another mouse living in the woodpile in the garage, since wee mousey set up home in the compost.
Lolz Rosie, i made that mistake once a long time ago, left the cute wee mouse to do it’s thing coz it wasn’t really doing any harm, said mice turned out to be Ma and Pa Mouses and shortly afterwards i discovered much to my surprise Mr and Mrs mouses four offspring in my wheat-bix packet,
Yeah having the garden to compost it in saves both me and the neighbor a bit on rubbish bags, there will be a downside for Wellington Councils if they go for composting tho, in the future the elaborate set up in the tips to capture and burn that methane to generate electricity wont work so well…
Yes, that is a grand idea bad12. I once heard a promoter of sustainable living say that 90% of the methane that emanates from landfill comes from kitchen waste. An excellent reason to compost right there.
Dunedin city generates electricity from its landfill methane.
Extracting methane and burning it to produce electricy and heat water is a well adopted co-gen technology in landfills . Been in use for over 40 years at least.
But that isn’t to say we should make efforts to reduce our waste and use it more efficiently………….? Not all landfills have methane electricity production technology do they?
We also have to consider how much space we are taking up in landfills with kitchen waste. With up to 40% of our domestic waste being made up of compostable kitchen scraps, seems foolish to bury it when we can re use it.
And speaking of green technology the Mill Creek Windfarm construction is going ahead in leaps and bounds. It is a sight to behold from my living room window.
Radio Active interviewing Grant Robertson and Alistair Thompson now. (Suggested listening yesterday, Open Mike ) 88.6fm in Wellington or listen on line at http://www.radioactive.fm/
phillip, instead of watching that headache inducing breakfast tv, you could have been listening to the very interesting half hour interview above. 15 mins of which covered Campbells Fletcher/Clapper/GCSB show on Tuesday night, our increasing surveillance society, 10 seconds of saying goodbye to Shane Jones, charter schools, helping babies and children of beneficiaries and Grant Robertson owing up to the mistakes of the past (excluding beneficiaries from WFF) etc etc.
Do you provide that breakfast show with feedback on how appalling and insensitive they are?
Well phil, maybe they did sniff the wind and smell your criticism – I’m guessing a term such as “neo lib apologist” wouldn’t be a mainstay in their vocab. That show, it sounds dire.
There wasn’t anything in today’s interview that stood out as changing my feelings in terms of optimism, although I am reassured somewhat by Grant Robertson’s genuine concern about our increasingly surveilled (is that a word?) society and Labour’s commitment to providing for ALL NZ kids. Today he was mainly on the attack towards to the PM about his approach to foreign policy and the way he has manipulated the changes at the GCSB.
I’ve been listening to the show for years so it’s not like theres any one interview where you respond with a “YES!”, it’s more of a slow boil and a way of gauging the over all views and subtle changes in views. I have noticed that he was sometimes on the back foot but in the past 5 months or so he has been really clear on where he and Labour stand.It sounds like there’s some good momentum and confidence now where previously it sounded like he was at a bit of standstill. (during the Goff and Shearer times) He has acknowledged quite humbly Labour’s mistakes, eg, the example above.
It’s great to listen to Alistair Thompson too. He came to the show awhile ago at a point sometime after where Chris Finlayson, who was then standing for Nat for Wgtn Central, refused to come on the show any more. He just wanted to talk about all the “good work” he was doing for Treaty negotiations and Redbird Jnr just kept trying to hold him to account for all the Government’s failings. They were just at loggerheads and it was a fruitless exercise.
Without Finlayson and with Alistair Thompson instead you get a good show. I find it insightful.
Welcome to the Parliament the newest MP, Labour’s Kelvin Davis, the bar is exceptionally low as far as bettering His predecessor goes so it should be a breeze for Kelvin to achieve far far more than His predecessor accomplished…
Yep, nice to see Jones going well before the Election but his brand of egotism could well see him surface again in some spoiler role to annoy the Labour party.
There is disturbing activity taking place on National’s website. The Party is self-censoring itself and quietly, without fuss, removing certain embarrassing information from it’s website….
..The bureau is struggling to hire young hackers –
because its long-standing drug policy does not allow the use of marijuana.
Unfortunately – hackers like their weed.
“I have to hire a great work force to compete with those cyber criminals –
and some of those kids want to smoke weed on the way to the interview” –
FBI Director James B. Comey told a White Collar Crime Institute conference on Monday..”
what says the bureau on staff using nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, prescription medicines, ‘32 ounce sodas’ and sitting at work stations with a gut full of decaying high cholesterol junk food?
still they are in a bind it seems with their young stoners… a nice quandary for them
Which gives a clear route to legalisation of drugs. I guess anyone attempting this would have to battle both the pharmaceutical companies and alcohol/cigarette companies, in addition to public opinion.
Yes someone linked to an article the other week from a doctor Tashkin which extolled the virtues of marijuana in such a way,
The subjects of these tests which were said to have shown positive results were of course not humans but a bunch of furry little critters, first fed with various cancers and then fed with various amounts of dope,(definitely not an ethical means of introducing medical marijuana into a debate),
To give the ‘link’ a little credit it did then go on to list quite a few downsides to the use of marijuana including a propensity for smokers of the stuff to exhibit pre-cancerous conditions in their airways,
There seems to be other ingredients in Marijuana’s chemical makeup other than the THC which gets us stoned that have some medical benefit which are worth exploring…
hey hey! I see Pete George is spreading his special kind of love on Public Address now, any bets on how long the Republic of Grey Lynn will tolerate him before he gets a DCM email?
Just listened to an interview on Nine to Noon that has me agreeing with the comment above this morning decrying the content of the current RadioNZ National,
Some author who’s name i didn’t remember banging on endlessly about ”Chinese spying” elicited a big Yawn and had my ears switch off after 5 minutes as i concentrated on a far more productive activity,(the kitchen ceilings annual wash),
Talk about unbalanced BUT, expect to hear this sort of mind wash to develop even further as attitudes harden with Russia and China signing yesterday an economic pact over the supply of gas which will result in a pipeline being built from Russia across China,
As a contrast to this news of the energy rich Russia reaching this deal with China effectively allowing the Russians to wave a big middle finger at ”sanctions” imposed by ”the West” a story in the Herald this morning highlighted the fact that Shale oil will not be as big a boon for the US as first thought,
Using current methods the expected extraction of shale oil has now dropped in total from 1.6 billion barrels to 600 million,
On energy, the wind type an item of interest i forgot to comment upon was a ”new” means of generating electricity from wind in the herald the other day, this device is said to only need wind speeds as light as 3 kilometers an hour to produce viable electricity as opposed to the wind towers that need a wind speed of at least 13 K,
The way of the future perhaps, if those maddened by their addiction to fossil fuels don’t fry us all in some future ”energy war” that is…
Apparently Gosman you cling to stupid arguments that will result in your brain soon collapsing, your insertion of this comment in this particular piece of this mornings discussion is simply the actions of one attempting Diversion as a means of debate,
The short version of the above is F-off to the sewer and play your stupid games of low level intelligence…
Using current methods the expected extraction of shale oil has now dropped in total from 1.6 billion barrels to 600 million,
yes the extractable amount and extraction rate sustainability was always highly over-hyped as a way of drawing in massive initial investments from unwary money – hence the ‘shale oil bubble’. It also fit in well with politicians’ narratives that America was going to become “energy independent” at long last. Everyone had a reason for playing along with the myth.
However one can’t fool Mother Nature and physical realities have set in, and with them financial realities. A lot of shale oil plays have breakeven pricing at over $90/barrel.
China is describing the US as a ‘mincing rascal’ and a ‘high-level hooligan’
I like this fresh style of invective – so don’t belittle Chinese efforts. We try out all sorts of new descriptions here and why get bogged down in the verbal hegemony of the west.
We don’t want to be verbiose running dogs of western verbal hegemony. Pete George already has that role covered.
Seriously though, the insults a people use can give us small insights into their culture. A Kiwi/Chinese colleague told me that most of the insults used by new immigrants were about family poverty. This immediately made me think that they would quickly develop links with NAct and now they have. (Gross generalisation, but proof by anecdote requires that.)
A Russian colleague told me many Russian insults were about sex with someone’s mother, so I think we can expect to see Jamie Whyte encouraging Russian immigration.
Very amusing MO. I notice that about many immigrants. After making the big leap, they want to get on to feathering their own nests. Welfare begins at home to them. They can be quite cutting about us trying to do the right thing by indigenous people.
Thinking about nests I looked up godwits and they are just so amazing. We should think of reducing our numbers to ensure that there is room for these creatures more wonderful than us.
Beringia is where the godwits begin their journey. This outcrop of land where Asia and America nearly touch is a global cross roads, a springboard for millions of migratory birds of a variety of species. Just to name a few mingling with the bar–tailed godwits bound for New Zealand, are Hudsonian godwits aiming for Tierra del Fuego; Arctic warblers which migrate to the Philippines; Wilson’s warblers which fly to Central America; fox sparrows and golden-crowned sparrows that winter in Pacific coastal woodlands, and gray-cheeked thrushes that travel to the Amazon; northern wheatears traveling across Asia for wintering grounds in Africa, and Swainson’s thrushes moving south to the equatorial forests of Venezuela and Brazil. Approximately one-quarter of the world’s shorebirds breed in tundra and boreal habitats of the arctic and sub-arctic. These habitats provide well-camouflaged nesting sites for these ground-nesting species, and the abundance of invertebrates following snow-melt provides the conditions for rapid chick growth during a very short season.
A team of researchers headed by Robert Gill Jr. of the U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center in Anchorage implanted tiny satellite trackers in female godwits near the Alaska coast. Prior to their southward migration, the godwits eat up large, until up to 55 per cent of their body weight is fat. They then reduce the size of their gut, kidney and liver by up to 25 per cent to compensate for the added weight. The scientists think that the birds reshuffle proteins in their bodies before they set out and that this allows them to reduce the size of their food-processing organs. Stuffed with fuel, the godwits are ready for the air. Assessing the weather patterns in Alaska, the team found that the godwits timed their departures to coincide with favorable tail winds that helped them fly south. “All birds took off with favorable winds,” says Gill, who added that tail winds caught in Alaska can shoot these birds 3,000 to 5,000 kilometers. “Some birds get shot almost to Hawaii,” says Gill. Scientists don’t know how the godwits assess weather patterns or navigate. What’s more, the satellite trackers can’t measure altitudes — the birds could be skimming the ocean or flying thousands of feet above the surface, says Gill.
A female bar–tailed godwit, implanted with a tiny satellite tracker, lifted off from her Alaskan breeding ground and flew south 11,680 kilometers, nonstop, until she reached her winter home in New Zealand. Called E7 by the scientists who monitored her, she flew more than eight days without food, water or rest, on the longest direct flight by a bird ever documented – See more at: http://www.nzbirds.com/birds/kuaka.html#sthash.5LfsiwQA.dpuf
North
Could be..could be. Just a bit of discursion? flying away from the original about immigrants looking after No.1 rather than joining in the nation’s zeitgeist. Then I got onto feathering their nests and took off with the amazing tale of the bar tailed godwit. Makes a difference from the usual kittens on youtube.
On May 21 the Los Angeles Times reported that “Federal energy authorities have slashed by 96% the estimated amount of recoverable oil buried in California’s vast Monterey Shale deposits, deflating its potential as a national ‘black gold mine’ of petroleum.” The EIA had already downgraded its technically recoverable reserves estimate for the Monterey from 15.4 to 13.7 billion barrels; now it was reducing the number to a paltry 0.6 billion barrels.
So much for the US oil boom that was going to save us and make renewable energy irrelevant that the RWNJs had been telling us enthusiastically about for the last few years. Seems to have gone up in a puff of reality.
Dear Tony,
17 years ago my wife an I had our wedding reception at your very fine restaurant. However, on reading in the Herald yesterday that you may ban David Cunliffe from Antoine’s for no reason other than being leader of the Labour Party, I have a confession to make.
17 years ago I neglected to tell you that we are Labour voters. I apologise for sullying your fine establishment with unacceptable opinions. In mitigation of this offence I can only say that at no point during the evening were our opinions expressed, so there was no risk of us contaminating other diners or any of your staff.
I know this is a weak excuse, so I think the best thing would be for you to retrospectively ban us from Antoine’s and return the approximately $3,000 we paid you. When you pop the cheque in the mail, could you kindly ensure that it is addressed to the individual named at the bottom of this letter, and not to the National Party.
Certainly AB, I’ll refund your money when you return the product we provided in its original condition. I will deduct 15% because you’re so fucking boring.
Love
Tony.
Astle is exactly the type of Tory maggot whose establishment should be banned for good as a return favour. Not that ‘Parnhell’ is exactly a Labour enclave. Knew he was dodgy from the time it was made public that Antoines actually served tripe! Surprising how many restaurants a left supporter might not like to eat at if they knew the owners political bent.
I ate at Antoine’s once. It was nothing special, but then NActoids base their taste on the price column of the menu anyway. Mind you, I was shouted by a working girl I knew, so I didn’t pay.
It’s not the tucker, GooseMan Fool, it’s the people you find there. Farting foie gras is vile. Mopped up by the P’Astle mo’ of the bro’ who runs the sho’. It’s shocking to watch.
Hi Gosman
Do you realise that you are the standard’s school cert level simple simon right wing pet? You afford light relief for serious contributors to have a snigger at regularly? have a nice day, mate!
Antiones screams ‘old money establishment’ projecting its insecure owners psyche like similar joints around inner akl channelling those class divides from the old country.
Been there done that, overpriced and olde world with very snooty floor staff for those who enjoy the feeling of superiority and smugness.
+1
and just read an old quote from richard griifin,”radio new zealand is staffed by a gang of sad little lefties”.
now the that griffin is in charge it has become a gang of very very sad little whining righties.
gluon spinelesser and suzy fungus are the worst suckups and kissarses that have ever whined over the airwaves of our proud nation.
If Griffin is ‘chair of the board’ then I guess he had some say over appointing Paul Thompson (ex Press editor, ex Fairfax chief editor) as CEO of National Radio.
If you ever read Paul Thompson’s editorials in The Press (over anything economic or party political) you’ll know Paul is hardly a sad little leftie.
(In fact, the interesting thing about the economically focused and party political editorials in The Press over the last three editors – Paul Thompson, Anthony Holden and Jane (?) Norris – is that they all have had exactly the same discursive style, used the same rhetorical devices and, of course, have expressed the same political leanings. Very odd that. Almost as if they have been written by the same person despite a changing of the guard in the editor’s office.)
This Nat candidate was in the news a few weeks ago, at the same time as Todd Barclay but he was totally overshadowed by the Barclay furore. Interesting that fearfux are running the story again but in more depth. Funny, because, by doing so they are drawing attention to Nat’s highly questionable morally bankrupt candidates. Usually when National and/or the Government are doing something dodgy they report it but kind of mumble and walk off. This time they’ve amplified it. Check out the comments too, a major turnaround for Stuffed commenters.
Those two blokes could be carbon copies of one another.
Hey Rosie, oh I thought the difference was that he’s been confirmed as the Hutt South candidate now, not merely a contender.
Like you say, these two kids are a couple of clones, maybe they were able to get extra funds from their previous employer via a cabinet club smoke up session.
It’s great watching the comments on stuffed and other sites changing to an anti Nat tune, helps to keep the spirits up while enduring this painful regime.
Keep up your great efforts to rid Ohariu of the Dunney 🙂
Lol, I didn’t realise “I coulda been a contender” was only a contender at that point.
I’ll have a chat to my friend who lives in Wainuiomata and see what they’ve all got to say about the cancer promo guy. I’m sure him and his friends will think he’s a big joke.
Thanks for your support on Dunney. All of us living in this electorate need to pull out all the stops to get the long drop filled in and decommissioned. For the country!!!
Hey, I could do with a hand from the Labour campaign team in fighting off ultra retarded RWNJ’s in the local paper in our Ohariu electorate.
I am trying to wake up the sleepy little letters section (there isn’t really one) by submitting letters in response to Dunne activity, Ginny Anderson news and the Nat twerp, Brett Hudson. It’s a bit lonely and a concerted Left effort in the letters section might give this Pro Dunne, conservative rag a bit of a wake up slap. We need to get the upper hand. Whaddya reckon?
In the meantime I have written a response with actual facts that should put the RWNJ contributor firmly in their place, easy enough of course but many versus one would be better than one versus one.
In a neoliberal universe, where markets are the gauge of value, money becomes, more straightforwardly than ever before, the measure of all things. If hospitals, schools and prisons can be privatised as enterprises for profit, why not political office too?
You saying that just proves that RWNJs haven’t learned a damn thing in 1500 years. Of course, when we look at that study, it’s actually 5000+ years as civilisation has been collapsing from the hubris of the rich in all of recorded history.
I would be more worried if they had their stories perfectly matched. Human beings remember things differently and some disagreement about the odd detail is not an unusual occurrence.
It would be far more suspicious if they had, and all gave exactly the same evidence. The fact is human memory is unreliable, at this remove it’s no wonder theirs differ.
The judge knows this, even if you don’t. I hope sentencing is carried out just before lunch.
is this the wayne tempero that many on the right posted here probably leaked who had been visiting the dotcom mansion? cos you would think a simple recant yesterday would have done the job, but no, his recollection aligns with dotcoms…
then theres banksies police interview today… skycity say they gave the cheque to banksie, banksie says… wait for it… he doesnt remember getting a cheque from them.
good for him. let the public decide if it is plausible the pm attended discussions about unsuitable candidates to head gcsb, suggested fletcher and had rennies agreement that key contact fletcher but forgot. i call a big BS on that.
i think what the pm couldnt remember whether he needed to lie about it or not = default position lie
pm said had to buy bmws cos labour had locked them in = untrue
blip cover the list that so many choose to ignore.
now cunliffe needs to tell people that if the pm cant recall contacting someone to head one of his two portfolios he is treating everyone as fools.
…Cunliffe’s fighting talk and pitching it home to John Key and the NACTS on Key’s lies and Nacts betrayal of New Zealanders and poor economic performance
Key yesterday branded TV3 television presenter John Campbell a conspiracy theorist over claims that Fletcher, who was shoulder-tapped by Key to head the bureau, was hired to help facilitate the FBI raid on Kim Dotcom’s mansion.
I don’t think such claims were made in this week’s Campbell Live. I have always thought Fletcher’s appointment was part of a shift to focus on “economic terrorism” and support for the big corproates – protection of didgital “rights” on behalf of media such as the Hollywood Studios is part of that – surveillance and arrest of Dotcom was one isntance of the broader aim.
But then, why would Key bother, given that the MSM had largely ignored the Campbell Live programme. Could it be the programme pointed to something else? Something that Cunliffe picked up on and was saying to Key “I know where you are vulnerable on this issue…and it aint so much to do with Dotom.”?
An the main focuses of the CL programme weren’t really KDC. They were US-NZ relations, and the appointment and start date of Ian Fletcher, and the meetings that led up to that.
Fascinating karol. I think you might be on to something.
I was surprised and a bit perplexed at Cunliffe’s warning to Key to be careful what he says, but it would fit in nicely with your interpretation that Cunliffe is saying “I know where you are vulnerable on this issue…and it aint so much to do with Dotcom.”?
Given the programme makers know how far they can go without out putting their existence under threat…. what if the programme was designed to point in a specific direction, without making an accusation?
The CL programme was very carefully crafted’ again IMO with a lot of legal input. It just pointed towards the joining of the dots; it did not make any specific accusations or conclusions. And its goes well beyond KDC. That might have been the starting point; but KDC in some respects has now become irrelevant (to a degree). It is all about Key’s ‘truthfulness’ or otherwise; and what he is seeking to achieve (or that of the people who really pull his strings).
It’s been my suspicion for some time that Fletcher was groomed for a special role within the 5 Eyes arrangement before he returned to NZ. I also suspect that role has not got a lot to do with our security considerations. And if I’m right then Key knows all about it and is happy for NZ to be used in such a way.
Oh well, I can answer my own question. He gets to have palsy walsy conversations and golf games with the American president. In other words, special privileges. All good for the re-election campaign.
i was surprised by how lightly they stepped around key – almost like the program was about fletcher. I certainly think the whole knot gets untied when fletcher is pulled.
“Today’s New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll shows a gain in support for National (45.5%, up 3%) now back ahead of a potential Labour/Greens alliance (44%, down 1.5%).
Support for Key’s Coalition partners is little changed with the Maori Party 1% (unchanged), ACT NZ (0.5%, unchanged) and United Future 0% (down 0.5%).
Support has fallen for the Opposition with the Labour Party down 0.5% to 30.5%, the Greens down 1% to 13.5%, New Zealand First 6% (unchanged), Mana Party 1% (unchanged). Support for the Conservative Party of NZ is 1% (up 0.5%) and the Internet Party is now at 0.5% (down 1%).
If a National Election were held now the latest New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll shows that the result would be too close to call and would largely depend on who New Zealand First decided to support.
The latest NZ Roy Morgan Government Confidence Rating has fallen to 132pts (down 3.5pts) with 60% (down 2%) of New Zealanders saying New Zealand is ‘heading in the right direction’ compared to 28% (up 1.5%) that say New Zealand is ‘heading in the wrong direction’.”
Its so much inside the margin of error there could – in reality – be a small net gain for the opposition parties and a small net loss for the govt. parties.
Umm….not sure where to put this observation…but tonight was watching TV3 news cover of Bank’s trial..The camera lingered on him as he dug into his ear, removed…something….looked at it…then put it in his mouth. Yuck.
Sue Kedgley, former Green MP, now on the board of Consumer New Zealand, calls for the Government to adopt sensible measures to minimise the effects of electromagnetic exposure in an opinion piece published in the Herald today.
‘[The Govt] should also review our out-dated standard on electromagnetic radiation, which is one of the most permissive in the world, and set up an independent body to evaluate the health risks of electromagnetic radiation.’
“A disabling bug”
“May 19th, 2014 at 7:00 am by David Farrar ”
“Sarah Wilson writes in the Nelson Mail:”
(See links provided)
Farrar’s comment:
“Sarah’s story is gripping, and as you read it I guess the reaction is that this could have happened to me – it was just a bug after all. Sarah has become an activist on welfare issues, after her frustrations with WINZ – which she wrote about here. WINZ has apologised for what happened.
But it does highlight that there is a balancing act with welfare reforms, and how WINZ implements them. And we shouldn’t assume the balance is absolutely right. There are some on welfare who are able to work, and some of the measures introduced are necessary to target them.
But there are also many on welfare who have had horrible things happen to them, and a system which makes them prove every x months they are still unable to work needs some flexibility and judgement involved.
UPDATE: Sarah has written a sort of response to this blog, on her blog.”
So read some of the comments, and some are actually confirming what our concern has been for years. The welfare reforms have been an attempt to push things beyond the acceptable boundaries, and here even a government supporting blogger now acknowledges this!!!
I thought I let you know this, I am signing off again, as I have offended too many. I say sorry to Lprent, who I accused of being “corrupt”, but it was a rushed, unjustified comment, like a few others. I am just worked up on issues, like welfare, and the lot of sick and disabled, and I have a bit of a grudge against Labour and Helen Kelly. Maybe they will learn? I will speak my mind anyway.
I feel some “wins” are made when even the government spinners are now conceding something in welfare may have gone over the top. That is worth noting, let us work on more achievements!!!
You know you’re fucked when national television decides to run you eating your ear wax at your High Court trial. Oh Banksie Banksie Banksie………the wages of being an arsehole for ALL of your life !
campbell Live dropped a damned bomb, I know of more to come, and John Key, the greatest lying PM we ever had, better watch out, he is on the line. The revolution goes on, it must go on, and the few feeble minded better take note:
“From the dead cat wearing rates avoider Penny Bright to the feral in front of me in the public gallery wearing socks with his jandals and track pants, I cannot help feeling sorry for John Banks having to put up with his career and legacy tried in front of a bunch of rabble. I do not particularly like John Banks as a politician, but no one deserves this….”
errrr….I was actually wearing a beret Cathy?
And I wouldn’t describe you as ‘rabble’ 🙂
“Rates avoider Bright is allowed to harangue witnesses right down to the Hyatt Hotel. It is a scenario that awaits a Steve Braunias column.”
errr….. to whom were you referring Cathy?
“And David Fisher nice punk for informing the rates avoider Bright I was in attendance. The only ray of sunshine was that I got to say to her face what I had previously published. I don’t think she’s ever experienced that before.
There is a first and a last time for everything.”
What a wee SPINNER you are Cathy!
My side of the story is that I recognised your face, and asked David Fisher if it was indeed ‘Cactus Kate’.
He said it was and that your name was ‘Cathy’.
You may recall that it was I who approached you, in Auckland High Court room 6, (before proceedings commenced), extended my hand and said “Hello Cathy – I’m Penny Bright – we haven’t yet met.”
You looked VERY much like you didn’t want to shake my hand and – quite frankly – it was the most revolting handshake I have ever experienced (even worse than John Key’s – and that is saying something!).
(My home is freehold – I was lucky enough to pay off a 24 year loan in less than 9 years as a result of falling interest rates)
“Isn’t that the politics of envy? I thought you people didn’t do that sort of thing?”
When you asked me if I had paid my rates, I said ‘absolutely not’.
(Which is still the case.
Auckland Council is not complying with the Public Records Act 2005, and giving citizens and ratepayers the ‘devilish detail’ and showing where exactly rates monies are being spent on private sector contracts.)
You see Cathy Odgers – you may not be interested in ‘open, transparent and democratically accountable’ local government – which is probably unsurprising, given that I understand you are connected with tax havens for the wealthy?
“Odgers holds bachelor of commerce and bachelor of laws degrees from the University of Auckland and is an admitted barrister and solicitor in New Zealand.[2] Odgers is a full member of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), the Asia Offshore Association and the Inter-Pacific Bar Association.[2] ”
Click Here – Essential UAE Company Practical Information and Facts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – An Absolute “Must Read” …
What does the ‘Near Future’ hold and Dubai – ‘The New Switzerland’ for the Rich
Anonymity / confidentiality of beneficial owners
Here is a list of benefits of the UAE relating to SAFE and confidential banking in a rich and economically stable country with huge financial (and oil) reserves.
14th largest economy in the world having the 5th largest oil reserves and notably the reserves of the emirate of Abu Dhabi alone amount to over 1 trillion USD$!
FULL confidentiality for beneficial owners at banks and the authorities and NO information exchange agreements with any other country. Do we disclose UBO details / identity to the authorities? In RAK we do not! (the reason for choosing RAK) in Jebel Ali (Dubai) we do and authorities need bank ref of UBO! To the banks? Yes as a general rule we disclose BUT there are no information exchange agreements
Solid bank confidentiality with NO exchange of information agreements with any country
The emirates have not signed exchange of information treaties with any nation, not even the European Union
…………….”
(Of course – you can’t believe everything you read on Wikileaks – so please correct any information which is wrong (as I am doing with that which you have written about me 🙂
You see Cathy Odgers – you may not be into ‘transparency’ (understandable if you’re into tax havens and the like) – but I am.
Maybe you’re not used to people approaching you directly, and challenging you to your face over what you have previously
published?
I very much doubt that you’ve previously experienced that before.
But I did enjoy your ‘spin’ (sorry – ‘take’) on this event 🙂
Is it your intention to visit the Defendant John Banks, if and when he is incarcerated following this trial?
He’ll probably appreciate visitors.
(“Even rats have feelings” ).
I understand that Kim Dotcom was looking forward to a visit from John Banks when he was imprisoned.
Possibly if Kim Dotcom had been a beagle or a ‘lab rat’ John Banks would have been more concerned about his circumstances?
Of course – I’d post this directly on Whaleoil – but unfortunately Cameron Slater doesn’t believe in ‘freedom of expression’ on HIS ‘blog’ (like the equally phony Martyn Bradbury with HIS ‘Daily Blog’)
Rob MacCulloch writes – Can’t remember the last book by a Kiwi author you read? Think the NZ government should spend less on the arts in favor of helping the homeless? If so, as far as Newsroom is concerned, you probably deserve to be called a cultural ignoramus ...
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span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
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The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
By Stephen Wright and Stefan Armbruster of BenarNews Fiji’s ranking in a global press freedom index has jumped into the top tier of countries with free or mostly free media after its government last year repealed a draconian law that threatened journalists with prison for doing their jobs. Fiji’s improvement ...
We might be in Invercargill but all anyone can talk about is Gore. Specifically, Salford Street. That’s where three-year-old Lachlan Jones lived, south of the centre of town, between the A&P Showgrounds and the Mataura River. Roughly 1.2 km away from the single level home he lived in with his ...
MONDAY I lined up the latest round of civil servants from city hall against the wall, and signalled for the firing squad to drop their rifles. I stepped up onto a wooden crate to look at the office workers in the eye. But that didn’t feel right, so I found ...
Keen hiker and second-year MSc student Liam Hewson wears two hats when he’s in the great outdoors. “The scientist in me appreciates nature and goes, ‘Oh, there’s that thing and there’s another thing,’ but then the tramper and the outdoorsy person in me thinks, ‘Cool bush.’” Born and bred in ...
After a long and illustrious career as a goal kicker, Dan Carter’s favourite way to unwind is… kicking goals. Why can’t he get enough of it? And what it’s like to watch him do it for an hour straight? A semicircle of people wielding cameras and phones has formed in ...
Dame Susan Devoy takes us through her life in television, including late night ER debriefs, her proudest CTI moment and the show she watches in secret. Quite aside from her four world champion squash titles, Dame Susan Devoy will likely go down in history as one of the best Celebrity ...
Hera Lindsay Bird reveals the best places in Ōtepoti to score more for your apocalypse-prep book hoard.Sometimes I get the feeling I’ve been killed in a car crash, and this second half of my life is just the brain unspooling itself, like one of those episodes of a hospital ...
ThreeNow’s new murder mystery series takes us on a dark, damp journey into the Australian wilderness.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. High Country is ThreeNow’s new Australian eight-part crime drama, set in a remote part of the Victorian highlands. It tells ...
Introducing a new way to read The Spinoff every weekend. After nearly 10 years of being an online magazine, we’re finally embracing the weekend liftout. Despite our best efforts to convince you otherwise, writers and editors at The Spinoff don’t work weekend. It is through the sheer power of technology ...
Tip one: let yourself be nurtured by this big old man. Tip two: don’t ask him to adopt you. So, you’ve arrived at your first session with a new therapist. He tells you to make yourself comfortable and you opt for the tweed armchair, hoping it makes you look like ...
I didn’t know books could open you back up; that there were books that stayed with you, where reading was like a chemical event. I knew nothing.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.Not too long ago, I was listening to the American ...
Former Olympic swimmer James Magnussen has already started training for the Enhanced games, though says he won’t start taking performance enhancing substances until about nine months out from the competition. The Australian world champion was the first athlete to be announced by Enhanced, but he says the organisation has had ...
Everyone thinks he’s dead. Every day they expect his body to be washed up along the coast. Most likely up Karitane way, the way the tide’s running. But nobody’ll be too surprised if his body’s never found. Even in death he wouldn’t have wished for such attention. He would have ...
Council members voted 21 to 4 in favour of Ahluwalia returning to the Laucala campus following a much-awaited meeting in Vanuatu this week. It comes as USP and its two unions — the Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff (AUSPS) and the Administration and Support Staff Union ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicola Henry, Professor & Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University Shutterstock Following an emergency meeting of the National Cabinet this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a raft of measures to tackle the problem ...
Analysis - A poll showing the opposition is more popular than the government raises questions, politicians go through their 'trial by pay rise' and a Green MP loses her cool in the debating chamber. ...
The entire stretch of Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast will be subject to a joint customary marine title for two hapū, and extending up to four miles out to sea. A High Court judge has found the two groups, who during the case settled a dispute over boundaries for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Hall, Lecturer, Media & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University A longstanding feud between TikTok and Universal Music Group seems to have finally reached an end, with both parties signing a deal that will see Universal-backed music returned to the social media ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siobhan O’Dean, Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney After several highly publicised alleged murders of women in Australia, the Albanese government this week pledged more than A$925 million over five years ...
Political parties have now fully disclosed the donations they received last year - with National getting more than double the cash of any other party. ...
A Pacific regionalism expert has called out New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS military pact. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard de Grijs, Professor of Astrophysics, Macquarie University Bruno Scramgnon/Pexels All systems are “go” for tonight’s launch of China’s next step in a carefully planned lunar exploration program. Placed on top of a powerful Long March 5 rocket, the Chang’e 6 ...
National returned a massive donation the day after a Newsroom story linked the donors to a property being investigated for operating unlawfully as a migrant workers’ hostel. The party’s 2023 donation filings, released on Friday, show it returned a $200,000 donation from Buen Holdings on August 23. That was the ...
Pacific Media Watch New Zealand has slumped to an unprecedented 19th place in the annual Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index survey released today on World Press Freedom Day — May 3. This was a drop of six places from 13th last year when it slipped out of its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Political Historian and Administrator Officer, Australian Historical Association, Australian National University Australia has had its fair share of public record-keeping controversies in recent years. Some have been mere farce, as in the case of two formerly government-owned filing cabinets (containing ...
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a United Nations-affiliated organization dedicated to fostering peace through civilian-led initiatives, has issued a statement in response to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. ...
A poem by Tessa Keenan, from AUP New Poets 10. Mātou These days we are a photograph; one of a farm strewn with cows that used to be bright harakeke or swamp. The kids point at it and say the sun sits behind a smudge (left by someone at Christmas); ...
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 Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Faber & Faber, $25)The masterful Irish writer ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. Key facts Marriages and civil unions In ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lennon Y.C. Chang, Associate Professor of Cyber Risk and Policy, Deakin University Taiwan stands out as a beacon of democracy, innovation and resilience in an increasingly autocratic region. But this is under growing threat. In recent years, China has used a variety ...
In this excerpt from her new memoir, Dame Susan Devoy remembers her turn as star contestant on the 2022 season of Celebrity Treasure Island. The most anxious time of every day was pre-elimination, when you knew this could be your final day on the show. I felt such contradictory emotions, ...
A week that began in triumph ended in an all-too-familiar disaster for the Green Party. Duncan Greive asks if there’s something in the mission that breaks its best and brightest. A long, strange week for the Green party began with a fantastic poll result. On one level this is hardly ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Vanuatu’s former prime minister and opposition MP Ishmael Kalsakau has stepped down — just two days after he confirmed he was the rightful opposition leader. Kalsakau, MP for Port Vila, confirmed to ABC’s Pacific Beat, and the Vanuatu Daily Post on Thursday that he ...
What’s to blame for the coalition’s choppy start? Six months in, and the mojo meter is in the doldrums. A new poll would put National out of power and sees its leader, Chris Luxon, sliding in popularity. How much is it about policy, how much coalition management and a perception ...
The striking report goes far beyond the proposed repeal of the Oranga Tamariki Act’s Treaty of Waitangi provision, and its impact should be felt far beyond the unique circumstances of the claim it addresses. Earlier this week, the Waitangi Tribunal released an interim report on the government’s proposed repeal of ...
The world has been experiencing a productivity slowdown, from which New Zealand has not been exempt. COVID-19 temporarily boosted labour productivity, but more recently, productivity has retreated. The overall trend since 2007 has been one of slow productivity ...
What’s more wasteful than spending $315k on syrup and machine maintenance? Trying to drum up a controversy about it.Cast your mind back to the pre-pandemic idylls of 2019. A “rat” was a disgusting rodent and not a self-administered plague test; the sixth Labour government was in power; and the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Professor of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Monash University Ken stocker/Shutterstock In the wake of numerous killings of women allegedly by men’s violence in 2024, thousands of Australians have joined rallies across the country to demand action ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Henry Cutler, Professor and Director, Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy, Macquarie University Oleg Ivanov IL/Shutterstock Waiting times for public hospital elective surgery have been in the news ahead of this year’s federal budget. That’s the type of non-emergency surgery ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Konstantine Panegyres, McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellow, Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne Amna Artist/Shutterstock One of the earliest descriptions of someone with cancer comes from the fourth century BC. Satyrus, tyrant of the city of Heracleia on the Black Sea, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Rose, Professor of Sustainable Future Transport, University of Sydney LanaElcova/Shutterstock Electric vehicles are often seen as the panacea to cutting emissions – and air pollution – from transport. Is this view correct? Yes – but only once uptake accelerates. Despite the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giselle Natassia Woodley, Researcher and Phd Candidate, Edith Cowan University There is widespread agreement Australia needs to do better when it comes to gender-based violence. Anger and frustration at the numbers of women being killed saw national rallies over the weekend and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Graham, Lecturer in Economics, University of Sydney Mark and Anna Photography/Shutterstock As home ownership moves further out of reach for many Australians, “rentvesting” is being touted as a lifesaver. Rentvesting is the practice of renting one property to live ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sukhmani Khorana, Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, UNSW Sydney Netflix The new season of Heartbreak High is garnering mixed reviews. Critics are writing about the racy story lines, comparing it to other coming-of-age series about teenage relationships and ...
Bob Carr intends to launch legal action against Winston Peters and Julie Anne Genter is facing a second allegation of bullying. Both sucked the air out of an announcement on education, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in ...
In 1995, Sally Clark went out on her own in a bold and unorthodox attempt to join an illustrious group of equestrian riders conquering the world. In the days of glovebox road maps, brick cell phones, and the hit song How Bizarre, Clark refused to follow Sir Mark Todd, Blyth ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Beaglehole, Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago niphon/Getty Images The number of people accessing medication for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Aotearoa New Zealand increased significantly between 2006 and 2022. But the disorder is still under-diagnosed and ...
To celebrate the start of New Zealand music month, we look back at the best local tuneage that managed to weasel its way into Hollywood productions. There’s nothing quite like the thrilling zap of recognition when New Zealand weasels its way into a glamorous Hollywood production. Crack open a Tui ...
People trust other people more than institutions. So how can the media gain that trust through journalists without losing what’s important about the institution? Anna Rawhiti-Connell reflects on two years of curating the news for The Bulletin.Amonth ago, armed cops descended on my neighbourhood as calls to “lock your ...
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A warning – suicide is discussed in this podcast New Zealand’s own long-running soap Shortland Street doesn’t hesitate to kill off its much-loved characters. But would TVNZ dare to kill off our favourite soap? That’s the fear as times get tough in television – even though it’s been pointed out ...
Essay: If the Crown harms children, how do you hold it accountable? Analysis by Aaron Smale in light of the Waitangi Tribunal court decision. The post The Crown versus Māori Children appeared first on Newsroom. ...
xox
Just heard Grocer on RNZ trying to talk up the struggling TPP negotiations. Sounded like a Dr with a treminal cancer patient.
http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/mnr/mnr-20140522-0622-tim_groser_in_japan_to_push_for_trade_deal-048.mp3
Grosser sounds like he’s using a lot of words to cover for the fact that he’s not achieving anything much. Talking about Japan…. yaddayaddayadda…
Seems all your fears of some corporate coup to impose the TPPA on unsuspecting nations is a load of nonsense.
links please to support this statement ?
that it seems to have been killed off by/thru political self-interest/priorities by major/all(?) players..
..does not negate/make a lie of the claims of .. the actual original intents of that ‘corporate-coup’…eh..?
..(have you been taking false-equivalence lessons from that ‘bad’..?..)
Rubbish. It shows that the agreeement was always an attenpt to free trade and that each party to the negotiations has interest groups for or against certain aspects of it as you would expect.
yeah..that’s right gossy..
..and the corporates were in there boots and all..(trying to strip away states sovereignty..)
..they were there for the common-good/the betterment of humanity..
..eh..?
..right ho..!
Sovereignty is unaffected by the TPPA.
links to factual basis?
Since you don’t understand the concept of “sovereignty” how is it that you would know?
links please gosman
Gosman, you can sit there lapping up the crap you are being spoonfed by the monied interests pushing TPP or you can re-ignite a few brain cells and do a little research before regurgitating the party line. Suggest you start with:
http://www.theglobalist.com/americas-proposed-tpp-buyer-beware
Gosman, you almost make me miss PG, at least he [seemed to] believe the drivel he wrote.
There is currently underway a co-ordinated global effort to clamp down on real free trade in favour of corporate friendly regimes, written largely by those who will benefit the most from the agreements. Hint, those who will benefit the most are not the workers making the products being traded or the countries those products are being made in.
Start with looking up what these acronyms stand for “TPP/TTIP/TAFTA/CETA/PAFTA”
then maybe settle in and go through this:
http://www.iuf.org/w/sites/default/files/TradeDealsThatThreatenDemocracy-e_0.pdf
You will no doubt still insist on making your usual propaganda soaked mantras and I guess there is not much we can do about that. So many here and elsewhere have tried to educate you. What I fail to understand is your stubborn willingness to become a trade unit rather than a member of a functional democracy in a world where people come before profit.
Of course why should you believe a bunch of unions, or doctors, or teachers, or chemists, or software engineers or builders or Universities or Aid agencies or any of the other hundreds of groups that are working full time to bring the realities of these agreements to the public’s attention. They are all just lying right?
How about believing the leaked text on IP from the TPP itself? https://wikileaks.org/tpp/
It plainly states how the public message from the negotiators contradicts the goals of the proposed text, and if it doesn’t why did the negotiators launch a tsunami of press attacks in the hours after it had been released, all screaming in unison that it was just a draft and the real agreement is all different now, but you can’t read it because …???? oh yeah because it’s secret. Does it compute with you that no negotiating team has seen the entire text?
But that is just crazy conspiracy nonsense right? These trans national behemoths would never try to manipulate a nation’s laws to increase their profits and power? No they are the bastions of truth and goddness and happy happy joy joy days.
The link demonstrates little other than that the negotiating parties could not reach agreement and the US was isolated.
Just for a bit of context
🙄
The fifth Labour government appointed the negotiators and set their bottom lines. If I’m not mistaken you’d like to be a Labour MP, which would make you one of the “power elite”, wouldn’t it?
Huh? Leaving aside the idea that MPs have much actual power over anything, what you are saying would put me in the class of ‘wanna-be’ or ‘hanger-on’. And who can be fucked with that.
Perhaps your idea of power-elite and mine are different. The power elite IMO are the 0.1% in a developed western country. They aren’t the $100K pa to $200K pa paid lackeys and higher income professional organ grinders who work for the power elite.
LOL its OK then just trust them is I suppose what you are implying.
Do you? Sad for you.
OAB, are you referring to the pdf link or the wikileaks link?
The pdf has many examples of the potential problems countries face. The pdf also includes numerous examples of current and recent cases where the efforts of big business are not in the best interests of the communities they want to profit from and how the new agreements would be even more problematic.
The wikileaks link was widely covered at the time of its release, which was why so much effort was put into discrediting the leaked text saying it was only a draft.
How does saying it’s a draft (which it clearly is) discredit it?
The whole point of negotiations is to find compromises between competing interests, so it would be an odd negotiation that didn’t provide evidence of said competition.
I said effort was put into discrediting it, I did not say the text was discredited.
The leaked text was openly attacked by those who were embarrassed by its release because of what it exposed and the questions it raised. Questions that went to content which contradicted the numerous public statements being made by the various negotiating teams.
You said “The link demonstrates little other than that the negotiating parties could not reach agreement and the US was isolated.”
Which link? I would just like to know which link you think shows this?
The Wikileaks link.
I don’t think it’s necessary to put much energy into discrediting opinions based on false premises. It was a draft. Anyone saying so was merely stating a fact.
It must have been embarrassing for all the Chicken Littles though, to have been assuring everyone that our negotiators were selling us out and then have Wikileaks prove them wrong.
Thank you for answering OAB. I think you already know I completely disagree with your interpretation of the various activity that surrounded the release of the Wikileaks material, so we will just leave that alone as it would achieve nothing.
When it comes to the ‘trade’ agreements mentioned above, I would like to say one thing…. I sincerely hope myself and so many others are completely wrong about our interpretation of the globalists’ plans for your mukapuna.
Please excuse my rather tragic misspelling of mokopuna. I have been making a bunch of mistakes with all sorts of words lately. must try harder
Don’t get me wrong: I would be implacably opposed to NZ signing up to what the US wants, I just think there is precisely zero chance of us doing so, and the leaked documents support that view.
I prefer to oppose things on solid ground – goes to credibility.
Beautifully put Freedom! This should be the final answer to all the garbage written by all the RWNJ’s everywhere.
Well done.
Freedom, for your ‘owning’ response @1.1.1.3 to GooseMan, you have my AAA+, my ten more Gold Stars than you’ll ever need, and my heartiest congratulations.
GooseMan, you have been stunningly ‘proprietorialised’, viz. ‘owned’ by the Good Freedom. It’ll be on ViciousOldThing PaulineHenry@3 – 10.30 tonight, you see.
Time to lick your wounds, pick yourself up, and hobble off back to SlaterPorn where for a millisecond you’ll be acknowledged as a soldier of The Dark back from The Cold, then ignored. For reside there many, many exquisitely madder people than you.
Give up Cuzzy, melt into SlaterPorn. You’re simply not up to it. You realise of course that ShonKey Python thinks you’re a fuckwit. Bombasting and Beavering away while –
“Me ?……..I’m off to play Baldrick to Barak”.
Chump Sucker You !
You are truly a retard Gosman. Do you actually read anything prior to spouting your trivial nonsense?
What trivial nonsense would that be?
everything
Take your pick – the list is long and undistinguished however in this particular case, the statement you made that I replied to – you know as per the commonly accepted practice in discussion threads.
it seems he isamhs he is confirming he doesnt even read his own posts, which from now on makes two of us.
RNZ 7 am news leading with cricket scandal for 2nd day…and continuing with the Horan distraction.
Is it taking its new selections from the Herald and ZB now?!
This is our public broadcaster.
Out of interest what news do you think should have lead the 7am news?
Green and brown colored cigarettes will apparently be the next battleground in the effort to deter smokers from using tobacco products,
Personally, if it were not for the fact that i grow everything i smoke, the proposed color schemes for ciggies highlighted in today’s Herald would be pleasing when compared to the boring old white variety,
i recommend shocking pink, that might put a few off…
too late
http://www.tygerpipes.com/product.html?pid=1052
Lolz, there goes my ability at original thought, beaten to it by many years by the look of it, if there’s a market for pink cigarettes i fail to see how Green and Brown ones are going to be off putting to us addicts…
how about a bit of this !
http://www.cigarettespedia.com/index.php/Black_Death_American_Blend
And some of this to drink with it.
http://www.sapich.co.nz/purpledeath.html
Actually, driving home tonight I heard that one on RNZ and it crossed my mind that the perfect number would be to produce all the ciggies in ‘Lolly Pink’. That’d clear off all those smokey, closety homophobes in one fell swoop. Anyone smoking a lolly pink (sorry) ‘fag’ within 300 metres of a rugby clubrooms or an Eminem (MenInMen) concert’d walk right into the meanest ever re-education/rogering. Never to do it again…….well…….maybe never.
Fark ! Then all [SHIT] would hit the fan and British American Tobacco [BAT] would come over all gay-friendly and sue [NZ] under [TPPA] for more [$$$] than your best bailout. Fark !
And then ShonKey Python’s [BAT][SHIT] would acquire real meaning. Fark !
Meanwhile………crossing to the Rose Room………Barak and Baldrick……..jiving ……..seductively. Fark !
Aue ! I SO need this. Living in Kaikohe. Coining 17 grand a year……..
Camouflage ciggies! Does that make them invisible to drones?
Identity politics a political distraction in an age of energy and civilisation collapse
Dmitry Orlov hits this one hard –
and this shocking suggestion about male rape in the US being the most common form – all occurring from behind prison walls. I’ve never seen any anti-rape campaigner include this fact before.
http://cluborlov.blogspot.co.nz/2014/05/death-by-political-correctness.html
So it’s not identity politics Orlov objects to its gender politics? Same for you in truth CV, you call it identity politics but you mean gender or feminist politics dont you? You urged someone to be clear about a comment they made about what type of people buy KFC, so be honest. You object to feminist politics as part of a politic discourse?
You did see Orlov’s commentary on slavery and imprisonment of minorities right? They’ve essentially instituted a New Jim Crow in the USA. I think he is very clear about what he means by the American “cultural wars” of which gender politics is a big part.
I’m not interested in putting my energy into any politics which ignores or damages economic justice for the many, especially in an age of energy and resource depletion. If it is politics which does focus on economic justice for the many – I will back it to the hilt.
“While it is the entire country that is being victimized by this system of governance based on the principle of social divide and conquer, it is women and minorities that are the pawns in this game, and the biggest losers, with some of the worst outcomes out of all of the developed countries.”
We will not be quiet.
when you add women and minorities together you get…
the many
Sure. If you want to imagine minorities and women as some grouped mass with largely homogenous or at least congruent opinions, identities and perspectives.
The belief in the oppression of inequality binds people together.
It’s your right to keep advocating for new corporate dairying conversions, etc. I’m certainly not asking or stopping you from doing so.
Are you sure you aren’t because that is not what you’ve argued previously.
What corporate supplied goods and services have you abstained from this week – you know to be consistent with your stated views.
Oh bejesus marty, are you jumping on the ‘you listen to an Apple iPod so you can’t complain about cruel Chinese worker factory conditions’ or ‘you live in Herne Bay so you’re not allowed to speak out against poverty’ style of argument.
It’s a bit better than the, ‘you identify with a group and oppose some of what they do yet others lump you in to further their argument’ bandwagon imo 🙂
Better to walk the talk not just talk.
Some of the best outcomes too if you accept our ranking on that social ranking survey put out recently.
was my question at the end too hard. cmon cv… you fudged it….practice what you preached earlier in the week.
as for orlov… he could ask why men are not outraged at the high number of men being raped in prison… and start advocating for them.
The answer is obvious; it’s because they tend to be poor young men from minority groups and it is not politically fashionable to help them. And btw few do more useful advocacy work than Orlov, but of course it is not in the area of identity politics, it is in the area of surviving collapse.
I gave you a pretty simple answer. If it’s identity politics focussing on the rights of just a few while the very many still get trodden on, I don’t rate it at all.
nah, you avoided the question, which is your right.
funny you should say no men are advocating on behalf of male rape victims cos its politically unfashionable. it was politically unfashionable to demand the vote, but women did it… same with sexual abuse and rape of children.
Is there a term CV for the often feminist derailing of discussions of wide social problems? Something like Ware feminist heist WFH?
The instant hostility accompanied by well-worn argument that fits every case is notable. It’s as bad as the results of criticising anything relating to superannuitants?. The entitlement to self-absorption is great. And a morning of silence will be held (from non-feminist commenters).
Now there’s a good idea for the Wellington City Council to emulate, the Auckland Council is trialling the collection of food-waste from households so as to short-circuit its inclusion into its landfills,
Not that i plan on putting out the scraps, all of mine and that of one of my neighbour’s goes into my gardens to ensure a healthy grow for the year,
Lolz, with bins full of them in the street i will have a much boosted supply to choose from, no meat scraps please people they bring around the pesky Rats, Cats and Dogs to dig around in the garden looking for a free feed….
Yes, that is a grand idea bad12. I once heard a promoter of sustainable living say that 90% of the methane that emanates from landfill comes from kitchen waste. An excellent reason to compost right there.
Our vego only compost bin has a wee mouse living in it. I think it is multiplying, as there is another mouse living in the woodpile in the garage, since wee mousey set up home in the compost.
Lolz Rosie, i made that mistake once a long time ago, left the cute wee mouse to do it’s thing coz it wasn’t really doing any harm, said mice turned out to be Ma and Pa Mouses and shortly afterwards i discovered much to my surprise Mr and Mrs mouses four offspring in my wheat-bix packet,
Yeah having the garden to compost it in saves both me and the neighbor a bit on rubbish bags, there will be a downside for Wellington Councils if they go for composting tho, in the future the elaborate set up in the tips to capture and burn that methane to generate electricity wont work so well…
Dunedin city generates electricity from its landfill methane.
Extracting methane and burning it to produce electricy and heat water is a well adopted co-gen technology in landfills . Been in use for over 40 years at least.
But that isn’t to say we should make efforts to reduce our waste and use it more efficiently………….? Not all landfills have methane electricity production technology do they?
We also have to consider how much space we are taking up in landfills with kitchen waste. With up to 40% of our domestic waste being made up of compostable kitchen scraps, seems foolish to bury it when we can re use it.
And speaking of green technology the Mill Creek Windfarm construction is going ahead in leaps and bounds. It is a sight to behold from my living room window.
yes dear
er, what’s with the sarcasm Rob?
Radio Active interviewing Grant Robertson and Alistair Thompson now. (Suggested listening yesterday, Open Mike ) 88.6fm in Wellington or listen on line at http://www.radioactive.fm/
Discussing GCSB
a heads-up for those ‘best-bits’ producers..
..tvone just had a cross to the homicide-scene in ranui..
..and when the reporter ..after describing the grim/dire sequence of events..threw back to ‘rawdy’…
..’rawdy’ said:..’thanks chris..!..fan-tast-ic..!’…(big beaming smile and all..)
..surely he deserves some sort of unawareness/cloth-ear-award for that one..?
phillip, instead of watching that headache inducing breakfast tv, you could have been listening to the very interesting half hour interview above. 15 mins of which covered Campbells Fletcher/Clapper/GCSB show on Tuesday night, our increasing surveillance society, 10 seconds of saying goodbye to Shane Jones, charter schools, helping babies and children of beneficiaries and Grant Robertson owing up to the mistakes of the past (excluding beneficiaries from WFF) etc etc.
Do you provide that breakfast show with feedback on how appalling and insensitive they are?
re feedback:..as they monitor social media/this place etc..i am sure they do..
..a couple of weeks back..’rawdy’ said/read out..(with a tone of astonishment/disbelief..)
..’someone has even said that i am ‘a neo-lib-apologist’..’
..that had a bit of a whiff of the whoar about it…
..(and i don’t sit and watch breakfast tv..it is going in the background..
..as i find/compile the stories/links for whoar…)
..and did robertson say anything that reassured you/gave you cause for optimism..?..)
Well phil, maybe they did sniff the wind and smell your criticism – I’m guessing a term such as “neo lib apologist” wouldn’t be a mainstay in their vocab. That show, it sounds dire.
There wasn’t anything in today’s interview that stood out as changing my feelings in terms of optimism, although I am reassured somewhat by Grant Robertson’s genuine concern about our increasingly surveilled (is that a word?) society and Labour’s commitment to providing for ALL NZ kids. Today he was mainly on the attack towards to the PM about his approach to foreign policy and the way he has manipulated the changes at the GCSB.
I’ve been listening to the show for years so it’s not like theres any one interview where you respond with a “YES!”, it’s more of a slow boil and a way of gauging the over all views and subtle changes in views. I have noticed that he was sometimes on the back foot but in the past 5 months or so he has been really clear on where he and Labour stand.It sounds like there’s some good momentum and confidence now where previously it sounded like he was at a bit of standstill. (during the Goff and Shearer times) He has acknowledged quite humbly Labour’s mistakes, eg, the example above.
It’s great to listen to Alistair Thompson too. He came to the show awhile ago at a point sometime after where Chris Finlayson, who was then standing for Nat for Wgtn Central, refused to come on the show any more. He just wanted to talk about all the “good work” he was doing for Treaty negotiations and Redbird Jnr just kept trying to hold him to account for all the Government’s failings. They were just at loggerheads and it was a fruitless exercise.
Without Finlayson and with Alistair Thompson instead you get a good show. I find it insightful.
Welcome to the Parliament the newest MP, Labour’s Kelvin Davis, the bar is exceptionally low as far as bettering His predecessor goes so it should be a breeze for Kelvin to achieve far far more than His predecessor accomplished…
Yep, nice to see Jones going well before the Election but his brand of egotism could well see him surface again in some spoiler role to annoy the Labour party.
the person who impersonates a political reporter on prime news..
..she issued a jaw-dropper yesterday..
..saying labour ‘is losing one of its’ more liberal members’..
..did she actually mean to say ‘neo-lib’..?
.(‘cos even jones admitted yesterday that he ‘is rightwing’..)
..or is she just so doorknob-like unaware/ignorant of the political-realities..?
..i dunno which answer wd be worst..
..for political-journalism..
From the Daily Blog…Frank Macskasy
“National – self-censoring embarrassing statements?
There is disturbing activity taking place on National’s website. The Party is self-censoring itself and quietly, without fuss, removing certain embarrassing information from it’s website….
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/05/22/national-self-censoring-embarrassing-statements/
–
The same way Nats are renewing those standing for election huh!!!
Ha, that’s funny – National having to re-write their own history 😆
(this is (kinda) funny..)
“..FBI ‘weed’ problem in cyber-war..”
..The bureau is struggling to hire young hackers –
because its long-standing drug policy does not allow the use of marijuana.
Unfortunately – hackers like their weed.
“I have to hire a great work force to compete with those cyber criminals –
and some of those kids want to smoke weed on the way to the interview” –
FBI Director James B. Comey told a White Collar Crime Institute conference on Monday..”
(cont..)
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/fbi-weed-problem-in-cyberwar-9409739.html
what says the bureau on staff using nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, prescription medicines, ‘32 ounce sodas’ and sitting at work stations with a gut full of decaying high cholesterol junk food?
still they are in a bind it seems with their young stoners… a nice quandary for them
oxycontin nice legal drug
of course prescription drug abuse in the USA is way more prevalent than illicit drugs
as long as what you are using profits a corporate they care about it much less…
Which gives a clear route to legalisation of drugs. I guess anyone attempting this would have to battle both the pharmaceutical companies and alcohol/cigarette companies, in addition to public opinion.
I read recently that some “expert” is claiming that weed can cure cancer, and mugs all over the interweb are taking it as the gospel truth..
Just to let you know, Bob Marley is calling bullshit on that one.
Yes someone linked to an article the other week from a doctor Tashkin which extolled the virtues of marijuana in such a way,
The subjects of these tests which were said to have shown positive results were of course not humans but a bunch of furry little critters, first fed with various cancers and then fed with various amounts of dope,(definitely not an ethical means of introducing medical marijuana into a debate),
To give the ‘link’ a little credit it did then go on to list quite a few downsides to the use of marijuana including a propensity for smokers of the stuff to exhibit pre-cancerous conditions in their airways,
There seems to be other ingredients in Marijuana’s chemical makeup other than the THC which gets us stoned that have some medical benefit which are worth exploring…
the weed/curing cancer evidence isn’t recent/new..
http://whoar.co.nz/?s=cannabis+cancer
hey hey! I see Pete George is spreading his special kind of love on Public Address now, any bets on how long the Republic of Grey Lynn will tolerate him before he gets a DCM email?
I’m giving him a week, two at the outside.
No PG – it’s like a balmy summer’s day, with him around it’s a barmy winter’s day.
China is describing the US as a ‘mincing rascal’ and a ‘high-level hooligan’
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/60072881/us-a-mincing-rascal-china-says-over-hacking.html
I’d have thought the former was a more apt description of Dear Leader
Just listened to an interview on Nine to Noon that has me agreeing with the comment above this morning decrying the content of the current RadioNZ National,
Some author who’s name i didn’t remember banging on endlessly about ”Chinese spying” elicited a big Yawn and had my ears switch off after 5 minutes as i concentrated on a far more productive activity,(the kitchen ceilings annual wash),
Talk about unbalanced BUT, expect to hear this sort of mind wash to develop even further as attitudes harden with Russia and China signing yesterday an economic pact over the supply of gas which will result in a pipeline being built from Russia across China,
As a contrast to this news of the energy rich Russia reaching this deal with China effectively allowing the Russians to wave a big middle finger at ”sanctions” imposed by ”the West” a story in the Herald this morning highlighted the fact that Shale oil will not be as big a boon for the US as first thought,
Using current methods the expected extraction of shale oil has now dropped in total from 1.6 billion barrels to 600 million,
On energy, the wind type an item of interest i forgot to comment upon was a ”new” means of generating electricity from wind in the herald the other day, this device is said to only need wind speeds as light as 3 kilometers an hour to produce viable electricity as opposed to the wind towers that need a wind speed of at least 13 K,
The way of the future perhaps, if those maddened by their addiction to fossil fuels don’t fry us all in some future ”energy war” that is…
Apparently the US has oil technology that no other nation has access to so Russian oil extraction will soon collapse.
Apparently Gosman you cling to stupid arguments that will result in your brain soon collapsing, your insertion of this comment in this particular piece of this mornings discussion is simply the actions of one attempting Diversion as a means of debate,
The short version of the above is F-off to the sewer and play your stupid games of low level intelligence…
“F-off to the sewer and play your stupid games of low level intelligence…”
\
glad someone said it
yes the extractable amount and extraction rate sustainability was always highly over-hyped as a way of drawing in massive initial investments from unwary money – hence the ‘shale oil bubble’. It also fit in well with politicians’ narratives that America was going to become “energy independent” at long last. Everyone had a reason for playing along with the myth.
However one can’t fool Mother Nature and physical realities have set in, and with them financial realities. A lot of shale oil plays have breakeven pricing at over $90/barrel.
600 million equals less than 7 years supply at the the world current usage of about 90 million barrels a day.
That would be 7 days of supply.
Oops that’s what I meant. Thanks Draco
China is describing the US as a ‘mincing rascal’ and a ‘high-level hooligan’
I like this fresh style of invective – so don’t belittle Chinese efforts. We try out all sorts of new descriptions here and why get bogged down in the verbal hegemony of the west.
We don’t want to be verbiose running dogs of western verbal hegemony. Pete George already has that role covered.
Seriously though, the insults a people use can give us small insights into their culture. A Kiwi/Chinese colleague told me that most of the insults used by new immigrants were about family poverty. This immediately made me think that they would quickly develop links with NAct and now they have. (Gross generalisation, but proof by anecdote requires that.)
A Russian colleague told me many Russian insults were about sex with someone’s mother, so I think we can expect to see Jamie Whyte encouraging Russian immigration.
Very amusing MO. I notice that about many immigrants. After making the big leap, they want to get on to feathering their own nests. Welfare begins at home to them. They can be quite cutting about us trying to do the right thing by indigenous people.
Thinking about nests I looked up godwits and they are just so amazing. We should think of reducing our numbers to ensure that there is room for these creatures more wonderful than us.
Beringia is where the godwits begin their journey. This outcrop of land where Asia and America nearly touch is a global cross roads, a springboard for millions of migratory birds of a variety of species. Just to name a few mingling with the bar–tailed godwits bound for New Zealand, are Hudsonian godwits aiming for Tierra del Fuego; Arctic warblers which migrate to the Philippines; Wilson’s warblers which fly to Central America; fox sparrows and golden-crowned sparrows that winter in Pacific coastal woodlands, and gray-cheeked thrushes that travel to the Amazon; northern wheatears traveling across Asia for wintering grounds in Africa, and Swainson’s thrushes moving south to the equatorial forests of Venezuela and Brazil. Approximately one-quarter of the world’s shorebirds breed in tundra and boreal habitats of the arctic and sub-arctic. These habitats provide well-camouflaged nesting sites for these ground-nesting species, and the abundance of invertebrates following snow-melt provides the conditions for rapid chick growth during a very short season.
A team of researchers headed by Robert Gill Jr. of the U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center in Anchorage implanted tiny satellite trackers in female godwits near the Alaska coast. Prior to their southward migration, the godwits eat up large, until up to 55 per cent of their body weight is fat. They then reduce the size of their gut, kidney and liver by up to 25 per cent to compensate for the added weight. The scientists think that the birds reshuffle proteins in their bodies before they set out and that this allows them to reduce the size of their food-processing organs. Stuffed with fuel, the godwits are ready for the air. Assessing the weather patterns in Alaska, the team found that the godwits timed their departures to coincide with favorable tail winds that helped them fly south. “All birds took off with favorable winds,” says Gill, who added that tail winds caught in Alaska can shoot these birds 3,000 to 5,000 kilometers. “Some birds get shot almost to Hawaii,” says Gill. Scientists don’t know how the godwits assess weather patterns or navigate. What’s more, the satellite trackers can’t measure altitudes — the birds could be skimming the ocean or flying thousands of feet above the surface, says Gill.
A female bar–tailed godwit, implanted with a tiny satellite tracker, lifted off from her Alaskan breeding ground and flew south 11,680 kilometers, nonstop, until she reached her winter home in New Zealand. Called E7 by the scientists who monitored her, she flew more than eight days without food, water or rest, on the longest direct flight by a bird ever documented – See more at: http://www.nzbirds.com/birds/kuaka.html#sthash.5LfsiwQA.dpuf
GreyWarbler @ 12.1.13……..are we talking ShonKey Python here or what ?
North
Could be..could be. Just a bit of discursion? flying away from the original about immigrants looking after No.1 rather than joining in the nation’s zeitgeist. Then I got onto feathering their nests and took off with the amazing tale of the bar tailed godwit. Makes a difference from the usual kittens on youtube.
California’s Shale Fail: The Case of 13 Billion Barrels of Missing Oil
So much for the US oil boom that was going to save us and make renewable energy irrelevant that the RWNJs had been telling us enthusiastically about for the last few years. Seems to have gone up in a puff of reality.
An Open Letter to Tony Astle
Dear Tony,
17 years ago my wife an I had our wedding reception at your very fine restaurant. However, on reading in the Herald yesterday that you may ban David Cunliffe from Antoine’s for no reason other than being leader of the Labour Party, I have a confession to make.
17 years ago I neglected to tell you that we are Labour voters. I apologise for sullying your fine establishment with unacceptable opinions. In mitigation of this offence I can only say that at no point during the evening were our opinions expressed, so there was no risk of us contaminating other diners or any of your staff.
I know this is a weak excuse, so I think the best thing would be for you to retrospectively ban us from Antoine’s and return the approximately $3,000 we paid you. When you pop the cheque in the mail, could you kindly ensure that it is addressed to the individual named at the bottom of this letter, and not to the National Party.
Warmest regards
AB
So everyone is questioning Linda Clark and not the bestie of Collins who keeps pumping this stuff out…
he is not a journalist
Certainly AB, I’ll refund your money when you return the product we provided in its original condition. I will deduct 15% because you’re so fucking boring.
Love
Tony.
Original condition ? Very well. Vomit to Vomit. Turd to Turd.
15%………that’s not to answer the GST heist is it ?
Astle is exactly the type of Tory maggot whose establishment should be banned for good as a return favour. Not that ‘Parnhell’ is exactly a Labour enclave. Knew he was dodgy from the time it was made public that Antoines actually served tripe! Surprising how many restaurants a left supporter might not like to eat at if they knew the owners political bent.
You let your political ideology restrict your choice of eating establishments do you? Rather limiting move if you do I would suggest.
Rats will eat anything, anywhere.
i sure as hell wouldn’t spend my money in any establishment that i knew funded the National Party in any way…
+1 Bad12
Not only that it would put one off the overpriced food having to suffer being around Gosman/Srylands/Key clones..
You couldn’t afford them, so it would hardly be a choice.
I ate at Antoine’s once. It was nothing special, but then NActoids base their taste on the price column of the menu anyway. Mind you, I was shouted by a working girl I knew, so I didn’t pay.
Yep, been thinking the same thing.
astle lets it restrict you will pay him to eat there though – strange you are more focused on distraction – again
And yet you say nothing about Atsle restricting his customers because of his political ideology?
You don’t see your hypocrisy do you? Of course not, that would be another defining characteristic of a RWNJ.
It’s not the tucker, GooseMan Fool, it’s the people you find there. Farting foie gras is vile. Mopped up by the P’Astle mo’ of the bro’ who runs the sho’. It’s shocking to watch.
Hi Gosman
Do you realise that you are the standard’s school cert level simple simon right wing pet? You afford light relief for serious contributors to have a snigger at regularly? have a nice day, mate!
There are serious contributors on this thread ?!? Do tell who they might be as I haven’t spotted any.
Antiones screams ‘old money establishment’ projecting its insecure owners psyche like similar joints around inner akl channelling those class divides from the old country.
Been there done that, overpriced and olde world with very snooty floor staff for those who enjoy the feeling of superiority and smugness.
Little wonder JK’s a regular.
And at last look, P’Astle drives an aged old RR.
Like a crazy old queen stuck in the 30s.
Still pinching the GST.
For the ShonKeyAss.
+1
and just read an old quote from richard griifin,”radio new zealand is staffed by a gang of sad little lefties”.
now the that griffin is in charge it has become a gang of very very sad little whining righties.
gluon spinelesser and suzy fungus are the worst suckups and kissarses that have ever whined over the airwaves of our proud nation.
is that the griffin who recently was employed to work for the prime minister
Sad little lefties like Mora, Crump, Laidlaw…LOL.
Does Richard Griffin have any say so over the hiring decisions for New staff at Radio NZ National?
as in all organisations..those doing the actual hiring will ‘know’ what their bosses want..
..if they don’t ..they won’t have that hiring-job for long..
..the control doesn’t need to be formalised
..you have quite a simple/literal way of looking at things..don’t you gossy..?
..pretty much a nuance-free zone there..eh..?
+1
you mean like john key being involved in the selection of the head of the gcsb, but then forgetting?
If Griffin is ‘chair of the board’ then I guess he had some say over appointing Paul Thompson (ex Press editor, ex Fairfax chief editor) as CEO of National Radio.
If you ever read Paul Thompson’s editorials in The Press (over anything economic or party political) you’ll know Paul is hardly a sad little leftie.
(In fact, the interesting thing about the economically focused and party political editorials in The Press over the last three editors – Paul Thompson, Anthony Holden and Jane (?) Norris – is that they all have had exactly the same discursive style, used the same rhetorical devices and, of course, have expressed the same political leanings. Very odd that. Almost as if they have been written by the same person despite a changing of the guard in the editor’s office.)
police interview with john banks played in court today. excerpts available are worth reading.
of additional note is his last comment about not going for supercity mayor again, especially if he knew he would lose.
http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10072385/No-actual-knowledge-of-Dotcom-Sky-City-donations-Banks
national shooting association is laying a complaint against collins for discharge of a firearm without being registered to do so.
Judge Judy is registered though not yet certified. Please dolt……some respect for your betters !
Another tobacco kid gets the nod.
Hey fender.
This Nat candidate was in the news a few weeks ago, at the same time as Todd Barclay but he was totally overshadowed by the Barclay furore. Interesting that fearfux are running the story again but in more depth. Funny, because, by doing so they are drawing attention to Nat’s highly questionable morally bankrupt candidates. Usually when National and/or the Government are doing something dodgy they report it but kind of mumble and walk off. This time they’ve amplified it. Check out the comments too, a major turnaround for Stuffed commenters.
Those two blokes could be carbon copies of one another.
Hey Rosie, oh I thought the difference was that he’s been confirmed as the Hutt South candidate now, not merely a contender.
Like you say, these two kids are a couple of clones, maybe they were able to get extra funds from their previous employer via a cabinet club smoke up session.
It’s great watching the comments on stuffed and other sites changing to an anti Nat tune, helps to keep the spirits up while enduring this painful regime.
Keep up your great efforts to rid Ohariu of the Dunney 🙂
Lol, I didn’t realise “I coulda been a contender” was only a contender at that point.
I’ll have a chat to my friend who lives in Wainuiomata and see what they’ve all got to say about the cancer promo guy. I’m sure him and his friends will think he’s a big joke.
Thanks for your support on Dunney. All of us living in this electorate need to pull out all the stops to get the long drop filled in and decommissioned. For the country!!!
Hi Stephanie, are you around today?
Hey, I could do with a hand from the Labour campaign team in fighting off ultra retarded RWNJ’s in the local paper in our Ohariu electorate.
I am trying to wake up the sleepy little letters section (there isn’t really one) by submitting letters in response to Dunne activity, Ginny Anderson news and the Nat twerp, Brett Hudson. It’s a bit lonely and a concerted Left effort in the letters section might give this Pro Dunne, conservative rag a bit of a wake up slap. We need to get the upper hand. Whaddya reckon?
In the meantime I have written a response with actual facts that should put the RWNJ contributor firmly in their place, easy enough of course but many versus one would be better than one versus one.
Amid the doom and gloom this says it all:
In a neoliberal universe, where markets are the gauge of value, money becomes, more straightforwardly than ever before, the measure of all things. If hospitals, schools and prisons can be privatised as enterprises for profit, why not political office too?
http://www.lrb.co.uk/v36/n10/perry-anderson/the-italian-disaster
This is hardly the fault of neo-liberalism. Politicians doing favours for money goes back thousands of years. The Romans were notorious for it.
The ‘neo’ in neo-liberalism is a clue…
You saying that just proves that RWNJs haven’t learned a damn thing in 1500 years. Of course, when we look at that study, it’s actually 5000+ years as civilisation has been collapsing from the hubris of the rich in all of recorded history.
remember someone posted on here the other day that capitalism only arrived in india in 1991, so some of these posters cant be trusted on history
+1
…. and I don’t expect that person was an Indian from whatever his/her ancestry. Nor do I suspect they’ve actually lived and breathed amongst any!
Looks like KDC, his estranged wife and the security guard didn’t take enough time to get their stories in order……………..
I would be more worried if they had their stories perfectly matched. Human beings remember things differently and some disagreement about the odd detail is not an unusual occurrence.
It would be far more suspicious if they had, and all gave exactly the same evidence. The fact is human memory is unreliable, at this remove it’s no wonder theirs differ.
The judge knows this, even if you don’t. I hope sentencing is carried out just before lunch.
Edit. Snap! MS
is this the wayne tempero that many on the right posted here probably leaked who had been visiting the dotcom mansion? cos you would think a simple recant yesterday would have done the job, but no, his recollection aligns with dotcoms…
then theres banksies police interview today… skycity say they gave the cheque to banksie, banksie says… wait for it… he doesnt remember getting a cheque from them.
it inches closer and closer..
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10073120/Mana-and-Internet-Party-close-in-on-deal
Also from Stuff…
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10073284/Cunliffe-attacks-PM-over-spy-agency
He calls Key “a liar” and “we should get rid of him”.
good for him. let the public decide if it is plausible the pm attended discussions about unsuitable candidates to head gcsb, suggested fletcher and had rennies agreement that key contact fletcher but forgot. i call a big BS on that.
i think what the pm couldnt remember whether he needed to lie about it or not = default position lie
pm said had to buy bmws cos labour had locked them in = untrue
blip cover the list that so many choose to ignore.
now cunliffe needs to tell people that if the pm cant recall contacting someone to head one of his two portfolios he is treating everyone as fools.
+100….sounds very good Anne
…Cunliffe’s fighting talk and pitching it home to John Key and the NACTS on Key’s lies and Nacts betrayal of New Zealanders and poor economic performance
Has anyone claimed this, as in the Stuff article:
I don’t think such claims were made in this week’s Campbell Live. I have always thought Fletcher’s appointment was part of a shift to focus on “economic terrorism” and support for the big corproates – protection of didgital “rights” on behalf of media such as the Hollywood Studios is part of that – surveillance and arrest of Dotcom was one isntance of the broader aim.
Don’t believe so.
Either the author of the Stuff article stuffed up big time which is par for the course for so many in the MSM or…
Key is misrepresenting the material highlighted in the C.L. programme which is equally par for the course for him.
But then, why would Key bother, given that the MSM had largely ignored the Campbell Live programme. Could it be the programme pointed to something else? Something that Cunliffe picked up on and was saying to Key “I know where you are vulnerable on this issue…and it aint so much to do with Dotom.”?
An the main focuses of the CL programme weren’t really KDC. They were US-NZ relations, and the appointment and start date of Ian Fletcher, and the meetings that led up to that.
Fascinating karol. I think you might be on to something.
I was surprised and a bit perplexed at Cunliffe’s warning to Key to be careful what he says, but it would fit in nicely with your interpretation that Cunliffe is saying “I know where you are vulnerable on this issue…and it aint so much to do with Dotcom.”?
I love a political mystery. 🙂
Given the programme makers know how far they can go without out putting their existence under threat…. what if the programme was designed to point in a specific direction, without making an accusation?
Karol – I think you have nailed it IMO.
The CL programme was very carefully crafted’ again IMO with a lot of legal input. It just pointed towards the joining of the dots; it did not make any specific accusations or conclusions. And its goes well beyond KDC. That might have been the starting point; but KDC in some respects has now become irrelevant (to a degree). It is all about Key’s ‘truthfulness’ or otherwise; and what he is seeking to achieve (or that of the people who really pull his strings).
It’s also about the changing role of the GCSB, and it’s role in the 5 Eyes, and in relation to that, NZ’s relationship to the US.
And it’s about why Key wanted Fletcher for the job, and why he organised several meetings with Fletcher prior to taking up the GCSB role, etc.
It’s been my suspicion for some time that Fletcher was groomed for a special role within the 5 Eyes arrangement before he returned to NZ. I also suspect that role has not got a lot to do with our security considerations. And if I’m right then Key knows all about it and is happy for NZ to be used in such a way.
So, what does he get in return?
Oh well, I can answer my own question. He gets to have palsy walsy conversations and golf games with the American president. In other words, special privileges. All good for the re-election campaign.
i was surprised by how lightly they stepped around key – almost like the program was about fletcher. I certainly think the whole knot gets untied when fletcher is pulled.
This on Techday
And Grant Robertson’s question to PM’s proxy today.
And Joyce chose a fairly novel way to avoid answering any further questions.
all uses of the words Liar and Lies have been expunged.
@ phillip ure
great news!…together the Mana Party and the Internet Party could be a force to be reckoned with!
It’s not just us of course.
Todays editorial from the Globe and Mail in Toronto calls for a Royal Commission on spying.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/editorials/we-need-a-royal-commission-on-spying/article18786038/
“Today’s New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll shows a gain in support for National (45.5%, up 3%) now back ahead of a potential Labour/Greens alliance (44%, down 1.5%).
Support for Key’s Coalition partners is little changed with the Maori Party 1% (unchanged), ACT NZ (0.5%, unchanged) and United Future 0% (down 0.5%).
Support has fallen for the Opposition with the Labour Party down 0.5% to 30.5%, the Greens down 1% to 13.5%, New Zealand First 6% (unchanged), Mana Party 1% (unchanged). Support for the Conservative Party of NZ is 1% (up 0.5%) and the Internet Party is now at 0.5% (down 1%).
If a National Election were held now the latest New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll shows that the result would be too close to call and would largely depend on who New Zealand First decided to support.
The latest NZ Roy Morgan Government Confidence Rating has fallen to 132pts (down 3.5pts) with 60% (down 2%) of New Zealanders saying New Zealand is ‘heading in the right direction’ compared to 28% (up 1.5%) that say New Zealand is ‘heading in the wrong direction’.”
It does sort of confirm the previous poll by Morgan.
Its so much inside the margin of error there could – in reality – be a small net gain for the opposition parties and a small net loss for the govt. parties.
Umm….not sure where to put this observation…but tonight was watching TV3 news cover of Bank’s trial..The camera lingered on him as he dug into his ear, removed…something….looked at it…then put it in his mouth. Yuck.
Charming.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=11259165
Sue Kedgley, former Green MP, now on the board of Consumer New Zealand, calls for the Government to adopt sensible measures to minimise the effects of electromagnetic exposure in an opinion piece published in the Herald today.
‘[The Govt] should also review our out-dated standard on electromagnetic radiation, which is one of the most permissive in the world, and set up an independent body to evaluate the health risks of electromagnetic radiation.’
America Dumbs Down
Yes, yes it has.
yes Draco. back to the early 1980’s when the Reagans got into the White House.
has john key resigned yet?
has he legalised pot?
has he ever done anything useful?
when is he going back to where he came from?
President Obama says that he is fortunate that he doesn’t have to face a crisis as great or greater than that faced by FDR or Lincoln.
The US President may choose not face it, but climate change is the greatest threat that humanity has ever faced.
Does the Kingdom of Hawaii still exist as a sovereign country? Is the US extracting taxes, and conducting other unlawful operations in Hawaii, in violation of international law?
Whaddya think of that, Mr Key?
When even David Farrar on Kiwiblog finally sees the “light” and publishes this, some of us are WINNING:
http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2014/05/a_disabling_bug.html#comments
“A disabling bug”
“May 19th, 2014 at 7:00 am by David Farrar ”
“Sarah Wilson writes in the Nelson Mail:”
(See links provided)
Farrar’s comment:
“Sarah’s story is gripping, and as you read it I guess the reaction is that this could have happened to me – it was just a bug after all. Sarah has become an activist on welfare issues, after her frustrations with WINZ – which she wrote about here. WINZ has apologised for what happened.
But it does highlight that there is a balancing act with welfare reforms, and how WINZ implements them. And we shouldn’t assume the balance is absolutely right. There are some on welfare who are able to work, and some of the measures introduced are necessary to target them.
But there are also many on welfare who have had horrible things happen to them, and a system which makes them prove every x months they are still unable to work needs some flexibility and judgement involved.
UPDATE: Sarah has written a sort of response to this blog, on her blog.”
So read some of the comments, and some are actually confirming what our concern has been for years. The welfare reforms have been an attempt to push things beyond the acceptable boundaries, and here even a government supporting blogger now acknowledges this!!!
I thought I let you know this, I am signing off again, as I have offended too many. I say sorry to Lprent, who I accused of being “corrupt”, but it was a rushed, unjustified comment, like a few others. I am just worked up on issues, like welfare, and the lot of sick and disabled, and I have a bit of a grudge against Labour and Helen Kelly. Maybe they will learn? I will speak my mind anyway.
I feel some “wins” are made when even the government spinners are now conceding something in welfare may have gone over the top. That is worth noting, let us work on more achievements!!!
You know you’re fucked when national television decides to run you eating your ear wax at your High Court trial. Oh Banksie Banksie Banksie………the wages of being an arsehole for ALL of your life !
Inti Illimani – El Pueblo Unido:
campbell Live dropped a damned bomb, I know of more to come, and John Key, the greatest lying PM we ever had, better watch out, he is on the line. The revolution goes on, it must go on, and the few feeble minded better take note:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2o83FQ1xTs
How good or bad can it ever get, this song is stuck in my brain forever:
My reply to Cathy Odgers (Cactus Kate).
FYI
http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2014/05/court-reporting-public-gallery-circus-high-court-6/#more-137180
“From the dead cat wearing rates avoider Penny Bright to the feral in front of me in the public gallery wearing socks with his jandals and track pants, I cannot help feeling sorry for John Banks having to put up with his career and legacy tried in front of a bunch of rabble. I do not particularly like John Banks as a politician, but no one deserves this….”
errrr….I was actually wearing a beret Cathy?
And I wouldn’t describe you as ‘rabble’ 🙂
“Rates avoider Bright is allowed to harangue witnesses right down to the Hyatt Hotel. It is a scenario that awaits a Steve Braunias column.”
errr….. to whom were you referring Cathy?
“And David Fisher nice punk for informing the rates avoider Bright I was in attendance. The only ray of sunshine was that I got to say to her face what I had previously published. I don’t think she’s ever experienced that before.
There is a first and a last time for everything.”
What a wee SPINNER you are Cathy!
My side of the story is that I recognised your face, and asked David Fisher if it was indeed ‘Cactus Kate’.
He said it was and that your name was ‘Cathy’.
You may recall that it was I who approached you, in Auckland High Court room 6, (before proceedings commenced), extended my hand and said “Hello Cathy – I’m Penny Bright – we haven’t yet met.”
You looked VERY much like you didn’t want to shake my hand and – quite frankly – it was the most revolting handshake I have ever experienced (even worse than John Key’s – and that is saying something!).
I then said words to the effect “Hypocritical rich prick? (Which is how you described me in this NBR article you wrote
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/rich-prick-doesnt-want-pay-rates-ck-135024 – 29 January 2013)
(My home is freehold – I was lucky enough to pay off a 24 year loan in less than 9 years as a result of falling interest rates)
“Isn’t that the politics of envy? I thought you people didn’t do that sort of thing?”
When you asked me if I had paid my rates, I said ‘absolutely not’.
(Which is still the case.
Auckland Council is not complying with the Public Records Act 2005, and giving citizens and ratepayers the ‘devilish detail’ and showing where exactly rates monies are being spent on private sector contracts.)
You see Cathy Odgers – you may not be interested in ‘open, transparent and democratically accountable’ local government – which is probably unsurprising, given that I understand you are connected with tax havens for the wealthy?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathy_Odgers
“Odgers holds bachelor of commerce and bachelor of laws degrees from the University of Auckland and is an admitted barrister and solicitor in New Zealand.[2] Odgers is a full member of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), the Asia Offshore Association and the Inter-Pacific Bar Association.[2] ”
http://www.fbsemirates.com/confidential-banking-and-banks-in-the-dubai/
Confidential Banking and Banks in the Dubai
Click Here – Essential UAE Company Practical Information and Facts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – An Absolute “Must Read” …
What does the ‘Near Future’ hold and Dubai – ‘The New Switzerland’ for the Rich
Anonymity / confidentiality of beneficial owners
Here is a list of benefits of the UAE relating to SAFE and confidential banking in a rich and economically stable country with huge financial (and oil) reserves.
14th largest economy in the world having the 5th largest oil reserves and notably the reserves of the emirate of Abu Dhabi alone amount to over 1 trillion USD$!
FULL confidentiality for beneficial owners at banks and the authorities and NO information exchange agreements with any other country. Do we disclose UBO details / identity to the authorities? In RAK we do not! (the reason for choosing RAK) in Jebel Ali (Dubai) we do and authorities need bank ref of UBO! To the banks? Yes as a general rule we disclose BUT there are no information exchange agreements
Solid bank confidentiality with NO exchange of information agreements with any country
The emirates have not signed exchange of information treaties with any nation, not even the European Union
…………….”
(Of course – you can’t believe everything you read on Wikileaks – so please correct any information which is wrong (as I am doing with that which you have written about me 🙂
You see Cathy Odgers – you may not be into ‘transparency’ (understandable if you’re into tax havens and the like) – but I am.
Maybe you’re not used to people approaching you directly, and challenging you to your face over what you have previously
published?
I very much doubt that you’ve previously experienced that before.
But I did enjoy your ‘spin’ (sorry – ‘take’) on this event 🙂
Is it your intention to visit the Defendant John Banks, if and when he is incarcerated following this trial?
He’ll probably appreciate visitors.
(“Even rats have feelings” ).
I understand that Kim Dotcom was looking forward to a visit from John Banks when he was imprisoned.
Possibly if Kim Dotcom had been a beagle or a ‘lab rat’ John Banks would have been more concerned about his circumstances?
Of course – I’d post this directly on Whaleoil – but unfortunately Cameron Slater doesn’t believe in ‘freedom of expression’ on HIS ‘blog’ (like the equally phony Martyn Bradbury with HIS ‘Daily Blog’)
Kind regards
Penny Bright