Open Mike 22/09/2017

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, September 22nd, 2017 - 135 comments
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135 comments on “Open Mike 22/09/2017 ”

  1. Ed 1

    National.

    Happy to lie to get power.
    Happy to put their interests above the vulnerable.
    Happy to accept poisoned rivers, increasing poverty and inequality, more mental health issues, worsening health and education services…

    As long as they are alright and get their flash holidays and flash cars……

    • C’mon New Zealand ,… vote Labour / Green and end all the poverty !!!

      One in Ten – UB40 (lyrics) – YouTube
      Video for one in ten you tube▶ 4:34
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s59yXAtmaTw

    • And it is that corruption, there really is no other word for it, that destroys societies and has done throughout history.

      • popexplosion 1.2.1

        It’s the media peddled fake economy, the lavish private taxes and levies introduced by govts on us all. National are the party of high hidden taxes. Taxes that take time from parenting, take time from community, take time from participation in society, take time off life from pollution causing ill health. It’s the fake economy the corrupt media manufactures to cover all the external costs unpaid for except by the people.

        • reason 1.2.1.1

          Our biased media have shown their Dirty side with their reliable amplification and repeating of Nact lies and smears ….. Its what they do at election times.

          Lies by omission is their usual method of mis-reporting …..

          Which brings me to John Key and the comprehensive con job they pulled on behalf of that disgusting man … although they did lie a hell of a lot for him …

          Keys early currency speculation in NZ was possibly rigged with insider trading, …..if he was in on the Douglas pre-devaluation tip off …

          Currency speculation makes normal trading for businesses which actually produce something more difficult…….. Key left NZ for Merrill Lynch.

          Keys work for Merrill Lynch in Ireland, seems to have consisted of using tax havens and things like the double irish dutch sandwich ….. to entice mainly American companies to creatively become Irish ones, In name ……

          He made large money …. by Gutting UsA tax revenue, and that of other countries….. as corporations opted out of paying tax where they make their sales and profits …..

          Its impossible to estimate the costs and harms John Key has inflicted on poor and middle class citizens everywhere ,,,,, through reduced Governments revenue.

          His work for merrill in Asia is where he gained the reputation for smiling while sacking people ,,,,

          The Asian currency crisis took place in 1997 ……and like most crashes involved speculation …. along eith innocent workers paying the price for the greed of the financial sector ….

          Corruption was also rife in Asia …regularly 25% of funding for projects and sometimes up to 50% was being taken and skimmed by corrupt regimes like a suharto or his Generals.

          …… In many cases institutions like Merrill when raising funding and making the loans … would then help the corrupt leaders move their stolen portion off-shore …. High ranking jobs were given to corrupt Politicians children or other relatives …..

          When or if the corrupt illegitimate leaders were removed from power …..the corrupt banksters debts remained ……….

          These corrupt debts get paid in either privatisation and theft of resources ….or through tax on the poor …

          s
          Sometimes over 50%) of a governments expenditure will be interest on never ending debt …….. while poor children die from lack of sanitation and basics in healthcare and food ….

          Poor people are not worth a dollar missing from bankers profits to the Keys of this world.…

          In our country and other developed nations, corporate and uber rich tax cheating ….. means things like ‘voluntary’ school fees for financially stressed parents,….. large student debts for something that used to be free for Key, English, Joyce,Collins and co …. longer waiting lists in the health sector, underfunded police etc etc

          In poor countries this economic apartheid kills children……

          Ask yourself , would you steal from a baby ? …. people who build and use tax havens do …..

          Key has personally helped steal from Millions of children ……

          Keys investment skills suggest he left the largest portion of his paper wealth in his old firm ….It almost hit $100 per share ….. before it poisoned itself with its on products and dodgy creative accounting … Merrill was the third big firm after Bear-sterns and Lehmans to collapse …

          Bank of America was backing out of a deal to buy merrill …. when Merrills portfolio revealed itself as a pile of toxic crap …. with 21 Billion dollar operating losses revealed in a three month period ……

          Merrill and the financial sector were vaporizing wealth at a rate which is hard to comprehend ….. 46 Billion was the final amount in losses from Merrill …… 46 Billion

          The American government stepped in and the Bank of America was forced to rescue the imploding Merrill and stop a domino collapsing of the american financial system …..

          american taxpayers, pension funds and other victims paid for the bailout in Govt cash to the perpetrators ….. and then they paid again ….. with GFC loss of jobs wealth and security for themselves and other ordinary people.

          Despite Keys statements dissing and distancing himself from Merrill …… when the GFC revealed their sham products, creative dishonesty and reckless gambling behavior …

          His Bank of America shares are testimonty to him staying firmly invested with Merrill …..

          He benefited from the Usa Govt forcing the merger ….. and paying Billions to cover Merrills loses

          Key started his Merrill career by costing ordinary taxpayers money with his base erosion tax dodge work …

          And he finished it with a direct bailout for his worthless Merrill shares ….

          What a hard working creative millionare …… he cant swing a hammer but builds things which blow Billion dollar holes in Government revenue

          How many millions in charity he took from usa citizens …. depends on how many Merrill shares he had hoarded

          He could be summed up as an anti-Robin Hood ….. Stealing from the poor to give to the rich.

          Good at greed driven cheating ……….. But a shit Greed driven investor.

          Its all a bit of a scam how our media never reported his personal multi million bailout at the start of the GFC ….

          Protecting the image ….. by many lies ….and lots of omission.

          As Bill and National is benefiting from.

          Keys and Englishs economic model ……of speculation and cheating is of course doomed to failure ……

          It can only benefit the few by the losses of the many.

          • popexplosion 1.2.1.1.1

            Key, Nz’s George Bush junior. Bush started wars, Key destroyed his own nation, shitty rivers, shitty housing, shitty tourism all over the country…

  2. Pacific Princess 2

    I’ve been out and about in Onehunga and Mangere taking people to enrol and vote early over the last week. The vibe for change is strong and I’m pleased to have seen young people skipping into the booths and coming out with the “I’ve voted” sticker. For me the last two days have been emotional, feeling nervous and butterflies multiplying in the puku…hoping and praying for the best outcome for all our people tomorrow…we can do this…let’s do this!

    • L0l yes !… my son and I both smiled and wore the ‘ I’ve voted ‘ sticker after casting our votes ,… its really a good idea . 🙂

      • Pacific Princess 2.1.1

        I agree Wild Katipo…the stickers are good…we took our young children along with us to vote this week and they said to me quietly “vote for me” to which a man overheard and replied “I just did”…we all walked out with our stickers! Proud!

    • Carolyn_nth 2.2

      Excellent work. Pleased to read about the vibe for change – south Auckland needs it; Tāmaki Makaurau needs it; Aotearoa- NZ needs it.

    • Ad 2.3

      Top Work Pacific Princess. Keep it up.

    • Nice one – good mahi – let’s make a diffrence, together

    • greywarshark 2.5

      Having an I’ve voted’ sticker is a good idea. Me with the butterflies too. Good on you Pacific Princess.

    • The Fairy Godmother 2.6

      Good on you Pacific Princess. I have been out and about in Papatoetoe. People are desperate for a change and they really want to vote this time. They are getting family out to vote. They are encouraging each other. It could be 2005 all over again -turnout confounding the polls.

  3. Eco maori 3

    Some MSM must have Australian decency because some of them Keep underarm bowling Jacainda.
    Nice try but I all ready read that someone was under arm bowling me last nite or was it a SPIN bowling on TV 3.
    I agree with Draco T Bastard we will ban all polls a month before election nite.
    What a load of rubbish bill already knows he has lost its written all over his face I will courier a couple of boxes of tissues to TV 3 for Saturday nite
    My pick
    Lab 50
    Grn 18
    Maori party 6
    We want a future for OUR children

  4. patricia bremner 4

    Youth vote today please. So so important.

  5. KJT 5

    70 000 immigrants a year. That is 700 000 in ten years, 100 000 new houses required at 7 per house, at least 350 000 new jobs required, 4 new hospitals and another cities worth of services,. Just so National can pretend the economy is growing

    • Matt 5.1

      Yip and half of the growth has been coming from the earthquake rebuild and increased infrastructure spend. Projections certainly aren’t so impressive going forward.

      • All the growth has been coming from increased debt created by the housing boom.

        To have increased GDP requires having more money in the system and the only way money increases is through borrowing from the private banks.

      • greywarshark 5.1.2

        Yip. Reminds me of Yip Harburg and Jay Gorney and their poignant song.

        The National Herd have passed their suitability test to be an exalted citizen, they have made money and worked at something enough so they feel virtuous. The Virtue Religion it’s the new one, probably a bit like Scientology.

        National! Note – Al they don’t want you in their nation.
        Yip’s song.
        Brother Can You Spare a Dime

        Say don’t you remember you called me Al,
        It was Al all the time,
        Buddy can you spare a dime.

        Al Jolson (Old time famous in USA, interesting historic and Depression shots)
        (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F4yT0KAMyo

        Bing Crosby’s version.
        (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eih67rlGNhU

        Depression history images.
        (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpfY8kh5lUw

        ‘Don’t want to end up a cartoon in a cartoon graveyard.’ For Gnashional politicians.
        Paul Simon You can call me Al. Al certainly has difficulties and in NZ he’s the tail end of the nation. Let’s see the tail wagging the dog eh!
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev0wfe6zzi0

  6. KJT 6

    Nationals standard election procedure.
    1. Pretend to be socialist.
    2. Fudge statistics so they look socialist.
    3. Make things up about the opposition.
    4. Lie. Lie. Lie. Lie………

  7. Eco maori 7

    Duncan stop trying to justify your polls which are designed to confuse voters what a good under arm bowl the business of OUR country need to pay more to OUR society because they ain’t paying much NOW Ka Pai

  8. Incognito 8

    In recent days an awful (!) lot has been said about lying.

    I thought this piece was very good: http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/decor/97045612/how-not-to-be-a-good-human-according-to-the-block

    Values learned: Avoid the truth, disrespect, unfairness, profit over people

    Virtues displayed: Deviousness, win at all costs, dishonesty

    Sometimes I wonder whether calling out lies & liars is actually having the intended effect of achieving a more truthful society. It seems that more often (?) it is portrayed & viewed as a shining example of how to get ahead and succeed. Think Gordon Gekko and “greed is good”.

    That said, not pulling them up on lies is not the way either …

    • The problem is that there’s no consequences to lying. Blinglish and many other National Party MPs lied and they’re still eligible to be in parliament. This should not happen.

      • Incognito 8.1.1

        It just seems that there are no negative consequences to lying. Indeed, it appears to pay off in the short term. However, in the longer term the lies will catch up with you and you start to distrust others and suspect them from lying to you too. In the end, you cannot trust anyone, not even yourself … A truly Faustian Pact!

        • Draco T Bastard 8.1.1.1

          In the end, you cannot trust anyone, not even yourself … A truly Faustian Pact!

          Which is just one of the aspects of the RWNJ Greed is Good paradigm that destroys society. When no one can trust anyone else then relationships break down and society fragments and eventually we see civil war or worse.

    • ianmac 8.2

      Good link Incognito. Just as well Jacinda, aware of those crook values, said,
      “Let’s NOT do it.” And she hasn’t and nor has James.

  9. Eco maori 9

    I got told off for trying to tell my sons whom to vote for she was right I had to apologise Please go and vote Labour Green or Maori party If you want a future

    • Molly 9.1

      We have commentators telling us who to vote for, PR firms and pamphlets and billboards galore.

      Depending on “how” you were telling your sons, I would think that anyone else should stay out of it, (unless it falls under party campaigning at the booth). Especially if they had asked your advice. In the end, you are just another source of information, they get to decide whether to listen to you or not.

      As an aside, meant to act as a casual scrutineer this time at my father-in-law’s rest home this election. We went to take him to the voting booth last time, and found out he had already voted. He thought he had just confirmed his vote, with “helpers” telling him where to tick. He had no idea which party he had voted for. Unfortunately, when the early voting came around I was unable to get there to watch. Back on the to-do list for next time.

      • We went to take him to the voting booth last time, and found out he had already voted. He thought he had just confirmed his vote, with “helpers” telling him where to tick. He had no idea which party he had voted for.

        I hope you reported that to the electoral commission so that it could be properly investigated.

        • alwyn 9.1.1.1

          I worked as a poll clerk at a polling booth at one election a long time ago. We did it as a fund raising exercise for a charity where we put in the time and they got the money.
          It was in a rest home and a fair number of the people there were showing distinct signs of dementia.
          They were being “helped” by the staff. I think that quite a lot of the people “voting” had no idea what was going on.
          From what you say it appears the practice continues.

        • Molly 9.1.1.2

          He was not concerned with the outcome, and I was not going to appropriate his experience and perhaps put him in a situation that caused him discomfort.

          (I was instead, going to actively be present at the home for this election process, in order to make any complaints from a personal perspective but unfortunately was occupied with being with him over that two weeks in his last illness. He passed away the day after the vote was taken in the home, a week before the elections.)

  10. Eco maori 10

    I can already see the effects of my fellow bloggers and I fighting equal rights For OUR female”s you go get that power Ladys I mite be a bit bias because I have granddaughter”s but OUR females need all the help to right this wrong we fight for equal rights For every Human in OUR WORLD
    GET THE TRUTH OF WHATS HAPPENING AROUND OUR WORLD WITH SOCIAL MEDIA KA PAI

  11. Tony Veitch (not etc) 11

    It seems to be the season for making predictions on the outcome of the election, and who am I to resist the fashion.

    So: Labour on 41%, just ahead of National on 39% (which, God knows is about 15 per cent more than they deserve!) Greens on 9% or even more – the message about climate change/breakdown finally getting through. NZ First, just over 5%, but with Winnie losing his seat in Northland. Act 1 seat (a real travesty of natural justice) The Maori Party 1 seat.

    I don’t know how that would break down into seats, but the progressive bloc half of parliament!

    Whether that means we can begin to roll back the neoliberal cancer that has wracked this country for over 30 years – remains to be seen!

    • Anne 11.1

      It’s possible TV (not etc) if the rumours that the “youthquake” has finally emerged are true, but don’t count on it. I don’t trust the integrity of the majority of the rest of the punters. They are politically inept and easily led by the duplicitous, unscrupulous Nats.

  12. swordfish 12

    National Party Internal Poll (Curia) (2 days ago)

    Nat 43%
    Lab 39%
    NZF 6%
    Greens 6%

    Sources told Newsroom that National’s latest internal polling has it at 43 percent and Labour at 39 percent. NZ First and the Greens were both on six percent. But there were suggestions from those close to National that its figures had softened overnight

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/09/20/48879/election-2017-live-an-awkward-jet-fuel-crisis

    Still everything to play for – “softened” = Voters swinging back to the Left ???

    • Pat 12.1

      you seen anything on Northland?….what chance Winston holds the seat?

      • swordfish 12.1.1

        Northland ? …. None that I know of

        Polls of Whangarei & Te Tai Tokerau …. but no Northland – go figure

        Still – I’d be highly surprised if NZF fell below 5% threshold

        • Pat 12.1.1.1

          haveseen two conflicting reports (but no numbers) RNZ suggest he has little chance of holding whereas Newsroom suggests he will…as to threshold, i wouldnt be highly surprised….mildly perhaps

    • swordfish 12.2

      So, latest Polls

      Nat (Curia) … Lab (UMR) … CB ……… RR

      Nat … 43% ………… 43% ……… 46% …… 45.8
      Lab … 39% ………… 38% ……… 37% …… 37.3
      NZF … 6% ………….. 8% ………… 5% …….. 7.1
      Green 6% ………….. 7% ………… 8% …….. 7.1

      • james 12.2.1

        NZF and Greens wouldn’t want to drop too much off that if they want a job come Monday.

        That will be interesting to watch on the night.

      • Redlion Seratus 12.2.2

        An average of those puts left block ahead by a mere half a percent… in my electorate I heard from a colleague who’s scrutineering early mostly left in a Conservative seat. Winnie still a lynch pin I think

        • ianmac 12.2.2.1

          Redlion. I think you said that early voters were voting Left in a Conservative seat?

          • Redlion Seratus 12.2.2.1.1

            That’s right Ianmac .Tory numbers will come down in my view & Labour
            up…but not enough for Greens/Labour to govern alone unfortunately.Hope
            Jacinda chooses the right single malt

        • alwyn 12.2.2.2

          Are scrutineers really allowed to look at the polling papers before election day?
          I thought the boxes remained sealed and early counting wasn’t allowed until the polls opened on polling day.
          I also thought it was illegal to provide anyone not part of the election with information about the vote before the close of the polls.

          • Redlion Seratus 12.2.2.2.1

            Don’t be naif mate… yes the votes are sealed and you cant talk but some people can read body language pretty well & wearing a rosette is also allowed. Also only anecdotal

    • ianmac 12.3

      “But there were suggestions from those close to National that its figures had softened overnight”
      Gee hope so. Maybe early voting is not such a good idea. Remember a couple of elections ago John Key on mounting the victory dais gave his first hearty thanks to David Farrar. So his polling and focus grouping engineered a victory rather than a Party with merit.

  13. The Chairman 13

    Expert calls for inquiry into Chinese ‘threat’

    Well, well. There seems to be an interesting development following on from my post on the 16th (https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-16092017/#comment-1385067).

    A leading academic has called for New Zealand to follow Australia and take the threat of China’s growing influence in its affairs seriously.
    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/09/18/48616/expert-calls-for-inquiry-into-chinese-threat

    Chinese-owned New Zealand dairy farms said to possibly being used to test advanced missile technology
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11924169

    This from ABC: Chinese “soft power” influence becomes election issue in New Zealand
    http://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/worldtoday/chinese-soft-power-influence-in-new-zealand/8967852

    And of course, this from Winston: China’s Growing Control in NZ Must Be Investigated
    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1709/S00237/chinas-growing-control-in-nz-must-be-investigated.htm

    • KJT 13.2

      US power, economic paradigms and influence, in New Zealand is much more frightening at present. That may change as China already “owns” the USA.

      • lprent 13.2.1

        Hey KJT – do you have any idea when that pipeline from the wharf to Wiri could have been removed after?

        I can’t find it anywhere

    • Cinny 13.3

      Chairman I listened to that link you posted last weekend, it was really interesting, am following what’s going on re subject matter and researching because it’s entirely plausible and logical. Appreciate these links you have posted. Thanks Cinny.

      PS am not racist and i love love refugees, but this isn’t about race, it’s about power

    • Exkiwiforces 13.4

      I’m afraid Mr Chairman you are on money with this one, especially when Australia and NZ governments are reducing aid in the South Pacific (incl PNG and East Timor) weather is civilian aid or under the Mutual Aid Pact (MAP) and China fills void with its cheap loans, cheap labour for its aid projects instead of employing and training up the local workforce like Oz and NZ do. Then the Chinese government puts pressure on the South Pacific counties to under report fishing quotas/ catches, threatened to withdraw market access for goods when there is a enquiry into the Chinese dumping of low quality goods aka cheap reo bar used in NZ building projects or worst calls in the so called cheap loans etc and then we have got the Chinese government/ proxies actions in to freedom of speech within the our universities or in the fourth estate.

      The Chinese use of soft power is straight out of the thinking of the great Chinese general of Sun Tuz with a bit Mahan and Clausewitz thrown in for good measure.

      The NZ establishment to busy trying to make as money as they can in the short term than rather look at the long term consequences, which is so typical of NZ governments and corporate NZ.

      • +111

        As Marx pointed out – the capitalists will sell you the rope used to hang them. And that is exactly how our governments have been acting for the last few decades.

  14. I’ll make a prediction – LANDSLIDE FOR LABOUR – NATIONAL MPs LOSE SEATS EVERYWHERE – GREEN VOTE MASSIVE.

    • james 14.1

      I’ll make a prediction that you are wrong.

      Whatever way it will go it will be close.

      I think National ahead of Labour. Winston goes with National (being the largest vote).

      3 more years of National led government.

      • Rosemary McDonald 14.1.1

        Hey, James….how about putting your faith in the status quo into action and give your home address to one of the overworked charities trying to find homes for those without.

        I’m sure they can satisfy your probable desire to only help those who are making the effort to help themselves by sending you a couple of working poor families who need a home.

        Sorted, then?

      • Ad 14.1.2

        If you go over to the National site, you can see particularly in their property section that they are far better at expressing their policies in terms of rational self interest. Both to younger people trying to get in to property, and to those who already own property.

        Most of my work colleagues noticed this.

        They also put up the banner headline on their site about “More of your income for you” or thereabouts.

        I appreciate the precision of that messaging.

        (but I will still be voting for the red team).

      • Trey 14.1.3

        If you are right James then New Zealand will suffer three more years of this.
        http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11924968 because this is the legacy of nine years of National.

        I work for a University with schools in South Auckland and see the effects of this everyday. There is not a school I work with (and I work with primary schools) that doesn’t have kids who are self harming and or have made suicide attempts. FFS 10 year olds so disillusioned by your brigther future that they do not want to live.

        With my brother (a patched gang member who your Deputy thinks has less human rights than her ) I also do volunteer work coaching sports teams and fundraising so kids can pay fees, have boots and have a chance for a better life and the need just keeps getting bigger and bigger under National.

        We both grew up poor and brown in South Auckland but things were never as bad as they are right now.

        Despite my own battles with drug and alcohol addiction (15 years sober) and depression I have been lucky and done well for myself. I earn six figures and my wife who is a Deputy Principal earns just under six figures. We can afford to pay more tax so that others have decent healthcare, access to mental health services and more money in their pockets to provide for themselves and their whanau.

        As a country we need to do better. As a country we need to be fairer. That is why James I hope you are wrong and National do not win on Saturday. That is why I hope this election people vote for what is best for others and not what is best for them.
        Kia Kaha James. I respect your right to hold your beliefs I just do not agree with them

        • ianmac 14.1.3.1

          An inspiring story Trey. Thanks.

          • Trey 14.1.3.1.1

            Thanks ianmac. I just want to live in a country where I get to volunteer to help kids just because I want to not because I also “need” to. I am sitting at home today filling out forms and jumping through hoops so that the low decile schools I work with can access money to pay for professional development (PLD) for their teachers. Prior to this Governmentthis money was earmarked for them in a priority learners (Maori, Pasifika, Low SES, special needs) fund. The schools that really need it, now have to compete with high decile schools who can afford to fund the PLD themselves. It is a friggin joke.

            • indiana 14.1.3.1.1.1

              I’m inclined to think that you may get better support from Charter Schools for your voluntary services – in fact I would think that Charter Schools would be more inclined to pay for your services.

              • Trey

                I do my volunteer work in the community not in schools (although I have done some work with schools uncharged when I have had free time).
                I would never work in a charter school as the philosophy behind them is at odds with my own beliefs that were formed by research. You may think they are great and if you do then good for you but for me I would rather see better funding for state schools.

          • JanM 14.1.3.1.2

            + 100%

        • patricia bremner 14.1.3.2

          Thank you Trey. So well expressed with no bitterness.

          We all who have worked with struggling and disadvantaged families and individuals know that right wing parties cut services severely when they first get power. (austerity budget)

          Following that they change the playing field to assist their own while berating the rest as lazy or making bad choices. (Ring fencing opportunities).

          After 6/9 years of this, as opposition grows, they say yes we have made provision for improving that, but it is still less than before. (small loaded tax cuts/ contestible funding)

          By now youth who were 9/10 years old when the right got in, at 18 are voting for something they have never had. Fairness and Hope.

          Some are already lost souls hoping against hope for change.

          Youth, you have the power to enroll vote and change this. Please do.

      • marty mars 14.1.4

        Yes james many fools have believed the polling – if you actually knew what they do, how they do it and then the interpretation of what information they receive – then you would not follow their lines so easily – but as a gnat voter you are easily led.

      • Robert Guyton 14.1.5

        James! Saturday night!

        “For the trolls, know-it-alls and daredevils among us, the above options may seem laughably tame. After all this is your time to shine!

        Fear not. Any and all situations can be turned into an opportunity for you to demonstrate your penchant for provocation with aplomb.

        You know you’re the smartest. Elections are the time to make that apparent. Election night is the crescendo of your campaign of intellectual superiority and you cannot let it go to waste. In the mood for company? Wear a controversial t-shirt. Interrupt people loudly. Make your thoughts on controversial issues crystal clear. Staying in? Use the internet as it was intended: taunting, goading and antagonising those you disagree with.

        You may not make friends but you will MAKE YOURSELF HEARD. And after all – isn’t that what democracy is all about? “

      • greywarshark 14.1.6

        James
        Everyone is so nice and polite to you. Bugger that. You have said that it is going to be a National led government I don’t know how many times. You are
        just a stupid troll who doesn’t know that elections are a competition for ideas and methods of government. It’s not a sporting match, it’s not my side against yours and getting the ball over the line is the big deal.

        This is about life and you waste our time, but not yours because you don’t know how to value time and effort. So you come here for amusement and interrupt the grown-ups. As time goes by, you and we may not be so polite when we are fighting for our lives and resources and have reached the end of our tether.

    • greywarshark 14.2

      Hooray marty mars – roll out the red carpet, we know what colour is the best for
      a flying carpet.

    • One Two 14.3

      Only a landslide can defeat ‘counting fraud’…

      It’s who counts the votes…

      No doubt there is a shift and ground swell rising MM…

      If it doesn’t sweep this time, the nats will be gone forever should they have another 3 years…

      Kia Kaha Aotearoa

    • Cinny 14.4

      Marty… Maureen Pugh doesnt get back in? I’m so down with that, that leader ad happened again, lololol 7 weeks in a row, super funny. She’s already removed her hoardings from the main street here, Hooray.
      May I add to that prediction please, Greens gain at least one more seat 2 weeks later after the special are counted.

  15. greywarshark 15

    Here’s some exciting music and images to carry the fight and spirit on.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3cXcS49D64
    O Fortuna we cry.

  16. Carolyn_nth 16

    Toby Manhire tweeted a quote from Clarke Gayford:

    “aiming for Michelle Obama, probably going to be closer to Prince Phillip” – @NZClarke on his role if Ardern become PM, on @TheAMShowNZ

  17. Eco maori 17

    Looks like I found my Mark we will see who wins !!!!!!!! I already no

  18. Kay 18

    Election time in NZ should never be source of severe angst and anxiety to any segment of the population. We should all be able to be confident that, whatever the outcome we will be able to accept it. But in what I thought I’d never see happen in NZ, the outcome of a general election is now literally a matter of life or death for some- make that a lot more than some, it’s multiplying every 3 years. So that anxiety is more than justified.

    Those who are yet to vote, please also consider the literal lives of your fellow human beings/citizens.

    • Indeed , Kay ,… it is PROFOUNDLY crazy that this country , … has gotten to the point that there is anxiety about who wins this election. And its not just the sort of anxiety of team pride ,… it is something completely different ,… it is the same sort of anxiety experienced by many in third world country’s that are war torn,…

      Whereby for many , – it is a matter of urgency of life or death.

      That is ridiculous in a country full of natural resources like this. And it is even more ridiculous that it is present in a country that was once the 6th wealthiest ( per head of population ) in the late 1960s.

      And , it is a direct result of 33 years of neo liberalism.

    • Robert Guyton 18.2

      That’s beautifully put, Kay and so true. There is a great deal of unnecessary anxiousness out in the community that benefits no one. I hope that tomorrow night, there’ll be a great deal less. In the towns and cities anyway 🙂

    • Incognito 18.3

      I hear you, Kay, and please remember that voting is personal but it’s not personal, if you know what I mean. Some people care, some don’t. I don’t know you but I still care for you and for my fellow humans. Is my vote going to make a difference? A vote is just a vote, once every three years. It is pretty meaningless in the greater scheme of things unless you let it define your life. I know this may sounds very patronizing – it is to some extent – but those who have a one or two-seat majority in Parliament do not own me, they are not telling me what to think, say or do. They have as much power over me as I’m willing to give to them. Stay strong, find other strong people and join forces and help and love each other. Kia kaha, Kay! [I’m as pakeha as they come]

  19. Pete 19

    After tomorrow I look forward to driving all the way down a six lane highway to our holiday house on the Coromandel in our new Bentayga. The future is bright. Abigail and Felicity are doing well at school and looking forward to their trip to Italy with their school chums.

    The MSM should not be printing rubbish like I saw this morning. It brings the country down when we are so buoyant and everything is great. We truly are in ‘Godzone.’

    Publishing this sort of stuff before an election is unethical. What happened to integrity? Thank goodness we have a man like Mr English at the top. Hopefully such an ethical man, of such strong religious views and moral perspective, will see that nonsense like this will never be allowed to be printed.

    The publishers of the Herald and the midwife should be the first into his new bootcamps.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11924968

    • Psych nurse 19.1

      God forbid that this Midwife should work in Remuera where the effects of long term inbreeding are also too obvious.

    • ianmac 19.2

      Great slant Pete. Touch of irony?

      • Pete 19.2.1

        A touch of irony would be not being able to top up the 13l+/100km transport because some Northern scum had buggered up delivery of the supplies!

        Great confidence that Bull will have St Judith on that case though. Might stop in to see her on the way through actually. Just in for a cup of tea like. Now, how many kms from the airport? In what direction? ….

    • … ” The publishers of the Herald and the midwife should be the first into his new bootcamps ” …

      Yep , – I can just see it now , Herr English and Herr Joyce in their riding boots , peaked caps and bullwhips. The image suits them well. A sign with the words ‘Arbeit macht frei’ would be a suitable backdrop to ram the message home as well….

    • Redlion Seratus 19.4

      That’s right Ianmac .Tory numbers will come down in my view & Labour
      up…but not enough for Labour /Greens to govern alone unfortunately.Hope
      Jacinda chooses the right single malt

  20. millsy 20

    If I don’t post on here again, just want to wish everyone good luck. Hopefully we will see a change of government.

    If National does get back in, Ill probably won’t post for a little bit, at least until the trolls lose interest. But we shall see.

    On the bright side, it’s going to be a warm weekend forecast, and daylight saving kicks off this weekend.

    • marty mars 20.1

      mate I like your posts (mainly) – whatever happens we will need your shoulder – go well, refresh and come back fire breathing and flying. Kia kaha.

    • greywarshark 20.2

      Know how you feel Millsy. Let’s keep popping in with some interesting tidbit. And we may yet make it through the night.

    • patricia bremner 20.3

      Millsy the youth are turning out. Lines of them at most polling booths. Yesterday, 178785 people voted. It was reported many were young and enrolling as well.

      Today on facebook the lines are 20 deep at all unis, so they are responding. Chin up.

  21. BM 21

    The future is arriving pretty god damn fast

    A breakthrough in soft robotics means scientists are now one step closer to creating lifelike machines. Researchers at Columbia Engineering have developed a 3D printed synthetic tissue that can act as active muscle

    https://www.engadget.com/2017/09/21/synthetic-muscle-soft-robot-breakthrough/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=145&v=1J47difr3oo

  22. Jon Jones 22

    So I just hope that whatever way the result goes we can all accept it with good grace and that we call get in behind whatever government is formed

    Even if the government formed is not the one we’re hoping for its still the government of NZ so we should all get in behind and support it however we can

    We don’t want to be (at least I hope we don’t) like the USA and have protests, start a petition etc etc

    NZ is the overall best country in the world and we have one of the most stable political systems in the world as well and we should proud of that

    Go democracy!

    [I’ve done a couple of moderation requests on top of previous moderations. Given it’s the election and I don’t want to have to think about this for a while, I’m banning you for 4 weeks. When you come back you still need to answer the questions that have been asked. See https://thestandard.org.nz/is-nz-doomed-to-lying-politics-now/#comment-1388685 – weka]

  23. The Chairman 23

    The Maori Party is investigating allegations its first Chinese candidate threatened violence against a journalist.

    https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/ill-beat-him-up-maori-party-investigating-allegations-candidate-threatened-nz-herald-reporter

  24. Glenn 24

    The Scream..Jacinda Ardern.
    https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1422629158

    And sorry if someone has already posted it.

  25. The decrypter 25

    Does the ban on talking bout politics from midnight tonight apply to the Standard?-can I still come here to be depressed?

  26. Pat 26

    Does anyone know whether there is any requirement for an MP or more importantly a Minister to have full control of his/her mental faculties?

    • McFlock 26.1

      Available evidence suggests not.

      Section 80 of the Electoral Act 1993 prohibits someone from being a candidate if they’re being detained for treatment under order or if they’re unfit to stand trial, but that’s a pretty massive threshold.

      If you can breath and write your name, you can be a candidate and therefore a minister (with a few other exceptions, like prinoners or defence force personnel).

    • The decrypter 26.2

      Not in Nationals MP’s requirements.-nick smith sets the mental target,a goal they all strive to achieve.

    • Pat 26.3

      Im not joking…..having dealt with a parent with dementia for the past 5 years I was seriously concerned to read this a short time ago….
      “Richard Prosser responds:

      Morning Tim

      Just for clarity, my statement concerning the re-nationalisation of power company shares was not wrong as your otherwise splendid article proclaims.

      Perhaps the Member for Northland had simply changed his mind and not bothered to tell anyone else. Or perhaps he had forgotten our established and agreed position. Or perhaps he simply forgot that he’d changed his mind.

      Recent behavioural trends lead me to suspect that any of the above are possibilities.

      Best regards

      Richard Prosser”

      https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/09/21/49216/winstons-last-stand

      • Andre 26.3.1

        On the other hand, given NZ1st’s slide in the polls and Mr Prosser’s change in list position from 3rd to 15th, he may … erm…not perhaps be the most reliable witness.

        • Pat 26.3.1.1

          perhaps…but on top of his bizarre performance on RNZ the other day (was it last week?) the questions mount

  27. nice article from a farmers son

    My message to my father and the rest of rural New Zealand is this: a National victory may add to growing resentment, in which case expect the opposition to demand harsher policy. This narrative of town versus country is propagated by one party alone. By accepting it you are laying down a gauntlet against an enemy that you are creating. An enemy you cannot beat.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/97062007/on-the-eve-of-the-election-a-farmers-sons-letter-to-his-father

    • greywarshark 27.1

      What a dag. It’s all Labour no Greens fault and the farmers just need to handle it right and get out of jail free./sarc

  28. joe90 29

    Turns out the young Syrian man bagged by the usual suspects in their efforts to vilify refugees, had nothing to do with Parson’s Green attack.

    The second suspect detained was named as Yahyah Farroukh, a 21-year-old Syrian refugee who was arrested outside a chicken shop in Hounslow on Saturday night.

    He was released with no further action by the Metropolitan Police on Thursday.

    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/parsons-green-attack-latest-teenager-17-sixth-person-arrested-london-underground-bomb-a7958486.html

  29. Cinny 30

    Voted at 2:22 on the 22nd (Spring Equinox) 😀 Crikey it was busy at the polling booth in Motueka, am on the unpublished roll so have do a a special vote, and by crikey the specials ballot box was bursting at the seams with special votes, that’s a good sign 😀

  30. Rosemary McDonald 31

    Ye gods and little fishes….

    Michelle Boag adroitly manages to shift a conversation about the poor sod who immolated himself yesterday to one about Nikki Kaye wanting to encourage ‘resilience’ in our youth. My bad for having ‘Giggles With Jim’ on in the background.

    (I’m not going to link to the show, mods…masochists can find it for themselves. 😉

    Great, now she and Mike Williams are having a pretend fight…great for ratings…

    However, not why I’m here.

    Went to a busy Pak n Save today and observed that a very high proportion of shoppers were using the small trolleys, rather than the large family sized ones.

    Commented on such to the understandably bored looking Checkout Operator, with the tongue in cheek explanation that perhaps folk were preparing for when National get back in tomorrow and austerity bites even harder.

    Eyeroll from CO…”they’re all the same so I don’t bother…”

    I think, using the little amount of subtle diplomacy I am capable of, I managed to persuade her that a vote for Labour, and one for the Greens (to keep Labour honest) would be beneficial for for those workers struggling to make ends meet. I told her that National supporters are crapping themselves at the thought of any revision of labour regulations and raising the minimum wage. I explained to her that there was more to the Greens than pollution and legalising dope.

    Also had a similar conversation with a young person on a casual contract working in a bank….

    Never too late. 🙂

    • rhinocrates 31.1

      Great, now she and Mike Williams are having a pretend fight…great for ratings…

      How did that end? With Williams declaring that he agreed with her, Napoleon and then the ashtray?

      • Rosemary McDonald 31.1.1

        Williams declared at the start of the show that he’d promised a friend not to ‘agree with Michele.’

        If I remember rightly he had a reputation for agreeing with Hooten too often so, maybe, that was the ‘friend’ he was referring to?

    • Drowsy M. Kram 31.2

      Boag was dreadful (so at least consistent) on RNZ’s The Panel this afternoon, referring (at ~7:45 minutes) to “The children who are going to be the problems of tomorrow.” In Boag’s value system, these children don’t have problems, they are the problem. Odious.

      http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/thepanel/audio/201859613/the-panel-with-michelle-boag-and-mike-williams-part-2

      • Rosemary McDonald 31.2.1

        Her finest hour….http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10369999

        “When the former National Party president Michelle Boag left her passport at home before an international flight yesterday, she did the obvious thing – called the Westpac rescue helicopter to fetch it for her.

        Ms Boag, who is chairwoman of the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Foundation, made the 5.30am call on her way to Auckland Airport after she realised her passport was still at home on Waiheke Island.

        The chopper, with the mandatory crew of three including a paramedic, flew from Mechanics Bay to Waiheke and then out to the helipad near the international terminal. It then returned to Mechanics Bay. ”

        If there ever was a good reason to distrust and despise anyone and everyone aligned with the National Party….this is it.

  31. Ad 32

    Facebook finally admits that it is now a major determinant in the outcome of elections and starts regulating itself for political advertising:

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/facebook-fec-election-ads_us_59c4251be4b0cdc773300bf8?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

    • eco maori 32.1

      Good link Ad the double edged sword of the internet we need to sort that shit out cannot have another like that person off the Simpson fuck that.

      Those idiots in Tauranga think that because they zip around in there flash cars I won’t notice them. Just like one lot that thought that wearing a black beanie would make them invisible WTF they are costing me thousands in lost good will and lost income
      but they have given me some big targets I will keep you up to date with my process
      I no they have jack shit on me and the police are still trying to damage my credibility and undermine my social media credibility So don’t believe there bullshit they are barking up the wrong tree.Like there masters national

  32. Ffloyd 33

    Ffs. Just seen PARTAY GIRL Bennett on The Bus leading the sing along while strap hanging Billy Liar was very excited about the amount of POSITIVE TOOTS they have been getting.
    Can’t unsee it now. Question. How can you tell if a toot is positive?.

    • ianmac 33.1

      Bennett was also screaming a hysterical sounding song from the steps of the bus to a crowd of ummm- 3 journalists.

  33. eco maori 34

    I no what’s going to happen landslide win for Labour Green’s and Maori Party . That reporter for bill doesn’t have enough fingers

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    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
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    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
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    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
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    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
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    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    5 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    5 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
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    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
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    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
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    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
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    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
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    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
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    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
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    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
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    6 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
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    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
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    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
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    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
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    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
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    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
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    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
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    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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