Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step right up to the mike…
13,000 parents. And as usual, the figures only tell half a story. Put it this way, you have to be pulling a long bow if you think that there are 13,000 decent landlords out there who are going to be understanding as to why their tenants are going to fall behind on rents…
Most benefits cut in the Northland and Waikato region. Unemployed expected to concoct jobs out of thin air.
I hope 2014 will be the death of you, National.
Dirty filthy Paula Bennett’s demise will certainly be ‘nice to have’ but it is going to be a long wait for the children being tortured week in week out by this ‘starve ’em out’ tory government.
Im over hearing about this now. Whether Brown can keep it in his pants (A friend told me that all she was thinking is that why would any woman want to sleep with him — a reference to his looks), is not really any of our business.
I agree, it’s not. However, he should just shut the fuck up but he keeps whingeing in the media how his privacy has been invaded and seeking some sort of protection from prying eyes but guess what Len, that’s what comes with having a public job. Ultimately, it’s his own fault although no one should lose their job just for cheating on their partner.
Have to agree with you, Chris. The more that comes out, the worse it looks for National. From your link, it appears even more likely that the threatening texts came from the Palino/Slater camp. And, if its true that Brown was tipped off by a Nat MP (there are some decent ones, I suppose), then that confirms the philosophical split in Tory ranks.
NZ Herald, Bernard Orsman says Penny Webster (former ACT MP and Brown supporting councillor for Rodney) will neither confirm nor deny she is the Nat MP that tipped off Brown.
I think the article says that Penny Webster was the Councillor whom the Nat MP passed the tip to and she then may or may not have passed the info on to Brown’s team. She’s not a National Party MP.
There are people with a conscience in every organization—including the National Party. Someone will eventually blow the whistle on the wrong-doers, often at great personal cost when their identity is disclosed.
Exactery. Often takes a while for certain ‘masters of the Universe’ to get used to the phenomenon though (aye?) !
I reckon those in the Neshnool Party you’re thinking of are on the turn about now. I can think of one in particular
Good article and the Oil Spill Map modelling is excellent.
A deep-sea oil spill could devastate some of New Zealand’s favourite beaches, with the effects stretching as far as the international dateline, new modelling from Greenpeace suggests.
Texan oil giant Anadarko begins exploratory drilling in the Taranaki and Canterbury Basins this summer.
Greenpeace New Zealand asked scientists to make detailed estimates of how far an oil slick could stretch, based on wind, tide and sea currents.
Labour’s environment spokesman, David Shearer, said his party did not rule out deep-sea drilling but expected that any companies making applications would have to be “world class” and demonstrate they had robust safeguards in place.
“Suggestions now that I, an entrepreneur, TV personality and political novice, am somehow orchestrating some grand right-wing conspiracy to unseat Len after the election are so wrong and so absurd they do not stand up to even the remotest test of common sense.”
More liars of our time….
No. 30 Alan Dershowitz: “I will give $10,000 to the PLO if you can find a historical fact in my book that you can prove to be false.”
No. 29 John Banks: “I have nothing to hide and nothing to fear. And never, ever would I ever knowingly sign a false electoral return. Never ever would I ever.”
No. 28 John Kerry: “…we are especially sensitive, Chuck and I, to never again asking any member of Congress to take a vote on faulty intelligence.”
No. 27 Lyse Doucet: “I am there for those without a voice.”
No. 26 Sam Wallace: “So here we are—Otahuhu. It’s just a great place to be, really.”
No. 25 Margaret Thatcher: “…no British government involvement of any kind…with Khmer Rouge…”
No. 24 John Key: “…at the end of the day I, like most New Zealanders, value the role of the fourth estate…”
No. 23 Jay Carney: “…expel Mr Snowden back to the U.S. to face justice…”
No. 22 Mike Bush: “Bruce Hutton had integrity beyond reproach.”
No. 21 Tim Groser: “I think the relationship is genuinely in outstanding form.”
No. 20 John Key: “But if the question is do we use the United States or one of our other partners to circumvent New Zealand law then the answer is categorically no.”
No. 19 Matthew Hooton: “It is ridiculous to say that unions deliver higher wages! They DON’T!”
No. 18 Ant Strachan: “The All Blacks won the RWC 2011 because of outstanding defence!”
No. 17 Stephen Franks: “Peter has been such a level-headed, safe pair of hands.”
No. 16 Phil Kafcaloudes: “Tony Abbott…hasn’t made any mistakes over the past eighteen months.”
No. 15 Donald Rumsfeld: “I did not lie… Colin Powell did not lie.”
No. 14 Colin Powell: “a post-9/11 nexus between Iraq and terrorist organizations…connections are now emerging…”
No. 13 Barack Obama: “Simply put, these strikes have saved lives.”
No. 12 U.K. Ministry of Defence: “Protecting the Afghan civilian population is one of ISAF and the UK’s top priorities.”
No. 11 Brendan O’Connor: “Australia’s approach to refugees is compassionate and generous.”
No. 10 Boris Johnson: “Londoners have… the best police in the world to look after us and keep us safe.”
No. 9 NewstalkZB PR dept: “News you NEED! Fast, fair, accurate!”
No. 8 Simon Bridges: “I don’t mean to duck the question….”
No. 7 Nigel Morrison: “Quite frankly, they’ve been VERY tough.”
No. 6 Herald PR dept: “Congratulations—you’re reading New Zealand’s best newspaper.”
No. 5 Rawdon Christie: “…a FORMIDABLE replacement, it seems, is Claudette Hauiti.”
No. 4 Willie and J.T.: “The X-Factor. Nah, nah, there’s some GREAT talent there!”
No. 3 John Key: “Yeah we hold MPs to a higher standard.”
No. 2 Colin Craig: “Oh, I have a GREAT sense of humour.”
No. 1 Barack Obama: “Margaret Thatcher was one of the great champions of freedom and liberty.”
This is a country where a 12 year old boy just shot his maths teacher, shot and seriously wounded at least two young class mates, then killed himself with the gun.
From the outside, it’s not looking like it’s going well.
BTW one of the USA’s largest hedge funds has just stopped investing in rental houses, and started investing in trailer parks for the poor. The reason: at that level of poverty people don’t go anywhere, property maintenance costs are next to zero and the income streams are extremely steady and predictable.
Just watched question 3 from yesterday’s QT. Good work from Cunliffe to the PM. You are starting to get the sense that there is a noticeable shift in tone in the House these days. More and more I love seeing the worried, slightly bewildered look on Louise Upston’s (she’s the Nat’s Senior Whip) face as she sits behind the PM.
Diligent head-nodders like Louise Upston and her bench companion Tim McIndoe are an essential part of National Party strategy. Don’t knock those who only sit and nod. At least when they’re sitting and nodding they are not speaking…..
Upston always looks as if she’s worried that something might be going on that is too sophisticated for her intellectual equipment to understand. I suspect she’s right.
There is much discovery about brain functioning. Scans show parts of the brain will light up when one is thinking of a particular thing in a particular way. I think they can show whether someone can think around a problem, assess pros and cons and possible outcomes.
If so perhaps citizens could demand a brain scan profile on politicians for certain areas that would show development in problem solving and judgment. We can then ensure that those we get into the House are capable of rational thinking and decision making and we are getting what we pay for.
There is much mendacious talk from pollies about being good servants of the taxpayers’ money. Taxpayers should start throwing their weight around to ensure their servants are doing a good job for good value. At present when taxpayers’ money is mentioned, there’s a feeling of a naughty schoolboy creating a feel-good alibi at school before commiting some foul play.
That’s playing the teacher for a fool. Our politicians do the same with taxpayers.
Who would know, captain hook? Perhaps we all have selective memories like Banks.
But good news(hopefully) for Graham McCready on RNZ National Midday report.
An Auckland barrister and former Crown Prosecutor, Michael Lloyd, has offered to provide his services for free to McCready if the Solicitor-General decides not to take over the prosecution.
At about 12min30secs in this link to Midday Report
I don’t know anything about Michael Lloyd, but in many ways I would prefer to see a private barrister involved rather than the S-G to avoid any whitewashes (real or perceived).
This of course presupposes that Banks’ latest attempt to get the case dropped does not succeed – ie his seeking a High Court judicial review of the District Court judge’s decision.
Morning Report also had a short discussion on this with Graeme Edgeler suggesting that the High Court review* was unlikely to affect the DC committal for trial or the timescale of the DC trial. He considered the two processes would run in parallel.
Yes Banks might think money can buy Him a Legal Eagle with which to stymie Graham McCready’s prosecution, He has a problem tho when the professionals become involved…
One of the top guys at Treasury (not sure which one) is going to be interviewed by Brian Crump on Nights at National Radio tonight (Wed) re criticism from a Sydney professor and Brian Roper of Dunedin University -it should be very interesting, especially (as Roper pointed out on Monday) Treasury has a huge amount of political power.
Treasury has requested this right of reply according to Crump last night. Am expecting the usual crappola to go largely unchallenged as Crump is not usually a combative or particularly knowledgeable presenter on political matters as he has shown when up against Israeli spin doctors for example.
It sure does. It managed to push out engineering, technical and scientific expertise from the public service in only a few short years.
Expertise we should be thanking in the light of a report last week that found that old school timber framed school buildings (the ones that the education boards and the old Education Department designed) didnt need much earthquake strengthening because they were rather resilient.
govt changed the deed of understanding regarding nz post, 3 day delivery & which will mean the loss of half the posties, 5000 plus? in 2015, but there’s talk it could be moved forward, so if you thought mail was slow now wait til 3 day delivery (3 day delivery is where a street will be delivered to every 2 days, so posties will still be working 6 days, it just means they only need half the workforce).
Are you sure it’s been agreed? I thought it was a proposal yet to be signed off (and that Post are actually happy to settle on 4 day delivery, incl Thurs and Fri when the advertising materials for weekend sales are usually delivered).
In my considered opinion, both Mayor Len Brown and Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse, have done a great job for those who REALLY run the Auckland region – the unelected Committee for Auckland and the NZ Property Council.
So – why would the Committee for Auckland and the NZ Property Council want Len Brown replaced as Mayor?
That’s why, in my considered opinion, any ‘inquiry’ organised by Auckland Council CEO Doug McKay, (a member of the Committee for Auckland) which he has delegated to Ernst and Young (a member company of the Committee for Auckland), which potentially involves Sky City (whose CEO, Nigel Morrison, is a member of the Committee for Auckland), has significant ‘conflicts of interest’.
(Don’t take my word for it – check for yourselves ….. )
In my considered opinion, ANY inquiry into Mayor Len Brown, should arguably be conducted by the ‘lead’ agency in NZ, supposedly fighting corruption – the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
Whether Len Brown paid for his alleged use of a Sky City hotel room for his illicit sexual relationship is, in my opinion, not the point.
What concerns me is Len Brown’s support at Auckland Council Governing Body level for Sky City on 27 June 2013:
Was Len Brown effectively ‘beholden’ to Sky City, some of whom must have known about his use of their premises for his illicit sexual affair?
‘Perceives’ to be so to me.
NZ needs an Independent Commission Against Corruption, and enforceable ‘Codes of Conduct’ for both local and central government elected representatives.
No idea about the in’s and out’ of this call for Clare Curran to be stood down (ie, are the motivations genuine or just political). But having come across it, thought it might be of interest to one or two people hereabouts. And maybe somebody more up to speed on such machinations could offer some informed context?
Exactery. Often takes a while for certain ‘masters of the Universe’ to get used to the phenomenon though (aye?) !
I reckon those in the Neshnool Party you’re thinking of are on the turn about now. I can think of one in particular
Oh, by the way Morrisyey (btw) …. I Hope like hell you’re not listening to the Panel atm (at the mo’) – ‘cos that regular guy JUM just wants to cover you with ‘wrap-around’ services and National Party-type leeeeerve..
It’s just SOOOO much goodness I can hardly cope. I need another lay down!
Btw (By the way) … is that deep-voiced authorative sounding femme shoving her thrupence worth against-or alongside Le Bernard – well who da fuck is she basically? A Cormandel MuthaEarth maybe?
I guess they’ve got mortgahes to pay
Buggeration – stitch one Perl one C++ one ASM one, bug fix to the left, another to the right.
My submissions don’t seem to fit with what was intended.
Better that though than a ‘risk manager’ providing advice on how such submissions might meet up with the comments for which the reply was intended. (A cast of thousands has already attempted to reinvent the wheel, and they’re still fuckin at it – while Rome burns)
Been watching a bit of CBC’s Power and Politics (I know, I should get out more). It looks like the shit has really hit the fan for Stephen Harper (Key’s bestie in Canada) as the Senate expense scandal goes nuclear.
“There’s got to be some protection here and presently there’s just nothing. And that I think provides for a conundrum, not just in our democracy, but in all.”
– Ok so Len wants “protection” (I’ll ignore the comedic elements) and I’m interested in the lefts perspective on this because I think this a very bad idea and heres why:
Len wants the media to look the other way while he does whatever it is he wants to do and I think thats the wrong attitude to have, if the media ackshully got of its collective but and did their jobs and reported politicians failings then maybe politicians (both sides of the house) might act more like we expect them to act as well as the idea of any govt controlling the media being a really bad idea
Also what does this mean for political blogs because I know theres a few (probably more) who’d like to see whaleoil censured (if not outright banned) but what would happen if the right wing politicians decided that the Standard needed to be censured…
So I think its a slippery slope Lens on and it should be a cause for worry for everyone
Also, I’d like to see some polling that indicates people really do want a UK style tabloid press to develop here. No doubt some do, but how many?
Also some polling on what ‘our expectations’ are around politician’s private lives, and whether that only applies to politicians and not private sector executives, journalists, police, doctors, teachers, etc, and so on, and so forth.
Well ok reporting on him having an affair is no big deal but him knobbing someone in work time in council offices is a big deal because someone doing the same thing but in a lesser role is likely to get the sack
Again him doing someone is not a big issue but him giving his bit on the side a reference for a job in a council affiliated role is a big deal
Doing someone in a motel is not an issue but doing someone in skycity when you’ve voted for them could be construed a certain way especially if the cost is a bit less…
I just don’t think theres middle ground here, its either all on or all hidden and I’d rather see its all on as it might then make politicians act a bit better
The evening news is on. This calculating ruthless man planned the murder of his woman friend. He hid in her ceiling and cut her throat when she was in bed. Her 15 year old son found his mother like that. He got seven years I think.
Then someone from South Africa was out on bail and killed the mother of his child. She was trying to keep him away from it. This may be one of the tragedies stirred up by WINZ insisting on uncovering every penis involved in making a baby. Sometimes it would be better fro a mother not to have any thing to do with somebody she has found is just a low-life. But you get help docked if you don’t give them information because they want their pound of flesh before they will help you maintain your pound of flesh. They want to place responsibility on the shoulders of someone who resents that burden. And these repercussions can result.
I think they said that his wife helped him to get away. He got away on a false passport. We went to a lot of trouble and expense to get him back and try him. I think that the victim’s family might have been given the option of them not doing that but of having a large sum put in a trust fund instead. The warrant to remain open in case he ever came back. Family might prefer that.
Someone’s barrister read out someone’s heartfelt sorrow blah blah . A relation said …
Somebody cried. It’s sick making. I don’t want to hear how many tears and snot was shed by the victim, the perpetrator, the witnesses. I don’t want this sorry affair paraded for ghoulish people to emote about. I do want to see good support for victims and better attitudes encouraged in both men and women and women given psychological help so they can avoid being drawn to such utter shits.
And no public victims reports. Read them out to the perpetrator or play a CD of it over to them.
If it was me I wouldn’t like to look at the slime.
Attended a brief workshop this morning unveiling the “Thriving Communities Action Plan” from Auckland Council. It was adopted by the outgoing council and the final document will be released before the end of the year.
There seems to be some good intent in terms of empowering communities, including providing local procurement opportunities, community ownership of assets, networking of social entrepreneurs etc.
What’s up with Nationals latest act of asset theft, also known as the part sale of an SOE, did it by any chance FLOP,
If Slippery was looking at a triumphant number of Ma and Pa investors willing to pay top dollar for what they already own you would think that Him and Ryall would be fronting the announcement on the 6 oclock news,
Ryall was last seen scarpering across the Parliaments forecourt as if being chased by a bailiff and someone is supposedly announcing the ‘sale’ details at 7.30 tonight…
I wish I wasn’t because that means I am being lied to and bullshitted by Amy Adams.
If anything, urban folk, especially the elderly, would rely on the post more – for formal matters and for the social contact as many of them communicate by post. They are also far less self-sufficient than rural people and need services such as these.
If Farmers didn’t get a daily delivery their letterbox would be overflowing from the cheques to bank and the high end brochures advertising audi’s boats etc etc
I did hear somewhere on the news today that NZ Post received a “robust” reaction from the rural community. I’m not sure how it’s going to work re the extra cost as urban folks can pay for a “premium service” and get their mail delivered more than 3 days per week. I guess the rate stays the same for the rural folks if their delivery remains as per usual. Kicks in mid 2015.
Not sure why their reliance on postal service differs from everybody else. Has it got something to do with poor broadband connections, therefore they may not receive comms and bills etc on time?
Speaking of ruralites, did ya see the one about the buttermilk dumping in where was it, central north Island, on Campbell Live last night? Apparently its a common practice in spring when those poor darling industrial cows are producing extra milk. What to do? Farmer logic says dump it and leave it to rot. More waste. More environmental damage. More disrespect to animals (she’s already had her baby taken from her and is mourning – they do, they’re very maternal, and now her milk is dumped too)) More couldn’t care less, she’ll be right.
“robust reaction”. I could just imagine that too – poor precious farmers. They are very important you know / sarc.
I don’t like to have a go at this sector of our country so often but ffs they pull shit all the time which bears no relation to reality and all relation to their preciousness, puffed up chests and empty logic.
The farmer should be bottling and selling it. According to all the older folks I know, buttermilk was a very popular childhood drink of choice. And kids would break their backs doing chore after chore so they would get that sweet nectar.
More Mark Blyth – a google talk. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQuHSQXxsjM
Mark Blyth: Austerity – The History of a Dangerous Idea
He’s so interesting you forget this is really serious. And he manages to tell us unbelievably terrible stuff and you’re fascinated. He finds some useful stuff that countries could do, what Brazil has done for instance. There is some hope out there. What a speaker.
And he mentions that he was brought up by his grandmother. Fairly poor and now he is an Ivy League professor at a huge salary. And what fuelled this trip of social mobility. The welfare state! And he repeats all the negative things that the neolibs say about it.
So there is a fountain of information, and it keeps coming. Very good.
This one caught my eye – I don’t know anything about the substance.
At Occupy Boston Mark Blyth Asks: ‘Should the Poor Insure the Rich … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTRjMkv92Z8
“I don’t know how John Key and Bill English can look the taxpayers of New Zealand in the face. They have they sold half of a valuable long term asset for $1.2 billion less than they told the public they would sell it for in 2011. And just 62,000 retail investors, including institutions, bought shares.
“John Key and Bill English threw everything they could at making this sale a success, even offering a Suzanne Paul-style buy now – pay later scheme. Despite offering everything but a free set of steak knives just 62,000 people wanted to buy in.
“The number of investors in Meridian is half that of Mighty River, which was half that of Contact Energy when the National Government sold it in 1999. At this rate of success they will be paying people to buy Genesis Energy shares.
Only 62,000 retail shareholders have bought shares in Meridian Energy. That compares to 113,000 who bought shares in Mighty River Power and an expected take-up of 250,000 buyers per sale when the asset sales were being planned. 62,000 equates to just 1.4% of the New Zealand population.
Buyers will reap the benefit of paying only $1 per share up front and the remaining 50 cents in 18 months’ time – the total cost to the Crown of these interest free loans will be $50 million. Overseas investors bought 28% of the shares sold (13.5% of the company), meaning the New Zealand taxpayer is paying $14 million to incentivise foreign institutions to buy our electricity company.
“The Meridian flop confirms that National’s asset sales are a failure and a huge waste money,” said Dr Norman.
“Only 1% of Kiwis bought shares in Meridian. The other 99% of us have lost the profits from a strategic asset and can now look forward to higher power prices.
“The Meridian sale cost around $90 million. We know the ‘buy now, pay later’ scheme alone will set taxpayers back $50 million while the fees for brokers, lawyers, and ad-men will add around $40 million to the bill. That’s on top of the $173 million that National’s asset sales have already cost the taxpayer.
“Mr Key has just cost the New Zealand taxpayer $14 million to subsidise overseas buyers as they swoop in to take a chunk of Meridian and its profits.
You’re correct mathematically. Lanthanide apparently has problems with comprehension. He/she/it apparently missed the “100% of” in “owned by 100% of New Zealanders via government ownership”
hmmm, perhaps….. 100% of New Zealanders used to own 100% of Meridian. Now 100% of New Zealanders own only 50% and of those New Zealanders 1.4% of them own 86%.
I think ….. my brain is bruised … time for zzzzzzzzzzzz
What we should be doing is putting Manapouri into a seperate SOE, and putting half the profits into the conservation estate and the other half into a fund for Southland when the smelter closes.
In “honor” of a stolen game, a vacuous tribute Campbell Live sinks to a new low
TV3, Wednesday 23 October 2013
Campbell Live has been for a long time now a beacon of serious and thoughtful journalism in this country. But not tonight—because it’s PARTY TIME! Remember, it’s October 23, the second anniversary of New Zealand’s hugely controversial Rugby World Cup final “victory” over a clearly superior France.
The truth is, however, that far from a stirring one-point win for the All Blacks, as it is usually portrayed by the likes of John Campbell, for anybody who cares about rugby football that match will be forever tainted by the memory of South African referee Craig Joubert‘s failure, or refusal, to penalize the All Blacks as they engaged in a systematic strategy of flagrant cheating in the second half.
But two years is obviously too soon for the clearly still awe-struck John Campbell. It would not be seemly to raise questions about the referee’s performance (or lack of performance) in that game. It would be disloyal. And lined up for later in the program was Sir Graham Henry himself. It just wouldn’t be nice to cast more doubt on the validity of that victory.
So instead of taking a look at Joubert’s behavior, Campbell announced that the program would not be looking at the match itself, only at the celebrations that followed.
The program had three parts to it: 1.) a visit to the Birkenhead “man cave” of one Johnny Townsend, who has been anointed by Campbell (or his producers) as the country’s number one All Black fan; 2.) an interview with “Sir” Graham Henry; 3.) to cap the good vibe, a performance of “Poi E” by the legendary Patea Maori Club.
But first it was off to Johnny Townsend’s place, and an excruciatingly drawn out, toe-curlingly mortifying tour of the man-cave, full of Johnny Townsend’s embarrassed and awkward friends and family….
JOHN CAMPBELL: Why do you love the All Blacks so much? JOHNNY TOWNSEND: I always have. I love the game, and I’m a Kiwi. And my wife’s father was an All Black.
…..[Now THAT was an interesting bit of information. Campbell, however, didn’t follow up. Johnny revealed later that his wife’s dad was the North Auckland legend Nau “Big Horse” Cherrington, who played in the first test against the Lions in 1950.]….
CAMPBELL: Who’s that bugger over there? JOHNNY TOWNSEND: That’s my brother in law. CAMPBELL: He looks like a good bugger!
…..[Some awkward laughter, then further silence]…..
CAMPBELL: Coming up after the break: some whimsical memories of the match with Sir Graham Henry!
……..ADVERTISING…….
CAMPBELL: Welcome back to this special commemoration of the All Blacks’ World Cup victory! Let’s go back to that night—not the game so much, but the celebrations after.
…..[Film of deliriously happy, noisy fans. Then we’re in a pleasant garden. It’s a sunny day. Campbell is standing with a relaxed “Sir” Graham Henry.]…..
CAMPBELL: The All Blacks were euphoric! World champions again after twenty-four years! SIR GRAHAM HENRY: It was marvelous! They had been the best team in the world for a long time, but they couldn’t win it. But then Richie and the boys did the job! *
…..[Cut to John Campbell interviewing Ali Williams straight after the final. The noise is cacophonous.]……
ALI WILLIAMS:[shouting] Boys just wanted it more!
[He hugs Campbell, who laughs in delight. Ironically, in the right foreground the non-referee skulks away from the camera.]
CAMPBELL: There are two things I remember—the noise, and then how for twenty minutes in the second half it just went deathly silent. SIR GRAHAM HENRY: I think they’ve kept on growing which is hugely important, and they’ve ticked that box beautifully! CAMPBELL: Champions. Truly champions! SIR GRAHAM HENRY: A huge feather in the cap for Richie and the boys.
[Back to Campbell in the Birkenhead man cave. He speaks to camera, like he’s some kind of philosopher…]
CAMPBELL: It is only a sport. Tonight we can truly say we are the world champions. I know it’s only just a game but what a game it’s been! What a game it’s been!
The program ends with a recording of the 2011 Auckland performance at the tournament by the Patea Maori Club.
* That line (“Richie and the boys did the job”) is nearly word for word the same as Sir Colin Meads’s dodgy deer-velvet ad.
…………………………………………………………………………….
Learn way more about the fraud underlying the GFC, and also about governments spending money into existence (instead of borrowing it) at the following podcast:
one insight: The Democrats and Republicans are engineering multiple debt ceiling crises as a way to put Social Security on the table and in a bipartisan move, knife it.
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Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st CenturyThe SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims StuffSteve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
David Farrar writes – We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how labour went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promiseThe result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
“I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
.“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
“It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet – is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
Bob Edlin writes – And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
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 HeraldThomas CoughlanSimeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
TL;DR:Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
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 ...
The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
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 ...
See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading → ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
Buzz from the BeehiveThe 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 ...
For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
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 ...
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 ...
Questions need to be asked on both sides of the worldPeter 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
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, ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track 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 publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
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 publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
The New Zealand public voted for a change in direction at the 2023 general election and that is exactly what this coalition government has been delivering in its first 100 days. There was an immediate focus on the economy, easing the cost of living, cracking down on law and order ...
The Government has left the health system as an afterthought, announcing half-baked targets at the last minute of their 100-day plan, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
Kiwis are still waiting for their promised cost of living support after 100 days of a National Government that is taking us backwards, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
100 days of National taking NZ backwardsThe National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
The Government must commit to funding free and healthy school lunches, as thousands of people sign the petition to keep them, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti says. ...
If the Government was serious about moving families into public housing, they would build more houses so there is actually somewhere for people to go. ...
The free and healthy school lunches programme feeds our kids, helps them to learn, and saves families money – but it is at risk under this Government, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
The Government’s proposed changes to Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPO) add almost nothing new and are merely an attempt to distract from its plans to loosen gun laws, police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and justice spokesperson Dr Duncan Webb said. ...
The great Victorian era English politician Lord Macauley stood in the British House of Parliament and said, "The gallery in which the reporters sit has become a fourth estate of the realm".He understood and outlined even way back then, the significant role and influence media have in a democracy. ...
"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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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, ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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,” ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
Pacific Media Watch Earthwise hosts Lois and Martin Griffiths. Earthwise presenters Lois and Martin Griffiths on Plains FM 96.9 community radio talk to Dr David Robie, a New Zealand author, independent journalist and media educator with a passion for the Asia-Pacific region. David talks about the struggle to raise awareness ...
Pacific Media Watch Ismail al-Ghoul, an Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent who was held for 12 hours at Gaza’s al-Shifa hospital, says Israeli forces rounded up Palestinian journalists at the facility and made them kneel on the ground for hours, while naked and blindfolded. “The occupation forces handcuffed and blindfolded us ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute chinasong, Shutterstock Electricity customers in four Australian states can breathe a sigh of relief. After two years in a row of 20% price increases, power prices have finally stabilised. In many places they’re ...
Chumbawamba have reportedly issued the deputy PM a cease-and-desist notice after he used their song 'Tubthumping' before his state of the nation speech. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deborah Lupton, SHARP Professor, Vitalities Lab, Centre for Social Research in Health and Social Policy Centre, and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, UNSW Sydney kitzcorner/Shutterstock The assertion from Queensland’s chief health officer John Gerrard that ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Shutterstock Why are musicians so keen to get played on the radio? It can’t be because of the money. In Australia they are paid at rates so low they ...
"Farmers make a point not to tell our urban cousins how to live, yet Chlöe from central Auckland is hell-bent on having her say about farmers," says ACT Rural Communities spokesman Mark Cameron. “On her first day in the House as Green ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards – Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Curran, Associate Professor of Ecology, Lincoln University, New Zealand Getty Images/Gerald Corsi In the latest move to reform environmental laws in New Zealand, the coalition government has introduced a bill to fast-track consenting processes for projects deemed to ...
Uber has argued it does not have as much control over drivers as the unions suggest, and wants a judgment ruling that drivers are employees and not contractors set aside and sent back to the Employment Court. The 2022 ruling followed a three-week hearing in which four drivers sought to ...
What can and can’t be purchased by disabled people or their carers has been slashed in an effort by the Ministry of Disabled People Whaikaha to save money. The purchasing guidelines, a set of rules that sets out what can be purchased using the various streams of Government disability funding, ...
The Treasury has published today a new Analytical Note by Tod Wright and Hien Nguyen, Fiscal incidence in New Zealand: The effects of taxes and benefits on household incomes in tax year 2018/19 . Analyses of the distributional impact of taxation and government ...
The Treasury has published today a new Analytical Note by Cory Davis, Boston Hart and Benjamin Stubbing, Household cost-of-living impacts from the Emissions Trading Scheme and using transfers to mitigate regressive outcomes . This Analytical Note ...
A coalition of public transport and climate organisations, united as ‘Transport for All’, is actively opposing the government’s transport proposals. The draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) includes plans for higher fares for public transport, ...
Greater Wellington is inviting feedback on proposed changes to its Revenue and Financing Policy. The Revenue and Financing Policy covers the Council’s various sources of funding, and how the cost of services is shared across the region. This includes ...
Labour has conceded it could have done more to deal with disruptive state housing tenants while in government but says the current coalition is going too far. ...
The band has asked their record label to issue a cease and desist to stop the NZ First leader using their 1997 hit to support his ‘misguided political views’. “I get knocked down, but I get up again,” blared through the speakers on Sunday as Winston Peters took the stage ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Food rationing is underway in remote areas in Papua New Guinea’s Highlands following torrential rain and flash flooding. More than 20 people have been reported dead in Chimbu Province. In nearby Enga Province, the centre of last month’s massacre, a 15-year-old boy has been ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Hughes, Lecturer, Research School of Management, Australian National University After months of debate and intrigue, the AFL’s 19th and newest team, the Tasmania Devils, finally launched its jumper, logo and colours in Devonport this week. The Devils will wear green, ...
Brannavan Gnanalingam reviews the debut novel by Saraid de Silva.One of the most baffling things for children who move to a new country is what their parents’ (or grandparents’) lives were like prior to moving – for kids in particular, they’re too busy trying to fit in in their ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Gaunson, Associate Professor in Cinema Studies, RMIT University Narelle Portanier/Binge “If you don’t know who your mob are, you don’t know who you are,” Detective Andrea “Andie” Whitford (played by Leah Purcell) is told early into the new crime ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elise Klein, Associate professor, Australian National University It’s commonly accepted that women do the vast majority of caregiving in Australian society. But less appreciated is that Indigenous women do larger amounts of unpaid care than any other group. Working with the Aboriginal ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Joe Biden and Donald Trump have both secured their parties’ nominations for the November 5 United States general election by winning a ...
Comment: There has been a striking contrast in trans-Tasman interest about Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s visit to New Zealand and Australia. While the Australian press has been full of articles about the visit – including his curious decision to meet with former prime minister and China booster Paul Keating ...
After years of pressuring banks and other institutions to stop investing in fossil fuels, climate campaigners are making some progress. So how does divestment work?For years, climate activists have been pushing banks and other big institutions to divest from fossil fuels. New research from climate advocacy group 350 Aotearoa ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. The three young Polynesians are part of a K-pop fan community in Tāmaki Makaurau. It’s one of many that have sprung up worldwide as K-pop has gone ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. This one-off documentary presents three intimate portraits of young Polynesians who are pulled into a Korean cultural phenomenon. K-POLYS is directed by Litia Tuiburelevu, Produced by Hex ...
There’s ample evidence demonstrating free school lunch programmes provide wide benefits across schools, households and communities according to public health researchers. ACT Minister David Seymour wants to reduce the spending on Aotearoa New Zealand’s ...
By Wata Shaw in Suva Fiji is facing an exodus of Fijians as many are leaving for overseas seeking employment and education and others are migrating, says Opposition MP Viliame Naupoto. Speaking in Parliament, he said: “His Excellency’s speech (Ratu Wiliame Katonivere) comes after a little over one year of ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming comments from Christopher Luxon this morning recommitting to ‘no new taxes’ as part of Budget 2024. “Mr Luxon’s refusal at the Post-Cabinet press conference yesterday to repeat the ‘no new taxes’ promise ...
SAFE is urgently calling on the Environment Committee to reject the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill, and is urging New Zealanders to rally behind the call. The proposed Bill, currently under consideration with the Environment select committee, ...
Teammates who spend all their time picking fights with spectators are only helpful for the other team, writes Madeleine Chapman. Anyone who has ever played a team sport competitively, particularly as a child and particularly, for some reason, basketball, will know that there’s a lot of politics involved. While there ...
The long-running Wellington music festival is too focused on the Jim Beam-ness and not enough on the Homegrown-ness.There is something about Homegrown that’s difficult to place. A barely perceptible-ness. Like feeling a ghost is watching you from the corner of the room but when you look, there’s nothing there. ...
The latest Ipsos New Zealand Issues Monitor reveals that fewer New Zealanders believe crime / law and order is one of the top issues facing our country. In 2018, Ipsos New Zealand started tracking the key issues facing New Zealand. In this wave ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Griffiths, Deputy Program Director, Budgets and Government, Grattan Institute Australia’s political donations rules are woefully inadequate, but donations reform is finally on the agenda. The federal government has signalled its interest in reform and will soon begin briefing MPs on its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Patrick Taylor, Chief Environmental Scientist, EPA Victoria; Honorary Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University Naiyana Somchitkaeo/Shutterstock A recent study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine has linked microplastics with risk to human health. The study ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Albert Van Dijk, Professor, Water and Landscape Dynamics, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Global climate records were shattered in 2023, from air and sea temperatures to sea-level rise and sea-ice extent. Scores of countries recorded their hottest year ...
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a teacher explains why he and his partner are in frugal mode – and how they’re making it work. Gender: Male Age: 35Ethnicity: Pākehā Role: I am an intermediate school teacher and my partner is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Bendall, Senior Lecturer, Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, Australian Catholic University Binge Mary & George, the new British television drama series, depicts the real-life story of Mary Villiers and her son George, and their social climbing at the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jason Nassios, Associate Professor, Centre of Policy Studies, Victoria University This article is part of The Conversation’s series examining the housing crisis. Read the other articles in the series here. Australian state and federal governments spend money in many ways to ...
The finance minister is denying that there’s a $5.6b shortfall in paying for the government’s campaign promises, including tax cuts. At his post-cabinet press conference yesterday, the PM refused to rule out new taxes to pay for the cuts, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s ...
Kāinga Ora tenants abused by their neighbours are doubting the government's crackdown on disruptive tenants will make a difference on their behaviour. ...
Kāinga Ora is New Zealand’s biggest residential landlord, housing more than 180,000 vulnerable people in more than 67,000 properties. Yesterday the government announced a crackdown on its tenants who fall behind on rent. One longtime Kāinga Ora tenant shares her experience.For 18 years I lived in a 1960s standalone ...
Why does this myth persist, and what’s the real reason our skin is suffering?It’s one of the biggest international grievances New Zealanders hold, up there with the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior and 1981’s underarm incident. We’re quick to tell international travellers that the world’s pollution led to the ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 19 March appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Bob’s relationship with certain members of Lincoln’s academic staff continued to deteriorate in the 1990s. Others supported him publicly, though articles such as Roland Clark’s 1993 piece in Growing Today cannot have pleased the university management. Clark wrote that Bob was selling onions from the Biological Husbandry Unit to a ...
SailGP’s races feature in-your-face action, with agile, hydro-foiling catamarans tacking and jibing for the title over several days. However, public comments ahead of the global series’ return to New Zealand have left this past year’s controversy in the shadows, as a key appointment attracts criticism from dolphin advocates. A year ...
Opinion: We are fast approaching a fundamental change in prisons. As the number of people on custodial remand looks set to overtake the number of sentenced prisoners, the main function of prisons in New Zealand may become incarcerating un-sentenced people who may not be guilty of offending. We have already ...
A huge seven months lies in store for the White Ferns, beginning this week with the visit of England and culminating with the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in September and October. Starting on Tuesday in Dunedin, the world ranked No. 2 visitors will play five T20s and three ODIs, ...
Opinion: In a move that has shocked road safety advocates across the country, the new Minister of Transport, Simeon Brown, is poised to abandon the previous government’s speed limit reduction policy, particularly around schools. Even more alarmingly, he wants school speed limits to be variable rather than full-time, arguing ...
Auckland Council is opposing a fast-track development backed by Sir John Kirwan and Spark NZ, because it doesn’t meet stringent new climate adaptation requirements The post Surf-data centre faces new 3.8C climate warming rules appeared first on Newsroom. ...
When the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act was introduced in 2009 it was firmly targeted at gangs and drugs. The legislation means police no longer need a conviction to seize assets that criminals can’t prove were paid for legitimately, as long as their alleged offences are punishable by more than a ...
The letters, which were published last week, were addressed to Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Chairperson Megawati Sukarnoputri, National Democrat Party (NasDem) Chairperson Surya Paloh, National Awakening Party (PKB) Chairperson Muhaimin Iskandar, Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS) President Ahmad Syaikhu and United Development Party (PPP) Chairperson Muhammad Mardiono. In ...
Evicting more people from state housing is ignorant to the consequences of poverty, the Greens say, but the Housing Minister says it's a privilege that can be taken away if abused. ...
Evicting more people from state housing is ignorant to the consequences of poverty, the Greens say, but the Housing Minister says it's a privilege that can be taken away if abused. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emerald L King, Lecturer in Humanities, University of Tasmania IMDB Between Netflix’s 2023 live-action version of One Piece, and its latest take on Avatar: The Last Airbender, fans are once again asking: why are live-action anime adaptations so tricky to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emerald L King, Lecturer in Humanities, University of Tasmania IMDB Between Netflix’s 2023 live-action version of One Piece, and its latest take on Avatar: The Last Airbender, fans are once again asking: why are live-action anime adaptations so tricky to ...
The government says it still intends to deliver tax cuts by July, but will not lock them in until they have got them past their coalition partners. ...
John Key’s New Zealand…
“Benefits cut for 13,000 parents in new regime”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11144397
“Mother with newborn told to get a full-time job”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11144400
More John Key’s New Zealand
Child abuse rising…
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9314332/Child-abuse-is-rising-in-NZ
National Party – “Building a stronger NZ for families”
13,000 parents. And as usual, the figures only tell half a story. Put it this way, you have to be pulling a long bow if you think that there are 13,000 decent landlords out there who are going to be understanding as to why their tenants are going to fall behind on rents…
Most benefits cut in the Northland and Waikato region. Unemployed expected to concoct jobs out of thin air.
I hope 2014 will be the death of you, National.
Dirty filthy Paula Bennett’s demise will certainly be ‘nice to have’ but it is going to be a long wait for the children being tortured week in week out by this ‘starve ’em out’ tory government.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9315726/Brown-campaign-tipped-off-by-National-MP
– This is getting even better! More revelations the more interesting it becomes
Im over hearing about this now. Whether Brown can keep it in his pants (A friend told me that all she was thinking is that why would any woman want to sleep with him — a reference to his looks), is not really any of our business.
I agree, it’s not. However, he should just shut the fuck up but he keeps whingeing in the media how his privacy has been invaded and seeking some sort of protection from prying eyes but guess what Len, that’s what comes with having a public job. Ultimately, it’s his own fault although no one should lose their job just for cheating on their partner.
That’s looking bad for National – they’ve said they knew nothing about the affair.
Have to agree with you, Chris. The more that comes out, the worse it looks for National. From your link, it appears even more likely that the threatening texts came from the Palino/Slater camp. And, if its true that Brown was tipped off by a Nat MP (there are some decent ones, I suppose), then that confirms the philosophical split in Tory ranks.
I hope this one runs and runs!
Dunnokeyo, true to form, is not asking MPs (including himself, I guess) who knew about it.
Some of interestingly phrased sentences in the Tracy Watkins piece
Strange how Key knows whats going on around the traps with Labour and SkyCity, but not with National and dirty politics.
NZ Herald, Bernard Orsman says Penny Webster (former ACT MP and Brown supporting councillor for Rodney) will neither confirm nor deny she is the Nat MP that tipped off Brown.
I think the article says that Penny Webster was the Councillor whom the Nat MP passed the tip to and she then may or may not have passed the info on to Brown’s team. She’s not a National Party MP.
There are people with a conscience in every organization—including the National Party. Someone will eventually blow the whistle on the wrong-doers, often at great personal cost when their identity is disclosed.
Exactery. Often takes a while for certain ‘masters of the Universe’ to get used to the phenomenon though (aye?) !
I reckon those in the Neshnool Party you’re thinking of are on the turn about now. I can think of one in particular
Hah
Wonder who it was???……
None of them have any scruples…….
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9315726/Brown-campaign-tipped-off-by-National-MP
And here’s a bit more – useful background info from way back
http://www.frontpage.co.nz/news/muldoons-ghost-haunts-whaleoil/
funny tv alert..!
http://whoar.co.nz/2013/ed-media-heads-upalert/
“..ed:..need a laff..?
..peter wiliams is co-hosting the tvone breakfast show..
..and williams is the benchmark for awkward/clumsy host-smalltalk/links..
..watchers get to excruciate along with him..
..and his old-man-raving-on-talkback opinions – are also a bit of a hoot..(all punctuated by his rictus-grin..)..”
(williams is on fire today..i am doing regular updates..)
phillip ure..
Good article and the Oil Spill Map modelling is excellent.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/9314285/Oil-spill-projections-paint-big-black-stain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLiwk9rK-3E
This is a good way to get the information out there – short, sharp messages that tell the story and that can be easily shared via social media.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11144470
right thanks for that – at least (sarcasm) we know where labour stands on this.
Whats up with the masthead? Only just noticed…
thestandard.org.nz/cam-slater-politely-being-called-a-lying-arsehole/
That’s lprent for ya!
LIARS OF OUR TIME
No. 31: John Palino
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
“Suggestions now that I, an entrepreneur, TV personality and political novice, am somehow orchestrating some grand right-wing conspiracy to unseat Len after the election are so wrong and so absurd they do not stand up to even the remotest test of common sense.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
—-Failed Auckland mayoral candidate JOHN PALINO, 20 October 2013
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9304635/John-Palino-I-was-never-part-of-any-plot
More liars of our time….
No. 30 Alan Dershowitz: “I will give $10,000 to the PLO if you can find a historical fact in my book that you can prove to be false.”
No. 29 John Banks: “I have nothing to hide and nothing to fear. And never, ever would I ever knowingly sign a false electoral return. Never ever would I ever.”
No. 28 John Kerry: “…we are especially sensitive, Chuck and I, to never again asking any member of Congress to take a vote on faulty intelligence.”
No. 27 Lyse Doucet: “I am there for those without a voice.”
No. 26 Sam Wallace: “So here we are—Otahuhu. It’s just a great place to be, really.”
No. 25 Margaret Thatcher: “…no British government involvement of any kind…with Khmer Rouge…”
No. 24 John Key: “…at the end of the day I, like most New Zealanders, value the role of the fourth estate…”
No. 23 Jay Carney: “…expel Mr Snowden back to the U.S. to face justice…”
No. 22 Mike Bush: “Bruce Hutton had integrity beyond reproach.”
No. 21 Tim Groser: “I think the relationship is genuinely in outstanding form.”
No. 20 John Key: “But if the question is do we use the United States or one of our other partners to circumvent New Zealand law then the answer is categorically no.”
No. 19 Matthew Hooton: “It is ridiculous to say that unions deliver higher wages! They DON’T!”
No. 18 Ant Strachan: “The All Blacks won the RWC 2011 because of outstanding defence!”
No. 17 Stephen Franks: “Peter has been such a level-headed, safe pair of hands.”
No. 16 Phil Kafcaloudes: “Tony Abbott…hasn’t made any mistakes over the past eighteen months.”
No. 15 Donald Rumsfeld: “I did not lie… Colin Powell did not lie.”
No. 14 Colin Powell: “a post-9/11 nexus between Iraq and terrorist organizations…connections are now emerging…”
No. 13 Barack Obama: “Simply put, these strikes have saved lives.”
No. 12 U.K. Ministry of Defence: “Protecting the Afghan civilian population is one of ISAF and the UK’s top priorities.”
No. 11 Brendan O’Connor: “Australia’s approach to refugees is compassionate and generous.”
No. 10 Boris Johnson: “Londoners have… the best police in the world to look after us and keep us safe.”
No. 9 NewstalkZB PR dept: “News you NEED! Fast, fair, accurate!”
No. 8 Simon Bridges: “I don’t mean to duck the question….”
No. 7 Nigel Morrison: “Quite frankly, they’ve been VERY tough.”
No. 6 Herald PR dept: “Congratulations—you’re reading New Zealand’s best newspaper.”
No. 5 Rawdon Christie: “…a FORMIDABLE replacement, it seems, is Claudette Hauiti.”
No. 4 Willie and J.T.: “The X-Factor. Nah, nah, there’s some GREAT talent there!”
No. 3 John Key: “Yeah we hold MPs to a higher standard.”
No. 2 Colin Craig: “Oh, I have a GREAT sense of humour.”
No. 1 Barack Obama: “Margaret Thatcher was one of the great champions of freedom and liberty.”
Forget the drone strikes: here’s something positive
All hail the gallant U.S. president
To quote Charlie Brooker, Barack Obama often makes women melt—usually after he’s dropped a bomb on them.
Here, for a change, he’s actually doing something useful….
http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2013/oct/22/barack-obama-speech-catch-fainting-pregnant-woman-video
That’s actually horrifying. WTF didn’t everyone behind him get her help before he did. They could see that she was in trouble.
This is a country where a 12 year old boy just shot his maths teacher, shot and seriously wounded at least two young class mates, then killed himself with the gun.
From the outside, it’s not looking like it’s going well.
BTW one of the USA’s largest hedge funds has just stopped investing in rental houses, and started investing in trailer parks for the poor. The reason: at that level of poverty people don’t go anywhere, property maintenance costs are next to zero and the income streams are extremely steady and predictable.
that Hollywood trailer is trash.
Just watched question 3 from yesterday’s QT. Good work from Cunliffe to the PM. You are starting to get the sense that there is a noticeable shift in tone in the House these days. More and more I love seeing the worried, slightly bewildered look on Louise Upston’s (she’s the Nat’s Senior Whip) face as she sits behind the PM.
You are on to it ScottGN, there’s a lot to be ‘read’ from those who sit in the rows behind the front Benches in the Parliament,
Interesting also from yesterdays sitting in the House, was that Mana’s Hone Harawira seen sitting in the front row of Labour’s Bench’s,
An interesting message could be inferred from that…
Upston always does that “look”. I think she imagines that it makes her look like she’s following what’s said, but I’m not fooled.
bad12, that’s Hone’s allocated seat. It’s at the end of the Labour seats. http://www.parliament.nz/resource/0001905349
Diligent head-nodders like Louise Upston and her bench companion Tim McIndoe are an essential part of National Party strategy. Don’t knock those who only sit and nod. At least when they’re sitting and nodding they are not speaking…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ELpSI6Gido
The pair of them remind me of those nodding dogs you used to see on the parcel shelf.
Upston always looks as if she’s worried that something might be going on that is too sophisticated for her intellectual equipment to understand. I suspect she’s right.
Ha! That’s it exactly.
Help required… I cannot open QoT’s Fuck off Jones post.
When I open it the page is blank, I’ve tried opening the article in the Feeds menu the same thing happens.
There is much discovery about brain functioning. Scans show parts of the brain will light up when one is thinking of a particular thing in a particular way. I think they can show whether someone can think around a problem, assess pros and cons and possible outcomes.
If so perhaps citizens could demand a brain scan profile on politicians for certain areas that would show development in problem solving and judgment. We can then ensure that those we get into the House are capable of rational thinking and decision making and we are getting what we pay for.
There is much mendacious talk from pollies about being good servants of the taxpayers’ money. Taxpayers should start throwing their weight around to ensure their servants are doing a good job for good value. At present when taxpayers’ money is mentioned, there’s a feeling of a naughty schoolboy creating a feel-good alibi at school before commiting some foul play.
That’s playing the teacher for a fool. Our politicians do the same with taxpayers.
who heard john banks whining on telly last night that the people of NZ dont like him anymore.
I wonder why they dont like him?
Who would know, captain hook? Perhaps we all have selective memories like Banks.
But good news(hopefully) for Graham McCready on RNZ National Midday report.
An Auckland barrister and former Crown Prosecutor, Michael Lloyd, has offered to provide his services for free to McCready if the Solicitor-General decides not to take over the prosecution.
At about 12min30secs in this link to Midday Report
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/middayreport/audio/2573797/midday-news-for-23-october-2013
I don’t know anything about Michael Lloyd, but in many ways I would prefer to see a private barrister involved rather than the S-G to avoid any whitewashes (real or perceived).
This of course presupposes that Banks’ latest attempt to get the case dropped does not succeed – ie his seeking a High Court judicial review of the District Court judge’s decision.
Morning Report also had a short discussion on this with Graeme Edgeler suggesting that the High Court review* was unlikely to affect the DC committal for trial or the timescale of the DC trial. He considered the two processes would run in parallel.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2573770/banks-says-he's-filing-for-judicial-review-to-speed-up-process
* This presupposes that the High Court does in fact agree to a judicial review.
Yes Banks might think money can buy Him a Legal Eagle with which to stymie Graham McCready’s prosecution, He has a problem tho when the professionals become involved…
* This presupposes that the High Court does in fact agree to a judicial review.
The High Court doesn’t have to agree. If Banks files an application for judicial review there will be a judicial review.
One of the top guys at Treasury (not sure which one) is going to be interviewed by Brian Crump on Nights at National Radio tonight (Wed) re criticism from a Sydney professor and Brian Roper of Dunedin University -it should be very interesting, especially (as Roper pointed out on Monday) Treasury has a huge amount of political power.
Treasury has requested this right of reply according to Crump last night. Am expecting the usual crappola to go largely unchallenged as Crump is not usually a combative or particularly knowledgeable presenter on political matters as he has shown when up against Israeli spin doctors for example.
I suspect Crump is a God botherer after a recent comment he made, someone correct me please.
and?
It sure does. It managed to push out engineering, technical and scientific expertise from the public service in only a few short years.
Expertise we should be thanking in the light of a report last week that found that old school timber framed school buildings (the ones that the education boards and the old Education Department designed) didnt need much earthquake strengthening because they were rather resilient.
govt changed the deed of understanding regarding nz post, 3 day delivery & which will mean the loss of half the posties, 5000 plus? in 2015, but there’s talk it could be moved forward, so if you thought mail was slow now wait til 3 day delivery (3 day delivery is where a street will be delivered to every 2 days, so posties will still be working 6 days, it just means they only need half the workforce).
Are you sure it’s been agreed? I thought it was a proposal yet to be signed off (and that Post are actually happy to settle on 4 day delivery, incl Thurs and Fri when the advertising materials for weekend sales are usually delivered).
sorry, should have put a link. http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/9317284/NZ-Post-may-reduce-delivery-in-2015 big meeting tomorrow for us posties.
& of course it hasnt been decided yet, but the deed has been changed, so there will be changes.
Cheers, Idlegus. Good luck tomorrow!
Big Love to Posties.
3 days a week for urban, but the farmers/rural get to keep 6 day delivery…
Post might not be sexy, but you cannot beat it for reliability, and its the best way for official correspondence.
I hate to think how many people will miss important deadlines because NZ Post didnt deliver their bills /important documents in a timely manner.
In my considered opinion, both Mayor Len Brown and Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse, have done a great job for those who REALLY run the Auckland region – the unelected Committee for Auckland and the NZ Property Council.
So – why would the Committee for Auckland and the NZ Property Council want Len Brown replaced as Mayor?
That’s why, in my considered opinion, any ‘inquiry’ organised by Auckland Council CEO Doug McKay, (a member of the Committee for Auckland) which he has delegated to Ernst and Young (a member company of the Committee for Auckland), which potentially involves Sky City (whose CEO, Nigel Morrison, is a member of the Committee for Auckland), has significant ‘conflicts of interest’.
(Don’t take my word for it – check for yourselves ….. )
http://www.committeeforauckland.co.nz/membership/member-organisations
In my considered opinion, ANY inquiry into Mayor Len Brown, should arguably be conducted by the ‘lead’ agency in NZ, supposedly fighting corruption – the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
Whether Len Brown paid for his alleged use of a Sky City hotel room for his illicit sexual relationship is, in my opinion, not the point.
What concerns me is Len Brown’s support at Auckland Council Governing Body level for Sky City on 27 June 2013:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10893526
The minutes:
SkyCity.http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/SiteCollectionDocuments/aboutcouncil/governingbody/governingbodymin20130627.pdf
Was Len Brown effectively ‘beholden’ to Sky City, some of whom must have known about his use of their premises for his illicit sexual affair?
‘Perceives’ to be so to me.
NZ needs an Independent Commission Against Corruption, and enforceable ‘Codes of Conduct’ for both local and central government elected representatives.
Penny Bright
2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate
http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz (ACTION PLAN)
No idea about the in’s and out’ of this call for Clare Curran to be stood down (ie, are the motivations genuine or just political). But having come across it, thought it might be of interest to one or two people hereabouts. And maybe somebody more up to speed on such machinations could offer some informed context?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503438&objectid=11144140
Seems MP Mark Mitchell was the one who tipped off Brown re his affair was gonna be exposed
Never heard of this MP before…
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9315726/Brown-rumours-rife-within-National-camp
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/canterbury/9315917/Nitrate-warning-freaking-out-Cantabrians
Typical Federated Farmers leadership…
You want your water storage schemes, cockies?
Well guess what, you will have them, but they will be owned the NZ Goverment. And they will have strict rules on when and how they can be used.
Exactery. Often takes a while for certain ‘masters of the Universe’ to get used to the phenomenon though (aye?) !
I reckon those in the Neshnool Party you’re thinking of are on the turn about now. I can think of one in particular
Oh, by the way Morrisyey (btw) …. I Hope like hell you’re not listening to the Panel atm (at the mo’) – ‘cos that regular guy JUM just wants to cover you with ‘wrap-around’ services and National Party-type leeeeerve..
It’s just SOOOO much goodness I can hardly cope. I need another lay down!
Btw (By the way) … is that deep-voiced authorative sounding femme shoving her thrupence worth against-or alongside Le Bernard – well who da fuck is she basically? A Cormandel MuthaEarth maybe?
I guess they’ve got mortgahes to pay
Buggeration – stitch one Perl one C++ one ASM one, bug fix to the left, another to the right.
My submissions don’t seem to fit with what was intended.
Better that though than a ‘risk manager’ providing advice on how such submissions might meet up with the comments for which the reply was intended. (A cast of thousands has already attempted to reinvent the wheel, and they’re still fuckin at it – while Rome burns)
Oh, by the way Morrisyey (btw) …. I Hope like hell you’re not listening to the Panel atm (at the mo’) –
Yes, Tim, I was listening. I did not think much of it. I’ll put up my impressions—-or is it a transcript?—some time tomorrow.
Been watching a bit of CBC’s Power and Politics (I know, I should get out more). It looks like the shit has really hit the fan for Stephen Harper (Key’s bestie in Canada) as the Senate expense scandal goes nuclear.
Wonder IF any other Councils will follow suite:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9317894/No-free-lunch-for-councillors
Nah
“There’s got to be some protection here and presently there’s just nothing. And that I think provides for a conundrum, not just in our democracy, but in all.”
– Ok so Len wants “protection” (I’ll ignore the comedic elements) and I’m interested in the lefts perspective on this because I think this a very bad idea and heres why:
Len wants the media to look the other way while he does whatever it is he wants to do and I think thats the wrong attitude to have, if the media ackshully got of its collective but and did their jobs and reported politicians failings then maybe politicians (both sides of the house) might act more like we expect them to act as well as the idea of any govt controlling the media being a really bad idea
Also what does this mean for political blogs because I know theres a few (probably more) who’d like to see whaleoil censured (if not outright banned) but what would happen if the right wing politicians decided that the Standard needed to be censured…
So I think its a slippery slope Lens on and it should be a cause for worry for everyone
I’d have to hear what he actually means though.
Also, I’d like to see some polling that indicates people really do want a UK style tabloid press to develop here. No doubt some do, but how many?
Also some polling on what ‘our expectations’ are around politician’s private lives, and whether that only applies to politicians and not private sector executives, journalists, police, doctors, teachers, etc, and so on, and so forth.
Well ok reporting on him having an affair is no big deal but him knobbing someone in work time in council offices is a big deal because someone doing the same thing but in a lesser role is likely to get the sack
Again him doing someone is not a big issue but him giving his bit on the side a reference for a job in a council affiliated role is a big deal
Doing someone in a motel is not an issue but doing someone in skycity when you’ve voted for them could be construed a certain way especially if the cost is a bit less…
I just don’t think theres middle ground here, its either all on or all hidden and I’d rather see its all on as it might then make politicians act a bit better
knobbing someone in work time in council offices is a big deal”
lolwut? You mean if it were shown that Brown only got his end away after 5.30 pm Monday to Friday and after midday Saturday you’d be fine with it?
“Work time” doesn’t really apply to senior politicians. They’re always working.
Also I don’t believe you.
FO
Foreign office?
further
swears?
reluctantly
You’re not one for a cussin’
it’s in me 🙂
“but what would happen if the right wing politicians decided that the Standard needed to be censured”
Yeah, because it’s his blogging that’s got Cameron in the shit. 🙄
The evening news is on. This calculating ruthless man planned the murder of his woman friend. He hid in her ceiling and cut her throat when she was in bed. Her 15 year old son found his mother like that. He got seven years I think.
Then someone from South Africa was out on bail and killed the mother of his child. She was trying to keep him away from it. This may be one of the tragedies stirred up by WINZ insisting on uncovering every penis involved in making a baby. Sometimes it would be better fro a mother not to have any thing to do with somebody she has found is just a low-life. But you get help docked if you don’t give them information because they want their pound of flesh before they will help you maintain your pound of flesh. They want to place responsibility on the shoulders of someone who resents that burden. And these repercussions can result.
I think they said that his wife helped him to get away. He got away on a false passport. We went to a lot of trouble and expense to get him back and try him. I think that the victim’s family might have been given the option of them not doing that but of having a large sum put in a trust fund instead. The warrant to remain open in case he ever came back. Family might prefer that.
Someone’s barrister read out someone’s heartfelt sorrow blah blah . A relation said …
Somebody cried. It’s sick making. I don’t want to hear how many tears and snot was shed by the victim, the perpetrator, the witnesses. I don’t want this sorry affair paraded for ghoulish people to emote about. I do want to see good support for victims and better attitudes encouraged in both men and women and women given psychological help so they can avoid being drawn to such utter shits.
And no public victims reports. Read them out to the perpetrator or play a CD of it over to them.
If it was me I wouldn’t like to look at the slime.
17 years warbly:
http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/2573839
Attended a brief workshop this morning unveiling the “Thriving Communities Action Plan” from Auckland Council. It was adopted by the outgoing council and the final document will be released before the end of the year.
There seems to be some good intent in terms of empowering communities, including providing local procurement opportunities, community ownership of assets, networking of social entrepreneurs etc.
Pleasantly surprised.
What’s up with Nationals latest act of asset theft, also known as the part sale of an SOE, did it by any chance FLOP,
If Slippery was looking at a triumphant number of Ma and Pa investors willing to pay top dollar for what they already own you would think that Him and Ryall would be fronting the announcement on the 6 oclock news,
Ryall was last seen scarpering across the Parliaments forecourt as if being chased by a bailiff and someone is supposedly announcing the ‘sale’ details at 7.30 tonight…
How come rural folk rely more on the post than urban folk? How come rural will still get 5 days delivery and urban 3?
Don’t make no sense whatsoever – just another silly assumption with not an ounce of reason behind it. None.
fed farmers lobbied amy adams heavily, is my guess.
Sure of course. But nobody has given a reason why they think they are more reliant on 5 day service than urban folk.
Because there isn’t a reason.
Is there?
you are correct.
I wish I wasn’t because that means I am being lied to and bullshitted by Amy Adams.
If anything, urban folk, especially the elderly, would rely on the post more – for formal matters and for the social contact as many of them communicate by post. They are also far less self-sufficient than rural people and need services such as these.
More stinking shit from this government.
Exactly, as I said above, I hate to think how many deadlines are going to be missed by people, thanks to these new rules.
If Farmers didn’t get a daily delivery their letterbox would be overflowing from the cheques to bank and the high end brochures advertising audi’s boats etc etc
I did hear somewhere on the news today that NZ Post received a “robust” reaction from the rural community. I’m not sure how it’s going to work re the extra cost as urban folks can pay for a “premium service” and get their mail delivered more than 3 days per week. I guess the rate stays the same for the rural folks if their delivery remains as per usual. Kicks in mid 2015.
Not sure why their reliance on postal service differs from everybody else. Has it got something to do with poor broadband connections, therefore they may not receive comms and bills etc on time?
Speaking of ruralites, did ya see the one about the buttermilk dumping in where was it, central north Island, on Campbell Live last night? Apparently its a common practice in spring when those poor darling industrial cows are producing extra milk. What to do? Farmer logic says dump it and leave it to rot. More waste. More environmental damage. More disrespect to animals (she’s already had her baby taken from her and is mourning – they do, they’re very maternal, and now her milk is dumped too)) More couldn’t care less, she’ll be right.
Imagine the stench…..
“robust reaction”. I could just imagine that too – poor precious farmers. They are very important you know / sarc.
I don’t like to have a go at this sector of our country so often but ffs they pull shit all the time which bears no relation to reality and all relation to their preciousness, puffed up chests and empty logic.
You got to admit though, it works for them.
The farmer should be bottling and selling it. According to all the older folks I know, buttermilk was a very popular childhood drink of choice. And kids would break their backs doing chore after chore so they would get that sweet nectar.
Xox vto
Rural tends to vote Nashonool.
All you wanted to know about austerity and were afraid to ask, at breakneck speed. This is dazzling stuff.
Go to google – mark blyth you tube
and
http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ltSSkq0AAAAJ&hl=en
I see he’s published with Nassim Taleb before. Very nice.
More Mark Blyth – a google talk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQuHSQXxsjM
Mark Blyth: Austerity – The History of a Dangerous Idea
He’s so interesting you forget this is really serious. And he manages to tell us unbelievably terrible stuff and you’re fascinated. He finds some useful stuff that countries could do, what Brazil has done for instance. There is some hope out there. What a speaker.
And he mentions that he was brought up by his grandmother. Fairly poor and now he is an Ivy League professor at a huge salary. And what fuelled this trip of social mobility. The welfare state! And he repeats all the negative things that the neolibs say about it.
So there is a fountain of information, and it keeps coming. Very good.
This one caught my eye – I don’t know anything about the substance.
At Occupy Boston Mark Blyth Asks: ‘Should the Poor Insure the Rich …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTRjMkv92Z8
Live twitter reax to the pretty floppy Meridian float:
https://twitter.com/search?q=meridian&src=typd
$1.50 per share, bottom end of the range.
1.6B raised.
62k ‘Mum and dad’ investors (compared to 110k for MRP)
Cosgrove’s statement here:
http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/meridian-sale-failure-cosgrove/5/171716?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Greens here:
http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/meridian-another-failure-national%E2%80%99s-asset-sales-greens/5/171717?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Fucking great isn’t it.
Meridian goes from being owned by 100% of New Zealanders via government ownership…
… to only 51.4% now.
dumb
cheats
liars
?
Including the government’s stake, Meridian will be 86.5% owned by NZers.
Oh yes, silly maths brain fell outa my head…
You’re correct mathematically. Lanthanide apparently has problems with comprehension. He/she/it apparently missed the “100% of” in “owned by 100% of New Zealanders via government ownership”
hmmm, perhaps….. 100% of New Zealanders used to own 100% of Meridian. Now 100% of New Zealanders own only 50% and of those New Zealanders 1.4% of them own 86%.
I think ….. my brain is bruised … time for zzzzzzzzzzzz
the alpha, and the omega
sigh
What we should be doing is putting Manapouri into a seperate SOE, and putting half the profits into the conservation estate and the other half into a fund for Southland when the smelter closes.
In “honor” of a stolen game, a vacuous tribute
Campbell Live sinks to a new low
TV3, Wednesday 23 October 2013
Campbell Live has been for a long time now a beacon of serious and thoughtful journalism in this country. But not tonight—because it’s PARTY TIME! Remember, it’s October 23, the second anniversary of New Zealand’s hugely controversial Rugby World Cup final “victory” over a clearly superior France.
The truth is, however, that far from a stirring one-point win for the All Blacks, as it is usually portrayed by the likes of John Campbell, for anybody who cares about rugby football that match will be forever tainted by the memory of South African referee Craig Joubert‘s failure, or refusal, to penalize the All Blacks as they engaged in a systematic strategy of flagrant cheating in the second half.
But two years is obviously too soon for the clearly still awe-struck John Campbell. It would not be seemly to raise questions about the referee’s performance (or lack of performance) in that game. It would be disloyal. And lined up for later in the program was Sir Graham Henry himself. It just wouldn’t be nice to cast more doubt on the validity of that victory.
So instead of taking a look at Joubert’s behavior, Campbell announced that the program would not be looking at the match itself, only at the celebrations that followed.
The program had three parts to it: 1.) a visit to the Birkenhead “man cave” of one Johnny Townsend, who has been anointed by Campbell (or his producers) as the country’s number one All Black fan; 2.) an interview with “Sir” Graham Henry; 3.) to cap the good vibe, a performance of “Poi E” by the legendary Patea Maori Club.
But first it was off to Johnny Townsend’s place, and an excruciatingly drawn out, toe-curlingly mortifying tour of the man-cave, full of Johnny Townsend’s embarrassed and awkward friends and family….
JOHN CAMPBELL: Why do you love the All Blacks so much?
JOHNNY TOWNSEND: I always have. I love the game, and I’m a Kiwi. And my wife’s father was an All Black.
…..[Now THAT was an interesting bit of information. Campbell, however, didn’t follow up. Johnny revealed later that his wife’s dad was the North Auckland legend Nau “Big Horse” Cherrington, who played in the first test against the Lions in 1950.]….
CAMPBELL: Who’s that bugger over there?
JOHNNY TOWNSEND: That’s my brother in law.
CAMPBELL: He looks like a good bugger!
…..[Some awkward laughter, then further silence]…..
CAMPBELL: Coming up after the break: some whimsical memories of the match with Sir Graham Henry!
……..ADVERTISING…….
CAMPBELL: Welcome back to this special commemoration of the All Blacks’ World Cup victory! Let’s go back to that night—not the game so much, but the celebrations after.
…..[Film of deliriously happy, noisy fans. Then we’re in a pleasant garden. It’s a sunny day. Campbell is standing with a relaxed “Sir” Graham Henry.]…..
CAMPBELL: The All Blacks were euphoric! World champions again after twenty-four years!
SIR GRAHAM HENRY: It was marvelous! They had been the best team in the world for a long time, but they couldn’t win it. But then Richie and the boys did the job! *
…..[Cut to John Campbell interviewing Ali Williams straight after the final. The noise is cacophonous.]……
ALI WILLIAMS: [shouting] Boys just wanted it more!
[He hugs Campbell, who laughs in delight. Ironically, in the right foreground the non-referee skulks away from the camera.]
CAMPBELL: There are two things I remember—the noise, and then how for twenty minutes in the second half it just went deathly silent.
SIR GRAHAM HENRY: I think they’ve kept on growing which is hugely important, and they’ve ticked that box beautifully!
CAMPBELL: Champions. Truly champions!
SIR GRAHAM HENRY: A huge feather in the cap for Richie and the boys.
[Back to Campbell in the Birkenhead man cave. He speaks to camera, like he’s some kind of philosopher…]
CAMPBELL: It is only a sport. Tonight we can truly say we are the world champions. I know it’s only just a game but what a game it’s been! What a game it’s been!
The program ends with a recording of the 2011 Auckland performance at the tournament by the Patea Maori Club.
* That line (“Richie and the boys did the job”) is nearly word for word the same as Sir Colin Meads’s dodgy deer-velvet ad.
…………………………………………………………………………….
Judge for yourself whether it was the All Blacks who won that game, or a certain South African who refused to blow his whistle….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7C6bTHyC0U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMPYRxYBba4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p1YkXbWZg0
deeper sigh
That’s one response, I guess. I would have expected something more thoughtful from your good self, however.
nothin’ personal, gist that it’s late In The Evening . Be well under observation my friend. 😀
(now, that’s fine workmanship).
Good night, sweet prince.
as you know, I dislike the behaviour of bullying immensely
Personal Most Memorable Cinematic Moment
-Oskar introduces mercy to Amon (who later goes on to shoot the boy anyway).
Second Most Memorable Cinematic Moment
-Goeth’s miss-firing side-arm
Third…
“we are not going to take orders from these people”- Amon Goeth.
…carry on
What? Did we win a world cup or something 2 years ago? Sorry, I forgot all about it. Had better things to worry about.
What? Did we win a world cup or something 2 years ago?
No we didn’t win it. Not really. Not fair and square. We wouldn’t have won it if there had been an impartial referee on the field.
It was not for reasons of time constraint that Campbell announced he would not be talking about the actual match that night…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7C6bTHyC0U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMPYRxYBba4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p1YkXbWZg0
Learn way more about the fraud underlying the GFC, and also about governments spending money into existence (instead of borrowing it) at the following podcast:
http://stephaniekelton.com/2013/10/21/bill-black-and-randy-wray/
one insight: The Democrats and Republicans are engineering multiple debt ceiling crises as a way to put Social Security on the table and in a bipartisan move, knife it.
More Mud -rakin’ to be done.