The US is probably the worst place for that sort of thing.
Not sure if it is leaks from the inside or just a freedom of information thing, but anyone gets arrested for a semi-high profile crime their names, pictures, mental health info’, military info’, pictures of evidence seems to be splashed on the front pages within about 12 hours.
A virulent disease is infecting the brains of our less fortunate citizens:
Spare a thought for these folks who will have a miserable Christmas.
As anyone will know who has stumbled onto a right wing site recently, the virulent brain disease known as “Jacinda Derangement Syndrome” continues to rage amongst National’s hapless supporters.
Here’s a random, and entirely representative, sample from our friends on Kiwiblog yesterday….
Tall Man: You don’t have to have a big tag on your forehead proclaiming yourself to be an idiot…look at ardern the liar, thick as pig shit but she looks almost normal. Thumb up 32 Thumb down 0 9:52AM
Chris2: I’m waiting for Ardern to announce through teary eyes that travelers passing through Gatwick Airport ought to be safe and that she is sorry they did not feel safe. Thumb up 42 Thumb down 9:03AM
burt: She is more likely to ask why they didn’t all get their own individual airforce 757. Thumb up 26 Thumb down 1 9:15AM
Tall Man: …. ardern is a liar
Thumb up 26 Thumb down 2 10:05AM
Prince: Amongst the annual political reviews there are two shiboleths that leave me as bewildered as a New Zealand First voter
1) Ardern has been an international star.
How ? When ? Every leader going to a UN talkfest is taken on a round of late night talk shows, for the benefit of their country’s media. Exactly how and where has Ardern achieved anything on the international stage ? Reading a speech to an empty UN auditorium ? Visiting Nauru and finding no one else there ? Sitting next to Mrs Pence ? Seems to me Ardern and Peters have achieved the remarkable feat of pissing off both the US and China.
Thumb up 87 Thumb down 0 8:08AM
Monique Watson: JA’s frightened. Not necessarily a SLG though that was a timely sledge. I’ve been watching her Question Time responses. Mark my words. Another nail in the coffin of the COL.
Thumb up 59 Thumb down 1 8:20AM
mandk: From an opposition point of view, I think it is a waste of time asking Ardern anything at Question Time. She is quite adept at turning questions into opportunities to grandstand, and she is allowed to get away with not answering the questions put to her. Far better to attack the CoL where it is weakest, and that probably includes most of the Front Bench.
Thumb up 51 Thumb down 0 8:32AM
sooty: Yep. There is too many dumb one’s to worry about Comrade JacinDUH! Leave her there without questions except patsys from her idiots. She can’t just not turn up as much as she wants too.
Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0 12:38PM
Piniwi: Hard as it is to listen to the SLG she often tells more than intended or lets a gem slip out. Or by the selected defense being held on hard to often like a life-support loosing it’s buoyancy. like the “text came AFTER the decision.”
Of bigger concern is acknowledgement of how out of the loop she is when she confesses to only learning about so many in the media. We can only speculate that so much time is wasted creating all her excuses, defending dud decisions and creating word walls leaving little time to do what she should be doing. Another first for the SLG being the first PM to follow rather than lead her Government only keeping up through the Media party.
Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0 1:55PM
Biscuit: Indeed, Prince, if you read the leftist rabble that ‘write’ for the ‘Horrid’, you’d almost believe that Ardern is going to be unanimously proclaimed Trougher in Chief at the Non-United Nations.
Thumb up 47 Thumb down 0 8:24AM
DigNap15: Ha! John Roughan says in todays Herald that most of Ardern’s speeches are forgettable and that she does not really say much worth of note. Is the worm starting to turn?
Thumb up 73 Thumb down 2 8:19AM
KevOB: Speeches? She’s barely liderate. The rest of the COL with rare exceptions r even vurse.
Thumb up 50 Thumb down 1 8:26AM
Biscuit: One can but hope, DigNap! If even a wrong clock can be ‘right’ twice a day, there’s a chance that a ‘newspaper’ like the Horrid might get things ‘right’ once in a while, too!
Thumb up 21 Thumb down 1 8:27AM
Justitia: Ardern is vacuous.
Thumb up 41 Thumb down 0 8:35AM
calendar girl: Yes, she is certainly vacuous in what she projects, as well as being the least intelligent NZ Prime Minister whom I have seen in action during my lifetime.
She also has her “vicious’ streak”, as she showed towards the end of 2018’s final Question Time when she targeted her deliberate personal insult at the Leader of the Opposition:
“…. it’s simple, Simon!”
When, and how, is the Opposition going to repay Ardern in spades for that well-rehearsed personal slight against the National Leader? Bridges – unlike herself – actually has a trained and well-proven intellect that operates (and has operated professionally) at a level to which hers could never aspire.
Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1 3:06PM
IF you read THIS BLOG and look at the coments made about Key when he was you will see as bad – if not worse.
So whats your point?
and for the record – I think the worse I have call Jacinda is C**dy – which I stopped post people getting all upset about it as they interrepted it to be mysgonistic.
I wonder whats the worse you said about Key, English or Bridges is – perhaps you have your own virulent brain disease combined with a wee bit of ‘holier than tho’ and forgetfulness.
Nonsense. Key was rightly attacked for his lying, his repeated harassment of that young woman in an Auckland cafe, and for allowing his parliamentary office to be used as the base for Whaleoil’s scurrilous, illegal campaign of character assassination. You’d know all that, of course, if you had bothered to read Nicky Hager’s Dirty Politics.
The National Party’s attacks against Jacinda Ardern, in stark contrast, are rarely anything other than the crudest misogyny and personal ridicule. I left out from that random selection the lengthy thread where a whole lot of these National stooges slung off at her as a “horse” and a “bag of bones.”
The attacks against Clarke Gayford were pathetic enough, but now they are starting to target baby Neve as well.
I guess it’s something we’ll just have to adjust to for the next eight years, at least.
My goodness.
Key Derangement Syndrome is still very strong in Morrissey.
He really should be getting over it by now.
Key left the job of PM 2 years ago.
It is not a National Party campaign. It is the toxic commenters that all too frequently inhabit Kiwiblog.
As I noted the other day David’s posts are pretty much always reasonable. He often gives Jacinda credits for various things she has done. But some of the commenters are extreme. If a particular thread gets besieged by them, it is best to stay away. Sometimes the misogyny is just awful.
The Standard has similar problem. There are a group of commenters who are frequently quite/very abusive. They think National (John Key in particular) are complicit in all sorts of heinous crimes, and are motivated by the basest of motives. And most of it had nothing to do with the waitress. Just about everything John Key did would trigger the abuse. Hence the term “Key derangement syndrome”.
1. In the early days, long before he became PM, I saw first hand on the net sufficient evidence to strongly suggest he had fudged timelines on his CV to cover up some less than lily-white dealings.
All this was many years back and I made links at the time, although they’ve long gone.
2. If you have worked for a large global corporate you will have encountered his type, the senior management surfer who rides from one role to another, making himself look good with short-term actions, but when you look deeper they achieve little of long-term value; and often a trail of damage behind them that doesn’t show up until they’ve moved on.
They’re the big-swinging alpha male in the room, all charm and sociability, but we used to call them ‘suited sharks’, you could never trust them to do anything but serve their own appetites.
I think I made those points and then shut up; events have largely proven me right on the second point at least. But on the whole I agree with you, becoming obsessed with a personality is unseemly at best, and usually counterproductive.
Yep. Some of those comments made by those he used to work with (such as half the time they could barely understand him – the Smiling Assassin Era), are a now a bit hard to find, or his tough solo-mum upbringing – as if I ever wanted to waste my time trying to do so.
When we think of Paula Bennett being the ladder puller upper, Paula really has nothing on Johnny Wideboy
If I dug deeply into my computer files and bookmarks and was so inclined, I could probably still find most of those old links. I am an archivist by nature as well as a pedant … LOL.
Moderating is a significant problem for any blog. I suspect that DF places a very high value on freedom of expression and finds the whole idea of moderating very unappealing.
The cost is that he has to put up with some commenters indulging in their worst natures. And he certainly doesn’t have that problem on his own.
You have essentially stated his policy. Much more light handed than The Standard. Virtually no-one gets banned, unless they are an extreme racist. I know DPF well enough to know he does not share the views of the contributors. His views are in the articles.
He also has the problem of volume. Sometimes his General Debate has 500 comments. Kiwiblog (going by the number of comments) is at least twice as well read as any other blog.
I was “banned for life” 3 times by DPF. Ousted from Keeping Stock as well. Homepaddock too. And now, Pete George’s place 🙂
It’s strange; I’m a polite and reasonable sort of guy.
I want arguments attacked, not people. As an example it will be unacceptable to call someone a moron, but it will be acceptable to say their argument is moronic. That may seem a fine distinction, but an important one. However don’t try and push the distinction to breaking point. If you say that someone’s argument has the integrity of a syphilitic pygmy (for example), then that would find you with a warning or strike.
There is greater latitude when it comes to public figures such as MPs. They can and should be criticised, but not to a degree when it is just nasty abuse.
Virtually no-one gets banned, unless they are an extreme racist.
If you don’t think the constant stream of brutal, demeaning and disgusting attacks against Māori, Aboriginal Australians, African-Americans, Arabs, Somalis, Palestinians, “Pakis”, and many other groups is not “extreme racist” then you must move in some horribly insalubrious circles.
Oh that’s right—you were in cabinet with John Banks and John “Hone” Carter, weren’t you! Compared to them, even the vilest ranter on Kiwiblog is Albert Schweitzer.
I’ve never visited the site @ Wayne, but would many of those 500 comments be visits and revisits by MSM journalists and opinionistas preparing for their weekend spots on Television current affairs programmes or weekdays with a Mora.
HE, (the Farrar) is the voice of reason for that ‘moderate’ center right.
The guy is truly exceptional, you’d have to agree, despite the overwhelming impediments he’s had to overcom. And the most reliable of statistics – in terms of visits to his site, verify that (going forward).
I’ve been researching various penguin species though, and I can’t seem to identify him. He doesn’t fit your Emperor, your Yellow Eyed (though he comes close), or Northern Rockhopper, or most of the other ‘types’).
I wonder if he might not be some sort of exceptional freak derivative of the Royal (Holier Than Thou) species. Or has he fooled us all and is in fact a wolf dressed up in a penguin’s clothing.
I wonder @ Wayne….could you pontificate a little, and provide us all with an opinion as to what makes this little penguin such a reasonable, affable and well-liked little fella
Yes James we did say stuff about key, but most often on this blog people back up what they say with some sort of evidence. Morrissey quotes from kiwi blog appear to be the ignorant putting down someone in power with no actual eg of why they think that way. It could not be used as evidence in court.
Many on here myself included called John k a prick and worse, but it would be in response to say him pulling a waitresses pony tail or denying their was a housing crisis.
Or not even justify himself Millay. Key would just lie. Remember how he said about the waitress “yeah I gave her a couple of bottles of wine and she said yeah all good”. Or words to that effect.
I hope those people are not my neighbours. Possibly their spitefulness spills over (or from?) to the National MPs who are known for their spitefullness like P Bennett, Collins, Bridges, that gardening woman, and more.
Possibly. Do you have any neighbours that sit around all day listening to talk radio, and never read anything more challenging than a Big Mac wrapper?
Possibly their spitefulness spills over (or from?) to the National MPs who are known for their spitefullness like P Bennett, Collins, Bridges, that gardening woman, and more.
They take their lead from the National Party/talk radio complex.
I like to believe in the best of people but some are just cunts, take Moz for example…his long time paramour Longhair is outed and he discards him like yesterday’s paper.
I think those hate filled vile comments illustrate the important place kiwiblog has become. Without it I suspect some of those unhinged folk could be wandering the streets causing mayhem.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Standard admins, posters and commenters. I know I haven’t been posting as much as I should, but I always read what people have to say, some of it good, some not so good.
And Morrissey – I don’t know why you go on Kiwiblog. The comments there are as depressing as duck.
One final word. If you are at a family Xmas gathering and someone starts running Jacinda down, you need to defend her honour at all costs.
The sad gits are the ones who join in those witless disparaging comments. They’re a small minority, however, and in normal company usually have to keep their diseased thoughts to themselves.
There are going to be hordes of right wing Gammon and their dolled up wives at every Xmas gathering complaining about how Jacinda is going to raid their retirement nest egg and give it all to the ‘poor’. They need to be put in their place accordingly.
Generally a bad idea to turn a family Christmas event into a political bunfight. Stay away from it. Only in jest, and even then only if you know it will be safe to do so.
Well if there was a “Tall Man” (probably a 5 foot loser with short mans syndrome) in my family calling Jacinda Ardern “thick as pig shit” I certainly wouldn’t let it go unchallenged.
Me either – they’d get the message pretty sharpish. Stand up for your values millsy and don’t let wankers bully good people. Be strong and don’t cower in fear like some.
Why put your family first, Bob McKoskrie does that and I wouldn’t want to share his lack of values. Some family would be worth disowning. Personally if I’m related to any of the regular RWNJ who come here with the sole reason to cast shade on the government I would happily drop them from any family gatherings. Just because you’re related to someone doesn’t mean you have to like them.
2. Check with any women present first; they may have put a lot of effort in and have an opinion on the likely outcome of your political re-education efforts.
No, RBO, you don’t always agree with family, but if you love your partner you stand the rellies for their sake, and you keep constant and just agree to disagree. Change the subject to how much work has been done by family to get the party started.
Dancing is good, or choose where you sit or stand carefully with a view to harmony. Tell yourself to count blessings, quietly, jacinda being one of them.Do something kind or thoughtful. Be glad to be alive.Be grateful all the family are there.
For those facing a first Christmas without someone. Kia kaha, this will be the worst year. Be kind most of all to yourself. Think of those faced with sudden loss, and hug your children, partner or friends.
Life is short and should be shared. Happy holiday season to you all.
I’m getting a new hip in my Santa sack, I hope you are getting in something you need in yours. Cheers.
ROFL – certainly is hard work and needs an understanding of what a billion is!
Even using the US definition of a thousand million (1,000,000,000), her calculations are out by a couple of 00s; much more using the UK definition of a million millions (1,000,000,000,000)! Dream on ….
While I’ve long been aware that to some people a billion is 10^12, I’ve never actually come across anyone using billion that way, it’s always meant 10^9.
Yes, if there’s been the slightest possibility of that miscommunication I’ve checked; I’ve seen too many cockups in my engineering career from units and definitions misunderstandings.
I have rechecked and now realise that the UK definition I used, while technically the correct old UK definition, has largely been overtaken by use of the US definition – for example, according to the Oxford Living Dictionary
You don’t appear to know too many pure mathematicians.
Any Professor of PURE Mathematics would happily tell you that 1 was a first approximation for infinity.
Well they are not going to get it from the Dems! And the Mexicans sure as hell arn’t going to pay, and The Chump has so many investigations to defend, that he has to employ an army of lawyers, so he’s not gonna pay, and despite constant assurances from Huckabee-Sanders that they have all the money they need – (But not enuf to pay Govt employees over xmas) there is no money in the bank to “BUILD THE WALL!” 🙁
So the Trumpkins are going to fund a little https://fundly.com/build-the-trump-wall-foundation https://www.fundthewall.com/
If you’re going to do the authoritarian thug thing, you do it away from prying eyes.
/
“I am extremely alarmed by the announcement by the Nicaraguan Government that it has told two key human rights institutions set up by the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights (IACHR) to leave the country.
[…]
In addition, the Government has said it will no longer accept visits by the IACHR itself.
Coupled with the parallel clamp-down on independent media, including last weekend’s raids on media outlets, the net result is a country where civil society is in danger of being shut out altogether, and international organizations are also struggling to keep operating.
lurcher1948 said:
“Fellow poster beware when you go out on the turps,it happens….drive safely and keep posting,
Yesterday I went to a Christmas party. I had a few beers, followed by a few cocktails, followed by a few shots….
I still had the sense to know that I was over the limit. That’s when I decided to do what I have never done before: I took a cab home.
Sure enough, there was a police road block on the way home, and since it was a cab, they waved it past. I arrived home safely without incident. This was both a great relief and a surprise because I had never driven a cab before. I don’t even know where I got it from and, now that it is in my garage, I don’t know what to do with it.”
Yours being the last cab off the rank, Alwyn (for this political term anyway).
Have a merry Christmas, ol’ curmudgeon (he’s our curmudgeon and therefore, special 🙂
One Christmas eve in Melbourne, in a time long ago, magic elves spirited a tree onto the mainmast of a ship.
“Not me, not me” said all the elves, when plod arrived Christmas morning.
(The Myers sign on the big concrete pot, sort of giving the game away).
“Get it down” said plod.
“Not safe” said the elves. “The pot, and tree, are too big to move”.
Plod walked away, after his Christmas beer was drunk, Shaking his head
Two weeks later, in NZ, we bribed a mobile crane driver, with even more beer, of course, to get it down
I must have been one of the culprits, but to this day, I cannot remember how we got it up there. We certainly couldn’t, and wouldn’t, have done it sober.
In today’s more puritan times, we would have all been sacked, for not following the procedure, and not filling in the checklist!
Some of us will keep doing it over the Christmas to New Year period, Pucky, giving us the advantage over part-timers like you 🙂
Merry Christmas to you and may your embarrassing crush desert you before the 2019 year gets under way.
I expect a year of poetic output of epic proportions worthy of your paramour!
In an epic along the lines of the Táin or The Cattle Raid of Cooley. Queen Iudhaith Collaínns ní Cruisheer wants the services of a stud bull and decides to rent one from a neighbouring powerful magnate but the deal turns sour when it is found out by the owner, Sean Cí, that she would have stolen it anyway to “get it”. After a long row, in which Queen Iudhaith is banished to the benches at the back of the Great Hall, the trichotillomaniacal Cí abdicates and Liam Shasanna of Diptonnaigh captures the great bull.
War ensues, and the young hero, Pu Cuíllish óg Rogaínn, fights many battles singlehanded to win her favours. Amongst his adversaries whom he vanquishes is the queen of the Fairies, Paúllauch Ban Neitt, and the mercenary Machus M’Cheil who he kills with his legendary spear, Seamus Bolga.
A three day single handed combat with the chief, Simbhon Brighe, is complicated by the intervention of Pu Cuíllish’s charioteer, Seamus-Leoigh Rossaig, whose dealings with the underworld have given him special information that could cause Brighe’s doughty bodyguard to desert him.
However, Queen Iudhaith’s overseas alliances trump the charioteer Seamus-Leoigh and the saga ends with a new order restored thanks to the heroic exploits of Pu Cuíllish óg Rogaínn and the rightful accession by Queen Iudhaith Collaínns ní Cruisheer to the leadership of the aptly named Sinn Faíl.
Kia ora Newshub I do support MPI having more tools to help control our fisheries conservation and keep themselves safe while preforming there duties .
With kevin spacey some people have a view that’s not acceptable they don’t think we can figure out the motive behind ones actions like someone else in the Media.
Those are cool words our Queen said in her Christmas speech Ka pai.
I do agree that hogget meat is better than lamb to eat and we should market that fact about our sheep meat it would be better for the environment to export me higher value hogget meat.
Helping refugees is, cool Idea
CHOSE LOVE I would use that to help the poor people If we have a branch here in Aotearoa many thanks to the organisers of this brilliant Idea.
Our Coalition government has achieved a lot of good deeds so far Ka pai. Ka kite ano P.S On the Farm with our Tamariki and Mokopunas
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Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive:Transport Minister Simeon Brownannounced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloittereport for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’sOliver LewisScoop:Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announcedthe Board of Te Whatu Ora-Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Orderimage, ...
Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
Waiting In The Wings:For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSAannounced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
Te Rangi e tu nei (The sky above us) Te Papa e takoto nei (The land beneath us) Tatou katoa te hunga ora (To us all the living) Tena koutou katoa (Greetings) ...
A late change to charter school legislation will cheat educators out of fair pay and negotiating power proving charter schools are just a vehicle to make profit out of our education system. ...
In 2004 te iwi Māori rallied against the Crown’s attempt to confiscate our coastlines and moana with the Foreshore and Seabed Act. This led to the largest hīkoi of a generation and the birth of Te Pāti Māori. 20 years later, history is repeating itself. Today the government has announced ...
It has been five and a half years since the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care was established to investigate the abuse of children, young people, and vulnerable adults within state and faith-based institutions. Yesterday, the final report - Whanaketia through pain and trauma, from darkness to light ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to take action off the back of the International Court of Justice ruling on Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine. ...
On Friday the International Court of Justice reaffirmed what Palestinian’s have been telling us for decades: that the occupation and colonisation of Palestinian lands by Israel is illegal and must end immediately. They also called for reparations for Palestinian’s who have lived under Israeli occupation since it began in 1967. ...
Labour calls on the Government to act after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian Territories is illegal. ...
The 53.7 percent rise in benefit sanctions over the last year is more proof of this Government’s disdain for our communities most in need of support. ...
Aotearoa could be a country where every child grows up feeling safe, loved and with a sense of belonging in their whānau and community. But for some of our children, this is far from reality. Instead, they are trapped in a maze of intergenerational harm that they can’t escape on ...
Te Pāti Māori are calling for David Seymour to resign as Associate Health Minister in response to his call for Pharmac to ignore the Treaty of Waitangi. “This announcement is just another example of the government’s anti-Tiriti, anti-Māori agenda.” Said Co-leader and spokesperson for health, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. “Seymour thinks it ...
The soaring price of renting is driving the rise of inflation in this country - with latest figures from Stats NZ showing rents are up 4.8 per cent on average while annual inflation is at 3.3 per cent. ...
National’s Emissions Reduction Plan will take New Zealand further from the economy we need to ensure the next generation has a stable climate and secure livelihoods. ...
Following consultation with named parties and thorough consideration of privacy interests, the Green Party is in a position to release the Executive Summary of the final report from the independent investigation into Darleen Tana. ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon should be asking serious questions of his Minister for Resources Shane Jones now it’s been revealed he misled the public about a dinner with mining companies that he didn’t declare and said wasn’t pre-arranged. ...
Te Pāti Māori have submitted to the Justice Select Committee against the Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Bill. The bill will further entrench racism in our justice system and fails to focus on rehabilitation. “Reinstating Three Strikes will empower a systematically racist system and exacerbate the overrepresentation of Māori in ...
The Transport and Infrastructure Committee is set to make a determination on the Residential Tenancies Amendment (RTA) Bill in the coming weeks. “This legislation will give landlords the power to kick our whānau out onto the street for no reason” said Housing spokesperson, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “Their solution to the housing ...
“National’s campaign was about tackling crime and the best they can do is a two-year long Ministerial Advisory Group,” Labour justice spokesperson Duncan Webb said. ...
“There are more examples of charter schools failing their students than there are success stories. The coalition Government is driving to dismantle our public school system and instead promote a privatised, competitive structure that puts profits before kids,” Jan Tinetti said. ...
“This government is choosing to deliberately mislead and withhold information, keeping our people in the dark about this government’s agenda and the future of our mokopuna,” said co-leader and spokesperson for Health, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. The call comes after the demand from the Chief Ombudsman that Associate Minister of Health, Casey ...
“Today’s climate announcement by Simon Watts makes clear the National Government is simply paying lip service to meeting its climate change targets,” Megan Woods said. ...
National is choosing to make life harder for workers by taking away the rights our communities have fought hard for. Here's how they’re taking workers backwards. ...
Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue. We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views. “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
Tēnā tātou katoa, Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts. “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced. “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet. “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks. “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. At the heart of this report are the ...
For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis. “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced. “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024. “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane. “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says. “This will be our third visit to ...
Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today. “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum. While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation. “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan. “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says. “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests. Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone. Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
Last summer when Matairangi burned, Ginny and Tom stood at the window of their lounge, watching kākā shoot skyward from the burning trees. From the distance, they looked to Ginny like pages torn from books and thrown into a bonfire. It was Tom, voice tight, who told her it was ...
Opinion: The Canadian short story writer Alice Munro – winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2013 – died in May at the age of 92. Her work was about “the damage people inflict on one another in the name of love”, Deborah Treisman wrote in the New Yorker. ...
This month marks two years since the most powerful telescope ever built sent its first pictures back to earth. From its lofty vantage point, beyond the moon in orbit around the sun, the James Webb Space Telescope was tuned to observe the first stars and galaxies being born soon after ...
Comment: After Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ preview several weeks ago, I had some optimism about the Government’s emissions reduction plan. Now I’ve read the discussion document, that hope has been dashed. How can the Government propose a plan that wants to take New Zealand taxpayers’ hard-earned money, and spend ...
Christopher Luxon: hurdles The little man from National jumps hurdles in his sleep. He’s quite good at it in his dreams and even though the reality doesn’t quite match up you have to give him credit for getting up every morning and crashing into the very first hurdle of the ...
Comment: It was a good two hours into the conversation when Tyrone Marks raised the most basic of questions when I first spoke to him in 2017. “They didn’t explain the things they did to me. They never told me why. And they still haven’t. There’s no explanation for it. ...
Madeleine Chapman rounds out Death Week on The Spinoff with a final recommendation. You can read all of our Death Week coverage here. Nothing forces you to reflect on your life and relationships quite like proximity to death. For those whose nearest and dearest have died, there are reasonably obvious ...
Whitney Greene takes us through her life in television, including the TV character she’d like to plan a funeral for and her cow lung catastrophe on The Traitors NZ. “If the phone rings, I have to answer it,” Whitney Greene from The Traitors NZ warns as we begin our My ...
Maddie Ballard reviews the debut essay collection of Pōneke writer Flora Feltham.In ‘The Raw Material’, the longest essay in Flora Feltham’s dazzling debut collection, the author heads out for a run after hours of weaving and sees the world turn to textile. “Pounding along the Parade, I saw the ...
Andy Christiansen, one half of the experimental rock-pop duo TRiPS, shares the tunes inspiring the band’s perfect weekend and new release. “Good speakers, good food, good music, no distractions”: that’s all you need to enjoy the psychedelic stylings of TRiPS, a new band formed by Fly My Pretties’ Barnaby Weir ...
Celebrating our quadrennial opportunity to become experts in a bunch of sports we never normally watch.The games of the XXXIII Olympiad are upon us. Paris will host this year’s showcase of sporting and athletic prowess, which means some late-night and early-morning viewing for us in Aotearoa.But what sports ...
The photograph is striking and beautiful, but also disturbing – a reminder that my love for John was often entangled in shame.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.In the spring of 1980, in Dunedin, shortly before his death, someone took a photograph ...
Get to know Babushka, our latest Dog of the Month. This feature was offered as a reward during our What’s Eating Aotearoa PledgeMe campaign. Thank you to Babu’s humans, Jo and Isabel, for their support. Dog name: Babushka (Babu for short) Age: 2Breed: Border Collie X poodleIf rescued, ...
Pacific Media Watch A Lebanese photojournalist who was severely wounded during an Israeli air strike in south Lebanon carried the Olympic torch in Paris this week in honour of her peers who have been wounded and killed in the field — especially in Gaza and Lebanon. Christina Assi of Agence ...
The first report in a five-part web series focused on the 15th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women taking place in the Marshall Islands this week.SPECIAL REPORT:By Netani Rika in Majuro Women continue to fight for justice 70 years after the first nuclear tests by the United States caused ...
Christopher Luxon has joined with Australia and Canada's leaders in voicing support for US President Joe Biden's ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The 2022 election brought the “teal wave” into parliament. The next election will test whether teals, who occupy what were Liberal seats, and other independents can maintain their momentum. Joining us on the Podcast ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Musgrave, Senior lecturer in Pharmacology, University of Adelaide Pixavri/Shutterstock A major Federal Court class action has been dismissed this week after Justice Michael Lee ruled there was not enough evidence to prove the weedkiller Roundup causes cancer. Plaintiff Kelvin ...
In The Week in Politics: politicians have to decide what to do about child abuse, Health NZ is booked in for major surgery and Darleen Tana returns. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Corbould, Associate Professor, Contemporary Histories Research Group, Deakin University Mainstream media are surprisingly muted at the prospect of the world’s most powerful nation being led for the first time by a woman – specifically a woman of colour, Vice President Kamala ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rebecca Bennett, PhD Student, Associate Research Fellow, Deakin University Last week, a drone delivery company called Wing (owned by Google’s parent company, Alphabet) started operating in Melbourne. Some 250,000 residents in parts of the city’s eastern suburbs can now order food from ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonathan Foo, Lecturer, Physiotherapy, Monash University pikselstock/Shutterstock In the next 40 years in Australia, it’s predicted the number of Australians aged 65 and over will more than double, while the number of people aged 85 and over will more than triple. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katrina Grant, Research Associate, Power Institute for Arts and Visual Culture, University of Sydney Jonas Åkerström’s 1790 work, Session of the Accademia dell’Arcadia on August 17 1788.Nationalmuseum/Cecilia Heisser Ever wondered whether you’d have a better chance at winning an Olympic gold ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexandra Jones, Program Lead, Food Governance, George Institute for Global Health wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock On Thursday, Australian and New Zealand food ministers at state, federal and national levels met to thrash out what’s next for health star ratings on packaged foods. Now, after ...
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OF all the talk relating to name supression in NZ of late – Here is a great example of why its not a bad idea:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/23/press-christmas-drone-suspects-gatwick-media
This poor couple had their lives turned upside down – and photos and area that the live published – and it turns out it might not be them at all.
The US is probably the worst place for that sort of thing.
Not sure if it is leaks from the inside or just a freedom of information thing, but anyone gets arrested for a semi-high profile crime their names, pictures, mental health info’, military info’, pictures of evidence seems to be splashed on the front pages within about 12 hours.
She is a free for all
The US media, a joke mostly, anyone who loves freedom would not watch the uniform bullshit that passes a news… …yet they do.
Hmm i wonder if the same can be said about the “chinese hackers”
James really agree with you on this one.
The only way to have innocent until proven guilty is to have full automatic name and photo suppression until the end of the trial and any appeals.
Agree. Trial by media is rarely fair or balanced.
Once found guilty however, name suppression should only occur for the protection of the victims privacy.
Especially for white collar crimes.
Absolutely agree, it protects us all.
A virulent disease is infecting the brains of our less fortunate citizens:
Spare a thought for these folks who will have a miserable Christmas.
As anyone will know who has stumbled onto a right wing site recently, the virulent brain disease known as “Jacinda Derangement Syndrome” continues to rage amongst National’s hapless supporters.
Here’s a random, and entirely representative, sample from our friends on Kiwiblog yesterday….
https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2018/12/general_debate_23_december_2018.html
Tall Man: You don’t have to have a big tag on your forehead proclaiming yourself to be an idiot…look at ardern the liar, thick as pig shit but she looks almost normal. Thumb up 32 Thumb down 0 9:52AM
Chris2: I’m waiting for Ardern to announce through teary eyes that travelers passing through Gatwick Airport ought to be safe and that she is sorry they did not feel safe. Thumb up 42 Thumb down 9:03AM
burt: She is more likely to ask why they didn’t all get their own individual airforce 757. Thumb up 26 Thumb down 1 9:15AM
igm: Chris2: I am awaiting her reply to this disgusting carry-on. This is what happens when ferals are paid to breed, and she has increased the incentive because it stops poverdy . . . what a fucken disgrace she is!
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/109484033/synthetic-cannabis-smoking-mum-slammed-for-reprehensible-act-of-self-interest
Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0 12:44PM
Tall Man: …. ardern is a liar
Thumb up 26 Thumb down 2 10:05AM
Prince: Amongst the annual political reviews there are two shiboleths that leave me as bewildered as a New Zealand First voter
1) Ardern has been an international star.
How ? When ? Every leader going to a UN talkfest is taken on a round of late night talk shows, for the benefit of their country’s media. Exactly how and where has Ardern achieved anything on the international stage ? Reading a speech to an empty UN auditorium ? Visiting Nauru and finding no one else there ? Sitting next to Mrs Pence ? Seems to me Ardern and Peters have achieved the remarkable feat of pissing off both the US and China.
Thumb up 87 Thumb down 0 8:08AM
Monique Watson: JA’s frightened. Not necessarily a SLG though that was a timely sledge. I’ve been watching her Question Time responses. Mark my words. Another nail in the coffin of the COL.
Thumb up 59 Thumb down 1 8:20AM
mandk: From an opposition point of view, I think it is a waste of time asking Ardern anything at Question Time. She is quite adept at turning questions into opportunities to grandstand, and she is allowed to get away with not answering the questions put to her. Far better to attack the CoL where it is weakest, and that probably includes most of the Front Bench.
Thumb up 51 Thumb down 0 8:32AM
sooty: Yep. There is too many dumb one’s to worry about Comrade JacinDUH! Leave her there without questions except patsys from her idiots. She can’t just not turn up as much as she wants too.
Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0 12:38PM
Piniwi: Hard as it is to listen to the SLG she often tells more than intended or lets a gem slip out. Or by the selected defense being held on hard to often like a life-support loosing it’s buoyancy. like the “text came AFTER the decision.”
Of bigger concern is acknowledgement of how out of the loop she is when she confesses to only learning about so many in the media. We can only speculate that so much time is wasted creating all her excuses, defending dud decisions and creating word walls leaving little time to do what she should be doing. Another first for the SLG being the first PM to follow rather than lead her Government only keeping up through the Media party.
Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0 1:55PM
Biscuit: Indeed, Prince, if you read the leftist rabble that ‘write’ for the ‘Horrid’, you’d almost believe that Ardern is going to be unanimously proclaimed Trougher in Chief at the Non-United Nations.
Thumb up 47 Thumb down 0 8:24AM
DigNap15: Ha! John Roughan says in todays Herald that most of Ardern’s speeches are forgettable and that she does not really say much worth of note. Is the worm starting to turn?
Thumb up 73 Thumb down 2 8:19AM
KevOB: Speeches? She’s barely liderate. The rest of the COL with rare exceptions r even vurse.
Thumb up 50 Thumb down 1 8:26AM
Biscuit: One can but hope, DigNap! If even a wrong clock can be ‘right’ twice a day, there’s a chance that a ‘newspaper’ like the Horrid might get things ‘right’ once in a while, too!
Thumb up 21 Thumb down 1 8:27AM
Justitia: Ardern is vacuous.
Thumb up 41 Thumb down 0 8:35AM
calendar girl: Yes, she is certainly vacuous in what she projects, as well as being the least intelligent NZ Prime Minister whom I have seen in action during my lifetime.
She also has her “vicious’ streak”, as she showed towards the end of 2018’s final Question Time when she targeted her deliberate personal insult at the Leader of the Opposition:
“…. it’s simple, Simon!”
When, and how, is the Opposition going to repay Ardern in spades for that well-rehearsed personal slight against the National Leader? Bridges – unlike herself – actually has a trained and well-proven intellect that operates (and has operated professionally) at a level to which hers could never aspire.
Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1 3:06PM
RF: Stupid bitch
Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1 6:54PM
….ad nauseam, ad absurdum…
https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2018/12/general_debate_23_december_2018.html
IF you read THIS BLOG and look at the coments made about Key when he was you will see as bad – if not worse.
So whats your point?
and for the record – I think the worse I have call Jacinda is C**dy – which I stopped post people getting all upset about it as they interrepted it to be mysgonistic.
I wonder whats the worse you said about Key, English or Bridges is – perhaps you have your own virulent brain disease combined with a wee bit of ‘holier than tho’ and forgetfulness.
Nonsense. Key was rightly attacked for his lying, his repeated harassment of that young woman in an Auckland cafe, and for allowing his parliamentary office to be used as the base for Whaleoil’s scurrilous, illegal campaign of character assassination. You’d know all that, of course, if you had bothered to read Nicky Hager’s Dirty Politics.
The National Party’s attacks against Jacinda Ardern, in stark contrast, are rarely anything other than the crudest misogyny and personal ridicule. I left out from that random selection the lengthy thread where a whole lot of these National stooges slung off at her as a “horse” and a “bag of bones.”
The attacks against Clarke Gayford were pathetic enough, but now they are starting to target baby Neve as well.
I guess it’s something we’ll just have to adjust to for the next eight years, at least.
My goodness.
Key Derangement Syndrome is still very strong in Morrissey.
He really should be getting over it by now.
Key left the job of PM 2 years ago.
Errrr, the subject under review here is the National Party’s hare-brained campaign of ridicule directed against Jacinda Ardern.
It was our good friend james who brought in the unpleasant reminder of that dead-eyed currency speculator.
It is not a National Party campaign. It is the toxic commenters that all too frequently inhabit Kiwiblog.
As I noted the other day David’s posts are pretty much always reasonable. He often gives Jacinda credits for various things she has done. But some of the commenters are extreme. If a particular thread gets besieged by them, it is best to stay away. Sometimes the misogyny is just awful.
The Standard has similar problem. There are a group of commenters who are frequently quite/very abusive. They think National (John Key in particular) are complicit in all sorts of heinous crimes, and are motivated by the basest of motives. And most of it had nothing to do with the waitress. Just about everything John Key did would trigger the abuse. Hence the term “Key derangement syndrome”.
I had two problems with Key.
1. In the early days, long before he became PM, I saw first hand on the net sufficient evidence to strongly suggest he had fudged timelines on his CV to cover up some less than lily-white dealings.
All this was many years back and I made links at the time, although they’ve long gone.
2. If you have worked for a large global corporate you will have encountered his type, the senior management surfer who rides from one role to another, making himself look good with short-term actions, but when you look deeper they achieve little of long-term value; and often a trail of damage behind them that doesn’t show up until they’ve moved on.
They’re the big-swinging alpha male in the room, all charm and sociability, but we used to call them ‘suited sharks’, you could never trust them to do anything but serve their own appetites.
I think I made those points and then shut up; events have largely proven me right on the second point at least. But on the whole I agree with you, becoming obsessed with a personality is unseemly at best, and usually counterproductive.
Yep. Some of those comments made by those he used to work with (such as half the time they could barely understand him – the Smiling Assassin Era), are a now a bit hard to find, or his tough solo-mum upbringing – as if I ever wanted to waste my time trying to do so.
When we think of Paula Bennett being the ladder puller upper, Paula really has nothing on Johnny Wideboy
If I dug deeply into my computer files and bookmarks and was so inclined, I could probably still find most of those old links. I am an archivist by nature as well as a pedant … LOL.
“It is not a National Party campaign. It is the toxic commenters that all too frequently inhabit Kiwiblog.”
If this were true they would have their comments moderated. The lack of moderation suggests their comments are welcome and encouraged.
Moderating is a significant problem for any blog. I suspect that DF places a very high value on freedom of expression and finds the whole idea of moderating very unappealing.
The cost is that he has to put up with some commenters indulging in their worst natures. And he certainly doesn’t have that problem on his own.
Redlogix,
You have essentially stated his policy. Much more light handed than The Standard. Virtually no-one gets banned, unless they are an extreme racist. I know DPF well enough to know he does not share the views of the contributors. His views are in the articles.
He also has the problem of volume. Sometimes his General Debate has 500 comments. Kiwiblog (going by the number of comments) is at least twice as well read as any other blog.
heh … DF damned nearly banned me once. But I have to admit I was being monumentally obnoxious 🙂
I was “banned for life” 3 times by DPF. Ousted from Keeping Stock as well. Homepaddock too. And now, Pete George’s place 🙂
It’s strange; I’m a polite and reasonable sort of guy.
So to summarize; there is moderation at kiwiblog if one is left leaning.
Kiwibank comments policy
Not sticking to the policy then?
Virtually no-one gets banned, unless they are an extreme racist.
If you don’t think the constant stream of brutal, demeaning and disgusting attacks against Māori, Aboriginal Australians, African-Americans, Arabs, Somalis, Palestinians, “Pakis”, and many other groups is not “extreme racist” then you must move in some horribly insalubrious circles.
Oh that’s right—you were in cabinet with John Banks and John “Hone” Carter, weren’t you! Compared to them, even the vilest ranter on Kiwiblog is Albert Schweitzer.
I’ve never visited the site @ Wayne, but would many of those 500 comments be visits and revisits by MSM journalists and opinionistas preparing for their weekend spots on Television current affairs programmes or weekdays with a Mora.
HE, (the Farrar) is the voice of reason for that ‘moderate’ center right.
The guy is truly exceptional, you’d have to agree, despite the overwhelming impediments he’s had to overcom. And the most reliable of statistics – in terms of visits to his site, verify that (going forward).
I’ve been researching various penguin species though, and I can’t seem to identify him. He doesn’t fit your Emperor, your Yellow Eyed (though he comes close), or Northern Rockhopper, or most of the other ‘types’).
I wonder if he might not be some sort of exceptional freak derivative of the Royal (Holier Than Thou) species. Or has he fooled us all and is in fact a wolf dressed up in a penguin’s clothing.
I wonder @ Wayne….could you pontificate a little, and provide us all with an opinion as to what makes this little penguin such a reasonable, affable and well-liked little fella
300 000 children in poverty is not a heinious crime, eh Wayne?
Though, both National and Labour, were complicit
Key is a crook in reality.
Just because his dealings were legal, doesn’t mean they were less damaging.
Farrar’s “Greens to slaughter national cow herds” post wasn’t “reasonable” – straight-out dishonest scare-mongering.
Morrissey didn’t bring Key up, James did
Leave it, FGS – what is today – and tomorrow – again?
Try a little kindness and good will to all men – meaning everyone.
Who the hell are you? The Xmas Police?
Yes James we did say stuff about key, but most often on this blog people back up what they say with some sort of evidence. Morrissey quotes from kiwi blog appear to be the ignorant putting down someone in power with no actual eg of why they think that way. It could not be used as evidence in court.
Many on here myself included called John k a prick and worse, but it would be in response to say him pulling a waitresses pony tail or denying their was a housing crisis.
The thing about the whole ponytail pulling thing was that he never accepted what he did was wrong. He always tried to justify himself.
Or not even justify himself Millay. Key would just lie. Remember how he said about the waitress “yeah I gave her a couple of bottles of wine and she said yeah all good”. Or words to that effect.
[citation needed]
I hope those people are not my neighbours. Possibly their spitefulness spills over (or from?) to the National MPs who are known for their spitefullness like P Bennett, Collins, Bridges, that gardening woman, and more.
I hope those people are not my neighbours.
Possibly. Do you have any neighbours that sit around all day listening to talk radio, and never read anything more challenging than a Big Mac wrapper?
Possibly their spitefulness spills over (or from?) to the National MPs who are known for their spitefullness like P Bennett, Collins, Bridges, that gardening woman, and more.
They take their lead from the National Party/talk radio complex.
For a moment there, I thought you were having a go at satire.
I’ve had many goes at satire, my friend. But that selection of quotes is beyond satire. I just quoted it all verbatim, without adding a single thing.
I like to believe in the best of people but some are just cunts, take Moz for example…his long time paramour Longhair is outed and he discards him like yesterday’s paper.
Nice one Morrisey I think ‘KevOB’ is a classic.
“KevOB: Speeches? She’s barely liderate. The rest of the COL with rare exceptions r even vurse.”
Definitely, the outstanding winner of ‘Brain (if any) Dead Fuckwit of the Year.’
Half crown lol
Kev’s a man of god, too.
I think those hate filled vile comments illustrate the important place kiwiblog has become. Without it I suspect some of those unhinged folk could be wandering the streets causing mayhem.
Indeed – this blog serves a similar purpose.
False equivalence, you fool.
Ah Moz – second rate wit, third rate stenographer and forever the cuckold at the Northcote cottaging party, what would we do without you.
Second rate wit? That’s harsh. I for one could never aspire to the heights of comedy mozzie achieves so effortlessly. Without trying, even.
Thanks, Andre. Appreciate the support.
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Oh wait a minute….
So that is where Watson is these days. God she is a poster I cannot stand.
We were on to her back in 2012, when she won a Banksy Award….
https://morrisseybreen.blogspot.com/2018/01/dum-quote-of-week.html
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Standard admins, posters and commenters. I know I haven’t been posting as much as I should, but I always read what people have to say, some of it good, some not so good.
And Morrissey – I don’t know why you go on Kiwiblog. The comments there are as depressing as duck.
One final word. If you are at a family Xmas gathering and someone starts running Jacinda down, you need to defend her honour at all costs.
“One final word. If you are at a family Xmas gathering and someone starts running Jacinda down, you need to defend her honour at all costs.”
Sad.
The sad gits are the ones who join in those witless disparaging comments. They’re a small minority, however, and in normal company usually have to keep their diseased thoughts to themselves.
On NewstalkZB and the Whaleoil blog, OTOH….
Explain why have we got to defend her honour. Enlighten us?
There are going to be hordes of right wing Gammon and their dolled up wives at every Xmas gathering complaining about how Jacinda is going to raid their retirement nest egg and give it all to the ‘poor’. They need to be put in their place accordingly.
Generally a bad idea to turn a family Christmas event into a political bunfight. Stay away from it. Only in jest, and even then only if you know it will be safe to do so.
millsy … I have to agree with Wayne. Put your family first mate; they’re way more important than politics.
Well if there was a “Tall Man” (probably a 5 foot loser with short mans syndrome) in my family calling Jacinda Ardern “thick as pig shit” I certainly wouldn’t let it go unchallenged.
Me either – they’d get the message pretty sharpish. Stand up for your values millsy and don’t let wankers bully good people. Be strong and don’t cower in fear like some.
Those were the types of people I was referring to. And there will be a lot of people like those.
Why put your family first, Bob McKoskrie does that and I wouldn’t want to share his lack of values. Some family would be worth disowning. Personally if I’m related to any of the regular RWNJ who come here with the sole reason to cast shade on the government I would happily drop them from any family gatherings. Just because you’re related to someone doesn’t mean you have to like them.
Why put your family first, Bob McKoskrie does that and I wouldn’t want to share his lack of values.
Does he though? I heard him pontificating about how “good parents” should be allowed to hit their toddlers with a hair-brush.
Well if you’re going to have a go then:
1. Read this: https://www.abc.net.au/life/how-to-make-christmas-with-the-family-better-for-you-and-them/10588592
2. Check with any women present first; they may have put a lot of effort in and have an opinion on the likely outcome of your political re-education efforts.
Just saying 🙂
No, RBO, you don’t always agree with family, but if you love your partner you stand the rellies for their sake, and you keep constant and just agree to disagree. Change the subject to how much work has been done by family to get the party started.
Dancing is good, or choose where you sit or stand carefully with a view to harmony. Tell yourself to count blessings, quietly, jacinda being one of them.Do something kind or thoughtful. Be glad to be alive.Be grateful all the family are there.
For those facing a first Christmas without someone. Kia kaha, this will be the worst year. Be kind most of all to yourself. Think of those faced with sudden loss, and hug your children, partner or friends.
Life is short and should be shared. Happy holiday season to you all.
I’m getting a new hip in my Santa sack, I hope you are getting in something you need in yours. Cheers.
Some xmas advice from Bill
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10152534875267297&id=62507427296
This MAGA business is hard work.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DvHrGSwX4AA__CJ.jpg
ROFL – certainly is hard work and needs an understanding of what a billion is!
Even using the US definition of a thousand million (1,000,000,000), her calculations are out by a couple of 00s; much more using the UK definition of a million millions (1,000,000,000,000)! Dream on ….
While I’ve long been aware that to some people a billion is 10^12, I’ve never actually come across anyone using billion that way, it’s always meant 10^9.
Yes, if there’s been the slightest possibility of that miscommunication I’ve checked; I’ve seen too many cockups in my engineering career from units and definitions misunderstandings.
I have rechecked and now realise that the UK definition I used, while technically the correct old UK definition, has largely been overtaken by use of the US definition – for example, according to the Oxford Living Dictionary
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/explore/how-many-is-a-billion/
I can fully understand the moving to a common definition to reduce confusion and cock-ups. Nevertheless I enjoyed the cock-up in the link!
You don’t appear to know too many pure mathematicians.
Any Professor of PURE Mathematics would happily tell you that 1 was a first approximation for infinity.
Well they are not going to get it from the Dems! And the Mexicans sure as hell arn’t going to pay, and The Chump has so many investigations to defend, that he has to employ an army of lawyers, so he’s not gonna pay, and despite constant assurances from Huckabee-Sanders that they have all the money they need – (But not enuf to pay Govt employees over xmas) there is no money in the bank to “BUILD THE WALL!” 🙁
So the Trumpkins are going to fund a little
https://fundly.com/build-the-trump-wall-foundation
https://www.fundthewall.com/
Meanwhile…
https://www.gofundme.com/ladders-to-get-over-trump039s-wall
😂
Thread about the RWNJ behind the con.
Could Hillary not help out? Maybe one section funded by the Clinton Foundation with a little plaque?
Careful, Siobhan, you’ll get the boot if you don’t pay her due homage.
http://morrisseybreen.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-clobbering-machine-strikes-again.html
Ha ha
If you’re going to do the authoritarian thug thing, you do it away from prying eyes.
/
“I am extremely alarmed by the announcement by the Nicaraguan Government that it has told two key human rights institutions set up by the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights (IACHR) to leave the country.
[…]
In addition, the Government has said it will no longer accept visits by the IACHR itself.
Coupled with the parallel clamp-down on independent media, including last weekend’s raids on media outlets, the net result is a country where civil society is in danger of being shut out altogether, and international organizations are also struggling to keep operating.
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24041&LangID=E
lurcher1948 said:
“Fellow poster beware when you go out on the turps,it happens….drive safely and keep posting,
Yesterday I went to a Christmas party. I had a few beers, followed by a few cocktails, followed by a few shots….
I still had the sense to know that I was over the limit. That’s when I decided to do what I have never done before: I took a cab home.
Sure enough, there was a police road block on the way home, and since it was a cab, they waved it past. I arrived home safely without incident. This was both a great relief and a surprise because I had never driven a cab before. I don’t even know where I got it from and, now that it is in my garage, I don’t know what to do with it.”
LOL !
HA Ha Robert. Read it to my family – great hilarity, especially from my two sons who had already celebrated Christmas two days ago.
Brilliant Robert (6) Love it … Many thanks for sharing 🙂
So that is where my taxi got to!
Bring it back immediately. I may need it to get home tonight.
Yours being the last cab off the rank, Alwyn (for this political term anyway).
Have a merry Christmas, ol’ curmudgeon (he’s our curmudgeon and therefore, special 🙂
One Christmas eve in Melbourne, in a time long ago, magic elves spirited a tree onto the mainmast of a ship.
“Not me, not me” said all the elves, when plod arrived Christmas morning.
(The Myers sign on the big concrete pot, sort of giving the game away).
“Get it down” said plod.
“Not safe” said the elves. “The pot, and tree, are too big to move”.
Plod walked away, after his Christmas beer was drunk, Shaking his head
Two weeks later, in NZ, we bribed a mobile crane driver, with even more beer, of course, to get it down
I must have been one of the culprits, but to this day, I cannot remember how we got it up there. We certainly couldn’t, and wouldn’t, have done it sober.
In today’s more puritan times, we would have all been sacked, for not following the procedure, and not filling in the checklist!
Those elves were in high spirits, I’m guessing.
Ski-ing on the piste!
Wishing all contributors to TS the compliments of the season, whether you celebrate the festival of Christmas or not. Take good care and stay safe.
Looking forward to some healthy debate again in 2019.
Meri Kirihimete
Merry Christmas everyone, keep safe and let’s do it all again next year 🙂
Some of us will keep doing it over the Christmas to New Year period, Pucky, giving us the advantage over part-timers like you 🙂
Merry Christmas to you and may your embarrassing crush desert you before the 2019 year gets under way.
Likewise, Merry Christmas to everyone! We may not always agree, but at least we turn up to debate and hopefully learn something from time to time.
Puckish Rogue, Merry Christmas to you too.
I expect a year of poetic output of epic proportions worthy of your paramour!
In an epic along the lines of the Táin or The Cattle Raid of Cooley. Queen Iudhaith Collaínns ní Cruisheer wants the services of a stud bull and decides to rent one from a neighbouring powerful magnate but the deal turns sour when it is found out by the owner, Sean Cí, that she would have stolen it anyway to “get it”. After a long row, in which Queen Iudhaith is banished to the benches at the back of the Great Hall, the trichotillomaniacal Cí abdicates and Liam Shasanna of Diptonnaigh captures the great bull.
War ensues, and the young hero, Pu Cuíllish óg Rogaínn, fights many battles singlehanded to win her favours. Amongst his adversaries whom he vanquishes is the queen of the Fairies, Paúllauch Ban Neitt, and the mercenary Machus M’Cheil who he kills with his legendary spear, Seamus Bolga.
A three day single handed combat with the chief, Simbhon Brighe, is complicated by the intervention of Pu Cuíllish’s charioteer, Seamus-Leoigh Rossaig, whose dealings with the underworld have given him special information that could cause Brighe’s doughty bodyguard to desert him.
However, Queen Iudhaith’s overseas alliances trump the charioteer Seamus-Leoigh and the saga ends with a new order restored thanks to the heroic exploits of Pu Cuíllish óg Rogaínn and the rightful accession by Queen Iudhaith Collaínns ní Cruisheer to the leadership of the aptly named Sinn Faíl.
Slainte.
That’s hard to read with a raging hangover 🙂
I hope you have recovered , PR. I am of an age where I have forgotten the severity of the symptoms, but not the cause…… 🙂
More from the glorious George Galloway. A marvelous man.
Happy Chrismas to to all
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mOFvJVroAJE&feature=youtu.be
Kia ora Newshub I do support MPI having more tools to help control our fisheries conservation and keep themselves safe while preforming there duties .
With kevin spacey some people have a view that’s not acceptable they don’t think we can figure out the motive behind ones actions like someone else in the Media.
Those are cool words our Queen said in her Christmas speech Ka pai.
I do agree that hogget meat is better than lamb to eat and we should market that fact about our sheep meat it would be better for the environment to export me higher value hogget meat.
Helping refugees is, cool Idea
CHOSE LOVE I would use that to help the poor people If we have a branch here in Aotearoa many thanks to the organisers of this brilliant Idea.
Our Coalition government has achieved a lot of good deeds so far Ka pai. Ka kite ano P.S On the Farm with our Tamariki and Mokopunas