Open mike 24/06/2016

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, June 24th, 2016 - 146 comments
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146 comments on “Open mike 24/06/2016 ”

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  1. Paul 1
    24 June 2016 at 6:09 am

    Another day in John Key’s neo-liberal nightmare.
    We have become a cruel, greedy, uncaring and selfish nation under his wretched leadership.
    Uncaring.
    New Zealand’s housing.

    ‘Baby gets sick in crowded house
    A baby has contracted potentially deadly meningococcal meningitis – and a senior hospital doctor says overcrowded housing is a factor in the development of his condition.
    The 3-month-old boy lives at a Tauranga property with 10 other people sharing two bedrooms, a lounge and a caravan. He is one of eight people – including a 16-month toddler and three teenagers – living in the two-bedroom state house in Gate Pa. Another three people, including two children aged 5 and 13, live in a caravan outside.
    Doctors confirmed on Sunday that the baby had meningococcal meningitis. Tauranga Hospital specialist paediatrician Dr Hugh Lees this week wrote to Housing New Zealand (HNZ) on behalf of the family, stating that baby Hamish’s diagnosis was “meningococcal meningitis”, which he said was “known to be associated with overcrowding”.
    Dr Lees asked the case be given urgent attention and he supported an application for “appropriate housing”.
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11662280

    • I Feel Love 1.1
      24 June 2016 at 6:34 am

      One of the people living at the house is a manager & cannot afford a rental, must be in retail or a McJob or something because their wages are utter shite. But it’s OK, the state will will top up employers pathetic pay & the state will top up your wage for the greedy landlords, she will be alllllllllll right in godzone.

      • s y d 1.1.1
        24 June 2016 at 8:44 am

        We peons have had a visitation from our glorious leader whereupon he delivered these words unto my child…”Nothing lifts people out of poverty faster if they can work and earn money”.

        • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1.1
          24 June 2016 at 10:28 am

          Which would be correct – if he and all the governments for the last thirty years hadn’t set it up so that working no longer provided enough income.

  2. Paul 2
    24 June 2016 at 6:12 am

    Another day in John Key’s neo-liberal nightmare.
    We have become a cruel, greedy, uncaring and selfish nation under his wretched leadership.

    Cruel
    Housing New Zealand

    ‘Queenstown social housing questioned
    A memo from Housing New Zealand details an exit strategy for its presence in Queenstown.

    The memo, released under the Official Information Act, relates to the sale last month of one of the agency’s 10 homes in the resort town.
    It said the town was a “high profile resort/lifestyle environment” with “reasonable work opportunities”, which could be seen as “incompatible” with a social housing presence.
    The comments have angered social housing providers in the town, including the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust.
    Its executive officer, Julie Scott, said it had a waiting list of 350 people struggling to find affordable accommodation.
    “I just met with a family this morning and she was in tears. They’ve been in Queenstown since 1992, they’ve got three kids and they’ve got until 22 August and then they’ve got to be out of their property.
    “They just can’t find anywhere to go and it’s just heartbreaking.”

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/307127/queenstown-social-housing-questioned

    • b waghorn 2.1
      24 June 2016 at 6:33 am

      “which could be seen as “incompatible” with a social housing presence.”
      Financial cleansing plain and simple.

      • Graeme 2.1.1
        24 June 2016 at 9:30 am

        Queenstown has been “incompatible” with just about all social services for the last 40 years at least. It’s been almost impossible to access the dole, a state house or most other benefits, so accomodation subsidies don’t kick in. Even sickness benefit is difficult. About the only beneficiaries are on the pension, and there’s a lot of them, some of quite modest means but they do own their home. The senior citizens is a very active bunch down here.

        I’m not that worried about HNZ selling out here, they got very good prices for the properties they sold and PROVIDED that money’s going to more housing in needier areas. That we’ll see. Their presence here is sort of a hangover from the days of government departments and an age when large employers had staff housing. The staff housing got sold off in the 90’s but HNZ endured. One story was that they couldn’t get their shit together in time to catch each cycle, so by the time they were ready to sell the market had gone.

        These problems are old hat for Queenstown, we have always had hordes of “immigrants” flocking into town when times are good to partake of our perceived lifestyle, so the place goes crazy. What’s different this cycle, and under this government is that this business model has been scaled up and transferred to Auckland.

  3. Paul 3
    24 June 2016 at 6:17 am

    Another day in John Key’s neo-liberal nightmare.
    We have become a cruel, greedy, uncaring and selfish nation under his wretched leadership.

    Cruel
    Housing, prisons.

    ‘I reported from South Sudan and Sierra Leone. What I’ve returned to in New Zealand still shocks me…..

    To not be able to swim in our rivers because they are so dirty would’ve been unthinkable to me 10 years ago. In March, the Waikato River Authority said it could take up to 100 years for the Waikato and Waipa rivers to be restored to clean and healthy levels. I’ve seen first-hand waterways that run off the Waikato River blanketed in a creeping toxic algae, festering like a black drain, lifeless. Meanwhile, what remains of our pristine water is being sold by the likes of the Ashburton District Council, to be extracted, bottled up and sent overseas.

    Above ground, New Zealand’s reported rate of intimate partner violence is the highest in the developed world. Our incarceration rate is also one of the highest in the developed world and more than half of the men behind bars are Māori. According to Corrections Minister Judith Collins, our prison population topped 9,000 for the first time last year: “Since 2014, the prison population has increased… leading to record highs throughout 2015 and early 2016.” In part, she said the booming prison population was due to locking up family violence offenders for longer.

    Then there’s housing and homelessness. New Zealand has one of the fastest growing rates of income inequality in the OECD and it’s on show in our biggest city. In Auckland, families with at least one working parent are living in vans and cars, with marae and charitable trusts stepping in to fill the breach left by social services. How galling it must be for those parents trying to find a warm place for their children to sleep to then see the Prime Minister’s son in all his privileged glory, posing with a Lambourghini and helicopter in his music video.

    http://thespinoff.co.nz/media/21-06-2016/i-reported-from-south-sudan-and-sierra-leone-what-ive-returned-to-in-new-zealand-still-shocks-me/

  4. Paul 4
    24 June 2016 at 6:33 am

    Another day in John Key’s neo-liberal nightmare.
    We have become a cruel, greedy, uncaring and selfish nation under his wretched leadership.

    Selfish, greedy.
    Max Key.

    ‘Then there’s housing and homelessness. New Zealand has one of the fastest growing rates of income inequality in the OECD and it’s on show in our biggest city. In Auckland, families with at least one working parent are living in vans and cars, with marae and charitable trusts stepping in to fill the breach left by social services. How galling it must be for those parents trying to find a warm place for their children to sleep to then see the Prime Minister’s son in all his privileged glory, posing with a Lambourghini and helicopter in his music video.’

    http://thespinoff.co.nz/media/21-06-2016/i-reported-from-south-sudan-and-sierra-leone-what-ive-returned-to-in-new-zealand-still-shocks-me/

    ‘Can’t wait to share paradise with you’……. says Max Key.
    Key, Mike Hosking and Paul Henry all call New Zealand paradise.
    And they are all rich.
    And don’t have the compassion or empathy to see how tough it it for many New Zealanders.
    For many New Zealanders it’s a neo-liberal nightmare.

    • tc 4.1
      24 June 2016 at 6:47 am

      All part of the grand plan to attract criticism to max then the ‘cyber bullying’ and ‘class war’ cards will be played as well as all the msm shills who get to play their sympathy violins for hard done by max.

      • I Feel Love 4.1.1
        24 June 2016 at 6:53 am

        It is a shame they have hijacked ‘cyber bullying’ to mean people taking the piss out of the powerful & famous. Since when has hassling politicians & musicians been ‘cyber bullying’, since it suited the powers that be, who think themselves above criticism.

        “All hail plankton, all hail plankton”.

        • TC 4.1.1.1
          24 June 2016 at 12:15 pm

          Thats why they put it out there with granny trying to garner sympathy for pullya benefit. Its all about subtle messaging and the framing.

      • Paul 4.1.2
        24 June 2016 at 7:23 am

        The class war is being waged already.
        By the rich.

        • TC 4.1.2.1
          24 June 2016 at 12:09 pm

          Yes and passed off as the politics of envy

        • Greg 4.1.2.2
          24 June 2016 at 12:48 pm

          The class war has been won. The left collapsed with thew end of the Soviet Union. And see how the New Prime Minister of Canada, son of a left marxist has been assimilated by Feminism. He wont improve workers economy.

    • srylands 4.2
      24 June 2016 at 10:38 am

      Oh for fucks sake. It is not neoliberal. New Zealand has a left government. New Zealanders never ever will elect a neoliberal government. You must be tripping.

      • I Feel Love 4.2.1
        24 June 2016 at 11:27 am

        Don’t blame the ‘left’ for this horrible Govt thank you very much, it’s all yours & your fellow ‘right’ travelers.

      • Draco T Bastard 4.2.2
        24 June 2016 at 12:12 pm

        NZ has been a neo-liberal place since the 1980s as you well know. All governments since then have been either right-wing or hard right-wing. The present government is hard right-wing while pretending to be centrist – and you know that as well.

      • framu 4.2.3
        24 June 2016 at 12:13 pm

        ” New Zealanders never ever will elect a neoliberal government”

        well that explains the lies, dead rats, massive $ spent on PR and the secret smear machine doesnt it

        another day, another load of cobblers from sly hands

    • Graeme 4.3
      24 June 2016 at 10:59 am

      So at what point do they cross the Marie Antoinette threshold and it’s perceived as arrogance and bites them on the arse.

      The casualties will be mounting of their aspirational economy, Max’s escapade would be hard watching for a young Dairy couple in their first farm with the big mortgage and deficits for the foreseeable. And probably soon to be followed by a lot in tourism and beekeeping.

      We’re seeing a lot of really grumpy and jealous New Zealanders over our counter in Queenstown. People quite annoyed that someone else is perceived as doing better than them or their town.

      Makes me wonder who the Keys are trying to reach with this caper?

  5. North 5
    24 June 2016 at 7:17 am

    How much was Rebstock paid for that rubbish report ?

  6. RTM 6
    24 June 2016 at 7:30 am

    Did a communist theorist predict Auckland’s housing crisis 70 years ago?
    http://readingthemaps.blogspot.co.nz/2016/06/bill-mcara-on-aucklands-housing-crisis_23.html

  7. One Anonymous Bloke 7
    24 June 2016 at 7:40 am

    No pandas for Wellington. Perhaps they should have got someone who isn’t a low-life to make the request for them.

  8. Paul 8
    24 June 2016 at 7:41 am

    New Zealand men.
    Alcohol.
    Rugby.

    A formula for domestic violence..
    http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11662434

    • Greg 8.1
      24 June 2016 at 7:50 am

      Women make all the choices to be in a relationship, men have very little options but to settle for one that says yes. And their is some people that just shouldnt be in a relationship.

      The question should be is how can we educate women to make better choices in men, because the problem isnt going to be fixed by doing the same thing over and over, and expecting a different outcome each time.
      And prohibition sure worked wonderfully in America circa early last century, the social outcomes was a huge success.
      Rugby is pretty boring with the All Blacks winning all the time.

      • Lanthanide 8.1.1
        24 June 2016 at 8:35 am

        You’re acting like women enter into a relationship with full knowledge about what the future holds.

        I suspect very few men are abusive at the start of a relationship, it’s only once the woman has no other choice that the abuse starts, trapping the woman and making it very difficult to escape.

        • Richardrawshark 8.1.1.1
          24 June 2016 at 9:22 am

          I thought he was meaning, Men are such desperate creatures, we sniff around women all day long until we find one who will say yes.

          Where as women get to exersize choice in their mate much more, in a primal base sort of way.

          IDNK it’s early I just woke up. The bloody standard requires, a fully comprehending mind of extraordinary intellect almost 24/7 where as right wing blogs expect you more to grunt at there bigotry, a far easier task.

          • Sabine 8.1.1.1.1
            24 June 2016 at 9:40 am

            and if he really thinks this about men in general, he is a pretty sad human being.

            Men, generally speaking are not animals that can’t control their urges and desires.
            Most man are not abusers, some are, and many of those that are would be repeat offenders, especially if they get away with their behavior. However, i firmly believe that the vast majority of men does not behave like a grunting degenerate around women and girls.
            I would also really hope that men will stand up to that type of bullshit peddling.

            It is time that we put the blame where the blame belongs, to those that abuse and hurt others, irrespective of gender, age and all the other stuff.

            • Richardrawshark 8.1.1.1.1.1
              24 June 2016 at 9:45 am

              Hi Sabine I think you took it , too far to the literal, as the coffee enters my system I may be able to say it better,

              In the gender search for a partner, perhaps he meant the male moves from rejection to rejection as he tries to impress each prospective mate, where as the female of the species is the one who sits and selects from her prospective mates as they vie for her affections.

              typically.

              • Sabine …
                24 June 2016 at 9:54 am

                as per my comment below, i have absolutly no idea what he meant, but i can read what he typed.
                And what he typed is usally called Victim blaming and putting the onus on the Victim to protect herself form future harm, i guess whith the help of a glass ball or some tarot cards. I mean its not that man or women run around with a tattoo on their heads that say ‘beware, abuser’.

                IF he was being sarcastic he failed utterly. The two articles linked by me below are from todays herald. Other headlines today, a. another ‘sex’ attack in Wellington http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/81407411/police-investigating-early-morning-sex-attack-on-wellingtons-taranaki-street and an arrest was made in the case of the 65 year old women who was raped in her home this week
                http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/81384392/arrest-made-in-porirua-rape-case
                then there is the article about a murderer being released from prison, but the body of his victim is still not found http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/81363039/former-detective-holds-out-hope-neithes-body-will-be-uncovered
                and of course lets not forget the schoolsgirls with their defrauding knees defrauding and distracting male school teachers to the point of where their naked knees could be considered ‘sexual harrasment’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/81365804/christchurch-schoolgirls-told-their-skirt-length-distracted-male-teachers , maybe trousers should be the standard school uniform, or maybe teachers need to learn that if the knees of a 16 year old are so ‘defrauding and distracting’ that maybe they should only teach at a boys school….but then i hear there are boys that wear shorts to school…..oh those naked knees of children.

                And this is just one morning over coffee. So maybe you know, he just meant what he said?

                • Richardrawshark …
                  24 June 2016 at 11:18 am

                  I was just focused on that particular sentence of his, the rest of it made little sense, I just got his reference to the mating ritual.

                  His one weakness of argument I immediately noticed, was his simplification of the issue, which due to the diversity of human behaviour he fails to acknowledge, as in the fact, Sociopaths, psychopathic people. I won’t go into their behavioural expertise area’s if you understand me, because he should realize it and incorporate it into his argument but fails to see it at all. Why should I enlighten his narrow perceptions of how things are.

                  When he learns to challenge his beliefs he’ll adopt a more rational view point.

                  • Greg …
                    24 June 2016 at 1:08 pm

                    Dating is a numbers game, and for a yes answer, some guys dont stop when they do get a yes, in marry.

                    I simplified the issue for the reason its not an easy one answer fix,
                    and it wont be solved because of human nature. And that desire of sexual attraction overrides any red flags.

                    I mentioned police proposing allowing women access to mens criminal records, privacy grounds aside, would it have worked,
                    has warning a female that a guy is no good ever.

                    Men Going There Own Way is a utube thing.

                    Relationships are a choice.

                • Gabby …
                  24 June 2016 at 11:23 am

                  Those poor male teachers can’t have been educated at coed schools, or they wouldn’t have made it to university.

                • Greg …
                  24 June 2016 at 1:17 pm

                  These are crimes are of certain types of men who are psychotic, mentally ill, or just opportunists, it in no way relates to being in a relationship with a guy who drinks and watches Rugby.

                  And I cant stop them.
                  And Im not victim blaming, your projecting that onto me.

        • Rosie 8.1.1.2
          24 June 2016 at 11:21 am

          Thank you Lanthanide. I am just NOT getting into the theme of Graeme’s comment today. If there’s a few sentences that can sum up a response to Graeme, you’ve done it. Again, thank you.

      • reason 8.1.2
        24 June 2016 at 8:39 am

        The modern New Zealand way is not prohibition of Alcohol ………… just attacks and smears on those wanting to lower alcohol ABUSE …..

        While passing laws that are a confused expensive mess that work in favor of the booze industry.

        Steinlager All blacks ……… Drug All blacks

        • Greg 8.1.2.1
          24 June 2016 at 11:18 am

          So how can we fix rampant sexual abuse in religious communities etc, where booze isnt involved.
          And for that matter where government agencies replace children back with their abusers.

      • Sabine 8.1.3
        24 June 2016 at 8:40 am

        and this dead women here also could have done a better job at ‘choosing’ that man in her life.

        http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11662452

        but hey, it must be her fault and he gets an interview in which he can all tell us what a good boy he is and he meant nothing he did.

      • Sabine 8.1.4
        24 June 2016 at 8:41 am

        Yes, if this girl/women would have just have the good sense to ‘choose’ a different Dad. And i am sure the wifes and children of the other men mentioned in this article are also trying very hard in the future to ‘choose’ better men and dads.

        If your comment was an attempt at sarcasm it failed.

        http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11662214

        “A man who raped his own daughter, forced her to wear bondage and pimped her to six other men told police it was fun while it lasted.

        The father, who cannot be named, has been jailed for more than 22 years in what a judge described as one of the worst cases of its kind.

        He pleaded guilty to 61 offences committed between 2013 and 2015 when the girl was aged between 11 and 13.”

        “Benjamin Simon Clarke was previously sentenced to three years in jail for his involvement, which included photographing the girl in lingerie and nude.

        Former pastor and father-of-two, Dawid Volmer, was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years after he admitted molesting and raping the blindfolded girl while her dad was present.

        Four other men also face charges.”

        • Greg 8.1.4.1
          24 June 2016 at 10:54 am

          Its why there are prisons.

          • Sabine 8.1.4.1.1
            24 June 2016 at 10:56 am

            but how do you propose she could have ‘saved’ herself, by ‘choosing’ a better man in her life, and not ‘ignoring’ the pointers and hints that her father is a degenerate, that a priest is a degenerate that up to 6 man had no issue raping a girl of 11 – 13 years old.

            that is what you stated above. that women should choose ‘better men’. so how does a child choose her father? Please explain. Thanks.

          • Sabine 8.1.4.1.2
            24 June 2016 at 11:00 am

            what about this girls and one boy? in care of CYF and a foster family?

            Could they not just have choosen a better foster father? Or maybe the violene is really the fault of the one meeting out violence and not the fault of the one receiving the violence.

            good grief, you really are a sad excuse for a human being aren’t you 🙂

            http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/79441329/walmsley-trial-the-evidence-that-simply-couldnt-be-invented

            • Greg 8.1.4.1.2.1
              24 June 2016 at 11:26 am

              Systemic failures in government agencies and various institutions are something I can not fix, and that political parties in government duck any responsibility if fixing problems they could.

              Just blaming it all on booze and rugby is getting tiring to hear.

              Meanwhile its an election next year, maybe a new anti domestic violence campaign will fix deeply embedded social problems that just seem to get worse.
              Doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result each time sure seems to be working.

      • Pasupial 8.1.5
        24 June 2016 at 9:42 am

        Greg

        Are you really that repulsive that you’ll settle for the first person who doesn’t run away screaming? If so, I think you’d be better advised to look at improving your own self rather than blaming all woman.

        “The question should be”; why should anyone pay heed to one who can type; “their is some people” (not the only error, just the most concentrated), and then post it on a public thread? If they give their reasoning as little thought as they do their composition, then why am I wasting my time responding to this gibberish…

        Fuck that and fuck you too!

    • vto 8.2
      24 June 2016 at 10:12 am

      New Zealand men + alcohol + rugby = domestic violence ???

      bullshit on the toilet front

      • Greg 8.2.1
        24 June 2016 at 11:01 am

        Plenty of violence happens in religious communities, where their isnt any booze or rugby. And then theirs gang culture, which does.

  9. Wonderpup 9
    24 June 2016 at 9:13 am

    This a good, silly game.

    http://w3w.co/humans.skill.rats

  10. weka 10
    24 June 2016 at 9:27 am

    Mexit petition nears 20,000

    https://www.change.org/p/tvnz-get-rid-of-hosking-1347aa6d-8044-4a33-ba59-7fe0a5dba42b

    Interview with petition starter,

    http://i.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/81370038/mike-hosking-why-i-want-to-get-rid-of-him

    I wish the focus was less on offender and more on the critical role of journalism/media and the need to not use that position for expressions of personal opinion.

    • Puckish Rogue 10.1
      24 June 2016 at 9:36 am

      One could argue that this will make more people watch the show thus consolidating Mike Hoskings position

      • Sabine 10.1.1
        24 June 2016 at 9:42 am

        one could argue that not watching this geezer is good for the mental and spiritual well being of one.

      • Greg 10.1.2
        24 June 2016 at 11:07 am

        Not me, havnt watched TV since Netflix started up.
        And he is too predictable.

        • Puckish Rogue 10.1.2.1
          24 June 2016 at 11:15 am

          I prefer kodi… 🙂

          • Greg 10.1.2.1.1
            24 June 2016 at 11:32 am

            I just stick with a few beers, work enough hours to pay rent , food etc.
            Minimizing stress and chaos,
            and avoiding the unrealistic expectations of others.

      • weka 10.1.3
        24 June 2016 at 11:11 am

        One could argue that the moon is made of blue cheese too PR. Go on, make your argument then.

        • Puckish Rogue 10.1.3.1
          24 June 2016 at 12:02 pm

          Well ok then Campbell Live was losing viewing and only picked up when TV3 announced its axing, to the best of my knowledge Mike Hosking isn’t losing viewers yet if people think it may get axed then more people may watch it, if for nothing else then curiosity to see what the fuss is about

          Or not

          • weka 10.1.3.1.1
            24 June 2016 at 1:48 pm

            That would only make sense if there were a whole lot of people who love Hosking in the way that others love Campbell. I just don’t think that’s true. There will be some, but mostly people watch Hosking because it’s on and because it’s sensational.

            A lot of Campbell’s audience had stopped watching TV or were getting their current affairs on the internet. It’s really a different situation than Hosking.

            • Puckish Rogue 10.1.3.1.1.1
              24 June 2016 at 2:33 pm

              Agreed, its quite different. Campbell Live getting axed was a commercial decision because he was losing viewers, Hosking isn’t losing viewers and is popular but people want him axed because they don’t like his views

        • Greg 10.1.3.2
          24 June 2016 at 1:21 pm

          Actually on that topic, where’s our moon base.
          Nasa wants to go to Mars, yet we havnt got a moon base yet.

          • McFlock 10.1.3.2.1
            24 June 2016 at 4:33 pm

            glad I’m not the only one pissed off about that

            • Greg 10.1.3.2.1.1
              24 June 2016 at 5:22 pm

              And ,so many promises of a great future,
              4 day working week, or working from home, living wage, paperless office,

              They has just managed to implement E invoices in the last 6 months.

    • Richardrawshark 10.2
      24 June 2016 at 9:51 am

      Have faith Weka, one of the morons will slip up and mention that which they promised never to mention.

      On a side note, I really find it absurdly ridiculous we have a PM, who is so arrogant he’s come out defending keeping Rebstock, and without even saying he dismisses the Ombudsman as irrelevant to his agenda, he just did by ignoring him. Iain moves on he knew and got a free pass, helped onto his next train wreck.

      I trust a full investigation into the actions of National will be forthcoming regarding abuses of power, upon a change of government.

  11. Anne 11
    24 June 2016 at 10:05 am

    Paula Rebstock’s influence on NZers:

    Rebstock is an Auckland based economist and company director. She is Chair of the ACC Board, Chair of the Work and Income Board, Deputy Chair of KiwiRail, and Chair of the Insurance and Savings Ombudsman Commission. Paula is also a member of the University of Auckland Business School Advisory Board, a member of the Synergia Limited advisory board and a director of Auckland Transport. She is also a lead reviewer for the Performance Improvement Framework for the State Services Commission. Paula has been chair of the New Zealand Commerce Commission (2003-2009) and a member of the Commission for 11 years.
    Other past roles include director of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, and Health Benefits Limited, general manager with the Department of Labour, as well as economic adviser positions with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the New Zealand Treasury. Paula has also worked in the private sector in the United States in the 1980s.

    It beggars belief!!

    This hard-wired American neoliberal junkie with a vindictive bent is practically running the show. I wonder how many NZ lives she has destroyed thus far… not to mention those she has slandered or defamed.

    I sincerely hope the next Lab/Green/NZ First(?) govt. ensures she never gets another position of influence in this country ever again!

    http://www.beaccessible.org.nz/the-movement/fab-50-network/paula-rebstock

    • Draco T Bastard 11.1
      24 June 2016 at 2:05 pm

      I wonder how many NZ lives she has destroyed thus far…

      Probably in the thousands so far at least.

      I sincerely hope the next Lab/Green/NZ First(?) govt. ensures she never gets another position of influence in this country ever again!

      And what law would they do that under?

      Although, falsifying the report seems like good grounds.

      • Anne 11.1.1
        24 June 2016 at 3:16 pm

        Well, they got rid of Christine Rankin. I was referring to the public sector roles in which she is involved.

  12. Bearded Git 12
    24 June 2016 at 10:20 am

    With Rebstock in charge no wonder the railways are being closed down and no wonder this government has fought sensible public transport options in Auckland (only to do the usual u-turn on the rail loop when their ridiculous position became untenable) and no wonder ACC has become much harder to obtain.

    Her refusal to front up today to answer questions when disastrously wrong with the Foreign Affairs report , or earlier answer a civil question on ACC investment of public money (listen to Morning Report this morning) speaks volumes for the way this government operates.

    • Greg 12.1
      24 June 2016 at 11:09 am

      And she will be getting a heafty stipend for every one, how would her PAYE would work out,

      • Draco T Bastard 12.1.1
        24 June 2016 at 2:07 pm

        Probably contracts rather than PAYE and she has offshore trusts?

        I’d be surprised to find that she paid tax.

  13. Penny Bright 13
    24 June 2016 at 11:08 am

    Auckland Mayoral candidate Phil Goff supports road tolls for Auckland.

    Labour Party Leader Andrew Little is calling for Labour Party supporters to support Phil Goff for Auckland Mayor.

    Does that mean that the Labour Party supports road tolls for Auckland?

    Statement by Auckland Mayoral candidate Penny Bright
    “Road Tolls? NO WAY!”

    “Let’s get it right – there is NO SUCH THING as ‘public transport’ in Auckland,” says Auckland Mayoral candidate Penny Bright.

    “There are 10 private bus companies, 4 private ferries and a French multi-national operating and managing Auckland trains.”

    “What is ‘public’ – is the subsidies these private passenger transport operators are receiving – but there is no transparency or accountability regarding how much is being received by whom.”

    “I know – because I have asked.”

    “Here is the LGOIMA (Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act) reply from Auckland Transport, dated 7 July 2015:

    http://www.parliament.nz/resource/en-nz/51SCLGE_EVI_51DBHOH_PET66634_1_A494427/9aa813e65f89372033c648c285010dec9ff0b40f

    “Here is the evidence in the form of an extensive Privacy Act reply from Auckland Transport, dated 29 October 2015, which confirms that these private passenger transport operators did NOT want to reveal how much public monies they were receiving in the form of SUBSIDIES:

    http://www.parliament.nz/resource/en-nz/51SCLGE_EVI_51DBHOH_PET66634_1_A494428/9b31a5acc867353077952bd23648be429134bbf6

    “Here’s a wild idea – how about ‘opening the books’ and ‘cutting out the contractors’, and making ‘public’ transport truly PUBLIC – by bringing ownership, management and operation back ‘in house’, under the not-for-profit, public service model?”

    “Why should the public subsidise that which we no longer own, operate or manage?”

    “If the private sector are SO ‘efficient’ – why do they need public subsidies?”

    “‘Activists – get things done.

    As well as carrying out this pivotal investigative research, I have also petitioned Parliament, where I have raised my concerns about Auckland Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) – directly, and successfully, with the law-makers.”

    http://www.parliament.nz/resource/en-nz/51DBSCH_SCR69296_1/924613ec7fb831c4e74bd062f73287ac2ceb5081

    “Accountability and transparency of Auckland’s council-controlled organisations

    The petitioner told us of her concern that the public was unable to have a say on the model of Auckland’s CCOs after the 2009 Auckland “super city” merger.

    She stressed that the public is also unable to have a say about the directorship of CCOs or to have any direct say in CCO statements of intent.

    She believes that this is because CCOs are not classified as local authorities for the purposes of the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002.

    The petitioner strongly believes that CCOs need to be more accountable to Auckland ratepayers because a percentage of rates goes towards the operations of CCOs.

    She told us that she is defending her “lawful right as a citizen to know where my money is being spent”.

    The petitioner questions how the efficiencies and cost-effectiveness of Auckland CCOs is monitored.

    She is particularly concerned that information about the financial transactions of CCOs is unclear and difficult for the public to access.

    For example, she would prefer that contractor transactions were easily available in a written format for public scrutiny.

    The petitioner also asked why Auckland Transport does not provide open access to information about transport subsidies, given that much transport in Auckland is privately operated.

    We were also told that Auckland rates have increased to pay for a transport levy.
    …”

    Penny Bright
    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

    • The Chairman 13.1
      24 June 2016 at 12:32 pm

      Indeed, Penny.

      National’s brighter future seems to be one where the poor are priced off the roads.

      What is Labour’s vision?

      • Greg 13.1.1
        24 June 2016 at 1:26 pm

        Priced out of apartments as well, forcing inner city workers to the suburbs.
        It sure is wonderful sitting n a bus with virus filled passengers, or relying on the trains to be on time.
        Auckland’s wage increases by its major employers have been lucky to be inflationary.

        • The Chairman 13.1.1.1
          24 June 2016 at 4:21 pm

          Dead right, Greg.

        • Draco T Bastard 13.1.1.2
          24 June 2016 at 4:35 pm

          It sure is wonderful sitting n a bus with virus filled passengers, or relying on the trains to be on time.

          The ‘virus filled’ buses cause less death per year than the cars (probably the lack of viruses due to good coverage of vaccines) and the trains are almost always on time.

          • McFlock 13.1.1.2.1
            24 June 2016 at 4:42 pm

            the trains are probably a shitload more reliable than a car.

            That’s why people get pissed off if they’re more than a few minutes late on any particular run, whereas even if traffic runs okay there’s always “sorry, I couldn’t find a park”.

      • s y d 13.1.2
        24 June 2016 at 4:29 pm

        Labour will instigate a funding mechanism whereby a portion of your toll (sorry congestion pricing incentive) invoice will be topped up, dependent on the extent to which your trip was related to your work. This won’t be available to anyone not working, or with more than 2.45 children under the age of 12.
        There will also be a secondary method whereby you can estimate your likely toll bill for the next year and be paid the top up amount by NZTA. However penalty charges (150%) will be incurred should your estimate prove to be incorrect by more than 0.637%.
        A partial compensation refund fund will also be available on a contestable, first in first served basis, with a sliding scale reduction for multiples of 12 public transport trips. Keep your tickets.
        Further these charges will not apply to any vehicle less than 14 months old or with a market value greater than 48000 or with a WOF less than 2 weeks old.

  14. Richardrawshark 14
    24 June 2016 at 11:24 am

    Epiphany moment.

    I finally figured out why John keys flag referendum failed. The proper flag option he wanted didn’t get picked.

    It would have been a black flag, with the word in bold white “democracy” written across it, and to finish it off, a nice blue slash going from bottom left corner, to the top right.

    I am a fkn genius!

    /sarc.

  15. Rosie 15
    24 June 2016 at 11:25 am

    “I feel love”

    Which do you prefer, the original Donna Summer disco sounds or Bronski Beat?

    I love both but for today it will be Bronski Beat, featuring Marc Almond

    • Gangnam Style 15.1
      24 June 2016 at 12:04 pm

      Patrick Cowley did the original mega 12″ version of I Feel Love, he was one of the first casualties of HIV/Aids back in the early 80s. The guy was pure genius, alongside Moroder he pretty much invented Disco/Hi-NRG/Electro whatever. Not heard the Bronski Beat version, it’s all right, they def wear their influences on their sleeves, love ’em.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Cowley

    • Gabby 15.2
      24 June 2016 at 12:23 pm

      The Rollo/Sister Bliss Monster Mix.

  16. Richardrawshark 16
    24 June 2016 at 11:28 am

    I grew up with both as they came during different era’s I too agree both were good as each other, have to go for the former Donna summer for me. by a creative first way.

    • Rosie 16.1
      24 June 2016 at 12:11 pm

      Georgio Moroder produced a lot of hits for Donna Summer. He was a very influential pioneer of electronic beats

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giorgio_Moroder

      And of course you can hear Moroders “tears” famously sampled in DJ Shadow’s Organ Donor:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4E60Ffa9yQ

      Now I’ve gotta get outta here because this isn’t politics, this more like The Standard Weekend Social. I’ve gotta go catch up with Brexit, check the house for ducks and work out how to use facebook. I’ve finally given in after all these year!

      • Richardrawshark 16.1.1
        24 June 2016 at 12:42 pm

        Half of my house is riveted, Heard of multitasking? Split screens etc. 🙂

        We are in the, please leave already camp.

        • Rosie 16.1.1.1
          24 June 2016 at 2:46 pm

          You’re in the leave camp?………………

          • Richardrawshark 16.1.1.1.1
            24 June 2016 at 5:43 pm

            The celebrations are resounding here, and i’m proud to say Sunderland voted to leave to, as well as Durham. Represent North east!

            Proud to be British might mean something again, so will “Made in Briton”.

            • Peter Swift 16.1.1.1.1.1
              24 June 2016 at 6:07 pm

              “The celebrations are resounding here, and i’m proud to say Sunderland voted to leave to, as well as Durham. Represent North east!

              Proud to be British might mean something again, so will “Made in Briton”.”

              Even if you’re not and it’s spelled Britain. lol

              http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-21062016/#comment-1192171

              “i’m also Albanian”

              • Richardrawshark …
                24 June 2016 at 6:53 pm

                I was born in NZ to a UK mother and an Albanian father, I’ve seen it spelled Briton, and it’s a distraction to the point I make.

                Oh BTW Trying to belittle someone you don’t know is just a reflection of your own insecurities, and how I spelled it , unless this is a spelling contest is my business.

                • Peter Swift …
                  24 June 2016 at 7:04 pm

                  It’s no distraction, just a bit of a fun fact to go with your third party rhetoric.
                  For informational purposes only, if you’ve ever seen ‘made in Briton’ then whoever wrote it got it really wrong. In the context given it’s always going to be Britain, unless of course it’s an archaeological relic from the relevant time period.

                  “The Britons were an ancient Celtic people who lived in Great Britain from the Iron Age through the Roman and Sub-Roman periods. They spoke a language that is now known as Common Brittonic.”

                  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_Britons

                  • Richardrawshark …
                    24 June 2016 at 7:12 pm

                    I never been there, rrreally, what would I know about the UK 🙂

                    come on dude I lived there ten years, mum came back 2 weeks ago from ten years there, we may have had a good catch up you know?. My sister works for the Council in Sunderland, she’s kiwi born, but like me has right of abode?

                • In Vino …
                  24 June 2016 at 7:20 pm

                  Britain is the country. Briton is a person from Britain. They sound the same, but our illogical spelling system means that one sound can have a number of spellings in English..

  17. Rosie 17
    24 June 2016 at 11:28 am

    Dunedin, what are you doing? 20 degrees yesterday – are you serious? Are you trying for the 2016 climate change challenge to be the most unlikely southern city to have the highest winter temperature?

    • weka 17.1
      24 June 2016 at 11:39 am

      The degree of cognitive dissonance in South Dunedin must be peaking too (they had a meeting earlier in the week where some residents thought the council talking about the flooding in the context of climate change was greenie nonsense).

      • Rosie 17.1.1
        24 June 2016 at 12:02 pm

        A face palm meeting by the sounds of it. It’s difficult when a council actually acknowledges their geographical area has a problem with CC and the residents deny it. A similar thing happened a few years ago when the Kapiti District council projected sea level rises along the coastline where housing would be affected.

        Residents said it was nonsense and scaremongering. Now the $million + homes on beachfront land are sitting there unsold while houses elsewhere in that range, especially in town, in Wgtn, are selling no problem. I wonder if there will be an issue with potential buyers talking their insurance agents and the agents letting them know they will high premiums living in such a setting.

        Even when I was a kid in the 70’s growing up across the road from the sea we had massive spring storms that would bring dunes down. It’s going to be nuts as we move further into the anthropocene.

        • Gangnam Style 17.1.1.1
          24 June 2016 at 12:09 pm

          I live in South Dunedin, we are not all morons.

          Dunedin hasn’t had a winter, I work outside & have def noticed it, this time last year I think we had 2 dumps of snow! & the floods a year ago too (yes we were surrounded by water, came right to the door, 2 hours in this street were pulled down because of damage), been living in this suburb for 10 or so years, & def noticed the beach is nearer than it used to be, its a bit scary when you can hear it so close. Also a few years ago I had to dig a grave for the dog & the water table is only maybe 1-2 feet below us! So good on Cull for talking about it, though he’s back-tracking a bit because of the South Dunedin morons.

          Side note, South Dunedin is one of the poorest suburbs in the country, with shocking rates of teen pregnancies, over crowding, unemployment etc…but it is connected to the richest suburbs of the city with old beautiful Victorian mansions & brand new mega flash cars, so I think its the rich end of town complaining, I doubt the poor have too much invested in this suburb.

          • Rosie 17.1.1.1.1
            24 June 2016 at 12:30 pm

            Thanks for the local report. It’s always good to hear from residents and get their viewpoint. It’s often the case the wealthy have louder voices, or quite often more influence with the council.

            • Gangnam Style 17.1.1.1.1.1
              24 June 2016 at 12:41 pm

              Farry lives around the corner from me in the biggest house in the street,I would imagine he has a direct line to council/Govt. He was responsible for the stadium & got some kinda ‘honour’ from the Nat Govt for his effort in lying to us about it’s benefits. Some stunning old mansions in this ‘hood, a lot of ‘old money’ swishing around. Pity it’s all gonna be underwater in a few years.

              http://www.odt.co.nz/files/featured_gallery/2015/06/aerial_07_03062015_jpg_556eb86932.jpg

              http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/5/4/y/f/3/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620×349.154ri4.png/1433445323485.jpg

              http://www.odt.co.nz/files/featured_gallery/2015/06/aerial_01_03062015_jpg_556eb86911.jpg

              http://www.odt.co.nz/files/user21583/aerial_05_03062015.jpg

              The area used to be sand dunes & wetlands, the ducks still walk around thinking it is, but then maybe they have long genetic memories & know it will be theirs again one day.

              • Pasupial …
                24 June 2016 at 1:26 pm

                Gangnam Style

                No mention of Farry in the ODT, mainly; Ray MacLeod, spokesman of the South Dunedin Action Group (SDAG). Haven’t heard of him before, do you have any local knowledge? It seems a weird bit of delusion to be; blaming those attempting to formulate a response to climate change, for the property damage caused by sealevel rises.

                SDAG spokesman Ray MacLeod finished the meeting by praising some of the council’s short-term measures, but had harsh words when it came to what he perceived as a “green” agenda on the council.

                This agenda had resulted in a council policy of “strategic withdrawal” from South Dunedin “by stealth”, Mr MacLeod said.

                Council chief executive Sue Bidrose earlier said there was no such plan, but both she and Mayor Dave Cull, whose speech was read out by Acting Mayor Andrew Noone, said such an option could not be counted out, given the serious threat posed by climate change.

                http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/387568/anger-about-south-dunedins-future

                This seems to me to be another bit of prepositioning for the anti-Green vote in this year’s local body elections. Similar to the antiwindfarm movement that sprangup out of nowhere earlier in Warrington.

                In slamming “green” councillors, Mr MacLeod pointed to a proposal in the second generation plan being consulted on which would require “sensitive activities”, which included emergency services and other key infrastructure, in South Dunedin, to be relocatable.

                He called on South Dunedin residents to vote out “green” councillors and Mr Cull, who he said were willing to “sacrifice” South Dunedin people in favour of their ideology.

                • Gangnam Style …
                  24 June 2016 at 1:34 pm

                  No sorry, I just mentioned Farry because he’s around the corner, he’s more a behind the scenes type of guy, just my opinion. I don’t know of Mr MacLeod, but read about his anti ‘green’ type rant, maybe he should make use of the internet & google Canute. Not heard of the South Dunedin Action Group before this article sorry.

                  Just read the group was started after last years flood, maybe I should try & get involved, I love this ‘burb!

                • weka …
                  24 June 2016 at 4:09 pm

                  bugger all coverage in the ODT, what’s that about?

                • Colonial Viper …
                  24 June 2016 at 4:37 pm

                  ” It seems a weird bit of delusion to be; blaming those attempting to formulate a response to climate change, for the property damage caused by sealevel rises.”

                  Disagree.

                  Last year 90%+ of the damage was caused by DCC neglect. And all of the sub par post flood response.

                  Did climate change add a couple of cm to the flood height? Sure. So what.

                  • Gabby …
                    24 June 2016 at 8:58 pm

                    You’d think the council could ponder deeply the issues of climate change AND keep the drains clear, really.

              • Rosie …
                24 June 2016 at 3:00 pm

                Blimey.

                I don’t know of this Farry character but there always seems to a local body self promoting/self interest type that is also in league with the nat party.

                Hope you’ve got some strong contenders to look at voting for this year, ones that are aligned to environmental/restoration/cc issues/resilience. (Just reading Pasupial’s comment below).

                Re ducks. I think they have long family memories, just my observation. I’ve really noticed that the more of the farmland disapears on the development where I live (especially the boggy bits) the more ducks we get in the garden, that won’t leave.
                Because I live in their territory I feel I have a duty to care for them. I give them fresh water everyday as their water source has dried up. We had a drought over summer and they had nothing to eat so hung out here. I’ve also got orphaned ducklings who grew up in our garden and they come here every day, some are pets. They have a double risk with ongoing development too. The more roads that go in, the more stormwater drains there are for ducklings to fall into. I had SPCA in to help me rescue 3 babies that went down a drain. The SPCA person said that in the developing northern areas they had double the callouts, up to 500 call outs for ducklings alone. It’s a waste of their time. We just need smaller gap grates.
                As humans we may expect them move somewhere else but they don’t seem to. They stay in their turf. Hope the ducks in your area have enough grass and insects to eat and enough water.

          • marty mars 17.1.1.1.2
            24 June 2016 at 2:17 pm

            mum lived in Atkinson st – like going back in time going there

            • Gangnam Style 17.1.1.1.2.1
              24 June 2016 at 3:23 pm

              Michael Woodhouse is from that part of South Dunedin too marty, he mentions it now & again like Key & his state house upbringing.

              • marty mars …
                24 June 2016 at 4:02 pm

                lol – street cred is hard to buy

                • Colonial Viper …
                  24 June 2016 at 5:12 pm

                  Still wondering why Woodhouse hasn’t stood against Curran. He has more connections to the Dunedin South electorate than she does. I figure it is because he can’t be bothered being an electorate MP.

                  • te reo putake …
                    24 June 2016 at 7:33 pm

                    Possibly because Curran is too popular. Nobody seems to have been able to roll her, no matter how much they’d like to take her place.

                    • Colonial Viper …
                      24 June 2016 at 10:35 pm

                      Curran is too popular? Have you even looked at her plummeting electorate majority?

                    • Robertina …
                      25 June 2016 at 11:17 am

                      There was a time when Curran was perceived as a bit of an embarrassment who spent too much time on twitter, but for what it’s worth, I think that’s changed.
                      She has grown into the role. She works hard. Yes she can be a bit impulsive and makes some mistakes, but has a lot of heart.
                      Her approach to the June flood was spot on from the day one; she held council to account for its dissembling and appeared to do a huge amount of work on that issue (for individual cases as well as the infrastructure issue).
                      It will be interesting to see if her efforts translate into more votes next time around.

          • swordfish 17.1.1.1.3
            24 June 2016 at 8:42 pm

            I was about to say: It’s amazing how many Dunedinites are on this site.

            But, come to think of it, Dunedin is still the most Left-leaning City in the Country* (Wellington’s the only other centre where the Left continue to beat the Right Bloc) … so maybe not all that surprising after all.

            * Indeed, it’s been argued that Pete George is the only Dunedinite to have Party-Voted National at the last Election. Isn’t that right, Pete ?

  18. ianmac 18
    24 June 2016 at 11:56 am

    Those who have followed the hatchet job on Peggy Burrows Principal of Rangiora High School, might care to visit the Givealittle page at
    https://explore.givealittle.co.nz/search?q=Peggy+Burrows
    This time Peggy’s Rangiora case is in the Herald.
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11662583
    Bev Moore, the Commissioner has also done a hatchet job on an Invercargill Principal in a similar fashion because that Principal contested National Standards. That Principal took her case to Court won and was vindicated.
    Nasty unfair stuff.

  19. Gangnam Style 19
    24 June 2016 at 12:20 pm

    http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/387979/homeless-installation-causes-stir

    My mate has this installation at the moment, some people find it shocking, some are angry, but most are talking about homelessness which is kinda the point. Well done Toki!

    • weka 19.1
      24 June 2016 at 1:17 pm

      Good for them! interesting piece of interactive art with people leaving donations of food and cash.

      • Gangnam Style 19.1.1
        24 June 2016 at 1:27 pm

        Got a few lovely notes offering help, blankets, couches to sleep on etc…The All Blacks walked past without even glancing down, it’s been quite fascinating watching peoples reactions, I thought it was real when I first saw it. Apparently Dunedins homeless sleep in the greenbelt, too cold on the streets. And he’s left it outside over night a few times & each time in the morning the sleeping bag has been removed so we assume people are checking ‘he/she’ is OK. No sign of any Bennett ‘flying squad’ of monkeys as yet, still time!

        Rest of the exhibition is good too if anyone is walking past, have a look!

    • marty mars 19.2
      24 June 2016 at 2:21 pm

      + 1 Awesome art and contemporary commentary – love it and the things people have left.

  20. marty mars 20
    24 June 2016 at 3:10 pm

    tipping point?

    “The British pound is in freefall as the Brexit vote looks set to win the EU Referendum. In the last five minutes it has fallen 8 per cent against the US dollar.

    The crash is now the largest in modern history and has exceeded the fall known as Black Wednesday in 1992 when the UK was forced out of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism.”

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11662600

    • McFlock 20.1
      24 June 2016 at 3:20 pm

      beginning of the transition. A lot of it will be speculative shorting

      • logie97 20.1.1
        24 June 2016 at 4:34 pm

        I wonder what instructions those trustees who are managing blind trusts/investments in foreign exchanges are receiving from those who have major interests in those blind trusts …

  21. Gangnam Style 21
    24 June 2016 at 3:17 pm

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11662642

    All credit to Amy Adams for reading out the apology to Teina Pora, apparently she didn’t have to. It was the least she could do, now it’s the polices turn.

    • Colonial Viper 21.1
      24 June 2016 at 5:11 pm

      I have to be slightly impressed by that.

      • North 21.1.1
        24 June 2016 at 11:25 pm

        I don’t have to be but I acknowledge a good measure of belief. Politics fucks up belief unfortunately but it is admirable as far as it goes.