Open mike 24/09/2015

122 comments on “Open mike 24/09/2015 ”

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1. DH 1

   24 September 2015 at 7:39 am

   Can anyone make sense of this….

   http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/72324474/chinese-investors-plan-3-billion-fund-to-help-city-rebuild

   In one breath they talk about investing but most of the article talks about them tendering for contracts. Unless they plan on bidding $3billion more than everyone else I can’t see where the gains are, if it’s just tenders ChCh will get the money whether this mob is involved or not.
   • Pat 1.1

     24 September 2015 at 8:58 am

     “….if it’s just tenders ChCh will get the money whether this mob is involved or not.”
     that is theproblem…..they arnt and wont….the appetite for investment in the ChCh rebuild has evaporated for a multitude of reasons, number one of which is the disastrous leadership(?) provided by Brownlee and his cabinet mates.
     • DH 1.1.1

       24 September 2015 at 9:27 am

       That was partly my point. Read down the article, ie;

       “Rahme, a Guoxin founding partner, said several Christchurch projects had already been identified, but he would not name them.

       Once projects went out for tender, Guoxin would submit bids for them.”

       and…..

       “Because of the company’s size, it could source materials from China and across the world at a cheaper cost, which could make projects more viable, Rahme said”

       They’re talking there about projects which are going to be built whether this mob is in it or not. So where is the $3billion of investment?
       • Pat 1.1.1.1

         24 September 2015 at 9:33 am

         the point is without the financing they may not be built, or at least not for some considerable time….you can say they are tendering for work that will happen anyway, but whether any of those tenders are accepted will depend on many factors….not least of which will be cost. The cost of construction currently does not allow a return in most instances from projected revenues and the Insurance monies are coming to an end and much is being redirected or sat on waiting for the inevitable fire sales
         • Ron 1.1.1.1.1

           24 September 2015 at 5:52 pm

           maybe we are going to try design build projects like used on the beautiful Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge (Cooper River bridge) in South Carolina. In some ways I am a fan of such projects it puts all the responsibility to design and build on the firm doing the construction. If they get it wrong they carry the can.
       • Molly 1.1.1.2

         24 September 2015 at 3:36 pm

         And that “sourcing of materials” is going to impact on NZ steel manufacturers and building material providers (and resulting job losses) and trade workers.

         These decisions are going to have more impact than the most immediate consideration of who can provide for the least cost – NZ company or overseas.
2. Murray Simmonds 2

   24 September 2015 at 7:42 am

   Tim Groser in Parliament yesterday delivered a totally mindless, utterly absurd speech following on from question time. Among other inanely rambling topics he discussed several examples of “why he thinks the number 7 is important”.

   In keeping the spirit of mindless absurdity initiated by Groser (“if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em”), I’d like to add to his examples seven reasons why the people of NZ voted for a panda as PM of New Zealand in the last election:

   1. Pandas believe that they do enough for their country merely by sitting around eating or by lying around on their backs all day. They don’t need to do any useful work nor have a long-term strategy or a vision for the the future of their country. They merely exist to be adored by the public and fed by the taxpayer. However they are expensive for the taxpayer to keep and maintain.

   2. They are shorter in stature than a full-grown man when standing on their hind legs. However they have rather strong arms and can deliver an awesome side-swipe to anyone who gets too close and is foolish enough to say something they don’t like.

   3. They have quite unnecessarily big heads, given their short stature.

   4. They also have a big mouth – bigger than is required for their bland diet of Green fodder. And pandas have quite sharp teeth that can inflict serious damage on their opponents at close range. However they do have a leerish grin that some members of the public find attractive.

   5. They have rather small beady eyes that stare unblinkingly whenever a camera is aimed in their general direction.

   6. They have a characteristically quite large, long nose.

   7. Pandas can be good money-spinners in the short term. However the voting public soon become bored with them as zoo exhibits, due in part to their gross inactivity.

   In short, we couldn’t have done worse for the future of this country if we’d voted for a snake instead of a panda.
   • Rosie 2.1

     24 September 2015 at 9:28 am

     😀
   • ianmac 2.2

     24 September 2015 at 10:09 am

     Seven ticks. 🙂
   • One Two 2.3

     24 September 2015 at 11:05 am

     Christine Lagarde gave a speech in 2014 with opening references to ‘why the number 7 is important’
   • Treetop 2.4

     24 September 2015 at 3:14 pm

     If Key wants a panda badly enough he can afford one and charge what he likes for people to see it. He can also stick a flag of his preference at the entrance of the panda enclosure.

     and

     A panda and a flag are priorities for Key, while state housing is in ruins and supported housing is desperately needed for those with complex housing needs.

     Where is the logic in making someone homeless, (selling off state homes) then housing a homeless person, (social housing)?

     Nothing has been done in 4 years, because Key’s grand social housing plan is RIDDLED with holes because it relies on stripping state housing of assets.
     • rod 2.4.1

       24 September 2015 at 5:24 pm

       Key likes Pandas because the are nearly All Black.
3. Nick 3

   24 September 2015 at 7:52 am

   Can anyone tell me why the Greens backed National for the Red Peak?
   • BM 3.1

     24 September 2015 at 7:55 am

     Because apparently it was popular and liked by many people.

     Personally I think it’s ugly, but if that’ what people want as our flag so be it.
   • Puckish Rogue 3.2

     24 September 2015 at 8:47 am

     I think its a warning shot from the Greens to Labour, the flag probably won’t change so supporting Red Peak means nothing but it does tell Labour that the Greens don’t want to be seen as Labours doormat anymore and if Labour want the Greens support they (Labour) will have to negotiate with them

     Maybe
   • Bearded Git 3.3

     24 September 2015 at 8:57 am

     @ Nick The Greens were giving us one more option to vote for that clearly has some public support. What is the problem there?

     Little should give Clare Curran a bollockling for (according to Morning report) tweeting against the Greens. When will she ever learn?
     • Sabine 3.3.1

       24 September 2015 at 11:23 am

       quite frankly we did not need another choice to make this ‘shambles’ ‘flag debacle’ ‘rubbish designs’ etc etc more palatable or to give the PM more leg to stand on his vanity project.

       the greens could have just simply sat that one out. Oh well, i guess they will be known hence forward as the ‘Aquamarine’ brigade….to the rescue of the national party when ever they need help. Not that that would feed the kids, or help the envirnoment, but it sure does feel good.

       the greens, the labour party should have both done nothing else but lean back and watch the trainwreck that is the “Flag Change”.
       • weston 3.3.1.1

         24 September 2015 at 7:53 pm

         absolutely but new leader rashly keen to make his mark wow hes a real big deal
4. Draco T Bastard 4

   24 September 2015 at 8:21 am

   Steve Keen: Simple Complex Model of Great Moderation & Recession (Video)
   • RedLogix 4.1

     24 September 2015 at 12:29 pm

     A very important presentation DtB.

     I’ve been following the details of this for some years now. (I even donated to Keen’s Kickstart to assist development of the software package.)

     There is a bit to absorb, but the underlying concept makes complete engineering sense.
5. Nick 5

   24 September 2015 at 8:22 am

   Ahhhh… I see, the Greens are voting for Red Peak
   • weka 5.1

     24 September 2015 at 9:21 am

     no, the GP are mediating a solution to the clusterfuck that is the flag change process, and they’re doing so in a way that will probably pick up votes for them.
     • Sabine 5.1.1

       24 September 2015 at 11:25 am

       and you know what,

       they
       don’t
       need
       to
       do
       this

       they have no reason whatsoever to ‘mediate’.

       let people vote on the choices presented to them by dear leader, and frankly if the feathers win, than it is becasue people voted for it.
       if the old flag stays, its because people voted for it.

       for once, sorry Weka, but the greens fucked up big time here.
   • Adrian 5.2

     24 September 2015 at 11:48 am

     Reinforcing our status as international laughing stock: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/anger-over-nazi-swastika-new-zealand-flag-entry-10514224.html
6. Westiechick 6

   24 September 2015 at 8:59 am

   I find the whole thing stupid and dumb. Key talking about Labour failing to get Red Peak on the ballot, then breathless admiration for the Greens who “came through the middle”…WHO CARES??? IT IS A SIDESHOW. Nothing happened.
   • save NZ 6.1

     24 September 2015 at 10:25 am

     +1 – meanwhile TPP goes ahead with nothing meaningful done by opposition.
7. John Shears 7

   24 September 2015 at 9:03 am

   Tried to read what Audrey Young had to say about the Flag thingy but it won’t open. Wonder why?
   Flag backdown won’t harm PM
8. Rosie 8

   24 September 2015 at 9:34 am

   A question for all those eagle eyed economics whizzes that visit TS. (With apologies for the boring nature of the question).

   Apparently economists anticipate there will be another cut in the OCR before the end of the year. Anyone have ideas as to exactly when another cut would be announced?

   I want to refix my mortgage if the OCR goes down again and banks respond by lowering their lending rates. Currently the best offers are 4.35% for one year fixed. Am hoping they will drop further so I can take advantage.
   • Editractor 8.1

     24 September 2015 at 9:59 am

     They have a schedule for OCR announcements ( http://www.rbnz.govt.nz/monetary_policy/ocr/ – on the right) but no idea what the chances are of an actual cut on those days.
     • Rosie 8.1.1

       24 September 2015 at 10:44 am

       Excellent. Thank you Editractor. Learnt something new today.
   • odot 8.2

     24 September 2015 at 10:22 am

     It’s unlikely that it will drop any more than it has (2.75% is getting down to quite low), but this is dependent on economic indicators. Eg; if business confidence decreases more than expected, then the OCR will be likely to decrease too. If you want to get a general indication of whether the OCR will be set higher or lower, the main indicators to watch are inflation rates, business & consumer confidence levels, and employment trends.
     • Rosie 8.2.1

       24 September 2015 at 11:02 am

       Thanks odot. I got the feeling that those three indicators you mention were flat, at the moment, but then it’s not my area of knowledge.
       Despite the unknown I’m going to hang out till 29th October with my current fixed rate.

       After all, dear Leader showed his lack of faith in his governments ability to lift the economy by saying that “we could see mortgage rates with a 3 in front of them”. Not that he is to be believed on any topic.
       • Draco T Bastard 8.2.1.1

         24 September 2015 at 11:52 am

         After all, dear Leader showed his lack of faith in his governments ability to lift the economy by saying that “we could see mortgage rates with a 3 in front of them”.

         Generally speaking, bank mortgage rates are usually around 1.5 to 2% higher than the OCR. To get mortgage rates with a 3 in front you’d have to have the OCR drop to 2.25% at the minimum and even then it would take the banks a few weeks to drop their interest rates. Hell, they may not even drop them.
         • Rosie 8.2.1.1.1

           24 September 2015 at 1:30 pm

           Got that thanks Drac, re the mortgage rates to OCR ratio.

           I think last time the OCR dropped the banks did drop quickly, within a few days. I guess they’re thinking there has to be some semblance of competitiveness. They never lose though, they get people on their obscenely huge break fee’s, which you have to fight them to avoid paying.
     • Atiawa 8.2.2

       24 September 2015 at 11:09 am

       It is unlikely that business confidence will have any reason to head north in the foreseeable future. There will be an increase in unemployment numbers and inflation will likely remain less than .05%.
9. dv 9

   24 September 2015 at 9:55 am

   HUH

   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11518089

   The dairy giant said its net profit after tax came to $506 million in the year to July 31, up 183 per cent from the previous year’s profit, and raised its forecast payout for the current season.

   So they sack 750!!!
   • The Chairman 9.1

     24 September 2015 at 10:33 am

     And slashed the milk price forecast to $3.85 per kilogram of milk solids.
   • save NZ 9.2

     24 September 2015 at 10:35 am

     Yep, it’s called neoliberalism, maximising short term profits to give applause and profits payouts to the CEO and management team, while leaving the workers with less jobs and more work and the company weaker in the long term. The farmers themselves have had less payouts for milk but ‘supported’ by the co-operative instead of giving them the money for milk they used to get. Make it complicated too, like the Natz, take with one hand, and then give a little with the other their own money and keep the rest for yourself.
   • infused 9.3

     24 September 2015 at 12:18 pm

     You really need to learn how business works.

     That was the last financial year.
   • Naki man 9.4

     24 September 2015 at 1:42 pm

     “So they sack 750!!!”
     Yep and apparently another 200 will lose their jobs, There are a lot of worried people out there.
10. The Chairman 10

    24 September 2015 at 10:28 am

    Latest political poll has Jacinda Ardern out in front for the position of the party’s deputy

    Jacinda Ardern – 33 per cent support.

    The option of “don’t know/don’t care” received 28 per cent.

    King came in third at 25 per cent.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/72322764/jacinda-ardern-favourite-for-labour-deputy–poll

    Thoughts?
    • Puckish Rogue 10.1

      24 September 2015 at 10:44 am

      What has Jacinda Ardern done to warrant replacing Annette King apart from losing to Nikki Kaye twice and putting on makeup and apperaring in some womans magazines?

      Annette King is one of the (very few) mps the Labour party has that can match it with National

      If National could swop some of their mps for Labours they’d probably pick Annette King, Kelvin Davis, Stuart Nash and thats about it, thats how bare the cupboard is for Labour

      Why Labour would want to demote one of thier best, most experienced mps for someone that can’t even win an electorate seat is beyond me
      • The Chairman 10.1.1

        24 September 2015 at 10:59 am

        Little failed to win his electoral seat – and now is the Party leader.

        They say Jacinda Ardern gives the perception of a new face.

        Kelvin Davis received 11 per cent.

        The option of “don’t know/don’t care” receiving 28 per cent should be of concern.
        • Puckish Rogue 10.1.1.1

          24 September 2015 at 11:04 am

          If you can’t convince an electorate to vote for you how can you convice a country? It was a strange (to me anyway) decision to make Andrew Little the leader of Labour but i guess when you scrambling for purchase you’ll grab onto anything

          Kelvin Davis comes across very well, competent man-of the-people type and hes even managed to avoid any fallout from his hits on Serco ref: deaths in corrections run prisons so hes doing something right
          • Atiawa 10.1.1.1.1

            24 September 2015 at 11:19 am

            Which goes to show that the voters of New Plymouth were blind to the likelihood of having the countries next Prime Minister as their local MP.
            Oh well New Plymouths loss, the countries gain.
            • Puckish Rogue 10.1.1.1.1.1

              24 September 2015 at 11:48 am

              He lost in New Plymouth twice so the electorate has had a good chance to see what he was all about and have voted accordingly
              • swordfish …

                24 September 2015 at 4:18 pm

                Actually, Little didn’t do too badly in a decidedly Right-leaning Provincial City seat like New Plymouth.

                Particularly so in 2011.

                2011 Split Vote

                (CV = Candidate Vote)
                (GE = General Electorates as a whole)

                Party Vote……CV for Lab candidate (GE)…..CV for Little in New Plymouth
                Labour……………………….83%…………………………………91%
                National………………………5%…………………………………..9%
                NZF…………………………….43%…………………………………65%
                Green…………………………45%…………………………………61%
                Cons…………………………..12%…………………………………27%
                ACT……………………………..7%………………………………….14%
                UF………………………………18%…………………………………34%

                In other words, Little was able to attract far greater support from the voters of rival parties (and, indeed, from Labour voters) compared to your average Labour candidate. Remember, this was the first time he’d ever stood so it was a remarkable performance for a newbie candidate. Only the long-time MPs in the Labour leadership (Goff, King, Mallard) (as well as Helen Clark in previous elections) had the same ability to pull in the voters of other parties.

                True, 2014 wasn’t quite such a good performance, but Little was still attracting more voters of other parties than the average Labour candidate, even if not to the same extent as his debut in 2011.

                But the fact is: he was on a hiding to nothing in such a conservative,
                right-leaning seat. Meanwhile, your favourite PM makes sure he initially gets selected for one of the safest and Bluest seats in he Country.
                • Puckish Rogue …

                  24 September 2015 at 4:28 pm

                  Good job at polishing a turd but New Plymouth has had its fair share of left wing mps representing it

                  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Plymouth_(New_Zealand_electorate)

                  The fact is hes tried, twice, to win the seat and failed to convince the voters to vote for him

                  Why do you think he’ll be able to convince the rest of the country to vote for him instead?
                  • swordfish …

                    24 September 2015 at 4:50 pm

                    Nah, generally been a Tory seat since the advent of the modern Party system. And the 2011 and 2014 Elections took place during a particularly Blue period (in more ways than one) in the electoral cycle.

                    The only reason Labour’s Duynhoven held on for as long as he did was that he was basically a political freak. He was winning support from National voters (ie National Party-voters) massively – and I mean massively – out of proportion to other Labour candidates, including the popular leadership old-timers like Clark, Goff, King, Mallard.

                    The fact that a newbie candidate like Little was able to emulate Duynhoven’s pulling power (albeit to a lesser degree) remains impressive. Little might not have quite been the political freak Duynhoven was, but he was still up there with the Clarks and Goffs when it came to his ability to attract rival parties’ voters.
          • The Chairman 10.1.1.1.2

            24 September 2015 at 11:30 am

            Little has failed to significantly shine thus far.

            Depth is a problem the Party faces (IMO)

            Kelvin Davis had the Government on the back foot over the Serco debacle.

            Word is Little favours a female deputy.
            • Atiawa 10.1.1.1.2.1

              24 September 2015 at 12:36 pm

              Thats your view of the world but it’s not mine and many others I speak with. There is plenty of time for Little to further his popularity with voters and I have huge confidence in his abilities to present himself as a Prime Minister in waiting over the next 18 months two years.
              • Grindlebottom …

                24 September 2015 at 1:55 pm

                Little’s charisma bypass works hugely against him. He comes across as passionless and humourless. Contrast that with all the other party leaders and he’s uniquely boring.
                • greywarshark …

                  24 September 2015 at 8:47 pm

                  I’d agree with much of that Grindle But please lay off the scorched earth approach to Labour and Little. Give them a chance to grow without cutting down those tall poppies. Find something to praise, however little!
              • Puckish Rogue …

                24 September 2015 at 2:02 pm

                The same thing was said about the Cunliffe, Shearer and Goff
                • Grindlebottom …

                  24 September 2015 at 2:02 pm

                  Yup. But there were differences. Goff wasn’t really given a chance and blew it with the stunt on a motorbike that looked too big for him. Shearer was a ditherer and used to seem as surprised as everyone else to hear what he had to say once he’d said it. Cunliffe just didn’t look or sound genuine. Little’s just bland and boring.
                  • Puckish Rogue …

                    24 September 2015 at 2:13 pm

                    True but I was more referring to this:

                    “There is plenty of time for Little to further his popularity with voters and I have huge confidence in his abilities to present himself as a Prime Minister in waiting over the next 18 months two years.”

                    Which basically sounds like the old he just needs more time refrain
              • The Chairman …

                24 September 2015 at 5:16 pm

                @ Atiawa

                No. It’s the reality highlighted by the polls. Little has failed to significantly shine thus far. How that gives you confidence he will improve going forward is unclear.
            • Anne 10.1.1.1.2.2

              24 September 2015 at 5:57 pm

              Andrew Little is concentrating on creating cohesion between all the different strands of the Labour Party (a big job given it’s diversity) and moving around the country getting a sense of what is really going on out there in voter-land. He’s playing the long game and ensuring the building blocks are in place before he starts the job of winning over voters.

              Why do you think the blowhard Key and his cohorts have upped the ‘dirty political’ rhetoric on Andrew Little T.C.? Because they know that when the time comes, he’s going to be a much harder opponent to beat that’s why.
              • The Chairman …

                24 September 2015 at 7:23 pm

                Playing the long-game is what they say, Anne.

                However, I haven’t seen anything from Little that would have National overly concerned.

                At this stage, National merely have to maintain voter confidence and they’ll probably sail through.

                Can’t wait to see how Little plans to shift it up a gear and start winning over voters.

                Josie Pagani says Labour needs to upset some people (I’m taking that means people on the left) and take some risk.

                It will be interesting to see what Little actually decides to do.
                • Anne …

                  24 September 2015 at 8:40 pm

                  Josie Pagani says Labour needs to upset some people (I’m taking that means people on the left) and take some risk.

                  She’s right about that, but I doubt she recognises that it is she (and others of similar ilk) who are going to be upset. Both Paganis are way out of the Labour loop and have been for a long time. Josie reminds me of that third way Blairite who stood for the UK Labour leadership. Forgotten her name already but she only managed 4.5% of the vote. In a similar situation here I doubt Josie would get 0.5% of the vote.
                  • The Chairman …

                    25 September 2015 at 6:39 am

                    Josie Pagani was involved with setting up that Think Tank – and Little said he was happy with it.

                    Clearly she still has the ear of a few within Labour.

                    Lets hope you’re right, Anne.
                    • Anne …

                      25 September 2015 at 9:10 am

                      I think he was “happy” with her starting up an independent Think Tank but be assured she and her mates were given the thumbs down about involving the Labour Party. It seems to have died a natural death because there’s been no mention of it since.

                      She probably does have the ear of a few within Labour but that is all. She’s highly unpopular because of the way she has sniped at – and run down – Labour at every opportunity. She’s been doing it for a long time under various leaders and my sense is: it’s a revenge thing because she and her husband have not been afforded the reverence and appreciation of the party hierarchy she thinks they deserve.
                  • The Chairman …

                    25 September 2015 at 9:43 am

                    Died a natural death? Or merely keeping it on the down low? The launching isn’t till the end of the year.

                    My understanding was it’s independence is to enable it to make it easier to reach out to businesses.

                    The fact the Party hasn’t publicly disowned her suggests she may have more support within than we both believe.
                    • Anne …

                      25 September 2015 at 9:53 am

                      The fact the Party hasn’t publicly disowned her suggests she may have more support within than we both believe.

                      Don’t agree. She’s a publicity seeking type and they don’t intend to accommodate her… is the more likely reason they don’t publicly disown her. Best to ignore her.
                  • The Chairman …

                    25 September 2015 at 10:24 am

                    She is very outspoken and given her media status, her input is far reaching.

                    Therefore, if she was going against the Party’s wishes (potentially harming their public image) surely they would distance themselves from her, setting the media and public right.

                    The fact that they haven’t speaks volumes, IMO.

                    Ignoring someone so outspoken, potentially damaging and with such public reach is an inconceivable strategy.
                    • Anne …

                      25 September 2015 at 10:44 am

                      She seeks publicity – and money – through her engagements with RNZ “The Panel” and other similar programmes on TV, but she doesn’t get news coverage as such. Since the audience for the above is limited then I guess they think she’s best ignored. I know of no-one who bothers to read her occasional written diatribes – confused and irrational as they so often seem.
                  • The Chairman …

                    25 September 2015 at 11:08 am

                    RNZ, “The Panel” and other similar programmes on TV are generally related to news or political coverage, thus her public reach is rather wide. Not to mention potentially damaging.

                    Moreover, allowing her to hog the limelight robs Labour from getting their genuine message out. Hence, when all is considered, the ignoring her strategy being put forward just doesn’t wash, IMO.

                    Of course, that won’t be clear until Little makes his move, then we’ll see which way he decides to go and how well that resonates with voters/supporters.
                    • Anne …

                      25 September 2015 at 11:28 am

                      We’ve come to an agreement – sort of. I don’t think Labour has a lot of choice at present because the MSM are going to use her no matter what. But yeah, she’s damaging – dare I say it – the party brand, and I’d like to see her sent packing. Indeed I’ve considered writing to the Labour Council about her but as yet haven’t had the time to do so.
                  • The Chairman …

                    25 September 2015 at 11:55 am

                    Publicly distancing themselves from her (while putting forward their own genuine spokesperson) would severely knee cap her current status as an associated Labour spokesperson or commentator of the left. Turning the media off seeking comment from her as it would largely be considered irrelevant.

                    Labour has this choice, but to date, have decided against it. Leaving me and others questioning why?
                    • Anne …

                      25 September 2015 at 4:16 pm

                      Joise Pagani is not and never has been a recognised spokesperson for Labour. What point is there in putting forward a genuine spokesperson when the MSM will simply ignore them. They wouldn’t want Labour’s choice whoever it might be. Madame J suits their agenda well enough. She puts the boot into Labour and that’s how they like it.

                      Not for the first time, I heard her on Mora’s panel a few days ago talking a load of confused and irrational bullshit. Mora and co. must know it’s bullshit yet they continue to invite her. There’s your problem – not Labour.

                      That’s my last reply to this discourse.
              • weston …

                24 September 2015 at 8:19 pm

                i think youre right anne i think hes more of a man than anyone else in the pack and personaly id prefer someone that wasnt always doing that grimacing thing somepeople call smiling anyway ! Timing is everything hopefully he will come through
                • The Chairman …

                  24 September 2015 at 8:28 pm

                  I’m more concerned about the policy package he plans to push.

                  Labour will need better policies if they want to get over the line.
                  • weston …

                    24 September 2015 at 9:20 pm

                    effectively theyed have to promise to turn water into wine
      • weka 10.1.2

        24 September 2015 at 11:14 am

        Now now PR, your sexism is showing.
        • Puckish Rogue 10.1.2.1

          24 September 2015 at 11:16 am

          By praising Annette King? Its not sexist to point out that Jacinda acts (via the medium of print media) like a pretty face but when it comes to the business of politics shes lost against Nikki Kaye and got smacked down by Paula Bennet
          • weka 10.1.2.1.1

            24 September 2015 at 1:44 pm

            maybe your troling was showing as well.
            • Puckish Rogue 10.1.2.1.1.1

              24 September 2015 at 2:03 pm

              Disagreeing with something doesn’t make it trolling you know
              • weka …

                24 September 2015 at 3:28 pm

                I wasn’t commenting on your disagreement.
                • Puckish Rogue …

                  24 September 2015 at 3:37 pm

                  I can assure you that what I wrote isn’t trolling but my genuine thoughts on the matter
                  • McFlock …

                    24 September 2015 at 3:40 pm

                    laugh of the day.
                  • Draco T Bastard …

                    24 September 2015 at 4:42 pm

                    So genuine they have the stamp of approval from John Key himself.
          • Gabby 10.1.2.1.2

            24 September 2015 at 4:09 pm

            Did Benefit sit on her?
          • odot 10.1.2.1.3

            24 September 2015 at 4:31 pm

            When people try and slag off Jacinda Ardern they always bring up the fact that she lost to Kaye, but the reality is she lost by 600 votes last year, and 700 the election before that. In an electorate with between 27-33k voters that is an incredibly slim margin both times…
            • lprent 10.1.2.1.3.1

              24 September 2015 at 10:58 pm

              In the 2014 election, she lost by 600, but after the electorate was massively changed. The whole of Grey Lynn was excised and put into Mt Albert.
      • DoublePlusGood 10.1.3

        24 September 2015 at 11:49 am

        That’s not quite true – they’d pick all of the ABCs who should be in National anyway.
        Also, this is MMP, electorate seats are not as important as popularity nation-wide
        • Puckish Rogue 10.1.3.1

          24 September 2015 at 2:06 pm

          They’d only pick the ABCs that were any good (which doesn’t leave alot to choose) and yes electorate seats arn’t as important as they used to be but as I said before how can you expect a country to vote for you if you can’t convice an electorate to vote for you
      • Brendan 10.1.4

        24 September 2015 at 5:44 pm

        Because people are tired of old Third Way Labour. They want fresh ideas and young faces. They only reason Ardern lost Central Auckland is because some Green Party voters can’t figure out how to vote strategically, and the party can’t seem to figure this out either. And I know, I’m a party member. Maybe I’ll light a fire under it… Also, I think by the end of this term Ardern will have served 3 terms. That’s 9 years. Is that enough experience? Key became Prime Minister with only 6 years in parliament.
    • One Two 10.2

      24 September 2015 at 2:38 pm

      ‘Thoughts’

      All polls can be rigged

      People should consider what else they believe in also probably rigged

      Politics
      Economics / finance
      Sport
      etc
      etc
      etc
11. Morrissey 11

    24 September 2015 at 10:41 am

    “They ALWAYS give them Maori names.”
    Paul Henry channeled the late Paul Holmes this morning.
    PAUL HENRY, TV3, Thursday 24 September 2015

    shallow /ˈʃaləʊ/ adj. 1. of little depth; 2. not exhibiting, requiring, or capable of serious thought.

    This program gets worse every day. I tuned in this morning just as the 8 o’clock news was finishing….

    HILLARY BARRY: ….And the new Cook Strait ferry the Kaiarahi has arrived in Wellington. It has been blessed by iwi, and will start services next month.

    Now for most people that would have been an uncontroversial, even boring, little news item. But for Paul Henry, like it was for another hateful multi-media pontificator, Paul Holmes, Māori culture is intolerable, an affront, its very existence a provocation. So, in the mind of Paul Henry, naming a ferry the Kaiarahi was “political correctness” gone mad.

    Intolerable!

    After a short silence, he made his assault…..

    PAUL HENRY: Would it be so hard for them to give the ferry an ENGLISH name? They ALWAYS give them Maori names.

    HILLARY BARRY: I think it’s LOVELY!

    PAUL HENRY: Do you? It must be all right then, if Hillary likes it. But honestly….

    Henry’s slave Jim Kayes looked troubled, but kept his own counsel….

    Shortly after that, it was time for the daily “Panel”. Today it featured a particularly gruesome twosome: Christine (Spankin’) Rankin, the self-described “children’s advocate” who believes in hitting children, and Bill Ralston’s ghastly wife Janet Wilson. I had better things to do than listen to three vicious and vacuous people chuntering on at the intellectual level you’d expect at a golf club booze-up, but I did catch the tail-end of it just before 8:30….

    JANET WILSON: See, here’s the thing: Len still thinks he’s going to win. Quelle horreur! He’s got a hide like an elephant.
    PAUL HENRY: Yeah, he has.
    JANET WILSON: The problem for Phil Goff is that he comes from the same end of the political spectrum as Len Brown. The thing is: who would want to run for mayor, when you get paid two and six for it?
    CHRISTINE SPANKIN’ RANKIN: [speaking slowly to emphasize how serious she is] He failed as the leader of the Labour Party, and he will fail as mayor of Auckland.
    JANET WILSON: Christine Rankin and Janet Wilson, thank you very much for coming on the Panel this morning.
    SPANKIN’ RANKIN: Best Panel ever!
    JANET WILSON: Ha ha ha ha! Yeah!

    More on Janet Wilson….
    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-22032013/#comment-607420
    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-17072013/#comment-664190
    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-03082014/#comment-859688

    More on Christine Spankin’ Rankin….
    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00213.htm
    • save NZ 11.1

      24 September 2015 at 10:47 am

      +1 – as I’m assuming most people on this site, can’t bear to watch this crap, (and from the falling ratings more and more of the public) great to have the opportunity to have it dissected.
    • DoublePlusGood 11.2

      24 September 2015 at 11:55 am

      That “two and six” the mayor gets paid is many times the average wage. Methinks Janet Wilson needs to live on the average wage for a while to get some perspective.
    • les 11.3

      24 September 2015 at 12:19 pm

      funnily enough as far as morning ‘news’ goes there are some segments of Henrys show I dont mind…his interview with Ruby Wax for example and I must begrudgingly admit his SOH is not without appeal.I expect this show to be a winner.
      • Morrissey 11.3.1

        24 September 2015 at 7:55 pm

        I must begrudgingly admit his SOH is not without appeal.

        Yes, Henry can be very funny. I heard him on radio in December 2013 telling Dom and J.J. and Mike Puru about the passive-aggressive glares he gets from people whenever he goes out in public; he was simply hilarious. Some of his antics on his present television show are also quite amusing.

        However, the funny bits are less and less apparent now. What might have seemed like irreverance has hardened into the most extreme intolerance and hatefulness, whether directed at refugees, or at the victims of bombs and bullets, or (as it was this morning) at Māori.

        I expect this show to be a winner.

        It’s not. The ratings are in free fall, as they were when he had a breakfast show in Melbourne three years ago….

        http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/ten-farewells-paul-henry-hamster-wheel-highlight-video-ck-133297
    • infused 11.4

      24 September 2015 at 12:25 pm

      You know Paul hates Len and bags him pretty much daily. Nothing new here.
      • Draco T Bastard 11.4.1

        24 September 2015 at 4:50 pm

        That fuckwit hates anybody that’s not a National supporter.
        • half crown 11.4.1.1

          24 September 2015 at 7:42 pm

          “That fuckwit hates anybody that’s not a National supporter.”

          That is the most honest bit of wisdom I have read for ages. Cant make up my mind which bit is the most honest, so I settle for fuckwit.
    • Draco T Bastard 11.5

      24 September 2015 at 4:49 pm

      Would it be so hard for them to give the ferry an ENGLISH name?

      Why would we give it an English name when we’re not English?
      • half crown 11.5.1

        24 September 2015 at 7:47 pm

        “Why would we give it an English name when we’re not English?”

        How True
12. save NZ 12

    24 September 2015 at 10:42 am

    By the way apparently Saudi Arabia are planning a crucifixion and execution of a man they arrested as a child.

    Saudi are one of our hopeful trading partners that we fly sheep bribes to. Hard to believe this can be happening in the modern world with a country our government loves to suck up to.

    Don’t worry our government will be ‘comfortable’ with that.

    http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/09/24/execution-in-saudi-arabia/
    • alwyn 12.1

      24 September 2015 at 3:18 pm

      You say “apparently Saudi Arabia are planning a crucifixion”
      Where do you get the bit about a crucifixion from?
      I don’t see anything about it in the item you link to.
      • Grindlebottom 12.1.1

        24 September 2015 at 6:37 pm

        Here alwyn. Google the name of the young man the daily blog item mentions and you’ll get plenty of sites detailing his sentence to be executed by beheading, then crucifixion.

        http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/middle-east/72392125/young-saudi-man-ali-mohammed-alnimr-faces-crucifixion
    • Draco T Bastard 12.2

      24 September 2015 at 4:55 pm

      Saudi Arabia, the country that does the most beheadings every year, has just been re appointed to the UN Human Rights panel. The US is ecstatic about this fundamental injustice.

      Yeah, our world truly is that sick.
13. Morrissey 13

    24 September 2015 at 11:08 am

    LORDS OF THE DANCE
    No. 1: Rodney Hide

    http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/0605/bd0ebc1e64cf1a740e13.jpeg

    Lords of the Dance is curated by Morrissey Breen, for Daisycutter Sports Inc.
14. marty mars 14

    24 September 2015 at 12:19 pm

    “Overall, six out of every ten children in care are Maori children.”

    “Horrifying” statistics show children under the care of Child Youth and Family are struggling to break free from a cycle of continued abuse and re-victimisation, a major report has found.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/72363207/horrifying-outcomes-for-cyf-kids-warrant-a-whole-new-model–tolley

    IMO this has been a disgraceful situation through a number of governments – now rebstock has written her review and the ‘business case’ is/has been put. What will emerge from this ‘modernisation’, this righting of wrongs, this fucking clusterfuck of a way to help children, especially Māori children – what will happen???

    a big nothing apart from more misery and more cutting – I thank the gnats, labour and greens for their contributions to this misery – well done – red reek that one!!!
    • Draco T Bastard 14.1

      24 September 2015 at 4:57 pm

      What will emerge from this ‘modernisation’, this righting of wrongs, this fucking clusterfuck of a way to help children, especially Māori children – what will happen???

      National will make things worse by putting in ideological BS as policy and then cut the budget.
    • Muttonbird 14.2

      24 September 2015 at 7:09 pm

      I stomached Tolley on the radio for a few minutes and she seemed to me to be saying the government removes these children too late from abusive situations. The implication I assume is that they are too damaged at that point for any of these so called foster homes to provide any sort of stable environment.

      She then went on to say that New Zealanders offered their homes to Syrian refugees, then asked why can’t they offer their homes to our own (child) refugees?

      This is the sort of thinking which should be confined to some sort of bizarre brainstorming session to then be discarded as ludicrous, not the sort of thing a Minister should be voicing to the public.

      These two “Tolley-thoughts” linked make you wonder whether her plan is to remove (Maori) children from disadvantaged and strained families at an ever decreasing age in order to make the children more palatable to ordinary NZ families who might happen to give a fuck.

      Here she seems to want to not only shift the responsibility from the government to the private sector, but she goes further – she wants to shift the responsibility to the private individual!

      I would have thought any major overhaul would focus on making the homes these children go to better, more stable, and capable of giving the kids an environment which ensured they maximised their learning at school.
      • Draco T Bastard 14.2.1

        24 September 2015 at 8:47 pm

        I would have thought any major overhaul would focus on making the homes these children go to better, more stable, and capable of giving the kids an environment which ensured they maximised their learning at school.

        You would have thought that but that would require taxes on the rich to up rather than down and so there’s no way that National would do that.
      • weston 14.2.2

        24 September 2015 at 9:06 pm

        i bet theres a lot of people would like to wave their magic wand and make your last paragraph come true mutonbird but it would truely take a miracle .violence like when you wack your kids repeatedly begets violence makes you when you become an adolt wack youre kids too .I think its so deeply ingrained in some cultures it,le take generations to sort out .sue bradfords bill is a good start but theres not a few would like to repeal it an drag us back to the good ole days where a little tap did noone any harm !!
    • maui 14.3

      24 September 2015 at 7:12 pm

      Of course the right has all the answers to these problems which is just to ignore it and say these people need to be individually responsible for their actions. That means no one has to do anything, no surprise then when they don’t offer any solutions to these complex problems and the situation gets gradually worse. Truly inspiring…
15. The Chairman 15

    24 September 2015 at 12:26 pm

    Massive spike in court-ordered debtor wage deductions

    The number of people having money docked from their wage or benefits to repay debts has increased five-fold in the past year.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/72358546/massive-spike-in-courtordered-debtor-wage-deductions–commerce-commission
    • les 15.1

      24 September 2015 at 2:59 pm

      absolute racket in Sth Auck and Mangere…30% interest and penalties on over priced goods…non disclosure is rife as is doorstop selling.Seen $500 items =total contract $3700 on rent to own.Creating debt and then enforcing attachment orders on the unfortunate .
      • The Chairman 15.1.1

        24 September 2015 at 7:43 pm

        Vultures preying on the vulnerable, Les.
16. Penny Bright 16

    24 September 2015 at 3:02 pm

    Seen this?

    Media Alert! ” If National don’t walk away from the TPPA – petitioners will campaign for voters to ‘walk away’ from National!”

    This morning, the following petition was presented at the Electoral Office of Nikki Kaye – the National MP for Auckland Central:

    Petition wording:

    “To the MP for Auckland Central – Nikki Kaye

    We, the undersigned state:

    That if this John Key led National Government does not ‘walk away’ from the secretive, undemocratic, pro-corporate ‘Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), then we pledge to campaign vigorously amongst our friends, families, neighbours and workmates, for the voting public to ‘walk away’ from National.”.

    Nikki Kaye is a National Government Cabinet Minister – currently sitting on a 600 vote majority over Labour’s Jacinda Adern.

    https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2014-au6200

    “AUCKLAND CENTRAL
    Candidates Votes Received
    ARDERN, Jacinda 11894
    KAYE, Nikki 12494 ”

    On the afternoons of Tuesday 22 September, and Wednesday 23 September, a tiny handful of determined ‘TPPA – WALK AWAY’ activists collected over 800 signatures for the above-mentioned petition, outside Auckland University (Symonds Street, Grafton Rd intersection), and on Ponsonby Rd.

    Nikki Kaye is the Minister of Youth.

    Most of whom signed this petition, were ‘youth’.

    We look forward to citizens from all over New Zealand, who want to STOP this John Key led New Zealand National Government from signing the TPPA, to consider giving National Party MPs (particularly Cabinet Ministers) – this message which cannot be ignored.

    Politicians understand ONE thing.

    Votes.

    We urge people to make your own version of this petition, address it to YOUR local National MP / Minister, and start collecting signatures!

    This is a petition with sharp, pointy political teeth, which will help focus the minds of those to whom it is addressed, directly on the TPPA.

    Time is short.

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1509/S00215/last-ditch-tppa-ministerial-in-10-days.htm

    Last ditch TPPA Ministerial in 10 days

    Thursday, 17 September 2015, 11:55 am
    Press Release: Professor Jane Kelsey
    ” Last ditch TPPA Ministerial in 10 days – is Groser preparing to swallow the rat?

    Canadian officials have confirmed rumours that the trade ministers from the twelve countries negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) plan to meet in Atlanta, US at the end of the month in a last ditch attempt to conclude the deal. The chief negotiators are set to meet on 26 September to try to clear the ground for the politicians. ….”

    This petition will help to ‘hold the feet’ of National Party MPs ‘to the fire’ – regarding the potential political repercussions of signing the TPPA.

    Contact details for MPs are available here:

    http://www.parliament.nz/resource/en-nz/00InknoMPsContact1/97a7145b141fd9d6c62adcf0ec68ea22c7163ce2

    _________________________________________________________

    ‘TPPA – WALK AWAY’ signature collectors, who delivered the petition forms to Nikki Kaye’s Electorate Office:

    Penny Bright
    ….

    Jacquelyne Taylor
    ……
17. sabine 17

    24 September 2015 at 5:35 pm

    A beheading/crucifixion in the year of 2015, cause we are learned, and civilised and grown up and stuff.

    I know, I know, some beheadings (inclusive post beheading crucifixation – a must have for shits n giggles or something) are just more equal and lawful then other beheadings.

    “His punishment is a brutal one, even by Saudi Arabia’s standards. Not only was Mr Nimr, now 21, handed a death sentence, but the method of punishment was determined to be crucifixion, which rights groups say means he will be beheaded and then have his mutilated body displayed publicly.”

    http://www.smh.com.au/world/looming-crucifixion-sparks-global-calls-to-spare-life-of-young-saudi-ali-mohammed-alnimr-20150923-gjtlhk.html
18. Ovid 18

    24 September 2015 at 5:44 pm

    John Campbell has a new podcast with Radio NZ. This is his first episode, which looks at the working struggle in Auckland.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/radionz/programmes/first-person/audio/201771768/first-person-with-john-campbell-'pay-day-is-broke-day‘
    • Brendan 18.1

      24 September 2015 at 5:50 pm

      I was about to post this. Good to see Campbell hitting up the really important stories that actually matter. TV3’s loss is actually New Zealand’s loss.
19. Morrissey 19

    24 September 2015 at 8:08 pm

    “No apologies to you mate. And no apologies
    for the fact your show has so few viewers.”

    In 2012, on Channel 10’s doomed breakfast show, the disastrously unsuccessful host unwisely tried to bully a Melbourne trade union guy….

    PAUL HENRY: Do you want to apologise to the taxpayers and the people of Melbourne who’d like to use that street and the taxpayers who’re funding the police activity there. Do you want to apologise to those people now?

    DAVID NOONAN: Well you know Paul I think you’ve got a particular political view of the world. You were bought over in the last few months from New Zealand. Mate, construction workers in New Zealand earn a lot less than they do in Australia and the sort of right wing shock jock stuff you want to go on with really isn’t going to faze me. We have a right a right to peaceful protest. We’ve got an important issue here and cheap shots like that really aren’t going to impress anybody.

    PAUL HENRY: Right, so no apologies. Thanks for joining us this morning, David.

    DAVID NOONAN: So no apologies to you mate. And no apologies for the fact your show has so few viewers.

    [An awkward pause follows, then the camera cuts away to a news headline update before Henry comes back onscreen]

    PAUL HENRY: Alrighty. I disagree with almost everything he said with the exception of the too few viewers thing. That is a shame.

    http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/ten-farewells-paul-henry-hamster-wheel-highlight-video-ck-133297
20. half crown 20

    24 September 2015 at 8:27 pm

    Fucking shit hot. It is a pity no one would or could tackle this prat on television like that in NZ.
    • Morrissey 20.1

      24 September 2015 at 8:33 pm

      Actually, Laila Harré did last year, on a couple of occasions.
      • weston 20.1.1

        24 September 2015 at 9:16 pm

        such a damned shame she didnt end up in parliment i know lprent gave us some of the reasons that didnt happen but its still a damn shame In a perfect world it ud be ALL HANDS ON DECK !!
21. lprent 21

    24 September 2015 at 10:15 pm

    Ok. Had a 15 minute power cut. Anyone notice?

    Both UPS worked well.
    • Draco T Bastard 21.1

      24 September 2015 at 10:55 pm

      Didn’t notice it go down but the server seems to have picked up another hamster or two. The site is faster now than it has been for some time.

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