Open Mike 25/09/2018

128 comments on “Open Mike 25/09/2018 ”

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1. lprent 1

   25 September 2018 at 7:30 am

   Odd. I had to restart the server this morning. The php pages were serving up garbage fastcgi headers.

   Looking at the logs it looks like bug in memcached – running before the php
   • Incognito 1.1

     25 September 2018 at 7:37 am

     Don’t know what that all means but I couldn’t access the site from about 6.00 PM yesterday.

     Good to have it back though 🙂
     • lprent 1.1.1

       25 September 2018 at 8:05 am

       That would agree with one of the watch services. It shows the site going offline at 1706 last night. It reads the desktop front page. Problem is that I don’t have an alarm on that (I’d better pay for that I think).

       The one I have an alarm on a different service didn’t go off. My internal check was also ok. Both of those look if the server is functioning properly and serving up a test page. So it must have been. I’ll add the front page and a selection of recent pages to the check.

       The mobile version was working fine for me. I changed the top post at 0630 and was reading comments last night on it.

       Quite weird. It is a pity that I didn’t restart the memcache service to isolate it as the issue before rebooting. I’d already restarted apache2 and php-fpm.
       • greywarshark 1.1.1.1

         25 September 2018 at 8:36 am

         lprent
         Do you need or would appreciate, some more monetary input to assist with machinery? Your input is I assume, priceless.
       • Bill 1.1.1.2

         25 September 2018 at 9:28 am

         It shows the site going offline at 1706 last night

         I was getting a five zero summit maintenance message all day yesterday – from say mid-morning?

         That was desktop and didn’t check any mobile access.
         • lprent 1.1.1.2.1

           25 September 2018 at 11:12 pm

           Quite possible. It looks to me like something progressively failing.

           I only have limited alarms for the most common issues. And I tend to only look at mobile versions during the day these days.

           I didn’t even notice this one until MS texted me.
           • Bill 1.1.1.2.1.1

             25 September 2018 at 11:46 pm

             K. In future, I won’t assume you know when the sites down and will text or message you each and every time it’s down from this end. 😉
   • cleangreen 1.2

     25 September 2018 at 8:25 am

     phew you had me panicking there Iprent.

     We should start a ‘give a little’ to get a complete ‘solar backup power supply ‘ on your property so we always have an active site.

     My son is now putting these ‘stand alone’ backup battery powered solar panel power supplies on many properties here.
     • lprent 1.2.1

       25 September 2018 at 11:53 pm

       It could be a trifle difficult. I live in an apartment block with 60 other one bedroom apartments in three story building, with very limited land areas and shared roofs. It makes our rates look ridiculously small because the land area per apartment is so small.

       I’ve been thinking about solar for the roof, which would have to be a communal resource like our water system, comms systems, power core, building insurance, walls and roof. There is a lot of roof and a lot of sunlight in central Auckland, so the power generation would probably be pretty good. However it’d requiring wiring down to the switchboard and putting in something like a lithium battery farm to be useful. The capital cost would be high and the returns not so high. Worth waiting a few more years.

       But it is in the periphery of the CBD and our power grid was heavily upgraded after the blackouts of 1998/9 so the power is pretty damn reliable. And I have about 4-5 hours of stored power in UPS.
   • corodale 1.3

     25 September 2018 at 8:31 pm

     Crunch time coming up to Nov…
     Posting Hudes links etc might…
     USA Watch dog dot com has plenty to say.
     Best wishes to the TS team.
2. Incognito 2

   25 September 2018 at 7:43 am

   We have an MMP Government but an FPP Opposition. Not good for NZ politics. Not good for the country.
   • solkta 2.1

     25 September 2018 at 7:58 am

     I don’t know, it could be good for the country if National can’t get their shit together.
     • cleangreen 2.1.1

       25 September 2018 at 8:28 am

       I do beliieve that national has lost it’s way now.

       National is still clutching onto a bankrupt policy platform, that is just out of date with reality.
       • Gosman 2.1.1.1

         25 September 2018 at 9:19 am

         Ummm… what sort of policies would you want to see from a right of center opposition party?
         • AB 2.1.1.1.1

           25 September 2018 at 10:15 am

           Pleading for forgiveness and self-immolation?
           • Gosman 2.1.1.1.1.1

             25 September 2018 at 10:48 am

             I suspect so. That is hardly going to make them electable though.
             • arkie …

               25 September 2018 at 11:15 am

               It might make them more electable than they currently are.

               Apologetic pile of ashes 2020!
               • Gosman …

                 25 September 2018 at 11:18 am

                 No it won’t. The people who want them to do this are not likely to vote for them regardless of whether they do it or not.
                 • marty mars …

                   25 September 2018 at 11:25 am

                   Why do you think that?
                   • Gosman …

                     25 September 2018 at 11:44 am

                     Because National lost remakably litlle support over 9 years in office and still commands high level support for a party no longer in power in the first part of a new government. The only people wanting them to apologies and repent of supposed bad policies are those that would never support them in the first place. Given these facts there is simply no need for a mea culpa to win back support.
                   • arkie …

                     25 September 2018 at 12:05 pm

                     The only people wanting them to apologies and repent of supposed bad policies are those that would never support them in the first place. Given these facts…

                     Facts? When did you conduct this voter intention survey? Do you have your margin of error at hand? What was your method?
                     Or are you couching YOUR opinion as a FACT?
                   • McFlock …

                     25 September 2018 at 1:17 pm

                     Thing is, gos, national have no friends.

                     So now they get to have the fun argument of whether they move towards the government side in order to get votes (which is what they did in 2008), or whether they bet that there’s a “missing million” of voters for whom National are too left wing and ACT are too… nothing.
             • Stuart Munro …

               25 September 2018 at 1:26 pm

               A new generation will rise phoenix-like from the ashes once the current crop of ne’er-do-wells, stooges, and space holders depart.
   • mac1 2.2

     25 September 2018 at 8:11 am

     Does FPP when applied to the Opposition refer to some kind of munted political party? Our Simon is determined to establish his brand. It seems like it is heavily law’n’order based with his attacks on people wrongfully turfed out of state housing, and now wanting to crank up the war on drugs.

     Typical right wing memes and in contrast to the liberal and compassionate approach which says that addiction and drug taking is a social and medical problem.

     The war on drugs was well critiqued by Michael Moore in his recent film where he contrasted the Portuguese approach to the American war on drugs. Moore made the point that the American war on drugs was actually a war on blacks which was used to oppress and jail black males especially when the civil rights movement was gaining momentum in the 60’s. The war on drugs disenfranchised black voters by removing voting rights from convicted drug users to the extent that Presidential election outcomes were influenced as in Florida.

     Authoritarian politicians need enemies abroad and at home in order to frighten the voters and influence events. You can hear the beating of that drum in Bridges’ rhetoric. After the drumbeat comes the battle smoke. The naming of the ‘war on drugs’ is deliberate use of language.
     • greywarshark 2.2.1

       25 September 2018 at 8:38 am

       Bridge is allying himself with Trump about war on drugs. A great way of advancing the oppressive police state.
       • Wayne 2.2.1.1

         25 September 2018 at 2:01 pm

         Much more likely that he was focusing on the fact that over 120 nations have agreed with the Trump statement on drugs. New Zealand not being part of that rather large group is a little unusual.

         The PM has chosen to use the drugs issue to put distance between herself and Trump. It is quite pointed toward Trump, and therefore reinforces New Zealand’s independent foreign policy.

         It is probably a cost free position, but it may not be. Given Trump’s enthusiasm for trade sanctions, he could easily do that here. For instance a tariff on lamb or diary products, kiwifruit or something. Who knows. For instance if he has widespread sanctions on something such as steel, there won’t be an exemption for NZ.
         • lprent 2.2.1.1.1

           25 September 2018 at 11:40 pm

           For instance a tariff on lamb or diary products, kiwifruit or something.

           From memory, there are already low tariffs on lamb and dairy to the US that are under a very low quota. And then excessive ones because they tariff everything at high rates above the quota. We mostly get the latter.

           For a country that was supposably a free-trade supporter, they have always look to me like one of the worlds most over-regulated barrier and tariff economies. I suspect that their commitment to free trade was always more aspirational for them and nearly compulsory for others like us.

           And wasn’t Zespri saying that the TPP would drop tariffs on exports of kiwifruit to the US if they’d stayed in it?

           Possibly 2.8c/kg on special tariff 1. However I also see that zespri was only just starting to market there in the last couple of years because of the issues of travel time.

           Certainly the US was one of the most expensive export markets that I have ever had to deal with. Just jumping through and paying for the legal hoops of setting a business there was an awesome Kafka quest, and only matched by the similar bureaucracy in India. The only reason for doing it was the relative wealth and size of the market. Different now – there is more available wealth in more countries with less stupid legal systems.

           And we didn’t have any duties or tariffs on tech goods. Perhaps we should just concentrate on those kinds of goods rather than low profit margin fodder like no processed or minimal processed commodity items from our rural producers who do have tariff barriers.
     • Ngungukai 2.2.2

       25 September 2018 at 9:00 am

       National are currently re branding under Bridges ????
       • Stuart Munro 2.2.2.1

         25 September 2018 at 9:14 am

         More flailing about desperately hoping to find something that sticks. If they did, that’d be the brand.
       • mac1 2.2.2.2

         25 September 2018 at 9:39 am

         I did say ‘establishing’ the brand. I like what you said about ‘under Bridges” because we all know what live under there.

         Branding under bridges is also known as graffiti. 😉
         • cleangreen 2.2.2.2.1

           25 September 2018 at 4:27 pm

           Haha brilliant mac1.

           National is like a mudguard!!!!!!

           ” all shinny on top and shit underneath”
   • Herodotus 2.3

     25 September 2018 at 1:08 pm

     After for a brief period listening to ZB Smith show, there are a select few who live in the 70’s and have a larger than appropriate profile !
     Like Labour 07 there is a time for the ex govt to review and reevaluate themselves.
     (Labour 99 were fortunate that they and we had a leader that stuck it out post suffering an election lose)
     We have had sufficient MMP elections for all parties to have some understanding of what to and not to do post a loss. National obviously have poor consultants who never studied history (I know of a good book or 2 😉 )
     The leadership of the Nats IMO has gifted 2020. Friends of mine who Side with the blue team have commented that they have not time for its 4 (un)notables. So the current govt has 2+ terms to establish foundations for NZ going forward. The same opportunity that Helen and John had, but did not take the opportunity. And look at the problems that have resulted :-(. Hopefully the 3rd term will not be as barren and bereft as 05-07 or 14-17 was)
3. Cinny 3

   25 September 2018 at 8:22 am

   Jacinda is shining overseas, this is great for our country no matter what side of the fence one sits on.

   Meanwhile mark richardson appears to be very grumpy about all the attention she is getting.
   • cleangreen 3.1

     25 September 2018 at 8:34 am

     Good for Jacinda now shinning the light on a new climate change policy she must be admired for her vision that national have totally lost now.

     Labour and her coalition will last three terms at least now.

     “Lets do this”

     https://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=12131105&ref=rss

     quote;

     Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has challenged other leaders to ensure they had clear goals and actions ready for the upcoming Katowice Climate Change Conference in Poland in December.

     Ardern set out New Zealand’s climate change credentials at a Climate Week summit in New York, announcing the Government was topping up a fund for climate change in the Pacific by a further $100 million, taking it to $300 million over the next four years.

     She also had a message for other leaders about upcoming climate change talks.

     “The rules that are agreed must be robust and credible so that the Paris Agreement is effective and enduring. The world can only reach the Paris goals if we have clarity and confidence about each other’s commitments and action.”
     • The Chairman 3.1.1

       25 September 2018 at 9:02 am

       When asked how the Government is going to help the poor (who are expected to be hit the hardest) overcome the cost of new climate related charges and taxes, Grant Robertson pointed to the families package.

       Once again, nothing for those who are struggling but don’t have young dependent children.

       Moreover, it was my understanding the families package was introduced to help struggling families deal with past and current shortfalls and not new climate related charges.

       As usual, Labour need to do better.
       • Craig H 3.1.1.1

         25 September 2018 at 11:08 pm

         Working for Families was the biggest component of the Families Package, but accommodation supplement increases, retaining the Independent Earners Tax Credit and, for beneficiaries/superannuitants, the Winter Energy Payment, should have helped the worst off.

         Agree that we could have done better, mind, but let’s not pretend Labour did nothing.
4. marty mars 4

   25 September 2018 at 8:39 am

   Talk about blinking labour – weak – poor wee oil industry – need more time – yeah nah!

   “Just hours before announcing a law change to give effect to the new offshore oil exploration ban on Monday, Woods met with oil industry figures to discuss their request for more leniency on the conditions of existing exploration permits.

   Woods said she agreed that on a case-by-case basis, she will consider giving the oil companies more time to fulfil their commitments on the permits, describing it as “a little bit of a pause”. ”

   https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/107341590/government-set-to-give-oil-industry-breathing-space-over-permits-potentially-boosting-exploration
5. marty mars 5

   25 September 2018 at 8:48 am

   Simon Bridges and Mike Sabin
   I agree with John Minto whom I am quoting below.

   “Instead of denigrating state house tenants Simon Bridges should be calling for an independent inquiry into the meth-testing industry which drove the hysteria about meth contamination.

   … How much of the $100 million wasted went through MethCon?

   … There must be an inquiry into this unregulated, cowboy industry. We need to know how the National government came to waste over $100 million in taxpayer money.”
   • Cinny 5.1

     25 September 2018 at 8:55 am

     Well said Marty, well said.

     Was listening to a political panel via radiolive on Sunday, it was the wonderful Laila and one man band seymour.

     They were discussing the bogus meth testing and she mentioned sabines name as someone who might have had a hand in it all. Wonder if I can find the link.
     • Cinny 5.1.1

       25 September 2018 at 9:32 am

       Here’s the link… scroll down till you see a pic of Aunty Helen and Jacinda, just underneath it is a little media player.

       Fast forward to around 19.30 to hear the meth testing discussion between Laila and seymour. Well worth a listen.

       https://www.radiolive.co.nz/home/on-demand/weekend-life/2018/09/weekend-life–in-case-you-missed-sunday-23rd-september.html
     • greywarshark 5.1.2

       25 September 2018 at 10:43 am

       $100 million – what good things good people could do with that? Split it up into $20,000 lots to get some pilot policies going and if they could match their projections follow it up with $50,000 over two years, subject to a review after one year to check outcomes.

       Sound realistic and practical for matching money with good outcomes?
       Why,why, can’t we, can’t we………………………./ Oh stop this wailing! We know why – certain people in government don’t give a fuck about the damage they have done and continue to do to people’s lives by shutting down the economy so readily, denying fair countervailing measures like affordable housing.

       Theme for today – Common people
       Paul Young – Love of the Common People
       

       What do the Simple Folk Do? Ever seen Richard Burton with Julie Andrews?
       (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjIVSVGMWEk

       William Shatner’s take on it
       (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ainyK6fXku0mon peoples’ scanty job hours, seeing the were not protecting jobs.

       Maybe Trump’s message about looking to home industry and enterprise (even if not completely sincere from him) will get through the skulls and into the brains of our USer-centric decision makers and money-fevered mini-moguls.
   • SaveNZ 5.2

     25 September 2018 at 10:08 am

     The Meth scandal helped the Natz to evict state house tenants and sell off land state assets cheaply to their mates and get millions in consultancy fees. It was engineered by the Natz in the first place, also to take the heat of the immigration which was driving up house prices and rents.

     This transferred the housing debate solely on rental property “investors” not owner occupied housing, foreign ownership, immigration, land sell offs or developer quality.

     The Meth scandal was pure psychological warfare and dirty politics. No question about it.

     And it worked.
     • Dukeofurl 5.2.1

       25 September 2018 at 10:23 am

       Thats right. The expelling of the tenants and the clean up meant in a few months the house was empty and renovated, which is exactly what the landlords want for well placed investment properties.
       • SaveNZ 5.2.1.1

         25 September 2018 at 10:48 am

         Yep, but they didn’t sell them to landlords they sold them to developers at the end. They system was redesigned so that only large corporations could buy them because they were sold off as big lots… I seem to remember on one sale the only buyers were between an Chinese company and a Australian one.

         They did not want Kiwis to buy the state houses for whatever reason… people can speculate on that. Also many Kiwis even National supporters did not believe in the assets sales, they had to make the state houses, seem problematic, when in fact housing NZ returned a profit!
   • veutoviper 5.3

     25 September 2018 at 10:53 am

     Here is the link to Minto’s article on the Daily Blog.

     https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2018/09/25/simon-bridges-mike-sabin-and-the-national-governments-120-million-taxpayer-rort/

     I won’t be surprised if we hear more about this connection …
     • tc 5.3.1

       25 September 2018 at 2:17 pm

       Well now Mr Sabin eh my my the lad can’t help himself can he. Surely he’s fair game now and a juicy tidbit for our lazy media to pickup and run with.

       He’s unlikely to be shrouded in the legal protective measures he’s possibly enjoyed before.
       • David Mac 5.3.1.1

         25 September 2018 at 9:12 pm

         Mike Sabin ceased to have anything to do with the Methcon business when he sold it outright in October of 2010.

         He was instrumental in ramping up Meth contamination fear but I’m not sure he’s holding the evicted tenants smoking gun.

         Likewise, I don’t believe he was associated with the giant rort that house testing and decontamination became.
     • halfcrown 5.3.2

       25 September 2018 at 4:08 pm

       You won’t from the media

       https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2018/09/23/john-pilger-hold-the-front-page-the-reporters-are-missing/
     • cleangreen 5.3.3

       25 September 2018 at 4:45 pm

       To reply to Gosman 2.1.1.1 question ; -“what sort of policies would you want to see from a right of center opposition party?”

       I want these national Party members that have demonsrated corruption (that was so indemic to their nine years) fully investigated in a Royal commission, and the guilty parties all charged and jailed begiinning with this.

       https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2018/09/25/simon-bridges-mike-sabin-and-the-national-governments-120-million-taxpayer-rort/
6. Fireblade 6

   25 September 2018 at 9:18 am

   Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on the NBC TODAY show.
   • SaveNZ 6.1

     25 September 2018 at 9:46 am

     Great link Fireblade, I hope that Jacinda who comes across so well internationally can actually make NZ a better place, because at present (like US) the biggest problems we face are at home not abroad.

     From transport to scams to low wages, inability to retain our own best and brightest, growing poor quality in everything from food to housing construction, growing pollution and inability to understand the issues while continuing the Rogernomics lite from the last 30 years is gonna work if you value the above.
   • Macro 6.2

     25 September 2018 at 10:57 am

     Great interview. Thanks for the link.
   • Anne 6.3

     25 September 2018 at 11:24 am

     She makes you feel proud. So different. The more the world sees and hears her the better for everyone.
   • mauī 6.4

     25 September 2018 at 12:27 pm

     Refreshing to have a politician not only talk about paid parental leave policy… but to then go out and give birth on the 9th floor and essentially live out the policy is brilliant.

     Makes a change from another one who was fed his paid parental leave lines and basically any human related policies by PR companies.
7. SaveNZ 7

   25 September 2018 at 9:30 am

   Unbelievable bureaucracy for the government CTO process, nobody in their right mind would go through that process for the measly salary … seriously it sounds more like government abuse and incompetence than modern recruitment.

   Worth reading to find out why IT is so bad in NZ and in government and why they struggle to retain talented people in NZ.

   https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/107341529/jilted-cto-candidate-derek-handley-disappointed-by-lack-of-explanation-from-government

   Word to government – sort the shit out before inflicting a long, bizarre and stupid process onto candidates. At lease Handley got a bit of compensation for his troubles (which after seeing what the poor guy went through does not seem enough) but seriously what about the other candidates that wasted hours of their time and the length of time for a crapy role that the government does not even understand what the role is about or what they required in the first place.

   Slightly weird too, that it sounded like Handley was the one driving it by texting Clare Curren and sending txts to Jacinda when he put his CV in. (But maybe he was desperate to help, who knows or he really wanted that citizenship back (well that worked, hooray)).

   We’ve gone from crony recruitment John Key style over a coffee with no process, to Labour style recruitment of a longwinded process taking over 6 months… that results in nothing but humiliation for the candidates, a pay off from taxpayers for the ministry incompetence and no role at the end of it.

   If any senior IT person is waiting 6+ months to be recruited in a warped process of humiliation, multiple meetings, poor communication and time wasting then they probably are not at the top of their game or maybe have a different agenda?
   • Dukeofurl 7.1

     25 September 2018 at 10:26 am

     Apparently the recruitment process at Google is even worse- takes months and that too involves ‘change their mind’ situations. That is of course only for ‘permanent’ employees , heaps are just contractors.
     • SaveNZ 7.1.1

       25 September 2018 at 10:53 am

       @Dukeofurl – maybe end of an empire type of carry on when a company loses the plot and gets too big.
       • greywarshark 7.1.1.1

         25 September 2018 at 10:58 am

         Radionz was unable to find a NZ radio journalist to replace John Campbell so had to use an Australian one. Is he cheaper than our own? Or just sounds cheaper? What process didd they go through in making the choice? Has it been documented – it would be good to be a fly on the wall (Harry Potter type perhaps.)

         This appointment shows that the present managers ane directors of RNZ have quickly lost touch with what those letters stand for – providing Radio for New Zealanders.

         RadioNZ elite are too busy being sophisticated and internationally focussed but with a laser beam focus – on the USA, and trailing behind like the tail on a comet are the other English speakers, mostly white (Indians speak very good English and are a large bloc once British but we don’t hear much information about that large country.) The rest of the world get fitted in if they have interesting money maneuvres? or interesting tragedies or disasters.

         You can’t read the content of this entity but the heading is interesting:
         https://mediaweek.com.au/rnz-alex-perrottet-profile-nz-aussie/
         Jun 29, 2018 – Aussie Alex Perrottet is new to New Zealand – and to journalism – but is establishing a profile regularly filling in on two Radio New Zealand …
         Missing: bio ‎| ‎Must include: ‎bio
         • veutoviper 7.1.1.1.1

           25 September 2018 at 11:11 am

           Sorry Grey, but your comments – and the little bit from Mediaweek.com.au – are well off beam.

           Alex Perottet has been based in Auckland for over eight years – and with RNZ for over six years and before that he worked at AUT for some years.

           He is currently Producer of Morning Report in Auckland and is just filling in presenting Checkpoint since John Campbell left 10 days ago, until Lisa Owen takes over in a few weeks’ time.

           Here is the blurb on RNZ’s website on Perrottet. Note that he also did three weeks of Summer Report in January 2018. I am pretty sure he has also replaced Guyon Espiner and/or Suzi Ferguson in presenting Morning Report on a number of occasions over the last couple of years.

           https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/presenters/alex-perrotet

           And here is his Linked In profile with more detail.

           https://nz.linkedin.com/in/alex-perrottet-1640222b
           • greywarshark 7.1.1.1.1.1

             25 September 2018 at 12:38 pm

             Ok VV
             I am not liking his style – reminds me of Jim Mora, and when I saw that heading from a supposedly informed media comment source it just got me. So he has been with RNZ for six years, and producer for Morning Report.

             I wonder if he fits in with the attitude of RNZ that all shootings from USA are to be reported in full, and given probably an accumulated two hours of news, detailed comment, background, report on condition of victims etc. over two days, which we have been receiving.

             The mere fact that he has been with Radionz for quite a while doesn’t get him a thumbs up from me. I used to think that Maggie Barry was great and had integrity but since she left and became a National MP on the strength of her image and notoriety, I have found just how loose the nuts can be in some of their sterling employees.
             • veutoviper …

               25 September 2018 at 1:07 pm

               Read his background, grey, in that first link.

               Pacific issues were his big thing for years, and still are; and he has done some excellent reporting from there. Also note the last line in that link. “In his spare time he coordinates volunteer projects in the Pacific as well as far off places like Kenya and Indonesia.”

               But each to their own. I have always been impressed with his reporting and understated style of reporting and interviewing. He is not a prima donna. Quite the opposite.

               I find your comments above re the amount of time you think RNZ spends on reporting on USA shootings a bit inconsistent, considering the number of comments you make here on TS about RNZ programmes with links etc, covering a wide range of subjects unrelated to shootings in the USA – for example your detailed comments at 8, 9 and 10 below.
               • greywarshark …

                 25 September 2018 at 1:28 pm

                 I don’t understand why you should be surprised at my comments vv.
                 I see things and I comment on them. There are very good things on Radionz and I acknowledge that and enable other people to see them and respect the quality of their service, thinking that we need to use it or lose it.

                 But are you afraid to call attention to things that need improving; that show trends that are alarming. If more people had kept an eye on how NZ was deteriorating after 1984 and not just accepted it, instead looking at what suited themselves and ignoring the rest, then we would not have the extent of almost irreversible downgrading of our society.
               • greywarshark …

                 25 September 2018 at 1:31 pm

                 veutoviper
                 I am probably being too quick to judge Perrottet. I will give him more attention before I make up my mind. Thanks for the links.
8. greywarshark 8

   25 September 2018 at 10:23 am

   Good listening and informative on Radionz.

   Tane Mahuta the tree may be ailing – the Reserve Bank has written a document comparing the strength of the Bank and its systems to that of the tree.
   https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018664002/what-does-the-reserve-bank-do
   The Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr is on a mission to explain the role of the central bank to New Zealanders.What does it do? why? And why does it matter? Mr Orr became Governor in March this year.

   The Reserve Bank’s legislation is currently under review and a period of consultation is about to being.Mr Orr has just published an article in which seeks to explain the role of Te Putea Matua – the Reserve Bank’s Maori name – in a rapidly changing environment.

   Business reporting
   New research from the University of Otago throws doubt on information investors are getting about company earnings and growth. The joint study with the University of California, Davis investigated company reporting results in the US over the last 17 years and revealed a marked increase in “positive earnings surprises”.
   https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018663830/are-companies-overblowing-their-results
9. greywarshark 9

   25 September 2018 at 10:55 am

   This RadioNZ item says that our builders have the highest suicide rates in NZ. Are builders in this rock star economy proving to be the canaries in the mine.
   https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018663999/builders-suicide-rate-highest-in-nz
   A new study finds a boom or bust cycle, and a culture of toxic masculinity is putting the rate of builders’ suicide the highest among all industries.

   A BRANZ scoping study finds a “macho” and “bullying” culture, intolerant of diversity, significantly contributes to the poor mental health of construction industry workers.

   Kathryn Ryan speaks with BRANZ General Manager Industry Research Dr Chris Litten, CEO of construction company Naylor Love Rick Herd and WorkSafe NZ CEO Nicole Rosie.

   Could this be a prototype for studying the state of NZ culture and business (lack of) principles, and I consider, a toxic culture of competition and money making that is separated from being a sharing citizen caring about others, and not even themselves, in the madness of it all.
10. greywarshark 10

    25 September 2018 at 11:00 am

    Something to chew on perhaps.
    https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/367040/potato-virus-found-in-new-zealand-for-first-time
    The potato mop-top virus, known as PMTV, has been found in tubers from two properties in the Canterbury region.
    David Yard of Biosecurity New Zealand, said PMTV was not a food safety issue but, if it became widespread, could cause productivity issues for growers.
    PMTV is common in other countries, he said.
    Affected potatoes can display symptoms including distortions to the skin, deep cracking, and rust coloured arcs, streaks or flecks in the tuber flesh.
    Biosecurity New Zealand is investigating how the virus entered the country.

    Noooo. Not my chips! Interesting how our island advantage from the world’s nasties is further eroded under our present political systems, we don’t have enough surveillance on dodgy importers, but as citizens we are being watched at every point it seems, lots of CCTV following UKs policy.
11. SaveNZ 11

    25 September 2018 at 11:06 am

    @greywarshark, look at this pearler from an “international’ new hire for one of our companies…

    a2 Milk boss Jayne Hrdlicka sells company shares only two months into job

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12130288

    (Who were the lawyers who drew up a contract where a CEO can sell their shares almost immediately, should be 5 years at least to encourage a longer term approach!)

    Her experience, not much NZ culture, not much milk maybe more ‘milking it’…
    • greywarshark 11.1

      25 September 2018 at 11:10 am

      Sharp operator, bite them before they bite you says this rat. Take the cheese while its ripe. Who says women can’t be as good as men.
      • SaveNZ 11.1.1

        25 September 2018 at 11:54 am

        She is ex Jetstar the airline that has such appalling customer experience they have a website about it.

        http://www.dontflyjetstar.com/complaints

        It’s starting to look like a Theo Spierings moment when the CEO specialised in mergers, oh and losses at the end.
        • SaveNZ 11.1.1.1

          25 September 2018 at 12:00 pm

          During Jayne Hrdlicka’s reign as CEO – looks like Jetstar fined for misleading prices (price dripping)

          Jetstar has been ordered by the Federal Court to pay fines totaling $545,000 for misleading it’s online customers with it’s ‘price dripping’ tactic when purchasing online.

          The federal Court deemed the Jetstar tactic of ‘price dripping’, which is were extra unavoidable fees are added to the total price of a fare as you progress through the checkout process, as being in breach of Australian Consumer Law. Basically, Jetstar advertised a price for a fare, but when buying online, the fare could never be that low as compulsory extras were added on. This case was specifically in relation to the credit card and payment fees.

          Jetstar was found guilty back in November of 2015 and relates to misrepresentations in advertisements back in 2013 on their website and in 2014 on their mobile website.
    • Ngungukai 11.2

      25 September 2018 at 11:33 am

      She has obviously got some inside knowledge of the company and the market place.

      Smart lady & smart thinking, and the market has followed her lead ?
      • SaveNZ 11.2.1

        25 September 2018 at 11:38 am

        Insider trading is generally considered illegal… also massive breach of trust to sell shares after 2 months. Either she let A2 know before taking the role she was going to cash up early in which case they are idiots for allowing her to do it, or they didn’t know and it’s a terrible look…
        • Gabby 11.2.1.1

          25 September 2018 at 1:07 pm

          I wonder how she was recruited.
12. greywarshark 12

    25 September 2018 at 11:06 am

    Bit of biff and bang with great style.
    https://www.themixonline.co.nz/video/watch-the-trailer-for-bludgeon/

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/78192530/taranaki-man-to-star-in-documentary-about-full-contact-medieval-combat
    • chris73 12.1

      25 September 2018 at 1:48 pm

      Seems appropriate
    • marty mars 12.2

      25 September 2018 at 2:30 pm

      Bludgeon looks interesting… thanks for the heads up
13. SaveNZ 13

    25 September 2018 at 11:36 am

    Some good news!

    Pay equity: Oranga Tamariki social workers offered 30 percent pay rise

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/09/pay-equity-oranga-tamariki-social-workers-to-get-30-percent-pay-rise.html
14. marty mars 14

    25 September 2018 at 12:13 pm

    This dick should resign – stretching the law to breaking point and beyond.

    “Thousands of dollars have been pledged to mount a private prosecution against the bong-taking University of Otago proctor…

    Hundreds have signed a petition calling for Scott’s immediate resignation though, and a private prosecution against him is pending.”

    https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/107343663/private-prosecution-pending-against-university-of-otagos-bongtaking-proctor
    • chris73 14.1

      25 September 2018 at 1:02 pm

      See we can reach agreement on certain issues. He needs to go and explain his actions in front of a judge.
      • marty mars 14.1.1

        25 September 2018 at 2:29 pm

        … caught in a landslide, no escape from reality…
        • chris73 14.1.1.1

          25 September 2018 at 3:29 pm

          That sounds like a good poem, whats the rest of it?
15. chris73 15

    25 September 2018 at 12:33 pm

    I know its mere coincidence but what the frick is happening in NZ universities at the moment, seems like its a race to see who can be the most embarrassing

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/107316664/cannabis-bongs-removed-from-student-flat-by-university-of-otago-proctor

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/107262536/wellingtons-victoria-university-will-change-its-name-to-university-of-wellington

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12130319

    Just waiting for Lincoln or Canterbury to decide that they need some headlines
    • alwyn 15.1

      25 September 2018 at 1:11 pm

      What is Waikato up to at the moment?
      They used to lead in this ridiculous behaviour as I remember it.
      • chris73 15.1.1

        25 September 2018 at 1:18 pm

        I know right and since Canterbury ditched the undie 500 they’ve been pretty quiet as well

        Strange times indeed
    • SaveNZ 15.2

      25 September 2018 at 1:25 pm

      Don’t forget shutting down the specialist libraries at Auckland University, on going screw ups at Unitec and of course the rise in fake universities and polytechs in the private sector…

      Thats what happens when tertiary education becomes about faux profiteering instead of education.

      As a quote I remember from when they bought in student fees…

      “Who are they going to attract, the rich and the thick?”

      Well it all starts at the top they say.
      • chris73 15.2.1

        25 September 2018 at 1:34 pm

        Bit of a stretch to be blaming this on National or even Labour
        • arkie 15.2.1.1

          25 September 2018 at 2:24 pm

          Much more plausible that it’s a false flag attack by the Globalists and the Clinton Foundation machine to distract the sheeple, while the Illuminati, Vince Foster’s Ghost and the Anunnaki take control of these universities and start dumping floride into waterways to make the gay frogs become postmodernist social Marxists. I’m pretty sure I saw Paul Joseph Watson cover it on infowars, right Chris?
          • greywarshark 15.2.1.1.1

            25 September 2018 at 2:54 pm

            arkie
            Very good you’ve got something going there
          • chris73 15.2.1.1.2

            25 September 2018 at 3:27 pm

            Could be onto something…
            • arkie 15.2.1.1.2.1

              25 September 2018 at 3:43 pm

              It’s a bit rich of ol’ PJW to be impugning the intelligence of protesters, but I guess if he’s had his BrainForce™ Plus (contains Soy) this morning…
              • chris73 …

                25 September 2018 at 3:57 pm

                The hardest thing about using dumb anti-Trumpers is that its hard to decide which ones to choose
                • arkie …

                  25 September 2018 at 4:01 pm

                  Yeah it’s definitely harder to find dumb anti-trumpers than it is to find dumb pro-trumpers.
                  
                  • chris73 …

                    25 September 2018 at 4:07 pm

                    Its on 🙂
                    • arkie …

                      25 September 2018 at 5:08 pm

                      He really does just whinge doesn’t he.

                      Old but Gold:
                      
                    • chris73 …

                      25 September 2018 at 5:31 pm
        • SaveNZ 15.2.1.2

          25 September 2018 at 4:32 pm

          Who do think appointed these neoliberals and thought that business types were best to run universities rather than academics? The government.

          It started with government in the 1980’s… we are just seeing more of the side effects to what user pays for education creates and it’s not necessarily a good education or having skills within a country to operate productively.
          • chris73 15.2.1.2.1

            25 September 2018 at 4:40 pm

            So how does that explain whats happening in Massey?
            • SaveNZ 15.2.1.2.1.1

              25 September 2018 at 4:51 pm

              The woke left work for the rights interests by being so small minded in their thinking that it puts normal people off… Then they get heaps of attention on themselves and an extreme position, which is often so judgemental….

              I’m no fan of Brash, but not letting him speak???? He’s an ex political party leader for goodness sake!

              Meanwhile the minor things the woke left are fighting for, takeover allowing much worst scenarios to occur later on. It’s like the boy cried wolf, fable for the left.

              Think the US Democrats telling everyone how amazing globalism is or Wellington Council telling everyone how great the new bus service is. Shutting down people from having their say and disagreement and faux listening always leads to trouble.
16. joe90 16

    25 September 2018 at 12:50 pm

    Meanwhile, in Erdogan’s Turkey…

    Teachers, judges, journalists, scientists sacked, jailed, sexually assaulted, and tortured…These are the faces of the greatest human purge of the 21st century…from Erdogan’s Turkey #ErdoganOut pic.twitter.com/RRupZj8yNO— HRF (@HRF) September 24, 2018

    Everyone can see by this video that who really planned and made the 15th July coupERDOGAN'S REICHSTAG FIRE ||Things in Turkey are really messed up by Erdogan and his ambitions for the last decade. Check this out 👇pic.twitter.com/pklUHKgq5B— 🇹🇷Enes Yasin🇨🇦 (@enesyasingoksu) September 24, 2018

    https://twitter.com/enesyasingoksu/status/1044194398114910208
    • SaveNZ 16.1

      25 September 2018 at 4:33 pm

      @Joe 90, Horrible!
17. adam 17

    25 September 2018 at 2:06 pm

    I love John Pilger.

    But then again I have this thing for good journalism.

    http://medialens.org/index.php/alerts/alert-archive/2018/881-guest-media-alert-by-john-pilger-hold-the-front-page-the-reporters-are-missing.html
    • Ed 17.1

      25 September 2018 at 9:44 pm

      According to Jenny, he’s lazy.
      But not as bad as Cockburn, who is racist and Islamophobic.

      https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-15-09-2018/#comment-1527604
18. marty mars 18

    25 September 2018 at 2:20 pm

    Gonna see so much of this ‘heading to higher/safer ground. It’s gonna be very hard for people.

    “Millions of Americans will confront similarly hard choices as climate change conjures up brutal storms, flooding rains, receding coastlines and punishing heat. Many are already opting to shift to less perilous areas of the same city, or to havens in other states. Whole towns from Alaska to Louisiana are looking to relocate, in their entirety, to safer ground.”

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/24/americas-era-of-climate-mass-migration-is-here
    • McFlock 18.1

      25 September 2018 at 2:24 pm

      What really boggles my mind is that Florida’s rulers still are in denial.
      • Drowsy M. Kram 18.1.1

        25 September 2018 at 4:31 pm

        Junior senator for Florida: a favourite ‘sea level rise denial’ cartoon.

        http://www.trbimg.com/img-53720876/turbine/sfl-marco-rubio-and-climate-change-20140513-001/555/555×386
    • joe90 18.2

      25 September 2018 at 6:23 pm

      Fuckers are wallowing in a sea of pig shit, toxic sludge and dead animals, too.

      They are among the 3.4 million chickens confirmed killed in the floods that followed Hurricane Florence. In addition, about 5,500 hogs died, according to the Department of Agriculture, and some of the massive lagoons that hold their excrement are damaged and discharging a fecal soup.

      https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/21/hurricane-florence-flooding-north-carolina?CMP=twt_gu

      https://qz.com/1386629/hurricane-florence-threatens-north-carolinas-pig-manure-lagoons/

      https://www.postandcourier.com/news/sc-coal-ash-pit-with-tons-of-waste-could-start/article_04122d98-c015-11e8-b854-7767bdb87ec0.html
19. Tony Veitch [not etc.] 19

    25 September 2018 at 2:57 pm

    Okay, I admit to a predilection for the Coalition government, but, after watching Question Time today, it seems to me that

    a) Soimon just doesn’t get any cut through with his questions and

    b) Amy was made to look a fool by Grant Robertson.

    Heh heh, long may this continue.
    • Cinny 19.1

      25 September 2018 at 3:21 pm

      Hehehe re Grant/amy 🙂 good stuff.

      Coalition is rocking this week. Once again Winny is doing great job while Jacinda is away. They make an impressive team, feeling proud 🙂

      Thoroughly enjoyed the photo our Acting PM produced of simons ‘cue cards’.

      Anyone seen paula?
      • veutoviper 19.1.1

        25 September 2018 at 4:53 pm

        No Paula Bennett for the third day in a row – as she was not there last Weds or Thurs either. And Amy Adams was keeping the Deputy Leader seat warm for the third day. But PB has been doing a few local events etc in Auckland last Friday and over the weekend.

        Winston wore a nice tie today – or is that not allowed? I don’t recall having seen that one before.

        Oh and the rant that Pete at 20 mentioned presumably was AA’s lead speech in the urgent debate on Meka’s demotion. Seemed more like an audition speech to me – but for Leader or Deputy?
        • mickysavage 19.1.1.1

          25 September 2018 at 5:37 pm

          In defence of Paula (did I say that!) she was at Assid Corbyn’s funeral today in West Auckland.
          • David Mac 19.1.1.1.1

            25 September 2018 at 10:27 pm

            Ha, you’re in the habit of spelling it that way Mickey. Assid Corban….every true Westie has a half bottle of something ancient and fortified in the back of their liquor cabinet with Corban on the label.
          • veutoviper 19.1.1.1.2

            26 September 2018 at 1:57 am

            Thanks, ms. I was going to check her movements because she obviously was doing Auckland events etc over the last few days or so.
20. Pete 20

    25 September 2018 at 3:10 pm

    Got home, turned the tv on just in time to see Amy Adams ranting about standards.

    She went on about Ministers being held to account. Yes, Amy Adams who was Minister of Justice when confidential, sensitive stuff was leaked from her office.

    “We will not accept,” she said, then listed the list of characteristics she and her mob showed.
21. chris73 21

    25 September 2018 at 4:05 pm

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/107355722/back-to-earth-with-a-bump-for-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern

    ‘There must be an element of schadenfreude for the Opposition. Key was similarly questioned over the extent of his relationship with former GCSB boss Ian Fletcher, after it was claimed he was a childhood friend and had been shoulder-tapped by Key for the role.

    That their relationship was one step removed – Key was mates with his older brother – didn’t stop Labour dragging the story out to try to prove that they discussed the job in private.

    So don’t expect National to drop this issue any time soon.’

    Be interesting to see what else is in those emails
    • SaveNZ 21.1

      25 September 2018 at 4:38 pm

      Interesting to know if they shortlisted other candidates too… or was it just cronyism and the belief their friends and acquaintances are the best applicants so no need to run a proper recruitment process…

      I thought it was fake news, but the whole things just keeps getting weirder and stranger from the idea that his citizenship issues were sorted out to the fact he it looks like he solicited the job…and sent txts to Jacinda as well as Clare Curren.

      Then finding out they ran the poor guy through the mill for months…

      Everyone looks bad but sadly although an extreme case, this fuck up is modern recruitment in NZ, totally unprofessional, crony appointments, lengths of times so great that any normal candidate bails out, and the eventual screw ups and pay offs.

      Natz can’t crow because they did it too. But of course most Labour voters expect zero cronyism from Labour…
      • chris73 21.1.1

        25 September 2018 at 4:43 pm

        The thing is I don’t have a major problem with what John Key or Jacinda for that matter either. I mean if they know someone and they think they’d be a good fit well why not trust their judgement

        As long the applicants get vetted and checked out properly its all good in my book, I mean we trust our leaders with so much, theres so many law changes they can make etc etc yet somehow recommending someone they know for a job is bad?

        Depending on the job of course
        • SaveNZ 21.1.1.1

          25 September 2018 at 4:56 pm

          Nope cronyism is cronyism. Whether it’s in Indonesia, Russia or NZ.

          Government appointments should be completely independent and nobody should be aware if they know the PM or not, let alone creating a role that seems not well thought out at all or full of scandal, and for a role that in both cases (Key and Curren interference in the roles) neither of the government preferred candidates had done before. Does not exactly seem to be well considered or fair or creating the best candidate for the role and actually diminishes the role which both areas are increasingly important to get right.
        • David Mac 21.1.1.2

          25 September 2018 at 10:12 pm

          I sort of agree, businesses have headhunted forever. It’s logical… ‘Lets talk to the best person for the job.’

          The problem arises for all ministers when ‘Lets get the best’ is tainted with the mere scent of nepotism.

          Dumb to get involved with anything that resembles it. A mistake that doesn’t need to be made. The Handley text release egg on Jacinda’s face will wash off. I suspect she has learned a big lesson from the whole sloppy Curran fiasco and hopefully we won’t see anything like it again.
    • Pete 21.2

      25 September 2018 at 6:30 pm

      Why did Fletcher last such a short time? Key was mates with his older brother. What were the dealings between the two before and after Fletcher got the job?
22. Cinny 22

    25 September 2018 at 4:10 pm

    Tonight, 6pm, Newshub,

    Paddy Gower…. exclusive re info about the 2nd explosion at Pike River.
23. halfcrown 23

    25 September 2018 at 4:17 pm

    This may be of interest, shown by The New Zealand Public Trust Television.

    https://www.nzptv.org.nz/videos/the-spiders-web-1
24. eco maori 24

    26 September 2018 at 7:52 am

    Kia ora The Am Show high fuel price’s =less driving I’m walking more now less carbon out put from Aotearoa .
    The big picture is this is a WORLD CHANGING moment and movement EQUALITY happening at the minute in New York at the UN.
    Why do you think trump is scrapping the Iran deal he want;s to push up OIL price’s Obama new trump is a carbon boy I.E all his move’s are all about pushing up carbon prices and use.
    Duncan there is only so much one can do in a day. The electric cars China makes there own cars and has more money than Aotearoa so you can not compare the 2 country’s
    on this subject .
    Come on any idiot can figure out that if you have a mine full of explosive gas that if you turn on any mechanical equipment I.E the convener belt you will get sparks = big explosion enough said .
    We don;t sell fables we have a beautiful country Mark blue eye Penguin’s our unique wild life and environment & cultures are what makes NZ The best country for a holiday In the world + we have no life threatening wild animals.
    The America Cup event will be a really big event show the world NZ best .
    Ka pai Sir Graham Lowe for selling your jersey on Trade Me ka pai
    Ka kite ano
25. eco maori 25

    26 September 2018 at 8:43 am

    trump wants to scrap our international institution’s the United Nation’s so him and his m8 can carry on sucking the money out of the world .In the process there action’s cause million’s to starve and million’s to die all for his greed and his m8 greed that should not be happening in the year 2018
26. eco maori 26

    26 September 2018 at 9:40 am

    Kia Kaha to the French President for voicing his concerns about the path that trump is trying to lead the world down .
    trump is trying to lead the world down a stupid path of isolation and protecting a country’s own self interest .Weather it cause million’s to starve to death or die in a War that is secretly backed by arm’s manufacturing company’s .
    All the 3 world nations are in the situation’s they find them self’s in because of the wealthy exploiting them and there natural resources while mokopunas die in refugee camp’s. This HAS TO BE STOPPED.
    Link is below Ka kite ano

    https://www.euronews.com/2018/09/25/macron-vs-trump-at-the-un-general-assembly
27. eco maori 27

    26 September 2018 at 10:10 am

    trump is trying to suppress China he is playing a game that he won’t WIN .
    The reason China is the manufacturing Hub of the world is because the wealthy greedy
    Multi national company’s are chasing profit’s instead of looking after there country of origin future they are taking there manufacturing to any country that is cheap to make its products .The company’s charter need’s to be changed to include humane environmentally friendly socially responsibility’s before profit Ka kite ano link below

    https://edition.cnn.com/2018/09/25/asia/trade-war-china-us-knife-intl/index.html
28. eco maori 28

    26 September 2018 at 3:34 pm

    Some Eco Maori Music.
29. eco maori 29

    26 September 2018 at 6:45 pm

    Kia ora Newshub Many thanks to Phil for taking a lot of stress off % 80 of housing corp tenants by stopping the review to qualify for having a house.
    The Koala bear is a cute looking creature ka pai .
    Those Auckland gas stations prices are high ????????
    .The cost of living going up is a fact of life .
    I remember when gas was real expense in the late1980 and early1990 even the Skippers were moaning about the price
    Ka kite ano.
30. eco maori 30

    26 September 2018 at 7:20 pm

    Kia ora The Crowd Goes Wild James & Mulls No comment on Billy well one I need a lawyer like his lol.
    Yes the Ausses like the hype we need to take a leaf out of there book with event names like State of Origin and Grand Final just the word’s get people hyped up.
    The AllBlacks will be getting heaps of protein in Argentina.
    More test for the Rugby national team’s is a good thing but it won’t take the shine off the golden cup.
    Rock climbing is a cool sport I mite have to practices that sport YEA RIGHT LOL.
    Ka kite ano

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