Open mike 25/02/2015

Written By: - Date published: 5:55 am, February 25th, 2015 - 161 comments
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161 comments on “Open mike 25/02/2015 ”

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  1. logie97 1
    25 February 2015 at 7:00 am

    Key couldn’t remember what he was doing in the early 1980s.
    He was possibly thumbing through his “Battler Britain” comics.
    Seems now he might also have been captured by the Falklands and is now
    hoping for his own “Thatcher” moment.

    • Paul 1.1
      25 February 2015 at 7:06 am

      We have a rogue government that does not ask its people or parliament whether it should go to war or not.

      • gsays 1.1.1
        25 February 2015 at 7:34 am

        hi paul, ref a rogue government: perhaps we do, however till the sheeple wake up to this, nothing changes.
        to raise awareness perhaps a day of action akin to the anti tppa protests coming up early march?

    • logie97 1.2
      25 February 2015 at 7:49 am

      If the NZ role is just training, then why not bring the trainees here to New Zealand and teach them all the tactics they need in a non-war zone, peaceful environment.

      • Colonial Rawshark 1.2.1
        25 February 2015 at 9:56 am

        Because then our “force protection” troops could not help to secure a Forward Operating Base in Iraq from which assault operations on ISIS will be launched from.

  2. Whateva next? 2
    25 February 2015 at 7:30 am

    Was Key channeling Jack Nicholson in a Few Good Men for his performance in parliament yesterday?
    Once again key simply does not ring true.Little is a true leader, calm, capable and cogent.

    • b waghorn 2.1
      25 February 2015 at 7:44 am

      Mr Little was in very good form on tv3 this morning he gave solid reasoned views on Iraq.
      Paddy giving not a bad breakdown of the cost of keys announcement in his eyes its when not if we get a retaliation from I S.

      • Pete George 2.1.1
        25 February 2015 at 7:54 am

        To an extent. But he said it doesn’t take guts to sit in Wellington making tough decisions. I think he’s wrong about that.

        If he believes what he said then I don’t think he’s ready to step up to Prime Ministerial level, which is a very tough job involving many tough decisions.

        • les 2.1.1.1
          25 February 2015 at 8:01 am

          so is NZ a dictatorship now Pete?

          • Pete George 2.1.1.1.1
            25 February 2015 at 8:08 am

            Nowhere near that les. I think Key should have sought Parliamentary support, but it wasn’t a democratic requirement.

            If it had come to the crunch would Labour have voted against it? There’s no way of knowing now, but as this is at the request of Iraq it’s arguably more legitimate than decisions made by the Clark Government and Parliament at the time.

            • les 2.1.1.1.1.1
              25 February 2015 at 8:18 am

              ‘at the request of Iraq’…really…is it a legitimate,democratic ‘Iraq’ that made the request?

            • freedom 2.1.1.1.1.2
              25 February 2015 at 8:32 am

              Seeing as Labour and the Greens both put forward a motion for a vote – which National objected to both times – your “no way of knowing” is as empty as Key’s credibility.

            • vto 2.1.1.1.1.3
              25 February 2015 at 9:07 am

              “at the request of Iraq ”

              ha ha that is the funniest thing heard in a long time. Well actually not that long as it has been heard quite a lot lately. Not surprised you fall for it Pete.

              at the request of Iraq

              ha ha ha

              at the request of Iraq

            • felix 2.1.1.1.1.4
              25 February 2015 at 11:53 am

              Pete:

              “I think Key should have sought Parliamentary support, but it wasn’t a democratic requirement.”

              Nope. It wasn’t a legal requirement to be democratic, so he chose not to be democratic.

            • Draco T Bastard 2.1.1.1.1.5
              25 February 2015 at 12:25 pm

              I think Key should have sought Parliamentary support, but it wasn’t a democratic requirement.

              Yeah, actually, it was. We don’t get democracy by having a few people in cabinet making executive decisions. Going to war is a major policy and really should have been put to referendum even if the nation that we’d be fighting for requested it.

            • KJT 2.1.1.1.1.6
              25 February 2015 at 5:54 pm

              The normal right wing excuses for their latest antisocial, cruel and sadistic actions.

              “It is legal”.

              “Some one else would have done it (And creamed off the money) if I hadn’t”.

              “Eastasia or Westasia this week?

              • McFlock …
                25 February 2015 at 6:19 pm

                yeah.

                Many of them genuinely seem to think that if they got away with it (so far), it can’t be wrong.

                A similar but lighter example is an opinion piece in Stuff today that argued the underarm ball incident was not actually wrong: it was legal, it might have been possible to still hit a six and tie the game, even if it wasn’t possible then the bowler could have bowled a perfect ball that was impossible to hit for six, or that the aussie team could have turned into the keystone cops and allowed NZ to get six runs via fielding errors.

                There’s a basic inability to recognise a dick move when it’s there. That winning a game of athletic skill via bureaucratic oversight is preferable to getting a draw. That exploiting a tax loophole to pay less than your fair share is fine because it’s temporarily legal. That taking the ability the Executive has to use the armed forces speedily to react to threats and using it to avoid gaining parliament’s permission for a contentious, planned, long term deployment is not an abuse of the very democracy that parliament is there to exercise.

                And the signature of a dick is to not know or care that it’s a dick. That’s why key shrugs his shoulders so often.

                • One Anonymous Bloke …
                  25 February 2015 at 6:24 pm

                  Imagine the cast of Hot Fuzz intoning “The letter of the law, the letter of the law…”

                  National Party values.

                  • McFlock …
                    25 February 2015 at 6:29 pm

                    actually it’s more like Timothy Dalton’s character thinking that pronouncing it “super marshay” is a cool thing to do, rather than mildly greasy and irritating. 🙂

        • Murray Rawshark 2.1.1.2
          25 February 2015 at 11:37 am

          What tough decisions? A tough decision would be to kick all pedophiles out of the NAct party, or to up the top tax rate, or to chase after corporate fraudsters. Sending our kids to war, or selling state houses are not tough decisions. They come naturally to Tory scum.

        • mac1 2.1.1.3
          25 February 2015 at 12:48 pm

          Boy, Pete, you know how to twist words.

          “When we’re talking about guts, I think I’ll reserve that for the soldiers who we’re sending up there,” Mr Little responded on Firstline this morning.

          “This is one of the most dangerous conflict zones in the world – you don’t need much guts to sit on a leather couch in Wellington and send people off to do your bidding for you, so let’s get that in perspective.”

          Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/little-doesnt-take-guts-to-boss-troops-around-2015022509#ixzz3Si1IYSLK

          Andrew Little was contrasting the amount of guts shown by Key sitting on his couch and the guts shown by the soldiers sent by John Key.

          • mac1 2.1.1.3.1
            25 February 2015 at 10:53 pm

            Sorry chaps. Forgot the rules. DNFTT. Starting at A.

            The aardvark (/ˈɑrd.vɑrk/ ard-vark; Orycteropus afer) is a medium-sized, burrowing, nocturnal mammal native to Africa. It is the only living species of the order Tubulidentata, although other prehistoric species and genera of Tubulidentata are known. Unlike New World edentates such as the giant anteater, it has a long pig-like snout, which is used to sniff out food. It roams over most of the southern two-thirds of the African continent, avoiding mainly rocky areas. A nocturnal feeder, it subsists on ants and termites, which it will dig out of their hills using its sharp claws and powerful legs. It also will utilize its digging ability to create burrows in which to live and rear its young.

    • marty mars 2.2
      25 February 2015 at 8:04 am

      Yep key went for the oscar – simplistic messages delivered as if he believed them – his non-thinking minions will lap it up – pg 101

      • Pete George 2.2.1
        25 February 2015 at 8:10 am

        As it turns out I didn’t like Key’s second speech, I don’t think that was appropriate. But there was an unusual amount of emotion expressed so fair enough for Key to say what he thought.

        And the Green faithful will have lapped up Norman’s naivety and contradictions.

        • marty mars 2.2.1.1
          25 February 2015 at 8:19 am

          attack the Greens, attack the Greens – maintain low tones – attack the Greens, attack the Greens…

          • Sacha 2.2.1.1.1
            25 February 2015 at 11:03 am

            Chard and the other beets are chenopods, a group which is either its own family Chenopodiaceae or a subfamily within the Amaranthaceae. Although the leaves of chard are eaten, it is in the same species as beetroot (garden beet), which is grown primarily for its edible roots. Both are cultivated descendants of the sea beet, Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima, but they were selected for different characteristics.

            Chard is also known by its many common names such as Swiss chard,[7] silverbeet, perpetual spinach, spinach beet, crab beet, bright lights, seakale beet, and mangold.[8] In South Africa, it is simply called spinach.[9]

          • tc 2.2.1.1.2
            25 February 2015 at 11:14 am

            As predictable as the sun coming up each day is old petey.

        • freedom 2.2.1.2
          25 February 2015 at 8:20 am

          “emotion” ? or a loss of composure, due to stress grown from insincere motives

          • Jenny Kirk 2.2.1.2.1
            25 February 2015 at 10:00 am

            “emotion ? or a loss of composure..”.

            I thought it was an act. ShonKey using some false “emotion” to try to show sheeples that he really does believe this tripe about needing to go to war.

            The guy is an actor. A puppet. Whose strings are pulled from afar, and who has never shown his real self to NZers.

            • Rosie 2.2.1.2.1.1
              25 February 2015 at 10:41 am

              +1 Jenny and freedom.

              Key’s performance yesterday was Oscar worthy. He has to make an effort to convince NZer’s he’s made the right decision. And I agree with freedom, he is under stress and losing his composure.

              Bullshitting to save your arse can be really stressful, and add all that acting effort, it’s no wonder he’s looking a bit undone.

            • rhinocrates 2.2.1.2.1.2
              25 February 2015 at 6:15 pm

              I remember Peter Sellers on The Muppet Show, where he said, “There isn’t a me, I’ve had it surgically removed!”

        • Stuart Munro 2.2.1.3
          25 February 2015 at 12:09 pm

          E. lecontei adults are smaller than most terrestrial weevils, measuring only 3 mm in length. This weevil is generally dark-colored with a pattern of dark brown/black and yellowish stripes on the dorsal half, fading to a lighter, yellow-beige underbelly. However, some weevil individuals vary in color from almost completely tan to beige.

        • tracey 2.2.1.4
          25 February 2015 at 12:19 pm

          “From observing your pet every day, you’ll have noticed that your cat has a pattern that it follows quite religiously. For example, your adult indoor cat might spend the mornings lying in a pool of sunshine in the corner of the dining room. Later, he watches you as you go about your household chores, and then his rigorous day winds down with a patient vigil by the kitchen door waiting for his children – otherwise known as your children – to come home. Your feline has developed these routines to protect his territory and frequently your pet’s definition of “territory” includes his human family members.

          As your cat grows older, he becomes less capable of adapting to changes in his environment. Your pet gets particular about even the smallest detail of his surroundings and will notice changes in food (brand or type), the consistency of his litter and even in your schedule or in the schedules of other family members. Abrupt or drastic changes in your cat’s routine and environment can produce a great deal of stress, which can result in a variety of stress-induced behaviors – including litter box problems, aggression, self-mutilation or general despondency.

          The best possible way to keep your cat stress free is to try to maintain your daily routine and to keep changes to a minimum. When changes are necessary, try introducing them to your cat gradually while leaving every other aspect of the routine in place. Limit exposure to new people and new foods, etc., on the first day and increase the exposure to newness over a seven-day period. If you have houseguests or other situations where the household is materially changed, remember to give your cat as much extra attention as you can.”

  3. gsays 3
    25 February 2015 at 8:01 am

    what with: spying in tangimoana on behalf of the us,
    rounding up that pesky german,
    altering nz labour law,
    offering tax breaks to american film companies,
    sending kiwi soldiers to help clean up another us war,
    and being a golf buddy to the pousa.

    i am reminded of a the the song, heartland.
    youtube.com/watch?v=1osdqwaiu08

    ” The ammunition’s being passed and the lords been praised
    But the wars on the televisions will never be explained
    All the bankers gettin’ sweaty beneath their white collars
    As the pound in our pocket turns into a dollar

    This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.
    This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.
    This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.

    this may give an insight to what our dear leader wants our new flag to look like.

  4. dv 4
    25 February 2015 at 8:06 am

    Last year there we not going to be boots on the ground this year….

    Tough decision HA
    The tough decision would be Not to go

    And it is not his kids that he is putting in danger.

    my problem is I find it difficult to trust anything Key says.

  5. philj 5
    25 February 2015 at 8:07 am

    Key says we are sending Army ‘trainers’ to Iraq in order to keep us Kiwis safe. You cannot be serious!

  6. Tautoko Mangō Mata 6
    25 February 2015 at 8:26 am

    …and his announcement has just made Kiwis less safe!
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/66608944/brace-for-is-threats-analyst-warns

  7. Coffee Connoissuer 7
    25 February 2015 at 8:29 am

    a reply given in a discussion of what children should be taught in schools..

    “What about: a history of morals, ethics and decency – self realisation and why being a dick gets you no where”

    brilliant!!

  8. vto 8
    25 February 2015 at 9:10 am

    Key makes even more of a joke of himself when he yells like a show-off schoolboy.

    He has no gravitas, no mana. He is just an empty hollow man and his yelling speech yesterday evidenced this yet again.

  9. freedom 9
    25 February 2015 at 9:12 am

    Meanwhile, in one of the great cities of our friend the USA, the rule of law is ? ? ?
    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/02/chicago-police-operating-cia-style-black-site-for-domestic-interrogations-report

  10. phillip ure 10
    25 February 2015 at 9:22 am

    “..Pot is 114 Times Safer Than Booze – Says Study..

    ..New research finds pot is the least deadly among recreational drugs –

    – by far..”

    (cont..)

    http://www.alternet.org/pot-114-times-safer-booze-says-study

    • Clemgeopin 10.1
      25 February 2015 at 9:31 am

      But isn’t it better, healthier and safer to live without either of those?

      And Oh, also by boycotting and without visiting our casinos ever again for good measure?

      • phillip ure 10.1.1
        25 February 2015 at 9:41 am

        ideally..i guess..

        (but that is really up there with ‘wouldn’t it be nice if everyone had a pony?’..

        ..as in..it isn’t going to happen..)

        ..and the facts of the matter are that young people (esp.) of most cultures like to take intoxicants of some form..

        ..(it is/always has been – thus..and not only for ‘the young’..)

        ..so we have the intoxicant safest by ‘114 times’..being prohibited..

        ..and the intoxicant ‘114’ times more dangerous..

        ..the killer-drug alcohol..

        ..is advertised/encouraged..

        • Clemgeopin 10.1.1.1
          25 February 2015 at 9:57 am

          True, true.

          Like the rum or the coke dilemma. ‘Which is more harmful?’

        • adam 10.1.1.2
          25 February 2015 at 10:01 am

          Alcohol is not so much the elephant in the room – It’s were is the room, because I can’t see anything but the elephant.

          As long as we keep up prohibition – people suffer, people dying suffer, families suffer, criminals are made for no reason, racist cops have laws which enable them to be racists, and we can’t tell children not to smoke pot in a public debate.

          Clemgeopin, live pure – like that going to happen. I’d rather we had open debate around drugs and drug use rather than it being hidden.

          Hell I dream of the day we can have adds on TV which say.

          “Don’t smoke pot and drink alcohol together – why? Because – it really does make you into an arsehole”

          or

          “Smoking pot under the age of 21 is like drinking under 21 – a licence to make you stupid and compliant. Wait till your 21 ah.”

          • Colonial Rawshark 10.1.1.2.1
            25 February 2015 at 10:25 am

            Making marijuana medically available and also an R21 drug has merits worth considering.

          • weka 10.1.1.2.2
            25 February 2015 at 10:40 am

            alcohol and cannabis aren’t the problem. Why some people use in unhealthy ways is where to look if we want to see the problem. Take away the drugs, what are those people going to do?

          • Clemgeopin 10.1.1.2.3
            25 February 2015 at 11:18 am

            “Clemgeopin, live pure”

            I didn’t say I don’t enjoy a drink.

            • weka 10.1.1.2.3.1
              25 February 2015 at 11:57 am

              “But isn’t it better, healthier and safer to live without either of those?”

              What did you mean by that? I took that to mean you support complete abstinence as ideal.

            • adam 10.1.1.2.3.2
              25 February 2015 at 2:02 pm

              What Weka said

              • Clemgeopin …
                25 February 2015 at 5:14 pm

                No, no, I do enjoy a drink or three.
                Don’t do drugs and will most certainly NEVER visit a NZ casino EVER AGAIN after the recent fiasco and the disgraceful dodgy nexus between the two evils : The nasty Nats and the gambling Casino goons.

        • greywarshark 10.1.1.3
          25 February 2015 at 11:37 am

          Cripes phillip u can you stay off pot for a week? I am not talking about what happens at your place just give us a break here. Make that a month would you. I and some others would be grateful to not have that subject for a good while.

          • phillip ure 10.1.1.3.1
            25 February 2015 at 12:57 pm

            legalise it and i’ll shut up…

            ..’till then…

            • lprent 10.1.1.3.1.1
              25 February 2015 at 1:02 pm

              …and regulate and tax it heavily.

              (You always seem to miss that crucial part)

              • phillip ure …
                25 February 2015 at 1:58 pm

                not really…

                ..legalise..regulate..tax is/has been the/my basic argument all along..

                ..i just don’t necessarily restate the pillars in every story/link..

                ..and as for txing..

                ..didyaknow that colorado has taken so much income from tax from legal pot..

                ….it breaches some sort of government-greed stricture..

                ..and that excess tax will be distributed back to the citizens of colorado..

                ..legal pot..and a tax-refund..?

                ..only a true curmudgeon wd sneer @ that..

              • Clemgeopin …
                25 February 2015 at 4:27 pm

                “…and regulate and tax it heavily”

                Regulating it is fine but taxing it ‘heavily’ is not so much because, as is always the case, be it tobacco, dope, or GST, it will hit the poorest the most…and in the case of dope, I think it will be the gangs that will rub their hands with joy and heartily support ‘heavy’ taxes!

                • Colonial Rawshark …
                  25 February 2015 at 4:40 pm

                  Even after heavy taxation the price is going to be cheaper than today’s black market prices.

    • Lanthanide 10.2
      25 February 2015 at 1:12 pm

      I was wondering how long it would take you to reference that red herring of a study.

      They simply compared the lethal dose 50 of alcohol to the lethal dose 50 of marijuana.

      The LD50 of alcohol is significantly lower than marijuana. That’s it. That’s all the study found.

      It doesn’t mention anything about societal use or injuries / damage caused by the drugs, it’s purely looking at the dose it would take to kill you.

      You might notice, that very few people actually die of alcohol poisoning. Virtually no one dies of marijuana poisoning.

      These findings are not news nor surprising to anyone who understands what the study is *actually* about. Unfortunately, as usual, the media have boiled it down to the lowest-common-denominator and written a headline and article that distorts the study to a huge degree and presents it as if it is some great new finding and is somehow relevant to the marijuana vs alcohol debate, when really it warrants nothing more than a passing interest.

      • phillip ure 10.2.1
        25 February 2015 at 1:52 pm

        oh..!..ok..lath..

        ..how about you link us to yr research that shows how cannabis is a far more dangerous drug than alcohol..

        ..u r dancing around the edges..

        ..deliberately missing the point..

        ..is it only 95 times worse than alcohol..not 114..?

        ..50 times..?

        ..and factcheck…unless a bale of it falls on yr head..

        ..there is no ‘lethal-dose’ of pot..

        ..booze however..?

        • te reo putake 10.2.1.1
          25 February 2015 at 2:04 pm

          Who needs a link? The damage is obvious every time you post, Phil.

          • McFlock 10.2.1.1.1
            25 February 2015 at 2:29 pm

            correlation != causation 🙂

          • phillip ure 10.2.1.1.2
            25 February 2015 at 2:41 pm

            waiting for the body-bags..?..war-monger..?

            ..will you still be such an armchair-warrior when that happens..eh..?

            ..you fucken unthinking-fool..

            ..trp..supporting/handwringing-around cia propaganda-campaigns..

            .. since at least..gadfaffi..

            • te reo putake 10.2.1.1.2.1
              25 February 2015 at 2:53 pm

              Change down man, find your neutral space …

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_hyG0uZMjo

              • phillip ure …
                25 February 2015 at 3:00 pm

                war-mongering/unthinking clowns piss me off..

                ..i have no ‘neutral-space’ for fools such as that..

                (and i can roll joints like that..)

                • phillip ure …
                  25 February 2015 at 7:00 pm

                  who said americans as a nation are warmongering psycopathic-bastards..?

                  ..is it because in the 237 yrs since the foundation of america -america has largely been at war..?

                  – guess how many years of those 237 america was not at war with someone..?

                  ..21 yrs…

                  .21 out of 237..

                  ..that means that since its’ founding..

                  ..america has been in a state of war for 93% of the fucken time..

                  ..deserving of a ‘whoar!’..?..surely..?

        • Lanthanide 10.2.1.2
          26 February 2015 at 10:08 am

          You’ve completely missed my point, of course.

          How about we compare the boiling points of THC and ethanol and use that guide us as to whether the drugs should be illegal or not?

          That would only be slightly less relevant that what the study is talking about.

          • phillip ure 10.2.1.2.1
            26 February 2015 at 10:14 am

            no..u miss the point..

            ..that alcohol is far more dangerous than cannabis..

            ..r u arguing against that proposition..?

            ..legalise..!..regulate..!..tax..!

            • Lanthanide 10.2.1.2.1.1
              26 February 2015 at 10:38 am

              No, I’m not arguing against that proposition. Alcohol is obviously much more damaging to society and individuals than marijuana is.

              I’m saying *this* article doesn’t offer any new insight to anyone who would be making legislative decisions about this. Anyone trumpeting this as some sort of grand new evidence is misguided.

              In simple terms: this study is telling us what we already knew and what was already obvious.

              • phillip ure …
                26 February 2015 at 1:52 pm

                so why isn’t it legal..?

                ..if it is so fucken ‘obvious’..?

                ..and i thought the article/information was useful..

                ..emphasising how dangerous alcohol is..

                ..and how not dangerous cannabis is..

  11. adam 11
    25 February 2015 at 9:52 am

    Just a couple of pieces to remind people that rabid right wing have no morals. They love money not people and are only interested in “the bottom line”. The sooner we stand up against this greed mentality – the better for humanity and an increased chance for it’s survival, as we approach the end of the golden weather.

    http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/02/20/16796/hsbcs-political-committee-goes-dark-days-swiss-leaks-scandal

    http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/02/24/16809/mitt-romney-rand-paul-and-porno-spoof

  12. Ennui 12
    25 February 2015 at 10:20 am

    Anybody notice that Thea Muldoon passed away? It’s on Stuff. Given his turbulent political career I can only hope she enjoyed a peaceful widowhood.

    • greywarshark 12.1
      25 February 2015 at 11:41 am

      Barry Gustafson I think was on Radionz – came to know her well. She was very supportive of old Fartface and was a true blue lady herself. She probably enjoyed a relationship with Margaret Thatcher. I think she had a pretty good time of it all.

      Cf Margaret Thorn’s life. Now that was a staunch and beautiful woman to admire. Does anyone remember her?

      • Molly 12.1.1
        25 February 2015 at 4:36 pm

        Thanks for that greywarshark. Just read a short piece about her on Te Ara website. Sounds like an interesting and admirable woman, and the experience of her and her husband is a timely one to read regarding the ISIS discussion.

        As for the title of her last book: “Stick out, and keep left”. Pretty much sums it up.

        • greywarshark 12.1.1.1
          25 February 2015 at 6:11 pm

          Yes Molly I had the book in the back of my mind for yonks but couldn’t get the name right and I think Ennui or one of the stalwarts here gave me the steer.

          And the difference between now and how politics used to be! At one stage she and her husband filled a major political role, can’t remember the exact position and she visited an organisation in her elevated capacity. Then they were out of government, her husband got sick, and she was back at that organisation as a cook working flat out in the kitchens. Real Cinderella stuff. A very hard worker. Both of the Thorns were.

          • Anne 12.1.1.1.1
            25 February 2015 at 6:48 pm

            Thea Muldoon was a genuine conservative lady – one of the old fashioned
            Conservatives who believed in following and supporting her husband at all cost. I met her once after her husband had died and realised she was a kind and genuine person. She was a product of her conservative upbringing, but I came to admire her for her loyalty and decency.

            RIP Thea Muldoon.

      • Ergo Robertina 12.1.2
        25 February 2015 at 11:22 pm

        Grey – Best not to compare and contrast these very different women in this manner.
        Would you do the same if a man you disliked passed away (find a ‘worthy’ man with whom to compare him)?

        I agree with Anne’s sentiments; nicely put.

  13. Colonial Rawshark 13
    25 February 2015 at 10:49 am

    Massive methane gas blowholes opening up in SIberia

    Seems like Russian scientists think that the “clatharate gun” has gone off. That 2 degree C target is history, methinks, and with it, hundreds of millions of human lives.

    http://rt.com/news/235219-craters-siberia-yamal-lake/

  14. Colonial Rawshark 14
    25 February 2015 at 10:55 am

    US Police now using Stasi secret police tactics on protestors

    Chicago’s “Homan Square” police facility where protestors can get disappeared to and chained up without access to lawyers, phone calls, or contact with the outside world. Detainees are not officially charged.

    This is what the gradual evolution of a totalitarian security state looks like, people.

    http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/24/chicago-police-detain-americans-black-site

    • freedom 14.2
      25 February 2015 at 11:09 am

      I agree, this story cannot be linked to often enough 😉

    • tracey 14.3
      25 February 2015 at 12:22 pm

      CRIPES!!

    • adam 14.4
      25 February 2015 at 2:09 pm

      Can I add, one of the Anarchy-capitalist I talk to sometimes. He’s always good for a argument. Got pulled into something similar to this. Luckily he was missed, and his friends/family knew/guessed it was the cops – so eventually got a lawyer – after 3 days from memory.

      So if you think it’s only us on the left they are targeting – think again.

      • Colonial Rawshark 14.4.1
        25 February 2015 at 2:38 pm

        With their new systems they are targetting anyone who is identified as a potential dissenter to the current systems of privilege and power. That’s why they’ll target lefty protestors, Tea Party members, whistle blowers and journalists.

        This more than anything else, signals how the Left/Right paradigm is breaking down. Now it is about the Inner Circle (and their professional enablers/hangers ons) and Everybody else.

        • te reo putake 14.4.1.1
          25 February 2015 at 2:59 pm

          The PTB want you to think the left/right paradigm is breaking down. It’s actually the monopolist right versus everyone else as we head into peak capitalism.

          • Colonial Rawshark 14.4.1.1.1
            25 February 2015 at 5:40 pm

            Pretty sure peak capitalism was reached by the early 80’s. Crony capitalism and financialisation began to take over then.

            The PTB want you to think the left/right paradigm is breaking down.

            Pretty sure it’s well gone.

          • Bill 14.4.1.1.2
            25 February 2015 at 6:33 pm

            Snowden and Assange? Hitler and Stalin?

            Which ones are left and which ones are right? Which ones a penchant for authoritarianism and which ones not?

            Answering that gives a far clearer picture of potential political friends and enemies 😉

            • te reo putake 14.4.1.1.2.1
              25 February 2015 at 6:58 pm

              Is it a trick question, Bill!?

              Don’t know about Snowden’s politics, but he is currently sheltering in an authoritarian country and Assange is a fan of surprise sex, so probably a wee bit of the do as I say style bastard about him, too. Hitler right, Stalin left, as we know. I think Snowden is probably the only one who might conceivably be ‘left’ but Assange is clearly some sort of libertarian, and, as most of them do when opportunity arises, likes taking an authoritarian line. Though of course it’s not just opportunity that arises with Jules, if you get my drift.

              The point is that Marx is still entirely correct about the class divide and the inevitable tendency of capital to coalesce around itself, sort of a black hole of money, sucking in everything of value including the light of understanding. Unless the working class and its allies recognise that their class interests are not shared by their masters, then we will not have control of our destiny. The bollocks about the left/right paradigm is defeatist and ignorant. But, that’s the way the 1% want it.

              • Bill …
                25 February 2015 at 7:35 pm

                It wasn’t a trick question.

                Snowden is a right wing libertarian, while Assange is a left wing libertarian.

                Hitler was right wing authoritarian and Stalin a left wing authoritarian.

                I guess then (and it is only a guess) that you’d have been among the millions lauding Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin et al last century even as they sent non-authoritarian leftists to the gulags and worse. (Right wing libertarianism didn’t exist back then as a political field of thought as far as I’m aware.)

                And Marx had only a partial insight to class divisions. He missed the co-ordinators – the managers if you prefer – those with a penchant for authoritarianism (wielders of, and/or faithful adherents to) who breath life into the hierarchies of our systems of production and distribution and who, on a 9 – 5 basis, help ‘teach’ workers that ‘this (servility to authority) is the way’.

                Apart from the fact that self labelled ‘right wing libertarians’ are under the delusion that markets are neutral, they exhibit far more understanding of, and appetite for, such basic ‘leftist’ values as liberty, freedom etc than many a supposed left wing liberal…and waaay more than any apologist (many still around!) for what what flowed from Lenin and the Bolsheviks’ successful defeat of the Russian Revolution.

  15. joe90 15
    25 February 2015 at 10:58 am

    Another jurisdiction does the right thing.

    Smoking, growing and owning small amounts of marijuana became legal in Alaska on Tuesday as a growing decriminalization movement reached the United States’ northwest frontier.

    Alaska, which narrowly passed the measure in November, followed Colorado and Washington among states allowing recreational use, reflecting a rapidly shifting legal landscape for the drug.

    http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/24/us-usa-alaska-marijuana-idUSKBN0LS0ZH20150224

  16. rawshark-yeshe 16
    25 February 2015 at 11:05 am

    To think we were once the envy of the world for our compassionate social justice and welfare …

    Paula Bennett and Key are cruel beyond belief … read and weep …

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/66578463/housing-shortage-hits-young-mum-hard

    • freedom 16.1
      25 February 2015 at 11:18 am

      One aspect of that article niggles me bones. The article fails to say why rent has not been paid since October. That seems too obvious a question for the journalist – or the editor – to ignore. Call me a cynic, but could it be they want it to grow negative suspicions in the minds of the reader as to why it has not been paid?

      • rawshark-yeshe 16.1.1
        25 February 2015 at 11:47 am

        it seems to be the date her mother was removed to hospital … then her mother’s death .. fear of winz and generally overwhelmed … who knows ? but the cynic in me agrees with the cynic in you …

        and that must have been her home for her whole life .. imagine the hurt and horror of it …

        • Draco T Bastard 16.1.1.1
          25 February 2015 at 2:39 pm

          and that must have been her home for her whole life

          Nope, 15 years but she’s only 26 so most of her life.

      • Draco T Bastard 16.1.2
        25 February 2015 at 2:37 pm

        Yeah, that was what I was thinking. I suspect that it has something to do with the house being in her mother’s name and with her mother moving into a rest home and then dying has stuffed things up. She’s probably been trying to get things sorted but that’s not mentioned in the article.

        • rawshark-yeshe 16.1.2.1
          25 February 2015 at 3:44 pm

          did you see the picture of her belongings under what looks like cardboard at the back of the house ? Shame on the Winz enforcers treating a young mother and two children like this. THERE ARE NO HOUSES ! and yes, dying has a habit of stuffing things up .. you;d think Winz might fairly know this ? Yeah ? Nah. Not under this regime.

  17. Puckish Rogue 17
    25 February 2015 at 11:19 am

    This is funny though

    “In adopting such an approach, Key was seeking to go over the heads of the media and talk directly to New Zealanders about the reasons why such a deployment is necessary without his rationale being analysed and criticised before the public had actually heard that rationale.”

    The media think that they need to be told first so they can then tell the plebs (sorry people of NZ) what to think

    • rawshark-yeshe 17.1
      25 February 2015 at 11:49 am

      is it funny ?? like really ha ha funny, or just too twisted for words funny ? what did you mean ?

      O, vole mio and all that.

    • tracey 17.2
      25 February 2015 at 12:23 pm

      How do you envisage the plebs knowing about what the Govt is deciding without the media? Examples?

      • felix 17.2.1
        25 February 2015 at 1:16 pm

        When Key says “talk directly to nzers” he doesn’t mean all of them of course.

        Just the important ones.

        • TheContrarian 17.2.1.1
          25 February 2015 at 1:35 pm

          You still have it wrong Felix, just the ones who voted for him

          • te reo putake 17.2.1.1.1
            25 February 2015 at 1:36 pm

            Voted? With their cheque books?

            • mac1 17.2.1.1.1.1
              25 February 2015 at 1:49 pm

              With cheque books it’s called ‘access to minsters’ via the Cabinet Club. $25,000 entry fee. Saves having to vote, knowing that.

              • Puckish Rogue …
                25 February 2015 at 1:59 pm

                Its about value for money, I mean access to a Labour mp would be a packet of biscuits at the most

                • Pasupial …
                  25 February 2015 at 2:18 pm

                  PR

                  Systematic corruption is indeed not so entrenched in the Labour caucus as in NAct’s.

                  • Puckish Rogue …
                    25 February 2015 at 3:01 pm

                    Well lets talk MPs that have been convicted of corruption then

                    I’ll start with Labour and Phillip Field, your turn

                    • McFlock …
                      25 February 2015 at 3:14 pm

                      corruption? You mean like fraud, identity theft, of filing false returns?

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      25 February 2015 at 4:02 pm

                      stupid mistakes, nothing to compare to out and out corruption

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      25 February 2015 at 4:26 pm

                      Sabin.

                      “The NBR understands that the party has known since before the 2011 election…”

                    • McFlock …
                      25 February 2015 at 4:29 pm

                      lolright. Stupid mistakes 🙄

                      Yes, Field was corrupt. Gaining benefit from his role as an MP. He was stood down when the charges were made, and thoroughly investigated and prosecuted by the police.

                      As opposed to, say, using his role as an MP to ask questions that directly pertained to a significant share investment.

                    • framu …
                      25 February 2015 at 4:34 pm

                      or stealing a dead babies identity. Even accepting garrets claim of doing it for a joke its way worse than a stupid mistake

                • KJT …
                  25 February 2015 at 5:46 pm

                  Are you saying that National MP’s just cost more to buy?

                  Or that they do not need bribes while in power as they have lucrative retirement plans, in figurehead directors jobs.
                  Funding by their US corporate pay masters, when they leave Parliament.

                  • Draco T Bastard …
                    25 February 2015 at 6:32 pm

                    He seems to saying the National MPs understand the Golden Rule: He with the gold, rules.

              • Clemgeopin …
                25 February 2015 at 4:34 pm

                ” ‘access to minsters’ via the Cabinet Club. $25,000 entry fee”

                That is the declared open amount. God knows how much more is given under the table, hidden and unaccounted. I won’t be surprised knowing the way the rich crooks and the corrupt politicians work around many corrupt countries.

  19. ankerawshark 19
    25 February 2015 at 12:07 pm

    Hi everyone,

    I feel so incensed about the whole Dong Liu donations saga and the spin about Labour and Liu, that I contacted the Press Council last night and asked them to re-consider Frank Mac’s submission to them about the Herald’s claims that Dong Liu donated $$$$ to Labour. The complaint from Frank wasn’t upheld, because the Herald maintained there was “more to come” about Liu and Labour. And of course nothing has come about Labour and Liu, but indeed we find out it was National receiving donations.

    Last night I re-submitted Frank’s complaint to the Press Council, copied a link about National’s donations and asked them to re-consider Frank’s complaint. (hope that’s o.k. Frank???? didn’t know how to contact you to get your permission);

    Much to my surprize I had an email this morning saying it would be re-presented to the council.

    I will keep you updated!

  21. Once was Tim 21
    25 February 2015 at 12:57 pm

    Autralians (Tarn Yabbit and Joe Joe) just announcing changes to foreign ownership of houses and farms.
    … a register
    … a $5k application fee for houses under 1 mill
    … a 10k application fee over 1 mill
    … breaking the rules, $25k fine with the potential for confiscation
    … a claim that the rules will be strictly enforced

    (Sky News)

    • Tracey 21.1
      25 February 2015 at 2:04 pm

      will 25k be a detterent or merely seen as a business cost?

      • Once was Tim 21.1.1
        25 February 2015 at 2:10 pm

        probably the latter but the potential for confiscation might be a deterrent. We’ll see just how strictly the rules are enforced. I was just interested to see on Planet Key the Prime Munster still appears to be ‘comfortable’ by comparison

      • Once was Tim 21.1.2
        25 February 2015 at 9:50 pm

        Correction:
        That fine is ‘… up to 25 PERCENT of the value of the property ….’

    • ianmac 22.1
      25 February 2015 at 2:28 pm

      In some areas fierce fights break out when a person is wearing the wrong colours which denote a rival gang. Pretty awful that a PM indulges in gang colour sneers.

  23. ianmac 23
    25 February 2015 at 2:33 pm

    ” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declined an invitation to meet with US Senate Democrats during his trip to Washington next week.

    “Though I greatly appreciate your kind invitation to meet with Democratic Senators, I believe that doing so at this time could compound the misperception of partisanship regarding my upcoming visit,” Netanyahu wrote in a letter to Senators Richard Durbin and Dianne Feinstein.”

    What a cheek coming from an awful chap who is so backed by the republicans. Hypocrisy?

  25. joe90 25
    25 February 2015 at 3:35 pm

    Another day, another rort.

    ( heh, gold buggers can’t quite get it right)

    At least 10 banks, including Barclays Plc, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Deutsche Bank AG, are being probed by the Justice Department’s antitrust division, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the matter is confidential.

    Precious metals have come under scrutiny as authorities around the world investigate allegations that other financial benchmarks have been rigged. While the Justice Department’s probe is in its early stages, the Swiss finance regulator included the issue in a November settlement with UBS Group AG over currency-rate manipulation. Switzerland’s antitrust regulator said Tuesday that it opened a preliminary probe into the possibility of price fixing in the precious-metals market.

    http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-24/banks-said-to-face-u-s-manipulation-probe-over-metals-pricing?

  27. marty mars 27
    25 February 2015 at 3:45 pm

    News I’d like to hear

    Great news that once again a person endangering lives has been stopped – this person was under the influence of ‘foreign’ and weaving all over his lies – concerned citizens confiscated Mr Key and handed him over to the police. “No comet” was the only comment Mr Key could make as he sat dejectedly in his mobile awaiting orders.

  28. ianmac 28
    25 February 2015 at 5:14 pm

    2015: Mr Key is adamant that NZ will be in Iraq for no more than 2 years. Adamant! Repeated and adamant.

    2017: Mr Key says his statement about 2 years was misunderstood. He really meant that 2 years meant about 2 years and maybe as much as 10 years.

    Journalists accepted his word and applauded his resoluteness.

  29. Paul 29
    25 February 2015 at 6:35 pm

    That was very convenient.
    Wonder if the charges were timed to distract from any criticism of Key the warmonger.
    Dirty Politics again.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11407862

    • dv 29.1
      25 February 2015 at 6:47 pm

      Yes timing very interesting.

    • mickysavage 29.2
      25 February 2015 at 6:47 pm

      I have no reason to question the charges but Carmel did the right thing by immediately telling Little’s CoS and by agreeing to stand down and Little has done the right thing by standing her down. The charges relate to her mother and she had no idea they existed until she was asked about them today. Note no attempt to hide or suppress the information unlike other cases. And it will be interesting to see how the right spin this.

      AND it would be interesting to find out how TV one found out …

    • Alpha z 29.3
      25 February 2015 at 7:52 pm

      paula bennet minster for welfare, & opposit of carmel sepuloni at parlement & elections. hope this is not extra special utu from bennet for carmel. can be or not, I think yes.

  30. freedom 30
    25 February 2015 at 6:52 pm

    Some contemporary kiwiland commentary from Tourettes, and it’s only a dollar
    https://tourettesone.bandcamp.com/track/john-keys-sons-a-dj

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    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    1 day ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 day ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    5 days ago

  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago

  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: “What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago

  • Sad tales from the left
    Michael Bassett writes –  Have you noticed the odd way in which the media are handling the government’s crackdown on surplus employees in the Public Service? Very few reporters mention the crazy way in which State Service numbers rocketed ahead by more than 16,000 during Labour’s six years, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • In Whose Best Interests?
    On The Spot: The question Q+A host, Jack Tame, put to the Workplace & Safety Minister, Act’s Brooke van Velden, was disarmingly simple: “Are income tax cuts right now in the best interests of lowering inflation?”JACK TAME has tested another MP on his Sunday morning current affairs show, Q+A. Minister for Workplace ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • Don’t Question, Don’t Complain.
    It has to start somewhereIt has to start sometimeWhat better place than here?What better time than now?So it turns out that I owe you all an apology.It seems that all of the terrible things this government is doing, impacting the lives of many, aren’t necessarily ‘bad’ per se. Those things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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