Open Mike 27/03/2018

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 27th, 2018 - 185 comments
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185 comments on “Open Mike 27/03/2018 ”

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  1. AsleepWhileWalking 1
    27 March 2018 at 6:22 am

    “I have received threats and have been informed by several sources that a number of law firms and a Government agency have blacklisted me,” she said.

    https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/102581366/wellington-metoo-blogger-says-shes-been-blacklisted-by-a-government-agency

    She doesn’t have to out the govt agency who did this. Somebody out there knows…

    • Stunned mullet 1.1
      27 March 2018 at 7:27 am

      Disgraceful – hope the government agency in question is named/shamed and those responsible are dismissed.

      As for the law firms it’s about what you’ve come to expect from those losers.

  2. AsleepWhileWalking 2
    27 March 2018 at 6:33 am

    Read this morning news of Telsa crash within months.

    How depressing. Really wanted them to succeed.

    At least you can tell your Kiwisaver scheme hasn’t done due dilligence if they hold Telsa s.hares. Best to find out now and switch before major losses

  3. Jenny 3
    27 March 2018 at 7:15 am

    Why won’t regime favourites Eva Bartlett, or Vanessa Beeley visit Sednaya?

    Eva Bartlett,

    Vanessa Beeley,

    Both Beeley and Bartlett, who call themselves “Independent journalists” know where Sednaya is, everyone does.

    Sednaya is the regime’s extermination camp on the outskirts of Damascus.

    Sednaya

    “About the Sednaya Prison”
    From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    Located 30 kilometers (19 mi) north of the Syrian capital Damascus…….

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

  4. Sanctuary 4
    27 March 2018 at 7:36 am

    I will confidently predict the Stormy Daniels affair will not hurt Donald Trump, but only because he is already so deeply unpopular and heartily loathed by practically every female demographic in America that in would be difficult to imagine what he could do to chip off the odd one or two women who still support him.

    I was talking to a couple of conservative middle aged women on the weekend and the thing that earned their undying loathing was the fact his wife was giving birth at the time. No coming back from that, Donster.

    • JohnSelway 4.1
      27 March 2018 at 9:31 am

      What stuns me is the hypocrisy of the Republicans (the Evangelical wing especially).

      If this were Obama they’d be baying for blood.

    • UncookedSelachimorpha 4.2
      27 March 2018 at 10:48 am

      It might be a bridge too far for his mad fundamentalist Christian supporters (both men and women), and there are a few of those I believe.

  5. SPC 5
    27 March 2018 at 7:43 am

    Has anyone noticed the statements from the (insincere) commentariat made on media websites for over 10 years now (since Norman), about how past leaders of the Green Party (when the vote barely got over 5%) had credibility, but not today.

    Which is an irony, as probably the most anti-Green editorial written (by the Herald back in 2005) was during the old leadership period. It represents of course, as it did in 2005, fear of a government taking Green issues seriously.

    Whether the environment, energy, or a progressive society (feminism, bi-cultural nation, multi-cultural society) etc.

    The over the top reaction to comments made by Genter (on the slowing rate of change in the make up of boards) demonstrate the capacity of the mob to claim challenge to established privilege (most wealth and power being held by older white males) is ageist, racist and sexist. The most extreme, unsurpisingly came from the co-apologist for power Hawkesby, suggesting challenge to continuing privilege is yesterdays feminism …

    • McFlock 5.1
      27 March 2018 at 12:21 pm

      yup.

      Fortunately, I think the greens and possible voters are used to it by now, so won’t fall into the hype.

      Easy go, easy come. The Greens will be beck up to decent levels next election.

  6. Sanctuary 6
    27 March 2018 at 7:51 am

    Having spent the weekend back in the provinces I was struck at mutual reinforcement between racism and crime that amplifies each other.

    The biggest Pakeha fear in provincial NZ is to lose your job and drop into the “ferals” of the white trash and especially dispossessed and unemployed urbanised Maori. That fear translates to a shocking level of class (not colour) based racism where the the racism comes from the simple fact the poor are overwhelmingly brown. The objectification is appalling – “they” are the problem, “they” are all drug addicts “they” are all lazy.

    Now, this is a provincial audience that is fed a constant diet of sensationalist crime stories by our clickbait MSM. The siege mentality is astonishing – everything is padlocked, alarmed and baseball bats and shillelaghs reside under every bed. Yet these people suffer no higher level of crime than Aucklanders.

    The fear of crime and the hatred of the poor translates into paranoid assumptions – a Maori in a nice car is all the evidence needed for an immediate assumption of the driver being a LA style gangsta drug dealer. If you point out that a bit of money is now about in Iwi at least due to treaty settlements then the driver is ripping off the taxpayer to sit on their arse smoking drugs.

    Fear of crime leads to every unusual activity being labelled as suspicious, which in turn labels every poor brown person being labelled a criminal.

    It is all so sad and dispiriting.

    • SPC 6.1
      27 March 2018 at 8:04 am

      Thus the paranoid reaction to such terms as bi-cultural nation.

      It is why NZ First (with many Maori MP’s) promotes jobs in the regions and higher wages while being tough on crime and Maori “separatism” – to be of “common hard working values”.

    • Keepcalmcarryon 6.2
      27 March 2018 at 8:11 am

      There is a lot if truth in that Sanctuary – re the media rubbish and conservative mentality- but it’s not so bad everywhere. There is also a lot of good in that tight knit wall that you see from the outside, those communities are very strong and look after each other.
      Flip side is suspicion of anyone/thing different.

    • Gabby 6.3
      27 March 2018 at 1:48 pm

      When you say provinces do you mean suburbs sancy?

  7. Adrian Thornton 7
    27 March 2018 at 8:28 am

    I see RNZ is blindly pushing ahead with the Russia hysteria narrative that is seemingly being pushed down our throats every single day without even a hint of fairness and balance in reporting….sadly, no surprises here though.

    https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018637964/no-undeclared-russian-spies-here-jacinda-ardern

    https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018637968/russian-diplomats-expelled-from-18-countries

    I am not saying Russia didn’t commit this crime, but I am saying I think fairness, balance and cool headed journalistic coverage is what is needed, and I sure as hell haven’t heard much of that in the MSM…or any from RNZ.

    • francesca 7.1
      27 March 2018 at 10:20 am

      Agreed Adrian ,on the really transparent framing of the Skripal poisoning
      But I must say I’m not surprised
      Being a loyal member of 5 Eyes does not make for independent journalism or foreign policy
      I’m pretty disappointed all the same, but I suspect our politicians are advised by those who get their information from the US Embassy /Reuters/AP
      No divergent voices please, but its good all the same to see Chris Trotter kicking back in the weekends Press, and there were 3 good letters also questioning pre emptive guilt

      • francesca 7.1.1
        27 March 2018 at 10:49 am

        And also , Adrian ,
        having made such confrontational assertions of predetermined Russian guilt, any investigators will be well aware of the official stance, and will be rather wary, in terms of job security, of deviating from that.
        It doesn’t augur well for a demonstrably impartial search for the truth
        I hope I’m wrong about that, but the OPCW breached its own terms of chain of custody in the Khan Shaykhoun enquiry, and refused to inspect the Sharyat air base
        despite Syrian invitations.

    • Sanctuary 7.2
      27 March 2018 at 10:33 am

      Did you see the reaction of the media to Obama? They have a serious cultural cringe. The MSM want NZ to be a player, get noticed in Moscow, stand resolutely with our allies rattling our rusty sabre and all that colonial stuff. They don’t want us minding our own business and quietly making money all Swiss like. That is far to grown up and boring for our needy media.

      • Adrian Thornton 7.2.1
        27 March 2018 at 12:05 pm

        My favorite Obama moment…well not him exactly, but pretty funny, and the only time he was ever under the thumb in public that know of…

      • Gabby 7.2.2
        27 March 2018 at 1:51 pm

        Jeez sancy, we should just take our nice holocaust gold and keep shtum?

    • SpaceMonkey 7.3
      27 March 2018 at 2:58 pm

      No Russian spies in NZ… ok. But we DO have a Chinese one, and in Parliament! What are we doing about that???

      • gsays 7.3.1
        27 March 2018 at 6:49 pm

        No Russian spies in New Zealand…..
        There’s a song in that.

        Agree about the Chinese rooster, but get with the program, the Russians are coming.

  8. One Anonymous Bloke 8
    27 March 2018 at 8:36 am

    Psycho Milt was banned eight days ago. At the time it was noted that “this moderation is under review”.

    Is it rude to ask for a progress report please?

    • mauī 8.1
      27 March 2018 at 8:49 am

      Ed was banned a few days ago, and made a cheeky appearance the other day. Can’t wait till he’s back to be honest. Bring back Ed.

    • Adrian Thornton 8.2
      27 March 2018 at 8:51 am

      What was he banned for?

      • One Anonymous Bloke 8.2.1
        27 March 2018 at 9:02 am

        Sorry, should’ve added a link. I don’t want to get into a discussion about the moderation, I just want to know whether anything’s been resolved.

        • Adrian Thornton 8.2.1.1
          27 March 2018 at 9:21 am

          Don’t worry I don’t want a dissuasion on moderation, I had a pretty good go at having a open and honest discussion on this whole bizarre banning thing a while back…I came away from that little chat quite depressed….seems a lot of people quite like a rigid and brutally enforced authority guiding them, I guess it makes them feel safe.
          Oh well each to their own I say.

    • Keepcalmcarryon 8.3
      27 March 2018 at 9:28 am

      Hopefully CV gets to come back too

    • tracey 8.4
      27 March 2018 at 9:34 am

      Those who have moderation rights also have lives so not everyone gets to the “backend” to join all convoes.

      It is nearing resolution.

    • Anne 8.5
      27 March 2018 at 11:03 am

      Yes. I would like to know too. PM is a valuable contributor to this site. Maybe he went too far on the occasion of the ban but 12 months was way, way too much.

  9. alwyn 9
    27 March 2018 at 8:50 am

    Isn’t it wonderful how the current Government have solved all the bread and butter issues and now have the resources to produce the circuses?
    Housing problems – solved
    Children in Poverty – solved
    Health expenditure – solved
    Water pollution – solved.
    Nurses pay – solved.
    Infrastructure problems – solved.

    We can, after a mere five months, forget about all those things and we can now throw hundreds of millions of dollars at the sport of billionaires. Roll on the America’s Cup.
    I’m sure that all those people Labour talked about last year who were said to be living in cars will be pleased with their new warm housing they now inhabit. Or not.
    I’m also sure they will be off to the waterfront to enjoy looking at the multimillion dollar yachts entertaining current and previous MPs.
    Aunty Helen will be particularly pleased that her favourite toy boy Mr Dalton is receiving $40,000,000 to let us have the Cup races in Auckland.
    The texting between them will no doubt be in overdrive.
    Now will someone who is involved in this ridiculous affair please tell me what I should say to a friend who is still waiting for knee replacement surgery? This is despite being told in August last year that it would be done within six months Should I just tell her she should be proud to sacrifice for Phil Goff’s fantasies?

    • One Anonymous Bloke 9.1
      27 March 2018 at 9:00 am

      Tell her you’re still grieving that you lost the election, and apologise for exploiting her situation for your political bile.

      • alwyn 9.1.1
        27 March 2018 at 9:08 am

        Well, it is very easy to see where your priorities lie.
        I guess you are a great fan of Oracle’s Ellison are you?
        What will you say when we spend all that money on your dream at the waterfront and no-one, including your mate Larry turn up?
        Meanwhile another lot of children get rheumatic fever because, as you want, the money was spent on your hobby. It clearly won’t bother you, will it?

        • One Anonymous Bloke 9.1.1.1
          27 March 2018 at 9:12 am

          Piss off numpty. Yachting is boring, just like your parasitic exploitation of other people’s misery.

          • alwyn 9.1.1.1.1
            27 March 2018 at 9:24 am

            My, my.
            When you lose the debate just abuse the person who was putting forward rational opinions. I see why you are embarrassed having to support the current lot though.

            • One Anonymous Bloke 9.1.1.1.1.1
              27 March 2018 at 9:29 am

              You posited a false dichotomy, based on political bile. Then you attacked me as uncaring. Now you’re declaring yourself the winner.

              What a winner you are 🙄

          • JohnSelway 9.1.1.1.2
            27 March 2018 at 9:34 am

            Yachting is boring?

            I fucking love the Americas Cup. One’s mans boring is another mans dream I guess.

            But don’t get me started on golf…..

      • Adrian Thornton 9.1.2
        27 March 2018 at 11:24 am

        What Labour should have done is come out with a statement (in the case of Middlemore) https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/353075/hospital-buildings-full-of-rot-and-mould , something along these lines…

        …as the previous National Government has underfunded the NZ public health system to such a degree, we will (as a country) now have to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to make again fit for purpose, so consequently the Government will no longer be able to fund the America’s Cup…if you have a problem with this, please do contact your local National Party representative….oh and here is Jonathan Coleman’s DDI, cell phone number, address and a contact for him in his new job in the private healthcare sector, in case you might want to discuss it with him personally.

        Now that would have started some interesting conversations in the smoko room.

    • You_Fool 9.2
      27 March 2018 at 9:03 am

      You say that like NAct wouldn’t have done it too… not to be in the “they did it too” crowd, but it is highly hypocritical of a right winger to whinge about Labour not solving all the problems created by NAct within 5 months… Also over throwing a few million (of the 10’s of billions being spent, or the billion odd surplus), which if they didn’t would have caused a furore of news articles and angry rich white men ranting about how the Labour govt. was full of no-fun spoilsport femi-nazis.

      Oh, and also Labour is getting on and solving those issues…

      And you friend can blame National for the funding issues that meant that the DHBs can’t even pay their nurses a decent wage, or be able to ensure their hospitals don’t have mold on the wall, or that they can actually treat patients… I am sure once Labour have had a chance to pass a budget things will get better…

      • alwyn 9.2.1
        27 March 2018 at 9:21 am

        I love the way that you can turn a minimum of $212 million into, as you word it “a few million “.
        I wish I was as rich as you must be to regard $212,000,000 as just a trivial amount. Can I please have my share back? I would like to put it toward more useful things than feeding Goff’s and Ardern’s egos.

        “blame National for the funding issues”.
        When National was the Government she was promised the Op. It was only after the change of Government it has slipped.

        ” am sure once Labour have had a chance to pass a budget things will get better”.
        What difference is that going to make? If they can promise this much money without having any budget allocation for it at all why do they need to worry about silly little things like a budget in order to try and meet things they claimed were important before the election?

        • Incognito 9.2.1.1
          27 March 2018 at 9:26 am

          Bored much, Alwyn, setting up strawmen and then setting them alight?

          • alwyn 9.2.1.1.1
            27 March 2018 at 9:37 am

            “strawmen” he says.
            What’s a mere $212,000,000 between friends?
            Surely you can think of better things to do with that amount of money?
            You would get about 14,000 knee or hip replacements for that amount of money. That would certainly improve a lot of people’s lives wouldn’t it?

            Still they are just the little people and don’t matter to the plutocrats like you and your friends.
            I guess you would rather play with the Billionaires though?

    • tracey 9.3
      27 March 2018 at 9:35 am

      Did you vote for the parties that degraded the health service to the point your friend is suffering its consequences?
      Were you outraged at 20m to Warner Bros or 30 million to Rio Tinto or 11m in money and kind to a Saudi businessman or the SCF gift to foreign investors? Or 26m to the flag? All of those sums could have helped your friend

      • alwyn 9.3.1
        27 March 2018 at 9:44 am

        As I pointed out just above Tracey.

        ““blame National for the funding issues”.
        When National was the Government she was promised the Op. It was only after the change of Government it has slipped.”

        And yes I did vote for National. I didn’t want to because I think 3 terms is enough for any Government. I didn’t think that Winston and his satellites in Labour and the Green parties were up to the job of Government though. Sadly I was right.
        Mind you I didn’t think that Labour would tolerate the corrupt behaviour we are getting, particularly from NZF and the Labour Party organisation.

        • tracey 9.3.1.1
          27 March 2018 at 9:47 am

          You must be outraged by the finding against Finlayson then.

          I have a friend who finally got his hip operation a few weeks ago. He was promised it 18 months ago and time and time again after that.

          So, I might erroneously attribute this latest date to the chanfe in govt coming quicker than the 18 months promised by National.

          I assume you are being intentionally obtuse. A degraded health system completely fixed in 6 months…

    • Draco T Bastard 9.4
      27 March 2018 at 1:27 pm

      Dude, you seem to be having the problem of who actually caused the problem. So, being the generous soul that I am I shall inform you:

      IT WAS YOU WHEN YOU VOTED FOR THE NATIONAL LED GOVERNMENT.

      You need to tell your friend that the reason why she hasn’t gotten her surgery is because you’re a selfish schmuck.

      • alwyn 9.4.1
        27 March 2018 at 1:53 pm

        What a silly little fellow you are.
        You remind me of the glorious bumper sticker of the 1960s.
        “They told me if I voted for Goldwater we would have 500,000 men in Vietnam within 18 months. Well I did and there are”
        Our equivalent would be.
        “They told me if I voted for National the Government would set up billion dollar slush funds and would put hundreds of millions into the Americas Cup.
        Well I did and the Government has.”
        Why don’t you crawl back into your hole you stupid obnoxious prick.

        • Draco T Bastard 9.4.1.1
          27 March 2018 at 2:30 pm

          None of which applies.

          National promised to cut taxes and they did – just what you voted for. Then, after the serious decrease in income they also cut government services. A direct consequence of what you voted for and were informed would happen on this site.

          Now you’re whinging that you’re being held to account for your actions.

          • alwyn 9.4.1.1.1
            27 March 2018 at 5:37 pm

            I find it truly fascinating that you regard a few hundred million being spent on a Billionaire’s sport as being necessary Government services.
            How ridiculous can you get?

            • Draco T Bastard 9.4.1.1.1.1
              27 March 2018 at 8:07 pm

              Ah, I didn’t say that. I said that you’re personally responsible for your friends surgery not going ahead because you voted National who cut funding to the hospitals and run down services.

              • alwyn …
                27 March 2018 at 8:50 pm

                Where to start?
                I suppose I can start with the simple fact that National did not cut funding for hospitals or run down the health services. Labour argued that but to do so they had to carry out some very selective date choices.
                I commented on this on a couple of occasions.
                Anyone who continues to argue that line is either stupid, or lying, or both.
                Which category are you?

            • KJT 9.4.1.1.1.2
              28 March 2018 at 2:28 pm

              At promoting one of New Zealand’s few promising high tech. industries, so we can get out of our undue reliance on third world style commodity exports.

              But, being a National supporter, you would rather spend on irrigation schemes for unsustainable dairy farming. Right?

    • Gabby 9.5
      27 March 2018 at 1:54 pm

      If you like.

    • Dv 9.6
      27 March 2018 at 3:14 pm

      Agree about yacht race.

      Thank you for the (partial) list of problems left by the natz 9 years

  10. Peter 10
    27 March 2018 at 9:06 am

    Hosking on Nurses and Unions

    It would seem Mr Hosking believes that pay and working conditions will improve if you don’t join a union. Does anyone have any evidence?

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/author/mike-hosking/

  11. Pat 11
    27 March 2018 at 9:53 am

    “The future of food systems and their relationship to climate … is really key for the future of the world economy.”

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/102510601/changing-agricultural-practices-key-to-cutting-greenhouse-emissions–shaw

    Tick tock…

    • Bill 11.1
      27 March 2018 at 11:42 am

      Shaw’s stated take is that because land-use represents such a high proportion of NZ’s emissions, then energy can be somewhat ignored. There’s an opening for NZ to lead the world (apparently) – a great business opportunity.

      I notice that’s echoed throughout the piece (the crest of a wave etc)

      And also, in line with that, your quote from Benton is about the future of the world economy – not the world’s biosphere.

      Don’t get me wrong. Net zero emissions from land use is a critical part of bringing down carbon levels. If land-use is treated as a discrete sector, and depending on how it’s accounted (so no buying or swapping or any kind of carbon credit nonsense), I fully support it.

      But without zero from energy, it’s just so much pissing in the wind. And there is no commitment to get energy down to zero (energy’s just hidden away in the bullshit – ie, inadequate – package deal of net zero).

      This morning is a morning when (yet again) I unfortunately find myself concluding that we’s fucked.

      We’ve got to get rid of these clowns and their insane attachment to so-called economic viability.

    • newsense 12.1
      27 March 2018 at 1:08 pm

      Curran not up to the job I’d say.

      Hirschfeld worth more than her and a huge loss. Dick Griffin must be the closest NZ has to Sir Humphrey surely? Though aside from the headlines I haven’t followed his career closely.

      Couple of stupid own goals. And yes the Newstalk ZB Herald has a clear dog in the fight.

      Bring back Steve Maharey? Broadcasting almost as important as housing. Lots to do and who to do it?

  13. Carolyn_Nth 13
    27 March 2018 at 10:56 am

    Holy shit.

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1803/S00396/statement-from-rnz-chair-richard-griffin-ce-paul-thompson.htm

    But, also, what was Claire Curran thinking when she avoided answering questions about this?

    Carol Hirschfeld will be a great loss to RNZ.

    • weka 13.1
      27 March 2018 at 10:59 am

      Looks like they both lied. I haven’t been following it, do you have a sense of why they would have lied about that instead of just being upfront about it?

      • Carolyn_Nth 13.1.1
        27 March 2018 at 11:11 am

        No idea. The meeting was in December. Unless Hirschfeld had reasons for not letting her bosses know she was talking to Curran in a pre-arranged meeting?

        NZ Herald report:

        http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12020873

        Ardern said today that the minister was “splitting hairs” in deciding initially to exclude the meeting under questioning from the National Party.

        Curran had initially omitted the meeting with Hirschfeld from a list of meetings when she was asked about it in a Parliamentary written question in December.

        She later corrected her answer to the written question to include the meeting with Hirschfeld.

        Curran was defending excluding the meeting in her answer to a Parliamentary written question as recently as February 20 during Question Time in the House.

        “If they did have breakfast together, as the Minister’s office has confirmed, and discussed a range of issues about the future of media in New Zealand, why did she not include this extremely relevant meeting in her answer to written question?” National’s broadcasting spokeswoman Melissa Lee asked Curran during Question Time.

        Curran eventually responded: “Because I didn’t perceive it as an official meeting.”

        Is this partly the result of one of national’s broad fishing questions to minsiters late last year?

        Also, NZ Herald is very quick to make this headline news today.

        Nothing yesterday from them when the Kim Dotcom decisions was published… and still nothing obvious on the top of their website.

        • Carolyn_Nth 13.1.1.1
          27 March 2018 at 11:22 am

          The written question and answer in December is here:

          https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/order-paper-questions/written-questions/document/WQ_19129_2017/19129-2017-melissa-lee-to-the-broadcasting-communications

          http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1802/S00175/parliament-questions-and-answers-20-february-2018.htm“>The oral question and answer on Feb 20, 2018, is here:

          12. MELISSA LEE (National) to the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media: Does she stand by all of her answers to oral and written questions?
          Hon CLARE CURRAN (Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media): Yes, in the context that they were given.
          Melissa Lee: Does she stand by her answer to written question No. 19129 (2017) in regard to meeting with board members or staff of TVNZ or RNZ since 1 December?
          Hon CLARE CURRAN: Yes.
          Melissa Lee: How can she stand by that answer when she failed to mention her breakfast meeting with RNZ head of content Carol Hirschfeld on 2 December?
          Hon CLARE CURRAN: I have a range of discussions, informal or otherwise, with many people in a range of portfolio areas.
          Melissa Lee: If they did have breakfast together, as the Minister’s office has confirmed, and discussed a range of issues about the future of media in New Zealand, why did she not include this extremely relevant meeting in her answer to written question No. 19129 (2017)?
          Hon CLARE CURRAN: Unlike the previous Government, this Government consults broadly—[Interruption]
          Mr SPEAKER: Order! I think there’s probably quite a lot of interest in this answer. I’m interested in it. I would like to be able to hear it, and there are a number of members, especially on the cross benches, who are interfering with that. Clare Curran—start again, please.
          Hon CLARE CURRAN: Unlike the previous Government, this Government consults broadly with a range of stakeholders on a range of matters to ensure that we are out there engaging on the issues and on the policies that we’re proposing—
          Melissa Lee: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. .
          Mr SPEAKER: No, no—can the member resume her seat. I think I know what the member was going to say, but I’d like to give the Minister a chance to actually address the question before she finishes.
          Hon CLARE CURRAN: Unlike the previous Government, this Government’s members engage widely with stakeholders on a broad range of issues on policy matters and to ensure that we’re getting them right. [Interruption]
          Mr SPEAKER: No. I don’t think the member needs a point of order. I’m going to ask the member to repeat that question.
          Melissa Lee: Thank you, Mr Speaker. If she did have breakfast together, as the Minister’s office has confirmed, and has discussed a range of issues about the future of New Zealand media, why did she not include this extremely relevant meeting in her answer to written question No. 19129?
          Mr SPEAKER: And the Minister will answer that, but because of Nathan Guy’s interjections, a supplementary will be taken from the National Party.
          Hon CLARE CURRAN: Because I didn’t perceive it as an official meeting. [Interruption]
          Mr SPEAKER: No. That’s the end of the supplementaries.

          • veutoviper 13.1.1.1.1
            27 March 2018 at 2:13 pm

            Snap! Sorry, had not seen your detailed comments here before submitting my 13.3 but they come from a slightly different perspective,

        • OncewasTim 13.1.1.2
          27 March 2018 at 11:28 am

          I imagine one of the things ‘casually’ discussed could have been the manner in which the gNats stacked the PS with board members and CEOs who were complete lackies
          /speculate speculate

      • Anne 13.1.2
        27 March 2018 at 11:25 am

        I’m assuming at this stage it was because of the political backlash from Hirschfeld’s superiors had she told the truth. Therefore the meeting/private conversation had to remain confidential. Had the boot been on the other foot and Hirschfeld had spoken to a new National Broadcasting minister, then nothing would have happened.

        This state of affairs has been prevalent among some in the Public Service hierarchy for many decades. I can confirm it from personal experience. And I can also confirm the fallout was venomous and went beyond the work-place.

        • OncewasTim 13.1.2.1
          27 March 2018 at 11:29 am

          +1 @Anne and Uncooked.
          Resistance as in elsewhere in the PS.

        • Carolyn_Nth 13.1.2.2
          27 March 2018 at 12:21 pm

          Richard Griffin, Chairman of RNZ, who Hirschfeld kept telling the meeting with Curran was unplanned.

          Beneath Mr Griffin’s guileless exterior is a sharp intellect that enabled him to become the voice of politics for 14 years and subsequently to wheel and deal behind the scenes – first as press secretary to Mr Bolger, then as TVNZ’s lobbyist and finally as a public relations consultant in partnership with former TVNZ chief executive Ian Fraser and former National Party president Sue Wood.
          …
          The latest chapter of that life is overseeing the fortunes of his financially stricken former employer Radio NZ. Mr Griffin was appointed to the board by Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman last year and made chairman six weeks ago. His elevation has raised hackles in some quarters, with one newspaper, The Sunday Star-Times, speculating that the first order of business for one of the National Party’s “greatest mates” could be to prepare Radio NZ for sale “because there’s no good argument for government to own radio stations”.

          Reported in 2011.

          • Anne 13.1.2.2.1
            27 March 2018 at 2:00 pm

            Here we go:

            Looks like Griffin was “tipped off”. Assuming it came from someone in the Minister’s office and the Nats heard from the same source (we don’t know for sure yet), then its looking more and more like a political stunt.

            http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12020962

            Having said that though, if it was Clare Curran who sought the meeting then she must be reprimanded at the least for attempting to hold a confidential meeting with someone in Hirschfeld’s position… perhaps even lose her portfolio.

        • Tuppence Shrewsbury 13.1.2.3
          27 March 2018 at 1:17 pm

          Another blindly dogmatical line of questioning by Anne. Labour ministers do things wrong too. But that’s ok coz National would have done worse in your opinion.

          Hirschfeld has been fired for not observing public sector neutrality, lying about it and then getting caught. Curran has to be next in the current climate

        • veutoviper 13.1.2.4
          27 March 2018 at 2:20 pm

          Sorry, Anne you do not have a private meeting/conversation in the Astoria in Wellington! It is the last place you do that. It is always teeming with public servants, pollies, press etc.

          • Anne 13.1.2.4.1
            27 March 2018 at 2:28 pm

            I don’t disagree veutoviper. Clare Curran has a reputation for doing and/or saying stupid things. In fact it has been in the back of my mind that if anyone was going to embarrass the Ardern govt. it was likely to be Curran.

            Doesn’t stop it from being a Nat inspired political stunt.

          • OncewasTim 13.1.2.4.2
            27 March 2018 at 3:35 pm

            Why am I not surprised it was Astoria!
            I mean….if they were actually conscious of blue dragons and snr public servants and various thugs still grieving over a gNat loss, at least they could have considered a ‘safe’ environment of Mal and Scott’s in upper Cuba, or perhaps a quick jaunt over the Takas to a litle twee breakfast provider in Martinborough.
            I’m feeling increasingly depressed at some of the naivety I continue to see.
            But then Jacinda is the same age as my son and some his thought patterns continue to worry me

          • OncewasTim 13.1.2.4.3
            27 March 2018 at 3:48 pm

            I agree. It’s probably where a couple of Snr Management PS’s committed to complacency, and spin and preserving their own coziness tested out the blu and white pin strip shirts in order to determine just how sharp they looked.
            I was in the area earlier and it struck me by some of the body language, their lack of spatial awareness, basically how they reacted to their immediate environment JUST HOW FUCKING out of touch with the real, and in tune with the virtual some of them were.

    • UncookedSelachimorpha 13.2
      27 March 2018 at 11:06 am

      I’m not understanding this either. Maybe the problem is that CH met the minister without the knowledge of her RNZ bosses?

      • Ovid 13.2.1
        27 March 2018 at 11:19 am

        Well it should be chief executives who talk to their ministers, or at the very least when their subordinates do it is with their knowledge of what is discussed and what decisions are made. Especially with state broadcasting when editorial independence is so important. The fact Hirschfeld misled her boss about this suggests she knows this.

        Clare Curran should have known it too.

        • Delia 13.2.1.1
          27 March 2018 at 12:04 pm

          It was Carol’s job to tell her boss about the meeting, not Currans that is the impression I am getting. If Curran has done anything wrong no doubt we will hear about it soon enough.

          • Baba Yaga 13.2.1.1.1
            27 March 2018 at 12:21 pm

            So far a wet bus ticket from an increasingly weak looking leader.

            “Prime Minister Ardern said today that Curran was “splitting hairs” in deciding initially to exclude the meeting under questioning from the National Party.” http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12020962.

            • Stuart Munro 13.2.1.1.1.1
              27 March 2018 at 12:35 pm

              By no means – it’s a long arduous task stripping the useless far-right political hacks out of public positions – but it’s important. They won’t all resign as they should like most of Coleman’s health rorters.

              • Baba Yaga …
                27 March 2018 at 12:45 pm

                Perhaps you could name an example? And then explain how that has any relevance at all to Curran’s incompetence and Arderns increasingly obvious leadership weaknesses?

                • Stuart Munro …
                  27 March 2018 at 1:16 pm

                  There’s no relation.

                  ” to Curran’s incompetence and Arderns increasingly obvious leadership weaknesses”

                  These are delusions. Leadership is not about yapping in parliament like an abandoned bichon frise – which is why the Gnats cannot get any traction.

                  You have to wait for an actual screw up to score a hit, and the more often you overegg distinctly minor puddings the less credibility your claims retain.

                  The Gnats have been a screaming disaster for most New Zealanders – anything that Labour does that distinguishes them from that wretched interregnum is pretty much a step in the right direction.

                  • Baba Yaga …
                    27 March 2018 at 1:24 pm

                    Ardern was weak over Peters comments on Russia.

                    She was weak in her response to the sexual assault allegations.

                    She was weak in regards to Shane Jones.

                    She is being weak on Curran.

                    Peters is playing her like a piano.

                    • Stuart Munro …
                      27 March 2018 at 1:35 pm

                      Ok – so you’re the kind of buffoon who was impressed by Key’s “get some guts” rant. And you miss it.

                      There’s no point being tough on Curran – the questioning has little or no relation to the public interest.

                      Histrionics are not particularly indicative of good governance. They’re not even indicative of competent opposition. Your idiots aren’t in charge anymore.

                      “I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill and think things over” Hal, 2001.

                    • Gabby …
                      27 March 2018 at 2:02 pm

                      How was she weak babby?

                    • Baba Yaga …
                      27 March 2018 at 8:41 pm

                      “There’s no point being tough on Curran – the questioning has little or no relation to the public interest. ”

                      Spoken like a true lefty. Ethics only matter when you’re caught. Those sentiments go down well when paralleled with the Labour Youth sexual abuse accusations.

                    • Baba Yaga …
                      27 March 2018 at 8:43 pm

                      “How was she weak babby?”

                      In regards to which example?

                      In Curran’s case, she should be being hauled over the coals and publicly. Curran has just confirmed the true status of Red Radio (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12021163).

                      In the sexual abuse case, I can only quote one of my political favourites “Asked what she would have done if she had not been told, the former prime minister said: “If you get out the book and ask ‘what would Helen have done?’ … draw your own conclusions.” http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12021261

                    • Stuart Munro …
                      27 March 2018 at 9:40 pm

                      “Ethics only matter when you’re caught.”

                      Must be the Gnat motto. Much you lot know about ethics – the party that put Carter in so that no ministerial questions were answered for nine years.

                      Frankly, Griffin has been so useless his underlings playing away is a given. Why all the fuss? Did you think the coalition was going to let him keep on screwing up till he died of old age? Poor baby!

                      He’s got a couple of months to run and that’s it.

                      But give it heaps, you shed votes by the truckload whenever you go full retard.

                      They had a cuppa and some bikkies – if that isn’t a storm in a teacup, what is?

                    • Baba Yaga …
                      27 March 2018 at 9:48 pm

                      “Must be the Gnat motto.”
                      It’s certainly Labour’s motto under Ardern.

                      “… the party that put Carter in so that no ministerial questions were answered for nine years.”
                      I am not National, but then watching Mallard run interference for so many inept Labour Ministers, perhaps you have the wrong party and Speaker?

                      “Why all the fuss? Did you think the coalition was going to let him keep on screwing up till he died of old age?”
                      This is not about Griffin, it is about the perception (now the reality) that Red radio favours Labour.

                      “They had a cuppa and some bikkies – if that isn’t a storm in a teacup, what is?”
                      Then why lie about it?

                    • Stuart Munro …
                      27 March 2018 at 11:41 pm

                      “I am not National,”

                      Ah yes, you belong to some other disingenuous far-right hate group. Of course. No-one would ever want to admit supporting National.

                      “perhaps you have the wrong party and Speaker?”

                      Nope – Carter is the kind of scum who in less permissive times would face a severe accounting for his crimes.

                      “This is not about Griffin,”

                      Yes it is – Griffin’s not going quietly into that good night, but raging, raging, against the dying of the totally undeserved sinecure.

                      Then why lie about it?

                      You’d have to ask Curran – panic attack by the looks. Storm in a teacup though – she need only announce Griffin is not renewed and Labour seeks a suitable replacement. You can beat it up as much as you like, there’s nothing of substance there.

                    • Baba Yaga …
                      28 March 2018 at 9:31 am

                      “Ah yes, you belong to some other disingenuous far-right hate group.”
                      No, I’m a centre right voter. I tend to vote National anyway!

                      “Nope – Carter is the kind of scum who in less permissive times would face a severe accounting for his crimes.”
                      Watch Q2 in Parliament yesterday. Mallard was disgraceful, and he is quickly matching Labour for incompetence.

                      “Yes it is…”
                      No, it really isn’t. This is about CH lying and Curran being, well, useless.

                    • Stuart Munro …
                      28 March 2018 at 10:05 am

                      “No, I’m a centre right voter.”

                      And denial is the longest river in Africa.

                      There’s nothing centrist about National, and sod all right about them either – they are the rotting carcass of the party my family used to vote for – they’re simply not up to snuff. Crooks make for shit government. Always.

                    • Baba Yaga …
                      28 March 2018 at 11:20 am

                      “There’s nothing centrist about National…”
                      Are you delusional? The first party to increase benefits in 40 years. A party who raised the minimum wage every year. A party who borrowed heavily to fund massive welfare expenditure. National are pushing on the left hand door of centre.

                    • Stuart Munro …
                      28 March 2018 at 8:44 pm

                      “National are pushing on the left hand door of centre.”

                      The Gnats, God help them, are so far right they’re unelectable without a totally supine media.

                      Any shred of truth out in public and their kakistocracy is utterly doomed.

                    • Baba Yaga …
                      28 March 2018 at 9:48 pm

                      “The Gnats, God help them, are so far right they’re unelectable without a totally supine media. ”

                      You really are delusional.

          • Carolyn_Nth 13.2.1.1.2
            27 March 2018 at 1:03 pm

            Curran pretty much lied about the meeting. I can understand Curran wanting to go around the RNZ Chairman, a Nat party appointment. But to meet with hirschfeld behind Griffin’s back, then to lie about it in the House was a bad move.

            And just incompetent. Apparently this off-book meeting was at a cafe frequented by Wellington public service employees…. many of whom have been in the Nat government pocket.

            just

            *head desk* Not a smart move. The minister for a very important policy needs to be smarter than that.

            • Muttonbird 13.2.1.1.2.1
              27 March 2018 at 1:49 pm

              Is that what all the fuss is about? That Curran was meeting with the then next head of RNZ behind the current head and Nat appointment’s back?

              No wonder the rabid right is pissed off. Looks like a massive hit job on Hirschfeld. The Nats can’t fight the inevitable though, and that is the next head of RNZ will be a Labour-led government appointment.

            • CHCOff 13.2.1.1.2.2
              27 March 2018 at 2:00 pm

              No one cares, Curran ( who seems to give great leadership value with Dunedin ) had a coffee meeting that wasn’t on the books.

              Look at it this way, it was actually saving the org. money from being billed for the coffee and fudge cake or whatever that could have come down the pipe if was an official chin wag!!

              The actual deep issue is that there is no ‘neutral’ media, it is all coming from somewhere with a point of view, & as is the case in current structures often very lobby driven, and the mis-leading counter productive and wasteful nature of media, which is endemic in modern society, comes from pretending that is not so.

              Essentially the govt parties of the day should have it’s own produced content on across the telly channels one night of the week, and the opposition parties another night, with a lesser overall time since they are doing less than the govt.

              So the govt. gets say a 2 hour slot and the opposition an one hour slot, which they produce themselves, with all relevant parties having creative control over how and what they present.

              Without having thought about ratios, something like National 55 mins and Act 5 * say Tuesday.

              Labour gets 70 mins, NZ1st 30 mins and Greens 20 mins the following night.

            • veutoviper 13.2.1.1.2.3
              27 March 2018 at 2:24 pm

              “Wellington public service employees…. many of whom have been in the Nat government pocket.”

              But I promise you not all Carolyn, There are still some public servants with integrity who act in the jobs as neutral public servants although at times it is hard.

              • Carolyn_Nth …
                27 March 2018 at 2:27 pm

                I should imagine so. But if you wanted to keep a meeting under the radar, meeting where some Nat flunkies could be present is not a great idea.

                • veutoviper …
                  27 March 2018 at 2:39 pm

                  Exactly, and you would avoid the Astoria like the plague! See my 13.1.2.4 and 13.1.2.4.1.1 to Anne. LOL

              • Wayne …
                27 March 2018 at 3:18 pm

                Being neutral means not having meetings with the Minister without the knowledge of the CEO (as opposed to the Board).
                The Minister likewise has to advise either the CEO or the Board Chair of meetings with people within an organisation.
                These rules are not actually hard to comply with. It is just plain commonsense and a curtesy to do so.
                If you a “review” you do that independently, you don’t go through an employee of the organisation who is accountable to a CEO.

              • OncewasTim …
                27 March 2018 at 4:21 pm

                There are @Vv. There are. Problem is their overlords.
                You know, i’m told there are decent folk in INZ, AND worksafe, and the Labour Inspectorate among other agencies.
                I’ve met some of them. It doesn’t/ hasn’t changed many of the outcomes much.

        • weka 13.2.1.2
          27 March 2018 at 2:43 pm

          Are you saying it was inappropriate for CH to meet with CC, because of their respective positions?

      • OncewasTim 13.2.2
        27 March 2018 at 2:29 pm

        And if (say) Curran was trying to shoulder tap CH for a position in a new improved environment, or tryng to get an understanding of the existing environment RNZ staff are labouring under, she needs to learn a few tricks from the previous government. Perhaps Setevie Choice is now available to buy advice from.

    • veutoviper 13.3
      27 March 2018 at 1:55 pm

      Ok, this looks like the timeline on this whole issue.

      On Tuesday, 5 Dec 2017, Carol Hershfelt and Clare Curran met for breakfast in a Wellington café frequented by many other pollies, parliamentary press people, public servants etc. This is by no means strange or unusual. Around downtown Wellington you often see MPs meeting publicly with MPs from different parties, public servants, business people, press people etc at all sorts of venues and times.

      On Thursday, 7 Dec 2027, Clare Curran also met with the Board of RNZ.

      On 7 December 2017, Melissa Lee filed a Written Question 191129 (2017) to Curran:

      https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/order-paper-questions/written-questions/document/WQ_19129_2017/19129-2017-melissa-lee-to-the-broadcasting-communications
      Published date: 7 Dec 2017

      19129 (2017). Melissa Lee to the Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media (Minister – Clare Curran) (07 Dec 2017): Has the minister met with Board members or staff of TVNZ or RNZ since 1 December 2017 and, if so; what were the dates of those meetings and the names of those attending from either TVNZ or RNZ as applicable?

      Hon Clare Curran (Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media (Minister – Clare Curran)) replied: Corrected reply: I had an informal breakfast with Carol Hirschfeld from RNZ on 5 December 2017 and I met with the Board of RNZ on 7 December 2017. The following staff members also attended the meeting with the Board: Paul Thompson – Chief Executive, Carol Hirschfeld – Head of News, Glen Scanlon – Head of Digital, Alma Hong – Chief Technology & Operations Officer, Alan Withrington – Head of Business Transformation & Strategy, Heather Abbot – Executive Assistant. (Cannot find when the original answer was filed or the corrected one.)

      On Friday, 8 December 2017, Lee followed up this single question with 24 further written questions to Curran about various subjects directly relating to RNZ and/or seemingly unrelated but most of these latter questions started with “As of 7 December 2017, …?” (In total Lee asked something of the order of 71 Written Questions of Curran in Dec 2017.)

      In December 2017, Melissa Lee also asked two Oral Questions of Curran but neither related directly to RNZ. On 14 Dec, Q11 was a general question re broadcasting priorities etc; and on 20 Dec, Q12 was about the difference between the Government Chief Technology Officer, the Government Chief Information Officer, and the new Chief Technology Officer role that Curran had created.

      On 20 February 2018, however, Lee first raised in the House Curran’s meeting with Hirschfeld on 5 December in Oral Question 12; and she then followed up on this on 21 February in Q12 and in the General Debate. Hipkins answered Q12 on behalf of Curran on 21 Feb.

      Q12 20 Feb 2018
      https://www.parliament.nz/en/watch-parliament/ondemand?itemId=198411
      https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20180220_20180220_04

      Q10 21 Feb 2018
      Video https://www.parliament.nz/en/watch-parliament/ondemand?itemId=198493
      Hansard https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20180221_20180221_16

      Gen Debate 21 Feb 2018
      Video https://www.parliament.nz/en/watch-parliament/ondemand?itemId=198505
      Hansard https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20180221_20180221_20
      Last speech, and about the third subject Lee addressed in her speech.

      Since then, Lee has raised three further Oral Questions of Curran in question time but none have related to the Herschfeld/Curran breakfast: Q9 on 27 Feb, Q7 on 1 March and Q12 on 22 March. I haven’t checked Lee’s Written questions to Curran in 2018 – big job!

      Going back, to the Written Questions filed by Lee on 7 and 8 December, like lawyers, MPs rarely ask loaded questions without knowing what the answer should be; or they ask fishing questions because they have some knowledge/suspicion and want more.

      Looking at these written questions and the subjects raised and their timing, IMO Lee heard about the Curran/Herschfeld meeting almost immediately (unsurprising considering the venue) and also about the Board meeting – and may have also been briefed by someone as to some of the subjects discussed at one or both of those meetings.

      The fact that Curran considered her meeting with Herschfeld an informal one and did not register it as a formal meeting, IMO is not unusual. But how Curran handles questions in the House leaves a lot to be desired, and this rather than anything underhand may be to blame for the situation she now finds herself in. I am not making any judgement re Herschfeld and her relationship/transparency with her CEO and Board, but I am sad as she is a very talented person and will be a loss to RNZ.

      Curran now having press conference. I am hoping…

  14. savenz 14
    27 March 2018 at 11:30 am

    Tip Top importing ice cream from Spain and Montana wines using Australian grapes…

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/102611360/how-some-nz-brands-are-shortchanging-domestic-customers

    • Graeme 14.1
      27 March 2018 at 7:38 pm

      You can add Shingle Peak to that list, their current savvy is made from Australian grapes.

    • Stuart Munro 14.2
      27 March 2018 at 7:56 pm

      Snowflake – Westland dairy’s product – made the best vanilla since god knows when.

  15. Philg 15
    27 March 2018 at 12:23 pm

    Radio New Zealand is having various internal ‘issues’and is like many state underfunded entities. RNZ also has right wing senior management and Carol probably had a different view, which she was seeking a ‘work around’ and chatting to Minister Curran. I have little faith that the Minister is up to the task of fixing our rubbish TVNZ and Public Broadcasting in general. A sad loss. Major pruning required in our Public Media.

    • Sanctuary 15.1
      27 March 2018 at 12:33 pm

      Clare Curran is secretive, lying and hopelessly incompetent. Jacinda needs to sack her immediately.

    • Muttonbird 15.2
      27 March 2018 at 12:33 pm

      “RNZ also has right wing senior management and Carol probably had a different view.”

      This is probably closest to the truth re the resignation. Having been placed there by the last government the RW bosses at RNZ refused to support her. So she left.

      Ever wonder how the Nats learned about the meeting?

      • Ovid 15.2.1
        27 March 2018 at 12:41 pm

        Apparently it was at Astoria. So probably half of the public service and the nation’s politicians were in the room.

        • Muttonbird 15.2.1.1
          27 March 2018 at 12:43 pm

          Ok, so they weren’t trying to hide which is the framing which is being presented by the usual suspects.

        • Muttonbird 15.2.1.2
          27 March 2018 at 12:59 pm

          Then there’s this…

          Radio New Zealand’s chairman Richard Griffin says he uncovered the discrepancies about Carol Hirschfeld’s account of a secret meeting with Broadcasting Minister Clare Curran after a tipoff.

          Griffin says a personal source contacted him late last week to tell him that the meeting between Hirschfeld, Radio NZ’s head of content, and Curran was not coincidental and was in fact scheduled in the minister’s diary.

          http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12020962

          …and…

          One minute (Richard Griffin) is a journalist; the next he’s prime minister Jim Bolger’s press secretary…then a TVNZ’s lobbyist and finally a public relations consultant in partnership with former TVNZ chief executive Ian Fraser and former National Party president Sue Wood.

          His elevation has raised hackles in some quarters, with one newspaper, The Sunday Star-Times, speculating that the first order of business for one of the National Party’s “greatest mates” could be to prepare Radio NZ for sale “because there’s no good argument for government to own radio stations”.

          http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5113211/How-the-Silver-Fox-turned-gamekeeper

          • DoublePlusGood 15.2.1.2.1
            27 March 2018 at 2:03 pm

            I look forward to the incoming Broadcasting Minister cleansing the board of RNZ with efficiency and speed.

          • OncewasTim 15.2.1.2.2
            27 March 2018 at 3:12 pm

            Dickie must think all his Christases had come at once!
            A reason to assist in getting rid of CH.
            The hypocracy and arrogance of the gNats never ceases to amaze me. But seriously!!! Labour need some learnings if we’re not to belive they aren’t complete masochists.
            I’m not suggesting they need to lose all principle and go the dirty politics way….but they DO need to challenge the word of their ‘public service officials’ (read stacked Natzi Party CEOs and boards and Snr Management) a fucking sight harder.
            Yes people….they might come across as nice blokes and blokesses, and yes H1 and H2 did it too in the name of pragmatism, but the uphill.shit.push you face is not only your VERY worst enemy, but’ll prevent you from doing anythung that could mildly be seen as progressive.
            But then ya know, maybe a progressive agenda is not really what you’re about

          • Gabby 15.2.1.2.3
            27 March 2018 at 7:45 pm

            The Griff gets the jobs he wants cos he knows what’s in ministerial diaries.

        • veutoviper 15.2.1.3
          27 March 2018 at 2:05 pm

          Exactly – see my 13.3

    • OncewasTim 15.3
      27 March 2018 at 2:53 pm

      I tend to agree with you Mathew!
      I always thought RNZ+ might be a good start, but not very ambitious. Same with CBB (I forget their rebranding’)
      But then I come from the perspective that public money is for public good…in this case public service media. And there is no reason a population of 4.5 mill can’t have a Natrad, a concertFM, AND an ONAIR 103FM The Wireless ( for people who grew up in the digital/convergant/divergant age.
      Nor is there a reason a TV1 (TVNZ7), TVNZ2 drama/music/NZ cultural identity AND KidzoneTv can’t be accommodated.
      And I say that bcos currently we have an RNZ, a TVNZ, A NuZull on Ear and a commercial Kordia. All complete with their highly-paid CEOs and boards and bureacracies and crony appointments.
      I know the ideologically inclined can’t get past the fact that there is no reason TVNZ or Kordia ( if it still is….it’d not surprise me if gNats managed to flog it off) HAVE to remain SOEs delivering a commercial return.
      There is also no reason why (other that neolib thinking and ideology) cannot use income from publicly owned commercial enterprise to offset the costs in providing services in the interests of the public good

    • Wayne 15.4
      27 March 2018 at 3:25 pm

      Philg
      Which you are not allowed to do with non-notified meetings with employees of the organisation. The normal approach is to get external trusted advice. There are heaps of “friendly” senior media people who could do that. You then act on that.

      • OncewasTim 15.4.1
        27 March 2018 at 4:34 pm

        Just a question @Wayne.
        As you know, sovereign governments have the ability to change legislation and rules. They have even been known to flout law in the knowledge THEIR citizens (Tex Payas if u prefer) will pick up the tab.
        Is your thinking and ideology so constrained – and not just you….still some in the Labour Party…..possibly even our new PM, that you fail to remember that.?

        • OncewasTim 15.4.1.1
          27 March 2018 at 4:38 pm

          I mean I’m not sure your ilk has managed to dispose of the kitchen sink yet, or our ability to legislate.
          It’s only blind failed ideology and timidity that appears to be getting in the way

      • Gabby 15.4.2
        27 March 2018 at 7:47 pm

        She just couldn’t find her non ministerial hat in time Wayney.
        Sir Ponyboy would’ve had it on at a rakish angle.

      • Philg 15.4.3
        28 March 2018 at 2:09 pm

        Wayne, this is not a ‘normal’ situation. There is clearly a change of direction in Broadcasting Policy and direction. How would one change a culture from below? CC possibly thought the current leadership was tainted. and sought, off the record opinion. CC didn’t go about it the right way. She was naive and CH miscalculated. A mistake that was exploited by u no who.

  16. JanM 16
    27 March 2018 at 1:09 pm

    The awful Richard Griffin’s contract only runs to the middle of this year.

  17. Draco T Bastard 17
    27 March 2018 at 1:16 pm

    Sorry Jack, Bitcoin will not become the global currency
    So, we got this stupid idiot saying this:

    The world ultimately will have a single currency, the internet will have a single currency. I personally believe that it will be bitcoin…[this will play out] probably over ten years, but it could go faster

    So the author of the article ran a few calculations:

    So what would the monetary system world look like if Mr Dorsey, per chance, turned out to be correct…

    The year is 2028: Niall Ferguson is World President, ruling the smog-darkened skies of mother earth with a waifish fist.

    Bitcoin is the global currency following the Hodling Uprising of ’21, funded by a shadowy triumvirate: Satoshi, revealed to be Alan Sugar, and the Winkleveii.

    With Ferguson as their puppet, the three control 5 per cent of the world’s money.

    Using that power, they have directed much of the world’s resources towards one end: bitcoin mining.

    Floating nuclear power-plants bob over sunken lower-Manhattan, gargantuan hydro-electric dams feed off dissolving ice caps and sub-Saharan Africa is decked in solar-paneled splendour.

    The incessant hum of graphic processors has become the soundtrack to life on earth, as fresh bitcoin is mined and recycled in an endless loop.

    Reality defies the delusions of the rich yet again.

    PS. You will need a log in to read that opinion piece.

  18. Muttonbird 18
    27 March 2018 at 1:54 pm

    Herald going hard on Curran with multiple breaking news banners and even a live feed!

    Remember the Herald now competes for funding from NZ on Air (or its replacement), and will be a direct competitor for visual content delivery with RNZ+ when it goes ahead…

  19. Ad 19
    27 March 2018 at 2:56 pm

    Great to see Sky City commit to $20 per hour as the minimum wage.

    • savenz 19.1
      27 March 2018 at 3:46 pm

      And how many hours are they guaranteeing because happen to know that Sky City as well as paying historically appalling rates and importing in 600 chefs from overseas to cover it – they also have the equivalent of zero hour contracts for many of staff with 40 hours not guaranteed.

      So good to see $20 p/h minimum but how many hours are actually guaranteed – 40 and enough to live on?

      • Colin Espiner 19.1.1
        6 April 2018 at 3:51 pm

        Hi SaveNZ, SKYCITY abolished so-called ‘zero hours’ contracts two years ago. We only ever had a handful of people on them – around 30 out of a staff of 6000, and they were in our Conventions on-call team. Everyone is now on either full time or part-time contracts depending on their own requirements as well as those of the business.

        I’m not too sure where you got the idea we imported 600 chefs. We don’t even have 600 chefs. We do from time to time apply to Immigration NZ for special category visas for positions that are hard to fill in NZ, but more because of a specialist culinary skill than anything to do with wages. While wages in the hospitality industry are not high, SKYCITY doesn’t pay minimum wage and tries to be above-market in our wage settlements. We also train our own chefs – you might not know we have the largest apprentice chef programme in New Zealand outside of the military.

        As to whether $20 an hour is enough, that’s an ongoing discussion, and we certainly don’t claim this to be the end of the journey towards sustainable wages. But it is a pretty decent first step, and one that it would be good to see other corporates taking before government mandates it on them.

        Regards

        Colin Espiner
        GM Communications
        SKYCITY Entertainment Group

  20. veutoviper 20
    27 March 2018 at 3:12 pm

    Today is day 2 of the Green Party giving their allocated oral questions to the National Party/Opposition – as it is day 31 of the oral question roster.

    Last week their only question allocated on 21 March at Q10 was taken by Dr Nick Smith and ended up being quite a hot section of question time, with Smith coming back later to make a Personal Explanation.
    https://www.parliament.nz/en/watch-parliament/ondemand?itemId=198885

    The Green Party were allocated the Q12 slot today – and this is again taken up with a question from Dr Nick Smith. I know it is just day 2 but why Smith again?

    Oh, I see. It is about the waka jumping Bill.

    12. Hon Dr NICK SMITH to the Minister of Justice: Does he agree with the statement by Rt Hon Winston Peters on electoral law regarding MPs joining other parties, when he stated, “Members of Parliament have to be free to follow their conscience. They were elected to represent their constituents, not swear an oath of blind allegiance to a political party. If an MP feels that membership in another elected party better serves his or her constituents then that can be put to the test at election time”?

    Now on.

  21. eco maori 21
    27 March 2018 at 6:36 pm

    Newshub Wow Mike is that Hirschfeld resigning what a well I won’t say but some will be happy .
    It is not on that the police in America shot that poor Brown boy 20 times come on that’s the mentality of the police being untouchable . Minority cultures are getting treated like dirt in this country to we will end up like America if those old white men in charge of our civil service aren’t forced to retire and retire there bigot racist chauvinistic views with them they have a 80% majority in New Zealand management . Ka kite ano

    • eco maori 21.1
      27 March 2018 at 6:54 pm

      Newshub Joseph Parker is the MAN we know why Anthony Joshua won’t give Samoan and New Zealand reporters any time enough said Kia kaha

      • eco maori 21.1.1
        27 March 2018 at 7:24 pm

        I’m watching The Crowd Goes Wild on TV 4 the sports is awesome Kia kaha ka kite ano P.S did Mulls get pink eye lol

        • eco maori 21.1.1.1
          27 March 2018 at 7:55 pm

          The old saying treat people like you would like to be treated rings true to
          ECO MAORI because eventually bad karma will bite one on the ass .Ana to kai
          Ka kite ano P.S sorry for being in the middle of your thread I will stay in the old open mike from now on

  22. Tamati Tautuhi 22
    27 March 2018 at 6:59 pm

    Griffin doesn’t sound like a particularly nice little fellow ?

    • Gabby 22.1
      27 March 2018 at 7:51 pm

      I don’t think ‘devious little snot’ would be a cruelly unfair description.

      • veutoviper 22.1.1
        27 March 2018 at 8:36 pm

        And misogynist also applies in relation to his attitude towards women, especially those that challenge him. All nice on the surface, but it surfaces well and truly in such instances.

    • OncewasTim 22.2
      27 March 2018 at 8:56 pm

      If I were a cupid matchmaker, i’d pick Dickie as the perfect partner for Chris Finlayson
      They could busy themselves in their dotage looking out over Cook Strait, making each other cups of English Breakfast, monitoring each other’s bef sores, and pondering how they might go about privatising that Moa Point Sewage facility.
      No doubt the young Ralston and his bitch the Fran would visit from time to time to check on their welfare. (Wouldn’t want a minimum wage Philipino Age care worker to have to turn either after all)
      And if things turn to shit…well no doubt Aunty Ruth (as in Ruth Richardson Limited) would be on hand to advise

  23. Penny Bright 23
    27 March 2018 at 7:00 pm

    URGENT REMINDER FOLKS!

    You have until 8pm Wednesday 28 March 2018 (tomorrow night)

    to get your ‘submission’ into Auckland Council 10 year budget and Auckland Plan 2050!

    Email to akhaveyoursay@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

    This was my ‘submission’.

    Help yourself to anything you like or agree with and feel free to add anything else you feel strongly about 🙂

    27 March 2018

    ‘Submission’ on the 10-year budget and Auckland Plan 2050.

    First name: Penny
    Last name: Bright
    Postal address: 86A School Rd, Kingsland Auckland 1021

    * I believe there is not enough time or detailed financial information provided in the “Consultation Document” for the 10-year budget and Auckland Plan 2050.

    Exactly how much public money is being spent – on what?

    Exactly how much money is being borrowed, from whom exactly and for what exactly?

    Exactly how much public money is being exposed to derivatives trading across Auckland Council and Auckland Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs)?

    * I do not accept that all this ‘growth’ has to come to Auckland.

    There should be a national population growth, migration and regional employment strategy, in order to stop overloading our transport, water services, housing and related infrastructure.

    * This Auckland (forced) ‘Supercity’ amalgamation may have been successful for corporates, property developers, investors, bankers, land-bankers, but it has been a disaster for local communities, residents and local small businesses.

    * There is now very little ‘local’ about Auckland local government.

    * The Auckland region is now being run ‘like a business – by business- for business’, and the mechanism for this effective corporate takeover, has been the replacement of 8 former democratically-elected Councils, with 1 ‘Supercity’ Council, and first 7, now 6 unelected, (CORPORATE) ‘Council’ Controlled Organisations (CCOs).

    * CCOs need to be abolished and key Auckland infrastructure and trading functions brought back ‘in-house’ under the direct control of Auckland Council.

    * Water, wastewater and stormwater need to be integrated and brought back under direct Council control.

    * Auckland CCO Auckland Transport (AT) is particularly ‘out of control’, destroying local communities and causing significant congestion, by pushing urban cycleways on main arterial roads and suburban shopping centres, to help drive intensification.

    How? By removing parking (for cycleways) to help kill off local small businesses ‘no parking – no stopping – no shopping’.

    Who will benefit when these small businesses wither and die?

    Property developers and corporate shopping malls.

    * I do NOT support a ‘Regional Fuel Tax’.

    There is no such thing as ‘PUBLIC’ transport in Auckland.
    Bus, ferry and train services are privately owned / operated / managed.

    * Make Auckland transport PUBLIC again – PUBLICLY owned, operated and managed.

    * Stop the proposed spending of another $635 million on another 150kms of Auckland cycleways, in order to increase the number of cycling commuters from 1-4%.

    The 99% of commuters who are not cyclists are entitled, as directly-affected residents, businesses, customers and local communities to proper, lawful consultation.

    * I am opposed to ANY further rates increases when Aucklanders do not know exactly where public monies are being spent on private sector consultants and contractors, and the NZ Public Records Act 2005 is not being lawfully implemented and enforced:

    The Public Records Act 2005;

    http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2005/0040/31.0/DLM345729.html
    17Requirement to create and maintain records

    (1)Every public office and local authority must create and maintain full and accurate records of its affairs, in accordance with normal, prudent business practice, including the records of any matter that is contracted out to an independent contractor.

    * Provide the following details of awarded contracts on the websites of Auckland Council and Auckland CCOs:

    The unique contract number; name of consultant/contractor; brief description of scope of contract; contract start/finish dates; exact dollar value of every contract, including those sub-contracted; how contract was awarded, by direct appointment or public appointment or public tender.

    * Auckland Council and CCOs cannot check for ‘value for money’ or ‘cost-effectiveness’ if you don’t know exactly where the costs fall.

    * Auckland Council and CCOs cannot provide genuine transparency or accountability without full and accurate records available for public scrutiny.

    Wherever possible, public services should be brought back ‘in house’, as international research has proven that the contracting-out of public services can be twice as expensive:

    http://www.pogo.org/our-work/reports/2011/co-gp-20110913.html

    “POGO’s study analyzed the total compensation paid to federal and private sector employees, and annual billing rates for contractor employees across 35 occupational classifications covering over 550 service activities.

    Our findings were shocking—POGO estimates the government pays billions more annually in taxpayer dollars to hire contractors than it would to hire federal employees to perform comparable services.

    Specifically, POGO’s study shows that the federal government approves service contract billing rates—deemed fair and reasonable—that pay contractors 1.83 times more than the government pays federal employees in total compensation, and more than 2 times the total compensation paid in the private sector for comparable services.”

  24. eco maori 24
    28 March 2018 at 8:15 am

    Good morning The AM Show Duncan off to the boxing a good on you .
    There is know way I’m getting in a self driving car that could be hacked and take you to your end.
    As for trumps approval rating he is cheating and getting the data changed just like he has the words Global Warming Climate change suppressed in the western Papatuanuku World Media that’s reality his stats are going in the opposite direction to what the punters are saying .What about the controversy over Stormy Daniels ????????????. Ka kite ano

    • eco maori 24.1
      28 March 2018 at 6:01 pm

      The sandflies were doing what they do best today at a sports event spinning——-about me and what happened .There was a incident with the sandflies in Tauranga today I was not involved just the sandflies Ana to kai

  25. eco maori 25
    28 March 2018 at 10:01 am

    That sense able sentenceing trust is another old man who should retire his archaic old views it is plane logic that there are more problems in a house with no money than the neighbours who have heaps of money for one the poor family has to work 60 hours just to keep afloat who’s looking after the mokos while they are slaving away. How does the SS TRUST Get air time well the exclusive brethren funds them this trust is just a extention of the exclusive brethren garth mc vicar is a idiot puppet. Ana to kai

    • eco maori 25.1
      28 March 2018 at 11:30 am

      These old men like mcvay can’t sleep because cause of ECO MAORI. Ana to kai

      • eco maori 25.1.1
        28 March 2018 at 6:30 pm

        Newshub The Russia thing shows me the world media spin things out of context to suite there objective that is to discredit New Zealand on OUR stand on the Russia incident.
        The privacy commissioner is full of —– what about the 3 times I used the privacy ACT and 3 times I got nothing why target Facebook I say that someone is trying to use Facebook as a scapegoat for the cambridge analytical scandal they are to scared to drag the other culprits into the Arena they are to powerful this is pick on the smallest. O that’s right a poor brown person has no rights in the west. Ana to kai ka kite ano

        • eco maori 25.1.1.1
          28 March 2018 at 7:01 pm

          NewsHub its raining in Rotorua at the moment. I have a great like of Birds now just learnt the real value of OUR bird’s That wedding was hard case ka kite ano P.S I m watching The Crowd Goes Wild now on TV 4

  26. eco maori 26
    28 March 2018 at 7:24 pm

    The Crowd Goes Wild James McOnie when Mulls started back at The Rock for the first couple of days I thought he was you LOL my son in law corrected my mistake apologize to Mulls for me James . We have a good line up of sports this weekend yeea Kia Kaha
    ka kite ano P.S did you feel the thunder

  27. Jenny 27
    28 March 2018 at 9:02 pm

    Middlemore Hospital needs to install mast and sail on their roof and put their name down as a contender in the Americas Cup.

    No seriously.