Open mike 27/06/2019

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, June 27th, 2019 - 108 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

108 comments on “Open mike 27/06/2019 ”

  • Comments are now closed

    • Robert Guyton 1.1
      27 June 2019 at 5:20 pm

      Johnm – Dem Bendell has it right. There are some aspects he doesn't explore, but all up, he's completely on the button. I especially like his discussion around mental health, the support that needs to be established, including the links to connect anyone coming into the space he's occupying. I can see why you post first and foremost and I can see why so few comment on it.

  3. ianmac 3
    27 June 2019 at 9:46 am

    How did your MP Vote on the End of Life Bill? We could applaud or condemn your MP according to your belief.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12244261

    Amazed but pleased that Stuart Smith voted Yes. Running an eye down the No list many are not surprising given their images.

    • Sacha 3.1
      27 June 2019 at 11:41 am

      Some MPs will have voted to take the Bill to the next stage because they believe it is worth the process continuing; not because they will ultimately vote for it at the final reading.

      Others voted No for this particular Bill even though they would support a better-crafted one on the same matter.

      • alwyn 3.1.1
        27 June 2019 at 1:59 pm

        "Others voted No for this particular Bill even though they would support a better-crafted one on the same matter".

        Frankly that sort of claim by a member sounds like b*s to me. They just don't want to have to make a commitment to anything. They are trying to pretend that they are open minded about it when they are simply opposed.

        If they really think that they should vote yes here, try and make the bill better during the second reading debate and then, if they still think it isn't adequate vote "no" when it comes to the third reading.

        Do you have any names for the ones you mean, and I only mean those who are actually on record with the comment about the bill?.

  5. Anne 5
    27 June 2019 at 10:10 am

    How is this for an exercise in total futility:

    Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has met with her Labour caucus this morning to discuss today's Cabinet reshuffle – and beleaguered Housing Minister Phil Twyford was nowhere to be seen.

    A spokesman for Twyford said he was at a speaking engagement at the Planning Institute in Auckland but he would be back later before the reshuffle.

    The Prime Minister's office confirmed Ardern would be making the announcement at 3:15 this afternoon.

    Twyford was not the only minister absent from the meeting.

    Neither was Grant Robertson, Damien O'Conner, Kelvin Davis, Carmel Sepuloni and other Labour MPs.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12244332

    • CHCoff 5.1
      27 June 2019 at 12:58 pm

      and beleaguered Housing Minister Phil Twyford was nowhere to be seen.

      IF Phil Twyford only got half a tin shed built, it would be, if i'm not mistaken, streets ahead of the previous govt. period approach which included among other things, a treasury loan to English & Smith for their own private company to buy up state houses.

      Last election: National's going to win, National won, it's a betrayal, it's not fair, National didn't win (i/e National lost), the new Govt. can't do anything right…

      • alwyn 5.1.1
        27 June 2019 at 1:53 pm

        Well you got part of your comment correct.

        Think of all the energy you could have saved if you had simply reported the simple fact – "the new Govt. can't do anything right".

        • In Vino 5.1.1.1
          27 June 2019 at 4:14 pm

          Alwyn! I thought you pretended to be unbiased!

          • alwyn 5.1.1.1.1
            27 June 2019 at 5:32 pm

            "pretended to be unbiased"

            But of course I am unbiased. I speak only truth unto power. You're not going to try and tell me that Twyford is anything other than the most incompetent Labour Cabinet Minister we have are you? Do you really think Prime Minister's like English, Key, Clark, Shipley or Bolger would have put up with him?

            • In Vino 5.1.1.1.1.1
              27 June 2019 at 7:41 pm

              Smile. I am sure that you yourself would unearth far more incompetent Labour Cabinet Ministers if it suited you to do so. (Do I remember comments about Clare Curran?)

              By the way, 'Prime Ministers' in your reply should NOT have had an apostrophe. Up your grammar.

              What about the ultimately incompetent National Cabinet man who pretended to find an $11 million hole in the Labour budget? Still going on that one?

              • halfcrown …
                27 June 2019 at 8:05 pm

                Nice one

              • Psycho Milt …
                27 June 2019 at 9:21 pm

                Given that "most incompetent Labour minister" Phil Twyford has performed way better in this role than long-time Nat cabinet/shadow cabinet member Nick Smith managed, what does that say about the relative strengths of Labour and National's front benches?

              • alwyn …
                27 June 2019 at 9:57 pm

                Curran is not, of course, a Cabinet Minister. She realised, unlike current incumbents Twyford, Clark, Shaw, Genter, Jones and Lees-Galloway that the job was vastly in excess of their capabilities. That is not, of course an exhaustive list.

                A pity that a number of the others don't come to such a clear view of their failings and would quit too.

                Joyce was correct about the hole. Why do you think that the current lot of clowns are so desperate for new taxes? As he said, they had promised to spend everything and clearly had no idea of the extras they would have to pay for. Thus we have an excellent idea of buying up all the automatic weapons but are now totally unwilling to pay for them. Bloody idiots. All they will accomplish with their penny pinching attitude is to ensure that the rifles will end up being owned by the gangs.

            • mac1 5.1.1.1.1.2
              27 June 2019 at 8:27 pm

              " I speak only truth unto power." That is a very powerful statement, which is demeaned by being used in a context where one is involved in a debate with one's equals, not as it should be in a situation where a person of unequal power takes a risk in speaking the truth and being critical of the more powerful status quo, such as governments.

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

              I do hope you speak truth to power, Advocating for the disadvantaged is a fine and courageous thing.

              • Muttonbird …
                27 June 2019 at 8:52 pm

                Yeah, I don't think alwyn knows what the phrase means, despite his education at the top university in the world.

                • alwyn …
                  27 June 2019 at 10:04 pm

                  I know very well what it means. I also understand what a vile group a lot of our politicians are members of and how they see nothing wrong with destroying other people's lives. They can, of course do it under the cover of Parliamentary Privilege.

                  Look at that miserable specimen Mallard accusing a Parliamentary employee of "rape" when no such thing occurred. Not a hint of an apology from that disgraceful specimen of the political classes.

            • Psycho Milt 5.1.1.1.1.3
              27 June 2019 at 9:17 pm

              It's a bit of a redundant question in Key's case, since attempting to fix the housing crisis is something he never would have assigned to a minister.

              • alwyn …
                27 June 2019 at 10:06 pm

                But he did. Much to late but they did start. Why do you think that houses were being built that a desperate Twyford claimed as being part of his "KiwiBuild" b*s?

    • ianmac 5.2
      27 June 2019 at 1:25 pm

      Housing is a huge task. No matter what you call it, it is a huge task. I hope Phil Twyford stays on to finish the project. Given that he has been hammered by MPs and the Media in spite of the huge strides made, that is further proof for him to continue.

      • Anne 5.2.1
        27 June 2019 at 3:06 pm

        We'll know in about 30 minutes. 🙂

        I suspect there will be some minor changes to his responsibilities – maybe a couple of small chunks passed on to associate ministers. Part of the problem is Twyford's current responsibilities are just too onerous. He has two of the most complex portfolios currently in existence.

    • veutoviper 5.3
      27 June 2019 at 2:08 pm

      Just a stir-up by the Herald, Anne.

      Re the list of Ministers, MPs absent from this morning's Caucus meeting, most of the ones you mention were also absent from last night's Second Reading of Seymour's End of Life Bill but voted by Proxy.*

      This is not a full list but the following voted by proxy meaning they were not in the Parliamentary Precinct : Ardern, Davis, Twyford, Clark, D O'Connor, Sepuloni, Curran, Eagle, Mahuta, Peters, Logie, Genter, Chahraman, Macroft plus various Nats.

      Robertson did not vote by proxy, so presumably around if not in the House itself.

      *I am in the middle of putting together a list by party of those who voted for and against the Bill proceeding to Committee stages etc. A draft of the full list by name only is already up on the Parliament website but not by Party, being (supposedly**) a Conscience vote. Will probably post it here in the next few days when I have some time, for anyone interested.

      ** All Green and all NZF members voted Aye. The breakdown of Nats and Labour members Ayes/Noes is quite interesting, but cannot be taken necessarily as who will vote Aye in the end. From all accounts, many Ayes were to allow the Bill to proceed to the more detailed Committee stages, with continued support on the part of quite a few MPs dependent on considerable change to the actual wording and provisions of the Bill being agreed in the Committee stages.

  6. The Al1en 6
    27 June 2019 at 10:17 am

    Any chance someone can rule if posting videos with no contributor comment given is out of order?

    • Muttonbird 6.1
      27 June 2019 at 10:20 am

      Perhaps you could just scroll past?

      • The Al1en 6.1.1
        27 June 2019 at 10:21 am

        Perhaps on a discussion board we can be told by the poster what it is we're meant to be discussing.

        • Muttonbird 6.1.1.1
          27 June 2019 at 10:27 am

          True, that is annoying.

          It must be individual habit because I don't watch video clips – I have zero curiosity about them and so find them easy to ignore.

          Not so when let's say, The Chairman, puts up a link and asked for "thoughts".

          Now that triggers me. 😆

          • The Al1en 6.1.1.1.1
            27 June 2019 at 10:36 am

            I always skip the music videos and the ones like above, which have no comment, opinion or debate points included with them. It's just wankery, drop and go rubbish. I don't think it adds anything.

            As for the chairnat, I think Solkta and Mars did us all a favour the other night. Even if only temporary, a rest is as good as a holiday.

            • Peter 6.1.1.1.1.1
              27 June 2019 at 12:11 pm

              I didn't skip the music video of Laurie Anderson the other day. Those who thought it "wankery, drop and go rubbish not adding anything" missed a treat in my opinion.

              • Incognito …
                27 June 2019 at 12:34 pm

                Each to their own.

                We cannot click on every link or clip to find the proverbial needle in a haystack or expect to find some ‘nugget’ @ 12’38’’ into the clip or somewhere embedded deep in a document. It still won’t tell me why the commenter posted it in the first place. I think it is lazy and inconsiderate and takes up space but I can live with it – I simply scroll past and don’t click as there’s too much clickbait around as it is. However, others do find it very annoying. Therefore, a brief comment is all that’s needed to satisfy most here.

              • The Al1en …
                27 June 2019 at 1:10 pm

                "wankery, drop and go rubbish' refers to videos without comment, which has been addressed.

                As for music vids, I don't watch them, mainly because I happen to think most people post shit, but even the good songs I won't play because I'm on the standard and not youinstafacegrambooktube.

                And o superman – Had it on 12" import back in 1981. Fortunately it wasn't any longer than the 8.21 7"

              • Robert Guyton …
                27 June 2019 at 4:56 pm

                Laurie Anderson's "O Superman" is a sharp commentary.

            • marty mars 6.1.1.1.1.2
              27 June 2019 at 1:06 pm

              you used to put links to your own music – should do it again imo

              any music video I put up is worth watching imo thus The Little River Band today are exceptional and a window into a time that literally is a lifetime ago.

              • The Al1en …
                27 June 2019 at 1:13 pm

                I did, usually with a story attached as to why and what the track was about, but nah, people can look at my website and decide to click the soundcloud player or not.

                I don't mind the music vids really, though I do just skip 'em.

                • McFlock …
                  27 June 2019 at 3:12 pm

                  I'm more likely to play a music vid than a 40 minute video that someone reckons will explain why I should be outraged/aghast/terrified of deepstate/chemtrails/corporations.

                  • The Al1en …
                    27 June 2019 at 5:58 pm

                    Or an RT link held up as impartial journalism, that never once airs dissenting views on Putin or Russia.

                    • McFlock …
                      27 June 2019 at 6:40 pm

                      lol and links from all sources with the obligatory commentary "this is an insightful and wise journalist speaking truth to power" (meaning I agree with them) or "a shameless propagandist tells lies for cash" (I disagree with them).

                    • The Al1en …
                      27 June 2019 at 7:52 pm

                      Heh. All the classics.

    • johnm 6.2
      27 June 2019 at 10:34 am

      Viewing the first 5minutes of a vid will inform about the subject.But maybe a small posting as to subject and content would be good.

      [I agree that a video without any excerpt or reason to click on it could be viewed [pardon the pun] as SPAM unless it is obvious and self-evident. From now on, please provide a brief reason as to why you think people should watch it and/or why it is relevant to the topic of a thread, if any. Please be aware what might be obvious or self-evident to you might not be so to another person. This kind of behaviour has led to long-term bans of infamous recidivists – Incognito]

      • The Al1en 6.2.1
        27 June 2019 at 10:43 am

        Shouldn't have to watch a video to find out what's up for discussion and why, and while a subject and content should be also be a given, video posts should at least have a for or against argument so it's clear where the poster is coming from.

        • Pat 6.2.1.1
          27 June 2019 at 11:30 am

          Perhaps a note to explain subject matter but see no need to predetermine more than that….there is no requirement for discussion nor applying a personal take of the content.

          The opportunity is there for discussion/debate should anyone so wish

        • mauī 6.2.1.2
          27 June 2019 at 12:55 pm

          Links that direct to large amounts of text or someone else's words will be banned next I spose….

          • Incognito 6.2.1.2.1
            27 June 2019 at 1:07 pm

            Yeah, nah. I’m thinking of random bans for random reasons but especially when it is about how poorly moderated this site is and who or what should (or should not) be banned.

      • Incognito 6.2.2
        27 June 2019 at 11:46 am

        See my Moderation note @ 10:34 AM.

      • McFlock 6.2.3
        27 June 2019 at 3:13 pm

        Some videos seem to go for hours without making an explicit point….

  7. joe90 7
    27 June 2019 at 10:19 am

    Mueller will be appearing in public judiciary and intelligence committee hearings.

    Dotard loses his shit.

    https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/1143867664047190017

  8. Ad 8
    27 June 2019 at 10:20 am

    From the Greymouth Star, great to see West Coast-Tasman MP Damien O'Connor slamming Westland Milk Products over the proposed sale to Chinese-owned Yili, but also says shareholders needed to share the blame because they had failed to scrutinise management and directors in recent years.

    On RNZ yesterday Mr O'Connor said he could not intervene as Agriculture Minister, but as the electorate MP and with a family shareholding in Westland Milk, he outlined his many concerns over the sale..

    When the West Coast-owned co-operative decided in 2001 to go it alone, rejecting an offer to merge with Fonterra, it had $100million in the bank.

    ''Something has gone wrong seriously and they now have huge debt,'' Mr O'Connor said.

    Farmers had been treated as ''mushrooms'' and had now been presented with just one option, when he believed there had been up to 12 offers from New Zealand and overseas.

    Mr O'Connor said he did not think farmers had enough information to make an informed decision.

    Confidential information packs were delivered to shareholders some weeks ago, for a vote due on July 4.

    Co-operatives could fail if the shareholders did not take an active interest in what their directors and management were doing.

    ''I think they sit back and take for granted the decisions that are made. They're not always scrutinised in the way they would be if it was a publicly-listed company. I don't believe it's the structure [at fault], it's the individuals involved.''

    The Westland Co-operative Dairy Company (trading as Westland Milk Products) had been built up by previous generations, but farmers now risked losing ownership and control.

    The 10-year supply guarantee offered by Yili came with a number of qualifications that farmers should be aware of, he said. Once they had sold, farmers would not get the profits from the value added. The only way to get more money would be to do more, and produce more milk.

    Selling parts of the company may have been an option for farmers but that was not put to them.

    ''That's why I think the process has been seriously flawed.''

    To me the stupidity of these West Coast farmers to long-term gut their own communities is beyond belief.

  9. Adrian Thornton 9
    27 June 2019 at 10:49 am

    The world has really turned upside down, white is black, up is down..it turns out that now the most stringent and vocal push back in the US MSM to US foreign interventions is not coming from US liberal media but from Tucker Carlson on Fox of all places, he did the same push back over Venezuela ..

    Here he is calling John Bolton a political tape worm, and calling out the neocons hard…



    • Morrissey 9.1
      27 June 2019 at 11:16 am

      Careful, Adrian, you're in for a bollocking from our friend Andre and likeminded people lurking on this blog. The fact that Carlson is one of the few people in the U.S. media with the courage to speak forthrightly on this issue doesn't matter a jot; he works for Fox, which automatically renders what he says worthless.

    • marty mars 9.2
      27 June 2019 at 11:17 am

      Right wingers do this to sow insecurity – to get people confused, get their enemies fighting each other – they are not sincere. They are not truth tellers. They are just working to their own agenda – the techniques are in Hollowmen, we see it all the time with hooton pretending to attack the right – I hope you think about that a bit adrian.

      • Adrian Thornton 9.2.1
        27 June 2019 at 11:55 am

        Firstly Hooten gave the best and most sincere eulogy for Helen Kelly, so even though he is on the wrong side, I will always give him credit for that.

        Secondly, stop with the condescending please.."I hope you think about that a bit adrian" I am under no illusions as to the primary motivations of the right..or the shit establishment liberal class in the US for that matter.

        Thirdly, give me a link in US liberal media where the main host is so consistently anti interventionist in such a forth right way as Tucker Carlson (who I am well aware is shit on most other important subjects).

        • marty mars 9.2.1.1
          27 June 2019 at 12:19 pm

          you are being played by them imo – but whatever I don't really care

          • Adrian Thornton 9.2.1.1.1
            27 June 2019 at 12:42 pm

            "you are being played by them imo" that's good coming from the guy who gets played by pretty much every Guardian head line..since forever…I hope you think about that a bit matry.

            • marty mars 9.2.1.1.1.1
              27 June 2019 at 1:01 pm

              lol thanks

              have a laugh

              • Professor Longhair …
                27 June 2019 at 1:31 pm

                Sorry to disabuse you of an obviously long nurtured belief, Mr Mars, but the moon landing actually did happen. The Americans landed on it almost exactly fifty years ago, and, no, it wasn't a hoax by those evil, calculating, dastardly masterminds of the world, the Russians—despite what Luke Harding might have told you in the Grauniad.

        • Professor Longhair 9.2.1.2
          27 June 2019 at 12:28 pm

          Hooten gave the best and most sincere eulogy for Helen Kelly, so even though he is on the wrong side, I will always give him credit for that.

          Take care, mon ami, not to give credit where it is unwarranted. Hooton is a notorious dissembler. I suspect his eulogy for Ms. Kelly was about as "sincere" as his eulogy for Nelson Mandela, who the jackass compared to those monsters Thatcher and Reagan. Hooton's disgusting performance after Madiba's death, and his manipulation of the luvvies on Russell Brown's site, was admirably satirized by my confrère and former student Morrissey Breen….

          https://morrisseybreen.blogspot.com/2018/12/mr-browns-boys-part-2-of-3-dec-31-2013.html

          • Psycho Milt 9.2.1.2.1
            27 June 2019 at 1:01 pm

            my confrère

            Is that French for "the hand operating a sock puppet?"

            • Incognito 9.2.1.2.1.1
              27 June 2019 at 1:10 pm

              Basta così!

            • Sacha 9.2.1.2.1.2
              27 June 2019 at 1:49 pm

              Shameless, and recycling the same garbage every six months or so.

              • Professor Longhair …
                27 June 2019 at 1:59 pm

                Oh yes, my dear: you had a bit part in that little farce, didn't you….

                • Incognito …
                  27 June 2019 at 2:07 pm

                  You obviously don’t speak Italian. Enough of the silly buggers.

                  • Psycho Milt …
                    27 June 2019 at 2:21 pm

                    Apologies – I left the comment without seeing your request below to leave it to the moderators.

                  • Morrissey …
                    27 June 2019 at 7:40 pm

                    Oh, I think the Professor understands Italian, Mr. Cognito. He worked for a time in an elite girls' finishing school in Switzerland. He was required to resign in a hurry; the circumstances are still somewhat murky many years after the affair.

                    • Incognito …
                      27 June 2019 at 8:51 pm

                      Please don’t be a smart alec. Feel free to pass on the hint to you know whom since you seem to be at liberty to speak on his behalf. I’m sure the two of you have regular chitchats.

          • Adrian Thornton 9.2.1.2.2
            27 June 2019 at 2:45 pm

            @Professor Longhair, I take your point as far as far as Hooton goes, but the thing about Hooton that I like is at least you know exactly what he believes and he doesn't try to hide his ideology or pretend he advocating for some thing else, and it was exactly those same qualities that he said he admired about Kelly, he also said Labour lost it's most potent potential leader when she died…on both accounts I couldn't agree with him more (one of the very few time I could say that).

            I have read that Morrissey blog post before..so don't worry, I well know who Hooton, and it isn't nice.

      • Professor Longhair 9.2.2
        27 June 2019 at 12:19 pm

        …. they are not sincere. They are not truth tellers.

        Contrary to your blanket assertion, this particular right winger—Tucker Carlson— is, in fact, telling the truth about this matter.

        They are just working to their own agenda – the techniques are in Hollowmen….

        How does Tucker Carlson speaking truthfully about U.S. aggression against Iran and Venezuela have the slightest connection to the National Party's campaign of character assassination being run out of the Prime Minister's office? Is it those all powerful, all knowing, all controlling Russian masterminds again? I think we should be told.

        we see it all the time with hooton pretending to attack the right

        I've witnessed the jackass Hooton in action many times, and he is no more or less than exactly that: a jackass. He is no Tucker Carlson.

        • marty mars 9.2.2.1
          27 June 2019 at 12:22 pm

          sure morrie he's a real great guy – ffs what next – quoting maggie the hackther or something – use your fucken brain

          • Professor Longhair 9.2.2.1.1
            27 June 2019 at 12:31 pm

            sure morrie

            ???? The name's James, actually.

            he's a real great guy – ffs what next – quoting maggie the hackther or something – use your fucken brain

            Never said I liked him. Just said he was telling the truth.

    • Kevin 9.3
      27 June 2019 at 12:22 pm

      And he called the bullshit on Assange being removed from the Ecuadorean embassy.

      The world has become a very strange place.

  10. Fireblade 10
    27 June 2019 at 2:12 pm

    The report on the National Party unauthorised access (hacking) of Treasury has been released. No one will be forced to resign.

    It's just another example of Simon and National wasting everyone's time and taxpayers money.

    We need a better opposition than these clowns.

    • ianmac 10.1
      27 June 2019 at 2:57 pm

      Note that the Report quotes the complaints made by Paula Bennett were found to be inaccurate and unfounded. She tried so hard to make a case but it was built on sand. So what a waste.

      • ianmac 10.1.1
        27 June 2019 at 3:01 pm

        Conclusion 97. I have assessed Mr Makhlouf’s actions and statements in relation to the three aspects of the Incident against standards of good faith, reasonableness and political neutrality. I have found that: a. Mr Makhlouf acted in good faith. I consider that Mr Makhlouf’s view was sincerely held and honest and therefore meets the good faith test. b. Mr Makhlouf acted in a politically neutral manner. In fact, I consider that he went out of his way to ensure that he was not implicating the National Party in his media statements and interviews. c. Mr Makhlouf’s actions and statements were reasonable in all respects other than in relation to his use of the phrase “deliberately and systematically hacked” in his Tuesday evening media statement, his use of the bolt analogy in his media interviews on Wednesday morning, and in the focus on the conduct of the searchers in his media statement on Thursday morning.

        https://www.ssc.govt.nz/sites/all/files/Investigation%20into%20Actions%20and%20Statements%20of%20Mr%20Makhlouf.pdf

      • The Chairman 10.1.2
        28 June 2019 at 12:15 pm

        What were the actual complaints made by Paula Bennett that were found to be inaccurate and unfounded?

        What did the report state about Jacinda knowing? Or did it not cover that?

        • Drowsy M. Kram 10.1.2.1
          28 June 2019 at 12:43 pm

          "What did the report state about Jacinda knowing? Or did it not cover that?"

          Anyone else think that these are odd questions from 'someone' professing to be "more left than most" who comment here?

          • The Chairman 10.1.2.1.1
            28 June 2019 at 1:10 pm

            There is nothing odd holding one's on side to account.

            If that was Key sitting on a lie would we not be holding him to account?

            I'd suggest failing to hold one's side to account is partly to blame for Labour's failure to deliver.

            • McFlock 10.1.2.1.1.1
              28 June 2019 at 1:13 pm

              We know you would suggest that. Because you're a tory.

              • The Chairman …
                28 June 2019 at 1:33 pm

                The same largely applies to the right, not that I am a "tory". One doesn't encourage their party to up their game by remaining silent. Or worse, by down playing and defending their crap.

                Labour fear bad PR, thus if the left want more out of Labour, we are going to have to make some noise. For example, if teachers didn't get out on the streets (creating bad PR for the Government) it would have been the same old there is no more money line.

                Teachers improved their wellbeing by getting together, getting out there and making a noise.

  11. Fireblade 11
    27 June 2019 at 3:17 pm

    Paul Goldsmith's questions in Parliament are more pathetic than Amy Adams.

  12. Gosman 12
    27 June 2019 at 3:50 pm

    Phil Twyford avoids having to explain for the next few years why he hasn't resigned as Minister of Housing…

  13. OnceWasTim 13
    27 June 2019 at 4:48 pm

    Dear Morrisey and Professor Longhair,

    Every so often I feel the need for self-flagellation because I'm not a Kethluk and this is the most convenient venue for my confession. Is this normal behaviour?

    Currently I'm listening to today's episode of "The Panel". One of the rent-a-voices is particularly nauseating, and another I almost need a neo-liberal translator. I'll persevere in the hope I go to Heaven.

    Your advice would be much appreciated because I fear I may be going deaf.

    Actually, I take it all back. I’m thinking masturbation is far easier and less painful

  14. Eco maori 14
    28 June 2019 at 6:27 pm

    Kia ora Newshub.

    Its cool that the secondary school teacher have settled .

    Another plane missing?

    I think it's stupid that person who put synthetic drugs in Honey it could have caused major impact on people health.

    The Heat wave in France and Europe hope not to many people are being badly effected by this Phenomenon that is caused by Human Caused Global warming.

    The gangster get trained in Australia and deported to Aotearoa that is another underarm bowl from Australia to Aotearoa.

    Ka kite ano.

  15. Eco maori 15
    28 June 2019 at 6:51 pm

    Kia ora te ao Maori news.

    Ka pai North Land healthcare is getting 50 million extra injection of money into the region it is needed.

    Te Whanau Apanui is getting $30 million as part of their treaty settlement awesome now they can set a great maunga for their mokopuna kia kaha.

    Gambling is a major problem for Maori Pacific and Asian I say that the one arm bandits should be banned too our history books.

    The First Nation from Canada is showing appreciation for how strong Maori Culture is in Aotearoa. Kia kaha to The First Nation of Canada Eco Maori Knowns that they have life is harder for them.

    Nagti Porou te reo is a te reo that needs to be protected and taught to all our tamariki in Te Taiwhiti.

    Peter congratulations on yours win for your kai mahi that you infuse Maori kai in your cooking.

    Ka kite ano

  16. Eco maori 16
    29 June 2019 at 2:15 pm

    Kia kaha to the youth climate change champion Stars the oldest generation will listen to their mokopuna.

    Meet generation Greta: young climate activists around the world

    They’re too young to vote, but schoolchildren across the globe are taking matters into their own hands

    In May, for the second time this year, more than 1.5 million young people in more than 125 countries walked out of schools, colleges and universities in the biggest day of global climate action ever. Young people have protested en masse before – millions marched against the Iraq war in 2003 – but this child-led uprising is happening with unprecedented momentum on a global scale Ka kite ano.

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jun/28/generation-greta-young-climate-activists-around-world

  17. Eco maori 17
    29 June 2019 at 6:29 pm

    Kia ora Newshub.

    That Geyser in Rotorua is getting quite large let's hope it doesn't do to much damage to people property.

    MSD Our new has been inproving its service to the public .

    The kites that the tamariki were flying to celebrate Matariki are cool .

    The America Democratic debate looks quite good.

    Ka kite ano

  18. Eco maori 18
    29 June 2019 at 6:48 pm

    Kia ora te ao Maori news.

    Pirpi its Awesome that the intrest in Matariki is growing that is good for tangata whenua O Aotearoa cultural and Mana.

    South Auckland health food is a great way to Show people what food i good for you. They served a lot of Organically grown food to.

    International skills competition looks cool

    We should be grateful for the tangata who started the Kuakaupapa and Kohanga school's they came along just in time to keep tangata whenua O Aotearoa cultural and Haka Pumping thanks to all who were involved in this Phenomenon.

    Ka kite ano

  19. KJT 19
    30 June 2019 at 12:03 pm

    Sneaky cut to super, for a retiree whose spouse is too old to get a job, but too young to retire.

    https://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/about-msd-and-our-work/newsroom/factsheets/budget/factsheet-super-and-vp-modernisation-2019.pdf

    Hardly an addition to "wellbeing".

    Couples are taxed on individual income, which makes for an large variation on how households are taxed on the same income, disadvantaging women, usually, who have to stay at home for disabled children or other relatives. One of the few things they could access was the non qualifying spouse share in super, if their older partner retired.

    And. They are using this to fund an effective increase for those who already get overseas pensions/super.

    Again an inconsistent approach.

  20. Eco maori 20
    30 June 2019 at 6:27 pm

    Kia ora Newshub.

    Paddy we don't need rightneck idiot's in Aotearoa those people should be investigated by the SIS and I would not put it past simon to be part of their stupid ways.

    Yes Winston some people are so gullible they believe the false news propaganda and con people to believe there bullshit.

    Canterbury people playing in the AWA you have respect water driving in Rivers at night is stupid.

    Cool single use plastic bags is being banned this is just the start we will eventually ban most plastics we use.

    It's about time that someone started planning to push asteroid out of Papatuanuku path a huge Asteroid would devastate all life.

    Ka kite ano.

  21. Eco maori 21
    30 June 2019 at 6:44 pm

    Kia ora te ao Maori news.

    Eugene it cool that single use plastic bags have been banned its about time.

    Its cool that people are giving away food and clothing to the needed people in North land tangata whenua need help all common people need help. The Matariki supreme awards went to Whale Watching in Kai kora

    Smear your mear campaign won to cool.

    Paina Papa congratulations on yours win heaps of tamariki and mokopuna would have improved their te reo because of your show.

    Ka kite ano

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  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

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    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
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  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
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  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

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  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

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  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

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  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

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  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

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  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

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    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
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  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

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  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

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  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

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  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

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  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

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  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

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  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

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  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

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  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

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  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

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  • Update on global IT outage

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  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

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  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

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  • 'Pacific Futures'

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    1 week ago

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