Open mike 27/01/2012

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, January 27th, 2012 - 72 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 link to Policy in the banner).

Step right up to the mike…

72 comments on “Open mike 27/01/2012 ”

  1. The Chairman 1

    How much state intervention do we want in our families?

    Average Kiwi families could be subject to greater state scrutiny if proposed rules around mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse are introduced.

    Families Commissioner Carl Davidson said the report raised interesting questions about what level of government intervention families would accept.

    Although there had been a 200 per cent increase in notifications to CYF since 2004, there was little evidence to suggest it had increased child safety, Mr Davidson said.

    “The question becomes, after all that effort we’ve put into notification, how much impact has that had on keeping kids safe? The evidence would suggest not a great deal.”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6314580/Plan-to-keep-Kiwi-kids-safe

    • Bored 1.1

      I oppose any state intervention such as this HOWEVER I dont oppose the use of taxpayer funds to alleviate the socio economic conditions that underpins the majority of child abuse.

      Whenever I hear libertarian individuals / groups professing objections to what they see as invasions of their rights I also hear VERY LOUDLY a refusal to pay their share in cleaning up the mess. They always claim it is the individuals fault, that their socio economic model has no influence, is not to blame.

    • Colonial Viper 1.2

      National Nanny State = MSM Acceptable.

      • Marjorie Dawe 1.2.1

        Nannies appear more benevolent whereas Daddies are often the disciplinarians. Therefore isnt this more of the Daddy State variety?

  2. willie maley 2

    And there we go……………Key refuses to front on Morning Report. Did not take long now, did it?

    • Paul 2.1

      The opposition needs to keep a record of these failures to front; at interviews they should challenge the MSM to question JK on why he does not turn up to discuss the difficult issues. Make the MSM accountable.

      • mickysavage 2.1.1

        AND he refused information for Morning Report to play any of the teapot tapes.  What is he afraid of?

        • ianmac 2.1.1.1

          I am convinced on reflection that what Mr Key fears most about the tea tapes is being ridiculed for an impressively inane un-Primeministerial conversation. Two adolescents chatting about their girl prospects would have sounded better. Suppress it even now, rather than being seen as pathetic? And all that on the taxpayer and at the expense of precious police time.

          • Anne 2.1.1.1.1

            I wonder what off-shore political and government luminaries will think of that moronic display of semi-literate, teenage level garbage coming from the prime-minister of NZ and one of his so-called senior partners. The only thing missing was the word – like. Like “yeah it’s looking good like ya know 49 or 50%… everywhere I go I’m like surrounded and the press are reeeelly great… like ya know they report everything good I say like…”.

            • the pink postman 2.1.1.1.1.1

              Have a look at the report of Key at the parachute gathering in todays “Stuff”.
              Is this guy for real? He’s acting more like a pimply teenager each day. or is he on the bottle . by his actions at that Parachute meeting he apears to think that the underpants he wears is more important than the mess the country is in.

          • Colonial Viper 2.1.1.1.2

            Two adolescents chatting about their girl prospects would have sounded better.

            I do believe the dialogue about Catherine Isaac having “appeal” WAS a chat about “their girl prospects”.

          • aerobubble 2.1.1.1.3

            Key was man-bitching.

            Man bitching usually occurs from the back seats of cars, when a young man bitch shouts his spleen out the car window.

            But Key brought man bitching indoors, into the courts, and police raiding news organizations.

        • King Kong 2.1.1.2

          Talking of Morning Report, impressive work from David Shearer in his interview ~ snigger

          Forget winning the election, the most impressive thing the right did in 2011 was getting their preferred candidate appointed as leader of the Labour party.

          • Lanthanide 2.1.1.2.1

            “Forget winning the election, the most impressive thing the right did in 2011 was getting their preferred candidate appointed as leader of the Labour party.”

            Definitely, but not for the reasons you imagine.

            They just barely scraped through on the election. They came very close to snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

            After the 1999 MMP result, Helen Clark had a coalition stitched up by Sunday afternoon. After this election we had to wait until official results declared because the situation was on such a knife edge there was no guarantee they’d made it over the line.

    • DJL 2.2

      Major Major Key…Hes never in.

    • Fortran 2.3

      Why would any self respecting person wish to go on Morning Report.
      Its been getting more dreadful for a long time now, particularly recently with the changes in personnel.

  3. Bored 3

    Bob Parker clearly has a fairly warped idea about how democracy works. From the Press today

    Parker said, “If this council can get its act together, if those councillors that are continuously leaking and undermining the process are prepared to do their job.”

    Parker obviously thinks that in a democracy you bow to the “winner” and do your job (code for doing as you are told). What a Wally.

    • vto 3.1

      Yep. It is yet another sign of his political ineptitude. In that same article he was also trying to say “if the councillors stop (leaking etc) then the Town Clerk will reconsider this pay increase” What the fuck? He is a buffoon. Maybe he is back on the wacky backy. Such a shame the first earthquake came along just before the last election – Anderton was about to fly in and Parker be completely dumped. Anderton would be so much better at times like these.

  4. Descendant Of Smith 4

    Prime Minister John Key has for the first time conceded he might have to drop plans to return the Government’s books to the black by 2014-15.

    In a scene-setting speech he said the slowing global economy had forced Treasury to pare back the expected surplus to less than $500m from the $1.5b “bullshitted” before the election.

    Small edit to stuff’s article.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6321334/Nats-pare-back-projected-surplus

    Like National’s projections ever come true. Always forecasting much better results than everyone knows they are going to get.

    • Bored 4.1

      You are so right, reading the Automaticearth today explains this phenomenal bald faced position readjustment (lie):

      What has happened is that America is electing a Liar-in-Chief every four years. His/her job is to keep the herd in the faith, to let them buy stuff all the time, preferably with borrowed money. To keep all noses pointing in the same direction, namely perpetual growth, especially when there isn’t any.

      The Liar-in-Chief is far more a religious leader than a political one. You can’t have the herd disperse and separate and all its members running off in different direction to go and do their own thing.

      For Obama read Key.

    • james 111 4.2

      Yes John Key should have been able to influence the World economy so he could make the books look better. Im sure Hulun & Heather Simpson would have been able to make it happen with the Womans army

      • mickysavage 4.2.1

        At least Labour had plans james iii.  And they had paid off all of the Government debt which allowed stimulatory deficits to be run.  And they had unemployment down to decades low levels.  

        But you know that. You have been told this often enough.

        • james 111 4.2.1.1

          Micky Says
          And they had paid off all of the Government debt which allowed stimulatory deficits to be run. And they had unemployment down to decades low levels.

          Of course Micky Of Course, and the economic times were exactly the same werent they. Labour during the World boom took the country no where wasteful expenditure on Social engineering was all the country got (funded Lesbian hip hop trips to the states). They did nothing about encouraging, and growing business because lets face it they dont know how!!
          People who run Businesses who take the gamble ,and employ people are just evil rich pricks in Labours eyes.
          In regards to unemployment Micky Labour put another 44,000 muppets into the public service in their time. Just incidently Micky how much did government expenditure increase under Labour ? Most of it wasteful.
          Definitely not a government for tough times Labour has to have good times to be in Government so they can have one big spend up

          • mickysavage 4.2.1.1.1

            James would it surprise you if I told you that I am a business owner with eight staff?

          • Colonial Viper 4.2.1.1.2

            People who run Businesses who take the gamble ,and employ people are just evil rich pricks in Labours eyes.

            Thing about John Key getting rich as a currency trader was that he gambled with other peoples’ money.

          • Draco T Bastard 4.2.1.1.3

            People who run Businesses who take the gamble ,and employ people are just evil rich pricks in Labours eyes.

            Businesses don’t employ people – communities do. What a business person does is actually steal from those who do the work through secrecy and misinformation. Yes the business person works (administration is important) but as they’re an expense on the workers they should be the ones saying how much the business person is paid not the other way around.

            And, as the GFC and the bailouts of the banks shows, it’s not the business person taking the risk but the community.

            • james 111 4.2.1.1.3.1

              Draco says

              And, as the GFC and the bailouts of the banks shows, it’s not the business person taking the risk but the community.
              You use a few bail outs to generalise about thousands of businesses I mean really where is the logic you must be on magic Mushrooms. Tell me when a business goes belly up ,and the guy has lost everthing he put into the Business does the community bail him out .I dont think so. I dont see many communities names on employment contracts as the employer can you please show me some. Lets say for Fisher and Paykel or Fletchers, or Vodafone happy hunting

              • Draco T Bastard

                Tell me when a business goes belly up ,and the guy has lost everthing he put into the Business does the community bail him out.

                Well, admittedly it does seem to be a question of how big the business is and how many politicians that they own.

                Lets say for Fisher and Paykel or Fletchers, or Vodafone happy hunting

                The name of the business but it’s still the community that uses the services and thus pays for the work. People forget that and it’s in the interests of the capitalists that they do forget that. If people remembered then the capitalists and their flunkies wouldn’t be able to steal from the workers.

              • mik e

                Jturd The winz office is where you’ll find them.
                Fisher and paykel got plenty of hand outs from both local and central govt Jturd even. John Key gave them $15 million .now the Mexican and thai govts are baling them outFletcher building has had plenty of hand outs from this govt.
                TV3 etc!

          • mik e 4.2.1.1.4

            Jturd NZ under Clark Cullen grew faster than Australia they had to deal with several economic crisis 9/11 swine flu applicable to you J turd. etcetera.
            The secret to labours growth of 3 times the previous National govts pathetic attempt.28 times better than borrowing bills English term Jturd..
            Your 44,000 is a lie national spent $900 million on outside consultants their up to nearly $400million a year on CONsultants now Jturd otherwise Known as National party hacks such as Jenny Shipleys nearly $500.000 income from Brownoselee.

        • Lanthanide 4.2.1.2

          The government was in a net positive asset position. They didn’t pay of all the debt, just enough so that we weren’t in the hole any more.

        • And you will be telling them until you are blue in the face Micky .My experiences of talking to die in the wool Tories makes me wonder just what world they are living.I still hear them saying such things as “It does the worker good to have to pull his belt in. Listening to them talk about the unemployed and their favorite hate, single mothers is , sickning.
          However I would say to James that its true that the situation is different to what Labour had but he needs reminding that Cullen was prepairing for it by not cuting taxes ,Remember the Nats screams of rage on how mean Cullen was and that we must have tax cuts. What is a unfortunate for NZ is that Cullen is not now the Minister of Finance ,he would not make the terrible mistakes Key and English are making.

      • Draco T Bastard 4.2.2

        Wow, the bigotry.

      • Descendant Of Smith 4.2.3

        Umm James the criticism is of the forecasting by the PM which many of us left wing people at the time said was a load of nonsense, was way too optimistic and would proven to be false.
        (Just like the 170,000 jobs in the last budget and the same number in the budget before that.)
        It seems us left wingers are more accurate than you supposedly economic literate guru righties.
        It  been my observation over the years that Treasury inevitably understate the cost of National policies and overstate the benefits – while for Labour they overstate the costs and understate the benefits.
        This of course suits Key perfectly who then adds his own exaggeration on to it.
        Your thinking gets less coherent each day you post. 
        When’s school go back?

    • Marjorie Dawe 4.3

      Its only something he should have admitted before the election but feels safe to say now. What plans!!

  5. Jackal 5

    PoAL vs MUNZ

    The Ports of Auckland industrial dispute has been dragging on for ages now, with any hope of resolution appearing lost in the ideological divide between the waring parties…

  6. randal 6

    and another POAL red herring on the teevee last night about the monster increase in port size.
    whats the bet the next line will be it will never happen unless we privatise the port.
    how to win over a noonoo head: just tell him that if he is lucky he is going to get a new improved BIGGER one.

  7. The US is sending the old (to be decommissioned next year) war ship the USS enterprise to the Strait of Hormuz to “send” a message to Iran.

    Now why would the US send a knackered old war ship with four nuclear generators which is terribly expensive to decommission in harms way?

    Gulf of Tonkin anybody?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5Uf-6HrH_fE

    • vto 7.1

      Surely not. That tactic has never ever been used before in the history of human warmongering…………

    • Vicky32 7.2

      Gulf of Tonkin anybody?

      Oh yes, quite likely – especially given the evocative name Enterprise… I almost hope it happens, as the suspense over the past few years has been giving me the williams…

  8. The Voice of Reason 8

    Reasons why National will never close the wage gap with Australia No.96:
     
    Unions are bloody great, mate!

  9. prism 9

    Surprising news! NZ has received less income than expected mainly through lower tax revenue.

  10. prism 10

    Medecine Sans Frontiers personnel in Libya are withdrawing their valuable assistance in one area because the regime is sending them injured dissidents to patch up so they can be returned for more torture.

    These words from Shakespeare, used in the stage show Hair, and copied from Wikipedia, are eternally true and very poignant, it seems:

    “ I will tell you why; so shall my anticipation
    preuent your discouery of your secricie to the King and
    Queene: moult no feather, I haue of late, but wherefore
    I know not, lost all my mirth, forgone all custome of exercise;
    and indeed, it goes so heauenly with my disposition;

    that this goodly frame the Earth, seemes to me a sterrill
    Promontory; this most excellent Canopy the Ayre,
    look you, this braue ore-hanging, this Maiesticall Roofe,
    fretted with golden fire: why, it appeares no other thing
    to mee, then a foule and pestilent congregation of vapours.

    What a piece of work is a man, How noble in
    Reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving
    how express and admirable, In action how like an Angel!
    in apprehension how like a god, the beauty of the
    world, the paragon of animals.

    and yet to me, what is
    this quintessence of dust? Man delights not me; no,
    nor Woman neither; though by your smiling you seeme
    to say so ”

    —The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (Act II, Scene ii, 285-300), [

    • The Voice of Reason 10.1

      Best seen here! Note the wolves in the background, they seem appropriate given the news item Prism is alerting us to.
       
      If its still raining tonight I might just have to watch Withnail again. I find it suits the inclement weather rather well. And I do have a rather good claret in the wine cellar to accompany it. The ’53 Margaux, best of the century….

      • prism 10.1.1

        @The Voice of Reason – Perhaps we should all drag a drop of claret from the cellar when we read the serious presentations of commenters on this site, and so view our possible doom through a anaesethesitising haze of fumes of fine wine, or in my case, what is on special.

        The wolf and the jackal and the hyena may take over the world, their social set-up gives them resilience and continuity. Ours is under attack from the sociopaths within our society, never mind the wild animals outside it. We reap the results of the lack of parenting and caring which is replaced by time spent with machines on television, computers and phones, and then a lack of moral guidance and philosophical understanding of how society works.

  11. ianmac 11

    “The Chinese Government-backed Shanghai Pengxin bid for the 16 Crafar farms has been approved ”
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10781521

    • Ben 11.1

      Since that hit the news I’ve had three staunch National people tell me they’re wondering what they voted for.

      This may very well be the turning point. Two months too late.

      • Colonial Viper 11.1.1

        I rather suspect the turning point for Key was end Oct/beginning Nov. However NAT was very far ahead and still had momentum. So the change was enough to dampen their hopes for an outright majority, but not enough for the Left to win.

        As I predicted last year, Key won, but is going to have a rotten next 12 months. As they say – be careful what you wish for.

      • Draco T Bastard 11.1.2

        They voted to have NZ sold off to the powerful that John Key and the rest of the NAct MPs worship. They certainly didn’t vote for the benefit of NZ.

  12. Salsy 12

    Just as key and his weasles scuttle out of the country. Lets hope this creates enough of an outcry to devastate the asset sales program. Its an absolutely dreadful decision and could well cause a massive backlash against our Chinese citizens.

  13. randal 13

    dont worry.
    kweeweeeand the rest swallowed the whole ayn rand, civil society, brt thing whole, and they are about to choke on it.
    I dont think they will last the year out.

    • Colonial Viper 13.1

      I agree. The National coalition is on a knife edge; Labour must be up to speed and ready to fight a snap election within 18 months.

  14. Salsy 14

    I think the focus should now be on working on who will become NZ’s Hero & cross the floor …

  15. Jackal 15

    Catherine Taylor moron

    Catherine Taylor in her first media expose as the new Rena recovery manager shows she is profoundly unqualified to be in the position…

  16. randal 16

    jackal that is the way of the world now.
    we are in the post modern phase where nobdoy can really do anything and its not what you know its who you know.
    so you dont actually have to know anything.
    ignorance is at a premium.

    • Jackal 16.1

      At the moment National’s rampant cronyism regime is all about who’s the most believable liar. No minimum intelligence required.

  17. Vicky32 17

    Hilarious/bizarre news stories : (or so Kathryn Ryan treated it this morning, and the BBC WS news-reader, who was a wee bit more po-faced, to judge by his voice..)
    The local benefit office in Ireland has banned the wearing of pyjamas to appointments for special needs grants (to put it in NZ terms.) Neither Ryan nor the Beeb reporter seems to have realised that the issuing of such a notice doesn’t necessarily mean that beneficiaries were actually turning up to appointments in their pyjamas! Maybe they were, maybe not – but oh the delight someone like Leighton Smith would take in a story like that!
     

  18. Hateatea 18

    A question I was asked yesterday by a friend (NZ’er) currently living in Australia

     “A recent canard going aound here is that the frozen vegetables we’re importing by the tonne from NZ are not actually grown there, but imported in bulk from China, packed and relabelled as “product of NZ” and re-exported. I’ve no idea whether it’s true or not, but given the number of growers here who’ve been dropped by the frozen food companies, I has me suspicions. I don’t think it’s suddenly any cheaper to produce peas and carrots in NZ than it is here, so I’m wondering if the carrot farmers of Ohakune are still flourishing, or if their business has suddenly gone “offshore” like so many here. ”

    Is anyone able to shed any light on this? 

    • Jackal 18.1

      That would be pretty crap if true. You could understand why they would do it though… China has a problem getting a premium for their food products in other countries because of stories like the poisonous infant formula, and capitalizing on New Zealand’s brand would be a way around that. It would probably be relatively profitable even with the huge transportation required.

  19. GPJA #410: Occupy Auckland – stand up for democracy Sat 3pm

    by gpjanz

    GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE AUCKLAND NEWSLETTER No. 410, January 27, 2012

    FROM OCCUPY AUCKLAND PROTEST SATURDAY, 3PM
    Defend the Right to Protest in Auckland- stand up for democracy and civil liberties. Rally at Britomart this Saturday Jan 28th at 3pm – forward widely. Occupy Auckland Thursday: 22 people arrested, with 8 people charged with willful trespass. 2 people still held, and 1 person to be deported. Most tents and communal gear seized and confiscated by Auckland Council.
    ____________________________________________________________________________

    What happened on Thursday 16 January 2012, in my opinion, as a directly-affected party – was a bloody disgrace.

    In my considered opinion, itthe forced removal of Occupy Auckland protestors from Aotea Square was a form of corrupt abuse of entrusted power by Auckland Council and the Police.

    60 Police and 30 security guards to remove peaceful protestors – so that Aotea Square could be returned to the public?

    So why is Aotea Square now completely enclosed by a security fence?

    Never mind ‘restoring the grass’ – (which seems to be growing ok) – how about RESTORING DEMOCRACY?

    Oh yes – that’s right.

    This Auckland Council – this $UPERCITY for the 1% – this corporate takeover – was forced upon citizens and ratepayers of the Auckland region – through railroaded legislation.

    The public never voted for the abolition of our Councils, the $UPERCITY framework, the CCO model, or the unelected boards of CCOs (Corporate Controlled Organisations) – or the unelected Auckland Council CEO – Doug McKay – who was the ‘overseer’ of this ‘Operation Overkill’ to save the grass (?)

    In my opinion, this forced eviction is evidence of the effectiveness of Occupy Auckland and the traction we have been getting in helping to expose the white collar crime, corruption and corporate welfare of the ‘1%’.

    Check out http://www.stopthesupercity.org.nz, http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz , http://www.pennybright4epsom.org.nz for evidence thereof. .

    (History has a habit of proving who was right and who was wrong.)

    If YOU believe in our lawful rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly – I hope to see you tomorrow – 3pm – rally at Britomart for a march to Aotea Square!

    If you can’t be there – but support the cause – feel free to help out by making a donation.

    Occupy Auckland: Kiwibank OCCUPY AUCKLAND 38-9012-0161785-00

    Penny Bright
    [email deleted]

  20. Following is a High Court precedent which ruled that you cannot be arrested for a ‘breach of the peace’ unless there IS a ‘breach of the peace’, and that it is lawful to resist an unlawful arrest:

    (Full credit to Civil Liberties lawyer Michael Bott for his great work in defending this case.)

    This precedent arose from the peaceful protest camp on the grounds of Parliament – against the lefting of the GE Free Moratorium in 2003.

    A person cannot be arrested for a breach of the peace unless there is a breach of the peace.

    A breach of the peace is a violent or unlawful act which causes members of the public to feel alarm or excitement.

    Sitting inside a zipped up tent – is NOT a ‘breach of the peace’.

    In this case, the Judge ruled that the ones who breached the peace were the Police, in their actions of hauling protestors (including myself:) out of the tent.

    J. Wild also ruled that it was lawful to resist an unlawful arrest.

    This is the identical ‘on point’ case, covering this matter.

    CASE NAME: Bright & Anor v Police

    FILE NUMBER : CRI – 2005 – 485- 000015, CRI – 2005 – 485- 000016

    JUDGE: Wild J

    JUDGMENT DATE: 5 April 2005

    Yesterday, Thursday 26 January 2012, I wasn’t even arrested.
    I was assaulted, forcibly removed from my tent, and in the process my tent was ripped apart.

    It wasn’t until after I was dragged by Police to the paddy wagon that I was told that I was charged with ‘breach of the peace’.

    http://snpa.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Auckland-Occupy-Protesters-evicted-from-Aotea-Square/G0000c68Dh5eYlH4/I0000YLuKkHC9bOg

    http://www.3news.co.nz/VIDEO-Hysterical-scenes-during-arrest-of-Occupy-protestor-Penny-Bright/tabid/309/articleID/240742/Default.aspx

    http://www.3news.co.nz/Occupy-Auckland-protesters-refuse-to-give-in/tabid/370/articleID/240836/Default.aspx

    Cheers!

    Penny Bright

    • Blue 20.1

      I think thats the point Penny, what you were doing was unlawful by trespassing. If it wasn’t unlawful, and you hadn’t been warned it was unlawful, don’t you think that you wouldn’t have been issued with a trespass notice? If the police are charged with keeping the public safe from lunatics, then I think they acted appropriately in removing you from the publics sight. I do hope that you start contributing to society instead of continuing leeching off it. So I have an idea – how about you go and get a full time job. Remarkable suggestion for you, I know, but its what the 99% of us who don’t choose to live on the fringes of society do to provide for our families. Try it, you may like it.

      • Penny Bright 20.1.1

        errrrr…………….. upon what EVIDENCE are you relying ‘Blue’ in order to substantiate your above-mentioned statement “I do hope that you start contributing to society instead of leeching off it.”?

        Try ‘seeking TRUTH FROM FACTS’?

        You may like it?

        Then again – maybe not……………

        Penny Bright

        • Gosman 20.1.1.1

          That would suggest though that the eviction of the Occupy Wellington crowd was lawful as members of the Occupation were engaging in behaviour which was threatening and abusive to members of the wider public.

        • Blue 20.1.1.2

          Unless you are in work and paying taxes (as opposed to being on a long term benefit – it can’t be a sickness benefit can it?), you aren’t contributing to society very much at all. The taxes from all workers allow you to choose the publicly funded lifestyle you have and use to promote your own brand of fringe dwelling policies that less than 0.1% of the country agree with. Although lets face it it has to be less than 0.1%, given your record in elections. That, my dear, is leeching. It is easy to be an ‘activist’ with a megaphone and poor dress sense and no responsibilities, because you are not answerable to anyone. It is hard to achieve success as a contributing member of society, bringing up a family and paying your bills with your own money, not other peoples money, as it requires effort and ambition. You’ve chosen the easy path and fair enough, that is your choice.

          • Colonial Viper 20.1.1.2.1

            Blue. You’d have some credibility if we had an economic system based on meritocracy and hardwork, not on rewarding capital ownership at the expense of labour.

            Your claims are crap when you consider that the wealthiest, most powerful and most influential in our political-economy have created a system which profits their ownership the most, where their companies profit by reducing worker wages, downsizing worker positions and exporting worker jobs and our factories overseas.

          • Penny Bright 20.1.1.2.2

            Get your FACTS straight ‘Blue’.

            I CHOOSE to work full time, self-funded, in the public interest, and receive NO taxpayer benefit for so doing.

            It is you who has arguably chosen the ‘easy path’ of not bothering to ‘seek truth from facts’?

            FYI – using the electoral process in order to help focus public attention on the ISSUES – I have found to be very effective.

            You will be thrilled, no doubt, to know that a prominent MP has agreed to present what will hopefully be the ‘force John Banks to resign’ petition, to the House, on Tuesday 28 February 2012.

            Do YOU support ‘one law for all’ Blue?

            Do YOU agree that John Banks and Don Brash should equally be charged for signing Huljich Kiwisaver registered prospectuses which contained untrue statements?

            Or not?

            Kind regards,

            Penny Bright
            Judicially recognised ‘Public Watchdog’ on Metrowater, water and Auckland Regional Governance matters.
            ‘Anti-corruption’ campaigner.

            http://www.pennybright4epsom.org.nz

  21. ianmac 21

    John Key will be interviewed over the Crafar Land Sales tonight on Campbell Live. Campbell does ask some persistent questions so it will be interesting and unusual for Key to front.

  22. randal 22

    will he ask him how much they donated to the nashnil gubmint?

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-25T13:11:43+00:00