Open mike 29/06/2022

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, June 29th, 2022 - 128 comments
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128 comments on “Open mike 29/06/2022 ”

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  1. lprent 1
    29 June 2022 at 6:17 am

    Test saving a message

    Improved a lot with the innodb pool size increase. Still higher than I’d like.

    Try running an optimize to clean up any db issues. The site will be a bit slower for about an hour.

    • lprent 1.1
      29 June 2022 at 6:43 am

      Completed. I'll have a look at database performance under load today, but it appears to have been a issue with data pool sizes.

      • weka 1.1.1
        29 June 2022 at 1:35 pm

        better but still noticeably slow loading at my end.

        • lprent 1.1.1.1
          1 July 2022 at 10:43 am

          I'll have another look at it this weekend (assuming that my bug list from QA doesn't grow again today). My current server had problems with the upgrade to the latest LTS version.

          However the new server is sitting under my desk at the workplace. I just received the order of disk bays for it yesterday which was the last bit.

          So I'll transfer the TS array to it this weekend and get that running, then do a fresh install on the current server.

      • Incognito 1.1.2
        29 June 2022 at 1:40 pm

        Yes, seems better. DR missed its schedule last night, which tends to happen when there are speed issues with TS (aka a canary in the coalmine).

  2. Robert Guyton 2
    29 June 2022 at 7:04 am

    I/S @ No Right Turn doesn't treat Luxon's anti-abortionism lightly:

    "Over the weekend, the US Supreme Court followed through on its threat, and overturned Roe v. Wade, effectively outlawing abortion in much of the United States. People were outraged, in America and around the world. And in Aotearoa, this meant a lot of sudden questions for the National Party, which is led by a fundamentalist anti-abortionist, stuffed with fundamentalist anti-abortionist MPs, and which tends to take its lead from whatever crack the US Republicans are smoking this week. While National's fundy backbenchers celebrated the imposition of forced birth in America, Christopher Luxon desperately tried to backpedal on his past views and reassure the public that National had no intention of changing the law. Except that today, he's doubling down on being anti-abortion:"

    Read more: http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2022/06/still-digging.html

    • Ross 2.1
      29 June 2022 at 7:40 am

      he's doubling down on being anti-abortion

      In other words, his position today is the same as it was yesterday. Yeah I can see how that might be annoying for some in the media. 🙂

      • observer 2.1.1
        29 June 2022 at 8:14 am

        So what is his position, yesterday or today?

        Is he anti-abortion or is he not?

      • Blade 2.1.2
        29 June 2022 at 9:55 am

        Like I've said ad nauseam, when Jacinda needs a disaster, one appears. And this ones a beauty.

        As night follows day, dumb voters have knee jerked in response. HDA received texts saying people are now reconsidering voting for National. You can bet there are many others thinking similar.

        Seems they don’t understand abortion issues are the least of our worries.

        [citation needed for the HDA claim – weka]

        • weka 2.1.2.1
          29 June 2022 at 11:28 am

          mod note

          • weka 2.1.2.2.1
            29 June 2022 at 11:54 am

            this?

            I’ve already had two under 40-year-olds tell me they’re worried about the Nats and the abortion issue, and they’re both actually National voters. One of them now says they don’t think they can vote for National this time around.

            • Robert Guyton 2.1.2.2.1.1
              29 June 2022 at 12:29 pm

              "two"?

              Two?

              Yikes!!

            • Blade 2.1.2.2.1.2
              29 June 2022 at 1:16 pm

              No, there were others during open talkback, but that was the only link I could find to show I wasn't making stuff up. That link was her opening comments for that day's session.

              My point is, even just using those two examples, there would be thousands of other women having second thoughts about voting National just like them. All they see is National has too many fundies in their party. And Luxon is one, too. And he's the leader.

              From AB's post below.

              ''The might be the least of yours mate, but for women of childbearing age, it might be a bit different. And maybe a bit different too for men with daughters, sisters and female relatives in that category. Quite a few people then.''

              That's how middleclass women and others will be thinking. People who previously were considering voting for National.

              • weka …
                29 June 2022 at 1:30 pm

                thanks. What I’m hoping is that you will learn to explain your thinking up front like that, so I don’t have to drag it out of you as a mod or commenter. What you have since provided that wasn’t in yoru original comment:

                1. an explanation that HDPA opened her show with the example of two women
                2. that others texted in during the show and said similar
                3. your analysis of what women voters might be doing.

                If you look at your first comment, it’s just some offhand, throw them out there reckons. But you can obviously formulate a decent political argument, so I’m asking that you do that up front.

                This isn’t twitter or FB, we’re not here for the reckons, we’re here for the robust debate. When people put there argument (and links and quotes) up front, the debate improves. Everyone knows what is being discussed and the context. Good and robust debate is the point of the commentariat (robust doesn’t mean fractious, it means vigorous and resilient and of a certain standard).

              • weka …
                29 June 2022 at 1:31 pm

                there is still another mod note for you to respond to, comments will be held back until that is attended to.

          • Robert Guyton 2.1.2.2.2
            29 June 2022 at 12:58 pm

            Gordon Campbell brings his wisdom to the tawdry situation:

            "After all… And starting at around 4 minutes into this December 2021 interview, Luxon (a) agreed that abortion is “tantamount to murder” and (b) refused to answer a question about whether he thought abortion should be allowed for victims made pregnant by rape or incest. This man is not a social liberal.

            Footnote One: Apparently, access to abortion is not something the National caucus regards as being important. In yesterday’s mea culpa to his colleagues O’Connor said that his offensive tweet “had caused distress and trouble for the party, that just wants to focus on big issues.” Women voters, take note. Abortion rights = no big deal. Blokes got more important things to talk about."

            http://werewolf.co.nz/2022/06/gordon-campbell-on-nationals-ongoing-problems-with-abortion/

        • AB 2.1.2.3
          29 June 2022 at 11:59 am

          abortion issues are the least of our worries

          The might be the least of yours mate, but for women of childbearing age, it might be a bit different. And maybe a bit different too for men with daughters, sisters and female relatives in that category. Quite a few people then.

          And let's consider what it is emblematic of. This basically:

          • Luxon calls himself 'pro-life' but appears not care about the quality of life of the woman forced to bring the foetus to term, the eventual child itself or any other children the woman may already be caring for
          • Nor is he offering to make this imposition on women any easier through free universal contraception, free universal childcare, job guarantees from the state when he private sector can't or won't provide them at a livable wage, or a guaranteed right in the BORA to freedom from financial and housing insecurity, etc.
          • In fact, this latter point seems to dovetail exactly with his anti-human (not pro-life at all) extremism on economic matters in general, such as tax-cuts overwhelmingly favouring people with the most already, re-inflation of the housing market through removing brightline extensions further impoverishing future generations without inheritances from parents and turning them into debt serfs or lifelong renters, wage suppression through opening immigration taps again, etc.

          In short – the guy is even worse than Key.

        • Nic the NZer 2.1.2.4
          29 June 2022 at 12:29 pm

          Your saying Luxons poll levelling was down to a large faction of dumb voters? Good of Heather to be so up front and tell it to their faces on newstalk then.

        • Mac1 2.1.2.5
          29 June 2022 at 1:04 pm

          Blade, there are people who vote on single issues- they're called single issue voters.

          The abortion issue is one such issue. People on both sides of the issue can be very passionate about it. Some will vote against Luxon because to their one issue passion, but not many on his side of that debate will be impressed by his conflicted approach.

          Even people who agree with Luxon's views on abortion as being 'tantamount to murder' will find it difficult to reconcile the seriousness of that moral position with his stated position not to have the National party do anything under his leadership.

          If I were in that position of having a very strong anti-abortion stance that is of the 'die in a ditch' moral standing, then I'd be very disappointed even if I realised the political implications for Luxon. I'd want him to be telegraphing that he'd be working to change his party policy for the future.

          Then there are voters who see inconsistencies in politician's views and summing them up accordingly vote for others.

          There are others who see extremism in one set of a politician's views and wonder whether there are other similar views not yet revealed but that would also be undesirable if acted upon.

          These are often middle of the road voters, centrist in nature who are suspicious of extremism.

          Luxon has shown extremism, conflicted beliefs and an authoritarian approach to party dissent.

          Some might argue that the member for The Upper Room might be better suited in a minority Christian conservative party, rather than leader of a political party that has been traditionally and largely liberal especially in its urban wing.

          Others might argue that National is becoming a party with a growing and alarming group of social conservative, even extremist, MPs.

          They would already be worried by the exodus from their ranks of socially liberal women MPs like Adams and Bennett. National has been struggling to regain women voters. Luxon's views, and those of illiberal members like O'Connor and Brown, will not help.

          Lastly, if National is looking to reclaim the young vote with younger MPs like Brown and O'Connor, then they will be hard pressed with their espousal of illiberal causes that goes beyond the abortion issue but into other issues as gay rights and same-sex marriage where the young are far more liberal.

          In sum, then, I'd say that National looks like a party for the socially conservative, male, older voter.

          They're welcome………

          An important factor for National will be the removal of a President who presided over a selection of politically dodgy candidates. Will they also look to their selection procedures to allow through more acceptable candidates, more representative, more liberal, more reasonable and uncontroversial?

          The next few months as parties go into election and selection modes will be very revealing as to the direction of National- urban, liberal, centrist or rural, conservative, extremist?

          • Robert Guyton 2.1.2.5.1
            29 June 2022 at 1:18 pm

            Gordon Campbell adds a pithy footnote:

            " The voting gender gap is one thing. National‘s other dilemma on abortion is that it doesn’t want to alienate its Christian base before the election, but it also can’t risk looking to the general public as of it is captive to the Christian right. Answer: shut down the issue ASAP. Try to look as if you’re merely the steward of the status quo. Until such time as you can achieve the power to be otherwise."

          • Grumpy 2.1.2.5.2
            29 June 2022 at 1:46 pm

            I find it depressing that sections of the population think Roe v Wade is about banning abortion and even worse, it applies to New Zealand.

            New Zealand already has the most liberal abortion regime in the world, voted in overwhelmingly with bi partisan support from both parties. Sure some National MPs voted against as did some Labour MPs. It is NOT going to change.

            The US Supreme Court decision had little to do with abortion, it was about interpretation of the US Constitution and the separation of powers between the Legislative and Judicial Branches.

            • arkie 2.1.2.5.2.1
              29 June 2022 at 1:50 pm

              Your history of spreading citation-less bullshit consequence-free on here is depressing.

            • Incognito 2.1.2.5.2.2
              29 June 2022 at 2:04 pm

              That’s inaccurate. The final vote was 68/51 (for/against).

              https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion_Legislation_Act_2020#Third_reading

            • swordfish 2.1.2.5.2.3
              29 June 2022 at 4:17 pm

              .

              Certainly a highly contrived wedge issue in the NZ context at the moment … but that's how politics works … parties fighting tooth & nail for the affections of swing-voters (particularly those women – many of a morally-liberal disposition – who flowed from Clark to Key to Ardern then back to Luxon again).

              It'll all end in tears before bedtime … but whose tears ? That's the question.

              • Nic the NZer …
                29 June 2022 at 5:49 pm

                That doesn't really fit with a description of wedge issues, imo. They usually don't have a downside for the political faction pushing them forward.

                In particular with Luxon he has only really shown a very detached position on any issues. It seems to be all high level rhetoric without much substance.

                His actual policy positions are pretty extreme where he takes them. In particular on the economy he started regurgitating 80s monetarism as the only appropriate policy. I don't understand why saying most families should take a further pay cut so we can hand out tax increases to very few, is a viable political position. Never the less this was the proposal and it didn't seem relevant that QE was running for a decade without inflation, there has been massive supply side disruption, or that most families have taken a real wage cut due to inflation. Instead the only economic thinking of National is austerity must be the approach.

                • swordfish …
                  29 June 2022 at 7:57 pm

                  No, I'm saying Labour's indulging in the wedge politics here … not the Nats. [I'm not criticising, incidentally, it's a perfectly legitimate tactic in the game of electoral politics].

          • Patricia Bremner 2.1.2.5.3
            29 June 2022 at 2:05 pm

            Mac1, Well put .

        • observer 2.1.2.6
          29 June 2022 at 1:27 pm

          It's not only the "abortion issues". It's the Luxon issue.

          Today he declared that National is "a party for women".

          https://thespinoff.co.nz/live-updates/29-06-2022/luxons-morning-media-round-dominated-by-aftermath-of-roe-v-wade

          That sums him up. He constantly falls back on empty slogans and platitudes, and it only makes things worse.

          Trying not to say what you really believe is rarely a smart approach in politics. But Luxon no doubt has advisers whispering in his ear "Don't be you. Be empty".

          He can't keep that up for long. Nobody can.

    • SPC 2.2
      29 June 2022 at 7:41 am

      G, K and B, from the anti-abortion stable, saying that they respect the law of the land, then when on SOCTUS with a case before them then change the law. Team Luxon we have no plan to change the law, but individually will vote our conscience should a bill be before the House.

    • Tony Veitch (not etc.) 2.3
      29 June 2022 at 8:08 am

      Never trust a religious fundamentalist!

      When the crunch comes, he'll do what his god (conveniently) tells him to do.

      And it’ll all be justified by words in his little book of myths!

    • Patricia Bremner 2.4
      29 June 2022 at 10:00 am

      Robert, that is illuminating. Thank you.

  3. Jenny how to get there 3
    29 June 2022 at 8:46 am

    Got a text from our local medical centre telling us that they are having to put their prices up because of inflation.

    I texted them back, "Putting prices up, is what causes inflation."

    • arkie 3.1
      29 June 2022 at 9:00 am

      Well put. Now time for those in power to do something about one of the main sources of this inflation, those making record profits:

      Banks making record profits, but impact of economic shocks to come

      The country's banking sector continues to rack up record profits as it counters a slowdown in lending with improved margins, and lower expenses, but it could soon be the end of the golden weather.

      https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/469976/banks-making-record-profits-but-impact-of-economic-shocks-to-come

      • Nic the NZer 3.1.1
        29 June 2022 at 9:56 am

        While lots of people think that a low interest rate environment is the ideal one for commercial banks and what they lobby for this is miss leading.

        It's actually a high interest rate environment which is more profitable for banks.

        • arkie 3.1.1.1
          29 June 2022 at 10:36 am

          I don't think it matters what environment banks want, record profits are record profits and when regular depositors are struggling with inflation related cost increases it's unacceptable that banks are setting profit records,

          And then there's the global petrol companies record profits:

          Largest oil and gas producers made close to $100bn in first quarter of 2022

          Shell made $9.1bn in profit, almost three times what it made in the same period last year, while Exxon raked in $8.8bn

          https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/may/13/oil-gas-producers-first-quarter-2022-profits

          • Nic the NZer 3.1.1.1.1
            29 June 2022 at 11:29 am

            In most countries, including NZ, commercial banks are directly involved in central bank lobbying activities via the media. Thats why this is relevant.

            • arkie 3.1.1.1.1.1
              29 June 2022 at 11:45 am

              Regardless, my point is that bragging about profits while the majority of society is being pummelled by inflation costs and stagnant wages, should really be seen as the industry publicly requesting a windfall tax on their rampant profits.

    • CAnker the pig fucker 3.2
      29 June 2022 at 11:03 am

      Govt don’t fund the health services properly. So the health centre needs to cover its costs. Write to Andrew Little about it

      • weka 3.2.1
        29 June 2022 at 11:34 am

        when you change your email address, or make a typo, or can't remember what it is, your comments get treated as a new person and held back for manual approval. Might be good to take a note of the exact email address you are using 👍

  4. SPC 4
    29 June 2022 at 9:24 am

    Once upon a time the English told their cricket venues to develop pitches that lasted 5 days. A team toured the country and was put into bat first in two tests. In both tests England demonstrated they could score runs quickly and in great volume on the final day and thus no target set for them would be enough.

    Then in the third test KW, the so called best captain in the world, decided to bat first. Is it the elbow, the time in the IPL or covid?

    The next team to tour there will not make the same mistake and England will get burnt.

    • Puckish Rogue 4.1
      29 June 2022 at 2:05 pm

      We need a change in the leadership thinking so we can encourage our spinners and stop selecting bits and pieces players

      Williamson to stop playing IPL and to relinquish the captaincy would also help immeasurably

  5. Sanctuary 5
    29 June 2022 at 9:48 am

    I can't believe how badly National have bungled this abortion issue. Luxon is hobbled by his own Christian fundamentalism, which leave him gruesomely floundering between credibility and electability on this issue and between him and his dumb as a sack of hammers fundy caucus they just can't help keeping the story alive. Judith Collins must be laughing her head off. What it shows is how brittle, undisciplined and bumbling their unrepresentative caucus is under pressure.

    Goodfellow has a lot to answer for. One only hopes that now he is gone National can get some people into realistically electable positions who are representative of what constitutes the the bounds of NZ's social attitudes.

    • Ad 5.1
      29 June 2022 at 9:55 am

      Agree.

      But it also shows that our MSM are ridiculously loaded into specialist minor-use health areas when in terms of thousands of people using the service the far more important health crises are in Emergency Departments and Eldercare. Those areas are where rights to health are in NZ under direct threat.

      • CAnker the pig fucker 5.1.1
        29 June 2022 at 11:07 am

        Agree Ad about the health cate crisis. Under this govt abortion likely to become less available cause of staffing shortages. Ironic isn’t it…….but never mind we will have our marvellous new health authority!

      • Sanctuary 5.1.2
        29 June 2022 at 11:34 am

        Well that is the lazy news cycle writ large. Morning Report and Checkpoint etc etc love these specialist minor-use health stories because they practically write themselves – and fact often do, given a lot of them seem to come from drug company funded lobby groups that want Pharmac to buy their latest incredibly expensive wonder drug.

        Format for human interest health story (guaranteed outage and clicks):

        < Desperate Deserving Person> with <specialist minor-use health problem>

        complains to <outraged presenter> they can't get <specialist minor-use health outcome>

        < Desperate Deserving Person> gives heart rending interview about their imminent demise

        <outraged presenter> declares scandal and demands answers from <relevant minister>

        And that is the lead 10 minutes of checkpoint or Morning Report four out of ten days.

        Nine to Noon can then do a full thirty minutes twice a week talking about the health crisis du jour related to the above.

        • Visubversa 5.1.2.1
          29 June 2022 at 1:36 pm

          My partner went to the Dr last week and mentioned a mole on her toe. The Dr took a pic and mailed it to the Dermatology specialist at Auckland Hospital. On Monday she got an email from Green Lane hospital giving her an appointment with Dermatology for next Thursday.

          You cannot complain about that sort of service.

          • Patricia Bremner 5.1.2.1.1
            29 June 2022 at 5:12 pm

            VV Glad you got good service. Good wishes for a good diagnosis.

    • Bearded Git 5.2
      29 June 2022 at 10:22 am

      "dumb as a sack of hammers fundy caucus"….brilliant….excelling yourself today Sanc.

    • Puckish Rogue 5.3
      29 June 2022 at 2:06 pm

      The abortion issue in NZ is a nothing burger led by the media desperate to create another 'controversy'

  6. SPC 6
    29 June 2022 at 10:11 am

    Trump watch resumes on Capitol Hill

    1. Trump wanted armed people waved onto the Hill because they were not there to threaten him

    2. After calling for the crowd to go to Congress to protest the EC vote he wanted to join them – and tried to take control of the vehicle from secret service agents.

    3. Meadows and his staff were given legal advice that anyone from the White House involved in trying to block the EC vote by attending the protest would likely go to prison.

    • Peter 6.1
      29 June 2022 at 1:43 pm

      According to what was said in the hearing this morning Trump was happy for armed people to be in his crowd. Get them there, rouse them, stir them up, get them heading for the Capitol. Angry and armed.

      "Backstage at the rally, Trump was irate that people with weapons were not being let through the magnetometers by Secret Service officers and agents who screen all attendees at any event featuring a sitting president. But Trump wanted the armed individuals to be allowed to attend the rally and complained that the magnetometers were adversely affecting his crowd size, Hutchinson overheard."

      “I don’t f—ing care that they have weapons. They’re not here to hurt me,” Trump said, according to Hutchinson’s recollection. “Take the f—ing mags away. Let my people in. They can march to the Capitol from here. Let the people in. Take the f—ing mags away.”

      https://rollcall.com/2022/06/28/trump-wanted-armed-supporters-allowed-into-jan-6-rally-and-to-lead-capitol-charge/

  7. Ad 7
    29 June 2022 at 10:16 am

    Great to see central government put its stake in the ground for public transport in central Wellington. Next test is to see Wellington Council and GWRC get on board and formally align.

    Right before an election, this is what elections were for.

    'Once in a generation': Government backs light rail for $7.4b Wellington transport overhaul | Stuff.co.nz

    • Sabine 7.1
      29 June 2022 at 10:20 am

      is that like light rail in Auckland?

    • Bearded Git 7.2
      29 June 2022 at 10:25 am

      Brilliant-well done the government. Light rail will do wonders for Wellington.

      From personal experience it works really well in Sydney and Seville.

      Of course if fundy Luxon is elected as PM this will be canned and it will be roads roads roads.

      • Macro 7.2.1
        29 June 2022 at 2:03 pm

        It also worked really well before they decided to trolley bus and then just bus. Enjoyed many a ride from the station to the zoo, Athletic Park, and the Basin on the trams light rail.

      • Patricia Bremner 7.2.2
        29 June 2022 at 5:17 pm

        And the Gold Coast QLD.

    • Patricia Bremner 7.3
      29 June 2022 at 5:14 pm

      This is what Wellington needs. Great. We are gathering momentum.

  8. Ad 8
    29 June 2022 at 10:26 am

    It would be great to see any passenger train in New Zealand get to 80kms an hour, whereas now from Huntly to Karapiro you can now put the pedal down and go 110km an hour.

    Speed limit on parts of Waikato Expressway increasing to 110km/h (1news.co.nz)

    That's the result of all that money put into cars.

    Ladies and gentlemen, start your Polestar.

    • Bearded Git 8.1
      29 June 2022 at 11:39 am

      I heard on RNZ yesterday something along the lines of "submissions received strongly supported the 110 km limit."

      Well d'oh. There is huge gung-ho car/truck lobby out there always demanding higher speed limits. That doesn't mean it makes sense for safety and environmental reasons.

      • Ad 8.1.1
        29 June 2022 at 12:29 pm

        TBF I'm looking forward to bypassing Hamilton post haste and doing a circuit of the Cambridge and Paeroa antique shops in an easy day.

        • Macro 8.1.1.1
          29 June 2022 at 2:09 pm

          The antique shops in Paeroa suffered a bit over the past couple of years – but still a good supply of children's dolly prams to be had. 🙂

        • Macro 8.1.1.2
          29 June 2022 at 2:20 pm

          I drive the Waikato express way reasonably frequently ( It is in fact the easiest and quickest way to Te Rapa, Te Awa, The Base, and Hamilton from here. There are many sections where 110kph is quiet safe* – a very well formed road right up to international standards. Not unreasonable in my view to raise the limit a notch.

          *personal view after 60+ years of incident free driving and having raced motorbikes and organised motorcycle racing events.

  9. Anne 9
    29 June 2022 at 10:45 am

    NZ is well placed to use the NATO summit to accentuate this message:

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300624319/misinformation-is-a-threat-and-affecting-nz-jacinda-ardern-says-ahead-of-nato-speech

    Ardern said misinformation, often originated as propaganda from foreign actors such as Russia, was harming New Zealand’s social cohesion and was proven to duel terrorism.

    She described it as a threat which could stoke anything from war and terrorism to public health risks.

    The response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the riot on Parliament’s grounds in Wellington, and the March 15 terror attack all had expressions of misinformation, she said.

  10. Ad 10
    29 June 2022 at 10:55 am

    NATO expansion is all on. Turkey agrees.

    Turkey ready to back Sweden, Finland NATO bids | News | DW | 28.06.2022

    In your eye Putin.

  11. Belladonna 11
    29 June 2022 at 11:09 am

    I think this is a really big shift.
    Turkey has been remaining very cautiously neutral over the Ukraine situation (I think because of Russian involvement in Syria – and therefore the Kurdish situation on their border).

    For them to come out supporting an expansion of NATO – when it's clearly an area Russia want to veto for their cordon saintaire countries (more Finland than Sweden) – is significant.

    • Sanctuary 11.1
      29 June 2022 at 11:41 am

      The Turks are playing a canny game. They may be neutral, but that didn't stop Bayraktar donating three TB2 drones in additional to the four a donation drive purchased (apparently fifty have now be delivered to the Ukraine.

      Johnny Turk is happily hunting with the hounds and running with the hares and getting concessions and $$$ everywhere for their troubles.

      • Grumpy 11.1.1
        29 June 2022 at 1:40 pm

        It's called "field testing" and remarkably successfully too. Orders from observing countries will be flooding in.

    • In Vino 11.2
      29 June 2022 at 6:17 pm

      I agree, Belladonna – a really big shift.

      In a very bad direction – towards nuclear escalation.

      The Russians have effectively stated with this war that they are fed up with meaningless negotiations, with USA and NATO negotiating in bad faith.

      The Russians do not trust the West's bad faith negotiations any more. They have been planning this for some time.

      Don't expect them to conform to our standards of morality. They don't believe we have any.

      They will escalate. Be very careful of what you wish for.

      Personally, I do not like Putin, but I fear that we in the West have been propagandized to the point where we have no idea of the dangers that now face us.

      Nor of the duplicity of our own leaders.

  12. Belladonna 12
    29 June 2022 at 11:21 am

    Those of you who are more dialled into local body politics in Wellington – do you think that Eagles is likely to take the mayoralty? And will it make a difference?

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/rongotai-mp-paul-eagle-announces-wellington-mayoral-bid/ZD5WUG3IOJLSLDWMFZVR3UCJ74/

  14. Herodotus 14
    29 June 2022 at 1:42 pm

    Why are those managing Kiwibuild now approaching lead contractors requesting fixed price contracts and the message is being relayed to sub contractors with expectations of those prices to both drop and be adhered to? All so price ceilings announced 4 years ago can still be achieved. I am aware of a development exceeding 50 Kiwibuild will be cancelled as the head provider can not provide product and still achieve ANY financial benefit(unless subbies reduce price) and that is not factoring in the element of risk.
    https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/129103773/weve-never-seen-anything-like-it-cost-increases-leave-builders-scrambling

  15. Adrian 15
    29 June 2022 at 2:15 pm

    Turkyie may well have had a rethink and does not favour having on almost half its borders a belligerent Russia, if it is not stopped or contained. The Black Sea is more Turkyies sea with almost half the coastline and with a vulnerable Georgia and Bulgaria north and east of it, a Russian ally in Syria to the south the future huge costs and problems of defence and refugees etc would loom large.

  16. Adrian 16
    29 June 2022 at 2:28 pm

    Kiwibuild did its job, the building industry got its arse into gear and started building and selling houses and suddenly finding land that had been forgotten in the “ bank “, because it could see that Govt would dictate the future direction and it did not want to be sidelined. We must be close to peak house anytime soon with the number already consented and with the Govt continuing to build State Houses, downward price pressure may leaven the product inflation.
    Dont fear a building bust so long as the Auckland and now Wellington light rail, Lake Onslow and other big badly needed infrastructure projects go ahead.

    • Puckish Rogue 16.1
      29 June 2022 at 2:33 pm

      'Kiwibuild did its job'

      I thought its job was to build 100 000 houses

      • Incognito 16.1.1
        29 June 2022 at 3:37 pm

        You thought wrong, which you would have known if you had read your own link.

      • Jester 16.1.2
        29 June 2022 at 5:46 pm

        Yes Kiwibuild did its job. The job of kiwibuild was never to build 100,000 homes, it was simply to get Labour in to government. Job done. Everyone with half a brain said it was not achievable and have been proved right.

    • arkie 17.1
      29 June 2022 at 2:53 pm

      These are all completely unrelated

      /

      Three people hospitalised following violent attack during Dublin Pride

      Three people have allegedly been hospitalised following a suspected transphobic attack which occurred in Dublin’s Stephen’s Green on Saturday, June 25 at 6.50 pm. According to a message received by Labour TD Aodhan O Riordain, the assault was carried out on a group of five LGBTQ+ people following Pride celebrations.

      https://gcn.ie/three-people-hospitalised-violent-attack-dublin-pride/

      Gender Dynamix building fire labelled 'suspicious' by police

      A building used by Gender Dynamix – an organisation that aims to meet the mental health needs of the transgender and nonbinary community in the Bay of Plenty – has been targetted by a ‘suspicious’ fire.

      https://www.stuff.co.nz/bay-of-plenty/128986082/gender-dynamix-building-fire-labelled-suspicious-by-police

      A 42-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder and terrorist acts after a shooting in the centre of Norway's capital, Oslo.

      Two people died and 21 were wounded early on Saturday in what police called an "act of Islamist terrorism".

      The shootings were in and near the London Pub, a popular LGBTQ+ venue, the Herr Nilsen jazz club and another pub.

      https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61933817

    • Incognito 17.2
      29 June 2022 at 3:38 pm

      What’s your point, this time?

    • joe90 18.1
      29 June 2022 at 5:56 pm

      Not a bunch of unarmed yahoos, eh Pucks.

      /

      In Tuesday’s hearing, Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) — vice chair of the House select committee investigating the Capitol attack — played police transmissions that described people carrying firearms near the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., where Trump held his rally the morning of Jan. 6.

      “Three men walking down the street in fatigues carrying AR-15s… at 14th and Independence,” a voice says in one transmission.

      “White male… stock of an AR-15,” someone can be heard saying in another recording. “Green fatigues… Glock-style pistols in their waistband.”

      “Elevated threat in the trees… American flag face mask… weapon on the right-side hip,” a third transmission says.

      Cheney noted that among the supporters who chose to pass through metal detectors so they could get closer to Trump, security screened weapons and equipment including pepper spray, knives, batons and gas masks. Several thousand more people did not go through metal detectors and watched from the nearby Washington Monument lawn.

      The committee also showed a report sent by Secret Service at 11 a.m. that day warning of a man with a rifle near the Ellipse, where Trump was speaking.

      https://finance.yahoo.com/news/house-committee-describes-weapons-trump-190545024.html

  19. pat 19
    29 June 2022 at 6:07 pm

    Just as we dont have the same problem with gun control legislation as the U.S. ,we dont have the same problem with abortion rights…our political systems are worlds apart so whipping ourselves into a moral panic over Roe v Wade appears to me to be superfluous.

    • Nic the NZer 19.1
      29 June 2022 at 6:28 pm

      Its highly relevant. Candidates for office and Parties will never have the opportunity to tell us precisely what they will do for every issue. We need to make future voting decisions based on how they approach issues which come up. In this case were observing the differences between a Luxon and an English approach to conscience questions.

  20. newsense 20
    29 June 2022 at 9:47 pm

    Hilarious to see the Herald come out as anti-capitalist on behalf of rural NZ and then try and blame the government too.

    Two vodka entrepreneurs try to do something a bit different on a farm, which like their vodka is a bit kooky, but market focused and the absolute rural fap sees them top of the Herald online.

    • Graeme 20.1
      29 June 2022 at 10:07 pm

      The rural establishment has a bit of trouble rationalising someone buying a farm and making more money off the land by not 'farming' it.

      You start to wonder what, or rather, who, is being farmed.

      But in reality most of the land between Queenstown and Wanaka is now retired / carbon farm / private conservation estate now. And one by one the old high country runs are going that way.

      Halfway Bay sold last month and was immediately de-stocked and the farm manager laid off, going into carbon farm / conservation / high end tourism. Property covers the Lochy catchment which is one of the best trout fisheries around and has always been private, and has excellent hunting, so they should do better than the farm, and probably be a lot easier on the land.