This is as per a US saying–a whackadoodle effort alright–trying to stop a main stream political party from holding a constituted forum of its members–imagine trying that on Natzos, Act, NZ First or Labour!
Tana seems an opportunistic spinner of the first order, and if any Greens had doubts about booting her from Parliament they may change their view now.
All parties need to pay more attention to candidate selection in terms of their bona fides and what happens for non disclosure etc., the other parties will likely be thinking today–whew…glad it is not us…
Chloe would probably have got a lot of thumbs up if she had simply filed a notice to sack Tana from parliament without all the duck shoveling. Sometimes the Greens are TOO democratic.
NZFist MP Jones being descriptive about a NZ High Court Judge
Ministers' public statements about judges amounting to attacks on the judiciary – barristers
The New Zealand Bar Association said there had been a recent increase in such statements and it was concerned at the risk of political interference in the courts.
It followed reports that Fisheries Minister Shane Jones called a High Court judge a "communist judge"during a meeting with the seafood industry.
Association president Maria Dew said the comments could not be explained away as "political rhetoric" by politicians "when ministers of the Crown owe duties to uphold the role of judges".
Dew said New Zealand did not want to follow the example of other countries where political interference saw courts lose their independence.
Why Jones will get in trouble with this is his inference that the Judge will have a predetermined position due to political belief. Not to mention it is rather unlikely said Judge is a commo anyway! The other reason is he appears to have breached the Cabinet Manual which has seen various Ministers run aground over the years.
It is just unacceptable that a senior Minister even of ‘tugger’ Jones calibre should criticise the Judiciary who are meant to operate and rule on the evidence and the law.
Many students experiment with politics of various stripes and are encouraged to do so. Act was always present at Auckland Uni and they are finally getting called out for the Atlas Network links which now run deep in this CoC Govt.
Cheryl Gwyn was previously appointed the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security in 2014. A currently committed marxist would have been highly unlikely to be appointed to the State Security Apparatus.
Masturbation Jones is just being a smarty here, trying to appear more clever than he really is as per usual and already has been slapped down by legal professionals.
I think that you will find it commonly known that a communist and far left are actually not the same thing. One can be far left and not a communist. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Far-left_politics
If you look at the political spectrum from the point of view of two axes, then you'll find that fascism and communism can be both found on the authoritarian end of one axis- the social axis, the other being the economic axis. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Political_Compass
That is one reason why Shane Jones is wrong to have been so 'descriptive'.
Take the political compass test yourself, Jimmy, and see where you stand. It's genuinely interesting.
NZ First politicians certainly have form for political insults such as 'woke' and 'communist'. To answer Jimmy above at 2.1, yes it is when to insult is the intention.
Mind you, reading the Press front page article this morning, "Ecan refuses Brown's request", I found myself saying. "He's a young, born-again prat". Purely descriptive…….
PM Luxon has sure been running around in NACT1 Coalition damage control lately. IMO he will be finding much more damage to come.
Prime Minister defends Peters' climate comments
Peters returned from Tonga on Tuesday night after attending the Pacific Islands' Forum – but not before making comments the prime minister had to clean up.
Peters raised eyebrows when asked if he believed in climate change in Tonga on Tuesday.
And this is quite…surreal. Must have been borderline hilarious to hear it in Parliament..
Peters was in the hot seat, answering questions on behalf of Luxon as acting prime minister.
"Why does the prime minister believe that it's okay for the minister of foreign affairs to travel to the Pacific and question the science of climate change in front of leaders who, in some cases, are finding their countries literally sinking into the ocean?" Labour leader Chris Hipkins asked.
"Does he agree with comments from former Tuavalu Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga who said, when speaking about this government's planned reversal of the oil and gas ban, 'don't forget that whatever you are going to do, it is going to increase greenhouse gas emissions, which are going to sink the islands of Tuvalu and kill the people'," Greens co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick asked.
Peters was unapologetic in the House before backing away from the comments when asked if he believed humans had a role in climate change.
Fark…Peters acting PM answering for his Leader PM Luxon?! Insanity
The arrogant blowhard has become even more so. I would not have thought that possible. But there you go….
Still, at least this time the dumbass has picked the wrong people to slur….
‘The New Zealand Bar Association on Wednesday complained recent statements by ministers including Jones amounted to an attack on the judiciary, with president Maria Dew saying they could not be explained away as “political rhetoric”.’
Darleen Tana really being a thorn in the side of the Greens. Surely she cannot expect a court to rule that a party she is no longer a member of are not allowed to meet?
No disrespect to the Greens, but it goes to show that excessive entitlement exists in all political parties. It's just they are more numerous among the right leaning parties. Unfortunately, they are also more likely to get away with it because we expect it of them.
It's this sort of caper that causes people to lose faith in the legal system. Cosy little stitch-ups between opposing sets of lawyers. Whatever's going on here may be the law, but it sure ain't justice.
(PS: wonder if it's worth trying to abort a meeting of my local council next time a double-digit rates increase is on the agenda?)
Goodness, you do seem to be fascinated by right wing sites.
On the contrary, I find them repugnant – normally wouldn't go there, honest
It's just that a quick Google search found your reply to Jiminy's questions @3 also addressed a couple of questions posted on 'Slater's site' earlier today.
Are you implying that someone other than legal aid is funding Tana's appeal?
No, that’s an innocent misintepretation of my comment @3.1.4 – I was asking about your evidence.
My reckon is original – I certainly haven't been reviewing Kiwiblog lately. And I also can't help it if you find trawling Kiwiblog amusing. It hardly seems that you find it repugnant, since you seem to visit so frequently.
I did use the word 'suspect' – one factor is that her lawyer of record is on the legal aid register.
Now, your evidence the someone else is funding Tana's appeal? I can hardly wait for your high quality findings.
So, your reply @3.1 was just a ("high quality"?) reckon – thanks.
And I also can't help it if you find trawling Kiwiblog amusing. It hardly seems that you find it repugnant, since you seem to visit so frequently.
More evidence-free and increasingly bizarre reckons – “frequently“?!!! Contrary to your reckon that I "find trawling Kiwiblog amusing", I find Farrar's right wing Kiwiblog, and 'Cam Slater's site' repugnant (extremely distasteful).
The most charitable explanation for your comprehension fail is that you can't be bothered to Google Darleen Tana and "legal aid".
Oh, yes. This is a side show for sure. All the trolls here are obsessed with it and the government will be quite happy for it to occupy the news to distract from their horror handling all things governance and economy.
NZ going backwards at a great rate on all measures right now.
Thanks, I can't see the video on any link there but we know that Damien Grant a criminal and has done prison time for fraud.
He reminds me of a drunk, molesting uncle who says and does really inappropriate things, while believing he’s the most clever in the room. But he knows he’s a wrong ‘un, so self-depreciates hard in order to invite sympathy and mitigate any scrutiny.
If you're expecting that I have copies of Tana's legal bills, I suggest that the level of proof that you seem to require would prevent all commentary on TS.
Meanwhile – you seem to feel free to imply that someone, whose politics you dislike, is both alcoholic and a child predator – entirely fact-free, as far as I can see.
[In your Newsroom link there’s a whole section on eligibility for legal aid. Why don’t you check out the eligibility criteria for receiving legal aid in NZ and report back here on whether you still think Darleen Tana is eligible. You’re in Pre-Mod until then – Incognito]
Thank you. There were clear hints in the Newsroom article regarding eligibility for legal aid in NZ. Given the discussion thread here on TS I’d have thought this would have been a prompt and trigger some fact-checking before continuing wasting more time on increasingly flaming comments from all involved.
Slowly and carefully. It's important to simulate progressive action whenever possible – particularly when real parliamentary opposition seems an infeasible stance.
Quite clever, given that Labour still hasn't figured out what to do. The Left Greens inevitably have to be dragged kicking and screaming into the consensus process – their compulsive need to grandstand whenever possible will always defer any reasonable suggestion that its time to be constructive and responsible.
Dead rat munchies still haven't become their favoured repast. I suspect that handing Winston a moral victory is viewed as a loathsome prospect…
"Dead rat munchies still haven't become their favoured repast. I suspect that handing Winston a moral victory is viewed as a loathsome prospect…"
For sure, being principled folk 'n' all them rats aren't tasty.
But… acknowledging other principles. Tana's actions, exploiting the rules with vulnerable migrant workers then causing a ruccus in a former employee's new place of work surely trump any gloating Peters may enjoy.
"“I want the private sector to invest here, because they are confident in the pipeline and are enabled to get on with it by an efficient and fair consenting system,”
[From speech by Chris Bishop MP in a Building Nations event held 28 August].
Bishop was talking about the government's proposed National Infrastructure Plan.
Is this a return to the old Ministry of Works, which acted as a law unto itself?
As for the "efficient and fair consenting system", that may well copy the Queenstown approach and be based on one word: "Yes".
Poor Shane Jones, he is inarticulate in stating the obvious
1.the gentailers were set up to be driven by profit motive by National and that included a spot market – which is high price whenever there is a dry and calm year.
2.he wants a business subsidy price for New Zealand industry as per Comalco.
But the thing is Comalco has set up with its own hydro supply arrangement and agrees to reduce production in low supply years.
The business that closed had to have an arrangement not to operate in 1992-2024 like years to get a cheaper power deal.
3.He is an apologist for carbon and this is not the future.
The sort of arrangements made with NZ Steel – reducing carbon use.
The future is solar, a wind farm off Taranaki and battery storage
Genesis Energy said it planned to use profits from the Kupe gas field to support a $1.1 billion programme to build new renewable generation and grid-scale battery storage between now and 2030.
As part of a strategic reset, dubbed “Gen35″, investment will be made into solar, grid scale battery storage and wind that will help grow Genesis’ renewable portfolio to around 8300 gigawatt hours (GWh), the company – 51 per cent owned by the Government – said.
The Meridian boss says they plan to use hydro as back-up and have solar and wind as primary. Hydro can be turned on and off quickly and in other countries "pump storage" is that used for peaking.
A lot more solar on the rooftop’s of homes and business … and for some arrays on sections.
And a range of options/power deals for large business operations.
Meridian wanted to move towards the majority of electricity being produced by solar and wind so the hydro lakes could become the back-up storage option, he said.
“It’s a very competitive market. And if we don’t build our next most viable project whether it be wind or solar then someone else will.
“Over time all the modelling suggests if we deploy more renewables in this country, energy prices will come down.”
Anyone want to stretch their legs and write a new energy policy for NZ?
I wiggled my little toe and have to say my customer ie people focussed policy would revolve around renationalising the energy gentailers, ensuring that increases to prices were no more than an agreed to way of fixng the cost of living%. perhaps a freeze first, then a fair means of increases with the extremely large clobbering stick being the renationalising. That is at the customer level
I'd have to give it more thought to 'stretch' a macro energy policy.
But can we all not have a think and write our wishlist here?
can we all not have a think and write our wishlist here?
Yeah, the old notion of an informed citizenry. Most would wish for politicians who can do sensible decision-making. Yet we could let the pols default to laziness on this point since everyone seems to have gotten sucked into market thinking during the past 40 years. Market failure is therefore hard to think about.
Notice how reportage of big capitalist ventures closing down due to high electrical prices has been carefully evasive: pointing out that this effect is a symptom of market failure must have seemed too much like truth-telling to the journos.
Neither the left nor the right want to face the fact either: they are guilty of making it happen via left/right collusion. How many players in the electricity game make a cartel inevitable? Media ought to feature economists chanting in unison "Question too hard. We dumb – can't even think of it. Like slippery eel."
Couple that with a decentralising (not very left wing, I know) of power supply ie rooftop solar for new builds and retrofit on existing and we are 3/4s of the way there.
I've posted this link a coupla days ago but this is a professor and he covers it off way more competently than me. A worthwhile 27 mins.
She was comparing figures for police patrols for June with December figures and claimed that the number of police patrols under National had dropped. However, it was pointed out to her that patrol figures traditionally spike in December due to seasonality factors. So, it did actually appear that she was cherry picking data to suit her claim.
The journalist pointed out when month to month comparisons (e.g. June 23 with June 24) were considered, then patrols had increased consistently month by month. And had increased by 10% for the year to date compared to the previous year (according to police figures).
Undeterred by facts, Ginny continued to maintain her position to the point of incredulity.
It turned out to be a bit of an own goal IMO because the net effect was to demonstrate that police patrols had gone up under National which was the opposite to what Ginny had claimed.
Hipkins doubled down, by backing Anderson’s statement, despite the inconvenient facts. Perhaps it was considered too damaging to consider the alternative of admitting getting something wrong.
From a non-political perspective, it is good to see journalists actually doing their job rather than just blindly accepting what they are told. Perhaps politicians from all sides of the fence will be a bit more careful and accurate with their claims if they know they will likely be called out in public.
I heard the message on the news yesterday. I came here to say Labour is doing well catching out government incompetence.
I’ve seen a few different Labour shadow ministers doing good work. This is how governments fall. Not through pointing out their moral failings, but through pointing out their incompetence and failure.
As the kids say tldr. There are fewer police patrols! I heard it yesterday. Tut tut.
Unfortunately the facts tripped Ginny up. She needs to up her game. Being caught out and having to have your leader back you up knowing it is wrong is embarrassing. Next she will be coming out to say Mark Mitchell is all talk and no action, then next minute…….
She’s just playing your game, bud.
Remember how crime was wildly out of control? Miraculously it was all solved at the ballot box and by cashing some people on the outside.
Now foot patrols are down. That’s what we’re hearing. All the fact checks do is repeat the original story that foot patrols are down.
Yes. I saw that item and wondered what the hell had happened. I suspect a Labour Party researcher gave her the wrong figures. If correct, I wouldn't like to be them today.
The moral of the story. Never take figures given to you at face value. Do your own checking before releasing them.
I think this is just a symptom of a lazy media. If they can't be bothered fact checking and just parrot whatever they are told, then of course politicians will spin and obsfuscate as much as the can.
A lot more fact checking from journalists so far as I am concerned.
Once upon a time, many, many moons ago, journalists were very good at doing their homework. It kept politicians reasonably honest. Even Muldoon had to be careful with his figures.
Sad to read Rod Vaughan (a true investigative journalist) died 25 August.
He ran Ray "Goldcorp" Smith to earth in the USA after the company folded and it really was something to see. Smith, who was out on a camping trip, hid in his little tent rather than face a few questions.
We rely on the 4th estate to probe critically and demand accountability, not blithely pass on corporate media releases as if they were fact.
Perceptions of strength and consistency are important for governments.
Luxon comes as a weak and inconsistent character.
But for example the way the outrageous Costello behaviour will hurt them is if the opposition can paint the PM as not knowing what is going on and being too weak to be able to fire non-National ministers.
The subservience to the tobacco industry and the lying doesn’t help. But the appearance of weak and inconsistent leadership is what will change the polls.
Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he is selling a new collection of digital trading cards, and that supporters who buy 15 or more cards will receive a physical card adorned with a piece of the suit he wore for the presidential debate against Joe Biden in June.
Agreed, SPC. Something already in place in France, Germany, Slovakia, Philippines, Luxembourg, Italy, Canada and now Australia. It links strongly to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which asserts the human right to rest and leisure.
New Zealand was first in the world to assert the right to a 8 hour working day. Part of Samuel Parnell's rationale was to allow rest and leisure. “There are 24 hours per day given us; eight of these should be for work, eight for sleep, and the remaining eight for recreation and in which for men to do what little things they want for themselves.”
God, this barney between Matthew Hooton and Damien Grant about Hobson's Pledge is something else. It's the last 15 mins on the video. https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2024/08/27/7-3
Grant got owned, I haven't seen Hooten that enthused. Spectacular.
Brash doesn't believe what he says, Hobson's Pledge is communist, the inflammatory behaviour of Seymour and Brash.
The idea that words just tumble from Luxon’s mouth.
I haven’t felt sorry for an economist like I did for Brad Olsen.
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Today, I stumbled across a Twitter Meme: the ending of The Lord of the Rings as a Chess scenario: https://x.com/mellon_heads/status/1887983845917564991 It gets across the basic gist. Aragorn and Gandalf offering up ‘material’ at the Morannon allows Frodo and Samwise to catch Sauron unawares – fair enough. But there are a ...
Last week, Kieran McAnulty called out Chris Bishop and Nicola Willis for their claims that Kāinga Ora’s costs were too high.They had claimed Kāinga Ora’s cost were 12% higher than market i.e. private devlopersBut Kāinga Ora’s Chair had already explained why last year:"We're not building to sell, so we'll be ...
Stuff’s Political Editor Luke Malpass - A Fellow at New Zealand IniativeLast week I half-joked that Stuff / The Post’s Luke Malpass1 always sounded like he was auditioning for a job at the New Zealand Initiative.Mountain Tui is a reader-supported publication. For a limited time, subscriptions are 20% off. Thanks ...
At a funeral on Friday, there were A4-sized photos covering every wall of the Dil’s reception lounge. There must have been 200 of them, telling the story in the usual way of the video reel but also, by enlargement, making it more possible to linger and step in.Our friend Nicky ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is methane the ...
The Government’s idea is that the private sector and Community Housing Providers will fund, build and operate new affordable housing to address our housing crisis. Meanwhile, the Government does not know where almost half of the 1,700 children who left emergency housing actually went. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong ...
Oh, home, let me come homeHome is wherever I'm with youOh, home, let me come homeHome is wherever I'm with youSongwriters: Alexander Ebert / Jade Allyson CastrinosMorena,I’m on a tight time frame this morning. In about an hour and a half, I’ll need to pack up and hit the road ...
This is a post about the Mountain Tui substack, and small tweaks - further to the poll and request post the other day. Please don’t read if you aren’t interested in my personal matters. Thank you all.After oohing-and-aahing about how to structure the Substack model since November, including obtaining ...
This transcript of a recent conversation between the Prime Minister and his chief economic adviser has not been verified.We’ve announced we are the ‘Yes Government’. Do you like it?Yes, Prime Minister.Dreamed up by the PR team. It’s about being committed to growth. Not that the PR team know anything about ...
The other day, Australian Senator Nick McKim issued a warning in the Australian Parliement about the US’s descent into fascim.And of course it’s true, but I lament - that was true as soon as Trump won.What we see is now simply the reification of the intention, planning, and forces behind ...
Among the many other problems associated with Musk/DOGE sending a fleet of teenage and twenty-something cultists to remove, copy and appropriate federal records like social security, medicaid and other supposedly protected data is the fact that the youngsters doing the data-removal, copying and security protocol and filter code over-writing have ...
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tuneBird fly high by the light of the moonOh, oh, oh, JokermanSong by Bob Dylan.Morena folks, I hope this fine morning of the 7th of February finds you well. We're still close to Paihia, just a short drive out of town. Below is the view ...
It’s been an eventful week as always, so here’s a few things that we have found interesting. We also hope everyone had a happy and relaxing Waitangi Day! This week in Greater Auckland We’re still running on summer time, but provided two chewy posts: On Tuesday, a guest ...
Queuing on Queen St: the Government is set to announce another apparently splashy growth policy on Sunday of offering residence visas to wealthy migrants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, February 7:PM Christopher ...
The fact that Waitangi ended up being such a low-key affair may mark it out as one of the most significant Waitangi Days in recent years. A group of women draped in “Toitu Te Tiriti” banners who turned their backs on the politicians’ powhiri was about as rough as it ...
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National’s cuts to disability support funding and freezing of new residential placements has resulted in significant mental health decline for intellectually disabled people. ...
The hundreds of jobs lost needlessly as a result of the Kinleith Mill paper production closure will have a devastating impact on the Tokoroa community - something that could have easily been avoided. ...
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Nicola Willis’ latest supermarket announcement is painfully weak with no new ideas, no real plan, and no relief for Kiwis struggling with rising grocery costs. ...
Half of Pacific children sometimes going without food is just one of many heartbreaking lowlights in the Salvation Army’s annual State of the Nation report. ...
The Salvation Army’s State of the Nation report is a bleak indictment on the failure of Government to take steps to end poverty, with those on benefits, including their children, hit hardest. ...
New Zealand First has today introduced a Member’s Bill which would restore decision-making power to local communities regarding the fluoridation of drinking water. The ‘Fluoridation (Referendum) Legislation Bill’ seeks to repeal the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act 2021 that granted centralised authority to the Direct General of Health ...
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Erica Stanford has reached peak shortsightedness if today’s announcement is anything to go by, picking apart immigration settings piece by piece to the detriment of the New Zealand economy. ...
Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. The intention was to establish a colony with the cession of sovereignty to the Crown, ...
Te Whatu Ora Chief Executive Margie Apa leaving her job four months early is another symptom of this government’s failure to deliver healthcare for New Zealanders. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Prime Minister to show leadership and be unequivocal about Aotearoa New Zealand’s opposition to a proposal by the US President to remove Palestinians from Gaza. ...
The latest unemployment figures reveal that job losses are hitting Māori and Pacific people especially hard, with Māori unemployment reaching a staggering 9.7% for the December 2024 quarter and Pasifika unemployment reaching 10.5%. ...
Waitangi 2025: Waitangi Day must be community and not politically driven - Shane Jones Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. ...
Despite being confronted every day with people in genuine need being stopped from accessing emergency housing – National still won’t commit to building more public houses. ...
The Green Party says the Government is giving up on growing the country’s public housing stock, despite overwhelming evidence that we need more affordable houses to solve the housing crisis. ...
Before any thoughts of the New Year and what lies ahead could even be contemplated, New Zealand reeled with the tragedy of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming losing her life. For over 38 years she had faithfully served as a front-line Police officer. Working alongside her was Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson will return to politics at Waitangi on Monday the 3rd of February where she will hold a stand up with fellow co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. ...
Te Pāti Māori is appalled by the government's blatant mishandling of the school lunch programme. David Seymour’s ‘cost-saving’ measures have left tamariki across Aotearoa with unidentifiable meals, causing distress and outrage among parents and communities alike. “What’s the difference between providing inedible food, and providing no food at all?” Said ...
The Government is doubling down on outdated and volatile fossil fuels, showing how shortsighted and destructive their policies are for working New Zealanders. ...
Green Party MP Steve Abel this morning joined Coromandel locals in Waihi to condemn new mining plans announced by Shane Jones in the pit of the town’s Australian-owned Gold mine. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to strengthen its just-announced 2030-2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement and address its woeful lack of commitment to climate security. ...
Today marks a historic moment for Taranaki iwi with the passing of the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill in Parliament. "Today, we stand together as descendants of Taranaki, and our tūpuna, Taranaki Maunga, is now formally acknowledged by the law as a living tūpuna. ...
Labour is relieved to see Children’s Minister Karen Chhour has woken up to reality and reversed her government’s terrible decisions to cut funding from frontline service providers – temporarily. ...
It is the first week of David Seymour’s school lunch programme and already social media reports are circulating of revolting meals, late deliveries, and mislabelled packaging. ...
The Green Party says that with no-cause evictions returning from today, the move to allow landlords to end tenancies without reason plunges renters, and particularly families who rent, into insecurity and stress. ...
The Government’s commitment to get New Zealand’s roads back on track is delivering strong results, with around 98 per cent of potholes on state highways repaired within 24 hours of identification every month since targets were introduced, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “Increasing productivity to help rebuild our economy is ...
The former Cadbury factory will be the site of the Inpatient Building for the new Dunedin Hospital and Health Minister Simeon Brown says actions have been taken to get the cost overruns under control. “Today I am giving the people of Dunedin certainty that we will build the new Dunedin ...
From today, Plunket in Whāngarei will be offering childhood immunisations – the first of up to 27 sites nationwide, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. The investment of $1 million into the pilot, announced in October 2024, was made possible due to the Government’s record $16.68 billion investment in health. It ...
New Zealand’s strong commitment to the rights of disabled people has continued with the response to an important United Nations report, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston has announced. Of the 63 concluding observations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), 47 will be progressed ...
Resources Minister Shane Jones has launched New Zealand’s national Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List, documents that lay a strategic and enduring path for the mineral sector, with the aim of doubling exports to $3 billion by 2035. Mr Jones released the documents, which present the Coalition Government’s transformative vision ...
Firstly I want to thank OceanaGold for hosting our event today. Your operation at Waihi is impressive. I want to acknowledge local MP Scott Simpson, local government dignitaries, community stakeholders and all of you who have gathered here today. It’s a privilege to welcome you to the launch of the ...
Racing Minister, Winston Peters has announced the Government is preparing public consultation on GST policy proposals which would make the New Zealand racing industry more competitive. “The racing industry makes an important economic contribution. New Zealand thoroughbreds are in demand overseas as racehorses and for breeding. The domestic thoroughbred industry ...
Business confidence remains very high and shows the economy is on track to improve, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. “The latest ANZ Business Outlook survey, released yesterday, shows business confidence and expected own activity are ‘still both very high’.” The survey reports business confidence fell eight points to +54 ...
Enabling works have begun this week on an expanded radiology unit at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital which will double CT scanning capacity in Hawke’s Bay to ensure more locals can benefit from access to timely, quality healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. This investment of $29.3m in the ...
The Government has today announced New Zealand’s second international climate target under the Paris Agreement, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand will reduce emissions by 51 to 55 per cent compared to 2005 levels, by 2035. “We have worked hard to set a target that is both ambitious ...
Nine years of negotiations between the Crown and iwi of Taranaki have concluded following Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passing its third reading in Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “This Bill addresses the historical grievances endured by the eight iwi ...
As schools start back for 2025, there will be a relentless focus on teaching the basics brilliantly so all Kiwi kids grow up with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to grow the New Zealand of the future, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “A world-leading education system is a key ...
Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson have welcomed Kāinga Ora’s decision to re-open its tender for carpets to allow wool carpet suppliers to bid. “In 2024 Kāinga Ora issued requests for tender (RFTs) seeking bids from suppliers to carpet their properties,” Mr Bishop says. “As part ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today visited Otahuhu College where the new school lunch programme has served up healthy lunches to students in the first days of the school year. “As schools open in 2025, the programme will deliver nutritious meals to around 242,000 students, every school day. On ...
Minister for Children Karen Chhour has intervened in Oranga Tamariki’s review of social service provider contracts to ensure Barnardos can continue to deliver its 0800 What’s Up hotline. “When I found out about the potential impact to this service, I asked Oranga Tamariki for an explanation. Based on the information ...
A bill to make revenue collection on imported and exported goods fairer and more effective had its first reading in Parliament, Customs Minister Casey Costello said today. “The Customs (Levies and Other Matters) Amendment Bill modernises the way in which Customs can recover the costs of services that are needed ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Department of Internal Affairs [the Department] has achieved significant progress in completing applications for New Zealand citizenship. “December 2024 saw the Department complete 5,661 citizenship applications, the most for any month in 2024. This is a 54 per cent increase compared ...
Reversals to Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions begin tonight and will be in place by 1 July, says Minister of Transport Chris Bishop. “The previous government was obsessed with slowing New Zealanders down by imposing illogical and untargeted speed limit reductions on state highways and local roads. “National campaigned on ...
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Associate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes students back to school with a call to raise attendance from last year. “The Government encourages all students to attend school every day because there is a clear connection between being present at school and setting yourself up for a bright future,” says Mr ...
The Government is relaxing visitor visa requirements to allow tourists to work remotely while visiting New Zealand, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and Tourism Minister Louise Upston say. “The change is part of the Government’s plan to unlock New Zealand’s potential by shifting the country onto ...
The opening of Kāinga Ora’s development of 134 homes in Epuni, Lower Hutt will provide much-needed social housing for Hutt families, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I’ve been a strong advocate for social housing on Kāinga Ora’s Epuni site ever since the old earthquake-prone housing was demolished in 2015. I ...
The government should not set military style academies into youth justice law, the children's commissioner says, despite its first bootcamp getting a glowing report. ...
The infamous over-the-suit T-shirt worn by the PM at a Parliament barbecue has gone on sale to raise funds for children living in poverty, in a TradeMe auction. ...
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https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/526409/darleen-tana-files-legal-action-to-prevent-green-party-ousting-them-from-parliament
This is as per a US saying–a whackadoodle effort alright–trying to stop a main stream political party from holding a constituted forum of its members–imagine trying that on Natzos, Act, NZ First or Labour!
Tana seems an opportunistic spinner of the first order, and if any Greens had doubts about booting her from Parliament they may change their view now.
All parties need to pay more attention to candidate selection in terms of their bona fides and what happens for non disclosure etc., the other parties will likely be thinking today–whew…glad it is not us…
Chloe would probably have got a lot of thumbs up if she had simply filed a notice to sack Tana from parliament without all the duck shoveling. Sometimes the Greens are TOO democratic.
NZFist MP Jones being descriptive about a NZ High Court Judge
PM Luxon attempts damage control ?!
I never had time for Shane Jones…..a loud mouthed idiot. Proven.
Is being called a communist an insult?
Not to me…
Why Jones will get in trouble with this is his inference that the Judge will have a predetermined position due to political belief. Not to mention it is rather unlikely said Judge is a commo anyway! The other reason is he appears to have breached the Cabinet Manual which has seen various Ministers run aground over the years.
It is just unacceptable that a senior Minister even of ‘tugger’ Jones calibre should criticise the Judiciary who are meant to operate and rule on the evidence and the law.
I thought it was common knowledge that the judge used to be a member of a far left party.
Many students experiment with politics of various stripes and are encouraged to do so. Act was always present at Auckland Uni and they are finally getting called out for the Atlas Network links which now run deep in this CoC Govt.
Cheryl Gwyn was previously appointed the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security in 2014. A currently committed marxist would have been highly unlikely to be appointed to the State Security Apparatus.
Masturbation Jones is just being a smarty here, trying to appear more clever than he really is as per usual and already has been slapped down by legal professionals.
Correct Jones is a right Pull Dicky and is trying to palm off his poorly chosen words.
You are exercising your deluded fantasies again Jimmy, it's becoming a habit. There are professionals who can help you.
I think that you will find it commonly known that a communist and far left are actually not the same thing. One can be far left and not a communist. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Far-left_politics
Yes far left can be further left than communism.
“some scholars consider it to be the left of communist parties,”
If you look at the political spectrum from the point of view of two axes, then you'll find that fascism and communism can be both found on the authoritarian end of one axis- the social axis, the other being the economic axis. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Political_Compass
That is one reason why Shane Jones is wrong to have been so 'descriptive'.
Take the political compass test yourself, Jimmy, and see where you stand. It's genuinely interesting.
Not to a communist.
NZ First politicians certainly have form for political insults such as 'woke' and 'communist'. To answer Jimmy above at 2.1, yes it is when to insult is the intention.
Mind you, reading the Press front page article this morning, "Ecan refuses Brown's request", I found myself saying. "He's a young, born-again prat". Purely descriptive…….
Well, there are many reasons why in NZ we should have disconnection between Political parties and such influence.
Prime for me would be
NZ Fist incl MP Jones already quite Trumpian. They need to be (like all NACT1), held to account.
Bombastic Jones was held to account by Katherine this morning. His tone became a whisper.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018953247/minerals-potential-mapped-now-what
PM Luxon has sure been running around in NACT1 Coalition damage control lately. IMO he will be finding much more damage to come.
And this is quite…surreal. Must have been borderline hilarious to hear it in Parliament..
Fark…Peters acting PM answering for his Leader PM Luxon?! Insanity
So, is Luxie backing Shane's claim that the judge is communist?
King.. PM Luxon…is away. However, he wishes it to be known, that he really really wishes he didnt need NZFirst..or ACT.Even if Cluxon did back Shame's claim, who cares what self-serving fascists say – that's just a bit of banter by the way.
I have a "description" for Shane Jones.
"Pork barrel".
Under National, he doesn't even care to hide it.
The arrogant blowhard has become even more so. I would not have thought that possible. But there you go….
Still, at least this time the dumbass has picked the wrong people to slur….
‘The New Zealand Bar Association on Wednesday complained recent statements by ministers including Jones amounted to an attack on the judiciary, with president Maria Dew saying they could not be explained away as “political rhetoric”.’
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/526522/minister-shane-jones-to-get-another-talking-to-over-judiciary-commentary
Darleen Tana really being a thorn in the side of the Greens. Surely she cannot expect a court to rule that a party she is no longer a member of are not allowed to meet?
Seems ridiculous to me.
Law expert Andrew Geddis discusses Darleen Tana’s decision to take the Green Party to court – NZ Herald
And who is paying Darleen's legal costs? I thought she was broke?
Greens need to get on and use the waka jumping (even though they are against that law) to get rid of her asap.
Suspect we are…. legal aid.
Oh great! What a waste of money. I should have known.
Yes Jimmy, you really should have.
Apologies for the link to "the personal blog of David Farrar".
Legal Aid is considered a loan though but I'd say the chances of her paying it back are rather low.
No disrespect to the Greens, but it goes to show that excessive entitlement exists in all political parties. It's just they are more numerous among the right leaning parties. Unfortunately, they are also more likely to get away with it because we expect it of them.
Darleen 1; Greens Nil
No meeting this weekend due to Tana.
Darleen Tana still a MP as Green Party puts waka jumping meeting on hold | Stuff
It's this sort of caper that causes people to lose faith in the legal system. Cosy little stitch-ups between opposing sets of lawyers. Whatever's going on here may be the law, but it sure ain't justice.
(PS: wonder if it's worth trying to abort a meeting of my local council next time a double-digit rates increase is on the agenda?)
Perhaps you can follow up, and inform us when you actually have any evidence
Apologies for the link to a site "founded by Cam Slater, a multi-award winning blogger and journalist".
Goodness, you do seem to be fascinated by right wing sites.
Are you implying that someone other than legal aid is funding Tana's appeal? Who would that be? Perhaps you could follow up, and find out….
On the contrary, I find them repugnant – normally wouldn't go there, honest
It's just that a quick Google search found your reply to Jiminy's questions @3 also addressed a couple of questions posted on 'Slater's site' earlier today.
No, that’s an innocent misintepretation of my comment @3.1.4 – I was asking about your evidence.
Any evidence yet to support your unoriginal reckon that "legal aid is funding Tana's appeal"?
My reckon is original – I certainly haven't been reviewing Kiwiblog lately. And I also can't help it if you find trawling Kiwiblog amusing. It hardly seems that you find it repugnant, since you seem to visit so frequently.
I did use the word 'suspect' – one factor is that her lawyer of record is on the legal aid register.
Now, your evidence the someone else is funding Tana's appeal? I can hardly wait for your high quality findings.
More evidence-free and increasingly bizarre reckons – “frequently“?!!! Contrary to your reckon that I "find trawling Kiwiblog amusing", I find Farrar's right wing Kiwiblog, and 'Cam Slater's site' repugnant (extremely distasteful).
The most charitable explanation for your comprehension fail is that you can't be bothered to Google Darleen Tana and "legal aid".
https://www.google.com.au/search?as_q=Darleen+Tana&as_epq=legal+aid&as_oq=&as_eq=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&lr=&cr=countryNZ&as_qdr=m&as_sitesearch=&as_occt=any&as_filetype=&tbs=
Got proof? Or are you trolling again?
If it's not legal aid, then follow the money. Which side of politics benefits most from drawing out this debacle.
Just saying.
Oh, yes. This is a side show for sure. All the trolls here are obsessed with it and the government will be quite happy for it to occupy the news to distract from their horror handling all things governance and economy.
NZ going backwards at a great rate on all measures right now.
In regards going backwards and right win distractions, I think you would enjoy Hooten's efforts on The Working Group.
joe linked to it below.
Thanks, I can't see the video on any link there but we know that Damien Grant a criminal and has done prison time for fraud.
He reminds me of a drunk, molesting uncle who says and does really inappropriate things, while believing he’s the most clever in the room. But he knows he’s a wrong ‘un, so self-depreciates hard in order to invite sympathy and mitigate any scrutiny.
You seem unfamiliar with the word 'suspect'
Try a dictionary.
So you're trolling then.
No, sunshine – I leave that to you.
So, no evidence? You ask for it all the time but refuse to provide it when asked.
Sums you up.
Gave you indicative evidence. If you don't like it, you're free to suggest an alternative.
That is what debate is.
You do realize the cost of a High Court action?
https://newsroom.co.nz/2023/01/25/devika-dhir-the-insurmountable-147725-cost-to-fight-your-corner-in-court/
If you're expecting that I have copies of Tana's legal bills, I suggest that the level of proof that you seem to require would prevent all commentary on TS.
Meanwhile – you seem to feel free to imply that someone, whose politics you dislike, is both alcoholic and a child predator – entirely fact-free, as far as I can see.
https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-29-08-2024/#comment-2009655
[In your Newsroom link there’s a whole section on eligibility for legal aid. Why don’t you check out the eligibility criteria for receiving legal aid in NZ and report back here on whether you still think Darleen Tana is eligible. You’re in Pre-Mod until then – Incognito]
Yeah no proof, or even rudimentary evidence, as I expected.
On Damien Grant: he has been to prison, so that is some description of his moral and ethical base. Not good!
But a bigger question is why, as a self-described centrist, do you defend far right commenters here so often?
Unless he's been to prison for those crimes, your comment is actionable.
Mind you – it gives us a horrific insight into your own family life… since "He reminds me of a drunk, molesting uncle"
My sympathies.
stop flaming. Clearly MB was making a comparison to show character. He wasn’t saying DG is a drunk paedophile.
Oh dear, the mask slips when you are caught out. My sympathies.
Fairly sure the referencing of and intimating about a commenter’s family situation on this site is frowned upon here. We shall see.
you need to stop flaming as well.
Mod note
Thanks for an actual response on the topic, Incognito.
The original article didn't give the information, however looking at the NZ Legal service regulations would seem to indicate that Tana's parliamentary salary as an MP would put her over the limit.
https://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2011/0144/latest/DLM3743601.html?src=qs
If this is the case, then my suspicion was unjustified.
Thank you. There were clear hints in the Newsroom article regarding eligibility for legal aid in NZ. Given the discussion thread here on TS I’d have thought this would have been a prompt and trigger some fact-checking before continuing wasting more time on increasingly flaming comments from all involved.
How's that special Greens kaupapa working out?
Feb. Allegations
March. Tana suspended. Independent MP.
July. Investigation summary released
August. Green AGM. No action except membership walkout.
Proposed special meeting. Court upheld to delay this, by agreement.
September 12 Judicial review sought by Tana.
All of above because Green caucus don't want to make a decision.
Slowly and carefully. It's important to simulate progressive action whenever possible – particularly when real parliamentary opposition seems an infeasible stance.
Quite clever, given that Labour still hasn't figured out what to do. The Left Greens inevitably have to be dragged kicking and screaming into the consensus process – their compulsive need to grandstand whenever possible will always defer any reasonable suggestion that its time to be constructive and responsible.
Dead rat munchies still haven't become their favoured repast. I suspect that handing Winston a moral victory is viewed as a loathsome prospect…
"Dead rat munchies still haven't become their favoured repast. I suspect that handing Winston a moral victory is viewed as a loathsome prospect…"
For sure, being principled folk 'n' all them rats aren't tasty.
But… acknowledging other principles. Tana's actions, exploiting the rules with vulnerable migrant workers then causing a ruccus in a former employee's new place of work surely trump any gloating Peters may enjoy.
Still getting it wrong Ad. It's not the caucus' decision.
While on the face of it the canvassing of members seems honourable, my reckons say you have a caucus and or a leadership group for a reason.
From the outside, the lack of leadership is frustrating akin to an infant's tanty in a supermarket with a parent that indulges it.
Oblivious to the discomfort of the others in the vacinity.
"“I want the private sector to invest here, because they are confident in the pipeline and are enabled to get on with it by an efficient and fair consenting system,”
[From speech by Chris Bishop MP in a Building Nations event held 28 August].
Bishop was talking about the government's proposed National Infrastructure Plan.
Is this a return to the old Ministry of Works, which acted as a law unto itself?
As for the "efficient and fair consenting system", that may well copy the Queenstown approach and be based on one word: "Yes".
Poor Shane Jones, he is inarticulate in stating the obvious
1.the gentailers were set up to be driven by profit motive by National and that included a spot market – which is high price whenever there is a dry and calm year.
2.he wants a business subsidy price for New Zealand industry as per Comalco.
But the thing is Comalco has set up with its own hydro supply arrangement and agrees to reduce production in low supply years.
The business that closed had to have an arrangement not to operate in 1992-2024 like years to get a cheaper power deal.
3.He is an apologist for carbon and this is not the future.
The sort of arrangements made with NZ Steel – reducing carbon use.
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/nz%E2%80%99s-biggest-ever-emissions-reduction-project-hits-milestone
Battery storage
https://contact.co.nz/aboutus/our-story/our-projects/glenbrook-battery
Otherwise deals with Methanex.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/526151/what-would-happen-to-jobs-and-emissions-if-methanex-left-new-zealand
The future is solar, a wind farm off Taranaki and battery storage
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/genesis-energy-to-use-kupe-profits-for-strategic-reset/PDPED7IRJNHHJLGDCI2N6OOFZE/
Anyone want to stretch their legs and write a new energy policy for NZ?
The Meridian boss says they plan to use hydro as back-up and have solar and wind as primary. Hydro can be turned on and off quickly and in other countries "pump storage" is that used for peaking.
A lot more solar on the rooftop’s of homes and business … and for some arrays on sections.
And a range of options/power deals for large business operations.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/challenge-to-meridians-claim-power-bills-taking-less-of-household-spending/F2UCXH4UTBA2VJZLQWFYIGXX44/
I wiggled my little toe and have to say my customer ie people focussed policy would revolve around renationalising the energy gentailers, ensuring that increases to prices were no more than an agreed to way of fixng the cost of living%. perhaps a freeze first, then a fair means of increases with the extremely large clobbering stick being the renationalising. That is at the customer level
I'd have to give it more thought to 'stretch' a macro energy policy.
But can we all not have a think and write our wishlist here?
can we all not have a think and write our wishlist here?
Yeah, the old notion of an informed citizenry. Most would wish for politicians who can do sensible decision-making. Yet we could let the pols default to laziness on this point since everyone seems to have gotten sucked into market thinking during the past 40 years. Market failure is therefore hard to think about.
Notice how reportage of big capitalist ventures closing down due to high electrical prices has been carefully evasive: pointing out that this effect is a symptom of market failure must have seemed too much like truth-telling to the journos.
Neither the left nor the right want to face the fact either: they are guilty of making it happen via left/right collusion. How many players in the electricity game make a cartel inevitable? Media ought to feature economists chanting in unison "Question too hard. We dumb – can't even think of it. Like slippery eel."
I'd vote for yr 2nd paragraph.
Couple that with a decentralising (not very left wing, I know) of power supply ie rooftop solar for new builds and retrofit on existing and we are 3/4s of the way there.
I've posted this link a coupla days ago but this is a professor and he covers it off way more competently than me. A worthwhile 27 mins.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018953071/electrification-could-save-nz-95-billion-by-2040-report
Ginny Anderson seemed to be caught out by a journalist actually doing research on TVNZ news last night.
She was comparing figures for police patrols for June with December figures and claimed that the number of police patrols under National had dropped. However, it was pointed out to her that patrol figures traditionally spike in December due to seasonality factors. So, it did actually appear that she was cherry picking data to suit her claim.
The journalist pointed out when month to month comparisons (e.g. June 23 with June 24) were considered, then patrols had increased consistently month by month. And had increased by 10% for the year to date compared to the previous year (according to police figures).
Undeterred by facts, Ginny continued to maintain her position to the point of incredulity.
It turned out to be a bit of an own goal IMO because the net effect was to demonstrate that police patrols had gone up under National which was the opposite to what Ginny had claimed.
Hipkins doubled down, by backing Anderson’s statement, despite the inconvenient facts. Perhaps it was considered too damaging to consider the alternative of admitting getting something wrong.
From a non-political perspective, it is good to see journalists actually doing their job rather than just blindly accepting what they are told. Perhaps politicians from all sides of the fence will be a bit more careful and accurate with their claims if they know they will likely be called out in public.
I noted that to , maybe stuff tv3 nees might be worth watching,
Well that’s a pity.
But tbh it was too late.
I heard the message on the news yesterday. I came here to say Labour is doing well catching out government incompetence.
I’ve seen a few different Labour shadow ministers doing good work. This is how governments fall. Not through pointing out their moral failings, but through pointing out their incompetence and failure.
As the kids say tldr. There are fewer police patrols! I heard it yesterday. Tut tut.
Unfortunately the facts tripped Ginny up. She needs to up her game. Being caught out and having to have your leader back you up knowing it is wrong is embarrassing. Next she will be coming out to say Mark Mitchell is all talk and no action, then next minute…….
Every member of Christchurch Comancheros chapter arrested | Stuff
Jimmy, the Comancheros raid was to aid the provision of housing, according to National MP Dan Bidois. 🙂 See today's The Standard post https://thestandard.org.nz/nationals-solution-to-the-housing-crisis/
Great stuff NZPolice!
More!
The 501's Oz caught were always going to be on that path.
Taking over another gangs base to supply drugs … not subtle.
Now there is a case to be made that any gang formed overseas and caught operating illegally here is banned.
The days of the Comancheros and HA (work in snappier clothing than Gareth Morgan and motor bike club at weekends).
She’s just playing your game, bud.
Remember how crime was wildly out of control? Miraculously it was all solved at the ballot box and by cashing some people on the outside.
Now foot patrols are down. That’s what we’re hearing. All the fact checks do is repeat the original story that foot patrols are down.
Yes. I saw that item and wondered what the hell had happened. I suspect a Labour Party researcher gave her the wrong figures. If correct, I wouldn't like to be them today.
The moral of the story. Never take figures given to you at face value. Do your own checking before releasing them.
I think this is just a symptom of a lazy media. If they can't be bothered fact checking and just parrot whatever they are told, then of course politicians will spin and obsfuscate as much as the can.
A lot more fact checking from journalists so far as I am concerned.
Once upon a time, many, many moons ago, journalists were very good at doing their homework. It kept politicians reasonably honest. Even Muldoon had to be careful with his figures.
Sad to read Rod Vaughan (a true investigative journalist) died 25 August.
He ran Ray "Goldcorp" Smith to earth in the USA after the company folded and it really was something to see. Smith, who was out on a camping trip, hid in his little tent rather than face a few questions.
We rely on the 4th estate to probe critically and demand accountability, not blithely pass on corporate media releases as if they were fact.
The Headhunters may have to move out of their pad in Mt. Wellington, Auckland too.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/head-hunters-asset-case-judge-grants-police-application-to-force-gang-and-wayne-doyle-to-forfeit-ellerslie-pad-15m/GO2Y3U6SSNEUPPFXRJU7A4G2OQ/#google_vignette
So they’ll have to move somewhere else? Police no longer know where gang hq is?
Also foot patrols are down since police cuts.
Millions to Seymour, 350k a job to find waste. Millions to landlords and other groups.
Police pay was unsatisfactory and foot patrols are down.
Perceptions of strength and consistency are important for governments.
Luxon comes as a weak and inconsistent character.
But for example the way the outrageous Costello behaviour will hurt them is if the opposition can paint the PM as not knowing what is going on and being too weak to be able to fire non-National ministers.
The subservience to the tobacco industry and the lying doesn’t help. But the appearance of weak and inconsistent leadership is what will change the polls.
More on No-right turn 24 August re Costello deceit:
https://norightturn.blogspot.com/2024/08/simply-not-credible.html
Holy relics are back!
/
.
Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he is selling a new collection of digital trading cards, and that supporters who buy 15 or more cards will receive a physical card adorned with a piece of the suit he wore for the presidential debate against Joe Biden in June.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/27/trump-debate-suit-fundraising
As long as we don't see the Trumpian equivalent of the Holy Prepuce.
Reminds me of a Blackadder episode:
Blackadder – Relics
Something for Labour's manifesto coz National …
https://www.stuff.co.nz/wellbeing/350393474/verity-johnson-nz-needs-right-disconnect-work-law-too
Agreed, SPC. Something already in place in France, Germany, Slovakia, Philippines, Luxembourg, Italy, Canada and now Australia. It links strongly to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which asserts the human right to rest and leisure.
New Zealand was first in the world to assert the right to a 8 hour working day. Part of Samuel Parnell's rationale was to allow rest and leisure. “There are 24 hours per day given us; eight of these should be for work, eight for sleep, and the remaining eight for recreation and in which for men to do what little things they want for themselves.”
https://theconversation.com/nzs-always-on-culture-has-stretched-the-8-hour-workday-should-the-law-contain-a-right-to-disconnect-215444
Wingnut fight! (I'm with Hoots)
@secondzeit
God, this barney between Matthew Hooton and Damien Grant about Hobson's Pledge is something else. It's the last 15 mins on the video. https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2024/08/27/7-3
https://x.com/secondzeit/status/1829005730713940239
https://www.youtube.com/live/jftYmBsfnVw?t=2735s
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2024/08/27/7-30pm-live-tonight-the-working-group-with-brad-olsen-matthew-hooton-and-damien-grant/
Thanks for the tip joe.
Grant got owned, I haven't seen Hooten that enthused. Spectacular.
Brash doesn't believe what he says, Hobson's Pledge is communist, the inflammatory behaviour of Seymour and Brash.
The idea that words just tumble from Luxon’s mouth.
I haven’t felt sorry for an economist like I did for Brad Olsen.
Hooten is a very clever orator.
Taken down. Video is down.
Someone's feels are hurt.
(video)
@patbrittenden
#BHN Is Dr Don Brash about to sue Matthew Hooton for defamation based on some apparent honest held beliefs shared on The Working Group podcast? #nzpol
https://x.com/patbrittenden/status/1829316191002968246
edit: Hooton excerpt still up on Brittenden’s twitter account