Open Mike 29/09/2016
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6:00 am, September 29th, 2016 - 86 comments
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- Further humanitarian aid for Türkiye and SyriaAotearoa New Zealand will provide further humanitarian support to those seriously affected by last month’s deadly earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta. “The 6 February earthquakes have had devastating consequences, with almost 18 million people affected. More than 53,000 people have died and tens of thousands more ...2 days ago
- Community voice to help shape immigration policyMigrant communities across New Zealand are represented in the new Migrant Community Reference Group that will help shape immigration policy going forward, Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced today. “Since becoming Minister, a reoccurring message I have heard from migrants is the feeling their voice has often been missing around policy ...2 days ago
- State Highway 3 project to deliver safer journeys, better travel connections for TaranakiConstruction has begun on major works that will deliver significant safety improvements on State Highway 3 from Waitara to Bell Block, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan announced today. “This is an important route for communities, freight and visitors to Taranaki but too many people have lost their lives or ...2 days ago
- Ginny Andersen appointed as Minister of PolicePrime Minister Chris Hipkins has today appointed Ginny Andersen as Minister of Police. “Ginny Andersen has a strong and relevant background in this important portfolio,” Chris Hipkins said. “Ginny Andersen worked for the Police as a non-sworn staff member for around 10 years and has more recently been chair of ...3 days ago
- Government confirms vital roading reconnectionsSix further bailey bridge sites confirmed Four additional bridge sites under consideration 91 per cent of damaged state highways reopened Recovery Dashboards for impacted regions released The Government has responded quickly to restore lifeline routes after Cyclone Gabrielle and can today confirm that an additional six bailey bridges will ...3 days ago
- Foreign Minister Mahuta to meet with China’s new Foreign MinisterForeign Minister Nanaia Mahuta departs for China tomorrow, where she will meet with her counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, in Beijing. This will be the first visit by a New Zealand Minister to China since 2019, and follows the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions between New Zealand and China. ...3 days ago
- Education Ministers from across the Pacific gather in AotearoaEducation Ministers from across the Pacific will gather in Tāmaki Makaurau this week to share their collective knowledge and strategic vision, for the benefit of ākonga across the region. New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti will host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) for three days from today, ...3 days ago
- State Highway 5 reopens between Napier and Taupō following Cyclone GabrielleA vital transport link for communities and local businesses has been restored following Cyclone Gabrielle with the reopening of State Highway 5 (SH5) between Napier and Taupō, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan says. SH5 reopened to all traffic between 7am and 7pm from today, with closure points at SH2 (Kaimata ...3 days ago
- Special Lotto draw raises $11.7 million for Cyclone Gabrielle recoveryInternal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds has thanked generous New Zealanders who took part in the special Lotto draw for communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Held on Saturday night, the draw raised $11.7 million with half of all ticket sales going towards recovery efforts. “In a time of need, New Zealanders ...4 days ago
- Government delivers a $3 million funding boost for Building Financial Capability servicesThe Government has announced funding of $3 million for providers to help people, and whānau access community-based Building Financial Capability services. “Demand for Financial Capability Services is growing as people face cost of living pressures. Those pressures are increasing further in areas affected by flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle,” Minister for ...6 days ago
- Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao – new Chair and memberMinister of Education, Hon Jan Tinetti, has announced appointments to the Board of Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao. Tracey Bridges is joining the Board as the new Chair and Dr Therese Arseneau will be a new member. Current members Dr Linda Sissons CNZM and Daniel Wilson have ...6 days ago
- Scholarships honouring Ngarimu VC and the 28th (Māori) Battalion announcedFifteen ākonga Māori from across Aotearoa have been awarded the prestigious Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships and Awards for 2023, Associate Education Minister and Ngarimu Board Chair, Kelvin Davis announced today. The recipients include doctoral, masters’ and undergraduate students. Three vocational training students and five wharekura students, ...6 days ago
- Appointment of Judge of the Court of Appeal and Judge of the High CourtHigh Court Judge Jillian Maree Mallon has been appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal, and District Court Judge Andrew John Becroft QSO has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today. Justice Mallon graduated from Otago University in 1988 with an LLB (Hons), and with ...6 days ago
- NZ still well placed to meet global challengesThe economy has continued to show its resilience despite today’s GDP figures showing a modest decline in the December quarter, leaving the Government well positioned to help New Zealanders face cost of living pressures in a challenging global environment. “The economy had grown strongly in the two quarters before this ...6 days ago
- Western Ring Route CompleteAucklanders now have more ways to get around as Transport Minister Michael Wood opened the direct State Highway 1 (SH1) to State Highway 18 (SH18) underpass today, marking the completion of the 48-kilometre Western Ring Route (WRR). “The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport system to make it safer, more ...6 days ago
- Briefings to Incoming MinistersThis section contains briefings received by incoming ministers following changes to Cabinet in January. Some information may have been withheld in accordance with the Official Information Act 1982. Where information has been withheld that is indicated within the document. ...6 days ago
- Teaming up for a stronger, more resilient FijiAotearoa New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta reaffirmed her commitment to working together with the new Government of Fiji on issues of shared importance, including on the prioritisation of climate change and sustainability, at a meeting today, in Nadi. Fiji and Aotearoa New Zealand’s close relationship is underpinned by the Duavata ...7 days ago
- Investment in blue highway a lifeline for regional economies and cyclone recoveryThe Government is delivering a coastal shipping lifeline for businesses, residents and the primary sector in the cyclone-stricken regions of Hawkes Bay and Tairāwhiti, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan announced today. The Rangitata vessel has been chartered for an emergency coastal shipping route between Gisborne and Napier, with potential for ...7 days ago
- Next steps developing clean energy for NZThe Government will progress to the next stage of the NZ Battery Project, looking at the viability of pumped hydro as well as an alternative, multi-technology approach as part of the Government’s long term-plan to build a resilient, affordable, secure and decarbonised energy system in New Zealand, Energy and Resources ...7 days ago
- Statement from the Prime Minister on Stuart NashThis morning I was made aware of a media interview in which Minister Stuart Nash criticised a decision of the Court and said he had contacted the Police Commissioner to suggest the Police appeal the decision. The phone call took place in 2021 when he was not the Police Minister. ...1 week ago
- CPTPP Trade Ministers coming to AucklandThe Government’s sharp focus on trade continues with Aotearoa New Zealand set to host Trade Ministers and delegations from 10 Asia Pacific economies at a meeting of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission members in July, Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor announced today. “New Zealand ...1 week ago
- Govt approves $25 million extension for cyclone-affected businesses$25 million boost to support more businesses with clean-up in cyclone affected regions, taking total business support to more than $50 million Demand for grants has been strong, with estimates showing applications will exceed the initial $25 million business support package Grants of up to a maximum of $40,000 per ...1 week ago
- More than 160,000 new Kiwis to call NZ home80 per cent of 2021 Resident Visas applications have been processed – three months ahead of schedule Residence granted to 160,000 people 84,000 of 85,000 applications have been approved Over 160,000 people have become New Zealand residents now that 80 per cent of 2021 Resident Visa (2021RV) applications have been ...1 week ago
- Scholarships propel Kiwi students to NASAThe Government continues to invest in New Zealand’s burgeoning space industry, today announcing five scholarships for Kiwi Students to undertake internships at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California. Economic Development Minister Stuart Nash congratulated Michaela Dobson (University of Auckland), Leah Albrow (University of Canterbury) and Jack Naish, Celine Jane ...1 week ago
- New Zealand to attend regional security meeting in AustraliaThe Lead Coordination Minister for the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission’s Report into the Terrorist Attack on the Christchurch Mosques travels to Melbourne, Australia today to represent New Zealand at the fourth Sub-Regional Meeting on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Security. “The Government is committed to reducing the threat of terrorism ...1 week ago
- Health and safety action plan for portsThe health and safety practices at our nation’s ports will be improved as part of a new industry-wide action plan, Workplace Relations and Safety, and Transport Minister Michael Wood has announced. “Following the tragic death of two port workers in Auckland and Lyttelton last year, I asked the Port Health ...1 week ago
- Bikes and scooters to be exempt from FBTBikes, electric bikes and scooters will be added to the types of transport exempted from fringe benefit tax under changes proposed today. Revenue Minister David Parker said the change would allow bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, electric scooters, and micro-mobility share services to be exempt from fringe benefit tax where they ...1 week ago
- Foreign Affairs Minister to reaffirm our close relationship with FijiForeign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will hold bilateral meetings with Fiji this week. The visit will be her first to the country since the election of the new coalition Government led by Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sitiveni Rabuka. The visit will be an opportunity to meet kanohi ki ...1 week ago
- New legislation to streamline Cyclone recoveryThe Government is introducing the Severe Weather Emergency Legislation Bill to ensure the recovery and rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle is streamlined and efficient with unnecessary red tape removed. The legislation is similar to legislation passed following the Christchurch and Kaikōura earthquakes that modifies existing legislation in order to remove constraints ...1 week ago
- Cost of living package: More bread and butter support for Kiwi familiesApproximately 1.4 million people will benefit from increases to rates and thresholds for social assistance to help with the cost of living Superannuation to increase by over $100 a pay for a couple Main benefits to increase by the rate of inflation, meaning a family on a benefit with children ...1 week ago
- Sense Prevails As Immigration NZ Chooses To Allow Free Speech Of British Speaker
The Free Speech Union welcomes the decision by Immigration New Zealand to not suspend Kellie-Kay Keen-Minshull's NZeTA and to allow her entry into the country, says Jonathan Ayling, Chief Executive of the Free Speech Union. “The Free Speech Union envisions ...2 hours ago - Finally A Political Party For The Farmers – HeartLandNZHeartLandNZ represents provincial New Zealand, the heart of the nation, the men and women, workers, contractors, businesses and farmers in the successful primary production sector. For over 30 years these voters have been economically ...2 hours ago
- Help Me Hera: How do you know when it’s time to quit?
This week, Hera Lindsay Bird ponders whether it’s better to leave a party too early or too late. Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to [email protected] Dear Hera, How can you tell when something is over? A recurring theme through my life is sticking around way past the due date. There have been ...2 hours ago - National’s education ‘rewrite’ to target years one to eightNational’s new education policy will focus on the first eight years of education – primary and intermediate – in an effort to prepare students for high school. The opposition will formally unveil their policy later today – coincidentally (or likely not) in the prime minister’s electorate of Upper Hutt. Erica ...2 hours ago
- Why is my loved one with dementia sometimes ‘there’ and sometimes not?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yen Ying Lim, Associate Professor, Monash University Shutterstock Dementia is an umbrella term to describe a progressive neurological condition that affects people’s cognitive abilities, such as memory, language and reasoning. Alzheimer’s is the most common form, but other common ...3 hours ago - Fear and Wonder podcast: how scientists know the climate is changingSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Green, Host + Producer, The Conversation A comparison between two views of the same coral reef on Kiritimati, taken by University of Victoria scientists. Danielle Claar, Kristina Tietjen/University of Victoria Earlier this week, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ...3 hours ago
- The Great Southern Reef is in more trouble than the Great Barrier ReefSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Graham Edgar, Senior Marine Ecologist, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania Graham Edgar/Reef Life Survey, Author provided Marine heatwaves are damaging reef ecosystems around Australia, but while the tropical north has received the lion’s share of the ...3 hours ago
- ‘Some of them do treat you like an idiot’: what it’s like to be a casual academicSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steven Burch, Lecturer in Accounting, University of Tasmania Shutterstock One of the priorities of the federal government’s sweeping Universities Accord is to improve employment conditions in higher education. This is long overdue. Australia’s university sector once set the standard for ...3 hours ago
- Yes, the 1.5 million Australians getting rent assistance need an increase, but more public housing i...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Liam Davies, PhD Candidate, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University Image: David Kelly, Author provided Australia is in the grip of a housing crisis, with low-income households hit hardest by rising rents and falling vacancy rates. Social housing tenants were ...3 hours ago
- Why Lent is the perfect time to spiritually prepare for revolutionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kristie Patricia Flannery, Research Fellow, Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, Australian Catholic University Francisco V. Coching’s Rendition of Gabriela Silang Charging on a Mount, 1986 (Ayala Museum). It was around this time of year back in 1763 that Filipino rebels ...3 hours ago
- Government eyes EV charging ‘hubs’ across the countryThe government’s planning to roll out dozens of new electric vehicle charging stations across the country in new “hubs” that would operate similar to existing petrol stations. The “charging our future” strategy has set a target of bringing in new hubs ever 150 to 200 kilometres along the state highways, ...3 hours ago
- The Bulletin: The fight to have a former All Black’s CTE recognised by ACCThis morning we bring you an exclusive on The Spinoff from Dylan Cleaver. Wellington rugby stalwart, one-game All Black and former New Zealand First MP Tutekawa Wyllie has had his probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) condition recognised and compensated for by the ACC after a five-year campaign. CTE is a brain ...3 hours ago
- Why governments are banning TikTok from phonesNew Zealand joins countries around the world by banning TikTok on government-issued devices as the US threatens an outright ban on the popular social media app, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...4 hours ago
- Warring building supplies firms tie up critical NZ land with 999-year covenants
Big building supply companies have fended off competition by wrapping desirable blocks of land in legal constraints on generations of NZers, alarming the Commerce Commission into issuing a far-reaching warning. Jonathan Milne reports. ...4 hours ago - Green Party Announces Environmental Lawyer Teall Crossen As Candidate For The Nelson ElectorateThe Green Party is announcing Teall Crossen as their candidate for the Nelson Whakatū electorate. Teall is an environmental barrister and activist with two decades of experience advocating for the rights of people and nature in the Courts in Aotearoa, ...5 hours ago
- Women refs rise with Aupiki
NZ Rugby wants to triple the number of female rugby referees - starting with the rise of Natarsha Ganley to Super Rugby honours, and handing a whistle to an Aupiki star player in a new scholarship. Suzanne McFadden writes. Natarsha Ganley loves rules. So during the week, she's on the lookout for ...5 hours ago - Inside the years-long fight to have a former All Black’s CTE recognised by ACCExclusive: All Black turned NZ First MP Tutekawa Wyllie and his wife Margaret have won a landmark battle that could open the floodgates for rugby-related head injury claims. Dylan Cleaver reports. Wellington rugby stalwart, one-game All Black and former New Zealand First MP Tutekawa Wyllie has had his probable chronic ...6 hours ago
- Shows of local strength deliver upsets in key Labour selection contestsDo the results in Mt Albert, Wellington Central and Christchurch East amount to thumbing noses at head office, or are they a sign of party strength? Across three Labour selection contests in three high-profile electorates over the last fortnight, candidates have succeeded from local foundations in seeing off rivals considered ...6 hours ago
- Disaster-in-waiting warn south’s farmers
Cyclone Gabrielle’s hammering of Hawkes Bay has ignited fears in Southland of bridges failing and farmland flooding through “mismanagement” of accumulated gravel Southland farmer Barry Taylor is frustrated gravel is being allowed to build up beneath a bridge on one of the country’s key tourist routes despite his years of ...6 hours ago - More 'how' less 'what' for social services
The Wellington City Missioner wants government agencies to move away from simply administering social services to the needy. ...6 hours ago - Book of the Week: Terfs, and other haters
This week's anti-trans rally is straight out of the right-wing playbook With strange and toxic prescience, a subject from the new study Histories of Hate: The Radical Right in Aotearoa New Zealand has leapt from the pages of the book into a major news story this week. The ...6 hours ago - Solomons PM joins Pacific push for NZ visa waiver access
More than half the visitor visa applications rejected by officials come from just nine Pacific nations ...6 hours ago - Healing te taiao: Moving on from peak pine
More than half of Aotearoa may need to be in native ngahere (bush) to merely blunt future worsening storms, but without such revolutionary change, Aotearoa could descend into a spiral of social, ecological, and economic damage Much of our land is without any trees, or is without the right trees, ...6 hours ago - Behind the story: Lobbying and the backdoor of our democracy
Unlike other countries around the world, New Zealand has no regulations about lobbying. Is change needed to ensure greater transparency about who's influencing our decision-makers? If you want to know who lobbies the Australian government on behalf of Air New Zealand, you simply go to an online register, type ...6 hours ago - How the Rakaia turned into a pipe for irrigators
Problems protecting NZ's biggest braided river were predicted years ago, papers show ...6 hours ago - China will test NZ's fence-straddling diplomacy as never before
NZ's likely Aukus involvement relating to technology will have far-reaching consequences ...6 hours ago - Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 23 March
Loading...(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. ...7 hours ago - Daily crossword, Thursday 23 March
...7 hours ago - Throwing voting-age legislation onto the 'policy bonfire' only delays a debate that has to...
Opinion - There's plenty of research supporting lowering the voting age to 16. Public debate and the law just need to catch up, Claire Breen writes. ...14 hours ago - Word from The Hill: Reactions to AUKUS, next steps on the Voice, NSW electionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra As well as her interviews with politicians and experts, Politics with Michelle Grattan includes “Word from The Hill”, where she discusses the news with members of The Conversation’s politics team. In this podcast Michelle and ...15 hours ago
- Xi’s Moscow trip shows peace in Ukraine isn’t China’s main concernSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jingdong Yuan, Associate Professor, Asia-Pacific security, University of Sydney Chinese President Xi Jinping’s trip to Moscow this week has been more about reiterating China and Russia’s shared interests, and less about any concrete pathway towards ending the war in Ukraine. While a ...16 hours ago
- ‘Cultural expression through dress’: towards a definition of First Nations fashionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Treena Clark, Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Indigenous Research Fellow, Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, University of Technology Sydney This May, Wiradjuri woman Denni Francisco and her label Ngali will be the first Indigenous designer to have a solo show at Australian Fashion Week. ...18 hours ago
- ‘Cultural expression through dress’: towards a definition of First Nations fashionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Treena Clark, Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Indigenous Research Fellow, Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, University of Technology Sydney This May, Wiradjuri woman Denni Francisco and her label Ngali will be the first Indigenous designer to have a solo show at Australian Fashion Week. ...18 hours ago
- Yes, we see you. Why a national plan for homelessness must make thousands of children on their own a...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Robinson, Associate Professor in Housing and Communities, University of Tasmania Shutterstock Thousands of children end up being homeless in Australia without a parent or guardian. In 2021-22, 12,812 children (aged 10-17) were on their own when they sought help ...19 hours ago
- Yes, we see you. Why a national plan for homelessness must make thousands of children on their own a...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Robinson, Associate Professor in Housing and Communities, University of Tasmania Shutterstock Thousands of children end up being homeless in Australia without a parent or guardian. In 2021-22, 12,812 children (aged 10-17) were on their own when they sought help ...19 hours ago
- Credit Suisse is an anomaly: why Australia and New Zealand are safe from ‘bank run’ contagionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra There has been a lot of talk about the risk of financial contagion following the collapse of California’s Silicon Valley Bank. Perhaps too much talk. While the ...19 hours ago
- Credit Suisse is an anomaly: why Australia and New Zealand are safe from ‘bank run’ contagionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra There has been a lot of talk about the risk of financial contagion following the collapse of California’s Silicon Valley Bank. Perhaps too much talk. While the ...19 hours ago
- You Can’t Get Blood Out Of A Stone...19 hours ago
- Pacific needs to sit up and pay close attention to AUKUS, says Dame Meg TaylorA Pacific elder and former secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum says Pacific leaders need to sit up and pay closer attention to AUKUS and the Indo-Pacific strategy and China’s response to them. Speaking from Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, Dame Meg Taylor said Pacific leaders were being sidelined ...19 hours ago
- Cyclone Gabrielle: Robertson warns of delays to rebuild decisionsThe government says it should have details on which weather-hit areas are high risk within three weeks, and can then make decisions about rebuilding. ...19 hours ago
- What to expect when you’re expecting an El Niño (the answer might surprise you)Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carly Tozer, Senior Research Scientist, CSIRO Dean Lewins/AAP La Niña and El Niño are well-known terms in Australia these days. Linked to them are certain expectations: we expect wet conditions in La Niña and dry conditions in El Niño. These ...20 hours ago
- Called it: The Game is not coming to New ZealandPromoters say The Game has pulled out of his upcoming appearance at two legs of a new New Zealand hip-hop festival, continuing the Compton rapper’s sketchy attendance record in Aotearoa. In an announcement made on Facebook today, promoters Room Service say The Game, real name Jayceon Taylor, has “last-minute commitments” ...20 hours ago
- Te Whatu Ora reveals it has about 200 comms people, following criticism from NationalThe organisation has about 200 communications staff. The figure came in response to a Parliamentary written question from National. ...20 hours ago
- Counter-protests planned against anti-trans speakerCounter-protests are planned for this weekend as a controversial anti-trans campaigner speaks in two New Zealand cities. Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull will be allowed into the country after Immigration NZ said the threshold to stop her had not been reached. In a tweet, Rainbow Greens, the group that released an open letter ...20 hours ago
- The magical world of restaurant staff mealsWe asked workers at some of our favourite food establishments to show us what they eat when the rush is over. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter The Boil Up. Last week was Work Week on The Spinoff, dedicated to unpacking our relationship with the world ...20 hours ago
- Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: Who will drain Wellington’s lobbying swamp?Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards. Political Roundup: Who will drain Wellington’s lobbying swamp? Wealthy vested interests have an oversized influence on political decisions in New Zealand. Partly that’s due to their use of corporate lobbyists. Fortunately, the influence lobbyists can have on decisions made by politicians is currently under scrutiny in ...20 hours ago
- New Norton 360 Platinum To Help New Zealanders Address Identity Theft Issues65 percent of Kiwis surveyed admit they would have no idea what to do if their identity was stolen Norton, a leading consumer Cyber Safety brand of Gen, today announced the New Zealand launch of Norton™ 360 Platinum, which leverages the company's ...21 hours ago
- Throwing voting-age legislation onto the ‘policy bonfire’ only delays a debate that has to happe...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Claire Breen, Professor of Law, University of Waikato Getty Images There might have been pragmatic political reasons behind the government throwing voting-age legislation onto its recent policy bonfire, but it remains a sadly wasted opportunity. The announcement reversed former ...21 hours ago
- Does public safety trump free speech? History’s case for banning anti-trans activist Posie Parker ...ANALYSIS: By Bevin Veale, Massey University The impending arrival of Kelly-Jean Keen-Minshull — aka Posie Parker — has put the spotlight on the tension between free speech and protecting vulnerable communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. In particular, it raises questions about Immigration New Zealand’s role in limiting who can visit ...21 hours ago
- Iwi Leading Urgent Housing Rebuild And Managed Retreat For WairoaWairoa has ready-to-go projects that could be accelerated to quickly get people back into homes following Cyclone Gabrielle, Minister Willie Jackson was told on a visit to Wairoa today. Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa is seeking a Government commitment ...21 hours ago
- New Report: City Rail Link Project Throws Good Money After BadA new report published by the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union exposes the bad decision-making that led to a 61% cost blowout in Auckland’s City Rail Link and shows that the costs of the project now significantly outweigh any benefits. ‘The City Rail Link: ...21 hours ago
- Immigration NZ allows anti-trans speaker into NZImmigration NZ has today confirmed that the controversial anti-trans campaigner Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull will be allowed into New Zealand for her speaking events this week. You can read our report here – and the full statement from Immigration NZ’s Richard Owen to the media is below: “I can confirm that ...21 hours ago
- Confirmed: Anti-trans campaigner to be allowed into New ZealandImmigration NZ says it knows some people will be unhappy, but ultimately the threshold to bar Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull from New Zealand hasn’t been reached. The British anti-transgender campaigner Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, also known as Posie Parker, will be allowed into New Zealand this weekend, Immigration NZ has confirmed. Keen-Minshull’s ability to ...21 hours ago
- Antarctic ice age survival story: life seeking ice-free refuges imitates art in Ice Age, the movieSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Stevens, Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Adelaide Antarctica is an icy place today, but the ice extended even further during past ice ages. The question of how and where life survived on land in the icy continent, through the ages, has ...21 hours ago
- The Tongan māfana energy takes centre stage in Red, White & BrassLike a Tongan Cool Runnings, with trumpets instead of bobsleds, Red, White & Brass is a feel-good movie based on an incredible true story. First-time film producer Halaifonua Finau tells Sela Jane Hopgood how he got it made. In 2016, promising new Tongan producer Halaifonua Finau was sitting in the ...21 hours ago
- Why do animals living with humans evolve such similar features? A new theory could explain ‘domest...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Thomas Gleeson, Doctoral Candidate, Australian National University Luz Rovira / Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND In the 19th century, Charles Darwin was one of the first to notice something interesting about domesticated animals: different species often developed similar changes when compared ...22 hours ago
- Popular fertility apps are engaging in widespread misuse of data, including on sex, periods and preg...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katharine Kemp, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law & Justice, UNSW Sydney New research reveals serious privacy flaws in fertility apps used by Australian consumers – emphasising the need for urgent reform of the Privacy Act. Fertility apps provide a number ...22 hours ago
- USP still the ‘bedrock’ for Pacific regionalism, says university chiefThe Fiji Times “The University of the South Pacific (USP) has been and continues to be a bedrock for regionalism. A resource owned by the region; for the region and a precious institution that needs to be protected in line with the vision of our forebearers.” This was the message ...22 hours ago
- PNG family kicked out of their home after 46 years – with 24-hour noticeBy Claudia Tally in Port Moresby A Papua New Guinean family who have been renting a property from the National Housing Corporation for the past 46 years have been served with a 24-hour eviction notice by a different owner who had obtained an eviction notice from the Port Moresby District ...22 hours ago
- Auckland Council contemplates quitting Local Government NZAuckland mayor Wayne Brown’s plans to cut back on spending could see the council quit Local Government NZ, the group that represents councils across the country. Stuff’s Todd Niall has reported that $400,000 would be saved by the move, with mayor Brown reportedly wanting to direct that money into other ...22 hours ago
- Does it matter what time I go to bed?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frederic Gachon, Associate Professor, Physiology of Circadian Rhythms, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland Gregory Pappas/Unsplash Some of us love to be tucked up in bed by a particular time every night, ensuring a certain number of hours ...22 hours ago
- Love Better: Youthline relationship break-up support campaign launchesThe government has launched campaign to help young people navigate break-ups with the long-term aim of preventing family violence, believed to be the first of its kind. ...23 hours ago
- Love Better: Relationship break-up support campaign launchesThe government has launched campaign to help young people navigate break-ups with the long-term aim of preventing family violence, believed to be the first of its kind. ...23 hours ago
- Giving trans kids a sporting chanceSports can be hugely beneficial for children but there are still many barriers for trans kids wanting to play, writes researcher Julia de Bres. There’s been a lot of talk recently about trans athletes in high performance sport, much of which derives from a broader anti-trans project rather than a ...23 hours ago
- Watch: One woman’s battle to get back on the boardA new documentary follows Amber Clyde, skateboarder and founder of Girls Skate NZ, as she works to rebuild her confidence in the sport while juggling solo motherhood. Amber Clyde remembers being bullied as the only girl at the skate park in Birkenhead – but these days all the same bullies ...23 hours ago
- One woman’s battle to get back on the board | Back on the Board | The SpinoffAfter dedicating years to helping young women find their confidence in skateboarding, Amber Clyde must teach herself how to get back on the board after the birth of her second child. But balancing the realities of being a solo Mum with running her own business means that her time is ...23 hours ago
- GCSB spy boss Andrew Hampton to lead SISGovernment Communication Security Bureau (GCSB) boss Andrew Hampton has been appointed to lead New Zealand's other spy agency - the NZSIS. ...23 hours ago
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Background on the new candidate for UN Sec Gen:
http://www.dw.com/en/why-kristalina-georgieva-is-the-best-choice-for-un-secretary-general/a-35917687
Georgieva’s home, Bulgaria, is on the front line of the refugee crisis, a neighbor to Turkey and a mere 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) away from Aleppo in Syria, the symbol of one of the most terrifying conflicts in the world. Bulgaria is also very close to Ukraine and Moldova, two countries locked in a frozen conflict with Russia. Georgieva brings the experience of having seen the iron curtain fall and the subsequent changes in Eastern Europe. She has the support of many countries in the region. And she might even be acceptable to Moscow: Georgieva lived there for two years during her time at the World Bank, she speaks good Russian and knows who is who.
A former World Bank senior exec, that explains why the globalists back her.
US House and Senate veto Obama’s protection of 9/11 sponsor Saudi Arabia.
9/11 victims families can now take Saudi Arabia to court.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-09-28/senate-overrides-obamas-veto-sept-11-bill
I do feel a certain sense of schadenfreude at the rod the House and Senate are making for the US government’s own back. As the head of the CIA points out:
The most damaging consequence would be for those US government officials who dutifully work overseas on behalf of our country. The principle of sovereign immunity protects US officials every day, and is rooted in reciprocity. If we fail to uphold this standard for other countries, we place our own nation’s officials in danger.
Yup. If those suits against Saudi Arabia go ahead, expect a chain of sovereign immunity removal in other countries. The US has a lot to lose from this. Maybe the representatives and senators are imagining the USA can intimidate other countries that want to reciprocate its removal of sovereign immunity, but if so they’ll be in for an unpleasant surprise.
Quite so PM and CV.
The significance of this event should not be underestimated, because it means that at last America is moving towards a position where it could be held accountable for its warmongering and other crimes against humanity. . . .
That is what Obama is referring to in his comment on “unintended consequences” in the video clip,
EVERYONE should view the clip in the” Zero Hedge” link given above in CV’s posting.
And then sit back with a pottle of popcorn to watch as the USA worms its way out of the dilemma that they have now gotten themselves into.
Can’t wait to see John Olliver’s take on it!
Oh, and by the way, just where exactly were OUR sovereign rights while Obama and co. were trying to ram the PPTA and TISA down our throats?
What comes around goes around, perhaps?
Gee, thanks, Timmy boy and Johnny boy.
Idiots, one and all!
Colonial Viper, Bang on mate.
No bloody thanks to Obama eh! He blocked their rights so he should be tried for war crimes?
Obama has the Government stacked with Muslims already in very high places did you know?
Sounds a bit frightening !!!
I know that some of you aren’t enthused about Donald Trump but it does explain some things.
This is absolutely unthinkable that nobody, especially the CIA, would have noticed this….Trump is starting to look better all the time.
This information has all been checked, then double checked… it is 100% Correct.
That’s why there is such an alarm within US government, since Trump’s statement about temporary suspension of migration of Muslims to US until US authorities make sure there is a proper concept of safe penetration of US territory.
People are stunned to learn that the head of the U.S. CIA is a Muslim! Do hope this wakes up some! Until it hits you like a ton of bricks read it again, until you understand!
We now have a Muslim Government in the US !
John Brennan, current head of the CIA converted to Islam while stationed in Saudi Arabia.
Obama’s top adviser, Valerie Jarrett, is a Muslim who was born in Iran where her parents still live.
Hillary Clinton’s top adviser, Huma Abedin is a Muslim, whose mother and brother are still involved in the now outlawed Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt!
Assistant Secretary for Policy Development for Homeland Security, Arif Aikhan, is a Muslim .
Homeland Security Adviser, Mohammed Elibiary, is a Muslim .
Obama adviser and founder of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, Salam al-Marayati, is a Muslim.
Obama’s Sharia Czar, Imam Mohamed Magid, of the Islamic Society of North America is a Muslim .
Advisory Council on Faith-Based Neighbourhood Partnerships, Eboo Patel, is a Muslim .
Nancy Pelosi announced she will appoint Rep Andre Carson, D-Ind, a Muslim , as the first Muslim lawmaker on the House of Representatives Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence, of all things!
It would make Carson the first Muslim to serve on the committee that receives intelligence on the threat of Islamic militants in the Middle East!
He has suggested that U.S. schools should be modelled after Islamic madrassas,
where education is based on the Quran!!!
Last but not least, our closet Muslim himself, Barack Hussein Obama.
It’s questionable if Obama ever officially took the oath of office when he was sworn in.
He did not repeat the oath properly to defend our nation and our Constitution.
Later the Democrats claimed he was given the oath again, in private.
Yeah, right.
CIA director John Brennan took his oath on a copy of the Constitution, not a Bible??
Valarie Jarret wrote her college thesis on how she wanted to change America into a Muslim friendly nation and she is an Obama top advisor! Congressman, Keith Ellison took his oath on a copy of the Qur’an, NOT the Bible!
Conservative Congresswoman Michele Bachman, R-MN, was vilified and verbally tarred and feathered by Democrats when she voiced her concern about Muslims taking over our government!
Considering all these appointments, it would explain why Obama and his minions are systematically destroying our nation, supporting radical Muslim groups worldwide, opening our southern border, and turning a blind eye to the genocide being perpetrated on Christians all over Africa and the Middle East!
The more damage Obama does, the more arrogant he’s become! Our nation and our government has been infiltrated by people who want to destroy us!
It can only get worse!
In his book Obama said, “if it comes down to it, I will side with the Muslims”.
If you fail to pass this one on, there’s something wrong……somewhere !
Common sense doesn’t grow in everyone’s garden !
[Dude, please don’t cut and paste whole sections of other people’s material. If you are going to use other people’s words, identify that you are quoting them, so it’s clear which is your opinion and which is the opinion of others. And if you are going to post racist, bigoted and highly inaccurate blatherings again, you can expect to be asked to prove your assertions or piss off. Cheers. TRP]
@ DISTURBED (2.2) Tim Groser, NZ’s ambassador to Washington is a Muslim convert. John Key appointed him to the position. What do you say to that?
Really ??? But I thought Tim had the odd drink?
Really odd drinks. Lots of mercury, possibly.
Mary_A Shit is that right, well well.
That blows me away.
They really are setting us up for a real takeover aren’t they!!!!!!!!
Is he still?
Does that mean they can sue Bush minor and his crew?
Is cronyism illegal?
http://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/national-accused-of-cronyism-over-loopy-rules-report/ar-BBwKxsW?li=BBqdmGR&ocid=iehp
or all good if you can get away with it?
As the song says:
Anything’s legal as long as you don’t get caught.
The problem that National has is that they’re getting caught.
It’s more of a problem for the rest of us though, given that National don’t seem to give a shit about getting caught. In fact, they’ve become increasingly blatant as the years have rolled on. These days, Key is just like, “You know what New Zealand, I just DGAF anymore. Suck it up and move on.”
+1
100% too Wensleydale. – Doesn’t Trump look like our saviour now?
Hugh Pavletich says all this:
NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT (DESERVEDLY) GETS HAMMERED IN ROY MORGAN POLL
Posted at … http://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2016/09/links-28-september-2016/
It’s not just the low paid who are being squeezed out of Auckland’s housing market, its affecting middle income earners too | interest.co.nz
https://www.interest.co.nz/property/83775/its-not-just-low-paid-who-are-being-squeezed-out-aucklands-housing-market-its
By Greg Ninness
It will now take a typical Auckland couple nearly eight years to save a 20% deposit on their first home, compared to about four years in other main centres, according to Interest.co.nz’s Home Loan Affordability Report.
The report tracks how long it would take typical first home buyers in each region to save a 20% deposit on the REINZ’s lower quartile selling price in their region.
The income calculations assume both partners work full time and earn the median weekly wage for people of their age group (25-29) in each region and are able to save 20% of their take home pay to put towards a deposit. … read more via hyperlink above …
Pollsters Roy Morgan says National Party support is at its lowest level since before 2013 election; now behind potential Labour/ Greens Alliance | interest.co.nz
https://www.interest.co.nz/news/83792/pollsters-roy-morgan-says-national-party-support-its-lowest-level-2013-election-now
Housing campaigner predicts spiralling house prices will be Key’s ‘Waterloo’ | Stuff.co.nz
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/83627043/Housing-campaigner-predicts-spiralling-house-prices-will-be-Keys-Waterloo
0 24 LOG IN TO REPLY REPORTSEPTEMBER 28, 2016 11:15AM
Hugh says this also:
Hugh Pavletich
Mood of the Boardroom: CEOs call for English to sort housing shortage – Business – NZ Herald News
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11716779
CEOs fear children won’t own homes – Business – NZ Herald News
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11716804
Mood of the Boardroom: Bosses to Government – act on housing – Business – NZ Herald News
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11717271
0 3 REPORTSEPTEMBER 28, 2016 7:18PM
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11718547
Things are at a contrary stage when a National leader is praising a former Labour leader to the skies, a Green Party co-leader is boasting about being embraced by big business and a Labour leader is denying the centre exists.
There is another well-known historical figure who had the same surname as Little and a similar problem with fear of things that didn’t exist. His first name was Chicken.
Perhaps if you got out and about a bit more Puckish Rogue, you’d understand what Andrew Little has been saying. There’s more to politics than just aiming at the mythical ‘centre’.
He’s been meeting a heap of people – from all sorts of different backgrounds – and they’re all telling him the same thing – NZ has become the land of the rich, and they cannot get ahead – even tho they work hard.
He also said “there’s talk about the centre of politics but that’s not how most people see politics …. and it says nothing about values, principles or a vision of the country and the future we might aspire to.
“The people I meet are a mix of views and backgrounds and most describe themselves as being in the middle. …. What they care about is to have a government delivering on housing, education, health, community safety, the economy.
“In all of these areas, people in the middle are missing out under National ….”
These quotes are on the NZLP Facebook 26 Sept.
To paraphrase the obvious: “Well he would say that wouldn’t he”
“He’s been meeting a heap of people – from all sorts of different backgrounds – and they’re all telling him the same thing – NZ has become the land of the rich, and they cannot get ahead – even tho they work hard.”
Maybe he needs to speak to people outside of union meetings?
Maybe you need to speak to someone other than your navel.
Ha!
Spot on.
I don’t spend a lot of time talking to my navel because it isn’t a very good conversationalist, the lint however is charming and witty 🙂
This is getting ridiculous, Don FKN Brash comes out saying he’s backing Winston to stop Maori bla bla bla bla..
Just what Winston wanted Don Brash telling everyone he’s great.
That’s real low from National
Sorry to drop the vibe. Morena the tv program – my gods it is absolute fucken shit – aimed at vacuous aucklanders who want baby botox, and interspersed with te reo Māori which is probably how they got the funding. Maybe I b harsh.
TV simply isn’t worth your time. Far better to play games on the PC, or board games or even just staring off into space.
True – and after a couple of long overnighters it is good to just be still. I think I’ll go to the beach soon. Ta
i think it was bill hicks who stated you drop one IQ point every hour of tv you watch.
Probably in negatives now – bummer ☺
I have offered this before but a TV has a use for your final suggestion of “just staring off into space”.
If you turn on your TV and tune it to a frequency that has no broadcast you get, or at least you did on an old analogue unit, “snow”.
About 1% of the “snow” comes from the microwave background radiation that is a remnant of the big bang.
You are not just looking into space. You are looking at the creation of the Universe. If that doesn’t impress you nothing will.
that impressed the hell out of me when i learnt it a while back
Damn…
Yep I often also consider the neutrinos passing through everything. Inner and outer it’s all a lot of space…
Matua Brash is back. He’s calling for “Democracy” and Maori are “privileged” this time round & has a bunch of suckers signed up already. Who’s going to buy into this shit this time round? … http://www.hobsonspledge.nz
Theres one sure way to put the brakes on anyone talking about this – ask them if they will give up their lifestyles to take on that which fits the stats for average maori
pretty sure brash wont be giving up his life of privilege to do that in a hurry
Yep the same old lies by the same obnoxious crew of had beens and never wases – it would be sad if it wasn’t so pathetic.
Little coverage of this ground-breaking bribery and corruption trial currently happening at the Auckland High Court?
How big is this corruption ‘iceberg’ that is being exposed regarding contracting by Auckland Transport?
“Corruption at council widespread, says Crown”
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/matt-nippert/news/article.cfm?a_id=644&objectid=11717850
“….Yesterday, at the start of what is expected to be a seven-week trial at the High Court at Auckland, fringe mayoral candidate and self-styled anti-corruption campaigner Penny Bright sat for a while in the front row of the public gallery. …”
I’m the only Auckland Mayoral candidate who has been ‘blowing the whistle’ for years about, in my view, the corrupt ‘conflicts of interest’ at Auckland Council, and with Auckland Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs).
I’ve also attended 5 International Anti-Corruption Conferences, and put hundreds of hours into my one A4 page ‘Action Plan for transparency and accountability for local and central government and judiciary’.
Ask how many from mainstream media have asked for an interview with me, as an Auckland Mayoral candidate on this issue?
Yep – NONE.
In my view, the effective mainstream media manipulation of this 2016 Auckland Mayoral election, in order to help steer the majority of electors into voting for the candidate the major of BIG business (and commercial property developers) want you to have (Phil Goff), is simply beyond belief.
I’m a third-time Auckland Mayoral candidate, who polled 4th in the only poll that counts, the 2013 election with 12,723 votes.
Hardly ‘fringe’ Matt Nippert!
Unlike all the other 2016 Auckland Mayoral candidates, I’ve had 20 years experience in Auckland local government, as a full-time, self-funded ‘Public Watchdog’ community activist, helping to defend the public and the public interest.
I’m not doing this for the money.
Which arguably makes me VERY dangerous politically, because nobody ‘owns’ me.
If you want an Auckland Mayor with a proven track record of standing up to, in my view, the corrupt corporate 1% who are bleeding Auckland locals and local communities dry, it’s really simple.
MAYOR tick BRIGHT!
TICK it and FLICK it.
One little tick to help make history!
Time for an Auckland ‘BREXIT’ moment?
I think so.
Penny Bright
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
That’s why they sideline you, Penny. That’s why they roll their eyes, and say, “Oh, that’s just Penny Bright. She’s “a bit of a character”, which is a euphemism for calling you a loon, basically. When they control the narrative and have the media treating alternative candidates as fringe elements, then the establishment gets a big grin on its face and a warm, cosy feeling in its gut.
Or the alternative maybe she is a loon who does not pay her rates and then wants to represent the rate payers
Well, that’s a conversation you and Penny need to have. I’m sure she’ll feel overwhelmingly compelled to justify herself to you.
The admission of bribery (coupled with the fact the culture of corruption has become so inbred it has been described as normalised) strongly indicates there’s good reason to be concerned with the council’s fiscal expenditure.
Therefore, I see little merit in your asserted alternative, Red.
In fact, in light of the current exposure, I’m surprised more ratepayers aren’t joining Penny in her crusade.
It’s always been interesting that Penny makes more sense than any of the candidates put together but nobody’s got the guts to say she’s on to something. It’s very easy for the numb nuts status quo to dismiss her because she doesn’t quite fit their frame. It’s a never-ending modern day Emperor’s Clothes.
The longest 90 minutes of Donald J. Trump’s life condensed to 24 seconds:
Hillary’s dressed as a man in this clip…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZibpW2NxGWc
Horrifying thought experiment: Imagine if “Sir” Robert Jones
was a woman. I believe she would be pretty much like THIS woman….
http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/travel-troubles/82811152/passenger-slaps-flight-attendant-because-she-wouldnt-carry-her-bag
Do you have any reason, apart from jealousy of his success, for picking on Bob Jones? You’ve seen him bashing flight attendants have you?
I think it would be a much more likely behaviour by someone like Mallard, who started a brawl in Parliament with another MP, or one of Hone’s family, where a number of them seemed to get their kicks at Waitangi by attacking senior National MPs.
i’ve seen bob jones punch someone who got out of a helicopter.
“seen bob jones punch”
I don’t think you did in fact.
Unless you were one of the TV people who chased Bob when he was fishing.
The blow wasn’t caught by the camera when Bob was pestered by TVNZ reports when he was fishing.
It appears as if the cameraman was pushed over by Bob who then headed into the bush. A reporter then followed him into the bush.
He came back with blood coming down his face after Bob had apparently hit him but the blow wasn’t, I understand, captured on camera.
Who hasn’t been tempted to punch one of the TV reporters? I’ll bet Helen Clark was very tempted to belt John Campbell in 2002.
https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/eyewitness-news-bob-jones-punches-reporter-rod-vaughan-1985
I was told of Bob’s remark in court after he was charged and fined. Apparently he asked the magistrate whether he could pay twice the amount and hit the reporter again.
oops… yes, that recollection sounds right.
funny how we can convince ourselves that we have seen something we haven’t.
Do you have any reason, apart from jealousy of his success, for picking on Bob Jones?
You think I’m jealous of Bob Jones? Have you ever noticed how deeply angry and unhappy he is? As his recently traumatised friend Donald J. Trump can attest, all the money in the world can’t get you peace of mind, or respect.
2.) You’ve seen him bashing flight attendants have you?
I’ve seen him bashing—cold cocking—a completely unprepared television journalist in 1985. I’ve also heard one of Jones’s fawning acolytes, Richard Griffin, admiringly recount to Jim Mora about an occasion where Jones snatched a cell-phone off a man in a restaurant and threw it into a rubbish bin. And, just last year, a snarling, drooling Jones was forced off an Air New Zealand flight because of his loutish and illegal behaviour.
3.) I think it would be a much more likely behaviour by someone like Mallard, who started a brawl in Parliament with another MP,
How do you know Mallard started that? The “other MP” was that arch-provocateur Tau Henare, a waste of space if ever there was one in parliament.
4.) ….or one of Hone’s family, where a number of them seemed to get their kicks at Waitangi by attacking senior National MPs.
Hone’s family pick on flight attendants and random strangers in restaurants, do they? They unleash coward punches on unsuspecting journalists, do they? Do please provide the evidence….
“Have you ever noticed how deeply angry and unhappy he is”.
Well no actually. He seems a very happy chappie to me.
“I’ve seen him bashing”. I suggest that, unless you were one of the TVNZ television crew you didn’t see it at all. There is no doubt he did assault the obnoxious reporter who had been told in no uncertain terms to leave Jones alone to his fishing.
“How do you know Mallard started that”
That was a line Helen Clark tried. She, like you couldn’t get it to fly. I suppose you think Michael Cullen marched Mallard over to the National offices and made him apologise even though Henare had started it?
Or that Trevor pleaded guilty in Court, even though he was an innocent, wronged party?
“Hone’s family pick on flight attendants and random strangers in restaurants, do they? They unleash coward punches on unsuspecting journalists”
Why on earth should you expect me to produce evidence for things you seem to be claiming? Did you even read what I said and which you quote? I said senior National Party figures, although I could probably have included senior Maori Party figures as well.
Try ” More recently, brothers John and Wikitana Popata assaulted Prime Minister John Key at Te Tii Marae in 2009 – an act that their uncle, Hone Harawira, then a Maori Party MP, gave every impression of excusing.” from
http://www.listener.co.nz/commentary/features/give-peace-a-chance-2/
“Hone’s family pick on flight attendants and random strangers in restaurants, do they?”
No they prefer to follow a twelve year old boy home, beat the shit out of him then steal his whale bone necklace.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10894035
On my Mac – Firefox the columns on the right “Comments, Replies Opinions” is stuck on the 27th. Anyone else? Same on Chrome.
Me too.
I think it is a ploy by Lyn.
This guarantees that he will forever be recorded as having had the last word.
At least I assume that everyone else sees “lprent” as the top comment?
Yes. Good on Lyn. Determined Last Worder. 🙂
Where on earth did the Green Party get the dopey David Clendon?
And how did they ever make him the spokesman for anything?
He came out with this stupid press release last week and hasn’t had the common sense to withdraw it.
https://www.greens.org.nz/news/press-release/disastrous-corrections-department-needs-overhaul
The Corrections Department was using an interpretation of the law that had been approved, I understand on four occasions, by the Court of Appeal.
Then when the Supreme Court come up with a different opinion Clendon blames them for a “disastrous mistake”.
Just what did he expect Corrections to do?
Ignore the decisions by the Court of Appeal when they were the most senior court to pronounce on the matter.
I e-mailed him asking this question but he hasn’t deigned to reply. With Parliament in recess I suppose he has toddled of to sunnier climes to rest up from the exhausting time list MPs have to tolerate when they come out of their slumber and have to attend Parliament again and actually do something.
While TRP is poking CV with a stick on another thread 😉 …
heh
Could the right wing people who visit please rip into Sir John Kirwan who has apologised to its victims for and on behealf of rugby? Just that some consistency would be great after the hysterical bashing of David Cunliffe for doing the same.
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11719190
+1 Muttonbird though it was more the Media who thrashed David?
I thought it was a politically dumb ass thing to say and also quite insulting of him
Nice one Mb.
Good on Kirwan
I might be wrong but I thought he was apologising on behalf of an institution, an institution of which he is one of its most respected members
What position does he have in the “institution”?
I missed the part were Sir John Kirwin said “sorry for being a rugby player”.
Cunliffe never apologised to victims of abuse, he apologised for being a man which apparently made him an abuser, and by inference, all men are abusers. Massive difference.
US senate and congress tell obama to bugger off on 9/11 veto
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37498033
They’re a bunch of fuckwits. Wait til half the bars in Boston get sued for collecting for the IRA.
Guys and girls, today’s set up and beat down of Don Brash’s trip back to Orewa is a 9th floor strategy which has crept in recently. It involves far right ACT, ACT sympathisers, or ex-ACT personages putting forward policy clearly unacceptable to the middle, ordinary voter. The next step is the current government (preferably the prime minister) then criticises said far right thinkings, thereby appearing moderate and socially responsible.
Recent examples:
Economists calling for a deliberate crashing of house prices.
Seymour claiming National to the left of Clark and calling for a ministry for men.
Brash today rehashing his Orewa speech for Key to gleefully knock down.
Also today the productivity commission calling for deregulation of tertiary education (a day or so after NZ universities performed well in an international study).
The far right libertarians are a useful tool for the current government to portray themselves as moderate and caring.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/politics/john-key-don-brash-a-broken-record-with-new-lobby-group-2016092914
Plus a distraction, of course, Muttonbird, from reports like this showing the middle-class being affected by the housing crisis.
Headline in Herald Business News – Middle income earners locked out of housing
“So it is not just the lowly paid who are being kept out of home ownership by Auckland’s inflated house prices and low income growth, it is now middle income earners as well,”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11718983
Brash has suggested that his anti-Maori party may make a contribution to
NZ1. Even the suggestion should alert the Labour party of the danger of having any coalition with Peters or his Party . Labour needs to strive for very vote without any help from the the Tory party in drag NZ1.
Brash is a liability and a sideshow, Peters is too savvy to go anywhere near that fool. Peters has only contempt for the bankster set who have sold NZ down the river for the last 30 years (sadly Labour has been a big part of that)
Just another white-supremacist shitbag who should be sent back to whatever third-world hole his ancestors came from. Although (assuming the radio announcement was right when they said it was being donor-funded) this time it’s only more white-supremacist shitbags who’ll be wearing the cost of yet another Don Brash failure…
Social Security (Stopping Benefit Payments for Offenders who Repeatedly Fail to Comply with Community Sentences) Amendment Bill
Because making people, who already can’t afford to live, even worse off will most definitely cause them not to commit more crime.
/sarc.
You know how it is – it’s much cheaper to spend $70,000 on a year’s prison sentence than $11,000 on a year’s benefit…
Or potentially more profitable from a private prison perspective.
This is well worth a look . . . . (You need to look at the video clip)
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-09-28/obama-responds-veto-override
here’s OBAMA saying, in effect,: We don’t want to be held “ACCOUNTABLE” for all the “Good” (his words)/WARMONGERING (my words) that we have done around the world.”
And there, in a nutshell, is America’s legacy for the 20th/21st Century.
(I hope John Key has been sitting up and listening!)
Pffffffttttt.
If you’re worried about that then you probably shouldn’t be doing that work because the people you’re doing it to obviously don’t want you to.
Yep, DTB.
And its also a fine example of how “GLOBALISATION” can come back to bight you in the arse. (Unintended consequences”, as Obama put it, without admitting as much . . . .)
Karma’s a bitch!
But then again, it won’t be those “Champions of globalisation”, the corporations, who end up paying . . .; .it’ll be you, and me, the little taypayers.
QFT
Yesterday I posted footage of Clinton doing a rare campaign rally, at a large community college in N.C.
A total of 70,000 students attend the various campuses of Wake Technical College, with staff and faculty numbers on top of that.
She got 1,440 people in her audience on campus.
At yesterdays Trump rally in Melbourne Florida, Trump got a turn out of 10,000 to 12,000.
And today, Gallup released a poll suggesting that interest in turning out to vote amongst Democratic voters – particularly younger ones – is declining steeply compared to 2004, 2008 and 2012.
Registered Democrats who will definitely vote at 16 year low
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/gallup-democrats-who-will-definitely-vote-at-16-year-low/article/2602965
Wow did the crew from wake bus down or take their cars – hopefully they bused or car pooled to keep their emissions low.
Labour may well oppose the Social Security Legislation Rewrite Bill:
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2016/09/27/social-security-legislation-rewrite-bill-carmel-sepuloni/#comments