The EMA must expel Alasdair Thompson if it is to retain any credibility as an organisation.
If they don’t then actions need to be taken against them by those entrusted with ensuring democracy and fairness.
For instance though Parliament never released the name of those lobby groups given privileged access to parliament.
You can bet that the EMA is definitely one of them.
This privilege not available to normal citizens should be suspended from the EMA until the time that they distance themselves from Alasdair Thompson.
In a democracy an organisation that tolerates bigotry should have no special arrangement that allows them to influence public policy.
Every woman MP no matter their political affiliation should demand that the EMA special access ‘keys’ and ‘swipe cards’ should be taken off them, until Thompson is dismissed.
The EMA claim that they can weather the Thompson Storm.
I doubt they could weather that storm. As a lobby group they have been very effective, having the ear of parliament, achieving much of their agenda.
The EMA’s special access to parliament and parliamentarians would be a big part of this success.
Till Thomson is sacked the call on the floor of parliament from every women MP should be:
“Remove the EMA special access now! ”
“EMA say they can weather the Thompson Storm”
The EMA must expel Alasdair Thompson if it is to retain any credibility as an organisation.
If they don’t then actions need to be taken against them by our representatives, those entrusted by us to ensuring fairness.
The EMA need to learn that women are not powerless, and that a group that tolerates the prejudice behind justifying lower pay rates, will pay a price.
Parliament never released the name of those lobby groups given privileged access to parliament.
But you can guarantee that the EMA is definitely one of them.
This privilege not available to normal citizens should be suspended from the EMA until the time that they distance themselves from Alasdair Thompson.
In a democracy an organisation that tolerates bigotry should have no special arrangement that allows them to influence public policy.
This should be a given!
Every female MP no matter their political affiliation should demand that the EMA special access ‘keys’ and ‘swipe cards’ should be taken off them, until Thompson is dismissed.
The EMA have claimed; “The EMA can weather the Thompson Storm.”
Let us see if they can “weather” having their special access removed. As a lobby group they have been very effective in achieving their aims, having the ear of parliament would play a large part in that success.
In my opinion the EMA’s special access to parliament and parliamentarians is an affront to democracy in itself, the fact that this group tolerates bigotry against women makes it worse.
Till Thomson is sacked the call on the floor of parliament from every women MP should be:
“If they don’t then actions need to be taken against them by those entrusted with ensuring democracy and fairness.”
Honestly I didn’t read any further than this.
I would have thought it was democratic and fair to let a private organisation (no matter how public their profile) manage their affairs as best they see fit. If they do something that discredits them in the eye of the public, then that is their just deserts.
(“Women are simply less likely to succumb to bugs, the Telegraph reports.
Compared with men, an Australian study found, women have a “much stronger immune response” to rhinoviruses – the germs responsible for the common cold.”)
I answered and said that 300 extra were put into sth Auckland but this was not under Collins. Good question you ask because there was not an increase in the budget for police.
So, following on from Zetetic’s post at http://thestandard.org.nz/howzat/ where he opined that “If best Key can promise for the economy is an increase in a tiny portion of tourism, some time in the future, when a plane that isn’t even operational might start flying here direct from Mumbai, we’re in trouble”, we have this news:
“New Zealand is one step closer to reaching a free trade agreement with India and Kiwi companies are optimistic about their prospects in one of the world’s fastest growing markets.”
G, the devil is in the detail. If its a “fair” trade agreement as opposed to the standard “free” trade agreement I am all for it. Previous so called free trade agreements have probably alerted Zets “shit radar”.
No, it’s not as it’s unsustainable. All it’ll really do is put a bit more money in some peoples pockets while destroying our ability to live as we will have destroyed the environment to get those dollars.
Oh good, we can buy cheaper T-shirts made in sweat shops whilst their very affluent bosses can holiday here, their film industry can gain big subsidies and we can export, well….. our call centre business (or what’s left of it) to Bangalore…
No one involved with the “Macsynna King” book comes out looking any good, but book banning or burning leads to worse places. I’d rather see piles of them sitting in stores unsold then quietly remaindered, or dumped on Wisharts property.
And while I’m on mike, these FB ‘mobs’ seem like bigoted internet talk back, the last pile of crap page of significance bought us a nice Lord Jackson supported anti union march on Labour Day.
I dunno, TM. The two chains have declined to stock the Smacsyna King book. That’s not a ban, it’s a moral decision to put good taste ahead of profits. That’s rare in business, aye? As I said on Open Mike a couple of days ago, if Tepco or BP put the public good ahead of private gain, the world would be a better place.
Wow, just spent a few minutes trawling through the fb page. The page itself calls for a boycott, not a ban, but the tone of many comments is that hanging is too good for them. An amazing outpouring of ignorance, hatred and bile. As you say, TM, just like talkback!
BTW, just to save people the bother of reading the book, I thhink I can sum it up in four words:
‘It wasn’t me, honest’.
The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 4.2.1
I did not like the idea of her making money from the deaths for which she was (at best for her) partly responsible. I understand that Wishart has said she is not and, if that’s true, that must be the end of the issue. People write books about all sorts of horrible things, yet no-one suggests that books about, say, the holocaust should be banned on the grounds that someone is profiting from that misery.
I heard on nine to noon that Wishart has said that she will not be making anything from the book. Take that with whatever skepticism you use with Wishart statements.
Decades ago Wishart used to check himself and his sources much more thoroughly. However I suspect that he has been falling subject to hubris more and more over the years and doing less and less checking when he ‘knows’ the answers.
These days Wishart is a classic case of where a lack of knowledge makes him completely credulous when it comes to both the sources of facts as well as the interpretation. It is really hard to find anything in his recent books that stacks up as being of much relevance beyond being Wisharts opinion (ie not his interpretation – because that would have required that he thought about it and judged it).
Moral outrage is so warming at a time of winter frosts isn’t it! And the superior thinking of FB ticking yes/no like/don’t like is an example of deep thought about the King book about the Kahui twins? North and South have often done stories about people who have been involved in violence and crime so what’s the difference here. Ian Wishhart is different of course but shouldn’t be banned as is happening.
Burning/banning books because ‘I don’t like the subject, the author, the opinions’ is dangerous. Inciting hatred by denigrating some person or group might be a valid reason. But shining a light on dark doings through a book is useful. Especially if we absorb the detail and use that knowledge to change behaviour so the dark doings don’t occur again.
Nothing wrong with boycotting a book without reading it, Ian. I’ve personally boycotted Mein Kampf all my life, because I don’t have to read the thing to now what it means. In this case, King and Wishart are trying to gain from the death of the two kids. Wishart intends to profit financially, King intends to promote her own claim of innocence.
Neither of them are likely to be interested in telling the truth anyway, so the book is unlikely to be anything other than a work of fiction.
VOR. I’m reading a book currently about Stalin in the 1930s. I couldn’t tell if it was worth reading until I had read at least part of it. (Excellent by the way. “The Stalin Epigram.”) Sure it is very unlikely that I would ever read a Wishart book but I rather resent others Censoring my reading a legally published book.
But no one is censoring your reading, Ian. Get it off the net if you want it or go to any of the other bookshops that are stocking it. The call is for a boycott, not a ban. The Stalin book sounds interesting. He’s still rather popular in Russia, often ranking just below Putin in the preferred leader polls.
Ian Wishart answers a number of questions about Macsyna King and why he wrote ‘Breaking the Silence’.
This is a HUGE ‘freedom of expression’ issue and I support 100% Ian Wishart’s right to write and publish his book ‘Breaking the Silence’, and MY right as a customer to be able to purchase it from the Warehouse or Paper Plus or Whitcoulls.
For goodness sake – it wasn’t Ian Wishart who killed the Kahui baby boys!
The CRAP that he’s getting for writing about the killing of the Kahui baby boys is worse than the KILLERS?
Duh?
If Ian’s book results in the Police reopening the Kahui case and it results in a conviction for the deaths of those poor little babies – then surely that will be the outcome that most people want?
Who is this ‘Chris’ that set up the ‘Boycott the Macsyna King Book’ facebook and LIED about Macsyna profiting from ‘Breaking the Silence’ when that was NEVER the case?
What are ‘Chris’s motives, and with whom is he connected?
Use some basic logic here folks!
Who stands to benefit most from trying to ‘silence’ Ian wishart who is trying to ‘break the silence’ about the causes of child abuse in general and the Kahui case in particular?
The killed Kahui baby boys – or the KILLERS of the Kahui baby boys?
Our rights to freedom of expression are under siege.
Whatever you may think about Ian Wishart and his views on a number of issues is surely NOT the point here.
It is a matter of principle.
All those who believe in freedom of expression should be stepping up to the plate – because WHO IS NEXT????
Sorry Penny, but you simply don’t have a right as a customer to be able to purchase it from the Warehouse or Paper Plus or Whitcoulls, nor from any other specific outlet.
VoR Until the killer/s of Chris and Cru are charged with murder the King/Wishart book is exploiting the death of Chris and Cru. If there is ever a right time to write a book, it would be once the killer/s are sentenced.
Do I need to read the book to establish if King or Wishart know who murdered Chris and Cru?
Wishart has stated that King mentions the killer. King needs to go down to the police station with a lawyer and tell the police everything, (I would not allow how I feel about the police to stop myself from talking to them were my two babies murdered).
I don’t give a shit about any talk of censorship as the book can be accessed in NZ. What really pisses me off, is that two beautiful babies were murdered and the King/Wishart book is EXPLOITATION.
Something called “Treetop” is just a tad confused.
1.) If there is ever a right time to write a book, it would be once the killer/s are sentenced.
What? Is there a law against writing a book now? Are you some sort of marketing genius that has assessed the optimum time to release books?
2.) Do I need to read the book to establish if King or Wishart know who murdered Chris and Cru?
I don’t think anyone cares what you need to do. If you know who it was, by the way, why don’t you tell the rest of us?
3.) I don’t give a shit about any talk of censorship…
You illiberal dolt. I think it’s offensive to read ignorant comments on The Standard but I wouldn’t dream of censoring you. Why would you stop me being able to buy a book?
4.) What really pisses me off, is that two beautiful babies were murdered and the King/Wishart book is EXPLOITATION.
Every book that’s ever been written is exploitation. What the hell are you on about?
Morrissey in response to your questions below my questions numbered 1 – 4
1. If there is ever a right time to right a book, it would be once the killer/s are sentenced?
1.1 Is there a law about writing a book now?
No there is not and I did not say that there was a law.
1.2 Are you some sort of market genius that has assessed the optimum time to release a book?
The killer/s are still out there and were the book to aid the killer/s in anyway this would not be the case were there a conviction.
2. Do I need to read the book to estabish if King or Wishart know who murdered Chris and Cru?
2.1 If you know who it was why don’t you tell the rest of us?
Well what is stopping King and Wishart from going to the police as they appear to know more than I do about who took two innocent lives.?
3. I don’t give a shit about any talk of censorship?
3.1 Why would you stop me from being able to buy the book?
How am I stopping you from being able to buy the book?
Just because some book stores will not sell it this is not stopping people from buying the book. The book has not been banned, some outlets chose not to stock it.
4.What really pisses me off, is that two beautiful babies were murdered and the King/Wishart book is EXPLOITATION.
4.1 What the hell are you on about?
Had Wishart written a book about the background of the mother’s of murdered children, there may be some common threads on why their babies and children are fatally harmed or were they to have survived been brain damaged. The risk factors of the mother and child would be better understood and hopefully prevented.
Something called Treetop is a tad confused. You are entitled to have an opinion. I note your comment in 4.2.2.1.3.1 “Actually, Vicky, Wishart is a callous systemic liar. He gives pride of place in his ridiculous monthly magazine to notorious liars and hate mongers like Mark Steyn and Miranda Devine. Have you read any of his unhinged rants against Palestinians and Iraqis?
In this case, King and Wishart are trying to gain from the death of the two kids. Wishart intends to profit financially, King intends to promote her own claim of innocence.
Neither of them are likely to be interested in telling the truth anyway, so the book is unlikely to be anything other than a work of fiction.
I couldn’t agree less! You simply assume Wishart intends to profit financially, which I seriously doubt – I think he sees himself as a campaigner….
I know you are against everything Wishart stands for, and so am I (well, 85% of it), but he would not knowingly tell an untruth.
I know you are against everything Wishart stands for, and so am I (well, 85% of it), but he would not knowingly tell an untruth.
Actually, Vicky, Wishart is a callous and systematic liar. He gives pride of place in his ridiculous monthly magazine to notorious liars and hate-mongers like Mark Steyn and Miranda Devine. Have you read any of his unhinged rants against Palestinians and Iraqis?
Yes, Morrissey, you’re right… Scarily, I think it’s because he believes Steyn and Devine and the rest of the rubbish he spouts is the truth! I think he wouldn’t knowingly lie, but I believe he is a “useful idiot”. That’s IMO worse, and rather sad. I would hate to believe he’s actually a knowing liar, which I don’t believe he is.
I have read his evil magazine (my right-wing sister recommended it) but it makes me vomit.
Close-up tonight.
I missed in what capacity Christine-watch-my-earrings-move-with-my-angry-headshake-Rankin was on the show, (assume as Family Commission spokesperson) but she wasn’t half extolling the virtues of Wishart’s book.
“All New Zealanders must read this book. I know what’s in there even though I haven’t read it myself!”
What?
Incidentally, Christine Rankin was appointed to the Family Commission a couple of years ago now but, from memory, she didn’t actually have a job description for her appointment – has one been written for her yet?
I am also uncomfortable about the “boycott”. While it is called a boycott, it is effectively a form of censorship by applying economic pressure on the booksellers. And I am worried that it smacks of the sort of moral panic (a la NY mosque) that we see so often in the US of A – god forbid that we go down that road.
Like someone said, I too would be happy if it just sat on the shelves. Not that I wouldn’t read the book at the library, but I would not want to directly contribute to the promotion of “her side of the story” – not when the police should have been the first ones told.
As an amateur historian, I have often read source material that people would find objectionable but it allows me to see the context first hand.
The FB page is a way for people to express their feelings, though I wish they would cease from the lynch mob comments.
The book is a lightening rod for the frustration people felt in the face of the arrogant wall of silence from the family, the failure of the court case and the fact that there is still no one held accountable for the murders.
More so at the prospect that Macsyna King would be getting attention when she is either guilty or, if not, was part of the cover up to protect the person guilty of murdering babies.
BTW – Someone at the inquest has fingered her as the murder
and while I’m on mike, these FB ‘mobs’ seem like bigoted internet talk back, the last pile of crap page of significance bought us a nice Lord Jackson supported anti union march on Labour Day.
Exactly right… I went to that group and it’s worse than you could possibly imagine! I made the mistake of signing up to comment, and got abused myself, as a “shithead”, “He-she”, “crack addict”, a childless spinster (which is hilarious) and last but not least I was repeatedly told that I must be a relative of Macsyna King! (If I was, I would have said so, but they were missing the point. What’s next – book-burning, a la Texas?)
Have to say I’m loving what is happening in Greece at the moment 😉
I wonder if New Zealanders would ever get hungry and desperate enough to take to the streets, or are we more like German Jews ? Passively going to the shower block?
Interesting times
Robert, I for one applaud all those brave enough to stand against tyranny whether political or financial. What worries me is the escalation of violence – which one could argue might be innevitable- real people get real wounds / real death.
On the issue at hand the Casino is still running but all bets are off as the players run out of chips. Germany and the financial world could be left with a pile of chips backed by IOUs from every country in Europe with no way of collecting. As the masters in these countries look to flog their people so that they can last a little longer at the table things will get ugly.
Those of us in NZ who think these things wont affect us think again, it is going to be an interesting year as Shonkey tries to keep non existent cash coming in to prop up tax cuts etc (based upon non payable IOUs quietly promised against state assets to be sold and rented back to us).
Apparently Goldman Sachs & Co. have quite a few side bets going that Greece will default. The whole thing is rigged so they can’t lose and will make a packet either way.
Gotta admire these guys. Goldman makes other investment banks quake in their boots. To bad for the people of Greece though, oh well just more collateral damage. The politicians will do OK out of it no doubt.
The collapse of European pension funds due to defaulting will also cause widespread misery.
Meanwhile, RNZ’s Morning Report regularly interviews Goldman Sachs NZ-branch “experts” as if they are something other than members of a gang of economic terrorists.
Tariana Turia used the word ‘holocaust’ to describe a Māori situation and was severely chastised by many sections of society including the jewish community. Instead, why not say ‘sheep to the slaughter’ which most kiwis can relate to although not many can buy under current pricing.
To ‘soften’ the analogy. The trick is encourage people to hold out hope that a warm shower awaits them at the end of a hard road. So, for example, offer them water or the promise of water if they are thirsty ( ‘a rising tide raises all boats’; ‘no gain without pain’; ‘there is no alternative’ etc) and they will be grateful for any expression of humanity or apparent empathy, hold out hope and be acquiescent.
That’s not something you need to do when dealing with or to sheep.
Good stuff Bill. Its a bit like that pathetic Godwin call when you call a spade a spade, a fascist a fascist. One can be sensative but the issue remains.
For the record Adele, Turiana probably had a point, unfortunately our PC use of language took the sting out of the message.
The nature of the events are different and hence the objection to the use of the word holocaust. Holocaust is a loaded term that has come to represent a degree of intentionality and cold-blooded use of industrial methods to utterly extinguish a people group.
It also has been come to be reserved for a specific event in human history.
Her use of the term was ill advised and she got the blow-back that comes from misusing such a loaded and specific term.
For other, similar events (Rwanda/Armenians etc) we now use the word genocide to describe other events that are intended to destroy a people group. As such we look for the presence of a certain set of characteristics that would qualify the event for the name genocide.
Even if she had used the term genocide I would still think that she was wrong. It would not be an appropriate term for what was a series of events that aimed to subjugate, marginalise, rob, disinherit a people group born of a mixture of greed and cultural arrogance.
If an individual seeks money from me that I believe they have no entitlement to, I tell them to fuck off. Doubtless they apply pressure and issue all manner of threats of how dire the future will be if I insist on retaining what is mine.
Seems that’s the situation with Greece and others. The threat coming from the money men is the supposed dire consequences of default. Truth is that default isn’t dire. Well, it is, but not for the defaulter.
Argentina defaulted. There was no sustained outward rush of investment. There were no starving millions. The Argentinian economy was finally able to stand on its feet when the government pushed back against the financial players who kept pushing it to the ground.
But the Greek government, in concert with others, are cowards and idiots acting as enforcers for bullies rather than as defenders of the Greek people.
The Greeks time of relying on failed socialist policies for their economic properity is coming to an end. They have to face up to the fact they can no longer have their cake and eat it as well.
I’d love to see what alternative some of you lefties are proposing for the Greek economy.
Gosman, being slack collecting your taxes, and letting the investment banks convince you that you should take on more and more debt while you trust them to look after the details are not “socialist policies”.
In Greece??? How so considering most rational commentators are stating the problem in Greece is the fact they spend far mor than they earn and the Government sector is far too large and generous?
There was an interview just before 10:00 this morning on the national Programme with a British woman on the Greek issue .Very interesting especially if someone can put up the link. Lehman Bros were involved re manipulating Greeces entry into the EU, also with the ability for some to retire at 50 on the state and that shipping maginates were tax exempt because of the value they allow society to benefit from. Now here is a country that has no ability to experience reality !!!!
Yes, there are better pictures to use….
Following the Judas goat to slaughter.
Sleep walking our way into oblivion.
Striking up another tune on the deck of the Titanic.
Ordering another round when the roof is falling.
Labour leader Phil Goff has got it wrong again. “Hone took that [TTT] from being the safest Maori Party seat in the country to being the most marginal…”, Mr Goff said to Waatea news. Hone Harawira’s seat had the fourth largest majority out of seven seats in the last election. It is interesting to… note that the three lowest majorities in the maori seats included the only two labour MP’s elected, Parekura with a 1645 majority, and Nanaia with only a 888 majority.
Labour leader Phil Goff is in real trouble, it is most likely that his leadership will end after the next election. Phil Goof’s most dangerous enemies are his own labour MP’s, the knives are being sharpened as we speak…
Oh dear. This is clearly a mortal blow for Goff. I won’t be the least bit surprised if not only resigned the leadership, but went as far as locking himself in a quiet room with a bottle of scotch, a revolver and a single bullet. Given the gravity of this appalling error, it would be the only decent thing to do. Thank you both for alerting us to this shocking chain of events and Godspeed you both in your campaign to re-elect Nact, sorry, rejuvenate the Labour Party.
I couldn’t be bothered. I only have a few hours that I can spend there because of work timetables, and listening to him didn’t met the criteria. Unfortunately neither did Rob Oram or any of the keynote speeches to date.
*grin* Sounds like crap – but he is a credulous soul – someone has probably fed this to him to wind him up. Mind you, I think that if I see a hole on his site from here on out (as has existed several times in the past), I will be publishing it rather than my usual practices.
Please don’t hack my site. I’ve been a RWNJ National (under the table) employed lackey for a long time now and I really have to keep blogging crap right up until the next election, otherwise I don’t get my John Key autographed arse warmer.
If you keep stopping graphics from appearing and limiting my links, I’ll huff and puff and blow your house down… Where do you live again?
I know I hacked the Labour Party website, but nobody is allowed to hack my site. It’s just not fair because I rule everything and I have guns.
There was a real lovers tiff between him and Trevor mallard yesterday on Red Alert, and the blubbery one was dishing the threats to TM, along the lines of
Back off or I’ll release more stuff from your server
Cameron gets really really upset at the mention of his friend Simon Lusk. Every time Simon’s name is mentioned he goes ballistic.
Hmm this could be fun.
Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk …
Yet another hilarious revelation – see Red Alert. (Damm I must learn how to link):
Rodney Hide was seen this morning jumping out of his Crown car and taking a photograph of Phil Twyford’s Te Atatu campaign office. So what was that about? An accusation (in due course) of a supposed rorting of tax-payers money by Phil Twyford? If so, I think Twyford may have already successfully killed it.
The rich aren’t the problem. Rich people (the good kind) know their wealth is earned, the kind that lasts, not won by corruption, not won by speculatively excesses, and they will only remain rich if they stay competitive. Just as in any social situation you have cheaters and short-cutters, who seek economic and social recognition at the expense of their own ethics and morals. Wannabes rich, who want to have hundreds of millions in the bank and be PM, but actually have no social platform and so are tools for those who want to cheat to get rich. The wealthy and poor alike know that true prosperity comes of tangible generous spirit. Now National have none, and Labour had little for 9 years, their goal seems to play along. The question for me is where is the social justice debate, why is the political wealth and history denied us? Why? Because Labour introduced the Human Rights Act partially, and created an organisation too close to government (they actively advise government departments!) so the immediacy of their relationship, snotty better than everyone attitude having every branch of government potentially available to their decisions, becomes yet another barrier to Human Rights. As human rights are essentially breach by governments. So yes, we should be compensated for poor government, the poor and the rich, the rich also stand to lose massively from the neo-liberal paradigm when oil, climate crisis, resource wars and food spikes perpetually. So I ask where is the social justice debate on our MSM, where are the independent Human Rights lawyers the hounders of the oppressed? Gone because the Human Rights Commission serves its own and its paymaster role, to hide human rights abuses, loss of political depth, lose of economic rights, lose of social integrity. I am astonished how poor our laws are, that a person can say have a truck hub land next door to them and they have no real recourse! Articulated trucks are horrendously noisy, in any first world economy they are placed well away from homes since the throbbing of them warming up causes heart murmurs and worse. So to hear that a council just dropped a truck hauler next to a home without any noise abatement breaches the human rights of the surrounding property owners. And all the hauler needs to have done is put up some massively large walls and sound protections. Has NZ forgotten how to build substantial walls of breeze blocks, its a half a day process for the price of a roof!
(this story was on TV last night). There was adequate room in the program for a social justice debate about how residential areas have exclusions against such trucks parking over night.
Hey, this is the 21st century and we still get this crap happening, those poor folks who were forced to risk being hauled away themselves by police when they blocked the entrance.
So where are the social justice, and why are they so put down by the likes of Holmes or Henry, if they do show up. Moustache! I think the blind worship of God, Communism, or profit at the expense of anything else is dangerous and we need to rain them in. The Profit God must be brought back down to size and fast.
I think I speak for all of New Zealand when I say our hearts go out to the families of those killed in the Pike River mine disaster. Not only have the families of the deceased had to wait an incessant amount of time for the recovery process to begin, it now appears that it’s been financially mismanaged, and will stall because of a lack foresight by the receivers to set aside enough money to complete the task.
Open letter to Doris Mousdale of the Arcadia Bookshop
Re: your decision to boycott the Macsyna King book
Dear Ms. Mousdale,
I was interested to hear you will refuse to sell the Macsyna King book on moral grounds. That’s a laudable decision.
I presume that you have also refused to sell A Life by Tony Blair, Giving by Bill Clinton and Decision Points by George W. Bush. Each of these authors is directly culpable for the deaths of far more than just two children.
If, however, you do sell any or all of those books, could you please explain why?
With Blair, as with the other two, the terms are interchangeable. One of my favourite press conferences of all time was in London, 2003, when Bush told the assembled media outside No. 10 Downing Street: “I like Tony ‘cos he tells the truth!”
Actually, there is a tape of Bush speaking the truth on just one occasion…
Another open letter this time to lady from Unity Bookshop. Women seem to take the high moral tone to uncomfortable heights often. Are they more sensitive and caring than men or just unable to look directly at unpleasant reality?
Are they more sensitive and caring than men or just unable to look directly at unpleasant reality?
Doris Mousdale does her anodyne book reviews for Leighton Smith and Paul Holmes, two of the most racist, hateful broadcasters in the country. It is absurd to imagine that she is too “sensitive” or “caring” to stock a book which, however bad it might be, will be no worse than an hour of Smith’s or Holmes’s ranting.
Women seem to take the high moral tone to uncomfortable heights often.
I go with the theory that people who protest too much are uncomfortably close to the subject they are protesting about – in this case I’d looking at paid-up members of the smacking brigade or their own close shave with being in the underclass as driving unreasonably high levels of book-banning and hang’em rhetoric.
Why isn’t Jerry the Butt getting off his and organising some package to help the Canterbury regional government with their disaster insurance? He has King-like powers hasn’t he? What a useless type he is. He must have wormed his way into the inner circle to be favoured boy to get his role – or has it just been done on a location thing – he is elected for Christchurch and so everyone has to reap the meagre pickings of what Chch NACTS voted in.
In countries such as Australia, the US, Canada, Spain and Italy, weak planning has ensured that the distinction between town and countryside is blurred. Here you can find the worst of both worlds: a wildly unsustainable, disagregated urban nightmare, in which infrastructure is stretched across sprawling suburbs, people have no choice but to drive, and anonymous dormitory estates seem perfectly designed to generate alienation and anomie.
The uncontrolled growth of our cities that we’ve seen over the last 50 odd years has got to come to and end as we just can’t afford it.
Highly dense urban areas with large numbers of people per sq km will need highly efficient systems of bringing (labour intensive) produce in from rural areas.
Basically the fossil fuels we have left at this stage all need to be reserved for ambulances, tractors and harvesters. Full stop.
Here is a scenario, but first a historical parallel. Hitler and the Nazis could well have accomplished everything that they wanted to do within German borders, including exterminating Jews, so long as they confined their ambitious to Germany itself. After all, the world pretty much sat and watched as the ...
I’ve spent the last couple of days in Hamilton covering Waikato University’s annual NZ Economics Forum, where (arguably) three of the most influential people in our political economy right now laid out their thinking in major speeches about the size and role of Government, their views on for spending, tax ...
Simeon Brown’s Ideology BentSimeon Brown once told Kiwis he tries to represent his deep sense of faith by interacting “with integrity”.“It’s important that there’s Christians in Parliament…and from my perspective, it’s great to be a Christian in Parliament and to bring that perspective to [laws, conversations and policies].”And with ...
Severe geological and financial earthquakes are inevitable. We just don’t know how soon and how they will play out. Are we putting the right effort into preparing for them?Every decade or so the international economy has a major financial crisis. We cannot predict exactly when or exactly how it will ...
Questions1. How did Old Mate Grabaseat describe his soon-to-be-Deputy-PM’s letter to police advocating for Philip Polkinghorne?a.Ill-advisedb.A perfect letterc.A letter that will live in infamyd.He had me at hello2. What did Seymour say in response?a.What’s ill-advised is commenting when you don’t know all the facts and ...
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff has called on OJI Fibre Solutions to work with the government, unions, and the community before closing the Kinleith Paper Mill. “OJI has today announced 230 job losses in what will be a devastating blow for the community. OJI needs to work with ...
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff is sounding the alarm about the latest attack on workers from Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden, who is ignoring her own officials to pursue reckless changes that would completely undermine the personal grievance system. “Brooke van Velden’s changes will ...
Hi,When I started writing Webworm in 2020, I wrote a lot about the conspiracy theories that were suddenly invading our Twitter timelines and Facebook feeds. Four years ago a reader, John, left this feedback under one of my essays:It’s a never ending labyrinth of lunacy which, as you have pointed ...
And if you said this life ain't good enoughI would give my world to lift you upI could change my life to better suit your moodBecause you're so smoothAnd it's just like the ocean under the moonOh, it's the same as the emotion that I get from youYou got the ...
Aotearoa remains the minority’s birthright, New Zealand the majority’s possession. WAITANGI DAY commentary see-saws manically between the warmly positive and the coldly negative. Many New Zealanders consider this a good thing. They point to the unexamined patriotism of July Fourth and Bastille Day celebrations, and applaud the fact that the ...
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the week’s news with regular and special guests, including: and on the week in geopolitics, including the latest from Donald Trump’s administration over Gaza and Ukraine; on the ...
Up until now, the prevailing coalition view of public servants was that there were simply too many of them. But yesterday the new Public Service Commissioner, handpicked by the Luxon Government, said it was not so much numbers but what they did and the value they produced that mattered. Sir ...
In a moment we explore the question: What is Andrew Bayly wanting to tell ACC, and will it involve enjoying a small wine tasting and then telling someone to fuck off? But first, for context, a broader one: What do we look for in a government?Imagine for a moment, you ...
As expected, Donald Trump just threw Ukraine under the bus, demanding that it accept Russia's illegal theft of land, while ruling out any future membership of NATO. Its a colossal betrayal, which effectively legitimises Russia's invasion, while laying the groundwork for the next one. But Trump is apparently fine with ...
This is a guest post by George Weeks, reviewing a book called ‘How to Fly a Horse’ by Kevin AshtonBook review: ‘How to Fly a Horse’ by Kevin Ashton (2015) – and what it means for Auckland. The title of this article might unnerve any Greater Auckland ...
This story was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Within just a week, the sheer devastation of the Los Angeles wildfires has pushed to the fore fundamental questions about the impact of the climate crisis that have been ...
In this world, it's just usYou know it's not the same as it wasSongwriters: Harry Edward Styles / Thomas Edward Percy Hull / Tyler Sam JohnsonYesterday, I received a lovely message from Caty, a reader of Nick’s Kōrero, that got me thinking. So I thought I’d share it with you, ...
In past times a person was considered “unserious” or “not a serious” person if they failed to grasp, behave and speak according to the solemnity of the context in which they were located. For example a serious person does not audibly pass gas at Church, or yell “gun” at a ...
Long stories short, the top six things in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, February 13 are:The coalition Government’s early 2024 ‘fiscal emergency’ freeze on funding, planning and building houses, schools, local roads and hospitals helped extend and deepen the economic and jobs recession through calendar ...
For obvious reasons, people feel uneasy when the right to be a citizen is sold off to wealthy foreigners. Even selling the right to residency seems a bit dubious, when so many migrants who are not millionaires get turned away or are made to jump through innumerable hoops – simply ...
A new season of White Lotus is nearly upon us: more murder mystery, more sumptuous surroundings, more rich people behaving badly.Once more we get to identify with the experience of the pampered tourist or perhaps the poorly paid help; there's something in White Lotus for all New Zealanders.And unlike the ...
In 2016, Aotearoa shockingly plunged to fourth place in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index. Nine years later, and we're back there again: New Zealand has seen a further slip in its global ranking in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). [...] In the latest CPI New Zealand's score ...
1. You’ve started ranking your politicians on how much they respect the rule of law2. You’ve stopped paying attention to those news publications3. You’ve developed a sudden interest in a particular period of history4. More and more people are sounding like your racist, conspiracist uncle.5. Someone just pulled a Nazi ...
Transforming New Zealand: Brian EastonBrian Easton will discuss the above topic at 2/57 Willis Street, Wellington at 5:30pm on Tuesday 26 February at 2/57 Willis Street, WellingtonThe sub-title to the above is "Why is the Left failing?" Brian Easton's analysis is based on his view that while the ...
Salvation Army’s State of the Nation 2025 report highlights falling living standards, the highest unemployment rates since the 1990s and half of all Pacific children going without food. There are reports of hundreds if not thousands of people are applying for the same jobs in the wake of last year’s ...
Mountain Tui is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Correction: On the article The Condundrum of David Seymour, Luke Malpass conducted joint reviews with Bryce Wilkinson, the architect of the Regulatory Standards Bill - not Bryce Edwards. The article ...
Tomorrow the council’s Transport, Resilience and Infrastructure Committee meet and agenda has a few interesting papers. Council’s Letter of Expectation to Auckland Transport Every year the council provide a Letter of Expectation to Auckland Transport which is part of the process for informing AT of the council’s priorities and ...
All around in my home townThey're trying to track me down, yeahThey say they want to bring me in guiltyFor the killing of a deputyFor the life of a deputySongwriter: Robert Nesta Marley.Support Nick’s Kōrero today with a 20% discount on a paid subscription to receive all my newsletters directly ...
Hi,I think all of us have probably experienced the power of music — that strange, transformative thing that gets under our skin and helps us experience this whole life thing with some kind of sanity.Listening and experiencing music has always been such a huge part of my life, and has ...
Business frustration over the stalled economy is growing, and only 34% of voters are confidentNicola Willis can deliver. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, February 12 are:Business frustration is growing about a ...
I have now lived long enough to see a cabinet minister go both barrels on their Prime Minister and not get sacked.It used to be that the PM would have a drawer full of resignations signed by ministers on the day of their appointment, ready for such an occasion. But ...
This session will feature Simon McCallum, Senior Lecturer in Engineering and Computer Science (VUW) and recent Labour Party candidate in the Southland Electorate talking about some of the issues around AI and how this should inform Labour Party policy. Simon is an excellent speaker with a comprehensive command of AI ...
The proposed Waimate garbage incinerator is dead: The company behind a highly-controversial proposal to build a waste-to-energy plant in the Waimate District no longer has the land. [...] However, SIRRL director Paul Taylor said the sales and purchase agreement to purchase land from Murphy Farms, near Glenavy, lapsed at ...
The US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act has been a vital tool in combatting international corruption. It forbids US companies and citizens from bribing foreign public officials anywhere in the world. And its actually enforced: some of the world's biggest companies - Siemens, Hewlett Packard, and Bristol Myers Squibb - have ...
December 2024 photo - with UK Tory Boris Johnson (Source: Facebook)Those PollsFor hours, political poll results have resounded across political hallways and commentary.According to the 1News Verizon poll, 50% of the country believe we are heading in the “wrong direction”, while 39% believe we are “on the right track”.The left ...
A Tai Rāwhiti mill that ran for 30 years before it was shut down in late 2023 is set to re-open in the coming months, which will eventually see nearly 300 new jobs in the region. A new report from Massey University shows that pensioners are struggling with rising costs. ...
As support continues to fall, Luxon also now faces his biggest internal ructions within the coalition since the election, with David Seymour reacting badly to being criticised by the PM. File photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate ...
Not since 1988 when Richard Prebble openly criticised David Lange have we seen such a challenge to a Prime Minister as that of David Seymour to Christopher Luxon last night. Prebble suggested Lange had mental health issues during a TV interview and was almost immediately fired. Seymour hasn’t gone quite ...
Three weeks in, and the 24/7 news cycle is not helping anyone feel calm and informed about the second Trump presidency. One day, the US is threatening 25% trade tariffs on its friends and neighbours. The reasons offered by the White House are absurd, such as stopping fentanyl coming in ...
This video includes personal musings and conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Wherever you look, you'll hear headlines claiming we've passed 1.5 degrees of global warming. And while 2024 saw ...
Photo by Heather M. Edwards on UnsplashHere’s the key news, commentary, reports and debate around Aotearoa’s politics and economy in the week to Feb 10 below. That’s ahead of live chats on the Substack App and The Kākā’s front page on Substack at 5pm with: on his column in The ...
Is there anyone in the world the National Party loves more than a campaign donor? Why yes, there is! They will always have the warmest hello and would you like to slip into something more comfortable for that great god of our age, the High Net Worth Individual.The words the ...
Waste and fraud certainly exist in foreign aid programs, but rightwing celebration of USAID’s dismantling shows profound ignorance of the value of soft power (as opposed to hard power) in projecting US influence and interests abroad by non-military/coercive means (think of “hearts and minds,” “hugs, not bullets,” “honey versus vinegar,” ...
Health New Zealand is proposing to cut almost half of its data and digital positions – more than 1000 of them. The PSA has called on the Privacy Commissioner to urgently investigate the cuts due to the potential for serious consequences for patients. NZNO is calling for an urgent increase ...
We may see a few more luxury cars on Queen Street, but a loosening of rules to entice rich foreigners to invest more here is unlikely to “turbocharge our economic growth”. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate ...
Let us not dance daintily around the elephant in the room. Our politicians who serve us in the present are not honest, certainly not as honest as they should be, and while the right are taking out most of the trophies for warping narratives and literally redefining “facts”, the kiwi ...
A few weeks ago I took a look at public transport ridership in 2024. In today’s post I’m going to be looking a bit deeper at bus ridership. Buses make up the vast majority of ridership in Auckland with 70 million boardings last year out of a total of 89.4 ...
Oh, you know I did itIt's over and I feel fineNothing you could say is gonna change my mindWaited and I waited the longest nightNothing like the taste of sweet declineSongwriters: Chris Shiflett / David Eric Grohl / Nate Mendel / Taylor Hawkins.Hindsight is good, eh?The clarity when the pieces ...
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on UnsplashHere’s what we’re watching in the week to February 16 and beyond in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty:Monday, February 10The Kākā’s weekly wrap-up of news about politics and the economy is due at midday, followed by webinar for paying subscribers in Substack’s ...
A listing of 23 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, February 2, 2025 thru Sat, February 8, 2025. This week's roundup is again published soleley by category. We are still interested in feedback to hone the categorization, so if ...
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 ...
Hi,This week’s Flightless Bird episode was about “fake seizure guy” — a Melbourne man who fakes seizures in order to get members of the public to sit on him.The audio documentary (which I have included in this newsletter in case you don’t listen to Flightless Bird) built on reporting first ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Karin Kirk The 119th Congress comes with a price tag. The oil and gas industry gave about $24 million in campaign contributions to the members of the U.S. House and Senate expected to be sworn in January 3, 2025, according to a ...
Early morning, the shadows still long, but you can already feel the warmth building. Our motel was across the road from the historic homestead where Henry Williams' family lived. The evening before, we wandered around the gardens, reading the plaques and enjoying the close proximity to the history of the ...
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. ...
Today Te Pāti Māori MP for Te Tai Tokerau, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, released her members bill that will see the return of tamariki and mokopuna Māori from state care back to te iwi Māori. This bill will establish an independent authority that asserts and protects the rights promised in He Whakaputanga ...
The Whangarei District Council being forced to fluoridate their local water supply is facing a despotic Soviet-era disgrace. This is not a matter of being pro-fluoride or anti-fluoride. It is a matter of what New Zealanders see and value as democracy in our country. Individual democratically elected Councillors are not ...
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 ...
New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill aimed at preventing banks from refusing their services to businesses because of the current “Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Framework”. “This Bill ensures fairness and prevents ESG standards from perpetuating woke ideology in the banking sector being driven by unelected, globalist, climate ...
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 ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced Budget 2025 – the Growth Budget - will be delivered on Thursday 22 May. “This year’s Budget will drive forward the Government’s plan to grow our economy to improve the incomes of New Zealanders now and in the years ahead. “Budget 2025 will build ...
For the Government, 2025 will bring a relentless focus on unleashing the growth we need to lift incomes, strengthen local businesses and create opportunity. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today laid out the Government’s growth agenda in his Statement to Parliament. “Just over a year ago this Government was elected by ...
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 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. ...
MONDAYSheriff Seymour rode slowly down the main street of Dodge on his faithful white horse Atlas Network.He liked what he saw.Children were being fed free lunches prepared by kind people who collected the scraps from an offal rendering plant.“Very strongly flavoured liver, such as ox liver, can be soaked overnight ...
Once upon a time it was all about being an astronaut, a firefighter or doctor; but these days kids have their sights set on becoming vloggers or YouTubers.That’s according to a 2019 study by Lego that surveyed 3000 children between the ages of eight to 12 from the US, the ...
Madeleine Chapman reflects on the week that was. From the moment I started high school and realised almost every other girl in my year was at least partially interested in what the boys were up to, I realised that I would be single for life. The feeling wasn’t one of ...
The Pacific profiles series shines a light on Pacific people in Aotearoa doing interesting and important work in their communities, as nominated by members of the public. Today, Selina Alesana Alefosio.All photos by Geoffery Matautia.On a bright Sunday morning from her grandparent’s home in Pito-one, I spoke with ...
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‘
EMA say they can weather the Thompson Storm.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10735208'>EMA
The EMA must expel Alasdair Thompson if it is to retain any credibility as an organisation.
If they don’t then actions need to be taken against them by those entrusted with ensuring democracy and fairness.
For instance though Parliament never released the name of those lobby groups given privileged access to parliament.
You can bet that the EMA is definitely one of them.
This privilege not available to normal citizens should be suspended from the EMA until the time that they distance themselves from Alasdair Thompson.
In a democracy an organisation that tolerates bigotry should have no special arrangement that allows them to influence public policy.
Every woman MP no matter their political affiliation should demand that the EMA special access ‘keys’ and ‘swipe cards’ should be taken off them, until Thompson is dismissed.
The EMA claim that they can weather the Thompson Storm.
I doubt they could weather that storm. As a lobby group they have been very effective, having the ear of parliament, achieving much of their agenda.
The EMA’s special access to parliament and parliamentarians would be a big part of this success.
Till Thomson is sacked the call on the floor of parliament from every women MP should be:
“Remove the EMA special access now! ”
“EMA say they can weather the Thompson Storm”
The EMA must expel Alasdair Thompson if it is to retain any credibility as an organisation.
If they don’t then actions need to be taken against them by our representatives, those entrusted by us to ensuring fairness.
The EMA need to learn that women are not powerless, and that a group that tolerates the prejudice behind justifying lower pay rates, will pay a price.
Parliament never released the name of those lobby groups given privileged access to parliament.
But you can guarantee that the EMA is definitely one of them.
This privilege not available to normal citizens should be suspended from the EMA until the time that they distance themselves from Alasdair Thompson.
In a democracy an organisation that tolerates bigotry should have no special arrangement that allows them to influence public policy.
This should be a given!
Every female MP no matter their political affiliation should demand that the EMA special access ‘keys’ and ‘swipe cards’ should be taken off them, until Thompson is dismissed.
The EMA have claimed; “The EMA can weather the Thompson Storm.”
Let us see if they can “weather” having their special access removed. As a lobby group they have been very effective in achieving their aims, having the ear of parliament would play a large part in that success.
In my opinion the EMA’s special access to parliament and parliamentarians is an affront to democracy in itself, the fact that this group tolerates bigotry against women makes it worse.
Till Thomson is sacked the call on the floor of parliament from every women MP should be:
“Remove the EMA special access now! “
“If they don’t then actions need to be taken against them by those entrusted with ensuring democracy and fairness.”
Honestly I didn’t read any further than this.
I would have thought it was democratic and fair to let a private organisation (no matter how public their profile) manage their affairs as best they see fit. If they do something that discredits them in the eye of the public, then that is their just deserts.
The poor man is trying hard not to join the masses at the dole queue.
I wipe away a tear.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10735421
Maybe he’s come down with man flu.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-hot-button/get-well-soon-guys-man-flu-is-real-study-finds/article2077962/
(“Women are simply less likely to succumb to bugs, the Telegraph reports.
Compared with men, an Australian study found, women have a “much stronger immune response” to rhinoviruses – the germs responsible for the common cold.”)
This may have been answered before but does anyone have actual numbers of extra police in sth akl under Collins.
Also the number/cost of all the extra consultants and various toe cutters the nats have brought in to do ministerial portfolios dirty work?
I answered and said that 300 extra were put into sth Auckland but this was not under Collins. Good question you ask because there was not an increase in the budget for police.
So, following on from Zetetic’s post at http://thestandard.org.nz/howzat/ where he opined that “If best Key can promise for the economy is an increase in a tiny portion of tourism, some time in the future, when a plane that isn’t even operational might start flying here direct from Mumbai, we’re in trouble”, we have this news:
“New Zealand is one step closer to reaching a free trade agreement with India and Kiwi companies are optimistic about their prospects in one of the world’s fastest growing markets.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10735338
Good news, hmmm?
Of course, I guess Zetetic will still be outraged about the lack of tourism …
G, the devil is in the detail. If its a “fair” trade agreement as opposed to the standard “free” trade agreement I am all for it. Previous so called free trade agreements have probably alerted Zets “shit radar”.
Still. Good news that we line up our Defence Force with that of a Nuclear Armed Country. Cosy bedfellows?
ianmac – Saves on uniforms too! To be cheap is our aim isn’t it? And getting nastier too.
See http://www.thestandard.org.nz/keys-to-do-list/ , third to last.
No, it’s not as it’s unsustainable. All it’ll really do is put a bit more money in some peoples pockets while destroying our ability to live as we will have destroyed the environment to get those dollars.
Oh good, we can buy cheaper T-shirts made in sweat shops whilst their very affluent bosses can holiday here, their film industry can gain big subsidies and we can export, well….. our call centre business (or what’s left of it) to Bangalore…
No one involved with the “Macsynna King” book comes out looking any good, but book banning or burning leads to worse places. I’d rather see piles of them sitting in stores unsold then quietly remaindered, or dumped on Wisharts property.
And while I’m on mike, these FB ‘mobs’ seem like bigoted internet talk back, the last pile of crap page of significance bought us a nice Lord Jackson supported anti union march on Labour Day.
I dunno, TM. The two chains have declined to stock the Smacsyna King book. That’s not a ban, it’s a moral decision to put good taste ahead of profits. That’s rare in business, aye? As I said on Open Mike a couple of days ago, if Tepco or BP put the public good ahead of private gain, the world would be a better place.
That’s not a ban, it’s a moral decision to put good taste ahead of profits
These bookshop owners are moral, are they? Have you checked whether they have refused to stock A Life by Tony Blair?
I think their morality may well be selective, Mozza. But I have nothing but praise for the decision in this case.
Wow, just spent a few minutes trawling through the fb page. The page itself calls for a boycott, not a ban, but the tone of many comments is that hanging is too good for them. An amazing outpouring of ignorance, hatred and bile. As you say, TM, just like talkback!
BTW, just to save people the bother of reading the book, I thhink I can sum it up in four words:
‘It wasn’t me, honest’.
Hanging is too good for Macsyna King.
I did not like the idea of her making money from the deaths for which she was (at best for her) partly responsible. I understand that Wishart has said she is not and, if that’s true, that must be the end of the issue. People write books about all sorts of horrible things, yet no-one suggests that books about, say, the holocaust should be banned on the grounds that someone is profiting from that misery.
I heard on nine to noon that Wishart has said that she will not be making anything from the book. Take that with whatever skepticism you use with Wishart statements.
Meh, he’s not always wrong. In fact, I believe he’s seldom if ever wrong on matters of fact – just his interpretation of them.
Decades ago Wishart used to check himself and his sources much more thoroughly. However I suspect that he has been falling subject to hubris more and more over the years and doing less and less checking when he ‘knows’ the answers.
These days Wishart is a classic case of where a lack of knowledge makes him completely credulous when it comes to both the sources of facts as well as the interpretation. It is really hard to find anything in his recent books that stacks up as being of much relevance beyond being Wisharts opinion (ie not his interpretation – because that would have required that he thought about it and judged it).
He is wrong in facts as well as interpretation. The codswallop he has used about Takuu was a classic example – where he seems to have used newspaper clippings from journalists about other islands thousands of kms away as what he made his mind up from. Not to mention his other rationales for being too lazy to actually investigate.
eg…
http://thestandard.org.nz/there-once-was-an-island-in-theatres-this-week/#comment-343639
http://thestandard.org.nz/there-once-was-an-island-in-theatres-this-week/#comment-343925
http://www.baptist.org.nz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1429:clearing-the-air&catid=172:general&Itemid=196
Umm I wrote a post about a particularly daft example…. Yep here.
Moral outrage is so warming at a time of winter frosts isn’t it! And the superior thinking of FB ticking yes/no like/don’t like is an example of deep thought about the King book about the Kahui twins? North and South have often done stories about people who have been involved in violence and crime so what’s the difference here. Ian Wishhart is different of course but shouldn’t be banned as is happening.
Burning/banning books because ‘I don’t like the subject, the author, the opinions’ is dangerous. Inciting hatred by denigrating some person or group might be a valid reason. But shining a light on dark doings through a book is useful. Especially if we absorb the detail and use that knowledge to change behaviour so the dark doings don’t occur again.
Fancy banning or boycotting a book unread!
Nothing wrong with boycotting a book without reading it, Ian. I’ve personally boycotted Mein Kampf all my life, because I don’t have to read the thing to now what it means. In this case, King and Wishart are trying to gain from the death of the two kids. Wishart intends to profit financially, King intends to promote her own claim of innocence.
Neither of them are likely to be interested in telling the truth anyway, so the book is unlikely to be anything other than a work of fiction.
VOR. I’m reading a book currently about Stalin in the 1930s. I couldn’t tell if it was worth reading until I had read at least part of it. (Excellent by the way. “The Stalin Epigram.”) Sure it is very unlikely that I would ever read a Wishart book but I rather resent others Censoring my reading a legally published book.
But no one is censoring your reading, Ian. Get it off the net if you want it or go to any of the other bookshops that are stocking it. The call is for a boycott, not a ban. The Stalin book sounds interesting. He’s still rather popular in Russia, often ranking just below Putin in the preferred leader polls.
Seen this? http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10735464&ref=rss
Ian Wishart answers a number of questions about Macsyna King and why he wrote ‘Breaking the Silence’.
This is a HUGE ‘freedom of expression’ issue and I support 100% Ian Wishart’s right to write and publish his book ‘Breaking the Silence’, and MY right as a customer to be able to purchase it from the Warehouse or Paper Plus or Whitcoulls.
For goodness sake – it wasn’t Ian Wishart who killed the Kahui baby boys!
The CRAP that he’s getting for writing about the killing of the Kahui baby boys is worse than the KILLERS?
Duh?
If Ian’s book results in the Police reopening the Kahui case and it results in a conviction for the deaths of those poor little babies – then surely that will be the outcome that most people want?
Who is this ‘Chris’ that set up the ‘Boycott the Macsyna King Book’ facebook and LIED about Macsyna profiting from ‘Breaking the Silence’ when that was NEVER the case?
What are ‘Chris’s motives, and with whom is he connected?
Use some basic logic here folks!
Who stands to benefit most from trying to ‘silence’ Ian wishart who is trying to ‘break the silence’ about the causes of child abuse in general and the Kahui case in particular?
The killed Kahui baby boys – or the KILLERS of the Kahui baby boys?
Our rights to freedom of expression are under siege.
Whatever you may think about Ian Wishart and his views on a number of issues is surely NOT the point here.
It is a matter of principle.
All those who believe in freedom of expression should be stepping up to the plate – because WHO IS NEXT????
Penny Bright
http://waterpressure.wordpress.com
Sorry Penny, but you simply don’t have a right as a customer to be able to purchase it from the Warehouse or Paper Plus or Whitcoulls, nor from any other specific outlet.
I would have if The Warehouse and Paper Plus – who originally WERE going to stock ‘Breaking the Silence’ were pressured into not doing so.
That is NOT ok.
WHO IS NEXT????
Penny Bright
http://waterpresure.wordpress.com
With respect, you would have an opportunity, not a right.
Ian can write it. You can read it. The rights don’t extend much further than that, do they?
Ian’s a publisher. Does he have to publish my books? Why not?
Yes, that’s the question that matters… People need to see that!
An interesting question! Amongst the abusive names I got called when I went there and spoke against the boycott (they included crack whore, lmao,
Opps, I meant to add – that the other accusation against me was that I was a member of Macsyna’s family! (If I was, I’d have said so.)
VoR Until the killer/s of Chris and Cru are charged with murder the King/Wishart book is exploiting the death of Chris and Cru. If there is ever a right time to write a book, it would be once the killer/s are sentenced.
Do I need to read the book to establish if King or Wishart know who murdered Chris and Cru?
Wishart has stated that King mentions the killer. King needs to go down to the police station with a lawyer and tell the police everything, (I would not allow how I feel about the police to stop myself from talking to them were my two babies murdered).
I don’t give a shit about any talk of censorship as the book can be accessed in NZ. What really pisses me off, is that two beautiful babies were murdered and the King/Wishart book is EXPLOITATION.
Something called “Treetop” is just a tad confused.
1.) If there is ever a right time to write a book, it would be once the killer/s are sentenced.
What? Is there a law against writing a book now? Are you some sort of marketing genius that has assessed the optimum time to release books?
2.) Do I need to read the book to establish if King or Wishart know who murdered Chris and Cru?
I don’t think anyone cares what you need to do. If you know who it was, by the way, why don’t you tell the rest of us?
3.) I don’t give a shit about any talk of censorship…
You illiberal dolt. I think it’s offensive to read ignorant comments on The Standard but I wouldn’t dream of censoring you. Why would you stop me being able to buy a book?
4.) What really pisses me off, is that two beautiful babies were murdered and the King/Wishart book is EXPLOITATION.
Every book that’s ever been written is exploitation. What the hell are you on about?
Morrissey in response to your questions below my questions numbered 1 – 4
1. If there is ever a right time to right a book, it would be once the killer/s are sentenced?
1.1 Is there a law about writing a book now?
No there is not and I did not say that there was a law.
1.2 Are you some sort of market genius that has assessed the optimum time to release a book?
The killer/s are still out there and were the book to aid the killer/s in anyway this would not be the case were there a conviction.
2. Do I need to read the book to estabish if King or Wishart know who murdered Chris and Cru?
2.1 If you know who it was why don’t you tell the rest of us?
Well what is stopping King and Wishart from going to the police as they appear to know more than I do about who took two innocent lives.?
3. I don’t give a shit about any talk of censorship?
3.1 Why would you stop me from being able to buy the book?
How am I stopping you from being able to buy the book?
Just because some book stores will not sell it this is not stopping people from buying the book. The book has not been banned, some outlets chose not to stock it.
4.What really pisses me off, is that two beautiful babies were murdered and the King/Wishart book is EXPLOITATION.
4.1 What the hell are you on about?
Had Wishart written a book about the background of the mother’s of murdered children, there may be some common threads on why their babies and children are fatally harmed or were they to have survived been brain damaged. The risk factors of the mother and child would be better understood and hopefully prevented.
Something called Treetop is a tad confused. You are entitled to have an opinion. I note your comment in 4.2.2.1.3.1 “Actually, Vicky, Wishart is a callous systemic liar. He gives pride of place in his ridiculous monthly magazine to notorious liars and hate mongers like Mark Steyn and Miranda Devine. Have you read any of his unhinged rants against Palestinians and Iraqis?
Ian Wishart is dedicated to telling untruth.”
Yes I know my name is not Vicky
I couldn’t agree less! You simply assume Wishart intends to profit financially, which I seriously doubt – I think he sees himself as a campaigner….
I know you are against everything Wishart stands for, and so am I (well, 85% of it), but he would not knowingly tell an untruth.
I know you are against everything Wishart stands for, and so am I (well, 85% of it), but he would not knowingly tell an untruth.
Actually, Vicky, Wishart is a callous and systematic liar. He gives pride of place in his ridiculous monthly magazine to notorious liars and hate-mongers like Mark Steyn and Miranda Devine. Have you read any of his unhinged rants against Palestinians and Iraqis?
Ian Wishart is dedicated to telling untruth.
Yes, Morrissey, you’re right… Scarily, I think it’s because he believes Steyn and Devine and the rest of the rubbish he spouts is the truth! I think he wouldn’t knowingly lie, but I believe he is a “useful idiot”. That’s IMO worse, and rather sad. I would hate to believe he’s actually a knowing liar, which I don’t believe he is.
I have read his evil magazine (my right-wing sister recommended it) but it makes me vomit.
Close-up tonight.
I missed in what capacity Christine-watch-my-earrings-move-with-my-angry-headshake-Rankin was on the show, (assume as Family Commission spokesperson) but she wasn’t half extolling the virtues of Wishart’s book.
“All New Zealanders must read this book. I know what’s in there even though I haven’t read it myself!”
What?
Incidentally, Christine Rankin was appointed to the Family Commission a couple of years ago now but, from memory, she didn’t actually have a job description for her appointment – has one been written for her yet?
I am also uncomfortable about the “boycott”. While it is called a boycott, it is effectively a form of censorship by applying economic pressure on the booksellers. And I am worried that it smacks of the sort of moral panic (a la NY mosque) that we see so often in the US of A – god forbid that we go down that road.
Like someone said, I too would be happy if it just sat on the shelves. Not that I wouldn’t read the book at the library, but I would not want to directly contribute to the promotion of “her side of the story” – not when the police should have been the first ones told.
As an amateur historian, I have often read source material that people would find objectionable but it allows me to see the context first hand.
The FB page is a way for people to express their feelings, though I wish they would cease from the lynch mob comments.
The book is a lightening rod for the frustration people felt in the face of the arrogant wall of silence from the family, the failure of the court case and the fact that there is still no one held accountable for the murders.
More so at the prospect that Macsyna King would be getting attention when she is either guilty or, if not, was part of the cover up to protect the person guilty of murdering babies.
BTW – Someone at the inquest has fingered her as the murder
Exactly right… I went to that group and it’s worse than you could possibly imagine! I made the mistake of signing up to comment, and got abused myself, as a “shithead”, “He-she”, “crack addict”, a childless spinster (which is hilarious) and last but not least I was repeatedly told that I must be a relative of Macsyna King! (If I was, I would have said so, but they were missing the point. What’s next – book-burning, a la Texas?)
Have to say I’m loving what is happening in Greece at the moment 😉
I wonder if New Zealanders would ever get hungry and desperate enough to take to the streets, or are we more like German Jews ? Passively going to the shower block?
Interesting times
http://www.democracynow.org/2011/6/29/inside_greeks_general_strike_video_report
Robert, I for one applaud all those brave enough to stand against tyranny whether political or financial. What worries me is the escalation of violence – which one could argue might be innevitable- real people get real wounds / real death.
On the issue at hand the Casino is still running but all bets are off as the players run out of chips. Germany and the financial world could be left with a pile of chips backed by IOUs from every country in Europe with no way of collecting. As the masters in these countries look to flog their people so that they can last a little longer at the table things will get ugly.
Those of us in NZ who think these things wont affect us think again, it is going to be an interesting year as Shonkey tries to keep non existent cash coming in to prop up tax cuts etc (based upon non payable IOUs quietly promised against state assets to be sold and rented back to us).
Apparently Goldman Sachs & Co. have quite a few side bets going that Greece will default. The whole thing is rigged so they can’t lose and will make a packet either way.
Gotta admire these guys. Goldman makes other investment banks quake in their boots. To bad for the people of Greece though, oh well just more collateral damage. The politicians will do OK out of it no doubt.
The collapse of European pension funds due to defaulting will also cause widespread misery.
Meanwhile, RNZ’s Morning Report regularly interviews Goldman Sachs NZ-branch “experts” as if they are something other than members of a gang of economic terrorists.
Teenaa koe, RobAttack
I think the analogy you paint is a bit raw.
Tariana Turia used the word ‘holocaust’ to describe a Māori situation and was severely chastised by many sections of society including the jewish community. Instead, why not say ‘sheep to the slaughter’ which most kiwis can relate to although not many can buy under current pricing.
To ‘soften’ the analogy. The trick is encourage people to hold out hope that a warm shower awaits them at the end of a hard road. So, for example, offer them water or the promise of water if they are thirsty ( ‘a rising tide raises all boats’; ‘no gain without pain’; ‘there is no alternative’ etc) and they will be grateful for any expression of humanity or apparent empathy, hold out hope and be acquiescent.
That’s not something you need to do when dealing with or to sheep.
Good stuff Bill. Its a bit like that pathetic Godwin call when you call a spade a spade, a fascist a fascist. One can be sensative but the issue remains.
For the record Adele, Turiana probably had a point, unfortunately our PC use of language took the sting out of the message.
The nature of the events are different and hence the objection to the use of the word holocaust. Holocaust is a loaded term that has come to represent a degree of intentionality and cold-blooded use of industrial methods to utterly extinguish a people group.
It also has been come to be reserved for a specific event in human history.
Her use of the term was ill advised and she got the blow-back that comes from misusing such a loaded and specific term.
For other, similar events (Rwanda/Armenians etc) we now use the word genocide to describe other events that are intended to destroy a people group. As such we look for the presence of a certain set of characteristics that would qualify the event for the name genocide.
Even if she had used the term genocide I would still think that she was wrong. It would not be an appropriate term for what was a series of events that aimed to subjugate, marginalise, rob, disinherit a people group born of a mixture of greed and cultural arrogance.
kia ora adele – well said
If an individual seeks money from me that I believe they have no entitlement to, I tell them to fuck off. Doubtless they apply pressure and issue all manner of threats of how dire the future will be if I insist on retaining what is mine.
Seems that’s the situation with Greece and others. The threat coming from the money men is the supposed dire consequences of default. Truth is that default isn’t dire. Well, it is, but not for the defaulter.
Argentina defaulted. There was no sustained outward rush of investment. There were no starving millions. The Argentinian economy was finally able to stand on its feet when the government pushed back against the financial players who kept pushing it to the ground.
But the Greek government, in concert with others, are cowards and idiots acting as enforcers for bullies rather than as defenders of the Greek people.
The Greeks time of relying on failed socialist policies for their economic properity is coming to an end. They have to face up to the fact they can no longer have their cake and eat it as well.
I’d love to see what alternative some of you lefties are proposing for the Greek economy.
Gosman, being slack collecting your taxes, and letting the investment banks convince you that you should take on more and more debt while you trust them to look after the details are not “socialist policies”.
The RWNJs are rewriting history already. Gosman, it was failed capitalist policies that caused the financial collapse.
In Greece??? How so considering most rational commentators are stating the problem in Greece is the fact they spend far mor than they earn and the Government sector is far too large and generous?
Funny how the Bankers survive and get bonus payments regardless of how the peasants suffer.
There will certainly be issues for greece if it turns to custard, just one small example as below.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303936704576399273733104288.html
Got me thinking: Is Greece still paying for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games?
Good point. Wouldn’t surprise me, anyone who’d take on that kind of debt for their own aggrandisement needs their head reading.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3649268.stm
Thanks for the link.
….are we more like German Jews ? Passively going to the shower block?
This is without question the most ignorant and offensive comment of the year so far. You idiot.
There was an interview just before 10:00 this morning on the national Programme with a British woman on the Greek issue .Very interesting especially if someone can put up the link. Lehman Bros were involved re manipulating Greeces entry into the EU, also with the ability for some to retire at 50 on the state and that shipping maginates were tax exempt because of the value they allow society to benefit from. Now here is a country that has no ability to experience reality !!!!
Shipping magnates are exempt from paying tax. Aristole Onassis from Greece became extremely wealthy through shipping.
And hairdressers, pastry chefs and radio announcers were deemed able to retire on 95% of their final wage aged 50 – wish I had gone and lived there!
robert attack – German Jews deserve not to be slighted by such insensitive, unthinking types as you.
Yes, there are better pictures to use….
Following the Judas goat to slaughter.
Sleep walking our way into oblivion.
Striking up another tune on the deck of the Titanic.
Ordering another round when the roof is falling.
Labour Leader Phil Goff wrong again.
Labour leader Phil Goff has got it wrong again. “Hone took that [TTT] from being the safest Maori Party seat in the country to being the most marginal…”, Mr Goff said to Waatea news. Hone Harawira’s seat had the fourth largest majority out of seven seats in the last election. It is interesting to… note that the three lowest majorities in the maori seats included the only two labour MP’s elected, Parekura with a 1645 majority, and Nanaia with only a 888 majority.
Labour leader Phil Goff is in real trouble, it is most likely that his leadership will end after the next election. Phil Goof’s most dangerous enemies are his own labour MP’s, the knives are being sharpened as we speak…
“… the knives are being sharpened as we speak…”
God I hope they are using power-tools.
If a job’s worth doing…..
…..and this need is urgent!
Oh dear. This is clearly a mortal blow for Goff. I won’t be the least bit surprised if not only resigned the leadership, but went as far as locking himself in a quiet room with a bottle of scotch, a revolver and a single bullet. Given the gravity of this appalling error, it would be the only decent thing to do. Thank you both for alerting us to this shocking chain of events and Godspeed you both in your campaign to re-elect Nact, sorry, rejuvenate the Labour Party.
Goff is doing far more to help National get re-elected, than all blog commenters combined could possibily achieve.
watch Joyce getting loved at nethui;
https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23NetHui
I couldn’t be bothered. I only have a few hours that I can spend there because of work timetables, and listening to him didn’t met the criteria. Unfortunately neither did Rob Oram or any of the keynote speeches to date.
Fantastic contribution from the genius. An embarrassment of riches.
I was trying hard to get to it and now I am glad I didn’t.
Cameron is claiming the Labour Party has entered into a contract to bring his site down!!
To quote “Labour has put out a contract amongst the hacking community to deface or take down my site”.
Traffic volume must be down so he needs to boost it up. Honestly though …
Perhaps he should be invited to put up proof or apologise.
*grin* Sounds like crap – but he is a credulous soul – someone has probably fed this to him to wind him up. Mind you, I think that if I see a hole on his site from here on out (as has existed several times in the past), I will be publishing it rather than my usual practices.
“I will be publishing it rather than my usual practices.”
Don’t sink to his level.
Of course because the Labour party are just so gosh darned nice and would never, ever think of doing anything underhanded would they
Perhaps he should write a formal complaint:
Dear Anonymous,
Please don’t hack my site. I’ve been a RWNJ National (under the table) employed lackey for a long time now and I really have to keep blogging crap right up until the next election, otherwise I don’t get my John Key autographed arse warmer.
If you keep stopping graphics from appearing and limiting my links, I’ll huff and puff and blow your house down… Where do you live again?
I know I hacked the Labour Party website, but nobody is allowed to hack my site. It’s just not fair because I rule everything and I have guns.
Yours respectfully,
Cameron Slater.
PS Can you super size my arse warmer please?
There was a real lovers tiff between him and Trevor mallard yesterday on Red Alert, and the blubbery one was dishing the threats to TM, along the lines of
The man is a tosser
“Man” might be stretching it a bit.
Aye Ian
Cameron gets really really upset at the mention of his friend Simon Lusk. Every time Simon’s name is mentioned he goes ballistic.
Hmm this could be fun.
Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk, Simon Lusk …
‘Perhaps he should be invited to put up proof or apologise’ nice one mickey, bit early for a friday funny but hilarious none the less.
Slater/Wishart/DPF at times are bottom feeders, reminds me of a t-shirt at Despair.com that goes ‘more people have read this t-shirt than your blog’
Yet another hilarious revelation – see Red Alert. (Damm I must learn how to link):
Rodney Hide was seen this morning jumping out of his Crown car and taking a photograph of Phil Twyford’s Te Atatu campaign office. So what was that about? An accusation (in due course) of a supposed rorting of tax-payers money by Phil Twyford? If so, I think Twyford may have already successfully killed it.
The rich aren’t the problem. Rich people (the good kind) know their wealth is earned, the kind that lasts, not won by corruption, not won by speculatively excesses, and they will only remain rich if they stay competitive. Just as in any social situation you have cheaters and short-cutters, who seek economic and social recognition at the expense of their own ethics and morals. Wannabes rich, who want to have hundreds of millions in the bank and be PM, but actually have no social platform and so are tools for those who want to cheat to get rich. The wealthy and poor alike know that true prosperity comes of tangible generous spirit. Now National have none, and Labour had little for 9 years, their goal seems to play along. The question for me is where is the social justice debate, why is the political wealth and history denied us? Why? Because Labour introduced the Human Rights Act partially, and created an organisation too close to government (they actively advise government departments!) so the immediacy of their relationship, snotty better than everyone attitude having every branch of government potentially available to their decisions, becomes yet another barrier to Human Rights. As human rights are essentially breach by governments. So yes, we should be compensated for poor government, the poor and the rich, the rich also stand to lose massively from the neo-liberal paradigm when oil, climate crisis, resource wars and food spikes perpetually. So I ask where is the social justice debate on our MSM, where are the independent Human Rights lawyers the hounders of the oppressed? Gone because the Human Rights Commission serves its own and its paymaster role, to hide human rights abuses, loss of political depth, lose of economic rights, lose of social integrity. I am astonished how poor our laws are, that a person can say have a truck hub land next door to them and they have no real recourse! Articulated trucks are horrendously noisy, in any first world economy they are placed well away from homes since the throbbing of them warming up causes heart murmurs and worse. So to hear that a council just dropped a truck hauler next to a home without any noise abatement breaches the human rights of the surrounding property owners. And all the hauler needs to have done is put up some massively large walls and sound protections. Has NZ forgotten how to build substantial walls of breeze blocks, its a half a day process for the price of a roof!
(this story was on TV last night). There was adequate room in the program for a social justice debate about how residential areas have exclusions against such trucks parking over night.
Hey, this is the 21st century and we still get this crap happening, those poor folks who were forced to risk being hauled away themselves by police when they blocked the entrance.
So where are the social justice, and why are they so put down by the likes of Holmes or Henry, if they do show up. Moustache! I think the blind worship of God, Communism, or profit at the expense of anything else is dangerous and we need to rain them in. The Profit God must be brought back down to size and fast.
Who Pays for Pike River?
I think I speak for all of New Zealand when I say our hearts go out to the families of those killed in the Pike River mine disaster. Not only have the families of the deceased had to wait an incessant amount of time for the recovery process to begin, it now appears that it’s been financially mismanaged, and will stall because of a lack foresight by the receivers to set aside enough money to complete the task.
Open letter to Doris Mousdale of the Arcadia Bookshop
Re: your decision to boycott the Macsyna King book
Dear Ms. Mousdale,
I was interested to hear you will refuse to sell the Macsyna King book on moral grounds. That’s a laudable decision.
I presume that you have also refused to sell A Life by Tony Blair, Giving by Bill Clinton and Decision Points by George W. Bush. Each of these authors is directly culpable for the deaths of far more than just two children.
If, however, you do sell any or all of those books, could you please explain why?
Yours sincerely,
Morrissey Breen
Northcote Point
Was that ‘A Life’ by Tony Blair or ‘A Lie’ by Tony Blair ?
With Blair, as with the other two, the terms are interchangeable. One of my favourite press conferences of all time was in London, 2003, when Bush told the assembled media outside No. 10 Downing Street: “I like Tony ‘cos he tells the truth!”
Actually, there is a tape of Bush speaking the truth on just one occasion…
Another open letter this time to lady from Unity Bookshop. Women seem to take the high moral tone to uncomfortable heights often. Are they more sensitive and caring than men or just unable to look directly at unpleasant reality?
Are they more sensitive and caring than men or just unable to look directly at unpleasant reality?
Doris Mousdale does her anodyne book reviews for Leighton Smith and Paul Holmes, two of the most racist, hateful broadcasters in the country. It is absurd to imagine that she is too “sensitive” or “caring” to stock a book which, however bad it might be, will be no worse than an hour of Smith’s or Holmes’s ranting.
I go with the theory that people who protest too much are uncomfortably close to the subject they are protesting about – in this case I’d looking at paid-up members of the smacking brigade or their own close shave with being in the underclass as driving unreasonably high levels of book-banning and hang’em rhetoric.
Sad but true Rosy.
There are also those who are just using the issue to push their racist agendas, and vent their hatred of Maori.
Good on you Morrissey! Let us know if she replies…
Looks like I will have to look at the spam stuff again this weekend. People have started getting auto-moderated again.
The reason is pretty clear from the akismet anti-spam chart.
Why isn’t Jerry the Butt getting off his and organising some package to help the Canterbury regional government with their disaster insurance? He has King-like powers hasn’t he? What a useless type he is. He must have wormed his way into the inner circle to be favoured boy to get his role – or has it just been done on a location thing – he is elected for Christchurch and so everyone has to reap the meagre pickings of what Chch NACTS voted in.
Tom Petty won’t let the right use his songs – and there are many others!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/29/michele-bachmann-tom-petty
Read yesterday I think, that he wouldn’t let the Democrats use “I won’t back down”, on the grounds that they probably would. WIN.
No, wouldn’t let Bush use that song
Hero of the Week Award – Anonymous Donor
The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal has received an anonymous donation of $5 million, which is the largest individual donation yet.
Well done that man! (Probably a right-winger)
Anyone on here got a Kindle? Comments please
When the global economic system goes down you are going to want good old fashioned paper books.
PS I understand that Amazon can “kill switch” your books at will e.g. if they have a disagreement with a publisher etc.
Urban density and transport-related energy consumption
Why we need to look at making our cities much smaller. The energy used in large, sprawling cities is astronomical.
And then we have Monbiot’s Sustainable cities must be compact.
The uncontrolled growth of our cities that we’ve seen over the last 50 odd years has got to come to and end as we just can’t afford it.
Highly dense urban areas with large numbers of people per sq km will need highly efficient systems of bringing (labour intensive) produce in from rural areas.
Basically the fossil fuels we have left at this stage all need to be reserved for ambulances, tractors and harvesters. Full stop.