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Open mike 30/10/13

Written By: - Date published: 7:14 am, October 30th, 2013 - 88 comments
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openmike

Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step right up to the mike…

88 comments on “Open mike 30/10/13 ”

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  1. amirite 1
    30 October 2013 at 7:22 am

    Child poverty affects brain development – study
    http://tinyurl.com/kllftqx

    • greywarbler 1.1
      30 October 2013 at 5:00 pm

      Parent poverty affects the ability of teenagers with disabilities receiving some assistance when sitting exams. This is having reader-writers, extended time etc.
      Money makes the difference – they have to be assessed by a child pychologist and it costs between $400 and $900. The exam people have made it harder of recent years. I have forgotten their acronym, the ones who run the system that is wonderful, not like awful old school certificate with moveable pass marks.

      Analysed there were 4 from the lowest decile who received such help, and there were hundreds in the top. Maybe thousands. A lot. This is particularly to assess people with dyslexia apparently. On 9 to Noon today early.

  2. phillip ure 2
    30 October 2013 at 7:34 am

    ew..!

    ..len ‘down-trou’-brown just played the ‘god-card’..on tvone breakfast..

    ..(i am having a cynicism o..d.-here..!..i’d better listen to some ‘uplifting’-music..or something..)

    ..so that’s it then..

    ..’down-trou’ brown..

    ..has played his last card..

    ..and now we all wait to see if there is the ‘more’ that has been promised/threatened..

    ..but really len…the ‘god-card’..?

    ..whoar..!

    ..eh..?

    ..what’s next..?

    ..’it wasn’t my fault..god told me to down-trou..!..

    ..and ravish that maiden..

    ..in that maori-room..”

    ..eh..?

    phillip ure..

  3. vto 3
    30 October 2013 at 7:50 am

    Key really has started believing his own bullshit

    http://news.msn.co.nz/nationalnews/8746762/us-didnt-spy-on-nz-key-says

    ha ha ha ha ha funniest thing in ages

    what a clown

    • Draco T Bastard 3.1
      30 October 2013 at 9:45 am

      Mr Key said he didn’t know anything about the NSA’s activities.

      “I read the papers like everyone else, it’s a matter for the US to manage and it’s not a matter for me.”

      Actually, it is a matter for him as he’s supposed to be protecting NZers from such surveillance…

      Oh, wait, he just ensured that we could be surveilled.

  4. tricledrown 4
    30 October 2013 at 7:56 am

    Key is so confident because the GSCB is doing it for the NSA.

  5. mickysavage 5
    30 October 2013 at 7:57 am

    If you never thought that you may read a column by Bob Jones that you agree with well here is a pleasant surprise …

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11147698

    Some highlights:

    About Len Brown and his affair:

    It will soon be forgotten but what will not is the nasty coterie from the city’s political right behind it all. Their glorified pie-cart proprietor candidate can forget future mayoral attempts.

    About John Banks and his fall from power:

    John Banks is a classic example. Once a Cabinet minister, then Auckland’s mayor, he never knew when to call it a day and seek something different. Thus his career will end in ignominy over ridiculous falsehoods. His story of not looking at what he signed is utterly plausible. On the occasions I go to the office, there’s often dozens of papers with yellow signature stickers waiting. I rip through signing the lot with no idea what they are but as they emanate from solicitors, accountants and management I rely on their appropriateness. But John’s plausible denial of not reading the form became implausible once he unnecessarily added he couldn’t recall a helicopter ride to meet the country’s most conspicuous man in a giant mansion and receive $50,000.

    About Tony Blair:

    A classic example of Powell’s adage is Tony Blair. Held in huge esteem, he destroyed it all with a blatantly dishonest dossier justifying lap-dogging the Bush buffoon into Iraq.

    Maybe Jones is trying to atone for his last train crash of a column.

    • bad12 5.1
      30 October 2013 at 1:14 pm

      Yeah MS, i usually ignore Jones but looked today and have to hand it to Bob for at least once a decade saying it like it actually is…

    • Murray Olsen 5.2
      30 October 2013 at 5:20 pm

      I blame the stopped clock syndrome. I think Bob Jones’s clock stopped about 1962, but is still right twice a day.

  6. tricledrown 6
    30 October 2013 at 8:03 am

    Huffongton post today 15 things you ought to know about the US.
    Like child birth deaths amongst the highest in the world.
    Pricr paid for medicine highest in the world.
    Education the US pays more than any other country per head of poulation with the worst out comes.

  7. vto 7
    30 October 2013 at 8:10 am

    It is astounding how people’s thinking goes out the window when house values rise …

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9339557/More-think-NZs-on-the-right-track-poll

  8. BLiP 8
    30 October 2013 at 8:55 am

    ‘

    A great slice of life drama last night with the swearing in of the Auckland Council governing body. A few of the city’s knobs were there in all their finery, a smattering of corpulent CCO mandarins, family and distinguished guests, with the rest of the place packed out with us hoi polloi. Some fringe dwellers from the Mana party were there for additional entertainment, although someone should tell them the best heckling involves humour rather than bile. Their barracking gradually diminished before being completely extinguished when Len Brown fronted up to his city and was welcomed with a sustained ovation; an ovation directed to him personally but also in recognition of his family’s dignified attendance.

    Its great to see Auckland getting back to the job of being Auckland. Not very happy with the Tory influence in council and its role in such important positions. Still, gotta say, George has done some good things out South so, well, I guess, I dunno okay then, give him a go. Webster is still a worry, though. Mike Lee seems the obvious and best choice for that new “Infastructure” committee. I like how it indicates a trend towards strengthening and consolidating of reporting lines from the generally unaccountable CCOs, especially that bunch of crims over in Transport. It’s gotta be tricky handing out the various chairs, portfolios, and so on, but every one looked happy enough. Everyone except poor widdle Cameron Brewer who’s brave face on-stage was only given away with an occasionally quivering bottom lip. He now has special responsibility for exactly nothing which, I guess, is what happens when your best friends are dirty disgusting despicable people doing dirty disgusting despicable things.

    Speaking to a few of my elected representatives afterwards, I did detect an air of forgiveness. Len is on two strikes now so he’s got no choice, really, but to deliver his best effort. Brewer will, no doubt, slime his way back into some sort of favour, but he’s been tainted by the company he keeps as well as his support for the National Party’s attempt to corrupt the political process by exporting John Key’s mountain of sleaze and lies from the Beehive to the town hall. Hopefully, lessons have been learned on both sides and there’s now a realisation that time to focus on delivering positive results to all of Auckland has arrived. If the councillors and Mayor live up to the promise I heard them make last night, I’ll be happy.

    [lprent: Guest posted that. ]

    • tinfoilhat 8.1
      30 October 2013 at 9:06 am

      “If the councillors and Mayor live up to the promise I heard them make last night, I’ll be happy.”

      How naive can you be ? Len Brown is an embarrassment to himself and Auckland, nothing will change the city will still be run and controlled by over paid morons, their assorted cronies and the elites behind them pulling the strings.

      …. edit .. moderation… what naughty word did I use ?

      [lprent: Beats me. Akismet appears more vigilant than ever after the attacks of spam over past weeks and Monday’s spasm of auto-spam after they upgraded their algorithms. ]

      • BLiP 8.1.1
        30 October 2013 at 9:52 am

        ‘

        Len Brown’s foolish behaviour has had an odd but positive effect. The John Key-led National Party’s injection of sleaze in an attempt to create a divide based on faux moral outrage has, as it turns out, given Auckland a chance to demonstrate that, collectively, its people are above such adolscent prurience. Many of those who didn’t support Len, do so now, on principle. Those who continue to see the situation as an embarassment can carry on giggling behind the bike sheds, the rest of us will smile benignly and nod hello while wondering which province you came from.

        I accept that, today, Auckland is being run by bunch of overpaid white trash baldheads on the jobs-for-the-lads gravy train. However, I don’t accept that situation is a permanent one. The CCOs can be brought into line with the needs of all Aucklanders, and not just their corporate mates. In fact, if the councillors and the Mayor live up to the promise they made last night, that will happen and, as I said, I will be happy. Perhaps its a big “if” but I prefer an optimistic outlook these days. An acidic fatalistic cynicism, such as yours, is just what the elites want you to have. The whole “its useless” and “they’re all the same” and “government is just a sham” paradigm is that which enables banksters like John Key to get away with his “Solid Energy would be fine if it was a private company” spin. Buy into it, if you must, surrender your rights as a citizen in return for the false consciousness of the consumer but, really, its not going to deliver what you think it will.

        • tinfoilhat 8.1.1.1
          30 October 2013 at 2:35 pm

          No I think you’re mistaken, what the elites want to have is the current faux left right divide at a local level like Auckland or in Wellington this keeps them and their mates sitting pretty while useful idiots wave the flag for team red or team blue.

          Nothing will change until we have a strong green or mana block leading Auckland or the country.

          • McFlock 8.1.1.1.1
            30 October 2013 at 4:40 pm

            I smiled at the red/blue=pointless, green=good thing. It sounded too close to the Dickensian “Boodle and Coodle are driving the country to ruin, but Doodle is the one to lead us”…

            I reckon that at worst the tories have a tiered paradigm of defense, in descending order of preference:
            a population focused on kim kardashian singing on x-survivor
            a population focused on the sexcapades of politicians
            a population focused on which politician has the nicest hair
            a population focused on neoliberal policies
            a population focused on real-world injustice and inequality

  9. Sanctuary 9
    30 October 2013 at 9:07 am

    I see the usual suspect (Farrar, Jordan Williams) are launching yet another right wing astroturf ACT-in-another-name organisation.

    Really, how irrelevant can you be? David Farrar was part of Shipley’s appalling administration, he clings to failed 1980s dogma, and clearly learns nothing and forgets nothing, while Jordan Williams is just Simon Lusk lite, principally known for for being the failure behind the anti-MMP campaign, for which he got pleanty of money for not a lot of return.

  11. Rogue Trooper 11
    30 October 2013 at 10:25 am

    Collins on Justice in Ontario, oops, China
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11148305
    (according to recent BBC commentary, Justice in China is “of the Party, by the Party, for the Party”).

  12. Rogue Trooper 12
    30 October 2013 at 10:50 am

    “the goofball antics of Dr [Jonathan] Coleman”
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11148347
    and his lack of concern over privacy in NZ

    • ianmac 13.1
      30 October 2013 at 3:44 pm

      Thanks Matthew. An excellent easily understood set of answers and delivered with clarity and confidence. David Cunliffe for PM! Yay!

      • Bob 13.1.1
        31 October 2013 at 9:00 am

        Hmm, did you actually listen to his answers or just hear them?
        “They’ve barely broken even by the time they’ve taken the lost dividends”
        Really? $1.8B on the sale, $120M cost of sale, so $1.68B nett. Dividends for 2012 were $244.6M, if these continued (big IF based on the Labour/Greens power policy which is set to rip the arse out of power profits), they would still recieve $124.75M/year leaving $119.85M lost dividend. So yes, in 14 years time they will have barely broken even, but until that point Cunliffe sounds like an idiot.
        Secondly, “the number of Kiwis that own Meridian has gone down from 100 percent to barely 2 percent”…..really? The Government still owns 51% so that means by his maths, 100% of Kiwi’s still own Meridian, the just own half as much. This doesn’t take into account the fact that ACC, the Cullen Fund and Kiwisaver providers would all have bought into Meridian meaning an even higher share for Kiwi’s.

        If you ask me, Cunliffe come out of that looking like an uninformed idiot that can’t do basic maths!

        • Rogue Trooper 13.1.1.1
          31 October 2013 at 10:42 am

          interestingly, BBC World covered findings yesterday, that despite falling wholesale electricity prices in the UK, the powerco’s are reaming as much profit as the market can sustain.

    • Chooky 13.2
      30 October 2013 at 11:15 pm

      Matthew +1 …thanks for that ….Cunliffe is great!

      …I think the Labour Party , as well as selling itself as the socially just and caring Party, should also sell itself as the Party best for BUSINESS….because the MYTH amongst common men is still out there that the National Party is the business party and Labour is not.( This MYTH makes National seem the winner and Labour the Party for losers)

      In fact Labour and the Greens both need to emphasize how they support Business better than National does ie

      * research and development
      * intraprepreneurial start up companies
      * IT companies and the IT industry , which is rapidly becoming NZ’s biggest export earner ( even surpassing dairying)
      * export led economy
      * self-sufficiency…economics and full employment objectives

      …and how the National Party has undermined NZ businesses/entrepreneurial start ups, an export led economy….and just plundered the family silver ( sale of State Owned Assets)

      (btw…i am not trying to tell the Labour chooks how to suck eggs…merely giving my opinion based on feedback I have received regarding the MYTH of National as being the pro-business Party and Labour not)

  14. Bruce Ellis 14
    30 October 2013 at 11:07 am

    Lest we forget – finally watched “Beneath the Shroud” last night. This was a sobering reminder of the extent that our so called public servants (especially politicians and the surveillance agencies) go to when supposedly protecting our best interests. Ahmed Zaoui’s trials and tribulations were a wake up call to us all – and the likelihood of history repeating itself , or even worse, now seems even worse with the passing of the recent legislation re GCSB. This should be compulsory viewing for all Labour/Green MP’s as they work to put in place more appropriate legislation and monitoring oversight when they are elected next year.

    I continue to shake my head about New Zealand when we can’t learn from good practice from overseas, such as in the oversight of our security services (or even in lowering the blood alcohol levels for drivers.

  15. Mark 15
    30 October 2013 at 1:02 pm

    I am very surprised at the lack of scrunity of the American mining company Andarko. Their record in America is truly apalling, yet they seem to be getting a free pass from the media here in the run up to deep sea drilling starting shortly . Contrary to what Andarko say,they were found to be culpable in the Gulf of Mexico disaster. They were involved in all the decision making around the structure and the failures that lead from those decisions. Not to mention the numerous law suits they are fighting at the moment from both the US government and communities. One of these is for 25 Billion alone. And what is their liability if there is a spill here. $10.000.000 total. What a joke. This company is a disaster waiting to happen and our government has rolled out the welcome mat for them.

  16. captain hook 16
    30 October 2013 at 1:08 pm

    1. congrats to Len Brown. he makes the knuckledraggers choke on their self righteousness.
    2. what about the bees. The NZ economy is based on botanical fertility but all the idiotes are out every night sneaking around in the twilight with ttheir spray and wipe away busy killing everything.
    why isn’t someobdoy doing something about this indiscriminate poisoning of our country.
    3. Production was they key at fonterra but all the rugged individualists were so busy arguing about the $7,500 cost for botulism testing that the ignoramuses nearly sunk the whole deal.
    what the fuck is wrong with this country?

  17. rich the other 17
    30 October 2013 at 1:53 pm

    It just keeps getting better.
    Work on Transmission gully will start next year, the poisonous greens have tried to stop it as they have tried to stop most things that are beneficial to all of us.
    The remarkable thing is how labour continues to conspire with them , they are very slow learners.
    What a great job National is doing.

    [lprent: Banned for a week for stupid trolling. If you want to comment here then let the blood rush to your actual brain rather than being a simple dickhead spraying graffiti. Read the policy.

    Updated in reply to your comment: You made assertions stated as fact and your ‘explanation’ is simply stupid. FFS Winston works with National – Key even commented on it a month ago, National works with the Greens – they even had a memorandum of agreement in the last term, etc etc. Of course Labour works with the Greens. Labour has even worked with National. Coming out with that basic of parliamentary politics as if it was a revelation really does place you at the bottom of the pile in understanding politics.

    Adding an extra week to your ban for having to point out the frigging obvious. And you obviously need it to catch up on how politics works before you can become a better troll. ]

    • mikesh 17.1
      30 October 2013 at 2:19 pm

      Having acquired some dosh by foolishly selling assets, the Nats proceed to squander it on white elephants.

    • thatguynz 17.2
      30 October 2013 at 2:19 pm

      You’re a try-hard fucktard mate. How much is being spent to provide a road with a terrible ROI ratio when traffic volumes are going down?

      Your economic ignorance surprises noone..

  18. karol 18
    30 October 2013 at 2:03 pm

    So, Obama’s man for Wellington Embassy: ex baseball player, ex-Lehmann Bros, ex-Goldman Sachs…. seriously!

    A former professional baseball player and financial high flier has been nominated Ambassador to New Zealand by United States President Barack Obama.

    Mark Gilbert is a Director at Barclays Wealth, formerly Lehman Brothers, in West Palm Beach, Florida.

    The nomination was announced in a statement from the White House today.

    Gilbert replaces David Huebner, who was an Obama nominee in the president’s first term.

    Previously, Gilbert was the Senior Vice President of Goldman Sachs in Miami fand the Senior Vice President Sales Manager of Drexel Burnham Lambert in Boca Raton from 1986 to 1989.

    • Tat Loo (CV) 18.1
      30 October 2013 at 4:53 pm

      Yep, simply beggars belief. Notice how no CxO level or Board level execs from any of the big banks have been prosecuted over the GFC. The message is clear – the rules apply to us, not to them.

    • Chooky 18.2
      30 October 2013 at 5:59 pm

      @ karol…how diplomatic and subtle is this?…looks more like the the scoping advance guard of a corporate raid

  20. Paul 20
    30 October 2013 at 4:41 pm

    Why do I keep listening to Jim Mora’s programme?
    Jordan Maxwell..another special guest.

  21. Pascal's bookie 21
    30 October 2013 at 4:46 pm

    Palino is going on Campbell Live tonight, in case ya’ll wanna watch a train wreck.

    • TheContrarian 21.1
      30 October 2013 at 4:49 pm

      I’d be keen on seeing that

    • Te Reo Putake 21.2
      30 October 2013 at 7:18 pm

      It may have just been the camera angle, but that man looked awful guilty.

      ps, since when is Slater a journalist?

      • TheContrarian 21.2.1
        30 October 2013 at 7:59 pm

        I don’t know – was a pretty shit ‘interview’. To establish his looking guilty I’d rather see him front up as opposed to being stalked outside a post office

        • Pascal's bookie 21.2.1.1
          30 October 2013 at 8:52 pm

          Agree. But he’s not going to front. So you know. Makes your mind up.

          • TheContrarian 21.2.1.1.1
            30 October 2013 at 9:36 pm

            I have no personal animosity towards Americans but his voice had that whinny Woody Allen like intonation which grates my nerves.

  22. Morrissey 22
    30 October 2013 at 5:55 pm

    LEST WE FORGET
    This is why they’re persecuting him….

  23. chris73 23
    30 October 2013 at 6:46 pm

    “Tony Blair said MPs should work normal jobs before entering politics to give them a better overview of how the world works.”

    – Many may not agree with his views on a lot of things but this seems sensible

    • Morrissey 23.1
      30 October 2013 at 8:43 pm

      Many people say Tony Blair should be in prison for the rest of his life. Why are you approvingly quoting a disgusting, discredited war criminal?

    • Pascal's bookie 23.2
      30 October 2013 at 8:51 pm

      I agree with that. We tried a currency trader and that’s been pretty shit.

      • chris73 23.2.1
        30 October 2013 at 9:36 pm

        The problem is who to replace him with…Judith Collins maybe

        • TheContrarian 23.2.1.1
          30 October 2013 at 9:39 pm

          To your first statement about working normal jobs I’d say agree.

          To your second regarding Collins, that’d be all types of awful. Besides – I’d wager she’s totally unelectable.

          • Pascal's bookie 23.2.1.1.1
            30 October 2013 at 9:51 pm

            “I’d wager she’s totally unelectable.”

            I think so too. She’s been in parliament for quite a while, still can;t get through speech well without reading it. Has impulse issues.

            I’d actually back Shearer against her in a live debate, ffs.

            She’d go toxic, and do that fake laugh thing she does.

            • TheContrarian 23.2.1.1.1.1
              30 October 2013 at 9:55 pm

              I just find her very grating and, like you say, very awkward in public speaking. John Key is a smooth political operator whereas Collins is like sandpaper.

              • chris73 …
                30 October 2013 at 10:20 pm

                Ok so you don’t agree with JC (and fair enough) but you agree that politicians should have normal job experiences, I guess the question is how to bring that about because I don’t know how tto make that happen

                • Tat Loo (CV) …
                  30 October 2013 at 10:22 pm

                  A month assisting the cops, a month in the courts, a month as a teachers aid, a month as a ward orderly, a month killing possums for DOC, a month cleaning the toilets in Parliament…

                  • TheContrarian …
                    30 October 2013 at 10:26 pm

                    As someone pursuing higher office Tat, I wonder have done the jobs you have listed? From what I have ascertained your a chiropractor and have lived quite comfortably off your in-laws (I’m sorry if that is incorrect – just going from what I remember from previous posts).

                    It’s not that I don’t agree with Collins (I don’t for the record) it’s that even if I did she would unelectable as she lacks warmth and an ability to connect with people.

                  • chris73 …
                    30 October 2013 at 10:39 pm

                    Not bad, I particularly like the killing possums bit and I’d add in something like 2 years in the military as well (preferably including a deployment) and some farm work wouldn’t be a bad idea either

  24. karol 24
    30 October 2013 at 7:06 pm

    Rebecca Wright – onya!

  25. gobsmacked 25
    30 October 2013 at 7:23 pm

    Posted elsewhere, but here it is anyway: latest poll.

    http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/5269-new-zealand-voting-intention-october-2013-201310300521

    Consistent message in all polls bar the Stuff joke: Labour and the Greens ahead overall, but not by much. All to fight for next year.

    • Te Reo Putake 25.1
      30 October 2013 at 8:02 pm

      Just for fun, I put the Conservative Party in the calculator at 2.5%, with an electorate seat, instead of ACT winning Epsom.. They get 3 seats. Assuming the Maori Party hang on to their 3 seats and Dunne is still an MP, it’s a 60 all draw. Anything less and it’s a progressive Government.

  26. Debbie 26
    30 October 2013 at 8:13 pm

    Palino looked like a deer in headlights tonight. Surprised he hadn’t already rehearsed his responses a bit better?

  27. Tat Loo (CV) 27
    30 October 2013 at 8:15 pm

    Had a brief moment featured on TV One tonight, looking after a bright young patient who has some developmental and behavioural challenges.

    • karol 27.1
      30 October 2013 at 8:18 pm

      Link doesn’t work, Tat. What was the news item?

      • Tat Loo (CV) 27.1.1
        30 October 2013 at 8:24 pm

        It was the warm family friendly piece on One News tonight – featuring the journey of a young patient of mine, and his family, who have been looking in NZ and around the world for treatment which can help him.

        • karol 27.1.1.1
          30 October 2013 at 8:38 pm

          Ah. This one – cool

          I use to work with children with those kinds of difficulties.

          • Tat Loo (CV) 27.1.1.1.1
            30 October 2013 at 8:40 pm

            Yep thanks for finding it karol. I was still in practice when it screened so this is the first chance I’ve had to watch it.

            • karol 27.1.1.1.1.1
              30 October 2013 at 8:42 pm

              I had acupuncture from my national Health GP in London, for migraines. Needles in the tops of my feet. Hard to know if the migraines retreated because of that, or if they would have done so on their own – but certainly the cluster migraines and full blown migraines generally stopped for a few years after that. Rarely get them these days.

              • Tat Loo (CV) …
                30 October 2013 at 8:50 pm

                Sounds about right. Even if the acupuncture merely acted as a ‘better placebo’ it may have helped trigger the change. (One also has to ask why the pain killers weren’t as good placebos…heh) I’ve had acupuncture myself previously for various things, and I usually find it excellent in combination with chiropractic care.

      • Tat Loo (CV) 27.1.2
        30 October 2013 at 8:39 pm

        Hmmm link might work now…

  28. Penny Bright 28
    30 October 2013 at 10:35 pm

    JOHN BANKS UPDATE:

    First call for a High Court Judicial Review of District Court decision ordering John Banks to stand trial for filing a false electoral return.

    http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Judgement-Judge-Gittos-16-Oct-2013.pdf

    As the Solicitor-General has taken over the private prosecution, Banks’ lawyer(s) will be facing Crown Law.

    WHEN: Thursday 31 October 2013
    WHERE: Auckland High Court, Waterloo Quadrant
    TIME: Protest banners outside High Court from 9am
    Court starts 10am.

    http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=176090&fm=newsmain%2Cnup

    Banks to face Crown Law Office
    Solicitor-General Michael Heron’s decision to take over the case against John Banks is being praised by the man who privately prosecuted the MP.

    26 October 2013
    The man who privately prosecuted ACT leader John Banks is praising Solicitor-General Michael Heron for taking over the case.

    Retired accountant Graham McCready succeeded in the District Court and Banks has been ordered to stand trial charged with filing a false electoral return.

    Mr Heron confirmed on Friday he was taking over the case, which means Banks will face the Crown Law Office when he goes to trial – unless he succeeds with a High Court judicial review of the District Court ruling which will be heard on Thursday next week.

    As well as prosecuting the case, the Crown Law Office will defend the judicial review.

    “I’m very pleased, it’s a win not only for myself but for the New Zealand public that a private prosecution can have a defendant committed for trial and then the solicitor-general takes over and puts the full weight of the Crown behind it,” Mr McCready said on Radio New Zealand.

    Mr McCready says the judicial review could mean Banks faces further scrutiny.

    “He has the right to remain silent but if he files an affidavit, as he has probably done, then it is open to the Crown Law Office to call him in and cross-examine him on it,” he said.

    When Banks told media he was seeking a judicial review of the ruling by District Court Judge Phil Gittos, he said it contained a myriad of factual inaccuracies and flawed legal decisions.

    Banks is accused of knowingly signing a false election return for the donations he received for his 2010 Auckland mayoral bid.

    Donations from SkyCity and internet mogul Kim Dotcom were recorded as anonymous.

    The prosecution alleges Banks knew where they came from.

    NZN
    _____________________________________________________________________________

    Kind regards,

    Penny Bright

  29. rhinocrates 29
    24 November 2013 at 2:01 am

    “Omega Speedmaster price” says:

    “I create a”

    …according to google translate.

    I cannot understand what you have written. Please say more. This would help me to understand.

    http://translate.google.com/#en/ja/を創造する

    [karol: reply to spam]

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    3 hours ago

  • Joint Statement: New Zealand and Australian Trade Ministers
    Hon Damien O'Connor MP, New Zealand Minister for Trade and Export Growth, and Hon Dan Tehan MP, Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, met virtually on Monday 20 September to advance trans-Tasman cooperation under the Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement (CER). CER is one of the most ...
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    20 hours ago

  • Prime Minister’s Post Cabinet Press Conference/COVID-19 Update opening statement
    ***Please check against delivery***   E te tī, e te tā, nau mai rā [To all, I bid you welcome]   As you will have seen earlier, today there are 22 new community cases to report; three of which are in Whakatiwai in the Hauraki area, and the remainder in ...
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    22 hours ago

  • Major milestones for Māori COVID-19 vaccine rollout as new campaign launches
    Whānau Ora and Associate Health (Māori Health) Minister Peeni Henare acknowledges two major milestones in the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme for Māori. “I am very pleased to announce more than 50 percent of eligible Māori have received their first dose and 25 per cent are now fully vaccinated,” ...
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    2 days ago

  • Government funding to fight infectious diseases
    $36 million for research into Covid-19 and other infectious diseases The investment will improve our readiness for future pandemics Research will focus on prevention, control, and management of infectious diseases The Government’s investing in a new Infectious Diseases Research Platform to boost Aotearoa New Zealand’s Covid-19 response and preparedness for ...
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    2 days ago

  • Quarantine-free travel with Australia to remain suspended for a further 8 weeks
    Suspension to be reviewed again mid to late November Decision brought forward to enable access from Australia to first tranche of around 3000 rooms in MIQ Air New Zealand working at pace to put on more flights from Australia from October    The suspension of quarantine-free travel (QFT) with Australia has ...
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    4 days ago

  • Extra support for Ethnic Communities to share vaccination information
    Extra support is being made available to Ethnic Communities to help them share COVID-19 vaccination information within their communities, Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities Priyanca Radhakrishnan said. “We know we need to get every eligible person in New Zealand vaccinated. A fund being launched today will allow for ...
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    4 days ago

  • School holidays remain unchanged for Auckland region
    School holidays in Auckland will continue to be held at the same time as the rest of the country, starting from Saturday, 2 October, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “I’ve carefully considered advice on the implications of shifting the dates and concluded that on balance, maintaining the status quo ...
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    4 days ago

  • Government continues crackdown on gangs and organised crime
    Operation Tauwhiro extended until March 2022 Since it was launched in February, Operation Tauwhiro has resulted in:   987 firearms seized $4.99 million in cash seized 865 people charged with a firearms-related offence Gangs and organised crime groups will continue to be relentlessly targeted with the extension of Police’s successful ...
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    4 days ago

  • Speech to Body Positive 'HIV Treatments Update Seminar 2021'
    E ngā mana E ngā reo E ngā iwi Tēnā koutou katoa Ka huri ki ngā mana whenua o te rohe nei. Tēnā koutou. He mihi hoki ki a tatou kua tau mai nei I raro I te kaupapa o te rā. Nō reira tēnā koutou katoa Acknowledgements It’s a ...
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    4 days ago

  • Power bill changes bring fairness to charges
    A key recommendation of an independent panel to make electricity charges fairer across all households will be put in place, the Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods has announced. “Phasing out the regulations on ‘low-use’ electricity plans will create a fairer playing field for all New Zealanders and encourage a ...
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    4 days ago

  • NZ economy’s strong momentum will support rebound from Delta outbreak; COVID fund replenished
    The economy showed strong momentum in the period leading up to the recent Delta COVID-19 outbreak, which bodes well for a solid economic rebound, Grant Robertson said. GDP rose 2.8 percent in the June quarter, following on from a 1.4 percent increase in the previous March quarter. This was a ...
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    5 days ago

  • Projects create benefits into the future
    Making a well-known lake swimmable and helping to halt the decline of the endangered hoiho/yellow-eyed penguins are among a suite of new projects being supported by the Government’s Jobs for Nature programme across the southern South Island, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says. “It’s no secret that many of our most ...
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    5 days ago

  • Opening statement for Whāriki Indigenous Small Business Roundtable
      Kei ngā tōpito e wha o te āo e rere ana te mihi maioha ki a koutou nō tawhiti, nō tata mai e tāpiri ana ki tēnei taumata kōrero mo te ao hokohoko arā mā ngā pākihi mo ngā iwi taketake Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa – Pai Mārire.  ...
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    6 days ago

  • New members appointed to Kāpuia
    The Government is adding four additional members to Kāpuia, the Ministerial Advisory Group on the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch mosques. “I’m looking forward to having Pamela MacNeill, Huia Bramley, Melani Anae and Katherine Dedo  join Kāpuia and contribute to this group’s ...
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    6 days ago

  • Timeline confirmed for Emissions Reductions Plan
    Cabinet has agreed to begin consulting on the Emissions Reduction Plan in early October and require that the final plan be released by the end of May next year in line with the 2022 Budget, the Minister of Climate Change, James Shaw confirmed today. “Cabinet’s decision allows organisations and communities ...
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    6 days ago

  • Pay parity pathway for early learning teachers confirmed
    Pay parity conditions and higher funding rates for education and care services will come into force on 1 January, 2022, Minister of Education Chris Hipkins confirmed today. The Government signalled this work in Budget 2021. “From 1 January, 2022, centres opting into the scheme will receive government funding and be ...
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    6 days ago

  • Speech to the New Zealand Nurses Organisation Conference 2021
    Kia Ora tatau katoa.   Ka tuku mihi ki nga nēhi, He pou Hauora o Aotearoa, E ora ai tatou.   Whakatau mai  I runga i te kaupapa o te ra Te NZNO conference.   Tena koutou tena koutou Tena tatou katoa   Good morning, and thank you inviting me ...
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    6 days ago

  • Government investment in farmer-led catchment groups sweeps past 150 mark
    171 catchment groups have now been invested in by the Government 31 catchment groups in the Lower North Island are receiving new support More than 5,000 farmers are focussed on restoring freshwater within a generation through involvement in catchment groups  Government investment in on-the-ground efforts by farmers to improve land ...
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    1 week ago

  • Fight to protect kauri on track
    The Government is pitching in to help vital work to protect nationally significant kauri forests in Auckland, Minister of Conservation Kiri Allan says. “Ensuring the survival of these iconic trees for future generations means doing everything we can to prevent the potential spread of kauri dieback disease,” Kiri Allan said. ...
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    1 week ago

  • Joint statement of Mr Bernard Monk; Hon Andrew Little, Minister Responsible for Pike River Re-entry,...
    [Note: The Parties have agreed on terms to fully and finally settle the proceeding and will jointly issue the below statement.] At the heart of this litigation are the lives of the 29 men tragically lost at the Pike River mine on 19 November 2010 and to whom we pay ...
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    1 week ago

  • More financial support for businesses
    Today’s decision to keep Auckland in a higher COVID Alert Level triggers a third round of the Wage Subsidy Scheme which will open for applications at 9am this Friday. “The revenue test period for this payment will be the 14th to the 27th of September. A reminder that this is ...
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    1 week ago

  • Aotearoa New Zealand provides further humanitarian support for Afghanistan
    Aotearoa New Zealand is providing a further $3 million in humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today.  “There is significant humanitarian need in Afghanistan, with the crisis disproportionately affecting women and girls,” said Nanaia Mahuta. The UN has estimated that 80% of the quarter of a million ...
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    1 week ago

  • Innovative te reo prediction tool announced in Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori
    A new Māori language prediction tool will play a key role in tracking our te reo Māori revitalisation efforts, Minister for Māori Development Willie Jackson announced today. He Ara Poutama mō te reo Māori (He Ara Poutama) can forecast the number of conversational and fluent speakers of te reo Māori ...
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    1 week ago

  • Further Government support for people to access food and essential items
    The Government is responding to need for support in Auckland and has committed a further $10 million to help people access ongoing food and other essential items, Minister for Social Development Carmel Sepuloni announced today. This latest tranche is targeted at the Auckland region, helping providers and organisations to distribute ...
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    1 week ago

  • Half a million Pfizer vaccines from Denmark
    The Government has secured an extra half a million doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines from Denmark that will start arriving in New Zealand within days, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. “This is the second and larger agreement the Government has entered into to purchase additional vaccines to meet the ...
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    1 week ago

  • Inland Revenue providing essential COVID support for businesses
    Inland Revenue is seeing increased demand for Resurgence Support Payments and other assistance schemes that it administers, but is processing applications quickly, Revenue Minister David Parker said today. David Parker said the Resurgence Support Payment, the Small Business Cashflow (loan) Scheme and the Wage Subsidy are available at the same ...
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    1 week ago

  • New Zealand marks 20th anniversary of 9/11 attacks
    New Zealand is expressing unity with all victims, families and loved ones affected by the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks, and all terrorist attacks around the world since, including in New Zealand. “Saturday marks twenty years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States, which killed nearly 3,000 people ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Speech to SPREP Environment Ministers
    Talofa Honourable Ulu of Tokelau Faipule Kelihiano Kalolo Tēnā koutou katoa and warm Pacific greetings from Aotearoa to your excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. The new science released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on 8 August paints an alarming picture of the projected impacts of climate change on the ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Additional Resurgence Support Payments to support business
    Businesses affected by higher Alert Levels will be able to apply for further Resurgence Support Payments (RSP). “The Government’s RSP was initially intended as a one-off payment to help businesses with their fixed costs, such as rent. Ministers have agreed to provide additional payments to recognise the effects of an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • More Dawn Raids scholarships announced
    Details of the ‘Manaaki New Zealand Short Term Training Scholarships’, a goodwill gesture that follows the Government’s apology for the Dawn Raids of the 1970s, were released today by Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio. “These scholarships that are targeted to the Pacific will support the kaupapa of the Dawn Raids’ ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • One-way quarantine-free travel for RSE workers starting in October
      One-way quarantine-free travel for Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers from Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu starts in October New requirement for RSE workers to have received their first vaccination pre-departure, undertake Day 0 and Day 5 tests, and complete a self-isolation period of seven days, pending a negative Day 5 ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Govt boosts Pacific suicide prevention support
    Applications have opened for the Pacific Suicide Prevention Community Fund as the Government acts to boost support amid the COVID delta outbreak. “We know strong and connected families and communities are the most important protective factor against suicide and this $900,000 fund will help to support this work,” Health Minister ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Govt parks the expiry of licenses, WoFs and regos
    As a result of the Delta outbreak, driver licences, Warrants of Fitness (WoFs), Certificates of Fitness (CoFs), vehicle licences (‘regos’) and licence endorsements that expired on or after 21 July 2021 will be valid until 30 November 2021, Transport Minister Michael Wood has announced today. “While this extension won’t officially ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • COVID-19 community fund to provide support for vulnerable women and girls
    Minister for Women Jan Tinetti today announced a $2 million community fund that will provide support for women and girls adversely affected by COVID-19. “We know that women, particularly those who are already vulnerable, are disproportionally affected by the kind of economic disruption caused by COVID-19,” Jan Tinetti said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Next phase of support for Fiji’s COVID-19 response announced
    A further NZ$12 million of support for Fiji’s COVID-19 response has been announced by Foreign Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta today. The package builds on previous tranches of assistance Aotearoa New Zealand has provided to Fiji, totalling over NZ$50 million. “Fiji remains in a very challenging position in their response to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Robotic asparagus harvester aimed at addressing industry challenges
    The Government is backing a $5 million project to develop a commercial-scale autonomous robotic asparagus harvester, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today. The Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund (SFF Futures) is contributing $2.6 million to the project. Project partner Robotics Plus Limited (RPL) will build on a prototype asparagus ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Additional Pfizer vaccines to arrive tomorrow
    More than a quarter of a million additional doses of the Pfizer vaccine are on their way from Spain to New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. The additional doses will arrive in Auckland on Friday morning to help meet the current surge in demand for vaccination. “It’s been ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Young people to have their voices heard in Youth Parliament 2022
    The dates and details for Youth Parliament 2022 have been announced today by Minister for Youth Priyanca Radhakrishnan, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Youth Parliament is an opportunity for 141 young people from across Aotearoa New Zealand to experience the political process and learn how government works. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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