Open mike 31/03/2016

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 31st, 2016 - 68 comments
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68 comments on “Open mike 31/03/2016 ”

  • Comments are now closed

    • One Anonymous Bloke 1.1
      31 March 2016 at 7:18 am

      I’m sure this contract was completely above board, for example.

      Meanwhile, a month earlier… That must have been embarrassing!

      I wonder what induced Bridges to award the contract despite the bribery scandal. Bovine contentment?

      • One Anonymous Bloke 1.1.1
        31 March 2016 at 7:57 am

        Ah, I have my contract dates mixed up – the Leighton Holdings job had already been awarded. Totes legit then.

      • maui 1.1.2
        31 March 2016 at 10:57 am

        I’m so thankful that NZ is touted as one of the least corrupt countries in the world. In fact I’m pretty sure Nat MP Paul Foster-Bell said this on Waatea 5th Estate just the other night.

        Hearing those words encourages me when I think I hear a large company that uses bribery to get oil contracts overseas also won the $1 billion Transmission Gully project, and that our Government will be paying them undisclosed millions in “maintenance” costs for the next 25 years once the road is built. Fills me with hope.

    • saveNZ 1.2
      31 March 2016 at 8:28 am

      Good link in particular

      “After the US-led coalition won the second gulf war, it went to guard the oil ministry – leaving the Baghdad museum undefended to be looted of its treasures.

      But they did not save the oil industry from thieves. The Unaoil files reveal that Western companies, in concert with Iraq’s new elite, themselves began a sustained campaign of looting.”

    • Jenny Kirk 1.3
      31 March 2016 at 8:36 am

      Undoubtedly !
      ( this is in answer to OAB at1. )

    • Jenny 1.4
      31 March 2016 at 7:37 pm

      One Anonymous Bloke, when you are casting about your unsubstantiated nasturtiums that our politicians are in the pay of the oil industry…, Why do you stop at Simon Bridges?

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11164241

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10822510

  2. Tautoko Mangō Mata 2
    31 March 2016 at 7:16 am

    Corruption on a massive scale.

    A massive leak of confidential documents has for the first time exposed the true extent of corruption within the oil industry, implicating dozens of leading companies, bureaucrats and politicians in a sophisticated global web of bribery and graft.

    After a six-month investigation across two continents, Fairfax Media and The Huffington Post can reveal that billions of dollars of government contracts were awarded as the direct result of bribes paid on behalf of firms including British icon Rolls-Royce, US giant Halliburton, Australia’s Leighton Holdings and Korean heavyweights Samsung and Hyundai.

    The investigation centres on a Monaco company called Unaoil, run by the jet-setting Ahsani clan. Following a coded ad in a French newspaper, a series of clandestine meetings and midnight phone calls led to our reporters obtaining hundreds of thousands of the Ahsanis’ leaked emails and documents.
    The leaked files reveal that some people in these firms believed they were hiring a genuine lobbyist, and others who knew or suspected they were funding bribery simply turned a blind eye.

    http://www.theage.com.au/interactive/2016/the-bribe-factory/day-1/the-company-that-bribed-the-world.html

    Also see http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/world/78400473/unaoil-bribery-scandal-codenames-subterfuge-and-the-global-money-trail

    • One Anonymous Bloke 2.1
      31 March 2016 at 7:19 am

      I hope they’ll be releasing the emails.

    • saveNZ 2.2
      31 March 2016 at 8:18 am

      +1 Tautoko Mangō Mata

      • Tautoko Mangō Mata 2.3.1
        31 March 2016 at 3:16 pm

        This was written in July last year but it is interesting seeing the Trump quotes.

        • “I gave to many people, before this, before two months ago, I was a businessman. I give to everybody. When they call, I give. And do you know what? When I need something from them two years later, three years later, I call them, they are there for me. And that’s a broken system.” — Donald Trump in 2015.

        • “[T]his is what’s wrong. [Donald Trump] buys and sells politicians of all stripes … he’s used to buying politicians.” — Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., in 2015.

        “Now [the United States is] just an oligarchy, with unlimited political bribery being the essence of getting the nominations for president or to elect the president. And the same thing applies to governors and U.S. senators and congress members. … So now we’ve just seen a complete subversion of our political system as a payoff to major contributors …” — Jimmy Carter, former president, in 2015. (Thanks to Sam Sacks.)

        https://theintercept.com/2015/07/30/politicians-admitting-obvious-fact-money-affects-vote/

      • One Anonymous Bloke 2.3.2
        31 March 2016 at 4:43 pm

        The problem here is that the crims have a ready-made apparatus just waiting for them. It’s called The National Party.

  3. Tautoko Mangō Mata 3
    31 March 2016 at 7:54 am

    Reichert: Ways & Means GOP Form Five Working Groups On TPP Problems
    House Ways & Means Committee Republicans have formed five working groups addressing their objections to the Trans-Pacific Partnership that cover biologic medicines, financial services data localization, tobacco, agricultural market access and “elevated labor obligations,” trade subcommittee Chairman Dave Reichert (R-WA) said in an interview this week.
    http://insidetrade.com/

    Here come the changes! Here’s how they will do it. Time to wake up, NZ!

    HOW THE US FORCED AUSTRALIA TO REWRITE ASPECTS OF ITS COPYRIGHT LAW DURING CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE AUSFTA
    http://tppnocertification.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/AUSFTA-certification-memo-Feb-2015.pdf

    30 March 2016
    <blockquoteKey Holds Door Open To TPP Changes, But Only After Deal Is Implemented
    New Zealand Prime Minister John Key on Wednesday (March 30) signaled that his country is not open to changing the terms of the Trans-Pacific Partnership before it enters into force but that tweaks to the deal could occur as additional countries join in the future. He also warned that failure to bring the TPP into force would bolster the Chinese-led effort to conclude the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
    http://insidetrade.com/

    • pat 3.1
      31 March 2016 at 8:29 am

      Exactly as Lori Wallach noted…..funny that.

    • left for dead 3.2
      31 March 2016 at 9:48 am

      Good morning TMM, I think you need too put the > at the end of blockquote as well.

      • Pasupial 3.2.1
        31 March 2016 at 10:00 am

        & “</blockquote" at the end of the quote too (I find it quickest to type that at the end, then copy paste it to the top and delete the slash).

        I do appreciate TMM's comments, they often contain information and links that I haven't come across myself.

  4. ianmac 4
    31 March 2016 at 8:15 am

    Reported on RNZ that Key in USA has told them that they must not build a wall to keep Mexico out. (That’s sorted then.)
    And that the USA must go ahead with TPPA because he said it is good. (He should know as he is a very very wise man. Sorted then.)

  5. Murray Simmonds 5
    31 March 2016 at 8:32 am

    Yep, and the audience would have had John-Oliver-inspired images of Key , the South Pacific banana republic, ponytail-pulling, and flag-changing floating through their heads as Key spoke.

    That’s why they laughed at his comments.

  6. Sabine 6
    31 March 2016 at 9:03 am

    And this first article shows again, why all of our hair pulling and gosh who will think of the future in regards to climate change literally is just hogwash to appease the masses.
    We are still knocking down houses – in a city with a housing crisis – to build a fucking carpark, so people can drive their arses to a park and go for a run. Never mind the perfectly good houses that will get knocked down. No its important that the office drones of Auckland get to exercises their bony behinds in a park that they need to drive too. Cause walking there would be an abomination. OR something.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/78338710/tenants-lose-homes-in-monte-cecilia-park-extension

    “Everyone I’ve spoken to is really concerned they won’t find a new place.

    “Everything in my price range is run down or full of mould. A lot of people can’t afford to pay $1000 a week for a four-bedroom house.” quote end.

    If the Governemnt does not want to be in the business of housing, could it get rid of Nick Smith mInister of housing or something like this. We could save the wages paid to this looser, he could try his hand in the free market and no one would be worse off….well maybe the company that would hire the looser. But hey the market would fix that one too.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/78384251/protests-over-transfer-of-2800-east-auckland-state-houses-heat-up

    Rolling protests against the transfer of 2800 Auckland state houses to a redevelopment company are set to come to a head on Thursday.

    The Tamaki Housing Group has been protesting outside the Tamaki Regeneration Company (TRC) offices in the suburb of Glen Innes since Tuesday.

    The group is against the Government’s controversial decision to transfer the ownership and management of 2800 states houses to the TRC on April 1.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/78326933/southland-houses-more-than-three-times-cheaper-than-auckland

    Quote: ” A stable population, strong job market and a high quality of living also made Southland an ideal market to buy a house in, Ellis said.”

    Well if there is such a strong job market and high quality of living why can’t we send some of the new migrants down to live in Invercargill? Surely there must be plenty of ‘business opportunities’ that the savvy overseas investment migrant can invest in in order to receive his residence permit? ‘T’would be a win for all, Auckland would have a few thousand migrants less flocking into Akl, and Invercargill would get a bit of ‘business investors money’ flowing in.

  7. Gangnam Style 7
    31 March 2016 at 11:05 am

    Just heard the news on The Sound, hardly indepth or searching (but great music!) but they were reporting the surge in unemployed youth, they were doing a weird angle about them joining the army or something, but rockstar economy has casualties.

  8. saveNZ 8
    31 March 2016 at 12:01 pm

    This is a sad story.

    Shandra Woworuntu: My life as a sex-trafficking victim

    http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35846207

  9. Lanthanide 9
    31 March 2016 at 12:53 pm

    Very much worth reading.

    National and their “budgets” are playing us all for a bunch of suckers, like the audience of a magic show: http://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/80818/cam-preston-accuses-government-managing-countrys-finances-according-magicians-theory

  10. ianmac 10
    31 March 2016 at 1:53 pm

    Is it possible that Catherine Delahunty is in the firing line for her having embarrassed Dr Smith by asking very good questions about clean water QT yesterday, that he could not/would not answer?

    • ianmac 10.1
      31 March 2016 at 3:46 pm

      Sorry. Mixed Sue Moroney with Catherine.
      Still, Catherine did embarrass the Nicked Smith over clean water questions.

  11. joe90 11
    31 March 2016 at 2:02 pm

    Just another irrational basic income supporter…

    http://imgur.com/1lXOSel

  12. swordfish 12
    31 March 2016 at 2:23 pm

    Glory Days

    Just been researching some polls from 2002

    Example: Herald-DigiPoll (July 2002)
    Labour Down 1 point to 51%
    National Down 1 point to 25%
    ACT Up 1 point to 6%

    They don’t make ’em like that anymore.

    • McFlock 12.1
      31 March 2016 at 3:32 pm

      examination of the transition from then to, say, 2008 might be interesting

      • Tom 12.1.1
        31 March 2016 at 9:21 pm

        Yes it would, I think National had the funds, organization to recover. Plus they got a leader JK with no political baggage. Remember too that they nearly won in 2005. Is Labour as ready for a recovery, i am not so sure the next election being just 18 months away.

  13. adam 13
    31 March 2016 at 3:35 pm

    How low can trump supporters go?

    It seems quite low…

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C1_8EaGs20

    • Colonial Viper 13.1
      31 March 2016 at 4:57 pm

      The girl had punched in the face a grey haired Trump supporter in his 60s moments before that.

      • joe90 13.1.1
        31 March 2016 at 5:09 pm

        He sexually assaulted her.

        In a statement, the police department said: “A 15 year [old] girl from Janesville was peppered sprayed in the crowd by a non-law enforcement person… A male in the (crowd) groped the 15 year [old] girl, when she pushed him away; another person in the (crowd) sprayed her. We are currently looking for two suspects, one for the sexual assault and one for the pepper spray”.

        http://www.cbsnews.com/news/15-year-old-pepper-sprayed-outside-donald-trump-rally/

        • Colonial Viper 13.1.1.1
          31 March 2016 at 5:30 pm

          It’s an alleged sexual assault. There are plenty of witnesses right there, men and women, so let’s see what the police can gather in terms of statements.

          • McFlock 13.1.1.1.1
            31 March 2016 at 5:55 pm

            No, it’s a reported sexual assault.

            The “grey haired Trump supporter in his 60s” is the alleged offender.

            • Colonial Viper 13.1.1.1.1.1
              31 March 2016 at 6:44 pm

              As I said, there are dozens of witnesses right there, men and women, and film footage too, so lets see what the police can make of it.

              • McFlock …
                31 March 2016 at 8:37 pm

                You’d be amazed at how easy it is to miss surreptitious actions in a crowd. That’s why pickpockets and gropers love crowds.

                But the difference between saying a sexual assault against a 15yo was “alleged” vs the assault being “reported” and the suspect being “alleged” is pretty fundamental.

                • Colonial Viper …
                  31 March 2016 at 8:53 pm

                  Looked to me like that older guy was there at the Trump event with someone who may have been his wife or female partner.

                  • McFlock …
                    31 March 2016 at 9:00 pm

                    dude, seriously?

                    Even if you could read the matrix and determine their relationship status from that clip, why would that matter? Is knowing a woman some forcefield against sexually assaulting girls?

                    • Colonial Viper …
                      31 March 2016 at 9:24 pm

                      Why would it matter? It would matter in court, in front of a jury, of course.

                    • McFlock …
                      31 March 2016 at 10:06 pm

                      lol

                      now you know what the jury will be thinking when faced with testimony you know will be presented from the woman you know to be his partner to defend him from the allegation of a 15yo girl that you know will go to jury trial rather than being plead out after you know charges will be filed….

                  • Muttonbird …
                    31 March 2016 at 10:03 pm

                    Quite the victim blamer, aren’t you?

      • weka 13.1.2
        31 March 2016 at 5:10 pm

        “The girl had punched in the face a grey haired Trump supporter in his 60s moments before that.”

        @CV, citation?

        All I found was this,

        “A male in the [crowd] groped the 15-year-old] girl, when she pushed him away; another person in the [crowd] sprayed her. We are currently looking for two suspects, one for the sexual assault and one for the pepper spray.”

        http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2016/mar/30/us-election-2016-live-clinton-sanders-trump-cruz-kasich-campaign

        Or this, maybe you can point out where the punch is,

        http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/donald-trump/12207176/Teenager-groped-and-pepper-sprayed-at-Wisconsin-Donald-Trump-rally.html

        • Colonial Viper 13.1.2.1
          31 March 2016 at 5:31 pm

          She’s making a fist with her hand which is visible in the video footage and then at some point she lashes out with it. From the camera angle I can’t see if her fist connected with anything more than thin air, but she throws a punch outwards alright.

          • weka 13.1.2.1.1
            31 March 2016 at 5:45 pm

            Timestamp? I can’t see it. Is the grey-haired guy you refer to the one clearly visible on the left?

          • McFlock 13.1.2.1.2
            31 March 2016 at 5:51 pm

            lol

            And mr redhat is there to save the day, pepper spray at the ready in his hand just in case a 15 year old girl gets upset at being groped. What a hero.

            Of course, using pepper spray in a crowded area to address a small issue within the hyped-up crowd can cause lethal stampedes.

            • adam 13.1.2.1.2.1
              31 March 2016 at 5:58 pm

              It’s the mr redhat, who I made the original low comment about.

              The waiting, and then slinking back to hide back into the crowd, what a low life.

              I forgot that that Pepper spray could have broader consequences, good call McFlock.

    • joe90 13.2
      31 March 2016 at 5:57 pm

      As the girl is being led away following the assault someone in the crowd yells goddamn communist nigger lover! get out of here!

      Candace Smith Verified account
      ‏@CandaceSmith_

      EXCLUSIVE vid shows teen get pepper sprayed after shoving protester, called a bitch & “n****r lover” at Trump rally

      https://twitter.com/CandaceSmith_/status/715149785083297792

      edit:

      Candace Smith Verified account
      ‏@CandaceSmith_

      NEW: Janesville Police release photo of the man they think pepper sprayed teen yesterday outside of Trump rally.

      https://twitter.com/CandaceSmith_/status/715218331318534145/photo/1

      • adam 13.3.1
        31 March 2016 at 6:13 pm

        That a full shot of the low life at the end who did the pepper spray.

        And he’s smiling like cheshire cat, sickening.

        • Colonial Viper 13.3.1.1
          31 March 2016 at 6:51 pm

          At 27 seconds she lashes out with her right hand/fist at the older guys face, unknown whether she actually connects or not. This was after she pushed forward through the crowd towards him for several seconds, against people trying to hold her back.

          As for the guy who pepper sprayed her, yep, he’s a bit of a sadistic sociopath.

          • McFlock 13.3.1.1.1
            31 March 2016 at 8:42 pm

            At 27 seconds she lashes out with her right hand/fist at the older guys face, unknown whether she actually connects or not. This was after she pushed forward through the crowd towards him for several seconds, against people trying to hold her back.

            …while she repeatedly accused him of touching her breast.
            And yet none of the drumpfoids thought to get his name, or detain him for the police to sort it out.

            I hope she did connect. At least he’d have to explain how he got a scratch to his face – good way to identify him later.

            • Colonial Viper 13.3.1.1.1.1
              31 March 2016 at 8:48 pm

              perhaps the witnesses – male and female – standing closest to the apparent sexual assault victim didn’t think the old man had done anything. So didn’t feel the need to record his name or apprehend him.

              I hope she did connect. At least he’d have to explain how he got a scratch to his face – good way to identify him later.

              Her violence wasn’t really necessary or productive. And it clearly wasn’t self defence, from the videos.

              She might end up charged herself.

  14. McFlock 14
    31 March 2016 at 4:39 pm

    On more cheerful news regarding a topic that caused much controversy here at TS a year or two back: WHO have declared an end to the West-African ebole-related Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

    “Exponential rate of growth” or not, we didn’t end up with a Walking Dead scenario, which is nice.

  15. adam 15
    31 March 2016 at 4:42 pm

    “The main substantive achievement of neoliberalism has been the redistribution of wealth, rather than to generate, wealth and income.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARVe6EUs_tE

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    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
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  • Judicial appointments announced
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  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
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  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
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  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
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  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
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  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
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  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
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    1 week ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
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  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
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    1 week ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
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    1 week ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
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    1 week ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
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    1 week ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
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    1 week ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
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    1 week ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
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    1 week ago

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