Paula Bennett’s problems not over

Written By: - Date published: 6:38 am, August 3rd, 2017 - 28 comments
Categories: paula bennett - Tags: , ,

Update May 3 2018: I see that Dirty Politics operative Matthew Hooton is using this post as some kind of false equivalence with the filthy lies about Clarke Gayford. As you will see it contains nothing that was not being publicly commented on in the media at the time. So if this is Matthew’s best shot it’s – not exactly helping his case is it. Original post below:


Not seeing very much of Paula Bennett about at the moment are we. Remember from earlier in the month – Retired judge warns public after Paula Bennett threatens lawsuit over online post

A retired judge with considerable experience in laws surrounding online issues says those who share posts which break the law could be legally liable themselves.

The comments by retired Judge Dr David Harvey, who is Director of the New Zealand Centre for ICT Law, come after Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett threatened legal action over an online post accusing her, without evidence, of several historical criminal acts.

According to a cease-and-desist letter sent to a North Island man by lawyers acting for Ms Bennett, a post and video were published on June 30 containing “material highly defamatory of the Deputy Prime Minister”.

The post has been widely circulated and the letter states it has already had more than 5400 shares.

It seems that the source of the allegations is not giving up, if this guy (who seems well informed) is to be believed:

https://twitter.com/dfrancishirst/status/892577938918342656

There are also petitions calling for WINZ to Investigate Paula Bennett here and here.

Perhaps Bennett should get it all out in the open and clear her name. Nothing to hide, nothing to fear – isn’t that the rule that the Nats apply to the rest of us?

28 comments on “Paula Bennett’s problems not over ”

  1. tc 1

    Karma is a wonderful thing.

    Zipping it sweetie and having ones personal details exposed to the public is a situation pullya has experience in.

    Her behaviour has made her a target for thousands of people suffering under her boot. Could be anyone really, probably a few just in case Nats get to the initial poster.

    • popexplosion 1.1

      Given she was the minister, and fear or favor would pervade any investigation over her alledged transgressions, it would necessitate a independent eye. But given this is just fake news we’d better wait for an ex or some witness etc to actually come forward or whatever.

  2. Cinny 2

    Crikey, a retired judge advising the public not to share some information after allegations about Paulas past have cropped up again. Appears like engineered timing.

    Why is she so determined to silence this? Maybe because there is some truth to it.

    People talk crap about others on social media all the time, why is paula paying this particular incident so much attention? Lawyers involved.. how many is she employing to try and bury it?

    Thanks for the update and link to article on TVNZ

  3. Carolyn_nth 3

    puala Bennett seems to be MIA from the Nats’ election campaign.

    Isn’t she meant to be the Nat’s match-up to Ardern.

    The MOU 1-2… in effect, though not coordinated deliberately.

    First #IamMetiria, Bennett sidelined, then the Labour leadership change.

    The unexpected can work for the left.

  4. AsleepWhileWalking 4

    “The folks” plural.

  5. Incognito 5

    Can somebody with legal knowledge explain why the cease-and-desist letter refers to Paula Bennnett as “the Deputy Prime Minister” and not to her actual name Paula Bennett? Since when are people defined by their temporary role/job? The allegations rumours are about alleged actions at a time Paula Bennett wasn’t even in politics!?

    • Carolyn_nth 5.1

      I don’t have legal knowledge, but aren’t cases of defamation strengthened by evidence that the claimant has a strong positive reputation that is being undermined?

      • Westiechick 5.1.1

        If it is the truth it is not defamation.

        • the pigman 5.1.1.1

          Well, most who’ve gone to the trouble of finding the allegations published online will have a hard time believing them.

          The actual substance of the allegations is not too outrageous, but the person making them lacks any kind of credibility. Once you go down the rabbit hole into his videos and other claims you’ll start feeling a little bit crazy yourself. Not a labyrinth of delusion worth getting lost in.

          Of course, I recommend you check them out yourself and form your own view, but I won’t be linking to them or telling you how to find them here for legal reasons.

    • Johanne 5.2

      Very good question.

  6. Keepcalmcarryon 6

    #Iampaula, just had a little retch there.

  7. NZJester 7

    Are they trying the regular tactic of try to bury or delay till after the election and then if it does hit the fan have another costly by-election?
    We have seen that tactic from them before with allegations against Mike Sabin hidden till after they hit the fan big time.

  8. ianmac 8

    Hey! What Paula may have done is OK. Others do it too so Paula is in the clear.
    So goes National logic.

    • You_Fool 8.1

      National logic is worse than that; they will deride and call out the other person calling them a criminal and a liar and dishonest, but their own is ok because the otherside did it too

    • norm 8.2

      lets see thats sabin bennet ,the drunk from ch ch,and the spy from double dipper land,arent they naughty

  9. savenz 9

    Is Paula all that National has to offer as a deputy and double dipper Bill as PM?

    Seriously can we get rid of these clowns before Bill’s family gets all the government contracts, Judith’s family gets all the water contracts, Natz MP’s farms get government paid irrigation and Paula not only criminalises welfare while muzzling serious accusations against herself? Not to mention her climate change credentials…. It’s like April fools day every day in this country.

    • You_Fool 9.1

      I am voting Jin An since Paula is #NotmyMP. I don’t even know what she has done for Upper Harbour….

      • savenz 9.1.1

        Paula’s probably done nothing for Upper Harbour, she’s only there because Paula only managed to scrape through by a few votes in West Auckland after a recount, so National had to change her to somewhere else to avoid the embarrassment.

        Like the #NotmyMP!

      • Gabby 9.1.2

        Has Jin An had anything to say about Pullya’s sterling work in rejecting most recommendations by the law and order select committee?

  10. popexplosion 10

    In OZ MPs born overseas but do not have a declaration of refuting said foreign entanglement have not taken all reasonable care. The Greens once again take the lead in doing the ethical choice. Expect a pile of declarations on the speakers desk.

  11. JC 11

    Good opinion piece from Graham Adams, from the Listener as to why Bennett wont be on a poster with Bill anytime soon.

    “When she makes the news, it’s often for distractions such as recommending tipping, or joking about her $950 shoes at the National Party conference, much like a modern-day Marie Antoinette. ….”

    http://www.noted.co.nz/currently/politics/why-paula-bennett-is-trouble-for-the-national-party/

    • ianmac 11.1

      Crikey JC. Graham has really laid it on. Paula will be calling up her dark forces to try and destroy Graham Adams. It is not just us her doubt Bennett’s integrity.

    • Sarah Nicholas 11.2

      Or an Imelda Marcos

  12. Michelle 12

    If you use Metiria Turei’s logic anything is justifiable because they can claim they were doing it tough and no one should be penalised even if they knowingly defrauded the tax payer.

    Right?

    Actually the issue here is anyone can make up anything on the internet, even about you and I. It’s not justice if a crowd comes baying for blood based on that, you need evidence and enough of that to prove the allegations made are fact and worthy of investigation. Plus it is not against the law to admit to using drugs or to be accused of using drugs or a wide range of other things, charges are made on provable causes of action. I can say that even if I don’t like Paula Bennett at all. As a private person this would cause a worrying change, where investigation and trial by opinion can occur when true justice tries would act on facts and assumes innocence until proven guilty.

    Anyone with an axe to grind could cause a lot of trouble for an individual even if they are telling complete falsehoods and that is not fair or just. You need to back it up and be able to stand by your claims before anything can go forward.

    • simonm 12.1

      Paula could end all speculation immediately by stating categorically that the allegations that have been made against her are untrue. That she has chosen not to do so makes many people, myself included, suspicious that there may be some validity to the claims.

    • PB 12.2

      I’m cool with her taking the Metiria defence – breaking an unjust regulation to feed her family is fine, But she better get on with it if she is going to.

  13. Johanne 13

    Where is Paddy when we need him, too busy trying to destroy thee Green Party co leader to give this mess a mention.

  14. Peter 14

    Its not Paula I want to be inquired upon some small benefit fraud, but would be good for everyone to know (but expensive to do). I want an inquiry into WINZ itself not following proper procedures and trying to use that to push anyone off the benefit they can, no matter how sick they were. It actually went on for 2 years atleast as I found out later. this was somewhere around 2006-2008 as rough guess

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-25T13:43:38+00:00