Petition: It’s Not OK Prime Minister

Written By: - Date published: 10:37 am, November 13th, 2015 - 46 comments
Categories: human rights, john key, petition - Tags:

This petition at ActionStation is closing in on 5,000 signatures:

Dear John Key,

We call on you to stand up, apologise for the offence your comment has caused to survivors of sexual violence throughout New Zealand, and withdraw the statement.

We also call on you to show that you and your Government ‘back’ victims and survivors of sexual violence by committing to fully fund specialist sexual violence agencies to provide core services, especially kaupapa Māori services.

46 comments on “Petition: It’s Not OK Prime Minister ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Michelle Bunt 1
    13 November 2015 at 11:10 am

    I find your comments distasteful particularly after you were the one who closed christchurch’s rape crisis service. Who is supporting rapists now?

  2. weka 2
    13 November 2015 at 11:43 am

    That’s a well worded petition.

  3. Stuart Munro 3
    13 November 2015 at 1:54 pm

    His hubris is costing him now – if he’d done his usual insincere withdraw & apologise he wouldn’t have had an issue – this one won’t make him any political capital.

    • sweetd 3.1
      13 November 2015 at 4:09 pm

      Costing Key how?

      Haters going to hate, the left isn’t going to vote for him ever and this will push him further up with the right.

      Expect a poll boost from this for Key.

      Just like the ponytail campaign by the left, had no effect with actual NZers as reflected in the polls, but was considered a huge thing in the twittersphere.

      Meanwhile, the rest of the country goes about their business without taking offence and faux outrage.

      • RedLogix 3.1.1
        13 November 2015 at 5:03 pm

        Expect a poll boost from this for Key.

        You may well be right.

        I note however you don’t defend Key; implicitly you know he’s playing a manipulative and deceptive game here. And that you believe a majority of the electorate will swallow it. Or maybe even approve of it.

        Which is all fine and good … but don’t you find living with such a cynical view of your fellow citizens just a little wearing?

      • weka 3.1.2
        13 November 2015 at 5:49 pm

        “Just like the ponytail campaign by the left, had no effect with actual NZers as reflected in the polls,”

        Maybe not, but the culture is being changed which is actually more important. It’s probably good you aren’t noticing that.

      • Daniel Cale 3.1.3
        13 November 2015 at 6:52 pm

        Agreed, and your comment about faux outrage is particularly pertinent. It is this penchant for taking offence at everything that is destroying the left because it is so alien to the way most NZ’ers think.

        • BM 3.1.3.1
          13 November 2015 at 6:53 pm

          The left love being offended it’s what gives them purpose.

          • Tracey 3.1.3.1.1
            13 November 2015 at 7:34 pm

            There is a reason you and Daniel ended up talking to and agreeing with each other. Cling onto each other boys so that you can find comfort in your stupidity

        • Paul 3.1.3.2
          13 November 2015 at 7:03 pm

          You are rapidly becoming a unwelcome. And unsavoury bore with your ill educated hate speech.

      • Paul 3.1.4
        13 November 2015 at 6:57 pm

        ‘Haters going to hate’

        Are people standing up for civil rights ‘haters’?
        Are people asking for rape not to be used by the PM ‘haters’?
        Or do you just describe anyone whose views you oppose a ‘hater’?
        Or do you just operate in slogans?

      • Stuart Munro 3.1.5
        14 November 2015 at 12:48 pm

        There is little or no political capital to be made from this. As many or more people will be turned off Key by his treacherous desertion of New Zealanders in a concentration camp as might do the knee-jerk ‘ah… they’re all crooks anyway’. If he had to choose an issue on which to make an immoral stand, Key could’ve chosen better.

  4. Anne 4
    13 November 2015 at 2:44 pm

    Michelle Boag adds her opinion:

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/74006095/mps-who-shared-sexual-assault-stories-paraded-their-victimhood–michelle-boag

    If anyone feels like ‘discussing’ the matter her work email is:

    michelle@boagpirie.co.nz

    This bitch (no, I don’t resile from calling her a bitch because that is exactly what she is) is attempting to equate low level offending such as inappropriate explicitly language, bottom patting and/or breast touching with the serious high end of the scale where women have been subjected to serial raping as children/teenagers and other horrific sexually related acts.

    i

    • veutoviper 4.1
      13 November 2015 at 3:41 pm

      I agree with your last paragraph completely, Anne.

      The Stuff article is mild compared to Boag’s performance on RNZ National’s The Panel yesterday afternoon.

      Warning! Dangerous for those with blood pressure problems!

      http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/thepanel/audio/201778485/the-panel-with-brian-edwards-and-michelle-boag-part-1

      Discussion on this subject starts at 7.15 in; Boag begins at about 8.15.

      Boag must have watched a different video of what happened in the House to what I saw.

      She starts by trying to defend Carter’s hearing deficit; puts down Marama Davidson suggesting that she does not yet know the rules of the House; goes on to belittle the women who stood up in the House; and totally misleads by implying that they were making personal statements rather than points of order; and also maintains that they all walked out – denying that any of them were thrown out.

      Brian Edwards makes some feeble attempts to intervene and put some differing views, BUT in effect agrees that the women MPs walked out rather than some being ordered out of the House. Mora is useless as usual.

      I am still angry at the complete spin offered up by Boag.

      • Anne 4.1.1
        13 November 2015 at 4:22 pm

        Yes I heard it veutoviper – an attempt to provide cover for Key by attacking those whom she perceived to be a threat to him. The C/T ‘dead cat on the table’ routine is not confined to just the Nat politicians but their “Dirty Politics” acolytes as well.

        I have never forgotten her reaction 15 plus years ago when I was attending a function in Auckland. I happened to arrive at the bottom of the stairs to the entrance at exactly the same moment as Madam Boag. She gave me the most demeaning and contemptuous look I have ever experienced from anyone even though she had no idea who I was. She is a vain, vicious woman who will stop at nothing to get her own way – something that has been amply demonstrated over many years.

        • RedLogix 4.1.1.1
          13 November 2015 at 4:55 pm

          Anne I read this article a few hours ago – and when I came to add a comment on it, I found I had to delete it.

          Like you I found I couldn’t do it without including the b-word; and I didn’t want to start a distraction with that.

          And secondly I was struck by the fact that the Nats have deliberately wheeled a woman out to do this knife work. I can’t quite put words on it – but there is something degenerate going on I can’t quite name properly.

          • Colonial Viper 4.1.1.1.1
            13 November 2015 at 5:04 pm

            Similar rationale to why the NATs put a woman in charge of Social Welfare to do the “knife work” on benes and those on the DPB.

            • weka 4.1.1.1.1.1
              13 November 2015 at 5:59 pm

              Yes all the way back to Shipley.

              Red, I agree, there is something really off about this whole thing. Seriously off. I felt like that the first time I watched Key in the house the other day. Something very fucked up is going on here, and I think they are playing with fire.

          • BM 4.1.1.1.2
            13 November 2015 at 6:49 pm

            You seem to view women as weak and pathetic creatures, this may come as a shock but women can have their own thought and ideas.

            Boag spoke how she spoke because these women pissed her off, not because she was forced to do so.

            • sabine 4.1.1.1.2.1
              13 November 2015 at 7:19 pm

              Trigger Warning:

              BM you have absolutely no idea what weak or strong means.
              And it seems this women does not either.

              But you know what, fondling/touching/groping without consent is sexually violating someone, cat calling is harrasment, having your hair pulled without your consent is assault and could be considered to be sexual assault, having someone shove a penis – or any other tool or instrument up your bodily orifices without your consent is rape.

              And survivors of such treatment, by they male or female, young or old, regardless if they reported the crime, regardless if they went to the hospital for a rape kit, regardless of any of what ever you want have mentioned and talked about, are strong.
              They are strong because in most cases they survive without medical attention of any kind, they survive often without any moral or spiritual support, they survive not because society offers help and compassion – and clearly this National Government has been excellent in cutting the funds for help, and for compassion, it could be said that this National Government embodies the lowest common denominator – but despite it, or maybe in spite of what society has to offer.

              You know why these women where thrown out of parliament? Because they stood up, because a long time ago they stopped being afraid. They looked at teh bully and told him that they knew him, they had met him, and he does not frighten them any more. , They made clear that they don’t stand for being accused to ‘support murderers, rapists, and child molesters”, by someone who has more that a shoddy record on dealing with sexual abuse other then shrugging the shoulder and mumbling “Boys will be Boy”

              As for rape not being rape when it is not reported to the family, I was raped at an age I did not even have the vocabulary to voice what had happened to me. By the time i fully understood what was happening to me I believed that this is what happened to all the girls at a certain age, by the time I ran away from home I knew it did not happen to all the girls from a certain age onwards.

              Now at a much different age, I can assure you that many if not most girls of a certain age onwards will encounter sexual harassment (touching of hair, legs, butt, breast – smile baby you be prettier, I’d hit that – to name just a few) to outright rape. They will be raped by their fathers, stepfathers, brothers, cuzzies, oncles, mates, boyfriends, husbands and strangers. It is that fucking normal. And we have a PM, and a spokes person that wants to make it normal, “It is just feel good about that phrase? BM – assuming you are a man? Do you feel good about this particular phrase? Are you a boy that will be a boy? )
              But there is nothing normal about someone forcing another someone into intercourse. Absolutely nothing. Rape is not normal and our PM should know that, and behave accordingly.

              Now, I understand that you support John Key and the national party. Good for you. You know what you like and you stand up for it.

              I just want you to understand that women, men, boys and girls get raped. Every day, while I type this someone somewhere is getting raped. And most will never speak up, because of people like John Key, and Michelle Boag. And one of these boys, girls, women, men could be your spouse, daughter, son, friend, mother, father.

              So, no, rape is never ever a fucking excuse to score political point.
              At long last have you no fucking shame.

              • Tracey …
                13 November 2015 at 7:30 pm

                Bravo. I wonder if BM read my post about the opposition is the enemy… he hadnt read it before he posted to you.

              • BM …
                13 November 2015 at 7:43 pm

                What the hell has any of that have to do with what I wrote?

                My point was , Boag, disagreed with what these women said and voiced her opinion, she wasn’t trotted out to voice the “opinion” of the National party and it is incredibly sexist and demeaning to think that she was.

                • sabine …
                  13 November 2015 at 7:51 pm

                  And that is where you are wrong.

                  She was trotted out, and she did ‘voice’ the opinion of the national party.

                  And no it is not. if it walks like a duck, and it quacks like a duck it is.

                  You know what I find interesting, that you seem to have no issues with a Prime Minister who would accuse the opposition party of being ‘supporters of rapists, murderers, and child molesterers’.
                  It does not offend your good manners or your sense of civility.
                  It does not offend you that instead of answering a straight forward question, the Prime Ministers accuses a group of Men and Women of a certain standing, representing New Zealanders in Parliament, of being ‘supporters of rapists, murderer, and child molesterers”.

                  But then, your support for John Key and the national party makes all this ok.

                  Btw. Do you like being a boy? Cause we all know Boys will be Boys. Have you ever been that “boy”?

                  Ooh, opps, just horsing around and having a bit of fun, ey, no harm done. The Prime Minister does it too.

                  • BM …
                    13 November 2015 at 8:27 pm

                    For some reason I always thought you were a man.

                    • sabine …
                      13 November 2015 at 8:34 pm

                      i am not, never was, never pretended to be.

                      I am just one of those uppity women that would have walked out of parliament in protest of John Key.

                      and other then that, any comment on what you feel/think about the comments of the Prime Minister? Do you think that he was just horsing around again, and that those women that were offended did over react? Come BM, boy or girl, who cares, got any comment on anything other then National all good, Labour all bad?

                    • RedLogix …
                      13 November 2015 at 8:46 pm

                      BM your original comment has merit; women are indeed not weak and helpless creatures. But equally they also experience vulnerability and powerlessness in many situations.

                      And until just the last generation or so, this experience went mostly ignored and suppressed. Now it is getting articulated, and it is not a comfortable nor pleasing voice to listen to.

                      And for many men, no longer having the dominant voice (even for a time) is something we find even less pleasing. Respectful listening does not come naturally to many men.

                      At the same time this does not imply men must always remain silent, and I believe eventually we will find our own voice on this. There is much more to be said, much more to be negotiated before we find our path through this.

                      But what happened in Parliament on Wednesday belongs to those women who had the guts to stand up to the unacceptable. And no man (or woman) has any business diminishing that.

                    • BM …
                      13 November 2015 at 8:52 pm

                      I’d say the driver of John Keys comment would have been Kelvin Davis getting in his face.

                      Like any guy, Key would have been really fucked off about that, Davis got in his personal space and disrespected him, so he gave Labour a broadside in return.

                      Personally I thought there was a lot of truth with what Key said, lefties seem to be all about crims.

                    • mickysavage []
                      13 November 2015 at 8:59 pm

                      Kelvin did not get in Key’s face and his tone of voice was quite muted. If Key gets that upset by what Kelvin did then Key needs to be removed from his office ASAP.

                    • RedLogix …
                      13 November 2015 at 8:59 pm

                      lefties seem to be all abut crims.

                      Mainly because we believe human rights are universal and inalienable. This was the lesson we learnt largely in the wake of WW2.

                      By contrast righties all too often are happy to divide society into the deserving and undeserving, the insiders and outsiders. It’s an ancient, animal instinct, but regressive.

                    • BM …
                      13 November 2015 at 9:15 pm

                      Nah, Righties tend to be more about you’re in purgatory until you’ve proven you’ve made amends and shown you’ve learn’t from whatever you’ve done and won’t do it again.

                      Lefties seem to be all about finding excuses to why someone did what they did, personal responsibility seems to be an anathema to left thinking people.

                    • RedLogix …
                      13 November 2015 at 9:28 pm

                      Yet curiously enough, while you believe these things, you never deliver on them.

                      Nations like the USA that run it’s prison’s as purgatory, seem to just keep on needing more of them. Nations like the Netherlands (which try to seek out and fix the root causes of crime) are having to close them.

                      Everywhere you look, the solutions righties insist will work, keep on failing. And yet oddly enough none of you ever seem to want to take any personal responsibility for this.

                • weka …
                  13 November 2015 at 10:07 pm

                  My point was , Boag, disagreed with what these women said and voiced her opinion, she wasn’t trotted out to voice the “opinion” of the National party and it is incredibly sexist and demeaning to think that she was.

                  How do you know she wasn’t running NACT’s lines?

                  The idea that she is isn’t a comment about her so much as a comment about how National do dirty politics. Boag fronting for National in the way she did yesterday is exactly what we would expect at this stage of things. Makes sense that people would speculate on that.

              • left for deadshark …
                14 November 2015 at 11:17 am

                Great post sabine, and as weka said this is very dark.
                Boag lied an deceived on natrad and I will use the links weka put up, an remonstrate will her and complain bitterly every time she re-appears on that show.
                but I have to say, the likes of Boag, Edwards etc have made a lot of money out of political games an that wont be changing any time soon, sadly.
                Best we support those members of Parliament that will stand up for us.

          • Anne 4.1.1.1.3
            13 November 2015 at 7:02 pm

            – but there is something degenerate going on I can’t quite name properly.

            Well, Redlogix I think it has a lot to do with Labour’s very successful conference. I wasn’t there but everything I read about it suggests Andrew Little has shown himself to be a strong and principled person who genuinely cares about this country and the democratic rights of it’s citizens. Even the MSM were impressed with him and were not backward in saying so. I think the Nats and JK in particular were rocked by their response. They didn’t see it coming. Hence the ‘dead cat on the table’ reaction. We can look forward to many more “dead cats” as Andrew’s star begins to rise and I’m certain in due course it is going to happen.

      • Paul 4.1.2
        13 November 2015 at 7:00 pm

        Edwards has spent too long in Herne Bay.
        The complete failure of ‘liberals’ to stand for anything has been wedlock documented by Chris Hedges.

        • greywarshark 4.1.2.1
          14 November 2015 at 12:37 pm

          Edwards is Brian Edwards. And this refers to 4.1 written by veutoviper. (For the benefit of anyone reading from the middle of the comments.)

      • Paul 4.1.3
        13 November 2015 at 7:09 pm

        Thanks – another reminder never to listen to Mora.
        The invitees to the Panel some dire reactionaries.
        Mora is mediocrity personified.

    • Paul 4.3
      13 November 2015 at 7:06 pm

      It’s amazing how vicious and degenerate some people can be to defend their privilege

    • veutoviper 4.4
      13 November 2015 at 10:06 pm

      I have been in ‘time out’ for a few hours and have just come back online a short while ago. I am sad (kia kaha, Sabine) but at the same time hopeful at the reaction that Boag’s response to the brave actions of the Opposition MPs in calling out the actions of Key and Carter has sparked.

      Too tired to say any more tonight, but I wanted to post this excellent and from the heart response by Alison Mau, also on Radio Live, to Boag’s interview on the same radio station.

      https://t.co/vA4nDRNbDx

      The voices will not be silenced.

  5. NZJester 5
    13 November 2015 at 5:43 pm

    If they want an apology they can change their name to Cameron Slater just like every other person the PM has ever apologized to.

  6. Paul 6
    13 November 2015 at 6:43 pm

    Our culture is gradually being corrupted.
    A sad time to be living in this once progressive country.

  7. Jenny Kirk 7
    14 November 2015 at 8:43 am

    ShonKey has escaped out of the country – for about 10 days. He’ll be hoping the furore will have died down by the time he gets back.

    This petition will help keep it alive, as will Andrew Little’s visit to the Australian select committee meeting.

    By the way, Sabine – terrific statements up above @4.1 – wish I was as articulate as you.

    And Anne – I regret to think you may well be right about why this degeneration from ShonKey is happening : looks like we’re all going to be in for a rough ride to the end of 2017. The Nats will try everything they can think of to retain power. Yuck.

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    Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • Will political polarisation intensify to the point where ‘normal’ government becomes impossible,...
    Chris Trotter writes –  New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, April 30
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:30am on Tuesday, May 30:Scoop: NZ 'close to the tipping point' of measles epidemic, health experts warn NZ Herald Benjamin PlummerHealth: 'Absurd and totally unacceptable': Man has to wait a year for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Worst poll result for a new Government in MMP history
    Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Pinning down climate change's role in extreme weather
    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Serving at Seymour's pleasure.
    Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Webworm LA Pop-Up
    Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • “Feel good” school is out
    Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • 6 Months in, surely our Report Card is “Ignored all warnings: recommend dismissal ASAP”?
    Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy. Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    3 days ago

  • Bread, and how it gets buttered
    Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Justice for Gaza?
    The New York Times reports that the International Criminal Court is about to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over their genocide in Gaza: Israeli officials increasingly believe that the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for senior government officials on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • If there has been any fiddling with Pharmac’s funding, we can count on Paula to figure out the fis...
    Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • FastTrackWatch – The case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Monday, April 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on Iran killing its rappers, and searching for the invisible Dr. Reti
    span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    3 days ago

  • Auckland Rail Electrification 10 years old
    Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Coalition's dirge of austerity and uncertainty is driving the economy into a deeper recession
    Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Disability Funding or Tax Cuts.
    You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Of the Goodness of Tolkien’s Eru
    April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    4 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #17
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Pastor Who Abused People, Blames People
    Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago

  • Vic Uni shows how under threat free speech is
    The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Winston remembers Gettysburg.
    Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • 25
    She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8.  The universe was ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Policing protests.
    Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago

  • Open letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith
    Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago

  • Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – briefly
    Peter Dunne writes –  The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Cutting the Public Service
    It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    6 days ago

  • Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
    Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:  we live in a troubled ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • This is how I roll over
    1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”…
    …it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition   NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes –  The High Court ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Three Strikes saw lower reoffending
    David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry era
    Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • One Night Only!
    Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • What did Melissa Lee do?
    It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #17 2024
    Open access notables Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment: In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
    Skeptical Science
    7 days ago

  • Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Wa...
    Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

  • Who’s Going Up The Media Mountain?
    Mr Bombastic: Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
    Bowalley Road
    7 days ago

  • “That's how I roll”
    It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • Stronger oversight for our most vulnerable children
    The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 hour ago

  • Streamlining Building Consent Changes
    The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.      “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • 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
    7 days 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
    7 days 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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 ...
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    1 week ago

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