Q+A interview – Key still lying

Written By: - Date published: 7:20 am, August 15th, 2011 - 61 comments
Categories: class war, cost of living, john key, poverty, tax, wages - Tags: , ,

A better than usual interview of John Key by Guyon Espiner on Sunday’s Q+A.  On the plus side Espiner was raising some serious issues. On the minus he let Key get away with his usual lies and evasions.

GUYON So you’re still expecting 170,000 jobs over four years and back in surplus by 2014/2015?

JOHN We’ve got no reason to back away from that.

And we’ve got no reason to believe in it. The same 170,000 jobs were predicted in the last budget too, it’s just a cut and paste.

GUYON Let’s talk about the domestic economy. You said when you opened Parliament for the year in February, and I quote you, ‘The government is conscious that for most New Zealanders, an indicator of how well the economy is doing is whether or not they can keep up with the cost of living.’ Do you seriously think they are?

JOHN Well, I do. I mean, if one goes and has a look at things like the Food Price Index and the like, yes, it has risen, but it’s not the craziest moves we’ve ever seen. Um, there’s quite a lot of fluctuation in there.

Inflation is at a 21 year high of 5.3%.  Wage growth is less than half the rate of inflation, in fact is at its slowest rate for 15 years (and no you can’t tax cut your way to higher wages).  Even The Herald is asking If it’s boom why are so many feeling bust? Espiner did follow up on the matter of inflation:

GUYON But you promised also to, and I quote you again, ‘maintain a low level of inflation’ in that opening speech to Parliament at the start of the year. You’ve failed. 5.3%. Highest in 21 years. It’s a failure.

JOHN No, well, I don’t accept that either. You’ve got to go and look at the data. The 5.3% includes a 2.2% uptick for the one-off adjustment of, um, GST increase. Now, everyone knew that, so if you take that out&

GUYON But that’s real. This is not some technical discussion, is it? If you’re sitting at home and your food bill’s gone up because of GST, then you feel that.

JOHN Yes, but, I mean, you’ve got to look at two things. [… blah blah blah …]   actually, wages have gone up in terms of after-tax wages because of the tax cut. That’s what’s driving that. So it’s not in isolation. People have more money in their hand, and they pay slightly more for their goods because of GST.

After tax cuts and GST increases, folk on the average income got around five dollars a week, those on the average salary around ten dollars a week.  A drop in the bucket compared to the (non GST) inflation.  In fact, it’s only around $80,000 of income that you start to break even.  On then to the wage gap with Australia:

GUYON One of the key indicators of wages, one of the key ones that your government set was catching up to Australian incomes. Are you making any progress in that regard?

JOHN I think we are. Um, you know, we’re three years into what’s been a 40-year decline against Australia. But in real after-tax terms, we think we have narrowed the gap with Australia.

Ahh – no.  The wage gap with Australia is wider, according to figures reviewed by the Dominion Post, and the CTU – oh, and the government’s own figures.  (Hardly a surprise as the government is doing nothing at all to close the gap.) Key has been called on this lie by any number of commentators, but as you can see, he’s still telling it. (When he’s not talking up the wage gap as a “competitive advantage” that is.)

Espiner then asks some good questions on poverty – Key reckons its all down to “poor choices” – before moving on the rich-poor gap:

GUYON Yet the rich got richer.

JOHN Well, actually, I don’t know. Is that right?

GUYON It must be. When you cut the tax rate from 38% to 33% and you’re earning $200,000, $300,000, $400,000 a year, of course you got richer. That’s a choice that you made.

JOHN Actually that’s not technically right. …

WTF?  Key’s excuse seems to be that the rich spend the money and pay GST, and there were also some property tax changes, so it was all a wash.  Or perhaps he’s still quoting this discredited report, which didn’t take account of last years tax bonanza for the rich.

Back in the real world that tax bonanza gave $2.5 billion a year to the top 10 per cent of earners while the bottom 20% got practically nothing, wages are falling for the poor and rising for the rich, average and median wages have diverged by 12% (because the rich are getting richer the poorest half of NZ is $80 a week worse off), child poverty and other indicators are getting worse, the concentration of wealth is increasing, and the 150 people on the “rich list” have increased their wealth by 20% in the last year.  Key should just stick with his original instinct and tell the ordinary folk not to get jealous.

The interview then moves on to discuss child poverty (more on that in another post soon perhaps).

So there you have it, some real issues raised for a change.  But when Key is put on the spot his responses are nothing but evasions and recycled lies (that don’t get any truer for the frequent repetition).  It’s pretty hard to defend a terrible record of course, but the country deserves so much better than this.

61 comments on “Q+A interview – Key still lying ”

  1. happynz 1

    I watched the interview yesterday morning and I did notice that Key was clenching his fists quite a lot. He appeared to be taken aback that he was being given tougher than average questions rather than the typical media cuddles and hugs that he usually gets.

    • handle 1.1

      Good to see a local interview more like the challenging one with Key on the BBC earlier in the year. He has to be called out on lies to his face instead of afterwards on blogs where hardly any voters get to hear it.

    • Treetop 1.2

      Did you notice Key was blushing mid way through the interview? I was so focused on the blushing that I did not notice the hand clencing.

  2. Kevin Welsh 2

    Does he ever utter a sentence that doesn’t have the word ‘actually’ in it?

  3. Peter 3

    Good read, now who is going to turn all of this into a change of Government?

  4. ghostwhowalksnz 4

    So much for him admitting it when ‘ he gets it wrong’

    Remember the hoopla over this, that it makes him not like other politicians.

    • jackal 4.1

      I hear the Natz are going to give Shonkey the boot soon. Apparently some of the older ranks don’t like all the lying. He’s getting replaced by Count von Count.

      One… 170,000 jobs over four years will miraculously appear, walla! Two… over 200,000 children now living in poverty will miraculously disappear, tadaa! Three… 30% of GDP is too much net debt for me, whoosh! Four… I get $400,500 each year to tell you lies, ha ha ha ha! Five… 5.3% inflation will no longer be crazy, shazam! Six… pick up your welfare bashing sticks, ha ha ha!

  5. Reminds me of the old joke.
     
    How do you know when Key is lying?
     
    His lips are moving …

  6. Bored 6

    When you analyse Keys words it is very obvious he is:
    1. A muppet.
    2. A liar.
    3. Both of the above.

  7. Tombstone 7

    Enough is enough! The guy is out of touch with life as it is for the average Kiwi and is a downright liar. Labour, the Greens and the useless bloody media should be tearing Key and English new arseholes right now. And don’t even get me started on Paula Bennett – that woman disgusts me to no end! FFS – where are the bloody jobs Key?!

  8. Craig Glen Eden 8

    First interview that Guyon has done were Guyon has actually got frustrated or reacted to Keys lines.

    How long will it take for him to say but thats not true is it prime minister?

  9. alex 9

    It kinda sucks that we are all excited over one interview with the PM that treats him like a normal accountable politician. I mean, reading the transcript, they were very fair questions, with a little bit of harassment over the answers, but it was nothing that could be considered harsh or a grilling. I suppose it shows how easy a ride Key gets.

    • felix 9.1

      ‘xactly alex.

      Part of the trouble is the format. No-one broadcasts an interview longer than about ten minutes anymore, and ten minutes isn’t long enough.

      Professional pollies like Key know that if they waffle and obfuscate for a while on a difficult or embarrassing topic, the subject will get dropped ‘cos the interviewer wants to get through all the issues of the day.

      Espiner managed to question a few of Key’s answers quite well, but he didn’t have time to keep drilling into them, as would happen in an actual interview.

      Two words that would have little Johnny Keys pissing down his leg: Tim Sebastian.

  10. ak 10

    SELF-HYPNOSIS FOR BEGINNERS

    Preparatory mind-numbing exercise #17:

    Sit in comfortable chair in front of mirror and without blinking or hesitation, read aloud the following mantra with utter conviction and confidence.

    Yeah, but what I’m saying to you is there’s almost two groups here….. There is another group, the tail as we look at it, in terms of education, and we understand that that tail is disproportionately larger, and in education terms, the comprehension levels between the tail and the bulk of the other children is quite broad. But you can’t just say, ‘Well, OK, look, you know, you want to talk to me about welfare reform, but, by the way, you know, I want to talk about something different in that group.’ That group is dominated by young kids growing up in poor areas with low income going to their families, often broken homes with a lot of social issues. And if we look at what’s happening in those households, of course we have to have welfare reform and a Green Paper and a better way of dealing with these young children.

    Repeat with conviction until all sensation is absent from upper half of body.

  11. Key is a failed social experiment.

    We gave him the benefit of the doubt at the last election. Voting him in thinking he was some sort of financial whizz to see us through the tough times we knew were ahead and he’s come up short, wayyyy short….Dude’s all hat and no cattle.

    We already knew English was a failure. Anyone can see he’s spewing on NZ for rejecting him as PM and leader of the opposition so he’s exacting his revenge on us by ripping the taxpayer off with his abuse of parliamentary ‘entitlements’ while fattening the wallets of his fatcat overlords.

    OK, so Team Goff may not be able to do a better job, but they sure as fuck couldn’t do worse than the Blue lots team of useless cunts. At least with Labour you kind of feel they have the wider interest of the less fortunate at heart.

    I guess in the upcoming election it’s gonne be a case of the lesser of 2 evils.

    • Bored 11.1

      How you going to vote from a canoe somewhere in the middle of the Pacific? Reckon your waka will be afloat, unlike Keys sinking ship.

      • pollywog 11.1.1

        Got bigger fish to fry than John Key, Bored. I figure by the time i get back it’ll be almost time to step into the light, kick the masterplan into full effect and assume my rightful place in the bigger picture 🙂

        Just quietly, I’m gonna leverage the fame and knowledge from voyaging into a youth oriented employment and social health scheme targeting mainly local Pasifikans. Intially as a pilot programme that can then, upon it’s proven success, be ‘franchised’ to other regions. Then i’ll get myself elected to the local council, learn the ropes, join the Green party and become their Pasifikan rep with a guaranteed list seat and finally flip the script on a whole range of relevent issues.

        It’s all about reading the signs and navigating the path foretold in the stars, positioning your waka to best capitalise of the changing winds of fortune. My biggest fear isn’t that I’m inadequate, but that in knowing i’m powerful beyond all measure, i can use that power wisely.

        Our Deepest Fear & The Invitation

        and if i don’t, i’ll set one of my kids up to instead…

        MWAHAAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA*cough cough*HAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

    • neoleftie 11.2

      that polly i have to agree with….

  12. Zaphod Beeblebrox 12

    Anthony- don’t you know anything? Its the fault of all those 16 and 17 yo’s buying tobacco, in association with all those single mum’s who don’t go back to work quickly enough. That’s if you don’t believe its the fault of the GFC/the earthquake/Helen Clark/political correctness and all those people out there making bad decisions.

    • mik e 12.1

      Keys answer to the Question that the rich haver had a huge increase in take home pay.the price of flash cars hasn’t gone up houses no gst their a=has stayed static where are they paying the huge mount of gst at their accountants.YEAH RIGHT.Most likely it will be put into speculative investments most of which don’t attract gst.Re balancing YEAH RIGHT

    • mik e 12.2

      Keys answer to the Question that the rich haver had a huge increase in take home pay.The price of flash cars hasn’t gone up houses no gst their price has stayed static where are they paying the huge mount of gst at their accountants.YEAH RIGHT.Most likely it will be put into speculative investments most of which don’t attract gst.Re balancing YEAH RIGHT
      Overseas trips no GST.

  13. Ed 13

    I also noticed that he stated again that the reason that so many NZ’ers are leaving for Australia is because of the minerals and mining boom… but the Herald this morning reports that over half are going to Queensland… sounds very much like people disillusioned with NZ, otherwise they’d all be moving to Western Australia

  14. tc 14

    Yet again it shows what a pathetic political reporter Espiner is, that’s a token touch up with no persistence or digging in on the BS responses. Nice work if you can get it….whose a good boy then, now play dead.

    • Tiger Mountain 14.1

      Yes, you could see Espiner in one side shot smirking while making eye contact with Shonkey, signaling “I don’t really mean it (the line of questioning) John”

  15. mik e 15

    When key is really put on the spot he speeds up his speech rate and lowers his voice volume then starts mumbling so his answer is all over before the interviewer realizes.A cunning linguist

  16. vto 16

    Can anyone explain how Key got away this morning with saying, in his opening salvo, “our welfare system is unsustainable” and then three sentences later (achally Key speaks in just one gigantic incoherent sentence. he is the new Joh Bjeikle-Peterson) saying “we can afford our welfare system”?

  17. Ianupnorth 17

    There is a very common theme for these threads – they never have QSF, Pete George, HS, Chris73 commenting – why? because everything here is fact; they have no answers, they cannot dispute the truth. On ideology they can argue, but on fact they have no ammo.
    Now to get that message to the masses.

  18. drum 18

    Most NZers have to work up to 7 days a week just to remain able to stay afloat as a family unit, most of our large companies are foreign (or have foreign %ownership)and most of these profits are returned to their shareholders overseas.
    We are it appears nothing more than a cash cow for these companies and the others that will chase after ownership of our SOE’s and primary sector industries as they are left open to pillage in the next 3 years. Therefor there is no motivation for the political powers to answer the gap between Australia and NZ wages as that would upset the equation.
    Guyon will need to be careful as any reporter who gives the Prime Minister to hard a time usually finds it harder and harder to get an interview.
    Do remember that all questions are forwarded to the office before hand so it is very hard to get past the PR spin that we have had to swallow since a certain Irish descendant journalist crossed over to advise.
    Like David Carter MP and Gerry Brownlee MP, the Prime Minister finds it hard to answer any question at all instead we get the same spin that Carter uses.(Probably using the same PR guy).”The question you need to ask”. This is something we hear alot from all caucus members and that way they avoid answering the question.
    Question I would like to ask is. Who does NZ work for?

  19. Espiner did well. I don’t think Key cracked a smile once, and several times he seemed a bit stunned that Guyon kept on at him.

    I also liked the fact that the interview was framed in terms of: the hardship facing many people; growing inequality and child poverty; failure over things promised.

    There are obviously other issues that are vital, and Key – and all politicians – needs to get grilled about them in the media (cue Afewknowthetruth) but at least he’s been pointedly called to account by a mainstream journalist once during the three year term (excepting overseas interviews). 

    I think Tiger Mountain mentioned Espiner smirking in compliance with Key. I must have missed that. A couple of the cuts to him looked more like expressions of critical disbelief – furrowed brows and all.  Whether or not I’m over-interpreting Espiner’s expressions, it’s that kind of general approach and demeanour that we need more of.

  20. tc 20

    Espiner did as his masters instructed and keys media handlers demand, ask a sort of tough question and ignore the BS reply and don’t follow it up or persist for a pertinent answer just keep moving through the pre ordained questions……there’s a good boy Guy, wanna ride in a chopper to plenty of room next to duncan.

    Key gave plenty of opportunity that a decent interview could park a truck in and demand clarification before moving on, but hey this is recycling Rick’s cosy little govt soapbox after all.

  21. Ianupnorth 21

    And still no Gosman, Chris73, etc… must be busy….

    • They are over at stuff clicking away on the poll Fairfax is running ; )

      • Tiger Mountain 21.1.1

        Yeah, more age discrimination, 16 & 17 year olds can’t vote and should not be served retail booze and ciggies, so put the slipper in.

        Appearance is all, the ‘clampdown’ looks good for those sadists that enjoy New Zealands second favourite pastime-bashing the dirty filthy bennies!

      • felix 21.1.2

        With one hand they’re clicking, yep.

        • Ianupnorth 21.1.2.1

          I saw the king troll Gosman on another thread and asked him to comment; currently running scared I guess.

      • Anne 21.1.3

        Just been over to Stuff. They’re still clicking.

      • bbfloyd 21.1.4

        and clogging up red alerts comment section with a choice selection foam flecked wittisisms.

  22. Rijab 22

    Key is a liar.

    I was told I’m a middle class twat by someone after trying to point out the flaws in our wonderful Prime Minister’s thinking. It frustrated me that there are people out there fueling the perspective that we’re a class society, it’s just sad. My frustration came out in a few words after the conversation and after seeing this interview I’m gonna share them here,

    Just a Middle Class Twat

    A middle class twat,
    That’s all I am.
    I should shut up and blindly follow Uncle Sam.
    I’ve got to prove myself you see,
    They fear people like me.
    Don’t voice any dissent,
    Just go on living with smiling assent.
    Don’t complain, you have no right.
    Those upper class fellows have far better sight.
    Forget our fisheries and our farmers,
    they should just be thankful for the big boy dramas.
    Businessmen wake in their own delusional dawns,
    To control all their stupid little pawns.

    • Colonial Viper 22.1

      Real shame they didn’t call you a working class twat. Coz then you could have gifted them a liverpool kiss.

  23. tc 23

    Yes Rijab, based on plenty of chats I’ve had with folk escaping mother england since Y2k they are voting for that class system they miss so much. That nice man John speaks directly to their perceptions.

    • Ianupnorth 23.1

      tc, I left the UK midway through Blair’s first term, I have never voted Conservative, I will never vote National. I think your generalisation is pretty inaccurate; I know plenty of people from the UK who are keen to see Key go and keen to retain MMP as a way of staying away from FPP.
      In fact, if anything it is white, middle class, golf playing Kiwi’s that are keeping Key et al in power; they have too much tied up in their investment property portfolio and live in fear of unions and/or Maori gaining power.

      • Jellytussle 23.1.1

        tc….you are way off with your strange idea that people from the UK come to NZ and vote national because they miss a ‘class system’

  24. tc 24

    We probably move in different circles, these are tories at heart looking for more of that Thatcher vibe.

    • Ianupnorth 24.1

      tc – ain’t denying there are a few of those about; I had nine great years under Aunty Helen, two and a bit of Key make Aussie look attractive.

    • Vicky32 24.2

      We probably move in different circles, these are tories at heart looking for more of that Thatcher vibe.

      None of the nurses from the UK who my son works with are anything like what you describe! (They’ve come here to get away from the Rogering of the NHS)

  25. tc 25

    Yup agree, Clark and Cullen did the right thing and it’s like watching the idiot children inheriting a strong business and wrecking it as they’re clueless and heartless. A banker supported by a career public servant, media whore and various power hungry elitists all backed by the hollow men.

  26. “People have more money in their hand, and they pay slightly more for their goods because of GST.” – John Key

    Yes, Mr Key. They are paying more for food, power, water (if metered), rates (which means a tax on a tax), petrol, public transport, medical bills, clothing, shoes, accomodation…

    As a point of interest, Key addressed a public meeting in Upper Hutt on 2nd August. Amongst other things he,

    * justified asset sales because they would be “better managed”,

    * and wasn’t certain what the cost of petrol was when he referred to fuel prices and the level of the Kiwi Dollar.

    That was a telling moment: the man didn’t know what the price of petrol was.

    • Colonial Viper 26.1

      Yep. Makes no difference to Key personally if petrol is $2/L or $4/L.

      • neoleftie 26.1.1

        JK more concerned about the winter wonderland of delight and opportunities of elitism pasttimes.
        ive just been talking to too many people suffering because of the cold temps and cant afford decent heating so a little miffed at an our glorious leader joyous delight and ignorance or uncaring of the flipside of subzero temps.

  27. So, who is going to write the thread about how when you point all Keys lies out none of the typical tory trolls appear, yet on every single other thread they are there?
    Where is Queenstreet Farmer
    Where is Gosman
    Where is Higherstandard
    Where is Chris73
     
    Don’t want to debate your bosses lies? Maybe they are the real chickens?

    • Colonial Viper 27.1

      It’s typical of The Standard to take democracy in action and criticise it. Key fronted up and answered the hard questions, and by all impartial accounts did very well. Guyon was surprisingly even handed, all credit to him. More than anything this interview falsifies the Left’s consistent claim that the MSM in NZ is biased – if anything our mainstream media is usually too left wing.

      Now I would be the first to admit that Key’s performance wasn’t perfect and yes he stumbled once or twice but he is human and he showed that he cares for those on struggle street. John Key is just an ordinary guy responding honestly exactly as he thinks and I feel that Kiwi’s really appreciate and understand that about him. It’s part of the reason he is as popular and trusted today as he has ever been. He knows what every day New Zealanders are going through and he has an honest commitment to the country that no other politician has. He really is the non-politician politician and after years of contrived acting in Parliament he is a breath of fresh air.

      The attacks from the left are really just desperation. The numbers are against you and so is middle New Zealand. No one is interested in the politics of envy that the left spouts, New Zealand has moved on. Get with the aspirations of modern day ordinary New Zealanders.

      Honestly, I’m comfortable that our Prime Minister has what it takes come November.

    • Colonial Viper 27.2

      (so how did I do as a stand-in?) 😈

      • The Voice of Reason 27.2.1

        If you could have found some way of blaming the economy on Labour, saying ‘they did it too’ or bringing up the driving habits or painting skills of the previous PM, then I would have said you’d have nailed it 100%, CV!

  28. Ianupnorth 28

    Gees, you had me worried there mate!

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    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A StepbyStep Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and thirdparty applications. So, lets dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. Thats why they introduced the Recently Deleted folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Heres how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the Recents tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on Edit. Select Show Recently Deleted. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose Recover to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Heres how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose Erase All Content and Settings. Follow the onscreen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose Restore from iCloud Backup during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore ThirdParty Apps (with Caution): ...
    19 hours ago
  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    1 day ago
  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    1 day ago
  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    1 day ago
  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    1 day ago
  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    1 day ago
  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    1 day ago
  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    1 day ago
  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    1 day ago
  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    1 day ago
  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    1 day ago
  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    1 day ago
  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 day ago
  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    1 day ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    2 days ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    2 days ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    3 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    3 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    4 days ago
  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    4 days ago
  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    5 days ago
  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 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 hours 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
    8 hours 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
    9 hours 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
    10 hours 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
    10 hours 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
    10 hours 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
    13 hours 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 day 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 day 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 day 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 day 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 day 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
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