Reflections of a retired blogger
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4:34 pm, October 23rd, 2017 - 67 comments
Categories: blogs, The Standard -
Tags: blogging, player piano, the standard, vanity posts
Time for me to step down as a writer here. I’ve been doing it too long, and through some pretty bleak times. But now we have a new government, and that should bring a new wave of energy and engagement. It’s good time to make room for new writers to step up, with new ideas about the direction of this blog.
What follows is just a ramble on various topics in no particular order. Proceed at your own risk, or not.
I’m pleased that we have changed the government. But I’m probably more worried than I am pleased. Not just about the clusterfuck mess that National is leaving behind, but also about what the nature of the win says about this country. We should have won in a landslide in 2014, because dirty politics should not be acceptable to this country in any form. The fact that the Nats took that election, and maintained a highish level of popularity to the very end, does not speak well of our political health. It is clear that New Zealand has a moderate dose of what we are seeing in America with Trump, a political world where facts matter far less than spin and unquestioning allegiance to predetermined views. It’s a dangerous path.
There’s a lot of truth to the saying that oppositions don’t win elections, governments lose them. It amuses me how actively the Nats lost this one by fighting an FPP campaign. Karma. If there was any rationality to politics National’s history of dirty politics and lies would see them out of power for a generation, but as above, there is no rationality to politics.
Dealing with the National opposition is not going to be easy, but there are a few things to bear in mind and keep repeating. They did a poor job with the economy, and a disastrous job with housing, poverty, health, education and the environment (documented here). They are sore losers who don’t understand MMP, want to argue with the ref, and have no mates. National will get wins from opposition, but that’s fine, the left had wins from opposition too. It’s the beauty of MMP. Don’t worry about it, and don’t let it divide the coalition government.
Is there a coming digital war? Probably. But I don’t think it will be as bad as some people say. The dirty politics blogs have had their day. Everyone now knows how they operate, and they don’t have anything like the influence that they had 5 years ago, especially with the media. They will keep spewing of course, and one thing authors here could do is regularly highlight their shit.
The systemic bias inherent in the right-wing ownership and centralisation of the media is a much bigger problem. It’s not completely unbalanced, but underlying everything is a set of assumptions and a perpetuation of myths that results in a constant screwing of the scrum in favour of the Nats. This reaches its worst in the dominance of idiot demagogues like Mike Hosking, and the repeated use of dirty politics actors like Farrar and Hooton as “commentators”. Let’s be honest about what they are – propagandists.
When it comes to regular journalists though, and I know I’m guilty of this myself, venting about them does very little good. The bad ones only get shirty, and they have a much bigger megaphone than us. The good ones are very good, and it must be frustrating for them to see their whole field (the “MSM”) continually attacked. Dear lefties, please try and make friends with journalists.
Anyway, the biggest problem in terms of political spin and public opinion is not the media, it is the weaponisation of social media. Profiling, AI methods, micro-targeted advertising, the propagation of fake news. If you haven’t heard of Cambridge Analytica you have no idea of how expertly you are being handled. If you are active on Facebook you are a product. Apart from the left trying to fight fire with fire I have no idea what to do about this. Is the politics of the future not so much a battle of ideas as it is a battle of algorithms? Depressing.
I haven’t written much about immigration and racism because I find it a difficult topic. I love immigration, I love diversity, I love travel and the rich tapestry of the exchange of culture and ideas. At the risk of sounding like Don Brash, my wife and kids don’t use a lot of sunblock, and I’ve helped family members from far away to NZ. But we do now have a problem. It isn’t the fault of immigrants, it’s the fault of politicians, a failure to plan, a failure to build infrastructure. It’s OK to point that out, and in my opinion it’s OK to put a slowdown on immigration until it’s sorted (immigration from England or Australia or anywhere). Some of the over-zealous lefties who insist on attacking this proposal as racism annoy me almost as much as overt racists. Too often it’s a privileged and self-gratifying exercise that ignores the fact that the burden of our stuffed housing and infrastructure falls mainly on the poor. Mainly in fact on Maori / Pacific Islanders. Racism of a different kind. We need to take care of the people already in this country (whether they arrived last week or generations ago) before we can sustain high levels of immigration again. Boy am I going to get in to trouble for writing this. So it goes.
In any case, sometimes it all feels like arguing about the proverbial deckchairs on the Titanic. Climate change is here. Huge challenges are coming. In fifty years the world is going be a very very different place from what it is today.
Back to the present. Politics. Philosophically I’m much more Green than Labour, but as a matter of historical accident I’m a member of the Labour Party. (I really don’t think it matters what party you support, as long as its heading in generally the constructive direction – left.) Labour, you don’t need my advice, here are some of the things you know already. You have in front of you huge opportunity and also huge risk. Jacinda Arden is your greatest asset, just let her be herself (don’t get flustered when she makes mistakes). Own up to your mistakes and fix them. Ministers must be accountable and must be seen to be accountable. Stick to the high road, leave dirty politics to the Nats. You will be very busy in government, but as a party you need to look at what went wrong in Auckland. Build relationships with immigrant communities. It’s going to be a hugely tough sell given your immigration policy, but you can’t afford to cede those communities to the Nats, so put the bloody work in. Don’t forget your impossibly huge responsibility to the Maori electorate who have given you their trust. Good luck!
Blogging has been interesting. My first comment here (12 Sept 2007) was a suggestion for a post – it seems I was doomed from the start. Against my better judgement I started submitting guest posts. My first post under my own login (4 September 2009) was Why blog?. I did around 600 posts as r0b, then 1890 after coming out as Anthony R0bins. Several hundred more as many of the Notices and Features and the like. That’s a lot of posts, too many. It was driven by a certain affinity for lost causes – loved this book in my formative years. I’m an accidental blogger – not a real one like the Farrar’s or Bradbury’s or (bless him) the George’s of the world.
Politics is a rough game. The other team plays dirty, which is understandable because it gets results. It’s very very tempting to give in to the dark side and use similar tactics of spin, lies and dogwhistles. I’d like to hope that I (none of the writers here) ever did or will. But I must admit I personally got closer than I would have liked, crossing the line into spin at times. Not proud of that, but it’s very damn frustrating to try and fight fire armed with nothing more than a combustable volume on moral philosophy. We need a better, more mature kind of politics, but I can’t see how to get there from here. I’ll go away and think about it for a bit. Best wishes to you all…
My thanks to to Lprent and The Standard Trust, fellow writers past and present, and the wonderful active commenting community here! The writers here are fantastic, and it’s been a privilege to work with them/you all, but they could use some reinforcements.
If ever there was a time to get active politically it is now. If ever you have thought about submitting guest posts or trying out as a writer here, do it now. The political right are going to go nuts in opposition, and we need fresh new hands on deck.
See you in comments sometimes.
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- Release: David Parker speech – Piketty, Inequality and Climate Change
David Parker's speech from the University of Auckland's forum on Piketty, Inequality and Climate Change in September 2024. ...21 hours ago
- Release: Youth mental wellbeing no longer a priority for Child Poverty Minister
Louise Upston has revealed her diminished vision for vulnerable youth against a backdrop of snubbed advice, scrapped priorities, shifted goal posts and thousands more children projected to fall into poverty. ...22 hours ago
- Release: National’s lack of climate action taking NZ backwards
National Government’s backward-looking climate policy has seen New Zealand fall seven places on the Climate Change Performance Index to 41 out of 63 countries measured. ...22 hours ago
- Release: Simple reason for drop in emergency housing
When the Government says it has reduced the number of people in emergency housing, what it means is it is stopping people from accessing it in the first place. ...1 day ago
- Govt’s child wellbeing strategy ‘shallow and shameful’
The Government is turning its back on children by not only weakening child poverty reduction targets, but also removing child mental wellbeing as a priority focus in their Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy. ...1 day ago
- Release: A historic win for Samoan communities
Labour warmly welcomes the Restoring Samoan Citizenship Bill as it passes its third reading, before becoming law. ...1 day ago
- Government plan to reinstate live animal exports a “national disgrace”
The Government has taken a giant step backwards by reinstating live animal exports. ...2 days ago
- Pasifika justice as Member’s Bill passes final reading
Teanau Tuiono’s Member’s Bill, the Citizenship (Western Samoa Restoration) Amendment Bill, has passed its third reading and will become law. ...2 days ago
- Release: Minister of Education thinks New Zealand ends at the Bombay Hills
The Minister of Education has shown complete disregard for rural communities and their school bus routes in Question Time today. ...2 days ago
- Economists sound alarm on Government’s slash-and-burn approach
A group of prominent economists has released an open letter to the Government, raising grave concerns about the far-reaching consequences of its fiscal policy. ...2 days ago
- Release: Smoking numbers up under Costello’s watch
National’s repeal of Labour’s smokefree legislation has taken New Zealand further away from achieving a Smokefree 2025 and a smokefree generation. ...2 days ago
- Release: Call for Palestine recognition by NZ, Australian and Canadian MPs
Parliamentarians from Australia, Canada and New Zealand have written an open letter to their respective Prime Ministers calling on them to recognise Palestine. ...2 days ago
- Justice Select Committee opens floor for Treaty Principles submissions
Today, the Justice Select Committee has decided to officially open submissions for the controversial Treaty Principles Bill. ...3 days ago
- Power of the people on full display as hīkoi approaches Parliament
Today, Hīkoi mō te Tiriti arrived in Wellington, with thousands gathering to march in unity against the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...3 days ago
- Hypocrisy as Te Whatu Ora contractor bill balloons
Te Whatu Ora’s bill for contracting and consulting staff has ballooned by nearly 20 percent under the National Government, breaking a promise they made during the election campaign to cut contractors. ...4 days ago
- Release: Growing pressure to scrap Section 7AA Repeal Bill
The newly released Section 7AA Repeal Bill's select committee report is further evidence that the Government should scrap it. ...5 days ago
- Government’s move to monetise access to nature a slippery slope
The Green Party is voicing serious concerns over the Government’s proposal to charge for access to public conservation land, released today. ...1 week ago
- Green Party condemns the passage of Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party condemns the passing of the Treaty Principles Bill at first reading, and is clear that the fight is not over. ...1 week ago
- Stand Up for Te Tiriti
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is our country’s founding document. It forms the basis of the relationship between Māori and the Crown – and the Aotearoa New Zealand we live in today. ...1 week ago
- Release: Over 15,000 sign Labour’s open letter to Luxon
As the hīkoi to Parliament continues, Labour has sent an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in a last-ditch attempt to get him to kill the Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Fast Track Bill threatens environment, climate and reputation
The fast-track legislation passing its second reading in Parliament is another step towards environmental ruin. ...1 week ago
- Greens join King’s Counsel in calling for Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned
The Prime Minister must answer the call from a group of senior lawyers of the King’s Counsel to abandon the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Chris Hipkins’ apology statement to state and faith-based care survivors
...1 week ago
- Release: Labour formally apologises to state and faith-based care survivors
Labour joins with the Government in unreservedly apologising for the abuse, neglect and trauma including torture in state and faith-based care and for ignoring the voices of survivors for too long. ...1 week ago
- Green Party stands in support of survivors of abuse in care
Today, the Green Party stands alongside the survivors of abuse in state care and faith-based care as the Government issues an historic apology. ...1 week ago
- Green Party calls for conscience vote on Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party has written to the Speaker of the House requesting he enable a personal vote on the Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt move to exclude journalist risks chilling effect
The Green Party is alarmed by the Government’s move to exclude a journalist from covering this week’s apology for the survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care. ...2 weeks ago
- Without action, an apology will be empty air
For tomorrow’s apology to survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care to hold any water, the Government must not pursue the same policies that drove the abuse in the first place. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Concerns remain over tobacco interference
Concerns about the tobacco industry’s ability to interfere in government policy making remain, despite the inability of the Office of the Auditor-General to investigate the Government’s decision to halve the excise tax on heated tobacco products. ...2 weeks ago
- Urgent wake-up call on climate
The Climate Change Commission’s latest advice indicates Aotearoa needs to be stepping up on climate action. ...2 weeks ago
- Green MP’s Meme-ber’s Bill set to save the world
Break out the punchlines and dust off your meme folder: Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter’s Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill was pulled from the Ballot yesterday. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Poroporoaki: Ta Robert (Bom) Gillies
Kua hinga te manawa kairākau o Te Rua Tekau Ma Waru Tiwhatiwha te po! Kakarauru i te po! Ka rapuhia kei hea koe kua riro! Haere e te Ika a Whiro ki o tini hoa kua ngaro atu ki te Pō ...2 weeks ago
- Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principles Bill
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principle...
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ must pursue independent foreign policy
The Green Party says the need is greater than ever for Aotearoa New Zealand to pursue an independent foreign policy. ...2 weeks ago
- Appointments strengthen Predator Free 2050
The latest Predator Free 2050 Board appointments will help to strengthen biodiversity efforts across Aotearoa New Zealand, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. Mr Potaka today announced two appointments to the Board of Directors of Predator Free 2050 Limited, a key player in the wider Predator Free 2050 Programme. “The Predator ...1 hour ago - New facility in Christchurch will improve the lives of young New Zealanders
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey today opened Kahurangi, an innovative and much-needed facility for Canterbury’s Child, Adolescent, and Family Mental Health Services. “The new state of the art outpatient facility opened today will be a gamechanger for the way mental health is delivered for young people in Canterbury,” says Mr ...1 hour ago
- Driver safety screens to be installed on Auckland buses
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news from the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) that bus driver protection screens will be installed across Auckland’s bus fleet by 2026.“The Government is committed to improving the safety of working environments for bus drivers, and Budget 2024 allocated $15 million of Crown funding over ...2 hours ago
- Government action provides Southland farmers more time to meet plan requirements
The Government is taking action to ensure Southland farmers and growers are not affected by unreasonable regional farm plan deadlines, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard say.“Cabinet has agreed to provide more time for farmers and growers to comply with regional rules ...19 hours ago
- Bill reaffirms Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending
The Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Bill had its first reading at Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “In recent years we have seen an unacceptable spike in youth offending. “This Bill makes ...19 hours ago
- Critical milestones for earthquake buildings review
Fairer, more sensible rules about managing earthquake risks are a step closer with the passing of legislation and the appointment of an independent chair to provide expert advice, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The Government is committed to reinvigorating our cities and regions to support economic growth, ...20 hours ago
- State of the art radiology machine for Auckland
People in Northland and Auckland will benefit from a new machine for cancer treatment installed at the Regional Cancer and Blood Service at Auckland City Hospital. The MV5 linear accelerator, or LINAC machine, officially opened today targets cancer tumours with pinpoint accuracy. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says this new, ...20 hours ago
- Foreign Minister to visit Europe
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Europe for high-level talks with France, Germany and the United Kingdom next week. "Since taking office almost a year ago, the Coalition Government has emphasised the importance we place on New Zealand's traditional and likeminded diplomatic and ...20 hours ago
- First arrests made under gang patch ban
Police have made their first arrests under the new gang patch legislation, with two gang members arrested, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Just before 11 this morning, Police in Wairoa apprehended a gang member for wearing a patch to the supermarket. He has been arrested and will now face enforcement ...22 hours ago
- Better support for victims of sexual violence
The Government is proposing two major changes to name suppression laws that will put the views of victims of sexual violence first, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “We are committed to restoring law and order and these two proposed changes will help ensure the victims of crime are put at ...23 hours ago
- Government moving forward with Regional Deals
Cabinet has agreed to invite all regions to submit proposals for Regional Deals between central and local government that drive economic growth and deliver the infrastructure our country needs, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say. Inviting all regions to propose a Regional Deal that boosts ...23 hours ago
- MSA pilot participant update
One of the ten young men selected to participate in the Military-Style Academy Pilot has allegedly reoffended. Children’s Minister Karen Chhour is disappointed but says it would be naïve to think that none of these young men would reoffend. “I’m saddened that this young person has not taken this opportunity ...24 hours ago
- Fighting for Kiwis in Trade
Delivered at Auckland Trade and Economic Policy School Good morning and thank you Deputy Vice Chancellor Lithander for your warm welcome and for inviting me to open Auckland Trade and Economic Policy School today. A Special thanks to the University of Auckland, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and ...1 day ago
- Attendance rates increase, again
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that school attendance is continuing to rise. In Term 3 of 2024 51.3 per cent of students attended school regularly, an increase of 5.3 percentage points from 46 per cent in Term 3 of 2023. “This Government has prioritised student attendance and it is ...1 day ago
- Improving the lives of young New Zealanders
Ensuring New Zealand is the best place in the world for children and young people is the vision at the heart of the Government’s new Child and Youth Strategy, Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says. “Childhood represents a huge opportunity to set people on a positive path towards living ...1 day ago
- Government continues work to reinstate livestock exports by sea
The Government is reinstating the trade of livestock exports by sea while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, says Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard.“The Government will introduce legislation changes to reinstate the trade, enhance oversight, and strengthen requirements for exporters to identify risks and manage the welfare of ...2 days ago
- Speech to the National Quality Forum 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa – it is a pleasure to be here today. I would like to begin by acknowledging the important leadership role you all play in ensuring a quality health system New Zealanders can trust. There is enormous clinical expertise in this room covering a wide range of disciplines. ...2 days ago
- New Zealand’s COP29 National Statement
Tēnā koutou katoa. Mr President, Excellencies, Delegates. New Zealand, and all nations represented here today, are already dealing with the impacts of climate change. Our households, businesses, and economies are bearing the costs of its effects. The choices we make now will shape the severity of these impacts for generations ...2 days ago
- Latest Quarterly Investment Report released
The Government has released its second Quarterly Investment Report (QIR) which shows substantial work still to be done by agencies to improve investment reporting and meet the Government’s expectations, Infrastructure and Acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “New Zealand has significant infrastructure and investment needs. The Government is determined to get ...2 days ago
- New Zealand supporting loss and damage fund
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced New Zealand will contribute NZ$10 million to the new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage while at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. “New Zealand is joining the global effort to address the significant challenge of responding to ...2 days ago
- Gang crackdown begins at stroke of midnight
The free ride for gangs is over when the clock strikes midnight tonight, with tough new laws officially coming into effect, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say. “Gang patches will no longer be able to be worn in public. To earn the right to wear a ...2 days ago
- LGFA increases borrowing capacity to support high growth councils
The Government is welcoming the decision by the Local Government Funding Agency to increase access to financing tools for fast growing councils to support greater investment in critical infrastructure, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.“Communities across the country are facing an infrastructure deficit and significant population growth is projected in ...2 days ago
- Temporary Traffic Management costs revealed
The Government has revealed that over the past three years, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has spent an eyewatering $786 million of taxpayers’ money on road cones and temporary traffic management (TTM), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“When I became Minister, I was surprised to learn that that NZTA did ...2 days ago
- Jurisdiction of Disputes Tribunal to double
Legislation that will double the financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal from $30,000 to $60,000 has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. “We need to improve court timeliness and access to justice so that Kiwis and get on with their lives. Court delays affect everyone, the ...3 days ago
- Protecting New Zealand from foreign interference
Legislation that will specifically criminalise foreign interference and strengthen espionage offences has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “It is normal and appropriate for states to interact and work to influence one another. This encourages cooperation and can have mutually beneficial outcomes. “However, the reality ...3 days ago
- Significant milestone for Canterbury Road of National Significance
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news that the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board has approved funding towards pre-implementation and early works on the State Highway 1 (SH1) Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass Road of National Significance (RoNS). “Reaching this significant milestone is a reflection of our Government’s ...3 days ago
- Health survey results to help drive change
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says findings from the annual Health Survey highlight the need to continue driving better health outcomes for New Zealanders. The New Zealand Health Survey is an annual snapshot of key metrics measured from July 2023 – July 2024. Findings released this morning include: In 2023/24, ...3 days ago
- Final push needed to get to Smokefree 2025
A renewed effort to get people to quit smoking will build on what has worked to date and target the groups who most need support, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said today. “The latest New Zealand Health Survey results show the daily smoking rate at 6.9 per cent and we ...3 days ago
- New diplomatic appointments
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced four new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign ...3 days ago
- Next steps for Regulatory Standards Bill
Regulation Minister David Seymour has today announced the next steps in the Government’s plan improve the quality of regulation by opening consultation on a proposed Regulatory Standards Bill. “New Zealand's low wages can be blamed on low productivity, and low productivity can be blamed on poor regulation,” says Mr Seymour. ...3 days ago
- Red Tape Tipline goes live
Minister for Regulation David Seymour has today announced that the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline is now live. “We want to hear about your red tape horror stories. From today, New Zealanders will have a say on how they are regulated through an online portal,” says Mr Seymour. The ...3 days ago
- Youth Parliament 2025 announced
The Minister for Youth Matt Doocey has today announced the eleventh Youth Parliament will be taking place in 2025. “Youth Parliament offers a unique youth development opportunity to young people from across New Zealand to experience the political process and learn about how government works,” says Mr Doocey. “The two-day ...4 days ago
- Police stats show promising change
After nearly a year in Government, Kiwis have seen significant change across law and order with promising early results shown across some Police statistics, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “In August 2023, I told New Zealanders that if they had not started to see a change in public safety within ...4 days ago
- Better coordination of anti-scam efforts
With the launch of Fraud Awareness Week, the Government is committing to new coordination efforts across industry and government to combat online scams, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Online financial scams are a growing problem for New Zealand. New data released today shows that Kiwis lost nearly ...4 days ago
- Minister to consider 7AA select committee report
Minister for Children Karen Chhour will consider the recommendations made by the Social Services and Community Committee in its report back to Parliament on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill. “I want to thank the people who made submissions and those who appeared before the committee in ...4 days ago
- Defence Minister to attend ASEAN meeting
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Vientiane, Laos. “We need to take every opportunity to engage with our international partners, given the increasingly unstable geo-political situation,” Ms Collins says. “New Zealand has a long-standing commitment to this ...4 days ago
- Launching the White Ribbon Ride
The Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Karen Chhour, was on hand to wish riders well at the start of the North Island leg of the White Ribbon Ride in Whakatāne this morning. The ride helps mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, ...5 days ago
- Construction to begin on next stage of Papakura to Drury
Construction on the next stage of the SH1 Papakura to Drury project will begin early next month, with the contract for works awarded to Fulton Hogan, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. "SH1 Papakura to Drury is a key project that will drive economic growth and productivity, reduce congestion, and enable people ...6 days ago
- NZ signs trade deal with Costa Rica, Iceland and Switzerland
Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has signed a pioneering trade agreement that prioritises New Zealand’s sustainable exports at a ceremony during APEC in Peru today. “The Agreement on Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS), between Costa Rica, Iceland, and Switzerland was concluded in July of this year and opens up significant ...6 days ago
- Government and iwi work together on aquaculture
Five new Aquaculture Settlement Areas will help ensure Ngāi Tahu shares in the opportunities aquaculture offers for Southland’s economy, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. “The Aquaculture Settlement Areas (ASAs) I’m announcing today set aside space so the Crown and Ngāi Tahu can assess their potential for aquaculture development. ...7 days ago
- Justice Committee Makes Further Decisions About Submissions Process For The Principles Of The Treaty...
The committee plans to hold hearings in the week starting Monday, 27 January and the weeks starting 10, 17 and 24 February 2025. ...31 minutes ago - Watch live: Christopher Luxon faces questions during power station visit
It comes as Labour accuses National of not listening to evidence about boot camps. ...41 minutes ago - Survivors of abuse in care know how redress should work – will the government finally listen?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Winter, Associate Professor in Political Theory, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images When Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stood in Parliament last week to apologise to survivors of abuse in care, his words were among many fine speeches by ...55 minutes ago - Review: The Day of the Jackal is a riveting and ridiculous ride
Eddie Redmayne’s globe-trotting assassin thriller on TVNZ is worth putting your phone down for. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. This is a vulnerable thing to say as someone who often writes about television for a job, but boy am I really ...57 minutes ago - RNA editing is the next frontier in gene therapy – here’s what you need to know
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Flora Hui, Research Fellow, Centre for Eye Research Australia and Honorary Fellow, Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), The University of Melbourne IoanaB/Shutterstock The United States Food and Drug Administration has just approved the first-ever clinical trial that uses CRISPR-Cas13 RNA editing. Its ...3 hours ago
- Yes, you still need to use sunscreen, despite what you’ve heard on TikTok
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katie Lee, PhD Candidate, Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland Karolina Grabowska/Pexels Summer is nearly here. But rather than getting out the sunscreen, some TikTokers are urging followers to chuck it out and go sunscreen-free. They claim it’s healthier ...3 hours ago
- Humans are killing off the old and wise animals that hold nature together. Here’s what must change
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Keller Kopf, Senior Lecturer in Ecology, Charles Darwin University Laxmikant Ameenagad, Shutterstock In humans and other animals, ageing is generally associated with a decline in biological function. But scientists are now discovering older animals perform vital roles in populations and ecosystems. ...3 hours ago
- A man scouring Google Earth found a mysterious scar in the Australian outback – and now scientists...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matej Lipar, Adjunct Research Fellow, School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University Author provided/Google Earth Earlier this year, a caver was poring over satellite images of the Nullarbor Plain when he came across something unexpected: an enormous, mysterious scar etched ...3 hours ago
- Design as a movement: how First Nations people take ownership of their cultural stories through fash...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Treena Clark, Chancellor’s Indigenous Research Fellow, Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, University of Technology Sydney Once located 250 metres to the east of the Art Gallery of South Australia, the grand beaux-arts style Jubilee Exhibition Building was constructed to house the ...3 hours ago
- ‘We need more doctors’ – Support for new Waikato medical school
The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says a third medical school and more students in Auckland and Otago are both needed. ...3 hours ago
- Cricket balls can concuss and even kill batters – at all levels, helmet use must be taken seriousl...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Annette Greenhow, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, Bond University Linda George/Shutterstock The ten-year anniversary of the death of much-loved Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes falls on November 27. The 25-year-old’s life was tragically cut short in 2014 when a bouncer ...3 hours ago
- Hold the roosters, no economic dawn yet
Treasury likely to downgrade economic forecast while Chris Bishop says the government won’t be ‘a slave to a surplus’, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Recession will be deeper and last longer — Treasury At a recent Spinoff ...4 hours ago
- Knowing superstitions aren’t real doesn’t stop us behaving superstitiously – why?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephanie Gomes-Ng, Senior Lecturer of Psychology, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images Former New Zealand prime minister John Key has three white rabbits painted on his helicopter, a nod to his “massively superstitious” habit of repeating “white rabbits” three times at ...5 hours ago
- Government slammed for pushing ahead with boot camps while trial still under way
The coalition has "absolutely no intention of listening to the evidence that comes out of their experiment", Labour MP says. ...6 hours ago
- Smoke and mirrors in heated tobacco debate
Labour claims Government is ‘cherry-picking’ smoking trends data to hide decade-first increase in daily smokers The post Smoke and mirrors in heated tobacco debate appeared first on Newsroom. ...6 hours ago - Smoke and mirrors in tobacco debate
Labour claims Government is ‘cherry-picking’ smoking trends data to hide decade-first increase in daily smokers The post Smoke and mirrors in tobacco debate appeared first on Newsroom. ...6 hours ago
- Treasury bangs the drum on ‘unsustainable’ superannuation
The Government’s economic adviser is sending a message it doesn’t want to hear – superannuation is increasingly unaffordable The post Treasury bangs the drum on ‘unsustainable’ superannuation appeared first on Newsroom. ...6 hours ago
- Victims of sex offending welcome shift on name suppression laws
A man abused by a former political figure is "immensely relieved" at a government proposal to end secrecy around sex offenders' identities. ...6 hours ago
- This week three parties stood together – can they withstand the storm to come?
There is plenty yet to play out, but the next election is at this rate shaping up as trio versus trio, writes Toby Manhire. A subplot of this week’s historic hīkoi mō te Tiriti has been the sight of the three opposition parties presenting a unified front. Te Pāti Māori ...6 hours ago
- All 33 malls in Auckland ranked from worst to best
From the low lows of abandon empires to the high highs of a mall done just right. This is the second in the Malls of New Zealand series, where we rank the malls in major centres. Next week: Wellington. A note from the editor: This is the hardest ranking we’ve ...6 hours ago
- The cost of being: A clothes-mad 20-something who walks everywhere
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a 27-year-old apartment-dwelling marketing exec explains her approach to spending and saving. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here. Gender: Female. Age: 27. Ethnicity: Pākehā. Role: Marketing exec at ...6 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 22 November
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 22 November appeared first on Newsroom. ...6 hours ago
- Daily crossword, Friday 22 November
The post Daily crossword, Friday 22 November appeared first on Newsroom. ...6 hours ago
- China likely to strengthen regional relationships in response to another Trump term
Opinion: Recent discussions in Shanghai provide some insight into what’s likely to be on the table The post China likely to strengthen regional relationships in response to another Trump term appeared first on Newsroom. ...6 hours ago
- Nuclear winters know no borders
Opinion: The immediate horror of nuclear weapon explosions – the blinding flash, crushing blast wave, and radioactive inferno – is well documented.But what nuclear-armed nations either don’t grasp or won’t admit, is far more chilling: how their weapons could devastate even countries thousands of kilometres from any mushroom clouds.The collapse ...6 hours ago
- This week’s bestselling books – November 22
FICTION1 Kāwai: Tree of Nourishment by Monty Soutar (David Bateman, $39.99)Sample dialogue, all from one chapter:“That can’t be,” replied Taona doubtfully.“You were right. The pā is unnervingly quiet,” Taona murmured.“The Hākuwai,” Motukia breathed. “Our grandfathers told us they rarely saw the Hākuwai in daylight,” Motukia muttered.“Their fight would have been futile ...6 hours ago
- Burma the flying elephant
After about two and a half years of planning and waiting, New Zealand’s last elephant has moved to her new home at Monarto Safari Park in South Australia.Burma and her “human herd”, that is, her keepers, arrived last week, and she’s settling in well, according to Auckland Zoo’s Andrew Coers.“Something ...6 hours ago
- NZ’s membership of Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance in jeopardy
Senior ministers in the coalition suggested NZ’s membership will be re-evaluated if it restarts offshore oil and gas drilling The post NZ’s membership of Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance in jeopardy appeared first on Newsroom. ...6 hours ago
- Raw Politics: Six months in a leaky Bill
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon did not meet the Treaty Principles Bill hikoi crowd, sees “nothing” of merit in the Act-proposed law but the Parliament his Government dominates will spend six months debating a “divisive” measure.That’s because he has accepted there needs to be “aeration” of people’s views on the Treaty, ...6 hours ago
- Taken to the brink, Govt is now close to selling big Whakapapa ski field
Bidder Whakapapa Holdings walked away from the sales process last year, but says it’s now ‘95% there’ on a purchase agreement – so who blinked first? The post Taken to the brink, Govt is now close to selling big Whakapapa ski field appeared first on Newsroom. ...6 hours ago
- Watts nears a landmark deal on global carbon trading
A framework for global carbon trading under the Paris Agreement is finally nearing completion at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan after years of halting talks.Climate Change Minister Simon Watts is one of two ministers tasked by the COP29 hosts with landing a long-sought deal on Article 6 of the climate accord, ...7 hours ago
- Grattan on Friday: Marles plays a defensive bat on nuclear as the government rushes to get though la...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Richard Marles is an ambitious man who hasn’t given up the dream of one day reaching the top job. But, despite being deputy prime minister, his profile is much lower than that of Treasurer Jim ...12 hours ago
- Fears Māori will pay heaviest price if police carry guns
"Overwhelmingly, those people who die will be young Māori men," the spokesperson for People Against Prisons Aotearoa says. ...13 hours ago
- NEW POLL: Kiwis Overwhelmingly Support MPs’ Expenses Transparency Law Change
62% of respondents support the extension of the OIA to cover MPs’ spending, compared to just 13% opposed and 24% were unsure. ...14 hours ago
- The House: Meanwhile, a week of passing law
The political week has been packed with worthy distractions, but all week Parliament has focused on passing new laws. Here are the highlights. ...14 hours ago
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Great sketch, steeped in wisdom.
Agreed, when the Nats last came to power the populous got the government it deserved, – blatantly ignoring dirty politics and hugely funded spin.
Thanks for your tireless work.
Anthony I wish you all the best for the future. I can’t think of a post from you that I didn’t enjoy – i especially liked the way you kept putting poverty and inequality back to front of mind with your posts. You have made an outstanding contribution to the left and this country – thank you so much for this mahi. I’m going to miss you mate. Arohanui e hoa.
Bugger …
Your observations were always very good to read. I suspect there will be quite a few people, having spent the last nine years banging their heads against the wall before finally seeing the result of their efforts, who will be pondering on their future.
Hopefully the incoming government lives up to its promises, otherwise we all may have to resume activism to hold them to account.
Many thanks for your writings.
Cheers Anthony, I too have enjoyed your contributions.
Good luck in your future endeavours.
Thanks for the great reading – always a commenter and author I’d stop to read. Onward and upward 🙂
Me too.
It was the common sense stuff that always caught my attention. Readable, reasonable and clear in its intent. You will be sorely missed Anthony Robins.
All the best r0b. You have served us andthe left exceedingly well.
Darn! If you don’t know, who does? [rhetorical]
Please do; we all need it! [sincere]
You have my thanks and deepest respect for everything. Frankly, I have no idea where you find the time & energy and how you manage the quality & volume of your writings. [gratitude & respect]
Kia Ora Matua. Enjoy your well earned break.
Thank you rob
Cheers to you Anthony: your reflections above are rather fine, and yes confirm all the traits of your clever, clear, (almost entirely truthful!), committed blogging over years. I’ve loved seeing your posts, again and again, and have never failed to be at least slightly/ pleasantly surprised and impressed by them.
You seem to know what to do with actual serious facts, how to put them up economically and effectively, and how to prop them up against the door when fake and nasty bullshit are trying to break it down. I like it too that increasingly, it seems, you have called shit what it is, in some of the most clear and direct ways I’ve seen in media. In this , and in all of the above, you remind me more than a little of Paul Krugman in the NYT….
I’ll let that comparison weigh with you a little, while I in fact find myself wiping a small tear away here!
Much love: and please do surprise us again (and again), with some more of that, when you get a moment!
Hei kona ra. Kia waimarie Anthony.
Please drop in a sentence FTTT so we know you’re still around.
You have been invaluable. We should be picking up the baton and running with it,
but watch our progress like Lydiard or Snell, and you will definitely be appreciated.
giving up is easier said than done , cheers for all you good reads.
Thank you, kia ora, thank you all, you are far too kind.
My thanks to to Lprent and The Standard Trust, fellow writers past and present, and the wonderful active commenting community here!
I’m sorry to stepping down from writing, but I will still be about a bit…
You do understand that you are welcome back any time, in fact it is expected that you will return …
Cheers MS. Never say never I suppose, but certainly in the foreseeable 6 months I am utterly buried in a big project at work, and beyond that things may also be complicated for quite a while. Safest to think of it as a clean break.
From each according to their ability …
Thanks so much r0b for so much wisdom and insightful comment over so many years. You have been absolutely crucial to setting and maintaining the Standard’s standards. Very best wishes for whatever comes next
I kinda wondered the motive behind the grand collection of links. A cache to sustain the comrades, I presume.
I presume also you are being gainfully redirected in a manner that precludes you from public statements. You know you can always backchannel a good leak here!
We don’t need to love lost causes. We need only a conscience for the loseability of the world. I suspect that this, rather than standard left melancholy, is what you have.
I have appreciated what you have done, and you are reliably loyal to the broad cause.
I get the clear impression that you are good, and work for the good.
Keep doing it.
+1
Thank you!
Always enjoyed your input Anthony. All the best for whatever the future holds for you.
Ditto to all the above Anthony. Thanks for all your contributions and the integrity which you have always displayed by the bucketful.
Useful bunch of pre-actual-government opinions here:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11935948
You were one of the saner and more thoughtful voices here, Anthony. You will be missed. If only for honest comments like:
Unfortunately, a lot of people on the left don’t get that 2017 has been a lucky fluke for us with the Greens shedding enough support to Labour to make them look credible as a governing party, and Winston deciding he’d go left.
New Zealand is not a left wing country that mysteriously elects right wing governments. It’s pretty strongly right wing. The sooner people accept that, accept the ‘missing million’ arent going to roll into the polling booths, and realise the best way to keep National out of power and deliver some left wing policies is to colonise the centre ground, the better.
I do wonder if Peters legacy is to try and push the reset button and turn the clock back 30 years.
If that’s the case I’m thankful National is on the sidelines and not in the blast zone.
Superb post r0b. Thanks for all the work. Those post numbers are impressive, but I just want to reiterate to the community just how critical you’ve been to keeping momentum going for TS for many years, particularly with such regular posts.
I appreciate the comments about immigration policy, it’s a topic that the left need to get to grips with very soon in NZ, and I also feel a similar frustration with the polarisation on both sides.
Good thoughts on Labour too, I hope they choose that path.
One of the things I’m working through in the past few days is the fact that so much has changed since the last time we had a centre left govt. There will be good things in that, but at the moment I’m feeling a bit daunted by the sheer amount of shit that’s coming the left’s way because they’ve gained some power. And not just the amount of shit but the methods of attack and, if we are not careful, the starting down the path that the US has gone that polarised the country. On the upside, I think like you that there is also real opportunity here, may we make the most of that.
Wishing you all the best. Enjoy that garden too!
Am seriously going to miss your posts r0b.
Enjoy “retirement” and the garden. Look forward to seeing you back from time to time in the commentary.
And like all others here thank you very much for all the stirling work you have done. TS won’t be quite the same.
You are going to be sorely missed with your writings and snippets of wisdom.
Wish you all the best and thank you for your bits of sanity in a sometimes insane world.
Thank you Anthony! I’ve enjoyed reading your posts. Perhaps some day soon I’ll strike up the courage and write a guest post 🙂 Like you say now is the time to do it!
That’s a shame, I’ve always enjoyed the stuff you’ve done, alway’s provocative and thoughtful but nowhere near as trolly/baity as the stuff some of the other authors do.
Well done r0b.
I’m going to miss those posts of sanity and comments of moderation.
You have been a stalwart and consistent author for a very long time, both in the front and the back of the site. I am probably going to miss the backend even more…
But this is a multiauthor blog and I long ago resigned myself to authors leaving when they run out of things to say, or when life removes the time to do it (Helen Kelly being the extreme instance of the latter).
So if anyone else wants to step up to the Mike, can work on an agree to disagree basis, and can string coherent and maybe even interesting thoughts together – give a yell and probably a guest post.
If you have your own blog and would like a larger and probably more critical audience, then we like crossposting as well.
Just remember it is a volunteer site and time tends to be limited – including bringing people on board. But we also give a lot of freedom to affect the debate.
Fully support that LPrent.
More strong writers here please!
Thanks Anthony. I hold you in high regard.
Thank you Anthony for your committed work, your integrity , and your encouragement.
Thanks Anthony.
Every time I started to read a new post I was certain that if ANTHONY R0BINS was the by line, it would be well worth the read for accuracy and credibility. I do hope you pop back when there are serious issues for Jacinda’s Government. Thanks Rob.
I also, have enjoyed your commentary on this blog site. I find it admirable that some people have that ability to research and deliver such interesting and insightful ideas. I got very good English marks at school and was good at essay writing in the couple of years I did at Uni (never finished) but have never had the confidence to actually sit down, research and deliver. Personally I have “in your face” experience with the Mental Health System through a loved one in our family and would, if I had the guts, like to vent about it. It has beaten me down to such a level I can’t ever see it happening.
All the best for the future and your endeavours you have planned.
I agree with your principles Anthony even though I’m a new person to this site I can see that your contributions to this site and the left movement have had a positive effect to everyone on this site and all the viewers and your work will be missed Kia Kaha.
Well said!
Thank you so much Anthony for all the time and effort you have put into writing such excellent articles for the Standard.
You will be missed.
Wishing you well.
AK
I’m increasingly inclined to think there is little “left,left in the left”. Yes a bad joke but then I’m astounded how many people for example still view the likes of the Dems in the US as virtuous examples of the left or the leading CDU in German as somehow a civilised manifestation of the right with a leftie twist.
The reality is increasingly there is no left/right divide but instead “political homogenisation” around a core set of globalist neo liberal principles. For me this is most exemplified by the unwillingness to accept capitalism as a failed philosophy. Instead its viewed as something in need of reform which inevitably looks a lot like a race to the bottom. New Zealand and others nations as something akin to a large corporations constantly making “cuts” in pursuit of a shining future that never did exist nor ever will exist.
Meantime people slowly go blind on waiting lists, take out private medical insurance, are forced to live in cars whilst, enduring ever declining standards of healthcare, welfare, policing and education while the money that is there is siphoned off to fund foreign adventurism in the form of wars, socialism for the rich, large corporations and banks who enjoy levels of taxation normally associated with third world nations.
NZ has the highest level of homelessness in the OECD, the highest level of youth suicide, a housing market the according to Golden Sachs is appallingly overpriced and may lead to a 40% adjustment in the next two years.
In my opinion that’s our reality and I personally see little to suggest its going to change.
Ditto to all the thanks and compliments, with the exception of BM’s.
Thank you, thank you all again for your kind words (including some from unexpected quarters!). I can’t reply to all the comments, but please know that every one of them is read and is appreciated. Cheers…
Thank you.
two words
“Saint Anthony”
Thank you rOb – I have enjoyed and appreciated your writings.
Rats !, – even though I’m pretty much a new comer here ,.. I hate goodbyes. But on an up ,… we have a new govt , – and by all looks ,… a magnificent one. And it is true , that it is time for all hands on deck as the far right are going to come out swinging and mean spirited.
Just when I would’ve preferred to think the job is done and we could all get some rest.
Rats again !
New Right Fight – Who are the New Right?
http://www.newrightfight.co.nz/pageA.html
My feelings extactly also Wild Katipo. Anthony is a great loss to us all.
Thanks R0b, all the best. Loved your work.
I would like to say thank you for your posts and allowing me to comment. All the best for the future whatever that may bring for you.
Anthony you have always written such well balanced subect matters and have acted with a very fair repectful mannerism which I have admired you greatly for this.
I sincerely hope you will continue to chip in going forward as your views are cherrished by all I am sure judging by the blogs here, so the best of our wishes for the future and enjoy you well deserved rest and recreation my friend.
Great work and effort r0b, very much appreciated your thoughts and words.
Thanks, rOb, for all of your fine work. I wonder how difficult you will find not expressing your views here on TS; even taking a “commenters holiday” is hard enough – seasoned writers must have to hold fast to their decisions to stop writing, especially in a field like politics that changes day by day and matters, especially to those, like you, who have a deep and detailed knowledge of the labyrinth it is. I guess the twitchy typing-finger will settle down eventually and you’ll be able to ride out the coming waves of political anguish without feeling you have to put up a post about them!
Enjoy your time out.
You might r0b put up a comment (small ) and like Joe90 provide a valuable link for the questing to go further!?
And just reading in serendipity pieces, or in sequence, your mighty post with its diverse headings (and not forgetting Blip’s list, still relevant after Key’s departure)
we will always have something to occupy our minds. The sign-post will point to
your post The mess that the new government inherits
So thanks for all the fish. Have a good holiday. See ya later.
Ka kite ano au i a koe.
Will be sorry to see you go r0b! And some excellent points there.
Go well.
R0b .. I don’t buy it.
You will return to your writing addiction
as soon as you get a twitch in that finger pressing RETURN
.. or a nationalist blogger does something stupid.
Have a good break ..
Thank you Anthony,
Your online life has tracked the great transition in social media involvement in politics. Thanks to you the Centre/Left has had a committed (bordering on relentless) and principled advocate.
Good luck for your future challenges – likely to be some on-the-ground advocacy and engagement with the new government’s aspirations for tertiary education!
Thank you for all your hard work, I’ve enjoyed your large and very balanced contribution here very much.
I’m sorry to read that you are leaving The Standard. Part of me would like to step up and join the blog site, but at 70 plus age am not sure if my voice will be appropriate for the times.
Age is not an issue Colin. If you would like to have a go at writing for TS, reply here and we will see what’s possible.
Okay Weka. I suggest that we explore what may be possible by means of emails, rather than publicly visible comments on TS. I am not skilled with IT but may be able to put something together a few times per year.
I hope that you will use your considerable talents
to help NZ have a good government for a long time
I agree with your comments about our political health in this country, the level of acceptance of lies
[ dirty politics ] is worrying
I join all the appreciative people on this site to say thank you ROB
Enjoy the time to yourself, mate.
And again – thank you, thank you, thank you – thank you all!
Thanks r0b.