Supping with the Devil

Written By: - Date published: 10:25 am, December 1st, 2014 - 166 comments
Categories: Politics - Tags:

The political commentators are puzzled. Why, after all the fuss about his links with Cameron Slater, did John Key run the risk of exchanging texts with the Whale Oil blogger about the Inspector-General’s report on the day before it was published?

It is of course true that John Key would not have foreseen that his denials would be so quickly shown to be false, and that he would be forced into a series of increasingly embarrassing and unconvincing explanations as to why he had not told the truth – “I was in a hurry”, “I couldn’t hear what I was asked”, “I misunderstood the question”, “I was trying not to be too specific”.

The price he has paid is clear. We now know that we have a Prime Minister who is prepared to mislead New Zealand if he thinks he can get away with it. But that still leaves the question – why did he take the risk, and why, of all the thousand of texts he says he receives and to which he does not reply, did he choose to reply to the one from Cameron Slater?

The answer is one that should offer no comfort to any citizen of this country. The answer is that he dare not ignore a message from Cameron Slater. And why? Because he is now Cameron Slater’s creature.

The relationship between the Whale Oil blog, the Prime Minister’s office and the Prime Minister himself was initially a convenient one from John Key’s viewpoint. Here was someone prepared to serve the Prime Minister’s interests by doing the nastiest jobs, deep in the darkness and the mire, and to require in return little more than the occasional massaging of his ego.

But as the stakes got higher, and the spotlight began to play, the power in the relationship shifted. Cameron Slater became the custodian of a huge amount of information that the Prime Minister simply could not afford to become public. For Slater, this was pure gold. The bigger the role he was seen to play, the more it inflated his ego and – crucially – the more important he became to the Prime Minister.

Slater has little to fear if the whole sordid story comes out. It would simply confirm the centrality of his role and would confirm an image of ruthlessness he has sought to cultivate. But for John Key, it is imperative that the story stays under wraps.

One word from Slater, in other words – and the Prime Minister is history. Slater holds John Key’s place in that history in the palm of his hand. If Slater calls the Prime Minister, of course that frightened man will jump to it. He will even run the risk of discussing a leaked Inspector General’s report with him – and then trying to bluster his way out of admitting that he had done so.

So, what seemed to be a mystery becomes a much more worrying truth. We have a Prime Minister who is not only careless with the truth but who is obliged, for fear of being exposed, to do the bidding of the nastiest and least principled person in New Zealand politics. Is that the Prime Minister this country wants?

You need a long spoon to sup with the devil.

Bryan Gould

1 December 2014

166 comments on “Supping with the Devil ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. just saying 1
    1 December 2014 at 10:40 am

    They’ll both be needing very long spoons then.

    I think it would be a mistake to imagine “the smiling assassin” as powerless and Slater as being in control. Also to forget that they are both on the same side with the same interests. Slater wants to play with the big boys, seems to me like some kind of agreement will be reached.

    In the longer term, I wouldn’t want to be in Slater’s shoes having embarrassed Key, even in such a controlled fashion.

    • Clemgeopin 1.1
      1 December 2014 at 1:52 pm

      Good point!

    • cogito 1.2
      2 December 2014 at 6:02 pm

      Two devils, and both with links to Israel.

      • greywarshark 1.2.1
        2 December 2014 at 8:17 pm

        @ cogito
        I must have looked past the Israel connection in the post. Can you tell me which para it was in? If not there it seems that it is not a good thing yo bring it up as if it you could replace with the Hells Angels seeing it’s supping with the Devil.)or similar.

        • cogito 1.2.1.1
          2 December 2014 at 9:11 pm

          @greywarshark

          You don’t like my comment? Tough.

          • McFlock 1.2.1.1.1
            2 December 2014 at 9:24 pm

            well, that just suggests that the ookey suspicion about your comment might well have been accurate…

          • greywarshark 1.2.1.1.2
            3 December 2014 at 11:47 am

            cogito
            I did ask you a question. If you want to be a thoughtful commenter you would reply to it. This is not a place to just give snappy replies. It is a place for discussion not just knee-jerk reactions. I’m trying to apply reason to my thoughts and see it in yours. So can you do the same?

      • Puddleglum 1.2.2
        2 December 2014 at 9:54 pm

        I understand that Slater has links to Israel – he was over there, by invitation, for some event or other when Dirty Politics broke.

        But I haven’t heard of any links between Key and Israel (beyond most Western leaders’ links).

        My understanding is that he has far stronger links with the United States than with Israel.

        Do you have different information?

  2. Heather 2
    1 December 2014 at 10:41 am

    A wonderful comment and one all New Zealand needs to read.
    However, there will, sadly be still half the population of New Zealand saying ‘we are not interested in this’.
    Interested they should be, we have moved to a very different sphere in New Zealand politics.

    • Deb Kean 2.1
      1 December 2014 at 4:29 pm

      Exactly. I have a friend, secure whoever is in Government (married for 47+ years, owns her own home, she and hubby on National Super) who has reacted to my talking about all this with “that’s just nasty, I don’t want to know about it” (before the election) and “Oh, it’s all irrelevant now. If only Labour would forget about it, and talk about what matters, jobs and housing”. She doesn’t believe me when I say that they’re trying to be heard on those issues! Yet, all that aside, she is no fan of Key and never has been!

      • Tracey 2.1.1
        1 December 2014 at 4:54 pm

        and seem oblivious to a complete absence of policy from nats… and now the surplus that proved what great economic managers they are… is gone.

        people dont like admitting they were duped. they need a way out of their embarrassment. Key has been lying to them is as good a reason as ever to turn them round.

    • Kevin 2.2
      2 December 2014 at 12:54 pm

      ..more like 95% of the population can see you’re playing the man and not the ball – after +6 years, I would have thought you might have learned something…

      • ankerawshark 2.2.1
        2 December 2014 at 3:55 pm

        It will be interesting to see the polls Kevin as to whether Key is still as popular as he was.

        We are not playing the man, but the man’s behaviour i.e. lying amongst other things.

      • framu 2.2.2
        2 December 2014 at 5:26 pm

        after 6 years i thought you might learn math

        less than 50% of those who voted, which is a subset of all voters which is in turn a subset of all NZers, voted for key – how does that = 95%?

      • Puddleglum 2.2.3
        2 December 2014 at 9:58 pm

        HI Kevin,

        You may not have been taking much notice of recent New Zealand politics.

        As I recall, there was considerable focus on Helen Clark and Winston Peters prior to the 2008 election and there was certainly considerable negative commentary about David Cunliffe and his personal attributes prior to the most recent election.

        Did those occasions also involve “playing the man not the ball“?

  3. ianmac 3
    1 December 2014 at 10:50 am

    By constant repetition John Key would hope that voters will become bored to death. And when at a later date the subject is brought up again people will think, “Oh that old stuff. Heard that over and over. Who cares. Go John.”

    However maybe, just maybe journalists will eyeball Key and be thinking as they question, “What twist/lie are you telling this time PM?”
    We can become skeptics too.

    • Hanswurst 3.1
      1 December 2014 at 11:50 am

      Perhaps, however, the very boredom that people feel when constantly confronted with evidence of the boorish Key/Slater combo will translate into being sick of Key. In which case they will be thinking, “Oh that old stuff. Who cares. Go John. And keep on going. Just f**k off.”

    • George Hendry 3.2
      1 December 2014 at 1:47 pm

      A few, maybe. Most, I believe, not.

      Back when first gently encouraged to let a small lie go by, many would have been ok with it, as not obviously being something they were going to be steadily required to do more and more of. Or face the certainty of being attacked by the guard dog.

      The concerted pre-election onslaught on David Cunliffe was uncontested by any MSM journalist I know of – only bloggers did. At best some might have tried to write about other topics. All would have known its essential lie. Any effrontery at being lied to by the PM would be mock – they could not have failed to know it was an expected part of the job. Any faked journalistic probing now is excusable to their paymasters on the grounds that it will have nothing like the effect it might have had before the election.

      Some takedown is being expected because after the heist (being dishonest with the public) the thieves are supposed to fight over the loot (being dishonest with each other and naively expecting to reach an agreement). But there is no ‘shared’ agreement as democratic people would understand it – rather the likelihood of good pay for knowing your spot in the heirarchy coupled with disappearance if you forget it. Only on ‘the left’ would we ever use the word ‘unacceptable’ and believe it carries any weight.

    • aerobubble 3.3
      1 December 2014 at 3:40 pm

      You wish it was boring, or we could be.

      The state used info to smear the Opposition leader.

      Now sure, there was 10,000 votes in it, but that does not mean those who were effected by the smear were also in the sweet spot tjat would have tipped the election. Or tht had not the smear happened that another gaff did.

      The problem is Key was so weak that with such a close race he was willing to use state info, even if after the fact. So instead of doing the rig thig Key let the smear hang out and do damage. For that he should resign, he has a duty to protect
      the office, of PM and so of Opposition which manufactures consent for the PM by holding a light on the PM.

      Key is not worthy.

  4. Tiro 4
    1 December 2014 at 10:57 am

    Heather: half of NZ saying ‘we are not interested in this’

    And this is poss true, not to be interested in “he said” and “I said” explanation.
    But the sound bite stays and says we have a PM who lies- and someday (?) it might influence some to take that into account next time he opens his mouth.
    On the other hand it might turn off even more ppl who will stop to follow politics full stop now that their ‘best PM’ ever is just another slippery eel.

  5. CnrJoe 5
    1 December 2014 at 11:01 am

    The point has been made Bryan – shouldn’t the security services be investigating the black mailing of New Zealands Prime Minister?

  6. Te Reo Putake 6
    1 December 2014 at 11:02 am

    It really does seem that Slater has something over Key. I’m not saying that the relationship is as dysfunctional (or as intimate!) as the central one in Once were Warriors, but despite being openly despised and regularly beaten up by WO, Key acts like Beth Heke, coming back for more, lying, denying and defending her lover’s appalling behaviour. Something is fundamentally rotten at the core of their relationship.

    • Stephanie Rodgers 6.1
      1 December 2014 at 1:32 pm

      Ew. That’s a terrible analogy on every conceivable level, and especially gross with the snide “intimate” dig.

      • weka 6.1.1
        1 December 2014 at 1:52 pm

        Yeah, I think you got that one wrong there TRP. The power relations are completely different for a start.

      • The Al1en 6.1.2
        1 December 2014 at 1:56 pm

        Is that the adjective snide – Derogatory or mocking in an indirect way?
        Or the noun snide – An unpleasant or underhand person?
        Or something else?

    • Te Reo Putake 6.2
      1 December 2014 at 2:52 pm

      How so, Stephanie? While it’s not an intimate relationship, they are intimates. And despite the pain Slater inflicts on Key, he can’t seem to break up with him. It may not be a pretty analogy, but it still seems apt, mainly because the book and film are NZ’s go to guide to bad relationships. But I’m happy to take your advice on why it’s terrible, because I wasn’t meaning to offend anyone and I’m not so dumb that I can’t learn.

      Weka: I think the power relationship is correct. Slater has the power. Key is clearly afraid of him.

  7. Ashoka's hell 7
    1 December 2014 at 11:05 am

    You need a long spoon to sup with the devil?

    This is worth a read then:

    October 21, 2013
    http://www.frontpage.co.nz/news/muldoons-ghost-haunts-whaleoil/

    “Simply the National Party now has a group of its supporters who give every appearance of going rogue……..

    …If people like Michelle Boag have decided that Cameron Slater is toxic — and she probably concluded that a while ago, the next question will be whether his supporters in Parliament, particularly Judith Collins and Maurice Williamson also decide to put some distance between themselves and him.

    If they do, that will be a signal that the heirs to the Tamaki Mafia have taken a big hit.

    If they don’t then National’s civil war in Auckland will continue to smoulder away in the background ready to flare at any moment that Whaleoil decides.”

    • the pigman 7.1
      3 December 2014 at 12:26 am

      There’s no love lost between Boag and Slater – their rivalry seems to go back many years – he has it in for her because Boag isn’t nice to daddy (John Slater).

      Read Dirty Politics and the rawshark released transcripts for the details.

  8. Manuka AOR 8
    1 December 2014 at 11:10 am

    When you read this post, “Supping with the Devil” together with “John, Don and the Family” http://thestandard.org.nz/local-bodies-john-the-don-and-the-family/

    … the sheer awfulness of the situation we’re in can grab you by the throat.

    To many Kiwis with their nicely mowed lawns, supermarket specials, or dairy cows mooing over the fence, it must all seem like a bit of a joke – these are surely cartoon characters in a surreal world. Most Kiwis just don’t “get” that this is the new reality for the land in which we live, that these really are the people now governing us.

    • Molly 8.1
      1 December 2014 at 12:34 pm

      … had to chuckle, Manuka AOR…. I’m sitting at the computer sipping my cup of coffee with no brand milk, and out the window are the aforementioned dairy cows and lawns that were mowed yesterday….

      ..but also working on borrowing some money to renovate our home so it’s big enough to take all the kids, and the three students that have been boarding with us for the last couple of years. (2 rent-free).

      We live in a small house but with plenty of space (yes, an unforgivable lifestyle block in rural productive land), and so, any addition needs to provide accommodation for someone other than us. I would rather have another happy boarder than get new carpets and curtains along with the space. My now cynical attendance and following of affordable housing proposals and discussions makes me think that solutions are not going to come quickly from local or national government – or their private partners.

      All it will take is some of those Kiwi’s thinking about what it is they believe they have, and a good look at whether they have it. They will find those ideas of a good life, disappearing like mist when they directly look at it. I know my idea of what is valuable has significantly changed over the last twenty years.

      • Manuka AOR 8.1.1
        1 December 2014 at 1:15 pm

        @ Molly: “…disappearing like mist when they directly look at it.”

        Yes. But it is still possible to change the direction we seem to be on, as a nation.

  9. tinfoilhat 9
    1 December 2014 at 11:10 am

    From my understanding Slater is almost bankrupt and has somewhat grandiose ideas about his influence and importance combined with a history of mental health issues……why oh why does this blog continue to pander to this meme ?

    Wouldn’t it be better to ignore him and concentrate on issues that actually affect us all ?

    • CnrJoe 9.1
      1 December 2014 at 11:27 am

      the blackmailer of the boss of the nz security and spying services and we should just ignore? go stand in the corner with your tin foil dunces hat.

      • tinfoilhat 9.1.1
        1 December 2014 at 12:13 pm

        What I was trying to allude to was you must be mad to think Slater is blackmailing key ?

        To what end ? What has he got out of this blackmailing ?

        The fellow is a fantasist who has been used by the Nats on occasion to spread some pretty vile stuff but to suggest it’s any more than that is stretching reality and the ongoing fascination in the blog sites and the MSM with this fellow is proving to be a self fulfilling delusion that he matters outside his own little world. In my opinion the best thing that could happen to him is for other blogs and the MSM to completely ignore him and watch him quickly fade into insignificance.

        • phillip ure 9.1.1.1
          1 December 2014 at 3:27 pm

          tinfoil..

          ..as slater himself has said…he has all the txts/emails that others long ago deleted..

        • KJS0ne 9.1.1.2
          2 December 2014 at 4:59 pm

          It’s not that he’s blackmailing Key (at least not that we know) the dynamic is more that Key knows Slater has all the goods needed to sink Key’s ship – Slater’s had a seat at the table long enough to have seen all the dodgy dealings and putrid politiking. Key knows he needs to keep Slater placated now, he needs to keep him happy. Slater now knows this, why else would a prime minister apologise to someone of his ilk for nothing more than publicizing an email between him and Collins. OP is right, the dynamic of power is shifting. But alas, power is a fickle mistress, one wrong step and her favour is gone for good.

      • weka 9.1.2
        1 December 2014 at 12:32 pm

        There’s no evidence that Slater is blackmailing Key. Blackmail is the wrong word, and it’s not what was used in the post.

      • Jones 9.1.3
        1 December 2014 at 3:21 pm

        It’s not blackmail per se but more of Key and Slater being cut from the same cloth. Key cannot afford for NZ to know that he rolls the same way and is as dirty and ruthless as Slater.

    • North 9.2
      1 December 2014 at 5:50 pm

      Thanks Tinfoilhat for your advice that people should ignore this Key/Slater number. Won’t be taking your advice but thanks anyway. Not until you can provide a foundation on which to show assuredly there is nothing rum about it.

      Until then all you are saying is that you don’t like it being focused on. That’s your bizo and entirely not my concern. I could venture why you don’t like it being focused on but again that’s your bizo and entirely not my concern.

      Hang on……let’s pretend I take half your advice. So then, ignoring Slater…….do you advise people to ignore that Key lied to parliament also on the basis that you don’t like it being focused on ?

      Oh, it’s becoming clear……..the Key/Slater number really does matter to you.

    • kenny 9.3
      1 December 2014 at 8:03 pm

      Tell John Key that.

  10. Dorothy 10
    1 December 2014 at 11:14 am

    John Key’s explanations as to why he had not told the truth are becoming more and more unconvincing.
    In my life time I cannot remember a Prime Minister who was so casual with the truth.
    There is a time lag in politics and eventually many NZers will become aware of where this is taking our country.

  11. whateva next? 11
    1 December 2014 at 11:23 am

    Slater would be NOTHING…….NOTHING without his family links to the National Party, inherited power, not earned by work and study like others have to.
    He has abused this connection, rather than used it for good.
    Supping with the devil is very apt, as Key cannot simply blow him off now, (price paid for ever using him at all) and as Tom Scott’s cartoon in the DOm Post showed last week, all his chickens are coming home to roost

  12. Huginn 12
    1 December 2014 at 11:26 am

    Even more so if Slater was telling the truth when he said that Key deleted all of Key’s messages to Slater. Slater would naturally have archived all of his correspondence with the PM.

    RadioLIVENZ interview with Slater: http://t.co/NpdPFDsRRC

    Around11:10

  13. music4menz 13
    1 December 2014 at 11:33 am

    Bryan, it would be great if you could give us some examples of the ‘huge amount of information’ that you say Slater has and which forms the basis of his control over Key.

    You obviously are in the know, so spill some of the beans.

  14. philj 14
    1 December 2014 at 11:44 am

    Rather than ignore it can’t TVNZ run a reality TV series with CS et al. A bit like Police Watch involving the SFO, Human Rights Commissioner, Minister of Justice, AG, etc? It could be a Kiwi Docu/Drama. You wouldn’t have to pay for any real actors. Come on TVNZ and NZ On Air. Could be a World first.

  15. venezia 15
    1 December 2014 at 11:46 am

    Can someone post a link to Tom Scott’s cartoon in the Dom Post last week mentioned above please? (whateva next? post)

  16. Varity 16
    1 December 2014 at 11:55 am

    he has something on key. he has him by the balls.

    ironically he has us by the balls too. if we don’t talk about him this story will fade and so will he. we are making him the hottest topic and giving him the fame (infamy) and glory he wants.

    you have to admit it’s well played.

    • Colonial Rawshark 16.1
      1 December 2014 at 12:01 pm

      You are correct that putting focus on this story does elevate Whaleoil. The thing is that it diminishes Key simultaneously.

      A fair trade off.

      • Varity 16.1.1
        1 December 2014 at 12:12 pm

        true.

        key has found a way to calm cameron and get him on side – make him complacent so he doesn’t spill. cameron would be easily led by the likes of key.

        one of them will break eventually. cameron probably should because key will throw him under the bus as soon as look at him. he has no idea what he’s up against.

        lol.

  17. Chooky 17
    1 December 2014 at 12:07 pm

    John Key tries to compare his friend Cameron Slater with Bomber Bradbury..Bradbury replies by itemising Slater’s works

    “John Key has just come out on Breakfast TV today and said “Go ask the left about Bomber Bradbury, he will be just as vicious as Cameron Slater can be”. –

    http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/12/01/the-leverage-slater-has-over-key-and-keys-claims-about-me-on-breakfast-tv/

  18. Mainlander 18
    1 December 2014 at 12:13 pm

    “One word from Slater, in other words – and the Prime Minister is history”
    Any chance you have the slightest bit of proof to the allegations in your story, besides the fact they text each other of course.

    • Varity 18.1
      1 December 2014 at 12:20 pm

      umm – how much more proof do you need about their texting collusions? key has admitted it.

      • Mainlander 18.1.1
        1 December 2014 at 1:12 pm

        The fact they text each other is not beyond doubt, alleging Slater is either more powerful or has information that makes Key his lackey is stretching it a bit far imo, quite serious claims that i simply asked for proof of

        • Varity 18.1.1.1
          1 December 2014 at 1:36 pm

          after lots of warnings i read the rules of this site for the first time in years just this morning.

          i understand if i don’t answer those who disagree with my opinions, statements or gut-feelings i could be banned.

          i hope this constitutes an answer. 🙂

          [lprent: More like you *could* be banned. It depends if the moderators think you are avoiding debate, astroturfing the comments, and doing a series of fire and forget troll comments. We don’t expect people to answer everything. We do expect them to look at the replies.

          That is why I spent a lot of work getting a replies tab individually operating for each commenter.

          I’m just about as likely to warn or ban when people start badgering and demanding attention as well. ]

          • Varity 18.1.1.1.1
            1 December 2014 at 3:24 pm

            i said “could” too.

            i only come on here once a year or so and honestly i don’t know what i’m doing wrong but every time you chip me and i have no idea why. i read your rules like you said. i play nicely and stick to the topics. i don’t abuse anyone even when they piss me off and make snide nasty comments to me.

            i come here because at the end of the day you are my people and we have a lot of the same values and ideals. all i can figure is i don’t express myself as intelligently as you lot – hence i always leave with my tail between my legs.

            to me you speak in riddles and innuendos. i don’t understand that. if “f*** off and don’t come back” is what you mean then say it. i would respect that and be gone because i promise you i’m not here to badger anyone.

            regards …

            • lprent 18.1.1.1.1.1
              1 December 2014 at 3:54 pm

              i don’t abuse anyone even when they piss me off and make snide nasty comments to me.

              Abusing people is fine. It just to have a point to it. Politeness is over-rated when it gets in the way of a good argument. Demands for it are largely viewed as pulling out a sabre – it is a weapon and one largely used by people trolling.

              …i don’t express myself as intelligently as you lot – hence i always leave with my tail between my legs.

              Who cares. Just argue and generally ignore the other commenters who aren’t saying anything of value to you. Respond to those who point out the holes in your comments without the histrionics. You’ll find that others adapt to another’s style hellishly fast if they can see that you are trying to communicate rather than assert.

              But by the sounds of it, I suspect that you are probably asserting something as absolute facts that is really an opinion. If you want to do facts, then link to your source so people can tear it apart for you. If you express an opinion then say it is an opinion.

              • Varity …
                1 December 2014 at 4:15 pm

                i do argue and i do ignore when necessary and i think i’m going along swimmingly.

                but then YOU pop up, every freaking time and i think SHIT! what have i done now????

                • Deb Kean …
                  1 December 2014 at 4:42 pm

                  You don’t have to have done anything, Varity, I was perma-banned by someone* for being pro-life in 2013, (I am not allowed to comment on her posts, even if I don’t know they are hers). This will be moderated off so you won’t read it, which is a pity).

                  (*QoT, is I believe, the name of this person)

                  • felix …
                    1 December 2014 at 7:04 pm

                    I don’t think that’s true, Deb. From what I recall of your comment history I think it’s far more likely you were banned for continuing a long pattern of disruptive, deceptive, dishonest behaviour or for misrepresenting the views of others.

                    Why don’t you link to it so we can see what you were really banned for?

                    • Deb Kean …
                      1 December 2014 at 7:24 pm

                      ” From what I recall of your comment history I think it’s far more likely you were banned for continuing a long pattern of disruptive, deceptive dishonest behaviour or for misrepresenting the views of others.

                      Why don’t you link to it so we can see what you were really banned for?”
                      How charming of you. Your memory is selective, of course, and my ‘deceptive dishonest’ behaviour is/was pretty much in your head. Oh, and you seriously expect me to “link to” events that happened more than a year ago? I misrepresented no one. Sorry, my mistake for ever coming back here, but lprent will probably send another email telling me to never darken this blog again, so from yours and QoT’s pov, it’s all good…

                    • felix …
                      1 December 2014 at 7:44 pm

                      Why can’t you link to events from over a year ago? All you have to do is use the search function and you’ll find it. Try searching “vicky32” and “pro-life”.

                      For example, this search shows every comment containing both the words “vicky32” and “qot” : http://thestandard.org.nz/?s=vicky32+qot&isopen=block&search_comments=true&search_sortby=date

                      A quick squizz up and down any of the resulting threads will show how you used to behave here and leave no-one in any doubt that you were never banned “for being pro-life”.

                  • Murray Rawshark …
                    2 December 2014 at 3:30 am

                    If you’re vicky32, I remember you doing heaps that should have earned a ban. I doubt if it was for being against the right of adult women to control their own bodies.

                    • Deb Kean …
                      2 December 2014 at 12:31 pm

                      “I doubt if it was for being against the right of adult women to control their own bodies.”
                      Very loaded language there, mate… I oppose the ‘right’ of men and some women to slaughter their children. (A “right” few actual straight women want.)
                      Aside from that I did nothing to ‘earn’ a ban, oh, other than to refuse to be intimidated by men…

        • Varity 18.1.1.2
          1 December 2014 at 1:42 pm

          if not – you just have to be patient. slater will spill in the end. he’s not the type of guy who’ll ever let the limelight go without a fight. it might take years but eventually he’ll tell all.

  19. ghostwhowalksnz 19
    1 December 2014 at 12:14 pm

    Slater is the sock puppet of some very powerful people.

    he has really just been an alternative voice for people like ZB radio hosts Leighton Smith, Larry Williams. he is long time friend of John Banks who has a lot of say in Auckland national party circles.
    Essentially the people behind Slater are how Key is kowtowing to.

  20. Whateva next? 20
    1 December 2014 at 12:21 pm

    Or is Slater the Sherrif of Nottingham to King John?

  21. Bill 21
    1 December 2014 at 12:59 pm

    I don’t believe Slater has much beyond a ‘mea culpa’ over Key – ie, doesn’t have anything specific, but could ‘blow the gaff’.

    Key’s fucked only because Slater favours Collins and is going to trip and mess with Key at every turn.

    • adam 21.1
      1 December 2014 at 2:04 pm

      I agree Bill – Slater has too big of an ego, to not tip his hand if he felt he was holding.

      And what about the fact Slater Snr and Key are friends? Have people forgotten that?

  22. B. Adam 22
    1 December 2014 at 1:51 pm

    Looks like it has now become a ‘Master and Slave’ relationship or a ‘Master and Dog’ relationship!

    • just saying 22.1
      1 December 2014 at 7:38 pm

      Yep, and Slater is still the dog, imo.
      He could turn of course but he hasn’t yet and I think there is a lesson in that. He’s just pushed the boundaries a bit and rattled his cage. I wouldn’t be surpised if he has a picture of Key on the golf cart with Obama tucked under his pillow. He loses his power the moment he blows. It’s all downhill for Slater if he takes Key on. Fifteen minutes of bigtime glory and notoriety as the guy who brought down the PM – and then what?
      Key should not be underestimated. I thought we’d gotten past that over these long years of his reign.

      Will be very happy to be proven wrong…..

  23. logie97 23
    1 December 2014 at 2:00 pm

    Seems Joky Hen suffers the same denial traits as a well known cartoon character.
    Now when did Bart Simpson come on the scene, with his “I didn’t do it.” routine?
    Late 80’s, early 90’s. Joky’s been displaying it for at least the last 10 years, and probably a lot longer.

  24. Karen 24
    1 December 2014 at 2:10 pm

    B3tWOYDCMAE9sgW.png

    This cartoon says it all

  25. Northsider 25
    1 December 2014 at 2:33 pm

    There is a triangular relationship between Collins, Slater and Key. imho.

    —Collins has little to lose and a cabinet seat to gain.
    —Key has everything to lose.
    —Slater is incapable of loosing: any publicity outcome short of oblivion is enough for him.

    Slater’s price to shut-up (for a while) will be Key’s promise to have Collins back on the front benches within six months or so. Watch Slater try to de-stabilise a few minister to create the need for a re-shuffle.

    Joyce and English will do everything to keep Collins out. If they think Collins is on a promise from Key they will roll him. They too know here a few of Key’s bodies are buried.

    It would be fun if it was somewhere else, like Australia or Honduras.

    • Tracey 25.1
      2 December 2014 at 12:41 pm

      Interesting… Bookmark this comment north

    • les 25.2
      2 December 2014 at 9:45 pm

      I think you’ve got it.Slaters allegience is to Collins.Joyce/English no show if they roll Key.Be surprised if Key makes 2017 as leader,the way hes performing atm coupled with the economic outlook.Little is going great.

    • Clemgeopin 25.3
      2 December 2014 at 10:51 pm

      My guess is that sometime with in 2015 or 2016, Key will resign from parliament, giving some plausible reason such as being offered a high post somewhere in USA or some other reason.

      There will be an internal war for prime Minister’s post between Bennett, Adams, Collins, Joyce and English. I doubt if Key will want a fourth term, nor his Party would want Key to continue. He has definitely become kind of toxic for their brand now.

  26. ianmac 26
    1 December 2014 at 2:47 pm

    Bryce Edwards, The Downfall of John Key:
    “Why does John Key continue to stay close to Cameron Slater? And will this decision ultimately lead to Key’s downfall? These questions have been repeatedly asked in recent days about the resurgent Dirty Politics scandal.”

    And in keeping with suspicions on this blog and others is this particularly telling piece from Slater:

    Slater has also been very clear about his unhappiness with the Prime Minister at times – especially over the way Key has dealt with Dirty Politics and the dismissal of Judith Collins. He is particularly sensitive when John Key makes the tiniest slight towards him. For example, a month ago Slater spoke out on his blog when Key appeared to be trying to distance himself: ‘I wonder if John Key has miraculously found those TXTs? He can always call me and I’ll read them back to him. Impertinent questions: – If Key phones me in his capacity as National Party leader, but I understand him to be talking to me as Prime Minister, what does that mean down the line? – If Key communicates with me, do these communications have any expectation of privacy? Does the simple fact he is the Prime Minister trump privacy and he now has to own up everything that was communicated to anyone who asks him in the right way in the right forum?’

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11367008

  27. expatriot 27
    1 December 2014 at 3:32 pm

    “One word from Slater, in other words – and the Prime Minister is history.”

    I can’t help but be reminded of a choice Doctor Who moment (though I apologise in advance for comparing Cameron Slater to the 10th Doctor and Key to Harriet Jones):

    http://bit.ly/1vENdTf

  28. B. Adam 28
    1 December 2014 at 3:48 pm

    This is what Slater has admitted today in his WO blog in an article attacking M. Boag

    “She of course forgets that I am the victim of a crime and that the National party willingly used me to spread their dark arts stories. Irrespective of that Dirty Politics delivered the best result for the National party and a third term for the government with a record result under MMP” !

    • Frida 28.1
      2 December 2014 at 8:36 am

      Sorry just saw this after I posted my comment below – yes that is what I was referring to! Extraordinary admission. Waiting for the MSM to pick up on it….

  29. rhinocrates 29
    1 December 2014 at 3:59 pm

    And all the commentators, not least Hoots, remind me of a scene in Casablanca:

    Renault: “I am shocked, shocked that gambling should be going on in these premises!”
    Croupier: “Your winnings sir.”
    Renault: “Thank you.”

    • Anne 29.1
      1 December 2014 at 4:13 pm

      Slater offers up a critique of Michelle Boag:

      She may have started the trend for presidents of the National party to engage in cosmetic enhancements but for someone who drinks vinegar and sucks on lemons there is no amount of face lifting that can solve her problem. She remains very rancid mutton masquerading as a dead, maggot infested lamb.

      I’m sure that is going to assist in bringing the Nats’ Auckland based factions together.

      • Murray Rawshark 29.1.1
        2 December 2014 at 3:38 am

        I’d also put money on that not being written by Blubber Boy. He would have said something about her having the face of someone who never gets anything but a dud root and would have used ratbag somewhere. I don’t think he does much of his own writing and I’d guess Spanish Horror wrote that one. I think it has the touch of a bitter woman.

      • Tracey 29.1.2
        2 December 2014 at 12:43 pm

        Boag… Hangs with Banks

    • Tracey 29.2
      2 December 2014 at 12:42 pm

      Chuckle

  30. music4menz 30
    1 December 2014 at 5:06 pm

    I am bemused that Bryan Gould is permitted to make the assertion that ‘Cameron Slater became the custodian of a huge amount of information that the Prime Minister could simply not afford to become public’. If this is true then doesn’t it require factual evidence to back it up? It’s not as if Bryan is qualifying it with ‘I think’ or ‘maybe’ or ‘people say’. It is written as incontrovertible fact.

    In another post a journalist called Scott Campbell is being lambasted for having made assertions without evidence on The Nation. Surely Bryan is doing a similar thing here.

    • lprent 30.1
      1 December 2014 at 5:57 pm

      I would describe it as being incontrovertible.

      Think about the stash of materials found in what looks like a brief fossik in an old archive from around 2009 on his systems. That produced Dirty Politics and all of its fallout. It was also when Cameron was just getting started.

      Then there are the obvious stores of screen dumps of txts. The emails for inquiries.

      It is quite evident that Cameron is a packrat. How many more years of stored info does he have. Just the list of tutored MPs run by Lusk and him is going to be interesting. Not to mention coordination between the blogs and politicians….

    • Tracey 30.2
      2 December 2014 at 12:44 pm

      Did you forget he is a former nat party candidate?

  31. Treetop 31
    1 December 2014 at 5:44 pm

    Three main possibilities.
    Slater knows that he can prove that Key has misled parliament and the country.

    When the thing that Key is hiding is partly released, Key takes some of the power off Slater. All Key would have to say is why did you not mention this to Gwyn or Slater may not have enough proof or choose not to release it.

    Key may have thought that Slater knew something else to do with July/August 2011 and Key could not ignore Slater incase it came out in the Gwyn report.

    As long as Key knows that Slater is not going to out him, some sort of loyalty that Slater has to Key, Key gets away with the lies.

    I want to know when Key first heard of any contents of the Gwyn report and who told him?

    I want to know when did Key first learn that Tucker got his facts wrong on briefing Goff?

  32. JoeC 32
    2 December 2014 at 1:07 am

    Kiwi’s won’t admit they see a little of themselves in Key. All this lying is now the Kiwi norm. It is part of your national identity and make up. Don’t kid yourselves. You keep voting the guy back in by landslides. New Zealand 100℅ Pure Bastardry.

    • Chooky 32.1
      2 December 2014 at 11:17 am

      …sorry disagree!….Kiwis are a decent and trusting lot …and they have been duped by the msm and black ops spin against Labour and the Left ……and for John Key and Nactional

      …with Hager’s book ‘Dirty politics’ and the Gwyn Report and subsequent events ….they are just waking up !

  33. Frida 33
    2 December 2014 at 8:33 am

    I don’t normally sully myself by looking at the Blubbery Sea Creature’s site but I had a look yesterday and saw a horrible post about Michelle Boag (much as I loathe the woman, it was pretty awful) in which the Blubbery Sea Creature appeared to admit that Dirty Politics was accurate. Anyone else see it? I haven’t got a link sorry. I haven’t seen any of the media pick up on it.
    Suggests to me that he definitely has something on Key.

  34. A Voter 34
    2 December 2014 at 12:18 pm

    Could we make a movie out of the saga
    Call it “The Snobbit ” or “The 3 ZIONISTS “

    • Chooky 34.1
      2 December 2014 at 12:26 pm

      we could make a movie with the ring as NZ’s sovereignty …protected and guarded for safekeeping by the decent Hobbits( NZers)…the Nazgul black winged creates are surveillance…agents of Mordor and Sauron …the evil empire trying to take over

      • Manuka AOR 34.1.1
        2 December 2014 at 2:27 pm

        “the Nazgul black winged creates are surveillance…agents of Mordor and Sauron …the evil empire trying to take over”

        Yes, that bit really does fit well. Too well. 🙁

    • music4menz 34.2
      2 December 2014 at 4:38 pm

      I’m intrigued by your reference to The 3 Zionists. Just what is the point being made here?

      Is this some kind of anti- Semitic slur?

      • One Anonymous Bloke 34.2.1
        2 December 2014 at 4:41 pm

        Yeah, kind of looks like it, doesn’t it. Then again, a right winger calling out bigotry is such a massive double standard 🙄

      • Colonial Viper 34.2.2
        2 December 2014 at 5:09 pm

        Zionists, Jews and Semites are not the same thing.

        Palestinians are a Semitic people. And very large proportion of Jews in Israel are not Semitic, having come from far away places like Russia, Poland, etc.

    • greywarshark 34.3
      2 December 2014 at 4:51 pm

      A Voter
      Could you not start talking about Zionists please. The word is so laden with emotion that if it must be used it should be only when the Israeli question is being discussed. Otherwise you just bring about a lot of confusion and annoy sensitive people.

  35. A Voter 35
    2 December 2014 at 12:27 pm

    The answer is REVOLUTION but do we as NZers have the will to do what is right for the nation or are we or have we become so self assured that we cant be hurt that we dont know how to even begin
    Had it too good for too long and now we are paying
    Good bye to Godzown this PM is like nuclear fallout

  36. weka 36
    2 December 2014 at 4:14 pm

    Not that this is news, but our Prime Minister is a complete imbecile.

    Dr Russel Norman : Why did he ensure that Cameron Slater had his phone number but did not give it to senior political reporters such as the political editor at Radio Live?

    Rt Hon JOHN KEY : Well, I gave it to the people whom I have had text conversations with in the past from the gallery. That is not all of the gallery but it is a fair number. I gave it to other people who are in the social media. I can say I did not give it to Kim Dotcom, as, I am sure, that member probably has Mr Dotcom in his mobile phone from the time he went up there for lunch. That was the time when his high horse he parked up there got Ebola.

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1412/S00034/pq-2-prime-minister-communications-with-press-gallery.htm

  37. Eralc 37
    2 December 2014 at 5:06 pm

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryan_Gould
    Is this the same Bryan Gould. If so, blimey.

    [lprent: yes ]

    • Eralc 37.1
      3 December 2014 at 10:04 am

      Such an august career. I met him in the UK. The way he is writing barely resembles the same man.

  38. Ad 38
    2 December 2014 at 10:24 pm

    Every longstanding ruler needs to make their own pact with their own devil. Little will need his, if he doesn’t have them already. Machievelli, Mephisto and Macbeth have historically resonant lessons for good reason.

    The peculiarity of the Slater-Prime Minister relationship is that Slater is so deeply protected by his party patrilineage, his fearlessness, and his status as effectively subcontractor rather than as Parliamentary staff, that he can now operate completely in the open.

    The longer National sustains this kind of alliance, the more alternative left voice will be driven deeper underground through fear. Would be marvelous to think this will change, but so far Key’s ORCs are doing a stirling job sustaining his power. Don’t have to like it, but it’s fucking effective.

    • McFlock 38.1
      2 December 2014 at 10:34 pm

      I dunno – the association with slater would tend to hurt key’s clean image. The entirre idea of two-track politics with that there’s no connection between the two

      • Ad 38.1.1
        2 December 2014 at 10:42 pm

        Any evident association with any politician will have both costs and benefits. Key can well afford it, according to polls that have been consistent for over six years now.

        Nor am I convinced that Key needs him – he and his office continue to play most of the MSM like a black grand piano.

      • Weepus beard 38.1.2
        2 December 2014 at 10:51 pm

        Agree. Hager’s book was verification, and a major outing, of their strategy.

        The microscope is now on these two and every single time they try to pull off some sort of smear it will be investigated by independent media.

  39. Tony T 39
    3 December 2014 at 12:02 am

    Good Lord, has the country really come to this?
    Someone needs to drive past Slater’s house and office with a giant MAGNET
    He is currently getting very excited (and so are his fans) over at WO wondering whether he should sue Andrew Little, for calling him a sociopath, or what else he should do.
    The the someone should have him put under a CTO .

  40. seeker 40
    3 December 2014 at 12:30 am

    “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.” ( from the film The Upstarts 1995).

    Perhaps key has been having lessons in how to convince Kiwis that his lies and unpleasant behaviour don’t exist. It has certainly worked on some.
    Ironically the master criminal in this film is called Keyster Soze. Prophetic or what?

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    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Old habits
    Media awareness about global warming and climate change has grown fairly steadily since 2004. My impression is that journalists today tend to possess a higher climate literacy than before. This increasing awareness and improved knowledge is encouraging, but there are also some common interpretations which could be more nuanced. ...
    Real ClimateBy rasmus
    4 days ago

  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    5 days ago

  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    5 days ago

  • Always Be Campaigning
    The big screen is a great place to lay out the ways of the salesman. He comes ready-made for Panto, ripe for lampooning.This is not to disparage that life. I have known many good people of that kind. But there is a type, brazen as all get out. The camera ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • STEPHEN FRANKS: Press seek to publicly shame doctor – we must push back
    The following is a message sent yesterday from lawyer Stephen Franks on behalf of the Free Speech Union. I don’t like to interrupt first thing Monday morning, but we’ve just become aware of a case where we think immediate and overwhelming attention could help turn the tide. It involves someone ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Competing on cruelty
    The right-wing message calendar is clearly reading "cruelty" today, because both National and NZ First have released beneficiary-bashing policies. National is promising a "traffic light" system to police and kick beneficiaries, which will no doubt be accompanied by arbitrary internal targets to classify people as "orange" or "red" to keep ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • Further funding for Pharmac (forgotten in the Budget?) looks like a $1bn appeal from a PM in need of...
    Buzz from the Beehive One Labour plan  – for 3000 more public homes by 2025 – is the most recent to be posted on the government’s official website. Another – a prime ministerial promise of more funding for Pharmac – has been released as a Labour Party press statement. Who ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: The Vested interests shaping National Party policies
    As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that might arise. One of the key individuals of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago

  • Labour may be on way out of power and NZ First back in – but will Peters go into coalition with Na...
    Voters  are deserting Labour in droves, despite Chris  Hipkins’  valiant  rearguard  action.  So  where  are they  heading?  Clearly  not all of them are going to vote National, which concedes that  the  outcome  will be “close”. To the Right of National, the ACT party just a  few weeks  ago  was ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    5 days ago

  • GRAHAM ADAMS: Will the racists please stand up?
    Accusations of racism by journalists and MPs are being called out. Graham Adams writes –    With the election less than three weeks away, what co-governance means in practice — including in water management, education, planning law and local government — remains largely obscure. Which is hardly ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on whether Winston Peters can be a moderating influence
    As the centre-right has (finally!) been subjected to media interrogation, the polls are indicating that some voters may be starting to have second thoughts about the wisdom of giving National and ACT the power to govern alone. That’s why yesterday’s Newshub/Reid Research poll had the National/ACT combo dropping to 60 ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Tuesday’s Chorus: RBNZ set to rain on National's victory parade
    ANZ has increased its forecast for house inflation later this year on signs of growing momentum in the market ahead of the election. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National has campaigned against the Labour Government’s record on inflation and mortgage rates, but there’s now a growing chance the Reserve ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • After a Pittsburgh coal processing plant closed, ER visits plummeted
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Katie Myers. This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Pittsburgh, in its founding, was blessed and cursed with two abundant natural resources: free-flowing rivers and a nearby coal seam. ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • September-23 AT Board Meeting
    Today the AT board meet again and once again I’ve taken a look at what’s on the agenda to find the most interesting items. Closed Agenda Interestingly when I first looked at the agendas this paper was there but at the time of writing this post it had been ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    5 days ago

  • Electorate Watch: West Coast-Tasman
    Continuing my series on interesting electorates, today it’s West Coast-Tasman.A long thin electorate running down the northern half of the west coast of the South Island. Think sand flies, beautiful landscapes, lots of rain, Pike River, alternative lifestylers, whitebaiting, and the spiritual home of the Labour Party. A brief word ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Big money brings Winston back
    National leader Christopher Luxon yesterday morning conceded it and last night’s Newshub poll confirmed it; Winston Peters and NZ First are not only back but highly likely to be part of the next government. It is a remarkable comeback for a party that was tossed out of Parliament in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • 20 days until Election Day, 7 until early voting begins… but what changes will we really see here?
    As this blogger, alongside many others, has already posited in another forum: we all know the National Party’s “budget” (meaning this concept of even adding up numbers properly is doing a lot of heavy, heavy lifting right now) is utter and complete bunk (read hung, drawn and quartered and ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    6 days ago

  • A night out
    Everyone was asking, Are you nervous? and my response was various forms of God, yes.I've written more speeches than I can count; not much surprises me when the speaker gets to their feet and the room goes quiet.But a play? Never.YOU CAME! THANK YOU! Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • A pallid shade of Green III
    Clearly Labour's focus groups are telling it that it needs to pay more attention to climate change - because hot on the heels of their weaksauce energy efficiency pilot programme and not-great-but-better-than-nothing solar grants, they've released a full climate manifesto. Unfortunately, the core policies in it - a second Emissions ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • A coalition of racism, cruelty, and chaos
    Today's big political news is that after months of wibbling, National's Chris Luxon has finally confirmed that he is willing to work with Winston Peters to become Prime Minister. Which is expected, but I guess it tells us something about which way the polls are going. Which raises the question: ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • More migrant workers should help generate the tax income needed to provide benefits for job seekers
    Buzz from the Beehive Under something described as a “rebalance” of its immigration rules, the Government has adopted four of five recommendations made in an independent review released in July, The fifth, which called on the government to specify criteria for out-of-hours compliance visits similar to those used during ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Letter To Luxon.
    Some of you might know Gerard Otto (G), and his G News platform. This morning he wrote a letter to Christopher Luxon which I particularly enjoyed, and with his agreement I’m sharing it with you in this guest newsletter.If you’d like to make a contribution to support Gerard’s work you ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: Alarming trend in benefit numbers
    Lindsay Mitchell writes –  While there will not be another quarterly release of benefit numbers prior to the election, limited weekly reporting continues and is showing an alarming trend. Because there is a seasonal component to benefit number fluctuations it is crucial to compare like with like. In ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • BRIAN EASTON: Has there been external structural change?
    A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase.   Brian Easton writes –  Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • CRL Progress – Sep-23
    It’s been a while since we looked at the latest with the City Rail Link and there’s been some fantastic milestones recently. To start with, and most recently, CRL have released an awesome video showing a full fly-through of one of the tunnels. Come fly with us! You asked for ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 days ago

  • Monday’s Chorus: Not building nearly enough
    We are heading into another period of fast population growth without matching increased home building or infrastructure investment.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Labour and National detailed their house building and migration approaches over the weekend, with both pledging fast population growth policies without enough house building or infrastructure investment ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Game on; Hipkins comes out punching
    Labour leader Chris Hipkins yesterday took the gloves off and laid into National and its leader Christopher Luxon. For many in Labour – and particularly for some at the top of the caucus and the party — it would not have been a moment too soon. POLITIK is aware ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Tax Cut Austerity Blues.
    The leaders have had their go, they’ve told us the “what?” and the “why?” of their promises. Now it’s the turn of the would be Finance Ministers to tell us the “how?”, the “how much?”, and the “when?”A chance for those competing for the second most powerful job in the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • MIKE GRIMSHAW:  It’s the economy – and the spirit – Stupid…
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Over the past 30-odd years it’s become almost an orthodoxy to blame or invoke neoliberalism for the failures of New Zealand society. On the left the usual response goes something like, neoliberalism is the cause of everything that’s gone wrong and the answer ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 week ago

  • Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identity
    Tuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
    Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
    The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
    The economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
    The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today.   “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • More support for victims of migrant exploitation
    Temporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
    An export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te Karaka
    The Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Further business support for cyclone-affected regions
    The Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underway
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
    Around 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New Zealand provides support to Morocco
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilience
    The Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today.  A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Government invests in Greymouth’s future
    The Government has today confirmed a $2 million grant towards the regeneration of Greymouth’s CBD with construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility. “It will include a visitor facility centred around a new library. Additionally, it will include retail outlets on the ground floor, and both outdoor and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • Nanaia Mahuta to attend PIF Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will attend the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in Suva, Fiji alongside New Zealand’s regional counterparts. “Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply committed to working with our pacific whanau to strengthen our cooperation, and share ways to combat the challenges facing the Blue Pacific Continent,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • PREFU shows no recession, growing economy, more jobs and wages ahead of inflation
    Economy to grow 2.6 percent on average over forecast period Treasury not forecasting a recession Inflation to return to the 1-3 percent target band next year Wages set to grow 4.8 percent a year over forecast period Unemployment to peak below the long-term average Fiscal Rules met - Net debt ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • New cancer centre opens in Christchurch
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall proudly opened the Canterbury Cancer Centre in Christchurch today. The new facility is the first of its kind and was built with $6.5 million of funding from the Government’s Infrastructure Reference Group scheme for shovel-ready projects allocated in 2020. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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