The election of truth vs lies

Written By: - Date published: 9:28 am, September 10th, 2017 - 77 comments
Categories: accountability, democratic participation, election 2017, labour, national - Tags: , , , , ,

All politicians are liars, so the saying goes. It’s not the case of course, but the lies are so widespread as to tarnish all politicans by association. This damages rational decision making and political engagement. It’s bad for democracy.

In this election the contrast between lying politicians and a new kind of politics has never been clearer. Bill English, Steven Joyce and Paula Bennett are the lying politicians, and they have no one to blame but themselves. Jacinda Ardern is the face of what could be a new kind of politics. Yesterday’s editorial (Philip Matthews) on Stuff:

Is there truth in politics?
…
Ardern’s unexpected popular appeal is not just about youth and generational change. It is about a different kind of newness, even though she has been in Parliament longer than Little. She addresses a constituency that has become dissatisfied with the ritualised games, codes and gestures of politics as usual.
…
During the Newshub leaders debate on Monday, both Ardern and Prime Minister Bill English were asked if it is possible to survive in politics without lying. English answered along the lines that “no one is perfect”, which is a truthful answer, whereas Ardern argued that “I believe it is possible to exist in politics without lying and by telling the truth”.

You would have to go back a long way to find a major political leader who could have said that without being laughed off stage. That Ardern delivered it and survived speaks to the power of her image.
…
Ardern’s lines about truth came within a week dominated by Finance Minister Steven Joyce’s cynical sowing of doubt and confusion in the media about Labour’s fiscal plans. There is nothing new about Joyce’s tactic although the invention of a fictional “$11 billion hole” in the books seemed unusually brazen and Joyce and English seemed foolish in their determination to persist with it.

It was a serious error. National should have thought hard about deploying fake news during an election campaign in which truth and honesty have been weaponised by their opposition.

Johnathon Milne writes:

Finance minister devalues the word ‘sorry’ further than he ever lowered the NZ dollar
…
And this election campaign, Joyce has dragged a new leader into the muck with his claim that there was an $11.7 billion “fiscal hole” in Labour’s campaign promises. Bill English was forced to stand by his man this week – even though there wasn’t an economist in the land who didn’t dismiss Joyce’s claims as fantasy or worse.

Challenged on live radio to explain why he couldn’t substantiate his discredited calculations, Joyce took the cynical art of the cheap apology to a new low. “Well I’m sorry ,” he said, “but … they’re accurate.”

And with that, New Zealand’s finance minister devalued the word “sorry” further than he or his predecessors have ever lowered the New Zealand dollar.

Even those who have supported National in the past must see that this current bunch have lost their way. National needs to renew itself, some time in opposition will do them good. Don’t vote for liars.

77 comments on “The election of truth vs lies ”

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  1. Gristle 1
    10 September 2017 at 10:02 am

    In my opinion using Hooton to back up your valid argument (that English and Joyce are happy to lie with intention of invalidating democracy) has the unfortunate result of validating Hooton and reducing the strength of your case.

    I am undecided whether to view Hooton as primarily a gun for hire (now for Act) or that personnel ideology reinforces his commercial self-interest. Either way garlic, holy water, crucifixes, wooden stakes and silver bullets should be readily available if you are going to use him as a supporting opinion.

    • r0b 1.1
      10 September 2017 at 10:29 am

      Hooton is an amoral stirrer, but I don’t mind quoting him when he’s right.

    • Draco T Bastard 1.2
      10 September 2017 at 11:24 am

      Yes, Hooton was quite happy with Paula Bennett’s previous release of private information about beneficiaries. So, we really have to question his conversion to supporting honest politics now.

      • tracey 1.2.1
        10 September 2017 at 3:23 pm

        Yes. Although a stopped clock is right twice a day. Hootons broken record is Right all day long.

    • tracey 1.3
      10 September 2017 at 3:22 pm

      Yes. Hooton has ample opportunity to live what he now expects us to believe. Instead he always chooses to be a peddlar. Distancing yourself from a lying machine which you gleefully took part is dirty pool. Remember when hwe happily took a wage to obstruct OIAs. That is the real Hooton. This one is just trying to ensure work post election. Bah.

  2. One Anonymous Bloke 2
    10 September 2017 at 10:11 am

    What’s new? Dishonesty has always been the National Party’s go-to tactic. They might as well change their name to the Amygdala Party.

    • Dan 2.1
      10 September 2017 at 12:30 pm

      I dug around for the list of Key’s lies. The current crew are not nearly as good at getting away with the lies.
      One source is Jan 27 2016 Blip writing The great big list of John Key’s big fat lies (UPDATED)

  3. Ed 3
    10 September 2017 at 10:13 am

    The issue of truth vs lies is compounded by the fact New Zealand barely has a 4th estate worth mentioning now.
    There are lone independent voices but no organisations independent of corporate or government control.

  4. Anne 4
    10 September 2017 at 10:16 am

    There was another lie on Q&A this morning. Scott Simpson (National) claimed Labour was planning to charge farmers 10c per litre of water when it is actually 2c per 1000 litres of water.

  5. Alan 5
    10 September 2017 at 10:21 am

    is withholding information on what you intend to do with taxation akin to lying to the electorate – yes.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 5.1
      10 September 2017 at 10:22 am

      Is inventing strawman arguments lying? Yes.

    • Ed 5.2
      10 September 2017 at 10:24 am

      How are National planning to pay for all the promises they’ve made in the past 3 weeks?

      • riffer 5.2.1
        10 September 2017 at 5:49 pm

        Strangely enough, they don’t need to account for that, due to their “superior economic management skills.”

    • Ed 5.3
      10 September 2017 at 10:27 am

      That someone like you can accept our terrible social statistics ( prison, health, homelessness, mental health, poverty, inequality) by defending the actions of this government says so much.

      • Alan 5.3.1
        10 September 2017 at 10:36 am

        that someone like you thinks that these problems can be fixed by taxing the shit out hard working kiwis says so much

        • Ed 5.3.1.1
          10 September 2017 at 10:41 am

          By hard working Kiwis I assume you mean rich New Zealanders.
          The fact that there are many hardworking New Zealanders who get paid so little that they have to go to food banks.
          You knew that, didn’t you?
          Or am I talking to someone not fully aware of the facts.

          Taxing big corporations and property speculators- both who don’t pay their share and making the rich pay their share before Key gave them a tax cut is a fairer system.

          A large number of National Party’s supporters don’t pay income tax. They are retired and receiving a state benefit.

          • Alan 5.3.1.1.1
            10 September 2017 at 10:43 am

            nice try ed, i mean the kiwis that give a fuck and get off their arses

            • Carolyn_nth 5.3.1.1.1.1
              10 September 2017 at 10:47 am

              seriously? You mean all those middle-class people sitting in their homes, doing sweet FA, and rubbing their hands as the monetary values of their properties keeps rising?

              You mean the slum landlords getting rich of substandard rentals, while putting little effort to maintain those properties?

              • Alan …
                10 September 2017 at 10:53 am

                carolyn, you are being obtuse, as you well know the vast majority of , your phrase, “middle class people ” have worked hard for the majority of their lives – doing sweet FA is what gets people in the shit, not houses

                • One Anonymous Bloke …
                  10 September 2017 at 10:57 am

                  Whereas you’re just being dishonest, and you can’t even find original lies to tell.

                  No, wait, you actually believe this shite, eh.

                  • Ed …
                    10 September 2017 at 11:05 am

                    He either believes what he’s saying and is too scared to look at the other side.
                    Or he’s lying to suit his political point of view and further his own selfish interests.

                    What have we learnt about National Party people this week after the claims of Joyce and Tolley?

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      10 September 2017 at 11:09 am

                      If you ask me, when he talks about the “hard-working middle class”, I think he means white people: his dim-bulb mind just doesn’t want everyone to know what a bigot he is.

                • Ed …
                  10 September 2017 at 10:59 am

                  You choose not to educate yourself and repeat redneck hate speech against the poor.
                  You will never watch Nigel Latta or Bryan Bruce’s documentaries about poverty and inequality. Yet you will double down on your ignorant prejudices.
                  I feel sorry for you.

                • Carolyn_nth …
                  10 September 2017 at 11:15 am

                  Housing speculation HAS majorly contributed to a lot of people being homeless, including many of the hard working poor.

                • Muttonbird …
                  10 September 2017 at 11:33 am

                  There’s an exponentialism (new word) involved in the explosion in the value of residential home assets. Those who have benefitted from this, rather than doing ‘hard work’ did not lift a solitary fucking finger.

                  Those who have not benefitted are in increasing numbers and are fed up with the shifting of the ground. It’s not unreasonable for the young to expect similar and stable conditions with respect to housing affordability from year to year but this has not happened.

                  • Ed …
                    10 September 2017 at 11:38 am

                    Indeed it could be argued that hardworking poor New Zealanders are paying too much tax through income tax and GST , while rich lazy New Zealanders are not paying their fair share as the income they’ve got from rising house prices had no tax.

                    How much did Key make out his Parnell mansion?
                    How much was he taxed? I doubt Talasia and Sio had the time to swan around golf courses and take frequent holidays to Hawaii.
                    Who really are the lazy ones in our society?

                  • xanthe …
                    10 September 2017 at 12:29 pm

                    “There’s an exponentialism (new word)”

                    And a very good one!
                    The belief that exponential growth is not only necessary but possible!

                    this belief underpins neo-liberalism and is the root cause of environmental destruction … climate change

                • AB …
                  10 September 2017 at 12:26 pm

                  That’s the ‘Just-world fallacy’.
                  Fact is peoples’ income/wealth bears little correlation to how hard they have worked, the degree of difficulty of what they have done, or the social value of their outputs.
                  Case in point:
                  – John Key worth $50-100M from speculating on the relative movement of currencies and recently sold a house for $20M.
                  – A&E nurse $55k/year patching people up and doomed to life-long renting
                  Societies run by sane, rational people recognise this and redistribute stuff around via the social wage

            • One Anonymous Bloke 5.3.1.1.1.2
              10 September 2017 at 10:49 am

              Not you then. You’re a lazy lying fearful troll who even bludges his lies.

              • Alan …
                10 September 2017 at 10:56 am

                lazy?
                I work about 55 hours per week, what do you do OAB?

                • Ed …
                  10 September 2017 at 11:01 am

                  Talasia and Sio work long hours and don’t have enough to live on.
                  But Alan works 55 hours so the problems of low paid work in NZ doesn’t exist.
                  How ignorant are you?

                • One Anonymous Bloke …
                  10 September 2017 at 11:06 am

                  And all this busy-ness leaves you too tired to invent some new lies to tell? Or are you always this lacking in imagination?

                  Nah, you’re so lazy you uncritically swallow the complete gobshite you’ve been spoon-fed, and are now regurgitating here today.

                  Why do you have to work such long hours? Can’t get a decent hourly rate with such poor skills? I mean, I love my work but I like to have a life too.

                • Draco T Bastard …
                  10 September 2017 at 11:30 am

                  Ah, so you admit to working far too long and thus taking work off of others and forcing them into poverty.

                  A job that requires 60 hours per week should see two people employed full time and each one paid enough to live on.

                  • Alan …
                    10 September 2017 at 11:39 am

                    OAB and Draco, the voices of Venezuela in NZ, viva the revolution, snigger……

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      10 September 2017 at 11:42 am

                      Funny how losers always bring up Venezuela whenever the conversation gets a bit much for them.

                    • Ed …
                      10 September 2017 at 11:48 am

                      What has Venezuela got to do with the issue of the working poor and the levels of inequality in New Zealand.
                      If you want an international comparison, then look at Bryan Bruce’s doco that compared how children are treated by governments in Sweden and NZ.

                      In reality, you don’t care one bit about hardworking Kiwis.
                      You just care about Alan.

                    • Draco T Bastard …
                      10 September 2017 at 11:52 am

                      And the uneducated RWNJ falls into the standard ad hominem when called on his lies and destructive actions.

                    • Ed …
                      10 September 2017 at 11:55 am

                      You really are ill informed on a variety of subjects.

                      1. Inequality and poverty in NZ.
                      2. South American politics

                      Here’s some more learning for you.
                      You really have very strong opinions for someone with so little grasp of the facts.
                      A little knowledge…..

                      https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YUYWrPiUeWY

                    • KJT …
                      10 September 2017 at 8:11 pm

                      You forgot to mention, Haiti, Saudi Arabia, Guatemala, Detroit, and many other right wing paradises.

                • Carolyn_nth …
                  10 September 2017 at 11:36 am

                  All “hard work” is not equal in the contribution it makes to society, and in the remuneration it gets.

                  What does working hard for a tobacco company or the sugar industry, or the climate-denying factions of the oil industry contribute to health of society and the economy? It may enrich the “hard workers”, but doesn’t necessarily enrich society.

                  In contrast, many people working hard doing voluntary and unpaid domestic work make a valuable, long term social and economic well being.

                  Why should someone sitting back and benefiting from the rising value of their property (eg as admitted by Gareth Morgan), or being the CEO of a damaging corporation earn big bucks, while nurses, teachers, cleaners, bus drivers, fruit pickers, etc work hard for relatively meagre incomes?

                • One Two …
                  10 September 2017 at 11:51 am

                  55 The Death Number

                  Not that you needed to expose yourself any further, Alan

                  I’m actually hoping you’re handle is a bot..

                  Failing that, thinkers such as yourself are being rejected in greater numbers of the wider populace

                  Trust you have a good bug out plan in place…

                  Namaste

                • KJT …
                  10 September 2017 at 8:12 pm

                  Inefficient desk bound time waster…..

            • Ed 5.3.1.1.1.3
              10 September 2017 at 10:49 am

              Watch the story of Talasia and Sio.
              Then judge.

              https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/nigel-latta/episodes/s1-e4

            • Ed 5.3.1.1.1.4
              10 September 2017 at 10:53 am

              Do you like the cleaners who work at or below minimum wage?

            • red-blooded 5.3.1.1.1.5
              10 September 2017 at 11:57 am

              Hey Alan, plenty of us who give a shit and get off our arses work in areas like health and education. everything we earn and spend is taxed. Why should some folk pay tax on their earnings and activities and some folk not?

            • Ken 5.3.1.1.1.6
              10 September 2017 at 2:49 pm

              So you definitely don’t mean foreign speculators and foreign watter bottling companies then Alan?

          • Robert Guyton 5.3.1.1.2
            10 September 2017 at 10:44 am

            Or someone without a conscience.

            • Ed 5.3.1.1.2.1
              10 September 2017 at 10:55 am

              Alan must be ready to vote for a party prepared to pay the living wage if his concern for hardworking New Zealanders is not totally false.

        • Carolyn_nth 5.3.1.2
          10 September 2017 at 10:43 am

          Some hard working Kiwis are doing fine and will still be doing fine if they pay a little more tax. Some hard working Kiwis are struggling: cannot afford or get access to adequate housing, health or education.

          The fact you use “hard working Kiwis” as some kind of blanket argument against raising taxes on the well off, to a fairer level, says it all really.

          Some benefiting from speculative finance, property investments, etc, are probably not getting wealthy from a lot of “hard work” – just from an unfair system.

          Some Kiwis cannot work as hard as others, even if they wanted to, due to ill health, injuries, lack of access to suitable jobs.

          • Draco T Bastard 5.3.1.2.1
            10 September 2017 at 11:34 am

            Some benefiting from speculative finance, property investments, etc, are probably not getting wealthy from a lot of “hard work” – just from an unfair system.

            QFT

        • One Anonymous Bloke 5.3.1.3
          10 September 2017 at 10:47 am

          Will the sky fall on your head, Chicken Liar?

          Repeating someone else’s stale lies are the best you can do. What’s the matter, are you so unimaginative that you can’t even make up new lies? Gish gallop fail.

        • Ed 5.3.1.4
          10 September 2017 at 10:51 am

          Are property speculators hard working Kiwis?
          Is the McDonalds corporation a hard working Kiwi?

        • mikesh 5.3.1.5
          10 September 2017 at 3:09 pm

          Would you prefer to see them solved by unpaid volunteers?

    • Robert Guyton 5.4
      10 September 2017 at 10:42 am

      Was saying ‘no gst hike’ then hiking it, lying Alan?
      Truthfully now!

    • reason 5.5
      10 September 2017 at 12:05 pm

      Nationals unstated Tax policy ….; ““the wealthy are able to pursue a segregationist agenda, by opting out of the public provision of education, health, policing, social welfare….”

      Its why the Panama papers whistle blower singled out John Key …. http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/8515361/Money-trail-leads-home-to-New-Zealand

      Nationals Tax policy disadvantages the vast majority of hard workers …….

      Economic Apartheid against the many ….

    • Tautoko Mangō Mata 5.6
      10 September 2017 at 12:44 pm

      Are you referring to the rise in GST lied about by National? Or the fact that it was supposed to be fiscally neutral?

    • peterlepaysan 5.7
      10 September 2017 at 10:25 pm

      Only if you have your mind up first.

      If you have not made up your mind, you appoint a committee too advise you.

      Apparently the embryonic committee is somewhat larger than G Robertson expected.
      Lying to the electorate cannot include ” there will be change, not sure what ,yet”.

      You may recall the nz electorate were invited to vote for a brighter future.

      Have you seen any signs of it, apart from political signs being removed from places where homeless sleep?

      A reformed tax system is long overdue, it is also very difficult to do.

      I take it that the current tax system suits you ,personally.

      Actually there is an electorate out there.

  6. Ed 6
    10 September 2017 at 10:23 am

    I shall repeat my entry from Mike as it’s more pertinent here.

    ‘Bryan Bruce has documentary out on TV3 Tuesday at 8.30 p.m.

    This is from his Facebook page on 7 September.

    “I have to get my facts right. Politicians don’t. In documentaries like the one coming up next Tuesday on THREE I have to make every effort to get my facts right. If I don’t do my research and just make stuff up then I face the prospect that I and the broadcaster are fined for inaccuracy .(It’s never happened to me by the way).

    Not so with National’s Cabinet members Steven Joyce or Anne Tolley When Finance Minister Joyce was asked by Guyon Espiner today to name one other person in New Zealand who agreed there was a $ 11.7 Billion hole in Labour’s fiscal policy he couldn’t do it

    And here’s Minister of Social Development Anne Tolley quoted in a Newsroom article by Bernard Hickey “In addition, one in five beneficiaries tell us that drug use is a barrier to them getting a job ” 1 in 5 …. Really? According to her own Ministry – last year, there were 31,791 referrals for drug testable positions nationwide and just 55 sanctions for failing a drug test.
    (See Herald http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11639758 )
    So which is it Minister? 1 in 5 beneficiaries on drugs.. or 1 in 576 according to your own actual tests?

    The more National just makes stuff up , the less credibility they have. Just take a look at the poll released tonight . National is at the lowest level its been since 2005.

    So … watch out for some inconvenient truths in my doco next Tuesday. Some politicians may squeal – but I can back up every fact I give with very credible resources.”

    https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1462834220465592&id=334536643295361&__tn__=%2As%2As-R

  7. Incognito 7
    10 September 2017 at 10:35 am

    Is failing to correct misconceptions caused by your own words and/or actions (particularly) when they suit your agenda a lie? Even when those misconceptions were unintended?

  8. Antoine 8
    10 September 2017 at 11:44 am

    > Even those who have supported National in the past must see that this current bunch have lost their way. National needs to renew itself, some time in opposition will do them good.

    Sign me up to this

    A.

  9. Alan 9
    10 September 2017 at 4:18 pm

    Hooton is one of many commentators sponsored by National to spout their amoral propaganda to the masses. I can see a lot of them getting far less air time on public radio and TV once there is a new government. Just a bunch of evil people given a voice by a morally bankrupt government.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 9.1
      10 September 2017 at 6:00 pm

      To avoid confusion, you might want to amend your handle – especially when people are still addressing comments to the ‘other’ Alan 🙂

      Edit: apologies in advance if you were here first.

    • Pat 9.2
      10 September 2017 at 6:02 pm

      not sure about that….the monied lobbyists are not going to fold their tents and give up their historical influence simply because their man lost an election….if anything they are likely to redouble their efforts.

  10. WILD KATIPO 10
    10 September 2017 at 5:10 pm

    Is ‘ Alan ‘ the new addition to the wanker paid troll RWNJ gang ? ,… or is ‘ he’ actually Leighton Smith using a pseudonym ?

    Hard working New Zealanders? L0L ! , – I’ll bet the bastard never held a bloody shovel in his life ! How many meters of concrete have you poured , Alan?

    Ill bet your hands are lily white and soft as a cats cock.

    Ever worked for $8.00 an hour in a sweat job 5 story’s up on scaffolding ? Yeah I did , painting bloody buildings . Years of that shit . More often that not on illegal scaffolding that the unregulated de-unionised building industry enabled after the neo liberal ‘reforms’.

    And Ruth Richardsons 1991 Employment Contracts Act.

    Eh , ‘ Alan’ .

    When I laboured out in the bush at age 20 pre 1984 I was on $18.00 bucks an hour. AND we had overtime , time and a half , double time and triple time. Depending on the work and depending if we had to work during public holidays just so that so creeps like you , ‘ Alan ‘ , … could have water in your gin and tonics . The kind of work we did was heavy construction out in the bush keeping Auckland’s water supply happening. Not nice flat suburban sections , ‘ Alan’ ,… but over gorges and cliffs. We also were on stand by to assist in regularly helping to put out forest fires just so RWNJ’s like you , … ‘Alan ‘ , … could enjoy a pleasant bush walk as of a weekend. ( And then there was search and rescue for morons like you who would go bush in shorts , tee shirt and jandals and then get lost ) . And it was more often than not bloody dangerous to boot. That’s why we received height money , foul air money ( working in tunnels) etc etc .

    So why did we get extra ?… because we were greedy buggers?

    NO , – because soft cock right wingers like yourself could have water in your toilets to flush away all the shit you speak.

    But you wouldn’t understand things like that now , would you , ‘ Alan’.

    So after the treasonous Douglas brought in his shit neo liberalism in 1984, – wages dropped to $8.00 , to $10.00, to $12.00, then stayed at $13.00 an hour for years. And now its only just topped $15.00 odd dollars an hour on a minimum wage , FFS !!!

    33 YEARS AFTER !!!!

    How much has the costs of living risen over the last 33 years , ‘ Alan’ ?

    Has it stayed static ?

    How much has the cost of food , rent , petrol , clothing , electricity , rates , school fees,, – you know , – the sort of basics arrogant shits like you take for granted gone up over 33 years , ‘ Alan’ ?

    Hard working New Zealanders my bloody arse!! , – you wouldn’t know ‘ hard work’ if you bloody fell over it. So stop trying to use the label ‘ hard work’ as a political football , – as if you ever did know anything at all about it.

    If you had EVER done any ‘ hard work’ in your miserable life , – you wouldn’t be such a toady for a corrupt bullshit thieving govt like National , – instead you would be lending your full weight to supporting the squaring away and reimbursing of 33 years deliberate theft of the New Zealand workers wage.

    • Wensleydale 10.1
      10 September 2017 at 10:42 pm

      Don’t be so disrespectful to Mr Gibbs. He’s traveled a long way to be here tonight, and propping up David ‘Rimmer’ Seymour in Epsom is an exhausting exercise.

      • Incognito 10.1.1
        10 September 2017 at 10:50 pm

        Come on! David Seymour is a hologram and weighs absolutely nothing so it’s very easy to ‘prop up’. In fact, you don’t even need a projection screen; just a little bit of empty space in the air would be enough – although he’s an H-series hologram, his font size is pretty small, about 0.3%.

      • WILD KATIPO 10.1.2
        10 September 2017 at 11:16 pm

        my humble apologies…

  11. WILD KATIPO 11
    10 September 2017 at 5:18 pm

    And here’s a little something that just might go a ways to expressing what people REALLY think about far right wing theft that been allowed to go on for 33 years in this country. Something I posted on TDB.

    Included in this is the plight of beneficiaries and the working poor. As for the middle class?… its only a matter of time before they start seeing their own kids futures screwed because of neo liberalism, – and those who support it.

    It constantly amazes how we , as a people, have accepted these shitheads who did this to us without a whimper , without lynch mobs in the streets.

    We hear all the trotted out excuses about retrospective justice being ‘ too hard’ , … that ‘ times have changed’ , ‘ we made a mistake’ and on and on and on… and what do we get ?

    Wimps like Guyon Espiner conducting hazy , misty camera shot interviews with grey haired old elders with an ‘ everyone’s grandparents ‘ type of setting , – painting a picture of wise elder statesmen and women and relying on sentimental nostalgia to soften the blatant criminality of these treasonous shitters!

    Like hell !!!

    Those scumsucking bastards stole our wealth , consigned thousands to lose their jobs, their houses, their businesses , set the conditions for thousands more children to die in cold damp houses in future years, sold off state housing and created a housing crisis so family’s now sleep in bloody cars , thousands died because of inadequate hospitals and long waiting lists , closed down tax payer paid for industry’s that employed tens of thousands, lied to us there would be lower prices for basic commodities because there would be more ‘competition, then proceeded to asset strip those SOE’s they bought for a song , made redundant many more thousands , and then proceeded to hike up prices so now family’s cant even afford to fucking heat their damn houses, – end result ? – even more bloody children developing third world diseases such as pneumonia and bronchiostasis. And on and on and on with countless other examples of their crap over 33 years of neo liberal treason.

    You know what this country reminds me of now ?!!?

    It reminds me of the same sort of slack shit attitude of places like Cambodia years after the killing fields.

    Or after the Bosnian war.

    Or even Japan and Germany after WW2.

    How?

    Because the same evil disgusting officious shit for brains that caused so much psychopathic and sadistic harm were still allowed to walk free years , – decades, – after they did what they did to thousands,- millions of innocent victims!!!

    About the only ones who didn’t let the sick fuckers get away with it were the Italians when they had no qualms dishing out fast rough justice to Mussolini and his wife and retainers.

    Now while I wouldn’t go that far , – 25 year prison sentences would suffice. They could spend their remaining ‘ golden years’ rotting inside a prison cell, – AFTER they had been asset stripped and forced to pay for their upkeep in prison out of their own finances.

    And AFTER they were forced to denounce neo liberalism publicly .

    You know we don’t support NAZISM in this country , – for good reasons. And one of the reasons is because we saw and can read historical facts of the more overt and disgusting things they did.

    But looking at the obvious is easy , – things like viewing piles of emaciated corpses and gas chambers in Auschwitz – anyone , even a child , …can do that and understand.

    It takes a little bit more effort to engage your brains and do a little bit of research and HUNT OUT the original ones BEHIND it all and understand its FOUNDATIONS , how that legacy still exists today , – and how it has been alive and well in NZ for the last three decades.

    So here’s a hint :

    1) Mont Pelerin Society. And their local branch ,…

    2) Business Roundtable ( now calling themselves the ‘ New Zealand
    Initiative ‘)

    And please bear in mind , – BOTH Roger Douglas AND Ruth Richardson were Board of Directors of the London based Mont Pelerin Society.

    Mont Pelerin Society Directory – DeSmogBlog
    https://www.desmogblog.com/…/Mont%20Pelerin%20Society%20Directory%202010

    NEW ZEALAND MONT PELERIN SOCIETY DIRECTORY – 2010
    _____________________
    Hon. Sir Roger Douglas
    1998, Life Member

    Mr. Roger L. Kerr
    New Zealand Business Roundtable
    1986

    Honorable Ruth Richardson
    Director
    Ruth Richardson [NZ] Ltd
    1996
    ……………………………….

    And to understand how all this fits together?

    READ THIS :

    New Right Fight – Who are the New Right?
    http://www.newrightfight.co.nz/pageA.html

    Then you will understand what and who I mean by NAZISM in New Zealand.

    * I may a little repetitious, and this may be a little off topic, … but anyone who supports current conditions under this National govt needs to be taking a good long hard look at themselves if they still think they have a conscience.

  12. Tanz 12
    10 September 2017 at 5:47 pm

    Seriously voting Labour now, just for their ban on foreign investors and no fees to tertiary students, both good for our kids. Can’t imagine National or NZ First matching these policies, and I want to see our kids able to get ahead re education and to buy first homes. National need time in opposition, complacent and blind to what is wrecking NZ.
    Hurrah, high time Kiwis were put first re owning NZ homes.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 12.1
      10 September 2017 at 6:14 pm

      I can’t imagine you informing yourself of what any party’s policies actually are. NZ 1st, for example, have essentially the same policy on residential housing.

      By all means vote according to your reckons if you must, after all, that’s what National’s followers do.

  13. Tanz 13
    10 September 2017 at 11:27 pm

    Can’t be bothered wasting my time on you, OAB, full stop.

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    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
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    18 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
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  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
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    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
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  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
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  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
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  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
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  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
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  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
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    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
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  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
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  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
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  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

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  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

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  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
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    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
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  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
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  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

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  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

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    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

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    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
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    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
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    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
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    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
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    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
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    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
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    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
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    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
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    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
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    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
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    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
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    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
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  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
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    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
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  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
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    1 week ago

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