The strange tale of the Auckland Central selection and Merv from Manurewa

Written By: - Date published: 8:01 am, August 11th, 2020 - 57 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, Dirty Politics, national, Politics, same old national, twitter, you couldn't make this shit up - Tags: ,

National truly is the party that keeps on giving.  Every day there is a new scandal, a new event that casts doubt on National’s ability to organise a piss up in a brewery, let alone run a country.

Yesterday it was the the chance for Roger Bridge, who apparently also goes by the description of Merv from Manurewa, to shine.  From Tova O’Brien at Newshub:

Newshub can reveal allegations that a senior National Party figure attempted to derail one of the Auckland Central candidates’ nominations with a peculiar midnight phone call to talkback radio pretending to be someone he’s not.

Roger Bridge is a big deal in the National Party. A Queen’s honour recipient, he’s on the party’s board as its Canterbury representative. But Newshub has been told he has a secret alter ego, sometimes going by ‘Merv’.

‘Merv’ called into Marcus Lush’s talkback show last Monday just before midnight.

Although Bridge denies it was him, several National Party sources, including MPs, have listened to the audio and told Newshub ‘Merv’ and Roger Bridge are one in the same.

“Look I’m in Manurewa and I’m a bit confused because there’s billboards all over the place with this Nuwi girl,” ‘Merv’ told the talkback radio show.

‘Merv’ was confused that Nuwanthie ‘Nuwi’ Samarakone was National’s Manurewa candidate but was also pitching to stand in Auckland Central to replace Nikki Kaye who resigned from politics last month.

“She’s already standing in Manurewa and I was ready to vote for her but now I understand she’s going over to Auckland Central – I’m that confused.”

He was seeding doubt about her candidacy and casually dropped in a line about a photograph.

“I’m that confused and then I have this photograph come through today.”

Bridge denied it was him but the Herald has reported that Merv from Manurewa rang from Bridge’s phone.  Maybe he was at a party and someone else used his phone as a prank.

The video in Tova’s story is very funny, nearly as good as that of Todd Muller’s early days as leader and the emergence of Paora Goldsmith.

Twitter last night burned with the light of a thousand suns.  Merv trended big time at the very time that National wanted clear space for its newly selected Auckland Central candidate Emma Mellows to get some positive news exposure.

Labour’s Manurewa candidate Arena Williams reached out to Merv and invited him to get involved in her campaign.

 

Questions were asked about National, whose leader says there is nothing wrong with her being white, whose last leader was the proud owner of a MAGA hat, whose front bench is remarkably white still, whose Palmerston North candidate has some pretty racist stuff released on social media, who had one MP retire after saying some really untrue racist stuff about returning kiwis, whose list has seen the demotion of its strongest performing Pacifica MP and whose sole Sri Lankan candidate just got shafted, and its commitment to multiculturalism.

And Judith Collins denied that she was the leader of the National Party, even though National’s own website says she is.

This incident, although at one level trivial, neatly summarises National’s problems.  An apparent ham fisted attempt to skewer a selection away from a woman of colour by a very senior Party official, multiple leaks from within National, gee they must hate each other, and a level of disorganisation that makes the phrase “cluster fuck” appear to be too tame.

Please keep it up National.  You really are convincing the country that you are not fit to govern.

57 comments on “The strange tale of the Auckland Central selection and Merv from Manurewa ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Robert Guyton 1
    11 August 2020 at 8:18 am

    The Sri Lankan woman doesn't know how lucky she is!

    • greywarshark 1.1
      11 August 2020 at 10:57 am

      Link? I'm not up with the latest.

      • Chris 1.1.1
        11 August 2020 at 12:47 pm

        My guess is that there isn't a link, although you could just look at anything about the national party that's been published in the last couple of months.

  2. PsyclingLeft.Always 2
    11 August 2020 at 8:19 am

    Its in their Nat DNA…John Carter aka "Hone" callin' up the ol Banksy line

    • I Feel Love 2.1
      11 August 2020 at 8:21 am

      & gawd knows how many others, perhaps the whole talk back radio is a sham, just National MPs & members being "long time listener, first time caller"s.

    • lprent 2.2
      11 August 2020 at 9:47 am

      I'm always just astonished that people still engage with or listen to talk back radio. I think that I last heard it back in the mid-1990s in a taxi.

      Mind you I saw a fax machine the other day. My immediate response was to wonder why such a historic relic was left out in public and wasn’t in a museum.

      But I guess the centennial light bulb is still burning after 119 years in its workspace. It has only been turned off a few times in its career. It is like the innovation of conservatives – running at a apparent 4W to preserve it. Seems like a Merv approach to politics.
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centennial_Light

      • Tricledrown 2.2.1
        11 August 2020 at 10:15 am

        Talk back radio dominated by exclusive Brethren moning about communism by stealth.

        The EB have gone to ground quitely working behind the scenes .there is always lots of meetings at their churches running up to the election.The National party rely on them to do pamphleting ,pushing policy and cynically trying to undermine the left on sqauk back radio.

    • Patricia Bremner 2.3
      11 August 2020 at 11:31 am

      No "Hore" was his monica, and he became speaker "The keeper of the rule book"

      Now how "National" is that?

  3. Brian Tregaskin 3
    11 August 2020 at 8:30 am

    https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/marcus-lush-nights/audio/merv-from-manurewa-talks-with-marcus/

    Full 10 minutes here, you have to feel sorry for the candidate.

    • Tony Veitch (not etc.) 3.1
      11 August 2020 at 12:18 pm

      No, sorry, you almost have to feel sorry for the Natz party if that is any indication of the level of intelligence (even if assumed) in their higher echelons.

      Even Marcus doubted Merv's ability to vote, lol.

  4. Robert Guyton 4
    11 August 2020 at 8:41 am

    "I was ready to vote for her", said Merv.

    "Are you trying to be humorous?": Marcus.

    "I'm that confused!"

    "How confusing is that?"

    "I don't think it's confusing at all". Marcus.

    "Do you think you should be voting?" Marcus.

    • Gabby 4.1
      11 August 2020 at 9:54 am

      Maybe Marcus could ring him up and ask for Merv, well, this is the number he called from, you must know him at least, etc.

  5. swordfish 5
    11 August 2020 at 8:44 am

    But Newshub has been told he has a secret alter ego, sometimes going by ‘Merv’.

    Puts me in mind of the Right-leaning ACT-supporting Merv who used to comment on Brian Edwards Media Blog a decade ago. Poor bloke often had the piss relentlessly taken out of him … not least by Brian himself … do wonder now if he was the same deep-fake "Merv".

  6. Tiger Mountain 6
    11 August 2020 at 9:07 am

    “Merv” the perv?…getting into creepy territory here. Nuwanthie might be seen as an aspirational grasper, but she got physically fit and was proud of it, and that would not do at all it seems for some of “old National” in the leafy suburbs.

    Oh well, Auckland Central is still definitely in play. Emma who?

    • PaddyOT 6.1
      11 August 2020 at 10:15 am

      Emma the Dilemma!

      What does it mean when a banker says,
      "Our community, like the rest of the country, is worried about the future. What our economy will look like, whether they will have a job and how they will support their family."

      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/personal-finance/news/article.cfm?c_id=12&objectid=12281044

      And as if attending Jehovah school before her door knocking campaign repeats the same false dichotomy
      " They certainly don't need tax increases adding any more pressure on their household budget. But that is exactly what Labour and the Greens will do, adding a wealth tax on hard-working New Zealanders, going after their income, their house and their KiwiSaver."

      Knock knock, ” Hi I'm Emma and I'm worried about getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect you from each other. "

      • AB 6.1.1
        11 August 2020 at 10:54 am

        " getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect you from each other"

        Indeed – Mellows sounded like she should be in managed isolation somewhere deep within the bowels of the ACT party.

        Disclaimer: I am not Merv

        • greywarshark 6.1.1.1
          11 August 2020 at 11:06 am

          Heard this quick-speaking, authoritative young woman this a.m. If she came up with that sentence she has got an interesting new line of vicious political spiel.

  7. Incognito 7
    11 August 2020 at 9:08 am

    The National Party has been boaged by scandal and appears to be unmerved by the fact that it is still leaderless.

    Where’s Max?

    Jaaaassonnn!!

    Matty?

    Crickets …

  8. observer 8
    11 August 2020 at 9:14 am

    It's great fun, and I was laughing as much as anyone last night as Merv went viral. But it's also serious, and let's just recap what has happened here:

    A senior National Party operator deliberately and dishonestly undermined his own party's candidate. He then lied about it to the media. We know about this only because other National people exposed him (probably tipping off Newshub, and certainly confirming his identity to the reporter). And although we don't yet know, given the background of attacks on Ms Samarakone (photos, allegations) we can reasonably infer that Bridge was not acting alone.

    So the National Party is being undermined by at least two camps – Bridge/Merv and friends, and those who outed him.

    And their leader pretends this isn't happening.

    • ianmac 8.1
      11 August 2020 at 9:25 am

      I watched the clip while surfing across the channels late last night and watched the alleged Merv deny (blatantly lie?) that he was Merv. Cannot be true. A senior integrenous National member could never lie. Impossible.

    • greywarshark 8.2
      11 August 2020 at 10:17 am

      Time for a cliche vid here. Rinse the blood from my toga anyone. It could become a traditional roll-out at every election, like Santa Claus appearances at Christmas.

      (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR_5h8CzRcI

  9. Descendant Of Smith 9
    11 August 2020 at 9:16 am

    To be fair National did promise to deliver more Bridges.

  10. mauī 10
    11 August 2020 at 10:00 am

    I do feel sorry for Merv.. this sort of confusion does happen from time to time where people think they are entitled to 2 different electorate votes and aren't entitled to a party vote.

  11. roblogic 11
    11 August 2020 at 10:01 am

    National had an opportunity to move on from their homogenised old fossil image. This clusterf*ck shows that the old boys network is fully in charge now.

    • ScottGN 11.1
      11 August 2020 at 10:35 am

      Goodfellow must be seething right. One of his attempts to overcome National’s worsening ‘diversity’ problem has been thwarted by those old fossils.

      • roblogic 11.1.1
        11 August 2020 at 11:07 am

        I suspect the Nat candidates are selected on their ability to bring in big donations, personal attributes (or morals) are not a factor

        • woodart 11.1.1.1
          11 August 2020 at 12:10 pm

          yes, as with many things in life, "follow the money" has worked for the nats. always interesting to see different candidates competing ,and work out who has the most ability to bring in the $$$. rural nats think they still control the nats, but usually are to tight to give much. maybe the nats are finding it hard to get the yuan this election.

        • Draco T Bastard 11.1.1.2
          11 August 2020 at 12:40 pm

          Morals are definitely a factor in choosing National candidates – the party funders prefer that they don't have any.

  12. Macro 12
    11 August 2020 at 10:06 am

    It's obvious why Crusher is not the Leader – it's such a "Strong Team" that they are all Leaders. Problem is they all want to lead in different directions.

  13. greywarshark 13
    11 August 2020 at 10:22 am

    This is all very unmerving! What next? Leading off in different directions – they are trying to copy these stunts.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taL1n85droQ

  14. mac1 14
    11 August 2020 at 10:29 am

    I'm looking forward to the September Herald headline. "Auckland Central Mellowed Out: Greens in." The subheading might read, "Auckland Central voters via their ‘spliff’ votes send a joint message to National heads to get their s**t together."

  15. ScottGN 15
    11 August 2020 at 10:31 am

    I can’t help feeling a bit sorry for the late ring-ins who were lined up at the last moment to save the party from more embarrassment after the higher ups decided not to bother following the rules. None of them had any real chance of getting selected. I guess they got told their time was coming…?

  16. I Feel Love 16
    11 August 2020 at 10:52 am

    I'm reminded of this https://www.salon.com/2017/12/04/alt-right-women-are-upset-that-alt-right-men-are-treating-them-terribly/ RW women surprised that RW supremacist attitudes are against them too. Also the Young Act bullshit.

  17. Marcus Morris 17
    11 August 2020 at 12:46 pm

    Still think that Labour doing an "Epsom" is a good ploy. Two strong leftish candidates could well split the vote and let Mellow take the seat. Green for the electorate vote, Labour for the Party. A “win win” outcome.

  18. observer 18
    11 August 2020 at 3:53 pm

    Let's play a game of "Campaign Conundrum"!

    You are a candidate, official or even leader of a political party. One of your team has chucked a hand grenade into your campaign. Do you …

    a) strongly condemn and demand resignation(s)?

    b) distance yourself, but with weasel words?

    c) support him?

    OK, you might think b) is weak and c) is obviously absurd, nobody would be that stupid … but you'd be wrong:

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/423260/judith-collins-on-roger-bridge-allegations-it-s-not-something-i-approve-of

    Dale Stephens is a National candidate. Or Labour double agent, who knows?

    • PsyclingLeft.Always 18.1
      11 August 2020 at 4:24 pm

      Bridge "is one of the most honourable men he has met" ..Well if he's only met National party men that could well be : ).

      Rest of NZ laughs ass off

    • OnceWasTim 18.2
      11 August 2020 at 4:57 pm

      Gawd! Dale Stephens even tried to 'rescue' me once in the dim distant, even though I didn't need rescuing. I think someone might have made a movie about him once upon a time. Something about a 40yo. Pure as the driven, and just as naive.

      I'm surprised he didn't opt to become one of Hannah Tamaki's little projects

      • greywarshark 18.2.1
        11 August 2020 at 5:43 pm

        He's got a nice crinkly smile, sort of I'm an okay bloke like Bill English. Goes far in National circles. Song – 'Let a smile be your umbrella, on a rainy, rainy day.' I think they'll need one.

    • greywarshark 19.1
      11 August 2020 at 5:45 pm

      I've just been reading a book that talks about philosophy 'means and ends'. He has probably wrestled with them there high-falutin' theories that he operates under.

  20. roblogic 20
    11 August 2020 at 5:07 pm

    Tau Henare is pretty confident that “Merv” is Roger Bridge

    https://twitter.com/tauhenare/status/1293013694436188162?s=21

  21. gsays 21
    11 August 2020 at 11:22 pm

    With that selfish, opportunistic streak, I am surprised that Nuwanthie ‘Nuwi’ Samarakone isn't higher up on the list, therefore safe in a job come November.

    Job security, I assume, was her motivation for wanting to switch electorates so late in the piece.

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    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
    4 days ago

  • Who’s Driving The Right-Wing Bus?
    Who’s At The Wheel? The electorate’s message, as aggregated in the polling booths on 14 October, turned out to be a conservative political agenda stronger than anything New Zealand has seen in five decades. In 1975, Bill Rowling was run over by just one bus, with Rob Muldoon at the wheel. In ...
    Bowalley Road
    5 days ago

  • Sanity break
    Cheers to reader Deane for this quote from Breakfast TV today:Chloe Swarbrick to Brook van Velden re the coalition agreement: “... an unhinged grab-bag of hot takes from your drunk uncle at Christmas”Cheers also to actual Prime Minister of a country Christopher Luxon for dorking up his swearing-in vows.But that's enough ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Sanity break
    Cheers to reader Deane for this quote from Breakfast TV today:Chloe Swarbrick to Brook van Velden re the coalition agreement: “... an unhinged grab-bag of hot takes from your drunk uncle at Christmas”Cheers also to actual Prime Minister of a country Christopher Luxon for dorking up his swearing-in vows.But that's enough ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • National’s murderous smoking policy
    One of the big underlying problems in our political system is the prevalence of short-term thinking, most usually seen in the periodic massive infrastructure failures at a local government level caused by them skimping on maintenance to Keep Rates Low. But the new government has given us a new example, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • NZ has a chance to rise again as our new government gets spending under control
    New Zealand has  a chance  to  rise  again. Under the  previous  government, the  number of New Zealanders below the poverty line was increasing  year by year. The Luxon-led government  must reverse that trend – and set about stabilising  the  pillars  of the economy. After the  mismanagement  of the outgoing government created   huge ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    5 days ago

  • KARL DU FRESNE: Media and the new government
    Two articles by Karl du Fresne bring media coverage of the new government into considerations.  He writes –    Tuesday, November 28, 2023 The left-wing media needed a line of attack, and they found one The left-wing media pack wasted no time identifying the new government’s weakest point. Seething over ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • PHILIP CRUMP:  Team of rivals – a CEO approach to government leadership
    The work begins Philip Crump wrote this article ahead of the new government being sworn in yesterday – Later today the new National-led coalition government will be sworn in, and the hard work begins. At the core of government will be three men – each a leader ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Black Friday
    As everyone who watches television or is on the mailing list for any of our major stores will confirm, “Black Friday” has become the longest running commercial extravaganza and celebration in our history. Although its origins are obscure (presumably dreamt up by American salesmen a few years ago), it has ...
    Bryan GouldBy Bryan Gould
    5 days ago

  • In Defense of the Media.
    Yesterday the Ministers in the next government were sworn in by our Governor General. A day of tradition and ceremony, of decorum and respect. Usually.But yesterday Winston Peters, the incoming Deputy Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister, of our nation used it, as he did with the signing of the coalition ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Top 10 news links at 10 am for Tuesday, Nov 28
    Nicola Willis’ first move was ‘spilling the tea’ on what she called the ‘sobering’ state of the nation’s books, but she had better be able to back that up in the HYEFU. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere at 10 am ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • PT use up but fare increases coming
    Yesterday Auckland Transport were celebrating, as the most recent Sunday was the busiest Sunday they’ve ever had. That’s a great outcome and I’m sure the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    5 days ago

  • The very opposite of social investment
    Nicola Willis (in blue) at the signing of the coalition agreement, before being sworn in as both Finance Minister and Social Investment Minister. National’s plan to unwind anti-smoking measures will benefit her in the first role, but how does it stack up from a social investment viewpoint? Photo: Lynn Grieveson ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Giving Tuesday
    For the first time "in history" we decided to jump on the "Giving Tuesday" bandwagon in order to make you aware of the options you have to contribute to our work! Projects supported by Skeptical Science Inc. Skeptical Science Skeptical Science is an all-volunteer organization but ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Let's open the books with Nicotine Willis
    Let’s say it’s 1984,and there's a dreary little nation at the bottom of the Pacific whose name rhymes with New Zealand,and they've just had an election.Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, will you look at the state of these books we’ve opened,cries the incoming government, will you look at all this mountain ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Climate Change: Stopping oil
    National is promising to bring back offshore oil and gas drilling. Naturally, the Greens have organised a petition campaign to try and stop them. You should sign it - every little bit helps, and as the struggle over mining conservation land showed, even National can be deterred if enough people ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Don’t accept Human Rights Commission reading of data on Treaty partnership – read the survey fin...
    Wellington is braced for a “massive impact’ from the new government’s cutting public service jobs, The Post somewhat grimly reported today. Expectations of an economic and social jolt are based on the National-Act coalition agreement to cut public service numbers in each government agency in a cost-trimming exercise  “informed by” head ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • The stupidest of stupid reasons
    One of the threats in the National - ACT - NZ First coalition agreements was to extend the term of Parliament to four years, reducing our opportunities to throw a bad government out. The justification? Apparently, the government thinks "elections are expensive". This is the stupidest of stupid reasons for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • A website bereft of buzz
    Buzz from the Beehive The new government was being  sworn in, at time of writing , and when Point of Order checked the Beehive website for the latest ministerial statements and re-visit some of the old ones we drew a blank. We found ….  Nowt. Nothing. Zilch. Not a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • MICHAEL BASSETT: A new Ministry – at last
    Michael Bassett writes – Like most people, I was getting heartily sick of all the time being wasted over the coalition negotiations. During the first three weeks Winston grinned like a Cheshire cat, certain he’d be needed; Chris Luxon wasted time in lifting the phone to Winston ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Luxon's Breakfast.
    The Prime Minister elect had his silver fern badge on. He wore it to remind viewers he was supporting New Zealand, that was his team. Despite the fact it made him look like a concierge, or a welcomer in a Koru lounge. Anna Burns-Francis, the Breakfast presenter, asked if he ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL:  Oranga Tamariki faces major upheaval under coalition agreement
     Lindsay Mitchell writes – A hugely significant gain for ACT is somewhat camouflaged by legislative jargon. Under the heading ‘Oranga Tamariki’ ACT’s coalition agreement contains the following item:   Remove Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 According to Oranga Tamariki:     “Section ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • BRIAN EASTON:  Peters as Minister
    A previous column looked at Winston Peters biographically. This one takes a closer look at his record as a minister, especially his policy record. Brian Easton writes – 1990-1991: Minister of Māori Affairs. Few remember Ka Awatea as a major document on the future of Māori policy; there is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Cathrine Dyer's guide to watching COP 28 from the bottom of a warming planet
    Is COP28 largely smoke and mirrors and a plan so cunning, you could pin a tail on it and call it a weasel? Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: COP28 kicks off on November 30 and up for negotiation are issues like the role of fossil fuels in the energy transition, contributions to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Top 10 news links at 10 am for Monday, Nov 27
    PM Elect Christopher Luxon was challenged this morning on whether he would sack Adrian Orr and Andrew Coster.TL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere at 10 am on Monday November 27, including:Signs councils are putting planning and capital spending on hold, given a lack of clear guidance ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the new government’s policies of yesteryear
    This column expands on a Werewolf column published by Scoop on Friday Routinely, Winston Peters is described as the kingmaker who gets to decide when the centre right or the centre-left has a turn at running this country. He also plays a less heralded but equally important role as the ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    6 days ago

  • The New Government’s Agreements
    Last Friday, almost six weeks after election day, National finally came to an agreement with ACT and NZ First to form a government. They also released the agreements between each party and looking through them, here are the things I thought were the most interesting (and often concerning) from the. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 days ago

  • How many smokers will die to fund the tax cuts?
    Maori and Pasifika smoking rates are already over twice the ‘all adult’ rate. Now the revenue that generates will be used to fund National’s tax cuts. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The devil is always in the detail and it emerged over the weekend from the guts of the policy agreements National ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • How the culture will change in the Beehive
    Perhaps the biggest change that will come to the Beehive as the new government settles in will be a fundamental culture change. The era of endless consultation will be over. This looks like a government that knows what it wants to do, and that means it knows what outcomes ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • No More Winnie Blues.
    So what do you think of the coalition’s decision to cancel Smokefree measures intended to stop young people, including an over representation of Māori, from taking up smoking? Enabling them to use the tax revenue to give other people a tax cut?David Cormack summed it up well:It seems not only ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #47
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science  Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Nov 19, 2023 thru Sat, Nov 25, 2023.  Story of the Week World stands on frontline of disaster at Cop28, says UN climate chief  Exclusive: Simon Stiell says leaders must ‘stop ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Some of it is mad, some of it is bad and some of it is clearly the work of people who are dangerous ...
    On announcement morning my mate texted:Typical of this cut-price, fake-deal government to announce itself on Black Friday.What a deal. We lose Kim Hill, we gain an empty, jargonising prime minister, a belligerent conspiracist, and a heartless Ayn Rand fanboy. One door closes, another gets slammed repeatedly in your face.It seems pretty ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • “Revolution” is the threat as the Māori Party smarts at coalition government’s Treaty directi...
    Buzz from the Beehive Having found no fresh announcements on the government’s official website, Point of Order turned today to Scoop’s Latest Parliament Headlines  for its buzz. This provided us with evidence that the Māori Party has been soured by the the coalition agreement announced yesterday by the new PM. “Soured” ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • The Good, the Bad, and the even Worse.
    Yesterday the trio that will lead our country unveiled their vision for New Zealand.Seymour looking surprisingly statesmanlike, refusing to rise to barbs about his previous comments on Winston Peters. Almost as if they had just been slapstick for the crowd.Winston was mostly focussed on settling scores with the media, making ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • When it Comes to Palestine – Free Speech is Under Threat
    Hi,Thanks for getting amongst Mister Organ on digital — thanks to you, we hit the #1 doc spot on iTunes this week. This response goes a long way to helping us break even.I feel good about that. Other things — not so much.New Zealand finally has a new government, and ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 week ago

  • Thank you Captain Luxon. Was that a landing, or were we shot down?
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Also in More Than A FeildingFriday The unboxing And so this is Friday and what have we gone and done to ourselves?In the same way that a Christmas present can look lovely under the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • Cans of Worms.
    “And there’ll be no shortage of ‘events’ to test Luxon’s political skills. David Seymour wants a referendum on the Treaty. Winston wants a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Labour’s handling of the Covid crisis. Talk about cans of worms!”LAURIE AND LES were very fond of their local. It was nothing ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago

  • Disinformation campaigns are undermining democracy. Here’s how we can fight back
    This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Misinformation is debated everywhere and has justifiably sparked concerns. It can polarise the public, reduce health-protective behaviours such as mask wearing and vaccination, and erode trust in science. Much of misinformation is spread not ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Peters as Minister
    A previous column looked at Winston Peters biographically. This one takes a closer look at his record as a minister, especially his policy record.1990-1991: Minister of Māori Affairs. Few remember Ka Awatea as a major document on the future of Māori policy; there is not even an entry in Wikipedia. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand welcomes European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement
    A significant milestone in ratifying the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was reached last night, with 524 of the 705 member European Parliament voting in favour to approve the agreement. “I’m delighted to hear of the successful vote to approve the NZ-EU FTA in the European Parliament overnight. This is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Further humanitarian support for Gaza, the West Bank and Israel
    The Government is contributing a further $5 million to support the response to urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel, bringing New Zealand’s total contribution to the humanitarian response so far to $10 million. “New Zealand is deeply saddened by the loss of civilian life and the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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