The very Kafkaesque attack on Kiritapu Allan
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4:46 pm, July 2nd, 2023 - 54 comments
Categories: Media, media abuse, Parliament, public services, uncategorized -
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Franz Kafka was a 20th century writer who wrote about individuals finding themselves in surrealistic predicaments and being subject to incomprehensible bureaucratic powers. The word Kafkaesque has been used to describe “bizarre and impersonal administrative situations where the individual feels powerless to understand or control what is happening.”
I cannot help but wonder if Kiri Allen feels as if she is the subject of a Kafka novel, given what has happened to her this week. And the National Party inspired and what appears to be coordinated attacks in the media are worrying.
Things started off Tuesday of last week when in this Andrea Vance article the Department of Conservation stated publicly that it had raised concerns about the working relationships in Allan’s office more than a year previously and that one staffer had left her office early as a result.
According to DoC chief Penny Nelson:
One person chose to end their secondment early due to the working relationships in the office. Accordingly, I had discussions with my colleagues, including from Internal Affairs, which manages Ministerial Services, regarding support in the office.
No further concerns were subsequently brought to my attention, and I understand relationships improved.”
Requests for information from DoC, DIA, NEMA and the Public Service Commission were all made the day before by Vance and were all along the lines of if there has been any reports or complaints about inappropriate behaviour directed at staff by Allen.
At this time Allan had sought leave from work because of personal matters.
As stated by her:
Over the past few weeks I’ve really been struggling with mental health and wellness.
Triggered by personal circumstances, as well as other external things – even things like the cyclones having such a massive impact on our entire region.
“Sometimes things accumulate, and I hit a wall a few weeks ago. I kept going, showing up to events, smiling, giving speeches. But about a week ago, I had to be pretty honest with myself that I needed to put my mental well-being at the forefront of my focus.”
Then the next day Simeon Brown kept the story going by raising concerns about a mysterious text.
Again from Vance:
A mystery text message – kept secret by senior public servants – is at the centre of a controversy swirling around Cabinet Minister Kiritapu Allan, and is now the subject of a complaint to Parliament’s information watchdog.
Stuff revealed on Wednesday that a Department of Conservation employee, seconded to work with Allan chose to leave early last year because of concerns about “working relationships.” That saw DOC chief executive Penny Nelson take concerns to the Department of Internal Affairs, which manages Ministerial Services.
Allan, who returned to Parliament on Thursday after taking mental health leave, has said she “never had any formal allegations made against me in any way, shape, or form”.
At the same time as Stuff was investigating, the National Party was also asking questions. MP Simeon Brown, the party’s public services spokesperson, had lodged an Official Information Act request with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
He submitted the detailed list of questions after he heard reports of Allan, who is regional economic minister, withdrawing abruptly from an event.
The text in question was sent by MBIE deputy chief executive Robert Pigou. He said that the text does not express concerns about staff working in the office, there is no correspondence, formal or informal, between him and the Allen’s current private secretary for regional development in Allan’s office that refers to Allan’s behaviour, that no formal complaints have been made by staff about Allan’s conduct and no staff were removed from the office because of concerns. He also said that he has good relationships with staff, and is confident they would share with him any concerns about safety and wellbeing.
But this was clearly not enough for Vance.
Both Allen and Hipkins disputed the unsourced and undescribed allegations. They both emphasised that there has been no formal complaint about her behaviour.
And clearly Vance wanted to get the denial before she then released more details about the allegation.
On Thursday she posted this story:
A senior public servant, with decades of experience, says Cabinet Minister Kiritapu Allan “yelled and screamed” so loudly, staff in the office heard the telephone call.
The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said they witnessed Allan’s interactions with younger staff members both from government agencies and her Beehive office in a meeting, as well as seeing her “absolutely berate” another official for 20 mins on another occasion.
Allan “strongly refutes” the allegations.
Another former senior official with a long history of public service, has also spoken to Stuff to confirm they had concerns about Allan’s dealing with staff. “Basically low trust and respect of public servants was [the] issue,” they said.
The article clearly relies on the “anonymous senior official”. Allen is being asked to respond to allegations without detail or names or time frames made by faceless senior officials who are breaking all sorts of understandings by speaking anonymously to a reporters.
Then today Vernon Small again in Stuff made comments suggesting that Allan’s future lies in the balance.
He relies heavily on the third hand reporting of unconfirmed comments from anonymous public servants when the only public servant who has gone on the record has confirmed that there are no formal complaints and that he would be confident that staff would share with him concerns about safety and wellbeing.
How Kafkaesque can you get.
Perhaps Allan has been too brusque with her behaviour on occasions. This would not be unknown. Not every politician is a Jacinda Ardern and Parliament’s history is replete with examples of bad behaviour.
But this story has strong elements of a manufactured dragged out pseudo crisis and one no doubt fuelled by National’s highly resourced sewerage collection unit. And the timing clearly implies at least an element of cooperation between National and the Press.
The timing was especially beneficial because the story broke at the time that Chris Hipkins was completing a very successful visit to China. Instead of discussing progress that had been made in the New Zealand China relationship he had to answer questions about an incident that have never been described in adequate detail.
National’s coffers are full and clearly their sewerage collection unit is going strong. Expect more of this sort of story in the next few months.
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- Green Party a strong opposition to divisive governmentThe Green Party will keep up the fight for an Aotearoa that works for everyone. ...2 weeks ago
- Te Pāti Māori call for Foreign Affairs CEO to be sackedTe Pāti Māori have called for the resignation of the Ministry of Foreign and Trade chief executive Chris Seed following his decision to erase te reo Māori from government communications. While the country still waits for a new government to be formed, Mr Seed took it upon himself to undermine ...3 weeks ago
- Ministers visit Hawke’s Bay to grasp recovery needs
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Cyclone Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell and Transport and Local Government Minister Simeon Brown, to meet leaders of cyclone and flood-affected regions in the Hawke’s Bay. The visit reinforced the coalition Government’s commitment to support the region and better understand its ongoing requirements, Mr Mitchell says. ...1 day ago - New Zealand condemns malicious cyber activityNew Zealand has joined the UK and other partners in condemning malicious cyber activity conducted by the Russian Government, Minister Responsible for the Government Communications Security Bureau Judith Collins says. The statement follows the UK’s attribution today of malicious cyber activity impacting its domestic democratic institutions and processes, as well ...1 day ago
- Disestablishment of Te Pūkenga beginsThe Government has begun the process of disestablishing Te Pūkenga as part of its 100-day plan, Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills Penny Simmonds says. “I have started putting that plan into action and have met with the chair and chief Executive of Te Pūkenga to advise them of my ...2 days ago
- Climate Change Minister to attend COP28 in DubaiClimate Change Minister Simon Watts will be leaving for Dubai today to attend COP28, the 28th annual UN climate summit, this week. Simon Watts says he will push for accelerated action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement, deliver New Zealand’s national statement and connect with partner countries, private sector leaders ...2 days ago
- New Zealand to host 2024 Pacific defence meetingDefence Minister Judith Collins yesterday announced New Zealand will host next year’s South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM). “Having just returned from this year’s meeting in Nouméa, I witnessed first-hand the value of meeting with my Pacific counterparts to discuss regional security and defence matters. I welcome the opportunity to ...2 days ago
- Study shows need to remove distractions in classThe Government is committed to lifting school achievement in the basics and that starts with removing distractions so young people can focus on their learning, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. The 2022 PISA results released this week found that Kiwi kids ranked 5th in the world for being distracted ...2 days ago
- Minister sets expectations of CommissionerToday I met with Police Commissioner Andrew Coster to set out my expectations, which he has agreed to, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. Under section 16(1) of the Policing Act 2008, the Minister can expect the Police Commissioner to deliver on the Government’s direction and priorities, as now outlined in ...3 days ago
- New Zealand needs a strong and stable ETSNew Zealand needs a strong and stable Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) that is well placed for the future, after emission units failed to sell for the fourth and final auction of the year, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. At today’s auction, 15 million New Zealand units (NZUs) – each ...3 days ago
- PISA results show urgent need to teach the basicsWith 2022 PISA results showing a decline in achievement, Education Minister Erica Stanford is confident that the Coalition Government’s 100-day plan for education will improve outcomes for Kiwi kids. The 2022 PISA results show a significant decline in the performance of 15-year-old students in maths compared to 2018 and confirms ...4 days ago
- Collins leaves for Pacific defence meetingDefence Minister Judith Collins today departed for New Caledonia to attend the 8th annual South Pacific Defence Ministers’ meeting (SPDMM). “This meeting is an excellent opportunity to meet face-to-face with my Pacific counterparts to discuss regional security matters and to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the Pacific,” Judith Collins says. ...5 days ago
- Working for Families gets cost of living boostPutting more money in the pockets of hard-working families is a priority of this Coalition Government, starting with an increase to Working for Families, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “We are starting our 100-day plan with a laser focus on bringing down the cost of living, because that is what ...5 days ago
- Post-Cabinet press conferenceMost weeks, following Cabinet, the Prime Minister holds a press conference for members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery. This page contains the transcripts from those press conferences, which are supplied by Hansard to the Office of the Prime Minister. It is important to note that the transcripts have not been edited ...5 days ago
- Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme scrappedThe Government has axed the $16 billion Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme championed by the previous government, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says. “This hugely wasteful project was pouring money down the drain at a time when we need to be reining in spending and focussing on rebuilding the economy and ...6 days ago
- NZ welcomes further pause in fighting in GazaNew Zealand welcomes the further one-day extension of the pause in fighting, which will allow the delivery of more urgently-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza and the release of more hostages, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said. “The human cost of the conflict is horrific, and New Zealand wants to see the violence ...1 week ago
- Condolences on passing of Henry KissingerForeign Minister Winston Peters today expressed on behalf of the New Zealand Government his condolences to the family of former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who has passed away at the age of 100 at his home in Connecticut. “While opinions on his legacy are varied, Secretary Kissinger was ...1 week ago
- Backing our kids to learn the basicsEvery child deserves a world-leading education, and the Coalition Government is making that a priority as part of its 100-day plan. Education Minister Erica Stanford says that will start with banning cellphone use at school and ensuring all primary students spend one hour on reading, writing, and maths each day. ...1 week ago
- US Business Summit Speech – Regional stability through tradeI would like to begin by echoing the Prime Minister’s thanks to the organisers of this Summit, Fran O’Sullivan and the Auckland Business Chamber. I want to also acknowledge the many leading exporters, sector representatives, diplomats, and other leaders we have joining us in the room. In particular, I would like ...1 week ago
- Keynote Address to the United States Business Summit, AucklandGood morning. Thank you, Rosemary, for your warm introduction, and to Fran and Simon for this opportunity to make some brief comments about New Zealand’s relationship with the United States. This is also a chance to acknowledge my colleague, Minister for Trade Todd McClay, Ambassador Tom Udall, Secretary of Foreign ...1 week ago
- India New Zealand Business Council Speech, India as a Strategic PriorityGood morning, tēnā koutou and namaskar. Many thanks, Michael, for your warm welcome. I would like to acknowledge the work of the India New Zealand Business Council in facilitating today’s event and for the Council’s broader work in supporting a coordinated approach for lifting New Zealand-India relations. I want to also ...1 week ago
- Coalition Government unveils 100-day planPrime Minister Christopher Luxon has laid out the Coalition Government’s plan for its first 100 days from today. “The last few years have been incredibly tough for so many New Zealanders. People have put their trust in National, ACT and NZ First to steer them towards a better, more prosperous ...1 week ago
- New Zealand welcomes European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade AgreementA 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 ...2 weeks ago
- ‘We’re legit filmmakers’: The story behind Viva La Dirt League’s epic new studio
In just 18 months, the Auckland-based YouTube channel has gone from working from home and out of cafes to a brand new multi-million dollar studio. Sam Brooks asks the trio how they pulled it off, and what they’re planning to do with it. On December 4, a video called “The ...7 hours ago - Focus on Politics: Māori dissent sets the scene as Parliament returns
The resumption of Parliament this week has been underlined by outcry from Māori, soon matched by fury within the debating chamber. ...8 hours ago - ‘Childish, immature, disgusting’: Why TV viewers are mad at Anika Moa this timeThe Anika Moa Unleashed host unleashes her thoughts on After the Party, Paul Holmes, The Walking Dead, stalking celebrities and more. Anika Moa has a proud history of angering strangers online, whether it’s due to her tattoos, her love life, or something else entirely. When she sits down with The ...9 hours ago
- Rod Oram: Words, crowds and Kiwis at global climate summit
Searching widely for ways to overcome deep opposition by fossil fuel nations to a phase-out of their products, the President of COP28 enlisted an ally while negotiators sought subtler language yesterday. “We have been asked by the UAE presidency to help find common language that will be acceptable ...9 hours ago - Food writing isn’t really about foodWith a topic so universal, it’s almost always about something bigger. Consider the contents of your fridge. What kinds of fruits and vegetables are in your crisper drawer? How much did that block of cheese set you back? Where did you source most of this kai from? Are there ingredients ...10 hours ago
- Long Read: The grief birdYou can read the full story, plus see photographs from Craig McKenzie, in the November-December issue of New Zealand Geographic magazine, or on their website. The bittern’s eerie, booming call sounds like a lament, a tangi ringing across the marshes. Now, the birds themselves are in trouble. ...11 hours ago
- Theatrical performance: does music work for surgery?Opinion: You may have been there, waiting your turn, wearing an ill-fitting hospital gown, surrounded by a flurry of staff, the smell of disinfectant in the air. If you’ve ever undergone surgery, you probably know the nervous, stress-laden pre-op feeling. What may come as a surprise is that ...12 hours ago
- Short story: Beautiful Isolation, by Catherine Chidgey1. In the evening and in the night, I sit on the balcony and think of you. I can’t see the water but I know it’s there, soft and slow. We bathed in it that last day, you and I, when the dusk hung heavy as cloth of gold ...12 hours ago
- Togs, togs, undies: The story behind NZ’s most iconic summer adAlex Casey unearths the origin story of an New Zealand icon – featuring a surprise cameo from an international comedy megastar. At first glance, the Facebook post from a Waipu cafe reads like any other heartfelt change in ownership announcement. “George and Amber have reflected on their involvement in our ...13 hours ago
- Their house, my garden: What to do when your plant is boltingThis week on Their house, my garden, why my spinach plant has grown suspiciously tall, and how to deal with your own over-eager plants. Beginner gardeners would be forgiven for thinking a plant growing tall is reason to celebrate. We are, after all, the kind of species who mark door ...13 hours ago
- Government rocked by second leak in five days, ministers suspend analysis of repeal proposalsThe new government has been rocked by the leaking of another confidential paper to the New Zealand Herald - the second to spill in just five days. ...21 hours ago
- 'He gets it' – Christopher Luxon impresses locals on first visit to cyclone-battered...Luxon drove the crumbling SH2 with a handful of MPs on Friday morning to reach the small town, gauge progress of its recovery, and learn what it needs from the new government. ...23 hours ago
- Israel’s AI can produce 100 bombing targets a day in Gaza. Is this the future of war?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bianca Baggiarini, Lecturer, Australian National University Last week, reports emerged that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are using an artificial intelligence (AI) system called Habsora (Hebrew for “The Gospel”) to select targets in the war on Hamas in Gaza. The system has ...23 hours ago - Frank and far-reaching: Senate report recommends shake-up of the way freedom of information is handl...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Johan Lidberg, Associate Professor, School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University The most significant recommendation in the Senate inquiry report on the functionality of the Commonwealth FOI system is this: move the federal Freedom of Information (FOI) function from the Office ...24 hours ago
- Week in Politics: New government survives first Question TimeAnalysis: The government was under attack on multiple fronts during a week of relentless criticism and then faced its first Question Time in Parliament, Peter Wilson writes. ...1 day ago
- This is the endWell, it’s 4.30pm on a Friday which feels as appropriate time as ever to say goodbye. The Spinoff’s live updates have come to an end, almost four years after they were first switched on. If you missed my explainer this morning of what’s going on, here it is. In short: ...1 day ago
- Taken together, the NDIS review and the royal commission recommendations could transform disability ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Di Winkler, Adjunct Associate Professor, La Trobe University Shutterstock A home – in the physical and emotional sense – is foundational to living an ordinary life with a feeling of inclusion. National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants with the highest ...1 day ago
- Fire ants are on the march. Here’s what happens when they stingSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Darren Roberts, Conjoint Associate Professor in clinical pharmacology and toxicology, St Vincent’s Healthcare Clinical Campus, UNSW Sydney Veronika Kunitsyna/Shutterstock Red imported fire ants are a particularly nasty type of ant because they are aggressive, and inflict painful stings that may ...1 day ago
- Watch: Luxon on Hawke's Bay cyclone recovery: 'We don't want to turn all that upside ...Christopher Luxon says the new government is going to continue everything that the previous one put into place to help with the recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle. ...1 day ago
- Waka Kotahi to use its English name first after pressure from governmentWaka Kotahi will begin referring to itself using its English name first after pressure from parties in the coalition government. ...1 day ago
- Investigation into alleged vaccine data breach ongoingTe Whatu Ora is continuing to investigate after a data breach that saw vaccine-related information shared online last week. The agency is liaising with the Privacy Commissioner and said it will make “any appropriate notifications” if individuals were impacted by the breach. “Alongside the work to identify the material allegedly ...1 day ago
- Watch – Christopher Luxon visits Hawke's Bay to see cyclone recovery progressLive - Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has been in Wairoa this morning to gauge progress of the town's recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle. Watch a media conference with him here. ...1 day ago
- XYZZY is a buzzy good time at the StardomeSam Brooks reviews a new immersive film experience at Auckland’s planetarium. Journalists get invited to review things all the time. Books, films, shows, exhibitions, all of it. I say yes to a lot of them and “no, sorry” to a bit more. Very rarely do I go, “Absolutely I need ...1 day ago
- Waka Kotahi back to being NZTA, board members quitWaka Kotahi has begun the process of re-adopting its former name, the New Zealand Transport Agency (or NZTA). It follows a directive from the new government that public agencies should have their primary name in English and not te reo. This came as part of the coalition deal between National ...1 day ago
- Yes, landlords gain from the repeal of interest deductibility rules – but it was a flawed law from...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison Pavlovich, Senior lecturer in the School of Accounting and Commercial Law, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington The new coalition government has announced a suite of tax reforms, including reintroducing the ability for property investors to deduct the interest ...1 day ago
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending December 8The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 The Bee Sting by Paul Murray (Hamish Hamilton, $37) The runner-up for the 2023 Booker Prize ...1 day ago
- The Friday Poem: ‘a retreat’ by Jasmine O M TaylorA new poem by Ōtepoti poet Jasmine O M Taylor. a retreat if you find a chance before they’ve all melted into the air find time to get on a glacier and find a cave in the glacier and go inside the cave inside the glacier it will speak to ...1 day ago
- Gone By Lunchtime: Do Te Pāti Māori-led protests set the tone for the term ahead?Our award-winning podcast assesses the opening stanza of the Luxon-led government. After the long, serene political gap as coalition talks went on, politics has roared back with plenty of shouting and not so much rizz. Toby Manhire, Ben Thomas and Annabelle Lee-Mather assess the early exchanges, including Winston Peters’ ...1 day ago
- The Amalgamated Workers Union Calls On The Government To Give Fair Pay Agreements A Fair Go
“The new government has a clear choice to make before Christmas. Do they live up to their stated intention of governing for all New Zealanders, or do they dash the hopes of tens of thousands of kiwi workers by unilaterally abolishing Fair Pay ...1 day ago - What does El Niño do to the weather in your state?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kimberley Reid, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Atmospheric Sciences, Monash University titoOnz, Shutterstock You’ve probably heard El Niño brings hot and dry weather to the eastern states, but what about the rest of Australia? Are we all in for a scorcher ...1 day ago
- Australia’s first mobile cooling hub is ready for searing heat this summer – and people who are ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jane Currie, Professor of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology Shutterstock Heatwaves are a major public health hazard. Socially disadvantaged people are especially exposed to extreme heat and other impacts of climate change. Many people experiencing homelessness – more than 120,000 ...1 day ago
- Free Speech Union Releases Briefing To Incoming Government, Outlining Key Areas Of Policy To Protect...The Free Speech Union has sent 14 Cabinet Ministers a comprehensive Briefing to the Incoming Government, outlining five key areas of policy that the Government must address in order to protect and expand Kiwis’ speech rights. We look forward to ...1 day ago
- Interislander ferry upgrade: Finance Minister warns of cost blowoutFinance Minister Nicola Willis says she has already met twice with KiwiRail bosses over a "major cost blowout" in the project to replace the Interislander ferries. ...1 day ago
- A rangatahi Māori perspective on Cop28With the new government gaining international infamy for its climate policy, for rangatahi Māori like Kaeden Watts, attending climate conferences is more important than ever. Every year world leaders meet for the annual Conference of the Parties (Cop), the world’s most powerful climate crisis conference. Despite Cop being criticised for ...1 day ago
- BBC host denies she was ‘flipping the bird’ after live faux pasAccidental Partridge is one of my favourite Twitter (I am never going to call it X) accounts, and given today is the last day of live updates I think it’s absolutely fair I include a video from it. If you don’t know why it’s called Accidental Partridge, go watch all ...1 day ago
- National Trying To Rewrite History By Removing App Tax Website And Press ReleaseThe Taxpayers’ Union is calling on the National Party to front up to consumers who will face 15% higher prices for some services from the likes of Uber, Airbnb and food delivery apps after their app tax U-turn rather than trying to erase all ...1 day ago
- Netballers may have a new pay deal, but the sport remains in a precarious positionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hunter Fujak, Lecturer in Sport Management, Deakin University While 2023 was a watershed year for Australian women’s sport due to the Matildas’ stirring run at the Women’s World Cup, netball is going through its worst period ever. Netball Australia and the ...1 day ago
- PM Luxon visits cyclone-hit parts of Hawke’s BayThe prime minister is spending the day out of Wellington, touring parts of cyclone-damaged Hawke’s Bay and meeting with senior leaders in the community. Christopher Luxon began the day in Wairoa, where he met with mayor Craig Little. Later, he’ll head to Napier for a meeting with regional council members. ...1 day ago
- The dark shadow over the NZ TV AwardsHow will the new government look at our television? Duncan Greive reflects on this year’s awards ceremony. This is an excerpt from The Spinoff’s weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. The NZ TV Awards took place in downtown Auckland on Tuesday, which coincided with Te Pāti Māori’s National Māori ...1 day ago
- Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau’s Platitudes Ring HollowResponding to news that Wellington City Councillors have voted down a proposal to reduce business rates in the capital, Taxpayers’ Union Policy Adviser, James Ross, said: “When Mayor Tory Whanau comes out with a line like ‘I couldn’t in good ...1 day ago
- Te Pūkenga to be replaced with 8-10 institutions – ministerThe new tertiary education minister says Te Pūkenga will be replaced with eight to 10 individual institutions, and hopes legislation will be in place within eight months. ...1 day ago
- Commission Presents Urgent Human Rights ‘must-do’ ListTe Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission has today launched a short film calling for the public and government to champion and protect human rights ahead of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “Seventy-five years on, ...1 day ago
- A Cowardly, Anti-Palestinian Parliamentary MotionThe parliamentary motion passed today , a full two months after Israel’s slaughter of Palestinian civilians began, says: "Express grave concern at the ongoing violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories, unequivocally condemn ...1 day ago
- Political editors panel: Māori make voices heard as Parliament resumesMorning Report - RNZ and 1News deputy political editors Craig McCulloch and Maiki Sherman dissect a fractious week in the halls of power. ...1 day ago
- Listen: The real cost of the smoking excise taxTo replace $700 million a year of revenues lost from a foreign buyers tax, the new coalition government is dumping the previous government’s smokefree 2025 goal. This relaxing of policies will keep more people smoking for longer, costing thousands of lives per year and at least $10 billion is extra ...1 day ago
- Is the London OE still worth it?London has always been a hard place to live, but in 2023, it’s almost impossible. Charlotte Doyle, a New Zealander currently living in London, explores why we keep heading there. “You’re dreaming,” the letting agent tells me impatiently over the phone. “A one-bedroom for £1,500 per month is a needle ...1 day ago
- GCSB Minister Judith Collins condemns Russian cyber attacksNew Zealand is joining other nations, including Britain, in condemning Russian government malicious cyber-attacks. ...1 day ago
- GCSB Minister Judith Collins condemns Russian cyber attacksNew Zealand is joining other nations, including Britain, in condemning Russian government malicious cyber-attacks. ...1 day ago
- Ryan Bridge to host Three’s new 7pm showWith The Project wrapping up last week (you can read Duncan Greive’s excellent reflections on that here), Warner Bros Discovery has announced broadcaster Ryan Bridge will host a brand new current affairs show for Three. The currently unnamed show will focus on live news and interviews and is a return ...1 day ago
- We thought we’d find 200 species living in our house and yard. We were very wrongSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew H. Holden, Lecturer, School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland Dot-underwing moth (_Eudocima materna_) found in the researchers’ yard. Matthew Holden, CC BY-NC We are biodiversity researchers – an ecologist, a mathematician and a taxonomist – who were locked ...1 day ago
- What’s the difference between ‘reasonable and necessary’ and ‘foundational’ supports? Here...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Bennett, Disability Program Director, Grattan Institute The long-awaited NDIS review has looked far beyond the National Disability Insurance Scheme, taking a bird’s eye view of disability services in Australia. Critical to the future of the NDIS are services for people with ...1 day ago
- Harnessing the oceans to ‘bury’ carbon has huge potential – and risk – so NZ needs to move w...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rebecca J McLeod, Senior Research Fellow in Marine Ecology, University of Otago Climate change might not be high on its immediate agenda, but New Zealand’s new government does have one potentially significant and innovative policy. Recognising the marine environment’s ability to remove ...1 day ago
- Councils are opening the door to tiny houses as a quick, affordable and green solutionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hing-Wah Chau, Course Chair in Building Design & Senior Lecturer in Built Environment, Victoria University Soaring rents and home prices, increasing mortgage stress, record immigration and a growing population are fuelling a housing crisis and increasing homelessness. In the face of this ...1 day ago
- I’m an expert in diplomatic gift giving. Here are my 5 top tips for the best Christmas present exc...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samantha Happé, Graduate researcher in art history and material culture studies, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock As we get closer to Christmas, your family will probably have some kind of gathering. You will reunite with people who you might not ...1 day ago
- The Bulletin: Covid data leaker was largely unknown in conspiracy circlesTe Whatu Ora IT worker Barry Young had a “relatively muted” digital presence prior to his arrest last week over a massive Covid data breach, Stuff reports. Young has since become something of a cause celebre among vacccine sceptics, appearing on online shows hosted by local conspiracy theorist Liz Gunn and ...1 day ago
- Home Brew back with first album in over a decade and slot at LanewayAfter an 11 year hiatus, legendary Aotearoa hip-hop group Home Brew are back today with their first new album in over a decade, Run it Back, and will continue that reunion at Laneway Festival in February. Breaking their indefinite hiatus, Run it Back comes off the back off the 2023 ...1 day ago
- MPs settle into new roles as parliament cranks back into actionThere may be less than a fortnight left in the political year, but politicians seem determined to make the final days count, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Question time is ...1 day ago
- Literacy, numeracy tests as NCEA requirement 'detrimental' to learnersA leading education researcher warns new high-stakes NCEA literacy and maths tests could do more harm than good. ...1 day ago
- Labour's Damien O'Connor goes against party policy in calling Israel's actions in Gaz...Labour's leader says O'Connor is "incredibly passionate" about the issue but party policy is that relevant international bodies will determine whether Israel's actions are lawful. ...2 days ago
- Farewell, live updates: Why we’re shifting our approach to daily newsThe Spinoff’s live updates editor reflects on three-and-a-half years in the role, and looks forward to what’s next. Today marks the final day of live updates on The Spinoff. It’s a big day for me given I have been editing the live updates since mid-2020, but it’s also a big ...2 days ago
- Chris Hipkins opens up on what went wrong at the 2023 electionOn a quiet morning before the first parliamentary question time of the new term, Chris Hipkins and Christopher Luxon took a moment to analyse and reflect on their election campaigns. When Chris Hipkins was sworn in as prime minister on January 21, 2023, he had a feeling of optimism and ...2 days ago
- Wayne Brown: ‘Govt has underfunded road renewals in Auckland for years’After most of a billion dollars and six years’ work, the Puhoi to Warkworth section of State Highway 1 has been warmly received by long-distance motorists no longer slowed down by small town traffic lights. Where once cars would back bumper to bumper on a Sunday evening, now the ...2 days ago
- School’s back in session at ParliamentThe first regular sitting day of the new Parliament took place on Thursday and the country got a peek at what Question Time will look like over the next three years. The sitting started with a rare moment of cross-party unity, when the Government adopted Labour MP Phil Twyford’s ...2 days ago
- City deals can drive Auckland to international levelsThe generational infrastructure deficit has a massive impact on cities The post City deals can drive Auckland to international levels appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 days ago
- COP28’s chaotic talkfest on climate changeIt could be the most consequential international climate change conference yet, but it’s being held in the United Arab Emirates, one of the world’s major oil producers and led by one of the country’s top oil bosses. Newsroom journalist Rod Oram is attending COP28 and joins The Detail from ...2 days ago
- Daily crossword, Friday 8 DecemberThe post Daily crossword, Friday 8 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 days ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 8 DecemberLoading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 8 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 days ago
- The ‘troubled-teen’ industry and conflicts of interest in Family CourtOpinion: Courts are halls of justice, but they are also well-financed institutional purchasers of goods and services, outsourcing much of their work to private consultants and contractors, including lawyers, advocates, psychologists, social workers, and drug counsellors who earn their living from court contracts. Though there is nothing inherently wrong ...2 days ago
- Politicians won’t close ‘dire, dismal and awful’ gaps in climate dealAnalysis: The United Nations’ COP28 climate negotiations have begun their final phase with only five days or so left to agree a wide range of measures designed to accelerate nations’ climate responses in coming years. While the draft text prepared by government officials over the past week has some ...2 days ago
- Hipkins: ‘We were swimming upstream the whole way through the year’Labour winning required a lot of things to go right, and Chris Hipkins says they didn't The post Hipkins: ‘We were swimming upstream the whole way through the year’ appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 days ago
- McGoverne returns in search of the FernLiv McGoverne has just returned from an enjoyable season playing rugby in England, but playing there in a Black Ferns jersey, on the sport’s biggest stage, remains the ultimate goal. McGoverne, 26, played the 2022-23 campaign for Exeter Chiefs in the Premier 15s competition. Coached by former England half-back ...2 days ago
- This week’s bestselling NZ booksFICTION 1 The Girl from London by Olivia Spooner (Hachette, $37.99) An ideal Xmas present for the commercial fiction reader who would relish a wartime story of a shipboard romance. 2 The Axeman’s Carnival by Catherine Chidgey (Te Herenga Waka University Press, $35) An ideal Xmas present for the ...2 days ago
- How New Zealand could stop producing fossil fuelsPhasing out fossil fuels is the subject of much negotiation at Cop28 this week. But the wording will be fiercely debated, and the presence of fossil fuel lobbyists looms large. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof, brought to you by AMP. Sign up here. The government’s plans ...2 days ago
- Helping the Pacific financially is a great start – but Australia must act on the root cause of the...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wesley Morgan, Research Fellow, Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University Fiji was flooded by a severe cyclone in 2016. ChameleonsEye/Shutterstock The federal government has announced an extra A$150 million for climate finance – including $100 million for the Pacific to help protect its ...2 days ago
- Politics with Michelle Grattan: Bill Shorten on making the NDIS fit for purposeSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Bill Shorten, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Government Services, has released the review of the NDIS, which recommends sweeping changes to the scheme. The reforms to come will see the states take ...2 days ago
The boom-boom-boom nature of the personal attacks looks like a pre-planned electioneering offensive, timed to drop bombs regularly onto Hipkins' front bench. Clouds policy wins with reputational ambiguity.
Hipkins said last week that he knew the Nats had put in a FOI request in relation to Allan.
I don't think playing DP wins you votes.
NAct are so devoid of policy and morality that they have to descend into the gutter of Dirty Politics once more.
For sure. Its a given and in their DNA . The TV 1/3, Herald, et al "news reporters" are merely going to their base of viewer/advertiser/voters.
Labour…and esp the Greens must highlight their points of difference from NAct.
Nothing is so sure, than NAct voters will vote. Labour….must get those young Tradie apprentices etc; and the Greens….surely there must be many thousands who would be so much better off ..than under a NAct boot.
Just got to get them to Vote !
I posted a comment the other day saying that I thought that there was no need for Allan to resign over this if the facts are as they are currently reported in the media.
At worst, she might need some training and support, assuming there is nothing more sinister at the root of all this. But, on the face of it, this situation is nothing like the breaches of trust that resulted in other ministers resigning/being sacked recently.
Probably the best thing to do is just release all the information relating to the issues complained about. At the moment it is the lack of information that is causing the media speculation.
I agree with your first two paragraphs.
<i>Probably the best thing to do is just release all the information relating to the issues complained about. At the moment it is the lack of information that is causing the media speculation.</i>
If Labour does this it just buys into the narrative that there is something to address. I think they are best to ignore it.
I am really concerned that National is amassing a filth folder.
I am aware of a recent incident where a Labour member who does not hold office was rang by a reporter to check on something they did. I am absolutely astounded that a reporter should hear about it but I can see the newsworthy element to the story.
BUT
If they are digging down this far they must have a lot of resource being used to track down the slightest of interesting media lines. And then feeding it on.
Maybe. But, isn't that just the way politics is played by both sides? For example, some of us might be a bit suspicious about how the media came to know about Luxon's Tesla situation. And of course there was the Hee Fee dirt digging back in the day. But no point complaining about that sort of thing.
I think the wise thing to do is to assume the other side will search for weaknesses and exploit them.
I think the way both parties can defend against this sort of thing is to ensure they know any weak areas and deal with them before they blow up in the public sphere.
Maybe. But, isn't that just the way politics is played by both sides?
Nope. Labour sucks at this. They are way better when they do not engage in this sort of behaviour.
As for Tesla I can confidently say that the information came from non Labour sources.
The Hee Fee dirt digging, a perfect example of why Labour should not do it.
My impression is that the other side is pouring huge resources into digging up dirt. And Labour has neither the resources nor the wish to do this.
Well, if they think that this sort of game is being played against them, then they really need to know where their vulnerabilities are, and have a convincing answer when they come up.
And I certainly have no knowledge about that. And, even if it were a political hit, it could have come from another party, even potentially ACT, which is why I was very careful with how I worded that comment.
But, I could just imagine that as the sort of detail a political research organisation with time on their hands could come up with then hand to the media.
I can really confidently say that Labour does not have a dig up dirt on the opposition department. The Tesla story came from elsewhere.
I have no knowledge about whether National is digging up dirt on Labour. But, tbh, it wouldn't surprise me.
If I was advising National on the way to play this, I would advise not to attack Hipkins directly, given he is a popular, well-liked leader. And deservedly so.
Rather, I would advise to attack the team around him, as they seem a lot less well disciplined, and many are relatively politically inexperienced.
This then creates a lot of fires for Chippy to keep having to fight which makes him less effective in what he wants to be doing, and also look less in control of his party.
It just seems to be the obvious strategy. So, not surprised this is the way it is playing out.
Do a lot narrative manipulation or encouragement in your day job?
How about National just come up with good, properly costed policy that benefits the many instead of the few? Might be a more honourable way to win an election. The muckraking is despicable, desperate and makes them look like bitchy school kids and snakes of the highest order. They’d all better be squeaky clean but we all know how sleazy most of them are.
It is being assumed that National is behind this. But is there any actual evidence of that?
There is no evidence of that at all.
It gets a bit tiresome, but is also just a feature of modern day politics which most people roll their eyes at.
If there is a negative story about Labour, then it must be National's dirty politics and there can't be any other explanation.
But if there is a negative story about National, its because they are leaking.
As I said earlier, it wouldn't surprise me if that were the case. But, other possibilities are open as well. For instance, people Allan may have rubbed up the wrong way getting a snitcher against her.
Smeon Brown was digging via OIA and released his report the same day as Stuff. Of course Brown is above dirty tricks.
Try harder!! Follow the money!! Who stands to benefit.???
Not Labour, that is certain. It has hallmarks of past smear tactics.
Brown going fishing. Past behaviour.
Bad characters still there.
But, "but no point complaining about" dirty political behaviour – it's normal?
With a modicum of effort, you may recall the Jami-Lee Ross, Michelle Boag and (recent) Judith Collins stink-fests, and that's the Nats in opposition – pugh!
All politicians stink? Just how 'the game' is “played“?! Maybe you're right, but I reckon the worst stinkers are less about public service, and all abour self-service.
“think” – “probably” – “might:
Trust National? To milk NZ dry, sure – just don't expect them to lift the bar.
For all his faults, I think that is something Cam Slater got right.
There isn't any dirty politics. It's all just politics. Once these rules of the game are understood, it is much easier to play the game.
The problem is some pollies and others can afford to treat politics like a game. So then who is trying to create a positive influence on the other half of society?
The Side Eye’s Two New Zealands: The Table [16 August 2022]
Well you are out from under your political rock at last. We see you.
It is not that I agree with that approach. Just that I think it is a political reality that parties should plan for and be prepared for.
It is pointless complaining about it after it happens. What will that achieve?
I agree this is just good pragmatic 'meeting it as it comes', and no amount of 'we don't do things like that round here', that I must say I have some problems with, will prevent this stuff from happening. Forearmed is forewarned. Not thinking that a tit for tat gets us anywhere but 'no surprises' when it works does work.
While the 'no surprises doctrine espoused by the former CE of MSD to pass on gossipy type stuff about Hon Peters and his National Super payments has given this warning a bad name, there are ways to do better.
Knowing how the parliamentary precinct 'leaks' for want of a better word I would not be surprised if irks & jerks around the place knew that Hon Allan was having problems. Possibly PS CEs, Ministerial Services and SSC.
I can sense that perhaps PM Ardern may have had all sorts of people speaking to her or her Chief of Staff, about things that may have been lost in the transition to PM Hipkins. He strikes me as being a bit mercenary in his approach and with a single focus on getting back into power, and if people fall over or out of the ship of state he may not turn back to find them.
Of course personal stuff does happen and with this, early notice is best. Of course no-one is going to come clean about stuff if it means that you will be relieved of portfolios.
Pointless complaining about dirty political 'games' – not in my book.
What's your poison?
Increased awareness – why not? And in that spirit (thanks):
“think” – “probably” – “might”
Trust National? Sure, when a senior Nat apologises for Dirty Politics – simple really – really simple.
First, you agree with Cam Slater that there’s no dirty politics and “It's all just politics” @ 2.1.1.2.1.
Here, you state “It is not that I agree with that approach”.
Explain what you mean with “that approach” if it’s all just politics, as Slater and you agree on. It sounds to me that you’re contradicting yourself but you can clarify this with a simple explanation.
Frank admission that accepting and endorsing Slater as 'part of the game' we descend to the bottom like the Oceangate submersible.
I am no supporter of Allan or Labour (formally was as most know), but I have to say this story does puzzle me.
Unless there is a lot more coming, it does look like a beat up to me.
I have many issues with Allan but a year old complaint coming out right now?????
Vernon Small of Stuff writes an article (I can link if required) saying it is very unusual for senior public servants to criticize a mInister.https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/300918717/labour-minister-kiri-allans-future-in-the-balance
I did propose last week that perhaps Radio NZ were having a go at Allan after her inappropriate speech at her ex partners fairwell. I was accused of being a conspiracy theorist for this, but in reality, saying that was in support of Alan, because it is all very mysterious in my opinion.
Why have senior public servants spoken out when it is so rare and why is Andrea Vance running the story?
I agree with you.
There is some mysterious text the public servants are refusing to release. The fact they won't release this is just fuelling speculation.
I think they should just release it, rather than keep the speculation bubbling along.
This is coming across to me as an orchestrated hit job from the heads of the departments rather than anything stirred up by National.
I doubt this very much.
Simeon Brown is a user of the OIA process extraordinaire. He is a nimble 'peeker' and amasser of detail. He probably has his ear to the ground in places like the bars and restaurants in Parliament, even who is having coffee with who outside the place. This means he does not go for the king hit but is quietly gathering stuff. I think confirmation by the senior PS etc of what may have been an open secret that he may have confirmed through OIAs, may have been a surprise.
While the research group of Lab will be looking at these OIAs and pondering 'what's he doing this for?' sometimes the reason is not so obvious. Then there is the innocuous seeming Oral question asking if the PM is satisfied with the events of the week. These can flag an interest in a topic. Usually it does prompt some advice to the PM's office of stuff that may be simmering in case the questioner does have some inside stuff.
Public servant CEs would be more likely to raise concerns at regular meetings together/SSC. Those directly affected would be seeking guidance from SSC and with Ministerial Services etc. Also by not coming clean, all of the staff who were seconded or dealt with the Minister in her various portfolios get blamed and this might have led to the unusual 'truth' telling.
With the many eyes on the PS as regards staff treatment, bullying no CE is going to want to send staff into an area where they may be treated badly and where there may be ongoing impacts such as mental health issues or PTSD that the CE will have to deal with once the staff come back.
Also despite what the press are saying it is usual that middle high flyers are the ones sent as advisers, so staff where bosses can see they have a future higher up the department or PS. A spell in the Ministers office can be part of preparation for higher things and no CE is going to want to sacrifice a talented staff member just so someone can shout at them or treat them badly.
Again no-one seems to have mentioned if Hon Allan apologised to the senior PS or staff for shouting etc, there would have been less of a story had this happened. So I'm picking it did not occur.
But why now? Perhaps there was another instance of shouting/bad behaviour just recently that alerted people to the fact that things may have been quiet but they had not improved.
Hon Allan has had health problems, personal relationship troubles, injudicious statements and the addition of a large and complex portfolio, Justice.
She may not have had support to manage staff or maybe this did not work when she was under stress recently. Having seen a little of how dirty tricks work, a struggling Minister will alert watchers and wait-ers.
Vernon Small is a died-in-the-wool leftie isn't he?
Holding those in power accountable and concern about workplace culture are media cause celebre and quite PC for those on the left or right. Thus it takes a brave one to question the pack mentality once someone "provides a source". Media do not question their sources, lest they do not get any.
To get back to being a journo perhaps? Come to the end of his term? Wanting out so he could reestablish his credibility as an investigator etc
A press secretary's position can be an endless round of preparing/checking press releases from the Minister's office or preparing or checking speech notes, of cutting off adverse stuff at the pass, of wordsmithing. Then there are meetings with colleagues or peers about keeping the place quiet except for 'good stuff'.
In a busy and controversial portfolio things happen, requiring drawing on political instinct/acumen and wordsmithing talent to brief a Minister on a way forward, but in a careful and relatively quiet portfolio such as the A-Gs this may/would not be happening.
All that and a rehashed story. So Why??? I’m showing how any event can be twisted.
Well the story may have been around since early last year but I don't think it was made public until recently so not perhaps publicly rehashed.
I still think it has something to do with Simeon Brown and his sleuthing, OIA gathering etc. He may have been asking about staff turnover in Ministers offices or even more specifically in Hon Allan's office.
When I worked there 'mumble,mumble' years ago you didn't have to work very hard to find out about other staff/offices. Shouty, shouty people seemed to be talked about whereas the good ones you only heard a whisper from staff who cared for them/respected them. Shouty ones (ministers and staff) were also kept an eye on as often the offices were unstable and could lead to staff being rotated or Ministerial reshuffles. This could have flow on effects on the dynamics of your own office.
As to 'why now?' my thought is that ways to improve may have been put in place last year but these may have broken down recently. So perhaps specific ways that staff were to be managed, say putting a buffer between staff & Minister had been done away with or allowed to lapse.
Sad that the Minister does not seem to be taking as much time away as some of her colleagues while the House is in recess.
On another matter I hope your son in Australia is well Patricia. Was he facing some surgery a wee while ago?
Thanks for asking. Grant has bowel growths, a precancerous family condition, (Serrated sessile adenomas) and is operated on to remove them yearly, (8th) before they become a cancer which has been fatal for half of Norm's family. Results were good
thanks. We relax 'till Feb next year.
Kiritapu Allan… Perhaps because there was cancer, plus an earthquake 12 months ago, I just thought things might have been fraught.
I personally consider the use of stress to cause problems for a Minister "after the fact", reprehensible and poor form by any supposed support staff. Not very professional if it had been agreed to resolve what ever it was 12 months ago, to relitigate. imo. (Also using 'dirt digging' is indicative of nastiness by some MPs.)imo.
If NACT win, we'll be able to tell those who were merely part of the pack mentality from those who had jobs in their comms lined up.
Do you think that jk kept his pack under control by nightly sessions of yoga,tai chi and singing Kumbaya surrounded by flickering candles and wafting incense. I sincerely doubt it. He ruled with an iron fist and a serpents tongue. NOBODY crossed him. Reporters were shut down and threatened with having to submit questions to him TWO WEEKS in advance when they actually tried to do their jobs. All of this was jolly hockey sticks because, you know,’ that’s Johnny’ yuck yuck. If we had true reporters in those days, they would have uncovered his Machiavellian underbelly. But no, he cruised through. NOW we are facing a concerted attack by oppos, ably supported by the usual old journalist suspects, who will attack without any evidence by an *unsubstantiated grievance *by an,…as usual,… anonymous source. Accusations appear as Headlines SLAMMING them as a verified truth. Harks back to Bennett five sources when attacking Jamie Lee Ross. Fish rotting from the head down. Whole thing stinks.
TV1 News at 6:00 on Thursday night started off with a big drama about Kiri Allan. The controversy of the ages apparently, a massive scandal was needing attention. The seriousness, the importance of the issues seemingly meant we'd have days of revelations and focus.
TV1 News at 6:00pm 24 hours later?
A big start with July 1st petrol price increases and some other cost increases then holiday weather. A report about Wesley College was mentioned, and Hipkins in China made the cut with a good old piece about a Warriors home game which even beat a thing about artificial sweeteners in soft drinks and events from France and Ukraine. There was coverage about admission to USA universities and race. A flight to the edge of space rated a call. Don't forget an item about wind in Wellington!
All that followed by sports news. Was the Kiri Allan story just like sports news, here for one day then gone. Little Simeon had had his little play and was put back in his cot?
The rumours spread about Allan are fuelled by loaded questions. Loaded questions portray an unfair and biased mind, not an investigative and open-mind, e.g., by a non-partisan investigative journalist. Loaded questions can also reveal hidden agendas.
Loaded questions come in all sorts of forms, some cruder than others. For example:
When did you stop beating your wife?
When did you stop fucking your pig?
My problem with Nicky Hager's book Dirty Politics: How attack politics is poisoning New Zealand’s political environment . Is that it does not call out what this type of political behaviour is really called:
RATFUCKING
We are getting this on a almost daily basis from the Tories and their pets in the media. TV3 have a political editor so far down the rats nest, it's just out and out propaganda these days. The hit job on Nanaia Mahuta stated in the News Corp press in Australia.
And now this about Kiri Allen. Our so called media are part of the ratfucking machine which has broken out in the led up to the election.
It's low, and people need to start calling out these journalists as the ratfucking stenographers that they are.
I know what is going on Micky. Its based on my personal experiences in the 1970s and 80s and early 1990s. But first:
I've been following the British hacking scandal closely. It has just wound up but the judge’s decision is not expected before the British autumn. It is the story of what was going on among the British tabloids from the early 1990s onwards.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66055386
NZ had a similar scandal which has yet to be publicly revealed. I refer to the scandalous rag “The Truth” newspaper. They were doing the same thing in the 1970s and 80s and it was no coincidence that RD Muldoon was PM during the most prolific years. I knew two of the individuals who were involved although I was not aware of it at the time. The motivation was to dig the dirt on Labour politicians and others deemed to be opponents of the Muldoon regime. In the process they committed illegal acts such as break-ins and phone-tapping and they were being paid to do it just as the British tabloids paid their bovver boys and girls. Private investigators were also used.
I’m not suggesting the National and Act parties are committing unlawful acts, but this Allan case tells me there has been a great deal of illicit digging occurring… all timed to come to fruition in election year. There will probably be others to follow. The perpetrators whoever they are will be being handsomely paid just like their forebears.
That is how rightwing parties choose to spend their masses of dosh from the rich pricks, who are more than happy to see it spent using amoral and questionable methods – especially if it wins the election and they get back their lust for power and control over the rest of us.
It did seem to lack any sense of justice.
An employer /manager (of sorts) has returned from mental health leave after the break up of a relationship, attesting to the stressful nature of the job.
They are met with public claims they are not able to fairly address, as they haven’t been made through the correct channels. The claims are from over a year ago, there is no ability to judge the context- other than the political one in which they were delivered.
For example we recently had a case of public servants altering the democratic will of the parliament by revising legislation after the select committee without instructions to do so.
The money quote is that Minister Allan shouted at someone.
It only seemed to affect the person enough to talk to Andrea Vance at a politically sensitive time, not enough to engage any of the interventions they had available to them.
If this was a private company Allan could sue for defamation and distress, particularly given the timing of the trial by media.
Then a day later Stuff was running articles saying how little bullying protection there was for staffers. There’s certainly been none for the minister.
It was also running an article making Sean ‘c*^>’ Plunket of the Platform look reasonable for playing silly buggers with a release of Family Court documents.
There may be more to it, but the timing suggests a bored and craven media running a hit to take the shine off a serious international trip.
Absolutely. I wouldn't describe it so much as bored, but rather certain high profile journalists have bought into the NAct campaign… kill Labour by a thousand lies and innuendo. It's par for the course for them and has been since the days of Muldoon. He's the one who introduced "dirty politics" to NZ.
So what's in it for Andrea Vance and co? We may not know for sure unless the campaign works and they are the government come October. Ministerial press secretaries and the like? It'll certainly be more than a few bottles of wine for a job well done.
What's in it for Vance ? Her job as it's been shown over the past few elections how owned these so called journos are.
They push the DP cart along and sing for their supper on cue….we all gotta serve somebody.
If journalists are participating wittingly in National's attack strategy, they need to find another job. If they are doing it unwittingly, then they're just dumb and need to find another job.
"… the timing suggests a bored and craven media running a hit to take the shine off a serious international trip."
The timing also suggests the worst of Dirty Politics…
to put the boot in when someone's down.
Nasty Stuff.
The National Party dirty tricks brigade is in full swing now.
This is a non story and a total beat up and the longer it goes on the weirder it feels.
This is different than Wood and Nash, who were both idiots.
If they had issues with her behavior why wasn't it reported via the proper channels?
Also, I don't wanna be rude, but if the staff member was from my generation, just about anything sets us off, perhaps Kiri didn't make them feel validated, seen or heard or special that day, perhaps kiri didn't allow them time to visualize happiness prior to the meeting.
My generation thinks it's abusive to not have them be on the board of directors of organization after two weeks of interning.
Seriously, I wonder how these people would have coped with Muldoon yelling at them after a few gins….
Hell I wonder how the journalists of today would cope with him.
Corey by now they would have gone on The Platform or Garner's pitiful Editor in Chuff app and failed to budge him.
Dear Tory,
Politicians aren’t supposed to drink in Wellington and flirt with wait staff!
Politicians understand that Wellington is a dying city and to be seen enjoying living there and spending your public salary there is wrong…
Hawaii is where politicians are supposed to go for holidays. It’s got kapa haka without the treaty! What a dreamy place…
So again Tory stop making Wellington look fun and distracting from the image it has of the place where David Parker and Simeon Brown go to work. Party central.
Sincerely,
etc etc
Thank you for this fine piece Micky.
May I add that I find the naivety of certain NZ journalists to be surprising.
This whole Kiri Allan story is clearly a National Party Dirty Politics beat-up; and clearly part of their tactics of not being able to contest policy, so attack people. And dupe journos.
How can a year-old allegation from an anonymous source be the biggest thing in New Zealand politics right now? when we have
– clear and very real environmental crises in climate change (see the effects in Hawkes Bay) and collapsing biodiversity (especially within the Hauraki Gulf – see https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/12-04-2023/the-hauraki-gulf-is-stuffed-and-theres-a-simple-fix-being-wilfully-ignored)
– a cost of living and housing affordability crises (see the Greens tax and rental policies. Let's have an adult discussion about those)
– a tax system that is cruelly unfair, where the very richest people pay a much smaller ratio of tax than the ordinary folk (see https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/27/new-zealands-millionaires-pay-lower-tax-rates-than-cashiers-its-time-to-fix-the-system
– an opposition party (National) deeply compromised by conflicts of interest (like leader Luxon owning 7 houses, standing to gain millions in tax-free capital gains, yet pronouncing on policy that oppose capital gains tax; etc)
– an opposition party (ACT) promoting policies that are proven to be dangerous or misguided (for example, voting for the machine guns soon after the Christchurch massacre; how would the recent knife attack in Auckland restaurants turned out then? Or promoting a flat tax rate, saying this will save the New Zealand economy – when the existing countries with flat tax rates are Bolivia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. Go figure)
So yes, let's move on from the Kiri Allan story; and talk about the real issues for this election aye