The waitress the bloggers and the main stream media

Written By: - Date published: 10:31 am, April 27th, 2015 - 150 comments
Categories: john key, national - Tags: , , ,

One aspect of Ponygate which deserves more analysis is the respective role of the main stream media and the alternative media and the relationship between the two.  How this story developed and a comparison to previous situations provides an interesting overview.

Firstly in relation to the story I wish to praise Bomber Bradbury’s handling of it.  Unlike Cameron Slater and his attempts to bring down Len Brown with the Bevan Chuang story Bradbury did some important things.  He let the story be the story and did not inject himself into the story at all.  He let the waitress tell her own story in her own words.  And unlike Slater whose grandiose yet ridiculous plan to have Len Brown removed from office and John Palino somehow installed as mayor Bomber had no intention of achieving any particular goal.  He just facilitated the telling of a very creepy story.

As stated by Danyl Mclachlan,

[Bomber] simply published the waitress’s own account as a primary, information-rich source that the mainstream media could base their stories off. Reporters called the PM, but the scandal had already broken and the media were all matching each other’s stories. It couldn’t be shut down. And Bomber kept himself out of it all. That approach – publish a primary source and make it available to all media simultaneously – turned out to be a really awesome way to get the story out there.

Rachel Glucina’s attempt at turning the story around by suggesting there was a political angle in the complaint failed miserably and only succeeded in providing an institutional target and showing that Dirty Politics is alive although not so well.  The decision to run the story under her name even though consent was obtained under what appears to be pretty dodgy circumstances was a silly one.  And the blowback after the victim’s second story was posted and the Herald blundered from faulty response to faulty response will no doubt be the subject of further investigation and comment.

Other Herald writers have heavily criticised Key’s behaviour.  Staff meetings there right now must be very interesting events.

The right had no where to go on this.  Every time one of their nodding heads in the media tried to turn the story around there was blow back.  And as the story took off and international media ran with it you could sense John Key’s credibility ebb.  Crosby Textor will have their work cut out to repair this fiasco.

The response of the right wing bloggers has been interesting.  David Farrar obviously wanted to have nothing to do with it and his early post inappropriate if accurate was as realistically as positive as he could go.  His commenters tried to kick back and suggest all sorts of conspiracies while at the same time suggesting that a Prime Minister allegedly suffering from trichophilia was nothing to worry about.  

Cameron Slater  is obviously no longer running pro Key lines and is preparing to support his mate Judith Collins in a leadership battle that when it occurs will be bloody and divisive and will leave National in far worse shape.  Let’s be real here.  There is no other leader of the quality of John Key in National.  The possibility of a leader emerging from the ranks of Collins, Joyce, Bennett, Adams or Bridges is one that fills me with confidence that the the next Government will be a progressive one.  Key is their only chance.  And he has been significantly damaged.

Slater’s line on the story, that the left had stuffed up the chance of a political hatchet job spoke volumes about his world view.  He could not believe obviously (donotlink link) that a left wing blog could publish a story with no intent other than making sure that the story was told.  Subsequent posts suggesting that the waitress should toughen up just reveal a shallowness of human understanding that has always been apparent.

Time will tell on what the repercussions of Ponygate are.  But I suspect that things will never be the same again.  Because every time someone thinks about John Key they will think about ponytail pulling …

150 comments on “The waitress the bloggers and the main stream media ”

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  1. wyndham 1
    27 April 2015 at 10:41 am

    One of the worst aspects of the Nats response has been that of the supposed Minister of Womens Affairs, Louise Upton. This minister, in receipt of a very large salary, comes out in defence of the P. M.

    Extraordinary and worthy of some serious probing by the Opposition although the Opposition have so much material to choose from at the moment that it may be difficult to fit it all in !

  2. Corokia 2
    27 April 2015 at 11:04 am

    Like Jo Goodhew in the last term, the current Minister of Women’s Affairs does NOT deserve her salary!

  3. Unicus 3
    27 April 2015 at 11:12 am

    Thank you for this very astute analysis . The evolution in New Zealand of a modern if nascent independent media form – and its capacity to expose the bankrupt and emerging irrelevance of the “ancien regime” of MSM was never better illustrated .

    Bradbury displayed sophistication and probity in his method of reportage – and succinctly illustrated the power of the medium now at the disposal of all citizens .

    Just a word to the victim of Keys arrogance – a quiet listen to Dylan’s ” Lonesome Death of Hattie Carol ” may help explain the source of his blind intemperance

  4. RBG 4
    27 April 2015 at 11:15 am

    Its funny seeing arse licking members of team key (homepaddock) totally avoiding any mention of the entire story. It makes the NY Times, but the Otago National party chairwoman is lost for words it seems.

  5. fisiani 5
    27 April 2015 at 11:24 am

    Taking an incident which happened six months ago to Bomber Bradbury to use as an attack on the PM turned it into a political attack. His timing however was all wrong. John Key is overseas and will return to a booming economy, rising employment and a confident New Zealand. Kiwis are reasonable people. Their confidence in Honest John the Prime Minister is undiminished. This is like Dirty Politics II and again the over-egging of the crusade will rebound on the Left. Already you have made John Key the victim. Do the Left never learn?

    • mickysavage 5.1
      27 April 2015 at 11:39 am

      Fisi, Fisi, Fisi, Fisi …

      It was repeated incidents of the same sort of behaviour …

      Bomber did not use it as an attack he let the victim speak for herself …

      As it was not an attack the timing is irrelevant, you are repeating a Slater line. Only a right winger would think of things in terms of infliction of damage …

      The economy is not booming and apart from Immigration and the Christchurch rebuild little is happening …

      This is anti dirty politics.

    • freedom 5.2
      27 April 2015 at 11:41 am

      secret footage of the weekend’s spin development sessions

    • Tigger 5.3
      27 April 2015 at 11:49 am

      Fisi, the public get squeamish when they see older men fondling the hair of young girls. Whether innocent or not it looks fucking creepy to the average punter.

      Fair or not, Key now looks like a crusty pervert.

      Also ‘booming economy’? What spin sheet did you copy/paste that from?

      • cogito 5.3.1
        27 April 2015 at 1:55 pm

        One question that appears to have remained unanswered is why Key’s police protection heavies did not intervene and advise him to stop touching the waitress’s hair.

        Could it be that Key regularly engages in inappropriate behaviours and fetishes, such that the heavies had got used to witnessing them and saw little reason to intervene?

        In which case, the waitress revelations could just be the start….

        • tc 5.3.1.1
          27 April 2015 at 2:46 pm

          They are there to protect the PM from physical harm, what he does to himself or his behaviour is not their concern as they are effectively well dressed bodyguards.

          • Murray Rawshark 5.3.1.1.1
            27 April 2015 at 4:25 pm

            That seems to be how they approach their job, even though FJK is under no threat and uses them to bolster his ego. However, they are sworn police officers first and foremost.

            I also would not be surprised if FJK had been doing this sort of thing quite a lot. Why wouldn’t he, seeing he sees nothing wrong with it?

            • Anne 5.3.1.1.1.1
              27 April 2015 at 4:41 pm

              Weeelll, not sure he’s under no threat. There have been occasions especially recently when I would dearly love to wring the bastard’s neck. 😉

              Edit: What an awful winky face.

      • AmaKiwi 5.3.2
        27 April 2015 at 10:10 pm

        “The public get squeamish when they see older men fondling the hair of young girls.” “It looks fucking creepy.”

        It does to me.

    • KB 5.4
      27 April 2015 at 12:59 pm

      Fisiani – I really enjoy your comments – they’re so funny! You must be having a good chortle to yourself when writing them. By the way, do you by any chance write the daily astrology column in the Herald? Your writing style is very similar…

      • David H 5.4.1
        27 April 2015 at 4:23 pm

        Hopefully he’s laughing because god help us if he believes that shit.

      • the pigman 5.4.2
        27 April 2015 at 7:27 pm

        Close, but Fisi wouldn’t be affiliated with a screaming left-wing conspiracy theory like the NZ Herald. He writes for these guys.

      • Clemgeopin 5.4.3
        28 April 2015 at 6:51 pm

        fisi either gets his lines from the master spinner, Joyce, or he is Joyce himself!

    • Stuff the Politicians 5.5
      27 April 2015 at 1:13 pm

      John Fisiana Key, you are either Blind, Deaf or just plain bloody stupid.
      Your propaganda is getting very tiresome indeed.

      Time to put yourself out to pasture .

    • appleboy 5.6
      27 April 2015 at 1:36 pm

      Sticking up for the pervert PM, CLASSY. You clearly don’t have children – or maybe you do? and strangers pulling their pony tails ticks your values box. That’s a creepy thought and one which reminds me of the parallel universe the right whiners inhabit, holiday in Thailand a lot do you? VERY DODGY TERRITORY YOU INHABIT PISS EE AR KNEE.

    • David H 5.7
      27 April 2015 at 4:16 pm

      FFS fisi can you not speak for yourself? This continued repeating of Whale oil’s stuff, and he’ll start charging you

    • linda 5.8
      27 April 2015 at 6:16 pm

      fis hes a pervert ,the pm of new zealand is a pervert,leader of the national party is a pervert , reality is hes a pervert,

    • Grace Miller 5.9
      28 April 2015 at 8:24 am

      Is it warm there, on Planet Key, fisi?

      Surely you’re just a piss-taker, because using the word ‘Honest’ in the same sentence with Dunnokeyo’s name is, like the man himself, a huge joke!

      How many KiwiRail shares, John?
      How many apologies to victims of sexual assault, John?
      How many sexual assaults against waitresses, John?
      How many secret party donations from Banks’ supporters, John?
      How many dodgy deals with SkyCity to be propped up by taxpayer’s money, John?

      I could list many more, but there simply isn’t enough space!

  6. Galeandra 6
    27 April 2015 at 11:40 am

    @ 5
    ‘an incident ‘ WTF. A series of incidents involving a young woman’s hair…… and, as has been now made clear, the hair of a lot of very young female children, too.

    ‘turned it into a political attack.’ Key is a politician, a powerful man who abused his power while in public and in the public persona of that prime ministerial role.

    Bringing to public attention anything he does in the public or private domain that opens the PM to criticism or complaint will inevitably be seen as a political attack.
    By his own actions he is known and he will be judged, just like any other politician.
    So Fizzer, what’s your point?

  7. ianmac 7
    27 April 2015 at 12:00 pm

    We have yet to hear that at the cafe the Key fellow was just a plain old Mr Key Esquire, with not a breath of Right Honorable Prime Minister of New Zealand. Different hats you see. This was just an ordinary everyday fun loving Kiwi bloke who happens to have a fetish for girls hair. Could be you or me or your favourite plumber.
    Fisi. Try that line would you?

  8. sabine 8
    27 April 2015 at 12:20 pm

    Well, I guess Fisi is correct.

    Sexual Harassment in New Zealand has become something that is not followed up by the police, the victim is always as fault, and it is so casual the Prime Minister has an incident every now (any time actually he sees a little girl or young women, sadly for the national leaning middle aged women in parnell – you ponytails aint silky and tantalizing enough) when he goes and sexually harasses little girls and young women by pulling, stroking, fondling and/or caressing their hair.
    But i’ts ok cause its casual sexual harassment only, and no harm is intended other than the harm it will inflict, and hey these little girls and young women should just lay back and think of England and be quiet until its over. (that last one I was told by police in the 80’s as a strategy to avoid being killed after being raped. I used to casually walk around with a knife, open in my hand, on my way home, making it clear that anyone who dared to approach me that they would be hurting …casually of course).

    There is a booming economy for Landlords, overseas investor in NZ Properties and national MP’s having large Property Portfolios, and as Gareth Morgan so politely explained on Facebook the other day (twas a fun conversation), they don’t even have to pay their full due in Taxes due to loopholes…..casually being used by rich people to avoid paying their full due because legal 🙂

    The homeless kids and adults in our cities and on the country side….hey they could just casually continue camping in their cars, or abandoned quake buildings.

    The hungry kids going to school, not able to learn well because hungry, tired, cold …they could just casually go on with the program cause everyone wants to stay slim, and food is not helping the goal of the hunger games looks.

    the elderly Ladies in their eighties that suddenly have to compete on the private housing market cause their retirement flats have been sold by the councils, that have to wonder if they should go to the doctor, or buy some porridge or pay electricity should just go on with the program, casually they should just get harder and tougher, after all who needs food, shelter and medicine at the same time, or maybe they could just get some jobs these lazy bludgers.

    and obviously 0.01 cent above budget prediction is a casual surplus we all had coming and will rejoice about.

    casual John , casual Fisiani, casual Blinglish Mr 19%, casual Mrs. Bennefit, casual Mrs Not for Women MP for Women, casual all the other clowns. have so much and still can not enjoy life, can not find a partner that shares their kinks, need to be mean and despicable, creepy and sexually offensive and still they find no happiness.

    Sad sad sad

  9. fisiani 9
    27 April 2015 at 12:43 pm

    Middle aged bloke makes a joke. Joke backfires. Bloke apologises. Life goes on. Simple really. That’s the abiding memory for most people. The attempt to somehow link the joke to paedophilia and to Jimmy Saville and Rolf Harris demeans and trivialises the actual victims of sexual abuse. Any moment now and someone will Link John Key to Hitler. The hysteria is only mounting here as the realisation dawns that for the vast majority of people my first four sentences are the abiding if any memory of “what happened”.

    • idlegus 9.1
      27 April 2015 at 1:02 pm

      all good then, we shouldn’t hear from you about it again then shall we? (i think this is the 3rd of 4th time you have posted this comment).

      • In Vino 9.1.1
        27 April 2015 at 8:46 pm

        And for Heaven’s sake, give poor old Hitler a break. For many years (since he lost the war) he has been reviled as one of the most evil dictators in History. Now you suggest that someone will link John Key to him? Is there no end to insults and recrimination?

    • Skinny 9.2
      27 April 2015 at 1:04 pm

      Yes you are probably correct in most of what you say. Time to move on people have had their fun, we don’t want Key garnishing any poor John support out of this.

      • tracey 9.2.1
        27 April 2015 at 2:40 pm

        yes let it go. it worked with roastbusters and tania billingsley aye, sexual abuse has teduced. it is a societal issue not a “get john” issue.

        • tracey 9.2.1.1
          27 April 2015 at 2:41 pm

          reduced

        • Skinny 9.2.1.2
          27 April 2015 at 3:49 pm

          No let people judge for themselves without being prompted further by those with
          a different political view. It comes across as desperation from the opposition. This is how it’s starting to play out.

    • Draco T Bastard 9.3
      27 April 2015 at 1:12 pm

      Middle aged bloke makes a joke. Joke backfires. Bloke apologises.

      Not even close. It wasn’t a joke the first time and it became even less of a joke every time after that. In fact, even the first time was abuse and assault.

      But I suppose you wouldn’t be you if you didn’t come here to lie about and try to divert from your heroes failings.

    • Murray Rawshark 9.4
      27 April 2015 at 1:56 pm

      I have seen others on here make almost the same argument. That should give pause for thought, but I doubt if it will.

      ” The attempt to somehow link the joke to paedophilia and to Jimmy Saville and Rolf Harris demeans and trivialises the actual victims of sexual abuse.”

      • Naturesong 9.4.1
        27 April 2015 at 2:16 pm

        That’s a different argument.

        The power imbalance, the consent issues and the intimacy all correlate – however one is orders of magnitude worse.

        A difference which most people would expect to be reflected in the sentence received should John Key be found guilty of either crime.

        One would require a custodial sentence that includes the word “decades”.
        The other; public censure, a fine, removal from all positions of responsibility, and likely their job.

    • tracey 9.5
      27 April 2015 at 2:37 pm

      all of your comments on this issue demean women, girls and boys whose bodies are seen as nothing more than playthings. in particular in this instance by a 50 year old white upper class man. for you to try and take moral high ground in their defence adds insult to injury.

      • rhinocrates 9.5.1
        27 April 2015 at 2:58 pm

        It’s rather telling about fisiani’s psychology that he has to return again and again to an issue he claims is “trivial” and that like Key and Farrar with his odious dress-ups at his “Princess Parties”, he’s defending so arduously the right of privileged men to treat woman’s bodies as sexual playthings and trying to silence and trivialise himself the complaints of women who have been assaulted.

        One of the most disingenuous tactics used is the false argument of the excluded middle – “Key is not Saville and so therefore he’s OK”. No. The use of Saville as an example by fisiani is a deliberate, dishonest attempt to trivialise the experience of thousands of real women in the workplace and to silence their complaints.

        A comparison could be made with Richard Dawkins’ infamous “Dear Muslima” open letter to women who have been subjected to sexual harassment: “It’s not as bad as X, therefore it doesn’t exist, so be silent”.

        The fact that Farrar likes to dress up as Saville at his “Princess Parties” makes it clear that he knows that there IS a connection between the “horseplay” of privileged men and sexual abuse – and that he thinks that it is hilarious.

        This is fisiani’s message to harassed women: “your experience is irrelevant, your voice does not matter, you must remain silent.”

        That is a deliberate lie and based on an active contempt for women who dare to speak for themselves.

        Call him out for what he is: a misogynist who actively supports sexual harassment by privileged men.

    • Treetop 9.6
      27 April 2015 at 4:29 pm

      Key is still not taking responsibility for a pattern of behaviour which has over stepped the boundary, he said he will take responsibilty. Until Key admits that there is a power imbalance between him and the waitress, he is not taking responsibility.

    • David H 9.7
      27 April 2015 at 4:37 pm

      OH FFS Fisi but if he will go out and pull young girls hair again and again, all on video and all unasked, yes it’s creepy looking. And it’s not only beauty that’s in the eye of the beholder. In a lot of eye’s he has fucked up big time, and no amount of bullshit protestations from you can change that simple fact.

    • Puddleglum 9.8
      27 April 2015 at 4:58 pm

      Hi fisiani,

      What was the joke he made?

    • Macro 9.9
      27 April 2015 at 10:13 pm

      Actually fisi I was at an exhibition today at the Victorian State Library here in Melbourne today and there was a German magazine in the display from the Victoria and Albert Museum on display. It was published in 1939 and had on the front page a huge picture of Hilter patting the cheeks of a young girl! It immediately brought to mind the image of Key fondling the young girls pony tail. Creepy!

    • Wynston 9.10
      27 April 2015 at 10:22 pm

      Some apology! He didn’t even wait long enough to hear her say that she didn’t drink wine!

    • David H 9.11
      28 April 2015 at 8:36 am

      And how many times a day do you get your face slapped for trying to ‘Be like John’ ? God help the women around you Fizzy.

  10. Murray Rawshark 10
    27 April 2015 at 2:08 pm

    Thanks for posting this, MickySavage. I am pleased to see that your evaluation of Bomber’s role is far more positive than that he received in the first TS post on this. I think Bomber did reasonably well with the topic, considering that he doesn’t have corporate funding to put Amanda up in a safe house. Although when the other lot did put Bevan Chuang up in a motel, apparently they discussed getting her to act in a porn film. Comparing Bomber’s actions to theirs is just sick rubbish.

    • weka 10.1
      27 April 2015 at 3:13 pm

      +100

      I also thought he did ok. I’m not sure what to think of the argument that Bradbury should have looked afterBaliey better. Maybe he did and we don’t know. Or maybe she refused his help etc etc.

    • mickysavage 10.2
      27 April 2015 at 3:39 pm

      Cheers Murray. As far as I know no one here had any idea that the story was coming until after it had been published. I thought TRP’s story was very well weighted. No one had any idea if there were problems with the story, we had no verification of the allegations, going out on a limb would have been crazy.

      I agree also that the criticism of Bomber not putting the victim up in a hotel was not warranted. Besides the Herald relied on the face of it with some subterfuge to get her name and did not let anything prevent them from publishing her identity.

      There has been some attempt to suggest that TS was part of a conspiracy, notably by Pete George (http://yournz.org/2015/04/26/the-lefts-handling-of-keys-hair-pulling/). He wants to be able to say that the left (coordination of hit jobs) does it too.

      But I can honestly say that no such coordination happened here.

      I thought about adding the Herald hit job on David Cunliffe about the Donghua Liu letter. That (http://thestandard.org.nz/the-more-complete-donghua-liu-timeline/) showed clear signs of coordination between the media and the right wing blogs.

      For this current incident there was no coordination, no strategic planning, no intent to maximise effect, just a simple story about a young waitress being treated terribly by a Prime Minister who ought to have known better.

      • te reo putake 10.2.1
        27 April 2015 at 3:59 pm

        That Yawn NZ post is a giggle! I would have thought it was obvious from cautionary approach I took that I wasn’t ‘in the know’. Apart from occasionally commenting at the Daily Blog, I have never had any interaction with Bomber at all. Still, nice of Pete to commend my writing skills.

        The simple fact is I read the TDB piece and decided it was worth a post, so I wrote one. I’d say it was about two hours work, including selecting quotes from Bomber’s piece, finding other links and writing the summary that formed the guts of the post. I simply did not know at the time of writing whether or not it was true, so I urged caution. Shortly after I put it up, we got the confirmation from the PM’s office that the assaults were real.

        I’m really glad for TDB that they are getting the kudos and the clicks that this story deserves. Maybe more could have been done for the victim, but on the day the story broke, her employers said they would never comment on employment matters. Nobody could expected that they would stab her in the back so ruthlessly the following day.

        • Skinny 10.2.1.1
          27 April 2015 at 4:11 pm

          I thought your headline was a bit soft, would have been more inclinced to go for the jugular ” Key may face assault charges after continued hair pulling” the rest was pretty well scribed cobbah.

      • felix 10.2.2
        27 April 2015 at 4:14 pm

        “There has been some attempt to suggest that TS was part of a conspiracy, notably by Pete George”

        I see poor old Pete still doesn’t have a working understanding of the term “Dirty Politics”.

        • weka 10.2.2.1
          27 April 2015 at 10:22 pm

          Or his role as a DP apologist is to beige things to the point where the term has no meaning.

    • the pigman 10.3
      27 April 2015 at 6:28 pm

      I totally agree Murray (as I said in the original thread, I think). The almost reflexive backlash against Bradbury and the Daily Blog, whatever its shortcomings (myriad), reeks of partisan, can’t-see-the-wood-from-the-trees, groupthink. Bouquets have been raining down on the waitress and Bradbury from the wider Left, they should have been from here too.

      • Murray Rawshark 10.3.1
        27 April 2015 at 7:25 pm

        The Standard doesn’t get to send bouquets, but as individuals we can. When Bomber gets it right, he deserves credit.

  11. bernard 11
    27 April 2015 at 2:12 pm

    fisiani,not like Hitler,more like Nixon

  12. ianmac 12
    27 April 2015 at 2:45 pm

    Parliament is sitting tomorrow. It will be interesting if that John Casual Key fellow chooses to answer Questions in the House with his “I was not acting as PM in the cafe (in spite of having his police minders with him) but as a private citizen.”
    That would go down well!

    • felix 12.1
      27 April 2015 at 2:54 pm

      I think the fact that he issued public statements as The Prime Minister seals it.

      (Yes dicks, The Office Of The Prime Minister is in fact The Prime Minister)

    • veutoviper 12.2
      27 April 2015 at 3:40 pm

      Key will not be in the House this week as he doesn’t return to NZ until Friday, 1 May. He is on an important trade mission to UAE, Saudia Arabia and Kuwait, with people like the CEO of Fonterra, and Michelle Boag. He ‘may’ also talk human right issues ….. feel a Tui coming on.

      • Murray Rawshark 12.2.1
        27 April 2015 at 4:17 pm

        FJK has said that Bronagh will be wearing a black abaya out of respect for his head chopping hosts:

        http://www.fashion-today.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/119.jpg

        He’s also after another FTA. Apparently house prices aren’t going up fast enough and he wants an infusion of petrodollars.

      • ianmac 12.2.2
        27 April 2015 at 4:20 pm

        Yes. Key will not be in the House tomorrow. But the questions can still be asked even if some other Minister answers on behalf of…
        Otherwise 5 May.

        • veutoviper 12.2.2.1
          27 April 2015 at 4:42 pm

          I actually hope they hold the questions until Key returns, then the questions can be much more direct. But that might be wishful thinking considering a don’t give most of the Labour members many points for the wording etc of their questions. I think Little is still away also – France ?

  13. felix 13
    27 April 2015 at 3:01 pm

    “Rachel Glucina’s attempt at turning the story around by suggesting there was a political angle in the complaint failed miserably and only succeeded in providing an institutional target and showing that Dirty Politics is alive although not so well.”

    I’m not so sure about this.

    I was drinking with a couple of #teamkey types and a couple of non-pol types on the weekend. They were all convinced that the waitress had changed her story four times.

    My immense powers of persuasion were not able to disabuse them of this delusion. None had read either of the Daily Blog articles.

    • Murray Rawshark 13.1
      27 April 2015 at 4:22 pm

      Those sort of people are just sad, but there are heaps of them. I suspect the term cognitive dissonance applies. I knew one very bright guy over here who was totally unprepared to accept that John Howard might tell lies. He had a psychological need to trust authority.

    • tc 13.2
      27 April 2015 at 4:30 pm

      IMO that’s exactly what DP is designed to do, create the impression that JK is not at fault here it’s all about the waitress and her changing story.

      the first casualty in DP tend to be the facts and granny has very carefully worded it to muddy them as much as possible and cover the golden girls butt.

    • freedom 13.3
      27 April 2015 at 4:39 pm

      Most of those commenting on Bryce Edward’s piece have not read what Amanda Bailey wrote either
      http://www.donotlink.com/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11437490

    • Treetop 13.4
      27 April 2015 at 4:44 pm

      Does Glucina expect me to believe that she does not have her own political agenda angle?

      How many times the media say that the waitress has changed her story, cannot erase the fact that the PM has tugged her hair on a few occasions.

    • Anne 13.5
      27 April 2015 at 4:54 pm

      I can confirm felix’s experience. I was having dinner with relatives a few evenings ago and they denounced the waitress as a leftie playing politics. This claim was based on the fact she went to a LEFT WING BLOG. I mean, what decent person would go to such a place. My normally brilliant(?) powers of persuasion also had no effect.

      • You_Fool 13.5.1
        27 April 2015 at 8:06 pm

        Unfortunately I had the same experience. My Brother and Sister were both convinced that the complainant was politically motivated and that it was all over 1 hair pulling incident that was all in “good fun” – Both of them identify as “non-political.” They thought it was like something our practical joker Dad would do. I tried to point out the difference in the PM vs our dad in terms of responsibility, and also the difference in how our Dad would “joke around” compared to John Key’s behaviour. It didn’t seem to make a lot of difference to them.

        Interestingly enough it appeared my national voting grandmother (farmer since she was born) had different thoughts on John Key’s behaviour.

        • vto 13.5.1.1
          27 April 2015 at 8:14 pm

          John Key’s bully boy hair-pulling is highlighting great swathes of poor New Zealander thought ……

          The people described above who don’t think in depth about these sorts of things are the types of people who think all opinions are equal

          • Anne 13.5.1.1.1
            27 April 2015 at 8:24 pm

            The people described above who don’t think in depth about these sorts of things are the types of people who think all opinions are equal.

            Nail – Head vto.

            My relatives are busy people you see (it doesn’t cross their minds most people are) and they don’t have time to read newspapers and rarely watch the TV news. As for radio… I doubt they even remember what a radio is. But that doesn’t stop them believing their opinions are superior to mine oh no…

            “That I follow current affairs and politics on a daily basis and have done for many years is of no value in their world and deserving of even less respect. But my turn is coming soon, and I will make the most of it when it happens. 🙂

        • weka 13.5.1.2
          27 April 2015 at 10:25 pm

          I think these dinner table stories go some way to explaining why worker rights have taken such a dive in recent decades 🙁

    • mickysavage 13.6
      27 April 2015 at 6:41 pm

      That is of concern Felix. The right seem to be much better with creating perception rather than reality. This is why the Hosking/Plunkett/Glucina behaviour is important. In their own ways they each attempted to create a new reality.

      • adam 13.6.1
        27 April 2015 at 7:08 pm

        I think mickysavage – this is because they are willing to manipulate people’s emotions via propaganda methods, a lot more than the left are. Indeed, most people who have a sense of morality – think it is amoral to so starkly manipulate people or cause them emotional distress.

        So I hope I’m not sounding too much like a broken record – but this national government are immoral. It is their methods, and leitmotif, which emphasizes their utter lack of morality. I have accused them of being amoral up this point – no longer – they continue to act nefariously – they need to be called on it.

  14. rhinocrates 14
    27 April 2015 at 3:10 pm

    As an aside, I am soooo glad that The Beige One has not been able to hijack this and related threads.

    • ropata 14.1
      27 April 2015 at 10:20 pm

      PG is desperately trying to be relevant by republishing twitter controversies… no doubt having conniptions about lack of manners and spelling conventions

    • weka 14.2
      27 April 2015 at 10:26 pm

      Gods, me too rhinocrates. That would have been a clusterfuck of epic proportions.

      • ropata 14.2.1
        28 April 2015 at 5:30 am

        PG: “But you have to take a balanced holistic view of these matters. While of course the waitress is entitled to her opinion she also needs to respect the fact that sometimes the PM likes to let his hair down, he needs to let off steam by small acts of public yanking. Is that so bad? Who are we to judge? Let’s wait until the controversy dies down before making any rash statements. Remember john Key is our Prime Minister therefore should be accorded respect and forelock tugging.” yada yada beige beige snore

        [continues for another 17 paragraphs…]

  15. Paul 15
    27 April 2015 at 3:17 pm

    What’s happening with that name suppression case?
    Is Key in anyway connected to that name suppression?
    That would be dodgy.

    • rhinocrates 15.1
      27 April 2015 at 3:22 pm

      Oh, I suspect that there will be some very interesting questions asked in parliament when suppression lapses – and Winston Peters will be very quick to ask why the Nats were so keen to suppress his bill.

      I shiver with antici-

      • dukeofurl 15.1.1
        27 April 2015 at 4:58 pm

        The circumstances of victims have precedence, and IF this applies to this case, suppression will be permanent.

    • veutoviper 15.2
      27 April 2015 at 3:45 pm

      Last Monday, it was moved from the District Court (location suppressed) to the High Court (location also suppressed) so not yet known when the trial will start.

      • Murray Rawshark 15.2.1
        27 April 2015 at 4:20 pm

        Usually within a couple of months. I’d quite like to be visiting family in Whangarei at the time.

        • veutoviper 15.2.1.1
          27 April 2015 at 4:30 pm

          It would not surprise me if it was moved slightly south since it apparently will be a jury trial. Have Daily Lists bookmarked for daily checking. Nothing of interest tomorrow.

  16. Penny Bright 16
    27 April 2015 at 4:29 pm

    I for one, look forward to the LAWFULNESS of Prime Minister John Key’s alleged REPEATED unwanted, and inappropriate ‘touching’ / ‘harrassment’ / ‘bullying’ of this waitress, being tested in Court.

    Good on Graham McCready.

    If those in leading positions, particularly at the highest levels of Government in New Zealand, led by example, and personally exhibited ‘the highest ethical standards’ – then it wouldn’t be left to ordinary citizens to do an extraordinary job, in order to hold THEM equally accountable to ‘the rule of law’.

    Penny Bright

  17. CnrJoe 17
    27 April 2015 at 5:23 pm

    I hope it works – this link –
    http://www.thevideo.me/uqr6k70thtj1

    Last week tonight with John Oliver – John Key – more cat than Prime Minister

    Imma gonna watch this again and again and again

    • felix 17.1
      27 April 2015 at 6:12 pm

      Oh dear.

      John Oliver has our Dear Leader pegged as “A creepy individual who pulls womens’ hair”.

    • Paul 17.2
      27 April 2015 at 6:28 pm

      “if you’re a full grown adult male, there’s a very short list of things that you can describe as tantalising without creeping out everyone.”

    • Pasupial 17.3
      27 April 2015 at 6:54 pm

      Taking a long time to buffer, but is worth it (still only half way through the show). Key segment starts at 4:05, but Armenia Genocide/ Obama quibbling segment preceding that is worth a watch too.

      Fisiani – mop up in aisle everywhere. The plan of throwing a rug over the mess and grinning madly, has proven less successful than claimed.

  18. fisiani 18
    27 April 2015 at 5:37 pm

    Ponytail mop up plan successful as planned,

    • Paul 18.1
      27 April 2015 at 5:40 pm

      For someone who really thinks is a non-story, you are spending a lot of time talking about it.

    • felix 18.2
      27 April 2015 at 5:52 pm

      “Mop up”?

      That’s what you do after a disaster, fizzy. But you keep saying this is nothing.

      So confusing. I suppose an explanation is out of the question, seeing as how you never, ever respond to the discussions you start.

      • fisiani 18.2.1
        27 April 2015 at 6:15 pm

        Just a mere spill. No residual stain. More importantly I wonder who will win The Bachelor’s heart?

        • felix 18.2.1.1
          27 April 2015 at 6:21 pm

          John Key is now famous around the world as a weird bully.

          Nice mopping, dude.

        • McFlock 18.2.1.2
          27 April 2015 at 6:22 pm

          Wonder who will win The Bachelor’s heart?

          Judith Collins is gunning for the next rose…

    • emergency mike 18.3
      27 April 2015 at 7:08 pm

      Funny seeing your comment directly below the link to the John Oliver show. The one where John Key got torn to shreds and called “a creepy individual who pulls womens’ hair” on one of the USA’s most popular shows. What a freak.

      You’re gonna need a bigger mop.

  19. Corokia 19
    27 April 2015 at 6:04 pm

    FOR women!?! Sure fooled me! Must only be for women who toss their sisters aside and make excuses for the sexist men who they want to keep in with to further their own careers.

  20. Paul 20
    27 April 2015 at 6:30 pm

    I think is post is required on John Oliver’s take of Key.

  21. david 21
    27 April 2015 at 7:01 pm

    There is a risk that the ponytail case sends a signal that it is OK for the dominant and powerful to do what they want and that ordinary people are just pawns and playthings.

    Ordinary people are humiliated all the time: by lack of money; lack of power; a lack of privacy and dignity; and the humiliation of being an employee.
    When will politicians start to work for us and not themselves?

  22. Murray Rawshark 22
    27 April 2015 at 7:34 pm

    http://pundit.co.nz/content/has-john-key-tugged-off-more-than-he-realises

    FJK says it was the opposite of an abuse of power. I think he means that females with long hair are deliberately tempting him with their tantalising locks. It’s the argument pedophiles and rapists use. There is mounting evidence that something is seriously wrong with this bloke.

    • weka 22.1
      27 April 2015 at 10:33 pm

      Key: Didn’t intend to misuse my power so it wasn’t an abuse.

      “There is mounting evidence that something is seriously wrong with this bloke.”

      True, although I think it’s been evident for a long time. The dynamic is clear going a long way back, it’s just more visible and awful now because of the context. It’s also more personalised. But the power shit shows in how he dealt with KDC, in the GCSB stuff, in DP, in many of the things his government does.

      • Murray Rawshark 22.1.1
        27 April 2015 at 10:47 pm

        All I ever see him do is abuse his power, starting with his smart one word answers in Parliament. He’s a 12 year old who’s found out he doesn’t have to obey the rules and he can’t control himself. With Sabin, the rapist army officer appointed to a high position in one of the ministries, what happened to Tania Billingsley, the Roastbusters, the waitress, the joke about the escaped kidfucker, and the numerous instances of hair fondling, I really truly do suspect the guy has severe sexual problems.

        I also really do not give a fuck if anyone says I’m using my suspicions to get at Key. If he’s what he looks like, there is no way he should be in any position of power or responsibility. He should not be allowed in schoolgrounds without close supervision by staff. The poaka who accompany him have no interest in protecting us.

        I always thought he was a danger to our society given his sell off and asset stripping ways, but I think he’s more of a danger than I ever suspected.

        • ianmac 22.1.1.1
          27 April 2015 at 11:14 pm

          “He should not be allowed in schoolgrounds …”
          Considering the great care that schools take to minimise risk to the kids, it will be an issue at some schools.

  23. Incognito 23
    27 April 2015 at 8:50 pm

    Chris Ford has posted an interesting blog in which he argues that Key may survive politically but not legally.

    http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/chris-ford-john-key-and-ponytailgate-he-may-have-won-political-battle-may-not-w/1273/219703

    Indeed, Lady Justice is blind and will not see what hat Key is wearing or might have been wearing when he was sipping coffee with Bronagh and horsing around. I’d like to see some casual justice being delivered although it would be hard to put together a jury.

  24. Raf 24
    27 April 2015 at 10:00 pm

    Another image that may come to mind at the same time is that of Key’s wife in full Saudi Arabian niqab. Maybe it’s just me but I feel a compelling relationship.

  25. Iron Sky 25
    28 April 2015 at 12:22 pm

    Using this as a frame:

    “Two of the most “esteemed” sources of news in the U.S. are the New York Times (referred to as “the paper of record”) and the Washington Post. The New York Times has on its board people who are past or presently affiliated with: Schering-Plough International (pharmaceuticals), the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Chevron Corporation, Wesco Financial Corporation, Kohlberg & Company, The Charles Schwab Corporation, eBay Inc., Xerox, IBM, Ford Motor Company, Eli Lilly & Company, among others. Hardly a bastion of impartiality.”
    http://www.globalresearch.ca/truth-propaganda-and-media-manipulation/23868

    Filter your way through NZs major media outlets boards and executive teams to see if you think National/Big Business are influencing news! From memory I’m not seeing a lot of humanities degrees

    See anything familiar…..

    TVNZ:
    https://tvnz.co.nz/tvnz-corporate-comms/our-executive-4902649
    Kevin Kenrick Chief Executive Officer
    Rodney Parker Chief Financial Controller
    Jeff Latch Head of Content
    John Gillespie Head of News and Current Affairs
    Jeremy O’Brien Head of Sales and Marketing
    Brent McAnulty Head of Legal and Corporate Communications
    Anna Lissaman Head of Human Resources

    Media Works:
    http://www.mediaworks.co.nz/management.aspx
    Mark Weldon Group Chief Executive Officer, MediaWorks
    Wendy Palmer Chief Executive Officer, MediaWorks Radio
    Andrew Szusterman Group Content and Entertainment Brand Director
    Liz Fraser Group Head of Revenue
    Mark Jennings Group Head of News
    Tom Cotter Chief Information and Product Officer

    When the company went into receivership, Key took the unusual approach of responding to a question by telling Parliament he doubted that Inland Revenue would be able to recover MediaWorks’ $22 million debt.

    Since then the company has appointed as its chief executive Mark Weldon – a close friend of Key. Board member Julie Christie is close to Cabinet ministers Murray McCully and Gerry Brownlee.
    http://m.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11437560

    RNZ:
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/media/70
    The Radio New Zealand Executive Team is:
    Paul Thompson Chief Executive and Editor-in-Chief
    Ken Law Head of Business Services, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer
    Glen Scanlon – Head of Digital Media (starts November 17)
    Carol Hirschfeld Head of Content (starts November 24)
    John Howson Head of Radio
    Matthew Finn Head of Technology
    John Barr Head of Communications
    Linden Clark International manager

    NOTE: You can find the board members here: http://www.radionz.co.nz/about/board-profile

    Note:
    “Radio NZ has two big issues. It has to recover from a dramatic audience slide, and it has to get relief from a funding freeze in the upcoming Budget to avoid further cuts this year.

    I doubt National would hand over more cash to RNZ if it were to hire John Campbell. And that is the tragic state of public broadcasting today.”
    http://m.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11437560

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    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
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    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

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

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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