So what steps are you taking to make sure this doesn’t happen to other families? Have you contacted your M.P. and demanded he/she press the prime minister to pull our troops out?
Bunter Bennett won’t speak to me or call back after I told her to “F” off my property so I went into Cam Calders office while out South but each time I ask for a reply to my demands they ignore me, so I don’t even try anymore.
Bunter Bennett won’t speak to me or call back after I told her to “F” off my property so I went into Cam Calders office while out South but each time I ask for a reply to my demands they ignore me, so I don’t even try anymore.
I sympathize with you. Be careful not to antagonize that ghastly woman or she’ll mount a campaign of defamation against you.
Have you?
Yes. He was polite enough. Like everyone, he knows that this war has no justification, but I hold little hope that he will find the courage to actually speak that truth.
It is worth pointing out that women also serve in our armed forces, including in Afghanistan – and it is rumoured that one of those killed may be a female soldier.
Public reaction to a female KIA or one taken prisoner can sometimes be different. Male and female soldiers cannot be assigned the same roles when dealing with a Muslim population. Modern military forces commonly distinguished roles (formally and informally) which are not filled by women.
It doesn’t Draco – but a number of comments on the Standard today have referred to the NZ troops in Afghanstan being ‘our boys’ , or ‘sons, fathers, brothers’ etc without any appreciation/recognition that those troops also include women.
My condolences also to the families, friends and colleagues – Stuff are now reporting that one of the three is a woman.
Goff is currently being interviewed on Nime to Noon and, if I heard him correctly, is saying that in his opinion, there is no longer a prospect of achieving the original objectives of our participation in Afghanstan and we should possibly withdraw.
Goff is… saying that there is no longer a prospect of achieving the original objectives of our participation in Afghanstan and we should possibly withdraw.
Goff and Helen Clark are as culpable in this criminal fiasco as Key is. In fact, their culpability is greater, for they sent the troops there in the first place. They mouthed the propaganda about “reconstruction” and fibbed about good-natured Kiwi soldiers winning the hearts and minds of the locals.
The revelations about those good-natured Kiwi soldiers being bullied by American grunts into handing over captive civilians for possible torture and summary execution make the lies of Clark, Goff and Key even more craven.
Amazing what rubbish goes through what passes through a tories mind nowadays….. Only an incurable bigot with the attention span of a goldfish would feel competent to make the kind of statement you’ve just made morris minor….
try again.. and this time, spend more than five seconds absorbing tory slogans to use as your intellectual basis….
You may not make such an ass of yourself….(i’m assuming you have the wit to understand the big words contained in the articles outlining reality as it is, not as the tories would wish it to be)
Amazing what rubbish goes through what passes through a tories mind nowadays…
Whatever hallucinogenic substance you are on, I don’t think it improves your writing style. I enjoyed being called a “tory” for a moment or two there, until I realized it came from a confused mind.
Hungarian soldiers responsible for security in the Baghlan province “unfortunately … have been reluctant to actively patrol the area”, Mr Patman told TVNZ’s Breakfast this morning.
But at the end of the article this:
Mr Patman said Hungarian troops were not likely to change their tactics.
“Many countries now know that the international presence is going to be pulled out by 2014. [Hungarian soldiers] are probably not going to adopt new techniques that … could run the risk of unnecessary casualties before a major troop pull-out.
Perhaps New Zealand could learn something of the Hungarian strategy after all…
With our withdrawal already announced, and with the fair expectation that all our brave men and women could all be returned safely to their families.
Such stupid pointless meaningless deaths #?*!!
To be prepared to die for a cause can be a noble sentiment. But just as in Vietnam after the American withdrawal was announced, no one wanted to be the last GI to die in a lost cause.
What could more New Zealand deaths in Afghanistan possibly achieve?
Can anyone tell me?
Key needs to speed up the withdrawal so that more kiwis don’t die pointlessly.
Only people with the heads up Uncle Sam’s arse can think that NZ ever had any business in Afghanistan. It was and is a US war using the UN to cover for its blind rage over 9/11. Clark and Co bought it because it has the UN stamp of approval. NZ became the US deputy’s (Howard’s) dog. It doesn’t matter if the Taliban (created by the US to fight a pro-US regime in the 80s) or ‘Afghan’ army killed NATO troops, they are all Afghans in their own country defending themselves from those who are occupying it. However you read it it proves the old cliche that Western countries that venture into Afghanistan to conquer it, always end up getting wiped out. Good. http://redrave.blogspot.co.nz/2009/08/afghanistan-defeat-imperialist-invaders.html
Only people with the heads up Uncle Sam’s arse can think that NZ ever had any business in Afghanistan. It was and is a US war using the UN to cover for its blind rage over 9/11.
Well, not so much blind rage, but an attempt to secure oil and NG pipelines from central asia which bypass the instability of the middle east and the political whims of Russia.
I just don’t think today is the day for debating our length of tenure in Afghanistan. Give it a few weeks and sure. But the headlines about Goff and Shearer saying we need to pull out make me sick:
Following your logic, Monique, if soldiers were dying every day we’d stay there forever with no debate. The fact that more have died over nothing worthwhile makes it exactly the right time to debate this.
Just to keep you updated, Monique, the “length of tenure” is being debated this afternoon/evening on Radio NZ, Newstalk ZB, Radio Live, TVNZ, TV 3 news, Campbell Live, Stuff.co.nz, etc, etc.
Even some bereaved family members are speaking on the TV news, about bringing the troops home.
Deem me a cnut if you will, but I’ve followed all this since the time it became public – from VERy early morn. Then I witnessed a Jonkey press conference at 11.30 and I was truly embarassed – especially as he shuffled together the pages of his speech just given at the end. Atually- he kept the media waiting just to show who was in control.
A Performace!!!. I’m not suggesting the man does not have sympathy or genuine concern, simply that his concern is MORE about him and how people perceive him first and foremost, THEN the deaths.
I MUST come across all staunch and concerned. Stay the course!. {Look left at photos of the dead}.
The guy sounded drunk as he shhhhsssstraifed his way through a prepared speech full of the usual platitudes….ultimate sekrfois et al. Keep it up… PLEASE John! A few more hobbits will awake.
My sincere condolences, sympathy and prayers go out to the families of these brave soldiers. Am feeling deep grief myself so I cannot imagine what their families are going through. I just pray they stay strong.
It is good to see the Taliban have worked out that to get the invades out of their country it is smarter to kill the Alliance soldiers than the US ones, killing a US soldier just reduces the unemployment # in the US, and whats another yank? Where as poping off our guys really hurts the Alliance, a dead Kiwi has got to be worth more points in the ‘game of war’ than several dead yanks.
I am amazed people are upset by our guys dying, I mean it is a war zone? They are ALL coming back with death sentences anyway, what with all the radioactive crap they have been living around while in Afghanistan – specifically Depleted Uranium.
And don’t they volunteer for this adventure? it wouldn’t be as much fun if you didn’t stand the chance of dying or better still killing someone.
In the end these people are just state funded murderers.
Not at all.
New Zealand troops are just backing the lie that is 9/11.
They are supporting an occupying force?
Why get pissed at me? It is the government that has sent them into harms way, and most Kiwis are happy with that. Sure the Taliban are a bad lot, but so are the Israelis when they get fired up, and there are plenty of other countries that ‘need’ invading, to bring democracy, consumerism, and everything we enjoy …. ignoring the fact that we are passed peak ‘luxury’.
Politicians and TPTB are a bunch of 3 year olds, they would literally crawl over dead babies to maintain their lifestyles, like most people they are unable to grasp the end of growth, some even think we should or have to ‘climate change’ to the brink of extinction to bring the second coming of Christ, then his dad and him are going to turn the planet back to like it was before we fucked it ????? people are just stupid. And politicians are a great representative of this useless gene pool.
‘We’ are being lied to and ripped off daily by our government, EVERY politician is lying to us everyday.
Happy Kiwi Saving.
In the end we are just bacteria, but a real dumb one, a bit like yeast.
While I offer my prayers and sympathies for those soldiers that have been killed in Afghanistan I am also mindful of the futility of war. Both the war in Iraq and Afghanistan should have never been authorized and waged because the justification for it was based on a bunch of lies.
The US imports more oil from Iraq than they do from Saudi Arabia. Afghanistan is of strategic importance to the US so one wonders how genuine thier motives are? Do they care about bringing democracy to these countries? I don’t think so.
I am also deeply saddened by the millions of innocent civilians no different from you and I in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen who have been killed by the bombs dropped by US and NATO forces. Somehow our media fails to mention this
@TRP p= I hope he does regret it when he sobers up. I wonder though WHAT of Jomkey when he does.
Over the millenium, I think its almost safe to say 50% of my family engaged in the military.intelligenc wing have either been killed or traumatised by all this sort of total SHITE.
It’s why Jonkeys 11.30 am “press conference” was so fucking hollow and offensive.
How the hell did a usually smart NZ electorate be conned by a used-car salesman dressed in the so-called respectability of “suited finacial market free-trader’ professionalism”. Not only is there a really UGLY emperor with no clothes, but the protestations of sympathy and “utlimate proice” crap are beginning to be recognised as the spin and bullshit they really are.
Fuck off John. There’s a cute little Hawaiian retreat – go for it now rather than when the shit really hits the fan – save us all the anguish. Current course – result inevitable it’s really only about your pathetic ego when it comes down to it
He’s going to fuck off – my pick is towards the end next year. Why not. All the doors that can be opened to him have been opened. Not much point in hanging around any longer. He’s done his dash as PM, and there’s an even bigger stash to be made on the international financial markets.
It gives Stephen Joyce about nine months to enjoy his honeymoon and have an election before the voters twig they’ve swopped one egomaniac for yet another…. who could turn out to be even worse.
I was sorry to hear that the number of New Zealanders killed in Afghanistan now totals 10.
My immediate thoughts went to their loved ones and families.
I then thought, how many of the enemy have our troops killed? Is it two of theirs, for every one of ours?
I would expect with us having unlimited ammunition and supplies, far superior weapons, hi tech body armor, reliable transport, logistics and communications, our total firepower and professional training would ensure that the ratio of enemy killed would be much higher than the 10 kiwi dead.
Is it 20, 30, 50, 100, who knows?
My next thought was; Wouldn’t it be better to just end the cycle of violence?
I would suggest that it’s going to escalate, the cycle of violence that is, the Chief of Defense Reece Jones was saying on RadioNZ this afternoon that permission has been given for New Zealand to also operate in the neighbouring Baghlan Province,
If the Kiwi troops go playing gang busters in Baghlan looking for revenge we all can expect more body bags back here via Bagram…
My heart is with those people the soldiers. Equally with their shattered loved-ones. Facing a hellish life without their loved-one.
So I mentally gulped when today I heard John Key quoted saying along the lines that to pull out of Afghanistan (presumably “now”) would horrify the families as offensive to the memories of the soldiers and their service. In a just cause. Does he know all those aspects personally and at first hand ? Bit of a question if he doesn’t.
Well it’s 7.04 pm and we’re into John Key on “Close Up”. Everyman Sainsbury giving John Key a good run at looking vaguely “Churchill in wartime” to overstate.
Pretty surely it’s John Key looking after John Key. Apologies to the people who got a hiding above for being political too early. Key has declared the politics of it imperative.
The grandmother of slain Kiwi soldier Corporal Luke Tamatea says she wanted him to come home after the last deadly attack on New Zealand troops two weeks ago.
Loraine O’Brien said she was devastated after hearing the news ……
O’Brien told Te Kaea News that Tamatea phoned her about a week ago because he knew she was worried about him.
‘‘He said, ‘don’t worry about me nana. I’m alright’ and those were his last words to me,’’ she said.
‘‘We’d been hoping that [Prime Minister] John Key would have sent him back by now, after the last lot passed away.’’…..
stuff.co.nz
Is this why our Prime Minister does not want to attend the funerals for those slain?
That he might have to face the families of those he has put in harms way?
Will John Key attend the funerals?
Or will John Key continue making excuses for avoiding his duty as Premier to honour these soldiers?
What a ridiculous disrespectful post. Shame on you. He personally visited those families last time and I am sure he will do the same again. Did anyone else do this? No!
I personally would not want all the politicians at my son’s funeral grandstanding to the world, pretending they cared whilst dropping a well rehearsed tear for the cameras.
Soldiers have “fallen” or died for eons of times in human history, for good, bad, right, wrong and whatever causes that were claimed, usually by dominant, privileged rulers that had no scruples to send the young ones off to sacrifice their lives for whatever nationalistic, idealistic or whatever causes.
This whole soldier ethos of dying for your country, your mates, your family, for a good cause and so on, it has been repeated throughout history endlessly.
Now even the Hitler youth believed they were right and sacrificed their lives for the right cause, so did the kamikaze youth from Japan, so did Mao’s brigades, Lenin’s fighting troups, and further back the ones fighting for the dominance of Rome, Persia, Mesopotamia, Egypt and whatever.
Who ever paid the bloody price?
The ordinary foot soldier and their families! Who won, who lost, what did it usually achieve?
A plaque on some rock or what, how is that for “spirit” and liveliness?
The RSA fought in good faith agains dictators, but any sensible person knows also, they also in part committed atrocities!
Shove your over-holy crap into the grave, where it belongs, thank you.
Every person who dies deserves fair respect and consideration. Soldier, voluntary nun or aid worker in the slums of Calcutta maybe even more so than some highly armed soldiers in Afghanistan, trying to protect a rotten, corrupt government that also allows opium trade.
What have the dumbed down and manipulated masses in this country come to, if the media gets away every time to glorify the so called “sacrifice” for bloody what?
I am sick to death of all this shit. Throw away you uniforms, get naked, real, human and put your lively human effort and strenght where it is most needed: To fight for justice against unfairness and poverty, first of all in your own country, and in the realm around it. Then you deserve a bloody medal, that will be in spirit not rotten or rusty metal.
I seriously suspect that that one is the false face of one who recently copped a little stretch of a banning from The Standard, (like as in life-time),
Have carefully studied ‘its’ appearances in various debates going back a bit and ‘it’ seems to have some twisted motive (revenge) as the basis for ‘its’ comments…
Gordon Campbell writes that it is gutless crawling to the Americans by our leaders that New Zealanders are dying for.
“…… we should be clear about the motives at work here.”
“…… when Prime Minister John Key wears his sad face and talks gravely about sacrifice, we need to keep in mind that the lives in question have been sacrificed for a political commitment that is meaningless. There is no noble purpose involved here, only the usual grubby business of politicking – that by joining the effort in Afghanistan, New Zealand might gain some political or trade favours from the Americans.”
Gordon Campbell August 20, 2012
“….our soldiers will continue to be sitting ducks, who are doing little more than trying to survive a totally arbitrary period of deployment.”
“On the current timetable, our PRT forces are not due to be withdrawn until September 2013. That timeframe lacks any intrinsic sense. There is no reason to believe that between now and then, our PRT presence will make Bamiyan safer for the locals in any sustainable fashion, or that the aid projects with which the PRT has been involved will survive their withdrawal. Nothing that New Zealand will achieve between now and September 2013 can justify the further loss of life that now seems inevitable….”
Gordon Campbell August 20, 2012
“Whenever he is pressed on the purpose of our Afghan deployment, Key usually responds by saying that we’re fighting global terrorism and/or enabling Afghanistan to rebuild. Well, if it ever made any sense, the ‘fighting global terrorism’ rationale ended many years ago, after the destruction of al Qaeda as a functioning global network and the capture and/or killing of its leaders……”
“The Dutch saw the writing on the wall and pulled out their troops two years ago. There is no good reason why we should not do likewise, and get our forces home by Christmas. Because what our troops in Afghanistan are really defending – and dying for – in 2012 is John Key’s reputation, and his welcome mat in Washington.”
It’s honesty like that, along with the fact that he’s humiliated Graham Bell and Richard Griffin on air, that means Campbell is not asked to appear on National Radio’s wretched “Panel” programme any more.
i.e. a “Free Trade” agreement giving all the advantages to multinational corporates, a few morsels to big NZ interests, and sells our ordinary citizens down the river.
The “war on terrorism” has always been b.s. How do you have a war with no specific enemy?
The first Christians were terrorists in the eyes of the Romans. The revolutionaries in the British and Spanish American colonies were terrorists in the eyes of their European masters; freedom fighters in the eyes of their neighbors. And so it has been with every protest movement. Heck, in some countries outspoken women are terrorists.
“Be afraid, very afraid. Embrace Big Brother. Only he can protect you.”
This is highly classified so don’t spread it around. The Teleban sent a suicide squad to blow up the Inter-Island ferry but our police intercepted them, which is why Big Brother will be expanding civilian surveillance. It’s for your own good.
I felt a 1984 chill back when Bush was talking about the ‘war on terror’ going on for as long as it takes. A war without end. Since then I can just turn on Fox news and get that chill anytime I want.
Sad all this, yet, has anyone ever seriously looked at near death experiences?
Generally the reports and feed-backs are very consoling and calming. Those that have been there usually no longer fear death. Combatants of course are on the very front line of life and death challenges, survival and so forth. I feel extremely sorry for those that get maimed, disabled and seriously injured and survive to live a life of misery.
It is disgusting what Taleban are doing, using these hideous, cunning IEDs.
Yet anyone exposed to such threats would only wish for her or him to hit it straight and for sure, to be spared any suffering.
Maybe the madness of yihadis does also explain that death is not really that much to fear about. If life is crap, then it may be a salvation, especially if it serves a cause.
Extreme these thoughts are, but I dare to raise the unthinkable, to ponder about in times of distress and unbearable pain.
Voluntary euthanasia is becoming more acceptable to me, looking at all this stuff.
It is disgusting what Taleban are doing, using these hideous, cunning IEDs.
About the same as hellfire equipped killer drones being controlled by “pilots” half a world away, who fight a distant war impersonally, from the luxury of their own home town.
I feel extremely sorry for those that get maimed, disabled and seriously injured and survive to live a life of misery.
This is exactly what anti-personnel mines have been designed to do for the longest time. But who says that civilisation does not advance? For in every new war, they find new ways of killing and maiming people.
The second time he told me a story… about how someone offered him a boat cloak on a cold night. And he said no, he didn’t need it. That he was quite warm. His zeal for his king and country kept him warm.
Key’s self-interest in attending his son’s ball-game in the US rather than representing NZ at the funeral for one of his soldiers who died in Afghanistan can only hurt him at the next election.
He was his Commander-in-Chief. Loyalty flows both ways ..
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Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
A poem by Wellington writer Tayi Tibble.Hoki Mai She kisses him goodbye with her eyes still wet and alight from their last swim in the Awatere river. At the train station celebration, she leads the Kapa Haka but her voice keeps breaking under and over itself like waves. ...
A poem from Bill Manhire’s 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin.My World War I Poem Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging. Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum. ...
There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihan’s gorgeous and sad debut Kōhine, Noelle McCarthy’s memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend Ngāhuia te ...
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Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Australian teddy bear bees are cute and fluffy, but get a look at that massive (unbarbed) stinger! James Dorey Photography Most of us have been stung by a bee and we ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jen Roberts, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong Aussie~mobs/FlickrVictor Farr, a private in the 1st Infantry Battalion, was among the first to land at Anzac Cove just before dawn on April 25 1915. Victor Farr ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Gregory Moore I had the good fortune to care for the sugar gum at The University of Melbourne’s Burnley Gardens in Victoria where I worked for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Ong ViforJ, ARC Future Fellow & Professor of Economics, Curtin University Just when we think the price of rentals could not get any worse, this week’s Rental Affordability Snapshot by Anglicare has revealed low-income Australians are facing a housing crisis like ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Holmes, Professorial Fellow in Sport, University of Canberra When the news broke last weekend that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive to a banned drug in early 2021 and were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games six months later ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cally Jetta, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead; College for First Nations, University of Southern Queensland Australian War MemorialAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people, as well as sensitive historical information ...
RNZ News Melissa Lee has been ousted from New Zealand’s coalition cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a reshuffle. Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts will take Lee’s spot in cabinet. Simmonds was a minister outside of cabinet. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University laurello/Shutterstock Some reports and popular books, such as Bill Gammage’s Biggest Estate on Earth, have argued that extensive areas of Australia’s forests were kept open through frequent burning by ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon framing the demotion of two ministers as the portfolios getting "too complex" is a charitable way of saying they weren't up to the job. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With Jim Chalmers’s third budget on May 14, Australians will be looking for some more cost-of-living relief – beyond the tax cuts – although they have been warned extra measures will be modest. As ...
Analysis: Melissa Lee has lost the media portfolio and her spot in Cabinet after multiple failed attempts to find solutions for a media industry in crisis. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced Lee would be losing her spot in Cabinet along with her media and communications ministerial portfolio. The job ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Wilmot, Senior Lecturer, Film, Deakin University Among the many Australian who served during the second world war, there is a small group of people whose stories remain largely untold. These are the Muslim men and women who, while small in number, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Saunders, PhD Candidate, University of Canberra There has been much analysis and praise of Justice Michael Lee’s recent judgement in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Channel Ten. Many people were openly relieved to read Lee’s “forensic” and “nuanced” application of law ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathy Gibbs, Program Director for the Bachelor of Education, Griffith University zEdward_Indy/Shutterstock Around one in 20 people has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and often continues into adulthood. ADHD is diagnosed ...
The Fairer Future coalition of anti-poverty groups say Whaikaha must be properly funded going forward, and that to argue that poor financial management of the new Ministry is a red herring by the Prime Minister. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is today congratulating Hon. Paul Goldsmith on his appointment as Minister for Media and Communications and urges him to rule out state intervention in the private media sector. ...
Asia Pacific Report The West Papuan resistance OPM leader has condemned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden, accusing their countries of “six decades of treachery” over Papuan independence. The open letter was released today by OPM chairman Jeffrey P Bomanak on the eve of ANZAC Day ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits and quirks of New Zealanders at large. This week: writer and one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024, Lauren Groff.The book I wish I’d writtenIf I wish I’d written a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Fechner, Research Fellow, Social Marketing, Griffith University mavo/Shutterstock Imagine having dinner at a restaurant. The menu offers plant-based meat alternatives made mostly from vegetables, mushrooms, legumes and wheat that mimic meat in taste, texture and smell. Despite being given that ...
“Three Strikes is a dead-end policy proposed by a dead-end government. The Three Strikes law ignores the causes of crime, instead just brutalising people already crushed by the cost of living.” ...
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Australian-born judge in Kiribati could well face deportation later this week after a tribunal ruling that he should be removed from his post. The tribunal’s report has just been tabled in the Kiribati Parliament and is due to be debated by MPs ...
With its clear mandate for police use, political nuances, and nuanced public trust, Denmark's insights provide valuable considerations for Australia and New Zealand. ...
Books editor Claire Mabey reviews poet Louise Wallace’s debut novel. A famous poet once said to me that he’s always suspicious when a poet publishes a novel. I never really understood why but maybe it’s something to do with cheating on your first form. Louise Wallace is a poet. She’s ...
For a few months at the turn of the millennium, TrueBliss burned bright as the biggest pop stars in the country. Alex Casey chats to two superfans who still hold the flame. During a humble backyard wedding in Nelson, 1999, one of the cordially invited guests had to excuse themselves ...
How will the recent wave of job cuts impact ethnic diversity in the media? In November last year, I was working a very busy day in the newsroom of a large online news site, interviewing whānau about their concerns over the imminent closure of one of the few puna reo ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Knight, Researcher, Queensland University of Technology Have you ever felt sick at work? Perhaps you had food poisoning or the flu. Your belly hurt, or you felt tired, making it hard to concentrate and be productive. How likely would you be ...
Despite heavy criticism and an ongoing select committee process, the Police Minister says the Government will forge ahead with a ban on gang patches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
A new survey says ‘outlook not great’ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
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My condolences.
Yup Carol very sad, sincere condolences to the families while their sons, husbands ,fathers may sign up for this the families don’t.
This is so sad – I’m gutted for the soldiers families.
So what steps are you taking to make sure this doesn’t happen to other families? Have you contacted your M.P. and demanded he/she press the prime minister to pull our troops out?
Bunter Bennett won’t speak to me or call back after I told her to “F” off my property so I went into Cam Calders office while out South but each time I ask for a reply to my demands they ignore me, so I don’t even try anymore.
Have you?
Bunter Bennett won’t speak to me or call back after I told her to “F” off my property so I went into Cam Calders office while out South but each time I ask for a reply to my demands they ignore me, so I don’t even try anymore.
I sympathize with you. Be careful not to antagonize that ghastly woman or she’ll mount a campaign of defamation against you.
Have you?
Yes. He was polite enough. Like everyone, he knows that this war has no justification, but I hold little hope that he will find the courage to actually speak that truth.
It is worth pointing out that women also serve in our armed forces, including in Afghanistan – and it is rumoured that one of those killed may be a female soldier.
Why is the fact that one of our soldiers was a women make any difference?
Public reaction to a female KIA or one taken prisoner can sometimes be different. Male and female soldiers cannot be assigned the same roles when dealing with a Muslim population. Modern military forces commonly distinguished roles (formally and informally) which are not filled by women.
It doesn’t Draco – but a number of comments on the Standard today have referred to the NZ troops in Afghanstan being ‘our boys’ , or ‘sons, fathers, brothers’ etc without any appreciation/recognition that those troops also include women.
My condolences also.
My condolences also to the families, friends and colleagues – Stuff are now reporting that one of the three is a woman.
Goff is currently being interviewed on Nime to Noon and, if I heard him correctly, is saying that in his opinion, there is no longer a prospect of achieving the original objectives of our participation in Afghanstan and we should possibly withdraw.
Goff is… saying that there is no longer a prospect of achieving the original objectives of our participation in Afghanstan and we should possibly withdraw.
Goff and Helen Clark are as culpable in this criminal fiasco as Key is. In fact, their culpability is greater, for they sent the troops there in the first place. They mouthed the propaganda about “reconstruction” and fibbed about good-natured Kiwi soldiers winning the hearts and minds of the locals.
The revelations about those good-natured Kiwi soldiers being bullied by American grunts into handing over captive civilians for possible torture and summary execution make the lies of Clark, Goff and Key even more craven.
Amazing what rubbish goes through what passes through a tories mind nowadays….. Only an incurable bigot with the attention span of a goldfish would feel competent to make the kind of statement you’ve just made morris minor….
try again.. and this time, spend more than five seconds absorbing tory slogans to use as your intellectual basis….
You may not make such an ass of yourself….(i’m assuming you have the wit to understand the big words contained in the articles outlining reality as it is, not as the tories would wish it to be)
Amazing what rubbish goes through what passes through a tories mind nowadays…
Whatever hallucinogenic substance you are on, I don’t think it improves your writing style. I enjoyed being called a “tory” for a moment or two there, until I realized it came from a confused mind.
“They mouthed the propaganda about “reconstruction” and fibbed about good-natured Kiwi soldiers winning the hearts and minds of the locals.”
So you knew, with 100% certainty, that it was all for naught before the soldiers were sent?
Maybe you should buy lotto tickets if you’re so good at predicting the future.
Kaua koe e whai atu i ngā mahi a te hukehuke rā, kei raru kōrua tahi
So you knew, with 100% certainty, that it was all for naught before the soldiers were sent?
I know with 100 per cent certainty that no New Zealand soldiers were killed in Afghanistan before Helen Clark had her arm twisted and sent them there.
I know with 100 per cent certainty that the overwhelming majority of Afghanistan’s people want the invading troops out.
But why don’t you listen to one of them yourself, accompanied by the world’s most respected dissenter?…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcZhQLbvgEw&feature=related
Such a tragic loss for the families and friends of these 3 men. Deepest sympathy.
hmm assumption… *soliders
Holy sh*t.
The NY Times reports that most of the recent attacks on NATO troops were by our “allies,” the Afghan army, NOT by the Taliban!
Read the NY Times article. According to the NATO high command our soldiers were probably ambushed by Afghan army soldiers, NOT the Taliban!
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/19/world/asia/afghan-attacks-on-allied-troops-prompt-nato-to-shift-policy.html?ref=global-home
Enough is Enough.
There was never a right time to send our boys and girls into harms way. However now is definitley the time to pull them out.
Clark and Key should not be able to sleep tonight thinking of the families of these troops who have been killed for no reason whatsoever.
Lance Corporal Jacinda Baker (26), Private Richard Harris (21) and Corporal Luke Tamatea (31).
It’s a damn shame.
🙁
The Herald are quick to run a piece which supports Key’s “blame it on the Hungarians” line.
But at the end of the article this:
Perhaps New Zealand could learn something of the Hungarian strategy after all…
With our withdrawal already announced, and with the fair expectation that all our brave men and women could all be returned safely to their families.
Such stupid pointless meaningless deaths #?*!!
To be prepared to die for a cause can be a noble sentiment. But just as in Vietnam after the American withdrawal was announced, no one wanted to be the last GI to die in a lost cause.
What could more New Zealand deaths in Afghanistan possibly achieve?
Can anyone tell me?
Key needs to speed up the withdrawal so that more kiwis don’t die pointlessly.
Only people with the heads up Uncle Sam’s arse can think that NZ ever had any business in Afghanistan. It was and is a US war using the UN to cover for its blind rage over 9/11. Clark and Co bought it because it has the UN stamp of approval. NZ became the US deputy’s (Howard’s) dog. It doesn’t matter if the Taliban (created by the US to fight a pro-US regime in the 80s) or ‘Afghan’ army killed NATO troops, they are all Afghans in their own country defending themselves from those who are occupying it. However you read it it proves the old cliche that Western countries that venture into Afghanistan to conquer it, always end up getting wiped out. Good.
http://redrave.blogspot.co.nz/2009/08/afghanistan-defeat-imperialist-invaders.html
Well, not so much blind rage, but an attempt to secure oil and NG pipelines from central asia which bypass the instability of the middle east and the political whims of Russia.
That’s true, 9/11 gave them the pretext to ‘act’ in a blind rage.
Absolutely right! Seconded, thirded, fourthed and so on….
I just don’t think today is the day for debating our length of tenure in Afghanistan. Give it a few weeks and sure. But the headlines about Goff and Shearer saying we need to pull out make me sick:
http://nowoccupy.blogspot.com/2012/08/your-soldier-was-hero-you-hold-that-to.html
Today belongs to remembrance of the dead.
I don’t see how you honour the dead by allowing more to die without good cause.
If the NZDF are taking casualties more frequently now, when will we ever get a chance to debate what we are doing in Afghanistan?
Following your logic, Monique, if soldiers were dying every day we’d stay there forever with no debate. The fact that more have died over nothing worthwhile makes it exactly the right time to debate this.
Actually – this thread is a memorial one, Monique. There’s another thread for discussing the issue. You are politicising a memorial thread.
According to Monique’s logic, Afghanistan must not be discussed in the US Presidential election. Or at any time over the past decade.
If they had to “give it a few weeks” after suffering casualties, given the scale of their losses, they would never discuss the war at all.
The problem with not discussing is that it leads to not understanding, which leads to more deaths, and not only in Afghanistan.
Just to keep you updated, Monique, the “length of tenure” is being debated this afternoon/evening on Radio NZ, Newstalk ZB, Radio Live, TVNZ, TV 3 news, Campbell Live, Stuff.co.nz, etc, etc.
Even some bereaved family members are speaking on the TV news, about bringing the troops home.
So your swipe at Shearer/Goff is unwarranted.
Deem me a cnut if you will, but I’ve followed all this since the time it became public – from VERy early morn. Then I witnessed a Jonkey press conference at 11.30 and I was truly embarassed – especially as he shuffled together the pages of his speech just given at the end. Atually- he kept the media waiting just to show who was in control.
A Performace!!!. I’m not suggesting the man does not have sympathy or genuine concern, simply that his concern is MORE about him and how people perceive him first and foremost, THEN the deaths.
I MUST come across all staunch and concerned. Stay the course!. {Look left at photos of the dead}.
The guy sounded drunk as he shhhhsssstraifed his way through a prepared speech full of the usual platitudes….ultimate sekrfois et al. Keep it up… PLEASE John! A few more hobbits will awake.
My sincere condolences, sympathy and prayers go out to the families of these brave soldiers. Am feeling deep grief myself so I cannot imagine what their families are going through. I just pray they stay strong.
It is good to see the Taliban have worked out that to get the invades out of their country it is smarter to kill the Alliance soldiers than the US ones, killing a US soldier just reduces the unemployment # in the US, and whats another yank? Where as poping off our guys really hurts the Alliance, a dead Kiwi has got to be worth more points in the ‘game of war’ than several dead yanks.
I am amazed people are upset by our guys dying, I mean it is a war zone? They are ALL coming back with death sentences anyway, what with all the radioactive crap they have been living around while in Afghanistan – specifically Depleted Uranium.
And don’t they volunteer for this adventure? it wouldn’t be as much fun if you didn’t stand the chance of dying or better still killing someone.
In the end these people are just state funded murderers.
IrishBill: Take a month off.
Robert, seek help.
Parawai.
You’re probably going to regret this comment when you sober up, Robert.
Not at all.
New Zealand troops are just backing the lie that is 9/11.
They are supporting an occupying force?
Why get pissed at me? It is the government that has sent them into harms way, and most Kiwis are happy with that. Sure the Taliban are a bad lot, but so are the Israelis when they get fired up, and there are plenty of other countries that ‘need’ invading, to bring democracy, consumerism, and everything we enjoy …. ignoring the fact that we are passed peak ‘luxury’.
Politicians and TPTB are a bunch of 3 year olds, they would literally crawl over dead babies to maintain their lifestyles, like most people they are unable to grasp the end of growth, some even think we should or have to ‘climate change’ to the brink of extinction to bring the second coming of Christ, then his dad and him are going to turn the planet back to like it was before we fucked it ????? people are just stupid. And politicians are a great representative of this useless gene pool.
‘We’ are being lied to and ripped off daily by our government, EVERY politician is lying to us everyday.
Happy Kiwi Saving.
In the end we are just bacteria, but a real dumb one, a bit like yeast.
Yeast aint that dumb, i have a potato one on the cook in my hot-water cupboard right now, in 2 days time it will be banana bread,
And,
Banana bread aint dumb it’s the bomb…
IB it appears I am not alone http://cloudsouthfilms.blogspot.ca/2012/08/public-enemy-number-one.html
While I offer my prayers and sympathies for those soldiers that have been killed in Afghanistan I am also mindful of the futility of war. Both the war in Iraq and Afghanistan should have never been authorized and waged because the justification for it was based on a bunch of lies.
The US imports more oil from Iraq than they do from Saudi Arabia. Afghanistan is of strategic importance to the US so one wonders how genuine thier motives are? Do they care about bringing democracy to these countries? I don’t think so.
I am also deeply saddened by the millions of innocent civilians no different from you and I in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen who have been killed by the bombs dropped by US and NATO forces. Somehow our media fails to mention this
@TRP p= I hope he does regret it when he sobers up. I wonder though WHAT of Jomkey when he does.
Over the millenium, I think its almost safe to say 50% of my family engaged in the military.intelligenc wing have either been killed or traumatised by all this sort of total SHITE.
It’s why Jonkeys 11.30 am “press conference” was so fucking hollow and offensive.
How the hell did a usually smart NZ electorate be conned by a used-car salesman dressed in the so-called respectability of “suited finacial market free-trader’ professionalism”. Not only is there a really UGLY emperor with no clothes, but the protestations of sympathy and “utlimate proice” crap are beginning to be recognised as the spin and bullshit they really are.
Fuck off John. There’s a cute little Hawaiian retreat – go for it now rather than when the shit really hits the fan – save us all the anguish. Current course – result inevitable it’s really only about your pathetic ego when it comes down to it
Fuck off John.
He’s going to fuck off – my pick is towards the end next year. Why not. All the doors that can be opened to him have been opened. Not much point in hanging around any longer. He’s done his dash as PM, and there’s an even bigger stash to be made on the international financial markets.
It gives Stephen Joyce about nine months to enjoy his honeymoon and have an election before the voters twig they’ve swopped one egomaniac for yet another…. who could turn out to be even worse.
I was sorry to hear that the number of New Zealanders killed in Afghanistan now totals 10.
My immediate thoughts went to their loved ones and families.
I then thought, how many of the enemy have our troops killed? Is it two of theirs, for every one of ours?
I would expect with us having unlimited ammunition and supplies, far superior weapons, hi tech body armor, reliable transport, logistics and communications, our total firepower and professional training would ensure that the ratio of enemy killed would be much higher than the 10 kiwi dead.
Is it 20, 30, 50, 100, who knows?
My next thought was; Wouldn’t it be better to just end the cycle of violence?
What could more deaths achieve?
He āhua rite tēnei tono ki te kōrero nenekara rā, “Ko koutou mā kāore anō kia tae mai, tēnā whakatūhia mai ō koutou ringa.”
I would suggest that it’s going to escalate, the cycle of violence that is, the Chief of Defense Reece Jones was saying on RadioNZ this afternoon that permission has been given for New Zealand to also operate in the neighbouring Baghlan Province,
If the Kiwi troops go playing gang busters in Baghlan looking for revenge we all can expect more body bags back here via Bagram…
My heart is with those people the soldiers. Equally with their shattered loved-ones. Facing a hellish life without their loved-one.
So I mentally gulped when today I heard John Key quoted saying along the lines that to pull out of Afghanistan (presumably “now”) would horrify the families as offensive to the memories of the soldiers and their service. In a just cause. Does he know all those aspects personally and at first hand ? Bit of a question if he doesn’t.
Well it’s 7.04 pm and we’re into John Key on “Close Up”. Everyman Sainsbury giving John Key a good run at looking vaguely “Churchill in wartime” to overstate.
Pretty surely it’s John Key looking after John Key. Apologies to the people who got a hiding above for being political too early. Key has declared the politics of it imperative.
Key must listen to the families of our soldiers.
‘‘We’d been hoping that [Prime Minister] John Key would have sent him back by now, after the last lot passed away.’’
What a ridiculous disrespectful post. Shame on you. He personally visited those families last time and I am sure he will do the same again. Did anyone else do this? No!
I personally would not want all the politicians at my son’s funeral grandstanding to the world, pretending they cared whilst dropping a well rehearsed tear for the cameras.
For DJ
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/slain-soldier-criticised-key-missing-troops-funeral-5035471
DJ: Excuse me, what are you worked up for?
Soldiers have “fallen” or died for eons of times in human history, for good, bad, right, wrong and whatever causes that were claimed, usually by dominant, privileged rulers that had no scruples to send the young ones off to sacrifice their lives for whatever nationalistic, idealistic or whatever causes.
This whole soldier ethos of dying for your country, your mates, your family, for a good cause and so on, it has been repeated throughout history endlessly.
Now even the Hitler youth believed they were right and sacrificed their lives for the right cause, so did the kamikaze youth from Japan, so did Mao’s brigades, Lenin’s fighting troups, and further back the ones fighting for the dominance of Rome, Persia, Mesopotamia, Egypt and whatever.
Who ever paid the bloody price?
The ordinary foot soldier and their families! Who won, who lost, what did it usually achieve?
A plaque on some rock or what, how is that for “spirit” and liveliness?
The RSA fought in good faith agains dictators, but any sensible person knows also, they also in part committed atrocities!
Shove your over-holy crap into the grave, where it belongs, thank you.
Every person who dies deserves fair respect and consideration. Soldier, voluntary nun or aid worker in the slums of Calcutta maybe even more so than some highly armed soldiers in Afghanistan, trying to protect a rotten, corrupt government that also allows opium trade.
What have the dumbed down and manipulated masses in this country come to, if the media gets away every time to glorify the so called “sacrifice” for bloody what?
I am sick to death of all this shit. Throw away you uniforms, get naked, real, human and put your lively human effort and strenght where it is most needed: To fight for justice against unfairness and poverty, first of all in your own country, and in the realm around it. Then you deserve a bloody medal, that will be in spirit not rotten or rusty metal.
Thank you!
Any chance we can leave this post for condolences and remembrance?
Any politicising should be made on Open mike.
Too late the wankers went into full post mode straight away …….
Hi DJ, if you don’t want to “politicise” here, there’s a wide-ranging debate on the other thread. Feel free to join in.
Te standard tērā e haunga mai nei.
Tēnā koe, Pukeko
Ko wai koe?
Why are you repeating practically verbatim phrases from the Māori online dictionary? The original phrase that you have erroneously bastardised is thus
“He ika tērā e haunga mai nei. / That fish is smelly”
Every recent post you have made in the reo has been similarly taken from the same Maori online dictionary and misused. So why the pretence?
I seriously suspect that that one is the false face of one who recently copped a little stretch of a banning from The Standard, (like as in life-time),
Have carefully studied ‘its’ appearances in various debates going back a bit and ‘it’ seems to have some twisted motive (revenge) as the basis for ‘its’ comments…
PG? Looking at his blog right now, he does seem quite obsessed with TS.
Heh, much better than looking at this blog and seeing how obsessed he is with TS 😉
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uCC-venMtU
No comment!
Gordon Campbell writes that it is gutless crawling to the Americans by our leaders that New Zealanders are dying for.
yup, nice one Jenny.
It’s honesty like that, along with the fact that he’s humiliated Graham Bell and Richard Griffin on air, that means Campbell is not asked to appear on National Radio’s wretched “Panel” programme any more.
Campbell would have a lot more credibility if he had written those comments years ago and substituted “Clark” for “Key”……….
Campbell would have a lot more credibility if he had written those comments years ago and substituted “Clark” for “Key”……….
He did, and on many occasions. You really need to catch up on your reading, my friend.
Key wants a FTA with the USA in order to brag to his pals in Hawaii
i.e. a “Free Trade” agreement giving all the advantages to multinational corporates, a few morsels to big NZ interests, and sells our ordinary citizens down the river.
An FTA is the goal. .nothing changed since the Clark days…….wait, didn’t Helen get a plum job at the UN?
a quarter century of globalised neoliberal free markets has been a huge wealth pump from the many to the few.
+10
The “war on terrorism” has always been b.s. How do you have a war with no specific enemy?
The first Christians were terrorists in the eyes of the Romans. The revolutionaries in the British and Spanish American colonies were terrorists in the eyes of their European masters; freedom fighters in the eyes of their neighbors. And so it has been with every protest movement. Heck, in some countries outspoken women are terrorists.
“Be afraid, very afraid. Embrace Big Brother. Only he can protect you.”
This is highly classified so don’t spread it around. The Teleban sent a suicide squad to blow up the Inter-Island ferry but our police intercepted them, which is why Big Brother will be expanding civilian surveillance. It’s for your own good.
Shades of 1984.
I felt a 1984 chill back when Bush was talking about the ‘war on terror’ going on for as long as it takes. A war without end. Since then I can just turn on Fox news and get that chill anytime I want.
Sad all this, yet, has anyone ever seriously looked at near death experiences?
Generally the reports and feed-backs are very consoling and calming. Those that have been there usually no longer fear death. Combatants of course are on the very front line of life and death challenges, survival and so forth. I feel extremely sorry for those that get maimed, disabled and seriously injured and survive to live a life of misery.
It is disgusting what Taleban are doing, using these hideous, cunning IEDs.
Yet anyone exposed to such threats would only wish for her or him to hit it straight and for sure, to be spared any suffering.
Maybe the madness of yihadis does also explain that death is not really that much to fear about. If life is crap, then it may be a salvation, especially if it serves a cause.
Extreme these thoughts are, but I dare to raise the unthinkable, to ponder about in times of distress and unbearable pain.
Voluntary euthanasia is becoming more acceptable to me, looking at all this stuff.
About the same as hellfire equipped killer drones being controlled by “pilots” half a world away, who fight a distant war impersonally, from the luxury of their own home town.
This is exactly what anti-personnel mines have been designed to do for the longest time. But who says that civilisation does not advance? For in every new war, they find new ways of killing and maiming people.
It is an unfortunate business.
CV – do you ever sleep? O is the revolutionary fervour giving you 24/7 energy to burn?
Key’s self-interest in attending his son’s ball-game in the US rather than representing NZ at the funeral for one of his soldiers who died in Afghanistan can only hurt him at the next election.
He was his Commander-in-Chief. Loyalty flows both ways ..