Todd Muller is Simon Bridges with less personality

Written By: - Date published: 1:33 pm, May 26th, 2020 - 68 comments
Categories: climate change, jacinda ardern, national, nz first, same old national, Simon Bridges, superannuation, todd muller - Tags:

Yesterday was an interesting day.

Jacinda Ardern managed to ace an interview during the middle of an earthquake while at the same time poking a bit of fun at her partner Clark Gayford’s love of sheds.  She again attracted International attention and reinforced what a cool head she has during an emergency.  This 30 second clip live on TV will reinforce already stellar support for her in her role.

Meanwhile Todd Muller has completed his reshuffle.  The overwhelming impression is that National’s front bench is very, very white.

Among the biggest losers, Simon Bridges who plunges 48 places and Paula Bennett who drops 11 places.  Maori will notice their treatment.  Paula is now ranking behind Chris Bishop.  If current dire polling continues this could be the difference between being returned to Parliament and not being returned.  And Alfred Ngaro dropped 9 places.  Take that Pacific brothers and sisters.

National’s ethnic representation policy is in turmoil.  They face the prospect of Jin Yang, Melissa Lee, Parmjeet Parmar, Kanwaljit Bakshi no longer being there.  National’s fundraising will take a hit.

Meanwhile Todd’s first exposure on National TV was as you say not a good start.  He kept tacking to his talking points.  He wants to open up as quickly as possible and thinks the Government is not doing enough to support businesses.  He seems to have missed the billions of dollars spent on the wage subsidy.

He came out with a few clangers like this one:

I think we would be spending money.  I’m not going to quibble over whether it should be more or less.

Can someone tell me what was meant by this.

Jack Tame has the perfect response to this: 

You are criticising the Government for a lack of detailed spending but you can’t even tell me if you would spend more or less. How is that for detail.

Muller replied by saying that he had a phenomenal team.  And that National had a comprehensive economic plan that will resonate and people will relate to it and they will support risk taking and entrepreneurship. It is clear to see what platitudes National is going to use this election campaign.

As to policy the only details that we received were that National would reverse the Government’s ban on off sea oil drilling and not increase taxes.  He also stood by National’s policy to increase the retirement age.

The strong impression I received was that Muller was not on top of details of National’s policy.  This will be a problem if it continues. 

He was asked about his relationship with Winston Peters.  He has apparently not spoken to him since being elected leader.  He was asked about his personal position on working with Winston.  he replied by saying that it was up to caucus.  He refused to rule it out. This represents national’s only hope.

The complete interview is worth a watch.  Tame did an excellent job.  The first thing they teach you in law school is to keep your questions short and look directly into the eyes of the person you are questioning. Tame did these exceptionally well.

Excuse me for saying this but Muller’s performance was Sheareresque in its quality.

Matthew Hooton must be deeply worried.  All of his twitter posting of random numbers (now under lockdown) may have not improved things for National.

68 comments on “Todd Muller is Simon Bridges with less personality ”

  1. JanM 1

    I get the impression that he has been promoted to his level of incompetence. That interview last night was a looloo!

    • lprent 1.1

      It was interesting… And not in a good way for National.

      What keeps popping into my head while watching him was David Shearer being wooden. Banging out the talking points. Like the awkward reversions to Shane Reti at the end. Sounded like a tokenism

      He appears to be better at speeches than dialogue. Sluggish when having to think on his feet. He was slightly better in announcing the lineup shuffle.

      Also watched Amy Adams with John Campbell – way more relaxed and communicative.

    • Unicus 1.2

      AND Simons got hair

      Bald men don’t win elections – ask Winston😂

  2. "They face the prospect of Jin Yang, Melissa Lee, Parmjeet Parmar, Kanwaljit Bakshi no longer being there."

    So would that be 6 people they could lose?
    Or would it be 3?

    • woodart 2.1

      depends whether they have a bag of cash in each hand, free market rules dont ya know?

    • Ken 2.2

      Good question.

      There's a complex equation – I think one Chinese person is worth two Indians and three Filipinos.

      I'm not 100% sure of those ratios….perhaps someone could ask The Toddler.

  3. mac1 3

    It has to be said that at least Simon Bridges knew who were Māori in his caucus. Watching Todd Muller nod his head in agreement with his deputy pointed out the fourth gaffe he has made in four days.

    Early days so in our observations of Mr Muller’s road to discovery we must be maganaminous…….

  4. Dennis Frank 4

    "I think we would be spending money. I’m not going to quibble over whether it should be more or less." Can someone tell me what was meant by this.

    Having 50c each way? Looks like the critics are right. He has not started well.

    The first thing they teach you in law school is to keep your questions short and look directly into the eyes of the person you are questioning.

    I can see why that's optimal training for the courtroom. Also excellent training for tv reporters (if they are given it – I suspect not).

    Not my job to try & figure positive spin on his performance, but if I were Hooton I'd explain the necessity of talking to the people rather than reciting party lines. Could be his confused stance derives from the interim state between established Nat policy and the mix he wants caucus to adopt. Best gloss I can think of…

    • mac1 4.1

      Another gloss is that he doesn’t know whether more or less money should be spent. This from a self-professed businessman who in his own words is able to read a balance sheet. Pffffft!

  5. roblogic 5

    Bridges’ polling has been awful, the public perception of him was a disagreeable yapping naysayer, even alienating the base blue vote. So the Nat strategists thought a grey cipher, a temporary figurehead that says nothing of substance, would minimise the damage of the coming election

  6. peterh 6

    The 40 day wonder said he was going to give it to Kelvin Davis ,Davis just made them look like a bunch of fools in question time

    • Paddington 6.1

      It’s hard to imagine Davis being capable of making anyone look a fool except himself. he’s one of a number of weak links in Parliament (from both sides) and he’s Labour’s 2IC.

      • ianmac 6.1.1

        Trouble is Kelvin doesn't lie and in trying to be fair he, self checks all his words which slows his delivery. But today he made McClay, who looked eager for Kelvin's blood receive a bloody nose for his trouble.

        • Paddington 6.1.1.1

          Kelvin may not lie (although I find that in a politician hard to believe), but the man is a liability. He's given too many dead possum interviews to think otherwise.

    • anker 6.2

      Just watched the clip of Kelvin Davis. McLay…egg meet face

  7. Still think "Deer in the headlights" He will underestimate Kelvin because he thinks he is smarter. Big mistake.

  8. He should do well.

    He basically acknowledged Jacindas Government as being good at dealing with the Nations Health Crisis, but that now we need the steady hand(sic) of a National Government, to take care of the economy and the rebuild.

    I bet you your average National voter, who is ever so grateful to Jacinda for saving their lives, will be very relieved to have an excuse to return to National.

    He doesn't need to have as much personality as Bridges….he just needs to not have Bridges personality full stop.

    He looks and sounds like everybodies favorite family trust building Lawyer.

    He's a loaf of white bread in a Nation of bog standard white bread eaters…

  9. Paddington 9

    " Maori will notice their treatment. "

    You give Maori too little credit. And you make the all too common mistake of considering maori as some single organism. They are not.

    • mickysavage 9.1

      Que?

      I disagree entirely with your first comment. Maori society is very sophisticated and very aware of what is happening.

      I do agree with your second comment however. Brevity sometimes does not allow for nuance.

  10. newsense 10

    Muller flip flops on MAGA, Kaye knows a Maori, and National are reborn #brownout

    • woodart 10.1

      can see a blackface cartoon with todd in a hat(?) being pushed around by the three dominant females behind him.

  11. Cinny 11

    My tory boss thinks todd is hopeless, to be fair he didn't think much of bridges. But he sure loved key and co.

    He said there was nothing new or fresh about todd, or his team.

    But he does rate Jacinda.

  12. Enough is Enough 12

    3 women in the top 4. I doubt you would have seen that 30 years ago

    • ScottGN 12.1

      No you wouldn’t have. But nor should it be something you feel the need to make a song-and-dance about these days.

  13. observer 13

    Like others I expect Muller to lift National's support simply by being Not Bridges. He doesn't need to inspire and it looks like he won't.

    What I didn't expect was the breakdown in caucus discipline. That is definitely worse than under Bridges.

    They aren't even hiding behind anonymity.

    e.g.

    National's Jo Hayes told Radio Waatea the matter was concerning and she would be asking Muller about it.

    "This is not good. We need to remedy this or you need to front it and take it head on and say why. You need to give a better explanation," Hayes said.

    (and)

    "The new leadership have chosen their top team and they are the ones who are answerable for it." (Paula Bennett).

    They grumbled off the record about Bridges, but public unity was maintained. Gone now.

  14. Nick 14

    TM is SB with less personality but more hats…..he's even got a nazi 2016-2020 collectors item.

  15. ScottGN 15

    It’s surprising that, having wasted his first weekend as leader getting himself distracted by the MAGA cap he’s only made it to Tuesday before ditching it.

  16. ScottGN 16

    Not exactly a glowing review for his first day from RNZ’s Political Editor Jane Patterson on Checkpoint this evening. She made the point that his overly prescriptive line of questions at Question Time in the House today simply gave the PM free rein to extol her government’s work at supporting jobs.

    • new view 16.1

      Supporting jobs yes. Supporting the businesses that provide those jobs no. An interest free loan doesn’t cut the mustard. Or is there a lot of help for businesses I’m missing. The coalition can’t pay wages for ever,or should I say us. . I would have thought huge support for business was imperative.

      • ScottGN 16.1.1

        I would have thought that subsidising wages for staff was a pretty good way of supporting the businesses that employ them.

        • Cinny 16.1.1.1

          I would have thought that subsidising wages for staff was a pretty good way of supporting the businesses that employ them.

          It sure is and has been appreciated by many business owners and their employees, and the local business where said employees spend their wages.

          The wage subsidy provided an excellent solution, benefiting more than just the business owners.

        • new view 16.1.1.2

          The problem is a lot of those businesses don’t have enough customers at present but their overheads remain. Rent, rates, paying for stock that might sit on shelves for too long, insurances, vehicle maintenance etc just to name a few. The Government is all about the workers which is admirable, but are they starving the goose that lays the golden egg. Time will tell.

          • ScottGN 16.1.1.2.1

            So basically you’re saying businesses should lay off staff and then get help from government to meet fixed costs? I think most people would prefer the wage subsidy.

            Another way of looking at National’s GST rebate is that they are asking NZers (some in straitened financial circumstances) to keep paying 15% more than they need to for goods and services in order to subsidise businesses.

            • aj 16.1.1.2.1.1

              I think new view is suggesting the govt should support ALL business costs..

              …but their overheads remain. Rent, rates, paying for stock that might sit on shelves for too long, insurances, vehicle maintenance etc just to name a few. The Government is all about the workers which is admirable…

              Which is a very interesting proposition.

              • How long should the government support business while they do not have customers? forever?
              • At what level of customer support should the govt step away.
              • Since the level of support required may be years, what level of debt should the govt be prepared to take on
              • And remember "The Government is all about the workers which is admirable" so we must presume new view want the wage subsidy to continue as well

              Can everyone see the problems with new view's proposition? and that of the national party, which new view is echoing. Which is why Todd Muller and his party won't be pinned down on any details, they are all mouth no trousers. All piss and wind. Talk is cheap so they need to be pressured into giving details of their plans, if they have any. They don't, so let hold a sweep stake how long they will hold out before they insist that 'tax cuts' are the answer. As it is has been to every hard question the right has had to answer in the last 30 years. I give them less than a month.

            • new view 16.1.1.2.1.2

              ScottGN. You said the businesses should lay off staff, I didn’t. The wage subsidies are crucial but they go to the staff. The businesses need separate financial support and should have it. If you read the news Some businesses are folding up their tent regardless. Why is that?

              • pat

                "According to MBIE, 58 percent of Kiwi businesses born in 2010, with no employees, ceased to exist by 2015. With up to five employees the figure was slightly better at 43 percent."

                https://nzbusiness.co.nz/article/fail-exposé

              • Graeme

                So the 'government', that's actually every taxpayer in the country, should pick up the tab for business's inability to plan for a downturn.

                We're in tourism, and have been for over 50 years over two generations. Shit like this happens, and quite regularly. We structure our business to be able to cope with downturns that come every 7 -10 years. Two years ago we looked at the way the world was going with the hyper mobility that developed over the last 10 years and concluded that something like this was likely. We're hurting, but it's sustainable and we've been able to negotiate a sustainable position with our landlord and bankers.

                Around us in Queenstown are a lot of businesses that are in a similar position, they've been around a long time and will be around for a bit more.

                There's also a lot that won't, some were struggling before Christmas and this will finish them off, but that's business, they come and go. And others just didn't see it coming and are overwhelmed by events. They've got a problem of their own making. Hopefully they will learn from this and learn to plan for the full business / economic cycle.

                The government has done the right thing by looking after the staff, they aren't the ones that did the business plans, but are wearing the consequences.

              • ScottGN

                So you want the government to pay businesses fixed costs and subsidise their staff’s wages? For how long? How much do you imagine that’s going to cost?

                • new view

                  I don’t know Scott. You tell me. At present half the work force is being paid a wage subsidy for doing nothing. Waiting for the businesses to fire up. Wouldn’t it be great if there’s a business there to go back to. The subsidy will finish at election time. I hope all those businesses that you seem to think should be able to hang on until then, can. One of us will be right. If I’m right many will go straight from the wage subsidy onto the dole. If I’m wrong the re elected Government? Will last until the following election and beyond.

                  • aj

                    Dunedin mayor urges H&J Smith to remain open in city

                    H&J Smith managing director Jason Smith said the group had applied for all Government support that was available to them. It had applied for the wage subsidy and the wage subsidy extension but it was only one cost to running a business, he said. The proposal was not a decision made solely on the economic effects of Covid-19, he said.

                    Smith believed it was not the Government's role to prop up every business in the country.

                    Jason Smith is the managing director and sixth consecutive member of the Smith family to undertake that role in the H&J Smith group of companies since siblings Helen and John Smith opened the business in 1900.

                    Sounds like he agrees with Grant Robertson.

                    • In Vino

                      new view – remember when you wrote some nonsense about starving the goose that lays the golden egg? Your ilk used to do their best to sell off and privatise that goose.

                      The damage to the economy has been done by the virus: stop trying to blame the govt. Wait and see what economic damage happens to countries that have not controlled the virus as we have.

                      Far too early to make your silly judgements

                    • new view []

                      In Vino. I’m not trying to blame anyone. Just pointing out the support to small businesses has been Minimal. (Interest free loan)The wage subsidy is for the staff whose employers aren’t able to pay them at present. The Government has done a good job of looking after them. The businesses have other overheads that may mean it not worth carrying on. If you think that’s silly then you are acting a bit silly yourself. My Ilk(whatever that is) is entitled to a point of view. People like you don’t seem to get that a lot of businesses won’t survive, so soon as the wage subsidy finishes those workers become unemployed. Or do you not give a stuff about them.

                    • mickysavage []

                      I take it you do not own a small business. I can show you thousands that are very grateful for the wage subsidy and a billion dollars has been lent out under the small business loan scheme.

                    • new view []

                      No I don’t own a small business. I never said they weren’t grateful for the wage supplement. Time will tell how many won’t make it back. The Government will be hoping it’s pulled the right strings because it’s own survival will depend on it. In my opinion.

                    • Tricledrown

                      H&J Smith are an expensive place to shop , in a recession that's problematic.

                  • woodart

                    half the work force? nothing like a bit of exageration eh? I would suggest the vast majority of workers are back at work now.

  17. anker 17

    OMG Todd's pitch is that National are more competent, but already Niki Kaye saying Goldsmith is Maori and then Nicola Willis on one News when talking about Todd called him Simon Bridges, which the reporter pulled her up about "you mean Todd Muller"

    Their pitch has been that the are more competent than Labour (in a somewhat superior way). They are coming across as clowns

  18. Fireblade 18

    Todd is the new head turd polisher, but the shine has already faded. Todd is just plain boring, uninspiring and clumsy.

    Todd's performance in Parliament today was pathetic. National may have to change the leader again if they genuinely want to try and win the general election.

    Simon Bridges was National's most talented leader, even though he was unelectable.

  19. pat 19

    "Bennett’s decision to not only make no attempt to salvage her colleagues, but emphasise their blunder, means the other narrative behind the story is that divisions in the party are raw and ugly."

    https://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/105220/why-todd-muller-needs-release-part-1-his-economic-recovery-plan-asap-avoid-being

    Trouble at mill

    • I Feel Love 19.1

      "First impressions count" – indeed they do.

      • pat 19.1.1

        Surprising how poorly they are performing given that Hooton had such an input…would have thought he'd be better prepared than that.

        • Bryn 19.1.1.1

          It ultimately comes down to the politician, there's only so much minders can do. Also, Hooton doesn't strike me as a genius political tactician. He usually just takes digs at Labour and hints at insider gossip, but as for sketching out a positive vision for NZ I don't see him doing that.

  20. hoom 20

    National had a comprehensive economic plan that will resonate and people will relate to it and they will support risk taking and entrepreneurship.

    Decoded means something like:

    Economic plan =tax cuts for rich & business.

    That will resonate =cut cut cut

    And people will relate to it =bump GST/other regressive tax.

    Will support risk-taking & entrepreneurship =deregulate deregulate deregulate & hock off what ever remains of Crown Assets.

  21. newsense 21

    Gotta remember Hooton is all about Kiwi/Iwi and smarmy 'kia ora's with Brash.

  22. newsense 22

    Also, there was a big stink made about Hooton using RNZ as a personal microphone for the coup and/or his PR business. But isn't Ben Thomas part of the same firm? There he is on RNZ the next day. RNZ's editorial staff have got some 'splainin to do.

  23. Muller flounders in Question Time, PM Ardern is impressive as ever

    https://ondemand.parliament.nz/parliament-tv-on-demand/?itemId=212433

  24. David Mac 24

    I like Todd, I think he's nice. I think he is making a strategic play to take over the Morrinsville fish and chip shop Jacinda worked at after school.

  25. David Mac 25

    What a chore, any bloke taking on Jacinda in September.

    Grinch vs Snow White

  26. David Mac 26

    I'm hoping Jacinda will back her 'be kind' thing and resist the urge to counter slag the opposition.

    Let them be as nasty as they want to be.

    NZ is looking for a govt that is focused on the job at hand and not a caucus absorbed with bickering with those that didn't get voted in.

    Jacinda should also be sitting down with Phil et al and discussing why they have consistently been selected by a broad range of observers as chronic under achievers.

    We need goal kickers right now. Kick or leave.

  27. Infused 27

    Act are going to get a lot of votes this year.

    What a fuckup by national

  28. Tricledrown 28

    Paula Benefit snipes leader mule head "there the ones in charge now"Looks like some unhappy campers the young talent has been sidelined .

    Pale stale males in charge geriatric brownlie takes Paula Benefits job.

  29. Cinny 29

    todds interview on Q+A was bad, his performance in the house yesterday was useless, but wow JC sure took him to task big time this morning and todd was terrible.

    Well done John Campbell for asking the questions and holding todd to account for his vague answers and party one liners.

    IMHO I think todd wanted the leadership for his own personal gain and power trip so he spun whatever lines he needed to the nat MP's to get it.

  30. Tricledrown 30

    Tau Henare dumping on National looks like the coup is backfiring.Unconcious racism.No Asian or Pacific representation in top 10.

    National getting all the headlines just they are all bad.

    No Unity

  31. JustMe 31

    In their current form and referring to the above Photos there appears to be 8 males and ONLY 4 females in Team Muller. Not exactly all that impressive or even credit worthy for National. Hardly a Equal Opportunities Party when all things considered???!!!!

    And hardly a political party worth voting for at the next general election.

    I am sure National will claim the bloopers by Muller in interviews is just that i.e bloopers and mistakes and hence a human mistake that everyone can make.. But let us all be assured National will never extend such 'privilege' of making mistakes upon any MP that sits opposite to them and will in fact drag the errant MP over the coals.

    And so whilst National will deem and preen themselves into thinking they are utter perfection upon the planet they will never care about anyone else but themselves

    All in all I am totally fed up with National trying to pretend they know what NZers are going through when in reality they didn't give a toss about us for the 9 years they were in government.

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    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    1 day ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    1 day ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    5 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    5 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Echoes of 1968 in 2024?  Pocock on the repetitive problems of the New Left
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Two bar blues
    The thing about life’s little victories is that they can be followed by a defeat.Reader Darryl told me on Monday night:Test again Dave. My “head cold” last week became COVID within 24 hours, and is still with me. I hear the new variants take a bit longer to show up ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 13
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Angus Deaton on rethinking his economics IMFLocal scoop: The people behind Tamarind, the firm that left a $500m cleanup bill for taxpayers at Taranaki’s Tui oil well, are back operating in Taranaki under a different company name. Jonathan ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • AT Need To Lift Their Game
    Normally when we talk about accessing public transport it’s about improving how easy it is to get to, such as how easy is it to cross roads in a station/stop’s walking catchment, is it possible to cycle to safely, do bus connections work, or even if are there new routes/connections ...
    6 days ago
  • Christopher's Whopper.
    Politicians are not renowned for telling the truth. Some tell us things that are verifiably not true. They offer statements that omit critical pieces of information. Gloss over risks, preferring to offer the best case scenario.Some not truths are quite small, others amusing in their transparency. There are those repeated ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
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