Too far

Written By: - Date published: 12:27 pm, August 10th, 2009 - 81 comments
Categories: dpf - Tags:

Farrar’s attacks on climate change campaigners and the Greens recently have been pretty hysterical (‘they’re going to shoot the cows!’) but now he’s gone too far.

In what purports to be satire, Farrar posts a ‘Green press release’ that says they want to have two out of three pregnancies aborted to tackle climate change. I’m not going to quote from or even link to the post. It’s too disgusting.

We all write things on our blogs that we sometimes regret, and if we’re smart we take them down when we see our error. But this is totally beyond the pale. An unfunny, uncalled for, and vicious attack on the Greens wearing the fig leaf of ‘humour’ as if that excuses anything one chooses to write.

Of course, it’s also a veiled reactionary attack on abortion, anyone calling for action on climate change, and any idea that the world population can’t continue to grow infinitely.

Maybe Farrar should give it up and turn the site over to the new pseudonymous writers he has introduced. At least they actually write something worth reading.

81 comments on “Too far ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Pascal's bookie 1
    10 August 2009 at 12:34 pm

    Perhaps he’s been watching the GOP a little too closely. Echoes of their rhetoric about health care reform.

  2. vto 2
    10 August 2009 at 1:03 pm

    Relax eddie, his site and this one are recognised as both representing more extreme ends of the various spectrums. There have been plenty similar on here. I seem to recall one recently which went on about the middle aged white man coming home and abusing the wife and kids and kicking the dog.

    Perhaps one of you (Standard or Kiwiblog) needs to unilaterally re-set the standard rather than bitching at each other in an increasingly hysterical manner. The two of you are like an abusive relationship, smacking each other around.

    • Pascal's bookie 2.1
      10 August 2009 at 1:12 pm

      Funny thing there v, there’s a very courageous thread up over there (for which DPF also deserves some kudos) posted by a escapee and survivor of domestic violence.

      Lot’s of comments along the lines of how the DPB is wrong because, well people make decisions and they should be responsible for them, and marriage should be more respected and such.

  3. felix 3
    10 August 2009 at 1:05 pm

    Eww. What’s funny (but not really) is how many of his regulars approve of the idea.

    • Pascal's bookie 3.1
      10 August 2009 at 1:08 pm

      And feigned to be unsure if it was satire, because you know, it’s not far from the trewth and all, Trev Louden says so, soylent green, etc and so on.

  4. jarbury 4
    10 August 2009 at 1:16 pm

    I think you make a good point vto. Farrar’s blogging of late has descended down to the level of those who generally make comments there.

    For a long time my general opinion of Kiwiblog was that although I disagreed with Farrar’s politics I recognised he was a smart guy and wrote really well. Quite the asset for the right-wing of NZ politics.

    However, since his trip to the USA things have changed quite markedly. I do see the effects of hanging out with the GOP coming through. There’s a greater nastiness, a greater willing to mislead readers (his denial of the difference between net emissions and gross emissions is a classic example of that) and just an uglier tone in what he says.

    I think it’s a good opportunity for The Standard to rise above being “the Kiwiblog of the left”. I think that Farrar’s shift will inevitably alienate his readership (it certainly has alienated me) even if he’s cheered on by the uglier parts of “the sewer”.

    And yes, back to the post in question – completely disgusting from Farrar. His hysterics over the climate change issue is probably a good insight into what many in the National Party are thinking at the moment. They’re shit scared about the changes they’ll have to embark upon to reach any reduction in CO2 emissions – let alone something as bold (yet clearly achievable) as a 40% reduction by 2020.

    • So Bored 4.1
      10 August 2009 at 2:01 pm

      Jar, you are spot on to what the right world wide are shit scared about. You only have to mention climate change and energy depletion to see them reaching for sacred shibboleths. On emission reduction “it will ruin our economy”, should always be answered “the dead dont have an economy”.
      Or energy, they say “the market will bring us new technology”…(answer “where the hell is it and can it break the rules of phyisics?”).

      Seems to me the likes of Farrar have a role in publicly denying reality, declaring an alternative reality to the masses in which we all go on forever allowing the profligacy of the rich. This vision would be all very well if it didnt kill us and the planet.

      I will generously send Farrar a shamrock as opposed to a fig leaf as a mark of hope to cover his inadequacy.

  5. gingercrush 5
    10 August 2009 at 1:41 pm

    And its any different to this how? http://blog.labour.org.nz/index.php/2009/07/22/key-gutless-under-pressure-babies-to-die-abortions-to-increase/

    Of course that wasn’t even satire.

    The whole blogosphere where every blog tries to be holier-than-thou is pathetic. I’m certainly with vto on that.

    • roger nome 5.1
      10 August 2009 at 2:00 pm

      I know GC – i think it’s disgusting how that post has 69 responses currently as well. These left-wing centrists make me sick!

    • Eddie 5.2
      10 August 2009 at 2:15 pm

      I thought that angle was too far too. it didn’t go as too far as Farrar’s post though which is simply outragous

      • Tigger 5.2.1
        10 August 2009 at 2:35 pm

        GC – who on here is defending that post you link to? You can actually find both distastefu, nor not, l no matter where you stand in the political spectrum. Why are people so quick to go – aha but you lefties thought THIS was okay so you’re hypocrites. It’s damn boring.

        I’m not outraged by it at all. I think it IS satire but weakly done – it would have benefitted from being a little more outrageous in places. I’d advise Farrar to read some Lyndon Hood if he wants to see how sharp and classy local satire can be.

        • gingercrush 5.2.1.1
          10 August 2009 at 2:57 pm

          I agree its boring when us right-wing people refer to what Labour did. But to deny that the left never did such things is absurd. Labour was notable in government in deflecting any criticism by referring back to the 90s. On some points of course that was legitimate. But it became tiring. I’ll agree that if National and right-wing bloggers and those of us who comment at blogs do the same thing in the future. That too will be tiring. But as it hasn’t been a year yet I’ll keep doing it.

          Nor can you deny that you left-wing people are quick to go back to the nineties to make points about this current government or refer to things Labour did from 1999 onwards when in government.

    • cha 5.3
      10 August 2009 at 2:29 pm

      And its any different to this how? http://blog.labour.org.nz/index.php/2009/07/22/key-gutless-under-pressure-babies-to-die-abortions-to-increase/

      And some of us have you pegged gingercrush, and bookmarked, as a nasty wee piece of shit and for you to suggest that Farrars wingnut rant is in any way similar to a posting about neural tube defects only confirms that you are indeed, a nasty wee piece of shit.

  6. roger nome 6
    10 August 2009 at 1:46 pm

    I’m looking forward to seeing DPF sunning himself with fellow over-indulged sea-elephants of the business elite in the Octagon next time he’s here in Dunedin. I’m sure he won’t say no to a quick hello from friendly ol’ roger nome 😉

    • gingercrush 6.1
      10 August 2009 at 2:02 pm

      Talking about other people’s bodies sure is a habit for you. How about you provide the blogosphere some of your body shots so we can criticise how you look. You really should put up or shut up rogernome. You must be some mighty specimen considering some of the outlandish statements about others you’ve made.

      • roger nome 6.1.1
        10 August 2009 at 2:17 pm

        GC – how about you tell me where you live and i’ll pay you a visit? What’s your wine of preferance? i’m sure we can have an interesting conversation whilst you cower in awe of my odonis-like stature 😉

        • sausage fingers 6.1.1.1
          10 August 2009 at 5:04 pm

          “Odonis”. What’s that? Like “Adonis” but smelly?

          • roger nome 6.1.1.1.1
            10 August 2009 at 5:13 pm

            SF – yes, you gotta smell good if you want to attract the few young professional women in Dunedin.

            I guess it doesn’t matter so much when you’re cruising the political blogs for closeted National MPs ….

          • Rob 6.1.1.1.2
            11 August 2009 at 4:53 pm

            or Adonis but somewhat odd like

      • roger nome 6.1.2
        10 August 2009 at 2:24 pm

        For the record it’s 6 3″ 90 killos, max 60 press-ups, 3 km run in 11:30. (p.s. i’m only interested in catching up if you’re smaller than me.

  7. Killinginthenameof 7
    10 August 2009 at 1:55 pm

    Has DPF ever engaged in debate with Green Party policy at an intellectual level?

    He will sometimes criticize Labour policy with numbers measurements, philosophical and academic arguments, but the greens never. It is always hysterics, hyperbole and ridicule.

    • So Bored 7.1
      10 August 2009 at 2:11 pm

      Its pretty hard to argue against the laws of thermodynamics, or the fact that finite things run out if used…..its just not fair on DPF to have to argue about reality.

    • lukas 7.2
      10 August 2009 at 2:55 pm

      Possibly because most Green Party policy is full of hysterics, hyperbole and stuff that is easily ridiculed.

      • Killinginthenameof 7.2.1
        10 August 2009 at 3:54 pm

        Then he could do us all a favour and explain why that is so, it certainly does not look like he is able too, looks more like barrel scraping.

      • Pascal's bookie 7.2.2
        10 August 2009 at 4:40 pm

        Go on then Luke, tell us about Sir Rodger’s amazing “let’s create parallel tax system” plan to improve the efficiency of the tax system.

        • lukas 7.2.2.1
          10 August 2009 at 5:31 pm

          Who said I am into Act?

          • felix 7.2.2.1.1
            10 August 2009 at 5:44 pm

            Who said you were?

            All that was assumed was that you’re probably a fan of Sir Wodger’s economic theories.

            And you probably are.

            • lukas 7.2.2.1.1.1
              10 August 2009 at 5:50 pm

              wow Felix, you can read me like a book. I am thinking of a number between 1 and 100, care to take a guess?

            • felix 7.2.2.1.1.2
              10 August 2009 at 7:15 pm

              That’s right Wuke.

              And if that’s a “yes” to my question then now you can answer Pb’s.

            • Pascal's bookie 7.2.2.1.1.3
              10 August 2009 at 7:32 pm

              nah, that’s cool. I think he’s probably too busy trying for one those Investigate subs.

            • lukas 7.2.2.1.1.4
              10 August 2009 at 10:27 pm

              Wow felix, you and my three year old niece have something else in common now. It is a no to your question.

              PB, I get Investigate for free… wonder how…

            • felix 7.2.2.1.1.5
              10 August 2009 at 10:41 pm

              Let me guess:

              We can both beat you at scrabble?
              We both have bigger penises than you?
              We both think you’re a lame joke?

              Like I give a shit.

              I happen to agree with you about Douglas though. Fucking socialist.

            • Armchair Critic 7.2.2.1.1.6
              10 August 2009 at 10:41 pm

              lukas
              Wild stab in the dark – it’s free because it is not worth reading.
              There is much better fiction out there, anyway.

            • lukas 7.2.2.1.1.7
              10 August 2009 at 10:55 pm

              well apparently neither of you can read. She is three, what is your excuse?

              Felix mate, you are the perfect example of why Labour got kicked out of power (and where National are starting to show signs of going wrong). You are arrogant, don’t listen, get involved in maters that do not involve you and project a persona that does not fit the reality of who you are. Whenever I see you comment on this blog I notice you attack people who do not agree with you, I have this image in my head of who you actually are though and I would be surprised if I was wrong. Tell me, is this close to you… http://www.i-mockery.com/visionary/pics/geek-hierarchy-pic6.jpg

              Armchair Critic- if you wanted fiction you can read the piece on Helen Clark from the weekend papers- http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/2731946/Nats-acted-with-sheer-vindictiveness-Clark, when you are done there I would go to http://aotearoaawiderperspective.wordpress.com/ always leaves me amused.

            • Armchair Critic 7.2.2.1.1.8
              10 August 2009 at 11:19 pm

              Umm, thanks lukas, but I already have Ayn Rand. Wishart makes her look sane. Enjoy your reading.

        • QoT 7.2.2.2
          10 August 2009 at 7:04 pm

          Or his recipe for growing the economic cake. Christ that press release still traumatizes me.

  8. SHG 8
    10 August 2009 at 2:08 pm

    Jeez, if that one satire post on Kiwiblog sets you guys off like this I’d hate to see what would happen after reading Dim-Post.

    • Philonz 8.1
      10 August 2009 at 2:24 pm

      At least the Dim-Post is sometimes funny. Any attempt at abortion humour is always going to be a big mistake.

    • Eddie 8.2
      10 August 2009 at 2:42 pm

      It’s not an objection to satire per se. obviously

      Danyl would never be so distasteful and i would tell what i thought if he was

  9. mike 9
    10 August 2009 at 2:20 pm

    Gee ed where’s your SOH? or can satire only apply to pinko causes?

  10. Philonz 10
    10 August 2009 at 2:34 pm

    I tried really hard to give Farrar the benefit of the doubt on this post. I generally disagree with his politics and views but acknowledge that they are well argued. But this attempt at humour is a huge error. Abortion as climate change solution is just not satire. It is crass, crude and insensitive. Perhaps he is in holiday mode and wrote the post after a few pina coladas, if so I hope he sees fit to retract and apologise.

    Kudos however fir the interesting guest posters he has there at the moment.

  11. jarbury 11
    10 August 2009 at 4:17 pm

    Looks like Farrar’s hysterics worked. The government’s gone for a 10-20% reduction.

    Gutless idiots.

    • Zaphod Beeblebrox 11.1
      10 August 2009 at 5:14 pm

      Did they specify how thay were going to actually do it? Like build less motorways? Fund more research into agriculture? Or encourage solar heating and photovotaics? Sounds like a Tui billboard.

      Emissions trading by itself is unlikely to do much, we already have a lots of renewable power generation and they said agriculture is off limits.

      I’m really dubious given their record, I hope someone pins them down on specifics. Or are they just trying to fob off everyone to save themeselves from international embarassment with Copenhagen coming up?

    • roger nome 11.2
      10 August 2009 at 5:23 pm

      I guess National’s there to play the role of the “frigtened of change” “regressive” – they would be remiss in there duty if they adopted a stance which relies on paying attention to reality.

    • mike 11.3
      10 August 2009 at 5:38 pm

      Great then you can my $1400 per person, or $30 per week if you’re stupid enough to think it will make a difference.

  12. Sting 12
    10 August 2009 at 4:29 pm

    Has kiwiblog become a cauldron for spaced out smelly box witches?

    • roger nome 12.1
      10 August 2009 at 5:19 pm

      Dad – you feeling the “sting” of the benefit? How about going back on the meds? For everyone’s “benefit”?

  13. James 13
    10 August 2009 at 4:35 pm

    Oh somebody play these cry babies a violin solo…..jeez lighten up!.It was a satirical post that has obviously hit its mark judging by the howls of indignation coming from the girly-men here…in the words of the great Chopper Reid….”Harden the f**k up!”

  14. roger nome 14
    10 August 2009 at 5:17 pm

    james – just a quick heads up. If a “hardened up” man is what you’re after, there are plenty more appropriate sites on the internet for you.

    • Sting 14.1
      10 August 2009 at 5:23 pm

      woger – Chris Carter is a global hardened up man.

      • mike 14.1.1
        10 August 2009 at 5:34 pm

        yes and the word on the street is we lucky taxpayers stumped up for a the adventurous couple to fly to a few shag fests…

        • illuminatedtiger 14.1.1.1
          10 August 2009 at 5:41 pm

          Careful Mike, lawyers don’t just serve tories anymore.

        • lou59 14.1.1.2
          10 August 2009 at 7:27 pm

          word on the street is that Brash and Worth ran the work shop on how to be adventurous at the tax payers expence.

  15. roger nome 15
    10 August 2009 at 5:27 pm

    How do you know dad? Are you one of the rent boys that MPS spend there “travel allowances” on?

    • Sting 15.1
      10 August 2009 at 5:32 pm

      I know his GP called Doctor Sore Butt.
      Silly woger still a stuffed gnome.

      • roger nome 15.1.1
        10 August 2009 at 5:40 pm

        Maybe you should go see Dr sore butt dad? He could offer you some anti-psychotic drugs prehaps?

        • Sting 15.1.1.1
          10 August 2009 at 5:46 pm

          woger how is your good friend going in prison. Are you as smart as the Mr 216 Stabber?

          • roger nome 15.1.1.1.1
            10 August 2009 at 5:56 pm

            And for a cahnge, dad lashes out in desparation …. so what’s your defense gonna be when you finally flip out? “he was wearing provocative clothing, and he was in the hagley park public toilets, where he knew i’d be cruising”?

            • Sting 15.1.1.1.1.1
              10 August 2009 at 6:05 pm

              woger email me and I will give you the names of the High Court judge and two detectives that hushed up Peter’s wee incident in the States. I am getting so much info that I intend on writing a best seller book.It will be huge.John Key knows all about it.

            • Spectator 15.1.1.1.1.2
              10 August 2009 at 6:26 pm

              “I am getting so much info that I intend on writing a best seller book”

              Hurry up and write it, then. This country could do with a good laugh.

  16. felix 16
    10 August 2009 at 5:50 pm

    Hey DPF is giving away 10 subscriptions to “Investigate” magazine.

    You need to be commenting at Kbog between 5 and 9 tonight to win them.

  17. roger nome 17
    10 August 2009 at 5:58 pm

    DPF is accepting sponsorship from Wishart now? Fark, and just when you thought he couldn’t sink any lower.

  18. roger nome 18
    10 August 2009 at 6:10 pm

    Really Sting? Where did Peter Burns get the money to travel to the US?

    • Sting 18.1
      10 August 2009 at 6:12 pm

      A disgruntled cop and two pissed off lawyers provide all the info. Hagley, Green Room, USA – you get my drift woger.They are ALL coming DOWN.Lockwood on camera etc..etc..

  19. roger nome 19
    10 August 2009 at 6:18 pm

    I thought everyone knew about Lockwood anyway?

    • Sting 19.1
      10 August 2009 at 6:21 pm

      Well if they don’t, they sure of hell will when I detail the perverted incident.
      No wonder the Beehive stinks worse than a sewage farm.Come on Mr Speaker SUE me if I bullshit. TIME for clean UP JOHN BOY KEE.

  20. roger nome 20
    10 August 2009 at 6:26 pm

    i don’t think it’s worth it dad – you will just come up against a brick wall. The media won’t have anything to do with it, and you’ll just end up looking like a repressed dick. I for one don’t give a flying fling what two consenting adults do to each other for kicks.

    • Sting 20.1
      10 August 2009 at 6:29 pm

      Do you care about sex with underage boys? Cameras around the Beehive don’t lie, ask Trevor Mallard.My cop friend was a lurker around Wellington for 20 years.

  21. roger nome 21
    10 August 2009 at 6:32 pm

    If that’s the truth, it’s absolutely abhorent, and it could be huge. Undeniable proof is what you need. i’m sure Wishart would be keen to run with it. email him, and get the ball rolling.

    • Sting 21.1
      10 August 2009 at 6:36 pm

      Truth it is, however evidence has been wiped but you know that, after 9 years of Labour anything goes now.
      Goodbye woger enough said.

  22. vto 22
    10 August 2009 at 7:30 pm

    hopeless. always fun and games until someone goes too far.

  23. lombear 23
    10 August 2009 at 8:24 pm

    It might sound ridiculous and in bad taste but there is, unfortunately an element of truth to it, read the post by ‘itiswhatitis’ on the 10th of August.
    What he says about Obama’s new science Czar is true.

    “READ THIS
Obamas Science Czar John Holdren publically recomended to the White House Forced abortions. Mass sterilization. A “Planetary Regime’ with the power of life and death over American citizens.
The population at large could be sterilized by infertility drugs intentionally put into the nation’s drinking water or in food”

    http://zombietime.com/john_holdren/

    Read the actual quotes from the book he co-authored, extreme but true.
    This has been all over the net for weeks so why are you all acting like its so far removed from reality?

    You think I’m lying? read it.
    Eugenics is alive and well in our world.

    a

  24. Swampy 24
    12 August 2009 at 9:53 pm

    This is the most negative blog in the world. I wouldn’t have known or cared what Farrar wrote.

    You guys all champion free speech except when it cuts too close to the bone.

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    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

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

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

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

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

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

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

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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