Trouble within National’s ranks?

Written By: - Date published: 3:43 pm, May 22nd, 2018 - 126 comments
Categories: national, Simon Bridges - Tags: , ,

It looks like the National collective has doubts about Simon Bridges’ pulling power.

Also they must be worried that Northcote might tip in the by election.

Because they are bringing out the big guns.

126 comments on “Trouble within National’s ranks? ”

  1. Adrian 1

    Conflict of interest methinks. Key is on a few boards of Govt entities is he not ?
    Oh, but of course, Cof I has never been a prob for John boy, eh.

    • Gosman 1.1

      Are You claiming Labour never utilised former PM’s or senior members for political purpose despite them being involved in supposedly non partisan roles?

      • McFlock 1.1.1

        I’m sure you can link to screeds of tories bleating about it if they did. Actually, even if they didn’t but the tories just said they did.

      • Sanctuary 1.1.2

        “…Are You claiming Labour never utilised former PM’s…”

        No, he is just positing a question as is his democratic right. Why do you hate democracy, Gosman?

        • dukeofurl 1.1.2.1

          This is a deep involvement with a particular candidate rather than just general party support.
          Maybe previous leaders have a particular issue they were involved with ?

          Sign of desperation. Maybe Bidois is the wrong candidate for national in a by election on the Shore and their polling is telling them that

        • Gosman 1.1.2.2

          Twas not a question in the first sentence. Was an opinion.

      • cleangreen 1.1.3

        Fishy smell is back as Shonkey enters the picture again.

        Smells like “the cup of tea” with ACT saga eh?

        Crooked = National

    • alwyn 1.2

      “Key is on a few boards of Govt entities “.
      Well no, actually.
      What are facts between friends though?

    • Phil 1.3

      Key is on a few boards of Govt entities is he not ?

      Key’s on the board for Air New Zealand, and ANZ Bank…. Maybe he checks his LinkedIn requests in alphabetical order? 😛

      Air NZ is majority owned by the Crown but it’s publicly traded, so the obligations on directors are clearly established and no different from any other listed entity.

      Neither directorship presents anything even remotely resembling a conflict of interest for Key. If he wants to shill for a candidate, then he’s absolutely entitled to do so.

      • WILD KATIPO 1.3.1

        A little bit like a former All Black endorsing National in and around the time of a general election perhaps ?

        Or perhaps not quite as bad ,… this being a by election…

        But you must admit,… something stinks,… and if you think Denmark has problems with stenches , – they have nothing to complain about compared to this,… and Key.

        • Phil 1.3.1.1

          A little bit like a former All Black endorsing National in and around the time of a general election perhaps ?

          If you think Ritchie’s endorsement swayed anyone, you probably also think Robyn Malcolm was instrumental in keeping the Greens above 5%.

          Denmark has problems with stenches , – they have nothing to complain about compared to this,… and Key.

          I’m pretty certain John Key didn’t murder Helen Clark.

  2. Ad 2

    They may as well use Key now before he’s properly damaged by the Australian banking inquiry.

    At least when Labour have brought out their star power in this election, they used their existing leader.

    • Gosman 2.1

      You really are a Muppet. Key never worked in retail banking and certainly never for Australian banks

      • KJT 2.1.1

        https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11934188
        “Sir John Key joins ANZ bank as chairman”.

        A conflict of interest i thought even National could see?

        However it is obvious that he has been working for the banks all along.

        • Gosman 2.1.1.1

          So in your mind the fact that Key recently became involved in the NZ side of ANZ means he will be caught up in the Banking inquiry despite not being there for the time being looked at.

          • KJT 2.1.1.1.1

            Not what i said.
            The concern is the too close a relationship between NZ politicians, and private businesses they are later getting jobs with.

        • Wayne 2.1.1.2

          How on earth is being Chair of the NZ wing of ANZ Bank a conflict of interest with appearing with Dan Bidios?

          Or indeed a conflict of interest with anything that he currently does.

          For years Sir Michael Cullen has been Chair of Kiwibank (appointed by National). He chairs the Tax Working Group. No-one has suggested that is a conflict of interest.

          The commenters here are letting their antipathy of Sir John Key cloud their judgement. No surprise there.

          • KJT 2.1.1.2.1

            Kiwibank is not a private company.

            And. Cullen is actually competent enough to get the job on his own merits.

            Of course a National MP does not see any conflict of interest. It would prevent too many of them from jumping on their, after politics, gravy train.

          • WILD KATIPO 2.1.1.2.2

            Antipathy ?

            Of john key?

            He is no ‘sir’

            We don’t reward treasonists with the title ‘Sir’.

      • mickysavage 2.1.2

        Key worked for Elders Finance up until 1988, Aussie owned bank.

        Now he is a director of ANZ Bank. Hint the A stands for Australia.

        • Gosman 2.1.2.1

          Elders was not a retail bank

          • mickysavage 2.1.2.1.1

            But it was an Australian Bank. As is ANZ which is also a retail bank.

            • Gosman 2.1.2.1.1.1

              Yes and I stated he never worked for an Australian retail bank before. He does so now but as his role is new and based in NZ he is unlikely to be pulled in to the inquiry by the Australian government on what Australian Retail banks did in Australia. But if you want to place a wager on it…

              • Doogs

                Don’t forget that a parallel inquiry is getting under way on the same banks in NZ. So Key while may not have been involved in the period under question, he is there now and will be tainted by association

                • Gosman

                  Link please on the announcement of this parallel inquiry on the Australian banks in NZ.

                  Who is holding this inquiry given I have not heard the Government of NZ nor the RBNZ announcing they will be conducting any inquiry. The Australian government has no jurisdiction in NZ over financial matters here.

                  • Ad

                    It’s not a public inquiry.

                    Just a nice stiff letter and a chat from the Reserve Bank with a whole bunch of questions for them to answer, specifically referencing the Australian inquiry findings.

                    However Sam Stubbs is building the groundswell for a public inquiry – see NZHerald today. Now that would be fun.

            • cleangreen 2.1.2.1.1.2

              Click – click. – Bang. 100% Mickey for connecting the dots.

          • paul andersen 2.1.2.1.2

            dancing on the head of a pin….somehow fitting

        • dukeofurl 2.1.2.2

          Yes but hes only just joined the board ( Jan ) and as Chair of the ANZ NZ subsidiary and later an ordinary member of the main board in Australia
          Compare with the board of AMP which was up to its neck in regulatory malfeasance.

        • Gosman 2.1.2.3

          He is extremely unlikely to be caught up in any banking inquiry looking at the practice of Australian banks in Australia as a result of his recent appointment.

        • alwyn 2.1.2.4

          I shall reword you comment to be more accurate.
          Now he is a director of ANZ Bank in New Zealand which is a subsidiary of the Australian Parent company. The operational workings are distinct from the Australian operation. Hint the NZ stands for New Zealand.

          • Phil Anderson 2.1.2.4.1

            Hint the NZ stands for New Zealand.

            Your comment is accurate, but it’s also called “ANZ” in Australia too. 😛

            • alwyn 2.1.2.4.1.1

              “also called “ANZ” in Australia”.
              As someone who has accounts with the ANZ in both Australia and New Zealand I am only to aware that that is just about the only thing they have in common.
              It is impossible to deal with the Australian bank in New Zealand. It is also impossible to deal with the New Zealand bank in Australia. The fabled Chinese Wall is absolutely impregnable.
              Drives me crazy sometimes.

              • paul andersen

                you are obviously not as smart as you thunk you are alwhinge. I have lived in aus and banked with anz in both countries simultaniously, with accounts in both countries . had no probs with the crossover once I pointed out to the lady behind the counter in sydney what the nz in anz stood for.

                • alwyn

                  Amazing.
                  Please tell me pawlie. Assuming you lived in New Zealand and did not actually have a residential address in Australia how hard was it to persuade them to give you a credit card denominated in Australian dollars that would be paid, by direct debit, from an Australian account each month on due date?

                  And could the nice lady behind the counter tell you the balance in one of your New Zealand accounts from her Sydney terminal?

                  • alwyn

                    @paul Andersen.
                    I had really hoped you could have taken the time to answer my questions. You obviously find it a very simple matter to arrange these things and I was looking forward to your explanation for what I should do.
                    But, from you, nothing.
                    Is it really not as easy as you claim?

          • Draco T Bastard 2.1.2.4.2

            The operational workings are distinct from the Australian operation.

            Yeah, I think we need an inquiry to ensure that. I’m pretty sure that the culture of criminality in the Australian banks would transfer across. Probably via direct instruction along the lines of: We’re doing it this way so you guys do to. This is a command from your owner.

      • WILD KATIPO 2.1.3

        And how do you know if he never worked for Australian banks even if indirectly?

        And don’t feed us that bullshit that he worked as a bloody teller at the front of the bank, either,

        But using a shitty ‘ Key – ism’ ,… what we can say is that John Key worked in tandem with Andrew Kreiger in pulling off the greatest FOREX heist in history against none other than the KIWI DOLLAR.

        There’s your shitty hero in all his glowing true colours,- a self centered narcissistic , greedy grasping prick who never gave one shit about the economy thus the people of this country.

        That’s your hero ‘John Key’ for you.

        And the final authority that signed off on an SAS operation that saw the massacre of 6 civilians including a three year girl.

        Mr fucking ‘ GET SOME GUTS ‘ Key.

        John Key / Andy Krieger – timeline debate – true or false? | NZ Court …
        https://voter08.wordpress.com/john-key-andy-krieger-a-timeline-debate-true-or-false/

        • Gosman 2.1.3.1

          Forex heist???

          What are you on about?

          Explain how Key managed to game a floating exchange rate given no laws were broken.

          • WILD KATIPO 2.1.3.1.1

            Lol! – this guy.

            Always in denial.

            Doesn’t it strike you as rather coincidental that Key collaborated with Kreiger in almost collapsing the NZ economy when a Labour govt was in power? So much so that an official in Michael Cullen’s office called New York and virtually told Kreiger to ‘ get your fucking hands off our economy ‘ ?

            Of course you would deny that as well.

            Are you that much of a slimebag you cant even admit to that?

            I guess not.

            Anything to save either your ego , your vested interests or your Americanized worldview..

            How odious.

            And I don’t have to explain a thing, bud.

            That’s why we provide links. I’m not here to hold your hand and wipe your dirty arse for you.

            • Gosman 2.1.3.1.1.1

              Answer the question.

              How do you game the Forex market for a floating exchange rate?

              • YOU , little man ,… do NOT demand I do anything.

                So you can take your prepubescent tone and take yourself squarely back to the link provided.

                And yet while we are at it ,….

                Just WHY did Roger Douglas demand Rob Muldoon float the dollar ?

                Answer that , and I may consider answering you.

                Or do you not know how the FOREX market works?…

                • Gosman

                  I know how the Forex market works. You on the other hand obviously have little clue.

                  • 1/ Hardly the essence of this article.

                    2 / I am not interested in your personal estimations of your own intellectual prowess.

                    3 / You cannot answer why Douglas left a report to be conveniently ‘discovered’ outlining his plans to float the NZ dollar.

                    4 / If you’d really like to know, – and have your whole neo liberal premise ( and that of your hero Keys ) exposed I am more than happy to oblige.

                    5 / The fact that the far right lost its hold during the Clarke years has much to do with it , – including why Key acted in the reckless , narcissistic manner he did with Kreiger against the KIWI at a much later date.

                    6 / It may be painfully embarrassing for you – and your hero Key , – if I did.

                  • One Two

                    You don’t even understand counter party risk Gosman…

                    Yeah I remember you floundering over derivatives…

                    By all means go ahead and indicate something technical which signals that you know the ‘forex markets’…

                    There is a high probability Key was involved in the attack on NZD…

                    Previous activity and his record after that event describe just how likely Keys involvement was…

                • alwyn

                  “Just WHY did Roger Douglas demand Rob Muldoon float the dollar “.
                  Well technically it was David Lange and it was a devaluation not a float.
                  The fact that you actually have to ask that question astounds me. Are you really so ignorant of international trade and foreign exchange that you have to ask?
                  For a very simple explanation of what happened in 1984 why don’t you have a look at this.
                  https://www.eastonbh.ac.nz/1989/09/from_run_to_float_the_making_of_the_rogernomics_exchange_rate_policy/
                  Can I also suggest you get, or borrow from the Library, a simple book on Economics and read it. It isn’t really that hard to understand the basics and you won’t make yourself look so foolish in future.

                  • Well , thank you for making all the others’ look so foolish’ as well …

                    …. ‘ it was a devaluation not a float ‘…

                    Which just goes to show that Gosman speaks through a hole in his arse with all his pompous bluster about ‘ knowing all about Forex’….

                    L0L0L0L !

                    Thank you.

                    And no , you are completely wrong, – it was Douglas who ‘accidentally released a statement ‘…

                    ——————————————————–

                    …’ A key point of the free-market cabal’s programme was to devalue the New Zealand dollar, an extremely sensitive issue. Several weeks before the July 1984 election. Douglas, Labour’s shadow finance minister, “accidentally” released a statement which signaled his intent to devalue.

                    Since it was a near certainty that Labour, aided by the New Zealand Party’s drawing votes from National , would win, speculators began to dump the New Zealand dollar, planning, post-devaluation, to cash in each dollar of foreign currency for more New Zealand dollars than previously ‘…

                    ——————————————————–

                    You , my wee dear laddie , ….have fallen straight into the noose unassisted.

                    Thank you.

                    And now may I introduce you to the REAL HISTORY of this country and the bogus premises with which the far right seized power,… and far from ME having to go to a library , … I would suggest that YOU save yourself a trip to the library and read this historic yet very up to date historical narrative on New Zealand’s recent political and economic history…

                    New Right Fight – Who are the New Right?
                    http://www.newrightfight.co.nz/pageA.html

                    Read it up , you arrogant psuedo intellectual moron. And lets see you come back with an answer to the charges it makes.

                    I think you will find it more than damning on each and every level that you , and your fellow neo liberal travellor’s have tried to pollute this site, this country’s democracy and this economy for the last 34 years.

                    Good luck.

                    • Oh ,… and one other thing,… we don’t talk ‘technically’ it was this person or that person when clearly it was one individual. And in this case,.. Roger Douglas.

                      Lange and Douglas ended up hating each others guts.

                      And if there is one redeeming quality about Lange it was because HE at least had a conscience.

                      And , – the whole premise of ‘devaluing ‘ was to be able to float the NZ dollar.

                      And cash in.

                      So there’s bugger all similarity’s between the short straws you are trying to draw and the actual reality’s I’m talking about.

                      IS THERE.

                    • Following on;

                      …. ‘ And , – the whole premise of ‘devaluing ‘ was to be able to float the NZ dollar’….

                      Ever wondered where the concept of ‘ Corporate NZ ‘ came from ?

                      Well , that’s when a company opens itself to be registered and ‘ publicly floated’…ie ;

                      Instead of being exclusively privately owned , it ‘floats itself’ and opens itself up to public shareholdings. These shareholdings could, depending on the govt’s rules be local or offshore…

                      And one of the reasons behind Douglas’s drive to devalue was to create an artificial ‘crises’…and in that ‘crises’ would provide strong motivation and incentive to essentially ‘ float ‘ ‘corporate NZ ‘ and its economy by deregulation – particularly of Treasury and the Reserve Bank , – and open it up to private ( usually foreign) investment.

                      We are registered on the New York Stock Exchange as ‘ Corporate NZ’.

                      Moving on,… and we have after 34 years , – Australian banks virtually controlling ALL of our finances, dictating our interest rates, and hence our economy and hence our social conditions.- with a large bulk of profits due to foreign interest rates exiting this country , …. now ,… does any of this seem like sovereign New Zealand or in New Zealand’s best interests ?

                      And yet meanwhile , – free trade agreements which are imbalanced – ie FTA with China,…mean that we are vulnerable to power plays in the Pacific ,… sandwiched as it were between the USA and China , …along with increased pressure from other offshore banking / business interests ie ; Austalia , mean that slowly ( yet rapidly as the process actually was originally … ) we lose all notion of sovereignty barring that in name only.

                      In effect?

                      We have been systematically hollowed out as a nation.

                      Ever wondered why in a land of plenty there is so little to go round?

                      Here is your answer.

                      Again I say ,.. read these timely and wise words from an extract from Hugh Price of Hugh Price Publishers.

                      Hugh Price was a New Zealand Patriot.

                      Then read it again. Let it sink in.

                      Do your children and grandchildren a favour, and for Gods sakes fight for them.

                      And fight for them hard.

                      New Right Fight – Who are the New Right?
                      http://www.newrightfight.co.nz/pageA.htm

                    • And here is yet another peculiarity :

                      … ‘ Thus it was perfectly understandable, indeed predictable, that any election called with some possibility of a devaluation shortly after would cause a run on the dollar. The practice in previous elections had been for the Treasury and the Bank to increase the liquidity of their foreign exchange holdings as the country moved into the final stages of the election. This apparently had been planned for a November 1984 election, but a snap election five months early had not been allowed for. However, given the extent of the run that actually occurred, there may not have been enough official liquidity, even if the officials had anticipated the early election ‘…

                      Interesting ;

                      ‘Given the extent of the run, there may not have been enough official liquidity , even if the officials had anticipated the early election’….

                      And yet who caused the snap election ?

                      None other than Marilyn Waring.

                      And why ?… by threatening to cross the floor and vote with the opposition in favour of what would become Langes ‘nuclear moment’… have we heard that before recently?

                      Was Waring involved ?

                      We cannot say,… but it all seems so coincidental that right at the time that Bob Jones was lining up his ‘NZ party’ to dethrone Rob Muldoon by splitting the National vote, and around the same time Douglas was leaking his ‘devaluation’ papers,..that there was indeed a movement afoot to first ‘devalue’ the dollar, deregulate the financial markets and that, … by definition , … meant the Reserve bank as well as Treasury would have to follow suit ,.. which was exactly what happened.

                      And Corporate NZ was then up for sale , – often to the lowest bidder.

                      And why was devaluing and the ensuing deregulation of our financial markets so important to the Riogernomes?… simply because it meant that now the KIWI could be traded and a profit made on it. Massively huge profits.

                      And that , in effect was the very genesis of out current woes.

              • Draco T Bastard

                By buying and selling a huge amount in an effort to crash the targeted currency. Just as Key and Krieger did.

                And just because it wasn’t illegal doesn’t mean that it was ethical.

                • Gosman

                  Who suffered Draco ?

                  • Draco T Bastard

                    All of NZ but especially the ones that were thrown out of work by Key/Kreiger’s attack on the NZ$.

                    Their bludging cost NZ around $300m at the time.

  3. Well of course the National collective has doubts about Simon Bridges,… he has not the ‘presence’ to carry it off. Key used smarmyness, Collins uses ‘ brute appeal’.

    I would say Bridges will give way to Collins eventually .

    Which is not far from the natural order of things.

    Key is gone , and that leaves Collins a free path, Bridges will be OK with that because he is a close colleague of Collins. Key will just make an appearance to validate it.

    As for the big guns?

    That area is Tory country anyways. Though there are signs of even that changing…

    There are no ‘ big guns’ happening , – if anything , – more a liability and an opportunity for uncomfortable questions to be asked, such as ‘ why did you really leave , John ,.. was the heat over Operaton Burnham getting too hot?’… and what was that about tax havens , Johnno ?,… ‘was the sale of your home to a Mainland Chinese investor worth it in light of all the homeless in New Zealand, John ‘ Are you enjoying that wealth with a free conscience , John ? ‘…

    If anyone who has followed the John Key disaster for the last 9 years will already know… there are rich pickings and much low hanging fruit to be had to gorge on…

    A veritable feast , no less…

  4. Quokka 4

    It will be interesting to hear Key on the Tiwai aluminium smelter and the Australian commission of inquiry into banking practices.

    ANZ blue seems a suitable backdrop.

    • Gosman 4.1

      Why should those topics concern him?

      • KJT 4.1.1

        See above.

      • Quokka 4.1.2

        Are you living under a rock somewhere like a pre-Jacksonian Gollum ?
        I’m not sure how far his court order extends ..

        • Gosman 4.1.2.1

          Why would they be interested in talking to a recent appointee to one of the Australian banks NZ subsidiaries?

          • WILD KATIPO 4.1.2.1.1

            Gosman cant correlate a subsidiary with a parent company…

            The essence of compartmentalized thinking , folks…

            • Gosman 4.1.2.1.1.1

              The Australian and NZ Banking sectors are very different beasts. It would serve little to no purpose calling over NZ based executives or Board members (unless they also worked in Australia at some stage). It certainly would make zero sense to have a NZ based board member be questioned about activities that occurred in Australia BEFORE HE WAS EVEN APPOINTED.

              • And ,… um ,… you are trying to suggest that a former Prime Minister of New Zealand who was all Bro- mates with Australia’s PM and was a major
                player in the New York Forex markets is not intimately kept in the loop with what happens across the Tasman’s banking and financial systems …

                OKKKKKK…

                We have a right one here , Ladies and Gentlemen,…

                Introducing Gosman , the new up and coming comedy act that will set New Zealand on the world stage along with the likes of Lorde, Split ENZ, and Crowded House….

  5. Dv 5

    Key is back on face book touting bitcoin too.

    • james 5.1

      DV – that was a fake advert that had nothing to do with key at all.

      As you were told before – the last time you mentioned this.

      But I guess if you are stupid enough to believe the advert …..

      • Dv 5.1.1

        Prove that it’s fake James
        I don’t think it’s genuine, but it is still there.

        In fact when I asked the anz about the last series of ads,I got no reply

        • Gosman 5.1.1.1

          Prove that you are not a complete moron

          • Dv 5.1.1.1.1

            Prove that you are as clever as you think you are.
            So no proof that key is not involved then.

            Seem like a raw nerve.

            • Gosman 5.1.1.1.1.1

              You are really struggling with the concept of burden of proof aren’t you?

              • Dv

                Nope,
                Prove key is not involved with bit coin?
                You obviously have a clear idea of what proof is, so should be no problem for you to produce proof that key is not involved with bitcoin.

                I find it interesting that anz didn’t take the opportunity to comment when I asked.

              • Nah mate , were struggling with the fact a dishonest murderous bastard like Key managed to fleece New Zealanders for 9 years without a whimper from our MSM , – including gullible bastards like you , bud.

                https://thespinoff.scdn5.secure.raxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/fatima-e1490084556189-850×510.jpg

                • cleangreen

                  Wild Katipo;

                  James/Gosman are really freckling out today eh? Where’s Alwyn though?

                  Puckish rouge is there too so the are all out there today after parliament resumed the “Budget debates” must have upset them badly.

                  The national party support team..

                  • I consider them mere sport .

                    Like a fox hunt or a rabbit cull.

                    But please don’t tell them that.

                    It may offend their sensibilities. And we wouldn’t want that , now would we…

                  • James

                    I think I had made a single post (correcting bullshit) and you think that’s fracking out?

                    You are strange.

                    Or are you inferring I am gosman also ?

                    • Well this is a rather humorous shot out of the blue, – from whence did you spring from all of a sudden ?

                      Oh well , no matter , … Gosman , James, Yaga, and whatever , all the same to me… you see that’s the problem, … all you far right wing apologists all blur into one after a while, … you really need to learn to diversify a little bit…

                      Mix it up a bit. Be a little more military about it,… you know ,… spread out when attacking , concentrate forces when defending,… that sort of basic stuff.

                      But you don’t do that and you become easy meat. And in this case , – the comedians dream material.

                      So James , Gosman , Yaga or whatever else you care to call yourself at the moment ,,… I wish you a good day and hope you get over your confusion,… I really am perplexed at your sudden and unexplained appearance… and wish you well…

                      Do take care….

        • james 5.1.1.2

          So DV – you dont think its genuine – but you are quite happy to pill out the line “Key is back on face book touting bitcoin too.”

          So quite happy to spread lies that a) you dont think are right and b) were proven to you before.

          Since you are such an obvious moron – a quick google would give you this

          http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/money/2017/12/sir-john-key-being-used-in-fake-nz-herald-bitcoin-article.html

          Ill save the link and pull it out again in 6 months when you spread the same bullshit again.

          • dv 5.1.1.2.1

            At last some evidence James.
            Took awhile though.

            Interesting the ANZ ignored a query though.

            • James 5.1.1.2.1.1

              Yeah sorry I haven’t been sitting on here all day answering your bullshit conspiracy post that even you can’t believe.

      • Cinny 5.1.2

        James, you may be correct, your comment caught my interest so, I did an image search online, and nada, the image is only on here according to my image search.

        • James 5.1.2.1

          Cinny – if you go to the news hub site you will see it’s a screenshot.

          Google John key bitcoin fake and there are other articles.

          • WILD KATIPO 5.1.2.1.1

            Well , one can only assume its a screenshot designed to send John Key up,… but truly now,… does it really matter when Key sent himself and this country up on an almost weekly basis?

            One only has to Google John Oliver to see the evidence.

            And why , pray tell would Key do that ?

            Was it self mockery and embarrassment that he only achieved being Prime Minister of New Zealand and not Planet Key ?

            Planet Key – The Song – The Hits
            Video for planet key song▶ 4:09
            http://www.thehits.co.nz › Video

            • WILD KATIPO 5.1.2.1.1.1

              Oh shall we try that again , seems to be a problem with the censorship… an ongoing problem with the John Key administration in censoring anything disagreeable to their liking , it seems…

              Banned Planet Key music video – YouTube
              Video for planet key song▶ 4:10

          • Cinny 5.1.2.1.2

            James, couldn’t find it on the newshub.

            Lolz forgot about the bitcoin; I have seen the PM that quit in a dodgy looking get rich quick scheme before (not bitcoin).

            Wouldn’t have surprised me if the nats had whipped out key to try and push their Northcote candidate, that’s the funny/crazy thing, it’s easily believable.

            Glad I read your comment 🙂

  6. Incognito 6

    Nah, Bridges is too busy liking WO tweets leading the Opposition and Key’s got plenty of time on his hands (keep those hands to yourself, John).

  7. Puckish Rogue 7

    Sir John Key not only retired undefeated but still manages to troll the lefties 🙂

    • Incognito 7.1

      He did not retire, he quit and ran away. Nice framing though 😉

    • dukeofurl 7.2

      So Truck Stop Paula doesnt have enough star power ?

      Looks Strategy A was to downplay the by-election which is usually done if you sure you will win and dont want to other sides voters to even be aware an election is on.

      Now they are onto Strategy B, which is to get publicity for their candidate and tell all their own voters , wake up there is an election on.
      Expect an announcement about roads and bridges next !!! ( the only time Soimum will be mentioned) hahahaha

    • Nope . Hasn’t even managed that.

      And he didn’t retire, – he ran.

      Like a coward.

      Especially when he saw the Donald didn’t give a crap about this no namer pony tail puller from where?… Nu Zaland??? What a creep ! Can we bomb that place???

      And caused the National party to lose magnificently. Left Boring Dipping Bill in charge and didn’t give a shit. A bit like hes always been.

      Yeah ,… real master of the trolls he is…. not.

      • Gosman 7.3.1

        Eh????

        You feeling okay WK? Your comment is slightly more unhinged that usual.

        • WILD KATIPO 7.3.1.1

          Havin’ a bit of fun watching all the sycophants rush to a wankers defense, that’s all,… quite humorous, actually.

          But all humour aside, … supporting a pony tail pulling, shower pissing creep like Key is the height of your aspirations?

          I mean seriously… come on… here’s your hero , idiot…

          John Oliver – John Key – YouTube
          Video for john oliver john key radio interview youtube▶ 1:45

    • Stuart Munro 7.4

      Yup – undefeated world champion most corrupt PM ever to parasite off NZ.

  8. greywarshark 8

    Oh damn. He is a fine man in the true National mould(y).
    It would be a mistake to look beyond this man’s excellence which has been recounted in these historic lines.

    (Simon) had a pair of boots with great big spurs
    on;.
    A fighting pair of which he was particularly fond.
    On Tuesday and on Friday, just to make the street
    look tidy,
    He’d collect the passing villagers and kick them in
    the pond…..

    but, those villagers got out of the swamp…

    (Simon) went a journey and he found a lot of
    duckweed.
    They pulled him out and dried him and they
    blipped him on the head.
    They took him by the breeches and they hurled
    him into ditches
    And they pushed him under waterfalls and this
    is what they said:
    “You are Si.. — don’t laugh,
    You are Si.. — don’t cry;
    You are Si.. as bold as a lion —
    (Simon) the Lion, goodbye!”

    Thanks to AA Milne, for his wit and whimsy.

  9. Cinny 9

    I’ve some questions for the pair of them….

    Meanwhile, is there a Northcote Meet the Candidates function, and if so is anyone on here planning on attending?

  10. Ad 10

    He’s such a spent event.

    At least Labour sent an actual drawcard PM.

    • ScottGN 10.1

      There’s a whole cohort of diehard Nat voters who are still pining for him though Ad. Presumably they need motivating in Northcote.

  11. Quokka 11

    Current ANZ advertising is *so* Key !

    Two dim-witted yuppie fashionistas ..

  12. Stunned mullet 12

    Good Grief – Key has been gone for well over 12 months and still the mad frothing from certain commenters bit like Helen is to those on the other side ..red rag to a bull..

    Anyhoo after looking at the candidates in Northcote if it was my electorate i’d be voting for the green candidate rather than the muppets the red or blue team have put up.

    • Nah , time means nothing when it comes to justice and with Key , – there’s unfinished business.

      You wouldn’t deny Arthur Allan Thomas or Teina Pora justice would you despite the fact that they are ‘historic cases’… and there’s a whole range of issues surrounding Key that needs the spotlight shined fully on him.

      And for him to turn up and show his face endorsing the very party that he dumped unceremoniously and left to lose an election smacks of a man who never gave a shit about the people of this country anyway, – yet deems he is sufficiently safe in hiding behind some sort of ‘statesman’ like facade.

      Well hes not even that , – and many among us view him as a cheap conman.

      Worse still , culpable in the murder of a 6 year old girl in Afghanistan .

      Not so rosy when put in those terms,…

      IS IT.

      • Stunned Mullet 12.1.1

        LOL you really do write some hilarious drivel.

        • WILD KATIPO 12.1.1.1

          Hilarious, – I most certainly hope so.

          Drivel?… I assure you ,… I am deadly serious.

          And the mere fact I induce you into making that statement shows you are playing into my game , not yours.

          Keep playing, please.

      • cleangreen 12.1.2

        WILD KATIPO

        Key’s presence here will send a negative action, he will lower the national vote here.

        Key will spook the electorate now as he is not trusted and creepy remember the pony tail pulling?

        maybe he is back to find some more?

        I thinks that Simon Bridges is time is short and bloodletting will be out soon.

  13. Quokka 13

    Stunned you, mullet ?

    Where do our Nationalists go from here ?

    “Francoist Spain (Spanish: España franquista) or the Franco regime (Spanish: Régimen de Franco) is the period of Spanish history between 1939, when Francisco Franco took control of Spain after the Nationalist victory in the Spanish Civil War”
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francoist_Spain

  14. adam 14

    I feel a hekia lot of trouble for national when they did up old fossils…

  15. mary_a 15

    Natz must really be on the skids for it to roll the creepy, slimy one out once more to save its burnt bacon! Amazing what desperation can lead to at times.

    • Oh not really , mary_a,…

      After all ,.. they did try the almost deceased Richard Prebble ( at least his political career can be described as such … ) in rolling him out on commenting on rail ,… or in his words… ‘trams’… the other day…

      So why not the shower pissing wonder and obligate narcissist John Key ?

      As the old adage says … ‘ If the cap fits,… wear it’….

      • edgil 15.1.1

        Thanks for the posts Wild Katipo. You are someone who understands what has happened here in Aotearoa.

  16. repateet 16

    What’s with all the stuff about banks and conflicts of interest?

    I don’t see any problem with Bidois needing John Key.

    Just like Steve Hansen will be getting Buck Shelford, Sid Going and Christian Cullen in to help with the games against the French in June.

    If he is really, really, really desperate and is trying to find some sort of magic ‘last resort.’

  17. R.P Mcmurphy 17

    nationals were totally unprepared for defeat. everybody kept their thoughts to themselves, held their cards close to their chest and let the media do its little dance thinking that was enough.
    nah.
    the people had enough of nationals ramshhackle venal attitude to everything.
    sure they made little booms here and there but the ultimate cost is enormous.
    the media here is timid, unlearned, ignorant and devoted to their jobs first and foremost because that is the way the world rolls.
    the cost of repairing nationals mistakes is going to exhaust any government but one thing for sure is that another ring in like john key and his style of government should never be repeated.
    his job was to loot the treasury and he did so successfully.
    lets hope his policies have not brought the country to its knees.
    a lot of shit is about to come down the pike as they say and we have to be ready and alert to change.
    and that means no wasting money on absurd ideological experiments and reminding the population that new zealand is not some completely infantilised episode out of a reality t.v. show.