Waitangi: Chicken John Plucks Off

Written By: - Date published: 4:57 pm, February 4th, 2016 - 161 comments
Categories: class war, International - Tags: , , ,

PM John Key will not be going to Waitangi after all.

Initially he didn’t seem to want to go, then his advisers appear to have convinced him he’d look like a wuss if he didn’t. Now he has chickened out altogether. Say what you like about Key, he’s no fool; talking face to face with real Kiwis is not his go. He’s much better at talking at us, and especially talking down to us.

The official spin is that he didn’t want his freedom of speech curtailed. Ironic on a day when he signed away some of our democratic rights, aye?

John, you’re a coward and a disgrace.

 

 

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161 comments on “Waitangi: Chicken John Plucks Off ”

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  1. shorts 1
    4 February 2016 at 4:59 pm

    can’t help but wonder if he ever intended going – a long weekend at home by the pool seems so much nicer

    he’ll be pleased he’s had the media headlines about his on and off again plans though – controlling the discourse and playing the race card in as subtle a way as he can

    John key 1, intelligent discourse 0

    • Chris 1.1
      4 February 2016 at 6:53 pm

      Spot on. He gives the whole facade away in liar’s face on the tv news. The guy’s a phenomenon.

  2. Magisterium 2
    4 February 2016 at 5:00 pm

    Or, he has hard data showing that refusing to go will increase his level of popular support in a key segment of voters.

    • te reo putake 2.1
      4 February 2016 at 5:25 pm

      You may be onto something there. But I believe Key never wanted to go, so it just would have added an small element of justification to his decision making.

      • Magisterium 2.1.2
        4 February 2016 at 5:33 pm

        When it comes to high-visibility events like this I doubt “wanting” or “not wanting” would ever have come into it. A decision like this gets made based on polling data.

        If Key has decided not to go, it’s because not going – and most importantly, being SEEN not to go – will generate a positive response in an audience that he wants to appeal to.

        • Tracey 2.1.2.1
          4 February 2016 at 5:36 pm

          I agree.

          I personally think that once he had more police with guns at his press conference two Mondays ago, he had already decided not to go.

          So far only Clare Trevitt is pointing out he pledged in 2007 to go every year (in response to Clark ceasing to go to the lower marae)

          Sadly the Polls suggest having a liar or someone whose word counts for nothing as a leader is popular.

        • AB 2.1.2.2
          5 February 2016 at 9:30 am

          Yes – almost certainly. The tolerance among most of the population for the intricacies of Maori tribal politics is absolutely zero. Actually less than zero – they are hostile to the very idea of it.
          Key will do well from this sadly. And his coining of the phrase “mickey mouseness” to describe what looks (to the outsider) like mixed messages from various parts of Ngapuhi will sum up what lots of NZers think.

    • Tracey 2.2
      4 February 2016 at 5:32 pm

      Bob’s trying to argue he is Prime Ministerial, while you are arguing that being driven by private polling is what he is doing.

      Breaking a “pledge” is what he is doing.

  3. irascible 3
    4 February 2016 at 5:05 pm

    His attendance at Waitangi has been a stage managed exercise in PR hypocrisy ever since 2008.
    http://theirasciblecurmudgeon.blogspot.co.nz/2008/04/pretenders-new-clothes.html

  4. Bob 4
    4 February 2016 at 5:08 pm

    “Initially he didn’t seem to want to go, then his advisers appear to have convinced him he’d look like a wuss if he didn’t” like this: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10007139

    “Say what you like about Key, he’s no fool; talking face to face with real Kiwis is not his go. He’s much better at talking at us, and especially talking down to us” like this: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/foreshore-and-seabed-exercise-relationship-building

    “The official spin is that he didn’t want his freedom of speech curtailed” like this: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/back-in-the-day-tears-as-helen-clark-barred-from-speaking-at-waitangi-6229227

    “John, you’re a coward and a disgrace.” seems to me he is just being Prime Ministerial…

    [Clark hadn’t just sold her country down the river against the wishes of an ignored majority. Brainless repetitions of the ‘Labour did it, too’ meme will be dealt with firmly. Stick to the here and now. TRP]

    • weka 4.1
      4 February 2016 at 5:19 pm

      The PM of NZ just threw his toys out of the cot because he couldn’t get his own way.

    • Tracey 4.2
      4 February 2016 at 5:21 pm

      “When it was pointed out former Prime Minister Helen Clark had often avoided Te Tii but still visited Waitangi, he said she had skipped the dawn service. “She didn’t go to the lower marae, she didn’t go to the dawn service, she occasionally went to the breakfast she held and didn’t give a speech. I don’t know.”

      “After Helen Clark stopped going, in 2007 he pledged to return every year if he was Prime Minister.”

      Yup. Prime Ministerial alright

    • ropata 4.3
      4 February 2016 at 5:39 pm

      Is that supposed to be a defense of Fibbing John Key?

      Like FJK (and unlike HEC) you don’t have the balls to deal with the real consequences of your f*cked up ideology

    • Eyre 4.4
      4 February 2016 at 5:42 pm

      Sold down the river?. There’s an exit clause in the tppa. So any Government can withdraw at anytime with 6 months notice. By the way andrew little on the stuff tppa q n a. Said labour would not be withdrawing from the tppa

      • ropata 4.4.1
        4 February 2016 at 5:55 pm

        A lie. The question of withdrawal didn’t come up. Andrew Little was highly critical of the agreement “in its current form”.
        Live-chat-Labour-leader-Andrew-Little-on-TPPA-signing

        As he has repeatedly said, Labour has asserted some bottom lines around workers rights, Pharmac and so on, that the Nat Gov has failed to guarantee.

        • Wayne 4.4.1.1
          4 February 2016 at 6:00 pm

          Roosts,
          I suggest you retread the text of the interview before you say it is a lie.

          • ropata 4.4.1.1.1
            4 February 2016 at 6:10 pm

            Little didn’t say what Eyre claims, therefore a lie.
            Quote:
            Should the agreement be ratified over the next two years, any question of leaving the TPPA would be a huge call. It is not something that I am contemplating. That’s why I’ve been saying I want the next Labour government to be in a position with a mandate from New Zealanders to re-address the things that cut across our citizens’ rights.

            In other words, Little seeks a mandate from the NZ people (unlike el Presidente Key)

            • Eyre 4.4.1.1.1.1
              4 February 2016 at 6:14 pm

              He also says in question two i think that he has been told there are no re negotiations. So he’ll have to put up with the tppa in its curent form. But won’t withdraw.

            • Eyre 4.4.1.1.1.2
              4 February 2016 at 6:14 pm

              He also says in question two i think that he has been told there are no re negotiations. So he’ll have to put up with the tppa in its curent form. But won’t withdraw.

            • Wayne 4.4.1.1.1.3
              4 February 2016 at 9:43 pm

              ropata,

              I apologise for the errors including the misspelling of your name. I did it from my phone waiting for a flight and it was affected by an autocorrect. But in any event you got the gist of my point.

        • Eyre 4.4.1.2
          4 February 2016 at 6:10 pm

          A lie?. Have you looked at it question 8 asked about exit clause. Andrew little said he doesn’t contemplating withdrawing. Question 5 he says pharmac remains unchanged.

    • upnorth 4.5
      4 February 2016 at 7:35 pm

      Clarke – foreshore law ,,,,hmmm I thnk she did

      • te reo putake 4.5.1
        4 February 2016 at 9:16 pm

        Really? Want to explain how trying to preserve the rights of all Kiwis, how ever hamfistedly, equates to selling our sovereignty? Clark may have got that one wrong, but she acted for the right reasons. Key acts because his owners demand it.

  5. One Anonymous Bloke 5
    4 February 2016 at 5:18 pm

    The PM’s problem is that that card still has Don Brash’s fingerprints on it. I guess even relatively intelligent racist trash run out of new material eventually.

  6. Tracey 6
    4 February 2016 at 5:24 pm

    ” In 2007 when he was leader of the opposition, he pledged to return to the marae on February 5 every year after then Prime Minister Helen Clark bypassed the marae, which is often the focus of protest.” Clare Trevitt Feb 2016

  7. Ad 7
    4 February 2016 at 5:39 pm

    Hardly a huge vote loser for Key.
    Will Mana reappear in the next poll? Hopefully this will wipe out the Maori Party.

  8. Anne 8
    4 February 2016 at 5:42 pm

    According to Mihirangi Forbes Key is still going to Waitangi but not to the Te Tii Marae.

    As soon as the interview is online I will link to it because the Maori elder (whose name I missed) she was interviewing said all that needs to be said. A gentleman and scholar… spoke very well and put that ignorant cretin who is supposed to be our prime-minister to shame.

    Calling BLiP… listen to link when it appears because Key has told multiple lies in the past few hours – including the lie that the marae chiefs never bothered to respond to his message. They responded swiftly but… no-one knows what happened to it. ❓

    Edit : Here’s the radio link.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/201788109

    • mac1 8.2
      4 February 2016 at 7:28 pm

      That gentleman and scholar who was so scathing of Key, especially about the little girl who he reckoned Key would not remember the name of, is, according to Mahinarangi Forbes, a local kaumatua AND former Maori vice president of the National Party, IIRC.

      • Anne 8.2.1
        4 February 2016 at 7:32 pm

        …according to Mahinarangi Forbes, a local kaumatua AND former Maori vice president of the National Party, IIRC.

        Yes, I picked that up but imagine it was back in the days when the National Party still had some principles.

    • Whispering Kate 8.3
      4 February 2016 at 8:49 pm

      The Maori Elder spoke very eloquently and said that the Marae was inclusive, not exclusive and he wanted everybody to be able to hear him speak and ask questions and wanted the PM to speak in the tent and be answerable to the people, he wanted everybody to be able to hear him speak. He said back in the day Jennie Shipley and Jim Bolger spoke from the tent and he expected the PM to do so as well. From what I gleaned the PM was wanting to speak in the Marae small meeting house to a few exclusive listeners only. They were insistant (the Trustees) that they did reply to his last communication. The whole thing is a farce. And, it was quite profound to hear the Elder say this was typical of the PM, that he wouldn’t even remember the name of the little girl he took to Waitangi many moons ago.

      This is a serious problem with him, he will not make himself available to anybody who will ask him the hard questions, he obviously needs prepared answers and only answers prepared questions – he fearful of being asked hard questions and is a bully. His arrogance is astounding. I think this time the tide may turn, too many people are afraid of this “Free Trade” Agreement which is anything but.

      I wish him gone from NZ and wish it could be sooner rather than later. He is a nasty specimen and not worthy of being PM.

  9. BM 9
    4 February 2016 at 6:12 pm

    Massive jump in the polls coming up for Key and National.

    • ropata 9.1
      4 February 2016 at 6:16 pm

      you mean a survey of ignorance, racism and class prejudice?

      • BM 9.1.1
        4 February 2016 at 6:20 pm

        Call it want you want, but those people who you proclaim to be ignorant, racist and class prejudiced are the ones who decide elections.

        Not the dirty looking rope heads causing all the traffic chaos today.

        • ropata 9.1.1.1
          4 February 2016 at 6:29 pm

          i look forward to an avalanche of fearmongering and dead cat distractions at the next election

          truth is the first casualty of right wing PR

          • BM 9.1.1.1.1
            4 February 2016 at 6:38 pm

            Key not going to waitangi has so much win in it, he should have told them to fuck off the first time they tried to dick him around

            Seriously, he’s the PM he shouldn’t have to bend over backwards for these arrogant dickwad nobodies.

            • Dialey 9.1.1.1.1.1
              4 February 2016 at 6:52 pm

              No wonder you’re a Key supporter, your contempt for people and the democratic process is staggering

            • ropata 9.1.1.1.1.2
              4 February 2016 at 7:12 pm

              while you’re at it, why not abolish Waitangi Day?

              maybe you’d prefer “Sell NZ to foreign corporations” day?
              or perhaps “Bow to el Presidente Key” day?
              or “Middle finger to democracy” day?

              • BM …
                4 February 2016 at 7:36 pm

                Replace Waitangi day with NZ day, I like it.

                • marty mars …
                  4 February 2016 at 7:55 pm

                  yep you’d sell everything down the river – for what? Your poster boy key shows his true colours and so do you – what a dim cowardly fool you are.

                • ropata …
                  4 February 2016 at 9:05 pm

                  might as well, a bankster just sold our democracy, the NZ flag is being turned into a corporate logo, so forgetting our history and culture would make sense to a Tory knob like you.

                • maui …
                  4 February 2016 at 9:19 pm

                  Or you could move to Aus and celebrate your Australia Day with the rest of white Australia. There you can remain ignorant on what the indigenous people have gifted you and your family.

                • Anne …
                  4 February 2016 at 9:54 pm

                  Replace Waitangi day with NZ day, I like it.

                  Ha… that’s exactly what Norman Kirk did in 1973. Your beloved National Party hollered and shouted and opposed it every step of the way and when Muldoon won in 1975 he changed it back to Waitangi Day.

                  • vto …
                    4 February 2016 at 10:00 pm

                    It should be Waitangi Week..

                  • Lucy …
                    5 February 2016 at 9:42 am

                    Just after Muldoon stole all the employer contributions to the Superannuation scheme and put them into the consolidated funds! However think Kirk got it wrong Waitangi Day should not be changed to NZ day – need to have the day for the signing of the treaty.

            • Glenn 9.1.1.1.1.3
              4 February 2016 at 7:20 pm

              “Seriously, he’s the PM he shouldn’t have to bend over backwards for these arrogant dickwad nobodies.”
              Same PM bent over frontwards to pick up a bar of soap in a cell on camera not so long ago..
              What an arrogant dickwad dickhead Chicken John is.

            • AB 9.1.1.1.1.4
              4 February 2016 at 9:09 pm

              “arrogant dickwad nobodies.”
              Pretty much sums up my opinion of Nat voters – at least on a bad day

            • Paul 9.1.1.1.1.5
              5 February 2016 at 7:17 am

              Politicians are our servants.
              Public servants.
              Go to North Korea if you want a dictator.

            • Matthew Whitehead 9.1.1.1.1.6
              7 February 2016 at 1:50 am

              The PM is not automatically entitled to any special respect. He has to earn it like everyone else. If he doesn’t respect the Maori community and their rights, they have no obligation to respect him first.

        • Dialey 9.1.1.2
          4 February 2016 at 6:50 pm

          So far removed from reality, aren’t you, that you don’t even recognise ordinary people when you see them.

        • whateva next? 9.1.1.3
          4 February 2016 at 7:53 pm

          “ignorance, racism and class prejudice?”
          “ignorant, racist and class prejudiced are the ones who decide elections.”
          “Not the dirty looking rope heads causing all the traffic chaos today.”
          Like it or not Bowel Motion, EVERYONE’S vote is equal

    • Ad 9.2
      4 February 2016 at 6:53 pm

      I don’t think it’s going to break like the Brash Orewa speech.
      He’s got a fair point about respect needing to be both ways.

      Very curious to see how moth Waitangi marae greet Andrew Little.

      I truly don’t see big voter preference shares shifting over this.

      • BM 9.2.1
        4 February 2016 at 7:01 pm

        I disagree, there’s a real under current of annoyance with the way Waitangi day is held, lots of pissed of people who feel the the event has been hijacked by Maori separatists who just use the day as a platform to give a big fuck you to paheka.

        This a real red button issue for people and it cuts right across the political divide.

        • ropata 9.2.1.1
          4 February 2016 at 7:22 pm

          yes i’m sure it is a real concern in your nasty little redneck faction

          in other news, most Kiwis celebrate Waitangi Day with a day off, a trip to the beach, and some reggae music

        • Ad 9.2.1.2
          4 February 2016 at 7:42 pm

          I see it as a further mobilization of the left; builds on the big Paris 21 conference.

          We’re on a roll, and Key’s throwing his 2016 momentum out the window.

          Key’s delivered Waitangi coverage to the Opposition. No guts, no glory.

          • BM 9.2.1.2.1
            4 February 2016 at 7:48 pm

            The disconnect from reality is jaw dropping.

            Long may it continue.

            • weka 9.2.1.2.1.1
              4 February 2016 at 8:22 pm

              Your line attempts spin no doubt BM, but for every redneck upset about Waitangi Day radicals, there’s a liberal leftie learning a few more words of te reo and starting to get that the Treaty has meaning. The shift in mainstream NZ to accepting Māori as having cultural rights has been going on my whole life and isn’t going to stop. And all the while, the % of the population that is Polynesian is increasing.

              Many of the so called rednecks I’ve known have expressed their antipathy from a place of ignorance, and at least some of those are coming from a place of anger about what’s happened to their own class and people rather than being genuinely racist. Selfish fucks like yourself on the other hand really have no excuse.

          • weka 9.2.1.2.2
            4 February 2016 at 8:17 pm

            +1 Ad. It’s very heartening.

            • In Vino 9.2.1.2.2.1
              4 February 2016 at 10:57 pm

              +1 Weka. I was thinking Redneck on one of BM’s earlier posts – then you said it all beautifully. Ignorance, combined with an unpleasant arrogance, not to mention avarice. The sort of guy who will sanctimoniously play the ‘Politics of Envy’ card to justify profit-gouging.

        • Molly 9.2.1.3
          4 February 2016 at 9:58 pm

          … obviously never actually been to Waitangi on the day, BM.

        • Mo 9.2.1.4
          4 February 2016 at 10:52 pm

          Right on BM – he played them like a champion – gave them plenty of opportunities to show their petty disunity, a well known Ngapuhi trait, and then said – Nah it’s too Mickey Mouse – I’m not wasting my time up there.

          Bingo, all the middle ground go – “at last he’s said no – Thank goodness. Who wants to see our PM talking to the Harawiras again.”

          A nice little vote catcher methinks. Fourth term looking a lot more likely after this week; what with the signing today.

          • ropata 9.2.1.4.1
            7 February 2016 at 12:03 pm

            FJK certainly is the champion of the photo op and the CT one-liner. And slime like you thinks lying and divisiveness is “a nice vote catcher”… who are you, Donald Trump?

            A champion of the people, not so much

        • Whispering Kate 9.2.1.5
          5 February 2016 at 8:44 am

          BM that bunch of Maori separatists you rant on about was represented by a respectable Kaumatua and former Maori Vice-President of the National Party on RNZ . Just because citizens of this country do not believe or trust your PM doesn’t give you the right to call them rednecks or Maori Separatists. Be thankful we have our Maori population at our back, if we didn’t we wouldn’t have a sod of earth left in this beautiful country which we could call our own. He had some interesting things to say about your PM – he was very courteous and not sarcastic and bombastic as your PM is wont to do when he is cornered and made to look like an ass. Instead of just mouthing off why don’t you study your leader more astutely and you will find a hollow man full of p…. and w…… Or as my old mother used to say “all hair oil and no socks”. Not an ounce of Mana in him. Mull on that for a while.

  10. Observer (Tokoroa) 10
    4 February 2016 at 6:56 pm

    @ BM

    It is lovely seeing you place your in the hand of John Key. Touching.

    But your puerile genital language of abuse, poured on Maori people, says only one thing. You are despicable BM

    I think little chap, that you should go back to taking your medicine. Ok?

  11. Observer (Tokoroa) 11
    4 February 2016 at 7:21 pm

    @ BM

    I wasn’t replying to You. Far from it.

    I was pointing out to you that your abuse of Maori was evil and despicable !

    Trust you to miss the point. You always do. Don’t you little fella. Regards to John.

    • Magisterium 11.1
      4 February 2016 at 7:32 pm

      Yeah BM, that’s your problem. You hate Maori people.

      /headdesk

      • BM 11.1.1
        4 February 2016 at 7:42 pm

        Oh no, I hate myself 🙁

        Seriously, fuck off with this hive mind bullshit.

      • McGrath 11.1.2
        4 February 2016 at 8:19 pm

        As a Maori, I find the bluster and BS at Waitangi embarrassing to my people. It also reinforces the “bloody Maoris” attitude amongst non-Maori.

        • ropata 11.1.2.1
          4 February 2016 at 8:48 pm

          have you actually been there? It’s nothing like that, it’s a family friendly day of cultural celebration. Stop ingesting the MSM shite uncritically

          • McGrath 11.1.2.1.1
            4 February 2016 at 8:57 pm

            I have been there. It’s family, there’s respect, but it’s hijacked by the embittered who are subsequently splashed all over the news. Hence “Bloody Maoris”

            • ropata 11.1.2.1.1.1
              4 February 2016 at 9:07 pm

              It’s not hijacked, the hikoi is just a part of the day’s events and it’s not disruptive or scary in any way. Most people wouldn’t know anything about Titewhai Harawira’s attention seeking antics

              • McGrath …
                4 February 2016 at 9:20 pm

                The media salivate over it though. Nothing like some fat bloke who cannot string two sentences together plastered over the news as the “representative” of Waitangi.

                • Molly …
                  4 February 2016 at 10:01 pm

                  “The media salivate over it though.”
                  And you continue the trope they choose to highlight, despite knowing better.

                  Work harder. Challenge those who use the media framework and narrative to fully form their opinions.

                  • McGrath …
                    4 February 2016 at 10:23 pm

                    The first thing I’d do is [Violent threat deleted. Grow up. TRP] through the streets for their incompetence. Next I’d ban ALL politicians and protesters. Lastly I’d focus on inclusiveness and family, turn it into a Waitangi & NZ Day.

                    However I’m not Ngapuhi, and have no say in their affairs or how they run it Tribalism sucks in that regard. Therefore I will not waste energy in trying to change something that cannot be changed. Only Ngapuhi have that power, and they’ve failed so far

                    • marty mars …
                      5 February 2016 at 12:09 am

                      It is many things including inclusive already. Don’t be sucked into thinking the media shows the truth of the day – look around tomorrow – that is Waitangi Day.

                    • ropata …
                      7 February 2016 at 12:20 am

                      +1 McGrath
                      I don’t have a problem with tarring and feathering a few corrupt white collar criminals

  12. upnorth 12
    4 February 2016 at 7:41 pm

    I’m glad he is not going
    About time we move on as a country – Waitangi is not about protest but celebration – if the iwi are not happy give all the claims money.

    More people will watch cricket than the treaty celebrations – the protestors are now a minority and an extremely small minority.

    The left and Labour will now never get voted in again – NZers don’t want protestors anymore.

    I’m sorry but just watched Tv3 and Tv One news etc – people could not even the countries involved or what TPPA was about? Good grief I even know.

    Where was Labour MP’s and Greens and NZF in the crowd – no where!!!!!!

    Why because they know TPPA is good

    Love to hear from one MP who was at the protest – just one!

    • Ad 12.1
      4 February 2016 at 7:45 pm

      Only the next polls will answer that.

      The Era of protest is far from over. Note: no violence, no arrests, excellent TV.

      • upnorth 12.1.1
        4 February 2016 at 8:04 pm

        yep let me give you a heads up

        National 55
        Labour 20
        Greens 10
        NZF 7
        Don’t Know 5
        Other 3

        Don’t know will be disillusion Labour voters who have no idea what Labour stand for

        • Gangnam Style 12.1.1.1
          4 February 2016 at 9:35 pm

          Maybe if you watched more than TV1 & TV3 news you would have found out that a bunch of Greens MPs were there & Labour too, just saw a post by Cunliffe.

        • bearded git 12.1.1.2
          4 February 2016 at 10:37 pm

          Its enough to know what National stands for.

  13. Robert Atack 13
    4 February 2016 at 7:43 pm

    Maybe they could have a don’t mention TPPA day at Waitangi tomorrow, if FJK isn’t there why not tun it into a friendly day, and let everyone have a happy time?
    After all it might be one of their last opportunities )

    • ropata 13.1
      4 February 2016 at 8:51 pm

      it will be a friendly day regardless. Ngapuhi are good hosts and enjoy the waka, haka and other fun stuff. of course there’s always a political aspect but it isn’t the only thing that’s going on

  14. vto 14
    4 February 2016 at 7:49 pm

    It is completely understandable why John Key is not welcome at Waitangi and he should stay away but the Prime Minister should go

    • Anne 14.1
      4 February 2016 at 8:05 pm

      It is completely understandable why John Key is not welcome at Waitangi and he should stay away but the Prime Minister should go.

      Well the prime-minister in waiting is going to be there . That’s even better.

    • McGrath 14.2
      4 February 2016 at 8:08 pm

      Ngapuhi are idiots. They dumped on Helen Clark and have now dumped on John Key. Why would any PM from any party attend given the disrespect shown to the role as f PM?

      • vto 14.2.1
        4 February 2016 at 8:19 pm

        You mean the disrespect shown to the role when Key squatted in a jail cage with a bar of soap making jokes about anal male rape?

        • McGrath 14.2.1.1
          4 February 2016 at 8:43 pm

          His willingness to participate in radio shenanigans is one of the reasons why his popularity (and thus National’s popularity) has remained so high for so long. National will lose 5-10% points in the polls when he retires.

          • ropata 14.2.1.1.1
            4 February 2016 at 8:52 pm

            he’s riding a classic ponzi bubble

            eventually reality bites

            • McGrath 14.2.1.1.1.1
              4 February 2016 at 9:04 pm

              It’s a sturdy bubble if that’s the case. Everything short of tactical thermonuclear weapons has been launched at that bubble and still it stands

              • ropata …
                4 February 2016 at 9:11 pm

                yep, our economy and political establishment relies on a steady stream of bullshit, but nothing lasts forever

              • Expat …
                4 February 2016 at 11:16 pm

                @McGrath 9:04pm

                Surely you mean the big bubble of debt ($120B) that still has to be paid back, thats the bubble that’s just about to burst.

                • McGrath …
                  5 February 2016 at 8:10 am

                  I’ve always wondered what Labour would have done instead during the GFC.

                  • dv …
                    5 February 2016 at 8:17 am

                    Not reduce taxes
                    Not give a billion to SCF
                    ………

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      5 February 2016 at 8:22 am

                      …not to mention the fact that per-capita GDP is always higher when we have a competent government.

                    • Bob …
                      5 February 2016 at 9:29 am

                      dv, “Not reduce taxes” worst case estimates suggest a 1.5bn drop in revenue from the tax reduction, this is before taking into account the increase in GST revenue, and the increased consumer spending from that extra cash being available in the economy. So even if we forget the upsides, that is only about $9bn over the past 6 years. Where would Labour have found the additional $71bn? Cuts in welfare? Health care? Education?

                      Labour signed us up to the Deposit Guarantee Scheme, and they signed SCF into that scheme in November 2008, so they very much would have given billions to SCF. By the way, they would have been correct to do so also.

                      OAB: Citation for the per capita GDP? From what I can see there is little difference between rises under this government and the Clark government: http://www.google.co.nz/publicdata/explore?ds=d5bncppjof8f9_&met_y=ny_gdp_pcap_cd&idim=country:NZL:AUS:CAN&hl=en&dl=en

                  • Expat …
                    5 February 2016 at 1:44 pm

                    They wouldn’t have put up GST and lowered the the taxes for the wealthy, and then probably their still would have been enough revenue with out the huge borrowing that Key has had to undertake to cover the short fall in revenue, not helped by selling off assets that returned good revenue to the govt as well.

  15. Observer (Tokoroa) 15
    4 February 2016 at 8:19 pm

    Hi Upnorth

    You said: “About time we move on as a country…” as if we should put Maori down and out of the way. So dismissive.

    I rather think that Maori are here to stay. They are strong.

    I honestly think “we should move on as a country” and put you down and outta the way.

    That would make for a happier country Upnorth. Have a good Treaty Day.

    • ropata 15.1
      4 February 2016 at 8:54 pm

      +1 maybe we should respect our history and people not ignore them and pretend shit didn’t happen.

    • upnorth 15.2
      4 February 2016 at 9:51 pm

      here is the acid test

      Not one Labour NZF or Green MP at the protest today

      Why not – weren’t this all about them saying this is the worst thing ever!!!

      Where were they – nowhere – they are the chickens (Chicken Little) to be funny.

      Even you have to agree with my point

      [I’m told there were Labour and Green MP’s at the protests, so your point is, ahem, pointless. Move on. TRP]

      • ankerawshark 15.2.1
        4 February 2016 at 10:04 pm

        I saw a picture of Grant Robertson at the parliament TPPA protest.

      • Tiger Mountain 15.2.2
        4 February 2016 at 10:26 pm

        Sue Moroney and David Cunliffe were spotted at Auckland march as were Greens galore, and ex MP Hone of course

        • upnorth 15.2.2.1
          5 February 2016 at 3:58 am

          Okay will accept your observations at face value that they were there – the whole 50 odd MP’s though who are in opposition?

          A token 3 or 4 maybe 10 at best – but not reflective of the whole opposition.

          That is because they support the upside of the deal and are totally conflicted.

          Why I would never vote for Hone at least he is consistent and he will always have my respect for that.

          The rest – will Andrew Little should of been at the front of the march if he is against the deal. End of subject.

          • Tracey 15.2.2.1.1
            5 February 2016 at 8:29 am

            That is like saying only 2 MPs were at the TPPA signing so they obviously dont support it.

            • One Anonymous Bloke 15.2.2.1.1.1
              5 February 2016 at 8:40 am

              Not to mention demonstrating a limited understanding of the meaning of the word ‘galore’, and the assumption that there were no others from Labour.

              Then following these obvious howlers, they go on to pretend to be some sort of arbiter of Andrew Little.

              It really is starting to look like mendacity born of malice and hostility rather than a genuine blithering idiot.

              • Tracey …
                5 February 2016 at 8:45 am

                Up Norths observations of yesterday appear more and more to be imagined or scripted. Either way they bear little relation to reality.

                This govt tried to talk up potential violence… it provoked further by its choice of venue. It didnt tell people the date of the last protest that saw violence in NZ…

                There was no violence. Maori and Pakeha peacefully expressing a view.

                I saw who one reporter was choosing to ask his questions of about the TPP. It was a set up.

          • One Anonymous Bloke 15.2.2.1.2
            5 February 2016 at 8:33 am

            Nah, you made a false assertion the first time around. What on Earth makes you think you have a scrap of credibility left to dictate when subjects are “over”?

            In any event, please can you help me out?

            Was the initial lie deliberate, and motivated by malice, or were you just mindlessly repeating someone else’s lies?

            Which is it?

            Until we know the answer everything else you say is worthless.

            • Tracey 15.2.2.1.2.1
              5 February 2016 at 8:41 am

              I chuckled at various statements made like

              We all have to agree that no Opp MPs were there and the discussion must now be over.

              Both statements were false.

              Reading selectively manufactured mfa “fact sheets” is not the same as being informed.

    • In Vino 15.3
      4 February 2016 at 11:08 pm

      Well said, Observer.

  16. linda 16
    4 February 2016 at 9:12 pm

    ww1 cowards were given a white feather and cowardice on the battle field you were shot before dawn where is Field Marshall Hague with the execution order for the keyster hes got a yellow strip down his back

  17. North 17
    4 February 2016 at 11:16 pm

    Sorry folks but Key is a bitch of a man in his everything. Not even embarrassed about it which is worse. Tryin’ to E! Channel it up and the Prince of Pampered Max and all the rest of it.

    We are eventually gonna be released from this shit because on various levels people are finally gonna be saying “No No No !”

    It’s shocking but a limited and never violent Ceaucescu picture may be the answer. To rid ourselves of sociopathic greedy scum like John Key .

  18. cogito 18
    5 February 2016 at 7:07 am

    ” She shrugged her shoulders when told about the Prime Minister’s decision to stay clear of Waitangi celebrations. “It’s no great loss. The day will still go on.” ”
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/76598479/prime-minister-john-keys-noshow-at-waitangi-no-great-loss

    Absolutely spot on. Keep walking Mr Key, because no-one’s going to miss you.

  19. Tracey 19
    5 February 2016 at 8:37 am

    When Clark couldnt speak cos of protocol and stopped going, big brave John Key pledged he would always go. His inference was clear. Speaking or not speaking he would go. Of course as a man he knew the protocol didnt impact him. So it was safe bravado. When his perceived right to speak in a controlled environment was removed. He couldnt be seen for dust.

    He is popular but he is also a coward and a liar. I am saddened by what that says about our fellow kiwis.

    Key, like many of his supporters likes the tpp for one main reason. The asserted 2.7bn more per year from 2030. In his mind more money than today MUST be good.

    End of story for him and many.

    But that is NOT the whole picture nor the whole story. When he calls the protesters uninformed he does it in the same breath as calling the tpp a free trade agreement. Less than half of the agreement is about free trade.

    Many NZers still believe Parliament is voting on whether or not we agree to TPP. That is down to Key and his misinformation. English is going to bundle ALL 8 (?) pieces of legislation together further restricting an opportunity to truly decide which law changes are good or bad for all of us.

    • cogito 19.1
      5 February 2016 at 8:53 am

      Judging by yesterday’s protests, people are sick of Key’s tactics. In the end people want a level of integrity and accountability from their political leaders and Key is the absolute antithesis of that. He is happy to waste his tax payer funded time on cheap radio stunts, but when it comes to fronting up to the people and being accountable for his actions he looks for excuses and does a runner.

      • Tracey 19.1.1
        5 February 2016 at 8:56 am

        He wants a controlled stage to speak. He and his advisors know that going off the cuff reveals his true self.

        • cogito 19.1.1.1
          5 February 2016 at 9:30 am

          He loved posing as action man in Iraq, but he hasn’t got the guts to face tangata whenua at Waitangi on our national day. What an absolute coward.

        • Whispering Kate 19.1.1.2
          5 February 2016 at 11:00 am

          You are correct Tracey, the man has an anger problem and when he is in tight situation, such as question time, he blows his stack, is vile and sarcastic and the true nasty bugger that he is, is exposed. His minders know this too well and that’s why he needs questions in advance and prepared answers in his head before interviews. Many times I have seen him in the house ranting off his head and thought “whoa what is going on here, he needs a chill pill” – I hope he isn’t like this in his own house.

          Plus another thing which puzzles me, why as our PM representing this country does he wear the alternative flag as a lapel pin. Surely good manners and protocol would suggest he should not be doing this as it is not the official ensign of this country. When they signed the TPP, it would have been beamed out world wide – where is the protocol on this, it must have seemed puzzling to foreign officials who were present. Why is the flag loosing its relevance, in the past it would have been considered treason to wear or fly or carry another flag which wasn’t the official one. These days its like an advertising flag flown outside corporate headquarters. He is like a relative hovering and pre-empting a family member’s death before their demise – how graceless can he get.

          • cogito 19.1.1.2.1
            5 February 2016 at 12:07 pm

            + 100% 🙂

            • Whispering Kate 19.1.1.2.1.1
              7 February 2016 at 9:42 am

              Had to chuckle at this Tracey – its a bit rich coming from him and his “appalling” antics on the world stage. The man is an embarrassment – peeing in the shower, pulling pony tails, 3-way handshakes, going into a cage and picking up a bar of soap – it goes on and on – people overseas especially ex-pats much shudder at his ignorant behaviour. The satire in the US about him is amazing, he should have kept his mouth shut, hypocrite.

          • Tracey 19.1.1.2.2
            6 February 2016 at 4:53 pm

            And today he is appalled by the sex toy cos its gone round the world…

            Pony tail harrassment went round the world too
            So did joke about escaped paedophile/murderer in chile

      • Puckish Rogue 19.1.2
        5 February 2016 at 9:49 am

        You really don’t have any idea of what the majority of the people of NZ think do you, John Keys popularity will jump because of his actions over Waitangi

        • cogito 19.1.2.1
          5 February 2016 at 10:01 am

          You mean that some Nat-friendly polling company will come up with a bunch of carefully managed figures so that Paddy Gower can go on Shub News and do another paparazzi piece. More than likely, and some will be taken in.

          • Puckish Rogue 19.1.2.1.1
            5 February 2016 at 10:10 am

            Yeah those same polls that helped John Key to victory in the last couple of elections

            See you in 2020 🙂

            • cogito 19.1.2.1.1.1
              5 February 2016 at 11:58 am

              LOL. Chicken-boy will be well and truly skewered and kebabed long before then….

              • Puckish Rogue …
                5 February 2016 at 12:52 pm

                By whom exactly? His personal polling which I expect will increase or the parties polling which will also increase?

                No I’m serious, how do you expect anything you’ve said to come to pass?

                • cogito …
                  5 February 2016 at 1:27 pm

                  I fully expect him to be the author of his own downfall.

                  • Puckish Rogue …
                    5 February 2016 at 1:50 pm

                    Yeah I suppose if you wait long enough then everyone comes a cropper eventually

                    Of course that’s been said about John Key since 2008 (and probably earlier) and it still hasn’t happened but don’t give up hope 🙂

                    • cogito …
                      5 February 2016 at 2:28 pm

                      What’s the life expectancy of a chicken?

                    • ropata …
                      7 February 2016 at 12:17 am

                      blasphemy PR
                      John Key is an immortal demigod here to enlighten us. His very farts are the breath of life. Surely you know this from the Nactoidℱ indoctrination factory?

      • Puckish Rogue 19.2.1
        5 February 2016 at 10:13 am

        I thought he was probably quite representative of the average protestor

      • Tracey 19.2.2
        6 February 2016 at 4:55 pm

        And no chats to non protesters about how much they know to compare. Even shoving a spontaneous microphone under the nose of some Nat MPs and ask them the same questions.

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