We are paying for Key and Coleman to attend the World Cup

Written By: - Date published: 8:58 am, October 28th, 2015 - 207 comments
Categories: john key, Minister for Overseas Holidays, national, same old national, the praiseworthy and the pitiful - Tags: ,

National, the party of careful management of the country’s finances and the party that opposed to any unjustified spending of tax money it created its own pet union, has engaged in expenditure that should do more than raise a few eyebrows. John Key and Jonathan Coleman are attending the Rugby World Cup on the taxpayer’s tab.

According to the Herald Bill English thinks that New Zealanders will not mind footing the bill. From the article:

Mr English told TV One’s Breakfast that New Zealanders were getting value for money from his colleagues’ travel.

That was because they were attending a wide range of other events and meetings while in Europe, and not just the rugby.

“I think New Zealanders would expect some form of representation from the government in the form of the sports minister and the Prime Minister to actually be at this game. Do you think we should stay home because we can’t afford it?” Mr English said.

“The Prime Minister is over there largely because of the free trade agreement launch with Europe, and that’s why the Trade Minister [Tim Groser] is there. So, actually they are economising.”

Andrew Little did the right thing by paying for his expenses.

The English defence should be used by the next social welfare beneficiary facing a charge of benefit fraud because they could not make ends meet.  If New Zealanders do not mind it must be OK.

And no sign of any opposition from the Taxpayer’s union. I wonder why?

207 comments on “We are paying for Key and Coleman to attend the World Cup ”

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  1. roy cartland 1
    28 October 2015 at 9:07 am

    Paying alright:

    “exclusive suites Mr Key is likely to use are from $2200 to $4000 a night.”
    – http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11534171

    • Bob 1.1
      28 October 2015 at 12:19 pm

      “exclusive suites Mr Key is likely to use”
      That sentence alone shows NZ Herald has given up pretending it’s anything other than a tabloid rag.

      They are one step away from turning into The Daily Mail! https://twitter.com/thepoke/status/518872066322231297

      • Henry Filth 1.1.1
        29 October 2015 at 5:50 am

        And what do you see as that one step?

        I see it as use of the word “revealed”, and a large amount of the content being lists- “Top 15 Auckland properties” and so on.

    • billmurray 1.2
      28 October 2015 at 1:28 pm

      Roy, stop showing your class, the PM and entourage should be at World Cup final, and we should pay, Please stop being a whingeing peasant.

      • roy cartland 1.2.1
        29 October 2015 at 10:26 am

        “Roy, stop showing your class, the PM and entourage should be at World Cup final, and we should pay, Please stop being a whingeing peasant.”

        Your powers of debate are less than overwhelming. “Of course” just isn’t persuasive. You could always try to stop being a self-righteous boor, if you can.

    • whateva next? 1.3
      28 October 2015 at 8:28 pm

      Not bunking with his boys then?

  2. dukeofurl 2
    28 October 2015 at 9:07 am

    It seems that Farrar is at the RWC too. keeping his eye on ministerial extravagances?

  3. vto 3
    28 October 2015 at 9:15 am

    Yep, all the rich pricks are out of the country at the world cup at the moment.

    Just like they all disappear during winter to the islands, or Europe or some such.

    You know the amazing thing about these exoduses? The country carries on fine. The rich prove themselves unnecessary to the running of the country. Don’t need them.

    And of course this could be tried in reverse. Lets try next year to have half the country’s cleaners, rubbish collectors, nurses, teachers, stop-go men, etc head off on a merry overseas jaunt and see how the country goes……

    The low paid are more valuable to the country than the rich.

    • mary_a 3.1
      28 October 2015 at 9:30 am

      Hear hear vto @ (3) Well summed up there 🙂

    • infused 3.2
      28 October 2015 at 10:25 am

      No, they only fund it.

      • Draco T Bastard 3.2.1
        28 October 2015 at 11:11 am

        The poor fund the economy and thus the entire country by working. The rich are simply bludgers.

        • john 3.2.1.1
          28 October 2015 at 11:35 am

          and who owns the company that PAYS our wages???

          • Draco T Bastard 3.2.1.1.1
            28 October 2015 at 11:54 am

            The person who owns the company doesn’t pay the wages. The people who actually do the work do. The person who owns the company just bludges off the workers.

        • Ilicit 3.2.1.2
          28 October 2015 at 1:10 pm

          Without the poor, us paupers, this country would be stuffed.

          I still can’t get my head around the theory that rich people will be able to buy all the products manufactured by the poor.

          Perhaps they think that each of them are entitled to a million, or even a billion, Ferraris each, and each of those to be attended to by a million paupers to wash and polish them.

          Where the hell have simple economics gone ??

          How the hell does this government think they can get away with public funding for “jollies”.

          You can bet your bottom dollar that we are also paying for $1000 or more seats and all the perks that go with being on a paid holiday.

          And I sit here dying, waiting for the health system to catch up with me……

          Doctor freaking Coleman signed a Hippocratic Oath…….

          John “wimpy” Key made false promises before he even got into power.

          What hope do I hold to stay alive for another year ???

          None !!!

          • Draco T Bastard 3.2.1.2.1
            28 October 2015 at 1:29 pm

            Where the hell have simple economics gone ??

            Economics has been ignored in favour of finances for quite some time now. Finances allows the rich to get richer and the problems to be blamed on those suffering them.

            • Richard@Down South 3.2.1.2.1.1
              28 October 2015 at 3:39 pm

              Well said… It’s like Apple.. they make a lot of money (and that looks good on the face of it for an American company, but they employ few American’s except in retail stores, and they’re not exactly paid well… so the US economy doesn’t actually benefit from Apple, as Apple soaks up cash from the economy and keeps it in reserve (overseas as not to pay tax)

            • Ilicit 3.2.1.2.1.2
              28 October 2015 at 5:17 pm

              It’s a juxtaposition of words DTB.

              Finance belongs to the so called private sector.

              Economics for a country belong to it’s government.

              Right no, we have a semi private sector government, it’s going to shatter many dreams when their return doesn’t match the share market.

              By that I simply mean the NZer’s who were sucked in and will suffer out of proportion. They just don’t know it right now, but they will soon !!!

              Sorry, out of breath….

    • Henry Filth 3.3
      29 October 2015 at 5:52 am

      I may be out of the country, but I’m not at the RWC.

      Possibly there are more of us rich pricks than you thought.

      • vto 3.3.1
        29 October 2015 at 7:31 am

        There are a hell of a lot of rich pricks Henry

        It in fact amazes me how many people in our community do not have to work for an income. The number is very high.

        Have been meaning to comment on exactly this point for some time.

        There are few people in NZ who actually do the work and activity required to run lives and the country …

        Anyways, point still stands. New Zealand doesn’t need the rich – proved.

        • ICD 3.3.1.1
          29 October 2015 at 8:30 am

          At what point does someone become a rich prick?

          I’m genuinely asking. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a number or some other indicator by which to tell who is and who isn’t.

          • vto 3.3.1.1.1
            29 October 2015 at 8:35 am

            Yeah, I don’t even really like the words “rich pricks” as it demeans many good people who have played the cards they have been dealt under the rules in place.

            An assessment might be a person who does not have to work at all or very much to live an above average comfortable life due to their financial resources.

            • ICD 3.3.1.1.1.1
              29 October 2015 at 3:12 pm

              Thanks VTO (and OAB below), appreciate the feedback and explanations. Agree, there are a great number of people who have done exceedingly well off their own back.

              I just always assumed there was some real, or imaginary, financial threshold.

              • One Anonymous Bloke …
                29 October 2015 at 3:19 pm

                there are a great number of people who have done exceedingly well off their own back.

                Luck is not “your own back”, and that’s the only thing that separates those who do exceedingly well and those who don’t. Putting on airs about it can move you into the “prick” category pretty damn quick.

          • One Anonymous Bloke 3.3.1.1.2
            29 October 2015 at 8:42 am

            It isn’t so much the wealth as the attitude that defines them. “Pulling up the ladder” is a dead giveaway, for example.

  4. BM 4
    28 October 2015 at 9:15 am

    Key is the PM and as such should be there.

    Little is of no importance so of course he should pay his own way, it’s nothing more than just a holiday for him.

    • mary_a 4.1
      28 October 2015 at 9:32 am

      @ BM – one eyed much!

      • BM 4.1.1
        28 October 2015 at 9:40 am

        I disagree, I’d say the same if Clark was leader.

        Seriously, what reason is there for Little to be at the world cup?, shouldn’t he be back in NZ getting Labour sorted?.

        • Sabine 4.1.1.1
          28 October 2015 at 9:48 am

          the question does not arise, as Mr. Little pays for his own trip and thus is there as a ‘private person’ and not a “state sponsored Prime Minister”.

          So there, and yes, I taxpayer private and tax payer business have an issue with paying for the PM to go there, when we are cutting social services, health services, education services etc etc etc.
          If the PM feels his presence is needed he can stay on the Tax Payers dime and on a tight budget. 2 – 4000 grand to house him for a night? And a few hundred dollar more a day to feed and water him? With the cost of one day of the PM fellating the All Blacks you could house a family of 4 a full month at the cost of a standard rental in Auckland.

          You see BM, the funny thing with Austerity…its simply, we are either in this all together, or really it is just a very clumsy form of stealing from the poor to get ones own arse gold pleated.

          • BM 4.1.1.1.1
            28 October 2015 at 9:53 am

            What austerity?

            • RedLogix 4.1.1.1.1.1
              28 October 2015 at 10:13 am

              Oh I dunno – maybe the same austerity which has forced this govt to borrow $100b?

              • BM …
                28 October 2015 at 10:40 am

                Isn’t that the opposite.

              • Enough is Enough …
                28 October 2015 at 10:47 am

                RedLogix. The borrowing is done in order fund expenditure.

                Austerity is when you cut spending.

                • Draco T Bastard …
                  28 October 2015 at 11:15 am

                  National has cut spending in social areas and increased spending on corporations and the rich. The increased spending has resulted in the blowout of borrowing that this government has engaged in.

                  • Enough is Enough …
                    28 October 2015 at 11:27 am

                    It is still expenditure, no matter where it is directed, paid for through borrowing.

                    • Draco T Bastard …
                      28 October 2015 at 11:51 am

                      The point was that the majority of people have had the government expenditure on them decreased along with austerity and a few people have had the government expenditure on them increased against austerity. That increased expenditure on the few has necessitated the borrowing.

                    • Enough is Enough …
                      28 October 2015 at 2:42 pm

                      I know what your demented point is.

                    • Draco T Bastard …
                      29 October 2015 at 9:39 am

                      No, I suspect that you don’t.

                  • Nessalt …
                    28 October 2015 at 12:31 pm

                    National have increased benefits, increased spending on health care and on education as well as justice. How is this cutting social spending draco?

                    • McFlock …
                      28 October 2015 at 12:54 pm

                      In the same way their increased expenditure has done wonders for schools and prisons. No, wait, they just pay the private sector to do what the public sector used to do, only the private sector does it half as well for twice the cash.

                      And then they find excuses to kick people off benefits for invented reasons.

                    • Draco T Bastard …
                      28 October 2015 at 1:25 pm

                      When the ‘increase’ doesn’t even match inflation over the same time period then it’s a decrease in real terms. Health care, for example, once inflation and population growth are taken into consideration has had a funding decrease. Education has had a nominal cut of close to a billion dollars:

                      Today’s budget is a dismal affair, as the government shuffles money around and announces new spending while conveniently forgetting to mention that its a sub-inflation rise and that health and education are going backwards – as they have every year under National (Education has even been cut in nominal terms, falling from $11.5 billion in 2009 to $10.8 billion today).

                      National never increases social spending as it means that the rich won’t be able to get massively richer while doing nothing more.

                    • Kay …
                      28 October 2015 at 1:34 pm

                      @Nessalt For the umpteenth time, National have NOT increased benefits. Do your research and stop pushing that line and go talk to people who are on benefits. It’s a load of bullshit.

                    • Venezia …
                      28 October 2015 at 10:31 pm

                      Can you provide evidence for these “increased spending on health care and education as well as justice”? All the evidence I have seen suggest the opposite since National came to power in 2008.

                  • srylands …
                    29 October 2015 at 6:17 am

                    What a fantasy you engage in. Have you ever read the Crown accounts? You are simply making shit up. Read the 2008 PREFU.

                    You sound like Nicolae Ceaușescu on a bad day.

                    So the reason we have borrowed to avoid austerity is to fund “increased spending on corporations and the rich”.

                    I have printed that out and added it to the wall of infamy notice board in the office!

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 October 2015 at 8:47 am

                      Put this one next to it:

                      Deriving 100% of one’s income from the taxpayer while advocating for ACT is a massive conflict of interest and perilously close to fraud.

            • Draco T Bastard 4.1.1.1.1.2
              28 October 2015 at 11:13 am

              The austerity that this government is forcing upon the majority of people so that the rich can stay rich.

          • Olwyn 4.1.1.1.2
            28 October 2015 at 9:55 am

            You see BM, the funny thing with Austerity…its simply, we are either in this all together, or really it is just a very clumsy form of stealing from the poor to get ones own arse gold plated.

            +1 Sabine – well said! Sums it up really.

          • alwyn 4.1.1.1.3
            28 October 2015 at 10:14 am

            I will believe that Little “pays for his own trip” when he produces a receipt proving that he paid for his ticket to the final.
            I don’t expect he will because I don’t believe he is going to.
            In fact, given his late decision to go to the thing he will have to be looking for a free one from some corporate or other because they were sold out ages ago.

            • Tracey 4.1.1.1.3.1
              28 October 2015 at 11:35 am

              do we know he made a late decision?

            • Gangnam Style 4.1.1.1.3.2
              28 October 2015 at 12:17 pm

              Alwyn is being a shit stirrer because it has already come out that Little got given a ticket as a gift, but not paid for by taxpayers.

              • alwyn …
                28 October 2015 at 2:10 pm

                I was not aware that it had been admitted that Little was getting his ticket free. I am not surprised, although why he had to make a broad claim that he was paying for his attendance himself does seem to be stretching things.
                Perhaps Sabine who says
                “Mr. Little pays for his own trip and thus is there as a ‘private person’”
                and mary_a may rethink her statement that
                “Besides as far as Little is concerned, he’s paying for himself anyway”

                • mary_a …
                  28 October 2015 at 3:03 pm

                  @ alwyn – even though Little received a free ticket, it seems he’s paying for his own transport and accommodation costs for the RWC. So in that respect, he is paying for himself.

                  • alwyn …
                    28 October 2015 at 5:29 pm

                    Yes, well maybe he is. It does appear that he was fudging a bit about him paying for his going to the cup though doesn’t it. His original announcement certainly didn’t tell us this did it.
                    Incidentally who is the generous benefactor? Is he like the Labour MPs who raved on about the evils of the Auckland Casino but happily accepted their hospitality at the rugby test. Shouldn’t we be told who he is in hock to?

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 October 2015 at 9:12 am

                      If he’s in hock to anyone yes of course we should be told all about it. The Waitemata Trust and Cabinet Club are obvious examples too.

                      The only way to stop the National Party selling MPs and legislation is to get money out of politics altogether.

        • mary_a 4.1.1.2
          28 October 2015 at 10:05 am

          @BM – same point could also apply to FJK!

          Other than wanting to be seen with and rubbing shoulders with royalty, celebrities, international rugby movers and shakers and off course the ABs, what reason has FJK got to be at the RWC? He has a country to get sorted!

          Besides as far as Little is concerned, he’s paying for himself anyway.

        • Ross 4.1.1.3
          28 October 2015 at 11:02 am

          What reason is there for Key to be at the Cup? The players don’t need him to scrub their backs after the game, as much as he might want to. 🙂

          But you’re missing the point. Key is entitled to be there but he shouldn’t expect taxpayers to foot the bill.

        • whateva next? 4.1.1.4
          28 October 2015 at 8:30 pm

          “I disagree, I’d say the same if Clark was leader”
          doubt it…..

    • Pat 4.2
      28 October 2015 at 8:59 pm

      Key is a perverted dick and should stay well away from anything and everyone

  5. Lanthanide 5
    28 October 2015 at 9:16 am

    Maybe this is the sort of thing Ad meant when he posted about how the left doesn’t like rugby.

    • Tracey 5.1
      28 October 2015 at 9:33 am

      yes except the Leader of the “Left” is going to the Rugby World Cup Final.

      • Lanthanide 5.1.1
        28 October 2015 at 9:38 am

        I think it’s appropriate for the PM to attend, especially as it is our ‘national’ game.

        So I have no problem with the government paying for this, especially as it is part of other travelling anyway.

        It seems that some people on the left don’t like it when the PM attends rugby, though.

        • Sabine 5.1.1.1
          28 October 2015 at 9:52 am

          I don’t mind for the PM to attend, on his own, on the cheapest possible way considering that we are cutting social services, cutting health care, gutting education, have no money for shelters and rape counceling, have no money to house our homeless, have no money to feed our children, have no money to fuck all other then attend rugby games, buy new flags, buy a new currency,etc etc etc.

          So you see where some of us might not be happy to pay a trip for the PM, that many of us will never in their life time will take.

          • left for deadshark 5.1.1.1.1
            28 October 2015 at 10:02 am

            +100 % Sabine

          • Lanthanide 5.1.1.1.2
            28 October 2015 at 10:38 am

            “So you see where some of us might not be happy to pay a trip for the PM, that many of us will never in their life time will take.”

            99.99% of people in this country will never do many of the things the Prime Minister does on a weekly or even daily basis.

            So that’s not really an argument.

            • Sabine 5.1.1.1.2.1
              28 October 2015 at 10:43 am

              99% of the country will have used our public schools, our public hospitals. About 50% of the country will have used social services for housing and or housing assistance. A too large percentage of our country will have used a shelter or needed counceling for abuse. A too large percentage of our children grow up poor in cold houses, with out adequate monetary support to cover the cost of growing into a productive adults.

              So really I don’t see your point as an argument for gold pleating Dear Leaders arse as valid either.

              • Enough is Enough …
                28 October 2015 at 11:36 am

                Why do you call him Dear Leader.

                That is what the RWNJ’s called Helen for years. It was stupid then and it is stupid now.

                • Hami Shearlie …
                  28 October 2015 at 12:03 pm

                  Maybe some call him “Dear Leader” because having him as leader is very very expensive to NZ? All those bodyguards milling around him while on holiday in the deep, dark, terrorist-filled and dangerous region of Hawaii, well, they don’t come free!

                • Sabine …
                  28 October 2015 at 12:06 pm

                  it is a term of endearment. I really don’t think that PM just does him justices.
                  So dear Leader it is, and always will be. It is the right thing to do.

              • Lanthanide …
                28 October 2015 at 12:49 pm

                There are many many responsibilities that come with the office of PM, and a very demanding workload.

                There are also some privileges.

        • Tracey 5.1.1.2
          28 October 2015 at 11:36 am

          Netball is also our national game and Cricket. How many matches of the women has he attended? How many times has he attended the Black Ferns playing world championship rugby?

          • mary_a 5.1.1.2.1
            28 October 2015 at 11:58 am

            @ Tracey (5.1.1.2) True … or rowing, although not a national sport, but one in which NZ competitors seem to do well in both here and internationally. Never known FJK to make his presence felt there either.

          • Banjo 5.1.1.2.2
            28 October 2015 at 12:02 pm

            Agreed. According to Matthew Hooton “of course the Prime Minister should attend”, and by attending he is fulfilling his role as PM. In that case I would expect that he attended the netball world cup final in Australia in support of the Silver Ferns, and would have been at Twickenham in 2010 to witness the Black Ferns win their fourth consecutive rugby world cup.

            Can’t find any reference online to suggest Key was in attendance for either of these events, but he did send the Silver Ferns a video message of support so surely that should be good enough for any other NZ sports team playing in a world cup final.

          • Lanthanide 5.1.1.2.3
            28 October 2015 at 12:50 pm

            So because he doesn’t attend sport A and ‘represent New Zealand’, he shouldn’t attend sport B to ‘represent New Zealand’ either?

            Do you want him to attend more sports, or fewer?

            • Banjo 5.1.1.2.3.1
              28 October 2015 at 1:45 pm

              “Do you want him to attend more sports, or fewer?”

              In the context of the argument that he should attend the RWC final as part of his role and duties as PM, I think he should be consistent and give the same level of support to other NZ sports teams who reach world cup finals.

              Otherwise it suggests that he is only attending the RWC because of his personal enjoyment of mens rugby (which he is perfectly entitled to) but at the very least efforts should be made to reduce the cost to the taxpayer in that instance.

              It could also suggest that our PM doesn’t give as much kudos to successful womens sports teams as he does to mens.

              • One Anonymous Bloke …
                29 October 2015 at 9:22 am

                Why stop at rugby? Why stop at sports?

                If the Prime Minister is required to attend global events in which New Zealand individuals or groups play a prominent role, there’ll be very little time left for them to do the actual Minister thing.

            • Matthew Hooton 5.1.1.2.3.2
              28 October 2015 at 4:12 pm

              more

      • Nessalt 5.1.2
        28 October 2015 at 9:42 am

        He’s not the leader of the left. he’s the leader of the largest opposition party. big difference.

        Also, isn’t it great how you took less than one day to involve politics in sport after yesterdays comments? as if it matters that the left is seen to support sport?

        • Lanthanide 5.1.2.1
          28 October 2015 at 10:40 am

          “He’s not the leader of the left. he’s the leader of the largest opposition party. big difference.”

          His position in parliament is “leader of the opposition”. The fact that he is from Labour is technically irrelevant – there was some murmurings that Winston was going to try and stake a claim to the title, since Labour kept changing their leader.

          • Nessalt 5.1.2.1.1
            28 October 2015 at 11:03 am

            That doesn’t make him leader of the left either? his position may be leader of the opposition, which would arise from being leader of the largest opposition party i’m assuming. Labour don’t have an automatic claim to the title (maybe they do?). I’d put James Shaw as leader of the left, perhaps Phil Twyford. not angry andy

            • Lanthanide 5.1.2.1.1.1
              28 October 2015 at 12:51 pm

              This is what Tracey said:

              yes except the Leader of the “Left” is going to the Rugby World Cup Final.

              She put left in quotation marks for a reason.

          • alwyn 5.1.2.1.2
            28 October 2015 at 2:19 pm

            @Lanthanide
            The position of “Leader of the Opposition” is defined in the rules of Parliament.
            It is here
            http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/about-parliament/how-parliament-works/ppnz/00HOOOCPPNZ_71/chapter-7-parties-and-government#_Toc268508502
            and it isn’t up for argument apparently because as it says
            “The leader of the largest party not in Government and not in coalition with a Government party is entitled to be recognised as the Leader of the Opposition. [29] ”
            Winston may have liked to pretend that he was the most effective leader of and opposition party but even when Cunliffe was leader the Labour Party got about three times as many votes, and members as he did.

        • Tracey 5.1.2.2
          28 October 2015 at 11:38 am

          You are a selective reader because I have constantly stated that the notion of seperating politics and sport is redundant and misguided, but feel free to link to where I stated otherwise.

          Do you understand what i means when someone puts “Left” like that?

    • North 5.2
      28 October 2015 at 9:14 pm

      Used to love rugby until that selfish punk The Ponce Key set about colonising it. And making a total dick of Richie in the process. Bet Jerome Kaino gives him shit about his “mate”.

      • vto 5.2.1
        28 October 2015 at 9:27 pm

        Ha, yep I been wondering which ones would be unimpressed with Key and especially his politics.

        Could easily be most of them…

        Must be tempting to drop a one-liner and knock the wind from the sails

  6. Tracey 6
    28 October 2015 at 9:20 am

    I don’t have a problem with a PM attending the World Cup Final. I am trying to recall if he was also at the Netball World Cup Final? IF he only goes to sports games that personally interest him, then, imo he is not doing so as leader of NZ or in th einterests of NZ and should pay associated expenses.

    He nearly went to the netball on Thursday night. Just nearly.

    The article refers to

    “Mr Key has chaired a meeting of the International Democratic Union in Marrakesh. ”

    When you look up that organisation I think everyone can agree it is not a NZ national interest type meeting but clearly a party ideological meeting, sow e should NOT be paying for any of that.

    IF, such as Coleman, there is something on (like a pre-set conference date) that they would have gone to anyway, then clearly it makes sense and I have no problem with them attending a match but if their business has ended they shold pay their own accomodation and food. Given how much money they all have (all politicians when you add in the stuff outside of salary) this shouldn’t be something they would question?

    We have a HIgh Commission in London so that is where any meetings he hosts should be held, meaning he doesn’t need suites of rooms in a hotel.

    • Ross 6.1
      28 October 2015 at 10:16 am

      I don’t think there’s any accommodation at the High Commission. However, his mate Lockwood Smith was renting a house in London last year. You’d like to think he could make room for one more.

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11187162

      • Tracey 6.1.1
        28 October 2015 at 11:54 am

        That’s why I said if he was hosting people Ross. He doesn’t need a suite of rooms to sleep in great comfort. You only usually need a suite of rooms if you are using them to host your guests on government business. The HIgh Commission is very suitable for him to hold his meetings with important people, and he can sleep in a relatively “cheap” Hotel for far less than $2000 per night.

        He and Bronagh could get a room at the Savoy (hardy clumming it) for the lower end of the 2000 to 4000 rate.

        Sofitel London St James is available from 28 October to 2 November. St James in Haymarket is near the NZHC

        Sofitel London St James
        London
        0.15 km from Theatre Royal Haymarket
        LUXURY ROOM, 1 King Size BedLUXURY ROOM, 1 King Size Bed
        32 m², 345 sq.ft.- MyBed, LCD TV, desk, bathroom with bathtub and rain shower, complimentary WIFI & mineral water, CD player, Hermes toiletries, safe, coffee machine and tea making facility, individually controlled air-conditioning, minibar

        NZD5075.00

        I’m sure a bigger room with a sep area for him to do his late night work (whenhe isnt at his “office” set up at the HC, would still total less that $4000 a night… IF he wanted more luxury he could top it up himself?

        http://www.sofitel.com/gb/booking/rates.shtml?packId=36051338402

      • Gangnam Style 6.1.2
        28 October 2015 at 12:21 pm

        And John Key has a house in London

        http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/newzealand/11156005/John-Key-the-poor-boy-who-saved-New-Zealands-economy.html

        “He owns an apartment in London, a beach house in Hawaii, a ski pad in……”

    • alwyn 6.2
      28 October 2015 at 2:51 pm

      I don’t know whether Key attended the full scale Netball event but he certainly went to the “Fast5” World Championship final.
      See the last line of this news report that says he was there.
      http://www.mynetball.co.nz/latest-news/177-my-netball/1776-fast5-ferns-capture-inaugural-world-series-title.html
      ” Prime Minister John Key was a keen spectator at the final, adding his endorsement to the action-packed concept.”

      • Tracey 6.2.1
        28 October 2015 at 3:42 pm

        so that’s like going to rugby 7s. 3 years ago. I assume that was all you could find?

        • alwyn 6.2.1.1
          28 October 2015 at 5:24 pm

          Was that really 3 years ago?
          I just googled a simple query and that showed up. I assumed that when it said “latest news” it meant it.
          It was merely the first thing I found in the list of responses from Google. It was obviously more than you bothered with, wasn’t it.

  7. mary_a 7
    28 October 2015 at 9:27 am

    But doesn’t FJK own a flat in London for his own personal use? If so, then surely he should be using that.

    A good AUSTERITY measure would be to also accommodate the other govt ministers attending the RWC! After all, austerity applies to the rest of us.

    So a good practical move as an example for the rest of the country, is to lead from the top! But as far as that one is concerned, let’s not hold our breath!

    • ankerawshark 7.1
      28 October 2015 at 10:48 am

      Maybe JK doesn’t like his own flat and is being “fussy” like those pesky housing corp tenants that Paula Bennett bleet’s on about who turn down housing.

      It is beyond me that JK can even consider staying in a hotel at $2000 – $4000 a day, especially when he has his own digs.

    • Hami Shearlie 7.2
      28 October 2015 at 12:06 pm

      Apparently he can’t stay in the place he owns – a relative is house-sitting there, a niece or something and God forbid that Jonkey should be made to share a bathroom or something!! No, that would be more unthinkable than our paying megabucks to a most expensive hotel!

      • mary_a 7.2.1
        28 October 2015 at 12:56 pm

        @ Hami Shearlie (7.2) – well FJK wouldn’t need to shower in his own flat would he He’d find out where Richie and the boys are staying and shower with them I’d say! That way, there would be more room for his “guests” staying in his apartment to carry out their ablutions.

        A “considerate” move on FJK’s part wouldn’t you say?

  8. shorts 8
    28 October 2015 at 9:32 am

    if Key could handle himself as a statesperson and represent the country without appearing on John Oliver I wouldn’t mind… its out national game and all that plus we also hosted the last one so some sort of representation seems fitting

    What I do begrudge is the way Key and co will shove it in our faces, like 12 year olds on some merry jaunt

    English can’t even sell the trip to the taxpayers

    *faceplam*

  9. tangled_up 9
    28 October 2015 at 9:49 am

    “I think New Zealanders would expect some form of representation from the government in the form of the sports minister and the Prime Minister to actually be at this game.”

    That’s probably true. It would be happening if Labour were in government too.

    “The English defence should be used by the next social welfare beneficiary facing a charge of benefit fraud because they could not make ends meet. If New Zealanders do not mind it must be OK.”

    I think New Zealanders do mind about benefit fraud.

  10. Matthew Hooton 10
    28 October 2015 at 9:55 am

    Of course the prime minister should attend (and probably the sports minister too). And the taxpayer should pay. Had the election turned out differently, it would be Cunliffe and Mallard and quite rightly too. Whether you like it or not, John Key is the leader of the country and in attending this match he is fulfilling that role, just as Bolger and Clark would have done. A case can be make that is the part of his job he does best and he should pay more attention to other aspects of it!

    • Ross 10.1
      28 October 2015 at 10:00 am

      Matthew

      I don’t think anyone is saying they shouldn’t attend. But they are well-remunerated for what they do and enjoy numerous perks. They can afford to pay their own way.

      • Matthew Hooton 10.1.1
        28 October 2015 at 10:11 am

        It’s a work trip. The employer pays. When a poor and downtrodden PM is elected, are you saying s/he should pay their own way?

        • Ross 10.1.1.1
          28 October 2015 at 10:19 am

          When a poor and downtrodden PM is elected, pigs will fly!

          If watching the World Cup final is work, I’m in the wrong job. 🙂

        • Sabine 10.1.1.2
          28 October 2015 at 10:24 am

          Do you consider the welfare recipients of this country to be the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the sick people on a waiting list for chemo therapy the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the unemployed workers of Fonterra and others the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the homeless or soon to be homeless in lovely Aotearoa the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the victims of domestic assault that have no more safe houses the employer of Dear leader?
          Do you consider the kids that go to school hungry to be the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the Care Givers of our elderlies, our physically handicapped, our mentally impaired the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the people of certain parts of CHCH to be the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the pupils of public schools and their teacher to be the employer of Dear Leader?
          Do you consider the nurses and nurse aids in public hospitals to be the employer of Dear Leader?

          Cause for all these Employers of Dear Leader, the treasury and Dear Leader has nothing but contempt and a closed purse.

          Do you really believe that this country has no other issues than the PM going to horse around with the blond locks of Richie on tax payers dime when the country is a 100 billion and counting in debt?
          What was the spiel again about the conservatives being so ‘fiscally responsible” and good with money, and ‘only spend what you have’, and don’t buy shit on a CreditCard for future generations to pay off.

          Oh yeah,….that does not fit in with the narrative that you are paid to peddle? Cause thats what you do ey? Peddle a container load of horsemanure ever single day of your life to promote Dear Leader, our most exalted and accomplished Doer of Nothing Much.

        • Gangnam Style 10.1.1.3
          28 October 2015 at 12:24 pm

          If its work (PM hat) then they shouldn’t be drinking, theres not many jobs where you get paid to drink!

        • McFlock 10.1.1.4
          28 October 2015 at 1:03 pm

          Don’t pms get several hundred thousand a year?

          I’d be okay with elected officials going according to my employer’s policy on remuneration for work trips: modest transport, meals and accommodation, and if I want to upgrade I pay the extra myself. $2200/night room? yeah, I’d have to front around $2k myself.

    • Ad 10.2
      28 October 2015 at 10:23 am

      All they had to do was lift a fucking finger and ensure that there was open air rights for broadcast simulcast across New Zealand.

      After all, if we are prepared to subsidise a couple of citizens to go and see it – elected though they may be – they should subsidise all citizens.

      And I betcha paying for simulcast air rights to (say) 10 open air venues across New Zealand would be a helluva lot cheaper subsidy per person than the bill for the politicians to be sent to the game in person.

      Politicians – even Ministers and Prime Ministers – are mere citizens.

    • Sacha 10.3
      28 October 2015 at 10:24 am

      Any thoughts on why Groser would be there?

    • Tracey 10.4
      28 October 2015 at 11:56 am

      So why doesn’t he go to the Netball Finals, or the Womens rugby finals Matthew as prime minister? Clark, to my recall attended rugby and netball matches (both national sports).

  11. Ross 11
    28 October 2015 at 9:55 am

    It does seem off that our esteemed multi-millionaire PM doesn’t want to pay his own way. I imagine virtually all his other costs associated with this jaunt will be paid for by organisers of the World Cup, so all he’d have to pay is his airfare and hotel. I’m surprised he doesn’t want to do that.

    • Sabine 11.1
      28 October 2015 at 10:05 am

      you don’t get rich by paying your own way. It simply does not work that way. One gets rich by having others pay for them. Simple as that. Our Dear Leader, the great exalted Richie Boy Fan, our most esteemed Flag changer, Money Printer, and Beer drinker knows that.

    • Draco T Bastard 11.2
      28 October 2015 at 11:23 am

      It does seem off that our esteemed multi-millionaire PM doesn’t want to pay his own way.

      You don’t get and stay rich by paying for anything.

  12. Whispering Kate 12
    28 October 2015 at 10:26 am

    Is the Gov tab paying also for his top dollar fares and high priced hotel expenses to Marrakesh to chair the International Democrat Union which he is also attending. this most definitely has nothing to do with the good of this country being a right wing gathering of like minds to discuss more pain for the disadvantaged of the planet. Why don’t journalists ask this tough question to double dip Bill or demand an explanation from him about it.

  13. infused 13
    28 October 2015 at 10:31 am

    Fuck this is laughable.

    As Matthew said, this is effectively a work trip. he’s the pm, our national game.

    His wealth shouldn’t have any bearing at all.

    The left are fucked.

    • Lanthanide 13.1
      28 October 2015 at 10:42 am

      +1

      After the discussion Ad’s post generated with a whole bunch of people saying “show us the evidence”.

      Well this is the evidence. As is the Greens stance around early bar openings for the RWC.

      • infused 13.1.1
        28 October 2015 at 10:48 am

        And how my drunken incidents were reported???

        ffs.

      • Enough is Enough 13.1.2
        28 October 2015 at 10:52 am

        Agreed

      • Tracey 13.1.3
        28 October 2015 at 11:57 am

        And yet, the LEADER of the Labour party IS attending. Many here have said they support the PM going (many who regularly show themselves to be “left” on this blog.

        • Lanthanide 13.1.3.1
          28 October 2015 at 12:54 pm

          And many others have made it seem like a problem that he is going.

          The point is, the fact that we are even having this conversation at all, shows that the left is not comfortable with sports and politics. Some people on the left ‘have’ to go out of their way to show up how horrible John Key is for doing the same thing that 98% of other world leaders do – attend high-profile sporting events that their national team is playing the final in.

          • Tracey 13.1.3.1.1
            28 October 2015 at 3:58 pm

            how many do ya reckon on this thread? 10?

            surely the point is that the leader of the labour party is showing his idoltry of sport by going? thecrest of nz voters dont know about the 10 haters on here?

    • Sabine 13.2
      28 October 2015 at 10:53 am

      but his wealth has no bearings.

      However, considering that many services in NZ including vital services such as Health Care have been cut, services to social welfare have been cut, services to the public education system have been cut, one could make the point that we a. either have the money to fund it all properly and that includes trips overseas, or we b. don’t have the money to fund it all properly and that includes trips overseas, and cuts need to be made and that includes trips overseas.
      As rugby is not something that is vital to the well being of the country (morally maybe, but fiscally?) one could argue that this trip is just a vanity project and maybe should have been gutted as such. Dear Leader could have scored quite a few brownie points, by going to the local pub at 5 am in the morning and have his beer with some of his other employers 🙂 NO you think Not?

      • infused 13.2.1
        28 October 2015 at 10:59 am

        If you want to make NZ look like a 3rd world country, sure.

        funding a few thousand for a trip, vs millions for services is quite different.

        • BM 13.2.1.1
          28 October 2015 at 11:06 am

          I get the feeling sabine is one of those hard core lefty Catholics, the type who spend their day self flagellating and wallowing in misery and woe.

          • Sabine 13.2.1.1.1
            28 October 2015 at 11:40 am

            nah, not quite, just someone who is fiscally conservative. You see, I do like to buy stuff as much as any other one, i just don’t do it on the credit card.
            I would also like to leave a few things behind when I bite the dust, like, social welfare, health care, intact infrastructure, etc etc.

            I am something the right only profess to be when it comes to slacking off a leftie, I am a conservative when it comes to spending money that I have or not have.

            And I am one of the very few Kiwis that does not have a credit card, does not have a loan, and still lives very very well, and travels well, and eats well, and drinks well, and loves well, cause there ain’t no debt collector giving me grief and all i have I own.

            And I would expect the same attitude of someone who ran on the platform of fiscal responsibilities, and good business sense and holds the purse to the well being of the country.

            And this current National Government has neither.

            • BM 13.2.1.1.1.1
              28 October 2015 at 12:23 pm

              So you eat well, travel well, drink well and yet moan about inequality in NZ.

              • Sabine …
                28 October 2015 at 12:35 pm

                Yes. because It concerns me.
                I am lucky enough today to eat well, to sleep well, and to love well, and in my younger years I was able to travel well.

                And because I have had all of these things, and because I am very aware of how quickly life can change I would like to preserve what we have, I would like to be able to leave something behind (and no I don’t have children), I would like for other people to also have a good life.

                Because you see there but for the grace of god I go.

                And just because, before I ate well, and slept well, I was homeless, living the life of a street kid at a young age, have had my fair share of sexual harassment (which is what got me on the street in the first place) and I have slept rough, and gone without food for a few days here and there.
                I actually know what I speak of.
                And I would love for other people to not have to go through the shit I did in order to find a place where they are finally able to say, I eat well, I sleep well and I love well.

                • BM …
                  28 October 2015 at 12:49 pm

                  I have to ask, what do you do for the less well off in society.?

                  Do you donate food, money, your time?

                  • Sabine …
                    28 October 2015 at 1:05 pm

                    Yes. I do.
                    Look BM, I am not an island, and one day i am going to be old and decrepit (more so than now), and I will depend on the good will of others.
                    And when I am old and decrepit I will also depend to some extend on the government be it only for old age pension.
                    I am neither rich nor poor, i don’t own a house (never saw the reason for it, especially as I have no kids, so there is no need to leave something physically behind), but I have my business, I earn my live, I have some young girls work for me (a pay above the min wage) and I try to be a decent human being.

                    But I do know, that we can’t live in a society where over 50% of the people don’t know where the next meal is coming from, or if they still have a rental next week, or if they can afford to go to a doctor if they fall ill.
                    So yes, I would like for our governments, regardless of stripes and affiliations, to work for the better of the country. I have no issues paying taxes to afford a decent Infrastructure, good hospitals, good schools for future generations, good old folk homes where one can live out live with dignity etc etc.
                    And I have no issues helping others that need help.

                    I am no Island, I live in my community, and If I want a nice community I need to do my bit.

                    And I will never forget the feeling of being hungry to the point of fainting, sleeping in half finished building sites at the beginning of the winter and only not contemplating suicide because you see, tomorrow might just be the day evertyhing changes and life is good.

                  • appleboy …
                    28 October 2015 at 2:23 pm

                    One Thing I would wager $50 on, BM does not give anything to anyone, and always crosses the street or averts eyes passing street collectors. You know that’s disturbingly true.

          • Tracey 13.2.1.1.2
            28 October 2015 at 4:01 pm

            are you a hard core evangelist rightie?

        • Ross 13.2.1.2
          28 October 2015 at 11:24 am

          Infused,

          So a few thousand is such chicken feed, the PM will able to dip into his pocket and he won’t even notice the difference, right?

          • Sabine 13.2.1.2.1
            28 October 2015 at 11:45 am

            ah matey
            a few thousands here
            a few thousand there

            soon we are talking billions. 🙂

          • Hami Shearlie 13.2.1.2.2
            28 October 2015 at 12:13 pm

            And we all know that Jonkey is very very fond of “feeding the chickens” now, don’t we?

            • mary_a 13.2.1.2.2.1
              29 October 2015 at 3:18 pm

              @ Hami Shearlie (13.2.1.2.2)

              If the ABs win next weekend, as a reward, FJK might offer Richie and the boys the opportunity to “feed his chickens.” After that they could go on to play with the carefully packed away (in FJK’s luggage) repaired MBIE damaged inflatable sheep (which Blinglish denies it is).

              Cluck, cluck … baa baa … chickens, sheep – oh such fun. Now anyone got a pony tail?

        • Draco T Bastard 13.2.1.3
          28 October 2015 at 11:28 am

          If you want to make NZ look like a 3rd world country, sure.

          National’s already doing that by cutting essential services and upping how much of our wealth that the rich get.

        • Sabine 13.2.1.4
          28 October 2015 at 11:33 am

          i don’t make the rules, currently it is national doing that.

          But you know for once I agree with you. Cutting vital services and buying private trinkets and overseas trips at taxpayers expense is very much the hallmark of a 3rd world country.

    • stigie 13.3
      28 October 2015 at 11:16 am

      I cant believe this post ?

    • Ross 13.4
      28 October 2015 at 11:17 am

      If watching the World Cup final is work, we all need better work stories.

      He’s a well paid public servant who surely can afford to pay his own way.

  14. ropata 14
    28 October 2015 at 10:42 am

    Taxpayers Union is eerily quiet about this, clearly our divine ruler Jong Kee is beyond question, too bad we can’t fund women’s refuges or counselling services

  15. Steve Reeves 15
    28 October 2015 at 10:51 am

    “The Prime Minister is over there largely because of the free trade agreement launch with Europe, and that’s why the Trade Minister [Tim Groser] is there. So, actually they are economising.”

    What is the free trade agreement with Europe???

    • dukeofurl 15.1
      28 October 2015 at 11:18 am

      Thats where the semantics come in .

      AT the moment they are “reflecting” on whether or not to “begin negotiations”, which is code for trips around major events and holidays.

      Key doesnt do any of the actual work regarding these things, even Groser is mostly an ornament ( “What makes you think Ive read the TPPA?”)

    • Matthew Hooton 15.2
      28 October 2015 at 11:57 am

      NZ and the EU are soon to begin negotiations on an FTA.

      • Tracey 15.2.1
        28 October 2015 at 12:01 pm

        Sure. What about the chairing of the right wing ideological “spread the good news about conservatism” meeting, was that PM stuff too?

        Based on how much we backtracked on TPP from nothing short of a great deal will do to whatever we could get, maybe it would be better if he stayed out of future ones

        😉

  16. Sabine 16
    28 October 2015 at 11:59 am

    Well I guess the few thousands (or tens of thousands) to house the PM and his Posse overseas to watch a game of Rugby will be paid for by the same people that can’t find a house.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/73393355/housing-new-zealand-misses-new-homes-target
    “Housing New Zealand will not meet its commitment to build 2000 new homes by December.

    In June, the agency warned that its Christchurch construction drive would not be completed until next year.

    Its annual report reveals those on the waiting list for a state home around the rest of New Zealand will also face delays.

    As at June 30, HNZ had only completed 666 of the new homes.

    Chief executive Glen Sowry said a further 1359 were in development, and the build programme was still “a top priority”.

    “The majority will have been completed by the end of 2015 and the rest will be under construction by that time,” he said.

    In the 2014/15 financial year, the agency only completed 247 builds outside Christchurch, less than half of its target.”
    —————————————————————————————————————————
    and this is one of the reasons, i would have preferred Dear Leader to stay at home, watch the games at 5 am in the mornings in one of the Pubs that stayed open for the games, lifting a beer or many with the people that pay his wage.
    He could watch his game, and then go to the office and put in a good day of work, one part of it, making sure his Government and his Staff meeting the deadlines and targets they themselves have set. But I guess, that would actually be work, and he could not be photographed getting all souped up in a locker room with the boys.

    Priorities our little country has them.

    • Rosemary McDonald 16.1
      28 October 2015 at 12:23 pm

      “But I guess, that would actually be work, and he could not be photographed getting all souped up in a locker room with the boys.”

      Without this, he’d be nothing.

      Anyone want to bet that he’ll be down there on the field for the prizegiving…doing the truly creepy three way thing again?

      Whoever wins.

      He’s just painting the letter box while the house falls down.

      • mary_a 16.1.1
        28 October 2015 at 1:07 pm

        @ Rosemary McDonald (16.1) – I believe Prince Harry is presenting the cup. So the security will be thick and FJK might not get a look in to be able to repeat his three way handshake performance of 2011.

        Unidentified guest comes to mind here 🙂

    • Reddelusion 16.2
      28 October 2015 at 10:10 pm

      And if he did Sabine you would also see fault with that as well. You appear to have a massive guilt complex and make yourself feel better by judging others that helps absolve you of your meagre contribution to help the needy

  17. Matt 17
    28 October 2015 at 12:30 pm

    I’m sure you weren’t upset when Helen Clark attended the Quarterfinal at Millennium Stadium in 2007. Attendance at that particular match was quite cynical as the All Blacks were thought to be shoo ins. Cue the camera shot of Helen applauding a terrific All Blacks victory. Instead it was an extremely sour moment as any chance of a 4th term in office off the back of a World Cup victory was snatched away in an instant.

    • Ross 17.1
      28 October 2015 at 5:28 pm

      I don’t know anyone upset at our esteemed PM attending the World Cup final. Just as long as he pays his own way and lays off the turps.

  18. One Two 18
    28 October 2015 at 12:47 pm

    Get outside for some fresh air and realise how asinine this particular discussion is

  19. Venezia 19
    28 October 2015 at 1:15 pm

    Snouts in the trough again! Bludging on the taxpayer when they should be paying for this jaunt themselves. I’m thinking of the axing of Community Education, underfunding of health and education (except for Charter Schools of course) – to pay for the already wealthy to enjoy expensive publicly funded holidays like this.

  20. Nick 20
    28 October 2015 at 2:00 pm

    I think the worst part is not the rugby, it’s the other important meetings where we are represented by this clown. He’s so lightweight and frivolous, casual, uncaring and disinterested in his actual role. It’s like he’s a Shortland St actor pretending to be PM (and a lot of people watch it) unfortunately it’s real, not a soap opera.

  21. Mike Bond 21
    28 October 2015 at 2:51 pm

    It is real sad to see the comments on this site as people continue the negativity against Key. When a Labour government was in power, that PM went all around the world attending functions as the New Zealand representative and the tax payer paid. That is how it should be. Now Key and company do the same and you all have a go at them? Read anywhere about the Labour party and it’s supporters and you will see the words “Hypocrites”, “negative”, etc. If Labour want any chance of winning the next election, we need to see an end to the hypocrisy and negativity from the leader all the way down and hopefully this will filter through to the supporters and a new fresh approach to take on the right will lead to ultimate victory come 2017.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 21.1
      28 October 2015 at 2:59 pm

      🙄

      If you want to talk to Labour why don’t you use their website?

      That said, why they or anyone else would listen to a right wing troll trolling rote-learned attack lines is beyond me.

      • The lost sheep 21.1.1
        28 October 2015 at 10:23 pm

        “That said, why they or anyone else would listen to a right wing troll trolling rote-learned attack lines is beyond me.”

        You mean like YOU spend so much time reading and reacting to the attack lines of right wing trolls OAB?

        Beats me also.

    • Smilin 21.2
      28 October 2015 at 6:05 pm

      What a patronising ignorant excuse for the use of words collectively organised to attempt to be an opinion of substance and value.
      Get a life this tory BS that runs this country is good at lying nothing else

  22. Bea Brown 22
    28 October 2015 at 2:59 pm

    Mike Bond
    I couldn’t agree more. I would add another word ‘destructive’ which is what a group of old Lefty friends bemoaned over coffee.
    We all thought destructive both of the interests of NZ and of the Party itself.
    It’s like the old song ‘accentuate the positive’. We want to hear strong messages about what Labour will do with our support.
    Attacking Key in this insanely repetitive and childish way and frothing at the mouth doesn’t look like a government-in-waiting.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 22.1
      28 October 2015 at 3:02 pm

      That’s right: it looks like a bunch of citizens on a left wing blog, rather than the Labour Party. That’s because The Standard isn’t the Labour Party.

      Continuing to pretend it is makes you boring as well as right wing.

    • Mike Bond 22.2
      28 October 2015 at 4:57 pm

      Thanks for that. How could I have forgotten the “destructive” part. Worst for me is that they don’t see what they are doing!

    • Ffloyd 22.3
      28 October 2015 at 6:25 pm

      Bb, Don’t you watch key at QA in Parliament. Insanely repetitive, childish, mouth frothing, abusive, malicious, vindictive, dishonest, lying, anything but be a pm we can be proud of instead of excruciatingly embarrassing. Oh, forgot screaming banshee. All this so he doesn’t have to be a true politician and answer the questions asked of him in a measured and stately manner. He offers nothing of any value to NZer’s. Except the rich of course.

      • Mike Bond 22.3.1
        29 October 2015 at 10:37 am

        And Little is so much better? As long as Labour have supporters like you that do not see the truth of what is happening, they will never be the government. Do you not realise that 92% of the public do not want Little as their PM? Time for Labour to do something drastic and become an opposition of note again.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 22.3.1.1
          29 October 2015 at 10:46 am

          It’s time you realised that people here have memories, and can remember what Helen Clark’s rating was before she became PM.

          Because that’s all it takes to know that your deeply held beliefs bad faith comments are complete nonsense as well as motivated by malice.

    • North 22.4
      28 October 2015 at 9:52 pm

      Except Bea Brown……John McCaw was never into rugby……as proof – “I don’t recall where I sat on the ’81 Tour”. Then all these years later the big blouse is hard out trying to transfuse Richie’s ‘macho’ and be “Rugby-mad PM John Key…….” – as heard from some breathless flibbertigibbet news reader. It’s so fake, so embarrassing, so disgraceful. The sort of ‘never could do woulda loved to……’ dickhead you can see stalking around any rugby club at 4.30 pm on any winter Saturday afternoon. To whom everyone has to be ‘nice’. This is our PM ??? This wannabe……

  23. Bea Brown 23
    28 October 2015 at 4:20 pm

    Even more boring are the same old insults about John Key.
    But I guess if it entertains you…

  24. Smilin 24
    28 October 2015 at 6:01 pm

    Well Bill you want to come and tell that BS to me personally? I ll send you to Liverpool

  25. NZJester 25
    28 October 2015 at 7:59 pm

    Maybe the National Party should be paying for this out of their party funds, instead of the tax payer. Lets face it the only reason Key is going is for more camera face time with the ABs and is nothing more than a political photo opportunity for him.

  26. RedBaronCV 26
    28 October 2015 at 9:51 pm

    Why doesn’t he bunk down in the dressing room – he spends enough time in there.

  27. Robert Glennie 27
    29 October 2015 at 12:47 pm

    Bill English said that the public did not mind picking up the tab for Ministers to go to the R.W.C.

    Really Bill? I’d have told you to pay your own way and stop dipping into that public purse you so jealously guard.

  28. repateet 28
    29 October 2015 at 5:25 pm

    With lifetime of involvement in rugby I clearly have done more to get the All Blacks to their final than John Key. I resent that John Key gets to go and and I have to pay for him.
    I resent that his son got to do his Mad Max look in the All Black changing room at Eden Park. My kids were more deserving.

  29. reason 29
    29 October 2015 at 7:03 pm

    I stopped following the rugby years ago when the AB’s became a corporate team and moved to sky ………… It really is a dull game to watch which may be why the Nat’s rushed through the pro-alcohol get pissed to watch the world cup laws that they did under urgency ……..

    Not having followed Thugby for a while I’m confused about John keys role in the team….. does he have to suck Mckaws dick??????? …… or is it the other way around?

    It must be said …….the All blacks are legends ……………. for choking in world cups …..

    But apart from that they are world leaders in a minor, boring violent sport …… that means so much to us.

    Go the mighty national party All blacks ………….. do it for john the hammer man Key.

  30. Smilin 30
    30 October 2015 at 8:36 am

    The ability to see the All Blacks in any test these days I compare with how it was back in the non corporate days
    In the sixties about 90% of our small town was able to go to our provincial city to see the test now its reserved for those who have the dosh and media pr ops and you could even feel good if our PM turned up
    Not so sure our PM creates the same mana now
    So go the AB’s, the country, it is there in you, its your day to represent NZ

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  • 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
    24 hours 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

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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