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With all the charm of Slough

Written By: - Date published: 10:53 am, January 15th, 2008 - 62 comments
Categories: humour, john key - Tags: ,

hollow-house.jpg

Paul from The Fundy Post has done a rather humorous review of John Key’s holiday home in Success Court, Omaha Beach, as featured in the Herald on Sunday. Suffice to say he’s not impressed:

It is difficult to know where to begin. Here is a house (described somewhat disingenuously by the Herald as a “bach”) which has the appearance of a miniature office building. Rather than its present location at Omaha Beach, its design suits it to a business park on the outskirts of the city, conveniently near major transport hubs. The reader should note the extravagant and charmless cornice, apparently supported by massive piers, as well as the floor-to-ceiling windows in tinted glass. The reader should note these and resolve never to have a home with these features; unless, that is, he should wish to have regular visits from photocopier salesmen, for surely they will flock to his door.

Should one be visiting Mr Key in his holiday home, whether to attempt to sell office products or for social reasons, it would be very bad form to tap one of those seemingly weighty piers. It would chime like a bell. The piers must be hollow, since the wooden deck which apparently supports and surrounds them could not bear the weight of so much masonry. Wits might observe that this is a hollow house for a hollow man.

Sound convincing? That’s probably because Paul’s just been accepted as a PhD candidate at the University of Auckland on the subject of ‘the influence of architectural historians on architectural culture in New Zealand’. Well done old chap.

You can read the whole review here.

62 comments on “With all the charm of Slough ”

  1. Camryn 1

    Well, sorry John, but there goes my vote! I’ll be damned if I’ll tolerate a Prime Minister who has a different taste in architecture from even one architect!

  2. Sam Dixon 2

    Camryn – is a humour-ectomy painful? It’s a bit of humour taking down a peg or two a man who places himself very highly, nothing offensive or bigoted (in contrast to the ‘humour’ we see so often at other blogs).

    captcha: ‘Unheralded’ – just like a lot of Auckland households I know of since that paper became a National mouthpiece

  3. Sam Dixon 3

    I love this from later in the post

    “Fortunately, one can see little of the interior through the tinted glass. One suspects that it would contain a white leather lounge suite, on which Mr Key would relax with half a glass of Chablis while listening to Air Supply’s Greatest Hits on the Bang and Olufson”

    Although, I suspect Mr Key would be listening to his favourite band, Coldplay. A pirated copy, no doubt.

  4. Santi 4

    Sam Dixon from sunny Napier, you write with the charm of an envious and jealous socialist.

    Appalling taste in architecture is no excuse, but your diatribe is uncalled for.

  5. Kimble 5

    I thought it was the rich pricks who were supposed to be the snobs.

  6. Sam Dixon 6

    what diatribe?

    I’m impressed that you know I’m from Napier, as has been published with my name in letters to the Herald; impressed because I didn’t realise you got beyond the cartoons.

  7. James Kearney 7

    Kimble- John Key’s house is a form of snobbery. It’s that Botany Downs breed of snobbery that makes the people who live in those tacky, tasteless houses feel superior while the rest of us have a good laugh at their expense. Seriously, what was he thinking?

  8. Phil 8

    In comparison to Trelise Coopers pseudo-fortress (it looks like the ruins of a Spanish amoury from Mexico) and that bizzare temple looking structure of the Richwhite’s, I’d say Jonkeys isn’t at all bad.

    And what’s wrong with floor to ceiling windows? I would have thought their benefits in terms of natural light and warmth (and lower electricity consumption) would have been a big hit with you guys.

  9. rjs131 9

    I wonder if he paid market rates for the tiling, or whether Taito Philip Field managed to source him a good deal?

  10. James Kearney 10

    Na he rehired some of those 500 workers he laid off as head of Merryl Lynch, then campaigned against their minimum wage rise.

  11. outofbed 11

    And pray whats wrong with Slough?
    Don’t listen to Ricky Gevais and Sir John, It is a lovely place nestling as it does in the shadow of Windsor castle its also very handy for the Airport and it has lots of roundabouts which can’t be bad

  12. Minister of Kulture 12

    John Key’s tastes, all on the record:

    Favourite film: Johnny English
    Favourite music: Easy Listening
    Favourite book: Green Eggs and Ham (although a few months ago he said that he “hadn’t read a book all year”).

  13. Kimble 13

    “John Key’s house is a form of snobbery.”

    No. He owns a house he likes. He is not being condescending or disdainful of others. He is not saying he is better than anyone else.

    Whereas what you are doing is a bare faced snobbery.

    Snob: One who affects an offensive air of self-satisfied superiority in matters of taste or intellect.

    Lets see. Who is being a snob? John Key by buying a house he likes, or you lot for calling his type of house tacky and tasteless?

    Whats next?

    “omighod, i cant believe he is wearing THOSE shoes!”

    “Did he buy that shirt at the warehouse, or what?!?”

    Like it or not, but YOU are being the snob.

  14. How classy. Yet more envy from the pinkos.

    “Rather than its present location at Omaha Beach, its design suits it to a business park on the outskirts of the city, conveniently near major transport hubs.”

    In one sentence, the “reviewer” shows that he’s never actually visited Omaha. Key’s home is unexceptional at Success Court.

    The piers must be hollow, since the wooden deck which apparently supports and surrounds them could not bear the weight of so much masonry.

    And here the writer shows nil understanding of architecture, building, or engineering. The wooden deck does not “apparently” support and surround the masonry. Nobody looking at that structure would assume that it is built on top of a wooden deck.

    Finally we have Tane asserting Paul’s credentials as a PhD candidate on the “influence of architectural historians on architectural culture”. That isn’t an architecture degree. It’s a history degree. That’s like calling Michael Cullen an “economist”.

    The Standard would appear to be happy only if John Key spent $2.95 million on a property 17 years ago, to see it drop to $200k today. Apparently making smart property investments is a reason not to elect him.

  15. James Kearney 15

    Snobbery implies looking down on people of a lower class who either through lack of money or education are not able to afford or appreciate more sophisticated things.

    Laughing at a rich guy with appalling bad taste isn’t snobbering, it’s hilarious and a great deal of fun.

    Have a laugh Kimble, you’re letting everyone know that it’s getting to you.

  16. James Kearney 16

    * Should say ‘snobbery’

  17. James Kearney 17

    Apparently making smart property investments is a reason not to elect him.

    Of course that’s not a reason to elect him.

  18. Phil 18

    “Did he buy that shirt at the warehouse, or what?!?”

    You’re right on that one Kimble – it’s a crap shirt.

  19. Sam Dixon 19

    Perhaps if Mr Key would release some policy, rather than trying to get elected on his political persona, he would be critiqued on his policies, rather than his political persona.

  20. Camryn 20

    Sam – I have no sense of humour? I think not. Perhaps we just have a different sense of humour? I think so, because every time this site tries to write something ‘funny’ about John Key, it smacks of some kind of creepy venting of inner frustrations. I think that good humour is when you make fun of someone you DO like, rather than when you grasp at straws to ridicule someone you DON’T like.

  21. Matthew Pilott 21

    And they say ‘pinkos’ don’t have a sense of humour… Sigh…

    Welcome back IP, O harbinger of Great Hilarity and Merriment 😉

  22. James Kearney 22

    The right sure are touchy about any criticism of John Key’s image. It’s almost like you guys know that’s all he has going for him.

  23. Matthew Pilott 23

    And at least it’s a bit more tasteful than “Luke – I am your Lesbian Father”, even though that sh*t was cool with the Natz until the media made a stink about it…

  24. Jum 24

    Kimble wrote

    “Snob: One who affects an offensive air of self-satisfied superiority in matters of taste or intellect.”

    Thank you Kimble – you have just described your good friend Michele Cabiling. That must be the humour that Camryn was talking about.

  25. Santi 25

    This heard of lefties, which at times resemble a pack of hyenas, take pleasure lashing out at John Key with the envy of their wonderful socialist creed.

    Get a life, earn your own money and then cast an opinion.

  26. Kimble 26

    “Snobbery implies looking down on people of a lower class ”

    Snobbery has nothing to do with money. It has everything to do with an assumption of superiority, which is on fine display here.

    And Sam, that is a pretty pathetic excuse for being shallow. Still, I dont suppose you can expect shallow people to come up with deep excuses.

  27. Jum 27

    Santi – don’t be silly

    How can you earn money that’s already yours?

    If I remember correctly, weren’t you the hyena who told me that I was ‘vanquished’ and should leave the site, after you wrongly thought that Michele had chewed me up and spat me out, with her quotes and her insults?

    A – vanquished – a word that conjures up a picture of chivalry – that cannot be used in the same sentence as Michele, but chivalry can be used in the case of some knights who live in Michele’s academic world and took her to task for her immature and ill thought out posts. Whether they were doing it for lil ol me doesn’t matter.

  28. Robinsod 28

    John can’t help the fact he has no taste as he has no mind of his own. He’ll have been told by someone (probably someone he hired) that that’s what multi-millionaire currency speculator’s house should look like. Just as he’s told what to say and do by his image advisers and the backers of the party. I often see John in my travels and I have never seen him without someone minding him, nor have I ever seen him strike up a conversation or substantial social interaction without prompting – he relies on carefully orchestrated set pieces and on others coming to him.

  29. Matthew Pilott 29

    Santi, assumes that we are all jobless and penniless, living off the state.

    Get a life, earn your own money and then cast an opinion.

    This is a common lament from bigots who are unable to imagine that people could like a leftist government even if they had a decent income, because they thought society as a whole would be better off.

  30. Brownie 30

    This has to be the funniest thread on the Standard so far. Repartee abounds.

  31. Kimble 31

    “I have never seen him without someone minding him, nor have I ever seen him strike up a conversation or substantial social interaction without prompting ”

    So what you are saying is that you are stalking him.

    Seriously though, you guys are so full of hate for Key, for no other reason than he is the leader of the party opposed to yours. You are INVENTING reasons to dislike him.

    It is like you are obsessed!

    For fucks sake! This is a post about the appearance of his holiday house. How pathetic is that?

  32. Minister of Kulture 32

    What’s to hate? The guy’s hilarious!

    The emptiest politician in the Western world. Bar none. If you disagree, suggest an alternative contender for this coveted title. I’m racking my brains here, can’t think of one. Rudd the lightweight is Abe Lincoln by comparison. Cameron has wit, at least.

    Key? There. Is. Nothing. There.

  33. James Kearney 33

    Kimble it’s a joke and a very well written piece of work at that. Just relax a little mate.

  34. Matthew Pilott 34

    Minister of Kulture, I object!!!

    John Kerry was pretty gosh darn bad. What is it with these JK’s??

    Kimble, do you write four posts (and counting) on every post you consider pathetic?

    I’d hate to see you on a non-political blog, such as one on quilt work. “Quiltwork? QUILTWORK? For Fucks sake! There’s a Labour government out there destroying the social fabric of society and you’re talking about goddamn CROSSSTICH! What the hell is wrong with you people????!!!!” 8)

  35. Ruth 35

    I suppose on some intellectual level an argument about John Key’s holiday house could be considered interesting. And I suppose there is some sort of forum where discussion and debate on the issue would be considered appealing. But my immediate response is simple:

    I don’t give a shit.

    What you are offering has nothing to do with analysis – either political or historical – of John Key or the National Party.

    You just want to brand Key, and by extension, all Natianl supporters, as people with no taste, elitists etc.

    Note to you: it’s way down on NZers list of things to care about. My daily worries revolve around far more fundamental issues. And what I really need out of someone – and I don’t give a shit which of the two Medias gives it to me – is clear, complete, intelligent and unbiased analysis of the issues and the policy alternatives for dealing with those issues.

    Of course, it could just be that my expectations aren’t realistic. Spending lots of time and energy on grappling with complex real-world issues can be an unrewarding business, as many bloggers have discovered.

  36. Robinsod 36

    Ruth, if you don’t give a shit ignore this thread and post on one you do give a shit about. Neither the standard or it’s commenters exist to satisfy your every intellectual need.

  37. Santi 37

    “What you are offering has nothing to do with analysis – either political or historical…”

    Ruth, please don’t be naive enough to expect analysis from the likes of Michael Porton and minions. They are here to belittle, disseminate innuendo, and make fun of their political enemies. It’s their duty as houndogs of the Left.

    Porton (aka robinsond) is well known around the blogs for having the intellectual stature of a pygmy (with apologies to the pygmies)

  38. burt 38

    Ruth

    What you are offering has nothing to do with analysis – either political or historical…

    They are not allowed to because of the EFB, so instead they post ridiculous crap like this. To think they support the party that had ended their right to post political commentary and not all they have is denigration and waffle like this thread.

    Suckers….

  39. Robinsod 39

    Jeez santi, an here’s me thinkin I was smarter than you. No hold on, I am smarter than you – shit I bet that burns.

    Burt you dumbarse, the last two threads were all about political commentary. I knew you were obtuse but to actually come out and make such a statement in the face of clear fact is truly impressive even for you my little drunkard.

  40. burt 40

    Robinsod

    Nice, dumbarse and little drunkard… Hey you are improving – no fuck-off this time and no mention of Ritalin.

    re your comment to Santi – I think the only person you are smarter than is Tane, I don’t think even you would post a thread like this one, but still you defend it.

    Guess it’s all part of being a Labour supporter, you spend your life defending the indefensible and it becomes a habit.

  41. burt 41

    Robinsod

    The last two threads:

    An attack on Shadbolt, little more than the Herald reworded with a few denigrations thrown in… I don’t call that political commentary.

    A new left wing blog, a little bit of advertising for fellow comrades who also like self serving govt that have no respect for the laws they impose on others.

    Help me out oh great smart one… where is the commentary in that?

    Oh going back three threads… Blantant horse shit about billboards – denigration and nonsense completely skirting the underlying issues.

    I’m still missing the analysis bit… Help me oh smart one!

  42. burt 42

    Tane

    You could have made this thread much more concise by posting as follows;

    –START

    John Key is a rich prick, he has a holiday home I couldn’t afford so I’ll denigrate it. All rick pricks are bastards and have zero taste in architecture – why do I say this – because I can’t afford a house like than and I’m compelled by the policies of envy to denigrate him.

    –END

  43. Phil 43

    Ruth,

    If anyone is approaching “elitist” around here, surely it must be those of a Labour persuasion… after all, they are in popularity free-fall while National becomes the party of choice to the great unwashed masses!

  44. Robinsod 44

    Jeez Burt you really are struggling to make sense of the big ol’ world aren’t you? I should’ve said the last two Irish Bill threads but as you’ve addressed them I obviously don’t need to. If you seriously consider an analysis of the National Party’s strategy for the coming election year and piece questioning the funding for an overtly political campaign by a prominent local body politician as not being political commentary then you’ve got nothing to worry about vis-a-vis the EFB ‘cos by your definitions nothing falls under that nomenclature.

    I would suggest Burt that you probably need to re-read those articles and think again. But before you do so I would also suggest you take your ritalin so you maintain the attention-span to do so properly.

  45. burt 45

    Robinsod

    Making sense of the big ol’ world presents little challenge to me – the standard is another matter entirely. I’m not sure if it’s the way the denigration is framed or the denigration itself – it just seems so pointless, so myopically Labour good – National Bad. There appears to be no purpose other than expose how partisan some people can be and how much some people like govt that tramples all over constitutional issues in a partisan manner for their own political gain.

    Since you were to scared to say what you do and made up shit about being a practicing psychiatrist when asked what you did that made you much smarter than me – perhaps you could explain it a bit more to me.

  46. Robinsod 46

    Burt – That’s a nice shot at misdirection, By what “I do” I was making reference to my commenting on blogs and the fact that I own your arse every time we do this (speaking of pointless) – you gave me the chance to make an easy joke at your expense. So I did.

    But back on topic, you say: There appears to be no purpose other than expose how partisan some people can be and how much some people like govt that tramples all over constitutional issues in a partisan manner for their own political gain.

    By partisan I assume you mean the fact that the standard continually uncovers the spin behind so called neutral commentators and by trample etc I assume you mean “Labour bad, labour bad, labour bad…” ‘cos bro, we’re living under your dreaded EFB and I don’t see much has changed. I can only assume you’re sore you’ve been taken for a ride by the fear-mongering right and you’re still in the denial stage – come to terms with the fact you’ve been suckered by Farrar and his cronies Burt, it’s only once you admit you have a problem that you can start solving it.

    Come to think of it that’s probably what they told you about the drinking too…

  47. burt 47

    Robinsod

    and the fact that I own your arse every time we do this

    Last time we did this one of us was congratulated for exposing how feeble the other was. How did being called feeble make you own my ass Robinsod?

    I’ll give you a clue Robinsod, that picture of a crazy guy in your bathroom. It isn’t a picture – it’s a mirror.

  48. Kimble 48

    “Kimble it’s a joke…” JK

    “John can’t help the fact he has no taste as he has no mind of his own.”

    “The emptiest politician in the Western world.”

    Laughing at someones taste in homes is just plain snobbery.

    You guys think because you aren’t one of the ‘rich pricks’ that you can’t be arrogant, snobbish wankers? That holds as much water as the argument that black people cant be racist.

  49. burt 49

    Tane

    That rather humorous review of John Key’s holiday home thread seems to have been deleted from fundypost , any idea why?

  50. Tane 50

    No, it’s still there. Have another look.

  51. I am honoured. My posts never get this sort of response on my blog.

  52. andy 52

    John key is anti business:

    ‘National leader John Key has called for limits on commercial crab pots at popular beaches over the summer, saying they act as “human berley” by attracting sharks to swimming areas.’

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10487090

    we live in strange times when Jim Anderton is more business friendly than the leader of the National party.

  53. Jum 53

    Paul Litterick

    What I want to know seriously, is, since Key seems to have several houses in New Zealand, according to an article about him, who cleans them all. Does Bronagh?

    Please strike me down with a duster if she cleans them all, but I’m of the opinion that someone else does that for her. Maybe it’s the kids.

    But with a lot of houses, with (a)cleaner/s that would cost a lot, if I was Key I would want the labour a lot cheaper than it is now, so I would probably want to change the employment contracts act to make it a bit easier on my bank balance.

    I don’t know what Clark does with her (is it?) 5 houses, rent or have cleaners, but I would rather have her employment contracts act fairness than his. It also seems to prove that a reasonable salary can buy houses with the right savings schemes and Kiwi Saver seems to fit the bill.

  54. Michele Cabiling 54

    Matthew Pillock wrote:

    “This [earn your own money] is a common lament from bigots who are unable to imagine that people could like a leftist government even if they had a decent income, because they thought society as a whole would be better off.”

    So anyone who agrees with you is “open-minded.” Anyone who doesn’t is “judgemental” or a “bigot.” A standard leftard reductionist argument.

    In a free society, you are at liberty to spend as much of your own money as you like and in the manner of your choosing to make society “better off.”

    Just don’t presume to spend mine.

  55. Michele Cabiling 55

    More personal abuse from Jum above.

    To respond on the same level, she’s just jealous I’m cute and smart, and she’s … well … the opposite of those things.

  56. Kimble 56

    “John key is anti business”

    BAHAHAHAHHAHA! So you decide that he is all about business, and when he shows he isnt you decide he is being hypocritical?!?

  57. Robinsod 57

    Michele – you are certainly not cute, no-one is goodlooking enough to make up for the ugliness of your personality. And your so-called “smarts” are just the dogged repetition of poorly thought through arguments. I’ve asked twice now how you manage to spend so much time constructing your inconsistent diatribes when you are so busy and successful and yet you haven’t answered. Why is that, Michele?

  58. Matthew Pilott 58

    So anyone who agrees with you is “open-minded.” Anyone who doesn’t is “judgemental” or a “bigot.” A standard leftard reductionist argument.

    Michele, you’re slipping, even by your standards. Where did these “open-minded” and “judgemental” comments (in speech marks, giving them the apperance of a quote) come from, save your fertile imagination?

    It’s not a reductionist argument, you’re just unable to see my point, either through lack of intelligence or objectivity – which is it?

    Kimble, where did andy say that Key “is all about business”? Perhaps you need to stop thinking of the Standard as a single monolithic entity.

  59. Ruth 59

    This thread reminds me of the words of a blogger I used to read. He called himself an ‘ex architect’. His words were

    “You have never heard bullshit until you have heard an architect talk about his work. He thinks he is doing God’s work”.

    John Key or Helen Clark could live in a cave for all I care.

    Middle class nonsense, the lot of it.

  60. Phil 60

    Yes Jum, I would certainly agree that the the ‘reasonable’ salary of PM and/or leader of the opposition are indeed enough to buy a house. (five of them, even).

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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Westland Milk puts heat on competitors as global dairy demand  remains softer for longer
    Hokitika-based Westland Milk Products  has  put the heat on dairy giant Fonterra with  a $120m profit turnaround in 2022, driven by record sales. Westland paid its suppliers a 10c premium above the forecast Fonterra price per kilo, contributing $535m to the West Coast and Canterbury economies. The dairy ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    2 days ago
  • BRYCE EDWARDS’ Political Roundup:  The Beehive’s revolving door and corporate mateship
    * Bryce Edwards writes – New Zealanders are uncomfortable with the high level of influence corporate lobbyists have in New Zealand politics, and demands are growing for greater regulation. A recent poll shows 62 per cent of the public support having a two-year cooling off period between ministers leaving public ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: The Beehive’s revolving door and corporate mateship
    New Zealanders are uncomfortable with the high level of influence corporate lobbyists have in New Zealand politics, and demands are growing for greater regulation. A recent poll shows 62 per cent of the public support having a two-year cooling off period between ministers leaving public office and becoming lobbyists and ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago
  • A miracle pill for our transport ills
    This is a guest post by accessibility and sustainable transport advocate Tim Adriaansen It originally appeared here.   A friend calls you and asks for your help. They tell you that while out and about nearby, they slipped over and landed arms-first. Now their wrist is swollen, hurting like ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago
  • The Surprising Power of Floating Wind Turbines
    Floating offshore wind turbines offer incredible opportunities to capture powerful winds far out at sea. By unlocking this wind energy potential, they could be a key weapon in our arsenal in the fight against climate change. But how developed are these climate fighting clean energy giants? And why do I ...
    2 days ago
  • The next Maori challenge
    Over the past two or three weeks, a procession of Maori iwi and hapu in a series of little-noticed appearances before two Select Committees have been asking for more say for Maori over resource management decisions along the co-governance lines of Three Waters. Their submissions and appearances run counter ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • Secret “war-crime” warrants by International Criminal Court is mischief-making
    The decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue war crimes arrest warrants for the Russian President and the Russia Children Ombudsman may have been welcomed by the ideologically committed but otherwise seems to have been greeted with widespread cynicism (see Situation in Ukraine: ICC judges issue arrest warrants ...
    3 days ago
  • How to answer Drunk Uncle Kevin's Climate Crisis reckons
    Let’s say you’re clasping your drink at a wedding, or a 40th, or a King’s Birthday Weekend family reunion and Drunk Uncle Kevin has just got going.He’s in an expansive frame of mind because we’re finally rid of that silly girl. But he wants to ask an honest question about ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • National’s Luxon may be glum about his poll ratings but has he found a winner in promising to rai...
    National Party leader Christopher Luxon may  be feeling glum about his poll ratings, but  he could be tapping  into  a rich political vein in  describing the current state of education as “alarming”. Luxon said educational achievement has been declining,  with a recent NCEA pilot exposing just how far it has ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    3 days ago
  • Climate Change: More Labour foot-dragging
    Yesterday the IPCC released the final part of its Sixth Assessment Report, warning us that we have very little time left in which to act to prevent catastrophic climate change, but pointing out that it is a problem that we can solve, with existing technology, and that anything we do ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Te Pāti Māori Are Revolutionaries – Not Reformists.
    Way Beyond Reform: Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer have no more interest in remaining permanent members of “New Zealand’s” House of Representatives than did Lenin and Trotsky in remaining permanent members of Tsar Nicolas II’s “democratically-elected” Duma. Like the Bolsheviks, Te Pāti Māori is a party of revolutionaries – not reformists.THE CROWN ...
    3 days ago
  • When does history become “ancient”, on Tinetti’s watch as Minister of Education – and what o...
    Buzz from the Beehive Auckland was wiped off the map, when Education Minister Jan Tinetti delivered her speech of welcome as host of the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers “here in Tāmaki Makaurau”. But – fair to say – a reference was made later in the speech to a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Climate Catastrophe, but first rugby.
    Morning mate, how you going?Well, I was watching the news last night and they announced this scientific report on Climate Change. But before they got to it they had a story about the new All Blacks coach.Sounds like important news. It’s a bit of a worry really.Yeah, they were talking ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • What the US and European bank rescues mean for us
    Always a bailout: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the Government would fully guarantee all savers in all smaller US banks if needed. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: No wonder an entire generation of investors are used to ‘buying the dip’ and ‘holding on for dear life’. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Who will drain Wellington’s lobbying swamp?
    Wealthy vested interests have an oversized influence on political decisions in New Zealand. Partly that’s due to their use of corporate lobbyists. Fortunately, the influence lobbyists can have on decisions made by politicians is currently under scrutiny in Guyon Espiner’s in-depth series published by RNZ. Two of Espiner’s research exposés ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • It’s Raining Congestion
    Yesterday afternoon it rained and traffic around the region ground to a halt, once again highlighting why it is so important that our city gets on with improving the alternatives to driving. For additional irony, this happened on the same day the IPCC synthesis report landed, putting the focus on ...
    3 days ago
  • Checking The Left: The Dreadful Logic Of Fascism.
    The Beginning: Anti-Co-Governance agitator, Julian Batchelor, addresses the Dargaville stop of his travelling roadshow across New Zealand . Fascism almost always starts small. Sadly, it doesn’t always stay that way. Especially when the Left helps it to grow.THERE IS A DREADFUL LOGIC to the growth of fascism. To begin with, it ...
    3 days ago
  • Good Friends and Terrible Food
    Hi,From an incredibly rainy day in Los Angeles, I just wanted to check in. I guess this is the day Trump may or may not end up in cuffs? I’m attempting a somewhat slower, less frenzied week. I’ve had Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s new record on non-stop, and it’s been a ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago
  • At a glance – What evidence is there for the hockey stick?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    3 days ago
  • Carry right on up there, Corporal Espiner
    RNZ has been shining their torch into corners where lobbyists lurk and asking such questions as: Do we like the look of this?and Is this as democratic as it could be?These are most certainly questions worth asking, and every bit as valid as, say:Are we shortchanged democratically by the way ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • This smells
    RNZ has continued its look at the role of lobbyists by taking a closer look at the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Andrew Kirton. He used to work for liquor companies, opposing (among other things) a container refund scheme which would have required them to take responsibility for their own ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Major issues on the table in Mahuta’s  talks in Beijing with China’s new Foreign Minister
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has left for Beijing for the first ministerial visit to China since 2019. Mahuta is  to  meet China’s new foreign minister Qin Gang  where she  might have to call on all the  diplomatic skills  at  her  command. Almost certainly she  will  face  questions  on what  role ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago
  • Inside TOP's Teal Card and political strategy
    TL;DR: The Opportunities Party’s Leader Raf Manji is hopeful the party’s new Teal Card, a type of Gold card for under 30s, will be popular with students, and not just in his Ilam electorate where students make up more than a quarter of the voters and where Manji is confident ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Make Your Empties Go Another Round.
    When I was a kid New Zealand was actually pretty green. We didn’t really have plastic. The fruit and veges came in a cardboard box, the meat was wrapped in paper, milk came in a glass bottle, and even rubbish sacks were made of paper. Today if you sit down ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on how similar Vladimir Putin is to George W. Bush
    Looking back through the names of our Police Ministers down the years, the job has either been done by once or future party Bigfoots – Syd Holland, Richard Prebble, Juduth Collins, Chris Hipkins – or by far lesser lights like Keith Allen, Frank Gill, Ben Couch, Allen McCready, Clem Simich, ...
    4 days ago
  • CHRIS TROTTER:  Te Pāti Māori’s uncompromising threat to the status quo
    Chris Trotter writes – The Crown is a fickle friend. Any political movement deemed to be colourful but inconsequential is generally permitted to go about its business unmolested. The Crown’s media, RNZ and TVNZ, may even “celebrate” its existence (presumably as proof of Democracy’s broad-minded acceptance of diversity). ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Shining a bright light on lobbyists in politics
    Four out of the five people who have held the top role of Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff since 2017 have been lobbyists. That’s a fact that should worry anyone who believes vested interests shouldn’t have a place at the centre of decision making. Chris Hipkins’ newly appointed Chief of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Auckland Council Draft Budget – an unnecessary backwards step
    Feedback on Auckland Council’s draft 2023/24 budget closes on March 28th. You can read the consultation document here, and provide feedback here. Auckland Council is currently consulting on what is one of its most important ever Annual Plans – the ‘budget’ of what it will spend money on between July ...
    4 days ago
  • Talking’ Posey Parker Blues
    by Molten Moira from Motueka If you want to be a woman let me tell you what to do Get a piece of paper and a biro tooWrite down your new identification And boom! You’re now a woman of this nationSpelled W O M A Na real trans woman that isAs opposed ...
    RedlineBy Admin
    4 days ago
  • More Māori words make it into the OED, and polytech boss (with rules on words like “students”) ...
    Buzz from the Beehive   New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti is hosting the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers for three days from today, welcoming Education Ministers and senior officials from 18 Pacific Island countries and territories, and from Australia. Here’s hoping they have brought translators with them – or ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • Social intercourse with haters and Nazis: an etiquette guide
    Let’s say you’ve come all the way from His Majesty’s United Kingdom to share with the folk of Australia and New Zealand your antipathy towards certain other human beings. And let’s say you call yourself a women’s rights activist.And let’s say 99 out of 100 people who listen to you ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • The Greens, Labour, and coalition enforcement
    James Shaw gave the Green party's annual "state of the planet" address over the weekend, in which he expressed frustration with Labour for not doing enough on climate change. His solution is to elect more Green MPs, so they have more power within any government arrangement, and can hold Labour ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • This sounds familiar…
    RNZ this morning has the first story another investigative series by Guyon Espiner, this time into political lobbying. The first story focuses on lobbying by government agencies, specifically transpower, Pharmac, and assorted universities, and how they use lobbyists to manipulate public opinion and gather intelligence on the Ministers who oversee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Letter to the NZ Herald: NCEA pseudoscience – “Mauri is present in all matter”
    Nick Matzke writes –   Dear NZ Herald, I am a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland. I teach evolutionary biology, but I also have long experience in science education and (especially) political attempts to insert pseudoscience into science curricula in ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • So what would be the point of a Green vote again?
    James Shaw has again said the Greens would be better ‘in the tent’ with Labour than out, despite Labour’s policy bonfire last week torching much of what the Government was doing to reduce emissions. File Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The Green Party has never been more popular than in some ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Gas stoves pose health risks. Are gas furnaces and other appliances safe to use?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah Wesseler Poor air quality is a long-standing problem in Los Angeles, where the first major outbreak of smog during World War II was so intense that some residents thought the city had been attacked by chemical weapons. Cars were eventually discovered ...
    5 days ago
  • Genetic Heritage and Co Governance
    Yesterday I was reading an excellent newsletter from David Slack, and I started writing a comment “Sounds like some excellent genetic heritage…” and then I stopped.There was something about the phrase genetic heritage that stopped me in tracks. Is that a phrase I want to be saying? It’s kind of ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • BRIAN EASTON: Radical Uncertainty
    Brian Easton writes – Two senior economists challenge some of the foundations of current economics. It is easy to criticise economic science by misrepresenting it, by selective quotations, and by ignoring that it progresses, like all sciences, by improving and abandoning old theories. The critics may go ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s Middle East strategy, 20 years after the Iraq War
    This week marks the twentieth anniversary of the Iraq War. While it strongly opposed the US-led invasion, New Zealand’s then Labour-led government led by Prime Minister Helen Clark did deploy military engineers to try to help rebuild Iraq in mid-2003. With violence soaring, their 12-month deployment ended without being renewed ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • The motorways are finished
    After seventy years, Auckland’s motorway network is finally finished. In July 1953 the first section of motorway in Auckland was opened between Ellerslie-Panmure Highway and Mt Wellington Highway. The final stage opens to traffic this week with the completion of the motorway part of the Northern Corridor Improvements project. Aucklanders ...
    5 days ago
  • Kicking National’s tyres
    National’s appointment of Todd McClay as Agriculture spokesperson clearly signals that the party is in trouble with the farming vote. McClay was not an obvious choice, but he does have a record as a political scrapper. The party needs that because sources say it has been shedding farming votes ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • As long as there is cricket, the world is somehow okay.
    Rays of white light come flooding into my lounge, into my face from over the top of my neighbour’s hedge. I have to look away as the window of the conservatory is awash in light, as if you were driving towards the sun after a rain shower and suddenly blinded. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • So much of what was there remains
    The columnists in Private Eye take pen names, so I have not the least idea who any of them are. But I greatly appreciate their expert insight, especially MD, who writes the medical column, offering informed and often damning critique of the UK health system and the politicians who keep ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Mar 12, 2023 thru Sat, Mar 18, 2023. Story of the Week Guest post: What 13,500 citations reveal about the IPCC’s climate science report   IPCC WG1 AR6 SPM Report Cover - Changing ...
    6 days ago
  • Financial capability services are being bucked up, but Stuart Nash shouldn’t have to see if they c...
    Buzz from the Beehive  The building of financial capability was brought into our considerations when Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced she had dipped into the government’s coffers for $3 million for “providers” to help people and families access community-based Building Financial Capability services. That wording suggests some ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago
  • Things that make you go Hmmmm.
    Do you ever come across something that makes you go Hmmmm?You mean like the song?No, I wasn’t thinking of the song, but I am now - thanks for that. I was thinking of things you read or hear that make you stop and go Hmmmm.Yeah, I know what you mean, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago
  • The hoon for the week that was to March 19
    By the end of the week, the dramas over Stuart Nash overshadowed Hipkins’ policy bonfire. File photo: Lynn GrieveasonTLDR: This week’s news in geopolitics and the political economy covered on The Kākā included:PM Chris Hipkins’ announcement of the rest of a policy bonfire to save a combined $1.7 billion, but ...
    The KakaBy Peter Bale
    7 days ago
  • Saving Stuart Nash: Explaining Chris Hipkins' unexpected political calculation
    When word went out that Prime Minister Chris Hipkins would be making an announcement about Stuart Nash on the tiles at parliament at 2:45pm yesterday, the assumption was that it was over. That we had reached tipping point for Nash’s time as minister. But by 3pm - when, coincidentally, the ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    1 week ago
  • Radical Uncertainty
    Two senior economists challenge some of the foundations of current economics. It is easy to criticise economic science by misrepresenting it, by selective quotations, and by ignoring that it progresses, like all sciences, by improving and abandoning old theories. The critics may go on to attack physics by citing Newton.So ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • Jump onto the weekly hoon on Riverside at 5pm
    Photo by Walker Fenton on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week again when and I co-host our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kaka for an hour at 5 pm. Jump on this link on Riverside (we’ve moved from Zoom) for our chat about the week’s news with ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Dream of Florian Neame: Accepted
    In a nice bit of news, my 2550-word deindustrial science-fiction piece, The Dream of Florian Neame, has been accepted for publication at New Maps Magazine (https://www.new-maps.com/). I have published there before, of course, with Of Tin and Tintagel coming out last year. While I still await the ...
    1 week ago
  • Snakes and leaders
    And so this is Friday, and what have we learned?It was a week with all the usual luggage: minister brags and then he quits, Hollywood red carpet is full of twits. And all the while, hanging over the trivial stuff: existential dread, and portents of doom.Depending on who you read ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago
  • This station is Karanga-a-Hape, Chur!
    When I changed the name of this newsletter from The Daily Read to Nick’s Kōrero I was a bit worried whether people would know what Kōrero meant or not. I added a definition when I announced the change and kind of assumed people who weren’t familiar with it would get ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Greens don’t shy from promoting a candidate’s queerness but are quiet about govt announcement on...
    There was a time when a political party’s publicity people would counsel against promoting a candidate as queer. No matter which of two dictionary meanings the voting public might choose to apply – the old meaning of odd, strange, weird, or aberrant, or the more recent meaning of gay, homosexual ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago
  • Ask Me Anything about the week to March 17
    Photo by Joakim Honkasalo on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for the next hour, including:PM Chris Hipkins announcement of the rest of a policy bonfire to save a combined $1.7 billion, but which blew up ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Slow consenting could create $16b climate liability by 2050
    Even though concern over the climate change threat is becoming more mainstream, our governments continue to opt out of the difficult decisions at the expense of time, and cost for future generations. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTLDR: Now we have a climate liability number to measure the potential failure of the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • THOMAS CRANMER: Challenging progressivism in New Zealand’s culture wars
    Thomas Cranmer writes  Like it or not, the culture wars have entered New Zealand politics and look set to broaden and intensify. The culture wars are often viewed as an exclusively American phenomenon, but the reality is that they are becoming increasingly prominent in countries around the world, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • District Court Judges appointed
    Attorney-General David Parker has announced the appointment of Christopher John Dellabarca of Wellington, Dr Katie Jane Elkin of Wellington, Caroline Mary Hickman of Napier, Ngaroma Tahana of Rotorua, Tania Rose Williams Blyth of Hamilton and Nicola Jan Wills of Wellington as District Court Judges.  Chris Dellabarca Mr Dellabarca commenced his ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • New project set to supercharge ocean economy in Nelson Tasman
    A new Government-backed project will help ocean-related businesses in the Nelson Tasman region to accelerate their growth and boost jobs. “The Nelson Tasman region is home to more than 400 blue economy businesses, accounting for more than 30 percent of New Zealand’s economic activity in fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • National’s education policy: where’s the funding?
    After three years of COVID-19 disruptions schools are finally settling down and National want to throw that all in the air with major disruption to learning and underinvestment.  “National’s education policy lacks the very thing teachers, parents and students need after a tough couple of years, certainty and stability,” Education ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Free programme to help older entrepreneurs and inventors
    People aged over 50 with innovative business ideas will now be able to receive support to advance their ideas to the next stage of development, Minister for Seniors Ginny Andersen said today. “Seniors have some great entrepreneurial ideas, and this programme will give them the support to take that next ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government target increased to keep powering up the Māori economy
    A cross government target for relevant government procurement contracts for goods and services to be awarded to Māori businesses annually will increase to 8%, after the initial 5% target was exceeded. The progressive procurement policy was introduced in 2020 to increase supplier diversity, starting with Māori businesses, for the estimated ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Continued progress on reducing poverty in challenging times
    77,000 fewer children living in low income households on the after-housing-costs primary measure since Labour took office Eight of the nine child poverty measures have seen a statistically significant reduction since 2018. All nine have reduced 28,700 fewer children experiencing material hardship since 2018 Measures taken by the Government during ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Speech at Fiji Investment and Trade Business Forum
    Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Tēnā koutou katoa, ni sa bula vinaka saka, namaste. Deputy Prime Minister, a very warm welcome to Aotearoa. I trust you have been enjoying your time here and thank you for joining us here today. To all delegates who have travelled to be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government investments boost and diversify local economies in lower South Island
    $2.9 million convertible loan for Scapegrace Distillery to meet growing national and international demand $4.5m underwrite to support Silverlight Studios’ project to establish a film studio in Wanaka Gore’s James Cumming Community Centre and Library to be official opened tomorrow with support of $3m from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government future-proofs EV charging
    Transport Minister Michael Wood has today launched the first national EV (electric vehicle) charging strategy, Charging Our Future, which includes plans to provide EV charging stations in almost every town in New Zealand. “Our vision is for Aotearoa New Zealand to have world-class EV charging infrastructure that is accessible, affordable, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • World-leading family harm prevention campaign supports young NZers
    Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment Priyanca Radhakrishnan has today launched the Love Better campaign in a world-leading approach to family harm prevention. Love Better will initially support young people through their experience of break-ups, developing positive and life-long attitudes to dealing with hurt. “Over 1,200 young kiwis told ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • First Chief Clinical Advisor welcomed into Coroners Court
    Hon Rino Tirikatene, Minister for Courts, welcomes the Ministry of Justice’s appointment of Dr Garry Clearwater as New Zealand’s first Chief Clinical Advisor working with the Coroners Court. “This appointment is significant for the Coroners Court and New Zealand’s wider coronial system.” Minister Tirikatene said. Through Budget 2022, the Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Next steps for affected properties post Cyclone and floods
    The Government via the Cyclone Taskforce is working with local government and insurance companies to build a picture of high-risk areas following Cyclone Gabrielle and January floods. “The Taskforce, led by Sir Brian Roche, has been working with insurance companies to undertake an assessment of high-risk areas so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • New appointment to Māori Land Court bench
    E te huia kaimanawa, ko Ngāpuhi e whakahari ana i tau aupikinga ki te tihi o te maunga. Ko te Ao Māori hoki e whakanui ana i a koe te whakaihu waka o te reo Māori i roto i te Ao Ture. (To the prized treasure, it is Ngāpuhi who ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government focus on jobs sees record number of New Zealanders move from Benefits into work
    113,400 exits into work in the year to June 2022 Young people are moving off Benefit faster than after the Global Financial Crisis Two reports released today by the Ministry of Social Development show the Government’s investment in the COVID-19 response helped drive record numbers of people off Benefits and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Vertical farming partnership has upward momentum
    The Government’s priority to keep New Zealand at the cutting edge of food production and lift our sustainability credentials continues by backing the next steps of a hi-tech vertical farming venture that uses up to 95 per cent less water, is climate resilient, and pesticide-free. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor visited ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Conference of Pacific Education Ministers – Keynote Address
    E nga mana, e nga iwi, e nga reo, e nga hau e wha, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou kātoa. Warm Pacific greetings to all. It is an honour to host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers here in Tāmaki Makaurau. Aotearoa is delighted to be hosting you ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • New $13m renal unit supports Taranaki patients
    The new renal unit at Taranaki Base Hospital has been officially opened by the Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall this afternoon. Te Huhi Raupō received around $13 million in government funding as part of Project Maunga Stage 2, the redevelopment of the Taranaki Base Hospital campus. “It’s an honour ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Second Poseidon aircraft on home soil
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has marked the arrival of the country’s second P-8A Poseidon aircraft alongside personnel at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base at Ohakea today. “With two of the four P-8A Poseidons now on home soil this marks another significant milestone in the Government’s historic investment in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Further humanitarian aid for Türkiye and Syria
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide further humanitarian support to those seriously affected by last month’s deadly earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta. “The 6 February earthquakes have had devastating consequences, with almost 18 million people affected. More than 53,000 people have died and tens of thousands more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Community voice to help shape immigration policy
    Migrant communities across New Zealand are represented in the new Migrant Community Reference Group that will help shape immigration policy going forward, Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced today.  “Since becoming Minister, a reoccurring message I have heard from migrants is the feeling their voice has often been missing around policy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • State Highway 3 project to deliver safer journeys, better travel connections for Taranaki
    Construction has begun on major works that will deliver significant safety improvements on State Highway 3 from Waitara to Bell Block, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan announced today. “This is an important route for communities, freight and visitors to Taranaki but too many people have lost their lives or ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Ginny Andersen appointed as Minister of Police
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