General Debate 12 May 2011

Yawn. Just woken up. Need longer days.

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Hagues

Good morning sleepy
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May 12, 2011 9:46am
Inventory2

Nice for some people. I’ve been up since 5.30am and at work since 7.15am.
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May 12, 2011 9:49am
Manolo

Even the tame and docile Dom Post dares to criticise Key and English in today’s editorial.

Kiwisaver has almost 1.7 million members. However, Mr Key has classified it among the “nice-to-haves” and is signalling that the annual Government contribution will be reduced, probably halved.

He and his finance minister appear to believe the public will not be deterred by the change. If so, they are graduates of the same University of Spin and Hope as their Labour predecessors, who believed that scrapping interest on student loans would not increase the take-up rate. New Zealanders are not stupid. The year before loans were made interest free, 53% of eligible students borrowed from the Government. By 2009 – the last year for which figures are available – that figure had increased to 71%.

KiwiSaver membership involves sacrifices. Contributing the amount required to secure the maximum Government contribution means many members have to make choices between other “nice-to-haves” and even some essentials. However, they calculate that, together with employer contributions, the Government top-up makes the sacrifice worthwhile. Reduce the top-up and many will review their participation.

The Government has a choice. It can encourage the current generation of workers to save more, or it can pander to the “grey” vote by maintaining the pretence that superannuation for all at age 65 is affordable when it is patently not. It cannot do both.

It has made the easy choice, not the right one.
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May 12, 2011 9:49am
Bobbie black

Well done DPF, nod nod, wink wink.

🙂
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May 12, 2011 9:50am
stephen

Woah!:

A prisoner’s chance of parole depends on when the judge hearing the case last took a break, say researchers who have studied decisions in Israeli courts. As judges tire and get hungry, they slip towards the easy option of denying parole, say the researchers.

http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110411/full/news.2011.227.html

The graph isn’t yet available online, but the chance of parole starts at ~80% in the morning, declining to close to zero before the judge’s first break. After which it goes back up to ~80…repeat.
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May 12, 2011 9:54am
KH

Kiwisaver is great.
It needs to be compulsory and at about 15%. Beneficeries included. And I think all that will inevitably happen.
When compulsory, one effect will be there really is no difference between an employer and an employee contribution.
A major issue yet to solve around Kiwisaver is that of Speedo Weldon and his gang. Major destructors of wealth.
The financial services sector is a ‘ball and chain’ to Business and individuals alike. It needs to be solved for our national benefit. A major reason, I think, why NZers like property and have for many decades.
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May 12, 2011 9:57am
SouthernRight

Looking for a good reason to shift down South then here is one – a quick scan of the new phone book under H shows me there is nobody with the surname Hawawira……..
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May 12, 2011 9:58am
Manolo

Kiwisaver is great.
It needs to be compulsory and at about 15%. Beneficeries (sic) included.

If it’s great as you said, why the compulsion factor? 15%? Who are you to decide what and how much I need to save, if I decide to do so?

The beneficiaries part does not warrant an answer.
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May 12, 2011 10:03am
Elaycee

@SouthernRight… May be an idea to also check for the name Hadfield – as soon as the trough of cash was discovered in Northland, a miraculous name change occurred that resulted in the name…. Harawira!

A bit like the south island man born Stephen John O’Regan….
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May 12, 2011 10:03am
david

The question has probably already been asked and answered but if it was I missed it.

What rights does Hone have to his stash of Airdollars?

One has to assume that he has carefully hoarded these and there must be a bundle accrued to one of the biggest spenders on domestic travel. Travel and rental cars will be paid for by the taxpayer during the by-election campaign without either income tax or FBT being applied in spite of the personal benefit received. He will no doubt be topping them off with a few side trips before his resignation becomes effective later next week.

I had difficulties with MP’s ownership of Airpoints but at least there were some restrictions on use but Airdollars are real money and can be used “at any time, on any flight” or package including accommodation and ground travel. Why he could even shout “old tits” flights to campaign meetings around the place if he chooses just to spice up the proceedings.
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May 12, 2011 10:09am
BeaB

Manolo – you are obsessed with what people choose to name themselves.
Women change their surnames every day and it doesn’t seem to exercise you.
If Maori choose to go back to their Maori names, why not? Most of us are old enough to learn how to pronounce them properly. Similarly, if I was part Maori and identified myself as Maori, I’d probably like to have a Maori name too. Why should that upset you?
As for the money, it’s the whakapapa that matters (and Ngai Tahu is very strict on this, thanks to the work done by Tipene and others), not the moniker.
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May 12, 2011 10:10am
Manolo

BeaB, what have you smoked today that blurred your vision? 🙂
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May 12, 2011 10:14am
Lee01

I dont have a problem with a compulsory savings scheme. Wasn’t that ACT’s policy when they first got started?
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May 12, 2011 10:19am
Lance

I see Goof is banging on about reversing the tax cuts for the wealthy.
What the fuck is ‘wealthy’ in this joke of an economy?
This economy that looks on in envy at Aus and yet will not exploit it’s own mineral wealth.
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May 12, 2011 10:45am
grumpyoldhori

BeaB, you are wrong, there were pakeha taken into the Nga Tahu as members of the iwi.
A DNA check among those whiter shades of paler Nga Tahu would be interesting.
Real Maori, easy, their names are on this list
http://www.28maoribattalion.org.nz/
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May 12, 2011 10:58am
Viking2

Yawn. Just woken up. Need longer days.

UMMM don’t you mean nights??

the day is always long when you start early.
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May 12, 2011 10:59am
Elaycee

@ BeaB – I’ve been called a few things in my time, but that’s the first time I’ve been called Manolo! Hah!

But clearly I hit a responsive chord re name changing. Of course women change their name (if they wish). Some men do too – clearly that’s happened with Stephen Gerald O’Regan and John Hadfield (was confused with the ‘John’s before). I have no idea when Hadfield decided to change the name that his parents (I presume) put on his birth certificate, but IIRC O’Regan dropped the Stephen and became Tipene around the time that he represented Ngai Tahu in the 1970’s and a claim was made to the Waitangi Tribunal. But it is nearly 40 years ago – could be wrong.

You mention “whakapapa” being the beneficiaries of the payments made to Maori. Really? Seems to me that those on the gravy train are doing very well thank you, but the trickle down effect hasn’t worked very well at all.
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May 12, 2011 11:06am
Christopher Thomson

I have a private super and took up the chance of Kiwisaver and have something like 4% from my nett salary going into it. I looked at it as a way of getting some of my taxes back – the government sure as heck weren’t going to be giving tax cuts.

If the gummint [sic] contribution is going to be reduced then I am going to look at reducing my commitment. I suspect that they will require the same yearly total to get the reduced amount so I will have to stick with it to get the smaller refund.
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May 12, 2011 11:08am
s.russell

The newspapers today are full of speculation about changes to KiwiSaver, with many denunciations based on what people THINK those changes will be. I suspect there will be some egg on face come next Thursday.

For what it is worth, here is my speculation:

The Govt will halve the $20pw tax credit, but keep the maximum. That would mean you can still get the $1040pa, but you have to save twice as much to get it. The employer contribution may be similarly adjusted, ie made $1 for $2 rather than $1 for $1 – perhaps with a higher maximum. Again, this means you still get the same contribution from your employer (or perhaps even more) but you have to save more of your own money to get it.

So instead of: Save $1000, get $1000 form Govt and $1000 from employer, it becomes Save $2000, get $1000 form Govt and $1000 from employer. That’s still generous, and provides a big incentive for Kiwis to save even more.
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May 12, 2011 11:22am
voice of reason

34,000 double downs sold in one day country wide.
revenue – $230k +
marketing – $0
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May 12, 2011 11:27am
voice of reason

“david (1,803) Says:

May 12th, 2011 at 10:09 am

…I had difficulties with MP’s ownership of Airpoints but at least there were some restrictions on use but Airdollars are real money and can be used “at any time, on any flight” or package including accommodation and ground travel…..”

Not only that but you can spend your Airdollars online @ airnz’s shop and buy goods such as Tv’s etc.
I’d be interested to know if there are any restriction on MPs spending them on anything
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May 12, 2011 11:31am
big bruv

Another piece of shit Maori kills their child…

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10725107

Will we hear John Hatfield mention this?, will we hear his ugly and demented mother and sister mention this?

Nah…it’s all the fault of the white mother fuckers.
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May 12, 2011 11:39am
BeaB

Sorry Manolo. Time for my pre-lunch drink to get the brain cells going again.
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May 12, 2011 11:41am
Christopher Thomson

That revenue will continue – we are doing our double-down experience later this week.
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May 12, 2011 11:42am
Manolo

Of course she’s a good tender and loving mother. Others animals are to blame.

Mum blames lover for toddler death

A Northland woman accused of murdering her 2-year-old daughter has blamed her former partner, saying he carried out a series of horrific beatings on the child because he saw her as a burden. Norefjell Davis, 36, elected to give evidence in the High Court at Whangarei yesterday and said her then partner Jade Petersen beat Jacqui Davis with a wire coat hanger, punched, kicked and dipped her head in a basin filled with water.

http://msn.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10725107
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May 12, 2011 11:45am
ciaron

^^ I think I’m going to be sick.
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May 12, 2011 11:49am
jims_whare

Double down was very tasty – smaller than what I thought but about the right size. And for all the PC wowsers buy a calslaw for some added healthiness.
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May 12, 2011 12:10pm
thedavincimode

ciaron

That will last for at least 8 hours. How many did you have?
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May 12, 2011 12:31pm
ciaron

tdvm; refer Manolo’s 11:45 & Bruvs 11:39.

on the double down front; had one yesterday afternoon, combo was a ripoff: two sips of lemonade and 12 (yes, I counted ’em) fries but I reckon I could easily do at least two without adverse side effects.
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May 12, 2011 12:43pm
Mark

Has Don Brash indicated when he is going to release to survey results on whether Act under Brash is more popular than Act under Hide?
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May 12, 2011 12:59pm
krazykiwi

For those lamenting the implications of the deficit our economic future, and wishing the government would get its costs (ie our spending) under control, here a list of commission[ers], councils, departments that you and I pay for… and which I’d like to put in front of a taxpayer jury.

Some should be gone completely. Others should have some of their functions transferred before they’re stopped. Others require serious makeovers. I’m not holding my breath.

1. Broadcasting Commission
2. Charities Commission
3. Children’s Commissioner
4. Earthquake Commission
5. Electricity Commission
6. Families Commission
7. New Zealand Fire Service Commission
8. Health Sponsorship Council
9. Human Rights Commission
10. KiwiRail Holdings Limited (yes, a fire sale required)
11. Local Government Commission
12. Te Taura Whiri i Te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission)
13. Maori Television
14. Mental Health Commission
15. Ministry for Culture and Heritage
16. Ministry of Social Development (Keep, but rename ‘Ministry of Essential Welfare’ and re-task accordingly)
17. Ministry of Māori Development
18. Ministry of Women’s Affairs
19. Ministry of Youth Development
20. Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs
21. National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women
22. New Zealand Game Bird Habitat Trust Board
23. New Zealand Fish and Game Council
24. New Zealand Quality College
25. Drug Free Sport New Zealand
26. New Zealand Teachers Council
27. New Zealand Walking Access Commission
28. Ngai Tahu Ancillary Claims Trust
29. New Zealand Artificial Limb Board
30. New Zealand Film Commission
31. Office of Ethnic Affairs
32. Plant Variety Rights Office
33. Public Sector Training Organisation
34. Real Estate Agents Authority
35. Registrar of Unions
36. Removal Review Authority
37. Retirement Commissioner
38. Social Workers Registration Board
39. Sport and Recreation New Zealand
40. Standards Council
41. Standards New Zealand
42. Tertiary Education Commission
43. Te Puni Kokiri
44. Radio New Zealand Limited
45. The Bioethics Council
46. Transport Accident Investigation Commission
47. Valuers Registration Board
48. Walking Access
49. War Pension Services

Of course this will never happen, and even if it did it would just hand the opposition (of the day) entities to re-create in pursuit of special interest voter support.
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May 12, 2011 1:29pm
Lee01

My sole purpose for posting here recently was to expose magic bullets lies concerning the US, Israel and 911, and to expose him as a deranged and possibly dangerous whackjob.

That work is done.

Bye for now…
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May 12, 2011 1:35pm
mikeysmokes

Hey what happened to RedBaiter, did he turn into a pumpkin when Obama produced his birth certificate?
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May 12, 2011 2:03pm
thedavincimode

Yikes. There’s a froggy delegation visiting parliament. This could be a bit embarassing.

Will the shadow of a man be on his best behaviour?
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May 12, 2011 2:03pm
thedavincimode

mikeysmokes

He went black ops deep cover to lead the hit on bin Laden. Pete George tracked him as being overseas but then lost him when he went in-theatre.

The rumours that he almost accidently shot himself in the foot but missed and shot OBL’s missus in the foot are as yet insubtantiated.

I’ve got a funny feeling that he might have stayed over there to do the biz on OBL’s number 2.
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May 12, 2011 2:13pm
dime

Angry Birds available on PC for free. Ya need the chrome browser. Quite cool with a mouse. easier.
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May 12, 2011 2:41pm
Lance

Bugger
That sucker is more addictive than ‘p’
I can’t resist
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May 12, 2011 3:00pm
Nookin

Anyone know when he might be eligible for parole

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/4995469/Former-cops-prison-term-reduced-to-375-years
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May 12, 2011 3:02pm
Nookin

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4996046/Harawira-lecture-axed-because-of-redneck-racism

He just doesn’t get it, does he. Because some students think he is a muppet and don’t want to have to listen to him, they are redneck racists. He claims the right to talk to students but they do not have the right to tell him that they are too busy without being labelled racist.
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May 12, 2011 4:02pm
By_Election

# David Farrar (1,467) Says:
May 12th, 2011 at 1:52 pm

I might donate to Kelvin also.

Kelvin has no chance … labour party policy don’t give him the room to capture enough votes, and why vote your Kelvin he is already in next term at 23 on the list.

Hey David I think the last thing Kelvin would want is an endorsement from yourself, that would surely lower his mana in the north.

In the last Election Hone had a 32% mayority over Kelvin. If Kelvin wants a mandate he should also stand down from the Parliament, and remove himself from the list for the general election to test his mandate at this by election. I doubt he would.
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May 12, 2011 5:04pm
Pauleastbay

Just had my first Double Down.

I do beleive that without the food nazi’s cracking on about it, it would have been the biggest flop since the Leyland P76.

Bit pricey @ $7.90
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May 12, 2011 5:38pm
thedavincimode

Bigger than the P76 AND GOOF??

That IS a big call.
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May 12, 2011 5:47pm
Hurf Durf

Who’s this hobgoblin on Close Up screaming about AGW? Someone needs to give him the memo that no one believe his Dark Age utopiac crap.

Nice to see Walrus do his best to not be an interrogative interviewer either.
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May 12, 2011 7:18pm
nasska

A father walks into a restaurant with his young son. He gives the boy three ten cent pieces to play with to keep him occupied.
Suddenly, the boy starts choking, going blue in the face. The father realises that the boy has swallowed the coins & starts slapping him on the back.
The boy coughs up two of the ten cent pieces but keeps choking. Looking at his son the father is panicking & shouting for help. A well dressed, attractive, serious woman in a blue business suit is sitting at the coffee bar reading a newspaper & sipping a cup of coffee. At the sound of the commotion she looks up, puts her coffee cup down, neatly folds her paper & places it on the counter, gets up from her seat & unhurriedly makes her way acoss the restaurant.
Reaching the boy, the woman carefully drops his pants, takes hold of the boy’s testicles & starts to squeeze & twist, gently at first & then ever so firmly. After a few seconds the boy convulses violently & coughs up the last ten cent piece which the woman deftly catches in her free hand. Releasing the boy’s testicles the woman hands the coin to the father & walks back to her seat at the coffee bar without saying a word.
As soon as he has checked that his son has suffered no ill effects the father rushes over to the woman & starts thanking her saying, “I’ve never seen anybody do anything like that before, it was fantastic.. are you a doctor?” “No” the woman replied. I’m with the IRD.”
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May 12, 2011 7:27pm
Jimbob

Yes Hurf Durf, the so called Doctor Hansen is one of the high priests of climate change. Everything he said tonight were half truths and basically fiction. Millions of years ago global temperatures were 10 degrees C higher than they are now, everything is still here. Notice that NO country is listening to him.
Basically he is an idiot.
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May 12, 2011 7:29pm
Pauleastbay

Yep Jimbob

You know and I know he’s an idiot but fairly shortly there will be commentators along to point out the error of our ways as they do , again and again and a again……with graphs, half truths and quotes from a movie by an obese lying film maker and an idoit ex VPOTUS, ho hum.
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May 12, 2011 7:35pm
wat dabney

Hurf Durf,

The hobgoblin was James Hansen, professional alarmist.

http://hauntingthelibrary.wordpress.com/2011/01/06/james-hansen-1986-within-15-years-temps-will-be-hotter-than-past-100000-years/

He’s beyond parody but, as you say, Walrus was like an 8-year old child, totally wide-eyed and credulous.
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May 12, 2011 8:01pm
Pauleastbay

Rex

No doubt you had a horrible experience and shit did happened to you, but the reason for my get over it , is practically everytime the police or similar pop up here you are off on a tangent, 99% of the time your comments are spot on and I agree 100 % but then you go off. Simon Power had about as much to do with Auckland Law faculty today as I did

I have an uncle in law who did 3 years for manslaughter, and he is innocent, but even now 10 years after his release he still dwells and it has stopped him moving on to the extent that he is tilting at windmills. So endith my lecture but move on man
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May 12, 2011 8:08pm
Hurf Durf

Hansen, Chapman, Harawira. A lot of unsavoury types I’d rather not see have been appearing this past week. Is it May Fools Week or something?
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May 12, 2011 8:28pm
Zapper

Some type of explanation for magic bullet:

http://media.theage.com.au/video/news-video/what-makes-a-conspiracy-theorist-tick-2358726.html
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May 12, 2011 10:04pm