Open mike 25/02/2015

Written By: - Date published: 5:55 am, February 25th, 2015 - 161 comments
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161 comments on “Open mike 25/02/2015 ”

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  1. logie97 1
    25 February 2015 at 7:00 am

    Key couldn’t remember what he was doing in the early 1980s.
    He was possibly thumbing through his “Battler Britain” comics.
    Seems now he might also have been captured by the Falklands and is now
    hoping for his own “Thatcher” moment.

    • Paul 1.1
      25 February 2015 at 7:06 am

      We have a rogue government that does not ask its people or parliament whether it should go to war or not.

      • gsays 1.1.1
        25 February 2015 at 7:34 am

        hi paul, ref a rogue government: perhaps we do, however till the sheeple wake up to this, nothing changes.
        to raise awareness perhaps a day of action akin to the anti tppa protests coming up early march?

    • logie97 1.2
      25 February 2015 at 7:49 am

      If the NZ role is just training, then why not bring the trainees here to New Zealand and teach them all the tactics they need in a non-war zone, peaceful environment.

      • Colonial Rawshark 1.2.1
        25 February 2015 at 9:56 am

        Because then our “force protection” troops could not help to secure a Forward Operating Base in Iraq from which assault operations on ISIS will be launched from.

  2. Whateva next? 2
    25 February 2015 at 7:30 am

    Was Key channeling Jack Nicholson in a Few Good Men for his performance in parliament yesterday?
    Once again key simply does not ring true.Little is a true leader, calm, capable and cogent.

    • b waghorn 2.1
      25 February 2015 at 7:44 am

      Mr Little was in very good form on tv3 this morning he gave solid reasoned views on Iraq.
      Paddy giving not a bad breakdown of the cost of keys announcement in his eyes its when not if we get a retaliation from I S.

      • Pete George 2.1.1
        25 February 2015 at 7:54 am

        To an extent. But he said it doesn’t take guts to sit in Wellington making tough decisions. I think he’s wrong about that.

        If he believes what he said then I don’t think he’s ready to step up to Prime Ministerial level, which is a very tough job involving many tough decisions.

        • les 2.1.1.1
          25 February 2015 at 8:01 am

          so is NZ a dictatorship now Pete?

          • Pete George 2.1.1.1.1
            25 February 2015 at 8:08 am

            Nowhere near that les. I think Key should have sought Parliamentary support, but it wasn’t a democratic requirement.

            If it had come to the crunch would Labour have voted against it? There’s no way of knowing now, but as this is at the request of Iraq it’s arguably more legitimate than decisions made by the Clark Government and Parliament at the time.

            • les 2.1.1.1.1.1
              25 February 2015 at 8:18 am

              ‘at the request of Iraq’…really…is it a legitimate,democratic ‘Iraq’ that made the request?

            • freedom 2.1.1.1.1.2
              25 February 2015 at 8:32 am

              Seeing as Labour and the Greens both put forward a motion for a vote – which National objected to both times – your “no way of knowing” is as empty as Key’s credibility.

            • vto 2.1.1.1.1.3
              25 February 2015 at 9:07 am

              “at the request of Iraq ”

              ha ha that is the funniest thing heard in a long time. Well actually not that long as it has been heard quite a lot lately. Not surprised you fall for it Pete.

              at the request of Iraq

              ha ha ha

              at the request of Iraq

            • felix 2.1.1.1.1.4
              25 February 2015 at 11:53 am

              Pete:

              “I think Key should have sought Parliamentary support, but it wasn’t a democratic requirement.”

              Nope. It wasn’t a legal requirement to be democratic, so he chose not to be democratic.

            • Draco T Bastard 2.1.1.1.1.5
              25 February 2015 at 12:25 pm

              I think Key should have sought Parliamentary support, but it wasn’t a democratic requirement.

              Yeah, actually, it was. We don’t get democracy by having a few people in cabinet making executive decisions. Going to war is a major policy and really should have been put to referendum even if the nation that we’d be fighting for requested it.

            • KJT 2.1.1.1.1.6
              25 February 2015 at 5:54 pm

              The normal right wing excuses for their latest antisocial, cruel and sadistic actions.

              “It is legal”.

              “Some one else would have done it (And creamed off the money) if I hadn’t”.

              “Eastasia or Westasia this week?

              • McFlock …
                25 February 2015 at 6:19 pm

                yeah.

                Many of them genuinely seem to think that if they got away with it (so far), it can’t be wrong.

                A similar but lighter example is an opinion piece in Stuff today that argued the underarm ball incident was not actually wrong: it was legal, it might have been possible to still hit a six and tie the game, even if it wasn’t possible then the bowler could have bowled a perfect ball that was impossible to hit for six, or that the aussie team could have turned into the keystone cops and allowed NZ to get six runs via fielding errors.

                There’s a basic inability to recognise a dick move when it’s there. That winning a game of athletic skill via bureaucratic oversight is preferable to getting a draw. That exploiting a tax loophole to pay less than your fair share is fine because it’s temporarily legal. That taking the ability the Executive has to use the armed forces speedily to react to threats and using it to avoid gaining parliament’s permission for a contentious, planned, long term deployment is not an abuse of the very democracy that parliament is there to exercise.

                And the signature of a dick is to not know or care that it’s a dick. That’s why key shrugs his shoulders so often.

                • One Anonymous Bloke …
                  25 February 2015 at 6:24 pm

                  Imagine the cast of Hot Fuzz intoning “The letter of the law, the letter of the law…”

                  National Party values.

                  • McFlock …
                    25 February 2015 at 6:29 pm

                    actually it’s more like Timothy Dalton’s character thinking that pronouncing it “super marshay” is a cool thing to do, rather than mildly greasy and irritating. 🙂

        • Murray Rawshark 2.1.1.2
          25 February 2015 at 11:37 am

          What tough decisions? A tough decision would be to kick all pedophiles out of the NAct party, or to up the top tax rate, or to chase after corporate fraudsters. Sending our kids to war, or selling state houses are not tough decisions. They come naturally to Tory scum.

        • mac1 2.1.1.3
          25 February 2015 at 12:48 pm

          Boy, Pete, you know how to twist words.

          “When we’re talking about guts, I think I’ll reserve that for the soldiers who we’re sending up there,” Mr Little responded on Firstline this morning.

          “This is one of the most dangerous conflict zones in the world – you don’t need much guts to sit on a leather couch in Wellington and send people off to do your bidding for you, so let’s get that in perspective.”

          Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/little-doesnt-take-guts-to-boss-troops-around-2015022509#ixzz3Si1IYSLK

          Andrew Little was contrasting the amount of guts shown by Key sitting on his couch and the guts shown by the soldiers sent by John Key.

          • mac1 2.1.1.3.1
            25 February 2015 at 10:53 pm

            Sorry chaps. Forgot the rules. DNFTT. Starting at A.

            The aardvark (/ˈɑrd.vɑrk/ ard-vark; Orycteropus afer) is a medium-sized, burrowing, nocturnal mammal native to Africa. It is the only living species of the order Tubulidentata, although other prehistoric species and genera of Tubulidentata are known. Unlike New World edentates such as the giant anteater, it has a long pig-like snout, which is used to sniff out food. It roams over most of the southern two-thirds of the African continent, avoiding mainly rocky areas. A nocturnal feeder, it subsists on ants and termites, which it will dig out of their hills using its sharp claws and powerful legs. It also will utilize its digging ability to create burrows in which to live and rear its young.

    • marty mars 2.2
      25 February 2015 at 8:04 am

      Yep key went for the oscar – simplistic messages delivered as if he believed them – his non-thinking minions will lap it up – pg 101

      • Pete George 2.2.1
        25 February 2015 at 8:10 am

        As it turns out I didn’t like Key’s second speech, I don’t think that was appropriate. But there was an unusual amount of emotion expressed so fair enough for Key to say what he thought.

        And the Green faithful will have lapped up Norman’s naivety and contradictions.

        • marty mars 2.2.1.1
          25 February 2015 at 8:19 am

          attack the Greens, attack the Greens – maintain low tones – attack the Greens, attack the Greens…

          • Sacha 2.2.1.1.1
            25 February 2015 at 11:03 am

            Chard and the other beets are chenopods, a group which is either its own family Chenopodiaceae or a subfamily within the Amaranthaceae. Although the leaves of chard are eaten, it is in the same species as beetroot (garden beet), which is grown primarily for its edible roots. Both are cultivated descendants of the sea beet, Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima, but they were selected for different characteristics.

            Chard is also known by its many common names such as Swiss chard,[7] silverbeet, perpetual spinach, spinach beet, crab beet, bright lights, seakale beet, and mangold.[8] In South Africa, it is simply called spinach.[9]

          • tc 2.2.1.1.2
            25 February 2015 at 11:14 am

            As predictable as the sun coming up each day is old petey.

        • freedom 2.2.1.2
          25 February 2015 at 8:20 am

          “emotion” ? or a loss of composure, due to stress grown from insincere motives

          • Jenny Kirk 2.2.1.2.1
            25 February 2015 at 10:00 am

            “emotion ? or a loss of composure..”.

            I thought it was an act. ShonKey using some false “emotion” to try to show sheeples that he really does believe this tripe about needing to go to war.

            The guy is an actor. A puppet. Whose strings are pulled from afar, and who has never shown his real self to NZers.

            • Rosie 2.2.1.2.1.1
              25 February 2015 at 10:41 am

              +1 Jenny and freedom.

              Key’s performance yesterday was Oscar worthy. He has to make an effort to convince NZer’s he’s made the right decision. And I agree with freedom, he is under stress and losing his composure.

              Bullshitting to save your arse can be really stressful, and add all that acting effort, it’s no wonder he’s looking a bit undone.

            • rhinocrates 2.2.1.2.1.2
              25 February 2015 at 6:15 pm

              I remember Peter Sellers on The Muppet Show, where he said, “There isn’t a me, I’ve had it surgically removed!”

        • Stuart Munro 2.2.1.3
          25 February 2015 at 12:09 pm

          E. lecontei adults are smaller than most terrestrial weevils, measuring only 3 mm in length. This weevil is generally dark-colored with a pattern of dark brown/black and yellowish stripes on the dorsal half, fading to a lighter, yellow-beige underbelly. However, some weevil individuals vary in color from almost completely tan to beige.

        • tracey 2.2.1.4
          25 February 2015 at 12:19 pm

          “From observing your pet every day, you’ll have noticed that your cat has a pattern that it follows quite religiously. For example, your adult indoor cat might spend the mornings lying in a pool of sunshine in the corner of the dining room. Later, he watches you as you go about your household chores, and then his rigorous day winds down with a patient vigil by the kitchen door waiting for his children – otherwise known as your children – to come home. Your feline has developed these routines to protect his territory and frequently your pet’s definition of “territory” includes his human family members.

          As your cat grows older, he becomes less capable of adapting to changes in his environment. Your pet gets particular about even the smallest detail of his surroundings and will notice changes in food (brand or type), the consistency of his litter and even in your schedule or in the schedules of other family members. Abrupt or drastic changes in your cat’s routine and environment can produce a great deal of stress, which can result in a variety of stress-induced behaviors – including litter box problems, aggression, self-mutilation or general despondency.

          The best possible way to keep your cat stress free is to try to maintain your daily routine and to keep changes to a minimum. When changes are necessary, try introducing them to your cat gradually while leaving every other aspect of the routine in place. Limit exposure to new people and new foods, etc., on the first day and increase the exposure to newness over a seven-day period. If you have houseguests or other situations where the household is materially changed, remember to give your cat as much extra attention as you can.”

  3. gsays 3
    25 February 2015 at 8:01 am

    what with: spying in tangimoana on behalf of the us,
    rounding up that pesky german,
    altering nz labour law,
    offering tax breaks to american film companies,
    sending kiwi soldiers to help clean up another us war,
    and being a golf buddy to the pousa.

    i am reminded of a the the song, heartland.
    youtube.com/watch?v=1osdqwaiu08

    ” The ammunition’s being passed and the lords been praised
    But the wars on the televisions will never be explained
    All the bankers gettin’ sweaty beneath their white collars
    As the pound in our pocket turns into a dollar

    This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.
    This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.
    This is the 51st state of the U.S.A.

    this may give an insight to what our dear leader wants our new flag to look like.

  4. dv 4
    25 February 2015 at 8:06 am

    Last year there we not going to be boots on the ground this year….

    Tough decision HA
    The tough decision would be Not to go

    And it is not his kids that he is putting in danger.

    my problem is I find it difficult to trust anything Key says.

  5. philj 5
    25 February 2015 at 8:07 am

    Key says we are sending Army ‘trainers’ to Iraq in order to keep us Kiwis safe. You cannot be serious!

  6. Tautoko Mangō Mata 6
    25 February 2015 at 8:26 am

    …and his announcement has just made Kiwis less safe!
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/66608944/brace-for-is-threats-analyst-warns

  7. Coffee Connoissuer 7
    25 February 2015 at 8:29 am

    a reply given in a discussion of what children should be taught in schools..

    “What about: a history of morals, ethics and decency – self realisation and why being a dick gets you no where”

    brilliant!!

  8. vto 8
    25 February 2015 at 9:10 am

    Key makes even more of a joke of himself when he yells like a show-off schoolboy.

    He has no gravitas, no mana. He is just an empty hollow man and his yelling speech yesterday evidenced this yet again.

  9. freedom 9
    25 February 2015 at 9:12 am

    Meanwhile, in one of the great cities of our friend the USA, the rule of law is ? ? ?
    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/02/chicago-police-operating-cia-style-black-site-for-domestic-interrogations-report

  10. phillip ure 10
    25 February 2015 at 9:22 am

    “..Pot is 114 Times Safer Than Booze – Says Study..

    ..New research finds pot is the least deadly among recreational drugs –

    – by far..”

    (cont..)

    http://www.alternet.org/pot-114-times-safer-booze-says-study

    • Clemgeopin 10.1
      25 February 2015 at 9:31 am

      But isn’t it better, healthier and safer to live without either of those?

      And Oh, also by boycotting and without visiting our casinos ever again for good measure?

      • phillip ure 10.1.1
        25 February 2015 at 9:41 am

        ideally..i guess..

        (but that is really up there with ‘wouldn’t it be nice if everyone had a pony?’..

        ..as in..it isn’t going to happen..)

        ..and the facts of the matter are that young people (esp.) of most cultures like to take intoxicants of some form..

        ..(it is/always has been – thus..and not only for ‘the young’..)

        ..so we have the intoxicant safest by ‘114 times’..being prohibited..

        ..and the intoxicant ‘114’ times more dangerous..

        ..the killer-drug alcohol..

        ..is advertised/encouraged..

        • Clemgeopin 10.1.1.1
          25 February 2015 at 9:57 am

          True, true.

          Like the rum or the coke dilemma. ‘Which is more harmful?’

        • adam 10.1.1.2
          25 February 2015 at 10:01 am

          Alcohol is not so much the elephant in the room – It’s were is the room, because I can’t see anything but the elephant.

          As long as we keep up prohibition – people suffer, people dying suffer, families suffer, criminals are made for no reason, racist cops have laws which enable them to be racists, and we can’t tell children not to smoke pot in a public debate.

          Clemgeopin, live pure – like that going to happen. I’d rather we had open debate around drugs and drug use rather than it being hidden.

          Hell I dream of the day we can have adds on TV which say.

          “Don’t smoke pot and drink alcohol together – why? Because – it really does make you into an arsehole”

          or

          “Smoking pot under the age of 21 is like drinking under 21 – a licence to make you stupid and compliant. Wait till your 21 ah.”

          • Colonial Rawshark 10.1.1.2.1
            25 February 2015 at 10:25 am

            Making marijuana medically available and also an R21 drug has merits worth considering.

          • weka 10.1.1.2.2
            25 February 2015 at 10:40 am

            alcohol and cannabis aren’t the problem. Why some people use in unhealthy ways is where to look if we want to see the problem. Take away the drugs, what are those people going to do?

          • Clemgeopin 10.1.1.2.3
            25 February 2015 at 11:18 am

            “Clemgeopin, live pure”

            I didn’t say I don’t enjoy a drink.

            • weka 10.1.1.2.3.1
              25 February 2015 at 11:57 am

              “But isn’t it better, healthier and safer to live without either of those?”

              What did you mean by that? I took that to mean you support complete abstinence as ideal.

            • adam 10.1.1.2.3.2
              25 February 2015 at 2:02 pm

              What Weka said

              • Clemgeopin …
                25 February 2015 at 5:14 pm

                No, no, I do enjoy a drink or three.
                Don’t do drugs and will most certainly NEVER visit a NZ casino EVER AGAIN after the recent fiasco and the disgraceful dodgy nexus between the two evils : The nasty Nats and the gambling Casino goons.

        • greywarshark 10.1.1.3
          25 February 2015 at 11:37 am

          Cripes phillip u can you stay off pot for a week? I am not talking about what happens at your place just give us a break here. Make that a month would you. I and some others would be grateful to not have that subject for a good while.

          • phillip ure 10.1.1.3.1
            25 February 2015 at 12:57 pm

            legalise it and i’ll shut up…

            ..’till then…

            • lprent 10.1.1.3.1.1
              25 February 2015 at 1:02 pm

              …and regulate and tax it heavily.

              (You always seem to miss that crucial part)

              • phillip ure …
                25 February 2015 at 1:58 pm

                not really…

                ..legalise..regulate..tax is/has been the/my basic argument all along..

                ..i just don’t necessarily restate the pillars in every story/link..

                ..and as for txing..

                ..didyaknow that colorado has taken so much income from tax from legal pot..

                ….it breaches some sort of government-greed stricture..

                ..and that excess tax will be distributed back to the citizens of colorado..

                ..legal pot..and a tax-refund..?

                ..only a true curmudgeon wd sneer @ that..

              • Clemgeopin …
                25 February 2015 at 4:27 pm

                “…and regulate and tax it heavily”

                Regulating it is fine but taxing it ‘heavily’ is not so much because, as is always the case, be it tobacco, dope, or GST, it will hit the poorest the most…and in the case of dope, I think it will be the gangs that will rub their hands with joy and heartily support ‘heavy’ taxes!

                • Colonial Rawshark …
                  25 February 2015 at 4:40 pm

                  Even after heavy taxation the price is going to be cheaper than today’s black market prices.

    • Lanthanide 10.2
      25 February 2015 at 1:12 pm

      I was wondering how long it would take you to reference that red herring of a study.

      They simply compared the lethal dose 50 of alcohol to the lethal dose 50 of marijuana.

      The LD50 of alcohol is significantly lower than marijuana. That’s it. That’s all the study found.

      It doesn’t mention anything about societal use or injuries / damage caused by the drugs, it’s purely looking at the dose it would take to kill you.

      You might notice, that very few people actually die of alcohol poisoning. Virtually no one dies of marijuana poisoning.

      These findings are not news nor surprising to anyone who understands what the study is *actually* about. Unfortunately, as usual, the media have boiled it down to the lowest-common-denominator and written a headline and article that distorts the study to a huge degree and presents it as if it is some great new finding and is somehow relevant to the marijuana vs alcohol debate, when really it warrants nothing more than a passing interest.

      • phillip ure 10.2.1
        25 February 2015 at 1:52 pm

        oh..!..ok..lath..

        ..how about you link us to yr research that shows how cannabis is a far more dangerous drug than alcohol..

        ..u r dancing around the edges..

        ..deliberately missing the point..

        ..is it only 95 times worse than alcohol..not 114..?

        ..50 times..?

        ..and factcheck…unless a bale of it falls on yr head..

        ..there is no ‘lethal-dose’ of pot..

        ..booze however..?

        • te reo putake 10.2.1.1
          25 February 2015 at 2:04 pm

          Who needs a link? The damage is obvious every time you post, Phil.

          • McFlock 10.2.1.1.1
            25 February 2015 at 2:29 pm

            correlation != causation 🙂

          • phillip ure 10.2.1.1.2
            25 February 2015 at 2:41 pm

            waiting for the body-bags..?..war-monger..?

            ..will you still be such an armchair-warrior when that happens..eh..?

            ..you fucken unthinking-fool..

            ..trp..supporting/handwringing-around cia propaganda-campaigns..

            .. since at least..gadfaffi..

            • te reo putake 10.2.1.1.2.1
              25 February 2015 at 2:53 pm

              Change down man, find your neutral space …

              • phillip ure …
                25 February 2015 at 3:00 pm

                war-mongering/unthinking clowns piss me off..

                ..i have no ‘neutral-space’ for fools such as that..

                (and i can roll joints like that..)

                • phillip ure …
                  25 February 2015 at 7:00 pm

                  who said americans as a nation are warmongering psycopathic-bastards..?

                  ..is it because in the 237 yrs since the foundation of america -america has largely been at war..?

                  – guess how many years of those 237 america was not at war with someone..?

                  ..21 yrs…

                  .21 out of 237..

                  ..that means that since its’ founding..

                  ..america has been in a state of war for 93% of the fucken time..

                  ..deserving of a ‘whoar!’..?..surely..?

        • Lanthanide 10.2.1.2
          26 February 2015 at 10:08 am

          You’ve completely missed my point, of course.

          How about we compare the boiling points of THC and ethanol and use that guide us as to whether the drugs should be illegal or not?

          That would only be slightly less relevant that what the study is talking about.

          • phillip ure 10.2.1.2.1
            26 February 2015 at 10:14 am

            no..u miss the point..

            ..that alcohol is far more dangerous than cannabis..

            ..r u arguing against that proposition..?

            ..legalise..!..regulate..!..tax..!

            • Lanthanide 10.2.1.2.1.1
              26 February 2015 at 10:38 am

              No, I’m not arguing against that proposition. Alcohol is obviously much more damaging to society and individuals than marijuana is.

              I’m saying *this* article doesn’t offer any new insight to anyone who would be making legislative decisions about this. Anyone trumpeting this as some sort of grand new evidence is misguided.

              In simple terms: this study is telling us what we already knew and what was already obvious.

              • phillip ure …
                26 February 2015 at 1:52 pm

                so why isn’t it legal..?

                ..if it is so fucken ‘obvious’..?

                ..and i thought the article/information was useful..

                ..emphasising how dangerous alcohol is..

                ..and how not dangerous cannabis is..

  11. adam 11
    25 February 2015 at 9:52 am

    Just a couple of pieces to remind people that rabid right wing have no morals. They love money not people and are only interested in “the bottom line”. The sooner we stand up against this greed mentality – the better for humanity and an increased chance for it’s survival, as we approach the end of the golden weather.

    http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/02/20/16796/hsbcs-political-committee-goes-dark-days-swiss-leaks-scandal

    http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/02/24/16809/mitt-romney-rand-paul-and-porno-spoof

  12. Ennui 12
    25 February 2015 at 10:20 am

    Anybody notice that Thea Muldoon passed away? It’s on Stuff. Given his turbulent political career I can only hope she enjoyed a peaceful widowhood.

    • greywarshark 12.1
      25 February 2015 at 11:41 am

      Barry Gustafson I think was on Radionz – came to know her well. She was very supportive of old Fartface and was a true blue lady herself. She probably enjoyed a relationship with Margaret Thatcher. I think she had a pretty good time of it all.

      Cf Margaret Thorn’s life. Now that was a staunch and beautiful woman to admire. Does anyone remember her?

      • Molly 12.1.1
        25 February 2015 at 4:36 pm

        Thanks for that greywarshark. Just read a short piece about her on Te Ara website. Sounds like an interesting and admirable woman, and the experience of her and her husband is a timely one to read regarding the ISIS discussion.

        As for the title of her last book: “Stick out, and keep left”. Pretty much sums it up.

        • greywarshark 12.1.1.1
          25 February 2015 at 6:11 pm

          Yes Molly I had the book in the back of my mind for yonks but couldn’t get the name right and I think Ennui or one of the stalwarts here gave me the steer.

          And the difference between now and how politics used to be! At one stage she and her husband filled a major political role, can’t remember the exact position and she visited an organisation in her elevated capacity. Then they were out of government, her husband got sick, and she was back at that organisation as a cook working flat out in the kitchens. Real Cinderella stuff. A very hard worker. Both of the Thorns were.

          • Anne 12.1.1.1.1
            25 February 2015 at 6:48 pm

            Thea Muldoon was a genuine conservative lady – one of the old fashioned
            Conservatives who believed in following and supporting her husband at all cost. I met her once after her husband had died and realised she was a kind and genuine person. She was a product of her conservative upbringing, but I came to admire her for her loyalty and decency.

            RIP Thea Muldoon.

      • Ergo Robertina 12.1.2
        25 February 2015 at 11:22 pm

        Grey – Best not to compare and contrast these very different women in this manner.
        Would you do the same if a man you disliked passed away (find a ‘worthy’ man with whom to compare him)?

        I agree with Anne’s sentiments; nicely put.

  13. Colonial Rawshark 13
    25 February 2015 at 10:49 am

    Massive methane gas blowholes opening up in SIberia

    Seems like Russian scientists think that the “clatharate gun” has gone off. That 2 degree C target is history, methinks, and with it, hundreds of millions of human lives.

    http://rt.com/news/235219-craters-siberia-yamal-lake/

  14. Colonial Rawshark 14
    25 February 2015 at 10:55 am

    US Police now using Stasi secret police tactics on protestors

    Chicago’s “Homan Square” police facility where protestors can get disappeared to and chained up without access to lawyers, phone calls, or contact with the outside world. Detainees are not officially charged.

    This is what the gradual evolution of a totalitarian security state looks like, people.

    http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/feb/24/chicago-police-detain-americans-black-site

    • freedom 14.2
      25 February 2015 at 11:09 am

      I agree, this story cannot be linked to often enough 😉

    • tracey 14.3
      25 February 2015 at 12:22 pm

      CRIPES!!

    • adam 14.4
      25 February 2015 at 2:09 pm

      Can I add, one of the Anarchy-capitalist I talk to sometimes. He’s always good for a argument. Got pulled into something similar to this. Luckily he was missed, and his friends/family knew/guessed it was the cops – so eventually got a lawyer – after 3 days from memory.

      So if you think it’s only us on the left they are targeting – think again.

      • Colonial Rawshark 14.4.1
        25 February 2015 at 2:38 pm

        With their new systems they are targetting anyone who is identified as a potential dissenter to the current systems of privilege and power. That’s why they’ll target lefty protestors, Tea Party members, whistle blowers and journalists.

        This more than anything else, signals how the Left/Right paradigm is breaking down. Now it is about the Inner Circle (and their professional enablers/hangers ons) and Everybody else.

        • te reo putake 14.4.1.1
          25 February 2015 at 2:59 pm

          The PTB want you to think the left/right paradigm is breaking down. It’s actually the monopolist right versus everyone else as we head into peak capitalism.

          • Colonial Rawshark 14.4.1.1.1
            25 February 2015 at 5:40 pm

            Pretty sure peak capitalism was reached by the early 80’s. Crony capitalism and financialisation began to take over then.

            The PTB want you to think the left/right paradigm is breaking down.

            Pretty sure it’s well gone.

          • Bill 14.4.1.1.2
            25 February 2015 at 6:33 pm

            Snowden and Assange? Hitler and Stalin?

            Which ones are left and which ones are right? Which ones a penchant for authoritarianism and which ones not?

            Answering that gives a far clearer picture of potential political friends and enemies 😉

            • te reo putake 14.4.1.1.2.1
              25 February 2015 at 6:58 pm

              Is it a trick question, Bill!?

              Don’t know about Snowden’s politics, but he is currently sheltering in an authoritarian country and Assange is a fan of surprise sex, so probably a wee bit of the do as I say style bastard about him, too. Hitler right, Stalin left, as we know. I think Snowden is probably the only one who might conceivably be ‘left’ but Assange is clearly some sort of libertarian, and, as most of them do when opportunity arises, likes taking an authoritarian line. Though of course it’s not just opportunity that arises with Jules, if you get my drift.

              The point is that Marx is still entirely correct about the class divide and the inevitable tendency of capital to coalesce around itself, sort of a black hole of money, sucking in everything of value including the light of understanding. Unless the working class and its allies recognise that their class interests are not shared by their masters, then we will not have control of our destiny. The bollocks about the left/right paradigm is defeatist and ignorant. But, that’s the way the 1% want it.

              • Bill …
                25 February 2015 at 7:35 pm

                It wasn’t a trick question.

                Snowden is a right wing libertarian, while Assange is a left wing libertarian.

                Hitler was right wing authoritarian and Stalin a left wing authoritarian.

                I guess then (and it is only a guess) that you’d have been among the millions lauding Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin et al last century even as they sent non-authoritarian leftists to the gulags and worse. (Right wing libertarianism didn’t exist back then as a political field of thought as far as I’m aware.)

                And Marx had only a partial insight to class divisions. He missed the co-ordinators – the managers if you prefer – those with a penchant for authoritarianism (wielders of, and/or faithful adherents to) who breath life into the hierarchies of our systems of production and distribution and who, on a 9 – 5 basis, help ‘teach’ workers that ‘this (servility to authority) is the way’.

                Apart from the fact that self labelled ‘right wing libertarians’ are under the delusion that markets are neutral, they exhibit far more understanding of, and appetite for, such basic ‘leftist’ values as liberty, freedom etc than many a supposed left wing liberal…and waaay more than any apologist (many still around!) for what what flowed from Lenin and the Bolsheviks’ successful defeat of the Russian Revolution.

  15. joe90 15
    25 February 2015 at 10:58 am

    Another jurisdiction does the right thing.

    Smoking, growing and owning small amounts of marijuana became legal in Alaska on Tuesday as a growing decriminalization movement reached the United States’ northwest frontier.

    Alaska, which narrowly passed the measure in November, followed Colorado and Washington among states allowing recreational use, reflecting a rapidly shifting legal landscape for the drug.

    http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/24/us-usa-alaska-marijuana-idUSKBN0LS0ZH20150224

  16. rawshark-yeshe 16
    25 February 2015 at 11:05 am

    To think we were once the envy of the world for our compassionate social justice and welfare …

    Paula Bennett and Key are cruel beyond belief … read and weep …

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/66578463/housing-shortage-hits-young-mum-hard

    • freedom 16.1
      25 February 2015 at 11:18 am

      One aspect of that article niggles me bones. The article fails to say why rent has not been paid since October. That seems too obvious a question for the journalist – or the editor – to ignore. Call me a cynic, but could it be they want it to grow negative suspicions in the minds of the reader as to why it has not been paid?

      • rawshark-yeshe 16.1.1
        25 February 2015 at 11:47 am

        it seems to be the date her mother was removed to hospital … then her mother’s death .. fear of winz and generally overwhelmed … who knows ? but the cynic in me agrees with the cynic in you …

        and that must have been her home for her whole life .. imagine the hurt and horror of it …

        • Draco T Bastard 16.1.1.1
          25 February 2015 at 2:39 pm

          and that must have been her home for her whole life

          Nope, 15 years but she’s only 26 so most of her life.

      • Draco T Bastard 16.1.2
        25 February 2015 at 2:37 pm

        Yeah, that was what I was thinking. I suspect that it has something to do with the house being in her mother’s name and with her mother moving into a rest home and then dying has stuffed things up. She’s probably been trying to get things sorted but that’s not mentioned in the article.

        • rawshark-yeshe 16.1.2.1
          25 February 2015 at 3:44 pm

          did you see the picture of her belongings under what looks like cardboard at the back of the house ? Shame on the Winz enforcers treating a young mother and two children like this. THERE ARE NO HOUSES ! and yes, dying has a habit of stuffing things up .. you;d think Winz might fairly know this ? Yeah ? Nah. Not under this regime.

  17. Puckish Rogue 17
    25 February 2015 at 11:19 am

    This is funny though

    “In adopting such an approach, Key was seeking to go over the heads of the media and talk directly to New Zealanders about the reasons why such a deployment is necessary without his rationale being analysed and criticised before the public had actually heard that rationale.”

    The media think that they need to be told first so they can then tell the plebs (sorry people of NZ) what to think

    • rawshark-yeshe 17.1
      25 February 2015 at 11:49 am

      is it funny ?? like really ha ha funny, or just too twisted for words funny ? what did you mean ?

      O, vole mio and all that.

    • tracey 17.2
      25 February 2015 at 12:23 pm

      How do you envisage the plebs knowing about what the Govt is deciding without the media? Examples?

      • felix 17.2.1
        25 February 2015 at 1:16 pm

        When Key says “talk directly to nzers” he doesn’t mean all of them of course.

        Just the important ones.

        • TheContrarian 17.2.1.1
          25 February 2015 at 1:35 pm

          You still have it wrong Felix, just the ones who voted for him

          • te reo putake 17.2.1.1.1
            25 February 2015 at 1:36 pm

            Voted? With their cheque books?

            • mac1 17.2.1.1.1.1
              25 February 2015 at 1:49 pm

              With cheque books it’s called ‘access to minsters’ via the Cabinet Club. $25,000 entry fee. Saves having to vote, knowing that.

              • Puckish Rogue …
                25 February 2015 at 1:59 pm

                Its about value for money, I mean access to a Labour mp would be a packet of biscuits at the most

                • Pasupial …
                  25 February 2015 at 2:18 pm

                  PR

                  Systematic corruption is indeed not so entrenched in the Labour caucus as in NAct’s.

                  • Puckish Rogue …
                    25 February 2015 at 3:01 pm

                    Well lets talk MPs that have been convicted of corruption then

                    I’ll start with Labour and Phillip Field, your turn

                    • McFlock …
                      25 February 2015 at 3:14 pm

                      corruption? You mean like fraud, identity theft, of filing false returns?

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      25 February 2015 at 4:02 pm

                      stupid mistakes, nothing to compare to out and out corruption

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      25 February 2015 at 4:26 pm

                      Sabin.

                      “The NBR understands that the party has known since before the 2011 election…”

                    • McFlock …
                      25 February 2015 at 4:29 pm

                      lolright. Stupid mistakes 🙄

                      Yes, Field was corrupt. Gaining benefit from his role as an MP. He was stood down when the charges were made, and thoroughly investigated and prosecuted by the police.

                      As opposed to, say, using his role as an MP to ask questions that directly pertained to a significant share investment.

                    • framu …
                      25 February 2015 at 4:34 pm

                      or stealing a dead babies identity. Even accepting garrets claim of doing it for a joke its way worse than a stupid mistake

                • KJT …
                  25 February 2015 at 5:46 pm

                  Are you saying that National MP’s just cost more to buy?

                  Or that they do not need bribes while in power as they have lucrative retirement plans, in figurehead directors jobs.
                  Funding by their US corporate pay masters, when they leave Parliament.

                  • Draco T Bastard …
                    25 February 2015 at 6:32 pm

                    He seems to saying the National MPs understand the Golden Rule: He with the gold, rules.

              • Clemgeopin …
                25 February 2015 at 4:34 pm

                ” ‘access to minsters’ via the Cabinet Club. $25,000 entry fee”

                That is the declared open amount. God knows how much more is given under the table, hidden and unaccounted. I won’t be surprised knowing the way the rich crooks and the corrupt politicians work around many corrupt countries.

  19. ankerawshark 19
    25 February 2015 at 12:07 pm

    Hi everyone,

    I feel so incensed about the whole Dong Liu donations saga and the spin about Labour and Liu, that I contacted the Press Council last night and asked them to re-consider Frank Mac’s submission to them about the Herald’s claims that Dong Liu donated $$$$ to Labour. The complaint from Frank wasn’t upheld, because the Herald maintained there was “more to come” about Liu and Labour. And of course nothing has come about Labour and Liu, but indeed we find out it was National receiving donations.

    Last night I re-submitted Frank’s complaint to the Press Council, copied a link about National’s donations and asked them to re-consider Frank’s complaint. (hope that’s o.k. Frank???? didn’t know how to contact you to get your permission);

    Much to my surprize I had an email this morning saying it would be re-presented to the council.

    I will keep you updated!

  21. Once was Tim 21
    25 February 2015 at 12:57 pm

    Autralians (Tarn Yabbit and Joe Joe) just announcing changes to foreign ownership of houses and farms.
    … a register
    … a $5k application fee for houses under 1 mill
    … a 10k application fee over 1 mill
    … breaking the rules, $25k fine with the potential for confiscation
    … a claim that the rules will be strictly enforced

    (Sky News)

    • Tracey 21.1
      25 February 2015 at 2:04 pm

      will 25k be a detterent or merely seen as a business cost?

      • Once was Tim 21.1.1
        25 February 2015 at 2:10 pm

        probably the latter but the potential for confiscation might be a deterrent. We’ll see just how strictly the rules are enforced. I was just interested to see on Planet Key the Prime Munster still appears to be ‘comfortable’ by comparison

      • Once was Tim 21.1.2
        25 February 2015 at 9:50 pm

        Correction:
        That fine is ‘… up to 25 PERCENT of the value of the property ….’

    • ianmac 22.1
      25 February 2015 at 2:28 pm

      In some areas fierce fights break out when a person is wearing the wrong colours which denote a rival gang. Pretty awful that a PM indulges in gang colour sneers.

  23. ianmac 23
    25 February 2015 at 2:33 pm

    ” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declined an invitation to meet with US Senate Democrats during his trip to Washington next week.

    “Though I greatly appreciate your kind invitation to meet with Democratic Senators, I believe that doing so at this time could compound the misperception of partisanship regarding my upcoming visit,” Netanyahu wrote in a letter to Senators Richard Durbin and Dianne Feinstein.”

    What a cheek coming from an awful chap who is so backed by the republicans. Hypocrisy?

  25. joe90 25
    25 February 2015 at 3:35 pm

    Another day, another rort.

    ( heh, gold buggers can’t quite get it right)

    At least 10 banks, including Barclays Plc, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Deutsche Bank AG, are being probed by the Justice Department’s antitrust division, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the matter is confidential.

    Precious metals have come under scrutiny as authorities around the world investigate allegations that other financial benchmarks have been rigged. While the Justice Department’s probe is in its early stages, the Swiss finance regulator included the issue in a November settlement with UBS Group AG over currency-rate manipulation. Switzerland’s antitrust regulator said Tuesday that it opened a preliminary probe into the possibility of price fixing in the precious-metals market.

    http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-24/banks-said-to-face-u-s-manipulation-probe-over-metals-pricing?

  27. marty mars 27
    25 February 2015 at 3:45 pm

    News I’d like to hear

    Great news that once again a person endangering lives has been stopped – this person was under the influence of ‘foreign’ and weaving all over his lies – concerned citizens confiscated Mr Key and handed him over to the police. “No comet” was the only comment Mr Key could make as he sat dejectedly in his mobile awaiting orders.

  28. ianmac 28
    25 February 2015 at 5:14 pm

    2015: Mr Key is adamant that NZ will be in Iraq for no more than 2 years. Adamant! Repeated and adamant.

    2017: Mr Key says his statement about 2 years was misunderstood. He really meant that 2 years meant about 2 years and maybe as much as 10 years.

    Journalists accepted his word and applauded his resoluteness.

  29. Paul 29
    25 February 2015 at 6:35 pm

    That was very convenient.
    Wonder if the charges were timed to distract from any criticism of Key the warmonger.
    Dirty Politics again.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11407862

    • dv 29.1
      25 February 2015 at 6:47 pm

      Yes timing very interesting.

    • mickysavage 29.2
      25 February 2015 at 6:47 pm

      I have no reason to question the charges but Carmel did the right thing by immediately telling Little’s CoS and by agreeing to stand down and Little has done the right thing by standing her down. The charges relate to her mother and she had no idea they existed until she was asked about them today. Note no attempt to hide or suppress the information unlike other cases. And it will be interesting to see how the right spin this.

      AND it would be interesting to find out how TV one found out …

    • Alpha z 29.3
      25 February 2015 at 7:52 pm

      paula bennet minster for welfare, & opposit of carmel sepuloni at parlement & elections. hope this is not extra special utu from bennet for carmel. can be or not, I think yes.

  30. freedom 30
    25 February 2015 at 6:52 pm

    Some contemporary kiwiland commentary from Tourettes, and it’s only a dollar
    https://tourettesone.bandcamp.com/track/john-keys-sons-a-dj

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    Ele Ludemann writes – That Kāinga Ora is a mess is no surprise, but the size of the mess is. There have been many reports of unruly tenants given licence to terrorise neighbours, properties bought and left vacant, and the state agency paying above market rates in competition ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • How serious is an MP’s failure to declare $178k in donations?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  It’s being explained as an “inadvertent error”. However, National MP David MacLeod’s excuse for failing to disclose $178,000 in donations for his election campaign last year is not necessarily enough to prevent some serious consequences. A Police investigation is now likely, and the result ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the privatising of state housing provision, by stealth
    The scathing “independent” review of Kāinga Ora barely hit the table before the coalition government had acted on it. The entire Kāinga Ora board will be replaced, and a new chair (Simon Moutter) has been announced. Hmm. No aspersions on Bill English, but the public would have had more confidence ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    2 days ago

  • Our House.
    I'll light the fireYou place the flowers in the vaseThat you bought todayA warm dry home, you’d think that would be bread and butter to politicians. Home ownership and making sure people aren’t left living on the street, that’s as Kiwi as Feijoa and Apple Crumble. Isn’t it?The coalition are ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Getting to No
    Politics is about compromise, right?  And framing it so the voters see your compromise as the better one.  John Key was a skilful exponent of this approach (as was Keith Holyoake in an earlier age), and Chris Luxon isn’t too bad either. But in politics, the process whereby an old ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – How does the Medieval Warm Period compare to current global temperatures?
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: How serious is an MP’s failure to declare $178k in donations?
    It’s being explained as an “inadvertent error”. However, National MP David MacLeod’s excuse for failing to disclose $178,000 in donations for his election campaign last year is not necessarily enough to prevent some serious consequences. A Police investigation is now likely, and the result of his non-disclosure could even see ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Get your story straight, buddy
    The relentless drone coming out of the Prime Minister and his deputy for a million days now has been that the last government was just hosing  money all over the show and now at last the grownups are in charge and shutting that drunken sailor stuff down. There is a word ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • A govt plane is headed for New Caledonia – here’s hoping the Kiwis stranded there get better ser...
    Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed a New Zealand Government plane will head to riot-torn New Caledonia in the next hour in the first in a series of proposed flights to begin bringing New Zealanders home. Today’s flight will carry around 50 passengers with the most ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Who is David MacLeod?
    Precious declaration saysYours is yours and mine you leave alone nowPrecious declaration saysI believe all hope is dead no longerTick tick tick Boom!Unexploded ordnance. A veritable minefield. A National caucus with a large number of unknowns, candidates who perhaps received little in the way of vetting as the party jumped ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • The Four Knights
    Rex Ahdar writes –  The Rt Hon Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, likes to trace his political lineage back to the pioneers of parliamentary Maoridom.   I will refer to these as the ‘big four’ or better still, the Four Knights. Just as ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Could Willie Jackson be the populist leader that Labour need?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Willie Jackson will participate in the prestigious Oxford Union debate on Thursday, following in David Lange’s footsteps. Coincidentally, Jackson has also followed Lange’s footsteps by living in his old home in South Auckland. And like Lange, Jackson might be the sort of loud-mouth scrapper ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Unacceptable
    That is the only way to describe an MP "forgetting" to declare $178,000 in donations. The amount of money involved - more than five times the candidate spending cap, and two and a half times the median income - is boggling. How do you just "forget" that amount of money? ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Justice for Gaza!
    It finally happened: the International Criminal Court prosecutor is seeking an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes in Gaza: The chief prosecutor of the international criminal court has said he is seeking arrest warrants for senior Hamas and Israeli officials for war crimes and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Media Link: AVFA on the implications of US elections.
    In this week’s “A View from Afar” podcast Selwyn Manning and spoke about the upcoming US elections and what the possibility of another Trump presidency means for the US role in world affairs. We also spoke about the problems Joe … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    3 days ago

  • Web of Chaos, Secret Dolphins & Monster Truck Madness
    Hi,Two years ago I briefly featured in Justin Pemberton’s Web of Chaos documentary, which touched on things like QAnon during the pandemic.I mostly prattled on about how intertwined conspiracy narratives are with Evangelical Christian thinking, something Webworm’s explored in the past.(The doc is available on TVNZ+, if you’re not in ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago

  • How Government’s road obsession is ruining Auckland’s transport plans
    “TL;DR: The reality is that Central Government’s transport policy and direction makes zero sense for Auckland, and if the draft GPS doesn’t change from its original form, then Auckland will be on a collision course with Wellington.” Auckland’s draft Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) 2024 is now out for consultation, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    3 days ago

  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus and pick ‘n’ mix for Tuesday, May 21
    The Government is leaving the entire construction sector and the community housing sector in limbo. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government released the long-awaited Bill English-led review of Kāinga Ora yesterday, but delayed key decisions on its build plan and how to help community housing providers (CHPs) build ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Climate change is affecting mental health literally everywhere
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Daisy Simmons Farmers who can’t sleep, worrying they’ll lose everything amid increasing drought. Youth struggling with depression over a future that feels hopeless. Indigenous people grief-stricken over devastated ecosystems. For all these people and more, climate change is taking a clear toll ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • The Ambassador and Luxon – eye to eye
    New Zealand’s relationship with China is becoming harder to define, and with that comes a worry that a deteriorating political relationship could spill over into the economic relationship. It is about more than whether New Zealand will join Pillar Two of Aukus, though the Chinese Ambassador, more or less, suggested ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • Fast track to environmental degradation
    Been hoping we would see something like this from Sir Geoffrey Palmer. This is excellent.The present Bill goes further than the National Development Act 1979  in stripping away procedures designed to ensure that environmental issues are properly considered. The 1979 approach was not acceptable then and this present approach is ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Leading Labour Off The Big Rock Candy Mountain.
    He’s Got The Moxie: Only Willie Jackson possesses the credentials to meld together a new Labour message that is, at one and the same moment, staunchly working-class, union-friendly, and which speaks to the hundreds-of-thousands of urban Māori untethered to the neo-tribal capitalist elites of the Iwi Leaders Forum.IT’S ONE OF THE ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago

  • Priority is given to powerlines – govt strikes another blow for the economy while Jones fends off ...
    Tree-huggers may well accuse the Government of giving them the fingers, after Energy Minister Simeon Brown announced new measures to protect powerlines from trees, rather than measures to protect trees from powerlines. It can be no coincidence, surely, that this has been announced at the same as Fisheries Minister Shane Jones ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change: The question we need to be asking
    One of National's first actions in government was to dismantle climate change policy, scrapping the clean car discount and overturning the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry, which had given us Aotearoa's biggest-ever emissions reduction. But there's an obvious problem: we needed those emissions reductions to meet our carbon budgets: ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Could Willie Jackson be the populist leader that Labour need?
    Willie Jackson will participate in the prestigious Oxford Union debate on Thursday, following in David Lange’s footsteps. Coincidentally, Jackson has also followed Lange’s footsteps by living in his old home in South Auckland. And like Lange, Jackson might be the sort of loud-mouth scrapper who could take over the Labour ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • The Tikanga challenge for law schools, the rule of law – and Parliament
    Barrister Gary Judd KC’s complaint to the Regulatory Review Committee has sparked a fierce debate about the place of tikanga Māori – or Māori customs, values and spiritual beliefs – in the law.Judd opposes the New Zealand Council of Legal Education’s plans to make teaching tikanga compulsory in the legal curriculum.AUT ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  •  The Huge Potential Benefits of Charter Schools
    Alwyn Poole writes –  In New Zealand we have approximately 460 high schools. The gaps between the schools that produce the best results for students and those at the other end of the spectrum are enormous.In terms of the data for their leavers, the top 30 schools have ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Can Shane Jones be trusted in making Fast-track decisions?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  New Zealand First Cabinet Minister Shane Jones has become the best advertisement against the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill. In selling the radical new resource consenting processes, in which ministers can green light any mine, dam, or other major development, Jones seems to be ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Thinking About The Property Rights In Resource Decisions As Well As Transaction Costs
    Brian Easton writes –  The Fast-Track Approvals Bill enables cabinet ministers to circumvent key environmental planning and protection processes for infrastructure projects. Its difficulties have been well canvassed. This column suggests a different way of thinking about the proposal. I am ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On Israel’s Political Split, And The New Caledonia Crisis
    The split opening up in Israel’s “War Cabinet” is not just between PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his long-term rival Benny Gantz. It is actually a three-way split, set in motion by Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. It was Gallant’s open criticism of Netanyahu that finally flushed Gantz out into the open. ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • After much debate, the Auckland Future Fund was approved. So what should it be used for?
    On Thursday 17 May, the Mayoral Proposal for Auckland’s Long Term Plan 2024-2034 was passed by Auckland Council, 20 to 1. It is set to be formally adopted by the Governing Body at its June 27th meeting. The entire process took 8 hours, with the vast majority of that time ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago

  • The State of the Planet with Chlöe & Marama.
    Pakanga o muaTukua, ka ngaroPuritia taku ringaNgaro ana te ara ki pae rauThere's a battle aheadMany battles are lostBut you'll never see the end of the roadWhile you're travelling with meLate yesterday morning I headed to Wynyard Quarter to see Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick give their pre-budget State of ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • It’s up to Willis now
    Maybe the Prime Minister and his Finance Minister expected the worst, so they mounted a stout defence of the Budget tax cuts to their party faithful at a party conference over the weekend. In turn, they were greeted with applause, which, though it may have been less than wildly enthusiastic, ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #20
    A listing of 34 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, May 12, 2024 thru Sat, May 18, 2024. Story of the week “The legislation I signed today [will] keep windmills off our beaches, gas in our tanks, and ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick ‘n’ mix 6 @ 6:06am on Sunday, May 19
    TL;DR: Here’s six links that stood out to me in the last day in Aotearoa’s political economy to 6:06am on Sunday, May 19:Aotearoa-NZ is the seventh worst in the OECD’s homelessness rankings, just behind the United States and just ahead of Australia. BlackRock thinks rate hikes actually worsen inflation because ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Lords of the flies
    Halfway up a historic tower in York, we are neither up nor down. At the top you will have views of a city steeped in antiquity, made and remade by Romans, Normans, Vikings, Tescos. Below, you will find a retired minister happy to tell you all about this most astonishing ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Middle East, Africa deployments extended
    The Government has approved two-year extensions for four New Zealand Defence Force deployments to the Middle East and Africa, Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced today. “These deployments are long-standing New Zealand commitments, which reflect our ongoing interest in promoting peace and stability, and making active ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • Climate Change Commission Chair to retire
    The Climate Change Commission Chair, Dr Rod Carr, has confirmed his plans to retire at the end of his term later this year, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Prior to the election, Dr Carr advised me he would be retiring when his term concluded. Dr Rod Carr has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago

  • Inaugural Board of Integrity Sport & Recreation Commission announced
    Nine highly respected experts have been appointed to the inaugural board of the new Integrity Sport and Recreation Commission, Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Integrity Sport and Recreation Commission is a new independent Crown entity which was established under the Integrity Sport and Recreation Act last year, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago

  • A balanced Foreign Affairs budget
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters confirmed today that Vote Foreign Affairs in Budget 2024 will balance two crucial priorities of the Coalition Government.    While Budget 2024 reflects the constrained fiscal environment, the Government also recognises the critical role MFAT plays in keeping New Zealanders safe and prosperous.    “Consistent with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago

  • New social housing places to support families into homes
    New social housing funding in Budget 2024 will ensure the Government can continue supporting more families into warm, dry homes from July 2025, Housing Ministers Chris Bishop and Tama Potaka say. “Earlier this week I was proud to announce that Budget 2024 allocates $140 million to fund 1,500 new social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago

  • New Zealand’s minerals future
    Introduction Today, we are sharing a red-letter occasion. A Blackball event on hallowed ground. Today  we underscore the importance of our mineral estate. A reminder that our natural resource sector has much to offer.  Such a contribution will not come to pass without investment.  However, more than money is needed. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago

  • Government sets out vision for minerals future
    Increasing national and regional prosperity, providing the minerals needed for new technology and the clean energy transition, and doubling the value of minerals exports are the bold aims of the Government’s vision for the minerals sector. Resources Minister Shane Jones today launched a draft strategy for the minerals sector in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago

  • Government progresses Māori wards legislation
    The coalition Government’s legislation to restore the rights of communities to determine whether to introduce Māori wards has passed its first reading in Parliament, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says. “Divisive changes introduced by the previous government denied local communities the ability to determine whether to establish Māori wards.” The ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • First RMA amendment Bill introduced to Parliament
    The coalition Government has today introduced legislation to slash the tangle of red and green tape throttling some of New Zealand’s key sectors, including farming, mining and other primary industries. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says the Government is committed to  unlocking development and investment while ensuring the environment is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government welcomes EPA decision
    The decision by Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to approve the continued use of hydrogen cyanamide, known as Hi-Cane, has been welcomed by Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay.  “The EPA decision introduces appropriate environmental safeguards which will allow kiwifruit and other growers to use Hi-Cane responsibly,” Ms ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Speech to Employers and Manufacturers Association: Relief for today, hope for tomorrow
    Kia ora, Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou kātoa Tāmaki Herenga Waka, Tāmaki Herenga tangata Ngā mihi ki ngā mana whenua o tēnei rohe Ngāti Whātua ō Ōrākei me nga iwi kātoa kua tae mai. Mauriora. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the EMA for hosting this event. Let me acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government invests in 1,500 more social homes
    The coalition Government is investing in social housing for New Zealanders who are most in need of a warm dry home, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. Budget 2024 will allocate $140 million in new funding for 1,500 new social housing places to be provided by Community Housing Providers (CHPs), not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • $24 million boost for Gumboot Friday
    Thousands more young New Zealanders will have better access to mental health services as the Government delivers on its commitment to fund the Gumboot Friday initiative, says Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey.  “Budget 2024 will provide $24 million over four years to contract the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill passes first reading
    The Coalition Government’s Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill, which will improve tenancy laws and help increase the supply of rental properties, has passed its first reading in Parliament says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The Bill proposes much-needed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 that will remove barriers to increasing private ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Montecassino Commemorative Address, Cassino War Cemetery
    Standing here in Cassino War Cemetery, among the graves looking up at the beautiful Abbey of Montecassino, it is hard to imagine the utter devastation left behind by the battles which ended here in May 1944. Hundreds of thousands of shells and bombs of every description left nothing but piled ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • First Reading – Repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989
    I present a legislative statement on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill Mr. Speaker, I move that the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. I nominate the Social Services and Community Committee to consider the Bill. Thank you, Mr. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • First reading of 7AA’s repeal: progress for children
    The Bill to repeal Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has had its first reading in Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the care and safety of children in care, says Minister for Children Karen Chhour.  “When I became the Minister for Children, I made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • China Business Summit 2024
    Kia ora koutou, good morning, and zao shang hao. Thank you Fran for the opportunity to speak at the 2024 China Business Summit – it’s great to be here today. I’d also like to acknowledge: Simon Bridges - CEO of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. His Excellency Ambassador - Wang ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Assisted depatures from New Caledonia
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed a New Zealand Government plane will head to New Caledonia in the next hour in the first in a series of proposed flights to begin bringing New Zealanders home.    “New Zealanders in New Caledonia have faced a challenging few days - and bringing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Assisted departures from New Caledonia
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed a New Zealand Government plane will head to New Caledonia in the next hour in the first in a series of proposed flights to begin bringing New Zealanders home.  “New Zealanders in New Caledonia have faced a challenging few days - and bringing them ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government to rollout roadside drug testing
    The Coalition Government will introduce legislation this year that will enable roadside drug testing as part of our commitment to improve road safety and restore law and order, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Alcohol and drugs are the number one contributing factor in fatal road crashes in New Zealand. In ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Minister responds to review of Kāinga Ora
    The Government has announced a series of immediate actions in response to the independent review of Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “Kāinga Ora is a large and important Crown entity, with assets of $45 billion and over $2.5 billion of expenditure each year. It ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour is pleased that Pseudoephedrine can now be purchased by the general public to protect them from winter illness, after the coalition government worked swiftly to change the law and oversaw a fast approval process by Medsafe. “Pharmacies are now putting the medicines back on their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New Zealand-China Business Summit
    Tēnā koutou katoa. Da jia hao.  Good morning everyone.   Prime Minister Luxon, your excellency, a great friend of New Zealand and my friend Ambassador Wang, Mayor of what he tells me is the best city in New Zealand, Wayne Brown, the highly respected Fran O’Sullivan, Champion of the Auckland business ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New measures to protect powerlines from trees
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced that the Government will make it easier for lines firms to take action to remove vegetation from obstructing local powerlines. The change will ensure greater security of electricity supply in local communities, particularly during severe weather events.  “Trees or parts of trees falling on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani win top Māori dairy farming award
    Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani were the top winners at this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy awards recognising the best in Māori dairy farming. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced the winners and congratulated runners-up, Whakatōhea Māori Trust Board, at an awards celebration also attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • DJ Fred Again – Assurance report received
    "On the 27th of March, I sought assurances from the Chief Executive, Department of Internal Affairs, that the Department’s correct processes and policies had been followed in regards to a passport application which received media attention,” says Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden.  “I raised my concerns after being ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • District Court Judges appointed
    Attorney-General Judith Collins has announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges, to replace Judges who have recently retired. Peter James Davey of Auckland has been appointed a District Court Judge with a jury jurisdiction to be based at Whangarei. Mr Davey initially started work as a law clerk/solicitor with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Unions should put learning ahead of ideology
    Associate Education Minister David Seymour is calling on the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) to put ideology to the side and focus on students’ learning, in reaction to the union holding paid teacher meetings across New Zealand about charter schools.     “The PPTA is disrupting schools up and down the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Craig Stobo appointed as chair of FMA
    Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly today announced the appointment of Craig Stobo as the new chair of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Mr Stobo takes over from Mark Todd, whose term expired at the end of April. Mr Stobo’s appointment is for a five-year term. “The FMA plays ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Budget 2024 invests in lifeguards and coastguard
    Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand will continue to be able to keep people safe in, on, and around the water following a funding boost of $63.644 million over four years, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “Heading to the beach for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand and Tuvalu reaffirm close relationship
    New Zealand and Tuvalu have reaffirmed their close relationship, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says.  “New Zealand is committed to working with Tuvalu on a shared vision of resilience, prosperity and security, in close concert with Australia,” says Mr Peters, who last visited Tuvalu in 2019.  “It is my pleasure ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand calls for calm, constructive dialogue in New Caledonia
    New Zealand is gravely concerned about the situation in New Caledonia, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.  “The escalating situation and violent protests in Nouméa are of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.  “The immediate priority must be for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand welcomes Samoa Head of State
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met today with Samoa’s O le Ao o le Malo, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, who is making a State Visit to New Zealand. “His Highness and I reflected on our two countries’ extensive community links, with Samoan–New Zealanders contributing to all areas of our national ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Island Direct eligible for SuperGold Card funding
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has announced that he has approved Waiheke Island ferry operator Island Direct to be eligible for SuperGold Card funding, paving the way for a commercial agreement to bring the operator into the scheme. “Island Direct started operating in November 2023, offering an additional option for people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Further sanctions against Russia
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters today announced further sanctions on 28 individuals and 14 entities providing military and strategic support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  “Russia is directly supported by its military-industrial complex in its illegal aggression against Ukraine, attacking its sovereignty and territorial integrity. New Zealand condemns all entities and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • One year on from Loafers Lodge
    A year on from the tragedy at Loafers Lodge, the Government is working hard to improve building fire safety, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I want to share my sincere condolences with the families and friends of the victims on the anniversary of the tragic fire at Loafers ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Pre-Budget speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for having me here in the lead up to my Government’s first Budget. Before I get started can I acknowledge: Simon Bridges – Auckland Business Chamber CEO. Steve Jurkovich – Kiwibank CEO. Kids born ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand and Vanuatu to deepen collaboration
    New Zealand and Vanuatu will enhance collaboration on issues of mutual interest, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “It is important to return to Port Vila this week with a broad, high-level political delegation which demonstrates our deep commitment to New Zealand’s relationship with Vanuatu,” Mr Peters says.    “This ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Penk travels to Peru for trade meetings
    Minister for Land Information, Chris Penk will travel to Peru this week to represent New Zealand at a meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific region on behalf of Trade Minister Todd McClay. The annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting will be held on 17-18 May ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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