McCully on Music Month
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:26 pm by David FarrarPeople may have noted over time how Labour seems to try and turn every Government opportunity into a partisan event for Labour. One disgraceful recent incident was the attempt to have a medal ceremony for bravery awards in the Labour Party Caucus room.
Murray McCully points out in today’s newsletter the Music Month launch this week:
New Zealanders are now familiar with the sense of entitlement that has become the hallmark of the Clark Labour Government. Another little reminder of this most unlovely characteristic came this week with the launch of New Zealand Music Month. Most would consider such an event an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the New Zealand music industry. But for Judith Tizard and her colleagues it was merely another opportunity to utilise taxpayers’ funds to undertake a bit of gentle marketing for the Labour Party.
The New Zealand Music Commission receives over $1million a year from the taxpayers of New Zealand. Some of these funds, no doubt, were used to host this week’s Music Month launch event in Wellington. And a small clue as to the political character of the event may lie in the fact that the National Party spokesman on Arts and Culture, Christopher Finlayson, was not invited to an event hosted by a taxpayer-owned body – the NZ Music Commission. Never mind. We are sure that Mr Finlayson as a scholarly and courtly individual will most certainly not harbour a grudge if he finds himself as Minister for this body in six months time.
Stung by her shameful exclusion from the group of prime female vocalists who entertained the Labour Party Conference (the various nicknames for which do not bear repeating in a newsletter with such a cultured readership) Ms Tizard was apparently determined to make amends. She climbed onto the stage to accompany musician Chris Knox (yes, the same one you would have seen performing at Labour Party conferences). And witnesses report that she would indeed have made a valuable addition to the Labour Conference quartet.
Towards the end of the Knox/Tizard number, she was apparently joined by completely non-political and dispassionate media commentator Russell Brown (yes, the same one used by state television on channel 7), at the same time as Knox could be heard by the video microphones making a disparaging remark about National MP Katherine Rich. All in all, another day in the life of the New Zealand Music Commission branch of the Labour Party.
This is not an isolated incident. People will recall the disgraceful behaviour towards Don Brash a couple of years ago at another government funded arts event.
The Dominion Post also has an article on the launch and reports on Judith’s response upon being told she failed music quiz (to be fair I am sure I would fail it also):
“I don’t know the details, honey; I just write the policy and ask for the money.”
Indeed. And very successful at it also – the asking that is.
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:38 pm
All that was missing was Helen accompanying them on the violin. After all, mad despots have a proud history of fiddling while their empires burn
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Yeah, but no surprises here, the “musicians” are all notorious liberal leftists themselves – its their default setting because it doesn’t utilize any brainpower.
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 3:47 pm
http://pc.blogspot.com/2008/05/dear-judith.html
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Knox also is quoted as saying he didn’t care about NZ music week, he was just their to promote his album.
Hollow, Hollow capitalist!
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 3:53 pm
The fact that Tizard only managed to get them a paltry milly speaks volumes. By the way, what has Tizard done in the last nine years? I’m not being mean, just wondering, that’s all.
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Do we need a quango such as the New Zealand Music Commission? In my opinion is a waste of money destined to prop up “musicians” which cannot cut in the real world, and the likes of Labour Party proselyitisers/sycophants, a la C. Knox.
That aside, Tizard’s behaviour is lamentable and an indication of the scant brain power this woman possesses.
Roll on Election Day!
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 3:55 pm
At least Helen or Cath are actually in NZ …. some have taken off to warmer climate for the second hols of the year..
Vote:not that ‘he’ has been missed
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Would you like a saucer of milk Gostie?
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 4:04 pm
And does McCully have no shame
http://www.oag.govt.nz/1999/nz-tourism-board
“has there been any, so called, political interference or “ministerial meddling” in the running of the Board’s affairs? ”
The Tourism board wouldnt bend to Generalissimo McCullys will so they were shovelled heaps of public money to clear off
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 4:08 pm
“She was apparently joined by completely non-political and dispassionate media commentator Russell Brown (yes, the same one used by state television on channel 7)”
And of course Shortland Street is really just a propaganda piece for the Health System.
I noted that the Dom Post article also didn’t mention if they’d given the quiz to anyone else – just Tizard…perhaps in the interests of fairness, Mr Finlayson may have been given the quiz too?
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 4:20 pm
GWW3
Nice to see you don’t support people have vacations from work. Of course in your vision of a workers paradise the expctations is for people to work or off to a LABOUR camp you go.
Of course if the Labour led government had more sitting days this year than the 60 odd I am certain the politicans would have to do more work.
Labour only seems interested in trying to rip of the taxpayer again to fund thier next election campaign because they are broke.
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Pitiful attempts at singing seems to be the only way for talentless Ministers to get TV coverage.
Will they never learn???? After the recent marauding attempt by Minsters and Mackie (thank god they haven’t promoted yet another useless seat warmer…altho I note there aren’t many left waiting…) You would think Tizard would learn that not all coverage is worth it…but then again…obviously not.
Pathetic.
DPF I hope you have another video piss-take on the way…
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 4:22 pm
david c you have never seen Shorty Street have you.
Its a private clinic !
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Tres embarrassment GWW!
I’m so out of touch with what’s hip these days.
Maybe Shorty Street is a mouthpiece for John Key? I never trusted that Chris Warner ever since he ditched Alison Raynor at the altar.
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Musicians and artists in general are often lefties. People who care lots about other people, but have no concept of how to implement anything useful to help them. Much easier to just bleat about poverty or whatever the cause of the week is (Africa anybody?) than to deal with the things that are creating that poverty – such as trade barriers, trade subsidies and policies such as “fair trade” that require first world working standards in third world countries. These protectionist policies are also the darling of the left – showing a lack of economic understanding there.
In America we have Clinton and Obama, both claiming protectionist credentials. Lining up to give government subsidies to large businesses, all in the name of protecting jobs. At least McCain has the courage of his convictions – he is openly free trade and is prepared to advocate for it. The disgrace of too many right-wing governments in America has been their willingness to get into bed with vested interests and grow the size of the state/
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Silly, silly post.
McCully and DPF commenting on a music event? In the words of Alex Turner, “do me a favour”.
Stick to the sci fi and not matters you know nothing about.
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 4:52 pm
The rort mongers from Labour just have to keep peeing in the pocket of the anyone that looks set to give them some support.
Anyway where was H1 figuring in the event – doesn’t she have “consort” status to these events with Judith – Mike Moore said so!
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Too much of the NZ “music industry” is underpinned by welfare.
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 5:25 pm
I actually read through these comments looking to see if Russell Brown had popped up with a view on the evening, oh well.
I read this morning’s DomPost article in wonderment at Chris Knox’s mix of rampant socialism (lets roll out a song for the Labour Party conference) and capitalism (“I’m just here to promote my album”). Must be hard to hold those competing values without your head exploding. I’m sure drugs help
Personally, my take is that anything with Judith Tizard involved is just a big political joke, and anything with Chris Knox involved is death-by-music. They deserve each other!
PS. The questions that Judith Tizard was asked in the quiz were bloody hard – can’t say I blame her for getting 6(?) wrong.
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Why is it that socialists and communists are such great promoters of the arts?. Does Dear Leader hope the NZSO will get a stirling bit of music they can all march to carrying red flags, just like North Korea? Or is she hoping some budding artist might draw the portrait of her greatness on the wall of parliament?. I guess they get fuck all right so maybe they hoping for a winner in the arts.
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 5:54 pm
david c you have never seen Shorty Street have you.
Its a private clinic !
Puts on best Dr No voice…..
No Mr Nome, it is you who is wrong.
It is now under the public health system in the series and has been for a few seasons. Looks like you are the one who hasn’t seen Shorty Street.
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 6:00 pm
“Too much of the NZ “music industry” is underpinned by welfare.”
Thats cause none of the talentless pricks could earn a living otherwise RB. Shit I might get out to the burgerking and search for the KING tonight—– Elvis was the last real musical talent in this universe.
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 7:42 pm
I went and saw Wayne Shorter with Danilo Perez, Brian Blade and John Pattituci at the barbican last friday night. Coming up soon, John Mclaughlin then after that Gary Burton with Pat Metheny. Saw Pharoah Sanders a couple of months ago.
Vote:Sorry state of affairs when NZ music is hijacked by labour party strummers and squarkers. But don’t worry NZ, if the artists get close enough to the seats of power then they’ll start to get the recognition they think they deserve and from that confidence will spew forth creativity. Then we’ll all be happy together.
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Ghostwhosmears said “At least Helen or Cath are actually in NZ …. some have taken off to warmer climate for the second hols of the year..
not that ‘he’ has been missed”
OK Ghostie, it’s you who has thread-jacked, but I’m going to call you on it.
It seems to me as though the only people who care that John Key has gone to Hawaii are you and some of your ilk from the left. A touch of envy maybe? For goodness sake, it is the school holidays, Parliament is in recess, and Key has a right to holiday with his family wherever he pleases. Did you moan when Clark climbed Kilimanjaro or went skiing in Scandanavia? And I for one do not begrudge Key time with his family when, if the polls are to be believed, their lives are about to undergo profound change when he becomes Prime Minister.
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 8:30 pm
“Elvis was the last real musical talent in this universe”
Oh man! Party at Johnboy’s place! Rock’n'roll baby!
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 8:52 pm
How much govt. funding did Flight of the Conchords get?
(By the way, that was a pretty nice bitchslap Inventory)
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 8:52 pm
GWW, I am going to out myself as an old school Shortland Street viewer but you are so wrong and I’m glad you came out and said it for us all to see. That hospital was made public many many years ago. I groaned along with the rest of the people when they changed over from the non PC private sector to the wavy gravy public one they have now.
Idiot.
In your world everybody will be on one basic wage and holidays will be banned. We’ll only have one radio station and it will have the Labour quartet playing every hour. Sheesh. People like you continue to reinforce my opinion that leaving NZ as part of the growing exodus was a bloody great idea.
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Cheers helmet – he feckin’ well deserved it!
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 9:56 pm
“he” has had holidays overseas In August last year, Jan this year and again in April. Who does he think he is George Bush.
Kilamanjaro ( once a year) beats Waikiki, unless you are a couch potato and want to listen to Cold Play on the beach ( after pirating the album)
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Do you mean the TV show produced by American cable network HBO (which TVNZ passed on, BTW), or the record released on Seattle-based indie label SubPop?
Meanwhile, for those of us who aren’t perfectly balanced with chips on both shoulders — does anyone really care that Helen Clark owns half her late father-in-law’s house (in England), had routinely travelled overseas for most of her adult life (something I’ve never been able to afford), and prefers such ‘elitist’ pursuits as opera to the league. Who does that uppity bitch think she is? Oh, she’s someone who can expend her free time and discretionary income as she sees fit. Just like John Key.
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Thanks Craig
I was aware of that much!
I’m mainly curious about whether they got much help earlier on. The band’s been around almost ten years I think.
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 10:31 pm
A stand-up comedy duo teaching themselves the guitar as they go, and doing occasional gigs doesn’t quite fit anyone’s definition of a ‘band’. Sorry to say this, but they’ve achieved their success the old fashioned way — creative income redistribution (and this weird thing called day jobs), sleeping on people’s floors, a lot of hard work, industrial strength networking and a little luck. Strange but true.
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 10:38 pm
ghostwhowalks3 (164) +0 Says:
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:56 pm
“he” has had holidays overseas In August last year, Jan this year and again in April. Who does he think he is George Bush.
What a sad pathetic little person you are ghost. You personify the politics of envy that your once proud labour movement has descended into.
Vote:Once a man would have been proud that by his labours he had prospered and would hope that others could do the same. You give me the impression that if you had more than ten brain cells you could possibly aspire to be the replacement for that other sad bitter little man of labour Michael Cullen (when he finally carks it to the relief of us all).
But he has fifteen brain cells apparently so you will have to settle for Trevor Mallards job as resident guard dog.
Seeing you are both barking mad this should be easy for you.
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:48 pm
“replacement for that other sad bitter little man of labour Michael Cullen (when he finally carks it to the relief of us all).”
…Hehehe… “carks it”… dead… good!… hehehe… socialist overlord… dead… hehehe…
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 11:21 pm
I do hope Judith flew Russell down so he didn’t have to dip into the production travel budget for that dire piece of shite he presents…
Vote:May 2nd, 2008 at 11:22 pm
No need to apologise Craig- it’s the answer I was kind of hoping for, I think it makes a very relevant sidenote to this discussion. Cheers.
Vote:May 3rd, 2008 at 12:10 am
hehe gww3 is jealous of john key being able to afford a holiday in hawaii. You need to set your expectations of yourself a bit higher. Or you could spend your life being miserable that others are happy, your choice. It makes me kind of happy to know that you are miserable because I’m happy (because I can afford a holiday in hawaii too). Unless that is if you’re miserable on others behalf and if that’s the case then I wonder if these others are as miserable as you?
Vote:May 3rd, 2008 at 12:35 am
Hey wow, i can afford a holiday in Hawaii too. Shame it’s such a shitty place then.
Vote:May 3rd, 2008 at 12:42 am
Ooops Sorry.
Thought it was about music ” Mouth “…
Had my money at a hundred to one on the LIARBOUR QUARTET ..
Vote:May 3rd, 2008 at 12:46 am
I agree. Hawaii sucks. Waves too perfect and the weather is relentlessly warm and inviting. Can’t see key out at the pipe though. He’ll be in the city beaches with his pasty white pins sticking out below some touristy floral shorts with a boogie board giggling like a kid thinking he’s happy.
Vote:May 3rd, 2008 at 8:58 am
Shessh GWW – you just can’t let it go can you. I guess you’ve become so cushioned at having everything organised for you by this meddling government that the concept of free choice is an anathema. I guess that’s why the concept of an aspirational government that encourages freedom and enterprise represents such a threat. And if being controlled is your thing, well, there’s always the EB lol
Vote:May 3rd, 2008 at 11:21 am
NZD.JPY: enlighten me on the difference between thinking that you are happy and actually being happy? Seems to me if you get into analysing that too much you’ll end up unhappy when you were actually happy. If you get what I mean.
Vote:May 3rd, 2008 at 11:24 am
# Mickey D (80) Add karma Subtract karma –14 Says:
May 2nd, 2008 at 4:45 pm
“Silly, silly post.
McCully and DPF commenting on a music event? In the words of Alex Turner, “do me a favour”.
Stick to the sci fi and not matters you know nothing about.”
Mickey D, I suggest that there would be no need for this post if SOCIALIST POLITICIANS weren’t meddling in areas that THEY know nothing about, either………A “music event” ? Yeah, RIIIIIGHT……..
Vote:May 3rd, 2008 at 11:29 am
I’ve commented on this before, that musicians and other artists are more CONTRARIANS than Leftists, put them under too much leftism and they become freedom lovers. Remember that joke about a string quartet catching a flight from LA to Moscow circa 1970………That’s a Russian Orchestra after a tour of the US……..HAHAHAHAHAHA.
To use a phrase of a lefty pop singer, “You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone”……….goes for freedom too, Joni……
Vote:May 3rd, 2008 at 11:37 am
PaulL – Thinking you’re happy is a chemical thing, ask philu, easy to fake. Being happy is knowing that LABOUR IS GETTING A BLOODY GREAT MAULING OVER HERE!!!! WOOHOOO!!!!!
Vote:May it be a global phenomenom.
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Ah, so you mean that John Key was actually happy!
Vote: