A diverting tale
Passengers on the 10.15 pm ferry to Waiheke Island last night were puzzled. The late night ferries go directly from Auckland to Waiheke. It is only during the day that some also go via Devonport.
So why was their ferry heading towards Devonport instead of Waiheke, meaning the 100 or so people on board would be late arriving? Was there some emergency? Was it a VIP in urgent need of assistance?
The speculation grew. The back story is that a certain politician had earlier in the evening got into the wrong queue at the wharf, and thinking he was heading to Waiheke, was on the Devonport ferry instead and ended up in Devonport in the late evening. Now he could have easily got the ferry back to Auckland and then catch the late (11.45 pm) ferry to Waiheke.
But instead it was suggested he could ask Fullers to divert the Auckland to Waiheke ferry to pick him up in Devonport. This appealed to him as it is far better 100 people are delayed 15 minutes than he is delayed 90 minutes, but he had a fear. What if Waiheke Island resident Michelle Boag was on board?
His diversion was sure to leak out if she was. So he calculated the odds, thinking it was highly unlikely Boag would be returning so late at night. Fullers couldn’t tell him if she was on board or not so he took a punt and the ferry was asked to divert all the way to Devonport to pick him up.
Everyone on board is peering to see who this VIP was. And Chris Carter bounds up the gangway onto the ferry, enters the cabin and exclaims loudly “Oh fuck, hello Michelle”. What very bad luck 
Anyway we are glad to have confirmation that Chris is visiting New Zealand again, and am looking forward to reading his report on the three weeks spent checking on the St Kitts and Nevis elections of a few thousand people. I’ve been checking the Commonwealth website every day since their election and no report has yet to appear, despite reports for elections held later, already being up there.
UPDATE: Chris has given his version of events on Red Alert and in a comment here. Rather excitably I have been accused of failing to post Chris’ comment which he made at 11.03. But I have 100 witnesses to the fact I was not online then. First time commenters always go into moderation as an anti-spam device. From 10 am to 11.30 am I was a guest speaker to a Pol Sci class at Auckland University. And afterwards I had lunch with my fellow guest speaker Matt McCarten and then was driving to Warkworth where I have just arrived. So no great conspiracy – the comment was approved at the first opportunity.
The Dom Post has picked up the story and remind us:
In October 2006, Mr Carter reportedly called on navy helicopter to deliver a toothbrush he had left on the frigate Te Mana, moored near Raoul Island north of New Zealand.
Mr Carter, who was conservation minister at the time, was spending the night on the island to commemorate Conservation Department worker Mark Kearney, 33, who was killed in killed in a volcanic eruption.
The navy played down the flight, saying it was a scheduled flight between the frigate and the island, but according to a Herald on Sunday report at the time, could not detail what else the helicopter was carrying or supply details of the mission.
Also the Herald has a story here.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:12 am
Do Fullers have an equivalent of Koru Club for “frequent sailors”? I mean, you can hardly expect Chris Carter to mix with the riff-raff now, can you? I guess we should all be grateful that he didn’t call on the navy for assistance.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:12 am
Yeah, crap Carter, same old.
I’m more interested in why Fullers would even consider doing this. Were they paid for the extra distance and time? Is this something they normally do? They should have told Carter to take a running jump (off the wharf maybe). Or has Auckland become that “celebrity” centric, where it’s normal to make the plebs fit around the bowing and scraping?
Auckland has just been listed 10th on another meaningless list:
That must have taken account of politicians playing watersports.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:13 am
The best piece of news I’ve had all week.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:16 am
Did he have his globetrotting partner with him too?
Sod Fullers they need to reimburse the 100 passengers their fares.
cult of celebrity rears it’s head again in NZ.
what a week first ex AB Brooke now a brown nose MP.
whatever happened to ordinary people.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:18 am
DPF I’m very disappointed to see you picking on the poor man simply because of his “Rainbow” lifestyle.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:18 am
I can understand doing that maybe for a minister (Air NZ always used to be very accomodating in delaying planes) but for an Opposition MP?
February 12th, 2010 at 9:24 am
Wouldn’t going via Devenport be a bit like going thru the back door?
February 12th, 2010 at 9:24 am
I hope the boot will go deep into this kind of behaviour. We don’t need American style politicians here. Admitted, it’s the ruling party there that does it (military planes fly the family of the awfully rich speaker of the house all over the country), but it just shows you how the left has an inborn entitlement mentality.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:24 am
It is almost impossible to believe this. If it is true, the mainstream media should be all over it. And Goff should expel him from the Labour caucus. Enough is surely enought.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:25 am
Pete George asks “did you mean it to be that funny? Did the Fullers captain great Carter with “hello sailor!”?”
There was a touch of sarcasm there Pete. Lowest form of wit and all that, I know; but I couldn’t resist.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:25 am
Theres no doubt now that Carter has a bent compass. Everything he does seems to go in the wrong direction.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:35 am
No-one so deluded as to have such an over inlfated sense of his own importance should be in parliament.
But what on earth was Fullers thinking? I’d be furious if I was a passenger and the ferry diverted for anything but an emergency mission.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:38 am
Pity a couple of the passengers didn’t have the bottle to toss the prick over the side.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:40 am
“No-one so deluded as to have such an over inlfated (sic) sense of his own importance should be in parliament.”
Elle I think you are missing the point that ALL of the people in parliament are there for this very reason.
February 12th, 2010 at 10:06 am
This is one of those “shouldn’t be a scandal, but probably will be” stories. Like Tuku’s underpants, it’s the little things that people remember.
February 12th, 2010 at 10:12 am
It’s an important concept Tim, “serving the people” and not having the people running around after you.
But as others have said, I’d be far more pissed off at Fullers if I was inconvenienced like that. Is it an isolated incident, or an “Auckland attitude” of sucking up to the self appointed hoity toity?
February 12th, 2010 at 10:25 am
You bunch of bastards!
You have heard how Dr the Honourable Lockwood Smith has said that Parliament places an incredible strain on “marriages”, Chris was obviously feeling that strain and used his authority as a hard working MP to pull some strings and hurry home to his spouse, who of you can honestly say that you would not do the same if you had the chance?
You all conveniently overlook the fact that Chris has been overseas for some time working his arse off, he has put aside personal goals and opportunity to go and help the people of some god forsaken Caribbean island usher in democracy, indeed, there can be no better representative if you want to see democracy flourish given that Chris was a high ranking cabinet minister in the thoroughly democratic Helen Clark Labour government.
When you boil it down you bastards are only picking on Chris because he is gay.
February 12th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Steady on people, would you rather Chris had chartered a helicopter? He actually saved the taxpayer money, you people are just too blind to see it. And he was almost certainly on very important State business – perhaps on his way to supervise a Lions club raffle or similar.
Some of you probably won’t even drink homogenised milk.
February 12th, 2010 at 10:54 am
I see Mr Carter has been hard-working, interviewing taxi drivers last night: http://blog.labour.org.nz/index.php/2010/02/12/taxi-fare/
I wonder if the Waiheke locals were as happy with his skills when he forced them to delay their return to Waiheke?
February 12th, 2010 at 10:58 am
would this be the same Michelle Boag who once forgot her passport & had the Westpac Rescue Chopper pick it up & deliver it to her at the airport? A 10min diversion to Waiheke seems almost tame in comparison.
February 12th, 2010 at 11:01 am
Did Mr Carter’s proclivities induce a somewhat Freudian slip to the Devonport queue and the home of the Navy? All those sailors!!
(Hat, Coat, etc!)
February 12th, 2010 at 11:03 am
David,
There’s nothing like a half-truth twisted to suit a certain political agenda.
Yes, I did catch the wrong ferry, and easily done because the departure of the Waiheke ferry had changed from its usual Pier 3 to Pier 1. Never having caught the ferry at night before I did not realise that this was where the night departure takes place.
It’s an absolute lie that I requested to be picked up by the Waiheke ferry at Devonport. I was happy to catch the ferry back to Auckland and jump on the later 11.45pm to Waiheke.
The lovely Fullers crew on the Devonport ferry however, realising I was in the wrong place, offered to contact the Waiheke crew.
I insisted this not happen because it wasn’t a big deal to head back to Auckland. But those lovely men and woman went ahead and did it independently of me and organised a pickup. That’s pretty great service from Fullers and I’ll be sending them a letter of thanks. They told me this sort of thing happens often at night because the Waiheke and Devonport ferries leave from the same place.
Apparently it added a just a few minutes to the Waiheke journey and I apologise to the other passengers for the inconvenience.
Enjoyed chatting to Michelle Boag and grateful to her friend who gave me a lift to my bach in Palm Beach.
David, I’ve never bothered replying to the right wing spin on your blog. But your claim that I threw my weight around to deliberately inconvenience passengers is just too outrageous to let pass.
I’m sure the crew on the Fullers Devonport ferry will be able to confirm everything I’ve said.
Regards,
Chris Carter.
February 12th, 2010 at 11:23 am
edhunter
That’s the spirit. We should always benchmark standards of behaviour against the next lowest. Its what made this country great.
February 12th, 2010 at 11:31 am
“Did Mr Carter’s proclivities induce a somewhat Freudian slip to the Devonport queue and the home of the Navy? All those sailors!!”
Indeed he did. Here is the official Navy video of his reception to that old Naval custom “Inspecting the Golden Rivet’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InBXu-iY7cw
February 12th, 2010 at 11:32 am
Look, it was late and Chris was likely confused. He probably thought he was going to catch a fairy.
February 12th, 2010 at 11:34 am
edhunter – I’d forgotten about that one!!
That takes the punchline out of this story and yet again goes to prove that it seems to be irrelevant which side of the political divide they come from, politicians are generally a bunch of self serving bastards who pay lip service to the job they are supposed to be doing.
February 12th, 2010 at 11:40 am
I wasn’t aware Michelle Boag was ever a politician….
February 12th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Bevan – whoops, National Party president, same thing really, an egotistical, pompous waster.
February 12th, 2010 at 11:48 am
“an egotistical, pompous waster.”
In the same mould obviously as the previous president of the Labour Party.
February 12th, 2010 at 11:51 am
edhunter, kaya
The difference is that Boag paid over the going hire rate for the westpac rescue chopper:
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/news_national_story_skin/666576
February 12th, 2010 at 11:57 am
Not going to try and defend Boag’s chopper trip, that was years ago and dealt with, but she didn’t divert and delay a hundred other people (and presumably disrupt a few more who were waiting for them).
February 12th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
he sure gets around, I saw him outside the St James in Wellington yesterday about 1.00pm. Looked like the trip went well ,plenty of time sunbathing by the look of him. It’s a tough life for some I’d have to say.
February 12th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Steady on people. Chris Carter has just delivered his spin on this event and I have to say I was amazed.
Not once in the post at red alert did he suggest or even intimate that we are picking on him because he is gay.
This is a major breakthrough for parliaments biggest trougher and we should all pause for a moment and congratulate him for not instantly rushing to play his pink card in his usual manner.
saying that though, his post is typically whiny and the bold typeface smacks of somebody smashing the keys in frustration at the unfairness of it all.
What price the odds on him skulking off to New York at the end of this parliamentary term?
He must be Goffs biggest PR headache.
“I insisted this not happen because it wasn’t a big deal to head back to Auckland. But those lovely men and woman went ahead and did it independently of me and organised a pickup.”
Keep your lies simple stupid. You have over egged this completely. Remember lying 101?
It is always the denial that hangs you.
February 12th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
He learnt from the best, Helen, I’m sure she’s proud of him.
February 12th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Dorkland. People are like that up there.
February 12th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Anyone can ask for favours (or not). The main question remains – why did Fullers divert? Do they divert for anyone who has taken the wrong ferry?
So DPF hasn’t jumped to give “right of reply”. He should have been waiting all morning so he could have given it immediate attention. Then Carter wouldn’t need to do what the rest of us do, and post.
February 12th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
I’ll remember next time I’m travelling for business that if I get on the wrong plane/train/ferry that I can get the next one diverted for me. Great – I’ll never worry about missing transport links again.
Anyone can have this influence over Fuller’s – just say you are an MP and wiggle your hips at the cute guy driving !
February 12th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
gomango – I don’t care how much she paid. It is still utter arrogance to get a rescue helicopter to collect your passport as is getting a ferry diverted for your convenience. While the helicopter was in Mangere someone could be dying from a heart attack in rural Whagarei, the extra 20 minutes could be the difference between life and death. All so Michelle Boag wouldn’t be inconvenienced? Nice.
February 12th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Reminds me of Helen being caught at Melbourne airport in a ground crew strike. The highly principled union advocate she is did she allow the strike to run it’s course with her plans – No she called the airforce. Strikes are only allowed to effect other people… less important people. Carter the c##t is the same chip off the self serving block – who gives a f##k about other peoples plans when his trip home became difficult….
February 12th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10625769&pnum=2
Herald are onto this and spinning for carter as hard as they can.
Two lies gleaned from a quick glance.
1. They recognise Carter as the ex min of conservation… And then claim they made the decision to divert without knowing who he was.
2. Only delayed by 2 and half minutes! Bullshit. takes a lot longer than that to divert across the inner harbour, tie up, load carter and then untie and get back upto cruising speed..
I love the smell of SPIN in the mornings.
What a clown Carter is. A story on the number 2 blog in NZ is now all over the media………
February 12th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
DPF I’m very disappointed to see you picking on the poor man simply because of his “Rainbow” lifestyle. ?????
rubbish hes a back street boy ,and his partner uses the servants entrance
[DPF: 30 demerits]
February 12th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Does Ms Boag have any idea what special favours are routinely accorded to ordinary people?
Maybe Fullers does routinely diverts for anyone, but it seems a strange business practice.
February 12th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Sounds as though Mr Carter may have had a relapse of his bad dose of Entitleitis whilst he was away in the Caribbean.
February 12th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
The Herald story appears to have the diversion initiated by Fullers as opposed to Mr Carter.
February 12th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
So they choose a few lucky anonymous people for diversion? Rare bad luck for Carter this time?
February 12th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
* These sailings go via Devonport, and sailing time is approx. 10 mins longer than other sailings.
http://www.fullers.co.nz/tickets-fares/timetables/waiheke-island.php
Some of that time will be stop time for embarking/disembarking.
February 12th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Somebody is telling fibs here.
From the Herald story:
Then from Fullers:
February 12th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
“So he spoke to the ferry master and found out he had got on the wrong ferry. The ferry master recognised Mr Carter from his time as Conservation Minister in Helen Clark’s Government.”
Or not!
February 12th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Lest we forget.
“In October 2006, Mr Carter reportedly called on navy helicopter to deliver a toothbrush he had left on the frigate Te Mana, moored near Raoul Island north of New Zealand.”
From the stuff spin on this. They misquote the red alert post, spin up a storm and make it that much worse for the te atatu trougher.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/3321329/Minister-in-ferry-diversion-drama
Bet this makes the news tonight too.
Phil Goff, if you are reading the blogs and news sites… Stop smashing your face on your keyboard please. We paid for them and frankly replacing your keyboard every time Chris Carter does another brainfart in the media is not helping the country.
February 12th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
In the interests of what passes for truth in the NZ Herald, it turns out that it was all Fuller’s idea. Michelle Boag even agrees.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10625769
So it’s a story about something that didn’t actually happen.
February 12th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
interesting to read the gubby little snide comments about Carter’s sexual orientation in this thread.
I guess we should do the same for Chris Findlayson and Lockw…. ooops!
February 12th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
To hell with the ferry diversion. I am so upset that a parliamentarian should use such bad language to a woman and in front of other people. WTF is the world coming to.
February 12th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
What an odd post. Makes DPF look a little simple and rather backward.
February 12th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Lutzie, yes we probably should. After all if opposition MP’s can shriek across the house about it then why shouldn’t we.
Earlier in this post I actually offer words of support to Carter because he is NOT playing the gay defense. Usually he does.
As is usual with these stories. His spin and desperate attempts to squirm out of it have now become the bigger story.
What was a small post on the number 2 blog has now become a national media story.
February 12th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Poliwatch
He needs to be punched to defend a womans honour. Helen would approve of such brutish behaviour as long as the puncher is a Labour MP.
February 12th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
kaya – i don’t really care about either issue but dont let the facts get in the way. I remeber the boag incident quite well being a PPL and interested in that sort of thing.
A couple of things:
1. ARHT would not have done this for non-commercial rates – it would have been nice earner for them. If AHRT thought it would impinge on their operational availability they would have refused.
2. Flight time from Waiheke to AIA – any ideas? When you work that out you’ll understand.
3. The helicopter would have been diverted in an emergency and Boag would have been stranded – at the time of the incident that was reported
4. If the helicopter was in flight and diverted, it would actually be able to respond quicker than were it sitting on the ground
That said I agree it is a bad look, not for your reasons, but for boring old governance reasons. Board members should not be able to do things in an organisation that outsiders cannot. But at least she paid her way.
February 12th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
“I am so upset that a parliamentarian should use such bad language to a woman ”
Quite so. It is most out of character for this particular politician. He normally only uses that word in the presence of other men.
February 12th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
I guess everyone who is surprised by the departure time will speak with the ferry master.
A common rare practice for anyone who speaks to the ferry master?
Maybe if it was her. While “Ms Boag has had a special rescue in the past herself” is not directly relevant I suspect that someone who would even think to call a helicopter to pick up something they had forgotten may not be au fait with the experiences of “anyone else”.
February 12th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
JoeAverage1948 (17) Says:
February 12th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
DPF I’m very disappointed to see you picking on the poor man simply because of his “Rainbow” lifestyle. ?????
rubbish hes a back street boy ,and his partner uses the servants entrance
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Do you LIKE watching Benny Hill Joe?
February 12th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
“that someone who would even think to call a helicopter to pick up something they had forgotten ”
Not true Pete. I’ve got a helicopter to bring in more piss when coming to collect the deer carcass’s on many an occasion.
February 12th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Phil Goff has just given Carter a new role – Shadow Minsiter for Own Goals
February 12th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Lutzie said “interesting to read the gubby little snide comments about Carter’s sexual orientation in this thread.
I guess we should do the same for Chris Findlayson and Lockw…. ooops!”
Finlayson makes no secret of his sexual orientation; nor does he make a big deal out of it. If you want to criticise homophobia, why not make a comment about Messrs Mallard and Cosgrove’s “Tinkerbell” jibes to Finlayson in the House. I’m surprised that no-one from Labour’s Rainbow lobby has had the courage to publicly condemn that behaviour from senior members of the Party.
February 12th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Do you expect me to believe you forgot the piss Johnboy? You are always taking the piss.
Anyway, taking some back haul on an already chartered flight is a bit different.
February 12th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Somehow I just never seem to be able to take enough of the piss.
They used to just drop in and grab the deer if they were nearby after dropping another party in. No charge. Bloody good blokes they were and piss heads to a man ( except for one bloody wowser) so they appreciated what withdrawal symptoms can do to a bloke.
February 12th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
gomango – I don’t really care either.
1. Interesting your first point is that she paid for it, hardly the issue. Why didn’t she ring Helilink? They are a commercial operator, not air rescue.
2. Waiheke to AIA 10 minutes, (took a while to work it out sorry) what’s your point?
3. The helicopter would be diverted. Yes but it would be in South Auckland, not Auckland Central and minutes can be the difference between life and death. Also it’s not like it has the airspace around the airport all to itself now is it? Or would they stop all those international and domestic flights just so the helicopter could take off?? Of course you might get lucky and the emergency happens in South Auckland…….
(If it was my partner or child who died because the helicopter took 20 minutes instead of 10 I would be a tad miffed when I heard why it was late.)
4. The helicopter would respond quicker if it was in flight? Oh that’s right, it take ages to get a helicopter into the air when it is an emergency chopper, is fuelled ready to go and the crew are on standby.
Your logical is irrefutable and like you say, they probably even made money.
February 12th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
@Inventory2
Brilliant!
February 12th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
@ Chthoniid – thanks! I couldn’t resist it.
Goff must be tearing his hair out; at last he has the Government running for cover over the GST issue, and along comes Chris Carter, sticking his oar in.
http://keepingstock.blogspot.com/2010/02/own-goal.html
February 12th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
gomango
but isn’t that the whole point of the story, the abuse of power?
I’m not the one who initially mentioned Boag, but I did mention her heli trip becasue to my mind it reeks of the pot calling the kettle black. If it makes you any happier I’m happy to say that CC is a pillow munching, in through the out door, batting for the other team disgrace for a politician, but it doesn’t alter the fact that just by mentioning Boag any high ground that may have been claimed goes out the door IMO
February 12th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Taking a moment from the hilarity of Carters rank stupidity today perhaps we should consider why this happened. Thursday night late ferry, what the hell was carter thinking. Or was he thinking?
I suspect he had probably been having a meeting with the piss fairy (pun intended) and his judgement was impaired. If he had just come out and said. “Shit guys, I had been on the appletinis and was not thinking clearly” we could have all just laughed it off.
But no, waking up with a hangover he has gone in boots and all and made a minor story blow up into another massive PR disaster.
TV3 will run this tonight. You heard it here first.
February 12th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
Carter has spent a lifetime asking someone else to pay for his extravagance. I never thought I could say it but I am glad Ms Boag picked up on this and spread it around the newspapers as Ms Boag is very adept at doing. Cater is an arrogant fool who thinks ordinary people are just peasants who are there to serve him with their money and gifts. Without Helen Clark’s protection he is fully exposed to what he really is. I predict he will be sacked off the front bench fairly soon to be replaced by Shane Jones.
February 12th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
As always – it’s not the deed that screws you – it is being caught trying to whitewash it.
February 12th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
tvb
I predict he will be sacked off the front bench fairly soon to be replaced by Grover, Miss Piggy or Big Bird. This is the
Muppet showLabour party.February 12th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
The hyprocrisy of the man. Matches his appoach to the environment. He has used the evil new National tree cutting policy to remove nearly every tree on his property at Waiheke. Turned it from lush bush to scorched earth. And he was Minister of the environment. He is a appalling. He should be Shadow Minister for clear felling native bush!
February 12th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
@ tvb – I don’t know if Michelle Boag DID spread it around the newpapers. She obviously told DPF, but the papers only picked up on the story once Carter started bleating on Red Alert. The Herald’s story is timed at 12.42pm today, and Stuff’s story at 1.36pm. Carter blogged about it at 11.59pm, and probably had his pressers sending our media releases at the same time. Had he kept his gob shut, it would have blown over by now, but like Red Bull, he gave the story wings!
February 12th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Anyone noticed the “right wing blog” moniker banded about by our MSM? How often would they use the phrase left wing blog I wonder? Hmm, both not that often.
The phrase right wing blog is all over the place obviously.
February 12th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Redbaiter should write to the MSM and put them straight, he’ll tell them everyone here except him is a progressive lefty socialist.
February 12th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
David is that quote from Carter accurate or just a little embellishment?
February 12th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Did they not check his ticket when he got on the Devonport ferry then ?
If just 1 other person comes forward who has successfully managed to get Fullers to divert to Devonport to pick them up I’ll believe it.
February 12th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
FFS, why not just toss the fagot over the side, he can either sink or swim.
Just think this was one of the people that ran this country just over a year ago, and he can’t even even get on the right fucking boat, Jeeez H, he never seems to suffer from this problem at airports.
February 12th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
This post was entered at 9am. The latest comment (of 78) is at 5:30pm.
That’s 7.5 hrs wasted on absolute trivia.
Meanwhile, NZ has paid out $7,400.000 in Welfare for Families during that time and the government has borrowed $3,400,000.00 excluding accruing interest.
But what’s more fun is who caught the ferry late from Devonport.
Honestly. I despair.
February 12th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
The easiest way to get to the truth of the story is for someone to repeat Carter’s actions (same time and circumstances, etc), and then see if the Ferry will divert and pick them up.
February 12th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
This afternoon I intended to catch a bus from Wellington CBD to Lower Hutt. Unfortunately I have moments of extreme stupidity and caught a bus to Porirua instead. I asked the bus company if they could divert a bus to pick me up in Porirua on the way to Lower Hutt, since it would only delay the passengers about 45 minutes. They told me to fuck off, and that I should just catch a bus back in to Wellington and change.
So I told them that I was a former Minister of Conservation, and if they didn’t do as I told them then the next Labour Government would increase their taxes and encourage our union mates to strike all the time. So they grumbled a bit and diverted the Lower Hutt bus to Porirua to pick me up.
The passengers were pissed. But I ignored the little people, just as a former Labour Minister of Conservation is entitled to do.
February 12th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
“Gooner … Honestly. I despair ”
Indeed – just like a bunch of old women at the knitting circle gossiping and sniping away.
February 12th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Wow you are the man mr farrar 30 demerites,you should pick your posters,,get rid off the RIF RAF like me, real posters common people , what did i say wrong, BACK STREET BOYS a GAY VOCAL singing GROUP and a common day saying tradesman entrance at the back of the fucken house,ban me , YOU ARE PATHETIC ban me STROKE YOUR EGO, Mr Farrar 100 demerites its my blog.30 DEMERITES FOR WHAT explain why i got 30 demerites for, why fucken bother ,,why post on this blogYOU MR FARRAR DONT WANT TJHE COMMON POSTER,
February 12th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
I’m sure a good dose of elitism will get people interested in the things you care for Gooner.
February 12th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
“Gooner” and “voice of reason”. Yes this is a trivial issue on the face of it, but it’s an excellent example of the outrage the public feel when they get a whiff that a politician is abusing his position.
We have all watched with disgust the unfolding financial corruption that exists amongst MP’s of every persuasion in the British House of Commons – ripping off the taxpayer with every monetary claim possible. It all would have started with some minor claims for unwarranted reimbursements, but over time as the MP’s got away with it they became emboldened and even more greedy until it has reached the stage it is today. It didn’t jusy happen overnight.
It is important that the public expresses its outrage at the first possible sign that an MP is mis-using his position so that such behaviour can be nipped in the bud and other MP’s learn a lesson from it. Otherwise we will soon find our MP’s thinking they can get away with anything they like.
Yes it’s a trivial episode, but still an important one to discuss.
February 12th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
perhaps the captain was french and said à l’eau, c’est l’heure (to the water, it’s time), sometimes when you say it fast it sounds like ‘ello sailor
February 12th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
I can see a nasty right wing insult comming on, 30 demerites for nothing,mr farrar ONLY wants mr farrar posters, not like me a redundant now part time worker,a ex tradesman, I once contacted him about my situation and our economy but MR Farrar wasnt interested, WASNT interested
February 12th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
RightNow (611) Says:
February 12th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
perhaps the captain was french and said à l’eau, c’est l’heure (to the water, it’s time), sometimes when you say it fast it sounds like ‘ello sailor
____________________________________________________________________________
How very droll, Right Now.
I laughed ’til I stopped.
February 12th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
you lot wont get THIRTY demerites because IM a normal NZr dont post pictures of wine tops like MR Farrar ????ARSEHOLES like me work we work we dont
February 12th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
JoeAverage1948
Have you been taking sentence structure lessons from Paul Holmes ?
February 12th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
TELL ME MR FARRAR WHY I GOT 30 DEMERITES< explain you reason OR DONT YOU LIKE THE COMMON MAN, opps you are a public person
February 12th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
Carter is lying about this. How did Fullers know about Carters’ problem. Carter told them. Why did he tell them – because he knew Fullers do pick up passengers in this situation from time to time because as a frequent user of the Ferry he knew about this. He just cannot help himself. I hope Michelle Boag did leak this. It is Carters’ explanation that has made it worse – AGAIN.
February 12th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Somewhere in NZ I just heard an almighty crash as phil goff threw a chair through his 42 inch vulgatron 3000. Did anybody else see Chris Carter step off that ferry on 3 news? Wearing baggy faded jeans, a childs multicoloured singlet and bangles on his wrist coordinated with the baseball cap fashionably placed askew on his mid 50′s head.
Looking tanned and relaxed while the rest of the country was at work (or not)he calmly discussed his relaxing day and waffled some shit.
Is this really the Labour party? All that was missing was a farking skateboard poking out of his cute little backpack.
I can no longer bring myself to Mock Phil Goff, he now has my sympathy.
February 12th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
I think it’s time for Chris Carter to open his mouth, if for nothing else but to change feet
February 12th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
FARRAR dosnt like STUPID WORKERS ,FUCK 30 demerites FUCK I WILL BE AROUND IM NOT AS THICK AS YOU THINK I AM FARRAR
February 12th, 2010 at 6:44 pm
you have to have a ue TO BE ON KIWIPOST
February 12th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
farrar IS ELITIST
February 12th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
iF YOU WANT TO POST ON kiwiblog KNOW someone
February 12th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
JoeAverage1948, let it go man – its just the comments section of a fucken blog.
February 12th, 2010 at 6:50 pm
JoeAverage1948: you’re clearly a bit slow, which is rapidly turning into unhinged.
You implied that Farrar was picking on Carter because he was Gay. I think I speak for everyone here when I point out that DPF (and most of us on the right) would post a story that embarrassed a Labour MP regardless of that MP’s sex, race or class.
We’re actually quite equal opportunity like that
But do keep it up. You’re only proving something about yourself.
February 12th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
never post again so give me 80 demerites to get rid of me, farrar, you dont want the common poster
February 12th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
scrubone (155) Says:
February 12th, 2010 at 6:50 pm
JoeAverage1948: you’re clearly a bit slow, which is rapidly turning into unhinged.
You implied that Farrar was picking on Carter because he was Gay. I think I speak for everyone here when I point out that DPF (and most of us on the right) would post a story that embarrassed a Labour MP regardless of that MP’s sex, race or class.
We’re actually quite equal opportunity like that
But do keep it up.
no FARRAR dosnt want the normal workers view , he wants PARLIMENT , the tossers who work there, im 30 demerites because im not in his world
February 12th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Trust New Zealand’s largest right-wing blog to go hysterical about something as minor and insignificant as this, why am I not surprised?
The fact is that Fullers has done this in the past and I lay testimony to that: I was once travelling to Waiheke island and the ferry I was suppose to be on had left the dock and was 5 minutes into the journey. Because it was the last one, I told an employee on shore who was more than happy to call it back.
These are simple examples of what it means to get the full facts before you throw weight around, why would a company such as Fullers lie to protect an opposition MP? That doesn’t make much sense to me, if it was a Minister of Parliament: perhaps, but not a mere opposition MP.
Wasted space, when we have an economy to discuss.
February 12th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
im not comforable like Mr Farrar , i dont go to have a glass of SAV BLANC at 10 .00am piles of tops, but i dont give a shit, after 30 demerites after my third post YOU HATE ME farrar wants to have his ego stroked(im a redundant PRINTER tradesman worker ,dont care now,part time worker dog carer, and i love it BUT CANNOT WORK OUT THE SUIT MR FARRAR does he hate redundant workers
February 12th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
JoeAverage,
Why self destruct? Have you been drinking? or stoned?
Best thing is come back in the morning, 7.30am sharp ok?
February 12th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
DPF I’m very disappointed to see you picking on the poor man simply because of his “Rainbow” lifestyle. ?????
rubbish hes a back street boy ,and his partner uses the servants entrance
[DPF: 30 demerits]
Caution if MR Farrar dosnt KNOW or LIKE YOU your POSTING HISTORY WILL BE SHORT
wow thats REALLY bad what i posted or is it the TRUTH
i donrt care farrar USED to be the standard
February 12th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
The bastards at Newstalk ZB made me choke on my takeaway coffee when they introduced their 3pm bulletin with a teaser that Chris Carter was in trouble after riding a ferry.
The coffee wound up all over the windshield, dashboard, gearstick, and front passenger’s seat.
February 12th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Why post Mr Farrar WHEN REAL PEOPLE POST AND YOU DEMERITE is this the size of your balls or what,wow i can demerite because im mr farrar, AND IM THE BLOG POSTER so there, do you really know a real person to interview DO YOU
been totatly banned is sweet I HAVE PRIDE and the dignity of work after been laid of, i admired your blog. and you spat on my face with a nothing post
February 12th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
@Joeaverage1948
You are doing a great impression of a village idiot there mate.
“WHEN REAL PEOPLE POST” … a legend in your own mind to boot.
Take your blood pressure pills and mellow out.
February 12th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
“my Bach in Palm Beach’ ,, what is a Labour MP doing with a Bach on Palm Beach??? I assume this tax thief is NOT one of the Labour MP’s who slag off John Key for having a “Bach” in Hawaii??
February 12th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
DONT SAY ANY THING WRONG AS A MODERATOR MIGHT GET UPSET FARRARS MAN
shit farrars banning me after three posts nice knowing you gone forever
February 12th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Steve (849) Says:
February 12th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
JoeAverage,
Why self destruct? Have you been drinking? or stoned?
Best thing is come back in the morning, 7.30am sharp ok?
no my third post , and i selected my post carefully
February 12th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
who cares farrar rolles on, 3 posts farrar demands respect
February 12th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
i waited months to come back after been banned ,just a poster, good one david ADD A CORK TO THE FUCKEN TOTAL
[DPF: Wow what an impressive melt down. You collecting of abusive comments gets you 100 demerits and that means a holiday until 13 October 2010]
February 12th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
JoeAverage1948
Are you James Sleep ?
February 12th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
JoeAverage, if you want rake up more demerit points just talk about Peter Davis in California.
February 12th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
What?
Does Carters partner know he was on the wrong fairy?
February 12th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
joeA .. I got a 100 demerits once but got over it .. try writing on Rednotsoalert and you will find what bans are .. unless of course you are a Labour apologist and constantly tell them what a great job they are doing.
February 12th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
and we all know that National is doing a much better job…
February 12th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Hahaha, Fail Lesa. One could say you’re doing some diverting of your own.
February 12th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
yes they are Fale .. I would hate to even think what sort a shit we would be in if our Govt was run by the likes of Goff/King/Mallard/Carter/Cosgrove/Silent T/Dyson/Hughes etc
February 12th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
At my age I think its perfectly normal Hurf Duff, unless you care to be more specific?
Those “name-calling” rants do you no great favours.
February 12th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
You could divert yourself to the party that talked to you second at O Week, for a start.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Hurf, I made it quite clear during that particular conversation that I do not define my political allegiance as left or right, but as centre.
The departure of Helen Clark and Dr Michael Cullen within the Labour party caucus has left a gaping hole within party leadership, a hole that only time can fix.
My favour will always be towards the NZ Labour party but that doesn’t mean that disagreement and opposition cease to exist as a result, it often means (for me anyway) the advocacy for a more grassroots Labour: one that refers back to its true working-class origins.
The fact is that National does not inspire a vast number of middle-ground voters who feel more aligned to Conservatism than they to do Socialism, as a result: we’re more than happy to seek refuge on the left.
I can not speak for every middle-ground citizen, but that’s how I feel.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
You mean, like you?
Life is short – strike now while the iron is hot! Maybe create a beneficial…strategic partnership with Sophia Blair, if you know what I mean.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
Hahahahahaha
Do you take everything in the NZ Herald seriously Hurf? I love the fact that you actually bother to google search me but why am I not surprised? you’re the teenage crush I always craved hahaha.
The fact is that National is not prepared to make the sweeping changes in support of Conservatism that Labour has for Socialism.
National will not change the welfare structure, will not alter working for families, will not abolish laws like the amendment to section 59 that infringe upon the power of the people and expand the influence of the state, etc. Don’t forget that National has shown no real interest to increase the penalties over crime.
These are the fundamental principles that Conservatism has adopted through much of Western Europe, Australia and America: it fails to be adopted here.
What was once a “hand-up” is now a long-term “hand-out” and National has no clear cut direction in changing that.
Do you wonder why I voted Labour?
Because its the only idealistic party that implements its true idealism’s in office: regardless of popular, public opinion.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
If you are going to have to suffer a socialist govt then it might as well be one that is proud to be socialist.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Good Lord, what’s wrong with doing one’s own research, Fale? My apologies for stripping you of your Google virginity. I’ll give it back to you before your wedding.
Also, stop trying to justify your decision to join Labour. I stopped caring ten minutes ago. You are, however, right about the Nats though. They are the “pragmatic party of government” and neither earth nor heaven will shift that – though I do have a special contempt for idealism most of the time. Call that my pessimism coming into play.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
“JoeAverage, if you want rake up more demerit points just talk about Peter Davis in California.”
Nice one Chuck. I could say something but I won’t. Sad to see that Joe Average go banned but I must be due another holiday. Hagley park has nice grass haha.
February 12th, 2010 at 11:52 pm
I have just checked with our political section and they have informed me that the St Kitts and Nevis election report should be issued next week (15 – 20 Feb).
Kevin Nellies, Head of Online, Comwealth Secretariat
February 13th, 2010 at 12:00 am
Fale, Labour never had the guts to tax landlords properly even though house prices were racing away as every middle class man and his dog geared up to buy a rental! I hear Jim Anderton wanted a capital gains tax but Michael and Helen didn’t want to do anything unpopular!
February 13th, 2010 at 7:50 am
“Do you wonder why I voted Labour? Because its the only idealistic party that implements its true idealism’s in office:
regardless of popular, public opinion.”
That must be the best joke I’ve heard in ages. What a bloody cheek to say!
If you believe the socialist Labour Party is idealistic, then Joseph Mengele was only a lowly lab technician.
February 13th, 2010 at 11:22 am
Manolo,
Lets bring this back into perspective: Under Helen Clark’s leadership the size and structure of the government expanded and this took place over 9 long years of her successive reign as Prime Minister.
I’m sure you and I both know that the size of a government and its influence varies upon the political left and right – the left often in favour of expanding government and the right often in favour of reduced government.
We also have the minimum wage increases and the abolishing of youth rates: something I would not expect from a Right-wing Conservative party.
We have the introduction of “working for families” and what ultimately led to long-term welfare dependence.
We even have the banning of junk food in schools and the amendment to section 59: both of these proposals were met with strong opposition from much of New Zealand, despite opposition these laws were carried through successfully.
We also have the introduction of NCEA which saw much needed reform in New Zealand’s education system.
There are a larger number of other examples but this enough to cover my point.
This taken from the Labour party website we have this: “projecting its values of peace, reconciliation, and social cohesion to the world. And it lead on vital sustainability issues.”
Are these Conservative values Manolo or are you simply blinded by your partisan approach to politics?
February 13th, 2010 at 11:45 pm
Of course Labour had ideals that they followed to some extent but Helen certainly ‘sniffed the air’ before going ahead with them. Let me remind you that abolishing youth rates came from the Greens and I think also the banning of junk food.
Labour had nine long years to institute some ‘sustainability’ measures yet waited until about year 8 before finally trying to do something.
I agree that in the past Labour had been more a party of change and National taking a conservative path. However, as I said above and you admit yourself – in nine years of prosperous times Labour polices actually encouraged greater inequality and left New Zealand less able to cope with a crisis.
February 14th, 2010 at 12:40 am
What is he doing back in NZ? I thought there were disasters to be toured and fudge to be packed for the homeless in exotic places.
February 14th, 2010 at 12:46 am
“but Helen certainly ’sniffed the air’ ”
As dogs do.
February 14th, 2010 at 9:59 am
Chris “Capt’n Pugwash” Carter, caught in the act
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XIIO-fyUEw