General Debate 13 October 2015

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starboard

Penny Bright for Mayor.
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October 13, 2015 8:01am
Manolo

Prime suspects: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/12/turkey-blames-ankara-bombings-on-islamic-state

Islam, the religion of peace….. yeah right.
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October 13, 2015 8:03am
starboard

Helen Kelly is buying Cannabis oil on the black market..she really should have a visit from Plod ?
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October 13, 2015 8:04am
big bruv

Any sympathy I might have had for Helen Kelly (and there would not be much) has evaporated given her shameless use of her illness to further her own fucked up political beliefs.
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October 13, 2015 8:06am
kowtow

How’s that diversity dividend going for the UK?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11926245/Three-Isil-inspired-jihadists-planned-British-beheadings.html
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October 13, 2015 8:09am
alloytoo

FACT: “Confirmed” Mayoral candidate Penny Bright owes the city of Auckland in excess of $30,000.

FACT: This a clear vested interest in her election as mayor.

CORRRUPTION ALERT!

In the interests of transparency and honesty Penny Bright should be barred from seeking public office in the city until she’s settled her rates account.
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October 13, 2015 8:11am
Inandout

starboard: Or mare..

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-day/horse-arabian-mare-egypt/
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October 13, 2015 8:13am
Paulus Gnome

The horrid editorial tells me today that ‘The steps the Government has taken to permit more house building in Auckland and to tax capital gains are expected to do no more than slow the rate at which house prices have been rising in recent years.’

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11527965

When was a capital gains tax introduced or is this reference to a tax on a gain if the property is sold within two years of purchase? There has always been a tax on capital gains when selling a property for profit.

The editorial goes on to pump for greater ‘rights’ (’cause we are so onto ‘rights’ in this country, fa for responsibility but all for ‘rights’) for tenants to have longer term tenancies with the ‘right’ to carry our small modifications such as fit a new kitchen or decorate as long as the property is returned in the same state as when the tenancy begin.

Everyone thinks they can paint a wall, which is true, they can. The trick is to do it properly and do it well which involves some hours of preparation followed by perhaps 15 minutes to cut in and roll a bedroom wall.

Answer me this horrid; what does the landlord do when the tenant does an appalling job, wrong paint onto a pre-painted surface, paints the carpet, the curtains and light switches, paint on the white ceiling, etc.; who is going to repair and refurbish all the cock-ups?

A tenancy agreement can already be for an agreed period between the parties; I insist on a twelve month contract on a tenant moving in (because change over is a real fag) with the option to resign a tenancy agreement at the end of the twelve months for any period that the tenant wants. In my experience, every tenant, without exception, has opted to go onto to the automatic periodic tenancy at the end of the 12 months with many staying for years, ending when the tenant has wanted to move on.

I have only ever terminated one tenancy at the end of a twelve month tenancy; it took me some two weeks and about $2,500.00 to repair and refurbish after they had gone; they did not get their bond back. (What about that the reverend from yesterday who advises to ‘dust off ones feet and move on’ and demonstrate compassion towards tenants)

I believe in not letting tenants have matches or paintbrushes with crayons from the maccas colouring-in sets are a big no no as we
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October 13, 2015 8:15am
oldpark

It must be the time to look closer at the so called new lotto scheme. Hope nothing will be found to be rotten in Lottoland. Firstly they cancelled spin the money wheel, then they cancelled “Big Wednesday”. They have now introduced another power ball draw in “Big Wednesday’s” place. Perception seems to be that the so called jackpot is not jackpotting like it normally should, with the extra money poured in for the Wednesday draw. It appears that the punters or players who have been sucked into the new plan, are paying twice as much to win the so called jackpot, as they were when there was only one Saturday powerball draw. Hope the perception turns out to be a myth. Up to now the rumour out there in the market place is the goal posts and lotto playing fields have be shifted,by the organisers in their unbalanced favour, and dumb lotto players can suck it up.(The only benefit the so called new lotto scheme has come up with are a few crumbs with a maximum payout of $12 dollars should a player get 3 numbers plus the powerball number).
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October 13, 2015 8:16am
stephieboy

Manolo, did the Jihadist sleep in this morning ?
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October 13, 2015 8:18am
Paulus Gnome

Sboard at 8.04: Helen Kellys problems are bigger than the old bill; she is not my favourite person, however, she does deserve our compassion when coping with this insidious disease.
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October 13, 2015 8:19am
RF

A good friend in Christchurch is pleading for the mayor to return from holiday. The deputy mayor, Vicky Buck is an absolute useless drop kick who has come out strongly against oil exploration off the Canterbury coast.

Buck is an unusual person as for some reason she is unable to string sentences together without bursting into laughter. This is not a good look when discussing a serious topic.

Buck is also against prosecuting car window washers. She does not want the poor dears to have convictions. These are the same people that will smash your window if you don’t let them clean it.

This person used to be a lightweight mayor years ago and tried to hide that she lived in the blue chip suburb of Fendalton. As a socialist mayor she wanted to give the impression she lived on the other side of the tracks in the poorer area.
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October 13, 2015 8:25am
RRM

Helen Kelly is right. Dope has demonstrated benefits for pain relief and some psychiatric conditions yet remains illegal. Whereas I can get on the piss just for kicks and that’s fine!

I notice that even when facing her end, she still feels a need to name-call Key, an astonishing show of political dogmatism…
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October 13, 2015 8:32am
starboard

Yes yes, I’m all for anything that stops pain and suffering ..but at the end of the day cannabis is illegal ..isnt it ? If it works medically why not make it legal ? Govt needs to ( as usual ) stop fluffing around at the edges , make a decision. Thats what we pay them for.
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October 13, 2015 8:37am
mikenmild

Ignoring any possible health benefits, it should be legal to consume cannabis. There should be no legal restrictions at all on what substances adults choose to ingest.
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October 13, 2015 8:38am
publicwatchdog

Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
FYI Kiwibloggers:

‘Open Letter’ to Matthew Hooton from Penny Bright 2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

12 October 2015

Matthew Hooton,
Managing Director
Exceltium

Dear Matthew,

According to the ‘bio’ on the following website, you are, purportedly,

“…New Zealand’s leading public affairs strategist and political commentator. He has over 20 years’ experience in political and corporate communications, working for the New Zealand Government and some of the country’s most influential companies.”

BACKGROUND:

http://www.exceltium.com/team/matthew

Matthew Hooton MANAGING DIRECTOR

Matthew Hooton is New Zealand’s leading public affairs strategist and political commentator. He has over 20 years’ experience in political and corporate communications, working for the New Zealand Government and some of the country’s most influential companies.

He maintains excellent connections with senior levels of all of New Zealand’s main political parties, and with the senior staff of the National, Labour, Green, Maori and ACT parties.

Matthew has a close relationship with many New Zealand Ministers and Members of Parliament, and is well known in political circles and by the public as a political commentator on both Radio New Zealand and RadioLive, and as a columnist for the National Business Review.

He has led a wide range of government relations programmes, from those where government/industry partnerships were sought such as with ZESPRI International, through to seeking controversial legislative change, such as work with the Kyoto Forestry Association.

A former press secretary to the New Zealand trade and agriculture minister, he played a lead role at the age of 28 in the government relations and communications programmes that led to the creation of Fonterra, New Zealand’s largest company. He has also worked internationally on projects in China, Europe, Mongolia and throughout Australia.

__________________________________________

You may recall that on 9 October 2015, the following article:

http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2015/10/hooton_on_labour_and_tpp.html

Hooton on Labour and TPP

October 9th, 2015 at 3:00 pm by David Farrar

___________________________________________

You may recall that I made the following two posts regarding this above-mentioned article:

publicwatchdog (4,654 comments) says:
October 9th, 2015 at 5:10 pm

Mathew – would you care to provide evidence which confirms where Professor Jane Kelsey has ever said anything which is factually inaccurate about the TPPA?

Thanks!

Penny Bright

_____________________________________________

publicwatchdog (4,654 comments) says:
October 9th, 2015 at 5:15 pm

Mathew – what’s your view on Trade Minister Tim Groser holding a secret meeting with Mayor Len Brown on the TPPA on 7 April 2015?

Does that comply with the principles of ‘open, transparent and democratically accountable’ local government – in your view?

Kind regards

Penny Bright

___________________________________________________

Here was your response:

Matthew Hooton’s Kiwiblog post October 9th, 2015 at 5:49 pm

Dear Penny

1. Would you like to provide any evidence that any of the statements in these unscholarly press statements is true:http://info.scoop.co.nz/Professor_Jane_Kelsey ?

2. I don’t give a fuck who Tim Groser or Len Brown meet with. But it would make sense for the trade minister to brief the mayor of Auckland on his work from time to time.

3. Pay your rates.

4. Check yourself into a mental hospital.

Best as always

Matthew

______________________________________________

This was my follow-up (albeit belated) response:

publicwatchdog (4,654 comments) says:
October 11th, 2015 at 10:55 am

A belated reply to Matthew Hooton’s post October 9th, 2015 at 5:49 pm

Gee Matthew!

For a purportedly experienced ‘spin doctor’ / Media Commentator – that is a rather, (in my view), apoplectic and intemperate response, to my arguably straightforward questions?

Sheesh!

You were more pleasant when you were drinking!

(If you’re stressed, for whatever reason, try Spirulina, those ‘B’ vitamins can really help).
___________________________________________________

Dear Penny

1. Would you like to provide any evidence that any of the statements in these unscholarly press statements is true:http://info.scoop.co.nz/Professor_Jane_Kelsey ?

2. I don’t give a fuck who Tim Groser or Len Brown meet with. But it would make sense for the trade minister to brief the mayor of Auckland on his work from time to time.

3. Pay your rates.

4. Check yourself into a mental hospital.

Best as always

Matthew

______________________________________________

With all due respect, Matthew, quite frankly, I for one, expect a much higher standard of response and behaviour, from someone in your position.

Having checked with the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ), I find that the company for which you are Managing Director, Exeltium, is not listed as a member, so, as I understand it, their ‘Code of Conduct’, does not apply to you or your company.

I understand that you and the company for which you are Managing Director, Exceltium, does political ‘lobbying’ work.

Unfortunately, although New Zealand is ‘perceived’ to be the ‘second least corrupt country in the world’ (according to the 2014 Transparency International ‘Corruption Perception Index'( http://www.transparency.org/cpi2014/results ) New Zealand has neither a ‘Register’ nor ‘Code of Conduct’ for lobbyists.

Where is the ‘accountability’ Matthew Hooton, or do you simply think that you can say what you like?

What do I want?

I want the public, elected representatives and media, to see for themselves what you have stated in the public domain, and ask the question as to whether you are ‘fit for duty’ to be a ‘ public affairs strategist and political commentator’ or a when you engage in what I consider to be such arguably, seriously unprofessional behaviour.

Yours sincerely,

Penny Bright
……….

‘Anti-Corruption / Anti-Privatisation campaigner / Public Watchdog’

Attendee: 2009 Australian Public Service Anti-Corruption Conference
Attendee: 2010 Transparency International Anti-Corruption Conference
Attendee: 2013 Australian Public Service Anti-Corruption Conference
Attendee: 2014 G20 Anti-Corruption Conference

2013 Auckland Mayoral Candidate (polled 4th with 11,723 votes)

2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate
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October 13, 2015 8:41am
starboard

Stop being a fuckwit MM .
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October 13, 2015 8:42am
Simon

“The horrid editorial tells me today that…..”

Moon bat editorial from the Daily Marxist. Racked with liberal guilt. So happy that their Grey Lynn house has gone up in value (certainly way beyond their productive contribution) but they are struggling to find a local minium wage cleaner for their 4 toilets.
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October 13, 2015 8:45am
Yvette

Flag

If one flag option gets fifty percent or more of all the first preference votes (that is votes marked “1”) it will be selected on the first count.

If no flag option gets fifty percent or more of the first preference votes, the flag with the least number “1” votes is dropped and its votes go to the flag each voter ranked next. This continues until one flag gets fifty percent or more of the valid votes.
– Voting in the First Flag Referendum

Can anyone please explain how this works.

“… the flag with the least number “1” votes is dropped” OK, got that
“… and its votes go to the flag each voter ranked next.” This is the unclear portion.
Should it not read – “… and those votes go to the flag each of those voters (of the least popular flag) ranked next.” ?
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October 13, 2015 8:46am
mikenmild

I wonder if it would be possible to ingest a sufficient amount of a psychoactive substance for starboard’s comments to begin making sense.
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October 13, 2015 8:48am
Manolo

What would the rate bludger do without the German crook donations?
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October 13, 2015 8:51am
Griff

No but from experience it does make one laugh more at his idiocy.
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October 13, 2015 8:53am
Keeping Stock

@ Penny Bright – and the point of your endless rambling (TL/DR) is what, precisely?

Footnote: TL/DR = Too Long/Didn’t Read
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October 13, 2015 8:55am
Paulus

Memo to Malcolm Turnbull from New Zealand Union Labour Party Leader Andy Little.

Now Mal – what are you going to do to change Australian Law so that the New Zealand Australian resident New Zealand crims can stay in Australia – they are not real crims like many Ossies – it is part of their cultural upbringing.
Of course I understand those held are free to return to New Zealand and if the are Union members they will be welcomed here.
So Mal – get some guts and change the Laws to give them preferential treatment – we do and have done for years, so why not youse.
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October 13, 2015 8:58am
mandk

“There should be no legal restrictions at all on what substances adults choose to ingest.”

Did they never tell you about externalities in your Dept, mikenmild?
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October 13, 2015 8:59am
starboard

Lol..mm and gwiff , joined at the bum hole as per usual. Get a job ya losers.
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October 13, 2015 9:00am
kowtow

RF

It’s amazing the loons on local councils these days ,and their far left out of touch policies.

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/340505/dcc-quitting-its-fossil-fuel-shares
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October 13, 2015 9:01am
Rich Prick

Someone has a new object of her obsessions. Get help.
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October 13, 2015 9:04am
Captain Mainwaring

Penny,
Matthew Hooton’s CV outranks yours by a factor of about a million, and I’ll lay money that his rates bill is up to date.
So shut the fuck up.

Meant in a caring way.
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October 13, 2015 9:04am
Black with a Vengeance

Any sympathy I might have had for Helen Kelly (and there would not be much) has evaporated given her shameless use of her illness to further her own fucked up political beliefs.

Good to see you’re stayin’ classy as always BB!
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October 13, 2015 9:06am
mikenmild

Externalities, mandk? You will be mainly concerned about the negative externalities from alcohol consumption, I presume. After all, they dwarf those related to the consumption of any other psychoactive substance.
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October 13, 2015 9:08am
stigie

Starbored talking about arses and faggots again, he needs help folks !~
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October 13, 2015 9:09am
publicwatchdog

Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Keeping Stock – you old silly billy – if you read my post you’d understand the point I’m making?

Probably more sensible to first read a post before commenting on it?

However – let me help you:

” I want the public, elected representatives and media, to see for themselves what you have stated in the public domain, and ask the question as to whether you are ‘fit for duty’ to be a ‘ public affairs strategist and political commentator’ or a when you engage in what I consider to be such arguably, seriously unprofessional behaviour.”

Kind regards

Penny Bright

Confirmed 2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
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October 13, 2015 9:13am
mandk

@ mikenmild

Here we go again.

Trying to justify the legalisation of one harmful substance on the grounds that another harmful substance is legal is just plain dumb.
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October 13, 2015 9:16am
stigie

Question Penny:- Are you fit to be mayor…?
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October 13, 2015 9:16am
SGA

big bruv at 8:06 am

shameless use of her illness to further her own fucked up political beliefs.

shameless use? If the issue is cannabis oil and cancer, then her illness seems an obvious reason for her to be commenting on it.
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October 13, 2015 9:16am
Captain Mainwaring

Dog @9,13am.
No doubt you have a mirror. Look in it and have a think about what you said.
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October 13, 2015 9:18am
mikenmild

mandk
How could it be dumb to desire legislative consistency? If the legal status of drugs was related to the associated harm, alcohol trading would be the most punished crime on the books.
But I’ve got a wider point than relative harms: how about letting every adult decide for himself or herself what substances he or she wishes to ingest?
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October 13, 2015 9:20am
Keeping Stock

I want the public, elected representatives and media, to see for themselves what you have stated in the public domain, and ask the question as to whether you are ‘fit for duty’ to be a ‘ public affairs strategist and political commentator’ or a when you engage in what I consider to be such arguably, seriously unprofessional behaviour.”

Nothing Hooten may or may not have done (giving him the benefit of the doubt, knowing your jaundiced eye) compares with misleading the Auckland District Court and Judge Josephine Bouchier. That is indeed “seriously unprofessional behaviour” for a self-appointed “anti-corruption and transparency watchdog” Penny. One might even be as harsh as to suggest that it’s weapons-grade hypocrisy on your part, you Silly Billy.

Are you ‘fit for duty’ Ms Bright?

Keeping Stock
Auckland business ratepayer – 2013 to present
Confirmed holder-to-account of Auckland Mayoral candidates – 2015 to present
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October 13, 2015 9:22am
starboard

The more I read and hear about Chris Cairns , the more I dislike him. He sounds like a complete asshole.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/72950847/lou-vincent-takes-perjury-trial-on-a-journey-through-crickets-evil-world
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October 13, 2015 9:26am
SGA

@starboard at 9:26 am
LOL
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October 13, 2015 9:28am
mandk

“how about letting every adult decide for himself or herself what substances he or she wishes to ingest?”

Again it comes down to the externalities and whether you can internalise or negate them.

Some people are stupid enough to ingest anything as long it gives them a novel high (see N-bombs), and the harm caused to others (incl. tax payers) is huge. Do you really think there should be no legal controls on stuff like that?
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October 13, 2015 9:31am
kowtow

The do gooders want Dunedin “enriched”.This place has enough problems of its own. More refugees will only strain the taxpayer further ,not to mention the lack of assimilation by Muslims.

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/359099/refugees-would-enrich-city
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October 13, 2015 9:31am
mikenmild

mandk
Actually, I think the legal controls we apply to alcohol would be a satisfactory regulatory model for other substances.
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October 13, 2015 9:32am
Griff

Some people are stupid enough to ingest anything as long it gives them a novel high (see N-bombs), and the harm caused to others (incl. tax payers) is huge. Do you really think there should be no legal controls on stuff like that?

You are using the negative effect of prohibition to argue for its continuance.
If you could purchases lsd or e from reputable quality controlled sources no one would take things like n bomb.
We witnessed the same effect with prohibition making sprints more common than beer.
Or using p rather than speed. crack cocaine for cocaine, heroin rather than opium.
Prohibition makes more concentrated dangerous forms of drugs more common.
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October 13, 2015 9:38am
Michael

Cairns is a goner, will quite possibly go to jail.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/72950847/lou-vincent-takes-perjury-trial-on-a-journey-through-crickets-evil-world
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October 13, 2015 9:40am
dime

While I have sympathy for Helen Kellys condition and wish her the best.. she was dreadful on the radio this morning.
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October 13, 2015 9:44am
Paulus Gnome

Sean Plunket has just rebuked a caller for calling maori ‘a stone age culture’.

The caller stood his ground and Plunket had to revise the rebuke to being ‘culturally insensitive’

Bit more airbrushing of history so the brown bro’s are not upset.
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October 13, 2015 9:46am
starboard

Plunket , Hosking , Garner, all second rate opinionated hot air bags.
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October 13, 2015 9:56am
Manolo

@kowtow: We should send stephieboy to live in Dunedin, so he can experience first-hand the joy of coexistence with “peaceful” Muslims.
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October 13, 2015 9:57am
Manolo

Can you run Auckland as mayor from behind bars? Just asking.
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October 13, 2015 9:58am
Paulus Gnome

‘Can you run Auckland as mayor from behind bars?’

Table it and see what happens; worked for lying Len.
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October 13, 2015 10:02am
mandk

“Actually, I think the legal controls we apply to alcohol would be a satisfactory regulatory model for other substances.”

But that completely contradicts your original argument: “There should be no legal restrictions at all on what substances adults choose to ingest.”
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October 13, 2015 10:02am
stephieboy

Michael, if Jeffrey Archer did porridge then there is no reason why Cairns will follow. A great shame really given his father’s great mana and contribution to the game.

Paulus Gnome, not quite correct actually. Maori were considered to be technologically Neolithic late stone age ). They could of likely made use of iron and forged bronze if there were readily available mineral deposits.

Stone age is a term often used to denigrate and belittle Maori .
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October 13, 2015 10:02am
Odakyu-sen

The problem with the phrase “Stone Age culture” is that it conjures up images of violent, hairy, club-wielding savages, which is considerably misleading, as the Maori are not hairy at all (due to their Asian origins).

//
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October 13, 2015 10:02am
Maggy Wassilieff

@ Mikenmild

about adults ingesting whatever they wish

Perhaps you should drop down to Newtown and straighten out Pete Nuku then.

He wants to stop all his mates taking Meth
http://www.3news.co.nz/tvshows/3d/black-power-members-ditch-the-drugs-2015101216#axzz3oODQqoNv
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October 13, 2015 10:03am
Paulus Gnome

‘They could of likely made use of iron and forged bronze if there were readily available mineral deposits’

So the really good coking coal used for steel production and the iron sands were a European introduction then?
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October 13, 2015 10:10am
SGA

stephieboy at 10:02 am

They could of likely made use of iron and forged bronze if there were readily available mineral deposits.

Maybe, but unlikely I’d guess. Most early cultures didn’t discover how to make iron independently, it was a “borrowed” technology. Given what’s involved, it’s amazing that it was discovered when it was at all.
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October 13, 2015 10:13am
Paulus Gnome

Okay so not stone age then, just stoned

‘There police were allegedly abused by the other young people, who locked the doors and windows. Entry was forced and the two alleged offenders were found, along with the rifle and the clothes they had been wearing.

They did not go quietly, however, the 12-year-old allegedly spitting at a police officer, punching him in the face twice and kicking him in the mouth.’

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11528252
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October 13, 2015 10:19am
Griff

The Maoris ancestors lost pottery many years before the migration towards nz.
I dont think you can genuinely call them late stone age with their lack of this technology.
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October 13, 2015 10:21am
Paulus Gnome

‘Stone age is a term often used to denigrate and belittle Maori’

And ‘pakeha’ does not denigrate and insult Europeans?
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October 13, 2015 10:22am
Yvette

Flag

If no flag option gets fifty percent or more of the first preference votes, the flag with the least number “1” votes is dropped and its votes go to the flag each voter ranked next. This continues until one flag gets fifty percent or more of the valid votes. – Voting in the First Flag Referendum

OK, I thought this wasn’t quite clear, but someone has explained it to me.

If on the first results no flag has more than 50% of the “1” votes, the flag with the least “1” votes is eliminated, and the 2nd choice of each of those voters who selected that eliminated least popular flag is added to the remaining flags, and so on, until one flag does have more than 50% and so is the winner.

So the choice is equal to start.
But if a flag has to be eliminated, that is because it was the least popular, a bummer, and bad choice of those who voted for it, and so then the second (obviously less favoured) choice of those least intelligent voters (must be questionable – they voted for the least appropriate possible flag) have their second choice added to the other votes, and so on – the lesser (2nd) preferred choice of those losers redistributed – until one design is pushed over 50% and wins.

Jolly good!
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October 13, 2015 10:22am
Manolo

stephieboy is so caring, new-age sensitive, and politically correct that hardly leaves home for fear of offending anyone. Allahu akbar.
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October 13, 2015 10:24am
Maggy Wassilieff

And apart from the “loss of pottery” as the Polynesians swept down the South Pacific, there was also the loss of Bow & arrow culture; pig and chicken raising.
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October 13, 2015 10:37am
G152

Maori can best be described as Neolithic.
The Lapita pottery makers stopped when they encountered coral islands.
While metal work evolved early in the Asian countries the Pacific migrations started
some 10,000 years ago
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October 13, 2015 10:37am
big bruv

Guys

If we all voted for Penny we could save ourselves a tidy wee sum. Vote for her, don’t pay your rates and you will save all that money, after all, she could not really prosecute us for non payment of rates given she has done the same for years.
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October 13, 2015 10:37am
Hugh Pavletich

CHINA: THE GREAT WALL OF MONEY … AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION … FOUR CORNERS

… AND LESSONS FROM THE UNITED STATES …

THE GREAT WALL OF MONEY … ABC FOUR CORNERS DOCO

http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2015/10/12/4327525.htm

Monday 12th October 2015

Whether it’s waterfront trophy homes or apartments off the plan, or even massive commercial developments, Chinese investment in our real estate has surged by more than 400 per cent in just five years, with as much as A$12 billion spent in the previous financial year alone. Property is now the number one Chinese investment in Australia.

So who are these investors and what do they see in Australia?

On Four Corners you’ll meet members of China’s super rich, the new generation of global property investors who call Australia home: … view and read more via hyperlink above …

… while the United States deals with suspect finance out of Russia …

Bill Browder … Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Browder

Bill Browder > Home

http://www.billbrowder.com/

Bill Browder Interview at Rhodes House in Oxford – YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLBsRGyl3iM
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October 13, 2015 10:39am
mikenmild

Paulus
How does the term ‘pakeha’ denigrate anyone?
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October 13, 2015 10:40am
Hugh Pavletich

THE IRRESPONSIBLE AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND HOUSING BUBBLES …

… AUSTRALIA …

Housing bust now the greatest recession risk, say investment banks | afr.com … google search title if blocked …

http://www.afr.com/real-estate/housing-bust-now-the-greatest-recession-risk-say-investment-banks-20151012-gk6vv7

… AND … NEW ZEALAND … EXCEPT CANTERBURY / CHRISTCHURCH WHERE LAND IS ALLOWED TO BE SUPPLIED …

Check out the breakouts for the Auckland suburbs … and in contrast … Christchurch / Canterbury where land for new housing is ALLOWED to be supplied …

https://www.reinz.co.nz/shadomx/apps/fms/fmsdownload.cfm?file_uuid=A3726A71-FED7-419A-9F5B-98607EF3DF1C&siteName=reinz

https://www.reinz.co.nz/shadomx/apps/fms/fmsdownload.cfm?file_uuid=285565B0-7D1E-43D9-9B67-D794E8BEAB3C&siteName=reinz

The new residential building consents tell it all …

http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/industry_sectors/Construction/building-consents-issued-info-releases.aspx

When is Prime Minister John Keys’ ACTION MAN Housing Minister Nick Smith going to be held to account ?

What Mr Key said early 2013 in appointing Nick Smith …

http://www.3news.co.nz/business/nick-smith-tasked-with-affordable-housing-2013012218#axzz3oK1n0wGM

… and later in 2013 … TAKING ACTION ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dJ20Uqv7eA
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October 13, 2015 10:41am
graphite

stephieboy (7,498 comments) says:
at 10:02 am

Michael, if Jeffrey Archer did porridge then there is no reason why Cairns will follow.

This doesn’t make sense . . . unless you think the Archer and Cairns cases are completely unrelated.

How about: if Jeffrey Archer did porridge then there is no reason why Cairns won’t follow.

It’s a double-negative used as an emphasiser.
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October 13, 2015 10:46am
Manolo

Bickering among some myth-peddlers: http://www.globalpost.com/article/6667056/2015/10/12/rebel-cardinals-accuse-pope-stacking-synod-cards
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October 13, 2015 10:58am
AgentBallSack

bigbruv the major failing in your argument is Penny is a stinking weapons grade leftard hypocrite. As soon as she gets her fingers on that filthy mayors money you will all be expected to “do as I say not as I do” Ala Len Browns expenses card.
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October 13, 2015 10:59am
AgentBallSack

MM how does the term “darky” denigrate anyone?
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October 13, 2015 11:01am
Paulus Gnome

mmild 10.40

http://sayit.co.nz/blog/it-insulting-be-called-pakeha

We asked SAYit panel members whether or not they thought that ‘pakeha’ was originally used by Maori as an insulting term for European settlers. A clear majority believe that it was, including a substantial proportion of Maori.

• 66% of New Zealanders believe that ‘pakeha’ was originally an insulting term, including 44% of Maori

• Under 30 year olds (70%), Aucklanders (70%) and Cantabrians (68%) are relatively likely to believe that this was the case, while Wellingtonians (56%) and other people living in the lower half of the North Island (56%) were less likely to.
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October 13, 2015 11:04am
SGA

Paulus Gnome at 11:04 am

http://sayit.co.nz/blog/it-insulting-be-called-pakeha
We asked SAYit panel members whether or not they thought that ‘pakeha’ was originally used by Maori as an insulting term for European settlers.

Your own source then goes on to say that this is a misapprehension (maybe you didn’t read that far?)-

“There is no evidence that ‘pakeha’ was originally used by Maori as an insulting term. The word originates from Pakehakeha, which means ‘Imaginary beings resembling men, with fair skins’ (Williams Dictionary pg: 252). At the point of contact with Maori it would make sense that these strangers could be described in such a manner. However, what people take issue with is that there are multiple meanings of the base words of pakeha and of course it is easier to sensationalize the more derogatory meanings rather than the original intention.”
…
So basically we’re left with a choice – we can either believe that Maori first referred to Europeans as ‘fair skinned beings resembling men’ (with a possible connection with the sea) or as ‘a group of turnips’. Given that Europeans arrived by sea, were comparatively pale skinned, and possessed technology which must have seemed magical to the first Maori to encounter them, I tend to think that the former is more likely.

I didn’t know any of this until I followed your link, btw.
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October 13, 2015 11:13am
waikatogirl

Paulus Gnome
• 66% of New Zealanders believe that ‘pakeha’ was originally an insulting term, including 44% of Maori
***
My understanding is Pakeha meaning ‘pa flea’ came from Maori referring to the white people travelling NZ as ”pakeha’ who they fed and housed at the ‘pa’ (now called marae).
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October 13, 2015 11:21am
Nookin

FWIW
Jane Kelsey achieved limited success in her application for judicial review of the Minister of trade’s decision to impose a blanket embargo on disclosure of information relating to the Free Trade Agreement. From what I have read of the decision, the court appears to have upheld the retention of some information based on confidentiality but a blanket denial was unacceptable.
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October 13, 2015 11:25am
iMP

WINSTON PETERS. Oh dear Winston is now gunning for Colin Craig and its got legal. This could get REAL interesting.

https://conzervative.wordpress.com/2015/10/13/82-winston-peters-now-after-craig-behind-the-scenes-of-the-colin-craig-catastrophe-07-oct-2015/
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October 13, 2015 11:31am
Fletch

According to a report on CNN, Obama just airlifted 50 tons of ammunition to jihadists in Syria.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaUvOkEe8Xw

Sounds like a very bad idea to me, but then again, I’m not the smartest president ever….
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October 13, 2015 11:34am
Maggy Wassilieff

Set your mind at rest wrt “pakeha”.

read p.567 of Harry Orsman’s “The Dictionary of NZ English”

(brief summary: origin of word not precisely determined; probably used first by northern NZ tribes; first usage reported by French voyagers {D’urville, Lesson} who took it to mean white man. )

read on p.568-570 to get various other uses (derogatory, transferred or attributive)
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October 13, 2015 11:41am
Scott

Helen Kelly – I too would feel sympathy for her facing terminal illness except that she even chooses her dying to further political ends. Unfortunately for creatures of the left everything is political. She should reflect on deeper spiritual issues at this time in my opinion.
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October 13, 2015 11:44am
Scott

Also in the absence of Weihana I think mikenmild is the most doctrinaire liberal on this blog. Adults should be able to ingest whatever substance they like is what he says ad nauseum. But what if it’s P? Having ministered to inmates in prison who have been around P it’s a powerful substance that makes people do terrible things up to and including murder.
Is it a good idea to legalise P? I don’t think so!
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October 13, 2015 11:48am
AgentBallSack

Scott – left activism is a religion
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October 13, 2015 11:59am
Griff

She should reflect on deeper spiritual issues at this time in my opinion.

Yip how does it go?
You have posted it in the past.
oh that’s right she should fuck up and suffer because you thinks its your gods wishes that she does.
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October 13, 2015 12:00pm
Andrei

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_-ZNbrw-Mo
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October 13, 2015 12:04pm
Kimbo

@ Scott

Helen Kelly – I too would feel sympathy for her facing terminal illness except that she even chooses her dying to further political ends. Unfortunately for creatures of the left everything is political. She should reflect on deeper spiritual issues at this time in my opinion.

…Also in the absence of Weihana I think mikenmild is the most doctrinaire liberal on this blog. Adults should be able to ingest whatever substance they like is what he says ad nauseum. But what if it’s P? Having ministered to inmates in prison who have been around P it’s a powerful substance that makes people do terrible things up to and including murder.
Is it a good idea to legalise P? I don’t think so!

Umm, Kelly isn’t arguing for the right to ingest anything from what I can tell – just relieve suffering by medically prescribed marijuana. Isn’t the “slippery slope” argument the sort of Phariseeism that objected to relieving suffering on the Sabbath?

And if Kelly wants to spend her remaining time doing what she does best – fighting for change – then that is her choice, and good on her. I have not agreed with her often, but nonetheless, her public crusades for what she believes are justice for her fellow humans demonstrates, as objectionable as she or others may find the term, she is created in the image of God. Whom Christians believe is a God of justice, including the political kind.

In the circumstances, far be it from me to counsel what she “should” do.
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October 13, 2015 12:06pm
mikenmild

Thanks Scott, that’s quite a compliment given that this is a liberal political blog. Does that mean I’m the crème de la crème?
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October 13, 2015 12:09pm
backster

Starboard….I agree she seems to be the best candidate so far and streets ahead (and cheaper) than Greasy Goff.
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October 13, 2015 12:11pm
Griff

My favorite all time Phariseeism
“What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow: this is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn”
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October 13, 2015 12:14pm
Keeping Stock

@ iMP – the irony of Winston Peters accusing ANYONE else of a “corrupt practice” with regard to electioneering is simply too delicious for words.
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October 13, 2015 12:17pm
Weihana

Scott (2,166 comments) says:
October 13th, 2015 at 11:48 am

Also in the absence of Weihana I think mikenmild is the most doctrinaire liberal on this blog. Adults should be able to ingest whatever substance they like is what he says ad nauseum. But what if it’s P? Having ministered to inmates in prison who have been around P it’s a powerful substance that makes people do terrible things up to and including murder.
Is it a good idea to legalise P? I don’t think so!

I agree it is a powerful substance. But, as Griff at 9:38 am pointed out, prohibition tends to encourage stronger drugs to be more common.

Also, decriminalizing drugs does not mean a lack of regulation or control. What it primarily means is that you do not add the negative effects of imprisonment on top of the negative effects of drug use. Why anyone believes this will achieve desirable outcomes is beyond comprehension.

You accuse others of being “doctrinaire” but the strongest argument in favour of drug law reform is pragmatism: prohibition simply hasn’t achieved what it set out to and in fact has made things much much worse. We also know that decriminalizing all drugs won’t make the sky fall as Portugal has demonstrated.
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October 13, 2015 12:22pm
RF

History books tell us that when white men first arrived on these islands, metal was unknown to Maori. Even a nail could be traded for a woman’s pleasure or greenstone. There are accounts of ships being burnt to get access to the nails, metal fittings etc..

If for some strange reason white men had not arrived here would the Maori race have progressed. Like the lost primitive tribes recently discovered in the Amazon jungle I suspect Maori would have remained in the greenstone age.

I guess primative Maori were bloody lucky they were discovered and had the advantages of years of white men’s knowledge handed to them on a plate.
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October 13, 2015 12:40pm
Griff

Green stone was a high status good.
The stone age is far more precise.
Many locality will disclosed stone working with whatever the local had to offer.
Just to the left of the ferry landing at waiheke is one such place were worked material brought in from motohue can be readily found.
I have quite a collection from my batch at langs with evidence of stone working being common whenever I dig in the garden. I have also found artifacts on the beach here in wiauku. Most just dont recognize the material for what it is.
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October 13, 2015 12:50pm
Stars And Stripes

Whether Helen Kelly lives or passes away makes no difference in terms of the union movement as there are plenty more tough women with moustaches out there to replace her.
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October 13, 2015 12:50pm
Dave_1924

Kathryn Ryan chatting with George Friedman about Europe…. one of Kathryn’s best interviews for a very long time as fro once Kathryn lets someone who ain’t a dyed in the wool leftie liberal actual talk and thereby articulate their thoughts clearly without constant interruption….

http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/201774224/george-friedman-is-peace-in-europe-an-aberration

This interview is a stark contrast to kathryn’s effort on politics with Mick n Hoo on Monday where her political colouring, basically finding excuses for Labours mis-handling of its TPP position, got in the way of Mick and Hoo arguing…
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October 13, 2015 12:52pm
publicwatchdog

Judgment: Kelsey v Minister of Trade – TPP OIA Decisions Quashed

Tuesday, 13 October 2015, 11:30 am
____________________________________________________

Good work Professor Jane Kelsey, Mathew Palmer and others, defending the lawful right of the public to ‘open, transparent and democratically accountable’ government.
__________________________________________________

Press Release: New Zealand High Court
IN THE HIGH COURT OF NEW ZEALAND
WELLINGTON REGISTRY
CIV-2015-485-000583
[2015] NZHC 2497

UNDER
The Judicature Amendment Act 1972 and Part 30 of the High Court Rules

IN THE MATTER OF

An application for judicial review

BETWEEN
JANE KELSEY
First Applicant

CONSUMER NEW ZEALAND INC
Second Applicant

NGĀTI KAHUNGUNU IWI INC
Third Applicant

OXFAM NEW ZEALAND
Fourth Applicant

GREENPEACE OF NEW ZEALAND INC
Fifth Applicant

ASSOCIATION OF SALARIED MEDICAL SPECIALISTS
Sixth Applicant

NEW ZEALAND NURSES ASSOCIATION INC
Seventh Applicant

NEW ZEALAND TERTIARY EDUCATION UNION TE HAUTŪ KAHURANGI O AOTEAROA

AND
THE MINISTER OF TRADE
Respondent

Hearing:
28 September 2015
Counsel:
M S R Palmer QC for Applicants
V L Hardy and K Laurenson for Respondent

Judgment:
13 October 2015
JUDGMENT OF COLLINS J

Summary of judgment

[1] The applicants have sought judicial review of a decision of the Minister of Trade (the Minister) in which he refused to release to Professor Kelsey official information contained in eight categories of documents she requested under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act). The information requested by Professor Kelsey concerns material associated with negotiations that have led to a multi-lateral free trade agreement called the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP Agreement).

[2] When the Minister refused Professor Kelsey’s request, neither he nor his officials assessed each piece of information requested against the criteria in the Act for withholding official information. Instead, the Minister adopted a “blanket approach” to the request based upon his knowledge of the categories of documents requested by Professor Kelsey. I have concluded this approach did not comply with the Act.

[3] The applicants have applied for a series of declarations concerning the lawfulness of the Minister’s approach and the meaning of specific provisions of the Act.

[4] Rather than issue specific declarations I have quashed the Minister’s decision in relation to six of the categories of documents requested by Professor Kelsey. I explain in this judgment the aspects of Professor Kelsey’s request which have to be reconsidered. When the Minister reconsiders his decision he will be required to do so in a way that is consistent with his obligations under the Act, which I explain in this judgment.
[…]
___________________________________________________

Penny Bright

Confirmed 2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate
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October 13, 2015 12:55pm
publicwatchdog

No wonder you don’t put your name to your posts ‘Stars and Stripes’…..

Penny Bright
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October 13, 2015 12:59pm
Dave_1924

On Helen Kelly – her politics at time I can’t stand… but her campaign on Forestry H&S was spot on…. what ever I think of her politics good luck fighting the big C – its a horrible thing and having nurse my mum through the final months of its progression it is not a sickness i would wish on anyone….

And if she chooses to spend her time campaigning for her causes while slowly clocking out – well good on her for choosing her own terms of leaving..
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October 13, 2015 12:59pm
starboard

Are you so stoned gwiff that it’s affecting your spelling..or are you just thick?
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October 13, 2015 1:00pm
Weihana

RF (1,760 comments) says:
October 13th, 2015 at 12:40 pm

I guess primative Maori were bloody lucky they were discovered and had the advantages of years of white men’s knowledge handed to them on a plate.

Does being white or being a male mean you get to claim credit for what other people discovered? As far as I’m aware we refer to “Newton’s laws of motion” and not “White man’s laws of motion”.

If Maori were “bloody lucky” then I would say a lot of white men were similarly “bloody lucky” to be born in proximity to such intellectual giants and thereby being able to take advantage of their progress.
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October 13, 2015 1:02pm