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March 26, 2021 8:00am by Kokila Patel

General Debate 26 March 2021

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General Debate

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Happychappy

The Covid-19 points system making it near impossible for Kiwis to get a passionate exemption from MIQ.
You have to ask yourself if you were Mexican and a elected member of Parliament would you get a exemption or if this happens to other Labour or Green MP’s would they get a pass to attend their Parents Funeral to farewell their loved ones.
It is near impossible to get a exemption from the Government to leave isolation to see a sick and dying loved one.
Nena Viohola’s body is laying to restat a family home decorated in white,and red- her favourite color, her only daughter is stuck in managed isolation and just wants to say goodbye, but the closest she could get was the funeral procession coming to her watching from the barriers keeping her.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/03/the-covid-19-points-system-making-it-near-impossible-for-kiwis-to-get-compassionate-exemption-from-miq.html
This coming from our Kind ,Caring and Wellbeing Prime Minister and Government she leads so like most of her rhetoric and slogans, just absolute bullshit.
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March 26, 2021 8:01am
- Tony Stuart
  
  I think you mean compassionate exemption Happychappy.
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:19am
  - Happychappy
    
    My edit button doesn’t always allow me to fix my mistakes. It sends me a message to close when I am editing sometimes.
    
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    March 26, 2021 8:31am
  - Tempist
    
    Perhaps he was referring to El Mexican’s exemption
    
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    March 26, 2021 8:32am
    - Loddenthinks
      
      Can’t be – he mentioned an “elected MP” and Menendez March was elected by nobody to anything at any time.
      
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      March 26, 2021 9:46am
- Sir Cullen's Sidekick
  
  Do you really think the sheeple and the MSM who are worshipping Cindy care a damn? Only when the sheeple realise what is happening around them there will be change. Cindy knows she can do anything and get away with it. Don’t expect any changes.
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:26am
  - WaveyDavey
    
    Yep. Enough political capital to easily take her through to the next election and victory at the one after that.
    
    2029 is the next chance that National has.
    
    By which time; company tax rate increased, higher top tier(s) of personal tax, rent control, empty-house (bach) tax, 50-100% rates increases (climate change dontchaknow)…
    
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    March 26, 2021 8:48am
  - Fuzzysnuggleduck
    
    SCS – your generally frighteningly observations both sadden me and scare the shit out of me.
    Because I suspect there is a lot of truth to them.
    I never had much faith in the intelligence of the ‘average’ person.
    Can’t do much about the enemedia, so it is swing voters who I think are the issue.
    I still detect some strong opinions about the PriNZcess in my workplace and social life {some very negative}, but there are plenty of magazine covers to show that she is still a hot brand item.
    
    Behind the photo-ops with school children there are some pretty awful agendas (and implications thereof) which are creeping along. Nanaia Mahuta’s and the Climate Change Commission’s papers are scary reading, and not the type of thing the average swing voter will even be aware of.
    But the Gayford-Ardern wedding, soon enough I expect that will be grabbing column inches aplenty.
    
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    March 26, 2021 11:04am
    - hullkiwi
      
      Sadly, you are assuming that the average person in NZ has intellect. Sadly they don’t, and sadly it is getting worse if the abilities of our high school students is anything to go by, when their achievement against their international peers appears to be going the wrong way.
      
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      March 26, 2021 12:46pm
- Paulus Gnome
  
  Her magnificence is busy bro’, there is a wedding on the horizon. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to arrange Woman’s Day, Woman’s Weekly, Red Radio and Flash my Knickers Monthly so they are never in the same room together or even see each other?
  
  Spare a thought for that kind of workload, be kind.
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:29am
  - Weinerpoop
    
    Do people still think that they will get married?
    
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    March 26, 2021 11:34am
    - Nickc2
      
      Who Cares?
      
      If either of them had any knowledge of life, they would not attempt to legalize misery.
      
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      March 26, 2021 1:17pm
- Simon
  
  Covid cult. The cult can only fuck people around they cant really run anything properly. Thats why Cindy and gubermint so taken with the Ro.
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:39am
- Scott
  
  Yes I’m interested in how other people feel about this? To me the duty of attending your parents funeral is one of the most sacred duties that you have. To be denied that is a really serious thing indeed.
  
  Yet it seems that with Covid every obligation of family was cast aside because of the pandemic. I just don’t think that’s right.
  
  To me this government, and to be fair most western governments, became so obsessed with safety that all other obligations were cast aside.
  I think people should always be allowed to attend the parents funeral. Yes have social distancing and masks and all that but you should be able to attend your parents funeral.
  
  Unfortunately most New Zealanders have gone along with the government on this. I do have to say, that we appear to have such fear, that we will do anything to escape the virus. Hopefully in the future we can get a bit more perspective and dare I suggest a bit more bravery and demand that our society and our civilisation goes on.
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:46am
  - kowtow
    
    Tell ya what , apart from the deeply personal aspects of attending your own parents’ or other relatives ‘ funerals there’s a huge cultural/social / community aspect of grief /togetherness/ solidarity /support to funerals etc
    
    But funny how our new ideology of “safetyism” trumps all , and not only safetyism but also the total dedication to it ,like a new secular religion innit ?
    
    ( climate change alarmism can be included there too)
    
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    March 26, 2021 11:11am
Mike

Happy 80th birthday to Richard Dawkins.
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March 26, 2021 8:02am
- Than
  
  I actually just re-read The Selfish Gene on a recent flight, and have The Blind Watchmaker packed for one coming up. Both excellent books I have read several times over the years.
  
  Where he lost me was with The God Delusion.
  
  I’m an atheist myself, and have generally negative view of religion in general. In particular those who try and bring religion into politics, to use the force of government to impose the beliefs and rules of their religion on everything, that I object to in the absolute strongest terms. Keeping this sort of obnoxious busybodies out of government is by far my strongest political motive.
  
  But all that said, Dawkins position on religion is just needlessly antagonistic – picking a fight where you don’t need to. Whatever beliefs and rules people choose to follow for themselves, I have absolutely no issue with. Within their own live, everybody should be free to believe what they want, follow whatever self-imposed rules they want. It’s when people attempt to impose their beliefs on others that pisses me off.
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:26am
  - mikenmildagain
    
    I tend to agree. He’s an evolutionary biologist rather than a philosopher. Although I agree with his atheist position, I think it can be put forward more neutrally.
    
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    March 26, 2021 8:47am
    - SGA
      
      Me too. I looked at a friend’s copy of the God Delusion and I got bored fairly quickly, I confess.
      
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      March 26, 2021 10:57am
  - Scott
    
    Well thank you so much Than. As we were discussing yesterday, everyone has a political view and behind that political view is a worldview, a deeper sense of what is right and wrong. Socialism is a religion. An atheist has some deeply held beliefs that guide his or her actions.
    
    I think what you are saying is that Christian politicians should not bring their faith into their political decisions? But the Socialist brings his faith in socialism into political decisions. The atheist brings his lack of faith into his political decisions. But only the Christian should not be guided by his faith?
    
    Okay got it.
    
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    March 26, 2021 8:50am
    - kloyd0306
      
      Post of the day.
      Nailed it in every way.
      Well done.
      
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      March 26, 2021 9:59am
    - mikenmildagain
      
      Socialism is not a religion. Atheism is not a religion.
      A religion is not a set of theoretical beliefs. A religion is a systematic set of rituals and codification of behaviours derived from supernatural beliefs. In contrast, other philosophical approaches do not involve a belief in magic, although they may of course be wrong in theory and practice.
      
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      March 26, 2021 10:02am
      - David George
        
        “derived from supernatural beliefs”
        The codified beliefs, the Ten commandments for example, are founded on the observed behaviour that promotes a just, successful and enduring society and individual. That they are credited with the authority of God (or incorruptible reality if you prefer) is hardly surprising.
        Why lies, theft and the mindless pursuit of sensual gratification inevitably leads to a corrupt, dysfunctional, tyrannical society could be considered (and probably is) “supernatural” .
        Is it even possible to escape the consequences of our deceits?
        
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        March 26, 2021 11:34am
      - SGA
        
        It’s funny, although we do use religion as a metaphor for fervent beliefs or support (e.g., Rugby is a religion in NZ), some seem to take such statements quite literally. Hence we get pronouncements like “science is a religion” even though some scientists are also Christians, Muslims, Hindus and what not.
        
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        March 26, 2021 11:41am
      - alloytoo
        
        Socialists do believe in magic, there is, after all, no other way their policies work.
        
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        March 26, 2021 12:02pm
      - SGA
        
        Ten commandments for example, are founded on the observed behaviour…
        
        Well… really? Here’s the first four –
        1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
        2. You shall make no idols.
        3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
        4. Keep the Sabbath day holy.
        
        Observable behaviour?
        
        The others are largely things that most functioning societies seem to have adopted to a greater or lesser extent – don’t kill each other, don’t lie, don’t sleep around, don’t steal (if private property is a thing in your group).
        
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        March 26, 2021 2:00pm
      - cmm
        
        No mm, a religion is a belief system based on an omnipotent entity.
        
        A belief system that believes in the omnipotence of science would make science a religion for certain people (mainly those that believe they know what science is, and that it is awesome, without actually really knowing much about science).
        
        The same too about socialism. There is a belief amongst many that socialism is amazeballs and is perfection. Unfortunately it never quite ends up that way.
        
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        March 26, 2021 4:52pm
      - SGA
        
        a religion is a belief system based on an omnipotent entity
        
        That definition sounds a bit wonky to me. The gods of many religions, although supernaturally powerful, were at threat of harm or attack from other supernatural figures – that’s not omnipotent. I’m not sure that various ancester-worshipping or nature spirit religions require omnipotence either. Does Buddhism fall short on that score too? It might.
        
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        March 26, 2021 6:25pm
    - cmm
      
      “An atheist has some deeply held beliefs that guide his or her actions.”
      
      Not necessarily.
      
      I am an atheist, but I can see that some religions have some huge social (and thus biological) benefits.
      
      Many people are unable to self-moderate their behaviour on their own and the thought of an afterlife with a benign, powerful being in control can help steer people down a better path.
      
      Also believing that a god is in control can help people cope with the chaos of Mother Nature always being on the war path and being out to kill us.
      
      Very few people can cope properly on the basis that life is just a very complex chemical reaction that comes to an end when you die. For many people this just leads to either hedonism (screw everyone else – fun, fun, fun) or “what’s the point if we’re all going to die?” and defeatism – none of which are beneficial to society.
      
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      March 26, 2021 10:07am
    - SGA
      
      Socialism is a religion
      
      Not really. You can be both a socialist (in the broad sense of the word) and religious or not. Easier to think of them as subsets of a the wider set of beliefs.
      
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      March 26, 2021 11:03am
  - WaveyDavey
    
    A fair point. He came across as a street-corner ranter in that book.
    
    I have no truck with religion (especially organised) but reading the God Delusion felt like being repeatedly hit over the head with a club.
    
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    March 26, 2021 8:52am
  - Swifty
    
    Points well made Than.
    
    Spare a thought though about the millions of people who have read The God Delusion in Saudi, Pakistan, Yemen, Iran, Indonesia, Bangladesh etc etc etc who, if their social media postings are to be believed, have seen this sort of material for the first time in their lives and have since thrown off the poisonous beliefs imposed on them since birth.
    
    I’ve read thousands of such postings in recent years and believe the impact of this book is astounding – and magnified by the explosion in the use of the internet.
    
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    March 26, 2021 9:13am
    - mikenmildagain
      
      Good point. Even if his arguments might be flawed, or overly polemic, he has played an important role in encouraging people to think for themselves rather than blindly adhering to the fairy stories of their communities.
      
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      March 26, 2021 10:04am
      - Swifty
        
        Got to be a good thing.
        
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        March 26, 2021 11:16am
  - DenisPurdy
    
    I don’t have a problem with Dawkins wanting to rid the world of superstition and stupidity. Especially when that stupidity was/is trying to block the teaching of evolutionary biology. This is a problem where religious belief does not stay in the private sphere (at least in parts of the USA and in the islamic world).
    
    I gave up on Dawkins because of his relentless elitist arrogance in opposing Brexit – he has been an extremely vocal ‘remoaner’. He was prominent among those who wanted a second vote because, of course, the oiks need to be forced to keep voting until they vote the right way.
    
    I read that 68% of university graduates in the UK voted for remain; obviously, since Leave won, the majority of the non university graduates were actually smarter and voted leave. This a clear example of university education making people more stupid.
    
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    March 26, 2021 9:15am
    - mikenmildagain
      
      This argument relies on your opinion that Brexit was a ‘smart’ choice, which is highly debatable.
      
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      March 26, 2021 10:05am
      - alloytoo
        
        The EU covid vaccination plan and their actions seems to be winning the remoaners over.
        
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        March 26, 2021 12:11pm
      - Libertarians are right
        
        It was debatable but the EU have again and again shown that they believe they are right 100% of the time and are just nasty when anyone stands up to them. Leaving now was far less painful than it would have been in 5-10 years.
        
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        March 26, 2021 2:18pm
      - kloyd0306
        
        The way the EU dealt with the vaccine production and delivery blows your comment to smitherines.
        The Brits are now thinking, “Bloody good riddance”
        Any alliance with countries that despise you is never going to end well.
        
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        March 26, 2021 5:08pm
    - James Stephenson
      
      I’m proudly in that 32%, and it always surprises me that Dawkins, whose schtick is nominally so pro-free thought, can’t escape from the political dogma of “Europe good, Brexit=racism”.
      
      I totally get why being the focus of idiots like Ken Ham might result in a lack of patience and an increasing in sneering put-downs though.
      
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      March 26, 2021 10:18am
    - UrbanNeocolonialist
      
      University grads are the protected class whos jobs are mostly safe from competition from immigrant labour (having advantage of first-language dexterity and guild like qualifications entry barriers to their careers). Blue collar and STEM workers are the primary economic victims of unfettered immigration.
      
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      March 26, 2021 10:43am
  - Fuzzysnuggleduck
    
    As you and several others have noted, he doesn’t do himself favours by being so belligerent.
    
    Atheism is a form of belief too. Nothing wrong with that, But I have upset one firm atheist I know by saying that. “You have your faith too”.
    I am atheist some days myself probably. More commonly agnostic. No axe to grind either way, just don’t bore me.
    
    One think I really like about Dawkins is he picks out Islam as especially reprehensible, based on Islamic law – death for apostacy for instance.
    
    And he made the comment of Christianity, favourably, that “It is a bulwark, against something worse…..”.
    Amen.
    
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    March 26, 2021 11:17am
- mandk
  
  I wonder what he is going to say when he meets Jesus?
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:54am
  - rangitoto
    
    What will you say when you meet Wotan.
    
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    March 26, 2021 9:53am
    - JibberJabber
      
      til valhal!
      
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      March 26, 2021 12:05pm
      - rangitoto
        
        I’d say “Wo ist Brunhild?”
        
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        March 26, 2021 1:29pm
    - mandk
      
      At least I will have been right.
      There is an afterlife.
      
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      March 26, 2021 1:37pm
  - mikenmildagain
    
    Safe to say he doesn’t have to worry about that.
    
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    March 26, 2021 10:06am
  - Philview
    
    Jesus also challenged the religious status quo of the time so maybe the conversation will touch upon that.
    
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    March 26, 2021 10:35am
  - alwyn
    
    From what I have read, by and about him, he would probably have the same attitude as Winston Churchill. As Churchill put it.
    “I am prepared to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.”
    That sounds like Dawkins to me.
    
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    March 26, 2021 10:45am
Maggie Pie

THEATRE CITY!
Scripted Press Conference with a few friendly reporters.
Reading from a list of who to call….no doubt they submitted questions in advance.

That was my take anyway 😀
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March 26, 2021 8:03am
- Inandout
  
  Maggie, even our slobbering media had to admit his conference didn’t go well. They even played his bumbling and stalling half way through the conference of 30 handpicked reporters. This guy is a complete shambles and actually said he would run again in 2024; no way Hosay.
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:06am
  - MCos
    
    That would be Jose
    
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    March 26, 2021 8:56am
  - Batman
    
    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
    Ahhh so the narrative didn’t go your way so they must have been hand picked?
    
    I’ll get 20+ downticks for posting this link but since the writer is a former Republican I think it’s worth noting.
    
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/03/25/biden-excels-his-first-news-conference-media-embarrass-themselves/
    
    Face it, your false narrative about bumbling senile Biden takes a hit every time and you have to reset the goal posts with claims like “friendly” and “handpicked” reporters. Sad! ?
    
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    March 26, 2021 9:04am
    - Local Miller
      
      You’ll have to post some details about that Washington Post article, it’s behind a paywall.
      And a WP article, really? You’re using one of the most left leaning, biased news outlets as a source?
      
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      March 26, 2021 9:22am
      - Batman
        
        Local, weirdly enough I read the whole thing without a paywall. Maybe it went up after I read it? Either way, I can’t read it now either because I won’t pay for the WP.
        
        And yes I realise the source, hence why I predicted I’d get downticks for posting it!
        
        The short version is that she thrashed the media for being lightweight and unfocused in their questions, all of which were on trivial gotcha stuff and nothing really substantive. She mentions that none of them asked about infrastructure so Biden raised it himself. Basically the media were shown to be ambulance chasing clickbait merchants which Biden dealt with competently but taking the temperature out of their questions.
        
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        December 26, 2020 11:30am
      - Ed Snack
        
        “…mentioned that none of the reporters asked about infrastructure…” That would be because the pre-scripted answers prepared by the Biden handlers did not include any !
        
        The only reason he (Biden) had some completed sentences was because his handlers trusted him to be able to read short sentences some of the time. There wasn’t a spontaneous word in the whole scene.
        
        Are you still fooling yourself that these questions were “spontaneous” ? For heaven’s sake, Biden even had a cheat sheet with the reporters photos on it and a number by their name so he could try to work ou which one to call on next so they could ask the question they had been given so Biden could read out his pre-prepared answer.
        
        Apart from the ridiculous position of having a POTUS who cannot be trusted to answer questions that he hasn’t be given scripted answers for, surely the scandal of the time is that the press who were present do not report on this fact !
        
        This was true in Biden’s campaign as well, the only questions allowed (and statements !) were pre-arranged.
        
        It was a shambles Batman, and you know it.
        
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        March 26, 2021 3:41pm
    - Simon
      
      “the writer is a former Republican I think it’s worth noting.”
      
      Lol – for thinking former Republican has meaning. “or worth noting” A bit out of touch there.
      
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      March 26, 2021 9:24am
    - Apropos of the Wet Snow
      
      Who cares if a “former Republican” thinks Biden excelled himself? Continuing to think in terms of “Republicans v Democrats” – a distinction that may have been relevant 40 years ago – is wrongheaded. There is no longer any meaningful distinction. They now constitute a monoparty, where the only relationships are to the inside or the outside. For instance, Mitch McConnell is a Republican, yet he and Trump loath each other. The same is true for many nominal Republicans. The former is a monoparty member, the latter is not (hence the true dividing line is exposed).
      
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      March 26, 2021 9:27am
    - JibberJabber
      
      Your post and link doesn’t appear to reflect the reality,
      
      So…
      @JoeBiden’s press conference is going just about how you’d expect.
      
      https://twitter.com/TheFirstonTV/status/1375143171869511681
      
      In Joes own words, “what press conference”
      https://twitter.com/Chomptalk_DS/status/1375180227165454338
      
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      March 26, 2021 9:35am
      - Don Beckett
        
        And Batman thinks that was all good – that Biden did well????
        Surely demonstrates his intellect & biases.
        
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        March 26, 2021 11:24am
      - Batman
        
        Awww cute, you are swallowing the conservative narrative whole and without question.
        
        What good little cult members you are!
        
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        March 26, 2021 11:35am
      - JibberJabber
        
        I notice you get a bit agro when your demented messiahs’ foibles get presented to you, Robin.
        We all know what Democrats swallow and it ‘aint reality.
        
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        March 26, 2021 11:47am
    - virtualmark
      
      Batman, I thought Biden exceeded my expectations. He’s never going to be a great orator, but he was well prepared, tried to constructively answer questions, and gave us more complete sentences in one press conference than the former guy did in 4 years.
      
      But I thought the press were hopeless. No questions on Covid-19, the economy etc … nothing on what the average American is presumably most concerned about.
      
      Surprised he said he was going to run again in 2024. Personally I think that would be a mistake. But not sure about the political dynamics of perhaps not wanting to be seen as a one-term lame duck?
      
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      March 26, 2021 9:35am
      - Batman
        
        Virtual, yes that’s the exact impression I got from the article before it was paywalled.
        
        So clearly the reality distortion field is still very strong.
        
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        March 26, 2021 11:36am
      - JibberJabber
        
        Jeepers, how low were your “expectations?
        
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        March 26, 2021 11:41am
      - Ed Snack
        
        You don’t get it, there were no questions on those topics because Biden’s handlers didn’t include any. All the questions were scripted as were the answers. Biden clearly read his answers.
        
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        March 26, 2021 3:43pm
      - virtualmark
        
        Higher than any of my expectations of Trump.
        
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        March 26, 2021 4:22pm
    - Greg Ettridge
      
      The official whitehouse utube
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynG4j-BsRhI 278 likes, 2458 dislikes and 13,515 have viewed white house video.
      I tried to dislike it but as usual will let me like, but not dislike and comments are closed.
      What a sad reflection of reality.
      Free speech is well on the way to being torched.
      This is really a disgrace.
      If people disagree, just shut them down, this is really bringing the country back together, NOT.
      
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      March 26, 2021 11:20am
      - SB2
        
        “Free speech is well on the way to being torched.”
        
        Rubbish Your post and the 2458 dislikes give a very different picture.
        
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        March 26, 2021 11:32am
      - Batman
        
        Wait, you’re determining that free speech is being destroyed because you can’t downtick a video on YouTube?
        
        Maybe join Twitter or start a blog? Don’t be lazy.
        
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        March 26, 2021 11:38am
      - Greg Ettridge
        
        Haven’t got the time to run a blog, I enjoy kiwiblog it still is a balanced platform where one can still comment, this is now almost impossible on many blogs in Australia. Treasure what you have and what many are quickly losing around the world.
        I post under my name, maybe if this was made compulsory on twitter, it could drag it from the sewer gutter it is.
        
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        March 26, 2021 12:05pm
      - Juliet2554
        
        actually that’s a new edited version. they took down the livestream this morning. Look at the downvotes on all Biden videos. They cant even have the comments on videos.
        
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        March 26, 2021 12:32pm
    - kaykaybee
      
      What’s sad is that there is no end to the delusion some people subject themselves to
      
      6 0
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      March 26, 2021 11:54am
- igm
  
  Are you referring to Ardern?
  
  45 4
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  March 26, 2021 8:10am
Andrei

Did anybody else watch President Joe Biden’s presser?

A highly scripted event reminiscent of Leonid Brezhnev’s later years, except when Leonid Brezhnev was Joe Biden’s age he been dead three years already.
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March 26, 2021 8:08am
- Simon
  
  At least those old Soviet commies faced down the wehrmacht. The neolib shower of shit like Biden and his woke diversity hires would have folded like deck chairs confronted by anyone hostile playing for keeps.
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:46am
  - Brian McDonald
    
    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
    Yeah, like Trump faced-down Putin by bowing to him.
    
    6 37
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    March 26, 2021 9:32am
    - Don Beckett
      
      You’re thinking of Obama.
      
      14 2
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      March 26, 2021 11:28am
      - Batman
        
        No no, Trump bowed to the Saudis. He merely let Putin ride him like a donkey
        
        3 14
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        March 26, 2021 12:39pm
      - Ed Snack
        
        Funnily enough, who is doing everything in their power to support Putin ?
        
        What Putin would really like to get from the US would be:
        
        1. End fracking, reduce US oil output, and hence raise oil prices. That’s #1, the Russian economy relies very heavily on oil revenue, and the low prices caused primarily by the US increase in output has put a serious crimp in Putin’s ability to spend money.
        
        2. Support Russia’s main ME ally, Iran
        
        3. Undermine and weaken the US military.
        
        And we know who is doing precisely that. For all the propaganda about Trump being somehow in cahoots with Russia (which was all a tall tale by the Democrats anyway), he did Putin precisely zero favours. Unlike Creepy Joe who is giving Putin just what he wants, and then gets mocked by Putin as a result.
        
        Hey, why wouldn’t Biden have an online direct discussion with Putin without his handlers writing everything down for him ? By your beliefs you seem think that Biden would talk rings around Putin, right ?
        
        Oh, and ps, it was Obama who bowed deeply and reverently to the King of Saudi Arabia, you’re getting mixed up.
        
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        March 26, 2021 3:50pm
    - Homas
      
      Perhaps he shoulda played hardball? Like that “reset” button stunt. That sure showed him!
      
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      March 26, 2021 12:36pm
    - Libertarians are right
      
      So how’s the petrol price going?
      You guys say that Trump was Putin’s toy but at the end of the day, Russia’s economy relies on the oil price and Trump did more damage to them through his oil policies than Obama did or Biden will.
      
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      March 26, 2021 3:11pm
- mikenmildagain
  
  Richard Griffiths as the Brezhnev character in Whoops Apocalypse.
  
  4 8
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  March 26, 2021 8:49am
- Juliet2554
  
  According to George News –
  
  ” Happening now in the East Room :
  
  AP, Reuters, Bloomberg, AFP, NVT, CBS, Huffpost and ABC were all asked in advance to submit questions for the ‘briefing’. Joe has all the names and seating postings in front of him, as well as prepared answers”
  
  This is the leader of the free world…
  
  Now where are all the people on this board who didnt like Trump as his tweets offended them & thought Sleepy Joe was the answer?!
  
  32 4
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  March 26, 2021 8:59am
  - Batman
    
    George News?
    
    Come on Juliet, if you’re going to push made up fallacies at least find somewhere more reliable than a churnbox site which uses Breitbart, the Dally Caller, and Newsmax.
    
    2 16
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    March 26, 2021 12:42pm
- Frank the tank
  
  It was an unmitigated disaster and suggests something is wrong. This could go very, very wrong for the democrats very, very quickly.
  
  Reminded me of Abe Simpson.
  
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  March 26, 2021 12:48pm
  - curry4me
    
    Frank the tank: Abe Simpson would have done a much better job.
    
    7 1
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    March 26, 2021 2:57pm
- UrbanNeocolonialist
  
  Biden’s floundering. Being kept entirely isolated from public, save for rare carefully curated and managed shows using pre-vetted and pre-prepared questions from the friendliest members of the partisan media. This not-really-a-press-conference showed he is unable to remember names and faces (he had a list of journalist portraits and names in front of him), as well as a prepared list of pre-submitted questions and answers to read through with help from the play-acting partisan media invited to this little performance piece.
  
  And who is really calling the shots – cos it sure as fuck ain’t glove puppet Biden who became president just 2 months ago. A coup has taken place. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD4zBLvcTxY.
  
  Are they going to try to hold out for 2 years so that Kamala can have a chance at up to 10 in office? Or will they be forced to retire him sooner as his dementia becomes ever more obvious?
  
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  March 26, 2021 4:12pm
Tony Stuart

Trevor Mallard seems to have an unfortunate habit of making inflammatory comments for which he subsequently has to apologise. Worse than that however, is his conviction that apologising makes everything better. Remember the time he suggested inserting a Heineken bottle into then-IRD Chairman Vernon Pugh after New Zealand lost co-hosting rights to the 2003 Rugby World Cup?

The Prime Minister, Helen Clark, has backed her Sports Minister, despite thinly veiled criticism of him in the Eichelbaum report into the Rugby World Cup debacle.

Trevor Mallard does not believe he needs to quit over his role in the affair, although he bitterly regrets crude comments he made about inserting Heineken bottles into International Rugby Board chairman Vernon Pugh.

His Heineken comment was not particularly good, the Prime Minister said, but he was passionate about rugby and “anything he says is done with what he thinks is the best interests of the sport in mind”.

Mr Mallard made his comment on Radio Sport the day after New Zealand lost its bid to co-host the cup.

It involved inserting “Heinekens in particularly uncomfortable places” and he offered to use the cup sponsor’s product on Mr Pugh and Australian Rugby Union boss John O’Neill.

In his report, released on Tuesday, Sir Thomas Eichelbaum said it was not surprising that Mr Pugh had failed to reply to a letter from Mr Mallard, given the minister’s comments.

Mr Mallard yesterday said he would always regret the comments.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/mallard-regrets-comments-about-pugh/AZNFJFNTHDMESOOXQWJ75MXKSM/

It also makes Grant Robertson’s outrage at UFC champion Israel Adesanya’s “rape” comment look somewhat hypocritical. The Minister for Sport is happy to slag off Adesanya, but his silence over his Labour Party colleague Mallard is both deafening and hypocritical.

As for Mallard’s apology apparently putting everything right, as the Prime Minister seems to believe, has anyone thought to ask the man defamed by Mallard what he thinks?
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March 26, 2021 8:12am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  Well at least he didn’t suggest putting “a sock in it”.
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:17am
  - Paulus Gnome
    
    ‘Zip it sweetie’ – one of my all time faves . . .
    
    41 1
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    March 26, 2021 8:33am
- mikenmildagain
  
  His ire in 2003 would have been better directed at the woefully incompetent NZRFU, all of whose senior staff no doubt enjoyed box hospitality at the games in Australia.
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:50am
  - Tony Stuart
    
    As did Mallard, no doubt.
    
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    March 26, 2021 9:27am
  - Frank the tank
    
    Piss off. The government stuffed it up by being petulant children regarding consumption of alcohol in the stadiums. An analogy would be trying to get some extra discount off a car because you don’t like the tyre trim.
    
    John O’Neill saw it for what it was a minor inconvenience and an opportunity to take the whole tournament.
    
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    March 26, 2021 1:41pm
- Thought Criminal
  
  I want mallard to keep his job. So we have a daily reminder of Labour’s toxic culture and hypocrisy.
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:02am
- alloytoo
  
  I’m not sure why anyone things a MMA fighter trash talking his opponent is news worthy except as a distraction…..
  
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  March 26, 2021 12:18pm
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    Probably because MMA is one of the most popular sports in the World… and worldwide, Israel Adesanya is perhaps the most recognised NZer.
    
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    March 26, 2021 5:19pm
Simon

Is that utter wet Luxon being promoted as possible Nat leader? NZ’s very own Jeb Bush. Sounds about right. Luxon for climate change, equality & te Maori. Luxon more hot garbage from National.
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March 26, 2021 8:13am
- Sir Cullen's Sidekick
  
  Hell will freeze over before Luxury Luxon becomes Nat Leader. So don’t worry.
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:28am
  - Simon
    
    “Hell will freeze over before Luxury Luxon becomes Nat Leader. So don’t worry”
    
    Yeah hope you are right. MSM seem to love him, until he becomes Nat leader and they will turn on him within 24 hours.
    
    Being a Nat type he will be stupid enough believe the MSM hype whereas its all promotion of dividing the National party. Luxon should stop giving MSM interviews but he just cant help himself. Which disqualfies himself in the first place.
    
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    March 26, 2021 8:51am
    - sooty
      
      I believe Luxon is been called Fester over on YSB.
      
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      March 26, 2021 1:17pm
- JibberJabber
  
  Yes, don’t understand this hype around Luxon being nationals next great hope, just because he worked for AirNZ.
  Don’t have anything against him, atm don’t really know anything about him or his political or business ability.
  Tho’ the fact that the left and their media lackeys are using his religious beliefs to smear him, means they obviously see him as a threat.
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:32am
  - BAM
    
    No, they don’t.
    He’s another Muller, that they’d enjoy pushing around.
    
    10 3
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    March 26, 2021 10:27am
- Nickc2
  
  Not a good look National! Buck up FFS. Luxton is NOT Primeministerial. A good finance minister maybe, but nothing beyond that. Not even deputy leader IMO.
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:37am
  - Apropos of the Wet Snow
    
    Luxon is a model for almost everything National don’t need, so no doubt he will be the leader come the next election.
    
    12 5
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    March 26, 2021 9:36am
    - Batman
      
      If any lefties here want to ensure National never gain power again, they should vigorously promote the advice of Simon, Nick and Wet.
      
      Going further right or left, merely makes you an irrelevant loser like Corbyn, Cunliffe, or Trump.
      
      Doubling down on the base does not work as a general rule.
      
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      March 26, 2021 12:48pm
- KevO'Brien
  
  What’s coming up next to shame this substitute for a govt? At least people like Luxon have established accomplishments before offering themselves as MP’s.
  How many Labour MP’s does it take to get a resolution a to build a house?
  
  45 2
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  March 26, 2021 8:50am
  - alwyn
    
    “How many Labour MP’s does it take to get a resolution a to build a house”
    To paraphrase Bill Clinton
    “It depends upon what the meaning of the word ‘a’ is.”
    
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    March 26, 2021 10:52am
- mikenmildagain
  
  What National needs is a Trumpian figure to liven up NZ politics, which lacks any genuine entertainment factor.
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:51am
  - Apropos of the Wet Snow
    
    Unintentionally correct.
    
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    March 26, 2021 9:33am
  - The Fifth Elephant
    
    Deep down in places you don’t like to talk about at parties, you want Trump and his wall. You need Trump and his wall.
    
    10 3
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    March 26, 2021 10:27am
  - Nickc2
    
    Yes, we need a leader who doesn’t bow down to all this PC BS, tells things how they are and should be and implements measures to ensure things happen on time and budget.
    We also want someone who will put a stop to all this TOW BS and stop the Maori Separatist movement in its tracks once and for all.
    As an added extra, I would like someone who has the balls/ovaries to tell local councils to get their houses in order within X years/months else a Govt appointed caretaker committee will be appointed to get things in order.
    I would also like to see this person set our Foreign Policy around tried and true allies, not fanciful nations whose history has been glorified to suit an ancient textbook version of life.
    
    12 3
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    March 26, 2021 11:59am
    - Southtop2
      
      Nailed it Nick – local government is a simple fix. Change the 2002 Local Government Act so councils must only deal with roads, rubbish, sewage, water and a few amenities. This will stop one trick nobodies standing as getting unnecessary shit done. Probably solve the housing problems too as the council would be able to provide enough services for subdivisions.
      Anyone who wants additional facilities e.g. sport and rec or art galleries can raise a minimum of 30% towards the cost to guarantee buy in (this includes cycleways)
      Change the Council Management salary delivery away from the more staff the more money they make. Currently incentivized to build an empire – BS!
      oh and one more: Climate BS:
      Allow the market to decide on energy needs i.e. want a wind farm or solar – no subsidies
      
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      March 26, 2021 2:19pm
- Juliet2554
  
  I happen to really like Luxon. Definitely not a Jeb Bush. Dont even get me started on the corrupt Bush family…
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:00am
- Local Miller
  
  No! I’m not aware of anything coming out of National or from Luxon implying that he’s their soon to be leader.
  From what I can see it’s the MSM and the left pumping this up, I believe in an effort to make National look desperate and divided.
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:28am
  - Jack5
    
    That seems accurate to me, but there are also a few former Nat MPs and apparatchiks locked in the past who would like the party to be a Woke Labour Lite.
    
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    March 26, 2021 10:04am
  - mikenmildagain
    
    I don’t think the National Party need the media to help them look divided.
    
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    March 26, 2021 10:08am
    - I remember when
      
      Labour needed the media to get them multiplied.
      
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      March 26, 2021 4:19pm
  - igm
    
    Scum msm are shit worried about Judith . . . she is doing everything right, showing leadership qualities and competence well beyond any of the imbeciles currently in this line-up of unemployable deabeats, masquerading as government.
    
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    March 26, 2021 10:11am
  - Albert_Ross
    
    Last time National were stupid and pusillanimous enough to let the media panic them into changing their leadership.
    
    Please, National, please don’t do it again. Changing the leadership, even if Richie McCaw himself were to take the job, will not make the media like you and it will not get you fair reporting. You just have to learn to manage that and find other ways through to voters.
    
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    March 26, 2021 11:55am
  - Batman
    
    Local: yeah there’s a definite lazy thing going about where people are basically assuming National need a John Key 2.0 and Luxon is basically the same except Christian and less wealthy….
    
    4 3
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    March 26, 2021 12:50pm
  - KevO'Brien
    
    Yes. The usual play of the differences while Cinders attends to her Kindy.
    It’s one of their old tricks: they allowed David Seymour a platform effectively promoting a split vote. Any sniff about National was magnified into virus scare magnitude–truth was irrelevant. The impression of dissension was what they aimed for. It was hands-off as against Labour or the ignorant Grrrns.
    
    Every party has its passing moments. Most Labour MP’s are best passed out, they’re useless except to pick up their pay cheque which they could not have possibly earned.
    
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    March 26, 2021 12:57pm
- Philview
  
  On the one hand he has a decent enough grasp of business and economics which this country is going to need. On the other hand Labour’s policies for separatist Maori Governance will be well advanced by the time National get back in and I don’t see him having the absolute courage to take that one on.
  
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  March 26, 2021 10:43am
  - KevO'Brien
    
    Any more Maori advantage claims will see marching in the streets.
    The Treaty is not reversible at will.
    Do they wan’t to return to utu among themselves?
    
    9 3
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    March 26, 2021 1:00pm
- kowtow
  
  Is this what the focus groups are telling ’em the great unwashed want ?
  
  9 1
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  March 26, 2021 11:22am
- coge
  
  NZ’s own David Cameron. Would jump into bed with the Greens. Should the opportunity present itself.
  
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  March 26, 2021 1:50pm
- Bobba Fret
  
  The main people that seem to be promoting Luxon as leader are the press.
  
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  March 26, 2021 2:05pm
JibberJabber

Peak f#*kwittery?

https://twitter.com/GSpellchecker/status/1375090250624737282

Vegans are, …wait for it…yes, you guessed it…White Supremacist RACISTS!
?
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March 26, 2021 8:14am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  They’re everywhere…
  
  https://www.sbs.com.au/news/white-vegan-couple-cooks-up-controversy-with-thug-kitchen-cookbook
  
  (Warning: unlady-like language )
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:33am
  - JibberJabber
    
    ?
    
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    March 26, 2021 8:45am
- Frank Thomas
  
  Peak? Mate, we are still barely in the foothills of the journey of wokism that these snowflakes want to take us on…..
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:44am
  - JibberJabber
    
    It’s going to be a Long and Winding road across the expansive plateau before we get back to Reality…
    
    11 0
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    March 26, 2021 8:47am
Maggy Wassilieff

The old “we went early & hard” story is fading into the sunset

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-virus-was-in-nz-earlier-than-first-thought/JRUTQWAWGNKWRKGXAL5AZQFZNI/
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March 26, 2021 8:15am
- cmm
  
  That article is worth a read because it does underline how the antigen tests provide very different information than the antibody tests.
  
  Antigen tests only tell you if someone is currently infected. Antibody tests will tell you if people have been infected in the past.
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:31am
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    Here’s the NZ Medical Journal version
    
    https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal-articles/keeping-up-with-covid-identification-of-new-zealands-earliest-known-cluster-of-covid-19-cases-open-access
    
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    March 26, 2021 8:50am
    - Charmaine Hawke
      
      I believe our government in April 2020 banned the importation of antibody test kits to our fair shores. Very frustrating for people like me who are fairly sure I had in in January last year (brought back from the UK, sorry NZ) but were not able to test if it was.
      
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      March 26, 2021 9:08am
      - fernglas
        
        The reason they were banned was not because they were unhelpful or inaccurate, but because the Government thought it would be harder to impose universal measures if some people believed they were immune, and also because it might risk creating a second class of citizens out of those who had not yet been infected. Like you, Charmaine, I have had the virus, albeit a while ago now, and would love to have been able to prove it.
        
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        March 26, 2021 9:36am
- Ruawai
  
  Hipkins this morning said they were going “hard and fast” with vaccines, a slight variation on the same phrase.
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:03am
- kowtow
  
  No surprises there , it’s well established it was circulating in Italy well before the “official” start.
  
  What is surprising is how little this fact is discussed . It goes against the fear porn/we must lock down agenda you see.
  
  ‘It showed that four cases dating back to the first week of October were positive for antibodies, meaning they had got infected in September, Giovanni Apolone, a co-author of the study, told Reuters.’
  
  https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-italy-timing-idUSKBN27W1J2
  
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  March 26, 2021 11:27am
Tomtoddy

You can take a train from Hamilton to Papakura from this morning. Let me know when you take the trip- I will walk along side you to keep you company.

Gonna save 73,000 care trips!!!! What nonsense. How do these people keep a straight face knowing its a lie?
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March 26, 2021 8:27am
- Sir Cullen's Sidekick
  
  Bro Cindy said “patronage will take some time and builds over a period”. So trust her and move on. Hamilton sheeple voted for Labour big time. So they know what they are doing. My spies in Hamilton tell me that the train has been booked full for the next five years. So Cindy is right.
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:30am
  - KevO'Brien
    
    A Marxist has gone right?
    
    13 2
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    March 26, 2021 8:52am
  - Grant
    
    You need new spies.
    G
    
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    March 26, 2021 9:15am
    - Sir Cullen's Sidekick
      
      My spies are trained by Labour MPs.
      
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      March 26, 2021 9:55pm
- Paulus Gnome
  
  ‘How do these people keep a straight face knowing its a lie?’
  
  Government led training . . .
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:36am
- Captain Mainwaring
  
  And when you eventually get to Papakura you will change trains but your train to Auckland won’t go anywhere because they found a body on the tracks.
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:37am
  - Ruawai
    
    And if no body on the tracks then probably running at half speed for a few more months, then at full speed it still takes another 45mins from Papakura to city. Reckon it is cheaper and quicker if everyone just droves their cars.
    
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    March 26, 2021 9:07am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  The left are not good with numbers. I think they mean 73,000 over 10years
  
  20 2
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  March 26, 2021 8:38am
  - Brian McDonald
    
    If they’re lucky it might suit tourist trips in a couple of years but I can’t see many commuters for working wanting to spend up to 5 hours a day travelling.
    
    8 1
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    March 26, 2021 10:56am
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      Commuters from Silverdale and beyond going to industrial Manukau do the every day
      
      3 0
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      March 26, 2021 2:30pm
- rangitoto
  
  The Auckland rail network is mostly shut down this morning.
  
  https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/03/trains-across-auckland-network-delayed-cancelled-due-to-emergency-incident.html
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:39am
  - Sir Cullen's Sidekick
    
    Nine long years of neglect??
    
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    March 26, 2021 9:56pm
- 70andstilllearning
  
  And the Waikato Expressway.
  
  https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/roadclosures/336196
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:52am
- Nigel Kearney
  
  A diesel train that will cost more in taxpayer and ratepayer subsidies that it would to buy an electric car for every passenger.
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:57am
  - krazykiwi
    
    There’s a great story out of Greece around GFC time. Someone calculated this it would have been cheaper to put every national rail passenger in a taxi and pay for their journey across Greece, that it was to fund the national rail service.
    
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    March 26, 2021 9:49am
- Simon
  
  “Gonna save 73,000 care trips!!!! ”
  
  Comrade $92 million. For that much money most people will say anything in some bull shit report for the Cindy gubermint.
  
  $92 million all that petrol tax had to be pissed away somehow. Also looks good on the Cindy CV for the UN. Helped fight climate change by undermining Auckland Hamilton transport corridor with a bull shit train service that is a complete waste of money. Gold standard on the CV for the UN.
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:58am
- kevn
  
  @Tom… ‘Save’ 73,000 car trips per annum. Daily = almost nothing. 100 each way.
  Frauds/liars.
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:26am
- Benedict Yu
  
  Will be interesting. The fares seem cheap at $12.20 each way. Even if the train is packed, I doubt that would cover costs.
  
  https://www.tehuiatrain.co.nz/fares/
  
  “”The total journey from Rotokauri to Britomart in Auckland will take an estimated 2 hours 30 mins”
  
  So that is 5 hours commuting. I just don’t see it happening. The most likely scenario is that people will try it out as a novelty and then it will go into rapid decline with 20 percent of the seats full on a good day. Losses will mount. The Greens will demand more subsidies. Because Climate Change. Then in a couple of years it will be quietly shelved after burning through $200 million.
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:31am
- Local Miller
  
  And if you get to Papakura today you’re stuck or have to take a bus because the Auckland part of the trip is hit by delays and cancelations caused by a body on the tracks.
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:36am
- Bobba Fret
  
  Telling lies just comes so naturally to them. Robbo is an expert. Will you extend the bright line test? No he said. Is Alf here in the pub tonight? No he said.
  
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  March 26, 2021 10:17am
- GazzaW
  
  Give it six months and Michael Wood and the associated gaggle of Waikato petty politicians who were swanning around in front of the TV cameras last night will not be able to distance themselves fast enough from this financial disaster.
  
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  March 26, 2021 11:08am
- Ehlana
  
  Care trips? Do you mean car trips or is this some new, no doubt taxpayer funded, initiative of our most caring and transparent government ever?
  
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  March 26, 2021 11:10am
- Cobolt24
  
  The problem with those who advocate public transport by saying it will save X many car trips is it will only do so if it’s operating at capacity which it never is.
  
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  March 26, 2021 11:55am
Simon

New commuter train Auckland / Hamilton. It cost $92 million to set up. How they pissed away $92 million?

The only ones who will use this bull shit train are the sick who cant access Middlemore hospital. Hop on the train get your sick arse down to Hamilton.
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March 26, 2021 8:27am
- Tony Stuart
  
  They did some on-the-street interviews with Hamiltonians on One News last night. Some random woman reckoned she’d go for a ride on it, because “Hamilton’s boring”. Would it be wrong to speculate that life might be better if she got a job?
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:47am
  - nathie
    
    Hope she goes on a ride on it, everyday, twice a day (and hopefully with her friends too) to make it economically viable! Either that or she doesn’t mind being fleeced more in tax to subsidise the train service!
    
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    March 26, 2021 8:55am
  - Maxx
    
    Careful, you’ll get accused of discrimination if you suggest a bludger should get a job
    
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    March 26, 2021 9:11am
- WaveyDavey
  
  $290 of subsidy for each and every passenger (in each direction) IF the trains are completely full on every journey.
  
  If it works watch for the whining about house prices rising due to the halo effect.
  
  Quite frankly if the govt said $1450 in your hand EVERY WEEK I would take a low-paid job in Hamilton and not worry about the commute
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:56am
  - UrbanNeocolonialist
    
    Providing free helicopter commuting rides to all of the trains patrons would actually be cheaper.
    
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    March 26, 2021 10:49am
- MCos
  
  I wondered about that, but it’s basically a train commuter train from Hamilton to Auckland.
  If I fancied a day out in Hamilton there is no morning train from Auckland.
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:29am
WaynelSexton

So they are finally doing animal testing on the Not-Vaccine.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3335060/

Conclusions
These SARS-CoV vaccines all induced antibody and protection against infection with SARS-CoV. However, challenge of mice given any of the vaccines led to occurrence of Th2-type immunopathology suggesting hypersensitivity to SARS-CoV components was induced. Caution in proceeding to application of a SARS-CoV vaccine in humans is indicated
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March 26, 2021 8:28am
- Kiwi_in_Paris
  
  https://healthimpactnews.com/2021/3964-dead-162610-injuries-european-database-of-adverse-drug-reactions-for-covid-19-vaccines/
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:19am
  - WaynelSexton
    
    Once the vaccination campaign started, we saw a very interesting shift. While the Orthodox Jews went en masse to get “the jab”, the Palestinians (Israeli Arabs) did not follow this pattern. In the early stages of the vaccination campaign, in January, we saw a rise of 15 times as many morbidity cases in the Orthodox Jewish segment while we saw a significant drop (in morbidity) in the Israeli Arab segment. By not taking the vaccine, the level of morbidity dropped sharply. It was then that I began to figure out there was a connection between vaccination and morbidity.
    
    https://www.unz.com/mwhitney/operation-vaxx-all-deplorables-codename-satans-poker/
    
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    March 26, 2021 10:25am
  - SB2
    
    Kiwi in Paris, I suggest stick to reputable souces of information like Nature,
    
    https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00290-x
    
    Not crank websites Health Impact News and Natural News etc
    
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    March 26, 2021 11:41am
    - KevO'Brien
      
      ~~Nature~~ No longer. Avoid The Economist and the BBC too.
      
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      March 26, 2021 1:10pm
      - SB2
        
        Have another go,
        
        Safety of Covid 19 vaccines,
        
        https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/safety-of-vaccines.html
        
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        March 26, 2021 2:10pm
- Kiwi_in_Paris
  
  https://imgflip.com/i/4q8nwj
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:35am
- Benedict Yu
  
  Your link is to a nine years old article about SARS Coronavirus Vaccines. How is this relevant to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in 2021?
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:39am
Wayne Mapp

If they get 70 people on the train each time, the calculation would be about right. However, taking that number of car trips off the road, spread across a whole year would not be noticeable. It is no more than a car every 5 minutes or so. I imagine fuel savings will be minimal as well given the amount of fuel a train uses.

To make any noticeable difference, the train will need to be at least 60% full, say 300 people. Is that likely?
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March 26, 2021 8:38am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Electric train I think. What’s that? Where does the electricity come from? Fuck knows – same place as electric cars I guess
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:41am
  - Tony Stuart
    
    Are you sure? I didn’t think the Main Trunk Line was electrified beyond Hamilton.
    
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    March 26, 2021 8:49am
    - Jack5
      
      Electric trains? For goodness sake don’t mention them or the Labour-Greens will add it to their “we would like” Santa Claus letter.
      
      The Government plans to spend half a million dollars upgrading transmission lines to take power north, according to Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds in her maiden speech.
      
      It’s going to far more than half a million to get Manapouri power to Auckland by the time they boost the Cook Strait transmission. Then, 10 to 15 per cent of the power will be lost in transmission burn.
      
      This while Jacindarella in the greatest State vandalism in NZ history, sealed off the country’s gas and oil resources.
      
      Liquefied natural gas prices are soaring and set to continue booming. Our neighbour, Australia, is a world leaders in production. LNG exports could have made NZ rich, too.
      
      The Labour-Greens “renewable” electricity madness is ruinous for New Zealand. When they say “renewable” the Labour-Greenies don’t count renewing cables, wind-power blades, thermal piping that must move to follow the wandering steam, batteries, cables, solar cells.
      
      Electric trains won’t solve Auckland’s overcrowding. What might do that is a bit of rumbling in the more than 50 volcanoes the city sits on.
      
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      March 26, 2021 9:38am
      - KevO'Brien
        
        It’s exciting working in a office at the top of Symond’s street with a volcano underneath.
        
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        March 26, 2021 1:13pm
      - Jack5
        
        Edit my 9.38 post: The Government plans to spend half a ~~million~~ billion dollars upgrading transmission lines to take power north …
        
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        March 26, 2021 1:32pm
      - Master Mariner
        
        Meanwhile we will saving the planet by banning the BBQ.
        Gee Aint we good climate warriors.
        
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        March 26, 2021 9:09pm
  - Local Miller
    
    It’s diesel from Hamilton to Papakura where you have to switch trains to get onto the Auckland electric service.
    
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    March 26, 2021 10:02am
- Simon
  
  “If they get 70 people on the train each time, the calculation would be about right. However, taking that number of car trips off the road, spread across a whole year would not be noticeable. It is no more than a car every 5 minutes or so. I imagine fuel savings will be minimal as well given the amount of fuel a train uses.”
  
  Wrong! $92 million says your analysis is wrong. For $92 million the train service will be an amazing success story.
  
  Feasibility studies showed that they wouldnt piss away $92 million unless there was a glowing feasibility study that the Cindy gubermint could point too to justify the wastage.
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:11am
- Happychappy
  
  Wayne the train goes past my back door 3 or 4 times a day at present and when it eventually gets going from all stations Winz will be paying for people from Huntly to take a joyride to Papakura and Hamilton on the Government. You would be lucky to see a score of people traveling on it each time.
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:23am
- virtualmark
  
  Wayne, this is a (slowly delivered) transport commitment from Phil Twyford and Julie-Ann Genter. It was a political commitment, not a genuine transport solution.
  
  If we want genuine high-speed rail connections then we need to buy dedicated rail corridors for them (imagine buying a 20m wide strip of land all the way into central Auckland …), and then pay at least $10m a km for the track, electrical & signalling. There is no sensible rationale for doing that, so we are left with a noddy train as a political sop to the likes of the Greater Auckland blog authors.
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:42am
- MCos
  
  I don’t know how successful this train will be, but it’s worth noting the trian from Masterton to Wellington is just shy of two hours and that seems to be popular enough.
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:48am
  - Tall Man
    
    How many carriages? What cost subsidy per passenger? How many jobs in Masterton? How many get on in Featherston and elsewhere?
    
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    March 26, 2021 1:21pm
    - I remember when
      
      Pensioners can get the free return trip to Wellington or the Hutt.
      
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      March 26, 2021 4:03pm
    - virtualmark
      
      Typically at least 4. And there’s plenty of people who have to stand. So the high utilisation means the subsidy per passenger is fairly low.
      
      Not many people using it to commute to jobs in Masterton but. You may have the route map upside down.
      
      Two main problems on that line are (a) bad track condition in the Wairarapa means it takes 45 minutes to get from Masterton to Featherston and (b) it really isn’t safe sending a diesel-engined train with >200 passengers through the Rimutaka tunnel.
      
      Long-term that line needs an upgrade on the ‘Rapa portion, and electrification from Upper Hutt to Masterton allowing the Matangi units to provide the service.
      
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      March 26, 2021 4:30pm
- Local Miller
  
  Has anyone actually looked at the times? The first train leaves Hamilton at 5:45 and at best reaches AKL CBD at 8:15, so 8:30 at work if you are lucky, more likely 8:45. Most people work 8 hour days like me, so with an 8 – 5 job you’re 45 minutes late. If you try make up for it and leave work at 5:45 you’ll miss the last train back, which leaves Papakura at 6:25.
  To work, they need a faster train and express or nearly after Papakura, then they could possibly get the trip down to 1 hour 45 min (from 2.5 hours). This would get you to Britomart by 7:30.
  Then they need to add more trips, 4 – 6 morning and evening and every 30 minutes at a minimum.
  As things stand now, this will be a white elephant and just suck up tax payer money.
  
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  March 26, 2021 10:17am
  - Fletch
    
    Interesting. Years since I had to take the trains. Do they still do the famous unlisted express “ghost train” (the Silver Fern) from Britomart back to Papakura? Used to be at 6pm if I recall.
    
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    March 26, 2021 10:28am
  - alwyn
    
    I think it is simply a clever means of making up for the housing shortage.
    They will slow down the trains and run them both earlier, in the morning, and later, in the evening.
    That way the train from Auckland heading South will arrive in Hamilton just before it needs to return to Auckland for the morning run. You can live on the train permanently while you aren’t at work and you won’t need a house at all.
    I guess they will have to put some showers on board though.
    
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    March 26, 2021 11:04am
    - alloytoo
      
      Schedule the trains later make them slightly slower and sell them as office space with a variable view.
      
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      March 26, 2021 2:35pm
    - I remember when
      
      Just like the all night underground rail ride in London used to be for the casual sleeper.
      
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      March 26, 2021 4:07pm
  - KevO'Brien
    
    How come you can do what govt planners can’t?
    
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    March 26, 2021 1:15pm
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  If Jaspinda is on the train, her sycophants will follow. That would be more than a few. Then of course the $105M media
  
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  March 26, 2021 10:55am
Maggie Pie

One of my besties at the tennis club also acts as assistant Treasurer.
Yesterday she made what I thought was a very interesting point….if the government just keeps printing money, surely there wouldn’t be any need for us to pay tax?

I thought….”Not silly”.
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March 26, 2021 8:39am
- Tony Stuart
  
  That’s fine, as long as you don’t mind New Zealand turning into an Antipodean version of Zimbabwe or Venezuela.
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:42am
  - 70andstilllearning
    
    Which is where it is going currently Tony.
    
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    March 26, 2021 8:59am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Isn’t socialism just wonderful?
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:43am
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    How long before we get a NZ$1M banknote?
    
    39 3
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    March 26, 2021 8:44am
    - nathie
      
      Will it feature a beaming Cindy, or beaming Robbo, printed on the note?
      
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      March 26, 2021 8:51am
    - JibberJabber
      
      Robbo is printing them as we speak, you’re going to need a wheelbarrow full of them, just to put air in the tyre of your wheelbarrow.
      
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      March 26, 2021 8:54am
    - chukar
      
      Steve,
      But, but there is no inflation?
      
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      March 26, 2021 9:14am
      - Master Mariner
        
        You sure? Money has to go somewhere. house prices, sharemarkets until the can of worms un leash.
        
        Inflation is coming by stealth until reality hits.
        
        5 0
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        March 26, 2021 1:12pm
    - MCos
      
      You still use banknotes?
      
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      March 26, 2021 9:22am
      - Jack5
        
        Until the homeless get portable card readers. ?
        
        12 0
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        March 26, 2021 10:43am
      - Tall Man
        
        Yep. Saved $34 0n a $149 purchase by offering cash 🙂
        
        5 0
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        March 26, 2021 1:18pm
    - Bobba Fret
      
      Yeah just popping down to the dairy to buy a pint of milk. Can I borrow $1m?
      
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      March 26, 2021 10:22am
- Simon
  
  “if the government just keeps printing money, surely there wouldn’t be any need for us to pay tax?”
  
  Comrade you are in for a shock. The printed money needs to be repaid through taxation. The goal is to use taxation to reduce the inflation effect of the money print.
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:15am
  - Yabster
    
    Also the socialist twits don’t want you to realise printing money is a tax anyway – the public is taxed via paying more for goods and services (inflation) and therefore more GST also.
    
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    March 26, 2021 12:43pm
  - KevO'Brien
    
    The Gobblement needs to get themselves an economist over the age of 5.
    
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    March 26, 2021 1:17pm
Thought Criminal

Mocking Labour for their laziness on press releases etc makes me think that there might be a lot more press releases in the future.

It probably won’t mean they work any harder or actually get anything done.

In some ways it’s a blessing. Imagine if they had the work ethic and skills to enact all of tbeir daft ideas.
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March 26, 2021 8:39am
- sooty
  
  An announcement to anouce an anoucement that there will be an announcement!
  
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  March 26, 2021 1:30pm
JibberJabber

Random impertinent question, inspired by the Twitter but,
Why is the Government and the Media not reporting on the survival rates for Covid?
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March 26, 2021 8:41am
- amospicton
  
  Excellent point JJ – I think we all know the answer.
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:56am
- Charmaine Hawke
  
  Because it takes away the fear and once that has gone we all see the emperor is naked.
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:13am
  - alwyn
    
    “emperor is naked.”.
    I really don’t need that image thrust before me.
    Particularly if Robertson takes over the job.
    
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    March 26, 2021 11:07am
- Simon
  
  Covid cult, refusal to admit to making mistakes = basic dishonesty, they are getting off on it, the Ro covers off all the general gubermint incompetence and they can bring about other changes for the sheep that would be normally unacceptable.
  
  There are more but thats a start,
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:19am
- MCos
  
  They don’t report the survival rate of car accidents.
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:20am
  - mikenmildagain
    
    Or any infectious disease. For example, each year the vast majority of New Zealanders ‘survive’ influenza.
    
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    March 26, 2021 10:09am
    - Tall Man
      
      Amazing isn’t … similar to covid really…..
      
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      March 26, 2021 1:15pm
      - Ed Snack
        
        For young people, it does look like Covid is LESS dangerous than influenza, or at worst, no worse than Influenza.
        
        But for elderly people, especially those with any one of a number of other conditions (diabetes, obesity, heart and lung issues like COPD, etc) it is very definitely more dangerous.
        
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        March 26, 2021 4:01pm
  - Ehlana
    
    True, but cars have been around for a while now and most of us have enough personal knowledge to be aware that deaths are not that common. Uncommon enough to be newsworthy, in fact.
    
    Covid-19 is new and since the coronavirus is not going to disappear, I think it would be sensible for the government to highlight that most people do in fact survive and what the actual likelihood of fatality or serious ongoing side effects currently is. It would help to calm fears and keep them in proportion to actual risk.
    
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    March 26, 2021 11:18am
- Nickc2
  
  Because it doesn’t suit their narrative. They want you scared and reliant on them (the almighty Labour Govt).
  Oh, and so scared that you won’t leave this country. They want your vote.
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:20am
  - MCos
    
    You can leave anytime you like, if you can get transport.
    Personally I’d just as soon stay in NZ where the chances of picking up the bug are pretty much zero.
    If you think Jair Bolsonaro, President of Brazil is the man, suit yourself.
    
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    March 26, 2021 9:43am
- SB2
  
  Could be information like this that I just posted above,
  
  https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00290-x
  
  Plus this from CDC,
  
  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/safety-of-vaccines.html
  
  BTW had my second jab last week and doing just fine.
  
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  March 26, 2021 11:44am
- Master Mariner
  
  Because there lays the truth of the matter.
  
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  March 26, 2021 1:13pm
Rusty

Heard a speech from Biden on the Mike Hoskins show this morning. Biden can’t complete a sentence without slurring and bumbling his words.

Biden can gaff his lines or stumble walking up stairs or call Kamala Harris president Harris and the mainstream media see no problem with that.

If Donald Trump had acted like that you wouldn’t hear the end of it from the media and their ridicule towards him.
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March 26, 2021 8:44am
- Nickc2
  
  Well, Cindy says stupid things whenever she opens her mouth but people voted for her, Go figure.
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:25am
- RiP NZ
  
  Rusty – You are right of course. If Biden was placed under 1/10th the scrutiny Trump was …well he wouldnt be president in the first place.
  No reasonable – thinking, semi literate person would conclude otherwise.
  America is fked, I wouldnt care but the retrobates there influence culture elsewhere around the world….they will take us down the sht hole with them, aided by stella interlects like Batman.
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:37am
  - MCos
    
    “America is fked”
    
    Who’s semi literate?
    
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    March 26, 2021 4:56pm
- virtualmark
  
  It might pay to watch Biden’s entire press conference, rather than just the 3 seconds Hosking picked because it suits his narrative.
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:44am
  - SB2
    
    Well ,that’s Hosking for you!
    
    His many flip-flops on Covid 19,
    
    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/2018741210/mike-hosking-s-many-contradictory-takes-on-covid-19
    
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    March 26, 2021 11:48am
    - virtualmark
      
      I’m a regular Hosking listener, but I do find he really has lost the plot on Covid. Hadn’t heard the MediaWatch thing but had noticed the flip-flops just as a listener.
      
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      March 26, 2021 4:21pm
nathie

Prime Minister’s diary Thursday (yesterday) according to MSM reporting:
1.Visit schools.
2.Train ride.
3.Go home.

Looks like the PM is not waking up each day thinking and meeting her Ministers about the economy, the transtasman and pacific travel bubble, the housing crisis, homelessness/families living in motels, solving poverty, increasing the covid vaccine rollout (so NZ isn’t left behind every other country resuming travel), the tourism industry crisis, increasing gang numbers, gangs demanding to hold on to their guns and an out of control bully of a Speaker.

All whilst being paid $500K a per year! This is not “value for money” (nor fitting of a Prime Minister)!

But anyway, what does today have in store? No doubt there will some obfuscation, at the very least!
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March 26, 2021 8:47am
- Nickc2
  
  POETS Day (piss off early, tomorrow’s Saturday). Does that answer your question?
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:28am
- kevn
  
  @nathie… cindy would refute that.
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:30am
  - alwyn
    
    It is only fair that, if you are going to quote the PM, you must do so properly.
    “cindy would refude that.”
    
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    March 26, 2021 11:15am
- KevO'Brien
  
  Don’t overwork Ardern R. or else she may need another lock down to get better. She’s a fragile little petty who doesn’t do parliament well.
  
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  March 26, 2021 1:22pm
surfing

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nz-hospitals-in-crisis-after-biggest-january-february-on-record/7ICBYUJ6KVNKYSP7DXMZNBOTDY/

The rockstar economy was adding people and boosting GDP, so why weren’t we building new hospitals to cater for population growth?

Because the biggest con is that our economy was booming while the truth is that it was barely growing after accounting for population and inflation.
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March 26, 2021 8:50am
Maggie Pie

My partner thought this would be the same as someone inventing a Condom that only went over the Testicles.

https://twitter.com/MailOnline/status/1375170655415590914
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March 26, 2021 8:56am
- Tall Man
  
  Depending on tightness, it can be effective I’ve heard……
  
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  March 26, 2021 1:10pm
I remember when

There may be the start of a return to more traditional party support levels.
National has had a few good days in a row.
Even a couple of Wellington Public Servants thought Corin Dann was less than fair to Judith in his interview on housing. Even the left are starting to see the lack of evenness.
The suggestion is that there is a need for Labour to decide what areas they want to concentrate on, instead of trying to cover everything at once.
Many in the service are feeling stale and would like to settle down to steady ‘focused’ tasks.
It may make her think she is scoring points at QT, but Megan Woods is spending time on National’s past performance when she should be promoting future goals in housing.
Labour have little room to look at projects that they might want in the future because the public service has little compacity left.
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March 26, 2021 9:02am
- Philview
  
  I had a look at the ODT’s editorial on this today and once again not prepared to overly focus on any negative consequences of Labour’s housing policy. I compare to Michael Reddell’s independent and fair analysis below.
  
  The Government is merely using this to boost tax revenue and that is their sole objective from policies announced this week.
  
  https://croakingcassandra.com/2021/03/24/messing-around-with-housing/
  
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  March 26, 2021 10:56am
JibberJabber

Heh, heh, Chris Penk,

OK I’ve now written direct to the PM. Will be interesting to see what reply I get, not having used crayon. (If any journo wants the letter I’ll forward my pdf.)

THREAD:
“Dear Prime Minister

I am writing in my capacity as Opposition spokesperson for Defence.

Need to get Word to install a Red Crayon font stat!
?
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March 26, 2021 9:04am
- KevO'Brien
  
  https://www.fontspace.com/category/crayons
  You can choose your colour when you use them.
  
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  March 26, 2021 1:26pm
I remember when

Retailers struggling as spending declines.
Retailers are struggling as consumer spending continues to fall, with 37% of businesses surveyed by Retail NZ not confident they will survive the next twelve months.
February was the fifth monthly decline in a row in electronic card spending.
On an annual basis, electronic card spending was down 8.1%, or $632m, on February, 2020, when the first covid case was confirmed.
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March 26, 2021 9:07am
- Ruahine
  
  A ‘clever’ person has told me that supporters of the Gov’t are keeping their money in the bank so that the gov’t can use it to build houses instead of the shopkeepers getting rich.
  
  I kid you not.
  P.S. This particular person is waiting for ‘their’ house from the gov’t.
  
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  March 26, 2021 11:51am
- MCos
  
  I’m guessing here, but aren’t the likes of Briscoes & The Warehouse reeling it in from on line sales?
  I also read that less people are living payday to payday than previously.
  
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  March 26, 2021 5:13pm
mandk

I checked the Hamilton to Auckland bus timetable.

It seems that you can choose from 11 services a day (only 2 a day on the train). The bus takes you straight to central Auckland (no changing at Papakura). The journey times varies according to time of day, but most trips are 2 hours and 5 minutes.

Better by road, by far.
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March 26, 2021 9:16am
- kevn
  
  @mandk… 92 million dollars to provide an unwanted service from Hamilton to Papakura return. We know it will be poorly patronised.
  cindy thinks that is just fine.
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:35am
  - Bob
    
    It employees more Union members, there monthly dues are important to Labour for the next election; may not be any money in Robertson coffers to fund daily standup appearances on TV1 by 2023.
    
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    March 26, 2021 11:42am
Kiwi_in_Paris

Nearly 4000 Covid jab deaths recorded in Europe to date with 160, 600 adverse reactions. Meanwhile Boris Johnson has said that he will not introduce vaccine passports to enter pubs until everyone in the UK has received the jab.

https://healthimpactnews.com/2021/3964-dead-162610-injuries-european-database-of-adverse-drug-reactions-for-covid-19-vaccines/
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March 26, 2021 9:18am
- Benedict Yu
  
  I call bullshit on that. Is there any evidence that any of those deaths are caused by the vaccine? About 12,000 people die in the EU every day, of all the causes listed in that article. Put another way, about 500 people die in the EU every 24 hours. If you vaccinate tens of millions of people, hundreds of them will die with hours or days of them receiving the vaccine.
  
  You are falling for the “Post hoc ergo propter hoc’ fallacy. “Death occurred after the vaccine”. Therefore “The vaccine caused the death”.
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:50am
  - Tall Man
    
    Probably the same issue with covid as well.
    
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    March 26, 2021 1:07pm
    - Benedict Yu
      
      No, probably not.
      
      https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n799
      
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      March 26, 2021 4:51pm
  - Ed Snack
    
    There are suggestions that the same problem occurs with deaths fromCovid itself. Anyone dying with Covid antibodies is called a “Covid death” regardless of whether that infections as in any way causative.
    
    But this is something we really do need good information on, if (and I stress the IF part) there is a significant set of potentially lethal side effects from the vaccines, then we should certainly know about it before the vaccine gets rolled out for everyone. An unrevealed serious issue could make Thalidomide look like a minor hiccup given the numbers involved.
    
    So is there any reliable information, is that organisation and data cited by “kiwi in Paris” worth checking out ?
    
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    March 26, 2021 4:06pm
- kevn
  
  @Kiwi… Not a pretty picture. Also not an actual vaccine as we know it.
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:50am
- SB2
  
  ” 4000 Covid jab deaths recorded in Europe ” ???
  
  Confirmed by say Nature, Lancet , BJM , New Scientist etc , etc ??
  
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  March 26, 2021 11:53am
- Cobolt24
  
  Listen to this: https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/podcasts/the-leighton-smith-podcast/leighton-smith-podcast-episode-78-august-26th-2020/
  Skip the first 5 minutes or so.
  
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  March 26, 2021 12:01pm
  - MCos
    
    In my case I’ll be skipping the whole thing.
    
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    March 26, 2021 5:16pm
Maggie Pie

Finally, clicked on the X and got rid of that ‘yellow ad’ with Robyn Malcom in her panties.

When google asked “why this ad”, I selected the option….. ‘Elder Abuse’
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March 26, 2021 9:21am
Maggy Wassilieff

Grant Robertson recognises there is a problem in Central Wellington…

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/124657714/councils-police-hospitality-launch-plan-to-address-wellington-safety-issues

I do hope he isn’t being racist…
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March 26, 2021 9:23am
- Jack5
  
  Where will Labour-Green host the gangs when tourists return after Covid and want back the city’s hotels?
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:43am
  - Ruahine
    
    That is one of the reasons why the Labour Gov’t will not allow free travel between us and Oz.
    
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    March 26, 2021 11:43am
- virtualmark
  
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  March 26, 2021 9:46am
Ruawai

Have a look at this link to MBIE showing all the tourist operators who had cash splashed at them for covid, some may have needed it but seems most just got given $500,000 no questions asked. Many of these will have just laid off staff and mothballed so not sure what the money is for other than to replace potential lost profit. Think how many houses the Labour Government could have built with this money.
https://www.mbie.govt.nz/immigration-and-tourism/tourism/tourism-recovery/strategic-tourism-assets-protection-programme/funding-recipients/
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March 26, 2021 9:24am
- Master Mariner
  
  Never has so much been squandered on so little.
  
  The world has changed and if people think that it will go back to business as usual then you need to look outside your glass house ( World).
  Tourism as we knew it is not coming back and too be bruttally honest tourism operators have had plenty of time to get there house in order.
  
  Brutal I know, But facts are facts.
  The amount of money splashed out to all and sundry has dissappeared to run away house prices and share markets. Once these crash then NZ is going to be in for one hella of a shock.
  
  If I run my ship like this I’d be gone .
  
  The lies and manipulation from Government knows no bounds.
  
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  March 26, 2021 1:26pm
Jack5

Anyone get the feeling that NZME (of NZ Herald ill-fame as well as owner of radio stations) and rivals have allowed a bounce to the right in their programmes.

Surely this isn’t unrelated to news that an Australian broadcaster will launch 24-hour sports-talkback radio in New Zealand on frequencies bought from the TAB.
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March 26, 2021 9:41am
- Tall Man
  
  Tell that to Sean …..
  
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  March 26, 2021 12:49pm
fernglas

An excellent analysis of the effects of Covid lockdowns shows that:
1) “A cost-benefit analysis of 5 extra days at COVID-19 alert level 4” for New Zealand found that the cost in QALY was 94.9X higher than the benefit ” (Quality adjusted life years)
2) Assuming all deaths with COVID-19 are deaths from COVID-19, in the USA as of August 22, 2020, COVID-19 was the cause of 9.24% of overall deaths; this means that >90% of deaths are not a focus of our attention. Similarly, in Canada, COVID-19 was the cause of 5.96% of estimated deaths over the first 6 months of 2020, again meaning >94% of deaths are not a focus of our attention, and not being reported daily in the press as are COVID-19 deaths
3)The response has had major detrimental effects on childhood vaccination programs, education, sexual and reproductive health services, food security, poverty, maternal and under five mortality, and infectious disease mortality. The effect on child and adolescent health will “set the stage for both individual prosperity and the future human capital of all societies. The destabilizing effects may lead to chaotic events (e.g., riots, wars, revolutions)
4) Considering this information, a cost-benefit analysis of the response to COVID-19 finds that lockdowns are far more harmful to public health (at least 5–10 times so in terms of wellbeing years) than COVID-19 can be.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.625778/full
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March 26, 2021 9:52am
- Master Mariner
  
  In my mind,
  All a “lock down” is in its simplest term is new word for “Government Incompetency”.
  
  Every time I see that word , This is what springs to mind.
  
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  March 26, 2021 1:31pm
- kowtow
  
  ‘4) Considering this information, a cost-benefit analysis of the response to COVID-19 finds that lockdowns are far more harmful to public health (at least 5–10 times so in terms of wellbeing years) than COVID-19 can be.’
  
  That’s why WHO , and presumably the majority of countries all had pandemic plans . Butr due to the fear and porn scare created by the Media very few gubmints were prepared to stick to their plans .
  
  Sweden did and became a lightning rod for the lockdown agenda media . Bojo wanted to but was presumably panicked into lockdown by adverse media too .
  
  Now the facts are slowly emerging as to how utterly wrong lock down is. But the Media won’t go there , yet.
  
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  March 26, 2021 5:07pm
Maggie Pie

Stuff is actually starting to grow on me.
It appears to have a lot more ‘Investigative Journos’ than the Herald, who are prepared to do real in-depth research….. particularly with crime reporting.

Take this story for instance. A low-life scum pedo, who after being released from jail, was found to be holed up next to a school in Wellington.

They haven’t held back when exposing this POS…..

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/124637486/paedophile-near-wellington-school-leads-to-probation-changes
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March 26, 2021 9:54am
- mikenmildagain
  
  The Stuff Circuit reports have been very good, in-depth journalism.
  
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  March 26, 2021 10:11am
- fightingtemeraire
  
  They also had one on the Uighurs and the PRC Embassy complained
  
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  March 26, 2021 10:11am
- Ruahine
  
  It is a safe topic.
  
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  March 26, 2021 11:41am
- Tall Man
  
  Don’t sneeze while that tongue is in your cheek …..
  
  Until they take the red tint out of their eye they are dead to me 😉
  
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  March 26, 2021 12:47pm
Jack5

Ahoy poster Master Mariner …. what’s the blocking of the Suez Canal by the 200,000 ton Ever Given going to do to the supply chains in and out of New Zealand?

A suction dredger is at work as eight tugs stand by.

The New York Times, reports a spokesman for the Dutch salvager contracted to extract the tug as saying it could take days, even weeks, to extract the ship. It’s stuck in sand on both sides of the canal.
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March 26, 2021 9:57am
- Master Mariner
  
  Boskalis are mobilising Heavy lift and Smit have salvage contract.
  This is interesting in the fact that they are expecting the worse.
  Ie long time , Possibly Months.
  Unsure of Suez canal and limiting factors etc as never been through there.
  But assume this will be pandemonium mainly Europe and Asia supply lines.
  Panic now to re supply empty containers to Asia.
  Incidently we had 2 large vessels and would of been awarded if still there.
  All vessels now will have to go via Cape, Expect more containers overboard be my guess. remember these vessels were designed around the dimensions of Suez, ie Suezmax and Panama Max.
  Im guessing all containers fully laden and if they have to remove containers to lighten then possibly months.
  Affect NZ, Not so much too be honest but will in high Box rates. Ie shipping will get more expensive.
  Be interesting what Box rate has gone too now from Europe to Asia? This will trickle down to little NZ in higher freight costs.
  With out too much details I’d wager 3-6 months blocked.
  Europe will be most affected.
  I’d be watching for more lost containers overboard via Cape of Good hope in the not too near futurs and the likes of Smit will be putting extra Salvage vessels in Capetown for extra shipping that May come into difficulties.
  
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  March 26, 2021 1:45pm
  - Master Mariner
    
    Also insurance is going to be biggest cost and this will effect everyone in increased costs.
    
    Im picking its going to be the biggest ever Maritime insurance claim.
    
    https://gcaptain.com/owner-and-insurers-of-ever-given-face-millions-in-claims/
    
    https://gcaptain.com/suez-canal-closure-deepens-global-container-crunch/
    
    Its going to be massive insurance wise if it takes weeks littles less than Months.
    
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    March 26, 2021 1:50pm
  - RdM
    
    “Unsure of Suez canal and limiting factors etc as never been through there.”
    
    Through the Suez Canal: 120 Miles in 4 Minutes
    
    https://youtu.be/DkMyvnj-moM
    
    Another slower tour with commentary:
    
    The Suez Canal from entrance to exit.
    (several more from the same mariner.)
    
    https://youtu.be/XwdU2cYRbnM
    
    Interesting, fascinating. Geography.
    
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    March 26, 2021 9:40pm
- Brian McDonald
  
  Did that with a small 230-tonne barge in a tributary in West Auckland, got off as much weight, and managed to lift a corner on the incoming tide and it popped up having been stuck in the mud. Couldn’t happen here because of the size but maybe some containers off forward if another boat can get alongside. Pretty sure they will look to using water going underneath. No doubt they’ll be watching where the spoil goes as they make a channel. They’ll probably dredge toward the deep and pull forward and sideways with the barges.
  Very interesting story to watch..
  
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  March 26, 2021 2:47pm
  - Brian McDonald
    
    If they start getting containers off they’ll just keep unloading to preserve the safety of the waterway. Minimum risks.
    
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    March 26, 2021 8:21pm
- MCos
  
  I suppose that depends on what ships use that route en route to NZ.
  Maybe an alternate route doesn’t add much to the trip.
  
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  March 26, 2021 5:27pm
JibberJabber

Been waiting a long time to see a Politician tell a reporter (politely) *fuck off*
https://twitter.com/ilDonaldoTrumpo/status/1374942101767647233
?
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March 26, 2021 10:05am
Sacha

Tell me – what will the Labour Party name itself when it adopts Te Reo?
I’m looking forward to the day that it has the courage of its convictions and will re-name itself any day now.
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March 26, 2021 10:06am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  What will the Labour Party name itself when it adopts Te Reo
  
  Paati Reipa
  
  Doesn’t sound great does it?
  The Raper Party
  
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  March 26, 2021 8:29pm
fernglas

The less I see of Peter Dunne, the more I like him:

https://www.newsroom.co.nz/national-needs-to-know-what-it-stands-for
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March 26, 2021 10:14am
Brian McDonald

A poll this week said 42%? of people rejected a Trans Tasman Bubble at this time. The following article points out the reasons for caution. Considering some of the political decisions seen in other countries on the Covid 19 show last night would probably reflect a higher level of concern about the Trans Tasman Bubble now for those that watched it.
The show emphasised for NZ viewers how well NZ has done in the Covid battle compared to England and America for example.
I doubt the Government doesn’t sharply appreciate the risks as pointed out by the scientists on the trans-Tasman bubble and as always will be taking the best advice.

The article shows Aussie twisting the scrum on when NZ travel gets stopped compared to travel from Covid hotspots.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/editorial-the-trouble-with-the-transtasman-bubble/RCTOVDGKVTDHECYRVJLKAKQ5GU/

“One stated sticking point is Ardern wanting Australia to have tighter rules around restricting travel from a “Covid hotspot” because of the risk of a Covid-carrier travelling through a Covid-free state and on to New Zealand. Australia declares a region a hotspot and restricts travel once there are 30 cases in three days, a number Ardern says is too high. In contrast, Australia restricted travel from New Zealand after far fewer cases occurred in Auckland last month.

All this, and any other factors known only to those trying to negotiate between Canberra and Wellington, adds up to explaining why our pipedreams of a bubble remain stranded for the time being.”
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March 26, 2021 10:19am
- Benedict Yu
  
  Really? Back in the real world… If jacinda fails to announce quarantine free trans tasman travel on 6 April, commencing soon, the reaction will be brutal. And if she blames Scomo she will be ridiculed.
  
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  March 26, 2021 2:49pm
Maggie Pie

RANDOM IMPERTINENT QUESTION

Wouldn’t it have made more sense to pull the body off the train tracks… THEN begin the investigation?
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March 26, 2021 10:24am
- sooty
  
  After taking a couple of photos and outlining the body with a panit spraycan!
  
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  March 26, 2021 1:38pm
Jack5

Karl du Fresne argues New Zealanders shouldn’t be afraid of being branded racists or xenophobic if they challenge views of activists like Guled Mire (Somali refugee); Terry Bellamak (American feminist and former Goldman Sachs executive); and Ricardo Menendez-March, the Green MP for Tijuana.

That’s my take in du Fresne’s latest column, that’s, as usual, worth reading:

https://karldufresne.blogspot.com/
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March 26, 2021 10:40am
- fightingtemeraire
  
  Also J-A Genter, Russell Norman to name others. The woman from the Islamic Woman’s League and Golriz what’s ‘er name
  
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  March 26, 2021 11:29am
oldfella

This article on false memories is relevant at the moment, especially as a new complainant in the Peter Ellis case claims he raped her while babysitting and said if she told anyone she would die and “witches, demons and monsters would come.
The court will need to decide whether it will use the woman’s claims that in the 1980s she was raped as a 4-year-old.
Hmmm.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-03-false-memories-people-minds-erasing.html
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March 26, 2021 10:41am
Steve Otto(North Shore)

Trump spills what he wrote to Biden. The letter that Fake News said he did not write.
https://uniteamericafirst.com/trump-spills-what-he-wrote-in-the-letter-to-biden/?
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March 26, 2021 10:46am
- Fletch
  
  Seems like whatever it was, Biden didn’t listen.
  
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  March 26, 2021 11:07am
- SB2
  
  Where is the actual letter?
  
  “..that 74 million American voters believe stole the election from him.”??
  
  As opposed to 81 million voters who think differently
  
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  March 26, 2021 11:25am
  - KevO'Brien
    
    Enjoy this gem:
    https://noqreport.com/2021/03/25/lt-gen-tom-mcinerney-we-are-in-world-war-iii-we-did-not-have-a-pandemic-we-had-a-biological-attack/
    
    Hammer & Scorecard has got ’em. There is a great deal more action to come.
    
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    March 26, 2021 1:35pm
    - SB2
      
      A Q spokesman?
      
      ” There is a great deal more action to come”
      
      Sigh!
      
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      March 26, 2021 2:04pm
      - KevO'Brien
        
        You can’t steal an election without someone noticing.
        I’m not surprised at the Lt General’s opinion. I had already arrived at the same.
        
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        March 26, 2021 4:53pm
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    Your comprehension is shit. Read the item. “Trump Spills What He Wrote In the Letter To Biden”
    
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    March 26, 2021 2:41pm
- fernglas
  
  You really have trouble with reading anything properly where Trump is concerned. The article itself says that this was the letter that the MSM said Trump wouldn’t write. But he did, and this article from ABC news (surely the deepest of fake news) talks about it two months ago.
  https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-21/donald-trump-letter-to-joe-biden-what-does-it-say/13077104
  
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  March 26, 2021 11:34am
oldfella

How the mighty have fallen, and keep sliding down the greasy pole. Now America’s ‘Love Gov’ is fair game for the left-wing media that once drooled all over him. And his reporter brother is also in the firing line.
++
CNN’s Chris Cuomo Somehow Managed to Get Priority COVID Testing
The CNN host, whose chummy interviews with big brother Andrew are only looking worse a year into the pandemic, is among the Cuomo family members to get preferential treatment.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/03/cnns-chris-cuomo-somehow-managed-to-get-priority-covid-testing
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March 26, 2021 10:51am
- kowtow
  
  The CNN host should have been in the hottest of cancellation waters when he asked ‘who said protesters need to be peaceful”
  
  And note too they’re only goin’ after the mayor now cos Trump is gone and they should have gone for him for the hospital scandal , not the love handle , shows how ridiculous their priorities are . “oldies can die , but keep your hands to yourself”
  
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  March 26, 2021 4:58pm
JFAP

This, surely, takes the cake: https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/124663600/court-theatre-recasts-trans-role-in-new-play-after-casting-criticism
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March 26, 2021 11:00am
- oldfella
  
  JFAP, this is where we’re heading, unfortunately. What ever happened to the old idea of people actually ‘acting’? You know, pretending to be someone else.
  
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  March 26, 2021 11:31am
  - graham
    
    There is a quote from queer activist Rosemary Mitford-Taylor (which was in the Stuff article but has mysteriously disappeared – still in The Spinoff story though):
    
    “Trans women ARE women and it is non-negotiable that trans characters should be played by trans actors.”
    
    I like this idea. Because, based on that, it means we can stop the silly idea where male leads in stage plays are not infrequently played by women. Because, based on Rosemary’s statement:
    
    “*Men* ARE *men* and it is non-negotiable that *male* characters should be played by *male* actors.”
    
    Right? I mean, this works both ways, correct?
    
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    March 26, 2021 2:45pm
    - alloytoo
      
      “Trans women ARE women and it is non-negotiable that trans characters should be played by trans actors.”
      
      This doesn’t even make sense.
      
      If they are women, then surely a trans role could be played by a woman, or indeed a man if it were a trans male role?
      
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      March 26, 2021 3:23pm
Mobile Michael

I am confused:

If Transgender Men are Men, then a man playing the role of a man should be fine?
https://i.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/124663600/court-theatre-recasts-trans-role-in-new-play-after-c

Or am I in need of re-education. Oops, I’ve said too much…
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March 26, 2021 11:18am
oldfella

A friend just send me his quote from Thomas Sowell.
“Have we reached the ultimate stage of absurdity where some people are held responsible for things that happened before they were born while other people are not held responsible for what they themselves are doing today? “
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March 26, 2021 11:21am
- SB2
  
  Another wit and wisdom from Sowell,
  
  “When I see the worsening
  degeneracy in our politicians, our media, our educators, and our
  intelligentsia, I can’t help wondering if the day may yet come when the only
  thing that can save this country is a military coup”.
  
  3 17
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  March 26, 2021 11:59am
  - alloytoo
    
    Ooh that young firebrand (at 77 when he wrote this)
    
    from the same column:
    
    “The people who are scariest to me are the people who don’t even know enough to realize how little they know.”
    
    3 1
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    March 26, 2021 3:31pm
Bob

oldfella…
the answer is YES!!
It is called TRANSITIONAL governance, championed by Adern, Robertson and Parker.
8 2
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March 26, 2021 11:36am
Maggie Pie

I’ve been wondering why Uber Eats cars don’t have sirens.
7 2
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March 26, 2021 11:42am
- oldfella
  
  Maggie, Uber drivers will soon be acting like cops, so why not fit all the cars with sirens?
  When delivering booze – their latest service – the drivers will be able to refuse delivery if they can see the customer is visibly intoxicated, so I guess they will also carry breathalyzers.
  I think we should just make them all temporary constables so they can catch speeding motorists on the way back to base. /s
  
  9 0
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  March 26, 2021 12:12pm
  - Maggie Pie
    
    Nothing worse than a cold Indian.
    
    6 2
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    March 26, 2021 12:57pm
    - James Stephenson
      
      I’m pretty sure the approved name for Eskimos is “Inuits” now, rather than cold Indians?
      
      3 0
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      March 26, 2021 2:36pm
      - Steve Otto(North Shore)
        
        Aathabaskan? Yeah, the locals are just like Moari when shoving special people shit down your throat in Alaska.
        Interesting though
        
        3 1
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        March 26, 2021 5:31pm
      - Ed Snack
        
        Or if Pascals, “Explorers”.
        
        3 1
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        March 26, 2021 5:37pm
  - Nickc2
    
    Uber Cops – Love it!
    
    Any trouble in your neighbourhood, dial an Uber.
    
    4 1
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    March 26, 2021 1:21pm
oldfella

Cancel culture is a fast-moving cancer in NZ and elsewhere. But it’s not new.
In Nazi Germany, for instance, the entire culture changed literally within a few months. In early spring of 1933, people were still civil to one another. By the summer, they were ratting out their friends and neighbors to the secret police.
https://www.activistpost.com/2021/03/at-a-certain-point-even-the-gestapo-had-to-stop-cancelling-people.html
11 1
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March 26, 2021 12:24pm
Homas

I see in Stuff today that the Court Theatre has got itself in trouble for casting as “cis man” in the role of a “trans woman”.

That’ll teach them for not respecting the difference between a man pretending to be a woman and a man pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman.

Remember when acting was just a fancy name for pretending?
15 0
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March 26, 2021 12:43pm
- Jack5
  
  The Monty Python team saw what was coming more than 40 years ago:
  
  https://youtu.be/sFBOQzSk14c
  
  8 0
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  March 26, 2021 1:48pm
- graham
  
  “Trans women ARE women and it is non-negotiable that trans characters should be played by trans actors.”
  
  Okay, so does that mean it’s also non-negotiable that male characters should be played by male actors? Because I don’t remember a huge outcry against the Pop-up Globe when they put on a play “Emilia” and cast women in every role, including male characters they usually wouldn’t be cast in.
  
  4 0
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  March 26, 2021 2:05pm
  - graham
    
    *Update* Strange … the above quote was definitely in the article when I read it 30 minutes ago. Yet now it seems to have disappeared.
    
    Hmm …
    
    It is still in the story here:
    
    https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/19-03-2021/theatre-faces-criticism-over-casting-of-trans-role/
    
    2 0
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    March 26, 2021 2:40pm
  - alloytoo
    
    Will we be cancelling all movies where gay men have portrayed straight characters?
    
    3 0
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    March 26, 2021 3:34pm
- Fuzzysnuggleduck
  
  Can straight actors play gay people?
  Like in Brokeback Mountain? Or was that only OK last century, like blackface?
  It is hysterical how Trans activists called the casting of a cisgender {aka. normal person} as ‘Transphobic VIOLENCE’.
  Outrage culture and trans-activism intersects to make a truly repellent spectacle.
  These people are cry bullies, and pushing agendas for some 0.5% long after gay rights (like woman’s rights) is a battle that has been largely won in principle if not in fact.
  Outrage culture and call-out/cancel culture is the true ‘toxic’ culture of the present day.
  
  4 0
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  March 26, 2021 3:11pm
Yvette

On Tuesday Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Housing Minister Megan Woods and Parker – as Revenue Minister – announced investors and speculators would no longer be able to reduce their tax liability by counting interest on borrowing as an expense. The change will be phased in over four years, and applies to any residential properties which change hands from Saturday onwards. […]
But investors reacted in horror. One told The AM Show host Duncan Garner he had more than 40 properties, had just increased his tenants’ rents by 10 percent, and would be hiking them again as soon as he could – by $135 a week.

Parker told The AM Show on Friday he had doubts the landlord’s threat to hike rents this much was genuine. “If he could have, he already would have. Highly leveraged landlords, they put their rents up as much as they can already. The constraint on rents is what people can afford… not tax rules. This is going to make a difference.” [1]

Why, instead of his speculative reply, did Parker not point out that the 40 already existing rented properties were exempt, that the new measure applies to only to “properties which change hands from Saturday onwards”, unless “change hands” means change of tenant, not “change hands” of actual owners?

[1] https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/03/labour-mp-david-parker-brushes-off-landlords-threats-to-hike-rents.html
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March 26, 2021 12:49pm
- Yvette
  
  Oh, dear –
  Interest deductions on residential investment property acquired on or after March 27 will not be allowed from October 1.
  Interest on loans for properties acquired before March 27 can still be claimed as an expense. However, the amount someone can claim will be reduced over the next four income years until it is completely phased out by April 1, 2025.
  – https://www.interest.co.nz/property/109638/government-releases-housing-policy-package-bright-line-test-extended-interest
  
  OK – well, it seems newshub is as incapable of reporting some items as Parker is incapable of answering a question in a helpful way.
  
  5 0
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  March 26, 2021 1:30pm
  - KevO'Brien
    
    It’s no threat to hike rents: it will be an actuality.
    
    Rental property owners need positive cashflow to survive. Are they to be expected to subsidise tenants? Would you take on a business proposition where less money came in weekly than you had to pay out?
    
    Some owners have accepted that situation but that requires another source of (taxed) income to pay for the deficit. The only incentive to take that risk is that the value of the property may increase with inflation over time. That however is not income. It may maintain value but even that is not certain.
    
    This present tax increase on rental owners looks very much like a hidden grab by the Govt for the whole of the rented properties. It’s only a small step to extend it further.
    The Commies have arrived.
    
    5 1
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    March 26, 2021 5:56pm
Nookin

This may well have been covered in previous posts so forgive me for any repetition.
Jessica Mutch-Mackay announced on TV One News that the government was “closing a loophole” which allowed rental property owners to deduct interest. I have not seen anyone representing the government making such an observation and so I wondered why the news media are suggesting that the change to the deductibility rules are simply fixing an anomaly.

The suggestion is that deductibility of interest by landlords is as a result of some omission or ambiguity. If one goes back as far as the Land in Income Tax Act 1954, it will be readily apparent that owners of rental properties who borrow money for the purposes of making assessable income, like every other taxpayer who borrows money to purchase a capital item used in business, have been able to deduct interest from the income when assessing tax payable.

I imagine that previous taxing enactments have contained much the same provisions.

The income tax legislation has been changed on many occasions since 1954 and one wonders why, if Jessica is correct, the government of the day has not taken one of the countless opportunities to correct an error or ambiguity so obvious as this.

The cynic in me suggests that this really does seem to be part of some strategy to demonise investors. Up until recently, they have been called “speculators” but not even this government can stretch the meaning of the word “speculator” so as to include someone who buys a property and holds onto it for nine years and 364 days.

There seems to me to be just a little bit of dishonesty about this whole approach and any journalist who repeats the “loophole” mantra should be taken aside and given lessons in English or ethics or both.
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March 26, 2021 12:50pm
- KevO'Brien
  
  The only anomaly in disallowing the deduction of interest on rented property is that, that is an anomaly. It doesn’t comply with the principles of long established internationally recognised Income Tax Law.
  It is unfair between citizens.
  There is no cash to pay for the extra tax.
  The side affects are extras.
  It has to be tax based on envy by people more suited to sandpits than public administration.
  
  14 3
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  March 26, 2021 1:44pm
- Bobba Fret
  
  Agree totally, I can borrow $800k from the bank, purchase a fleet of camper vans to hire out, and claim the interest as a tax deduction. But borrow $800k and provide rental accomodation – no deduction.
  
  11 0
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  March 26, 2021 2:34pm
- Dougal10
  
  The Mutch woman is part of cindys attack squad therefore don’t believe a word she says.
  
  0 0
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  March 26, 2021 8:31pm
oldfella

Chris Trotter on his high horse (hind legs?) about the left’s unwillingness to fight the good fight.
++
LIKE THE CELEBRATED DOG that didn’t bark, the New Zealand Left is proving itself a poor protector of the exploited. A housing crisis on the present scale, occurring fifty years ago, would have generated massive resistance. The trade unions would have been on their hind legs. The churches would have been on their hind legs. The students’ associations would have been on their hind legs. The Maori Council would have been on its hind legs. Consumer groups would have been on their hind legs. Hell – even the Labour Party would have been on its hind legs! Of those groups, only the mainstream churches (the Salvation Army in particular) continue to fight the good fight. What has happened to “progressive” New Zealand? Why don’t we fight?
http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/2021/03/why-we-dont-fight.html
15 1
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March 26, 2021 12:54pm
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  As soon as you put up a fight suggestion, it is met with the comment “I refude that, next question”
  
  6 2
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  March 26, 2021 4:05pm
- KevO'Brien
  
  Trotter shows well why the Lefties cannot Govern. They’re useless at anything other uni common room petty arguments. Chris gives marvellous example of the tangled mind set of the Left. I haven’t seen that previously.
  
  They are puffed up with their own self importance in debate and have no concept that govt is not about sticking your snout into someone else’s opinion feeding trough but actually being a real human and doing things. Step outside their tunnels of vision and their fufu valves will explode.
  
  Five hundred reports or hui does not build a house. It takes trees, processing, land, services, money including from exports, tradies, consents, roading, community facilities, shops and work both on the project and for those who will reside…and the rest. Is there a single govt MP who understands any of this?
  
  5 1
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  March 26, 2021 5:33pm
Maggie Pie

BLATANT RACISM ON 1ZB….

“Bangladesh are facing a white wash”

(zbsport@noon)
15 3
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March 26, 2021 1:01pm
Monique Watson

Minimal restrictions here. +be rate today in CA is 5 per 100K. Vaccine rollout is going swimmingly. Restaurants and bars are open. Gyms from the 31st. Lots of Tourism. Off skiing for the 3rd time this year, this weekend.
I think you’re getting fucked by your inept Govt and the scary Covid cult.
12 3
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March 26, 2021 1:39pm
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  We have been fucked by Jaspinda for 4 years
  
  11 3
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  March 26, 2021 4:03pm
  - Monique Watson
    
    Yeah yeah sorry bout that Steve. Heard you got fucked with the vaccine delay because there’s no super cold storage and the Gummint didn’t foresee the the production of such and there is no means to manufacture the storage containers so now you’re waiting on the J and J version. Jaspinda won’t say that hence the spurious reasons for no TransTasman bubble and staying in the Dark Ages.
    
    8 1
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    March 26, 2021 4:21pm
- SB2
  
  The scary covid cult??
  
  You mean this kind of thing?
  
  QAnon, coronavirus, and the conspiracy cult
  
  https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-53507579
  
  1 7
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  March 26, 2021 5:15pm
Maggie Pie

TRENDING…. Silly Boy

UFC fighter Israel Adesanyo loses lucrative BMW sponsorship after threatening to ‘rape’ opponent.

My first ever boyfriend had an M3 😛
8 2
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March 26, 2021 2:13pm
- Fuzzysnuggleduck
  
  Israel has made a few wrong steps (socially IMO) in recent years, after getting genuinely deserved recognition as a combat athlete at a world class level.
  His appearing before BLM crowds in Auckland (save that crap for America, where is have some limited validity in theory) and his dry humping action of a downed opponent in a UFC fight. That is not classy showboating, and I know others don’t approve.
  So now talk like ‘I will rape you….’ is damned stupid.
  He needs to try to be the kiwi boy, with his head on his shoulders and and a little bit reserved and humble and less like the trash talking internationals it might come naturally to.
  After all, a big head is a lot easier as a target in fighting.
  And viewers love it when trash talkers get splattered.
  Keep it classy, Izzy!
  
  8 0
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  March 26, 2021 3:05pm
  - Maggie Pie
    
    YUP – fair comments Fuzz.
    ‘Cage Fighting’ isn’t for everyone. My partner tried it once.
    He had no idea just how aggressive a Budgie could be.
    
    17 1
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    March 26, 2021 4:03pm
curry4me

ASTERISK PRESIDENCY: Episode 10.
Direct from Harveywood, here is this week’s episode of Asterisk Presidency. Brought to you by the CCP, Wall Street, Oprah, and Burisma.
Will ‘Beijing Biden’ take another fall? Will it lead the trends on Twit-ter, and Google?
Will a cargo lift be used next time? Will there be SNL skits?
Will ‘VP’ Harris pull the 25th this week? Has ‘VP’ Harris unfriended ME-ghan on FB yet? Would China Joe’s dog bite her? Has everyone in the Whitehouse had a rabies shot yet? Will Beijing Biden bail out CNN, and the Huffington Post?
Will Joe debate Vlad? Will he be live? Does live from the neck down count? Will KJU send a Christmas card to President Trump instead? Will Congress use Tara Reade as an excuse to impeach Beijing Biden?

Will Sec of State Blinken be dubbed ‘Chop Suey Blinken? If ‘VP’ Harris pulls the 25th; will Beijing Biden think it’s her silver wedding anniversary? Did Hunter have a Russian girlfriend? Does Putin have pics?
Will Beijing Biden mistakenly refer to Donald Trump as the president? Do international leaders have to take a number, and wait in to bitch slap Beijing Biden? Will ‘gender neutral Potato head’ still be at CNN? Will there still be a CNN? How many young women will Bill Clinton be empowering? Will Latin American governments help with the border crisis?
Will Texas build a wall? Stay tuned folks!
12 2
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March 26, 2021 2:46pm
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Funny. The mods will be along for a chat shortly
  
  7 2
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  March 26, 2021 3:58pm
  - curry4me
    
    Steve Otto(North Shore) I don’t think they mind. It got through after all.
    
    3 2
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    March 26, 2021 6:38pm
JibberJabber

The Democrat Kool-Aid sugar rush high.

2017 — “Kids in cages!”

2018 — “Kids in cages!”

2019 — “Kids in cages!”

2020 — “Kids in cages!”

2021 — “To be clear, while technically minors, what we’re talking about here are mostly 16- and 17-year olds, most of them males. These aren’t young children.”
11 1
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March 26, 2021 3:32pm
Sir Cullen's Sidekick

Lot of Kiwi blog bros are asking how can Cindy say a lie with a straight face. She believes that anything she says is the truth. That is why.
8 1
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March 26, 2021 3:42pm
- double d
  
  Worst parody account ever
  
  0 1
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  March 26, 2021 8:52pm
Steve Otto(North Shore)

Lefties, get the keys off Mum and go back to the basement. This is humour that you will find impossible to fathom.
The United Spot:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdlHIkbJxL4
7 3
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March 26, 2021 3:56pm
Maggy Wassilieff

Seems this Government doesn’t care much about folks in the Provinces and their banking needs..

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/124670012/kiwibank-branch-closures-expected-but-still-devastating-for-smaller-towns
8 3
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March 26, 2021 4:12pm
- virtualmark
  
  Q: What do you propose?
  
  These bank branches cost a lot of money to provide, but many are now at a point where they have less than a dozen transactions a day. I sympathise with the local businesses wanting to handle cash via a local branch, but I doubt they would be prepared to pay the actual costs of providing that branch just for them.
  
  3 3
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  March 26, 2021 4:35pm
  - mikenmildagain
    
    I assume that if the banks were to charge a cash-handling fee to meet the business demand in small towns, the fee would be too large for those businesses to justify.
    
    3 1
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    March 26, 2021 6:18pm
- kowtow
  
  Totally out of sync with Anderton’s ideals when he got that bank re established .
  No worries , they go overboard with their ki oras , carefully selected photos of models in their promotions , the things they sponsor etc
  but when it comes to ordinary every day punters , not so much.
  
  6 1
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  March 26, 2021 4:50pm
  - virtualmark
    
    Yes but. The world has changed since Saint Jim of Sydenham made his pronouncements from the mountainside. Forcing Kiwibank to maintain a too-large branch network will lead to both (a) Kiwibank’s pricing rising above the Aussie banks and (b) Kiwibank’s shareholders having to tip in money to cover operating losses.
    
    I support Kiwibank. I wish it had been provided with more capital to accelerate its growth. But I agree with their re-sizing the branch network to reflect actual observable customer demand.
    
    4 0
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    March 26, 2021 5:56pm
  - cmm
    
    To be fair a lot has changed in the last 20 years.
    
    About the only thing you need a physical bank for is when retailers need to bank their cash takings.
    
    Since all small town retailers are getting daily deliveries of supplies perhaps they should just send their takings to a branch in a city.
    
    2 0
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    March 26, 2021 6:22pm
- KevO'Brien
  
  The Gobblement gives and the Gobblement takes away.
  
  5 1
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  March 26, 2021 4:56pm
- Benedict Yu
  
  How often do people need to visit bank branches these days? Once a year? The only thing that is surprising is how many branches are still open.
  
  4 1
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  March 26, 2021 5:00pm
- SB2
  
  MW, alas this is the result of digital technologies and automation replacing the local bank branches which has been going on for some time.
  
  Devastating as it is for small towns I very much doubt that the opposition will do anything to reopen those provincial branches.
  
  As you will see it has also affected the US quite severely,
  
  https://www.bankingdive.com/news/bank-branches-decline-National-Community-Reinvestment-Coalition/592197/
  
  0 7
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  March 26, 2021 5:07pm
- 70andstilllearning
  
  Maggy -this government doesn’t actually care about peopl.. sheeple.
  
  6 2
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  March 26, 2021 5:15pm
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    This Government doesn’t give a stuffy poo….
    
    from Tonight’s Gizzy Herald:
    Earlier this month, South Wairarapa mayor Mayor Alex Beijen presented a petition on behalf of 33 mayors — including Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz — urging all banks to reinstate rural branches across New Zealand.
    
    Mayor Beijen told The Gisborne Herald he had had no response from the Government. He sent a follow-up letter but had still not heard anything back.
    
    http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/local-news/20210326/account-closed-kiwibank-gisborne-to-shut-doors-for-good-on-june-30/
    
    5 2
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    March 26, 2021 8:23pm
Don Beckett

This is a real eye opener in relation to the WHO involvement in the Covid -19 pandemic, Bill Gtes involvment & control, and the reality of the “serious ‘flu” which has been pumped up.

https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/who-insider-blows-whistle-on-gates-and-gavi?utm_source=LifeSiteNews.com&utm_campaign=d352d4c10f-Daily%2520Headlines%2520-%2520World_COPY_980&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_12387f0e3e-d352d4c10f-402335057
6 4
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March 26, 2021 4:54pm
- SB2
  
  Quackwatch has a few things to say about Dr Joesph Mercola and his dubious operations and crank science,
  
  https://quackwatch.org/11ind/mercola/
  
  2 12
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  March 26, 2021 5:02pm
- KevO'Brien
  
  Most excellent. I see “vaccine” has been redefined to be a ” protein” instead of an antibody which is probably not a singular protein.
  
  Gates has already described the virus business as the most profitable.
  
  4 4
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  March 26, 2021 5:10pm
  - SB2
    
    “Gates has already described the virus business as the most profitable.”
    
    Citation, please?
    
    2 10
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    March 26, 2021 5:13pm
    - double d
      
      Proof of IQ please?
      
      0 0
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      March 26, 2021 8:54pm
Swifty

More lefty love:

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/439237/letters-mocking-struggling-queenstown-businesses-shocks-recipients

I saw more of the same from Robert Reid this week – glad that a strawberry grower has gone out of business because it couldn’t or wouldn’t pay workers what he demanded they be paid.

Poison. Pure poison. This ‘capitalism is evil’ lie is exactly what we don’t need right now.
11 1
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March 26, 2021 5:16pm
Maggie Pie

As much as I love listening to HDPA….someone needs to tell her she’s not on a f – -king speed date!
7 2
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March 26, 2021 5:25pm
- Inandout
  
  Maggie, Barely is not getting any younger so she must be used to packing in things.
  
  7 2
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  March 26, 2021 6:01pm
70andstilllearning

Oh dear!
Another government tourism f u and guess which ministers involved. (aside from PM)

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/124666626/minister-shuts-down-tourism-taskforce-after-releasing-bold-draft-report
8 1
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March 26, 2021 5:44pm
cmm

Does anyone know why a USAF C17 Globemaster, ICE34, coming back from the ice felt the need to do a low-altitude fly past at 3pm in Chch today?

Looking at the flight rader’s playback it was a pretty conventional looking approach but then did a go-around. Either an aborted landing because of something on the runway or one of those things where a retiring pilot gets permission to have some fun and games.

Bugger flew over my place at about 400 metres, doing some impressive banking. Good thing he was still wheels up or we’d have skid marks on the roof!

https://www.flightradar24.com/2021-03-26/03:11/12x/ICE34/2731d15c
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March 26, 2021 6:09pm
- mikenmildagain
  
  Perhaps he just wanted to brighten up your day.
  
  6 1
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  March 26, 2021 6:13pm
greybeard

Just as well Ross Taylor played today.
Without him we would have been slaughtered.
3 2
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March 26, 2021 6:45pm
70andstilllearning

Shit cmm – if was at ~ 400m you must have a really f..king impressive house in ChCh – Sky Towers only 328m 🙂 🙂
7 1
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March 26, 2021 6:47pm

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