About
Contact
Advertise

Facebook
Twitter

June 24, 2021 8:00am by Kokila Patel

General Debate 24 June 2021

Like this:

Like Loading...

Email
Facebook
Twitter
Comment361

Uncategorized
General Debate

Comments (361)

Login to comment or vote

Tony Stuart

New Zealand – World Test Cricket Champions!

I’ve followed cricket passionately for most of my almost 66 years, and especially test cricket. So what a moment this is for the game, for the team and for New Zealand.

This is without doubt a golden era for cricket in New Zealand, with our best test side ever. Congratulations to the players, the management, and to all us fans who have ridden every wave, and despaired through every trough. But we never stopped believing, and this morning, our faith has been rewarded.

Stand tall lads; you are deservedly the champions of the cricketing world!
92 1
Log in to Reply
Report
December 24, 2020 8:01am
- Flossie
  
  Well said Tony. My congratulations to NZ cricket also. I’m a big fan and thrilled to bits!
  
  51 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:06am
- Cinematic
  
  Huge. Am stoked.
  
  34 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:15am
- alex Masterley
  
  I never thought I would see a New Zealand cricket team achieve this sort of result in test matches. Indeed I thought that the win would be taken from us as it was in the 50:50 WC.
  So to see this mornings result has made my day.
  
  31 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:16am
- Bobba Fret
  
  I hope they interview Tim Paines the Aussie captain again as he stated before the match that he thought India would have no problems beating us!
  
  42 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:38am
  - Loddenthinks
    
    “Australia Test captain Tim Paine predicted the winner of the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) final. Paine said Virat Kohli’s India will win ‘comfortably’ if they play ‘anywhere near their best’ against New Zealand in the WTC final, which will begin at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton on June 18.”
    
    🙂
    
    29 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 8:58am
  - mandk
    
    I think he said beating us comfortably
    
    11 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 10:01am
    - Bobba Fret
      
      Yep, close enough. See Loddenthinks comment.
      
      7 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 10:32am
- yossarian
  
  Over the moon! I was trying to think “would I prefer a away series win in Australia or World Test Champions” Nah, this is better. We’ve beaten the Aussies before, no one can take this away!
  
  Kane can proudly stand next to Hadlee in greatness
  
  24 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:50am
- Brian McDonald
  
  I thought it was great to see the past captain and the current captain at the grease at 5.35am NZT when Taylor hit the winning runs. I read an article earlier in the week where the opinion was that instead of the Black Caps being applauded for their win against England the concentration was on how bad England was with no recognition that NZ was now an elite team. Whoever that writer was his point was well underlined.
  The Aussie skipper possibly smarting after being beaten by India at home gave NZ no chance, I’m glad he said that.
  
  27 4
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:53am
- Batman
  
  This is the biggest achievement by an NZ cricket team, bar none.
  
  Absolutely incredible achievement.
  
  Just a pity that it probably won’t mean we actually get more proper test series’ against the big four.
  
  31 4
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:55am
  - Tony Stuart
    
    Quite so Batman. Did you realise our last five-test series was in 1972, in the West Indies?
    
    20 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 9:44am
    - Loddenthinks
      
      I well recall during my first OE in the early-mid 1980’s seeing New Zealand play cricket in a 4-test series in England (or “New Zealanders vs MCC” as they traditionally called it).
      
      We won our first ever test in England in 1983 at Headingley, the only test we won in a 3-1 series loss. Interestingly, though the team was built around Hadlee’s bowling, and he bowled beautifully in the match, he never took a wicket. Not one. He had match figures of 0-89 (0-44 and 0-45) off 47 overs with 18 maidens! Economy rate of under 1.9 runs per over, near enough unplayable.
      
      For too long New Zealand has been seen as the appetiser – a tasty 2-match series before sitting down to the main meal of an Ashes tour or 5 tests with India – like this year. Sadly the box office and TV viewing figures rule the day, and unlike with rugby the Black Caps isn’t the biggest brand in world cricket – even if we have the best team.
      
      5 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 4:11pm
- pdm
  
  Test cricket is the ultimate in cricket.
  
  Excellent result.
  
  21 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 9:52am
- lastmanstanding
  
  Great result. I couldnt help thinking whilst watching how the old Pom Blazer Brigade must be feelling seeing those colonial chaps in the final of a game the Poms invented.
  I tell you what. The sight of Kyle coming blazing in would make me shit my pants. Wonderful bowler.
  
  11 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 10:11am
- oc35
  
  and don’t forget the great players of the past who kept on going and allowed the team to build over time.
  
  8 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 10:54am
- In Vino Veritas
  
  Yup Tony, it was a stellar effort by the lads. In seriously tough conditions they played brilliantly and they hung tough throughout. Well deserved.
  
  10 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 11:12am
fernglas

I have a question. Are the Spanish “people of colour” or white?. If the Spanish are not people of colour, but white, then why are they any different from the similarly hued Iranians or Greeks or Turks? The Greeks, Spanish, Persians and Turks all had huge colonial empires. So did the Italians. Are Italians white? If you are in Sicily, they look a lot darker than, say, Golriz, who considers herself a POC. So Golriz comes from the once mighty Persia, is whiter to my eyes than Luigi from the trattoria down the road, but considers that all the problems of the world can be laid at the feet of Luigi’s ancestors. Or perhaps , if Luigi is a POC, it is acceptable to be a coloniser as long as you don’t come from somewhere north of, say, Paris.

Can someone help me please?
65 3
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 8:01am
- Greg Ettridge
  
  No one can help you, the Oxford dictionary on a definition of a person of colour.
  “someone who does not consider themselves to be white.”
  Basically it is like being an aboriginal in Australia, just have to feel you are, just look at Bruce Pascoe and his vivid imagination has created.
  This bullshit started in the USA and spread from there.
  Two siblings with very similar DNA can be white or black, it is what they think, not what their DNA is.
  The recently imaginary created Pocohontos is another great example.
  
  34 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:18am
  - Paulus
    
    I understand that in the USA the proportion of what is now called an Afro American, and considered the true person of colour, is abut 16% of the known US population, the same percentage as so called Maori are in New Zealand.
    
    20 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 8:24am
  - Crisplion
    
    But just to further complicate matters, in woke doctrine, racial self-identification is definitely a cancellable sin. Richard Dawkins was recently stripped of an award from the humanist society merely for asking why gender self identification is smiled upon, while racial self identification is not. But then forcing people to endorse illogical nonsense has always been a favoured tool of totalitarianism.
    
    25 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 9:20am
    - burt
      
      Genuine question:
      
      If a persons gender isn’t defined by their genitalia then why do we even have gender reassignment surgery?
      
      Maybe someone who’s had gender reassignment surgery can answer this for me?
      
      23 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 9:52am
- KevO'Brien
  
  We have no true black or white humans. Everyone is a person of colour. I’m distinctly a light pink. A dark African would be a dark red with a low green content and not much blue either.
  White is the perception of an equal mixture of red,green and blue light. Black is the absence. The dark hues are mixtures of small quantities. Pigments are different there we see light reflected from them.
  
  20 4
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:34am
  - crikey
    
    An experienced portrait photographer, in this digital age, will tell you that the skin tone of a “white” person actually closer to a light orange hue than oft-quoted pink.
    
    No, don’t weep those “white” amongst you with Trump Derangement Syndrome.
    
    9 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 11:52am
    - alwyn
      
      “a light orange hue”.
      Really? I can still remember being taught in my school art classes that you should put some green into the skin colour when painting a person. It certainly gave a realistic look.
      That, and the correct ratio of the components of the human body are about the only things I remember about the subject though. Still, it was a break from learning French.
      
      6 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 3:01pm
    - KevO'Brien
      
      There is an amazing variety of human skin colours. The orange would be a little less green and blue, in the RGB model. Subtle differences.
      
      5 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 5:48pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  I have a question.
  
  No… you have at least 5.
  
  I’ll deal with 2.
  
  Are the Spanish people of colour? Some are…
  There is a genetic cline of variation in African DNA East to West and North to South through Spain.
  
  Patterns of genetic differentiation and the footprints of historical migrations in the Iberian Peninsula
  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-08272-w
  
  Is it acceptable to be a coloniser if you are a person of colour.
  
  I don’t think the Koreans liked their Japanese Colonisers much.
  
  I think the Spanish got fed up with their colonisers after a while.
  
  The Han Chinese never really warmed to their Manchu overlords.
  
  25 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:44am
  - fernglas
    
    Thanks Maggie. I had overlooked the Moors and Japanese, but I’m a white man, so that is my privilege
    
    17 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 8:49am
    - Maggy Wassilieff
      
      but I’m a white man
      
      But how white, fernglas?
      
      My hubby thinks he’s white… but he’s a distinctly darker shade of pale.
      
      15 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 9:20am
    - Maggy Wassilieff
      
      I had overlooked the Moors
      
      The Inquisition was very effective…
      https://www.historytoday.com/reviews/purging-muslim-spain
      
      11 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 9:48am
    - KevO'Brien
      
      Being human is a privilege.
      
      12 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 10:35am
- Fidel Cashflow
  
  The difference, I think, is the difference between ‘white’ as a predicate versus ‘White’ as a noun. Persians may have white skin but they are not White. By and large, Zionist Jews don’t consider themselves White, even though they are mostly white. You can be a southern Italian with darker skin and you are White. Or similar with some Greeks. Albino Africans have white skin, but they are in all other respects Black people. I think to be White, on balance, you need some extensive ancestral connection to the European continent. The exceptions don’t disprove the rule.
  
  The problem mostly stems from these outliers, and they are what is cited by those who seek to deny the reality of Whiteness. It’s really an empirical argument: what do you usually think of, generally, when you say Frenchman, German, Italian, Swedish, American, British, Spanish etc? Notwithstanding the above outliers, it is someone with white skin, i.e. a White person.
  
  12 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:55am
  - Jack5
    
    I agree “White” is a vague classification of human beings, and sometimes is illogical.
    
    But, Fidel, your “Persians may have white skin but they are not White,” is oversimplification.
    
    The name of Persians’ country, Iran, means land of the Aryans, and the Shah of Persia was on record of telling a White American oil executive during negotiations: “You know, we’re the same race as you.”
    
    Persian language is part of the Indo-European family.
    
    Two ethnic Iranians who appear in our media, Golriz Ghahraman and Donna Miles-Mojab, both fine looking people, might dispute that they are White.
    
    Golriz, however, has olive skin tone similar to that of Mediterranean Europeans, and Donna has whiter skin than most ethnic-European New Zealanders.
    
    The US Census Bureau uses this racial definition:
    
    White – A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.
    
    The bureau would classify someone who identifies as Maori as “Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander .”
    
    7 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 11:19am
  - NeverMindTheBollocks
    
    Depends on your generation, perhaps. There are plenty of Englishmen who are also of Afro Caribbean or Indian (actually quite likely to be ex Pakistan or Bangladesh) descent.
    
    Tricky, isn’t it
    
    2 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 6:33pm
- In Vino Veritas
  
  Its a joke fernglas. This whole thing is being promoted pretty much by Marxists who like to group people rather than recognise them as individuals. Golriz is from a country of colonisers and slavers. Therefore according to the grouping from which she comes, she too is a slaver and coloniser and should fall to her knees and repent. Self flagellation with perhaps a cilice would also be helpful in this situation.
  
  13 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 11:16am
- PhilBest
  
  Fernglas’ most important point is that all these “people of color” including Hispanics, had massive empires at one time. It is absurd for progressives in the USA to be claiming some kind of moral imperative where “whiteys” are duty bound to let in and share “our ill gotten imperialistic gains” with the descendants of conquistadores. If those descendants of conquistadores turned their conquered territories into shite-holes, how is that any fault of USA whitey?
  
  0 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  September 2, 2021 11:33am
Benedict Yu

Sometimes when driving betwen we appointments or running errands I listen to talk back radio. Yes I know some of the people have odd views. And about 20 minutes is my limit which is how long it takes me to drive somewhere.

Peter Williams seems reasonably sensible on most but not all things.

I have given up on their other shows. Sean Plunkett was good but he had been replaced by a couple of clowns. The evening guy Ryan someone speaks too fast for me.

So back to Mahler after 1200 noon.
28 0
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 8:04am
- lifesgood
  
  My spirits have lifted enormously since I tuned my car radio to the concert programme. I do listen to Hosking in the morning at home, though. He is great value. Also Bruce Russell at night, he’s got a right of centre point of view.
  
  31 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:12am
  - Sacha
    
    I like Bruce Russell too – he is cheerful, speaks his mind in a courteous manner, and has the art of ending calls he doesn’t approve of in a kindly way.
    I also enjoy Miles Davies, but seldom hear him these days. His sessions are cheerful and he has led a varied life, which make for interesting callers –
    I am suffering from COVID overload, so look for covid-free zones on the radio. (I don’t watch tv at all now).
    
    16 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 8:59am
- Inandout
  
  BY, yes talkback can be a challenge to one’s mind at times and especially ‘the clowns’ you refer to. Leah was OK on her own but then the ‘what now’ man joined the show. I am convinced he went to the Jimmy Carr school of guffaws to learn that drawn out laugh which sounds like a strained poo.
  
  14 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:31am
  - Paulus Gnome
    
    Danny Watson makes hemorrhoids palatable
    
    9 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 10:19am
- Clyde
  
  I wonder where Hosking was this morning. Hawksby not on air either. The substitutes are not a patch.
  
  18 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 9:46am
- Fuzzysnuggleduck
  
  BY, Some of the people hosting talkback are so plain and simple, and a touch woke, that I can’t be bothered wasting my time on their low value dribble. Then there are plain out painful thickies, like Marcus Lush who I tend to say a rude word and attack the off button if I switched in on tuned to him.
  Ryan Bridges is worth listening to, even if he “talks too fast” (huh?). He definitely criticises the government, specific policies, and calls a spade a spade for the most part. Worth taking note of, since as a gay man he is normally talking a lot of sense around the nonsense we see going on lately, he definitely is not on the typical media-ideological band wagon, and he is of a class/identity that makes him harder to cancel or dismiss by the SJWs.
  
  17 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 9:59am
  - pjams
    
    I really like Ryan. He’s not afraid to call out the Government with very logical well thought out comments rather than emotion.
    
    4 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 7:38pm
Maggie Pie

CNBC banner news last night…..

‘Californians told not to charge EV’s due to power shortage’

LOL!!!
77 3
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 8:04am
- Flossie
  
  I can see that when I am left with no choice other than to buy an EV I will have to add the price of solar panels to the purchase.
  
  22 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:13am
  - Paulus
    
    Solar Panels do not work when there is no sun and likewise at night as one Labour MP thought otherwise recently when asked about when people can charge their EVs.
    
    36 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 8:26am
    - Flossie
      
      Quite so Paulus. So I’m going to have to also factor in price of batteries.
      
      10 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 8:44am
  - Maggie Pie
    
    “It’s not easy being Green”
    
    – Kermit
    
    😀
    
    50 5
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 8:27am
    - Thought Criminal
      
      ???
      
      10 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 10:37am
    - NeverMindTheBollocks
      
      Ribbit!
      
      2 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 6:36pm
- Greg Ettridge
  
  Represent 8% of light vehicle market in California, some bright spark may work out where the power is coming from to charge them, we can live in hope.
  I guess a conga line of coal ships will stem the “demand to stop charging in NZ.”
  Dim witted idiots that thought this will all go well.
  Wrapping fish and chips really doesn’t prepare you to make crucial decisions, surrounding yourself with idiots is just the nail in the coffin.
  
  46 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:26am
  - Maggie Pie
    
    Our cleaning lady’s old Soviet joke…..
    
    What would happen if you introduced Communism to the Sahara?
    
    – Sand shortages.
    
    42 5
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 8:42am
- kowtow
  
  Last night on the “news” there was a story about our high power prices . There was also an ad during a break for a feebated EV .
  
  40 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:28am
- Simon
  
  Klimate change nut jobs. Living standards will drop in the West but global warming zealots will impoverish the third world.
  
  31 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:36am
  - Fidel Cashflow
    
    No, the third world will be coming to the first world and so will have a higher standard of living than before. However, as a result of this influx, in addition to saving the world from a climate catastrophe that nobody can see, the first world will sink to a level close to, but not quite, the current third world. It will be a great “meeting in the middle” of humanity. The “it will slash our standard of living” argument against all of the en vouge policies isn’t an argument against them (to those imposing them), rather, that is the aim.
    
    17 3
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 9:07am
- Matt Long
  
  Interesting, I was thinking of writing an opinion piece about putting ev chargers on a ripple supply so that when we have to burn coal for electricity the ev chargers are shut off.
  The real world beats satire again.
  
  38 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:43am
- Bobba Fret
  
  That will be great when all our farmers have EV utes and are all charging them over night.
  
  17 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:50am
- Batman
  
  Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
  Maggie are you sure you’re not conflating California with Texas, which in its Republican purity fever dream, completely deregulated is grid and now can’t handle cold weather, warm weather, or more people!
  
  4 39
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:58am
  - Matt Long
    
    Texas is being overwhelmed by refugees from failed states like Honduras, Venezuela, California, Oregon and New York. It’s hard for the infrastructure to keep up.
    
    42 3
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 9:02am
  - Maggie Pie
    
    Here we go Batz….goggle is your friend
    
    https://snopes.com/fact-check/california-electric-cars-charge/
    
    18 4
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 9:23am
  - Cobolt24
    
    Rick Perry (Secretary of Energy under Trump) had planned to put in a regulation making power companies have a 90 day backup of fuel.
    Federal regulators rejected the plan because they couldn’t find evidence retiring coal/nuclear plants was undermining grid stability (they were wrong).
    
    Nuclear/ fossil fuel plants which had access to adequate fuel supplies mostly stayed fully operational under that cold spell.
    
    3 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 4:15pm
JibberJabber

One faction must win outright control of National and the other(s) must fall into line or disappear completely from the caucus and the Party. The membership need to demand it.

https://asianinvasion2019.blogspot.com/2021/06/pistols-need-to-be-fired-at-dawn-in.html

(Goodfellow), This fool clearly has absolutely no ability to keep everyone in line. Your time is up too. When John Key was leader, fundraising was easy and Goodfellow was made to look very good at it. Now I would not know a sane businessperson willing to give one cent to fund this clusterfuck.

And Judith Collins’ time will be up if she does not clear out everyone rightly or wrongly who is plotting her demise. And with it anyone else who will plot the demise of anyone who has the job after she has it.

Time for Crusher to re-emerge and either sort out the caucus behind closed doors or be sorted herself.
National are at the moment so bad that the polls do not actually matter at all.
Labour are so incompetent that just blowing wind on them should be enough to topple them over. .
71 1
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 8:05am
- yossarian
  
  I had high hopes for Judith, but she seems to be scared of her own shadow. In two days Winston showed her how to do it, without batting an eyelid.
  
  53 6
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:14am
  - JibberJabber
    
    It’s a bit hard for her to get her message across when she is faced with a hostile and corrupt media on a daily basis and has a dearth of real talent in the party to back her up.
    IMHO.
    
    61 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 8:29am
    - Tony Stuart
      
      I agree. Much of what she has been saying for the past six weeks or so was the same as what Peters said on Sunday. But where the media give Peters a free pass (probably because they miss him), he gets a free pass, whilst Collins is accused of separatism and racism.
      
      64 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 8:34am
      - kowtow
        
        People need to wake up to the double standards of the Media Pardy .
        
        On a world stage same with the Biden /Trump thingy . They give the Old Dodderer a free pass for things they went hysterical on Orange Man Bad.
        
        eg rude to woman reporter, fitness ( mental and physical) for office, family corruption , soft on Russia …….
        
        31 1
        Report
        June 24, 2021 9:17am
      - Philview
        
        The media perceive that giving Peters airtime will take support from National and Act. However it did enable to the country to learn some of the things this Government are up to.
        
        8 0
        Report
        June 24, 2021 1:23pm
    - RockyJ
      
      Agree. Give Judith a break and support her. Changing is just undermining our cause which is to dethrone Labour
      
      48 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 8:44am
      - SmokerGuy
        
        That may be true but I would bet my left nut she will never win. They need to be realistic and rather than undermining her, keep their mouths shut and replace her next year. Brutal but that’s politics.
        
        4 1
        Report
        June 24, 2021 4:03pm
      - Ruawai
        
        The media are busy trolling through National party tweets for any minor slip ups.
        
        8 0
        Report
        June 24, 2021 5:07pm
    - igm
      
      Most National Press releases are binned by subs as they do not meet the criteria for continued taxpayer funding. Ardern and her leeches have media under their control at our expense . . . it stinks!
      
      43 3
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 8:55am
      - Tall Man
        
        Maybe write them in maori…….
        
        14 3
        Report
        June 24, 2021 9:46am
      - Paulus Gnome
        
        Writing them in maori would make them as intelligible as the dribble from labour in English . . .
        
        10 1
        Report
        June 24, 2021 1:03pm
    - JJ56
      
      The problem is JC is much less definitive and diffident compared with WP e.g. on He Puaua:
      
      JC: we need an “adult conversation”, “They did not ask the New Zealand population to sign up to it and they didn’t actually have the conversations,”
      
      WP: “is a recipe for Māori separatism” … “that’s why they suppressed it till after the election “.
      
      Which would you report?
      
      11 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 11:24am
  - Tall Man
    
    However, hopefully when Judith opens her mouth she will tell the truth and stick to her word, the other guy …. well ask yourself.
    
    16 4
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 9:44am
- BAM
  
  Truer words have never been written.
  
  I’m at the point of thinking, is it best if National completely collapses and is replaced by something else?
  
  I really can’t see how the party can be saved when so many of the MPs are working their own angles, for their own gain and have little to no interest in the actual wellbeing of the party?
  
  19 17
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:22am
  - BAM
    
    This is the corporate mindset in action, that National seems to be so keen on.
    Every fucker for themselves, screw them before they screw you.
    
    3 22
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 8:34am
    - Paulus
      
      Sounds as though his comes from Labour HQ as representative of the Labour Greens Party.
      
      12 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 11:10am
  - KevO'Brien
    
    What else have they to do when National are not permitted a platform unless it is to undo them.
    Their time will come again soon.
    The bribe will run out.
    
    31 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 8:39am
    - UrbanNeocolonialist
      
      I’m not optimistic, why would labour stop co-opting media as their paid propagandists when its working so well for them?
      
      13 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 12:18pm
  - tf78
    
    BAM I’m wondering if there are actual leakers or do they need to sweep their offices for bugs.
    
    12 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 9:33am
  - Ruawai
    
    Labour were in the same position not that long ago when Key was PM, it is just cyclical.
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 5:09pm
- Frank the tank
  
  She front stabbed Todd Muller quite comfortably last night I thought.
  
  54 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:25am
  - JibberJabber
    
    Muller is a loser that should have been told to fuck off a while back.
    Just another dishonest waster with delusions of grandeur.
    
    63 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 8:37am
    - Frank the tank
      
      Correct. Moreover Collins used good judgement for the correct time to pull the trigger.
      
      39 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 8:56am
    - JerJer
      
      He used to be one of the old guard that was well on the way to sinking Fonterra a few years back. So enough said. As soon as he is gone for good the better. Fonterra probably thought the same.
      
      12 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 11:37am
      - Gravelroad
        
        So if that was the case JerJer why did the likes of that blowhard potato-head Bolger and (allegedly) Mr Insider Hooton, go to such extreme lengths to install Muller as leader of the National Party?
        Serious question.
        And why did the rest of the National MP’s go along with it?
        What are the answers?
        Sometime I would like to be told the truth- otherwise I won’t be voting National any time soon.
        Won’t hold my breath………
        
        8 0
        Report
        June 24, 2021 2:57pm
  - G152
    
    Not as if Muller didn’t get the first stab in on a reliable working team
    
    28 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 8:43am
    - DeepBlue
      
      Naive man. He spoke to a reporter, but didn’t think he would be reported. There goes one of the leakers, the rest should go too.
      
      52 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 8:48am
      - kowtow
        
        Who was the repeater ?
        
        9 2
        Report
        June 24, 2021 9:19am
      - Tony Stuart
        
        Reporters are NOT your friend when you’re a National Party MP.
        
        31 0
        Report
        June 24, 2021 9:46am
      - KevO'Brien
        
        Anyone who talks to a reporter must expect to be reported, not necessarily what was being talked about, but copy to justify the use of time and promote the media’s message.
        
        16 1
        Report
        June 24, 2021 10:42am
  - DeepBlue
    
    And Nick Smith it seems. I think she has had an excellent month.
    
    14 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 8:46am
- igm
  
  Andrew Bayly surely must be a good bet for National leadership. He is far removed from the woke mentality that controls New Zealand currently.
  
  17 3
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:52am
  - Tony Stuart
    
    I’m not sure Andrew has any particular aspiration to be leader. He will however be an outstanding Finance Minister at some time in the future.
    
    22 3
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 9:47am
  - UrbanNeocolonialist
    
    Surely Reti is heir apparent?
    
    11 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 12:19pm
    - Philview
      
      A nice guy and intelligent but not so sure he would enjoy the media trying to destroy him
      
      6 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 1:27pm
    - Tony Stuart
      
      Reti is a most impressive bloke; quiet, unassuming, but with a razor-sharp mind.
      
      10 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 3:17pm
- RW Capitalist
  
  I am not disagreeing with you…(inevitable) BUT
  You only have two real choices
  Continue with this bigger clusterfuk, who’s screw ups are damaging the economy and directly screwing the population.
  or
  Vote in National, who seem to be a political clusterfuk, and internally squabbling BUT have some good policies and work ethic.
  Time to treat elections like job interviews and choose the best candidate for the job, the most hard working, with intelligent ideas that have worked in the past.
  You are not looking for the best possible candidate (they would never apply), you are looking for the best candidate possible (from the applicants).
  
  26 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 9:15am
  - Flossie
    
    That’s pretty much been my voting strategy since forever.
    
    13 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 9:43am
    - Paulus Gnome
      
      Mine too with the starting question of the flow diagram being, are they blue?
      
      No = stop
      
      I have no faith in any of the red team of socialists.
      
      7 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 1:08pm
- Chuck Bird
  
  I have written to Muller with a link to her article suggest he offer his early resignation to Judith at a time convenient to the party. I hope other members do the same.
  
  27 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 9:41am
  - Colville
    
    Yes any week now would be fine.
    
    That would mean a by-election and then the new Nat could go into the 23 election with benefit of a salary and an office.
    
    That would be good for the National Party so Muller wont do it.
    
    18 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 10:39am
    - Toko
      
      I suspect Muller and Shadbolt both need the income from their roles and can’t afford to give them up. Both would be long gone, if they had any respect for their constituents.
      
      14 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 12:34pm
    - Chuck Bird
      
      I bet he will not last a year.
      
      7 4
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 12:44pm
- doggone7
  
  Goodfellow’s prime job being to “keep people in line” might say it all.
  How successful would the NZ cricket team have been if the main job of the leaders was to keep players in line?
  
  10 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 10:23am
graham

Up to 2500 people visited the Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa) around the time a Covid-infected Sydney tourist attended, the museum has revealed.

Next few days will be a very nervous wait for Wellington …
26 2
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 8:07am
- Tony Stuart
  
  Not just Wellington; many will be from out of town.
  
  27 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:07am
- graham
  
  And in related news …
  
  “1 in 5 electric vehicle owners in California switched back to gas because charging their cars is a hassle, research shows”
  
  https://www.businessinsider.com.au/electric-car-owners-switching-gas-charging-a-hassle-study-2021-4?r=US&IR=T
  
  In roughly three minutes, you can fill the gas tank of a Ford Mustang and have enough range to go about 483km with its V8 engine.
  
  But for the electric Mustang Mach-E, an hour plugged into a household outlet gave Bloomberg automotive analyst Kevin Tynan just three miles of range.
  
  To be fair, it appears from the article that the measly 120 Volts you get from an American power point doesn’t help, and our 230 Volts makes things a bit better – but not much.
  
  Oh, and you know all those charging stations the Government is going to install?
  
  Public charging stations may look like the electric version of the gas station, but nearly two-thirds of PEV drivers in the survey said they didn’t use them. Exactly why they didn’t use the public stalls was not specified.
  
  Umm, possibly because hanging around for several hours while your car charges is ever so slightly inconvenient?
  
  43 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:13am
  - graham
    
    Sorry, this should have gone under Maggie’s comment about Californian EV’s:
    
    https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2021/06/general_debate_24_june_2021.html#comment-2963099
    
    15 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 8:21am
- Benedict Yu
  
  Fortunately he was partly vaccinated which should make him less contagious.
  
  13 10
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:16am
  - kowtow
    
    No , it’s the Delta variant . Oz experts have said you can get it by just brushing past someone ( guffaw) and last night Tova O’Brien said it was ” hyper virulent”
    
    I am absolutely positively confident that the Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse has visited Wellington and the end of the world is nigh.
    
    43 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 8:33am
    - Frank the tank
      
      Was there “it’s a killer” thrown in for good measure as well.
      
      Must have made patient zero really sick if he went to the pub and out and about over the weekend….
      
      24 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 8:57am
      - mandk
        
        Meanwhile, I think I saw a headline on the Telegraph website to the effect that the increase in the number of deaths from the surge in Delta infections is so small it hardly shows on the graph.
        
        14 1
        Report
        June 24, 2021 10:12am
    - Greg Ettridge
      
      Meanwhile in the real world, Changi airport has 80 flights landing today, including one each from Christchurch and Auckland.
      The 7 day rolling average of new cases of WuFlu is 17 cases a day, 7 day rolling average.
      You can run and hide or get on with life.
      Singapore is a great example of this.
      Deaths have been 6 this year.
      This is how true leaders deal with this, they clearly show balance, not crushing draconian over reactions.
      
      28 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 9:29am
    - Happy1
      
      The brush passed case in Sydney was established by DNA evidence showing that case B got the virus from case A directly (no intermediary step) Cell phone technology showed that the only time they were in the same vicinity was the fleeting walk past that was captured on CCTV.
      
      6 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 9:45am
    - Paulus
      
      Well of course Tova knows everything.
      If not she makes up an argument to suit her game.
      She will come unstuck soon and will be worth watching, possibly in Court.
      
      14 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 11:14am
    - JJ56
      
      Only question is “will sea level rise get them first?”
      
      8 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 11:28am
    - NeverMindTheBollocks
      
      Shame that the Indian variant won’t brush past Tovla.
      
      Give her something real to report, for a change
      
      4 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 7:00pm
  - Bobba Fret
    
    I’m not sure that comment is true. I thought you could still catch and pass it on even if fully vaccinated.
    
    14 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 8:44am
    - Batman
      
      You can but the viral load is significant reduced so you are much less of a danger to those around you if you’re vaccinated.
      
      12 19
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 9:00am
      - Tall Man
        
        Sorry Batman but I very much doubt you have the skills to state that and it definitely goes against the “terror” narrative being promulgated.
        
        “If” it is “less of a danger”, why is the Wellington region at level 2?
        
        I know where this guy went to work and who has been tested here and so far we have zero cross contamination. Even his wife is negative but I suppose there is a chance that they practiced “social distancing”………
        
        The absolute truth is that it is most unlikely that anyone was infected by this guy, vaccinated or not, just like most other incidences in NZ and the recent incident in Brisbane.
        
        And no, I’m not qualified to make that assertion but then neither am I a sycophantic moron.
        
        27 4
        Report
        June 24, 2021 9:37am
    - JibberJabber
      
      It’s a Claytons vaccine, the vaccine you have when you don’t have a vaccine.
      
      16 4
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 9:28am
      - Tall Man
        
        No, it’s truly truly “vicious” … so bad that you have to be “assaulted” by having a broom shoved up your nose to find out that you are sick …///// sarc.
        
        19 3
        Report
        June 24, 2021 9:40am
      - Lance
        
        So to have such views, are you an anti-vaxer?
        
        4 11
        Report
        June 24, 2021 9:52am
      - Tall Man
        
        Lance, it will eventually be portrayed as such.
        
        I choose to “not” drive an EV. Will that also become something to be attacked for?
        
        18 1
        Report
        June 24, 2021 11:07am
      - JibberJabber
        
        Oi Lance,
        A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease.
        Given this preparation that is being offered to NZers(or the rest of the World) does not provide immunity or prevent the transmission of infection, what would you call it?
        If it was proved to be safe and effective I would have no problem taking a vaccine, until then I’m quite happy to let you be the guinea pig, thank you for your service ?.
        
        6 0
        Report
        June 24, 2021 11:42am
    - Greg Ettridge
      
      Yes, you definitely can infect others, the Australian government have released their planned vaccination plan, Astravenica will no longer be available except if ask for it after October.
      So there are millions vaccinated with a experimental drug that has proven not to be fit for purpose.
      There are so very promising vaccines in the pipeline, they are not going into arms yet.
      I am happy to sit and watch the sheep experiment on themselves.
      
      19 3
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 9:38am
      - Tall Man
        
        It amuses me that the labour government are willing to provide drug testing at a rock concert to make sure the illegal shit you’re shoving inside yourself is “safe” yet are happy to promote a vaccine knowing that “some” will have an issue.
        
        Maybe we need to get chloe onboard with this /////sarc again for the slow of mind.
        
        20 2
        Report
        June 24, 2021 9:42am
  - Tall Man
    
    Why?
    
    If it can be contracted off a dirty lat surface hours after it was “laid down” why can’t a living person spread it around like vegemite?///// sarc
    
    10 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 9:31am
- Simon
  
  Zero covid hysteria
  
  Roll out the Ro vaxx for those who want it and open NZ up. That’s it. Anything else is covid cult.
  
  The hysteria must continue to cover this most appalling gubbermint.
  
  37 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:22am
  - Frank the tank
    
    The last vestiges are being seen in Europe where as in the States (particularly in Red States) zero fucks are being given.
    
    Following an elimination strategy for an endemic virus is a King Kanute fallacy.
    
    30 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 8:38am
    - Fidel Cashflow
      
      Compared to the initial dosing campaign, the daily vaccination rates in the States have fallen off so much now that, to keep the rates from tanking, they are dosing the children who are in practically zero danger. Everyone who wanted it has already had it, so watch the propaganda ramp-up even more.
      
      14 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 9:30am
      - Frank the tank
        
        Won’t happen in red states. Florida in particular has told the CDC where to go.
        
        If Desantis emerges from the final throes unscathed he is def. the favorite for the GOP nomination for 2024.
        
        Not a Batty Rino either.
        
        9 1
        Report
        June 24, 2021 10:42am
    - SB2
      
      So we just let the Covid 19 Delta variant rip through us?
      
      0 18
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 11:35am
      - Don Beckett
        
        Yep. We may become mildly ill – like a serious ‘flu – but we will recover – as 99.97% of the people who get the virus do.
        
        14 1
        Report
        June 24, 2021 2:01pm
  - Ruahine
    
    Yep Simon.
    The Covid hysteria needs to be fed. Hundreds, maybe even thousands of stupid people will queue up in Wellington to have a swab shoved up their nose hoping they have got Covid just so they can do their bit to help their beloved Jacinda and Ashley save their lives all over again.
    Every day people arrive from overseas with Covid and are are put into MIQ. No one dies.
    How much more of this nonsense do we have to put up with.
    
    28 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 9:00am
    - Tall Man
      
      “How much more of this nonsense do we have to put up with.”
      
      As much as is required in order to “sanctify” ardern as the “leader” of the free world by a pathetic sycophantic immature media.
      
      Andrea Vance, you are supposed to be an adult. Act like one FFS.
      
      27 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 9:29am
- freemark
  
  Nervous if you are an indoctrinated coward perhaps, for anyone with the slightest hint of research skills & desire to be a free citizen it’s just an ongoing bad joke.
  
  16 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 9:21am
- ecco
  
  What’s the bet that the idiot from bondi who decided it was all ok to travel to Wellington is an NZer living in Australia. What a selfish prat.
  
  3 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:49pm
BeaB

What an unpleasant man Todd Muller has turned out to be. And determined to stay at the trough as long as possible.
77 1
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 8:08am
- Paulus
  
  Muller is on nine years at the end of this term, and therefore I believe a full three term pension.
  He should not have stood at the last election.
  
  48 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:29am
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    The nine year lifetime pension rort ended years ago..
    Only applies to politicians who were elected to Parliament before 1992.
    
    32 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 8:53am
  - david
    
    Paulus,
    I might be wrong but understand that Key totally canned the Parliamentary retirement perks (including travel and Super) and each MP now creates and manages their own super. Of course the contribution & subsidy rates are much higher than $1:$1.
    I suspect that Trev the Muss might be the last MP with access to the old retirement perks such as annually adjusted pension set as a (high) percentage of the highest office achieved as an MP and one or two business class trips NZ to UK annually.
    Someone closer to it may correct me if I am wrong.
    
    16 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 9:03am
    - Tony Stuart
      
      Nick Smith was the last MP on the “old” Super scheme. Mallard misses out because his continuous service only dates from 1993, after he lost his Hamilton seat in 1990.
      
      26 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 9:49am
      - Tall Man
        
        Might explain why he hated Nick so much 😉
        
        23 0
        Report
        June 24, 2021 11:08am
      - Colville
        
        awwww…..poor widdle Ducky….
        
        🙂
        
        15 1
        Report
        June 24, 2021 11:18am
    - Paulus
      
      Sorry, I am wrong in my assumption on Muller and pensi0n rights.
      
      11 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 11:16am
    - Wayne Mapp
      
      The old super system (defined benefit) was canned in 1992, as it was for the entire state sector. Too expensive for the taxpayers. Only those already it could stay. Since Nick was first elected in 1990 he could stay. Anyone elected from 1993 is in the new scheme (defined contribution) which is quite substantial, at least it is for MP’s and judges.
      
      11 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 12:16pm
  - Tall Man
    
    Wrong. He only gets a pension based on his contributions, topped up by the taxpayer.
    
    8 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 9:26am
- Tony Stuart
  
  The last thing National needs at the moment is a by-election, and if Muller was to depart right away, it’s quite possible that National would lose Bay of Plenty. There’s also the issue of cost; by-elections don’t come cheap.
  
  In the meantime, the Bay of Plenty electorate executive has plenty of time to find a top quality candidate for the 2023 General Election, whereas picking a candidate for a by-election a couple of months away runs a much higher risk of a poor candidate.
  
  30 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:38am
  - Frank the tank
    
    It shows the state of (little) Aotearoa if National would lose BOP.
    
    Seriously do ‘rural’ voters actively want to elect people that actively hate their way of life?
    
    38 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 8:39am
    - Tony Stuart
      
      Ask the people of New Plymouth, Whanganui, Wairarapa, Tuki Tuki, Otaki, Northland and Rangitata.
      
      34 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 8:49am
      - Frank the tank
        
        I thought that was National’s job. Surely they have got to the bottom of this by now.
        
        Seriously though I’m beginning to lose hope for the regions as they keep seeming to act like Turkeys voting for an early christmas…..
        
        16 1
        Report
        June 24, 2021 9:00am
      - Tall Man
        
        Otaki has not been a rural seat for decades Tony.
        
        The bulk of the “farmers” are now namby pamby weekenders or lifestylers hanging out for the Sunday lattes at Reds.
        
        17 2
        Report
        June 24, 2021 9:25am
      - Isobar
        
        Whilst not obviously rural dont forget Ilam. One of the safest in the country. Or so Brownlee thought.
        
        Hopefully he has the sense to announce his retirement at the next election too
        
        12 0
        Report
        June 24, 2021 12:57pm
      - Ruawai
        
        and Port Waikato.
        
        5 0
        Report
        June 24, 2021 5:19pm
    - MCos
      
      One day I went to the supermarket and my boy insisted I bought some cereal because he liked the look of the box even though I pointed out it more than 50% sugar.
      Next day he told me my cereal was terrible.
      
      If the Nats were to lose BoP put the responsibility where it belongs, don’t blame the voters.
      
      3 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 6:19pm
  - Tall Man
    
    They already have one available don’t they?
    
    “Tania Tapsell
    National
    
    Tania Tapsell is National’s candidate for the East Coast, she replaces the region’s standing MP Anne Tolley. A resident of Maketu, which is where her Te Arawa iwi is from, Tapsell is passionate about caring for the environment.
    
    She’s been an elected councillor for the last seven years alongside her roles as deputy chairperson of the New Zealand Community Board Executive Committee and chairperson of the Council Operations Committee. She’s also led the Council Sustainable Living Strategy.
    
    Since graduating from the University of Waikato with a Bachelor in Management Studies, Tapsell has undertaken further studies in business and marketing. She is currently working towards completing her Master of Management. She also held several positions with BNZ Business Partners and Deloitte.”
    
    17 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 9:24am
    - Maggy Wassilieff
      
      Tania Tapsell had a very low profile here in Tairawhiti last election…perhaps not her fault as Anne Tolley didn’t announce her retirement until very late in the day.
      
      I doubt that Tapsell would be able to shift Kiri Allan now.
      
      18 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 9:40am
      - Tony Stuart
        
        I agree Maggy, whereas if she shifted her aspirations to Bay of Plenty, she would have plenty of time to build a profile and campaign. I would be surprised if she doesn’t enter the contest, although that does not guarantee that she will win the nomination.
        
        17 1
        Report
        June 24, 2021 9:52am
      - Fuzzysnuggleduck
        
        Very historic surname, Tapsell, linked to Te Arawa and Maketu.
        Phillip Tapsell (an assumed name: Top Sail) was a trader living with the tribes, and married into them, at the time of the Musket Wars.
        Good biography here. Always interesting to come across such people, who directly link into the past which interests me so much. A picture of one of his daughters on the link;
        https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1t11/tapsell-phillip
        
        13 0
        Report
        June 24, 2021 10:17am
      - Don Beckett
        
        Tapsells are a very well known & respected family in the BoP. I knew several of the family in my younger day – even dated one of the Tapsell girls briefly.
        Good people.
        
        12 1
        Report
        June 24, 2021 10:55am
      - Tony Stuart
        
        I believe Tania Tapsell is a niece of former Labour Speaker Dr Sir Peter Tapsell. Sir Peter was always viewed as a man with considerable mana and integrity, and in that regard, the familial apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree.
        
        9 0
        Report
        June 24, 2021 3:22pm
    - Frank the tank
      
      Willy wouldn’t be happy sounds like the ‘wrong’ type of Maori for the tribal and urban elite.
      
      13 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 10:44am
  - coge
    
    I think Muller should be permitted to stay on, but only under the strictest supervision.
    
    10 4
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 10:03am
  - septic skeptic
    
    The last thing Natio al needs is Muller appearing on TV reminding voters of National’s disunity and unsuitability for office – while he carries on white anting behind the scenes.
    
    11 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 12:47pm
  - Sacha
    
    @Tony Stuart: Could a sitting List MP campaign for a party seat in a by-election?
    
    6 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 12:55pm
    - Tony Stuart
      
      I believe so, yes. But firstly they would have to resign as a List MP before the by-election, and the next person on the list would be appointed to take their place. Then if they won the by-election they would be back in Parliament, and if they lost, they’d be looking for a job.
      
      7 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 3:24pm
- peterwn
  
  My gut feeling is I would like to see him gone as soon as possible. However he is an electorate MP (Bay of Plenty) where Labour got the majority of the party vote. Hence if there was a byelection a Labour candidate could well take the seat especially as polling has not moved much since last election. Also Winston will now be nosing around the seat to see if he could pull a comeback. So Judith’s only reasonable option is to swallow a rat and let him (perhaps persuade him) to carry on to next election. I doubt he ‘needs’ to remain for financial reasons, he is probably be financially self sufficient. Unlike Jami-Lee, he would still be reasonably ’employable’ or capable of self employment.
  
  26 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:42am
- Than
  
  Um, when he stood for parliament he committed to a three year term. He is fulfilling that commitment.
  
  How is keeping your word troughing?
  
  12 5
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 9:23am
Yvette

Later next week [Willie] Jackson will be making an announcement about how a national conversation will be advanced to address the United Nations declaration. [the He Puapua Report] – Newsroom

One hopes this is not just an announcement about a further announcement, but an actual initiation of a “national conversation”.

But the last “national conversation” was probably regarding the Tax Working Group’s report back on Capital Gain Tax, when opposition politicians sniped for several weeks, media overflowed with speculation, but Government actually delivered no policy points of what they would translate the report into in terms of law – the natural step for there to be any useful discussion or conversation.

Then, after considerable negativity – The Prime Minister has shocked New Zealand by ruling out a capital gains tax not just before the next election, but while she is Prime Minister.
She told reporters this afternoon that Cabinet could not reach a consensus and, as such, she scrapped the Tax Working Group’s recommendation for a capital gains tax (CGT).
Then she flung CGT completely out of the cot –
“Under my leadership, we will no longer campaign for, or implement a capital gains tax – not because I don’t believe in it, but because I don’t believe New Zealand does.”
Ardern said the Government simply didn’t have the mandate to implement such a tax, as so many Kiwis were against one. [1]

I’m sure Willie Jackson will have learnt from his leader’s experience of how to have a national conversation – that the Government needs to actually state a position that can be discussed.
Something Winston, Don Brash and David Seymour can actually respond to.
Kia kaha, Willie

[1] https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/pm-jacinda-ardern-has-ruled-out-implementing-a-capital-gains-tax-while-she-is-at-the-helm-of-labour/IQ4FD7CLYKKLU6YAH2H2S4MDSE/
26 0
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 8:09am
- Philview
  
  He Puapua is already part implemented and Labour want a national conversation. My only hope, based on media comments that people who oppose He Puapua are on the wrong side of history, is that Labour have completely misread the country.
  
  9 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 1:36pm
Matt Long

Todd Muller resigns after trying to undermine incoming female Maori MP. https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/06/national-mp-todd-muller-resigned-after-leaking-against-harete-hipango-to-journalist.html
And this guy lead National’s climate change change approach, and wanted to be Prime Minister, unbelievable.
In 2014 on Kiwiblog I gave a pretty good indication of the future.

Matt Long
Definitely not impressive in Fonterra, gives apparently he knows best without bothering to consult with people who understand conditions on the ground. Gives off a condescending, almost sneering vibe. Won’t be missed, just hope he does better as an MP.

Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1REPLY REPORTMARCH 14, 2014 6:44PM
41 3
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 8:10am
- Bobba Fret
  
  The Greens and Labour thank Todd Muller for his service./
  
  36 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:54am
- Fuzzysnuggleduck
  
  I don’t read Stuff or the Horrid, or stomach watching TV news.
  Draw me a diagram please: Your post and Cactus Kate’s are meaning that Muller is the source of the story around a staffer being concerned about TVs purchased by an MP, which never came to the MPs office?
  And he thought he as chatting with a reporter ‘off the record’?.
  Do I get that right?
  
  (Edit – I held my nose and clicked the link. Urgh. Muller you dumb-ass!)
  
  He is a former high level manager, and of course must know that even spreading office gossip like that would only be meant to sink the person it targets.
  If he did this, then he is a stupid, mischievous POS. Not just a weak, pathetic, woke, waste of space.
  That said, he best stay on for his term since he was elected. But he can stay and STFU, and put the party first in everything and all things.
  Too many National MPs and candidates seem to be of a calibre you expect from school children as far as poorly considered shenanigans going on and plain out spitefulness mixed with naivety.
  
  FFS, the media keeps holding the opposition to account because they make it easy, and in the meantime the dangerous and incredibly stupid people in the Labour party can coast along with nationally impacting changes like He Puapua (whether they admit it or not) and the madness of the Climate Change Commission.
  
  18 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 10:33am
Matt Long

While Big Bruv got Muller wrong he did have Jamie Lee Ross’s number.
big bruv
This is the type of candidate National needs. Not snotty, sneering pricks like Jami-lee Ross who has NEVER has any real life experience.

Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1REPLY REPORTMARCH 14, 2014 10:48AM

How is National picking such narcissist fools again and again?
28 1
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 8:14am
- KevO'Brien
  
  Count the ones on the Labour benches. How many do you ever hear from?
  
  13 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:43am
  - DeepBlue
    
    That is where Labour have truly lead National under Jacinda.
    
    We all thought with 60 MPs and many newbies, discipline would be Labour’s weakness. With Act not far behind. Not so.
    
    National do not deserve to be Government until this is sorted.
    
    16 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 8:57am
    - Tall Man
      
      Early days young man.
      
      They’re still getting used to “noshing” and doing fuckall.
      
      Watch next year when the polls start to show the slide and their constituents are whinging about the lack of money from the “gummint”….
      
      16 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 9:19am
      - Ian Boag
        
        I recall a comment from you some time back about how Todd Muller was a man to watch for the Nat leadership. A generally approving tone too ….
        
        2 0
        Report
        June 24, 2021 6:39pm
  - Matt Long
    
    Kev, I appreciate you want National to do well, so do I. Whataboutism isn’t going to help.
    Muller was in Bolger’s office, this suggests a culture of undermining your own party by leaking goes back at least this long.
    I’m pretty convinced the email leaks against Brash when he was leader were an inside job and it seems there is a cabal of liberal fools that are undermining the party with leaks and white anting to push a Labour lite agenda.
    
    24 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 9:16am
    - KevO'Brien
      
      I was comparing the overall quality of MP’s on the Labour benches to the rest. I suspect they are muzzled as most can barely speak for 10 secs.
      Mr Speaker Mallard keeps the National benches down as best he may. He seems to delight in finding excuses to deny them question time rights.
      
      Muller after his failure at leader attempt should have exited quietly to the back rooms. He doesn’t do stress. I don’t know his history. I agree about the unreasonable Brash leaks, that it wouldn’t be by him.
      
      13 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 11:00am
    - BananaLlama
      
      Yeah pretty much, you have libtards inside the National Party that are quite happy undermining the party so Labour can stay in power.
      
      4 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 2:36pm
Frank the tank

Some random observations for Thursday:

Wellington making Auckland look like an organized city when it comes to the WuFlu.

Was Todd Muller the primary leaker in caucus? For an individual that attempts to portray himself as an extra out of Full House he appears quite toxic when you scratch the surface.

There seems to be drivers that willfully drive 80-90kph in the outside lane on Auckland’s North Shore. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a strategy from AT and “Waka Kotakeeeeee”.

Is St Ash responsible for the mental health roll out and if so – isn’t he lucky the KungFlu came along because it appears he can’t manage himself out of a wet paper bag.
33 2
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 8:21am
- KevO'Brien
  
  The leaks have been from $105M paid journos interviewing their computers. Facts are what comes out of their fingers.
  
  19 6
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:44am
I remember when

Luxury hotels in Rotorua.
Three of them are being used for MIQ.
Motels are temporary accommodation for the homeless/emergency housing.
So that leaves virtually no competition.
The experience related to me is – minimal staffing, no room service (if you need room service, pick food up and take it to your own room), change your own sheets.
Same pricing though.
When queried told it was the owners decision.
They’re not going back.
19 1
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 8:23am
Cinematic

I see Michael Baker is hedging his bets. He says some people ‘just aren’t that infectious’. If this guy hasn’t managed to infect a single person and has the Delta variant surely NZ needs to reconsider its approach to handling covid.

Remember the South African variant non outbreak first in north Auckland and then in south Auckland?
31 0
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 8:23am
- Bobba Fret
  
  Yes I remember when the UK variant was so contagious that no one caught it. Then the South African variant was even worse and yet the lady’s husband didn’t even catch it. Now the Indian (sorry Delta) is even worse again. The media seem to be trying to scare us and make us live in fear.
  
  25 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:49am
  - Tall Man
    
    Yes but but but it’s lethal.
    
    Haven’t you been listening to the “qualified” commenters on here?
    
    Has anyone really asked and researched why? Is the strain so weak by the time it gets here that it’s less than common cold strength? Do those of us in NZ or Oz have a built in immunity that lessens the severity or in fact makes it impossible for the virus to replicate?
    
    I have asked repeatedly since last year, without answer, why we have “infections” from “returnees” yet in 9 months have only had 2 people actually sick.
    
    Why do we look overseas at their results when we have over a thousand positive cases here to review …. or do we?
    
    21 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 9:13am
    - Ian Boag
      
      I have asked repeatedly since last year
      
      You asked (repeatedly) for an expert KB response? No expert answered?
      
      Wot?
      
      0 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      December 24, 2020 6:42pm
    - Happy1
      
      Yes T.M the death rate here is low. That’s because the initial viral load is low in most cases as the source of infection are often already in isolation. Many of them were low loaders themselves. Virtuous circle. Looking ahead, we will open up in lockstep with Australia. As we are likely to be fully vaccinated (all adults who want it are done) before Australia and Australia are aiming for the end of the year, that is when we dismantle the controls. We are likely to have a high percentage take the vaccine as most people not only see benefit to themselves but that it helps others. You don’t see Benefiting others as a motivation and that is your prerogative, there will always be freeloaders. One problem the unvaxed will have is travel. No problem leaving here you have always had that option (unlike Aussie where you have had to obtain permission) but destination countries will insist that arrivals are vaccinated not because you will bring it in (it will be endemic in all countries) but so they don’t become a liability if they get crook. I
      
      7 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 1:23pm
      - Tall Man
        
        Yep, the death rate is extremely low but so is the “illness” rate.
        
        According to the media you only need to walk into a supermarket the day after the “infected” person has been and you are doomed yet out of the thousand plus cases we have had since September 2020 only two people who were deemed ill and so far we have heard nothing else. Ever womdered why?
        
        4 1
        Report
        June 24, 2021 2:14pm
  - thetiedarch
    
    And in even more irony, apparently this Aussie bloke’s wife hasn’t even caught it!
    
    24 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 9:25am
  - Opie
    
    And now they are saying there is a delta “plus” strain coming out of india, which could be even more infectious. Would you just fuck off with this terror narrative? The last 3 so called super infectious strains couldn’t even jump between 2 people sleeping in the same bed… Anyone still listening to these hysterical muppets deserves to be locked down.
    
    I’m in Wellington and there are literally people that think you could catch this from someone walking past you on the opposite side of the road. You can see the terror in their eyes.
    
    Aside from people driving cars by themselves with a mask on, my favorite thing I have seen this time was someone riding a bike with mask, face shield and latex gloves. Why not just go for mask and diving bottle!
    
    By the way, most people including drivers still not wearing masks on the loser cruisers. Dont blame them, I wouldn’t either.
    
    18 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 10:42am
  - OTGO
    
    Unfortunately what we are seeing is what I call “institutionalised fear” when it comes to Covid 19.
    
    22 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 11:11am
- The Feed
  
  This virus is underperforming.
  
  Must be hell for the attention-seeking “sciencey” personalities.
  
  11 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 10:46am
- septic skeptic
  
  The guy has had one shot already, thus reducing his vial load and ability to spread.
  
  4 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 12:55pm
RockyJ

MPI and DOC have jointly released a three year plan to implement significant marine protection in the Hauraki Gulf. Overall it is a major step in the right direction.
Over the last two years a group of us on Waiheke have been opposing a joint plan by the Waiheke Collective and Ngati Paoa to introduce co-governance for the entire Waiheke coast. We submitted a petition signed by 1800 residents and visitors. It went to MPI and DOC. I also stood up in a public meeting and opposed directly.
Thankfully the government has listened and Waiheke has been spared.
It just goes to show that by submitting petitions and speaking out it is possible to influence government policy. Kudos to MPI and DOC for listening.
PS. We have won a battle but the war continues.
16 0
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 8:25am
- Simon
  
  Yep see people strip fishing along North Shore. Further north is a waste land. Well done.
  
  10 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:43am
Yvette

Former National leader Todd Muller to resign at 2023 election to prioritise health and family
“In announcing today, I hope to give the National Party and my local branches ample time to find their next candidate. The National Party needs to take the opportunity this term, to renew and refresh, with strong new candidates lining up for the next election …

Muller has talked about how becoming leader led to anxiety panic attacks, which ultimately led him to step down after a short time in the role …

Todd Muller reveals he was blindsided by mental toll of National leadership
“I look forward to working out my term with the National team. In the meantime, I am on pre-approved leave for the next five weeks, to care for my wife who is undergoing a significant medical procedure. I will return to Parliament after the winter recess.
“I have decided that I need to prioritise my health and family and move onto the next chapter of my life.”
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/06/former-national-leader-todd-muller-to-resign-at-2023-election-to-prioritise-health-and-family.html

National MP Todd Muller resigned after leaking against Harete Hipango to journalist
Newshub can reveal National MP Todd Muller stood down after admitting to badmouthing his colleague Harete Hipango to a journalist – and being quoted.

The former National leader announced on Wednesday he would be retiring at the 2023 election after apologising for his actions to his caucus.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/06/national-mp-todd-muller-resigned-after-leaking-against-harete-hipango-to-journalist.html

Muller has decided he’ll move on from Parliament – but not just yet. National leader Judith Collins said he’s “committed to be the MP and he wants to finish his term”.

Doing what he did, but still staying on for questionable ego motives, looks had for Muller.
Allowing this to limp on until later 2023 looks as bad for Collins.
22 4
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 8:34am
Inandout

Both Michael Knowles and Gutfeld had a go at our man/woman weightlifter and the conclusion reached was he had a distinct advantage. They also honed in on his poor performance when he was a male, and then of course he tranned.
25 1
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 8:36am
- Tall Man
  
  Tranned or trained ……… ?
  
  7 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 9:07am
grumpy

Will we see this mentioned by our MSM? Don’t hold your breath.
https://www.foxnews.com/media/olympic-weightlifter-lambrechs-women-new-zealand-laurel-hubbard
20 2
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 8:42am
- Inandout
  
  grumpy, there will be tumbleweed unless Laurel catches covid.
  
  16 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:51am
  - Tall Man
    
    A very astute observation.
    
    10 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 9:06am
Inandout

A Tesla blonde, so funny.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j52odgkRxDs&t=89s
7 1
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 8:49am
- Maggie Pie
  
  It’s a WIG!!
  
  8 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 9:08am
Maggie Pie

TWITTER VIRAL…..

Public enemy #1 John McAfee found dead in Spanish jail cell. Suspected suicide. More later…..
13 3
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 8:56am
- Maggie Pie
  
  Last tweet in from his partner (see replies….) 🙁
  
  https://twitter.com/theemrsmcafee/status/1406568631249551362
  
  5 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 9:05am
- NoCash
  
  https://youtu.be/bKgf5PaBzyg
  
  5 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 11:55am
  - Maggie Pie
    
    😛 😛 😛
    
    4 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 12:59pm
Batman

Since excellent educational reading today, Michigan Republicans have spared no kooks in their report on the Michigan elections.

Michigan Republicans Debunk Voter Fraud Claims in Unsparing Report https://nyti.ms/3zUaNCb

My favourite two bits are at the end of the piece

“While Mr. Trump claimed that more votes had been cast in Detroit than people who live there, the report found that turnout in the city was under 50 percent of eligible voters and about 37 percent of its population.

No ballots were secretly “dumped” at the Detroit vote-counting center. “A widely circulated picture in media and online reports allegedly showed ballots secretly being delivered late at night but, in reality, it was a photo of a WXYZ-TV photographer hauling his equipment,” the report states.”

Time is doing its job of exposing the lies and the liars.
6 23
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 9:07am
- Frank the tank
  
  So Batty – have you pre-ordered you medication when the GOP re-take the house next year?
  
  Nunes as the ranking member of the intelligence committee. LOL. Enjoy.
  
  17 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 9:19am
- Tall Man
  
  Still living in the past “sunshine”……
  
  9 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 10:00am
  - Batman
    
    Still wanting to move on from the awkward topic, eh sunshine?
    
    La la la la la la nothing to see here huh?
    
    2 13
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 10:17am
    - Don Beckett
      
      Who is that again, living rent free in Batty’s head ??? 😆
      
      10 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 11:11am
    - Tall Man
      
      Not at all.
      
      I’m a pragmatist, so much so that I would do business with the devil if there was a dollar in it.
      
      Trump was, in my opinion a better choice in 2016 and 2020. Therefore I would have voted for him and in fact, was pleasantly surprised that he did do some good things for his country.
      
      Were there issues with the 2020 election, in my opinion it looks likely but probably very difficult to prove. When you have the bulk of the woke money directed against him then he was on a hiding to nothing.
      
      Was there unfair media coverage throughout his term and especially during the election, without doubt? Did that influence the election, without doubt?
      
      Is that the way you want a democracy to operate or were you prepared to ignore that just so the man you hated was deplatformed?
      
      Were there voting irregularities, possibly and time may tell and while it may of concern that a Chinese company may have been gifted an opportunity to play havoc with votes I am more concerned that the media, social and fourth estate, can actively deplatform and destroy a candidate because he/she doesn’t fit their agenda.
      
      It was the inverse of here where we have a media, again social and fourth estate, actively promoting an incompetent because she fits their agenda.
      
      That disturbs me but mostly I am disturbed that it is now nearly July and your “trolling” vocal Trump supporters should be beneath you.
      
      Grow up maybe…… sunshine.
      
      9 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 11:19am
- doggone7
  
  So 37% of the electorate voted. Trump says there were more votes than voters and is proven to be dramatically wrong.
  And you get downticks?
  
  Is that an example I can use in illustrating “the truth hurts?”
  
  2 7
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 10:39am
  - Tall Man
    
    As we have learned over the past few years, the “truth” is not what it once was.
    
    They used to be called lies but now relabelled as truth. Maybe Trump learned from ardern how to bullshit his way to the top or he just learned that the media are not your friends, unless you are a simpering dumbass.
    
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENEUktOrQV8
    
    4 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 2:19pm
Maggy Wassilieff

Prime Minister is off to Ashburton today, I gather.

Lets hope she and her entourage obey Level 2 rules.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/300340163/covid19-in-wellington-what-alert-level-2-means-for-travellers
21 2
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 9:10am
- Frank the tank
  
  Focus group tell her to fund a bridge did they?
  
  24 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 9:21am
- Tall Man
  
  “Yeah right” ……..
  
  9 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 9:59am
- Fuzzysnuggleduck
  
  Selfie time!
  I remember Souxie dancing the head of a pin explaining why the contact wasn’t an issue when the crowds pressed on for selfies – yet at the same time Souxie doesn’t even want us taking off our masks to eat when on national flights.
  Rules for thee, but not for me.
  
  26 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 11:04am
  - Surely Knott
    
    If Siouxie is concerned about the safety of NZers. Then why aren’t we having a closer investigation of gain of function labs in nz.
    
    4 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 3:07pm
  - burt
    
    The partisan hack nailed her colours firmly to the mast with that little charade she called science.
    
    7 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 4:38pm
Sacha

Now here’s a really good podcast – Jordan Peterson and Canadian journalist Rex Murphy:
the Education of a Journalist – and lots more. It is very relevant to NZ today, education- and politics-wise. And wokery gets a work over too.
It’s 2.16.08 You can chose a segment to listen to but the whole discussion is well worth the effort.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Yrrm5qccig&t=6214som/watch?v=7yrrm5q
Enjoy!
12 1
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 9:12am
JibberJabber

Antivirus software pioneer John McAfee was found dead in his jail cell in Spain on Wednesday, a prison official said, shortly after a court approved his extradition to the United States where he was wanted for tax evasion.
10 0
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 9:14am
- JibberJabber
  
  Called out the”deep state” in 2020 in the US. A week later an arrest warrant was issued and he got arrested in Spain. Less than a year later he’s found dead in a prison cell.
  He didn’t have any dealings with the Clintons, so they’re probably in the clear on this one…?
  
  16 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 9:18am
  - rangitoto
    
    Don’t be too sure about that.
    
    8 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 10:27am
    - Jack5
      
      McAfee’s colourful life: from anti-virus mogul to crypto-currency; libertarian candidate for US President; person of interest in a Belize murder; the night after McAfee arrives in America after being deported from Guatemala, a prostitute hooks him, and he marries her.
      
      5 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 11:33am
      - PhilBest
        
        James Delingpole’s podcast chat with McAfee a couple of years ago was out-of-this-world, gobsmacking stuff. Colourful and how!!
        
        3 0
        Report
        June 24, 2021 7:48pm
oldfella

NZ’s best political cartoonist does it again. Brilliant!
https://www.bassettbrashandhide.com/post/cartoon-of-the-day-29
19 1
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 9:17am
- Lance
  
  So is the implication being which is worse… you know like being shot or hung
  
  8 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 10:00am
RW Capitalist

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57561760
So much for
No boarder crisis
So it was Obama and now Biden storing children in tents and Trump who stopped it.
Remain in Mexico policy looks pretty good right now.
14 3
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 9:19am
Steve Todd

With July 4 fast approaching, it looks like President Biden’s COVID-19 goal of a 70% vaccination rate will not quite be achieved.

Red-state voters are letting themselves down, and the country. Idiots.

See https://www.patheos.com/blogs/daylightatheism/2021/06/americas-red-blue-vaccine-divide/?
6 13
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 9:28am
- Tall Man
  
  Why are they “idiots”.
  
  In the current world do people no longer have free choice in your mind?
  
  9 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 9:57am
  - Steve Todd
    
    Did you read the article, Tall Man? Particularly the second half? They’re doing themselves no favours.
    
    3 10
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 10:24am
    - Tall Man
      
      Of course I read the article, one man’s opinion of why people are exercsing their right to choose.
      
      Who says they are doing themselves no favours? You?
      
      Perhaps they have decided the “risk” of dying from covid is less than the “risk” of dying from the vaccination. Isn’t that their right or do “democrat states” make decisions for you?
      
      Is it political when a woman decides to have an abortion? She doesn’t have to consult the father or her family as she has a right to choose. If you are pro lifer you believe that decision has just destroyed another potential human being. Does every person who elects to not be vaccinated yet, notice yet, immediately become responsible for the death of another person.
      
      Grow up and stop buying into the fear porn promulgated by the weak minded and make your own, notice your, decision and let others make theirs’.
      
      Now if you decide to not associate with unvaccinated people that is your right but don’t you dare try to take my rights away to assuage your own childish uneducated fears.
      
      I have clearly stated on this blog that should I need to get the vaccine in order to travel to see my family or if I should become part of an “at risk” person’s circle them I will do so. Until then my own GP has stated I can wait and we still associate on a regular basis.
      
      17 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 11:05am
      - Steve Todd
        
        For goodness sake, calm down. That was a ridiculous over-reaction.
        
        I brought an article to the attention of Kiwibloggers and expressed a one-word opinion of Red-state voters who are not getting vaccinated, primarily because Biden is president. They are perfectly free to make that choice, just as I am free to state their reason is idiotic.
        
        In what way do my two innocuous comments “take [away your] rights”? They don’t.
        
        I have not bought into “fear porn” anymore than (say) Benedict has. He and I are both in Group 3 (although I am older than him, and you), and have decided that we will be vaccinated as soon as we are contacted.
        
        Two perfectly reasonable (educated) decisions, made independently (obviously), just as yours was.
        
        Almost every day now, Kiwibloggers come on here and complain they have not yet been contacted, wondering when they will be — they want their jabs. How arrogant of you to suggest that your decision is “educated”, while our decisions are not.
        
        4 13
        Report
        June 24, 2021 11:44am
      - Tall Man
        
        Never been more calm in my life, you’ll know when I’m not although … moderation … you may not.
        
        You labelled people idiots yet gave no evidence or explanation to justify your insult as that statement would also apply to people in NZ who also decide to wait.
        
        Now you throw out an insult at people you deem idiots and so I piece by piece dismantle your argument, or lack thereof, and you lazily call that an over reaction.
        
        Educated you say… by whom? The media I think.
        
        A smart man I worked for many years ago taught me to look at the reasons people may have for holding a particular opinion. You obviously never got that lesson. I suggest you look more carefully at your educators.
        
        Maybe this willhelp you …
        
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyhHAbjD9G4
        
        4 2
        Report
        June 24, 2021 2:30pm
- Frank the tank
  
  The majority of people are fine if they don’t get the shot, develop natural immunity and go along with their lives. Only the at risk should require jabs otherwise it should be personal choice. It is always a healthier option to develop natural immunity.
  
  This reflects the US constitution and hence why most red states are giving the old coot the middle finger and adhering to the wishes of a significant portion of their population.
  
  This is an endemic virus – you ain’t going to ‘cure’ it by a vaccine. I don’t see why so called intelligent people can’t see that getting the vaccine ain’t an endgame for this.
  
  10 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 10:53am
Maggy Wassilieff

Gloriavale on its last legs?

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/125540143/urgent-appeal-to-help-more-families-leaving-gloriavale
13 0
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 9:32am
- Ian Boag
  
  I imagine part of the problem might be that when a family leaves Gloriavale it’s a relatively unskilled couple of parents and 6-8 children with no assets and little/no experience of the “outside” world.
  
  Gloriavale is a demographic timebomb. The breeding policy means there are about 4 kids per adult (give or take a bit). Run that for another generation and there will be 8x (or so) as many people. There are currently about 500 people living there so the next generation will be 3-4000 or so not very well educated adults. Plus four or so kids per adult ….
  
  We don’t (and probably shouldn’t) have any restrictions on who can breed and how extensively. There are of course fine folk like Bolger and English who come from (and/or have) relatively large families …
  
  Go figure
  
  5 5
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  December 24, 2019 10:24am
  - Jack5
    
    Probably shouldn’t have restrictions on who can breed?
    
    But who would make the restrictions?
    
    I wouldn’t, and I couldn’t, live in a place like Gloriavale, but I’ve seen some of the kids when they visited the Canterbury Museum. They looked very healthy and fit, and were taking in exhibits with curiosity.
    
    We need dairy farm workers and truck drivers. We’ve got plenty of communications graduates for politics and other bullshit fields, and heaps and heaps of graduates from humanitarian studies and kapahaka courses.
    
    There are good reasons to oppose cult-like groups such as Gloriavale, but bringing into the world fit young workers isn’t one of them. Our low birth rate is a problem.
    
    7 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 11:41am
  - Than
    
    There is a possible circuit-breaker here – the kids will be being exposed to the outside world and outside culture. They will learn that their is such a thing as contraception. The girls will learn they are allowed to have goals in life other than being an obedient little servant/baby-factory. The guys will find it is harder to have kids when the community doesn’t supply the partner and pressure her to comply.
    
    My guess would be the kids of former Gloriavale members will end up having more children themselves than the NZ average, but fewer than their parents did.
    
    3 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 1:46pm
    - Ian Boag
      
      So a family with (say) 6-8 children arrives in the outside world. No money and not much assets beyond the clothes they are wearing. Possibly the husband has had some contact with the world – wife probably has had little or none.
      
      Is this a gummint problem or should it be left to private charities to help? Any KBers want to throw a few $ at the problem?
      
      Basically they need a similar level of support to that given to refugees. Refugee kids often do well ….
      
      2 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 2:34pm
- Flossie
  
  The numbers of children in all the families is mind boggling! Have they been getting government handouts while in the cult system? They certainly will once out in the real world. And do they stop adding more babies once they leave?
  
  9 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 9:52am
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    The families themselves haven’t been getting Government handouts…
    The hierarchy gets the Working for Families Subsidies
    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/gloriavale-accused-of-claiming-thousands-in-benefits/6G7STKWBGVR2AQHT743E5JFSI4/
    
    The folks in Gloriavale also receive no payment for their work…. hence they have no personal savings when they leave the community.
    
    Basically our Governments have been supporting exploitation of working folk… slave labour.
    
    15 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 10:19am
    - Ian Boag
      
      The Herald article quotes ” 80 families or 256 individuals”. Three people per family? Something does not quite compute …..
      
      7 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 10:46am
    - KevO'Brien
      
      The Gloriavale people are free agents and only doing what many faith communities have done. They are employed within their own society and qualify for the same benefits as other citizens. If they pass their money over into a common pool it doesn’t change their entitlement to the right to receive it. It’s a bit like some flats or shared houses.
      
      9 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 11:13am
      - Ian Boag
        
        WFF is an “in-work tax credit” – not a handout like the general class of benefits. To get WFF you have to be working for a wage. So it looks like they are paid some sort of wage – and they would pay tax on that – then get it back and then some from IRD.
        
        A subtle difference to “slaves working for nothing”.
        
        And of course I suppose the oldies get the pension despite never having paid any net tax – it’s an “entitlement” …
        
        3 6
        Report
        December 24, 2020 11:43am
      - Tall Man
        
        Let it go Ian, you’re on a hiding to nothing there.
        
        I challenge you to provide the numbers of those collecting a pension who are “oldies who never paid net tax”.
        
        I strongly suggest you don’t go down the “housewives” route …. for your own safety.
        
        5 2
        Report
        June 24, 2021 12:17pm
    - Tall Man
      
      Are you really a “slave” when you hand yourself over willingly?
      
      https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/Attraction_Review-g255106-d5978723-Reviews-The_Hare_Krishna_Temple-Auckland_Central_North_Island.html
      
      https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8528/8616723385_73cfc4c23a_b.jpg
      
      1 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 11:32am
    - Maggie Pie
      
      And lets not forget that Aussie guy who ran the joint….’Faithful Christian’. He was a real piece of work 🙁
      
      10 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 11:36am
Maggy Wassilieff

NZ Covid vaccination stats

https://www.newsroom.co.nz/charting-new-zealands-vaccine-rollout
8 0
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 9:35am
- SB2
  
  MW, impressive! Yes?
  
  0 20
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 11:47am
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    No.
    
    NZ’s rank in the World for Total doses administered:
    122nd
    
    Just 9.6 percent of the doses distributed so far have gone to Māori. Pasifika are also slightly underrepresented, while Europeans and Asian New Zealanders are overrepresented.
    
    In the Wairarapa, less than 80 percent of those who were meant to be vaccinated by the end of last week had been.
    
    On a population basis, however, Wairarapa isn’t the worst performer. Less than 8 percent of those over the age of 14 covered by the Taranaki DHB have had even a single shot of vaccine.
    
    9 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 1:17pm
    - Tall Man
      
      That’s “impressive” for a non achieving moron.
      
      4 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 3:29pm
I remember when

India: Covid deaths per million – 280
Peru: Covid deaths per million – 5713
So why have we not been hearing about the experiences of covid in Peru.
No mention of a Peruvian variant.
Incidentally, are more transmissible variants likely to originate in countries with lower percentages of over 65’s. India, South Africa, Brazil.
10 0
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 9:40am
- lifesgood
  
  Since WHO in its PC woke way have decided to call variants by Greek letters we have no idea where they are coming from.
  
  10 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 9:44am
  - david
    
    True, so where are the Alpha, Beta and Gamma Variants?
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 11:21am
- kowtow
  
  Cos the apocalyptic imagery of funeral pyres, bodies tipped into rivers and queues for duff oxygen with police officers beating malcreants with lathis is so much more fear inducing than , well, a few pan pipers dying quietly in the Andes.
  
  6 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 11:51am
- Benedict Yu
  
  Lots of news about Peru.
  
  https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/perus-hinterland-town-battles-worlds-worst-covid-19-outbreak-2021-06-04/
  
  It is worse than India, but as you say I guess 1.4 billion people and burning bodies makes better TV.
  
  2 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 4:15pm
I remember when

The Press: 3 April, 2021.
‘Bill for new cycleways spirals to $301M.’
Of the $301m total cost, $187m has been funded by the Government through a mix of shovel-ready funding and NZTA money.
City Councillors Sam MacDonald and Phil Mauger believe it is irrelevant where the money has come from because ratepayers and taxpayers are the same people.
21 0
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 9:53am
- greybeard
  
  The only thing in NZ which is “shovel-ready” is the enormous pile of bullshit produced in the last 4 years by this so-called “government”.
  
  14 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 12:13pm
slightlyrighty

I see that the NZ Olympic team, in the interest of representation, has elected to have both a Male and Female flagbearer.

Is it just me or have they missed the obvious choice??
40 2
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 9:56am
- oldfella
  
  Yeah, nah, SR.
  Seriously, no matter how well the NZ Olympic team does in Tokyo, all the international headlines will be about the Kiwi biological male competing in a women’s event.
  The only upside will be if it leads to biological women around the world putting a stake in the ground saying, ‘stop this madness!’
  
  18 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 10:58am
- Fletch
  
  Don’t mess with Mr Inbetween, as the song goes…
  
  8 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 1:20pm
oldfella

Just imagine if this were Donald Trump’s son?
Walter Shaub, Barack Obama’s ethics chief, blasted Hunter Biden for selling his art at “obviously inflated prices” to anonymous buyers, acknowledging the obvious: that it looks like a scheme to sell influence in the Biden White House.
https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/matt-margolis/2021/06/22/obama-ethics-chief-sounds-alarm-about-hunter-biden-artwork-scam-n1456171
21 1
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 9:59am
oldfella

I’m surprised Maggie Pie didn’t spot this story. Her tennis buddies are probably bundling up their old stock as we speak. ?
New Zealand’s largest online adult retailer has launched a sex toy recycling programme.
Adult Toy Mega Store is now allowing Kiwis to send back their unwanted electronic, metal and glass adult toys to its Wellington warehouse. If it’s been purchased at the online retailer, the sender will get a $10 voucher in return.
The items must be sterilised before being sent. The retailer’s recycling partner will then strip, store, and send the materials to South Korea in bulk. There, it will be stripped for recycling and hazardous substances will be “ethically and safely disposed of”, the company said
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/nz-s-first-sex-toy-recycling-programme-launched?auto=0
15 1
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 10:08am
- Tall Man
  
  Worn out perhaps …….
  
  4 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 11:30am
  - sooty
    
    Or upsizing?
    
    2 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 2:13pm
I remember when

North Taranaki Weekly: 23 June 2021.
‘New Plymouth Kiwibuild open homes attract dozens’:
Article describes 20 year old McDonald’s shift manager who is going to enter all of the ballots, after having visited the ‘open homes’ with her parents.
There are 26 standalone and duplex houses left in the development, with three-bedroom houses costing $420,000 and four-bedroom priced at $440,000.
The ballot system was due to the popularity of the New Plymouth offering.
A 50 year-old mother, who thought she would finally enter the property market through the Kiwibuild first-in, first served process, criticised the change to a ballet.
8 0
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 10:19am
- Tall Man
  
  Well is may as well be a “ballet” as it’s been a clusterfuck so far.
  
  7 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 11:29am
Bobba Fret

Well this bloke will be one less prison inmate.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/300338225/gang-fugitive-drowned-in-one-of-his-favourite-escape-routes-from-police
16 0
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 10:33am
- kowtow
  
  Read that , and was not disappointed that my suspicions were going to be confirmed in the subtle little bias displayed ……
  
  …..note how it was presented , neatly bookended by the lovely dedicated family man photo to start , and ended with the usual Media Pardy agenda fitting quote from family spokesit
  
  “Thomas had made mistakes, but he had a lovely way about him and there was much more to him than his record.”
  
  Meanwhile in the real world world gang members continue to destroy the fabric of this once law abiding country , aided and abetted by our “progressive” media and the other usual suspects.
  
  12 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 12:12pm
- WaveyDavey
  
  Ah, another “dindu” according to his family
  
  1 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 1:27pm
- Loddenthinks
  
  Good riddance to bad rubbish. I wonder what the whanau had to say about him?
  
  “Thomas had made mistakes, but he had a lovely way about him and there was much more to him than his record.”
  
  2 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 5:05pm
Maggie Pie

We went out for Thai last night. It really is my fave eats.
And we just love the Thai people as well. They are sooo subservient.
Compare that to how you get treated in a Chinese Restaurant these days. Honestly, the waiters have become very very bolshie lately! Last time we went to the place down the Viaduct….. didn’t even bother to leave a tip! Wont be going back either unless they change their attitude up a gear.

Anyone else found the same thing?
12 10
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 10:34am
- Tall Man
  
  Ya think…
  
  https://elmoudjaweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Thai-protesters-rally-to-push-demands-for-democratic-reforms-%E2%80%93.jpeg
  
  When was the last time you saw “non subserviant” kiwis taking direct action?
  
  5 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 11:28am
- Frank the tank
  
  Strategic mistake – you’ve left yourself open to Mr Thai himself – Mcos.
  
  I’m sure he’ll draw from his years of experience over there.
  
  5 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 11:50am
- MCos
  
  We stopped going to Thai restaurants in NZ years ago, apart from one owned by our friends in Wellington.
  Even then when we meet up with them down there it’s their day off and we all go to a Chinese place for yum char.
  BTW
  Don’t confuse politeness with subservience!
  
  5 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 12:34pm
  - Tall Man
    
    Very subserviant …..
    
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyhHAbjD9G4
    
    Really good Thai restaurant in Mt Maunganui ..Easy go Thai.
    
    A thai friend went there a few months ago and was very impressed as were we.
    
    2 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 2:22pm
    - MCos
      
      We eat Thai food at home most days cooked in a style we like – more like you’d find upcountry rather than in the big city.
      
      1 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 6:25pm
Fletch

It seems like parents all over the U.S are confronting school boards about forcing kids to learn racist ideologies like Critical Race Theory, etc.

Parents are fighting back. They probably know that this is the last chance they have to protect their kids from indoctrination in Joe Biden’s America. (the first example below particularly good).

https://rumble.com/viwbx3-man-unleashes-on-school-board-for-trying-to-silence-him.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o9jQ0KYaSE

Those are but 2 examples. It’s happening more, and needs to. If you look on YouTube there are many more examples.
22 2
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 10:43am
oldfella

The always excellent Karl du Fresne analyses the widening cracks in the Labour Govt.
A government that was rewarded only last year for its empathy and sensitivity is rapidly turning into one that looks arrogant, incompetent and defensive. I’m not predicting a Labour defeat at the next election; that’s too much of a leap (though I wouldn’t rule it out, either). But I do think there will be a backlash, and it will be most pronounced in the provinces.
http://karldufresne.blogspot.com/2021/
27 0
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 10:50am
- oldfella
  
  And over at the Daily Blog, Chris Trotter also suggests Cindy and co are:
  Skating On Thin Ice: Labour’s Support Is Not As Solid As It Looks.
  https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2021/06/24/skating-on-thin-ice-labours-support-is-not-as-solid-as-it-looks/
  
  15 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 11:40am
Maggy Wassilieff

Forty plus years after the NZ Medical Council investigated Dr Selwyn Leeks’ ECT activities at Lake Alice Hospital, it offers an apology.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/lake-alice-hospital-medical-council-apologises-to-survivors-of-abuse/HYBAQAISECYDCHPMV3YYYWSCGY/

Read this note of evidence to the Royal Commission
and weep for the lives ruined by paedophiles, torturers and their enablers in the NZ Public Service.

https://www.abuseincare.org.nz/assets/Uploads/Witness-Statement-of-John-Watson-for-Lake-Alice-Child-and-Adolescent-Unit-hearing.pdf
12 0
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 10:53am
- Tall Man
  
  “”It was a shortcoming, if you like, of the Medical Council and he should have not been allowed to continue to practice.””
  
  Yet the same council is threatening to deregister doctors who are not keen on vaccinating their patients.
  
  Isn’t there a creed “first do no harm” and if, as an individual, you are unsure that is the case don’t you have that right?
  
  Don’t the patients have the right to seek the vaccination elsewhere if they so desire?
  
  10 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 11:25am
- Tony Stuart
  
  It wasn’t just Leeks, but there were some absolutely sadistic male nurses at Lake Alice. There was a name used to describe them, but it wouldn’t pass muster in these PC days. Suffice to say they all came from one particular European culture. Many also worked in the National Secure Unit, where some of New Zealand’s most dangerous men, found not guilty of serious crimes by reason of insanity were held.
  
  5 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 3:34pm
- KevO'Brien
  
  ECT use should be crime.
  
  2 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 6:12pm
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  Just as Cardinal Dew, as the successor of the Bishop of the time, is being held accountable for the actions of Catholic clergy in the 1970s; so it would be equitable for Ashley B, as the successor of the DG of Health of the time, be held accountable for the actions of public health staff in the 1970s.
  
  Don’t hold your breath.
  
  3 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 7:55pm
CAKE FACE1

CAKE FACE spent 25 years overseas, and came back to NZ three years ago. It’s been emotional.

I’m desperate for the borders to open properly, but the indications are that this homeland hoopla will continue for years more, as a consequence of this nonsensical elimination strategy.

I worked out on day one of the first lockdown that you can’t eliminate an endemic virus. I have spent the past 15 months cheering on the virus, almost as vociferously as I was cheering on the NZ cricket team last night.

I have come to the conclusion that I don’t belong in the legendary Team of Five Million, because you people are nuts. I have a different risk profile. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life under my bed.

Let’s hear it for Martin Luther King:

“On some positions cowardice asks the question, is it safe? Expediency asks the question, is it politic? Vanity asks the question, is it popular? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.”

Spot on, Martin.

At the very least, we need to know – will the border be opened properly when everyone who wants to be vaccinated has been?

Why can’t our idiot hacks ask Jacinda this simple question?
30 3
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 10:56am
- Tall Man
  
  “Why can’t our idiot hacks ask Jacinda this simple question?”
  
  Asked and answered as they say.
  
  9 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 11:20am
curry4me

ASTERISK PRESIDENCY: Episode 23.
Direct from Harveywood, here is this week’s episode of Asterisk Presidency. Brought to you by the CCP, MSM, Wall Street, $oros, ANTIFA, BLM, CDC, Nordstream, globalists, ‘academia’, and Burisma.
Will Bidenflation make people nostalgic for Carterflation? Will Democrats find new ways to show their disdain for the American people? Will Hunter’s book hit the best seller list in China? Will Raisi send Biden a holiday card? Will Biden send him a pallet of Benamins? Will the eviction moratorium be extended? Which state will help Texas patrol its border next? Will it be Washington? How many lies will Jen Psaki be caught in this week? Will she circle back and tell the truth? Will ‘VP’ Harris get a new role that doesn’t involve border visits? Will she just cackle instead? Will she actually visit the border? Will she meet President Trump there? Will the Russian fleet appear off LA next? Will it fly a rainbow flag? Is HR1 DOA? Will Biden sanction China over the Wuhan lab leak? Will Fauci still have a job? Which blue state Riot Squad will quit next? Will more air force bases host drag queen shows? Will the US Marines join the trend? What will investigations of Hunter find next? Will Dems put up a ‘reparations’ bill? Will ‘gun safety strategies’ suffer the same fate as HR1? Did Coke’s ‘diversity policy’ break the law? Which other blue city will have to beg tourists to come? Will any red cities have to? Will other states copy Florida’s new education policies? Is math raycis? Can ‘trust’ in the ‘news’ sink any lower? Stay tuned Folks.
4 3
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 11:08am
oldfella

Thought of the week:
“If you believe that everyone should play by the same rules and be judged by the same standards, that would have got you labelled a radical 50 years ago, a liberal 20 years ago and a racist today.”
(Thomas Sowell)
32 2
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 11:16am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  Indeed..
  
  This was our anthem of hope 50 years ago…
  
  https://genius.com/Blue-mink-melting-pot-lyrics
  
  10 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 12:22pm
  - Suze Wainwright
    
    Can’t beat the original! Certainly better than When the Cat’s Away version…
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 8:37pm
curry4me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCV2ITFFogY

Hedge Fund Shuts Down After Betting Against GameStop, GME Apes CrushWhite Square.

WallStreetBets just CRUSHED White Square after the $400 million Hedge Fund bet against GameStop stock. Responding to Graham Stephan and other critics of the Wall Street war against greedy Hedge Funds. The Apes win again! Diamond Hands strong. [7:44 Ha ha another win for ordinary people.]
5 1
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 11:21am
curry4me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3I8rEBvuyY&lc=Ugy7baVHVfg6F6bbLrN4AaABAg.9Ojt8JoRF1b9OxGX-p5Hnf

Gravitas: Kim Jong Un’s weight loss sparks speculations.

A visibly thinner Kim Jong Un has sparked speculations online. Is the North Korean dictator unwell, or did he intentionally lose weight to get healthier? Kim’s weight loss coincides with a food crisis in North Korea. Palki Sharma has a report. [5:36 I guess Lil Kim can’t order in any Lotteria from South Korea. He dropped out of sight in Sep-Oct 2014. Turns out he’d got gout from pigging out on Emmenthal cheese. Too funny. ]
5 1
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 11:22am
oldfella

Nearly half of Napier residents feel unsafe in their city, and it’s mainly due to gangs
I don’t understand this story. Are people who live in Napier racist? I’m sure Cindy would say that these big boys-on-bikes are not really dangerous, just misunderstood. /s
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/125544549/nearly-half-of-napier-residents-feel-unsafe-in-their-city-and-its-mainly-due-to-gangs
15 0
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 11:30am
- Tony Stuart
  
  Didn’t Stuart Nash recently say that law-abiding citizens had nothing to fear from gangs?
  
  “In terms of feeling unsafe, unless you’re a gang member, you have no reason to feel unsafe. The public are not everyday target. I understand gangs can be intimidating, but unless you’re a rival member or tied up in the drug trade, you have nothing to fear.”
  
  https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/hawkes-bay/125240119/huge-mongrel-mob-funeral-procession-stops-traffic-in-hawkes-bay
  
  11 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 3:37pm
  - Fuzzysnuggleduck
    
    Tell that to the guy running away with stab wounds to the stomach after road rage from a carload of mobsters.
    So stupid. Hard to credit that he even believes it himself.
    So Nash wouldn’t cross the road if he saw a bunch of Mongrel Mob folk spilling onto the footpath outside a gang pad?
    These people are a cancer (the gangs in this case, I mean).
    The only growth industry under Labour.
    
    10 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 4:33pm
Fletch

R.I.P to B.J Thomas whose death I missed last month. He sang songs like Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, Hooked On A Feeling, etc

One of my favourites he did was Rock and Roll Lullaby, with Beach Boys-style harmony vocals (it’s the Ron Hicklin Singers, and The Blossoms) that will bring tears to your eyes. Duane Eddy plays guitar in his style.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUNNkIyFjRE
13 2
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 11:50am
- hilaryt
  
  Cheers. I recall seeing Butch Cassidy etc in a very formative 13th birthday year, falling in love with both the stars, loving that song…still evokes immensely fond memories of a time & place.
  
  8 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 12:50pm
- MCos
  
  Nothing against old BJ, but I grew to loath Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head.
  (I bet he did too)
  
  3 3
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 4:11pm
oldfella

I can’t believe NZPost has ‘rebranded’ without also changing its name to AotearoaPost?
Wait for the horrid and stuffed to come out with articles calling the company stale, pale, and racist. /s
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/125534833/nz-post-spends-15-million-on-a-new-look-to-unite-its-courier-brands
9 1
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 11:58am
- Fletch
  
  The new $15 million logo looks weirdly British. Not sure why. I think I liked the old one better.
  
  1 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 1:53pm
- sooty
  
  15mill, you’re having a laugh!
  
  3 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 2:04pm
- curry4me
  
  oldfella: Doesn’t look too bad. I thought it’d be woke, PC garbage.
  
  0 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 9:13pm
rangitoto

The plot thickens.

https://nypost.com/2021/06/23/china-deleted-covid-19-data-in-possible-cover-up-virologist/
12 2
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 12:28pm
- MCos
  
  Is NY Post & NZ Post same same?
  
  1 5
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 4:07pm
Maggy Wassilieff

Gang Central..

Looks like Hastings, Wairoa and South Auckland have a rival

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/125544549/nearly-half-of-napier-residents-feel-unsafe-in-their-city-and-its-mainly-due-to-gangs
16 0
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 12:31pm
- MCos
  
  I live in Sth Auckland.
  Didn’t know I was meant to feel unsafe?
  
  1 3
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 4:05pm
Bobba Fret

Lets hope they catch this bloke quickly before he re-offends.
It’s good that they have released pictures of him.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/woman-69-viciously-attacked-in-new-lynn-mall-after-man-tries-to-steal-car/V5KVXSFMUQO3YHOVTJADHC4U4E/
13 0
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 12:32pm
- Fuzzysnuggleduck
  
  Yep.
  Pretty good images there. Don’t think he will get away with this.
  Should be the norm – your picture is going to be in the news if you act like a dangerous animal.
  
  6 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 4:37pm
Maggie Pie

My partner never allows people to bring Bananas on his boat.
Very unlucky he reckons.

Same with changing the name of a boat.
Unless you are prepared to have local Maori perform a Makatu lifting ceremony, you will never catch fish from it again.

Hope the ‘District Commander of Police’ Tony Hill is aware of the implications before rushing to do so (?)
8 2
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 12:33pm
- skyblue
  
  DNRAID is available for the Ford Ranger:
  https://www.kiwiplates.nz/create/?combination=dnraid&vt=1
  
  3 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 1:51pm
- H. Upmann
  
  There is a correct process and script for re-naming a vessel. It includes a virgin, although not sacrificed!
  
  As to Tony Hill’s boat, don’t change the name mate and buy in on the PC bullying.
  
  4 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 1:59pm
- Don Beckett
  
  ‘Makutu’ – not Makatu 🙂
  
  5 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 2:22pm
  - Maggie Pie
    
    Yes – thank you for that Don.
    
    Obviously not to be taken lightly either 🙁
    
    https://woopdedo.com/frightening-encounter-with-a-maori-curse/
    
    4 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 2:35pm
- david
  
  Isn’t Makatu a brand of pie named after a tiny town in Coastal BOP? Surely lifting pies is no big deal especially if you just want to blow on it.
  
  4 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 4:55pm
  - Don Beckett
    
    No, that’s Maketu – where the Tapsells come from. 🙂
    
    4 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 5:04pm
    - Don Beckett
      
      When I was a kid, my grandfather had a bach at Little Waihi – an hours walk over the hill from Maketu, which is a really neat coastal village – where the Kaituna river estuary enters the sea, and where the Arawa canoe landed about 700 years ago. My wife is Arawa – Ngati Rangiwewihi. 🙂
      
      4 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      June 24, 2021 5:08pm
- KevO'Brien
  
  How do they set their charges for their demon hunt?
  
  3 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 6:07pm
Cinematic

Wolf wolf wolf!
6 0
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 1:20pm
RiP NZ

Bidens America
Lightfoot’s Chicago
Democrat Paradise

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/chicago-woman-dies-days-after-shooting-that-killed-boyfriend/DY3EWBO3BFECDYSZOA6BGHR25E/

No mention of the race of the perps which is journalistic `101′ in the States, cant think why. Defund Police, must be the only solution.
5 1
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 1:36pm
dcrane

Joe Rogan interviews Dr. Bret Weinstein and Dr. Pierre Kory about repurposed drugs for covid, and the huge developing issue of censorship around this and related issues.

A very intelligent, careful, and stimulating longform discussion.

https://american-podcasts.com/podcast/the-joe-rogan-experience/-1671-bret-weinstein-dr-pierre-kory
4 0
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 1:54pm
- UrbanNeocolonialist
  
  Feels like the dam is finally breaking – almost daily additions to the number of positive trials reported and some gate-keeping ‘official’ institutions and media outlets are starting to break with the homicidal Omerta that has been gripping them for the last year with regard to off-label use of drugs like Ivermectin for Covid (since benefits became apparent in May 2020). There also look to be a few other drugs that are even better than ivermectin (proxalutamide, fluvoxamine)
  
  There is going to be a severe reckoning for the institutional medical fraternity over this as evidence grows for their terrible ‘consensus’ judgement and 3 letter health agency FUD campaigns that were clearly driven by Pharma profit interests. At the moment it looks like it has almost certainly cost millions of lives.
  
  4 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:44pm
greybeard

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300341098/housing-minister-corrects-record-after-clerical-error-leaves-off-475000-in-sponsored-media-stories
Jesus wept.
Nice photo of Woods.
18 1
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 1:54pm
- Old.Mickey.Blue.Eyes
  
  Those usless corrupt F***wits have spen more on promoting themsleves than new mental health acute beds. Hey Mike King, maybe time to blame Cindy and her government priorities – it clearly aint helping people other than themselves. https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/06/government-spends-nearly-half-a-million-dollars-on-articles-promoting-k-inga-ora.html
  
  10 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 1:59pm
- H. Upmann
  
  Clerical errors are rampant this week on both sides of the fence.
  Isn’t she lovely?
  
  6 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 2:02pm
- sooty
  
  I would say that photo is saying, “I don’t have a boody clue”.
  
  6 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 2:02pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  Wow…
  some Clerical error
  
  “It was a convenient clerical error, wasn’t it, because what it meant was, she didn’t tell me that $475,000 of taxpayers money had been spent on a sponsorship arrangement with a major media entity by a government department,” Willis said.
  
  22 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 3:14pm
  - Tony Stuart
    
    Woods’ “clerical error” excuse ranks right up there with “the dog ate my homework”!
    
    25 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 24, 2021 3:39pm
  - zulumonster
    
    “Kāinga Ora’s Mark Fraser, general manager for urban development, said NZME had the “responsibility” for making sure users knew what content was sponsored.”
    
    I think it would be safer for consumers of NZME to assume all content is sponsored by the government (taxpayer) – to the tune of $100+ and rising …
    
    0 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    June 25, 2021 8:18am
- cmm
  
  You’d hope $475k could buy a few minutes of Photoshop.
  
  13 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 4:47pm
- Tall Man
  
  Hard to get one without food…….
  
  7 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 4:55pm
- septic skeptic
  
  The finest journalists that money can buy.
  
  8 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 5:55pm
lifesgood

How many thousands are infected with Covid in Wellington today? sarc.
6 0
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 1:55pm
cmm

According to a new study, CV19 has resulted in the loss of 1.7 years of life expectancy (ie. 2% of lifespan) in USA.

A few points of interest:

They claim the average person that died lost 12 years of life. Really? I wonder how they calculated that? 12 years compared to what?

The majority of people who died of/with CV19 had significant preexisting health conditions and compromised health. That needs to be taken into account when the 12 years were counted.

For example, on average, people die 18 months after going into a rest home. Anyone dying in a rest home should thus be counted as having 9 months or so of lost life (since on average they would have been halfway through their 18 month count down).

Even with those numbers, this is an small decrease for a pandemic. During the Spanish Flu USA life expectancy was reduced by about 9 years on a 53 year average lifespan (ie. 17%). Spain lost far more 14 out or 44 years = 32%.

https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/covid19-changed-life-expectancy
10 2
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 3:25pm
- RW Capitalist
  
  Spanish flu took the young
  Covid19 took the elderly.
  So in a population this large, I sincerely doubt their argument.
  
  4 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 4:58pm
- fernglas
  
  I think the 12 years was the loss of life expectancy for someone of that age. So even though the average age of death was just a couple of years short of the average life expectancy from birth, it was 12 years short of the average life expectancy of someone of that age.
  
  3 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 5:33pm
Maggy Wassilieff

Looks like the Taxpayer is paying for Labour Party candidate promos…

Willis also asked if it was appropriate for Kāinga Ora to pay NZME for an article published in May 2020 profiling Arena Williams and her community advocacy, just before she became a Labour MP.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/06/government-spends-nearly-half-a-million-dollars-on-articles-promoting-k-inga-ora.html
18 1
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 3:28pm
- cmm
  
  Even putting the Labour candidate rort aside, it is unbelievable that organisations like Kāinga Ora, or any other department, are spending any money in the media to promote their image.
  
  But half a million on this – outrageous!
  
  Now I can understand a department spending advertising money on health messages or such – but not on telling people what an awesome job they’re doing.
  
  Adding the component of promoting Labour candidates just makes this a whole lot worse.
  
  19 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 3:54pm
Maggie Pie

Don Lemon….CNN

“Calls to defund the police facing opposition as gun violence in Black communities escalates”

Well butter-my-butt and book a room at the Ritz”
15 2
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 3:49pm
MrTips

LOL. “All this ‘be kind’ bulls.. means nothing”.
Hear hear, buy that man a DB.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/125543755/floodaffected-ashburton-farmers-slam-4-million-support-package
8 0
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 3:53pm
RW Capitalist

No evidence for effectiveness of Hydroychloroquine?
REALLY???
https://virologyj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1743-422X-2-69
This study appears to, if not refute that, but certainly offers an argument to checking (which they politically rubbished).
It looks like, after the fact, that they should have taken a punt.
Results of those that did, seem to show that many lives could have been saved.
5 2
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 4:55pm
- Don Beckett
  
  But Trump said……………….
  
  4 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 5:13pm
Wired-one

Could National stop shooting themselves in the foot thanks, that would be great. Get your shit together and remember the thousands of kiwis who you are representing you twats!
5 0
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 6:08pm
- H. Upmann
  
  Too late I think.
  They have already shot themselves in the head.
  
  5 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 6:39pm
Maggie Pie

Just getting dinner having a wine in the kitchen…… and liostening to HDPA.

Why does she have to talk likes shes on a f—ing Speed Date!!
5 3
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 6:52pm
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Maybe HDPA is whining, open another, and liostening again?
  Baa, sorry
  
  2 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 7:09pm
Steve Otto(North Shore)

Well I just got another 30 days in FB jail. They will not tell me why, I liked a post about a Trump Marine Rally … I suspect it is telling the truth that does not fit commie FB narrative.
Jail is now a badge, when those wimpy bastards piss me off. 18 year old kids in Mum’s basement.
See you on July 23rd you FB mangirls
7 2
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 7:03pm
- Don Beckett
  
  Cancelled FB 3 years ago. I decided I was in charge of MY Cancel culture. 🙂
  
  7 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 7:41pm
- fernglas
  
  You can always leave Facebook, Steve. It’s not compulsory.
  
  6 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  June 24, 2021 8:08pm
Maggy Wassilieff

Kelvin Davis wipes his hands of helping Prisoners with their addictions

despite health being one of prison’s biggest issues, the number of prisoners in drug and alcohol programmes is plummeting. Five years ago, about 6300 programmes were started, but in the last year that fell to just 928.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/06/prisoners-attending-drug-and-alcohol-sessions-plummets-amid-criticism-of-government-s-mental-health-response.html
8 0
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 7:13pm
Maggie Pie

New Zealanders are now living with the threat of cionstant violence as this governments mad-headed polices on law & order continue to bite hard-working taxpayers in the arse.
I saw that Kelvcan Davis on the news a minute ago saying he was giveing the prisoners at waikeria a few million because they lost their ‘beliongings’ in the fire.

SHEESH!!!!!!
13 2
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 7:28pm
CAKE FACE1

I assume it’s all happening with this plague loose in Wellington.

Dudes with bells calling out for you to “Bring out your dead”. Piles of bodies. Doors of victims of this plague painted with a large cross, either in red or black paint. Pits being dug to accommodate the dead.

Can locals confirm the above?
11 2
Log in to Reply
Report
June 24, 2021 7:35pm

Add a Comment Cancel reply

Login to comment or vote

« More woke censorship

I’m with Creative NZ on this one »

Donations

You can now donate to Kiwiblog

Exclusive content from DPF on Patreon

Become a Patron!

Highlights

The Kiwis are fleeing
Inflation by term
Houston we have a problem
Our immunisation disaster

Never miss a post

Email Address

Links

ACT and NZ First attack on Waitangi Tribunal makes it a Kangaroo Court Show Trial Redneck Jamboree
The Daily Blog
Word of the day
Hompaddock
Still no prudential regulation case around climate change
Utopia
Some advice from our tertiary history for the University Advisory Group
Point of Order
Goneburger
The Standard
Whose bloody tree was it?
No Minister
Jacinda’s legacy – Increasing number of abortions
Bob McCoskrie's McBlog
REEFTON – THE NEW PARIS
No Punches Pulled (Bob Jones)
More criminal miners
No Right Turn
#CountdownToAnzacDay: On “the last afterglow of the most radiant cultural atmosphere in human history”
Not PC
United Rugby Championship Predictions for Week 15
Stats Chat
Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
Kiwipolitico
Despair - construction consenting edition
Offsetting Behaviour
Coalition Promises
NZCPR
Tougher than that
Croaking Cassandra
ABs stripped of 2011 title after try disallowed
Imperator Fish
Legal Beagle: Election '23: The Special Votes
Public Address
Making this movie might have been a mistake
Liam Hehir
Why I am retiring from political blogging
Kiwi FireWalker
Angie Warren-Clark: Meet the Newbies
Dan Moskovitz

editor@kiwiblog.co.nz

PO Box 12270, Thorndon, Wellington 6144

Facebook
Twitter
FourSquare
Instagram
LinkedIn
Google+

Archives
Disclosure Statement
Editorial Policy
Privacy Policy
Complaints Policy
Comments Policy

Design by cre8d

%d

Share this:

Like this: