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February 16, 2022 8:00am by Kokila Patel

General Debate 16 February 2022

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General Debate

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Luke Piewalker

Message to Cindy

When you wreck peoples lives they are going to be upset.

New Zealand is rightfully angry.

You have created the most divided racist and broke time in New Zealand history.

You have already lost the next election and you don’t even know it.
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February 16, 2022 8:00am
- Colville
  
  She knows it.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:20am
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    She knows it, but won’t admit it
    
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    February 16, 2022 10:05am
    - madamezucchininz
      
      she knows it, but she doesn’t care
      
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      February 16, 2022 12:57pm
  - Mr_Blobby
    
    Are you sure.
    
    I think she looks in the mirror every morning, look at me everybody loves little old me.
    
    The sheeple love me.
    
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    February 16, 2022 10:07am
  - Jim
    
    It appears Ardern is not working for the good people of NZ, or with aspirations of winning the next election; she’s solely determined to push an ‘imported agenda’ whilst she still has the power.
    
    I’ve been listening to talk radio to understand the ‘mood of the nation’ regarding the protests, generally speaking there appears to be two viewpoints:
    1. Government Vaccine mandates and passports are unjust and are anti-science against Omicron (things have changed significantly). Good peoples lives (and their children) are being tragically impacted and even destroyed by this punitive government’s unscientific overreach insisting on mandates and passes.
    2. MSM consuming people who remain (unnecessarily) fearful of going out in public and want the border to remain locked down. To hell with the economy.
    
    This week Heather DA and (even) Kerre Mciver have both cited a recent Oxford University study showing Omicron indiscriminately infects everyone regardless of vaccine status. The study recommendations included removing mandates, tracking and passports.
    
    What say you Ashley Bloomfield?
    
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    February 16, 2022 11:30am
    - Souvlaki
      
      Yes….Bloomfield’s silence is deafening on this.
      The RAT debacle essentially can also be sheeted home to him & his MOH cronies. This disaster is yet to unfold remember!?
      
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      February 16, 2022 12:18pm
      - crikey
        
        I agree with Jim’s comments, but not yours Souvlaki. It’s not for Bloomfield to go public with his views. His job is to advise the relevant Ministers and for them to pronounce as they see fit.
        
        Regarding the RAT kits, as an example, whatever Bloomfield’s involvement I am sure there would have been heavy-handed involvement and direction from the 9th floor.
        
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        February 16, 2022 12:56pm
- pdm
  
  Nailed it in four points Luke.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:22am
- Other_Andy
  
  I neither recognise or like what New Zealand has become anymore in the last two years.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:33am
  - kevn
    
    @Other… When did we ever use the word MANDATE in the past? Never.
    
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    February 16, 2022 9:30am
    - 70andstilllearning
      
      Seems to be the “in” word for every tv presenter at the moment kevn – evacuation warnings, etc – any action the someone deems “needing” to be taken!
      
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      February 16, 2022 9:48am
    - ClanMcleod
      
      “mandate’ – a piece of doublespeak to make fascism sound acceptable. Anyway, shouldn’t it be “genderneutraldate” ??
      
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      February 16, 2022 10:04am
    - G152
      
      Isn’t MANDATE just a bit gay ????
      
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      February 16, 2022 10:59am
      - Michael Johnston
        
        It was the name of a gay nightclub in Melbourne in the 1990s.
        
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        February 16, 2022 12:55pm
    - Local Miller
      
      “My friend Bob and I went for a drink at the local last night, it was a great mandate”
      Opps, that should have been “man date”
      
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      February 16, 2022 11:06am
    - Harry Knuts
      
      mandate is a politicians vocabulary only. I remember john key using it when saying just cause national is in govt it gives him the “mandate” to do pretty much anything, including his own vanity project that wasted 28mil – the FLAG. Pretty much since then it’s been used and abused by these guys constantly – “just cause i’m in power i can do what i like – you gave me the mandate by voting for me!!”.
      No what a vote gave you was the right to execute your election promises and that only.
      
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      February 16, 2022 12:15pm
      - Loddenthinks
        
        Your memory is selective and faulty. Mandate in the traditional sense is when you campaign on something and win handsomely. In that case you can honestly say you have a mandate to do something, because you told the public what it was and they voted for it.
        
        This dishonest Labour government for example, campaigned on nothing except fear (remember “This is the Covid election”) and happened to gain an absolute majority (cheers, bought-and-paid-for media!). That is NOT the same as a mandate to implement their divisive, race-based separatist co-governance agenda. Not at all.
        
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        February 16, 2022 3:32pm
    - Sean OConnor
      
      It’s a common American term which has come over here.
      
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      February 16, 2022 5:25pm
- Harry Knuts
  
  yet she is still defiant. Digging her heels holding onto the dwindling power she has. my money is on her pushing through more legislation for more power that she has left and that doesn’t make sense.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:51am
  - a3catlady
    
    Like a child who doesn’t want their toys taken off them!!
    
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    February 16, 2022 9:59am
  - mawm
    
    I’m sure she is carefully watching what is happening in Canada, and has seen how Comrade Dictator Dan in Victoria assumed his awesome powers.
    
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    February 16, 2022 11:05am
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    Look at the history of other Countries that tried socialism.
    You can vote socialism in, but you have to fight your way out.
    First then came for your guns. Done that.
    Next …….
    
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    February 16, 2022 2:07pm
- Fishing in the dark
  
  This was by design, fasten the seat belts there is more to come in this direction.
  Don’t enrol for Te Reo just for Madarin/Cantonese.
  
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  February 16, 2022 10:02am
- Inandout
  
  She cares not because the election is many months away and it doesn’t take a fool to see she won’t be hanging around to participate. She probably dreams of doing a Trudeau and declaring an emergency but wiser heads may prevail. Her problem is how to extract the country from ‘virus fear’ but still keep the sheep masked and compliant. Still, not her problem.
  
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  February 16, 2022 10:21am
  - Jim
    
    Ardern is more concerned with her international reputation, that is why she is distancing the government and saying the police are in charge of the protest.
    Ardern’s domestic concern will be if the NZ Groundswell movement tags on the back of the protest in Welly.
    
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    February 16, 2022 11:34am
- Russ the Muss
  
  I reject that assertion, cue: Bobby head, frowny face and the kindergarten earnest tone which mirrors talking to a 4 year old telling you that ypu are just little bit naughty asking that question….
  
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  February 16, 2022 10:24am
- lastmanstanding
  
  We now know the ethics and morals of our politicians. Whilst they are happy and comfortable to meet with the Mongrel Mob they are not happy or comfortable to meet with protestors on the lawn of the (wait for it) House of Representatives.
  
  This sums up their mentality.
  #notmyrepresentatives
  
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  February 16, 2022 10:31am
  - leoj
    
    Best point of the debate.
    What’s more, if Winston (the traitor) has a dialogue with the protesters and becomes part of the decision to disband the protest, he is back in parliament next term. I have huge disdain for the man but he knows an opportunity when he sees it, unlike Luxon and Seymour who will lose votes to the traitor.
    
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    February 16, 2022 11:45am
    - Gertie
      
      I have come to the point of view Luxon and Seymour dont deserve my vote. There is clearly a large percentage, maybe 30 to 50 who back the protesters. If they are dumb enough to ignore this large part of NZ that disapproves of the current situation they dont deserve to represent us. As much as Winny annoys me, if he is listening and vocalises my view, I shall close my eyes, think of my kids and vote NZ F
      
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      February 16, 2022 12:53pm
  - Loddenthinks
    
    Ardern, looking increasingly worried, uncomfortable and out of sorts, said it was irresponsible of Seymour to even speak with intermediaries of the protestors because of all the supposed terrible things they’d done.
    
    But meet with the mongrel mob and give them koah (pay a bribe) ? No problem!
    
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    February 16, 2022 5:04pm
- mogg
  
  We have the most ridiculous situation where the sanctimonious Ardern has become a caricature of herself, hiding away in her ivory tower while claiming to be the most open government ever. The top cop is now using threats ‘people are going to get hurt, this is going to happen’, and still barely a word of criticism from the opposition or the media.
  The truth of the matter is that Ardern is a phony, beyond the well rehearsed jargon she is clueless.
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:32am
  - Jim
    
    Ardern has been lauded as an excellent communicator, yet that is only apparent when she has full editorial control. My definition of an excellent communicator is someone who can ‘bravely change hearts and minds with powers of persuasion’……not threats, coercion or malice!
    
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    February 17, 2022 6:56am
- backster
  
  I like this angle,She is talking about Senile Joe, but it applies equally to our equivalent, hard to disagree with a single word.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEA6f9pcCAM
  
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  February 16, 2022 2:00pm
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    Trudeau is full blown socialist
    
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    February 16, 2022 2:13pm
- Stellaboxer
  
  Seymour meets with protesters. HorY he read the room at last. Now all we need is Luxon to wake up and represent us as well and realise these clowns led by Ardern are on the ropes and he needs to stop sponging them down.
  
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  February 16, 2022 3:50pm
- tf78
  
  She has also accidentally united most of us against her.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:03pm
Souvlaki

I fear Simon Bridges spot on in his autobiography describing some colleagues as “bedwetters”.
To fold like damp cardboard appears spineless to me at least.
What faith can we have Luxon wont embrace He Puapua in all its ‘glory’??

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/461553/christopher-luxon-supports-jacinda-ardern-s-refusal-to-meet-with-parliament-protesters
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February 16, 2022 8:04am
- H. Upmann
  
  Luxon will not reverse a single piece Labour initiated bad law.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:28am
  - Other_Andy
    
    National has form in that regard.
    Seat warmers for the next Labour government.
    
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    February 16, 2022 8:58am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    Bullshit
    
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    February 16, 2022 9:01am
    - Tom Hunter
      
      I’ll call your bullshit and raise you two realities.
      
      First, John Key calling the Welfare For Families legislation, “communism by stealth”, which I’ve no doubt got you super-excited back then.
      
      Then there was the reality of government a few years later, courtesy of former National Cabinet member and all-round Wet, Wayne Mapp::
      
      Key and English both understood which parts of the Clark government intiatives were cemented in, and which weren’t. And by reassuring the public on the things the had become part of the fabric, were able to win three elections, and be the largest party on the fourth.
      
      Things that had become part of the fabric.
      
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      February 16, 2022 12:46pm
      - Ian Boag
        
        WFF is an “in-work tax credit” – not quite the same thing as a benefit. Not unique to NZ …..
        
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        February 16, 2022 1:34pm
  - artemisia
    
    You mean he / they will not follow through on the clear and public reversal statements made? Ms Ardern has said from 2017 the plan is to implement policies that stick. Free money basically. Hard to reverse once bedded in.
    
    Like interest free student loans, though National did tweak that policy.
    
    What about reversing the policy of no penalty for beneficiaries that don’t name the liable parent/s. Maybe not a huge amount of dollars involved but it means thousands of liable parents skate free at the expense of the taxpayer. Perfect example of a perverse incentive.
    
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    February 16, 2022 9:05am
  - stewmar
    
    Luxon will have to declare his manifesto before the next election. Don’t be so quick to judge.
    Mathew 5-7
    
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    February 16, 2022 9:50am
- Gravelroad
  
  Mr Luxaflex Blinds is supposed to be a leader – not a follower.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:29am
  - curry4me
    
    But but but… if he was a leader, the fake news might be mean, and call him names. Can’t have that.
    
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    February 16, 2022 8:36am
- curry4me
  
  None. National have been Labour lite since 1949
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:34am
  - Inandout
    
    curry, so the wharfies strike was a walk in the socialist park? I seem to recall reading of emergency powers and food meant for strikers declared illegal and news being censored by the papers (not willingly like now). Not exactly Labour-lite.
    
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    February 16, 2022 10:27am
    - curry4me
      
      The exception to the rule.
      
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      February 16, 2022 10:52pm
  - Positan
    
    No, Sid Holland was in charge back then – and he held a 20-seat majority – having taken 4 seats off Labour – after the 1951 snap election.
    
    National became Labour-lite around 1966 or 1969 – but even back then, it was never as “lite” as Luxon’s present apparent lack of leadership – at a time in this country when real leadership has been never more sought and demanded – is now showing National to be.
    
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    February 16, 2022 10:50am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Luxon has a as steady said he will not have separatist policy, all people are to be equal, he said money given to Māori must be used wisely, and he said it must be target, he is anti 3 waters, he is anti the separatist Māori health board, he is anti money waste, so if we keep tucking about hating Nats, then Cindy squeaks in for a third and the most damaging term
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:37am
  - Tom Hunter
    
    then Cindy squeaks in for a third and the most damaging term
    
    Yeah… nah! That was my motivation for voting National 2011-2017 whereas before I voted for them 2002-2008 with some hope.
    
    But that fear factor doesn’t work any longer, and if you read the room here you’d know that.
    
    The only difference between Luxon’s National and Ardern’s Labour, or even the long dreaded Green-Labour coalition, is that the policies killing us will be executed more slowly by National, and they’ll get the blame for them, in which case I say we let Jacinda and company demonstrate their destructiveness as fast as possible so that they can be rejected for good.
    
    To those who scream about the resulting damage I can only say that I’m well aware of that, that I’ll be damaged as well (especially via my kids), but that we’ve survived damage before in the form of Muldoon (or from the Trad-Left POV, the incredible damage of Rogernomics).
    
    As Adam Smith once said, There’s a lot of ruin in a nation.
    
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    February 16, 2022 11:06am
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      What an utter load of bullshit, Nats do not want 3 waters, seperate systems for a few, stop talking Slaters bullshit, enjoy ya Cindy
      
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      February 16, 2022 12:22pm
      - Tom Hunter
        
        Instead of sitting around here pulling the ra-ra cheerleader routine and castigating the troops for not being sufficiently motivated to do what you want, why not get in contact with your National team and try to persuade the leaders to fight harder.
        
        Admittedly they’d probably just dismiss you in the same manner you’re applying to us here: at best, someone who doesn’t “get” how the game is played, at worst an agent provocateur.
        
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        February 16, 2022 12:50pm
- Viva Christo Rey
  
  At this point I am becoming convinced that whether blue or red they are beholden to some kind of foreign globalist power that works in the shadows and pulls their strings.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:50am
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    That power has a name, SOCIALISM
    
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    February 16, 2022 2:17pm
- kowtow
  
  Anything in there about that “spontaneous” facebook campaign that came out of nowhere that helped to cement the idea that he was nasty and unelectable .
  
  Dirty politics.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:51am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    That campaign has the hallmark of the same idiots that weee trying to shaft Bridges at the beginning of COVID, that crack pot Slater has used these same tactics to get support for the rotten JLR, Ross went from getting a few angry posts a day to 100s of what a great man I will vote for you posts, the night of the election they disappeared, if this is Labour then they are disgusting
    
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    February 16, 2022 10:19am
- Dougal23
  
  Luxon is not the leader I hoped he would be. His position on the mandates is not one I can support.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:21am
  - rockape
    
    Then on this single issue you may get a government you don’t want but truly deserve.
    
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    February 16, 2022 11:04am
    - Rodion Raskolnikov
      
      Coerced medical treatments in the form of vaccine mandates and exclusionary and discriminatory vaccine passports are far and away the most egregious and anti-human policies we have ever seen in this country. Not only do they undermine or remove one’s bodily sovereignty, they also in essence discriminate based on political opinion, and affect the freedom to hold beliefs and freedom of conscience. They are really the only game in town. All else is secondary to this abominable situation. What is more, aside from upending our rights, they are entirely without any justification.
      
      If a party and/or its leader is for them (or isn’t explicitly denouncing them) then they have immediately disqualified themselves in my view. I will never vote for anyone who will not remove all Covid restrictions, because I’m not rewarding anyone who cannot appreciate all that I have just laid out. There is always a hierarchy of issues, but this one eclipses all else.
      
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      February 16, 2022 11:56am
      - Gertie
        
        Totally agree. If you dont believe in basic human rights, you have nothing else to offer me.
        
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        February 16, 2022 1:01pm
      - Okahu
        
        “ the most egregious and anti-human policies we have ever seen in this country.…
        
        Not only do they undermine or remove one’s bodily sovereignty, they also in essence discriminate based on political opinion, and affect the freedom to hold beliefs and freedom of conscience.”
        
        If you had added “and the right and ability not just not to be transported and imprisoned, but to occupy and treasure your ancestral lands” you could have been writing Te Whiti o Rongimai’s story. Perhaps that was another country?
        
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        February 16, 2022 2:12pm
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    His position on mandates is they should be gone, ho snd bloody look in December with their opening up policy, 90% vaxed the mandates should be gone, he just does want to support these fruit loop nutters that clearly have been organised with a nasty bike FB hitjob
    
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    February 16, 2022 11:11am
  - ecco
    
    I’d rather have Luzon than ardern. He has had a proper job and is financially literate. Be interesting to know who some of the kiwibloggers are going to vote for if they don’t like any of the parties. Seem to be keyboard warriors just dumping on kiwiblog. Kind of wrecked kiwiblog for me. Used to be a great blog. Now just populated by anti vax commenting. About 90% of the content is now just repetitive anti vax stuff.
    
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    February 16, 2022 12:14pm
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      They will vote National or a few for ACT. What is happening is the message is going out that center right voters want a center right Party – where is that Party, and their policies?
      
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      February 16, 2022 2:22pm
    - leoj
      
      How can bloggers be anti vax if 94% off the population have been double vaxxed?
      If you mean anti-mandate, then write “anti-mandate” but don’t confuse the two.
      Also, you are under no compulsion to visit here, yet it seems you are okay with compulsory vaccination.
      
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      February 16, 2022 4:14pm
  - Jimbob
    
    People who hate Ardern, but will not vote for National or ACT because of the demonstration, are really voting for Ardern again. It’s either Ardern or Luxon, take your pick.
    
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    February 16, 2022 12:23pm
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      Even if they don’t vote, more numbers for the commies
      
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      February 16, 2022 2:22pm
  - coge
    
    It’s incredulous, and frankly obscene, that a National party leader would endorse segregation mandates on the people he wishes to lead.
    
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    February 16, 2022 1:29pm
- Local Miller
  
  This is not going to go well for any of the current political parties. I was a regular Nat voter, and have shared my vote with Act (Party/Electorate) but there is no way I will vote for either under the current leadership and electorate list given that not a single MP has met with the protestors. Even the 2 who made an initial effort at support have been forced to back peddle.
  As I’ve said recently: Bring on the next poll.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:22am
  - Random T Person
    
    In the same boat. I cannot be a member of or vote for ACT. Huge disappointment. I won’t vote for any of these idiots in parliament. They are there for themselves, not us. Always were.
    
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    February 16, 2022 9:30am
  - Captain Mainwaring
    
    So you’re going to vote Labour are you? Or NZF?
    
    25 7
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    February 16, 2022 9:36am
    - Random T Person
      
      If politicians don’t stand by their principles (ACT, I’m looking at you) and promises, then there is no need to vote for them. The social contract is broken.
      
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      February 16, 2022 9:59am
      - ecco
        
        Do you think constantly posting on kiwiblog all year round is a better use of your time than exercising your democratic right and voting. I suggest that voting for the best of a bad bunch would be far superior to living on kiwiblog and not voting.
        
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        February 16, 2022 12:45pm
      - Random T Person
        
        Suggest away Ecco. I have a conscience I must live with.
        
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        February 16, 2022 2:01pm
    - Matt Long
      
      Well last election I was pushing New Conservative, lots of people said New Conservative represents their constituency but they have to vote National or Act for strategic reasons, how’s that all working out now I wonder?
      See to effect change you actually have to risk something for your principles, otherwise you end up with what we’ve got now or worse.
      
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      February 16, 2022 10:16am
      - G the giant from Dunedin
        
        Last election they all voted Labour to keep green out, how’s that working ? When you start pissing about with your vote, you guarantee another term for Ardern
        
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        February 16, 2022 10:27am
      - Matt Long
        
        You illustrate my position, everyone voted left of their position and got a crazy left wing government.
        I know you support National tribal, but they shafted farmers and small business last time, and under Luxon they look even worse.
        
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        February 16, 2022 11:45am
    - Stellaboxer
      
      Why is it that if someone doesn’t want to vote for either of the two parties that they feel have represented them up until now they are only left with the choice of voting for other parties that don’t represent them? There isn’t a party that I personally believe worthy of my vote so why would I participate in the charade? Sure there are parties that in my opinion are more or less damaging to the country in different areas such as the economy or race relations but on what I consider the issue of the moment they’re all marching in lockstep. This makes me intensely suspicious of all of them. They are untrustworthy, some are openly aligned to international political and economic theories that call for the end of the nation state, the end of our economic system, the abolishment of private property and an end to the liberal democratic ideals. FFS why would I vote for any of them and contribute to any mandate they may then believe they have?
      
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      February 16, 2022 10:52am
      - Rodion Raskolnikov
        
        This is why polls should have a “none of the above” option. For instance, Labour is diabolical, and they lose votes accordingly. But then in the polling, these potential votes go to National of ACT, simply because poll participants have to give the pollster some positive option. It’s a shift in vote by default, and it makes National/ACT think that they are earning people’s votes, so they don’t alter their policies.
        
        National are not earning votes, Labour is simply losing them. If a hypothetical “none of the above” option gets 30% at Labour’s expense, it’s an indisputable indication that a potential opposition are on the wrong track (which they are). There is always a viable third option of not voting at all. That is a democratic statement in itself. If nobody is worth voting for, then you don’t validate them and keep them at the trough simply because they are Team Blue. By definition, if nobody attracts your vote because all are equally awful, it doesn’t make a difference if Party A is elected versus Party B.
        
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        February 16, 2022 12:09pm
      - Jim
        
        It doesn’t matter who you vote for, the government always gets in.
        
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        February 16, 2022 8:34pm
    - pdm
      
      Cap – I am watching who Matt King aligns himself with.
      
      He seems a good man and the Nats were dumb to let him go.
      
      28 1
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      February 16, 2022 11:08am
      - G the giant from Dunedin
        
        He has already ruled out Peters thank god , doesn’t leave much
        
        16 0
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        February 16, 2022 11:12am
  - crikey
    
    You could, alternatively, think about wasting your vote.
    
    9 0
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    February 16, 2022 9:45am
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      That’s what he is doing
      
      9 2
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      February 16, 2022 11:19am
    - Don Beckett
      
      I think it’s going to come down to voting for the least bad/wrong, but certainly not Labour. They do not deserve any support for what they have done to the country & it’s people.
      I’ve always been a National man, but recently have given party vote to ACT – not next time. National under Luxon is turning out to be a disappointment to me as leader – Bridges was much better early on – he spoke the Truth, and didn’t back down. Maybe a look at New Conservative for party vote next time.
      
      20 2
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      February 16, 2022 11:39am
      - Jimbob
        
        So you are in fact voting for Ardern.
        
        2 8
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        February 16, 2022 12:25pm
      - G the giant from Dunedin
        
        Wait till this COVID drops off a bit, Ghez, everything was looking good with his meetings before Omicron, let’s just get passed this next bit of time, and his the hell is Luxon even worse for farmers? He has vowed to bring farming back to where it was, he said farmers should not be made scapegoats, he said there will not be de-stocking, he said only science approach will be used yo get down emissions down, he also says he wants to remove compliance costs forced on farmers by this draconian regime
        
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        February 16, 2022 12:32pm
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    Wake up FFS, there is no other option, anyone who is part of the organised FB and Slater propaganda is deluded if they think some other option will arise, thanks for helping keep the dictator Ardern in government next term, thanks a fucken lot
    
    12 15
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    February 16, 2022 10:01am
    - mawm
      
      The National and ACT parties have failed to act in a manner that they claim are core to their principles. Is Winston any worse with his flip flopping and going against tradition of seating the most popular party? Maybe in degree or consequence but it is still a betrayal like the other two parties.
      
      14 3
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      February 16, 2022 11:17am
      - G the giant from Dunedin
        
        So what do you want? Be all this whinging will just deliver anotefm of Labour, snd remember, it was them and them alone who delivered the mandates, there was no vote, it was a straight out cabinet dictate
        
        [Request from mods and other KB followers – please could you read and correct your posts before hitting the Post Comment link. We have to read all of them. Thanks, mod.]
        
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        February 16, 2022 12:34pm
    - chukar
      
      The (GG )horse from Dunedin spouting foul language (and spreading horse manure)does not convince me of either of his intelligence or to believe that National has changed into a party fit to govern!
      For the third time GG,are you a troll?
      
      5 1
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      February 16, 2022 6:11pm
  - a3catlady
    
    Why would Luxon actually DO anything right now? This mess is of Jacinda’s making and the best course of action is to not show your hand, let the inevitable consequences happen – mandates will get dropped – and in the aftermath start to strategically show what you will do. I’m still withholding judgement on National but they better show up in the aftermath!!!
    
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    February 16, 2022 10:04am
    - Local Miller
      
      It’s called being consistent. If National isn’t presenting or acing on their true stand on mandates, etc. just because they “don’t want to show their hand” then they are being hypocrites.
      I want politicians that will consistently say what they believe and live by by their beliefs.
      While Luxon can’t do anything about resolving the protests, he certainly shouldn’t be sprouting off about supporting Ardern’s stand. From where I stand he isn’t even Liebour Lite, me may as well just be Liebour.
      
      17 2
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      February 16, 2022 11:19am
    - mawm
      
      Why would Luxon do anything right now? Really! There are desperate people out there who have lost jobs and income, families have been divided, children had social activities taken away, elderly who are getting isolated and even those who can afford to eat out are not allowed to. All these measures are doing nothing to protect the population but instead being used to punish those who are unwilling for some reason to take a vaccine that is in reality not very effective. So Luxon shouldn’t do anything to help these people?? I hope he’s not another heartless sociopath.
      
      20 2
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      February 16, 2022 11:24am
    - Stellaboxer
      
      Luxon has shown his hand. He is pretty much backing up Ardern over protesters exercising their rights. Suggests to me he has swallowed the BS hook line and sinker. Not fit for purpose.
      
      24 1
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      February 16, 2022 11:48am
      - G the giant from Dunedin
        
        No he is not, Nats policy is yo rnd mandates at 00% vaxed, he won’t support these muppets that are now clearly a broad church of activists, rent a mob
        
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        February 16, 2022 12:36pm
    - ecco
      
      Totally. Anyone who expects to go in all guns blazing with an anti vax stance would just be committing political suicide.
      
      2 8
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      February 16, 2022 12:47pm
      - leoj
        
        By November of this year, even YOU will change your mind about the vaccine.
        Pfizer’s fraudulent testing will be publicly known by then.
        Clue: Watch Pfizer’s stock price.
        
        11 1
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        February 16, 2022 4:19pm
      - Loddenthinks
        
        Troll says: “It’s anti-vax” rather than what it actually is – anti-mandate.
        
        Goodness, it just occurred to me that the only other people peddling that calumny are the Labourites and their bought-and-paid-for media shills. What a coincidence.
        
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        February 16, 2022 11:50pm
  - noodlum
    
    The Roy Morgan poll out last week put Nat/Act ahead of Lab/Greens. What more do you want???
    By the way I don’t think any media published it. Now let me think…….mmmmm.
    
    23 0
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    February 16, 2022 10:30am
    - Local Miller
      
      I want to see the New Conservatives added to the polls so we can see if there’s any swing in that direction. Even if they are only polling at NZF levels.
      
      9 2
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      February 16, 2022 11:21am
      - G the giant from Dunedin
        
        They are on the poll, at 1% FFS
        
        2 5
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        February 16, 2022 12:37pm
    - Rodion Raskolnikov
      
      As I’ve posted above, National aren’t positively gaining votes through articulating good policy, Labour are negatively losing votes through bad policies (many of which National support). These votes then wash up on National and ACTs shore, but they’ve done nothing to earn them.
      
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      February 16, 2022 12:14pm
      - G the giant from Dunedin
        
        Also I note that Luxon doubled down yesterday over the protesters, after softening his words on Monday, I bet they have polled the protests internally, and if it’s showing like I see and hear outside FB organised attacks, snd at Slaters ****, snd a few here, then that poll would be anti the protest
        
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        February 16, 2022 12:40pm
  - RightNow
    
    MP’s are a tiny fringe minority with disparate viewpoints. The only thing they all seem to agree on is that they should keep getting paid regardless of whether they deserve it.
    
    12 0
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    February 16, 2022 12:01pm
  - maggiemay
    
    Will you vote for Winston then?
    
    0 5
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    February 16, 2022 12:41pm
- Fishing in the dark
  
  I think another term with these clowns we have to battle, because National with the current management is absolutely rubbish and there is no difference between them and the clowns.
  
  16 3
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  February 16, 2022 10:08am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    Th we ncho and sign up for Cindy’s food radio s, because that’s what it will become with another ( years
    
    1 8
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    February 16, 2022 11:20am
    - Gravelroad
      
      G the giant:
      Are you drunk?
      You purport to be a supporter of the National Party. With friends like you they don’t need enemies.
      
      6 0
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      February 16, 2022 8:23pm
  - Rodion Raskolnikov
    
    The current National Party needs to be wiped out if we are ever going to stop the nation’s rot and rebuild it again. Electing them would be just a band aid over a festering wound. They are liberals, and decades of liberalism have got us into the current social malaise we are in. They are a hinderance.
    
    7 3
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    February 16, 2022 12:22pm
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      The Nations rot is this dictator, what utter waffle you spout
      
      4 6
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      February 16, 2022 12:41pm
NeverMindTheBollocks

An excellent article in The Guardian summarising why people are hesitant or against being vaccinated. Well worth a read.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/feb/15/this-is-why-some-people-dont-want-to-get-the-covid-vaccine
34 2
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February 16, 2022 8:06am
- Weetbix3ways
  
  Some of the reasons, certainly not all, and pretty sanitized.
  
  16 0
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  February 16, 2022 8:31am
- curry4me
  
  That article could have come from the Spectator. It reads like it was written by a journalist.
  
  13 1
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  February 16, 2022 8:50am
- Rodion Raskolnikov
  
  The main reason is simply that they have a right to exercise the fundamental right to say no. The first principle is wrongly presented in the proposition “you must get the vaccine,” and thus anyone who declines is obliged to justify their reasons. False. This formula is backwards. On the contrary, the real starting point is found in the proposition “everyone has a right to bodily autonomy,” and so those denying this right are then obliged to justify their reasons for why someone cannot exercise their right. They need to make a positive case. Because I haven’t seen any good reasons why I must give up my right, I will retain the right.
  
  9 0
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  February 16, 2022 12:30pm
- Jim
  
  Yep the Pfizer vaccine was the first mRNA vaccine to receive full FDA authorisation…..correct, but why is it still being used under the EUA in the USA!?
  
  I guess that’ll be the same FDA that has lost top vaccine approval people in recent months apparently resigning over political interference.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:39pm
RockyJ

I note Prince Andrew has settled his sexual abuse lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre. I bet he paid a princely sum, in fact a king’s ransom
58 2
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February 16, 2022 8:08am
- Nickc2
  
  What sexual abuse?
  
  24 9
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  February 16, 2022 8:26am
  - stewmar
    
    What sexual abuse?
    Did she say no and leave?
    Why was she there in the first place?
    
    19 5
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    February 16, 2022 9:55am
  - Ehlana
    
    From her life story, it appears she had a troubled home life, was sexually abused as a child, went through foster care and was abused again while living on the streets. That would have left her very vulnerable to people who seemed to care and offer her a dream life style. Remember this was all happening 20 hears ago when she was in her late teens.
    
    Not everyone gets a good beginning, or has the internal capacity or external support to overcome a bad one at age 17. Nor is physical violence the only determinant of abuse.
    
    Can all those who deny abuse be so sure they would have avoided this trap in her circumstances?
    
    17 0
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    February 16, 2022 11:08am
    - mawm
      
      It is all about powerful men using vulnerable impressional young woman for their sexual gratification. I hope that all the others eventually get named and prosecuted – just as Andrew should be.
      
      13 2
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      February 16, 2022 11:30am
  - Nickc2
    
    He wasn’t going to be charged with sexual abuse. He was going to be charged with having sex with a minor.
    NB: The age of consent differs in the UK and in many States of the US.
    All things aside, isn’t it strange how money (the more the better) erases all hurty feelings and restores imagined reputations.
    
    13 1
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    February 16, 2022 12:20pm
- Matt Long
  
  I wish I could make that kind of money with Photoshop
  
  24 15
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  February 16, 2022 8:29am
  - Paulus
    
    Have read that she has not been able to produce the original photograph, and expects the FBI to produce it !
    Thank goodness for her children in that she will not be cross examined in Court.
    
    9 3
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    February 16, 2022 9:21am
    - MCōs
      
      You really think the photographer would have given her the original?
      As for victims of sexual abuse being cross examined in court. From what I’ve read/heard it’s almost as traumatic as the original abuse.
      That’s one of the reasons so few of these cases are prosecuted.
      
      10 2
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      February 16, 2022 11:35am
- curry4me
  
  So, he won’t have to sweat it after all.
  
  19 1
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  February 16, 2022 8:51am
- ByGolly
  
  An attractive grifter rolled a rich guy.
  Nothing new.
  
  16 6
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  February 16, 2022 9:21am
- RoboRob
  
  Reports are that he paid around 7.5m pounds.
  
  10 0
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  February 16, 2022 9:30am
  - MCōs
    
    *He* paid.
    Where does an out of work beneficiary get that sort of money?
    
    13 3
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    February 16, 2022 11:36am
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      From Mummy
      
      6 0
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      February 16, 2022 2:36pm
  - Stellaboxer
    
    You know where he can find sympathy? It’s in the dictionary between shit and syphilis.
    
    8 0
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    February 16, 2022 12:01pm
- Ehlana
  
  If only he’d been smart enough to realise that a man in his position should not be having sex with someone in her teens who was only a few years older than his own daughters.
  
  22 3
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  February 16, 2022 9:42am
  - Alan Wilkinson
    
    Onviously preferred other positions.
    
    11 0
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    February 16, 2022 10:19am
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    Hugh Hefner had many encounters …..
    
    7 0
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    February 16, 2022 2:38pm
Tony Stuart

Downfall videos can be very good or just meh. But this one with Trevor Mallard occupying Hitler’s place at the desk is very, very good:

https://www.bitchute.com/video/yDFwo0A9TzME/
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February 16, 2022 8:10am
- Warren
  
  How scribes like Audrey Young can do a story on Trevor Mallard our Speaker of Parliament is beyond belief.
  Trevor Mallard is a germ and will stop at nothing to further his career, he is rude, arrogant, confronting, untruthful and a bully , more so since he has had the job of Speaker.
  He is controversial, creates trouble amongst MP’s trying to do their job in Parliament has smeared Parliamentry staff with his blatant disregard for peoples rights costing taxpayers thousands in legal dealings.
  When he finally gets the bums rush from Parliament with many other MP’s he should look back on his career and it will tell him that any other Prime Minister unlike Jacinda Ardern would not have put up with his disregard and respect to the rules of Parliament and would not have put up with the circus he has created.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:27am
  - oldfella
    
    Warren, the Ferald quotes Mallard.
    ‘they deeply believe stuff which I regard as crap’.
    Maybe it’s also true that Mallard deeply believes stuff that the protestors regard as crap. Yes?
    I’m sure the Ferald will cover that angle sometime later this year. /s
    
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    February 16, 2022 12:15pm
  - Harry Knuts
    
    at this rate Mallard can’t get his cushy retirement gig overseas in a diplomatic role as he severely lacks diplomacy on all levels.
    
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    February 16, 2022 12:19pm
  - Loddenthinks
    
    To that list of reasonable and accurate descriptors, you could have added “grifter” – let’s not forget how he was given some free tickets to a concert or rugby match or similar, and was busted selling them on TradeMe. Protocol dictates he should give them back if he couldn’t go, but not old mate Trev. Loadsamoney!!
    
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    February 17, 2022 12:00am
- curry4me
  
  Cool. I wonder when there’ll be one of Stalinda.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:51am
  - Tom Hunter
    
    Already done months ago.
    
    9 0
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    February 16, 2022 11:24am
- curry4me
  
  Cool! I was wondering when one would come out. the protestors have probably watched them all by now too.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:02am
  - Warren
    
    There was one by Claire Trevett about Jacinda and how she supposed canceled her wedding 30 minutes before her pre nuptials because of Omicron I believe in the Herald under paywall a few days ago.
    
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    February 16, 2022 1:24pm
- lastmanstanding
  
  Thats brilliant Tony. KBers must keep the pressure on Mallard. At some stage he is going to be thrown under the bus. Cindy is in the shit big time and she nows it. She needs a sacrifice and Mallard is the perfect choice. It was he who caused the problem the Government and Police now face. It was he who stirred up the protestors with a child like response.
  The protest might have started out as anti mandate but it has now come to represent all the ill will towards this Government.
  
  I note the Curia poll which has 72% saying division has increased over the past 12 months. This has been driven by 3 Waters He Puapua and a constant bleating from the Maori supporters that Maori need this need that need more and more from WhiteMotherF…..
  
  Well the WhiteMother….. are pushing back big time.
  
  And as for Luxon and Seymour both are a sad sick shower. Neither has displayed any leadership. Neither has set out a vision for the future of this country. Luxon is just another corporate suit who flits from one over paid job to another mouthing corporate speak whilst looking for his next big opportunity.
  
  Seymour has played those who believe in freedom of the individual. He is just another professional politician in it for what he can get out of it.
  
  I see no real leaders in this country just a bunch of cardboard cutout wantabees.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:08am
  - greybeard
    
    I think that Luxon and Seymour are simply standing back and letting the government self-destruct.
    
    58 5
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    February 16, 2022 9:13am
    - Paulus
      
      I would in their position.
      Ardern keeps digging so why stop her.
      
      30 1
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      February 16, 2022 9:24am
      - Tony Stuart
        
        Old political adage – never interrupt your enemy when (s)he is making a mistake.
        
        20 1
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        February 16, 2022 11:12am
    - rouppe
      
      Maybe.
      
      But that’s not what I want to see. I want to see the end of mandates. I want to be able to walk around and not wear a mask if I don’t want to.
      
      I want to hear from Luxon and Seymour how to get from here to that point. I’d like to see them act like leaders.
      
      Engaging with mandate protesters is not the same as engaging with 1080 and 5G protesters, and treating them all the same is the cowards way
      
      34 0
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      February 16, 2022 9:42am
      - rockape
        
        Only the Government can end mandates.
        
        14 0
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        February 16, 2022 11:08am
      - Rodion Raskolnikov
        
        Yep. Maybe Luxon and Seymour are “sitting back and letting the government self-destruct.” But they also have no balls whatsoever. Mandates have been both morally repugnant and unjustifiable on any grounds from the outset. They have meekly got on board because they are not leaders, but weak and shameless followers who would never do what is right even if initially the right thing is seen as unpopular (the definition of leadership). They are both slippery weasels who will change their public stance when the winds of public sentiment inevitably make it safe for them to do so. If they think this tactic will save them, then they are sadly mistaken. Do they think people aren’t watching them, listening to them (include their silences) and taking notes about their behaviour? They have made their bed and they will have to lie in it. Damaged goods as far as I can see.
        
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        February 16, 2022 12:40pm
      - rouppe
        
        @rockape
        
        Well obviously ffs.
        
        The point is that with Luxon and Seymour saying nothing, they present as agreeing with them.
        
        I want them to put pressure on the government to end them. By saying how they would do things differently
        
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        February 16, 2022 7:41pm
    - 70andstilllearning
      
      I’d been thinking that grav – shut up so you don’t give the MSM diversion ammo which leaves them with having to start raising govt performance issues – but I think they have taken it to far – Luxon supporting no talkie PM stance? – better to shut up.
      
      20 1
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      February 16, 2022 10:00am
      - pussycat
        
        TV One is trying to get an interview with the residence of surrounding apartments . We all know how that will be spun.
        
        13 1
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        February 16, 2022 11:07am
    - lastmanstanding
      
      At some point a person who wants to be a Leader and be seen to be a Leader has to step forward and stake their claim to be a Leader.
      I say the present situation is when a real Leader would step forward state their case and what they would do to resolve the issue.
      
      Remember 72% of citizens have said NZ has become more divided over the past year. If thats not a situation that requires real leadership then pray tell me what it.
      
      The citizens are crying out for leadership after 4 long years of having to endure a person who was unprepared ill equiped and totally out of their intellectual capacity.
      
      We are a leaderless society drifting in a world that is facing possible military conflict in Europe China flexing its muscules over Taiwan and taking economic action against anyone who speaks up and speaks out (Australia) and an inflation and interest rate environment not seen for 30 years.
      
      Is there anyone out there?????????
      
      27 1
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      February 16, 2022 10:43am
      - mawm
        
        A leader needs to engage with the protestors; there are people out there suffering because of the mandates. Waiting for Jacinda and Labour to self destruct is not an option.
        
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        February 16, 2022 11:41am
      - Gertie
        
        Lastmanstanding, I think you hit the nail on the head.
        
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        February 16, 2022 1:17pm
      - Okahu
        
        Calm down. We know who has the chops. Intellectual giant, revered, eloquent, multi disciplinary in his command. Has a towering physical presence excluding sexual charisma and authoritas in equal measure. A thousand yard stare (for moments of contemplation) that has to be seen to be believed. Woman want him. Men want to be him.
        
        He knows philosophy.
        He knows statistics.
        He knows politics.
        He knows medicine.
        He knows literature.
        He even knows the dark arts of coding.
        
        But none of that matters because what he really knows is Freedom!
        
        He knows that freedom means not being bowed into submission by the childish pronouncements of the admittedly gloriously gnashed leader of a democratically elected government.
        
        That freedom means crushing the hopes of the bewildered fools who by ballot sanctioned such a crowd of cretins. And he will and must because they are not poet philosophers. They cannot see what he can.
        
        Nietzsche foretold his coming. A Superman walks amongst us. His writing is mesmeric and galvanising. His voice a fog horn of clarity and defiance. His stance redolent of Nelson (pre lead) on the quarterdeck, splayed, taut and dignified, not just inspires but motivates mere mortals to near superhuman deeds.
        
        He is a once in a generation, once in a lifetime, once in a nation leader sort of a leader.
        
        And best of all he lives handy so can bike to work! On nice days. Yay!
        
        Viva krazy!
        Forza krazy!
        Let’s go krazy!
        
        (In case it fends off copyright claims…
        
        Eternal and limitless gratitude in advance to the administrators of the estate of that hairy little sex machine Prince who has given the campaign for krazy an anthem of potent priapistic power. Please don’t sue).
        
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        February 16, 2022 1:40pm
      - krazykiwi
        
        You, sir, missed your calling. Mills & Boon could launch a whole new genre on the strength of your soaring oratory, catalyzed with that delicate, witty repartee.
        
        6 1
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        February 16, 2022 2:42pm
      - Maggy Wassilieff
        
        Glad to see you are subjecting us to some well-written prose, yet again Okahu…
        but honestly, you’ve got a wee way to go before you transcend the standard Maggie’s Partner set this morning.
        https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2022/02/general_debate_16_february_2022.html/comment-page-1#comment-3124978
        
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        February 16, 2022 2:57pm
      - Okahu
        
        Your welcome Maggy. I’m my defence, he/she (Maggie’s partner) is good, real good. Much, much better than me. But fortunately this isn’t a competition. And my task isn’t dimmed by such unflattering comparison. Because taking that infinitesimal speck of humanity that is krazy and promoting it to universal acclaim is noble work. It may even be god’s work. We wait on arch pope Tamaki to advise. Cross your fingers.
        
        Anyway where were we? That’s right, infinitesimal specks. Did you know Maggy, (that’s rhetorical, of course you did) this universe is believed to have started from such a speck. You me the stars! That’s what the speck that is krazy promises. Something unbelievably, mind bogglingly big.
        
        If only he would listen to the calls of his people. Krazy people. Demanding krazy things. But only knowing a prince’s pinch what the one true krazy does.
        
        If only he would put down his shandy, ease out of the Lazy Boy ask the boss for a leave pass and lead.
        
        Those poor huddled masses, grovelling in mud and straw like so many rancorous beasts of burden may not know it but their moment of salvation, the arrival of their saviour is nigh.
        
        Chant with me people
        
        Let’s go krazy, let’s go!
        Let’s go krazy, let’s go!
        Let’s go krazy, let’s go!
        Let’s go krazy, let’s go!
        
        This message has been authorised by the self appointed campaign manager for the imminent krazy revolution.
        
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        February 16, 2022 6:54pm
    - Local Miller
      
      Except in some situations they are supporting her.
      
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      February 16, 2022 11:24am
    - krazykiwi
      
      Luxon and Seymour letting the government self-destruct is not mutually exclusive form being visible and listening to members of the public they purport to serve.
      
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      February 16, 2022 11:29am
      - greybeard
        
        I can guarantee that if either Luxon or Seymour or indeed any member of their parties spoke publicly to any protester then they would be portrayed badly by the MSM.
        Their words would be manipulated, their photos and videos edited, the very worst spin would be applied.
        They are better off out of it. Let Labour take all the flak.
        
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        February 16, 2022 2:23pm
      - Okahu
        
        There you go krazy! Brilliant. Brilliant brilliance as usual.
        
        I’m priming the pump in advance of your imminent announcement. See above.
        
        Power will soon be ours.
        Loving the brinkmanship.
        Quite right that the leader is absent for preliminary skirmishes.
        The last Battle and Aslan and all that.
        
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        February 16, 2022 2:39pm
  - Random T Person
    
    Agree. Let’s not forget that Seymour is a career politician like those Labour slugs we so disdain.
    
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    February 16, 2022 9:32am
  - surfing
    
    Recent Tremain cartoon on maori….
    
    https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52aca146e4b06d986ca82df3/1644722679151-FJMO3NI2Y8EUTFY74SNS/First in best served.jpg
    
    I wonder if this will be hate speech under Jacinda’s proposed law, we should ask her…(what happened to that anyway, it was the bees knees not so long back).
    
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    February 16, 2022 3:52pm
- Justitia
  
  Genius! Tony, thanks for that.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:38am
- Matt Long
  
  https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/461609/towies-sympathetic-to-parliament-protesters-tow-truck-operator-says
  Apparently tow truck operators don’t like Jacinda or Trev either.
  
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  February 16, 2022 10:21am
- 103PapPap
  
  Brilliant!
  
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  February 16, 2022 10:31am
- Jim
  
  A befitting tribute to a despicable man who openly abuses his position of office (and yet Ardern always looks the other way).
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:44pm
Maggie's partner

Something was rotten in the state of Cindyland.

Princess Cindy, divine ruler of the Fractured Isles, was both glum and despondent. Nothing was going her way.

First her wedding to Clarke of Bentbridge, a humble fisherman, had been cancelled due to an outbreak of the pox. Clarke had then promptly abandoned her and taken up with some itinerant Paua shell scrubber from one of the outer islands.

And only that morning, as she passed the mirror that hung on the hall wall, she had paused to enquire of it who was the fairest of them all?
“Not you, Shergar”, the mirror had replied.

As she turned away in anger, Princess Cindy caught sight in the mirror of the black clad Macarena dancer behind her, smirking at the quip.

Even those who she had plucked from the depths of obscurity and long term unemployment were turning against her, she fumed.

And now an angry mob had gathered outside the palace, protesting.

“No more mandates, no more mandates”, they yelled in horrible unison.

The impertinent swine, though the Princess, what business was it of theirs if she went out for drinks or dinner with a potential new boyfriend? She would go on as many man dates as she wanted!

She summoned her chamberlain, The Duc de Mallarde, to seek his counsel: M’Lord Mallarde, what should I do”, she enquired.

“Never fear, your supreme kindness, I have it in hand”, he replied in his oily voice, and grasping his manhood, he proceeded to sprinkle urine on the crowd below from the lofty heights of the Palace balcony.

Cindy sank back miserably into her pink velvet laziboy recliner, cuddling her pet ferkin, Chipkins, for comfort.

Outside the mob began a new chant; “You can stick your ferkin Chipkins up yer arse, you can stick your ferkin Chipkins up yer arse….”
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February 16, 2022 8:12am
- Biscuit
  
  Great tale, Maggie’s partner.
  
  Gotta pull you up on one thing, though…
  
  You use ‘Not you, Shergar’ as a putdown of her-with-the-teeth-that-don’t-fit-in-her-skull.
  
  Shergar was a magnificent beast – I watched him win the 1981 English Derby and the 1981 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes and fell in love with him.
  
  The beast you refer to I wouldn’t touch with a bargepole!
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:27am
  - pdm
    
    Biscuit – maybe spell check changed shagger to shergar.
    
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    February 16, 2022 8:30am
    - Tauhei Notts
      
      But Shergar was kidnapped and shot. A terrible end to a quite possibly great stallion.
      
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      February 16, 2022 9:49am
  - ClanMcleod
    
    Didn’t Shergar sadly become cat food after the IRA kidnapped him and the ransom wasn’t paid? Worth about 10 million at the time.
    
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    February 16, 2022 10:12am
- RockyJ
  
  Meanwhile Princeling Andy Coster sat astride his dashing destrier, his blue armour glistening in the sepia Wellington sunshine. “Shall I order my paladins to charge?” he wondered, “the men’s blood is up and they have long awaited the chance for real action”.
  Andy shifted uncomfortably in the saddle, his piles playing up again. “Damn those railway station pies” he muttered, “Cindy always tells me to keep away from them”.
  To be continued…..
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:38am
  - peterwn
    
    The Government has effectively left it to the Police to sort out. And the Police do not have the resources to deal with it cleanly. The Police has asked the military for assistance but has had no response which is not surprising since this is a political matter and Jacinda and co would be most reluctant to involve the Military. So it looks as if the protest will just have to continue until it blows itself out or unless the dreaded lurgi hits the protesters on mass.
    Chris Luxon would realise this too and has no doubt reasoned it is just better to sit back and let things play out. There is no point in meeting with protesters (assuming he knew who to meet with) since he has no Government binding mandate to make deals with them.
    
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    February 16, 2022 10:34am
    - alex Masterley
      
      My view is that any MP with balls should (or should have already) gone for a stroll to listen to those protesting.
      An individual may not agree with what is being said but it does absolutely no harm at all to listen to other views. Being prepared to listen is an important tool in situations like this.
      It could go some way to resolving what is becoming a test of will.
      
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      February 16, 2022 11:37am
      - peterwn
        
        Not with threats of physical harm in the air. Political leaders can discern pretty well what the issues are without having to go face to face with unpredictable protesters. Both major political parties would be hearing what it is all about from ‘on ground’ supporters.
        
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        February 16, 2022 1:16pm
      - NeverMindTheBollocks
        
        Agreed. I’m not an MP (I have my pride!) but it all seemed friendly enough when I wandered around. The vast majority of MPs are as obscure as I am, so I would expect them to be perfectly safe. In fact, I would expect every MP to be safe on the nation’s front lawn, although Trevor could well face a water pistol barrage.
        
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        February 16, 2022 7:10pm
    - Jim
      
      I have no doubt that Ardern is (desperately trying) to protect her faltering international reputation about the protest, and certainly not wanting any comparisons with Ottawa and Trudope.
      Shame it’s the very same issue, very same majority fringe, very same political overreach, very same power of the good working people getting together to demonstrate their dissatisfaction.
      
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      February 16, 2022 8:48pm
- Harry Knuts
  
  love it! GOLD! at first glance i read merkin…not ferkin… 🙂
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:55am
- curry4me
  
  Excellent, very well written.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:04am
- Frank the tank
  
  8/10 – missing caricatures of Bloomfield and Robertson
  
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  February 16, 2022 10:44am
- Jim
  
  More please?
  
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  February 17, 2022 7:01am
Lee C

Some ‘Far-Right’ ‘Imported’ ‘Unfocussed’ ‘badly led’ protesters last night.

https://www.facebook.com/100044412334221/videos/528601988421386
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February 16, 2022 8:12am
- curry4me
  
  Yes indeed. The fringe is now a combover.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:07am
- Batman
  
  Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
  Are these different from the ones I just saw abusing three police officers in the city?
  
  The whitewashing doesn’t match the reality.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:32am
  - Surely Knott
    
    Interesting Batman. I saw the police passing out lollies. And a policeman had been interviewed yesterday on the beat at the protest and said he hadn’t seen any problems with the crowd or heard anything he was unhappy with.
    
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    February 16, 2022 9:39am
  - Matt Long
    
    I guess those abusive protesters just prove what you knew all along about all of them huh Batty?
    
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    February 16, 2022 9:39am
  - Lee C
    
    Oh my gosh, Batman.
    
    You just totally destroyed me.
    
    ‘sniffle’.
    
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    February 16, 2022 10:16am
  - ClanMcleod
    
    Batman – the voice of truth and reason. You should start your own blog. It will be a huge success. //
    
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    February 16, 2022 10:16am
    - leoj
      
      moderator AND a commenter
      
      [ Mod : Applies to all the mods. If you don’t like it complain to DPF. Posts that have anything to say about moderation usually get binned. FWIW the daily number of posts that are binned is usually 10-20 out of umpty hundred. ]
      
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      December 16, 2021 4:28pm
    - Yabster
      
      I thing he would really enjoy blogging to himself…
      
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      February 16, 2022 11:42am
  - Nukuleka
    
    You know, Batman, and it pains me to say this about a fellow Kblogger, but I think you are being a mite economical with the truth.
    
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    February 16, 2022 10:49am
  - Local Miller
    
    Hey Batman, can you provide a link to the video of this abuse please.
    I know I saw the video of some police abuse last week. This was available on public platforms.
    
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    February 16, 2022 11:34am
  - RoboRob
    
    Were you on your way to work at the beehive?
    
    I’ve watched some of the live stream and in general things seem pretty peaceful. Unfortunately for this government their treatment of other protests makes it seem very inappropriate for them to take strong action unless the protestors become violent. Which people like you and JA seem to be portraying.
    
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    February 16, 2022 11:45am
- Frank the tank
  
  Isn’t it funny how feral Wokeington has become after being mildly affected for 1.5 weeks. I mean Auckland was Sobibor with picnics for months on end and that was perfectly fine for the elites in the capital.
  
  But being called names when going to your pub lunch in a face nappy – crime of the century.
  
  A lot of princesses down in the capital need a can of harden the f**k up
  
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  February 16, 2022 10:49am
cmm

Well…. duh! Anyone that did not already understand the importance of Vit D in the immune system should be stripped of their medical papers.

Still, some useful take away points:

“Half the vitamin-deficient people developed severe, life-threatening illness compared to fewer than 10 percent of those who had normal levels.”

That’s more compelling than most of the stats used to promote vaccines.

“Given how the pandemic has kept many people primarily indoors for over two years, it is easy to see how a considerable number of individuals might have fallen below the threshold for adequate vitamin levels—which conventionally is at least 20 nanograms per milliliter of blood. New data, however, indicate that even this is too low: A minimum level of 50 mg/mL is now advised. Levels below this are believed to cause weak innate immune responses in patients hospitalized with COVID.”

There is no single “good level” for Vit D.
The 20 nanograms per milliliter level is required to prevent rickets. It is insufficient for full operation of the immune system. That requires 50.

Most guidelines on Vit D recommendations are based on the 20 level (for rickets).

Note: you need to get the Vit D in your system BEFORE you get sick. Consuming Vit D after you’re sick is as good as a parachute that opens on impact.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/nz/blog/the-fallible-mind/202202/striking-link-between-vitamin-d-levels-and-omicron

Note: I am not a doctor. This is not medical advice.
I am, however, trained in statistics and am able to tease apart statistically based information.

You’re an adult. Get informed. Choose for yourself.
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February 16, 2022 8:13am
- Weetbix3ways
  
  Yep, and people having been saying this for years, and even louder since even the early days of cvoid – only to be censored by the self-righteous purveyors of ‘truth’.
  
  Indeed, most of the ‘recommended daily dose’ of these sorts of things (not just VitD) are the minimum to stave of serious illness, NOT the amount for a fully healthy functioning body, including the immune system.
  Sadly in NZ many of the supplements that would be so beneficial are illegal in usefully high doses.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:37am
- UrbanNeocolonialist
  
  Medical establishment and most governments worldwide have been criminally negligent in not promoting this simplest of risk mitigations. Their failure has likely cost 100’s of thousands of unnecessary deaths in last two years (the science and testing backing vitamin D’s powerful effect on fighting respiratory viruses has been known for many many years). Zinc is similar, though less well known before covid.
  See what works best for yourself:
  https://c19early.com/
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:55am
- Benedict Yu
  
  Yes exactly. Take 4000 units of Vitamin D daily.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:58am
  - JohnRidd
    
    I take 2000iu/d vitamin D but I also get a bit of sun.
    
    I have just had covid last week. 2 days with a slightly sore throat. No runny nose. Do not delay treatment. If you haven’t read cmm’s comment above, read it now and then read it again slowly.
    
    I started treatment without waiting for a positive test.
    
    Covid 19 is a treatable disease. Find a doctor who understands the disease.
    Mouth wash to reduce viral load, Zinc with quercetin, Vitamins D and C, ivermectin, (pharmaceutical grade, not horse paste),
    Ibuprofen and antihistamines to reduce inflammation.
    
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    February 16, 2022 9:27am
    - bronny1
      
      You managed to get ivermectin in NZ?
      
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      February 16, 2022 12:48pm
      - JohnRidd
        
        Bought it from overseas.
        About $20 for 100 tablets.
        Dose is .2 mg per kg of bodyweight.
        For me that is 3 pills per day for 5 days.
        
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        February 16, 2022 2:49pm
      - Observer of Life
        
        JohnR: Sorry, accidental down tick.
        
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        February 17, 2022 8:30am
    - ClanMcleod
      
      JohnRidd where do you get Ivermectin.
      
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      February 16, 2022 1:00pm
      - Ehlana
        
        Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic medicine used to treat things like river-blindness and scabies. In New Zealand, it is available in 3 mg tablets (Stromectol™).
        Since Covid-19 doesn’t appear to involve parasites, maybe the first people who felt better after taking Ivermectin simply had undiagnosed worms.
        
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        February 16, 2022 2:00pm
      - JohnRidd
        
        Indiamart.
        
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        February 16, 2022 2:50pm
      - JohnRidd
        
        I also got some from China. Explaining how I got that is too difficult though. I was a bit uncertain that it was actually ivermectin but I am now confident that it is.
        Indiamart has many different companies selling it. Shipping costs can be high.
        You have to shop around.
        
        For those who don’t know. There is overwhelming evidence that ivermectin is both safe and effective for both prophylaxis and treatment. when taken at the correct dose.
        Check out FLCCC Home for more information about ivermectin.
        
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        February 16, 2022 3:33pm
  - Batman
    
    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
    Make it 40,000 and stop being a wussy ?
    
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    February 16, 2022 9:33am
    - cmm
      
      Why are you being a fuckwit?
      
      4000 is a very useful information point.
      Dissing the value of Vit D is GROSS DISINFORMATION.
      Hang your head in shame!
      
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      February 16, 2022 9:46am
      - Don Beckett
        
        It’s Ok cmm – he just can’t help himself. I’m beginning to suspect that he’s a member of Jacinda’s disinformation support team.
        
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        February 16, 2022 10:24am
      - ClanMcleod
        
        cmm – Batman is only following Brenda’s lead in talking effluent. Seriously though. Nobody minds reasoned and even heated debate, but the contribution is inane.
        
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        February 16, 2022 10:30am
      - mikenmildagain
        
        Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
        ~~I’m beginning to suspect that~~ Don Beckett is an extremely nasty person. I seem to recall that he is a professed Christian of some sort, although he appears to espouse very little of the teachings of the prince of peace.
        
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        February 16, 2022 10:35am
      - Don Beckett
        
        Poor milky – upset because I used critical language at one of his stable mates. – Boo hoo.
        
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        February 16, 2022 11:49am
    - Matt Long
      
      Because 40 thousand units would be toxic, intelligent people don’t follow the Moron Principle and overdose products assuming that the more they use the better it will be.
      Sorry the peasants are soiling your precious Wellington Batty, maybe the princess will end the mandates and you’ll no longer be offended by the stench of common people.
      
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      February 16, 2022 10:27am
      - mikenmildagain
        
        Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
        I’m amazed that the usual Laura Norder crowd on Kiwiblog think it’s okay for ferals to block public roads indefinitely and force neighboring businesses to close.
        
        4 41
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        February 16, 2022 10:31am
      - Local Miller
        
        I’m amazed that the usual Liebour Troll crowd on Kiwiblog think it’s okay for this feral Government to close private businesses indefinitely and force businesses to close.
        There mikenmild, I fixed it for you.
        
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        February 16, 2022 11:41am
      - RoboRob
        
        @Mike
        I’m amazed that the small ‘absolutely everything the left does is great’ crowd on kiwiblog would be so two faced as to support protests blocking public roads (illhumatu) when the cause works with their principals but not for an opposing cause.
        
        This is the big difference between the true left and true right wing. On the right principals (generally) always apply, see free speech. On the left principals apply when the means justifies the ends.
        
        I oppose protests, including this one (even though I support the cause), acting illegally and blocking private interests. However as labour has allowed, and rewarded, illhumatu and other protests I believe it would be grossly unfair for them to ‘stick it’ to these protestors. Lets have some consistency 🙂
        
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        February 16, 2022 11:56am
      - Taieri
        
        okay for ferals to block public roads indefinitely and force neighboring businesses to close
        ——————–
        
        Undoubtedly, it was OK to repeatedly and for prolonged periods close down not just the public roads but the whole country and all of its businesses and every other activity?
        
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        February 16, 2022 2:01pm
      - Steve Otto(North Shore)
        
        Mike dug a hole, he can’t get out of it.
        Lassie, get the rope, Mike has fallen down the fucking well again
        
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        February 16, 2022 3:43pm
    - UrbanNeocolonialist
      
      safe upper daily limit for adults is 10,000, doctors can inject calciferol at several times that amount to rapidly raise levels. Overdose sets in at about 80000 a day. I have to second CMMS comment. What is wrong with you?
      
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      February 16, 2022 11:33am
  - rangitoto
    
    If you take a lot of vitamin D supplements, I read it is also important to also have vit K2 supplement. One of the effects of vit D is to increase Calcium uptake but without K2, the Calcium can accumulate in soft tissue where you don’t want it. Consult your doctor.
    
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    February 16, 2022 12:04pm
    - ClanMcleod
      
      “consult your doctor” – good advice, but as many of us have asked for months, why are our government and health officials not putting this advice out for citizens? Have they spent all of the money on jab ads?
      It’s a question never addressed let alone answered. That fact alone tells you everything you need to know. This is not and has never been anything to do with health.
      
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      February 16, 2022 1:05pm
- UrbanNeocolonialist
  
  fatties and office workers who spend all day everyday indoors and covered are particularly vulnerable to this. Doubly so if you have high natural melanin levels.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:20am
- cmm
  
  Vit D is extremely important stuff and the lack of Vit D is linked to a long list of issues including:
  * immune system
  * colon cancer
  * mental health
  
  There is a massive correlation between things linked to insufficient Vit D and Maori health issues.
  
  Now I am not a doctor, and this is not medical advice, but based on the numbers it would appear that many, if not most, negative health outcomes for Maori could be attributed to low Vit D.
  
  If there is one way the Colonial Health System is failing Maori, it is by not making them aware of this issue.
  
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  February 16, 2022 10:35am
  - oldfella
    
    cmm: this is useful – sensible – info…
    
    Some people are at greater risk of vitamin D deficiency including:
    People with naturally very dark skin. This is because the pigment (melanin) in dark skin doesn’t allow the skin to absorb as much UV radiation.
    People who avoid the sun due to previous skin cancers, immune suppression or sensitive skin and those who have limited sun exposure, such as nightshift workers.
    People who usually wear covering clothing.
    People who spend a long time indoors, such as those who are housebound or in hospital.
    People who are obese or have disabilities, diseases or medications that affect vitamin D metabolism, including, end stage liver disease, renal disease and fat malabsorption syndromes such as cystic fibrosis, coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease.
    Breast-fed babies of vitamin D deficient mothers (formula milk is fortified with vitamin D).
    People who may be at risk of vitamin D deficiency should talk to their doctor for advice, which may include supplementation. Deliberate over-exposure to UV radiation is never recommended, even for people who have a vitamin D deficiency.
    
    https://www.sunsmart.com.au/uv-radiation/uv-and-vitamin-d#:~:text=Some people are at greater,absorb as much UV radiation.
    
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    February 16, 2022 11:00am
    - mawm
      
      Sunscreens block the UVB that is required for Vit D formation. There are children in Australia who have Ricketts because they are always under shelter, covered in UV protective clothing, have broad-billed hats and layers of sunscreen. Sunburn also interferes with Vit D production.
      
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      February 16, 2022 1:47pm
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      As a boatie I am lucky to not need sunblock, a whitie that rarely burns. VitaminD from the sun on the water is fine. Too rough? lay on the deck outside.
      As a welder I have to cover up – serious UV.
      After 49 years I did only 20 welds wearing a singlet, and suffered. 20 ffs
      
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      February 16, 2022 3:51pm
- Jim
  
  Wouldn’t you think the Ministry of Health should be promoting that on TV and Radio every day for the past two years?
  What do we get instead? Just patronising infantile pubic information about vaccines. Ohh and the latest refers to “immunising the tamariki” which is pure misinformation, as the vaccine offers nil immunity.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:56pm
kowtow

Hypocrites .

Today we get Audrey Young in the Ferald with a big spread , sold to us as getting i/s Mallard’s head amd under the headline “Trevor Mallard vs The ‘ferals” ‘

She mentions his history of frontline protest status his many arrests and a number of convictions but , and this is key , there is no mention of his arrest in 1977 at parliament for the SIS protest or acquital , which forms at least some of the case law giving protesters a right to be there .

Surely that matters ,why isn’t that covered .

Another is relating to the language Simon Wilson used in yesterdays Whoreald article where he said of the protesters “Some have found their lives ruined because of their choice not to get vaccinated …….” See what he does there , govt mandates suddenly mean it’s a personal choice , unbelievable .

The Top Cop is using “blocking roads and tents” as justification for moving these people on so “normal people can go about their lives safely”

The rank hypocrisy of this man who very publicly justified and enabled illegal roadblocks in the north and who’s calling him out , no one.

The Speaker needs to get this amended , it’s from the parliament website ;

“In New Zealand there are many ways, including protest, to get the attention of decision-makers. By making a submission on a bill, starting a petition or contacting an MP, you can have your voice heard and call for change on issues that are important to you.”

https://www.parliament.nz/en/get-involved/features/anyone-can-be-involved-with-parliament-heres-how/
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February 16, 2022 8:15am
- Vory v zakone
  
  “Some have found their lives ruined because of their choice not to get vaccinated …….”
  S Wilson
  
  ‘Very soon there will be hundreds of health officials saying “It was your choice, no one made you take it” ‘.
  
  ~Dr. Robert Malone
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:34am
  - Crazy Ivan
    
    >>“Some have found their lives ruined because of their choice not to get vaccinated …….”
    Simon Wilson
    >>See what he does there, govt mandates suddenly mean it’s a personal choice, unbelievable.
    
    Yes watch the narrative start to change here.
    Of course no one forced you to get the jab, you made an informed decision, you knew that there could be long term risks…NO REFUNDS!
    
    https://twitter.com/ChickenGate/status/1492673621344632835?t=UT9lLL5LgsFjnI3CSbpV2w&s=07
    
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    February 16, 2022 10:00am
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      Nobody forced? BOOM!
      https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/09/coronavirus-jacinda-ardern-confident-enough-kiwis-will-get-covid-19-vaccine-for-herd-immunity-without-being-forced-to.html
      
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      February 16, 2022 3:55pm
      - rouppe
        
        If 96-97% isn’t enough, what the fuck is
        
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        February 16, 2022 7:46pm
  - Jim
    
    Simon is a woke fool. Under the mandates there is NO personal choice (bodily autonomy) if you want to partake in NZ society, hold most jobs and keep your family together.
    
    His privileged logic is like saying that impoverished families choose not to drive a Tesla.
    
    He’s living proof that a Tesla does indeed have a dipstick.
    
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    February 16, 2022 9:02pm
- pdm
  
  Audrey – do you not understand.
  
  The Despicable Mallard is the Feral.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:37am
- RockyJ
  
  This government has no problem tolerating long term protest occupations on other people’s front lawns. I can think of Ihumatao, Putiki Bay Waiheke Island and Shelly Bay
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:57am
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    Seems the Left wing have forgotten the “Occupy Movement”
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupy_movement
    
    Quite a lot of copy-cats in NZ got swept-up in this “imported” movement and if I recall left Aotea Square in a filthy mess
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupy_protests_in_New_Zealand#Overview
    
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    February 16, 2022 1:27pm
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      No no no, they were infiltrated by those ‘rent a mob’ dickheads.
      Right?
      
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      February 16, 2022 3:58pm
- Harry Knuts
  
  problem with the ferald these days. way too overly opinionated. Just puts more and more readers off.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:57am
G152

So Prince Andrew funded a life style and like magic all those sex abuse claims just wafted off into the blue for another 20 years
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February 16, 2022 8:15am
- Harry Knuts
  
  nah the claims has stuck like sh*t to a blanket – he will go down in history for this dodgy behaviour. It’s all on the internet and that lasts forever. He’s just avoided a dirty drawn out court process by settling. to settle is to admit.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:59am
- Alan Wilkinson
  
  Made some lawyers a lot richer and happier via destroying his and her reputations.
  
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  February 16, 2022 10:25am
- Jim
  
  The Royal Family is like a really tragic soap opera these days.
  In the latest episode dimwit (but too honourable) Andrew finally sullies the Windsor name and the monarchy just in time to ruin the Queen’s jubilee. Next week woke Harry will do his best to discredit Queen (to be) Camilla, whilst hypocritical Charles is duped to front the next WEF socialism promo.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:12pm
I remember when

Anti-mandate protesters to stay in Picton ‘as long as we can.’
“If it carries on (in Wellington) then we’ll be here….
if they’re not in Wellington, then there’s no point in being here.”
“People don’t have jobs to go back to…we’re just taking it day by day.”
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February 16, 2022 8:16am
kowtow

If politicians can publicly meet with , ‘engage ‘
organised crime figures whose life blood is drug trafficking as well as intimidation , rape , prostitution etc and indeed splash taxpayer funds on them i just can’t see the big objections to a quiet word with protesters on the lawn.
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February 16, 2022 8:19am
Maggy Wassilieff

Having trouble getting hold of good data about NZ…..

You are not the only one.

https://www.newsroom.co.nz/statistics-nzs-data-pipes-have-broken-and-its-as-dire-as-any-burst-sewer

But don’t worry…. someone is collating data on our spiritual health.
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February 16, 2022 8:20am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Someone cut our phone line//
  
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  February 16, 2022 4:00pm
I remember when

Does vaccination provide better protection than ‘natural immunity.’
Does ‘natural immunity’ provide better protection than vaccination.
(a) Vaccination.
(b) “Natural Immunity”
(c) 50/50%.
(d) It depends on what scientific research you are reading at the time.
(e) It depends on who is telling you.
(f) Does anyone really know.
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February 16, 2022 8:24am
- UrbanNeocolonialist
  
  most studies strongly indicate b. But b is not without risk. For delta etc the vaccine was (depending on unknown long term risks) the lowest risk option for adults. With Omicron it is less clear but age where vaccine is the lowest risk option is certainly a lot older than for Delta, and with exponentially increasing dangers of heart issues (reported recently in a large study that Dr John Campbell went through on his channel a few days back ) with each dose, getting boosted is looking less and less attractive, particularly for younger men who are majority of those affected.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:07am
- Benedict Yu
  
  You don’t need to play a guessing game. All the high quality evidence from the UK is that infection with omicron provides strong protection. How long? We don’t know yet.
  
  We also know that two doses of vaccine are useless. And that a third dose gives a very strong immune response. For how long? We don’t know. Maybe 3 months?
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:17am
  - Ehlana
    
    That’s the bit that worries me Benedict. If I get shot 3 now, how long am I protected for? What if I don’t get Omicron (or any other Covid) in that time span?
    
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    February 16, 2022 9:51am
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      Good question for a reporter to ask the podium of truth
      
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      February 16, 2022 10:16am
  - DeepBlue
    
    That is exactly my dilemma… when do I get boosted?
    
    I have a high risk illness and was hoping a June booster would see me through winter. Now all I can see ahead is 3 for Summer 4 for Autumn and 5 for Winter.
    
    It is curious there seems to be no reporting yet on how long the 3 booster lasted in UK. To me it is the missing piece of information which is being withheld.
    
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    February 16, 2022 10:44am
    - bronny1
      
      From what I’ve read it’s up to 8 weeks but bear in mind you are higher risk for the first two of those 8 weeks.
      
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      February 16, 2022 12:53pm
    - Maggy Wassilieff
      
      This is one of the reasons why this forced /rushed mass vaccination is wrong.
      
      It does not take into account the current health status of an individual.. or their ability to judge the best time for them to take up a vaccination.
      
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      February 16, 2022 1:30pm
  - ClanMcleod
    
    But, but, but, the “vaccine” is tested and “approved”. Brenda said so.
    
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    February 16, 2022 10:46am
  - MCōs
    
    “All the high quality evidence from the UK is that infection with omicron provides strong protection. How long? We don’t know yet.”
    
    Isn’t that a contradiction?
    
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    February 16, 2022 11:45am
    - ClanMcleod
      
      No, it’s quite clear. Fact. It gives strong protection. Fact, at this stage we don’t know how long for because enough time hasn’t passed.
      Unlike the lies from the podium of truth. The jab is “safe and effective”. That there is “long term safety data”. Lies. Blatant lies.
      
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      February 16, 2022 1:10pm
- alloytoo
  
  Omicron based natural immunity is most certainly more effective than the vaccine.
  
  Dr John Campbell addresses this in one of his videos.
  
  It also likely confers some immunity from corona virus based “Flu”
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:19am
krazykiwi

I want to give a shoutout to the kiwiblogger (you know who you are) who have contributed directly to the protest. Many have donated money to various intra-protest groups, and others have been able to be on-site working in food distribution and logistics. Legends. Each and every one of you.
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February 16, 2022 8:25am
- cmm
  
  KK: Thanks to you for providing a trustworthy conduit. Much appreciated.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:52am
  - Brian McDonald
    
    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
    Look, CMM gave $20 to KK so he could buy some batteries for his tape recorder just in case he gets caught and needs to sell out to avoid charges of littering white feathers every time he gets excited and poops on the grass. It’s the bravest thing CMM has done since fleeing SA.
    
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    February 16, 2022 9:35am
    - cmm
      
      I add value where I can Brian.
      
      If that causes your bile levels to rise, then that is all the reward I need.
      
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      February 16, 2022 9:43am
    - chuk
      
      Brian – what have you done to help make NZ a better place to live in?
      
      I’m guessing that may be a bit difficult to respond to but do please try your best.
      
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      February 16, 2022 10:00am
      - oldfella
        
        chuk, perhaps Brian could give us a succinct answer using bullet points.
        
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        February 16, 2022 11:07am
      - chuk
        
        Oldfella: a very astute observation!
        
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        February 16, 2022 11:11am
    - RightNow
      
      Triggered lol
      
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      February 16, 2022 10:09am
    - Inandout
      
      BM, tape recorders have been replaced by cellphones…never mind.
      
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      February 16, 2022 10:40am
- Stellaboxer
  
  Krazy thanks.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:59am
- curry4me
  
  Thanks for providing a path for donations to travel along.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:11am
- bronny1
  
  Thank YOU for sorting out a means to support those who are enduring discomfort etc for us all!
  
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  February 16, 2022 12:55pm
nathie

Police want protesters to move their cars to the stadium.

Protesters hesitant to do so in case Police “lock them in”.

Solution? Easy, Police Commissioner Coster gives the protesters his word including an offer in writing to resign, if the Police do anything untoward (eg locking in the protestor vehicles)!
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February 16, 2022 8:27am
- krazykiwi
  
  Refer to my comment below. Resigning is de rigueur, don’t you know.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:00am
- Libertarians are right
  
  Coster is a true believer. Any promises he offers are worthless and frankly shouldn’t be trusted.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:22am
- kowtow
  
  Interesting that Cuddles Coster the Imposter can take such a high profile stand against people demanding fair treatment from the govt and who’s so willing to signal massive force against essentially peaceful people when the police won’t do shit against regular ,illegal , road dangerous huge gang shows of force at funerals .
  
  Where’s the Media holding him to account for the double standard.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:24am
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    The media are waiting for the Internet Transfer to their banks.
    Oh cost of living means another $110M soon, we have to have correct NEWS right?
    
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    February 16, 2022 4:08pm
I remember when

https://www.medrixiv.org>content: 22/12/21:
Vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection

The 46 comments that follow the results are really interesting, and highlight the problems.
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February 16, 2022 8:29am
curry4me

https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/real-estate/127766978/reinz-big-slump-in-turnover-auckland-house-sales-down-by-a-third

REINZ: Big slump in turnover, Auckland house sales down by a third.

Buyers waiting for a sign that the property market was turning a corner may have received it.
The Real Estate Institute’s latest figures show that the number of properties changing hands in January this year was 28.6 per cent fewer than the same time last year.
Across New Zealand, 3665 homes were sold last month, compared to 5135 last year.
Month-on-month, the drop in sales was 48.2 per cent.
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February 16, 2022 8:33am
- Raphael
  
  They’re down because no-one can get a loan if they had maccas twice in the last six months…..
  
  And months and months of lockdown in Auckland means people were ordering takeout more as soon as it was available…..
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:29am
  - Colville
    
    Yip .
    
    Artificial credit crunch caused but the incompetent Robbo rushing legislation thru under urgency.
    
    Approx 15% of all applications refused now that would have been granted 3 months ago.
    
    Labour is aiming to have home ownership in New Zealand in the low 50% bracket by the time it leaves office in 2023.
    
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    February 16, 2022 9:36am
    - RoboRob
      
      And Labour were told in advance (by the banks and treasury) this would be the outcome but they were so wedded to the principal they ignored the advice.
      
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      February 16, 2022 12:00pm
  - stewmar
    
    and down because there is a lack of listings for sellers to buy a new home to go to. Its not rocket science.
    
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    February 16, 2022 10:08am
  - Matt Long
    
    I wonder if the banks are playing work to rule to get exempted from the new legislation.
    
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    February 16, 2022 10:30am
emmess

So the prediction of the Biden Administration of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb 16 was BS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36uzidzskuA
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February 16, 2022 8:33am
- All_on_Red
  
  https://nypost.com/2022/01/20/biden-acts-much-more-like-putins-puppet-than-trump-ever-did/
  
  16 2
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  February 16, 2022 9:34am
  - All_on_Red
    
    Trump supported the Israel Greece Mediterranean Gas pipeline to Europe which would have been a competitor to Putins Nordstream.
    Biden has reversed US support- anything for his friend Putin eh.
    https://www.jpost.com/international/article-693866
    
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    February 16, 2022 9:48am
  - virtualmark
    
    LOL
    
    3 0
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    February 16, 2022 2:44pm
- Frank the tank
  
  The handlers of the old coot are desperate to create a non Chinese boogeyman. Putin went along for the ride and punked them knowing full well he had Germany in his back pocket.
  
  It wouldn’t surprise me if Dem strategists want a war for their mid terms prospects
  
  Happy Days
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:00am
curry4me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVJ0Qx7HVUw

White Supremacist Neo Nazi Agitators at the Wellington Parliament Anti Mandate protests .
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February 16, 2022 8:33am
- alloytoo
  
  Bloody lefties, always ruining it for everyone.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:22am
slernz

Blow me down… political activist, John Minto, has written the most sensible and damning critique of the failure of NZ politicians to meet the Parliament protestors.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/127777534/the-government-must-engage-the-protesters-and-help-to-regulate-social-media

I agree with much that Mr Minto says. His writing is clear and concise, balanced and disciplined — take note Stuff. While Minto raises some wacky ideas, I think they are worth discussing.

It is mind-boggling to me why Mr Luxon has not met the protestors. Here is a unique chance for a politician to listen and learn. Mr Luxon doesn’t have to agree with them, or support them, but he should listen. That is all the protestors want, to be treated with respect and listened too. Not disrespected and labelled Nazis, antivax terrorists and Trump supporters, some are, the majority are not.

Take a bow Mr Minto.
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February 16, 2022 8:43am
- Lee C
  
  I disagree with one aspecct of Minto’s view – tht we need to rein in social media.
  
  His argument is that it is ‘antidemocratic’.
  
  I’d argue it is the opposite, and Minto is just upset that his team’s reach over narrative control has been subverted.
  
  By ordinary people.
  
  It’s teh same sour-grapes the political establishment and media in the USA unleashed against Trump.
  
  Predicated on the notion that a small eelite know what it’s best to say or not say, and any deviation from thje narrative must be evience of deviancy.
  
  So much easier to bank-roll the ‘established’ media to denigrate opposition and protest as ‘racist’ or ‘white supremacists’ isn’t it, John?
  
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  February 16, 2022 10:22am
- cmm
  
  While I generally disagree with Minto’s point of view, I do acknowledge that he is generally far more principled than many.
  
  He was very noisy in his objections to apartheid.
  He was then equally noisy in his objections that the “liberating” ANC were just a bunch of corrupt people in it for their own purposes.
  
  He refused to join the fawning mob who shut their eyes to the corruption of Africa.
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:01am
  - UrbanNeocolonialist
    
    he’s a marxist he viewed the other causes he supported as wedges to enact the myriad delights of communism (having to eat your pets etc)
    
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    February 16, 2022 11:42am
- peterwn
  
  Chris Luxon is not meeting the protesters for the same reason that Jacinda is not meeting them. There are threats of violence and worse against politicians so they are not prepared to take the risk. Indeed, Chris has felt so unsafe that he has temporarily moved out of his apartment near Parliament (unlike Jacinda, Chris does not have permanent police protection). Chris will be fully aware of the diverse concerns of protesters and will take them into account as National formulates policy for the next election. However he cannot be all things to all people. He needs to formulate policies that will appeal to the widest range of voters. These would be different from policy wishes of those who make the most noise.
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:48am
  - Taieri
    
    There are threats of violence and worse against politicians so they are not prepared to take the risk.
    —————-
    
    Perhaps they should change their occupation? But then again, they’re already employed in the sheltered workshop…
    
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    February 16, 2022 2:10pm
    - peterwn
      
      Perhaps tow truck drivers, parking wardens, police officers and WINZ counter staff should also change their jobs.
      
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      February 16, 2022 9:47pm
  - leoj
    
    It’s far simpler than that.
    He is gutless as well as unprincipled.
    Listening and being party to the disbanding of the protest would earn him and his party huge support. That he fails to realise this tells us a lot.
    He has blown it, big time.
    Just another milquetoast politician.
    
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    February 16, 2022 4:49pm
    - peterwn
      
      That is just your opinion, mate. He is acutely aware of the pro’s and con’s of different stances. He would understand the political intrices far better than many of the posters here.
      
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      February 16, 2022 6:56pm
- ClanMcleod
  
  Even a broken cock is right twice in it’s life.
  Apologies for my poor spelling and paraphrasing.
  
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  February 16, 2022 1:16pm
Matt Long

I’m told that Mallard is using a tactic surely illegal under Geneva Convention, they are blaring Jacinda’s parliamentary speeches over loud speakers in Parliament grounds.
The main victims of this torture are the poor police who will either be resigning or taking time off to be treated for PTSD in droves soon.
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February 16, 2022 8:44am
- Dazzaman
  
  “Poverdy” and “mmmm” make me twitch like nails on a blackboard.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:55am
- Odakyu-sen
  
  This doesn’t show Mallard in a good light.
  
  (Where is the opposition?)
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:57am
  - Nickc2
    
    There are insufficient lumens in the world to show Mallard in a good light.
    
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    February 16, 2022 12:27pm
  - mawm
    
    Helping Mallard change the tape?
    
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    February 16, 2022 2:06pm
  - Jim
    
    What does?
    
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    February 17, 2022 7:06am
- krazykiwi
  
  Mallard is deliberately provoking a violent response.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:58am
  - Stellaboxer
    
    KK Unfortunately I’m not educated to a high enough standard to put in writing how I feel about this toad.
    
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    February 16, 2022 9:10am
    - pdm
      
      Stella – just checing.
      
      Did spell checker change turd to toad.
      
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      February 16, 2022 11:24am
- Manu-Rau
  
  The protestors need to start playing a song written and originally performed by JJ Cale, and subsequently covered by Eric Clapton, over and over. Sooner or later some unpaid-for and independent overseas media will ask about the significance of the song. Then we would really see someone lose their rag.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:06am
  - krazykiwi
    
    But ‘she’ does lie
    
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    February 16, 2022 3:47pm
- Batman
  
  Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
  They’re playing Parliamentary debates, not just Ardern speeches.
  
  Which is actually worse, being forced to listen to Labour backbenchers support items they very obviously know fuck all about and have to fill in ten minutes of their lives talking about it. Utterly meaningless.
  
  At least the PM actually is a person of note, regardless of your view of her.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:42am
  - krazykiwi
    
    Yeah, dance on that pinhead.
    
    The intent is to antagonise. And antagonised people, many at their wits end having lost jobs, careers and homes, may lash out thereby ‘justifying’ more disgraceful aggression from the police.
    
    We are witnessing the ugly face of tyranny being revealed as the veil is lifted on Ardern’s agenda.
    
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    February 16, 2022 11:09am
  - Don Beckett
    
    “At least the PM actually is a person of note”
    
    Yes, as has been stated before, in the same way as Stalin, Pol Pot, and many others were persons of note.
    
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    February 16, 2022 12:09pm
  - ClanMcleod
    
    Yes, a person of note indeed. Think Mussolini, Pol Pot, Chavez, Xi. She’s in exalted company.
    
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    February 16, 2022 1:18pm
  - Peter S
    
    That note is distinctly off key.
    
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    February 16, 2022 6:18pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  blaring Jacinda’s parliamentary speeches over loud speakers in Parliament grounds.
  
  Perfectly acceptable in North Korea
  
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  February 16, 2022 1:38pm
fernglas

Hipkins implores people not to go to hospital if they have the sniffles.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-is-new-zealand-ready-for-phase-2/DU6DYRORLWIF3Y52JGTKEMBCQM/
Why are they going to hospital, Chris? Because you and your lickspittle experts, media and civil servants have scared them into thinking that if they get Covid they will die.
You fucked it up, you fix it up.
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February 16, 2022 8:46am
- pdm
  
  Pinch some more RAT tests Chippy so we can all have a supply.
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:25am
- alex Masterley
  
  Drove past the St Lukes testing station this morning as I was conned into taking my son to school. A long queue at 8am.
  The sheeple are amongst us.
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:41am
- ClanMcleod
  
  They spent two years terrifying the shit out of NZers. Now Hipkins wants people not to be afraid. He is a complete and utter moron. You don’t get to roll this shit back chippy. It’s either the plague or it isn’t. So if you’re now saying it isn’t then drop the mandates and the passes immediately.
  
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  February 16, 2022 1:22pm
Opie

Yesterday the media reported 744 new cases, however the official number on the health ministry page was 739. I’ll use the ministry numbers.

Of the 739 cases, just 29 occured in the unvaccinated while 573 were in fully vaccinated.

That’s right, 77.5% of yesterdays cases were in fully vaccinated people.

1 unvaxxed addition to hospital and 2 vaxxed. Hardly a virus dangerous enough to justify destroying our country.

Enough of the argument that because so many people are vaccinated of course they represent the most cases. The point is this.

We have been coerced/forced into being vaccinated. Firstly on the idea it would stop you catching virus, when that turned out to be untrue it switched to reducing serious symptoms. We dont know if that’s the case and if so for how long.

Regardless, the purpose of vaccine mandates and passes is to stop the unvaccinated infecting the vaccinated.

Given that the majority of locations of interest are bars, cafes etc where you must be vaccinated to be there and the cases are mostly in vaccinated people, it renders the whole vaccine narrative pointless.

Anybody still supporting that we should fire good staff for being unvaccinated? When it looks like all their vaccinated workmates are spreading it round anyway.

History will show that this has been the worst managed crisis of all time.

The protests worldwide are working, with governments being forced (albeit slowly) to release their grip on power.

As a side note, no one knows my vaccination status and it has been a fascinating experiment in finding out who your real friends are and a great insight into peoples minds!
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February 16, 2022 8:49am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Again, that 72% is on 95% of the population, the other 28% is the tiny small proportion of unvaxed
  
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  February 16, 2022 10:05am
  - UrbanNeocolonialist
    
    bollocks. only 77% of NZ’s population are vaccinated. https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/coronavirus-data-explorer?zoomToSelection=true&time=2020-03-01..latest&facet=none&pickerSort=asc&pickerMetric=location&Metric=People+fully+vaccinated&Interval=7-day+rolling+average&Relative+to+Population=true&Color+by+test+positivity=false&country=~NZL
    
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    February 16, 2022 11:50am
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      The Nations rot is this dictator, what utter waffle you spout well, Cindy says 95%, I can’t help it if she is lying
      
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      February 16, 2022 12:45pm
- artemisia
  
  Also reports coming from US hospitals saying sorry we fired you, can you please come back because we need you.
  
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  February 16, 2022 10:17am
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    And England is making sure that they don’t mandate vaccinations for their NHS staff.
    
    https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj.o372
    
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    February 16, 2022 1:41pm
- krazykiwi
  
  Anybody still supporting that we should fire good staff for being unvaccinated?
  
  Yes. I know a large, nationwide charity (yes a charity!) – which is doing this right now.
  
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  February 16, 2022 10:29am
  - kevn
    
    @kk… Kicking the mandates to touch very soon. So sack staff.
    Great management skills. Sounds like St John.
    
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    February 16, 2022 10:46am
    - Inandout
      
      kevn, St Johns are due for an increase in government funding which is why they brought in the vax passes for entry to their op shops. Any organisation that is reliant of Labour will bend over.
      
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      February 16, 2022 11:16am
  - Don Beckett
    
    A friend of mine who is a highly qualified paramedic was sacked by St. John’s because she refused to get jabbed – why, because with her medical knowledge, she knew it was not what is was portrayed to be.
    
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    February 16, 2022 12:14pm
  - Local Miller
    
    Don’t beat around the bush, just name them if it’s true. I know an IT worker forced to resign (fired) from St Johns because they are not jabbed. Stupid thing is they have been working from home a lot and could continue to do this, but no, they had to be forced out.
    
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    February 16, 2022 12:16pm
    - krazykiwi
      
      Sorry, I can’t do that. I’m conflicted. Hopefully someone else is in the know and is more free to divulge the details.
      
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      February 16, 2022 1:48pm
      - Okahu
        
        Great leaders aren’t conflicted by petty matters krazy. Though you’re right, it’s probably best for you to appear a man of the people for a moment.
        
        We’ll get around to rule by diktat soon enough.
        
        Let’s go krazy!
        
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        February 16, 2022 5:16pm
  - Jim
    
    NZ will lose many good health care workers, educators, police etc to places like the UK if the mandate law is not repealed.
    
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    February 17, 2022 7:11am
- 103PapPap
  
  Opie, where did you get this data from?
  I looked on the Ministry of Health web site and couldn’t find any data regarding vaxxed v unvaxxed.
  Also, when I went to school 573 + 29 = 602, not 739.
  
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  February 16, 2022 3:52pm
Dazzaman

Anyone else enjoying that $2.50 petrol!?

Me neither.
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February 16, 2022 8:53am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  2.50 petrol ?
  
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  February 16, 2022 10:06am
  - Inandout
    
    G, look at Gaspy and you will find Levin NW at $2.56 and I guess less 6 cents with a voucher.
    
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    February 16, 2022 11:19am
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      **** 91 was $2.75 down here this morning
      
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      February 16, 2022 12:46pm
krazykiwi

Peter Sloly is the Chief of the Ottawa Police Service (OPS).

Or rather, was.

He has just resigned.

Ship. Rats. Jump. Sinking. Rearrange at your leisure.
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February 16, 2022 8:57am
- UrbanNeocolonialist
  
  Honorable man. His mana will be increased and he is likely to wind up in a more senior role in the long term once the current regime is gone.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:09am
  - cmm
    
    It took him a very long time to find that “honour”.
    
    I think it is more like that he was caught out on so many lies that his staff were in open revolution against him.
    
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    February 16, 2022 1:56pm
I remember when

Newsroom: Robertson’s plea for workers to come into work:
Newshub: Queenstown ‘closed by Friday’ due to self-isolation requirements:
RNZ: Covid-19: 164 Schools and early childhood centres have cases:
Newshub: Camper vans being used to isolate high-risk people in overcrowded households.
Newshub: MIQ hotel room repair bill nearly tripled in 2021, with taxpayers footing the bill:
Newshub: Luxon on Parliament protest: It’s representative of an immense amount of frustration:

No problems then?
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February 16, 2022 9:03am
- UrbanNeocolonialist
  
  No there is only imagined problems, sure people are getting sick, and it will be inconvenient, but all in all should just be ignored the same as you would for normal colds and winter flues (that yearly kill more people than omicron will)
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:52am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  It has to wash though, perhaps we should just give up and let it go
  
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  February 16, 2022 12:48pm
Maggie Pie

THE ANDREW FORMERLY KNOWN AS PRINCE 😀

My partner reckons this would have to be the biggest ‘c*ck-tax’ he has ever heard about…..USD 10,000,000!!

https://www.thedailybeast.com/prince-andrew-settles-with-his-rape-accuser-virginia-giuffre
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February 16, 2022 9:04am
- Okahu
  
  Jeff Bezos begs to differ.
  
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  February 16, 2022 5:18pm
vt

The protest has got bigger and bigger. What a happy village it has become. I go there frequently and love reading the banners. If you’re in Wellington go there and meet your truly nice and kind fellow kiwis, and see for yourself how the govt and the MSM have misled you. If you can’t make it to the site check out Chantelle Baker’s Facebook page.
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February 16, 2022 9:07am
- Inandout
  
  vt, I have heard similar sentiments.
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:21am
- ClanMcleod
  
  Leaving tonight, should be there by midday tomorrow at the latest. (It’s a long way!)
  
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  February 16, 2022 1:31pm
nathie

Interesting that the Green Party – the party that condones protests (and resulting inconveniences to the public), in fact their MP’s are proud of their protester heritage – are largely staying silent on the current protests at Parliament!

Nothing much has been heard from them in the MSM.

Normally prolific protesters like Marama Davidson has nothing about the current Parliament protest in her twit feed.

Golriz seems to have a few things to say except it is the complete opposite – she is retweeting anti-protest tweets!

And in a recent tweet called the protest “dehumanising” … I think because she is using the “disability card” to suggest the “smelly, covid riddled protesters” ( // ) are a threat to her compromised health … although I have sympathy for her concerns, isn’t she grossly overstating this? I mean is she expecting “covid to waft over” to her from the protesters, travelling hundreds of metres thru the air, under Parliamentary doors, down corridors and into lifts up to whatever floor she is on and somehow infect her?

If so, perhaps Golriz is the “conspiracy theorist”?

Now we decent KB folk here know that the Green/Mellon’s are hypocrites of the highest order …. but what of their “supporters” at the protest? Eg those protesting Maori issues, the Hare Krishna and yoga types, the organic foods types?

I wonder if there is dissent or disgust from these “Green supporters” at the protest and will refuse to support the Green Party at the next election?
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February 16, 2022 9:09am
Harlequin

I’m enjoying myself looking at the faces of the protesters and matching them up with commenters on this blog.
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February 16, 2022 9:11am
- oldfella
  
  Did you spot Batty in the crowd? Wasn’t he the naked one who was pulled out of the crowd by his long, blonde hair? Very feminine looking.
  No? My mistake. 😉
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:15am
- mandk
  
  Have you spotted me yet?
  (Old bloke, bearded, balding on top, on the short side, conservative Christian)
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:24am
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  Look for the guy that makes Brad Pitt look ugly. That’s me, chum.
  
  The password is – DPF sent me
  
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  February 16, 2022 7:41pm
- krazykiwi
  
  I’m the guy with enormous quad and calf muscles, a belly I obviously and unsuccessfully try to keep at bay, and a face that hides behind perilously bushy eyebrows.
  
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  February 17, 2022 9:49am
kowtow

I’m more than a little annoyed at pollies , particularly lefty ones , continuously and getting away with it without any challenge from the Media ,condemning the protesters as aggressive , disruptive or violent .

These same people stand proudly and trade on their anti tour aggressive , disruptive ,violent and indeed criminal behaviour .

But now they’re the target of said alleged nastiness ;

they don’t like it up ’em.
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February 16, 2022 9:13am
- Jim
  
  Typical reaction from cornered political cowardice (just see Trudope and Ottawa):
  
  1. diminish the movement as a minority (fringe)
  2. mischaracterise the majority of good protesters as racists, phobes or anything that will garner sheeple condemnation
  3. political retreat and send in the police to crack some heads
  
  One for Ardern:
  4. in Cuba Canada this week……..freeze bank accounts, seize assets and threaten imprisonment under emergency powers.
  
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  February 17, 2022 7:20am
  - Nickc2
    
    Cindy doesn’t have to freeze bank accounts etc because once we have bought groceries, topped up our cars with petrol, paid rates, power and water, there’s eff all left in the bank!
    
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    February 17, 2022 9:33am
bythesea

Now that omicron is getting into gear in NZ and the blinkers have dropped away about vax to vax spread, I am interested in where the pro-mandate crowd see things.

So there were three justifications
a) prevent transmission – Busted
b) prevent severity and hospital resources – Looks mostly busted for various reasons
c) just comply damn it

are we left with a bit of b) and mostly c) now?

I do have a suggestion for those that like a) though.
How about all the newly recovered omicron patients get a special natural immunity badge as the only people that can’t give you covid!
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February 16, 2022 9:18am
- Jim
  
  Does that mean they get special privileges? Like being able to get a haircut or go to the library?
  
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  February 17, 2022 7:22am
  - krazykiwi
    
    Comment from a friend who, unlike me, isn’t follicly challenged, but like me is a pure blood: “If my hair gets any longer I won’t be able to find the local cafe that I’m not allowed to enter”
    
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    February 17, 2022 9:42am
70andstilllearning

@Maggy W
“As an interim measure, Statistics NZ has a form inviting the public to tell them what data they need, and whether they need it in 2-3 days, 4-5 days, or 5 days. The form asks researchers who they are and why they need the data, presumably to help Stats in triaging requests.”

Penny to a pound this will go down the same track as OIA’s – 6 months late, 50% missing (redacted?) and probably the wrong data set anyway.

Stats NZ has for been messing with the numbers by changing methodologies ( including “reworking” historic data that miraculously makes current data comparatives look good), padding releases with statements that conveniently omit KPI’s comment that don’t fit the bosses agenda and generally producing numbers the boss can BS to. Problem now is that the plethora of nasty inconvenient numbers starting to come out is beyond such management techniques and is only going to get worse. They also know that any stats guru worth their salt can dig out what they want, even from dinosaur databases (although it’s a pain in the butt), so their only solution is to deny access, but of course “offer” to provide what is suddenly unobtainable.
Can’t figure out why they just haven’t been merged with the PMPR team because that’s what they’ve become.
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February 16, 2022 9:20am
Maggie Pie

And what about this cringeworthy appeal from Cuddles for help with towing cars…..watch it here if you missed it 😀

https://twitter.com/NzStew/status/1493477327711338496
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February 16, 2022 9:23am
- nathie
  
  I thought Wellington District Police Commander Parnell was doing a reasonable job managing the Police response to the protest (bar the excesses last Wed or Thu).
  
  So why is Commissioner Coster getting involved and making this a “national policing issue”?
  
  Meethinks Mallard and/or senior Labour figures (like Robertson) are telling Coster “to sort this out pronto” (and definitely no cuddles for the protestors, well unless they come across a random gang member perhaps)!
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:35am
  - rouppe
    
    So why is Commissioner Coster getting involved and making this a “national policing issue”?
    
    So that staff can be brought in from other districts and redeployed from other branches. Possibly opens up other avenues nationally
    
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    February 16, 2022 7:57pm
- kowtow
  
  Oh the irony.
  
  So mch of this wuflu response has been based on ‘health and safety” , which has given them the grounds to destroy all opposition or questioning of their draconianism.
  
  And here the towies are able to tell Plod to eff orf , cos , quite rightly , they have a duty of care to their employees under …….. health and safety .
  
  Love it.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:44am
- Blog-aholic
  
  Apparently no towies want in. Some have even stated that, that would be the worst kind of publicity for them. Clients are asking what side they are on.
  Strange how the narrative isn’t fitting the reality.
  
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  February 16, 2022 10:15am
- [email protected]
  
  Unless your car is positioned at the very outside of the cars you have a justifiable excuse for not moving your car – you couldn’t even if you wanted to.
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:05am
- Frank the tank
  
  Being in the industry that tow trucks operate Mags – I can tell you there wouldn’t be many if any, that would support this government.
  
  Perhaps some Head of Government departments can get their Q7s out there for a bit of a tow. The Fisherman can loan his Diesel Ute.
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:08am
  - rouppe
    
    Certainly won’t be using their hybrids
    
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    February 16, 2022 7:58pm
- oldfella
  
  Maggie, Martyn Bradbury over at the Daily Blog is VERY unimpressed with Cuddles.
  ++
  His puzzlement that the NZDF want nothing to do with this would be satire script hilarity if it wasn’t so disturbing.
  So we have a Police Commissioner who is terrified of being stained with Mallard’s provocation and be known as the Cop who turned the dogs and batons on protestors WHILE being thick as shit!
  Begging tow truck drivers shows how weak he is, and contacting the NZDF, admitting it and then being confused why they won’t get back to him suggests a terrifying lack of appreciation for martial law.
  https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2022/02/16/ummmmm-did-everyone-see-that-coster-interview-are-you-now-really-worried-about-parliament-protest-now/
  
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  February 16, 2022 12:07pm
- Fuzzysnuggleduck
  
  Hahah, so the NZDF didn’t even reply to Coster’s request for help.
  I have been told the army staff have had enough of doing MIQ . Not sure they appreciate the ‘Be Kind’ Twiteratti declaring that the army should be sent in to clear protestors either.
  
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  February 16, 2022 1:39pm
- Jim
  
  Clearly it’s difficult to concentrate with your manhood tucked between your legs.
  
  This should be relatable to Cuddles’ situation
  https://youtu.be/Dm3cPupGa88
  
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  February 17, 2022 7:27am
kevn

@Maggie… Even the Army seem to happy to support the rally.
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February 16, 2022 9:28am
- Batman
  
  Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
  The army are wary of the legal position and will wait for authorisation from the Executive Branch before doing anything.
  
  I’m personally looking forward to seeing some of these feckless hippies discover what a consequence is.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:44am
  - cmm
    
    You could also join the Army Reserves. Maybe they’d let you join in.
    
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    February 16, 2022 9:48am
    - Frank the tank
      
      I do think you need to get out of Wellington for a while Bat. It would do you good to get out and see the world.
      
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      February 16, 2022 3:49pm
  - alloytoo
    
    It’s never a healthy country when the military are called in to disperse peaceful protesters.
    
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    February 16, 2022 10:21am
  - Russ the Muss
    
    Lol, I think you will find that the army will be very reluctant to go against their people. Please of ex servicemen and woman and i have meet here, I myself am a former one. Like the towys, the military enlisted are not part of the middle class elite or bed Wetters. The officers know this. And make no bones about it passive resistance in the hundreds is almost impossible to remove, very resource intensive. And if they are pushed out of the lawn they will be on lambton quay!!!!No easy options here for the government mate.
    
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    February 16, 2022 10:29am
    - kowtow
      
      ‘Easy options’
      
      Interesting that the people who pretend to be so wedded to speaking out etc ( our own Batty one of them when it comes to Trump ) and now very publicly Chris , the friend of the worker , Trotter , who want the full force of the state to forcefully end what is essentially a peaceful occupation.
      
      https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2022/02/11/move-the-anti-vaxxers-on-now/
      
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      February 16, 2022 11:25am
  - mandk
    
    Don’t embarrass yourself, Batman.
    
    You are showing yourself to be just as moronic and uninformed as Mallard and Ardern (and the compliant, bought-and-paid-for msm).
    
    Just about everything they have said about the anti-mandate protestors has been subsequently proven to be wrong.
    
    Open your mind and let the fresh air clear away the dross that is clogging it.
    
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    February 16, 2022 11:16am
  - 70andstilllearning
    
    “……….wary of the legal position……. ” + “I’m personally looking forward…….”
    
    So with only one current district “Declared State of Emergency” in force in Buller for “Severe Weather” that’s not much help you’re hoping like hell “the Executive Branch” can conjure up a “Trudeau”.
    S’pose some people could see an equivalence between blocking say the Buffalo Canada/USA border crossing and blocking up say Molesworth Street – eh Baty. 🙂
    
    https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/resources/previous-emergencies/declared-states-of-emergency/
    
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    February 16, 2022 11:17am
  - Surely Knott
    
    Aren’t mandates just a different kind of conversion therapy.
    I mean you’ve identified your values, how you want to live your live and what you want in your body as is your legal right.
    And the state uses extreme coercive measures, tactics of exclusion, and discriminates against you until you change your mind.
    
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    February 16, 2022 11:34am
  - Frank the tank
    
    “feckless hippies” – I thought they were far right nutjobs…….
    
    Bat – I must say after living in a concentration camp for the back end of 2021 I am enjoying Wokeington’s tears of impotent rage over this protest.
    
    Keep it coming.
    
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    February 16, 2022 12:21pm
ISeeRed

Why can’t ACT and National just introduce a bill to scrap the hated mandates and ban private sector employer discrimination against unjabbed employees? Whether Labour and the Greens defeat it or support it, it looks bad for them. (Either being pro-discrimination/anti-worker or flip-flopping.)
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February 16, 2022 9:33am
- Benedict Yu
  
  Because only the government can introduce Bills. Private members bills are rationed and drawn from a ballot.
  
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  February 16, 2022 10:59am
- Frank the tank
  
  They are waiting to the polling suggests this is a good move. Nothing more, nothing less. Once the polling worm turns there will be a “Jessica Mutch” sprint to see who can get their press release out quicker.
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:10am
  - NeverMindTheBollocks
    
    Have you seen Jessica Mutch in real life? Her sprinting days are well behind her.
    
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    February 16, 2022 7:45pm
    - alex Masterley
      
      Were they ever before her?
      Sorry, couldn’t resist that.
      
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      February 17, 2022 8:11am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Introduce a bill when Labour greens have 60% of the vote?
  
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  February 16, 2022 12:49pm
- rouppe
  
  There doesn’t need to be a bill. Just say when you’d do it if you were government.
  
  You know, demonstrate leadership
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:03pm
- ISeeRed
  
  All good points, everyone. Sad state of affairs.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:21pm
kowtow

All these lefties pretending to deplore the violent symbols of the protesters must have never given any thought to the lyrics when they go full throated singing their violent anthem , the Internationale.
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February 16, 2022 9:39am
- oldfella
  
  kowtow, you mean this nasty little ditty?
  
  The International
  Arise ye workers from your slumbers
  Arise ye prisoners of want
  For reason in revolt now thunders
  And at last ends the age of cant.
  Away with all your superstitions
  Servile masses arise, arise
  We’ll change henceforth the old tradition
  And spurn the dust to win the prize.
  
  Refrain:
  So comrades, come rally
  And the last fight let us face
  The Internationale unites the human race.
  
  No more deluded by reaction
  On tyrants only we’ll make war
  The soldiers too will take strike action
  They’ll break ranks and fight no more
  And if those cannibals keep trying
  To sacrifice us to their pride
  They soon shall hear the bullets flying
  We’ll shoot the generals on our own side.
  
  No saviour from on high delivers
  No faith have we in prince or peer
  Our own right hand the chains must shiver
  Chains of hatred, greed and fear
  E’er the thieves will out with their booty
  And give to all a happier lot.
  Each at the forge must do their duty
  And we’ll strike while the iron is hot.
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:20am
  - kowtow
    
    That’s the one , comrade .
    
    They also love the Froggy anthem that talks about fields flowing with the blood of their enemies .
    
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    February 16, 2022 11:28am
  - Jack5
    
    A rousing song it is, too. Communism’s pretty much dead, but any day I’d have the Red Flag before the crap sung by Nazis and by Spanish and Italian fascists.
    
    The link below’s to a version of the Internationale conducted by Toscanini that was banned in the United States.
    
    In English-speaking countries it’s usually called just The Red Flag. It’s the anthem of the British Labour Party and the Irish Labour Party.
    
    https://youtu.be/2OPvWFDzDlA
    
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    February 16, 2022 12:08pm
    - Jack5
      
      Whoops! I think the tune may be the same, but these are the lyrics of the Red Flag composed by Irishman Jim Connell and which are the words sung mostly in the Anglosphere as the Red Flag:
      
      The People’s Flag is deepest red,
      It shrouded oft our martyred dead,
      And ere their limbs grew stiff and cold,
      Their hearts’ blood dyed its every fold.
      Chorus:
      Then raise the scarlet standard high.
      Beneath its shade we’ll live and die,
      Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer,
      We’ll keep the red flag flying here.
      Look round, the Frenchman loves its blaze,
      The sturdy German chants its praise,
      In Moscow’s vaults its hymns were sung
      Chicago swells the surging throng.
      (chorus)
      It waved above our infant might,
      When all ahead seemed dark as night;
      It witnessed many a deed and vow,
      We must not change its colour now.
      (chorus)
      It well recalls the triumphs past,
      It gives the hope of peace at last;
      The banner bright, the symbol plain,
      Of human right and human gain.
      (chorus)
      It suits today the weak and base,
      Whose minds are fixed on pelf and place
      To cringe before the rich man’s frown,
      And haul the sacred emblem down.
      (chorus)
      With head uncovered swear we all
      To bear it onward till we fall;
      Come dungeons dark or gallows grim,
      This song shall be our parting hymn.
      (chorus)
      
      These are the words I remember in more than one language from roaring youth days.
      
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      February 16, 2022 12:15pm
curry4me

https://www.facebook.com/theplatformnz/

Protest leaders and a Party Leader may be talking.
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February 16, 2022 9:44am
- mawm
  
  ?Seymour
  
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  February 16, 2022 2:29pm
Batman

Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Aaand it only took 24 hours this time. Durham’s fake investigation has had its latest round of claims dismantled piece by piece, by the ever useful empty wheel blog.

https://www.emptywheel.net/2022/02/15/donald-trump-suggested-michael-sussmann-should-be-killed-because-rodney-joffe-spied-on-barack-obama/

The Durham probe is not a serious undertaking, it only exists to supply the ecosystem of outrage.
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February 16, 2022 9:46am
- RightNow
  
  Lol. You sound desperate.
  
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  February 16, 2022 10:04am
- alloytoo
  
  From your link: “And it led the former President to claim that those involved should be killed.”
  
  What the trump actually wrote was:
  
  “In a Stronger Period of Time in Our Country, This Crime Would Have Been Punishable by Death”
  
  This is a substantially different statement, call the credibility of your source as a genuine reporter of the facts into question.
  
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  February 16, 2022 10:19am
- Inandout
  
  Bat, that article is from an ’empty’ site. The facts are Hillary was treasonous in her attempts to bug the WH and she should be barred from ever standing for President. The MSM there spouted four years of Russian collusion knowing full well the whole story was lies.
  
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  February 16, 2022 10:46am
- In Vino Veritas
  
  Upticked Batman for reading empty wheel! Though given Marcy’s leanings, I take what she writes with a grain of salt.
  I also note that Sussmans lawyers say “omits any mention of the fact that Mr. Sussmann never billed the Clinton Campaign for the work associated with the February 9, 2017 meeting, nor could he have (because there was no Clinton Campaign)”. I believe that Durham has previously addressed that?
  The last part about “getting someone killed” is literally just drivel in a legal sense. It’s an emotional appeal. Anyway, in the fullness of time, we shall see I guess. I reckon there is a lot more water to go under this bridge.
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:19am
- Frank the tank
  
  Poor Bat. A left wing circle jerk publication playing weasel words. An afternoon of google search wasted.
  
  How is peegate going by the way?
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:20am
jon

Note that Talbot/Mills have released the results of a poll on whether house prices should fall. This question apparently is part of their normal polling from Feb 1 to Feb 11. Can we also now expect that the party support polling will be published??
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February 16, 2022 9:53am
- Warren
  
  I wonder which leader will say publicly that house prices have to fall , as this poll says no.
  https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300517990/housing-crisis-poll-shows-vast-majority-of-homeowners-dont-want-house-prices-to-really-fall
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:53am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Curia poll out, Nats 38%, Luxon 28% for PM, slowly slowly catch the monkey, Kanter will never be leaked again
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:26pm
Maggie Pie

Anyone all that surprised to read……

‘Corruption and Bribery charges have been filed in relation to Road Maintenance contracts in South Auckland’

I see the SFO are involved, so we’re probably talking about a lot more than a crate of Lion Red.

https://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=348945
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February 16, 2022 9:55am
- Russ the Muss
  
  We have road maintenance? That’s a surprise in of itself!
  
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  February 16, 2022 10:25am
  - Frank the tank
    
    Got me fucked as well.
    
    Travelling through Dome Valley over the holidays was like going back to Fiji in the early 90’s.
    
    Maybe they subcontracted out to Black Power and the Mob?
    
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    February 16, 2022 12:23pm
- chukar
  
  Would not have been a remote possibility if NZTA were still in charge!
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:45pm
Rusty

Has anyone in the media ever asked our PM this simple question:

“When is the right time to end this covid response and for Nzers to return back to normal life?”

Of course no one would ask her that because she doesn’t know.

In my view their is no right time except “right now”

Two jabs and a booster, traffic light systems, isolating people, wearing masks, scanning, closing borders etc, none of this has stopped omicron spreading in high numbers throughout our community.

Record number of cases prove this and it can’t be the unvaxxed people’s fault.

High omicron cases don’t equal high infections or deaths anyway despite the Govt/media propaganda scaring Nzers to think otherwise.

As to the “easily scared” Nzers. Stay in your homes– give up your jobs (someone else will have it) –take your kids out of school and use zoom–have your groceries delivered — and live off your life savings.

Sounds fair?
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February 16, 2022 9:58am
- kowtow
  
  Life savings .
  
  Inflation will see to that quick sharp .
  
  How many pay rises did pensioners get from this king regime ? As opposed to the hundreds of millions spent on “ferals” .
  
  And ‘ferals’ is OK now cos the Speaker uses it and he’s the third highest man in the land, I’m told.
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:32am
- 70andstilllearning
  
  “……and for Nzers to return back to normal life?
  Of course no one would ask her that because she doesn’t know.”
  Nah – media was/is more than happy with the directed replacement “new normal” so why ask the question.
  Must admit however I haven’t seen/heard it being parroted so frequently recently.
  
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  February 16, 2022 12:26pm
- bronny1
  
  We don’t need to know because Jacindys inchewishin will know when it’s time. So just shut up and wait.
  
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  February 16, 2022 1:12pm
Pateke

New name for Mallard is Mr Sprinkler.
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February 16, 2022 10:17am
- Frank the tank
  
  Probably the nicest thing anyone has ever called him
  
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  February 16, 2022 12:24pm
nathie

Stuff headline: Live: ‘Won’t get it back’ – Police Commissioner warns protesters about towing of illegally parked cars at Parliament

Hmmm let’s have some fun with this. Back when Judith Collins was Police Minster she was nicknamed “Crusher Collins”.

So if the Police tow away the protester cars today, can we have some new nicknames for the people involved? For example:

Commandeerer Coster ?

Confiscater Coster ?

Annexer Ardern ?

Appropriator Ardern ?

Hijacker Jacinda ?

Stealing Scindy ?

Robbing Robertson ?

Misappropriater Mallard ?
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February 16, 2022 10:18am
- krazykiwi
  
  “Won’t get it back” would require the police to break the law. They are entitled to impound vehicles for up to 28 days in very specific set of circumstances, and none of them apply here.
  
  The police can’t just make laws up to suit the master’s agenda. They are not brownshirts. Or rather, they are not supposed to be brownshirts. Matthew 7 vs 16: By their fruit to will know them.
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:00am
  - 70andstilllearning
    
    kk – While true I am assuming // ..?.. – “The police can’t just make laws up to suit the master’s agenda.”
    
    Seem to remember some sanctioned road blocks up my way before:
    a) they figured out they could get around it by having a “constable supervising” when everyone went hoha and
    b) “masters” changed the law anyway. 🙂
    
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    February 16, 2022 12:09pm
    - alloytoo
      
      Fortunately some sensible Plod decided to vet Honi’s team, their commitment seemed to falter…..
      
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      February 16, 2022 1:11pm
- Gravelroad
  
  Kommandant Klinkoster
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:10am
- 70andstilllearning
  
  Finders Keepers Coster?
  Loser Weeper Speaker?
  
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  February 16, 2022 12:35pm
103PapPap

What the police in Wellington should do to clear the streets is to call in one of Wellingtons most successful organisations – Lets Get Wellington Moving.
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February 16, 2022 10:37am
furious

The US look hell bent on war in the Ukraine.

Apparently it will start at 2pm today.

I guess nothing distracts the people quite like a war.
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February 16, 2022 10:39am
- In Vino Veritas
  
  It would certainly be a boon to defence|weapons stocks in the US. It may well give the Biden economy a rest from serious inflation. It will certainly take the heat off Biden for being inept, at least for a short while.
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:23am
- kowtow
  
  Yep , Bojo the Clown invested very heavily in that distraction too .
  
  No wonder with his polling and travails.
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:35am
Maggie Pie

Been a bit of talk about a ‘crash’ in the housing market 🙁
It never really affects those in the most desirable suburbs of course.
Mainly those on fixed incomes or running borderline businesses that are over-borrowed, who bear the brunt of any downturn.

My partner reckons you really know the shits hit the fan…. when you suddenly hear those Aussie spruikers back on IZB, offering brand new off-the-plan Condos somewhere on the Gold Coast, for a $1000 deposit.

LOL!!
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February 16, 2022 10:54am
- Frank the tank
  
  Yep it will belt the cookie-cutter suburbs up North and down South; regional shitholes that had no right to have price increases in the first place and b and c grade holiday spots such as Mangawhai and Whitianga.
  
  And Mags – the days of cheap Goldie apartments are dead. More than enough demand up that way from white flight from Sydney and Danistan.
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:26am
Over Taxed Worker

NZH “As people in Auckland and Waikato faced waits of up to three hours for tests yesterday, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins urged those who were just “a little bit worried” not to get tested.”
But Jacinda told us Test, Test Test – surely she wasn’t mistaken, because Jacinda never makes a mistake.
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February 16, 2022 10:59am
- Ehlana
  
  Therefore, Over Taxed, the mistake must lie with you. If you paid more careful attention to what is said from the Podium of Truth, you would be on message.
  Your work cell and neighbourhood cell leaders will call shortly to help you recognise your errors and re-educate yourself.
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:36am
waripori

There are contributors on Kiwiblog attempting to convince readers not to vote for National or ACT because of their lack of support for the occupants of camp molesworth. They are either Labour Agent provocateurs or politically ignorant. It would not have been hard to capture photos or video of either Seymour,Luxon or both up close and personal with some of the fringe elements who are ripping masks of school kids ( I know this to be true ) or holding up nooses. These would have formed the basis of Labour’s campaign next year.

Much better to give Mallard a hard time and talk about Labour’s performance with Omicron than give them ammunition. Have to remember about 97% of us have had at least one shot.
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February 16, 2022 11:09am
- Lee C
  
  As disllusioned as I am by Opposition inaction, thus far, I agree that a measured and strategic approach is required here.
  
  Luxon’s reaching out to Ardern to ‘end mandates’ is a start.
  
  But let’s be honest, without the current protests, it would not have happened, and oour host would still be getting away with labelling people as ‘delusional’.
  
  ps. the High Commisioner of Denmark, The UK, Sweden and – oh I forget how many other nations- is on the line asking for a break-down of how our current strategy is ‘not’ ‘deluded’ from our second-grade ‘home-grown’ experts…
  
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  February 16, 2022 11:32am
  - kowtow
    
    The protesters have done something the so called fourth estate have failed to do , indeed , didn’t even want to do .
    
    That was hold this regime to account , get the issues onto the front page and into the news .And talked about .
    
    That’s what democracy is all about .
    
    For that alone they have scored a huge victory .
    
    And shown up the media and political establishemt as being hypocrites .
    
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    February 16, 2022 12:46pm
    - Its only I
      
      The protesters may have managed to get issues on the front page like you say but those pages are written by the fourth estate.
      Those stories are also passed through a very red 20 micron filter that cost the taxpayer 105 million………. plus covid response advertising fees…..plus the hint of a topup judging by the finance ministers answer to a question/suggestion? by a stuff political journalist.
      
      The peasants are revolting don’t engage with them says the duck to the political journalists wanting a keep a career..all eyes to the PMs portrait on the wall!!
      
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      February 16, 2022 5:09pm
- DeepBlue
  
  The media have nothing new to report to support Jacinda. You can bet they are waiting to ensnare Luxon and smear him as being on the wrong side of anything.
  
  I support Luxon, don’t interrupt your enemy. Keep the focus on Mallard and Jacinda and Coster.
  
  The big mistake the protesters have made is saying they want ALL covid public health measures gone. Now I have always been anti mandate, and wished for an alternative, but jeez that protest ask is just not going to make progress.
  
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  February 16, 2022 12:17pm
  - Hard Cheese
    
    Yeah, very dumb. They should have just asked for mandates to be removed and they could have painted Ardern into a corner either having to defend them with bad science or remove them.
    
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    February 16, 2022 1:35pm
- Matt Long
  
  Your figures are wrong. Not even the Legacy media suggest 97%, and the real figure is much less.
  On political lines I guess maybe 97% of left voting socialists may have had 2 shots, but are not considered vaccinated under the new definitions unless they have 3.
  
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  February 16, 2022 12:27pm
  - waripori
    
    Just going by what Mike Hosking said this morning.
    
    Over 97% of over 12’s have had at least 1 shot.
    
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    February 16, 2022 12:33pm
- cmm
  
  Both National and Act have stumbled badly, but nothing is terminal.
  
  They both have some soul searching to do. They can both apologise and they have 18 months to make amends.
  
  If they play it right then the damage is not necessarily too bad.
  
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  February 16, 2022 6:04pm
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Yes, its an organised smear, why would 10s of 1000s of people all at the same time start saying never vote Nats again, i remember the same rotten tactics when Bridges was the covid response chair, Slater has been spouting this same crap, when JLR was done and dusted, he went from a few angry posts a day, to 100s of posts saying we support you sir, we will vote for you sir, the night of the election , they all disappeared, HDA, said today, do you support the protesters, the next minute 1000s of supportive texts saying the same thing started pouring in, its organised, and its filthy, it could be Labour, but it may well be these crackpots that think the new (not registered yet) NNP will be above 5%, they are deluded, i have had arguments with the head that he will only help split the vote, but he keeps alerting to they will be merging with other parties and 5% will be easy, still haven’t seen then register, but its possible Matt King could be the start of something , the Northland set will be won by anyone standing against Lasbour, the Nats could well be doing a deal, who knows, but this whole thing is organised, the poll today showing Nats at 38% much of that poll was conducted after the protesters left their destinations Sunday fortnight ago
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:39pm
- Sean OConnor
  
  You mean the media are leftist, biased and dishonest? Quick! Do whatever they pressure you to do!
  
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  February 16, 2022 10:23pm
Jack5

Is a Ph.D. critical for making big decisions on the NZ economy?

Michael Reddell at CroakingCassandra today looks at the Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee and whether members should have a Ph.D. and be involved in economic research (a topic raised in an NZ Herald article).

A taste:

“… almost every dimension of the Reserve Bank (and particularly its macro/monetary functions) is weak: little research, little transparency, weak senior management appointments, a Governor with the wrong temperament for the job, an MPC structured to be ineffective, and weak appointees to the MPC …”

https://croakingcassandra.com/2022/02/16/expertise-and-the-mpc/
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February 16, 2022 11:52am
Cinematic

Tasty new Taxpayers Union poll. Nats to 38.4. Labour up by margin of error. The trend is your friend.
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February 16, 2022 11:59am
krazykiwi

Worth a read from the top. The summary is:

How the CDC Abandoned Science
So why does the supposedly impartial CDC push weak or flawed studies to support the administration’s pandemic policy goals? The cynical answer is that the agency is not in fact impartial (and thus not sufficiently scientific), but captured by the country’s national political system. That answer has become harder to avoid. This is a precarious situation, as it undermines trust in federal agencies and naturally leads to a trust vacuum, in which Americans feel forced to cast about in a confused search for alternative sources of information.

Once that trust is broken, it’s not easily regained. One way out would be to reduce the CDC’s role in deciding policy, even during a pandemic. Expecting the executive agency tasked with conducting the science itself to also help formulate national policy—which must balance both scientific and political concerns and preferences—has proven a failure, because the temptation to produce flawed or misleading analysis is simply too great. In order to firewall policymaking from science, perhaps scientific agency directors shouldn’t be political appointees at all.

Ultimately, science is not a political sport. It is a method to ascertain truth in a chaotic, uncertain universe. Science itself is transcendent, and will outlast our current challenges no matter what we choose to believe. But the more it becomes subordinate to politics—the more it becomes a slogan rather than a method of discovery and understanding—the more impoverished we all become. The next decade will be critical as we face an increasingly existential question: Is science autonomous and sacred, or a branch of politics? I hope we choose wisely, but I fear the die is already cast.

The damage being done to trust in science is both real, and serious.
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February 16, 2022 12:05pm
- 70andstilllearning
  
  Yep – “…perhaps scientific agency directors shouldn’t be political appointees at all.”
  That seems to working well currently in NZ with our “apolitical ” govt agency heads. Health Science for example -Medsafe?, MOH?……….
  
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  February 16, 2022 12:51pm
Benedict Yu

Honestly reading the process you get caught up in if tested positive makes me feel sicker than I will likely experience from COVID.

It mystifies me why 20,000 people got tested yesterday. Brainwashed into being terrified.
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February 16, 2022 12:13pm
- Suze Wainwright
  
  Yep, the Ministry was obviously furious with all those asymptomatic people who showed up…
  
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  February 16, 2022 1:03pm
- cmm
  
  Only 43 more cases in MIQ, but over 1000 outside.
  
  Soon the MIQ ~~detainees~~ guests will be barricading the doors to keep the Aotearoans out!
  
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  February 16, 2022 1:46pm
krazykiwi

Neil Young has quietly slunk back to Spotify. Everyone has their principles. And Neil didn’t like his, so he got some new ones. Some relevant tracks for him to mull over:

Goin’ Back (1978)
Don’t Let it Bring You Down (1970)
Like a Hurricane (1977)
Rockin’ in the Free World (1988)
The Rent is Always Due (2009)
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February 16, 2022 12:16pm
- cmm
  
  The childish part of me thinks Rogan should make a counter-ultimatum to Spotify: kick out Neil Young or he goes.
  
  But Rogan’s a bit more grown up than me. He wants to hear all sorts of points of view. I wouldn’t be surprised if he hasn’t reached out to Young and asked him on the show.
  
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  February 16, 2022 1:59pm
  - furious
    
    Neil Young sold the rights to his catalogue. I’m not sure it was his call to make.
    
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    February 16, 2022 3:35pm
Boutique Avo Orchard

Just heard on ZB The Country report about an ad seen:
“Carpenter required as Cabinet falling apart. Apply NZ Parliament. No tools required as the place is full of them”
Tee Hee
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February 16, 2022 12:40pm
Warren

National closing the gap in latest taxpayer union poll.
Luxon gets a great jump in the preferred Leaders poll.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/tpucuria-political-poll-national-closes-gap-to-labour-with-minor-parties-losing-ground/HMV5SLDP5Y45VOJDYYPZWP5TFQ/
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February 16, 2022 12:52pm
cmm

Cops: “We’re not coping”

Well leave the peaceful protesters alone and focus on core business then. The gangs and real crims will be having a field day!

The crims are being emboldened. Even (inaudible) made it out of bed before 10 today.

The cops even took their guitars to Ihumātao. No need at parliament: Mallard is providing the music.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/127789789/were-not-coping-police-resources-stretched-as-omicron-takes-hold
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February 16, 2022 12:59pm
jon

Re the latest Curia poll just out. The trend in party support and the preferred PM is with the Nats and Luxon. Gap between CL and CR only 3.6%. Nats wins handsdown in poll for which party best able to manage the economy which is going to be all that matters in next few years.
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February 16, 2022 1:00pm
rockape

Seen the latest Curia poll. It seems like only a few days ago I got so many downticks for saying Seymour might need a cup of tea.
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February 16, 2022 1:15pm
- cmm
  
  Bugger the tea. He’ll need a stiff one to settle his nerves.
  
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  February 16, 2022 2:01pm
  - Don Beckett
    
    But he’s heterosexual.
    
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    February 16, 2022 5:53pm
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Yes , Rocky, i remember that, actually they rubbished you, i still can not see how Labours numbers are holding up, they are the worst government in our history, and people are hugely angry, cant find anyone who supports Cindy, a great thing about this poll is, much of it is during the FB organised attack on the Nats over the protests protesters left Bluff and Kaitiaia on Sunday the 6th of Feb, so a lot of this poll is during the protest, and shows the FB attack is bullshit
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:50pm
westernScientest

ALL it took was a bad poll result for Seymour:

David Seymour calls for dialogue with protestors
ACT leader David Seymour says he has spoken to some protest organisers – though he won’t specify who – and believes now if the moment for dialogue between political leaders and the protesters to de-escalate the occupation of Parliament.
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February 16, 2022 2:18pm
- westernScientest
  
  Plus it made little stroppy stompy feet happen:
  
  Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern labels David Seymor’s protest meeting “irresponsible”
  Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says it was “irresponsible” for ACT Party leader David Seymour to meet with protest leaders.
  “I don’t think it was a responsible thing to do for a party that purports to champion law and order or indeed businesses, to meet with those who are obstructing Welingtonans from going about their everyday lives, bullying and harassing those who are trying to go to school. I do think meeting with them was irresponsible,” she said.
  
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  February 16, 2022 2:22pm
  - Cinematic
    
    Bullying and hassling those that re trying to go to school? What planet is the PM on? There’s like 50 cops.
    
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    February 16, 2022 4:58pm
    - Alan Wilkinson
      
      A question you might think a reporter would ask.
      
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      February 16, 2022 7:45pm
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    By god she looked shocking during that inteview, i wonder how she will be on the 22nd
    
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    February 16, 2022 8:51pm
- Fuzzysnuggleduck
  
  https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-convoy-parliament-protest-pm-admonishes-act-leader-for-meeting-with-protest-representatives/7A76CTEHZM6GORC7GBMJKY4STE/
  
  Better late than never I suppose.
  And this: “…The Act leader said he’d met with several dozen people linked to the protest, and changed his mind after a local bar owner told him the protest situation was changing and the worst elements had left….”
  I think there must have been an awareness, as others noted here, that the enemedia would jump on a meeting with headlines of ACT standing with ‘Far-right nazis blockading parliament’.
  
  Seymour is the first of the sitting MPs, and a party leader, to go and hear representatives and see them on the ground.
  Simply hearing them is the Kind thing to do, and the right thing.
  Doesn’t have to be an endorsement – but in principle, this protest movement has some kinship to the original libertarian ACT ethos around personal autonomy and freedom of opinion.
  
  Let’s not forget David was a lone principled voice for so long on many other things that are important- and he stumbled a bit here.
  The anger of many on KB seems misplaced when it comes to those announcing we must abandon traditional opposition parties. So, let’s take more % out from the centre-right and put on the New Conservatives or such?
  Nose-Spite-Face.
  
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  February 16, 2022 3:49pm
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    Anyone saying that is part of an organised smear attack, dont see any jump for NC in Curia poll, and a share of this poll was done during the protests
    
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    February 16, 2022 8:55pm
  - Sean OConnor
    
    It’s not nose-spite-face, it’s called sound strategy. If we concede, National and ACT’s view that they own our votes is vindicated. If we make it clear that their behaviour is unacceptable by leaving them in opposition then we finally get some decent representation in 2026 (or 2023 if they fold).
    
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    February 16, 2022 10:19pm
Ian Boag

It’s about 18 months to the next election. Mandates and masks and stuff will be long gone and the election will be about normal election things. People will be looking forward, not back.

The protest makes it abundantly clear there are a lot of people who oppose mandates and masks and stuff. However those who approve of anti-covid measures generally don’t bother saying so on KB. There are probably a lot of them too. We don’t know how many. Noone is owning up to a poll.

Being retired, vaxed, not living in Welly and reasonably healthy I am not really fussed.

I am just calling the situation as I see it. I imagine Luxon and Seymour see things in a similar vein. Why annoy the silent (possible majority) when you can’t change things anyway?

I give it three months max for anti-omicron measures to be all gone. The virus will have done its rip through and life will return to something that looks vaguely normal. There will be some angst about how things could have been done differently.
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February 16, 2022 2:21pm
- cmm
  
  “The virus will have done its rip through and life will return to something that looks vaguely normal.”
  
  Tell that to the next generation that have to deal with the debt.
  
  Tell that to the business owners who have re-mortgaged and blown savings to stay afloat, only to finally go to the wall.
  
  Tell that to the people that have been “them and us”ed into a divided generation.
  
  Tell that to the thousands of people who have had massive upheavals in their lives that will take decades to correct, if ever.
  
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  February 16, 2022 2:29pm
  - Ian Boag
    
    All good (bad) stuff. All true too. The past is the past and if you want to cast your vote purely to punish Labour for what it hasn’t achieved – it’s a free country.
    
    I am just saying how I think things will pan out.
    
    To get elected, a party has to say how they will make things better going forward. What they did or failed to do in the past has some relevance, but the past is the past eg in 2017 there was a consensus that housing was a serious issue – Labour proposed Kiwibuild and National proposed zip. As we all know, Labour were elected and Kiwibuild was a bust. It happens.
    
    2020 the Nats were a mess. Too many changes at the top and no eye-catching policies. Carnage.
    
    In 2023 I will be more interested in forward-looking policies that I think are (a) a good idea and (b) feasible. But if you want your vote to punish Labour for not achieving their goals, it’s a free country.
    
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    December 16, 2021 6:31pm
    - chukar
      
      Manifestos are a bad joke.We all know the parties won’t give effect to them.
      Their wonderful excuse is “ we can’t because of MMP.
      So they do nothing!
      
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      February 16, 2022 8:52pm
- Yabster
  
  lol could you down play any more the absolute mess this crap shoot of a so called government has made of not only covid, but housing, child, poverty, inflation etc.. things must be dire for the socialist left mouthpiece to come out with that post…
  
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  February 16, 2022 3:23pm
  - Ian Boag
    
    absolute mess … has made of … housing, child, poverty, inflation etc.
    
    Yep. And the election will be about how – looking forward – each party will propose to fix these problems. National/ACT will go for tax cuts and jobs …. might work … who knows?
    
    the socialist left mouthpiece
    
    Once or twice every few days. Some mouthpiece I turned out to be 🙂
    
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    December 16, 2021 3:36pm
    - Hard Cheese
      
      Not sure how Labour is going to propose how they’ll fix housing, child poverty, inflation, etc. when they’ve had 6 years to actually fix them but failed spectacularly. Anyone falling for their promises and excuses might as well write “I am a gullible idiot” at the top of their voting form.
      
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      February 16, 2022 4:53pm
      - Ian Boag
        
        Not sure how Labour is going to say how they’ll fix housing, child poverty, inflation, etc. …
        
        Neither am I. Labour’s track record is not flash ….
        
        Also not sure what National is going to say how they will fix housing, child poverty, inflation, etc ….
        
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        February 16, 2022 5:41pm
Yvette

“That the House has no confidence in the Rt Hon Trevor Mallard as Speaker of the House of Representatives due to his childish, provocative and embarrassing behaviour during the occupation of and protest at Parliament grounds in February 2022, which was counterproductive to resolving the situation and done without the support of the New Zealand Police.” – National Party notice of a no-confidence motion in Speaker Trevor Mallard

I am however disappointed it –
■ does not touch on international media coverage demeaning New Zealand, Parliament and PM Jacinda Ardern (in that order of demishing importance)

■ that it does not indicate it is with the tacit approval of Ardern, as she will not indicate disapproval of Mallard’s judgement

■ it does not condemn Mallard for interfering with Police operational duties – in agitating protesters and reportedly strengthening their resolve, and in causing police as much embarrassment and discomfort in their work, as was intended to effect protesters –
Newshub has contacted the Speaker’s office for comment. He told NZHerald in an interview that he had no qualms about using sprinklers and only regretted using recorder music as it gave police officers present headaches
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February 16, 2022 2:21pm
- MCōs
  
  Apart from anything else NZ has this sort of small poodle complex, always looking for someone to rub our tummy and tell us how marvelous we are.
  Why should we be overly concerned if some foreign newspapers have a laugh at our expense?
  
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  February 16, 2022 4:05pm
  - cmm
    
    You’re right. We should not care.
    
    But Cindy is incredibly worried about her international image: #CinD4UN!
    
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    February 16, 2022 8:18pm
Maggie Pie

TRENDING

Had to larf when I saw this ‘placard’ at the Protest 😀
Talking about the same guy that used to follow me on Twitter for a bit. Every time I tweeted something about Cindy…..he’d chip in with a nasty response saying the bipolar opposite!

The only person I’ve ever blocked…..

https://twitter.com/NessmadeNZ/status/1493488775061598214

(….check out the replies. LOL!!)
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February 16, 2022 2:23pm
alex Masterley

According to the Herald the Prime Minister has “admonished” David Seymour for speaking to some of the anti mandate protestors.
I bet he has been shaken to his boots.
Every other sane politician should speak to them and more importantly listen, even if they dont agree.
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February 16, 2022 2:27pm
- Kevin Herlihy
  
  Seymour caves under pressure, again.
  
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  February 16, 2022 2:38pm
  - kowtow
    
    He was asked to talk to them by a local business owner.
    
    he’s said he told em to tone it down, move the vehicles , exit private property .
    
    Opening a dialogue makes a lot of sense , in the interests of the locals .
    
    At least he’s doin’ something constructive , wot’s Mallard done or Ardern .
    
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    February 16, 2022 5:12pm
    - Warren
      
      Hasn’t David Seymour got form in changing his mind over dealings with people exactly like he did today with those protesting against the mandate.
      Didn’t he change his mind and attitude to Winston Peter’s after saying he would never deal with him in politics, after Winston offer to get his end of life choice into a referendum with his support to help Peter’s in the same way.
      Funny how some politicians are prepared to do deals with the devil to get support for there project .
      
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      February 16, 2022 7:36pm
- Inandout
  
  alex: admonish
  
  ‘To counsel (another) against something to be avoided or warn (that something is dangerous).
  
  To urge or exhort (someone to do something).
  
  To remind (someone) of something forgotten or disregarded, as an obligation or a responsibility’.
  
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  February 16, 2022 3:10pm
- Cinematic
  
  Ridiculous language to describe a lightweight politician’s behaviour. She may be able to admonish toddlers, certainly not adults.
  
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  February 16, 2022 4:31pm
70andstilllearning

Just saw a promo “offer” email from Air NZ ( 1st I’ve got since Oct 21)

“Your ticket to sunshine is here with flights to Raro from just $250 seat one way. The resorts are ready and the cocktails are waiting for you to set your watch to Raro time.”

Wonder if this week’s Raro’s (possible) covid free status change and phase 2 NZ status change have decimated their bookings?
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February 16, 2022 2:27pm
Its only I

I guess many will be holding their noses when voting next election, the rotten stench of the last 2+ years is coming from every single one of the the fly struck major parties.

None of the parties would have done a single thing differently, except one footrot ridden flock would not be able to buy out the MSM so easily. (maybe? who really knows anymore.)

None would have adapted to the pandemic as it evolved, not one.

I have never been so fundamentally pissed off and disappointed at a single group of humans in my life as I am with those begging for the right to represent ME, US and our great country.

I have to hope time does heal all wounds.
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February 16, 2022 2:27pm
Surely Knott

Herald Headline
“Covid Casualty: Auckland gym shuts after 20 years.” But it didn’t close due to any infections.
Should read Traffic Light System Casualty. Why is it closing? It could still open with vaccinated people and they make up 95% of people don’t they? Maybe unvaccinated lockouts is hurting businesses more than they know. Maybe people don’t trust their vaccine and aren’t going to the gym. Maybe people are hurting financially and are ending their gym memberships.
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February 16, 2022 2:31pm
- ISeeRed
  
  Yep. I cancelled my gym membership, fibre, reduced Kiwisaver to 3% from 8%, attempting to consolidate some debt now. I’m terminated from my current job March 27 because I decide what goes into my body, not my employer, but will hold out in case things change.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:30pm
Maggie Pie

Off topic I know….
but honestly, anyone else think that ‘CUPHOLDERS’ in cars would have to be one of the silliest inventions ever!?
I’ve never used them. I just wedge my beer between my legs and drive on.
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February 16, 2022 3:14pm
- Yvette
  
  Maggie, does that cool your plumbing or warm your beer?
  Asking for a friend, before trying it with a hot coffee …
  
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  February 16, 2022 3:31pm
- Lummox
  
  I have a cupholder situated directly in front of an air-con vent.
  It’s colder there than between my legs, for sure.
  
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  February 16, 2022 4:05pm
nathie

From Stuff’s Live reporting:
A Stuff reporter and visual journalist who were were walking through the camp on Wednesday morning have been asked to leave Parliament grounds by a small group of protesters in high-vis vests claiming to represent an iwi, saying they owned the land as tangata whenua.

Hmm, doesn’t sound like these protesters are good people, but just checking are they the “far-right”, “white-supremacists” that the hard-left activists (supporting Labour) claim are in the crowd?
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February 16, 2022 3:24pm
Yvette

There is trouble sometimes in the long driveway down which I live, in that a bloke halfway down is a little random as to how he parks his rather large car, which has time to time necessitated my asking him to move it closer to his apartment. I have suggested that if an ambulance or firetruck needs to gain access down the lower end, the latter in particular may come over the top of his BMW, rather than try going around, and it could make a very loud disturbing crunchy noise doing so.

Which leads me to ask, do fire trucks have full and legal access to Parliament Buildings at the moment and who’s duty is it to ensure that, and what fire vehicles are a standard turnout for an inner city alarm? – like, including ladder / turntable fire truck or larger (to reach QuasiMallard on the balcony, or whatever)?
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February 16, 2022 4:08pm
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  Access around the back (Museum St)
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:01pm
- tf78
  
  The whole building should be fitted with a very good sprinkler system (providing the council has adequate water pressure).
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:12pm
- tf78
  
  Yvette, the fire hydrants are on the roadside and water does’t come from the firetrucks themselves. The hoses are very long, I wouldn’t worry too much.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:16pm
cmm

“The modelling shows that on the West Coast, about six or seven people would need to be hospitalised at the peak of an outbreak with less than one person needing intensive care at any one time.”

No. Modelling doesn’t “show” anything. It is complete guesswork.

Yes, there are some really accurate mathematical models. For example, the laws of physics are all mathematical models. With such mathematical models we can:
* accurately determine the tide for Auckland harbour on 23 May, 2076.
* use GPS to determine a position accurate to 2 centimetres.

CV19 case modelling is not one of these models. You can ask the 80,000 people that didn’t die.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/127790408/west-coast-dhb-confident-it-can-manage-people-who-get-very-sick-with-omicron-but-staffing-could-run-short
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February 16, 2022 4:33pm
Jack5

Judge Farish strikes again …

A taxi driver who picked up a distressed, drunk 17-year-old girl walking in the street and indecently assaulted her is granted permanent name suppression on the ground that publication would cause extreme hardship to his wife

The wife said A taxi driver who indecently assaulted a 17-year-old passenger has been granted permanent name suppression after a judge found his wife would suffer extreme hardship if his name became public.

On Wednesday, Judge Jane Farish sentenced the man to five months of community detention coupled with 12 months of supervision for two counts of indecent assault.

The wife said she had to follow her husband around out of fear that he would attempt suicide.

“” I think you alone can manage the storm of having your name published. The difficulty is with your wife,” Judge Farish told the man, a foreign national.

The problem with name suppression is that every other foreign taxi driver in Christchurch now comes under suspicion.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/127789940/teenager-indecently-assaulted-by-taxi-driver-driving-her-home
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February 16, 2022 4:35pm
- Alan Wilkinson
  
  No, because he had to stop taxi driving after being charged.
  
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  February 16, 2022 7:31pm
  - Jack5
    
    Fair enough, Alan. Then foreigners who have given up driving taxis in Christchurch since June 2019.
    
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    February 16, 2022 8:01pm
Maggie Pie

“I don’t know who Cam Slater is. I’ve never met Cam Slater”

– Christopher Luxon. Leader of the National Party.
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February 16, 2022 4:37pm
- Tauhei Notts
  
  Maggie, please tell us that quote was wrongly attributed to Christopher Luxon. For any political leader in our country to say that he has not heard of Cameron Slater, is preposterous.
  Okay, much of Cam’s behaviour is unpleasant, but HE hasn’t heard of him.
  Collins, Bridges, Muller and now Luxon. If I picked that many losers at the gallops I would be more broke than two scrambled eggs.
  
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  February 16, 2022 5:13pm
  - Maggie Pie
    
    Here we go Toe….just found the link 😀
    
    https://twitter.com/rugbyintel/status/1493750516941156365
    
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    February 16, 2022 5:18pm
- Prince
  
  I listened to the interview. That is not the impression I got from what he said.
  Basically he said he had never met him, but of course he knew about him.
  You’re being very ingenuous with that comment, Maggie.
  
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  February 16, 2022 5:45pm
  - Maggie Pie
    
    So you’re calling the ‘Twitter’ post into question then Andrew?
    
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    February 16, 2022 5:57pm
    - Prince
      
      If you take your translation out of that interview you could work for RNZ. Overall his reply was clearly ‘I’ve heard about him but never met him’.
      A sensible answer to an interviewer trying to link the National Oppo leader to Slater.
      What bemused me about the interview was Ferguson’s claim that Luxon was ‘laughing’. I can’t hear that at all.
      
      Oh, and I’m one of the other ones.
      
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      February 16, 2022 7:14pm
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  So you were not Maggie that stopped posting on the Slater *****?
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:59pm
Northshoredoc

Open access for Maori or PI.

Everyone else gets to access on clinical criteria ..

https://pharmac.govt.nz/news-and-resources/consultations-and-decisions/2022-02-16-proposal-on-access-criteria-for-two-oral-covid-19-treatments/
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February 16, 2022 4:50pm
greybeard

https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/127794280/most-law-professionals-want-more-te-reo-mori-and-mori-law-in-the-legal-system
BULLSHIT.
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February 16, 2022 5:11pm
- alex Masterley
  
  Speaking as a legal professional I agree with your sentiments greybeard.
  
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  February 16, 2022 8:28pm
nathie

An Army recovery vehicle on the way to Wellington today (if this twitter poster is to be believed).

https://twitter.com/MrHilariouskiwi/status/1493730726180581377

Not doubting the professionalism and proficiency of its crews, but I do hope Police bosses and Worksafe have an approved safety plan to safely extract vehicles in a very constrained (and tense) situation, ensuring the safety of both defence force personnel and any protesters nearby (with other “hazards” like potential agitators who could exploit a tense situation like this – hope Police HQ is on the ball about security and not being distracted by grumpy Labour MP’s or Speakers)!

All of this tension can be resolved, and see many protesters happy to leave and opening up of the streets again I’m sure, if PM Ardern is prepared to compromise a bit and have a conversation with some of the protesters!

Her lack of empathy and disparaging of the anti-mandate protesters plus the aggression from Robertson and Mallard is making things worse – and it’s all totally avoidable if Labour could show some decent leadership.
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February 16, 2022 5:40pm
- Ian Boag
  
  FWIW. Back in 1981 I was a Massey lecturer. I had been invited to the Linton Officers’ Mess to give a talk about desktop computers (a new thing at the time). After that was dinner and drinkies.
  
  The Saturday before, the Waikato game had been called off and the Wednesday had seen an inconclusive stoush between police and protestors in Gisborne. The next game was vs Manawatu in PN. I was told that the army had been called in to put barbed wire around the stadium to control entry.
  
  We kicked that (amiably) around a bit [I was a member of Cowards Against the Tour 🙂 ] . The general message that came back was that “we will do what the civil power tells us” but “we are trained to kill people, not to control crowds” so they didn’t mind putting down the barbed wire (they did) …
  
  On the day of the game I wandered downtown and watched marching protestors facing the Red Squad. They were pretty impressive – visors, batons etc – looking pretty disciplined, advancing as a cohort and chanting “move move move”. Protestors walked up to them in a relatively orderly fashion, eyeballed them then turned round and marched away in a relatively orderly fashion. No heads were cracked – that came later in the tour.
  
  Different times …
  
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  February 16, 2022 6:04pm
  - nathie
    
    Nice account Ian, thanks for sharing! Another interesting account of the incredible moment you would have found yourself in can also be read here: 🙂
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300368501/all-eyes-on-palmerston-north-as-1981-springbok-tour-hung-in-balance
    
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    February 16, 2022 6:26pm
    - Ian Boag
      
      The point I was making was that these army dudes respected the civil power etc but were not really happy about the idea that they might be involved in crowd control. As it turned out they weren’t.
      
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      February 16, 2022 7:05pm
  - chukar
    
    IB
    The same protesters that dropped razor blades on the pitch?
    
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    February 16, 2022 9:02pm
- Pineapple Lumps
  
  Nathie: after all the bs from them and all the damage they have wrought on our country over the past 4 years I just can’t help liking seeing them self-destructing. Puts a big smile on my unmasked face! Long may it continue!
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:47pm
Prince

Ardern on Seymour…
“I don’t think it was responsible thing to do for a party that purports to be the champion of law and order, or indeed businesses, to meet with those who are obstructing Wellingtonians from going about their everyday lives, bullying and harassing people who are trying to go to school or work.”

Gee, what would she make of the Prime Minister who gave over $2 Million to a gang which destroys lives across the country with drugs, violence, killing, guns, bullying, and every crime under the sun ?
Still waiting for any media outlet to ask her that.
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February 16, 2022 5:54pm
- Pineapple Lumps
  
  Jacinda is truely on a slide – perhaps her ego getting in the way of her reading the room.
  
  Mallard censors media, turns on sprinklers, plays crap music, acts like a prat. Jacinda says …. Crickets.
  
  Seymour goes and talks to some kiwis hurting over lost kids, legalisation of discrimination , coercion out of bodily autonomy. Jacinda says:
  “Imported protest”
  “Not representative of kiwis”
  “Far right activists”
  “Seymour bad man”
  
  I think it is great, the more they say and do, the more they show themselves up for the mean spirited, petty, peevish, arrogant, one-sided, manipulative, bullying, liars that we know them to be.
  
  Finally the truth overcoming all the spin and gloss and bs from the past 4 years.
  
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  February 16, 2022 9:38pm
Jack5

Wokery …

Since buying the internet word game, Wordle, the New York Times has purged some words, including, says the Telegraph: slave, lynch, bitch, and slut.

Other sources adds to the list of purged words: pussy, whore, and, for some unclear reason, “agora” (the central city space of ancient Greek city states).
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February 16, 2022 5:56pm
- Okahu
  
  Pretty sure slut wasn’t purged. Sluts maybe. But not even the NYTimes can just go around purging singular sluts.
  
  Lynch! That’s a doozy. Excellent for hangman to.
  
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  February 16, 2022 7:41pm
Maggie Pie

Had to larf at what one of the girls from Tennis just came up with…

“No wonder Mallard plays loud music. He is the Speaker ”

😀
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February 16, 2022 6:00pm
Hugh Jarse

We keep hearing of “schoolgirls being assaulted” and having masks pulled off, other people being threatened and hassled in the vicinity of Parliament. That being the case what are Police doing in relation to local patrolling at peak walking times to prevent offending or arrest those responsible ?, there must be cameras for Africa up around there which could be used for evidential purposes. could someone ask how many complaints the Police have received and what are they doing about them ?Rights and wrongs of this protest aside, the repetition of the same story from Ministers and opponents is starting to look a bit twee.
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February 16, 2022 6:01pm
- kowtow
  
  It’s called Fake news.
  
  Make no mistake this is part of the cultural revolution and the media pardy are doing the regime’s bidding in villifying these enemies of the state.
  
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  February 16, 2022 6:32pm
  - mandk
    
    Of course it’s fake news, just like everything else the media have tried to smear the protesters with, only for the story to be proved untrue.
    
    Still, you can’t expect anything else from people who have sold their souls for Ardern’s 30 pieces of silver.
    
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    February 16, 2022 7:03pm
- ClanMcleod
  
  It’s a lie to create a fake narrative. Trolls and agitators. Ardern is completely losing the plot, like the lunatic Trudeau. Ken and Barbie of the covid sham. Disgraceful, disgusting people. Nauseating.
  
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  February 16, 2022 7:58pm
Hugh Jarse

TV3 news certainly are, referring to Seymour as a political opportunist for making suggestions they obviously weren’t happy about.
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February 16, 2022 7:56pm

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