General Debate 12 March 2024

Like this:

Like Loading...

Email
Facebook
Twitter
Comment255

Uncategorized
General Debate

Comments (255)

Login to comment or vote

cmm

“Ginny Andersen, the former police minister, says police should be angry about their latest pay offer.”

… even though it is no different to the pay offer from Labour in 2022.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350208286/police-considering-protests-work-rule-over-insulting-pay-offer
53 1
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 8:04am
- cmm
  
  2023, not 2022.
  It was only 6 months ago. Short memory.
  
  36 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 8:12am
- Simon
  
  Also Ginny Andersen upset about how National havent yet fixed 6 yrs of Labo mistakes. Thats Labo’s platform now.
  
  55 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 8:18am
  - pdm
    
    Virgina Anderson is not noted for being a new ideas person.
    
    She prefers to nag, nag, nag and if that does not work get hysterical and make things up.
    
    27 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 10:09am
    - Sir Cullen's Sidekick
      
      Pdm – she is gorgeous 😆
      
      5 6
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 10:45am
      - Tony Stuart
        
        You’re a sick puppy Sir Cullen…
        
        1 0
        Report
        March 12, 2024 8:55pm
- Nigel Kearney
  
  Frontline police should expect that their pay will keep up with inflation, at the very least. It is not an area to skimp on, especially with Australia actively recruiting.
  
  Labour being dishonest, whiny little shits, as usual, does not make National’s offer adequate.
  
  47 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 8:47am
  - RoboRob
    
    The problem is that health, policem fire and education are all ‘vital’ and need pay rises becuase of the inflation Labour and RBNZ created.
    
    The issue is that those agencies are also the bulk of the governments cost base. Labour have, yet again, left an incoming right wing government no money to pay for it.
    
    30 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 9:02am
    - Nigel Kearney
      
      All of those areas need to refocus on delivering key outcomes and eliminating tasks that do not add value. There are plenty of cost savings to be made by doing that. Skimping on salaries, in my experience, has never been a good answer to anything.
      
      The actual bulk of the government’s cost base is welfare and superannuation. But they won’t do anything meaningful there because they’re Blue Labour.
      
      12 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 10:07am
    - Bridgenag
      
      Not a right wing govt. Just slightly right of centre
      
      9 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 11:46am
  - cmm
    
    Rinse and repeat for everyone else, including doctors, nurses, programmers, electricians,…
    
    19 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 9:15am
  - miltonF
    
    I’m going to be a nit picker.
    
    No, wages should not keep up with inflation. This creates a wage/price inflationary cycle.
    
    Inflation should be restricted to match economic growth and wages. The RBNZ is failing to do this.
    
    21 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 10:02am
    - Bobba Fret
      
      The Reserve Bank are too busy hiring a DEI person to control inflation.
      I wonder what salary package they are offering?
      
      11 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 11:45am
      - Don Beckett
        
        Thinking of applying ? 😆
        
        3 0
        Report
        March 12, 2024 11:57am
  - wsk12345
    
    Why single out frontline police as the people whose pay should keep up with inflation? What about all the other essential people to keep a country running – the garbage collectors, the guys who fix the power lines after storms, people who maintain our water infrastructure, or build new houses. I havent had a pay increase in years and what I do is what I’d call borderline essential (not frontline) – but I’m just as likely to be recruited offshore at a cop.
    
    13 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 10:26am
    - G152
      
      Just had a tealeaf drop off his stolen vehicle outside my house 10 minutes on the non emergency line and two cops turned up about a minute after I put the phone down.
      10 minutes and the owner picked the car up and the cops went back to their car. Cops are worth what they are paid
      
      9 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 11:09am
      - Miritu
        
        Sadly this seems to be rare, we more often hear of police failures (protest double standards, no interest in property crime, excessive interest in thought crimes…etc.. etc.)
        
        2 0
        Report
        March 12, 2024 3:47pm
  - Paulus
    
    Most of Inflation is caused by large salary and wage increases and simply whilst this continues in every sector so will Inflation continue.
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 1:34pm
- Rumblestrip
  
  Ginny Anderson seems angry about everything, including the performance of her teenage election volunteers.
  
  28 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:46am
- catwoman
  
  Recent dealings (as a witness) with the police indicate that they do not deserve a pay rise. In 2022 I was a witness to someone trying to deliberately run over another person – there were actually many witnesses to this. It was due to come to court this month, after many postponements. The offender was “known” to police but 2 days before court they decided to deal with it my way of a good behaviour bond. What a bloody joke – the offender has a history of abuse and violence and the victim is still traumatised. I will support a pay increase when they actually do their bloody job.
  
  16 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 11:13am
- AitchW
  
  Of course the current government has to deal with the consequences of Labour’s profligate spending and reckless borrowing. So not only does it need to allocate funds to pay for adequate salaries for Police, Health. Education etc it also has to fund the unfunded commitments of the last government. There are so many ticking time bombs yet to be found it makes Cullen look almost responsible.
  
  3 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 8:24pm
Chuck Bird

The left are scum.

What sort of arsehole would video and abuse David Seymour when he had an accident on his E-Bike?
71 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 8:04am
- hmmokrightitis
  
  There is a barely contained rage in many lefties that amuses the hell out of me.
  
  From Mickey Savage at the stranded with his snide comments (“Atlas aligned”) and deliberate attacks on people rather than policy, there is a willful ignorance of the hellhole this country has become over the last 6 years.
  
  For the first time since forever, we are actively looking at offshoring our entire operation – the market is dead, prices are stupid and our staff are happy to either relocate or WFH.
  
  NZ, where we look at failed states and laugh and yet…nearly 25% of the country thinks labour did just great, lets give them another crack.
  
  44 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 8:11am
- Inandout
  
  Chuck, what sort of person uses an EV bike? Anything on two wheels can fall over, as Biden discovered.
  
  11 9
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 8:24am
  - Colville
    
    To be fair the electric mountain bikes can be total weapons.
    Had a crack on a mates KTM Ebike.. 60km/hr easy…
    he rides 50km++ every morning as he is rehabbing after an injury…rides away from home, has a coffee then uses the elec assist to get back if he is feeling a bit shagged. Loves it.
    
    21 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 9:01am
    - Sacha
      
      Talking about mountain biking – have you seen this?
      – Boxing Day Te Mata flow laps
      https://youtu.be/Sq9BUxAt7Wc?si=VdE1Dxri5YYo6KL6
      
      Mad, I tell you! But then I saw the one from Natal and it seemed like a ride in the park!
      
      5 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 11:30am
  - James Stephenson
    
    The trouble with E-bikes is the speed they travel and the fact that they’re really not well-designed in terms of the extra weight and where it is.
    
    To travel that speed on a normal bike, you have to put in some serious training time and end up with a reasonably competent set of handling and awareness skills…
    
    21 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 9:26am
    - pdm
      
      So true James.
      
      As a teenager in the 60’s I could get up to 30mph (I had a speedo) on my 28 inch wheel Hercules Atlantic push bike with a tail wind and slight downhill incline. No gears and pedal brakes and a good cruising speed was 15/20mph – that was on metal roads as not much tar seal around where I grew up.
      
      BTW still have said bike which is 66 years old but a bit high off the ground these days.
      
      12 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 10:16am
    - Master Mariner
      
      Its a wonder ACC has not recommended “Roll Cages” on E Bikes, Bit like they proposed for Quad Bikes.
      Lunacy knows No bounds.
      
      7 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 12:15pm
    - Ian Boag
      
      I ride an ebike around town quite a lot. In traffic. I ride at about 20kph without busting a gut. For round town stuff – on my own – it compares reasonably well with taking the car.
      
      My bike has a rear vision mirror which IMO should be compulsory …
      
      0 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 5:19pm
- Maggie Pie
  
  And he was a bloody Pom 🙁
  
  35 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 8:26am
  - Lance
    
    Did is show if he was wearing a cloth cap?
    
    14 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 9:40am
    - imalwaysright
      
      Knotted hankerchief and a whiff of salt and vinegar. Dead giveaway
      
      17 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 9:56am
    - pdm
      
      Shorts, walk socks and roman sandals?
      
      13 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 10:18am
    - mogg
      
      What do you mean “bloody Pom”?
      ‘Pommie Bastard’ if you don’t mind!!
      
      4 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 1:59pm
- Simon
  
  Brain washed. The NZ film commission just gave $800 k for some load of shit to be made about St Jacinda purely for brain washed cretins like this guy. National party types thinks this is fine.
  
  42 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 8:28am
  - Colville
    
    Nats are sensible enough not to scream about trivia …
    Streisand effect?
    
    17 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 9:02am
  - RoboRob
    
    It is disgusting that in a time of cut backs on government spending because we have been bankrupted by Labour, that NZOA would spend mega bucks on a MOVIE about JA. Even though they have advised that a sorter tv documentary would better match the cost with the demand, they think international viewers are dying to pay to see a movie about JA at the theatres.
    
    When this movie bombs and recovers ~5% of its budget I expect the CEO of NZOA to be sacked / removed for gross incompetence / negligence.
    
    38 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 9:08am
    - nathie
      
      Yep, time to clawback taxpayer funding from these organisations. Say 10%? Or more?
      
      Because if the public service is facing cuts, it is only fair that other taxpayer funded organisations face the same measures.
      
      NZ on air, Auckland Museum to name a few.
      
      18 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 9:36am
      - BeaB
        
        And we are told Jacinda’s mate and wedding guest, Carruthers, recused himself from the decision. And of course the staff would never do what they think the boss would like.
        
        19 0
        Report
        March 12, 2024 10:02am
    - Ghost
      
      This will be funded from money from money from last year, not this year, and a large portion of their funding, $21.5 million this year is from the lottery board.
      
      4 13
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 9:43am
      - leoj
        
        A good reason to boycott Lotto then……..
        
        12 2
        Report
        March 12, 2024 9:54am
      - Ghost
        
        Right, because that’s the way the left work isn’t it, when they don’t like a decision someone makes they boycott and call to cancel it, oh wait, seems the right is turning into the left.
        
        I just imagine how this would be if someone had put a plan to them with $3 million dollars already funded for a movie on John Key or David Seymour. It would be reversed, the right would be supporting it and the left would be whinging like little babies.
        
        3 14
        Report
        March 12, 2024 9:57am
      - wsk12345
        
        Actually not Ghost.
        
        I do t think any of us want to see a film about any polly or ex polly. I don’t care if right or left, this year or last budget, this is discretionary money that should be redirected immediately.
        
        17 1
        Report
        March 12, 2024 10:30am
      - Ghost
        
        Here’s the thing, just because we don’t want to see it doesn’t mean there isn’t a market for it. Investors have already put up $3 million for it. I think in nz there will be a market on the left for it. Talking to a friend in the states yesterday who hates Ardern she also thinks there will be a market in the USA with some lefties seeing it. This is money that I set aside for projects like this, it is not going to go to any other place but the film commission.
        
        1 7
        Report
        March 12, 2024 10:48am
      - G the giant from Dunedin
        
        It was also announced last year, sounds like media trouble making again
        
        4 0
        Report
        March 12, 2024 10:36am
      - RoboRob
        
        Does it matter if the funding is from this year or last year?
        
        If they spend it on a JA movie that removes the ability to fund something that might actually get watched.
        
        It doesn’t matter if it is lottery money, or govt money. The question is, is this a good use of limited resources. I would argue it is obviously a very poor use of money. Not because I dislike JA but because the audience does not exist.
        
        11 0
        Report
        March 12, 2024 11:12am
      - Ghost
        
        Just because no one here will watch it doesn’t mean it won’t get watched. The past few years saw her marketed globally, she is loved by the left in Canada, USA, UK. I have a friend in the USA whose daughter in law and sister both think Jacinda saved New Zealand. Investors wouldn’t put $3 million into a project if they hadn’t don’t their work and made sure the project could make a profit.
        
        3 4
        Report
        March 12, 2024 11:21am
      - Master Mariner
        
        @Ghost, Who are these so called “Investors” ?
        I would be picking along the lines of a Mickey Mouse Foundation / University Fund ?
        ie , Not Investors.
        Be interesting to know .
        
        5 1
        Report
        March 12, 2024 12:20pm
    - MCōs
      
      Nothing to do with NZOA who promote television productions, which the Ardern doco is not
      It’s money from the Film Commission, which promotes films, some of which have been very successful, and NZ as a location for films
      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/media-insider-more-media-lay-offs-up-to-21-nz-film-commission-staff-may-lose-roles-under-restructure/DJCICUGTRNGJRB7JAEYOBJYFDQ/
      
      1 4
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 1:06pm
      - Ghost
        
        Interestingly the Helen Clark doco was the first to sell out at the nz international film festival
        
        1 0
        Report
        March 12, 2024 1:13pm
      - MCōs
        
        From the article, for those who don’t subscribe to the Herald’s premium content
        “The commission is set to receive $30.2m in funding this financial year, from a range of sources including the Lottery Grants Board ($21.5m), the Ministry of Culture and Heritage (MCH) ($5.4m) and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) ($1.3m).”
        So the government funding amounts to 5/8 of f/all with most coming from the poor sods who didn’t buy a winning ticket in Lotto
        
        0 5
        Report
        March 12, 2024 1:44pm
  - Flossie
    
    Somebody written to NZ Herald stating that CR voters are going to see this movie as glorification of how they chased her out of office!
    
    10 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 9:49am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    No we do not think it’s f….n fine, but this has been announced earlier last year, and out of Labours last budget, what would you suggest? We do a Marxist typical Labour job and Vsn the bloody thing, or smoky ignore the arrogance? You Act supporters are pathetic, you hated the dictatorship we got rid of, but are calling for dictatorship to ban a job by the film commission, I just don’t get you lot
    
    2 15
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 10:20am
    - Fuzzysnuggleduck
      
      What has ACT got to do with this, or comments made on Kiwiblog? Could be former National voter, NZ first Voter or none of the above.
      
      Show us on this doll where David touched you, G.
      
      15 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 10:45am
      - Dougal10
        
        G used to be a labour voter so gets slightly confused at times , as to which side of the fence he is sitting on.
        
        4 0
        Report
        March 12, 2024 2:01pm
      - Observer of Life
        
        Fuzz: 😂😂😂
        
        0 0
        Report
        March 12, 2024 7:30pm
    - RoboRob
      
      No need to name call G
      
      I dont care which budget it came out of. We want good return on investment. That is either producing shows Kiwis want to see or shows that earn back the money put in.
      
      The commision has already confirmed the market for this is international. That means it fails the ‘shows kiwis want to see’ critera. Does any sane person think Americans or Australians are going to pay money to watch this?
      
      For what the government can do. That is simple. Remove the ceo for incompetance / lack of performance WHEN the movie is a proven failure.
      
      8 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 11:17am
    - leoj
      
      You don’t get us because of the blue blinkers you wear.
      
      One day you’ll figure out that the Nats are a centre left party but thankfully right of Labour/Greens/Maori.
      
      They are so woke and weak. Frightened to upset the apple cart.
      
      Geez. Mark Mitchell and Andrew Coster exchanged Christmas cards, for God’s sake!
      
      Coster has done more damage to law and order than all previous commissioners combined. He’s a Labour hack and should be forced out.
      
      But no, Mitchell decides he’s a buddy! Pathetic!
      
      9 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 12:35pm
      - Steve Otto(North Shore)
        
        Labour lite
        
        5 0
        Report
        March 12, 2024 1:23pm
    - Grunter
      
      What would Milei do?
      
      If you had no money, were running a deficit, and had $160 B in debt – what would you do?
      
      And there is our answer!
      
      7 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 1:48pm
    - Observer of Life
      
      G: “ No we do not think it’s f….n fine”
      Who’s this WE kemosabee? Are you in fact part of the Nat’s inner workings?? Are you really from Dunners? Interesting.
      
      0 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 7:33pm
  - Sir Cullen's Sidekick
    
    Simon bro – Yes, so that they can justify a film about St.Luxon when he gets booted out in 2026.
    
    0 4
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 12:49pm
  - Paulus
    
    Total cost for the Jacindamania conflagration is currently estimated at $3.5 million of which Taxpayers are to stump up $800,000.
    Understand that the people making it are friends of Ardern and some were so as guests at her wedding.
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 1:38pm
- Ghost
  
  The left, the right, there are people on both sides just as bad as each other. Abusing politicians, threatening politicians.
  
  7 8
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:32am
  - leoj
    
    The preponderance of crazy, mean and nasty resides with the left.
    
    Just look at the Greens – a freak show.
    
    15 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 9:55am
    - Ghost
      
      Bullshit. And if you think that you don’t see some of the crap that is posted here about the left, and no doubt some of the stuff that mods don’t approve. It’s not the left the sent death threats to Ardern and other leftie mp’s, or to Clark when she was pm. There are people on both sides that are just as bad as each other
      
      4 13
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 10:14am
      - David Garrett
        
        Ghost: There are people on both sides that are just as bad as each other
        
        Quite so Sir, but the point people are making is there are far more nasties on the left side of the political spectrum…people who celebrated with a party when Thatcher died for example, as compared to our host, who politely posts an RIP for any leftie politician who dies.
        
        Take that most recent obit, for Jonathon Hunt: the guy was pretty much a useless trougher, famous for his profligate use of taxi chits, and observing an ANZAC day parade from his car because it was raining.
        
        Obviously I have no idea what the mods here may have deleted, but the criticisms that did appear were very mild in nature.
        
        [Mod – we like to keep those posts respectful, some posts didn’t get approved]
        
        18 2
        Report
        March 12, 2024 10:36am
      - Groggy
        
        Spot on Ghost, just that most posters here have the self-awareness of a brick
        
        3 8
        Report
        March 12, 2024 10:36am
      - G the giant from Dunedin
        
        Not so sure about that, it may well have been a greenie nutter, or even an activist Māori, probably white supremacy, but who knows.
        
        One thing is for sure, the left never gave a shit when Bridges was told by a leftie he would kill his kids snd freed them to police, this disgusting shameful thing was dealt with through the courts
        
        10 1
        Report
        March 12, 2024 11:05am
- miltonF
  
  You have the same thoughts as I did yesterday.
  
  If I saw this happen to someone I dearly despise, such as Jacinda Ardern, I would never think of laughing and yelling abuse while recording. I would run to help, as I would for any other person.
  
  The left really aren’t us. Their principles and behaviour are so far dislocated that I feel they come from a completely different culture.
  
  22 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 10:12am
  - Ghost
    
    What a load of bullshit, the left and the right are no different
    
    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/threats-against-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-triple-according-to-report/ESKHAL4HNASO6HQZ2IPPBEK3HA/
    
    That isn’t the left threatening her
    
    3 15
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 10:28am
    - In Vino Veritas
      
      Oh please Ghost. This stat is meaningless. For instance, how many threats did John Key get? And you might remember these song lyrics:
      “That’s why I’m going to kill the Prime Minister. I’m going to kill the Prime Minister, because we are down and suffering and the motherfucker ain’t doing nothing. Going to kill the Prime Minister.
      
      One of these days I’m going to fuck your daughter. This poor boy going to make his seed, going to wake up in your girl – well hello Miss Key”.
      
      Do you recall Ardern being interviewed about it and said she liked Homebrew’s music?
      
      21 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 11:10am
      - Ghost
        
        Yeah let’s try to excuse the threats she received and other mp’s receive. no politician should receive any threats, and the fact is that they do from people on the left and the right.
        
        1 11
        Report
        March 12, 2024 11:23am
  - Clown
    
    Speak for yourself – I would never ever help scumbag like Ardern
    
    6 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 1:35pm
    - Sponge
      
      That says more about you than her.
      
      4 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 3:02pm
Gussy Fink-Nottle

How does the war in Ukraine end?
To win a war you generally require advantage in 3 areas: air superiority, industrial capacity, and manpower. Ukraine may get the first two from elsewhere, but currently, it’s not enough, and without foreign boots on the ground, they won’t match in manpower.
Don’t get me wrong:
I dislike Russia’s foreign policy.
I admire Ukraine’s tenacity. They have proved effective and innovative (seemingly in the absence of a raft of DE&I policies). Crucially, they did not fall like nine-pins.
I also think the US and NATO could have done more to avoid the confrontation in the first place.
But, like Climate Change©, the effects of our moral stance may have worse implications than the problems we set out to resolve.
I see 5 possible scenarios:
1. The war grinds on indefinitely.
2. A settlement is reached (which would likely see Russia keeping most of the territory it currently occupies).
3. Russia pushes further West.
4. The conflagration widens.
5. Russia withdraws.

Depressingly, I think 1, 2, 3 & 4 are more likely than 5.
I’d like to be wrong.
Downtick if you must. Reasoned arguments welcome.
31 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 8:12am
- Colville
  
  What happens if Putin falls out of a window?
  
  13 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:03am
  - Grunter
    
    That is when you really worry! That means that someone much worse is about to run Russia.
    
    13 3
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 9:49am
    - Maggy Wassilieff
      
      There won’t be a someone… There will be a bunch of them…
      Gang bosses with their own domains.
      
      16 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 10:22am
  - Flossie
    
    The next down the chain will be as bad as, if not worse than, Putin.
    
    11 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 9:50am
    - Colville
      
      My feel for it is that Putin has ensured there isnt a “one person” that can replace him so if he does take an unexpected fall from great height there would be a gaggle of regional thug bosses take his place and that would take time to settle down. In that time Nato/USA would have plenty of time to harden the border.
      
      8 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 11:41am
- Gerrit
  
  Russia has already lost for the primary goal was to have a buffer zone between itself and NATO. With Finland and Sweden joining NATO they have doubled their border with NATO and if NATO decided to join the conflict (UK and France are quite likely to force the Germans) than Russia is likely to lose the vital port of Murmansk to the Finns and the Kalinigrad enclave to the Poles. Sweden will control the Baltic Sea and deny St Petersburg port, sea access. That leaves Russian Black Sea ports at the mercy of Ukrainians. If China expands to reclaim eastern Siberia, Russia has no ports at all. Most at risk is St Peterburg for it could easily be overrun in a north south pincer movement. The Russian border with NATO is now so long that it will take a huge amount of man and equipment to patrol and defend it. Men and equipment it needs to further occupy and defend what it has in Donbass. At extreme risk is the Kerch Bridge for if that falls Russia looses the Crimea. Problem for Russia is that their Donbass salient is not deep enough to prevent NATO rocket and artillery disrupting the new rail line that follows the coast line to the Crimea.
  
  20 3
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:11am
  - Grunter
    
    In a straight-out traditional war between Russia and NATO then NATO wins every time (so long as the US is leading the charge). Russia has no ability to conquer Europe in a traditional war.
    
    But the obvious risk of NATO vs Russia (WW3) is Russian nukes.
    
    I have no trust in the ability of any of our current ‘world leaders’ to conduct WW3 that does not at some point result in nukes.
    
    8 4
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 10:00am
    - Gerrit
      
      Problem for Russia and the first use of Nukes is that the 16 USA, 6 British and 3 French nuclear armed submarines in the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas would unleash over 200 missiles onto the only two targets in Russia; St Peterburg and Moscow. Can he defend against that number of missiles. Only two need to be missed and Putin plus Russia is finished.
      
      Putin cannot just nuke Warsaw, for example, as a warning for the retribution would be swift and the death of Russia. So he has to have a mega strike on ALL of NATO to be effective (including mainland USA).
      
      So Putin’s nuclear bet is that he nukes as warning a NATO city and that NATO will not respond with the total obliteration of Russia’s two cities of importance.
      
      I guess the risk will be calculated on where the B52 nuclear armed bombers are stationed.
      
      6 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 11:12am
      - Colville
        
        I have read commentary that USA believes they know where Putin is every moment of every day.
        If Putin pushes the red button there is a nuke coming thru his letterbox very soon thereafter.
        
        Contemplating your future lifespan as minutes rather than years might make detente quite a nice idea.
        
        3 1
        Report
        March 12, 2024 1:47pm
      - Grunter
        
        Russia has 6,000+ nukes, so they wouldn’t just launch a few on Warsaw as a warning. Even you have figured out that move means Russia is dead within hours as it allows NATO to launch their nukes. So it is very naive to think Russia would hold anything back. Why would they??
        
        Once the nukes start there is no stopping. It is a combined 12,000+ nukes launched within a few hours. No one can defend against that onslaught from subs, silos, ships, planes, mobile missile launches.
        
        Nukes only have one benefit – deterrence of war itself between the superpowers. If nukes fail to deter these clowns from going to war, then we are (potentially) completely pharked.
        
        2 2
        Report
        March 12, 2024 2:03pm
      - All_on_Red
        
        Grunter- you do realise that you have just explained why Russia will NOT use its “nukes”
        It would be the end of Russia and Putin
        So all your rhetoric about the threat is pointless.
        
        1 2
        Report
        March 12, 2024 4:28pm
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    Putin said he would use nukes if anyone joined NATO, he singled out Sweden
    
    5 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 11:07am
- RoboRob
  
  After the first year the Ukrainians were in a decent place and the Russians were struggling to advance. At that point a number of people suggested a settlement be reached. The Ukraine and US screamed that the Russians shouldn’t get any soil. Most of the world agreed and the war continued. If a cease fire had been negotiated at this point the Russians would have held little territory and been in a weak negotiating position.
  
  Now here we are with the inevitable outcome apparent, Russia will eventually grind its way to victory and the west will tire of funding the Ukraine. However now, because of political stupidity, the Ukraine is in a much weaker position to demand a cease fire and will lose much more, if not all, territory.
  
  Bidens terrible foreign policy has a lot to answer for. He allowed this war to start by
  
  1) unblocking the alternate oil pipeline that Trump had blocked
  
  2) Publicly saying that if the Russians invaded the US wouldn’t do anything if it was only a little land.
  
  3) Generally been weak with all US opposed countries; China, Iran, North Korea etc
  
  4) Continually hinting that Ukraine could become part of Nato
  
  Biden and Nato apparently have zero game plan as to what the outcome of this war will be. Aside from winning, which looks unlikely, what it Natos game plan?
  
  11 5
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:19am
  - RoboRob
    
    Do the downvoters think that Biden wasn’t a major factor in this going bad or do they think Ukraine is going to win?
    
    Serious question.
    
    10 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 11:20am
    - Matt Long
      
      We were all told Ukraine would capitulate within a couple of months of the Russian invasion.
      I’m not going to make any bets for Ukraine falling any time soon, or against for that matter.
      
      2 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 1:42pm
- Grunter
  
  The outcome is entirely in the hands of Russia and the USA. They are the ones with ‘the guns’ so they get to decide if they stop using them or not. Although you could rightly argue that the Ukrainians could conduct some sort of guerrilla war indefinitely as well.
  
  After 2 years of war, I can’t see Russia walking away and giving up the eastern territory and Crimea (which is what Zelensky wants). Why would they realistically do that? And Russia also demands a neutral Ukraine. If Putin even mentioned “withdrawal” the Russian hardliners would take him out and replace him with a real warmonger.
  
  Unless Ukraine gets more manpower, ammo, and airpower very soon, then Russia will carry on the annihilation and eventually take out Odesa and Keiv and put in some sort of puppet Govt.
  
  So the key question is, will the USA allow that to happen? The only way to prevent it is NATO boots on the ground, a huge increase in ammo, plus deployment of the US airforce & more missiles. That is a significant escalation from what we have today (it is called WW3).
  
  Trump is saying he won’t do that “It’s over within 24 hours…!” meaning he would settle. So if you take him for his word (debatable) then the US has until Nov to start the escalation.
  
  Let us all hope that no one wants to escalate this mess. So then it is a question of some sort of forced settlement. The longer Ukraine delays that, the worse off they will be (remember they had a settlement in April 2022 where they retained all the eastern territory – but they ripped it up!).
  
  So, IMO, the Pope is right – settle now and end the killing. Otherwise, this just gets much worse.
  
  11 6
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:47am
  - Master Mariner
    
    There is a reason why Victoria Nuland has resigned.
    
    The Great architect of this fiasco going all the way back too 2014.
    
    6 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 12:28pm
    - Grunter
      
      Yep, the surprise forced resignation of Nuland last week is telling. She was reportedly becoming more unhinged as she realised that Ukraine was failing. Her desperate new plans were too much for even the Deep State (she was #3 remember). They couldn’t control the vile coming out of her mouth so she had to go.
      
      5 3
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 2:13pm
      - All_on_Red
        
        If Ukraine is “failing” why is the Russian Army * pretty much stopped on the fringes of Ukraine and not in Kyiv?
        
        Their Navy is taking a hammering too and have retreated from Sevastopol.
        ‘Russia has lost more than a quarter of its fleet – some 21 vessels – since February 2022, including the early sinking in 2022 of their flagship Moskva in a Neptune missile strike by Ukraine.’
        https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13181923/Fresh-humiliation-Putin-sacks-naval-commander-wave-devastating-Ukrainian-drone-attacks-crumbling-Black-Sea-fleet-replaces-nuclear-sub-expert.html
        
        Given Russia has lost ‘more than a quarter’ of its fleet why hasn’t Putin used Nukes already?
        Is it because he knows he will then lose everything?
        
        * The Greatest Convict Army in the Woooorld
        
        2 4
        Report
        March 12, 2024 3:07pm
- nathie
  
  You forgot:
  
  6. Russia is weakened, allowing China to dominate Russian interests in the longer term.
  
  For example, Russia has had prior concerns that its resource rich eastern territories could fall back into Chinese ownership again. That was before Ukraine was invaded and the invasion has seen the destruction of Russian land, air and even sea capabilities and the deaths of tens of thousands of its soldiers. Like the West, China will be viewing the dismal military strategies employed by Russia and take notes.
  
  China, a friend for now, of course takes the long view and as Russia weakens they will wait …
  
  Also, from The Telegraph today:
  
  Putin is squeezing every rouble he can out of the Russian state in pursuit of victory in Ukraine. Increasingly, his war-driven economy is propped up by support from China, with Russia fast becoming a proxy in Xi Jinping’s zero-sum contest with the West. Unless this reality is effectively addressed by the Western coalition, the free world risks first losing Ukraine, then Taiwan, and ultimately any hope of maintaining the current rules-based international order.
  
  Crucially, no true strategic partnership exists between Beijing and Moscow. China has no intention of power sharing with a victorious Putin in a future post-US-led world.
  
  But this is precisely what makes the current situation so dangerous. Backed by Beijing, protracting Putin’s war of attrition in Ukraine will not only weaken Russia, it will by degrees weaken and divide the Western coalition, and ease China’s path to supremacy over a new alliance based on authoritarian cronies and client states in the Global South.
  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/03/10/russia-ukraine-china-sanctions-economy/
  
  A “friendly” China reminds us of a “friendly” Germany at the start of WW2. How did that work out in the end?
  
  Perhaps if Putin had any sense he would de-escalate the war with Ukraine and think more about the future integrity of the Russian state and the need for friendly relations with the West (as relying on the likes of China and North Korea isn’t exactly enabling success for Russia as a whole for future generations).
  
  After all with Russia’s economy now on a war footing, medium to long term pumping out thousands of artillery shells (for Russia’s exclusive use) will not enable economic success. Just saying.
  
  9 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:57am
  - Grunter
    
    nathie – some interesting points.
    
    “…the future integrity of the Russian state and the need for friendly relations with the West…”
    
    From what I have read, Putin did see this back in the days of Bill Clinton. He even discussed the potential for Russia to join NATO thus creating a huge alliance that China could never challenge. Clinton agrees that this discussion took place but it was never advanced because the nutters back in Washington didn’t want to attempt friendship with post-Soviet Russia.
    
    You can of course argue it was just a cunning Putin ploy – maybe it was. But if they could have pulled that off 20+ years ago then the world would be a very different place than what we see today.
    
    As for China conquering the whole of Russia in order to take their resources (oil, coal, gas, etc). Russia would set off their 6,000+ nukes before they allowed that to happen. And I think the Chinese leaders are more realistic about that threat than the current NATO mob.
    
    5 4
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 10:48am
- Jethrod
  
  Concerning #5 , Russia finally pulled out of Afghanistan licking it considerable wounds. But then again so did the US out of Vietnam and Afghanistan.
  
  10 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 10:18am
- Bridgenag
  
  For those of you interested in the detail of the Ukraine/Russia war I would recommend
  
  SIMPLICIUS THE THINKER
  MAR 11
  
  This is a post from yesterday. Look at his previous posts when you have the time maybe.
  
  https://open.substack.com/pub/simplicius76/p/sitrep-31124-patriots-blown-up-as?r=1aj1bv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
  
  4 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 12:02pm
  - All_on_Red
    
    Institute for the Study of War is ok
    They gather info from many sources
    Not YT Commentators- lol
    https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-11-2024
    
    1 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 3:24pm
NeverMindTheBollocks

Malaysia offered GBP100m to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

What an opportunity for Palmerston North!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/commonwealth-games/68534305
13 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 8:12am
Vinicius

Over at Bassett Brash and Hide Dr Mike Schmidt has an opinion piece about the Reserve Bank’s new DEI programme (diversity, equity, and inclusion).

Dr Schmidt lampoons the Reserve Bank for wanting to recruit a DEI Advisor, and lists the details of the role (here is some of them):

• Embedding a DEI and Te Ao Māori lens across policy, processes and systems.

•Utilising gender and ethnic pay gap analyses and insights to develop comprehensive strategies and action plans.

• Developing a robust organisational thought leadership strategy and implement initiatives that develop a DEI centre of excellence.

Seems the RB is like the rest of Government in NZ, full of this woke codswallop. Heaven help us!

https://www.bassettbrashandhide.com/post/dr-mike-schmidt-reserve-bank-of-new-zealand-moving-beyond-its-remit-into-identity-politics
51 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 8:13am
- Grunter
  
  Gender & Ethnic pay gap analysis…(eye roll)
  
  99+ Genders
  Maybe 100 ethnicities? (more if you allow for mixtures….)
  
  So that’s possibly 10,000 sets of Gender/Ethnic pay gaps to calculate! They are going to be busy.
  
  20 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:11am
  - Max Mansplain
    
    Especially with some people’s genders changing on a daily basis…
    
    22 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 9:45am
    - pdm
      
      Max I understand a good kick in the gonads can do that to a man dressed as a woman.
      
      9 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 10:23am
- PeeJay
  
  I understand that Orr cannot be fired but he can be encouraged to reluctantly depart.
  
  Make no mistake – this role and its wide-ranging remit are completely at odds with the Reserve Banks role.
  
  If the creation of this DEI advisor role doesn’t result in Luxon and Willis immediately, and preferably publicly, informing Orr that he has lost the confidence of the government in an attempt to force him to resign, then surely it is reasonable to infer that Luxon and Willis are completely fine with this DEI bullshit?
  
  28 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:16am
  - sungsamning
    
    A word in his ear from ACT, and NZF might help.
    
    13 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 10:01am
  - cmm
    
    Orr can’t be fired?
    
    There must surely there are some performance parameters around his employment.
    
    If he turns up drunk and pisses on the pot plants would that be enough? Or in this case, going way outside his brief and hiring DEI advisors.
    
    7 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 1:06pm
    - Jack5
      
      The Reserve Bank of NZ Act 2021 says the Reserve Bank Governor can be fired “at any time for just cause.”
      
      Orr’s mis-advice that led to the immigration blow-out plus his part, along with those of Robertson and Treasury, in the Covid shutdown money printing craze, is surely just cause.
      
      1 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 5:26pm
  - Paulus
    
    But the RBNZ Committee which control the Rates can be changed – particularly the Robertson appointees from the Unions, and left wing Labour favourites.
    
    6 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 1:46pm
  - Master Mariner
    
    Go too the Reserve Banks web page and have a read.
    Its riddled with ESG messaging.
    Why anyone is surprised only now is baffling to say the least.
    
    4 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 2:59pm
- leoj
  
  Watch Luxon and Nats do nothing to even suggest to the RB that such nonsense needs to cease.
  
  There is just as much woke within the Nats headed by King Woke, Luxon himself.
  
  17 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:58am
- Stellaboxer
  
  The RB should try doing it’s job before trying to tackle the perceived social ills of the world. Why hasn’t the government gotten in there a sacked these far left sleepers ?
  
  17 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 10:00am
tknorriss

Why are our bowlers so damn injury prone? The Auzzies seem to be able to keep there three best quicks on the field most of the time, with the occasional injury I guess.

But, our fastest bowlers send up consigned to the shortest forms of the game because they can’t seem to last a test match.

For instance, Fergusson and Milne. O’Rourke got through one test before he was injured in the next.

I find it very frustrating. Surely we would be learning from the Auzzies about how they manage their bowlers?
15 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 8:16am
- hmmokrightitis
  
  And Jammo.
  
  I look at Waggies fitness régime. The man is 38 and looks like he is in his 20’s. Pity there was no place for him – to be replaced by a bloke who doesn’t understand what no means.
  
  IMHO we need a clean out. Southee has done his dash, thanks and enjoy retirement. Stead needs to go, bring DanV in as coach. Surely there is a new opener out there we can use as well?
  
  12 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 8:20am
  - pdm
    
    Stead in particular Hmmo.
    
    It is almost a crime that Ajaz Patel has been unceremoniously dumped after 14 wickets in a test including 10 in an innings. How good a bowler would he be if he had played every test since then?
    
    Bloody good I say.
    
    6 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 10:27am
- Simon
  
  What these clowns?
  
  The New Zealand and West Indies cricket teams have agreed to “take a knee” before the first T20 international in Auckland tonight.
  
  The act in support of the Black Lives Matter movement is part of what both teams are doing to draw attention to the fight against racism and injustice.
  
  https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/431594/black-caps-to-take-a-knee
  
  Send NZ cricket side to Haiti. BLM
  
  16 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 8:21am
  - Hong Jianhong
    
    Did you check the date?
    
    5 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 8:55am
  - imalwaysright
    
    I wonder why they don’t get down on both knees.
    
    Lack of commitment in my opinion.
    
    5 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 9:09am
  - greybeard
    
    I think he is trying to prove a point in regard to recent events in Haiti.
    Maybe related to Southee’s judgement.
    
    1 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 9:50am
- MCōs
  
  You can usually tell by a bowlers action whether he’s prone to injury and some of our guys put a lot of strain on their joints.
  
  5 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 8:32am
  - tknorriss
    
    True that. But, that is fairly basic stuff isn’t it? Surely something our coaches should be on top of.
    
    5 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 8:38am
    - pdm
      
      tk – Trent Boult is a classic case of a bowler with an action that means very few injuries – effortless.
      
      8 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 10:31am
  - In Vino Veritas
    
    Nope MCos, cricket has dozens of first class and test cricketers with unusual actions that have been amazingly successful and not particularly injury prone.
    
    0 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 8:45pm
- JimBobJoe
  
  They have a battery of bowlers its not just 3, they rotate and rest one of their best 3 (Starc, Cummings, Hazlewood) from time to time PLUS they have a reliable stock bowler in Lyon who eats massive amounts of overs.
  
  They manage their assets better…
  
  Plus, lets face it: they have a much deeper system which produces more consistent performers who dont have to strain every sinew to compete at Test level. So those battle harden at Sheffield Shield level have a reliable body they can trust at Test level.
  
  NZ pulls kids out of 1st class cricket after 8 to 10 games and throw them into Tests – they are not ready physically and they break.
  
  4 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 8:55am
  - Gravelroad
    
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350209219/ex-test-greats-stunned-black-cap-daryl-mitchells-reaction-loss-australia
    It’s almost as though some of these professional cricketers see their roles similar to that of playing at a Sunday afternoon charity celebrity event.
    Seems unlikely that some of them will ever be mentally strong enough to seriously challenge the focussed and determined Aussie players.
    And if this guy thinks kids just want to see “nice stuff” then I can point to a couple here who were most disappointed that the Black Caps didn’t win anything – especially the one who asked for a Black Caps shirt for his birthday @$99 and is now not inclined to wear it cause he ain’t so proud about his team today.
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 10:25am
  - In Vino Veritas
    
    “they are not ready physically and they break”. Nope Jim, if you are good enough, you are old enough. Simple as that. Cricket is littered with 19-21 year olds that have been absolutely outstanding at that age.
    
    0 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 8:42pm
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Hazlewood was very injury prone early on, and I think Cummings may have had issues also
  
  2 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 11:20am
- cmm
  
  Bloody wusses. Don’t build them like they used to.
  
  In the 1976 Olympics Trevor Manning, the NZ hockey goal keeper, played with a shattered kneecap.
  
  1 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 12:24pm
  - MCōs
    
    “The Aussies had champagne on ice in their changing rooms. They’d thought they were going to win. So after the game they brought it to our rooms and gave it to us.”
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/7704583/Wellingtonian-Interview-Trevor-Manning
    
    NZ won two gold at those Olympics and Australia none
    
    0 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 2:59pm
JC60

Willie Jackson has been making himself available to the media so often lately it makes you wonder if he is lining himself up for a go at the leadership of the Labour Party.
27 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 8:17am
- Colville
  
  If anyone can get Labour in to single digit approval ratings it is Willie !
  
  Go Willie!!
  
  36 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:06am
  - sungsamning
    
    That’d be great to see. He’d be the perfect complement to Chloe in the ‘Greens’.
    
    12 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 10:03am
    - Colville
      
      Willie as Labour No 1 would be the best thing that could happen to the Greens.
      
      7 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 11:44am
  - Paulus
    
    Ginny will scratch his eyes out first !
    
    4 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 1:48pm
- RoboRob
  
  I think Willie is trying to land a cushy exit role in the media as a commentator. The opposite of Tova who is trying to land a position in the Labour party. Perhaps they should swap jobs?
  
  23 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:22am
  - Paulus
    
    Even the Labour Party des not have that much money to employ Tova !
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 1:49pm
- artemisia
  
  Willie might very well think that. I couldn’t possibly comment.
  
  (Often wonder why some named William choose to be called Willie. Isn’t it weird? I’m thinking of Willy Wonka. Of course. Weren’t you?)
  
  12 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:24am
- G152
  
  Then it would be the losership of the liebor party for a few cycles
  
  5 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 11:15am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  He’s scared of getting found out about his media corruption
  
  8 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 11:35am
Maggie Pie

Watched the PM being interviewed earlier on tax-deductablity for landlords.

Does anyone else think Anna Burns-Francis is a bit thick?
48 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 8:19am
- Grumpy Silver Top
  
  A “journalist”. Nuff said.
  
  21 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 8:59am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  I have always thought she is more than just a bit thick.
  When it comes to numbers I think she works in that common core shit.
  
  19 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:00am
- oldpark
  
  @Maggie Pie 8.19 am
  Yes all she is just a pretty face . That sometimes open doors to balance out some of an imbalance on the eye candy stakes . A friend told me to say that .
  
  16 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:29am
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    You friend should have gone to Specsavers.
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 3:47pm
Bridgenag

The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy:
A final analysis

“The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy: The Final Analysis presents indisputable forensic evidence that two shots fired from the front and one shot fired from the rear killed the president in a Dealey Plaza crossfire—exposing a sixty-year coverup by the CIA, the FBI, the Pentagon, and the Secret Service.”

https://open.substack.com/pub/rwmalonemd/p/the-assassination-of-president-john?r=1aj1bv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
14 4
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 8:20am
- Rusty
  
  @Bridgenag
  
  Even if this theory is correct the question still remains – Who and Why was JFK killed?
  
  13 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 8:41am
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    Who? Democrats. Why? Because JFK wanted to curb their corruption.
    Yes, the swamp has been alive for decades.
    
    16 6
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 9:02am
  - miltonF
    
    From what I’ve researched, looks to have been a coup of sorts. JFK was worried about the rise and power of the unions and the intelligence apparatus. These groups worked together to eliminate a democratically elected leader. They have been working together ever since to “fortify” elections to get their preferred candidates into power. It’s gotten really bad since big tech has decided to join the cabal. This is the “deep state”.
    
    10 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 10:22am
  - fredonas
    
    On December 19, 1961, at the age of 73, JFK’s father Joe Kennedy suffered a stroke, rendering him an invalid. Before this, he was an intermediary between JFK and RFK and various powerbrokers in Washington and helped to keep the brothers in check and on track. RFK and the Justice Department were putting together a case to indict LBJ and keep him off the 1964 Democrat ticket. This was an existential threat both politically and legally to LBJ. It is no coincidence that the assassination took place in Dallas after a thwarted yet eerily similar plot in Chicago. One question is: Did JFK know there was a plot when he swapped Senator Ralph Yarborough, an LBJ nemesis who was originally planned to be in the limousine for Governor Connolly, an LBJ protege on the morning of 22 November despite the heated protests of LBJ? The final head shot cannot have come from the purported Oswald rifle as the Zapruder film shows that it was a high powered projectile and likely an exploding bullet. The supposed Oswald rifle was a lower powered carbine that fired ammunition with a brass casing and a lead projectile. It is likely that Oswald was indeed a patsy and was in the second floor lunchroom the whole time waiting by the pay telephone for instructions. It’s also likely that trusted LBJ henchman Malcolm “Mac” Wallace was one of the gunmen on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository that day.
    
    9 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 10:27am
    - kowtow
      
      The “patsy” who murdered Officer Tippet ?
      
      2 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 12:28pm
      - fredonas
        
        Witnesses to the Tippit murder described two men who ran off in different directions, neither of whom matched Oswald’s appearance.
        
        2 0
        Report
        March 12, 2024 1:13pm
Bridgenag

Analysing the failed experiment of lockdown…..
From Wales

https://open.substack.com/pub/trusttheevidence/p/analysing-the-failed-experiment-of?r=1aj1bv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
15 1
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 8:29am
- Grumpy Silver Top
  
  A damning list and rings many bells for NZ. While not denying that any of this happened, some of is observation,”we all saw it” some is nowbeing evidenced by economic and mental health outcomes. But, evidence of cause and effect is thin because we don’t have a “control”. A global event brings change. Often change that is unpalatable. Our governments reacted without considering the whole picture. (They didn’t have it.) All they could see was overloaded hospitals and damn all other scenarios.
  
  13 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:09am
  - Bridgenag
    
    Was even one Intensive care unit constructed?
    
    5 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 12:11pm
nathie

I see Newshub’s Jenna Lynch appears to be the Left’s “useful idiot” again, this time using the CTU economist Craig Renney’s misinformation to attack National and Chris Luxon as apparently the “landlord tax” will cost more than National and ACT campaigned on.

As Luxon explained to Mike Hosking this morning the reason is because the govt accounts aren’t as healthy as expected (thanks to Labour economic mismanagement – again Lynch doesn’t mention Labour’s part in screwing the economy over).

Which to me is prudent economic management on National and ACT’s part, but this seems to escape “useful idiots” like Jenna Lynch who would rather use Labour’s CTU pals to try and score hits on the Govt.

What a disgrace to journalism and Newshub’s reputation (especially when they do have other good journalists). Anyway don’t expect any self-reflection, expect more doubling down instead.
40 1
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 8:29am
- Blog-aholic
  
  I can never understand why journalists go to partisan ‘experts’ for comment other than to be partisan in their reports. My guess is this is why they are kaput.
  
  16 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 8:55am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    A union bully boy an expert?
    
    6 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 11:42am
  - Paulus
    
    Those chosen from our well paid University jobs, who want to keep their lucky numbers, so that is why they are chosen to kick the Coalition Government.
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 1:55pm
- jkt
  
  Let them continue digging their hole deeper.
  
  Newsreaders and political correspondents using gimmicks to “show up” their “guests” demonstrate their disrespect for their consumers. No wonder people are tuning out.
  
  22 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:07am
- thirteenstars
  
  Lynch is not a useful idiot. She’s the one who creates the idiots.
  
  The further you go up the chain the more they know what they’re saying, why they’re saying it and what it will achieve.
  
  Lynch is an activist.
  
  19 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:21am
- Paulus
  
  Jenna only some 9 weeks to go, so – Go for it girl.
  You will not be missed – really.
  
  7 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 1:52pm
Maggie Pie

TRENDING

Royal Family member caught out photoshopping pic….

https://twitter.com/MaggieMobrules/status/1767152600443420736
10 2
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 8:47am
kowtow

The state of te media .

The UK Home Office extremism advisor Robin Simcox says London is now a no go area for Jews and the protests have gone unchallenged and extremism growing emboldened.

Here our te media obsessed with a photo.
20 2
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 8:48am
- Ian Boag
  
  The Jew thing does confuse me a bit sometimes. The Jews are a small (maybe 20m) Middle Eastern tribe who – with copious outside (US) help – have punched above their weight for the last 70-odd years.
  
  I’m not anti-Jew. I get confused (again ) by “anti-semite” being conflated with “anti-Jew” given that the Jews are not the only semites in the Middle East.
  
  2 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 5:54pm
MCōs

Did QEII have tea with Paddington Bear?
9 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 8:48am
- imalwaysright
  
  And is she really that handy with a parachute?
  
  7 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:15am
  - MCōs
    
    I’m beginning to have doubts
    
    2 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 2:48pm
bco90

Yo, Haiti has finally collapsed.

A literal cannibal gang leader named “Barbeque” has effectively taken control. The US and EU have evacuated their embassies. The Haiti PM is in hiding in Puerto Rico, unable to return. Gangs have attacked airports, court buildings, hospitals, etc.

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/03/10/americas/haiti-us-germany-eu-embassy-evacuate-personnel-intl-hnk/index.html

The numbers leaving Haiti were already pretty high, but it’s probably about to ramp up. At what point do we call it a refugee crisis?
12 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 9:02am
- Nigel Kearney
  
  Haiti overthrew their colonisers over 200 years ago. I would have expected that would solve their problems and they would be prosperous and successful by now.
  
  15 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:59am
  - Tom Barker
    
    For 122 years France required Haiti to pay annual compensation for the slaves it freed. At least US$21 billion. That would tend to drag their economy down a bit.
    
    6 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 10:07am
    - Swifty
      
      That’s not quite the full story, it included lost farms etc.
      
      But yes, absolutely not a glorious high point of European (French and subsequently US) behaviour.
      
      6 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 1:09pm
- Jack5
  
  Dominican Republic next door to Haiti is on alert.
  
  Of refugees who get in, it’s deporting a thousand a day back to Haiti.
  
  https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/03/10/crisis-in-haiti-prompts-thousands-to-flee-to-dominican-republic_6602566_4.html
  
  9 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 10:23am
Maggie Pie

Appalling crimes going down in Haiti by the looks of it. Prime Minister Aerial Henry has fled the country and ultra violent gangs are now ruling the streets 🙁

RNZ reports….

https://rnz.co.nz/world/511444/haiti-spirals-to-collapse-as-gangs-tighten-grip

We need to remember Haitians are people too.

But then, you are what you eat.
16 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 9:22am
- Blog-aholic
  
  According to reports they are also having ‘cannibal gangs’ doing some appalling things in Port au Prince…
  
  10 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:33am
  - Maggie Pie
    
    Yes, absolutely horrifying.
    Dozens of vids on the net of the gang leader having lunch.
    They call him ‘Barbeque’
    
    10 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 10:03am
  - Bridgenag
    
    Hey We pay our gangs here
    
    8 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 12:17pm
- Inandout
  
  Maggie, that item has been pulled by RNZ. Perhaps there is a message for this country if gangs revert to savagery.
  
  11 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:58am
  - Maggie Pie
    
    Some of the photos were gross!
    
    Elon Musk himself posted a video of the cannibalism yesterday suggesting these are the types of people Biden is allowing over the border.
    I see the tweet is still up but the vid has been taken down.
    
    13 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 10:26am
- kowtow
  
  Pallywood will now have to up their game to compete for te msm’s attention against Haiti…….
  …….oh wait , the te media believes everything that comes out of the Hamas Press Agency and runs with it without any checks or withdrawals ……..unlike when the Royals post a photo……
  
  6 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 10:09am
Steve Otto(North Shore)

MH370 in a trench?
Some serious facts I did not know, such as fuel and cockpit oxy.

https://www.msn.com/en-nz/lifestyle/travel/flight-documents-show-mh370-was-buried-in-an-ocean-trench-by-pilot-says-boeing-expert/ar-BB1jHPza?
12 1
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 9:27am
- imalwaysright
  
  S.O
  Its hard to believe that submarine detection microphones, satellites or submarines didn’t detect the impact.
  Apparently there could have been some hardware and scientists onboard that were of interest to several government agencies.
  Some say it is/was at the US military base Diego Garcia .
  
  5 4
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:48am
  - fightingtemeraire
    
    I am sure they did but you couldn’t hide it a DG and what do you do with several hundred pax??
    
    4 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 12:43pm
Yvette

Recent events show there has never been a more important time to support local news. Donate today to support independent journalism. Donate Today – Newsroom

Do “Recent events (also) show there has never been a more important” indicator that $55 million offered by Ardern and Jackson, prompted purportedly by the covid catastrophe (whatever that meant for media, who then surely had more to report to a then more avid readership) but conditional on promoting the Treaty as a partnership, was a totally misdirected political move and should have been declared as a party political election expense.

Okay , that last bit might be a little off the bloody rails, but what about the rest of the Labour / media train wreck?
14 1
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 9:34am
Diogenes

“Where do all the axed journalists find work now?” So asks a Stuff headline. Perhaps they could do what I did.

I was made redundant from Radio NZ in 1988, along with many of the organisation’s higher paid journalists. The Christchurch newsroom was gutted and the mood turned sour. A friend who survived the cut said: “The living are envying the dead.” As a journalist, it was not a good time to be looking for a job. The Christchurch Star had gone from a daily to a weekly give-away, with consequent losses. The Auckland Star had closed, throwing a swag onto the street. No-one was hiring. As it happened, I had no intention to continuing in journalism — I was in the middle of a significant bout of depression, partly brought on by the high pressure of a job which had half-hour deadlines and required me to ask intrusive questions which I could see no reason why the responder should answer. (The pressure was intensified by building a house, with my own two hands, without a mortgage.) Thankfully, I was given more than a year’s salary in redundancy pay, so I had time to lick my wounds and take stock.

Quite a number of laid-off journalists headed into public relations, which was becoming a burgeoning field or similar realms. I simply lost track of many others. After a time of mulling over options, and being offered the loan of a Macintosh computer and laser printer, I set up a graphic design business — a new field for me, but having spent a couple of years as a newspaper sub-editor (which involved actually laying out the pages) I had a vague idea of some of the basics. I worked as a graphic designer for 14 years, mostly for other firms, until I was headhunted back into writing and research by various organisations.

I guess that’s a long-winded way of saying to today’s throw-outs: make your own opportunities, and don’t expect everything to be handed to you on a plate. I will be interested to see how many of today’s journalists have that mentality. Of course, I guess there’s always Australia.
35 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 9:40am
- BeaB
  
  Lots of jobs for people with good writing skills. But what is the problem? We don’t mourn the disappearance of lots of jobs – from hansom cab drivers to video shop owners. New jobs arise or people turn their skills to new uses or learn new skills. Twas ever thus.
  
  20 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 10:07am
- fightingtemeraire
  
  Diogene
  
  I was a Ship’s Master and was laid off by the Shipping Corp in the late 80’s and had to find a job. I also had to fight for any redundancy as SCONZ reneged on their promises and George Gair had to ask questions in the house.
  
  Went from 65k pa to a salary of 50% cut. My wife and I lived on the smell of an oily rag and sold our house and moved down market. Then 4 years later once again made redundant when BHP took over NZ Steel.
  
  Using our experience and qualifications my wife and I get up a business together which I only closed about 5 years ago. Ran a business and cared for a wife with a terminal illness as well in the last 18 months.
  
  So all I can say to these people is, “get off your derrieres and look after yourself and family by going out on your own” Don’t expect people to look after you!!!
  
  18 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 12:41pm
  - Paulus
    
    Ah, but the media people are more important than ordinary plebs remember.
    And many are grossly overpaid by today’s standards as they know they are important.
    
    7 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 2:00pm
- Grunter
  
  Yep, when someone asks “I’ve been sacked, now what do I do?” The only answer is “Do something that someone else is willing to pay you to do”….
  
  Now make a list of everything you can think of that someone might pay you to do…..
  
  8 3
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 2:41pm
- In Vino Veritas
  
  Where do they find jobs? Go pump some gas. Stack a supermarket shelf. Just like many who have been sacked have done before them. But don’t whine. Your privilege is over and is over because of you.
  I have a suspicion a good few of them will end up on the dole having a sook about not getting enough.
  
  4 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 8:22pm
Steve Otto(North Shore)

Iditarod News for those interested. It is a huge thing in Alaska with mushers and dog teams from all over the World.

https://www.adn.com/outdoors-adventure/iditarod/2024/03/10/seavey-takes-over-the-lead-as-iditarod-teams-dash-up-the-bering-sea-coast/?
8 1
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 9:51am
- mandk
  
  This is the best sporting event in Alaska: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCdArS6yHK0
  
  4 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 2:32pm
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    Have not been there but we did know about it.
    We were 20 or so miles west of Wasilla on a private 80 acre block doing things that Alaskans do on July 4th Independence Day.
    You know, BBQ, campfire, cutting and splitting next seasons firewood, drinking alcohol, shooting guns and telling lies!
    
    4 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 4:01pm
NoCash

In this day and age, how come people still not wear the seatbelt at all times while seated when flying, regardless of whether the seatbelt sign is on or not.
10 1
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 9:59am
- MCōs
  
  Apart from anything else the chance of being on a plane that plunges unexpectedly like that one did yesterday is almost zero.
  
  3 8
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 10:58am
  - greybeard
    
    Except when they encounter a UFO vortex / vacuum !
    
    5 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 10:59am
  - cmm
    
    Your chance of being in a car crash is not much higher, but you probably wear a seat belt for that.
    
    10 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 11:54am
    - MCōs
      
      I’ve been on hundreds of flights over the years and some have been pretty rough, but not to the extent where people have been thrown around the cabin an busted bones
      If turbulence is expected the captain lets people know so they can buckle up. It this case it was a violent, unexpected incident whereby the pilot lost control of the plane for a few seconds
      
      4 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 12:42pm
      - All_on_Red
        
        Its smart to wear a seat belt when not moving around the cabin- just like when you are in a car.
        Those people were severely injured
        And the Pilot cannot always know when to predict turbulence
        
        Mind you I did say smart people…
        
        8 0
        Report
        March 12, 2024 2:55pm
      - Sponge
        
        I have been on hundreds of flights too and I have seen it happen going into Queenstown in the mid 90’s. A woman in front of me was not belted in and smashed her hear into the overhead locker. Ever since then the only time I take my seatbelt off is to go to the loo or have a walk.
        
        Pilots can not always tell when they will hit turbulence and there are countless incidents of clear air turbulence resulting in injuries. The odds of it happening are most certainly not “almost zero”.
        
        Common sense tells me to stay belted unless there is a reason not to. Its not like its intrusive or uncomfortable.
        
        Put your bloody belt on people – I dont need someone landing on me if it happens again.
        
        8 0
        Report
        March 12, 2024 3:24pm
      - MCōs
        
        This one wasn’t turbulence from atmospheric conditions
        It was a problem with the plane
        
        2 1
        Report
        March 12, 2024 6:31pm
Rumblestrip

Recently I’ve been reading up on President Nixon. It’s worth remembering that outside of the Watergate scandal (and endless jokes and parodies), he was largely an excellent president, exceptionally smart and articulate compared to most of today’s politicians, and a real visionary in foreign affairs.

Here he is in 1983, warning about the dangers of the “Media Elitist Complex”, which is well worth a watch. He could well have been speaking about NZ in 2024.
15 1
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 10:02am
- MCōs
  
  For the alternate point of view regarding Nixon’s relationship with the media try reading the Autobiography of Katherine Graham who owned the Washington Post at the time
  BTW
  The Watergate scandal was no small thing
  
  6 3
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 11:07am
  - Libertarians are right
    
    Honest question:
    Would Watergate even be a scandal these days if a Democrat did it?
    The FISA warrants against Trump’s campaign were far worse, a sitting President using the considerable resources of the Government to spy on his party’s political opposition during an election.
    
    How is Obama regarded in spite of this?
    
    19 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 11:20am
  - Cassandra
    
    Watergate was a nothing burger, inept burglary. Compared to real scandals eg Clinton, Reagan, Trump, Biden, the Nixon cover up was small beer. But Nixon was an outsider and in many ways unlikeable, that was the difference. I watched the whole Rodino hearing fiasco live – it was a lynch mob.
    
    11 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 11:50am
    - kowtow
      
      And ever since every third and fourth rate hack in the msm see themselves as the next Woodward and Bernstein on a mission to change the world.
      
      9 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 12:32pm
    - Ian Boag
      
      Watergate. A mere 50 years ago.
      
      I was on holiday in the UK and watched Nixon’s resignation speech on TV. You can guess the ages of those who think it’s worth a comment 🙂
      
      2 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 6:00pm
  - Rumblestrip
    
    Yes, Nixon will always be overshadowed by Watergate and the ill-conceived “Special Investigations Unit.” And he was far too paranoid, with his “Enemies Lists” and such nonsense.
    
    Still, a fascinating character, and far from the one-dimensional villain he is often remembered as. He hated communism yet was instrumental in opening relations with China, and had fairly cordial talks with Mao and Zhou Enlai.
    
    5 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 12:03pm
  - kowtow
    
    It’s all relative . A number of Presidents on that list have created ( or helped to) failed states .
    
    5 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 12:33pm
Jack5

Think Otago University’s been thoroughly Maorified with its Maori oversight of all research?

That’s just the beginning.

The university’s going in for a re-brand, apparently with emphasis on the South Island Ngai Tahu dialect.

NZ set up wananga as the equivalent of universities and polytechnics, but Maori have pushed to take leadership of traditional universities, too.

Jacinta Ruru, Otago University’s new, and first, deputy vice-chancellor Maori, “hopes to supercharge existing university initiatives that uplift matauraka [southern Maori for Maori knowledge?], te reo and tikaka Māori [Ngai Tahu spelling for Maori customs?] alongside introducing new ones.”

Note the footnote in the article linked to below at the Spin-off: “this content was created in paid partnership with the University of Otago.”

https://thespinoff.co.nz/atea/11-03-2024/aotearoas-first-ever-maori-law-professor-is-making-history-once-again?itm_source=spinoff-homepage-layouts&itm_medium=sponsored-1
18 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 10:07am
- Gravelroad
  
  So it’s a paid advertisement then.
  Mr Robertson extending the media handouts to his university now?
  
  17 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 10:29am
- Rumblestrip
  
  “this content was created in paid partnership with the University of Otago.”
  
  A nice way of saying “we were paid for this opinion.”
  
  16 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 10:30am
- Clyde
  
  The University of Otago – now in the process of being renamed as the Liemore Uni of Ayohteearower – is in a pitiful state. Thoroughly infested with left leaning radicals at upper levels and flat out indoctrinating anyone stupid enough to enrol there. Just look at who they employ in upper levels!! Grant Robertson, David Clark, Metiria Turei, Jacinta Ruru, Clare Curran – its like a rogue’s gallery.
  
  25 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 10:38am
  - Bridgenag
    
    One of the blokes at bowls has a friend with 4th generation potential doctors 95% plus as compared to the special people at 70% So sad.
    
    7 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 12:24pm
    - Rumblestrip
      
      As of 2021, Otago Medical School had 210 admissions per year.
      
      99 of these were “general” admission, that is, based on academic merit. The other 111 places are “alternate” entry, based on ethnicity, refugee status, etc. So now there are literally more ‘special entry’ positions than there are ordinary admissions. Ridiculous.
      
      13 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 12:53pm
    - Ian Boag
      
      Who gets in to Med school is a hard one. If we just did it on academic results there would be a lot mor Asian women med students. Is that a bad thing?
      
      AFAIK there is no data to suggest that the Maori/PI/reffo special people turn into any worse doctors than the pakeha males who scored well in their last year at high school. That might be related to a paucity of data about who is a “bad doctor”
      
      3 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 6:07pm
      - In Vino Veritas
        
        Then why don’t they just pick random people off the street and ask them to come be a Doctor, Ian? Because that is essentially what they are doing by not having a standard applicable to everyone.
        
        2 1
        Report
        March 12, 2024 8:17pm
  - Paulus
    
    Otago University no longer gets on any intelligent University list any more.
    Used to be a very top one but now !!!!!
    Very sad too. but appears will only get lower in any future reality show.
    
    10 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 2:04pm
- Grunter
  
  Otago Uni is in ‘dead man walking’ territory.
  
  Their financials are a disaster and are projected to get worse.
  
  They are banking on a massive recovery in foreign students returning and paying top dollar to be indoctrinated in Ngai Tahu Maori magic! That’s obviously never going to happen.
  
  And, to top it off, a rotund, failed, and financially illiterate former politician is about to become their CEO. When he goes cap in hand to Wellington (and he will have to), he must be told, “sorry, some prick spent all our money a few years ago!”
  
  Dunedin as a city will crumble as 30% of its economy (at least) comes from the University.
  
  8 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 2:53pm
  - Rumblestrip
    
    Absolutely right Grunter.
    
    And they are clearly incapable of turning the ship around. Despite knowing they are in financial trouble, they continue to spend, spend, spend. Over $100k on a sculpture. $26 million to do up the School of Performing Arts. An aggressive capital plan of expansion and renovation that shows no sign of slowing. And, perhaps most worryingly: despite highly publicised staff cuts, the overall staff salary bill has actually increased by $36 million per year since 2022.
    
    Does anyone really believe Grant Robertson has the ability to get this under control?
    
    I’m sure they only have one actual plan, and that is to beg the government for a bail-out.
    
    6 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 5:44pm
sungsamning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNRVl5ov4vg
This Is The Real Reason DemoKKKrats Are Freaking Out!
The SOTU was a flop. So was Brandon’s Georgia rally. Trump’s wasn’t. What were swings to Brandon in 2020 are now swings to Trump. Non-whites are moving to Trump. And Gen Z loves Trump.
12 3
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 10:12am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  “The future belongs to MAGA.”
  Turley.
  
  4 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 4:34pm
sungsamning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXJ5f9HuaPM
Two Gigantic Political Earthquakes Stun Europe!
Portugese, and Irish voters have annoyed the Fourth Reich, and WEF by voting the wrong way. Democracy is in danger! //
16 1
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 10:12am
- James Stephenson
  
  Mind you, the Irish have a track record of changing their minds when asked to try again…
  
  6 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 1:20pm
  - sungsamning
    
    I think they’re deaf to such requests now.
    
    0 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 11:35pm
Steve Otto(North Shore)

Stop Co-Governance. Julian Batchelor.

Comic Part 14.

https://stopcogovernance.kiwi/blog/analysis-treaty-of-waitangi-comic-for-high-school-students-has-been-quietly-brainwashing-away-since-2018-part-14/
8 4
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 11:15am
Jack5

This article is a couple of weeks old, but it shows what a daunting task the Minister of Mental Health, Matt Doocey, faces with hospitals so full they can’t cope with demand.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-depth/510505/very-mentally-unwell-people-in-homeless-shelter-amidst-constant-shortage-of-space-in-clinical-care
7 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 11:22am
- Paulus
  
  Still cannot find any statistics as to why Mental Health has increased exponentially over the last say 15 years – would like to see some analysis of say ethnicity and sex and any other pertaining figures which I am sure are available but secret.
  And Why it has boomed suddenly – population increase perhaps !
  Or ?
  
  4 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 2:08pm
  - Grunter
    
    If you are a teenager and have been bombarded your entire life with “Global Boiling” hysteria from politicians, teachers, social media, MSM, your nutty schoolmates….. then maybe, just maybe you’d be a bit “mental”
    
    8 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 2:59pm
    - miltonF
      
      Exactly. Fear has been weaponised on an industrial scale in an attempt to manipulate the populace.
      
      The results are showing.
      
      4 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 4:16pm
    - Elli
      
      I dunno, nuclear war in the 70-80s was a dark cloud hanging over English school children. That threat was actually real! If global warming has a greater effect, it’s only because it’s good fiction.
      
      3 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 7:09pm
MCōs

https://aseannow.com/topic/1322125-american-man-allegedly-sexually-assaults-pregnant-horse-in-phuket/
0 3
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 11:50am
greybeard

You’ve heard the saying “There goes the neighbourhood !”.
Well, now you can say “There goes the Province”.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350207521/immoral-awful-seaside-village-upset-social-housing-plan
9 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 12:22pm
- Ian Boag
  
  I gather it is not 100% social housing FWIW. But this is certainly a mega-nimby event …
  
  4 4
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 1:36pm
  - All_on_Red
    
    Owner Occupiers don’t really like buying in Projects which include Social Housing
    Especially given HNZ’s policy of not giving preference to quality tenants
    So they take ages to sell.
    The Council down there should just reject the KO funding and find another way.
    Infrastructure Debt funded by Residents is one way to get everything needed done
    https://infrastructurepayments.co.nz/
    Given the damage the Ferals do its probably worth it in the long run to keep them out
    
    6 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 4:20pm
    - artemisia
      
      These complexes will not attract sensible investors either. Too much risk, hassles and costs if tenants complain.
      
      Though believe the rebuilt Greys Ave in Auckland has (or was intended to have) some private owners. And an intention to have on site security and support. (Good luck with that.) If anyone knows how it’s going, interested to hear.
      
      4 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 12, 2024 5:04pm
Maggy Wassilieff

Chris Trotter on our control-freak Media Journos

https://democracyproject.substack.com/p/manufacturing-the-truth?
11 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 12:31pm
Dudley Quaffquaff

I see the Herald is running a fortnightly feature called “The Public Purse” in which they examine how taxpayers’ money is spent. This week’s article is about the new Ministry of Regulation, though I’ve not been able to read any further because it’s paywalled.

I’m almost certain I know the answer to this already, but when exactly did the Herald start with this conscientious scrutiny of Government expenditure?
17 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 12:39pm
- info@cruzpro.com
  
  Also can’t read paywalled articles on the Herald. Maybe, just maybe the employees of the Herald are starting to get a bit worried about their future income.
  
  4 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 6:28pm
Maggie Pie

Heading home from tennis earlier and heard the news that Simon Bridges
has landed the job as Chairman of NZTA Waka Kotahi.

Wonder if they considered appointing Michael Wood to the position?
He made such a wonderful fist of it when he was Minister in charge.
13 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 2:12pm
- Blog-aholic
  
  I think you’ve used the word ‘fist’ in the wrong context.
  
  8 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 2:54pm
Maggie Pie

And something else that really got my goat lately.
For the last week or so, just about every time I happen to catch the Sports News,
they’re rabbiting on about someone overseas taking offence at being called “a Monkey”
Even labelling it….. a racist insult!
Some people are sooo easily offended.

My tennis coach has been calling me…”a cheeky monkey” for ages. And DILLIGAF?
7 1
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 2:59pm
- mandk
  
  I heard the monkey issue was between two opposing Rugby League players, both of whom are brown.
  
  6 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 3:23pm
  - Maggie Pie
    
    Ahhh. Maybe it’s because I’m brown then?
    
    7 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 3:54pm
  - MCōs
    
    Spencer Leniu is Samoan and he called Ezra Mam, an indigenous Australian a monkey, which has connotations you and Leniu are obviously ignorant of.
    
    1 3
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 12, 2024 6:46pm
Steve Otto(North Shore)

Trump will stop the War.
Then you get this shit from Biden:
‘You know who he’s meeting with today down in Mar-a-Lago? Orbán of Hungary, who’s stated flatly that he doesn’t thinks democracy works, he’s looking for dictatorship. I see a future where we defend democracy, not diminish it,’

Joe is a Democrat, yet he does not know what Democracy is!

https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/other/hungary-s-leader-claims-trump-won-t-give-a-single-penny-to-russia/ss-BB1jHDdT#image=2
6 1
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 4:59pm
Maggie Pie

HDPA reporting that a Fisherman has just pulled a body from the water at Gulf Harbor.
It was wrapped in not ONLY one plastic bag, not two, but THREE plastic bags!!

As my partner said, this not only shows a total-lack-of-respect for human life,
but also for the environment 🙁
10 1
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 5:28pm
Steve Otto(North Shore)

Where’s the Client List??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtmOCxFv5tc
3 1
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 6:10pm
Ghost

Anyone wanting to give feedback to the Covid 19 royal commission has 12 days left to do it

https://haveyoursay.covid19lessons.royalcommission.nz/public-input/englishsharestory/
3 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 6:54pm
Maggie Pie

And great to see that the Chief Ombudsman is finally standing down. He’s 72 apparently. Certainly no friend of the ‘Right’
My partner reckoned he was up there with Meng-the-Merciless by way of wokeness.

Just saying.
6 2
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 6:57pm
Ghost

I didn’t know spark sold tv’s

Spark has sold a blind man an ultra-high-definition television he says he does not need and cannot afford, raising questions about the company’s sales tactics.

Article

Maybe it’s just me, but if I don’t want something I say no. If someone try’s to sell to me I hang up.
2 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 8:30pm
Jack5

Maggy Wassilieff’s local newspaper, the Gisborne Herald, published daily, is now fully in the bag of the mainstream media.

NZME, owner of the NZ Herald, has bought the Muir family’s stake in the 150-year-old Gisborne Herald, taking the NZME stake to 100 per cent.

The NZME stake began with 49 per cent taken by the former NZ Herald publisher, Wilson and Horton, in 1987.

NZME’s move follows its purchase of the Bay of Plenty-based SunMedia, including its web site and several newspapers.

The Gisborne Herald evolved from the bi-weekly Poverty Bay Herald, founded in 1874.

https://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/the-gisborne-herald-is-now-part-of-nzme
3 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 8:59pm
- Ghost
  
  Let’s hope they are better than stuff. Got the Timaru herald for the first time in ages last week. 18 pages. 2 pages of crosswords. A page of tv schedule. $2 wasted, will never get it again. The local free paper had more in it.
  
  1 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 12, 2024 9:11pm
kiwikidsnz

Roy Morgan poll

“National/ ACT/ NZ First (55%) increase lead over Labour/ Greens/ Maori on 41% – now at 14% points”

https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/9483-nz-national-voting-intention-february-2024?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MRU%2012th%20March%202024&utm_content=MRU%2012th%20March%202024+CID_b246f1cfd8401da6053146ebeacbe5de&utm_source=Market%20Research%20Update&utm_term=Read%20Full%20Article
4 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 12, 2024 9:27pm

Add a Comment Cancel reply

Login to comment or vote

« Hipkins tells the truth

Another sensible change »

Donations

You can now donate to Kiwiblog

Exclusive content from DPF on Patreon

Become a Patron!

Highlights

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

Never miss a post

Email Address

Links

"Late-Stage Anti-Capitalism"
Not PC
The Battle of Doiran – Turmoil In The French Army I THE GREAT WAR Week 144
Utopia
Cuddly
No Minister
Word of the day
Hompaddock
Policing protests.
Kiwipolitico
Open letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith
Point of Order
The Working Group Weekend Politics with David Seymour, Chris Penk and Damien Grant
The Daily Blog
This is fine
The Standard
THE WAY THINGS WERE
No Punches Pulled (Bob Jones)
"Comity" versus the rule of law
No Right Turn
Jacinda’s legacy – Increasing number of abortions
Bob McCoskrie's McBlog
United Rugby Championship Predictions for Week 15
Stats Chat
Despair - construction consenting edition
Offsetting Behaviour
Coalition Promises
NZCPR
Tougher than that
Croaking Cassandra
ABs stripped of 2011 title after try disallowed
Imperator Fish
Legal Beagle: Election '23: The Special Votes
Public Address
Making this movie might have been a mistake
Liam Hehir
Why I am retiring from political blogging
Kiwi FireWalker
Angie Warren-Clark: Meet the Newbies
Dan Moskovitz

editor@kiwiblog.co.nz

PO Box 12270, Thorndon, Wellington 6144

Facebook
Twitter
FourSquare
Instagram
LinkedIn
Google+

Archives
Disclosure Statement
Editorial Policy
Privacy Policy
Complaints Policy
Comments Policy

Design by cre8d

%d

Share this:

Like this: