About
Contact
Advertise

Facebook
Twitter

May 7, 2025 8:00am by Kokila Patel

General Debate 07 May 2025

Like this:

Like Loading...

Email
Facebook
Twitter
Comment308

Uncategorized
General Debate

Comments (308)

Login to comment or vote

cmm

National getting tough on scummy KO tenants? Pull the other one!

Here’s a bloke who only got kicked out after 88 police call outs and 50 infringements – 31 of the call outs happening in the last 10 months of last year.

Can we please have a less soggy definition of “tough”.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360677761/unruly-tenant-finally-given-boot-over-anti-social-behaviour
55 2
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 8:04am
- David Garrett
  
  cmm: Quite so…imagine having to live next door or even near that POS?
  Three strikes would work well here: the first time the cops are called to ur place you get a warning; the second time it’s a final warning, the third it’s automatic eviction without troubling the Tenancy Tribunal
  
  52 3
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 8:12am
  - cmm
    
    Dreams are free! Chances of that happening are somewhere close to that of bringing back the rope.
    
    I see you are succumbing to that awful “ur” contraction. Please set yourself on yourself.
    
    30 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 8:17am
    - David Garrett
      
      cmm: Re “ur”, guilty as charged! I only use it when I am using the phone…fat fingers don’t mix well with cellphones.
      
      16 3
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 9:04am
- lifesgood
  
  Sadly the problem is only being shifted. He’ll just move some where else. What he needs is locking up. Those poor neighbours. What a nightmare
  
  32 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 8:31am
  - G152
    
    New neighbors are informed when they move in. Any disruption and its an automatic down the road DCM
    
    17 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 9:00am
  - Southtop2
    
    Campbell Island or the Snares is where the move should be. And not to be totally heartless an insulated container could be provided as accommodation.
    
    11 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 2:44pm
- artemisia
  
  The Tenancy Tribunal decision is readily available.
  
  The majority of the 88 police call outs happened during Labour’s watch. And also, despite so many breach notices issued, nothing much happened during that watch, as witnessed by no other recent Tenancy Tribunal applications. Maybe some chats?
  
  KO presumably following Labour’s instructions to be kind. Sorry neighbours.
  
  38 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 8:31am
  - cmm
    
    Certainly most of the callouts happened during Labour’s time, but the rate increased under National.
    
    88 over 9 years is an average of almost 10 call outs a year.
    There were 31 in the last 10 months of last year – a rate of 36 a year.
    
    Still, that’s not really the issue. He should have been kicked out a long time ago.
    
    20 3
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 8:53am
- pdm
  
  In a similar vein.
  
  Over the last 6/8 weeks we have a car sometimes with up to 3 people sleeping in it in our street adjacent to Cornwall Park Hastings. The worst part of it is that for most of that time it has been straight across the road from a very frail approx 90 year old widow so if she looks out her front window towards the park this vehicle is 10/15 metres from her and her front door.
  
  Calls to Police and Hastings District Council mean neither will take responsibility and they `duck shove’ the issue between each other.
  
  I consider it very pertinent that the car is unregistered yet parked on a public street without penalty or even any interest.
  
  In Hastings we have a white elephant called Splash Planet which the Council sees fit to open for no more than 3 months a year. The car park for about 100 vehicles is basically empty for the other 9 months. My suggestion to Council was that they move these people off the streets to that car park, off the streets and patrolled by a Security Company already a few times a night. They would also be about 100 metres from the nearest house.
  
  No interest whatsoever in fact I would say one person I spoke to at the council treated the idea with derision – so no respect for ratepayers or their ideas..
  
  40 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 8:33am
  - Colville
    
    pdm.
    Try an email to this guy, he might make a story out of it and get some action?
    
    [email protected]
    
    12 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 9:51am
    - pdm
      
      Thanks Colville.
      
      Will do.
      
      Was going to a leaflet drop in street but your idea might be better.
      
      9 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 10:43am
  - cmm
    
    Here in Chch there are a few places where many people sleep in their cars. These are not very close to people’s houses. Two I drive past often are in Lychgate Close and Wetlands Grove each of which often have 20 or more vehicles (campervans and cars).
    
    Chch city council seems to have adopted a live and let live attitude so long as people keep their heads down. That seems to work reasonably well. Occasionally everyone disappears. I assume that the cops moved people on after some incident.
    
    The Councils could be pragmatic about this and set up areas which are better controlled. Your Splash Planet idea sounds good.
    
    10 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 10:11am
    - The Housekeeper
      
      I live in St Albans. About 6pm the camper vans move in to our street but they are often gone by 10.30am so no-one would mind but they leave their dog poo and rubbish on our berms and sometimes their own excrement as well. It makes no sense, keep it tidy and no-one complains instead of leaving your muck and annoying everyone.
      
      7 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 3:26pm
      - cmm
        
        Are these regulars, or are these people passing through? You would hope that most regulars would have the sense to not crap in their own next – so to speak.
        
        In most of Chch it is legal to freedom camp for up to 3 days so long as you are self contained. People turn a blind eye to longer stays so long as they are well behaved.
        
        2 0
        Report
        May 7, 2025 4:15pm
- john1234
  
  To be fair though, this scrote would *never* have been removed under Labour’s no eviction policy.
  Baby steps.
  
  17 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 9:23am
  - cmm
    
    Steps are good.
    To call these baby steps is taking the piss. They are microscopic steps.
    
    31 cop call outs in 10 months before something concrete happens is not really anything to boast about.
    
    7 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 2:06pm
goNZ1

with the latest bizarre Oval Office meeting with Canada PM, a serious question, is Trump insane or at least bi-polar? Just as Bidens team tried to hide his obvious decline,is the same thing playing out with DJTs yes-men? I think Rubio is pretty concerned as he is one of the only experienced ones and with the gravitas, compared with careless lunatics like Hesgeth and Navarro.
20 34
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 8:08am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Oh FFS, can we not just have one day without Trump , for once, who cares what the idiot waffles
  
  22 13
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 8:31am
  - MCōs
    
    He kind of barges his way in
    https://youtu.be/pfbNIb2-0ks?si=Aj1w3TnuJO2h9Szu
    
    8 3
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 9:39am
    - Culture War Criminal
      
      Lest I am falsely accused of having “TDS” I had, like many, hoped that 2016 Trump would have lived up to his billing as an American fascist for the 21st century, who wouldn’t leave office until he’d purged the nation of its many ailments, alas, he was then and is now beaten down by the System.
      
      I have sympathy because he has endured so much for the last 8 or 9 years, but 2025 Trump is a largely tamed old man intent on waffling his way through the next few years, playing the Greatest Hits, that no longer really hit. He has visibly declined in appearance and coherence. He’s been largely assimilated into the mainstream, and poses little serious threat to the status quo. His heir apparent JD Vance has been sold as a continuation, but his fake everyman persona is just that, and he’s a safe pair of hands for the Establishment interests who have been busy for the last 10 years trying to redirect popular anger and disillusionment into something much more attenuated and more manageable.
      
      Sure, mostly the MAGA Boomers can’t tell the difference (or tell themselves they can’t), but anyone paying attention knows that Trump’s 2016 MAGA has been hijacked and defanged and is a bit of a caricature now.
      
      1 13
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 1:32pm
  - Nobby2
    
    Exactly G. He is a mental Hospital patient in waiting. I can’t wait to see the end of his term and the back of him.
    
    6 25
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 10:12am
  - John Loveridge
    
    One of my best mates has become an intense anti-Trump bore. It’s a variation on Godwin’s Law, the length of time before he can turn a conversation around to Donald Trump. I’m over it, I’ve had to say something.
    
    22 4
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 10:59am
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      Same at the pub, when you tell them don’t want to hear it you are a Trump boot licker
      
      5 4
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 1:29pm
  - Philview
    
    I read such conflicting accounts I can’t be bothered wasting time on it. The NZ media painted Carney as a Lion of a man who faced down Trump in the meeting. International media made it sound like Carney dropped all the campaign rhetoric and turned on the charm.
    
    12 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 11:21am
    - Paulus
      
      Carney is a Banker, so can charm the pants off anybody (except women of course).
      
      7 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 1:59pm
  - slightlyrighty
    
    Wall street cares. Dow down 400 points today.
    
    5 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 2:00pm
  - JerJer
    
    Trump never wanted Canada as the 51st state. What he actually wanted (according to. US article I read recently), was a change in policy. He wanted a more nationalistic Canada that protected its boarders. In the end it’s exactly what he got. People need to stop listening to the bluster and figure out what he is really going for, but most people never get it.
    
    0 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 10:28pm
- Scott
  
  [Mod – debate the topic]
  
  But in response I would add that the Trump administration Education secretary Linda McMahon has sent a letter to Harvard telling them not to bother applying for any more federal funding because none will be granted.
  
  https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2025/05/forget-it-harvard.php
  
  Only a Trump administration would do this. McMahon notes there is so much hate at Harvard, so much antisemitism at Harvard, so much ongoing racial discrimination even though the Supreme Court has ordered them to stop it.
  
  She goes on to say that Harvard has benefited very well, to the tune of over $50B, from the capitalist system they teach their students to despise.
  
  They can live on that.
  
  Only a Trump administration would have the guts to take on Harvard and cut off their funding and speak to them in such a savage way.
  I love everything about this. 😎
  
  52 12
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 8:33am
  - Lance
    
    Hell yea, who needs all that book learning shit anyway.
    //
    
    12 15
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 8:54am
    - Tauhei Notts
      
      All that book learning. I learned, at about age two, long before I learned how to read, that one does not bite the hand that feeds you.
      
      21 4
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 9:42am
    - Phronesis
      
      Not much book learning going on in the modern university. It’s all about the lived experience of people of colour. Half the students are functionally illiterate anyway https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360467856/number-illiterate-uni-students-crisis-level
      
      18 6
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 9:50am
      - imalwaysright
        
        Phronesis
        A friend is a teacher’s aide at a college. She helps 14/15 yr olds who can’t read and count.
        
        These kids are obliged to go through the motions of science, history, maths, english etc instead of being taken to a class to be taught how to read and count.
        
        Nine or ten teachers have passed them up the conveyor belt with a ‘QA Passed’ sticker on their foreheads.
        
        There is no accountability.
        Its a meat grinder, not an education system.
        
        23 1
        Report
        May 7, 2025 11:15am
      - Lance
        
        …………. we are talking about HARVARD…………FFS
        
        You know, Harvard law, medicine, engineering etc
        But hell, if you think they are all functionally illiterate, carry on with that mindset, you really have your finger on the pulse
        //
        
        5 5
        Report
        May 7, 2025 2:22pm
      - Graeme Hall
        
        Lance: a link to a BBC article on the recently disgraced President of Harvard Claudine Gay. She was booted after testifying to Congress about antisemitism on campus. If you think Harvard has maintained high academic standards without getting captured by identity politics think again. She is a shocker.
        
        https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67868280
        
        10 2
        Report
        May 7, 2025 4:14pm
      - JerJer
        
        I’d agree. Going to university and being taught/hectored that the world is ending because of climate change, and you are a racist just cos, all by a teacher that is a man but pretends to be a woman and hates Jews is not all that inspiring I guess.
        
        0 0
        Report
        May 7, 2025 10:31pm
    - NoFax
      
      Your assumption, Lance, is that that’s what is going on at Harvard, whereas it looks merely like indoctrination. Given the amount of money that Harvard has and used to receive we should be living on the moon by now and cancer cured.
      
      14 3
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 10:21am
  - Northshoredoc
    
    I’m surprised Linda McMahon put her signature to that letter as it reads as if it’s penned by a deranged chatbot.
    
    Harvard won’t be particularly concerned as they have vast reserves. It’s also not a bad thing that the amount of US taxpayer dollars that is going into private universities in the US is being reviewed.
    
    Whatever happened to her husband ?
    
    3 10
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 10:39am
    - Scott
      
      North shore – are you a centre right person? If you are then what McMahon is saying is so good, so supportive of centre right values.
      If you are a leftist just say so. Then we’ll know what we are dealing with. 🤔
      
      9 4
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 11:06am
      - Northshoredoc
        
        Yes I’m to the right.
        
        But I’m not given to the blind partisan behaviour and conspiracy theories that some of the posters here seem to revel in.
        
        5 9
        Report
        May 7, 2025 11:54am
    - Ghost
      
      He’s facing more lawsuits, but has started a new entertainment company
      
      4 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 11:22am
    - gravedodger
      
      Sorry pdm it would be patently obvious that any recovery of costs fines etc at below zero, you as a ratepayer though will not enjoy any such protections as you have clear property available for liens.
      The car probably has a value below any costs of uplifting it.
      It’s all about low hanging fruit and that fruit is well along to rotten
      
      6 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 12:30pm
      - pdm
        
        Unofficial grapevine suggest occupant works at Watties which is about 500 metres away.
        
        Also a suggestion he may be supplementing his income with sales of who knows what.
        
        4 0
        Report
        May 7, 2025 1:47pm
    - gravedodger
      
      How about Harvard with those “Vast Reserves” make some move to recompense the long suffering taxpayers even just a few dollars of the estimated US$50 000 000 000.00 they have garnered to fund the indoctrination?
      
      9 4
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 12:33pm
      - Northshoredoc
        
        I have some sympathy with the very wealthy universities not having access to governmental grants except where there is exceptional research only available in that institution (for example the fusion research at MIT)
        
        Most of the payments to universities like Harvard is grant money for research/researchers. It is about as likely that any of these grants will be voluntarily repaid by the researchers or institutions that receive them as it would be in similar circumstances in NZ.
        
        4 2
        Report
        May 7, 2025 1:36pm
      - Paulus
        
        Assume perhaps like New Zealand that the funds are to a academic organisation and therefore a tax free charity.
        
        7 0
        Report
        May 7, 2025 2:02pm
    - Tom Hunter
      
      Harvard won’t be particularly concerned as they have vast reserves.
      
      North of $50 billion I think, but it’s not as simple as that since, like any good deposit, it’s tied up in safe things like bonds, so it will take a while to unlock, especially to unlock enough to replace the annual cashflow from the Federal government.
      
      That’s why Harvard and these others started screaming about the loss of government funding, but they’re going to have to get used to it, at least for the next four years.
      
      4 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 5:43pm
  - RichardX
    
    Of course, no irony that the founder of a scam “university” has “the guts to take on Harvard”
    
    4 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 6:00pm
    - Northshoredoc
      
      I had forgotten about that shambles.
      
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trump_University
      
      3 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 7:22pm
    - Hard Cheese
      
      LOL. The “Trump Wealth Institute”. Who would take investment advice from someone who managed to bankrupt 6 casinos?
      
      2 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 9:07pm
- peterwn
  
  Yes, like the Alcatraz situation. Prisons Bureau (BOP) chief (who has much more pressing things on hand) has basically said ‘Yes, sir, three bags full sir’. He realises that there is no point in arguing with the old B……. (which would produce a Yes Minister, USA style scenario) so the easiest way out is to get on with it. BOP to US National Park Service (NPS) – You know what the President has ordered, we need to take Alcatraz back. NPS – we fully understand the situation, but you guys do not really want to re-establish the prison, do you? wink wink nod nod. BOP – we just need to keep the charade going for the next three and a bit years then the old B…… will be gone. NPS – we will close it to tourists in 2027 just to show the old B….. that we are doing something.
  
  9 7
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 9:53am
  - Scott
    
    peterwn – Trump is a genius and this focusses the public, even in NZ, on the real issue. Getting tough on crime and incarcerating the criminals, especially illegal aliens who commit violent crimes.
    So it focusses the mind. People say reopening Alcatraz is a bad idea, not practical, but we could build some new prisons that would be at a cheaper cost. How about that Mr president?
    
    The direction of travel is what counts and the direction is awesome. Best president ever. Winning bigly. 😎
    
    15 10
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 10:12am
    - Ghost
      
      If only you would hold trump to the same standards as previous president’s. Your coming off as a deranged fan
      
      10 15
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 10:55am
      - Scott
        
        Ghost – I’m just a happy guy who is happy with what this president is doing. He’s doing everything a centre right person could possibly want. He also is courageous and speaks out against the leftist machine.
        So that’s fantastic.
        
        I urge every centre right person to get behind this president. He’s winning bigly. 😎
        
        14 7
        Report
        May 7, 2025 11:02am
      - Ghost
        
        No, he’s not, you can pretend he is, but that’s all you are doing. Pretending, the real trump supporters are the ones who speak up when he’s wrong, the people like you are just as bad as those who protected biden
        
        9 14
        Report
        May 7, 2025 11:17am
      - Lance
        
        @ Scott
        According to the economic experts, Trumps tariff policies and trust destroying behaviour will burn the US economy to the ground.
        I strongly suspect they are correct. This is not something to applaud.
        
        6 8
        Report
        May 7, 2025 2:27pm
    - Culture War Criminal
      
      Trump’s main talent in self-promotion and bombast, but his record shows that he rarely follows up. What he is terrible at is governing on a day-to-day basis and picking the correct people to implement policy. If he’d have staffed his administration from the get go in 2016 with hardcore America Firsters, things would look radically different than they do today. What did he do instead? Hired people from the campaigns of the mainstream GOP puppets he had just resoundingly defeated.
      
      Like I’ve said elsewhere here today, Trumpism is ultimately a huge missed opportunity, although the real value might be that he has lit a fire among a generation of young American males that will never be put out.
      
      1 4
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 6:31pm
  - Tom Hunter
    
    Malicious cooperation, and it’s just one of the ways the bureaucracy fights change.
    
    The thing is that I’ve no doubt it’s at work here in NZ, frustrating the plans and goals of the government you support.
    
    Yet you think it’s admirable and funny when applied to Trump’s reforms.
    
    4 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 5:06pm
    - peterwn
      
      Even if BOP gave the project its best endeavors, it would not happen in the timeframe of Donald’s presidency. it would need to go through the normal planning processes and that would soak up four years or longer. Anyway the project would be so financially extravagant that no sane politician or administrator would think it worthwhile. It would be one big vanity project.
      
      1 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 9:06pm
artemisia

Early childhood teacher warns accidents will go ‘through the roof’ after sector overhaul

Interesting, I thought. Wonder why staffing flexibility in ECE qualifications is so dangerous to our littlies.

Accidents through the roof was attributed to Barbara Reneti, an ECE Centre Manager, who appears to say the cause is fewer ECE staff with a degree.

And again – Reneti believed once the changes goes through childcare centres will become crowded and chaotic. “My worst fear is that this will become chaotic. There will be no structure, there will be no format, there will be nothing that is going to help stimulate and guide our children.

So a whole unrelentingly negative, even catastrophic, article mainly about one of the 15 changes coming. No positive suggestions about advantages of the changes or how to make them work. Maybe there aren’t any positives for Barbara Reneti.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/560107/early-childhood-teacher-warns-accidents-will-go-through-the-roof-after-sector-overhaul
33 2
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 8:10am
- Nigel Kearney
  
  She gave the game away when she said:
  
  “It kind of diminishes our degree and it makes it obsolete”
  
  Relaxing the degree requirement, means an increase in supply of people who can do the job, which means lower wages and more competition for jobs. That’s what she is really worried about.
  
  40 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 8:17am
- cmm
  
  The idea that you need a degree to control sub-5-yearold kids is crazy.
  
  Back in the day, and maybe still today, Playcentres were entirely run by parents with new parents being given a few training sessions. Most of that was on the job training (ie. working with someone else for the first few sessions) but they also had a few night lectures etc too.
  
  I would expect that in the real world a Playcentre training is far more useful than a degree.
  
  46 3
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 8:21am
  - Suze Wainwright
    
    What about being te Tiriti-centric?
    
    22 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 8:27am
    - cmm
      
      My family was involved in Playcentre in both Auckland and Chch in the 1990s. Even back then there was a Maori cultural component (eg. rules about not using food in art) and I expect that has increased.
      
      Still, the main thing about Playcentre is being family centric and not needing to depend on the state for everything. Many of those ideas flow in to homeschooling.
      
      Having the whole family involved has many societal benefits way past just dumping your kid in daycare.
      
      18 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 9:20am
    - NeverMindTheBollocks
      
      Playcentre has gone Te Tiriti nuts. About 10 years ago they signed up for Te Whakari (education methodology, no explanation needed). They also corporatised. Big central salaries, while all of the previously certified Mums were told to start their certs again. Also, with fewer Mums volunteering, they had started to pay a little over minimum wage for Mums whose kids had moved on to school to stay on & lead sessions (minimum qualification being Level 4, IIRC). They were also told to go back to square 1. Most of them, who were only doing it out of love & a sense obligation, voted with their feet.
      
      Playcentre ain’t what it used to be.
      
      9 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 12:57pm
      - cmm
        
        What a loss. I suppose lefties can infect anything.
        
        We stopped being involved with Playcentre somewhere around 1998 when our first child was 6 or so and we got involved with the homeschooling groups instead.
        
        In the mid-90s there was a difference between the Auckland and Christchurch Playcentres. In Auckland you could not just drop your kids off. You were expected to be there if your kids were there (some mums would look after eachother’s kids though). In Christchurch you could drop kids off.
        
        4 0
        Report
        May 7, 2025 4:20pm
  - David Garrett
    
    cmm; I quite agree…both my kids went through playcentre which as you say, was then and probably still us staffed entirely by parents. From the limited contact I had with our local playcentre, it seemed to be doing a fine job – at least as good as the local kindergarten, which our youngest went to when my ex wife went back to work.
    
    15 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 9:10am
  - Sacha
    
    Actually, back then most mothers didn’t go to work, so they were reasonably skilled (by virtue of their mothering experience) in child care/management.
    The Play Centre my 3 kids went to were all run by volunteer Mums and I don’t recall any ‘serious’. accidents in 10 years.
    I was able to go back to work part-time when the kids were at school, but nowadays many women put their careers first and the children come later.
    The shift in the work/family dynamics for women has been part of the causes of today’s dysfunctional society, and children are the victims.
    
    15 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 9:15am
    - hookerphil
      
      And some Dad’s. At one stage I was working a twilight office shift and therefore was able to take the kids to Play Centre sometimes. From my fading 55+ yrs ago memory I really enjoyed it and I think a lot of the Mothers did to having a male around the place. Then again back in those days that was quite natural.
      
      15 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 9:32am
    - David Garrett
      
      Sacha: I agree. I am very glad I was in the financial position to not need my wife working when my kids were young…At pushing seventy I am now paying for that decision financially in the form of a mortgage.
      
      11 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 11:31am
      - cmm
        
        Ouch. Having a mortgage in your late 60s isn’t fun.
        
        We homeschooled and the missus didn’t work, but we were able to pay off the mortgage in my late 50s and are now cranking out retirement savings.
        
        4 0
        Report
        May 7, 2025 4:11pm
  - imalwaysright
    
    “The idea that you need a degree to control sub-5-yearold kids is crazy.”
    
    Unfortunately it is reality.
    Its also indicative of the real market value of today’s degrees.
    
    11 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 11:58am
- Paulus
  
  I have come to the conclusion that the worse word we now have and have to listen to is “Kulture”as it pervades, like Tikanga, what ever we do.
  It has become the excuse for every, and anything, despite not having a real meaning, but a made up one.
  
  21 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 8:28am
- rjay
  
  My toddler had an accident this morning. I had to clean it up. Perhaps she is not ready for toilet traing after all.
  
  13 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 9:09am
- PurplePen
  
  And yet somehow we let any random parent bring up a toddler without any formal training, let alone a uni degree. I used to babysit the neighbour’s toddlers when I was 15. It’s not difficult.
  
  11 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 10:58am
Gravelroad

Family member has lived in same house for 12 years and has never missed paying an electricity bill.
Her provider sends out notices from time to time proclaiming “free hours” available, so she thought she would give it a whirl.
Filled out form – because you can’t get something “free” in NZ without filling out a form, of course.
Got to the end of the process – just one thing left to do:
Provide details of your drivers license.
Why would an electricity company need those personal private details? For a customer of 12 years.
And what are they going to do with them? On-sell?
So many scams and identity theft out there, with police constantly telling people not to give out personal details unless absolutely necessary and here is big business wanting your drivers license in order to award five hours of “free” power as a marketing gimmick.
She said no.
33 2
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 8:14am
- Ghost
  
  Providing your drivers license is common. You need it to sign up to a broadband provider. To sign up to a power supplier. It’s so they know the person signing up is legitimate and not someone trying to scam them.
  
  6 20
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 8:19am
  - Gravelroad
    
    The customer has been signed up with the same electricity company for 12 years already.
    The company,as a marketing tool, is offering free hours if you supply them with your drivers licence details.
    Perhaps I did not make that clear?
    
    25 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 8:26am
    - Swifty
      
      It’s getting bloody cold in the mornings down in Timaru, and means that sometimes Ghost is a little slow getting going at the start of his day.
      
      😃
      
      17 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 8:36am
    - Ghost
      
      Doesn’t matter, they’re changing their plan. We’ve had to do it. It’s a big nothing, you provide the required ID.
      
      4 21
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 8:41am
      - JackRabbit
        
        Nope. I’ve had over 200 hours free hours in the past year of two. They didn’t need ID. And plan was not changed.
        
        6 1
        Report
        May 7, 2025 1:49pm
      - Ghost
        
        I’ve had over 1.000 free hours the last year. It’s a big nothing to provide your id, just another whinge over nothing
        
        0 5
        Report
        May 7, 2025 2:02pm
    - R
      
      Grave, your comments made your 12yr signed customership very clear. The problem will have been with the calibre of the power company management / administration staff. Cheapest available
      
      6 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 10:32am
      - Ra Henare
        
        I blame computerisation and the form? designed b y systems bods.
        
        They need challenging under the privacy act. They can only collect what is needed.
        
        As an ex systems bod I was regularly batting off programmers wanting to add stuff ” ïts easy and we can””
        
        I see the same with arrival forms at Airports and applications for visas.
        
        The curse of system designers not being held to account.
        
        4 0
        Report
        May 7, 2025 3:38pm
  - Quail
    
    Ghost,
    Common maybe ,but still a reflection of socialist NZ.
    How long before we are “chipped” at birth for the benefit of big Government and their acolytes?
    Individual freedoms ?.
    
    16 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 8:41am
    - Ghost
      
      Blame society that companies now have to do this to verify account holders because of fraud
      
      3 3
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 10:25am
      - imalwaysright
        
        Then shouldn’t the energy companies supply the personal details- name, phone, address, date of birth, drivers license number- of all of their staff, who are paid for with money supplied by the customer,in case there is a failure to supply service?
        
        A contract is a two way street.
        
        4 3
        Report
        May 7, 2025 11:29am
      - Gravelroad
        
        I am not sure where the opportunity for fraud would present itself.
        The company is offering an existing customer a gift of free hours of power.
        No money will change hands.
        To put it simply, how is this different to me going to the local farm supply store (where I have been a customer for many years) and buying 10 bags of dog biscuits.
        And the person behind the counter says there is a marketing special on this week, so would you like an extra bag for free?
        But you have to agree to our copying your drivers licence details first. Even though they have plenty of account details already.
        Not going to fly.
        As I said above, scams and identity theft are real. In the small street where my family member lives there have been recently three online scam victims where those targeted lost approx $50,000 between them. The police told them to be way more vigilant as to whom they give their personal identity and financial details.
        Family member was also targeted recently with the “Hi mum” -the help me buy a new phone scam. Send money now.
        Didn’t hit the mark as she isn’t a mum ,but it was directed to her personally by txt.
        
        11 0
        Report
        May 7, 2025 12:00pm
      - JackRabbit
        
        @Gravelroad
        
        One piece of information is all scammers need.
        Drivers license being one of those. Your health ID is another one, as is your Telco account number. etc.
        
        Nothing should leave your house to rubbish or recycling that has personal information on it. Your letterbox should be locked, and invoices sent by email – if you have a secure email account, which most people don’t.
        
        Snail mail, i.e. letters in letter boxes are a generous source of private information that are doorways into your digital privacy.
        
        7 1
        Report
        May 7, 2025 1:57pm
  - sirknz
    
    I don’t think I’ve ever provided my drivers licence to sign up to a new power company or broadband provider, or to change the plan I am on.
    
    15 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 9:04am
  - G152
    
    Rubbish. I changed internet suppliers without having to provide my nonexistent car license.
    
    18 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 9:05am
    - Yabster
      
      yep have never had to provide my license either- maybe a rates bill or proof of address- but thats it- Ghost does often live in a parallel universe though…
      
      12 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 9:58am
      - Ghost
        
        You can see the id required for contact
        
        https://contact.co.nz/support/plans-and-pricing
        
        One nz id needed
        
        https://one.nz/faq/get-a-new-one-nz-broadband-plan#:~:text=Then%20you%20can%20Checkout%20and%20go%20through%20our,of%20address%20%28a%20recent%20electricity%20bill%20for%20example%29.
        
        Id needed for 2 degrees
        https://www.2degrees.nz/help/mobile-help/plans/help-joining-pay-monthly
        
        I know you think your smart with your comments when you lack the intelligence to know what is being discussed
        
        2 10
        Report
        May 7, 2025 10:45am
  - PurplePen
    
    That could be a solution to the 16 years social media restriction. You can’t buy a phone or a SIM card without ID. So those under 16 can only buy ‘special’ phones and SIMs where there’s hard coded restrictions or blocks built in place.
    
    5 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 11:01am
    - JackRabbit
      
      And that won’t work when Mummy and Daddy buy the phone for them. In today’s violent world full of gangs, sexual predators, pedophiles, and men pretending to be women, mobile phones are a child’s lifeline.
      
      Gone are the days from my generation where we walked to kindy and primary school in safety.
      
      4 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 2:03pm
  - gravedodger
    
    So what makes the provision of valuable personal information so valuable, there is a market for such information.
    Now how about “Proof of residential address” when the only mail coming through a letterbox is the garbage the message “No Junk Mail” refers to.
    Of course during an election campaign such a request is ignored.
    I had an incident last General E when a Red supporter was watching her spawn try to invade My letter box and did not appreciate my polite request to the child to observe my request for addressed mail only. Quite threatening, far to dumb to get that I would not be voting for her choice even if the only candidate on the ballot.
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 12:43pm
- Nigel Kearney
  
  Get used to it. If the National Party has their way, you will need to provide a driver licence or passport to access many websites.
  
  13 4
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 8:39am
  - hookerphil
    
    Briscoes Timaru took a fleeting glance at my Drivers Licence yesterday when I picked up a click and collect item.
    Handy I have one as my Passport is now well past renewing.
    
    8 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 9:36am
    - peterwn
      
      Rock Shop similar. Some fraudsters somehow became aware that click and collect (or similar) items were waiting to be picked up and swooped in first.
      
      6 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 10:39am
  - Colville
    
    Nigel.
    If a digital ID was brought in would it be any different to the Real Me app I use to access govt websites now?
    
    7 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 9:55am
  - gravedodger
    
    That will be difficult for Swmbo as no passport and relinquished her Driver Licence.
    Causes some conniptions at ANZ bank when no one who knows us is available.
    Perhaps a microchip will be next up??
    
    5 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 12:45pm
- rouppe
  
  I’d closely check what else changes when she signs up, particularly the daily or per KWh rate.
  
  As you say, nothing is for free.
  
  9 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 9:08am
- imalwaysright
  
  They probably make a lot of money from the “free hour” with people taking showers and baths.
  
  6 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 9:39am
- Tauhei Notts
  
  So he family member has made 144 monthly power payments on time and the Power company needs to get her drivers’ licence details.
  144 payments? That is gross negligence.
  143 is not a gross.
  
  24 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 9:46am
  - Northshoredoc
    
    Very pithy.
    
    7 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 9:58am
Simon

Machete the weapon of choice for the feral. The real NZ.
11 4
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 8:14am
- MCōs
  
  Which model is your personal preference?
  
  7 3
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 10:05am
Yvette

Last week’s revelation by National’s Minister of Maori Development Tama Potaka … that “a new committee led by Adrian Rurawhe is working on formally integrating tikanga Maori into Parliament” has heightened public concern that the Coalition is failing to uphold its key election pledge to “Stop all work on He Puapua”.

He Puapua was the Ardern Government’s blueprint to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This radical plan for constitutional transformation aimed to deliver tribal rule by 2040 – the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

… The drive to embed tikanga as a foundational legal principle has been led by the former head of the Waitangi Tribunal, Justice Joe Williams, who was appointed to the Supreme Court by Labour in 2019.
But instead of eliminating ‘tikanga’ from the law, in order to “Stop He Puapua” and fulfil their election promise, the Coalition now appears to be on the cusp of entrenching it into Parliament. – Dr Muriel Newman
https://www.nzcpr.com/radicalising-parliament/

The Maori Party spells out what’s in store on their website:
* Establish a Māori Parliament
* Implement all Matike Mai recommendations for constitutional transformation
… and 14 other gems
https://www.maoriparty.org.nz/mana_motuhake

Will the Maori Party need to “• Establish a Māori Parliament” when National will have done it for them?

Will ACT and NZF show some spine and exit the Coalition, when they respectively presented the Treaty Prinicples Bill and initiated removing all un-needed references to the Treaty from all legislation to display their direction, but Poata and Luxon are going in the opposite direction – like, against the popular vote, as far as that is apparent?
42 2
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 8:14am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  This is utter rubbish, the bill is in the house now to replace the treaty in law, it is utter bullshit to suggest otherwise, nothing to do with Potaka it’s a coalition agreement, and no coalition agreement has been broken, why would it now, and you mention treat principles bill again and mention NZF, they were bitterly opposed to the bill.
  
  3 18
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 8:29am
  - Yvette
    
    G the giant from Dunedin, thank you for your thought prompting questioning of Potaka’s influence on Coalition legislation.
    
    Dr Muriel Newman’s article begins –
    Last week’s revelation by National’s Minister of Maori Development Tama Potaka … that “a new committee led by Adrian Rurawhe is working on formally integrating tikanga Maori into Parliament” has heightened public concern that the Coalition is failing to uphold its key election pledge to “Stop all work on He Puapua”
    – so it seems National’s Minister of Maori Development Tama Potaka is working in a direction which pre-empts both ACT and NZF in the bills they have introduced.
    
    It is similar to the control that existed with Labour’s “3 Waters” : while people bitched about “co-governance” at Entity level, the “total governance” position was held at the top of the food chain by the Maori Advisory Council sitting above the Water Regulator, Taumata Arowai.
    Both the Maori Advisory Council and the Water Regulator, Taumata Arowai, still function.
    
    Will working “on formally integrating tikanga Maori into Parliament” not Trump considering the “Principles” in legislation?
    ________________
    Riki Ellison and Bonita Bigham have been reappointed to the Authority’s Māori Advisory Group with Mr Ellison also appointed chair. These appointments are also for a three-year term, beginning on 29 August.
    29 August 2024 Minister appoints new chair and members to Water Services Authority
    https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/minister-appoints-new-chair-and-members-water-services-authority
    
    The “…” above was the matter of whether Potaka was ever a member of the Maori Party. Apparently he wasn’t.
    
    17 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 9:33am
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      I don’t care what Newman says, every single coalition point has been adopted, the legislation has started, and twice we have already seen new legislation adopted that leaves the previous treaty influence out of the law.
      
      People can rubbish Nats as much as they like, but this is part of their policy either way NZF and will not be broken.
      
      The Tikiana in parliament is simply an appeasement exercise
      
      1 12
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 10:39am
      - Yvette
        
        G the giant from Dunedin, you offer a viewpoint which I do consider.
        I thrust anyone who has not scrolled on by, will do the same.
        
        “The Tikiana in parliament is simply an appeasement exercise”
        It remains to be seen if this is a side-show while other things happen.
        
        The adoption of ‘tikanga’ in the Supreme Court Ellis case was opportunist and also the equivalent to ‘tikanga’ for Ellis was simple respect for a reputation the courts’ system had vastly damaged – simple honesty, transparency, justice and avoiding postmortem defamation should have added as much weight to case continuance to correct court verdicts.
        
        The adoption of ‘tikanga’ in the Supreme Court Ellis case was opportunist. In that light, was the haka that “the world noted” also opportunist – now, because the initial refusal to appear before the Privileges Committee belittled the ‘silly little committee’ (Maori Party President, John Tamihere) before it suddenly was a case of ‘tikanga’ in Parliament.
        
        14 0
        Report
        May 7, 2025 11:47am
      - gravedodger
        
        As so boldly stated by former PM Key when he sent a couple of the chosen to the UN to sign NZ up to the cascading torrent of utter nonsensical racist garbage.
        Will such Tikaknga be delivered prorata to racial genetic component?
        
        9 1
        Report
        May 7, 2025 12:49pm
      - septic skeptic
        
        Oh G can you really be that gullible? National are looking to formally integrate tikanga Maori into parliament. Tikanga being a fluid set of laws that basically only a Maori can define and a Maori can decide the definition to suit on a case by case basis. Have you learned nothing from the experiences of the ministers who questioned Palmers “principles of the TOW” and were robbed off with his dismissal as meaningless window dressing? Or the purely symbolic act of Sharples signing us up to UNDRIP as approved by Key?
        
        9 0
        Report
        May 7, 2025 1:36pm
      - Yvette
        
        Gravedodger – As so boldly stated by former PM Key when he sent a couple of the chosen to the UN to sign NZ up to the cascading torrent of utter nonsensical racist garbage.
        
        20 APRIL 2010 – National Govt to support UN rights declaration
        John Key Prime Minister – The statement in support of the declaration:
        point 3:
        • reaffirms the legal and constitutional frameworks that underpin New Zealand’s legal system, noting that those existing frameworks define the bounds of New Zealand’s engagement with the declaration.
        https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/national-govt-support-un-rights-declaration
        
        The Treaty is supposedly one of “the legal and constitutional frameworks that underpin New Zealand’s legal system” but has not been adhered to, and the Treaty itself apparently between the Pati Maori and ACT is no framework either.
        
        One further question is why did Key fly Sharples to New York secretly as many accounts recount?
        
        6 0
        Report
        May 7, 2025 2:41pm
    - pdm
      
      Yvette the finger has been pointed at Potaka a lot in the last week.
      
      Seems he has been identified as a possible activist in the National Ranks. Julian Batchelor at Stop Co-Governance seems to be leading the charge.
      
      15 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 10:48am
- pdm
  
  Yvette I have a gut feeling that the legislation changes planned by NZFirst and National as part of their Coalition agreement is going to make these issues even worse.
  
  Because it is piece by piece it is going to fester over the next 12/18 months at what cost to National and NZFirst.
  
  If I was an ACT MP I would stay as far away as is possible from it because like nits it will infest anyone close.
  
  16 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 8:43am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    It will not fester, they have already delivered on 2 piece of legislation that leaves the treaty out of the law, we voted for it, as nc doing it one by one makes it far harder for Labour to change it back
    
    1 7
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 10:41am
- Simon
  
  Mumbo jumbo at the core of parliament. So brand NZ. The decline is steady and relentless
  
  16 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 9:03am
  - Mike
    
    I thought the daily prayers seeking divine guidance had been dropped.
    
    4 12
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 10:03am
    - imalwaysright
      
      Probably no evidence of them having worked, considering the state of the country…
      
      10 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 10:41am
- Sir Henry Morgan
  
  New Zealand should not even have a “Supreme Court”.
  
  4 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 12:37pm
- peterwn
  
  If they showed the ‘spine’ you want, then welcome to a Labour/Green/TMP/NZF coalition in the next few months.
  
  1 4
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 2:17pm
  - septic skeptic
    
    Can’t really see Winston or Shane playing 3rd fiddle in the Hipkins Orchestra – taking their lead from TMP and the watermelons. 😁
    But maybe if they got enough babbles…
    TBH it might not be the worst thing. Give National an opportunity for some self reflection and a change of leadership. Brown and Seymour could make a decent PM and deputy pairing.
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 3:01pm
  - Tom Hunter
    
    If they showed the ‘spine’ you want, then welcome to a Labour/Green/TMP/NZF coalition in the next few months.
    
    That sounds familiar…
    
    Democrats know that if they can get those policies implemented now, many of them will remain forever. They’ll lose Democrats in the process, but so be it — there will be more Democrats in the future. It’s impossible to watch politics professionally for over a decade, through some of its liveliest battles in a long time, and not come to the understanding that Democrats in general do politics differently.
    …
    Here’s how this dynamic plays out: When Democrats are legislating on something major, they look around the field and say to themselves, “Yeah, we’re going to take some casualties on this one, but we’re going to change America.”
    
    And then they blast right through it. Pelosi is going to lose members for this overhaul of our country and she knows it — she’s just decided that given the trouble they’re already heading into, it’s worth it.
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 5:11pm
Rusty

80 years ago today 7th May 1945 Nazi Germany surrendered bringing ww2 to an end in Europe.

The world has been a safer place ever since…
32 1
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 8:18am
- kowtow
  
  Rusty
  
  The world ?
  
  Not behind the Iron Curtain or China at that time.
  
  We’re currently living with nuclear armed authoritarian lunatics and that has spread to others including loon Pakistan and soon Iran .
  
  Israel, created directly from the madness of WW2 ,has recently beaten off another attempted genocide , while much of the west questions it’s right to defend itself.
  
  Oh and western Europe , including Britain , is unrecognisable demographically , from that May of 1945.
  
  Just as a matter of current affairs , Germany , the subject of your post is so politically divided that for the first time in its modern history it failed to install a Chancellor , on the first round of voting.
  
  15 5
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 8:46am
  - Rusty
    
    @Kowtow
    
    It was a tongue in cheek comment from me. My late Dad and father in law were both ww2 vets.
    
    5 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 2:35pm
    - kowtow
      
      rusty
      
      Apologies , didn’t get the sarc.
      
      4 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 4:16pm
  - Culture War Criminal
    
    “Israel, created directly from the madness of WW2 ,has recently beaten off another attempted genocide , while much of the west questions it’s right to defend itself.
    
    Oh and western Europe , including Britain , is unrecognisable demographically , from that May of 1945.”
    
    There’re two reasons right there why it is verboten, and even illegal in some jurisdictions, to question the narrative around Nazi Germany and the rights and wrongs and the who-done-whats of WW2.
    
    Consider that the State of Israel as an entity, as well as the mass third world demographic replacement policies throughout the West, both creatures of the post-WW2 era and justified by WW2, are in danger of being seriously undermined as unjustified, because WW2 and the Nazi regime is their justification, which also relates to the associated vilification of white people.
    
    In other words, if the cardinal foundation stone of the modern world, its putative values and its institutions that is WW2 starts to be questioned, everything since WW2 necessarily also starts to comes into question.
    
    2 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 6:20pm
- Prince
  
  Silly question, but given NZ rushed to Britain’s aid in WWII, how come it was left to US to finish the war in the Pacific ?
  UK just seems to have thought ‘War is over’, without any thought to the ongoing battles in the Pacific.
  
  3 17
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 8:53am
  - MCōs
    
    President Donald Trump announced plans to designate May 8 as World War II “Victory Day” in the United States
    
    6 3
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 9:32am
  - fightingtemeraire
    
    Suggest you bone up on your history.
    
    Britain was fighting in Burma until the end, last major surface fleet action was the sinking of IJNS Haguro by a RN flotilla in the Malacca Straits.
    
    The British Pacific Fleet carriers were bombing airfields etc in Sumatra and were off Japan as a TF attacked to the USN.
    
    British vessels were in Tokyo Bay for the surrender.
    
    23 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 9:37am
    - Mike
      
      NZ division was in Italy preparing for deployment to the Pacific. A British force would have been part of the ground invasion and the RN’s Pacific Fleet (including RNZN ships) was already operating against Japan
      
      15 4
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 10:07am
      - Don Beckett
        
        NZ troops were already in the Pacific at Guadalcanal, as well as naval vessels – HMNZS Achilles, and RNZAF had Lockheed Hastings light bombers, Corsair fighters & Grumman Avenger TBF ‘s – I knew many men who fought in that theatre in all those services.
        
        9 0
        Report
        May 7, 2025 12:26pm
      - Mike
        
        Sorry to correct you. The NZ division in the Pacific (which wasn’t at Guadalcanal BTW) was withdrawn in 1944 to reinforce the division in Italy and release manpower for the domestic economy.
        
        2 0
        Report
        May 7, 2025 4:25pm
    - MCōs
      
      One day a few years ago we were out for a walk around the neighbourhood and chanced upon an old codger wobbling along the footpath. Thinking he looked a bit bewildered we walked with him and guided him home
      In return he recounted how he’d been a seaman on a British corvette that entered Rangoon after the Japanese had left in May 1945.
      He said they had laid waste to everything except the temples . . . .
      
      12 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 12:11pm
    - Nobby2
      
      fightingtemeraire;
      Some basic WW11 history for you.
      
      8th May 1945, VE Day (Victory in Europe) marked the formal acceptance by the WW11 allies of Germanys unconditional surrender of its armed forces and the official end of WW11 in Europe.
      
      15 August 1945, VJ Day (Victory over Japan) marked the surrender of the Japanese armed forces and the official end of WW11 in the Pacific and Asia.
      2September 1945, The formal surrender ceremony took place on USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, Japan officially ending WW11 in the Pacific. HMNZS Gambia, which my father was serving on, was the only RNZN ship present at the signing ceremony.
      
      9 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 1:44pm
  - Jack5
    
    The Burma campaign was part of the war against Japan, and up to about a million Commonwealth troops, mainly Indian but also British and African, fought there. Of them, about 27,000 were killed.
    
    From May 1944 the British had a fleet in the Pacific that included six fleet air-craft carriers, 15 smaller carriers and four battle ships.
    
    New Zealanders, as well as fighting alongside Americans in the Solomons, were among those who flew planes from the British carriers.
    
    17 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 9:52am
    - sarab2021
      
      My father was a shipwright on the aircraft carrier HMS Indefatigable, which was diverted from North Sea convoy escort duties to the far east in 1943. It took part in the attacks on Japanese airfields & an oil refinery in Sumatra then was at the rear of the US landings on Sakishima. It was, I beleive, the first British ship hit by a kamikaze bomber, but having 4in armour plated deck was able to resume flying duties after 2 hours of repairs. The Americans were stunned as their carriers had wooden decks & a kamikaze hit was often a sinking as never they never expected to be within range of anything but light carrier based planes. The Indefatigable was also in Tokyo Bay at the surrender then was used to transport PoWs & injured to NZ & Australia for hospital & rehab.
      
      12 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 11:09am
      - Mod88
        
        My Father was a LAF in HMS Indefatigable during their deployment with the US Fleet at Okinawa and the operations off the Japanese Mainland and also the repatriation of the Australians home. Small world.
        
        9 0
        Report
        May 7, 2025 12:34pm
      - Pope Punctilious II
        
        It sounds like WWII Indefatigable was a better ship than its WWI namesake. https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205086935
        Frankly I’m surprised the name was used again after the debacle at Jutland.
        
        4 0
        Report
        May 7, 2025 1:41pm
  - Poppax8
    
    Prince, you may not be aware that Britain spent from 41 – 45 fighting the Japanese on the outskirts of India and then recapturing Burma. There are some good articles on you tube regarding the Chindits and General Slim. Cheers.
    
    15 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 10:01am
    - Mod88
      
      General William “Bill” Slim was the outstanding General of the British Armed Forces in WW2.
      
      7 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 12:37pm
  - David Garrett
    
    Prince: That is quite wrong, as a commenter below points out in detail.
    
    But the short answer is that once the US was in the war, Churchill and Roosevelt reached agreement that the conflict must be “Europe first”, primarily because the allied leaders knew that while it may take some time, Japan would inevitably be defeated by the US, whereas in Europe the outcome was not so clear.
    
    10 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 10:31am
    - Culture War Criminal
      
      Let’s put aside our Boys Own worldviews and perception of history. Look at the absolute state of Europe now and tell me we were right to fight Germany, teaming up with a much more murderous regime that was also allegedly the ideological enemy of the so- called capitalist West.
      
      Then only a few months later after VE Day, our allies had, with our agreement, half of Europe under its thumb even harder than the Germans had, while the US Empire occupied the other half (and still does), while having Britain over a barrelin a crippling debt position, and said allies then miraculously switched to being our enemies for the next 50 years.
      
      Germany taking back it territories that we took from them post-1918 was only a concern to a select few, and shouldn’t have required a French and British declaration of war on Germany, with the results outlined above.
      
      2 3
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 1:58pm
    - Prince
      
      Thanks everyone, that’s me schooled.
      My father was based in the Solomons, and only mentioned working with the Yanks. Apparently their food/accomodation and military equipment was the cause of some envy.
      Cheers and thanks to all.
      
      6 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 4:14pm
  - Sir Henry Morgan
    
    The UK was the only power to fight throughout WWII. That included continuing to fight in the Pacific.
    
    The original plan was actually for the nukes that ended the war to be dropped by British Lancaster Bombers. Something about the Lancaster being able fly at higher altitude and so being safer from the effects of the blast. Another consideration was obviously the superior training of the British pilots, their cooler heads relative to the flighty Americans, plus everybody also agreed they just looked more dashing in their uniforms.
    
    6 4
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 12:48pm
    - Dave
      
      “…fly at a higher altitude…” than what? Certainly not the B29. In fact, it’s lower altitude and slower speed might have made it more vulnerable to a nuclear blast.
      
      What the Lancaster had was an extremely capacious and adaptable bomb bay, which was able to carry very large bombs, whereas the B29’s bomb bay required some modifications, IIRC. The Lancaster would have required in-flight refuelling, unlike the B29. The likelihood of the US handing its A-bombs over to to the British is about zero.
      
      As China had been fighting the Japanese since 1937, it too fought throughout WW2, though obviously it did not fight on anywhere near as many fronts as Britain.
      
      6 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 5:33pm
      - Sir Henry Morgan
        
        The Lancaster was considered as an option. That was my main point.
        
        As for the A bomb, the British were working on it and half finished before the Yanks got involved. The British shared all their work with the Americans. It could be argued that the Yanks just did a colour-by-numbers job on British bomb plans.
        
        Very little gratitude shown to Britain post-war.
        
        0 1
        Report
        May 7, 2025 9:23pm
    - Taieri
      
      The UK was the only power to fight throughout WWII.
      ————
      
      No.
      Poland was another one, with the fourth largest allied armed forces in Europe, after the USSR, USA and Britain.
      
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_Poland_during_World_War_II
      
      4 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 5:49pm
  - kowtow
    
    New Zealanders played a big part in the Fleet Air Arm based on the British aircraft carriers operating in the Pacific .
    Laregly unsung by our myopic msm.
    
    5 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 3:25pm
- David Garrett
  
  Rusty: Yes indeed…and no mention of it on Stuff…there is however coverage of what some young pop singer is wearing at some event overseas, and why some radio jock isn’t missing her job. We have become an utterly dumbed down society.
  
  But back to WW II. The last Battle of Britain pilot died recently, an Irishman aged 105 . The sad reality is that within ten years, all WW II vets will also be gone; a 20 year old serving in 1945 is 100 now…any twenty year old who served in North Africa under Freyberg is 103
  
  17 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 9:19am
  - hookerphil
    
    I was so lucky to be in Normandy in Saint-Mere-Eglise, France June 2007 when their D Day celebrations were carried out with so many veterans in attendance. It was interesting that the several planes of paratroopers who jumped at were mainly German as the British and French Army no longer had enough.
    I then attended at Ranville, France the Pegasus Bridge celebrations 6 June. Now the veterans who were on those three gliders were there in force. What characters they were –with their cocky voices talking away. I asked one whether the Germans were aware of the gliders landing, they were all right beside the bridge on a narrow 30-40 metre strip about 1 in the morning. No, he said, they were all asleep except for the ones that weren’t and we put them to sleep.
    They only lost one man in the landings, the back of one glider slipped into the river and one soldier at the back was drowned. It is sad to realise that all of those have now probably past on.
    
    18 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 9:58am
  - Rusty
    
    @David
    Stuff are the pits. And agree with everything else you said.
    
    4 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 2:40pm
- Handyman
  
  Those 80 years of peace have been described as a “holiday from history”. Sadly, normal transmission will be resumed soon.
  
  8 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 10:17am
- Paul Marsden
  
  And if it wasn’t for the Russians, we’d all be speaking German.
  
  3 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 2:30pm
  - Dave
    
    Sort of. 80% of German casualties ( or deaths, I can’t remember which) occurred on the Eastern Front so, yes, the Soviet Union contributed hugely to Allied victory. That said:
    
    1) Without the Ribbentrop-Molotov pact Hitler might not have gone to war. The agreement freed Germany from a second front and blockade of strategic materials, including food, two factors which greatly weakened Germany in WW1. Each month the agreement lasted, Germany got more strategic materials from Russia than the rest of the war following Barbarossa.
    
    2) The Soviets had the ‘advantage’ (if that’s the right word) of fighting on a single front whereas Britain and the US fought on multiple fronts, engaging fewer enemy and inflicting lower losses, but requiring prodigious efforts of production and logistics.
    
    3) Lend-lease supplied the USSR vast quantities of arms – especially tactical aircraft to replace the horrendous losses of 1941 and the lost production of 1942; even Shermans and mediocre British tanks served in the land of the T34; 2000 US locomotives kept Russian trains running; 400,000 American trucks turned Russian breakthroughs into deep advances, disrupting less mobile German forces’ attempts to contain them. Roosevelt temporarily silenced Soviet demands for a second front by offering to open one, except that would mean diverting lend-lease production to the Western allies.
    
    4) Though criticised after WW2 for its cost and ineffectiveness, the Anglo-American bomber campaign against Germany resulted in 70% of German fighters being used for home front defence by late 1943, the Luftwaffe’s budget rising from 50% of armed forces costs to 60+%, huge numbers of flak artillery and their shells being built and then manned in Germany, rather than on battlefronts; 800,000 workers repaired bomb-damaged transport infrastructure, 700,000 workers repaired bomb damage to the synthetic oil industries, more tanks in August 1943 were lost through delays in production and direct destruction than in the Battle of Kursk the same month.
    
    5) The Luftwaffe, an essential element of Blitzkrieg and important support for frontline forces as logistics broke down, entered Barbarossa weaker than it was in 1939, thanks to the Battles of France and Britain.
    
    Stalin, in one of the better one-sentence summaries of WW2 said something like, ‘Britain gave time, America gave money, and Russia gave blood.’
    
    4 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 6:49pm
Tom Barker

The movie screened last week at the private cinema at Mar-a-Largo was “Escape from Alcatraz.” I guess it could have been worse. Imagine if Trump had watched “Spartacus.”
27 9
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 8:18am
- All_on_Red
  
  Actually the movie was broadcast on a South Florida PBS station not at Mar a Lago’s private screening room.
  I doubt Trump is watching Public Broadcasting either
  Of course Tom doesn’t let the truth get in the way of a chance for a smear
  
  16 11
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 8:46am
  - Mike
    
    Get over it. Trump can cosplay as the pope, but jokes about him are ‘smears’.
    
    9 10
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 10:10am
    - All_on_Red
      
      Gotcha
      Poor triggered lefty
      You’re quite the stalker
      
      10 7
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 11:28am
      - Don Beckett
        
        Actually, Trump was not the one to put up the pope thing – it was done by someone else as a prank.
        
        11 3
        Report
        May 7, 2025 12:32pm
- Vinicius
  
  He must have also watched The Shoes of the Fisherman recently.
  
  12 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 8:51am
  - greybeard
    
    And you are the winner !
    
    7 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 10:16am
- David Garrett
  
  Tom B: Or worse, Lolita…I believe Pope Donald invited Epstein to Mar-a-lago at least once??
  
  10 14
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 9:20am
  - Mike
    
    Trump on Epstein: “He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he like beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.”
    
    11 11
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 10:22am
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      Trump feel out with Epstein 25 years ago, he booted him out of Mar O Largo
      
      What utter waffle you are trying to whip up
      
      2 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 8:29pm
  - sirknz
    
    And the rest of the story goes that Trump booted Epstein out after Epstein was caught ‘harrasing’ one of the young female employees.
    
    9 4
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 1:46pm
- Mike
  
  Hopefully they never show him Dr Strangelove.
  
  12 8
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 10:09am
Jack5

Are some “Old National” politicians thinking about who publishes obituaries when they line up with the present directors’ board at the NZ Herald, a board that faces the sack?

In a link posted late-ish last night (repeated below) details were reported of Stephen Joyce’s nomination for the board of directors of the Herald’s owner, NZME.

Stephen Donoghue-Cox nominated Steven Joyce for election. Donoghue-Cox is the husband of Barbara Chapman, the present chairman of the NZME board. She says she will resign after a short transition if Joyce is elected to the board.

Joyce was a National Party Minister from 2008 to 2016. Among his portfolios were Finance and, earlier, the then infant role of Communications and Information Technology.

Perhaps it’s a coincidence, but former National Prime Minister John Key has resurfaced on local TV about the same time. Am I paranoid to suspect TV goes to Key and some National older-timers like Jenny Shipley when an issue arises that’s contentious to the Left? A sort of divide-and-rule ploy?

Surely “Old National” as a whole isn’t sympathising with the current Herald ownership management when the bloc of State-owned or State-subsidised media normally kicks shit out of the Centre-Right?

The Stock Exchange announcement about Joyce’s nomination included a link to a public relations person: Kelly Gunn, of GM Communications. Some shareholder will probably ask at the annual meeting on 3 June, if NZME is paying the PR fee?

The announcement, authorised by Barbara Chapman, chairman [sic], with details of those standing for the board:

https://www.nzx.com/announcements/451057
5 3
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 8:24am
Cassandra

Robert McCulloch is possibly the angriest man on the blogosphere. Probably it’s Bomber Bradbury (who is vile as well) so better to describe McCulloch as strident. On his blog downtoearthkiwi McCulloch has strong words for the National and Labour parties and their incompetent cronies for stifling the very growth-capable New Zealanders both parties profess to want and encourage. Read it. McCulloch is strident but clever and perceptive. You’ll be dismayed.
20 5
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 8:31am
- Damocles11
  
  I’m already dismayed reading McCullochs columns. National and Labour have zero ideas on how to lift household savings rates and make us wealthier. The only plan is to tinker with interest rates & keep up strong immigration to pump the property market and continue to pile up debt. It is all so sad and pathetic. Most announcements are simply window dressing while National wait for the same tired ‘plan’ to unfold. The borrowing rate is obscene, we are drowning in debt.
  
  20 3
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 8:46am
- pdm
  
  Robert McCulloch writes a hell of a lot of good stuff.
  
  He may be critical but he is always objective and offers solutions.
  
  22 3
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 9:09am
  - Cassandra
    
    He is first class; I’m a great admirer. Pity there aren’t more like him.
    
    19 3
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 9:19am
- Simon
  
  Labo & National are utter garbage. No new information. Why Labo / National are utter garbage would be more interesting.
  
  Seems boring at first glance.
  
  “Ageing population” gets the blame a lot by RM. It’s not ageing population which is the problem……
  
  9 5
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 9:12am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    Can you point to just one suggestion from any other party that helps?
    
    3 5
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 10:43am
    - pdm
      
      G have a look at the ACT manifesto.
      
      They have driven most of the good things this Government has dealt with.
      
      More to come too I think.
      
      6 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 1:54pm
      - R
        
        ACT, the one trick pony party
        
        1 5
        Report
        May 7, 2025 3:22pm
      - G the giant from Dunedin
        
        Rubbish, what the hell does that have to do with house hold savings.
        
        I have given my party vote to Act quite a few times, but the day Seymour said last election that he could sit on the cross benches, like many I walked away, until he states categorically he will never do that then I don’t give a f… what their manifesto is
        
        0 0
        Report
        May 7, 2025 8:34pm
  - PurplePen
    
    It must be what the British have come to realise with their two largest parties on left and right. Hence, they’ve voted Farage. Do we have a Farage party.
    
    4 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 11:12am
    - Pope Punctilious II
      
      Will Farage be substantially different from Labour and the Tories?
      
      2 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 5:42pm
  - R
    
    No Simon, not aging population; the problem is that NZ has far to much SOCIALIST welfare for an economy and productivity of our size
    
    8 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 3:20pm
- kowtow
  
  Growth capable?
  
  Look at this from our “one man one vote” Luxon led coalition.
  
  We need an Act led coaltion.
  
  ‘ The Fast Track Approvals Act is supposed to be a panacea for development. But as Port Otago and a leading logistics company are finding out, it is far from smooth sailing because of one issue – the requirement in the Act to consult with iwi, and then to probably to pay them for the privilege.’
  
  https://www.bassettbrashandhide.com/post/peter-williams-iwi-with-their-hands-out-before-otago-development
  
  16 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 9:16am
  - Quail
    
    Kowtow,
    So from one group of hurdles the highest and most difficult remains!
    That is obscene.
    The RMA industry has been a gravy train for so many in New Zealand and this continues , but now with a racist focus!
    This means any opposed to a fast track development project will have to work through Iwi to be heard.
    
    Absolutely obscene!
    
    16 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 10:42am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    Consulting with iwi has always been part of major building or projects, stop trying to suggest somehow this has snuck in under the radar
    
    4 15
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 10:46am
    - Yabster
      
      [Mod – just debate tge topics]”always” is that so? – you know thats bullshit- it mainly due to the RMA and local councils going to far over interpretation of the Local Govt Act- – both need to be changed.
      
      14 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 12:30pm
      - Yabster
        
        so it actually the Fast Track bill (that National has just passed) Ngai Mafia are using to get some Koha- well done National and Potaka //
        
        6 1
        Report
        May 7, 2025 12:42pm
    - Quail
      
      GG,
      Could you please explain why consulting with IWi is allegedly a given in law ?
      (Not in the treaty or any of the founding documents,)
      And why the same law does not apply to all New Zealanders?
      Why??
      
      10 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 12:50pm
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      Yabster,
      
      How bloody long has RMA been in place?
      
      0 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 8:36pm
  - RoboRob
    
    Excellend piece. Interesting to see the Maori bribe process in full action. First claim not enough consultation and therefore default ‘oppose’ stance. Then say, the developer has more money so they must fund the Iwi to make negotiations fair.
    
    What a crock, as Peter says the IWI has far more money in this case and, under their proposal, such
    should be paying the developers costs.
    
    National really screwed this one up, probably due to their fear of offending Iwi. Yes there should be Iwi input where it applies but the blanket wording means that Iwi can insert themselves as desired. Just like the treaty principals issue, by keeping the wording loose you allow for any interpretation.
    
    19 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 10:47am
  - imalwaysright
    
    State enabled extortion.
    
    19 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 11:01am
  - PurplePen
    
    I get how consultation with iwi is necessary, but only if the application somehow affects iwi property, just the same with any other property owner. But if the application has nothing to do with iwi-owned land and isn’t adjacent then there should be no reason to involve iwi. It’s not required by the ToW. Show me where it is in the ToW.
    
    19 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 11:16am
    - RoboRob
      
      In some treaty settlments the crown has agreed, for example, that any sale of land by the crown must be offered to Iwi first. It is quite possible that the agreements contain other clauses applicable in the case above.
      
      Eitherway its BS and there should be a high bar before a case MUST be bought to Iwi.
      
      12 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 11:40am
  - Ghost
    
    I see that it triggers no treaty obligations for the ministry of environment
    
    https://environment.govt.nz/assets/what-government-is-doing/Fast-Track-Unlisted/Southern-Link-Logistics-Hub/258.06-FTA258-Southern-Link-Logistics-Hub-Sch-2A-MfE-assessment-form-Stage-1_Redacted.pdf
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 1:04pm
Damocles11

I now don’t expect the Coalition to win the next election. National is Labour Lite, Potaka is a former member of TPM, and Maorification continues apace. Aside from that, support for National is crumbling in the middle. People are concerned that new hospitals are not being delivered, the situation is dire in Nelson for example…. yet $12 Billion can be found for a defence spend-up. Women will be angered about the recent pay equity announcement. Don’t shoot the messenger, as bad as Labour are the recent elections in Canada and Australia have shown that people in the Western democracies outside the US remain enamoured with the Left despite the glaring failures, incompetence, and harmful social engineering. I fear the poll results over the back half of this year because the budget will no doubt be a catalyst for more mud slinging and anger. I expect corporate tax cuts which will further alienate the middle.
19 6
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 8:42am
- Cassandra
  
  “Defence spend up” is not an option. We have by neglect and design run down our defence capability. It’s got to be done. Even now it’s nowhere near the required level.
  
  20 3
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 9:22am
  - RoboRob
    
    Agree, in much the same way as Nationals ‘tax cuts’ were simply catching up on 10years of tax bracket creep. I note that, due to he fact we are broke, National chose not to enshrine an annual tax bracket adjustment inline with inflation. They had little choice, due to Labours spending but we will pay dearly for that in the future.
    
    15 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 9:27am
  - Jack5
    
    We are paying for the tens of billions “printed” through bond issues during the Covid shutdown, but no-one’s talking about that.
    
    When can we get some quick official review comparing casualties from the shut-down Covid strategy of Ardern NZ with those of the keep-working approaches of Sweden and Taiwan?
    
    Let’s not get caught twice.
    
    16 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 10:04am
  - Damocles11
    
    Defence spend up ‘must be done’ but new hospitals are ‘optional’? That’s one take but how many out there are going to see it your way? Probably not too many I would imagine. And this will be how National will lose the next election.
    
    10 3
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 10:37am
    - Cassandra
      
      Like all policies, Damocles, this one has to be sold to the voters. Of course health spending must continue but there are plenty of other areas where savings are possible. The major one is welfare including pensions.
      
      6 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 1:10pm
      - Ian Boag
        
        Wot! Pensions ????
        
        Recipients are all hard working folk who paid taxes for their olds’ pensions, unfortunately not into their own pension pots. But that’s OK because their kids (the ones who haven’t gone to Oz) will happily (?) fund their pension. And on it will go forever.
        
        Paid for by one lot, received by another. That’s pretty much what we otherwise call a “benefit”.
        
        But – being realistic – we are stuck with some version of it. Thankyou Mr Muldoon. But somewhere down the line we will need to extend the eligibility age and do something about not paying it to people who have enough assets/income to support themselves in reasonable comfort.
        
        The transition to a contributions based sysem would be impossible to manage. Today’s taxpayers would be saving for their old age while still funding their oldies’ pensions. Does not compute ….
        
        4 1
        Report
        May 7, 2025 4:43pm
- RoboRob
  
  National, and I believe ACT, are likely praying that lower interest rates generate some momentum in the economy going into next year.
  
  I suspect next year will be a very ‘American’ style election. Most people will have two choices, both of which are very distasteful. It will be a choose your poison election for most. The scary thing is the tiny ‘centre swing vote’ might see another labour spend up and some Maori / Green activists as better then boring National.
  
  The only people not faced with the choice between a shit sandwich and a douche bag will be ACT / NZF / Green and Maori voters. Even then it might feel crappy to vote Act just to end up with more National.
  
  8 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 9:33am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  It was clearly stated yesterday that Potaka was never ever a TPM member, end of that bullshit
  
  10 4
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 10:47am
- Ghost
  
  No he’s not a former TPM member. That’s the problem with these people who put out false information, people believe it and push the lie
  
  11 3
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 10:57am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    It just makes my feeling that some here are just Act trouble makers more valid, much of what some say is utter bullshit
    
    1 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 8:39pm
- Hugh Jarse
  
  “Women” as a collective are not angered. One I know very well having worked in retail and government departments cannot understand all this BS as she has never been paid less than a male doing her role. I suspect she is only one of many women who are not angered but instead wondering why some people get paid less than others for doing totally different roles with totally different work conditions and qualifications is an issue.
  
  15 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 12:48pm
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    You only have to look at the rent a mob yesterday, and the people who can hardly put a coherent sentence together in the media, either wearing red or having scum union regalia on
    
    1 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 8:40pm
Simon

It’s slipping away gradually. Taxes not enough to cover the unfolding wreckage. Low wage third world immigration has played out. All that is left now from years of low wage immigration is the massive cost. Then there is the utter train wreck of Maorification.

They want increased property taxes. Too much for the productive and hard working to carry. It’s slipping away.
19 5
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 8:57am
- Paulus
  
  Actually “Slipped Away”.
  
  5 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 3:20pm
I remember when

Tribality:
Is the fact the Treaty was an agreement between the Crown and the Maori tribes often overlooked in debates?
What the individual Maori thinks may well affect polls, elections and correspondence.
However, all settlements are made with the tribes, etc, and they control the money.
Although the great majority of Maori now have at least some connection with their tribes, this is often minimal.
Therefore, the ‘Maori view’ is usually the opinion of the small group controlling the assets.
We can have referendum, but that is simply the opinion of the masses.
The Treaty is between the Crown and the Tribes and, like Trade Union votes, it would be hard to withstand the pressure at a ‘hui.’
13 4
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 9:01am
- Cassandra
  
  It’s actually with the hapu, the sub-tribes. Hundreds of them.
  
  8 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 9:24am
- nova
  
  The treaty was signed by individual chiefs, and guaranteed certain property rights to the chiefs and the Rights and Privileges of British Subjects to all Maori. The chiefs are now all dead. There was no explicit provision for their descendants in the treaty, but of course some of those rights transfer to their children in accordance with the law. But I don’t see how any of this grants special privileges to the Tribes of today, or to individual Maori. If Iwi or Hapu had land stolen from them then I support their efforts to reclaim those rights. But this right only indirectly stems from the treaty, they should be claiming on the basis that they owned it, and that it was stolen.
  
  11 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 11:32am
Skippytony

The people in charge have just about won their war on “the car” in Christchurch. Yesterday, driving from the CBD to the southern suburbs (7.5 Ks) took me an hour and twenty five minutes. Literally quicker to walk.
Not aided by some genius at Kiwirail deciding to despatch 30 empty coal cars back to the west coast at 4.30. Every N/S boom gate down for five minutes while that train crept its way through town, adding to the grid lock.
5 speed limit changes in 7.5 ks including two temporary 30k zones.
How is it possible that my average speed in Chch is slower than when I have been working and commuting in Auckland recently?
Its almost like they are trying to make it harder to drive around…..Oh wait…
19 1
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 9:15am
- RoboRob
  
  The crazy leftist muppets at the coucil and the mad urban planners, purposely redesigned traffic flows in the CBD to be as bad for cars as humanly possible. Occasionally I forget and try to do something like drive from Memorial ave to Bealey ave down manchester street. What used to take 5mins at the most now takes perhaps 30. For out of town people thats about a distance of 2.06km. It would be quicker to walk. I would alway drive further (bad for the environment?) and go around the CBD, a straight line might be the shortest distance but it is the slower route.
  
  I generally avoid the CBD at all costs, and travel is generally fast and efficient. My wife now works for the evil empire (govt) and is based in the CBD. She buses to work as there are no car parks. He job requires plenty of off site visits, every time she wastes 10s of minutes just getting out and back if the CBD. There is a real financial cost to this madness.
  
  12 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 10:59am
  - nova
    
    I’ve long felt that the transport planners in Christchurch were doing their best to create Auckland style traffic jams out of the meagre traffic that they had to work with.
    But lately they have also employed the argument of concurrent road works to “minimize disruption”. For example Wairakei Rd and Creyke Road both run parallel to Memorial Ave, and both have had closures for road works for what feels like at least six months. Perhaps if they did them one at a time they could do each project more quickly? Surely it would better to close each road for 4 months, and not close both at the same time? Or perhaps I misunderstood, and their goal is to maximise disruption?
    
    10 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 11:45am
    - RoboRob
      
      I live in the area and thats not the only example. The marketing was that they decided maximum disruption for the shortest time period was better then years on constant minor disruption. They ‘may’ have a valid point but I think the planning could have been done better.
      
      3 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 1:18pm
      - nova
        
        I don’t think they considered that a different set of cars travel up each road (for the most part). And there is always going to be ongoing roadworks throughout Christchurch, so it makes no sense to concentrate them in one area. By doing the projects at the same time they are disrupting far more people, as it pushes traffic onto Memorial Ave and causes disruption to those people as well. If they did them one at a time there would still be some spare capacity, a road at 90% capacity causes minimal delay, one at 110% fails catastrophically.
        
        3 0
        Report
        May 7, 2025 5:05pm
  - Skippytony
    
    Have you seen what they are doing around the stadium? They have basically taken (another) lane out of Madras st from Ara right up to the square. The whole concept of the one way system has been compromised. We were staying in town on the weekend at Rydges (who now charge for parking ***grrr***). All those units on the east frame have basically 1 car park for a 2 BR unit and two car spots for a 3br unit. Consequently there are now hundreds of additional cars taking up all the untimed parking in the areas. Utterly hopeless and hundreds more units to go.
    
    8 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 12:03pm
  - Paulus
    
    You mean that there are Councils who do not stuff driving but leave ok for cycles ?
    
    4 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 3:22pm
TripeWryter

Whatever the merits of the Government’s rejigging the pay-equity process it is turning into a PR disaster for the Government.
13 5
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 9:23am
- RoboRob
  
  It was always going to be, especially with the govt paid media the way they are. Thats why they are fast tracking it.
  
  They should have done it on the Wednesday / Thursday prior to easter. Amateurs!
  
  16 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 11:01am
- PurplePen
  
  Well, they might lose some of the women’s votes, but they will have gained all the votes from the defense force.
  
  10 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 11:20am
RoboRob

Nationals social media ban

HDPA nailed this one last night. This is yet again more virtue signalling with little to no actual intent. If National wanted this bill they, as government, could have put it in as a government bill. Putting it in as a members bill and waiting for it to be drawn allows them to pretend they care and are doing something. Just like NZF and their members bills, its all show and no go.
19 2
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 9:37am
- greybeard
  
  I heard Catherine Wedd talking to Hosking this morning: what she said was a bit like blaming a car manufacturer for a drunk driver causing a crash. What is the point of fining media corporations for kids using their product? Surely if someone is to be fined then it is (a) the parents then (b) the kids.
  Better still, forget the fines and have parents do their job and instil some common sense and discipline into their offspring.
  
  22 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 10:07am
  - PurplePen
    
    Needs to be the equivalent of the plastic wrapped porno magazines on tobacconist shelves and the gated porno section in the video store. What that equates to for a social media provider I don’t know.
    
    8 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 11:22am
I remember when

Unlike every thinking New Zealander, the Privileges Committee has failed to make a decision in the Te Pati Maori case.
32 1
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 9:49am
- RoboRob
  
  They were supposed to be meeting this morning. Is there a news release? Cant see it on RNZ, 1News on NzHerald.
  
  11 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 11:07am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  I thought the meeting was 9 o’clock tonight
  
  0 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 8:43pm
  - Ghost
    
    They are meeting tonight to continue the meeting that ran out of time yesterday. Not sure why people cannot deal with facts any more on this blog
    
    0 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 8:49pm
    - marcw
      
      Love the lecture G has given about “the people who can hardly put a coherent sentence together”. Delicious irony.
      
      1 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 9:44pm
      - Ghost
        
        Rotflmao
        
        1 0
        Report
        May 7, 2025 9:50pm
Mike

India has attacked Pakistan.
13 3
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 10:27am
- PurplePen
  
  Seriously??!!
  
  8 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 11:23am
  - kowtow
    
    PP
    
    Not to worry , at the moment this is their equivalent of handbags at dawn and is limited to kashmir .
    
    If either side decide to hit India or Pak proper then you know it’s become serious.
    
    8 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 12:25pm
- mandk
  
  Responding to attacks from Pakistani moslem militants.
  
  12 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 11:30am
- Local Miller
  
  Actually India has attached militant Muslim centers after there were Islamist attaches on 23 tourists in India. No Pakistani government or military centers were attached.
  
  0 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 8, 2025 11:56am
Damocles11

Hmmmm….

‘Sir Keir Starmer faced a furious backlash today after it emerged he is handing Indian workers in the UK and their employers a major tax exemption to secure a trade deal.
As part of the UK-India trade deal, Indian nationals on temporary visas and their firms will not have to pay National Insurance contributions in both countries for the first three years.’
12 3
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 10:38am
- mogg
  
  Plus easier access to UK visas, just what the British public have been voting against, more immigration. Another million votes to Farage and Reform.
  
  15 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 11:35am
  - Damocles11
    
    What makes you think Labour Lite aren’t planning similar betrayals in the much-vaunted pending free trade deal with India?
    
    8 4
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 12:24pm
    - mogg
      
      One thing in their favour, statics show that Indian immigrants are amongst the highest earners in UK, so they contribute plenty to the exchequer.
      We do need to become less dependent on China, so if we do need immigration better tax payers than bludgers from the religion of peace, who are right at the top of dependency in UK.
      
      5 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 1:07pm
      - Keith White
        
        “…so they contribute plenty to the exchequer.”
        
        Stats show the reality is much less financially rosy after the costs of family reunification, education and health care are factored in.
        
        6 2
        Report
        May 7, 2025 2:18pm
  - kowtow
    
    I wonder what NZ will get out of the alleged “free” trade deal with India …….more courier and uber drivers.
    
    8 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 12:26pm
  - Paulus
    
    By that time it comes tovote it will be too late !
    
    4 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 3:25pm
- Sir Henry Morgan
  
  Expect a lucrative niche business to sprout in ‘hiring’ Indians needing expensive medical treatment.
  
  That will be in addition to all the Indians being enslaved by their UK-based compatriots as a route to securing Indefinite Right to Remain.
  
  Then there will be all the other Indians pouring into Britain to deprive indigenous British workers of access to livable wages.
  
  It’s an astonishing betrayal of the British public.
  
  Also, surely Britain already has enough Indians?
  
  2 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 8:50pm
greybeard

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360680025/live-blog-india-bombs-pakistan
Never mind, all of the cricket can still go ahead.
12 0
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 10:45am
- mogg
  
  According to the Daily Telegraph India has launched missiles at 9 known terrorist locations across Pakistan, civilians are in the streets chanting
  “Allahu Akbar”.
  
  11 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 11:21am
  - Keith White
    
    The price of raisins is about to go sky-high…
    
    6 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 2:17pm
- Gussy Fink-Nottle
  
  Could see running battles on the streets of Leicester, spreading elsewhere in the UK.
  
  Whilst Starmer will struggle to pin that exclusively on ‘right wing thugs’, I suspect The Blob will ultimately side with Pakistan (irrespective of the nascent India trade deal).
  
  8 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 3:28pm
  - Keith White
    
    Gonna need a lot of Photoshop to make Indian and Pakistani streetfighters look Geordie and Cockney…
    
    5 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 4:13pm
lifesgood

I don’t get this pay equity stuff. I mean how can you possibly compare jobs? If people are jealous about other people earning more than them then they should go and do the other people’s jobs. It is ridiculous, for example, to compare an early childhood teacher/helper with a prison warden. Bet you wouldn’t get many women applying to be a prison warden.
21 2
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 11:19am
- mandk
  
  I was astonished to hear someone from the NZEI on Hosking this morning, saying that the pay equity claim for classroom assistants was based on comparing them with corrections staff.
  
  It had me wondering how many classroom assistants were required to do shift work, including nights weekends and public holidays. And how many classroom assistants needed to wear body armour to keep them safe.
  
  I also heard that the PSA’s claim on behalf of admin workers was based on comparing them with lawyers.
  
  24 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 11:28am
  - AitchW
    
    I think in some South Auckland classroms you may need body armor…
    
    16 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 12:31pm
- imalwaysright
  
  Saw on tv1 this morning the female presenter ($300k?) interview female employment lawyer ($300k?) about pay parity.
  They had to bring in a female rest home worker ($50k?) to make their “point”, otherwise it might have looked a bit silly….
  
  23 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 11:47am
- Hugh Jarse
  
  As far as I know, all government frontline workers in Police, Corrections, Customs, MPI, aNZDF etc would all get paid the same as their male counterparts in the same roles. The itch labour tried to scratch seems to be that cleaners don’t have pay equity with other jobs such as air traffic controllers and therefore need to be paid more.
  
  It’s just a thinly disguised attempt to get pay equity into all roles, I.e. socialism where all people, no matter the training or education they have gone through, get paid the same in the socialists utopia of Aotearoa.
  
  20 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 12:25pm
  - Pope Punctilious II
    
    “Equity” is possibly the most stupefying idea ever to reach these shores.
    
    11 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 1:58pm
    - david
      
      It seems to work for teachers – regardless of performance or ability – no pay differentials which immediately removes performance incentives from the table.
      
      6 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 3:58pm
      - Mike
        
        Why don’t we see demands for ‘performance pay’ for police, doctors and nurses?
        
        2 1
        Report
        May 7, 2025 4:57pm
  - Local Miller
    
    I there were pay equity where a cleaner were getting the same pay as I get, I’d give up my job and become a cleaner. I could live without the difficulties of my current job thank you. But where’s the motivation to do my current, complex and highly skilled job, if not for the fact that I earn a good salary?
    
    0 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 8, 2025 12:03pm
- Swifty
  
  Logic doesn’t come into it.
  
  It’s all about the left manufacturing grievance to win hearts and minds and then positioning themselves as the cavalry riding to the rescue to slay the manufactured grievance.
  
  In return for votes of course.
  
  And all at someone else’s expense!
  
  12 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 1:18pm
marcw

It’s over 6 hours now since Trump announced during his discussions at the WH with PM Carney that the Houthi have surrendered, and have pledged to stop all attacks on International shipping. Have we heard anything on our news reports? Not to my knowledge – but plenty on India/Pakistan fighting, Coronation portraits, Conclaves and California cat killer case.

Are they waiting to find some reason so they can blame Trump for causing this devastating result for Yeman?
17 2
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 11:56am
- Mike
  
  https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/560158/donald-trump-says-us-to-stop-strikes-on-houthis-in-yemen
  
  1 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 5:00pm
kiwikidsnz

NZs Supreme Court decides that being a passenger in a car cctv linked to a home invasion robbery at 4am isn’t reasonable cause to link a suspect to an offence.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360680418/man-has-conviction-quashed-after-unlawful-photo-taken-police-officer
11 2
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 12:03pm
- Hugh Jarse
  
  Maybe we need to break the courts up. Judges to hear civil cases which can be complex and require legal knowledge and to make decisions on outcomes. Judges to sit on criminal trials and record Jury decisions, citizens to sentence those criminals found guilty so common sense is again applied to sentencing. Still ensures a “fair” trial but places sentencing in those affected by criminal behaviour, not those living in Fendalton, Thornton or Remuera.
  
  10 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 1:50pm
Ghost

Convicted double murderer Mark Lundy has been released from Tongariro Prison.

Article

I wonder how long before he breaks the internet restrictions.
12 2
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 12:12pm
- greybeard
  
  He’ll now be looking to buy a Ford Fairmont , I presume.
  
  8 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 12:16pm
- Hugh Jarse
  
  There is an axe throwing attraction in Cambridge Tce, Wellington, maybe he could get a job there and commute from Palmy.
  
  10 3
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 1:53pm
  - Colville
    
    If he is going to be employed as the target I have a lazy $50 to spend on some fun!
    
    2 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 4:13pm
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  He probably won’t internet was barely working when he went in, he may not even bother wanting to know
  
  2 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 8:46pm
- Ron Jeremy
  
  He’s going to love transmission gully
  
  4 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 9:52pm
Bridgenag

The Crimes of Anthony Fauci
Is incarceration is just a matter of time?

“Never forget the evil done to the United States when Biden pardoned an accomplice to mass murder deeply involved in both the creation of the COVID-19 virus and bio-weapons development. Speculations surround his most likely profiteering from the various “pandemics” over the years, and the sudden jump in his family net worth after leaving Federal employment.”

https://open.substack.com/pub/rwmalonemd/p/the-crimes-of-anthony-fauci?r=1aj1bv&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
10 6
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 12:24pm
- NothingLeft
  
  Be interesting to see Bidens family finances fully investigated. How many of those thousands of pardons that were signed robotically on his behalf involved a quid-quo-pro?
  
  6 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 3:54pm
- MCōs
  
  Glad to see you used the word speculation
  
  3 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 4:19pm
imalwaysright

Here’s what NZ has become.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/560163/anzac-day-organisers-faced-7000-bill-for-15-minute-road-closure

However, closure of a road to paint a rainbow crossing, or have a parade of homosexuals simulating sex in public?…. here’s a hundred grand of ratepayers money.
Sickening
22 3
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 12:36pm
- alex Masterley
  
  The comments made by the Auckland Council Functionary were standard council doublespeak.
  Probably looks back fondly to the days of walk shorts and knee high socks…
  
  10 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 2:28pm
- mogg
  
  Only $US 75000 to attend the Met Gala Ball, where you can mingle with the likes of Kamala and other important Dem Liberals. From the way they are dressed most of them are not right in the head, they are on cloud cuckoo. Yet they still claim to represent workers and their families, it’s no wonder they have got Trump.
  
  10 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 2:57pm
- AitchW
  
  That’s a bloody disgrace. ACC is a joke, and not a very funny one.
  
  5 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 3:57pm
BananaLlama

I would question how they are even going to enforce it as there are already age restrictions for social media platforms that are bypassed with ease.
4 1
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 1:10pm
- BananaLlama
  
  woopsie
  
  4 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 1:58pm
- MCōs
  
  It gives the appearance of actually doing something, but they’re going after the wrong people
  The peddlers of the various social media platforms should be in their sights, not the end users and their bewildered parents
  What’s the penalty for a twelve year old caught breaking the law? No lollies for a week?
  
  6 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 4:17pm
  - BananaLlama
    
    The sale of Tobacco and Alcohol to underage buyers is enforced with a fine so maybe something similar if they want to enforce age restrictions for Social Media.
    
    2 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 4:38pm
Sparrow

What I find surprising ref the proposed changes to the Equal Pay scenario is the naivety, and the lack of street smarts of the MPs. To introduce the proposed changes with no warning, then pass it through emergency is not only undemocratic but opens yourself up to a very adverse reaction. Which has occurred with Unions and the Media climbing in. Frankly it’s dumb how it has been handled. All governments have taken this undemocratic route when it suits them. So the coalition is not alone. I just find the naivety shown by our so called leaders as unbelievable. I should not be surprised at the Wellington shit show from all sides. Once again the electors will be faced with picking the lesser of the evils. Could be a low turnout next time. How have we come to this ?
6 7
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 1:22pm
- Pope Punctilious II
  
  Yes, it’s hard to see how passing it under urgency emergency can be justified. What is this issue so urgent? The government will inevitably cop accusations of abuse of power.
  
  6 5
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 1:50pm
  - Eastlander
    
    I would prefer all the government’s bills were effected this way. Traditional parliamentary procedure was suitable for a country that doesn’t exist anymore.
    
    11 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 2:27pm
    - cmm
      
      Quite.
      
      Stop fannying around pretending that “debating” the bill is actually debate and results in a better bill.
      
      If the government of the day wants to push a bill through they will. If they don’t want it they wont.
      
      Perhaps there is some useful discussion in select committees, but for the most part the public “debating” of an issue is just tub thumping and posturing and doesn’t sway anyone’s thinking.
      
      8 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 5:09pm
      - Eastlander
        
        And apart from anything else, I voted for a National-led government precisely because I don’t want any input from Labour, the Greens or the Maori party in legislation. In a more prudent country the last two would be outlawed already.
        
        8 0
        Report
        May 7, 2025 5:33pm
  - Paulus
    
    You talking about abuse of power, are you talking about Ardern again ?
    
    10 3
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 3:29pm
    - Pope Punctilious II
      
      Yes, Ardern was definitely guilty of abuse of power. I don’t need any convincing.
      
      6 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 5:45pm
  - MCōs
    
    It was Urgent because they needed to find the numbers for the budget spreadsheets in a couple of weeks
    
    6 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 3:47pm
  - cmm
    
    Some of the usual suspects are trying to conflate equal pay and equity. Again.
    
    Maori women apparently earn 81c for each dollar a Pakeha man earns (according to TPM). Of course that means nothing:
    * The average white man is working in a more skilled job than the average Maori woman.
    * The median age of a white man is 38 years. Median age of a Maori woman is 27 years. That’s 10 years difference in experience.
    * Maori women have, on average, more babies. That is less time in the workforce and less experience which should convert into less pay too.
    * 90% of Maori highschoolers wag school. Do we really expect their outcomes should be the same?
    
    Anyone expecting equity wants less skilled people, with 10 years less experience, less education and worse self discipline to be paid the same as skilled, experienced people. Why?
    
    And we wonder why 40,000 of our finest are leaving the country every year to go to where they are appreciated.
    
    15 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 5:06pm
    - Eastlander
      
      For reference, this is the kind of idiocy Labour would like to bring here:
      
      https://www.itv.com/news/2025-02-03/historic-equal-pay-win-for-tens-of-thousands-of-asda-workers
      
      “Tens of thousands of Asda’s checkout workers, customer service staff and shop floor assistants, most of whom are women, could be in line for historic payouts after the biggest ever private sector equal pay claim.
      
      A court ruling has made clear that many of the roles on Asda’s shop floors, carried out mainly by women, are of “equal value” to the better-paid ones in the supermarket giant’s warehouses, which are predominantly filled by men.”
      
      Incidentally, one of the plaintiffs admitted during proceedings that the warehouse position wasn’t attractive to her, but she’d consider it if they had offered even more money than they were.
      
      The complainants here should try working in those ‘male-dominated industries’ they feel entitled to parity with, and find out for themselves how ‘equivalent’ their work is.
      
      10 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 5:41pm
    - Pope Punctilious II
      
      “Equity” now seems to be the moral north of our institutions. A workmate of mine (molecular biologist) applied to the Marsden Fund last year – he’s been very successful in earlier years, being awarded no fewer than 7 Marsden grants. The simple reason for his success is that he’s very smart, and writes excellent proposals. Last year his proposal got rave reviews when sent out for peer review, but in the end he didn’t get any funding. When he queried the result, Marsden’s explanation was that as he’d been very successful in the past, they’d decided to favour someone else this time.
      
      Here’s me thinking they they would just fund the best proposals.
      
      10 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 5:51pm
      - Debsta
        
        Turnsies. Pathetic.
        
        0 0
        Report
        May 8, 2025 12:04am
    - Ian Boag
      
      40,000 of our finest are leaving the country every year
      
      Making things easier for the remainder to fund the pension under current rules …
      
      3 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 7, 2025 6:49pm
- Swifty
  
  The left are going to chimp out about this regardless.
  
  Labour used urgency all the time 2017-23.
  
  I can see why the coalition just got it done quick smart and can then move on.
  
  14 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 2:58pm
pb

After the EU Nannie thugs cancelled Romania’s election and imprisoned Georgescu, the first round of elections have gotten an even more right wing Simion who ran on doing everything Georgescu would, with extra bonus.
9 2
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 2:15pm
- MCōs
  
  The Romanians canceled Georgescu who appealed to an EU court, which said not our jurisdiction
  
  2 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 4:09pm
Keith White

Once again the feral Mythical Warriors need European technology to act out.

But – this is sheer barbarism. The link contains the content of the linked-to article describing hours-long brutality by someone who should get life, starting at 30 years.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/crime/israel-lama-nathan-tuaiti-and-jade-jerome-admit-torturing-auckland-man-with-drill-scalding-water/E3MGVP52Z5DQDN44S4HHG2J53U/

I wonder what discounts the usually useless sentencing judge will conjure up.
15 2
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 2:15pm
- cmm
  
  What sort of depravity allows someone to think they are justified to use a drill to make holes in a person’s legs and burning him with cigarettes and boiling water?
  
  “Each defendant will face up to 14 years imprisonment. ”
  
  So 14 years starting point, minus cultural and other considerations. These animals will probably be out in less than 10.
  
  What the hell do you have to do in NZ to get locked up properly?
  
  12 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 4:30pm
- Keith White
  
  I guess the down ticker feels colonized.
  
  9 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 5:50pm
Colville

My Mum is in Wellington Hospital, just checked Air NZ, $790 to fly Napier rtn tomorrow.
FFS.
9 1
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 4:17pm
- cmm
  
  Yup, I flew CHC to Napier a few weeks back. It would have been cheaper to fly to Hawaii.
  
  10 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 4:31pm
  - NothingLeft
    
    Over a $1000 to fly Auckland Chch return a couple of weeks back at 2 days notice. Lack of airline competition in NZ is a serious problem. Flights typically cost $0.1-0.2/km to airline, so Chch return somewhere in range $150-300. Charging 3x as much is clear monopolistic behaviour
    
    8 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 5:03pm
- Mike
  
  Air NZ pays the government $50-60 million per year in dividends. Foregoing that wouldn’t have much impact on airfare, especially those to the small towns.
  
  4 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 4:51pm
- cmm
  
  When I flew Air NZ from CHC to Napier and back, a very large % of the people on the flight were single-day business travelers such as my self. In fact I would say that over half the people on the return flight were on the same flight as me in the morning.
  
  I would say that around 50% were government/NGO-types.
  
  Someone else is paying the bill, so nobody cares.
  
  14 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 7, 2025 5:17pm
  - Keith White
    
    I drive AKL-Manawatu, the air ticket in NZ is close to a third of my long distance international flight unless booked waaaaay in advance. Which can’t happen when working on request.
    
    8 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 7, 2025 5:53pm
Swifty

I’m quite heartened by many of the comments on Labour’s pay equity post.

https://x.com/nzlabour/status/1919574423902028222

Many New Zealanders clearly see it for what it is.
4 1
Log in to Reply
Report
May 7, 2025 9:01pm

Add a Comment Cancel reply

Login to comment or vote

« National proposes social media ban for under 16s

Why contempt needs to be met with contempt »

Donations

You can now donate to Kiwiblog

Exclusive content from DPF on Patreon

Become a Patron!

Never miss a post

Email Address

Join 40.6K other subscribers

Highlights

Health Target 5 – elective treatments
Health Target 4 – Specialist appointments
Health Target 3 – Emergency Dept Waiting Times
Health Target 2 – Immunisations

Links

Member's Day
No Right Turn
Elton John: A.I. copyright changes are "criminal" — "committing theft" from artists.
Not PC
Racist or righteous? Privileges Committee versus Te P?ti M?ori
Utopia
Word of the day
Hompaddock
National panic after Chippy highlights what banishing M?ori MPs would actually amount to
The Daily Blog
My Budget for Year 2025 – Your Choice
NZCPR
New medicine approvals plan an exercise in not solving the problem
Point of Order
The Market Always Wins
No Minister
The Government blinks
The Standard
How many coffees is a house?
Stats Chat
Hard to believe really
Croaking Cassandra
The Child Report Card That NZ Doesn’t Want
Bob McCoskrie's McBlog
A return to Nature.
Kiwipolitico
Social media slippery slopes
Offsetting Behaviour
THE WORKING FROM HOME RACKET BY PUBLIC SERVANTS
No Punches Pulled (Bob Jones)
Tory Whanau may have to sell Wellington mayoralty to make ends meet
The Civilian
The Accidental Engagement
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

[email protected]

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: