About
Contact
Advertise

Facebook
Twitter

February 11, 2026 8:00am by Kokila Patel

General Debate 11 February 2026

Like this:

Like Loading…

Email
Facebook
Twitter
Comment145

Uncategorized
General Debate

Comments (145)

Login to comment or vote

mike

“Prime Minister Carney wants to make a deal with China − which will eat Canada alive. We’ll just get the leftovers! I don’t think so. The first thing China will do is terminate ALL Ice Hockey being played in Canada, and permanently eliminate The Stanley Cup.”

Totally sane statement from the Leader of the Free World.
25 27
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 8:01am
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  The more I read Trump’s metaphors, the more reminded I am of Chance the Gardener, in a bullish kind of way.
  
  9 4
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 8:03am
  - mike
    
    Great movie. But is Trump an idiot-savant, a savant, or just an idiot?
    
    9 14
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 10:55am
    - mandk
      
      None of the above. He’s just a deal-maker.
      
      14 8
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 11:04am
- mike
  
  I’m not outraged. I feel sorry for America, that’s all.
  
  6 9
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 8:20am
- Simon
  
  Trump heavily compromised by the Israeli Epstein files. Israel has strong influence over Trump Admin 2.0
  
  4 29
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 8:51am
  - hookerphil
    
    Which bit of the Trump/Epstein story do you want to keep going.
    “President Donald Trump dismissed sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as “disgusting” and decried his procurer, Ghislaine Maxwell as “evil” back in 2006, a now-retired cop informed FBI agents in 2019. The revelation is contained in a newly unsealed court document released Monday by the Department of Justice.”
    
    https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/02/10/trump-reportedly-called-police-about-disgusting-epstein-in-2006-decried-ghislaine-maxwell-as-evil/
    
    15 4
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 11:20am
    - Wandering Star
      
      I remember only last year when the Trump administration claimed that “there are no Epstein files” and some claimed they were a “Democrat hoax.” Given that there are apparently 6,000,000 Epstein files, with about half released after all, clearly the Trump admin was blatanly lying. Why?
      
      4 12
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 1:32pm
      - mike
        
        Lying is the administration’s default position.
        
        5 3
        Report
        February 11, 2026 3:34pm
  - In Vino Veritas
    
    Good one Simon! You’ve found one of those things online where it has “[insert name] heavily compromised by the [insert name, country etc] Epstein files. Israel has strong influence over [insert name, position]”.
    They’re quite good for a made up laugh huh?
    
    11 3
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 12:19pm
- Northshoredoc
  
  As Trump is likely a malignant narcissisit I try to ignore anything he says or does.
  
  https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-recognize-a-malignant-narcissist-4164528
  
  8 16
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 9:24am
  - yobi
    
    And I’m sure you still miss the daily poduim of truth broadcasts.
    
    11 4
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 1:03pm
    - Northshoredoc
      
      Podium?
      
      …and no.
      
      0 3
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 2:52pm
      - yobi
        
        So yes then.
        
        1 3
        Report
        February 11, 2026 6:03pm
NeverMindTheBollocks

I’m puzzled by the continuing sensationalism of the Jeffrey Epstein business. Sure, it involves famous men, and there’s nothing the media likes more than a story which emerges in drips and drabs. Always a new headline.

Sitting at the heart of the matter are older, wealthy men and young, poorer women, doing what such people have always done. Undoubtedly, some of the media venom is driven by older feminists, who have a deep dislike of this sort of thing; and older men, who don’t get invited to the party.

But what’s the actual crime here? I can’t say I’ve dived into the millions of documents available on line, but the headlines suggest that the young women concerned are over the age of NZ consent. Legally, the charges seem to rely on transporting young women across state lines, which is one of those arcane laws that exist in a federal republic. Driving a 16 year old from Wellington to Auckland would not be an offence; I’m not sure that doing the same from Sydney to Brisbane would be either.

The victims were foolish and some of them now regret their choices, though it’s hard to be sure whether it’s not just the money on offer driving their outrage.

Sure, the whole business is morally repugnant, but criminal?

By contrast, there’s a horrific story emerging out of Australia that details pedophilia, where there are real victims. The international outrage should be focussed on crimes such as this. But unless former Prince Andrew is linked, you can be sure that it won’t dominate the headlines like Epstein.

https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/crime/more-than-150-people-allegedly-linked-to-satanic-pedophile-ring-as-cops-arrest-sixth-nsw-man/news-story/
20 11
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 8:01am
- Flossie
  
  I have to agree. Andrew M-W is a boorish oaf, but I don’t know what actual crimes he has supposedly committed. Pretty grubby having sex with very much younger women, and threesomes, or whatever, but it does appear to me that the females have been willing participants.
  I think removing all his titles etc is a reasonable result of his disgracing the Royal Family, but is he a criminal who should be in jail?
  
  18 7
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 10:22am
  - lastmanstanding
    
    The real story behind the Epstein Files is that Andy and Many leaked highly confidential info to Epstein who then passed it on to others for them to use to their benefit. Thats how Epstein got his wealth. He was also in the pay of the Russians the Israelis and who knows others to get intel from powerfulr people and provide it. The girls are just a distraction and as usual the MSM makes much of this for their low IQ readers. Andy and Mandy may face criminal prosecution and jail time. Charles knows this and that is why he has said he will ensure Andy co-operates in any investigation. The future of the Monarchy is also on the line. At present only 47% of UK supports it and that is dropping like a stone. This is the biggest Royal scandal since the Abdication in the 1930s.
    
    13 4
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 10:55am
    - Flossie
      
      lastmanstanding Therefore obviously I am of lower IQ.
      
      6 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 11:17am
    - Philview
      
      It has been interesting to see this develop into an espionage and corruption story. Virginia Giuffre really must have faced a high level of threat to her personal safety. I listened to a podcast about Epstein earlier and her death was viewed as suspicious by the commentators. As far as I know, it has only ever been called suicide with no details on method used.
      
      6 3
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 11:25am
  - Nikola Donatello
    
    Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in a US federal court in December 2021 on five out of six charges related to the sexual abuse of underage girls alongside Jeffrey Epstein.
    
    In some states the age of consent is 18, some 17, and some 16.
    
    Evidence at her trial was given by women who allege that they were provided for sex at the age of 14.
    
    If any of these men had sex with girls under even 18 they are in trouble because it is clear that these girls were being paid. If they had sex with girls under 16 they are toast.
    
    13 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 10:56am
  - kowtow
    
    The UK authorities are now looking into his giving Epstein sensitive trade information .
    
    Likewise Mandelson and his “husband” ,the latter receiving money .
    
    On the face of it ; money for info and influence . In most countries that’s called corruption. And the connections run far and wide and this whole thing has a lot further to go.
    
    In China giving away state secrets is called treason and would earn you a one way trip up against a wall and a rendezvous with a firing squad.
    
    Blind fold optional.
    
    11 3
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 11:06am
    - Christopher Thomson
      
      “money for info and influence . In most countries that’s called corruption.”
      
      Unless it’s the USA and your last name is Biden.
      
      11 7
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 12:47pm
      - Dudley Quaffquaff
        
        Perhaps you could provide a summary of the actual proof of wrongdoing that emerged from the exhaustive Republican investigations into the Biden family.
        
        2 6
        Report
        February 11, 2026 3:48pm
      - All_on_Red
        
        Dudley
        Be nice if you said please instead of just imperiously demanding. But given you don’t seem to know how to use the Internet try these;
        https://oversight.house.gov/landing/biden-family-investigation/
        https://oversight.house.gov/release/comer-jordan-and-smith-refer-hunter-and-james-biden-for-criminal-prosecution-as-part-of-impeachment-inquiry-of-president-biden%ef%bf%bc/
        https://oversight.house.gov/release/comer-releases-direct-monthly-payments-to-joe-biden-from-hunter-bidens-business-entity%ef%bf%bc/
        https://oversight.house.gov/release/comer-reveals-how-joe-biden-received-laundered-china-money/
        https://oversight.house.gov/release/comer-releases-third-bank-memo-detailing-payments-to-the-bidens-from-russia-kazakhstan-and-ukraine%ef%bf%bc/
        https://oversight.house.gov/release/comer-reveals-biden-family-members-receiving-payments-from-chinese-energy-company%ef%bf%bc/
        
        Enjoy- Bank Statements are revealing eh
        
        4 4
        Report
        February 11, 2026 4:07pm
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    Keep your eye on the main story…
    
    Andrew shared confidential information with Epstein as trade envoy, files suggest
    
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c99j01p1yjro
    
    Epstein wasn’t only trading sex partners, he had a network of informers who were ripping off their own countries to enrich the elite filthy rich.
    
    11 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 1:11pm
- imalwaysright
  
  Never,
  Your link didn’t work for me. Here’s the same story from RNZ
  https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/586446/australian-satanic-child-sex-abuse-ring-has-alleged-links-to-nz
  
  Seems there are kiwis involved.
  
  10 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 10:26am
- BananaLlama
  
  Really you are puzzled? this is the same Mr Epstein who pled guilty to soliciting sex from a minor in 2008, yes? and you are puzzled? i might need DPF to put me on a voluntary holiday.
  
  11 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 10:51am
- Ghost
  
  You should start by reading the diary of the 14 year old girl who was one of his victims
  
  10 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 10:54am
  - Gravelroad
    
    Another book worth a look is “Entitled” by Andrew Lownie.
    Gives a lot of info and insights into the world and actions of the former Prince Andrew and his missus.
    It was all about the money.
    
    8 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 11:34am
- Jack5
  
  The females Epstein trafficked were under legal age for sex in many parts of America.
  
  Then Mandelson, former UK Ambassador to the US anḍ a sordied part of the scandal, was passing confidential UK information to Epstein.
  
  Mandelson should be in prison, and the former Duke of Pork has justly lost his royal lifestyle. He has publicly lied about his links with Epstein, and now is writing a book in self-defence. He’s despicable.
  
  9 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 10:59am
- Phronesis
  
  For context:
  
  “There are apparently considerable numbers of girls as young as twelve prostituting themselves on the streets of Auckland every single night Police are worried by a rise in underage prostitution in downtown Auckland, where girls as young as 12 are selling themselves for sex.
  
  Senior Constable Mark Riddell of the Auckland central police youth action team said that in the past six weeks operation City Door had identified at least 13”
  
  https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/rise-in-underage-prostitutes-working-auckland-streets/
  
  I bet those children on Auckland streets would be overjoyed to be flown to a private island. The whole Epstein thing is largely like focusing on a kid who missed a meal while ignoring the millions who are actually starving. In many muslim countries half the female population is married and pregnant before they are 18, usually against their will.
  
  8 8
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 12:07pm
  - Jack5
    
    It must be against the law to have sex with a 12-year-old prostitute.
    
    A few convictions, without name suppression, would end this street crime.
    
    Surely there are a few slightly built, youngish police women who could entrap these pedophiles.
    
    6 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 12:51pm
  - Christopher Thomson
    
    In the post-modern world the degree of outrage, if any, is dependant on the characteristics of the person the MSM tells us to hate.
    
    A rich, stale, pale, male is on a hiding to nothing. If he’s Jewish the outrage is double.
    
    However being a socialist, wokester can counterbalance the outrage.
    
    10 6
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 12:52pm
  - Dudley Quaffquaff
    
    And the men who use them should be jailed
    
    4 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 3:49pm
    - Northshoredoc
      
      One can only assume your downticker and a number of the commenters above are comfortable with underage prostitution and trafficking.
      
      4 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 4:39pm
- Paulus
  
  Still the oldest Profession in the World, and am sure available in New Zealand in most Centres, and am sure many of the poor [Mod deleted]dragged al0ng as young girls enjoyed the Champagne and Private planes became very rich too.
  But the US Lawyers (for their 40% cut) want more as it coud be suggested that many hundreds of millions over recent years has already been paid to these poor [Mod deleted] to keep quiet.
  Whole thing is a media and US Lawyers political bore.
  But that is the anti Trump USA.
  
  0 9
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 2:03pm
  - Ghost
    
    Go read the diary of the 14 year old girl, read about how she would have her babies murdered, then ask yourself if you seriously think she enjoyed it
    
    6 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 2:28pm
pdm

Did anyone watch the You Tube video of the Winston Peters media scrum on `The Bridge’ yesterday?

Rude and arrogant is how I would describe it.

By contrast David Seymour was polite, injected some humour and answered the questions asked in the same situation.

I cannot believe anyone would want Peters to do a `job share’ stint as Prime Minister after the next election.
31 11
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 8:18am
- Simon
  
  Mad clowns in National think a mountain can be a person. This tribal age thinking is at the core of government. Don’t worry so much about the partners of the PM. It’s the actual PM who is the problem
  
  11 17
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 8:54am
  - Flossie
    
    Will you be happy when we have a Labour/Green/ TPM government?
    
    17 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 10:23am
    - smttc
      
      Flossie, yes he will.
      
      Simon is the chap who in 2017 was cheering on this site for a change of government declaring “Let the other [Mod – deleted] have a turn.”
      
      19 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 10:42am
      - pdm
        
        Long time since I have seen you here smttc.
        
        My emails yesterday must have inspired you – lol.
        
        4 1
        Report
        February 11, 2026 1:10pm
    - Christopher Thomson
      
      Please explain the difference between the possible governments.
      
      The only contrast is the rate of the decline.
      
      Do you want it fast or slow?
      
      Tear that bandaid off or suffer a little bit of pain over a longer period.
      
      8 4
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 12:54pm
  - Burtland
    
    the neomarxists have mainstreamed their post modernist world through the universities, now anything is possible – mountains and rivers are people, girls can be boys. Humpty Dumpty would be proud ‘it means just what I choose it to mean’
    
    the LBGT community has been the vector – anything goes and with MMP they have electoral clout.
    
    7 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 11:05am
- Paulus
  
  Stint- he wants the lot !
  
  11 3
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 9:15am
- cmm
  
  Politicians will always make a deal with the devil. Winston knows how to extract the most from playing kingmaker.
  
  Of course they will jobshare. Anything for power.
  
  Perhaps the only one in recent times to have not done that is Bill English. But we do not know what went on behind closed doors.
  
  10 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 9:46am
- lastmanstanding
  
  Speaking of the next election. The Curia poll indicates a hung Parliament with cost of living being the biggest issue. So what does the Prime Minister do? he announces……………………… a new tax giving the Opposition the ammo to hammer the Coalition right up to election day. Luxon has proved to be one of the worst Nat PMs in living memory and in my case it goes back to Keith Holyoake and includes Muldoon.
  
  24 6
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 9:50am
  - septic skeptic
    
    I still expect a leadership change before the election. Luxon has no charm or political nous. There is no way National will go into a tight election with Luxon fronting the campaign. I don’t think any likely replacement will be better at running the country, just better at getting votes.
    
    5 12
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 10:04am
    - Jack5
      
      Changing leadership of a coalition, especially in election year, is high risk.
      
      Any change will upset either junior partner NZ First or junior partner ACT.
      
      Without either of them, the Government falls.
      
      Luxon has done a good job of keeping the Centre-Right herd together. I imagine it’s like holding the reins of a team of horses, but harder.
      
      11 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 11:06am
      - septic skeptic
        
        It doesn’t need to be much before election day. Cindy took over just weeks before and lifted Labour from a very dire position to one where they were a viable option for Winston. (Thanks for nothing Winston and Shane).
        
        9 1
        Report
        February 11, 2026 12:16pm
      - septic skeptic
        
        Stanford would be worth 10% on polling day. The Nats won’t risk losing their seats and their ministerial positions just because Luxon might actually do a better job managing the cabinet and coalition – even if that were the case.
        Disc – not a Stanford fan btw.
        
        5 1
        Report
        February 11, 2026 12:20pm
      - R
        
        Team of horses….more like massaging two ambitious egos; one an embittered ego, the other a wannabe important on the public stage!
        
        3 0
        Report
        February 11, 2026 12:42pm
Maggy Wassilieff

Corrupt public servants…

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/top/586453/internal-fraud-and-corruption-under-reported-new-report-shows

https://www.sfo.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Anti-Corruption-Taskforce-Assessing-fraud-and-corruption-risks-FINAL-Feb2026.pdf
36 1
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 8:19am
- mike
  
  Likely always has been an element of corruption, but accelerated by the public sector ‘reforms’ of the last 40 years.
  
  12 29
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 8:22am
  - Simon
    
    You mean third worldism stalks NZ. Not the “reforms”.
    
    6 8
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 8:55am
  - In Vino Veritas
    
    Which reforms mike, do you think cause public sector employees to become corrupt? Given that you have made an unevidenced leap, I will make one. Public sector employees have become more ideologically biased and think that the rest of us owe them a living. And when they discover that one political party doesn’t give them what they want, they think it is OK to be dishonest or fraudulent.
    
    28 6
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 9:13am
    - Wandering Star
      
      “And when they discover that one political party doesn’t give them what they want, they think it is OK to be dishonest or fraudulent.”
      
      That sounds like your own “unevidenced leap” don’t you think?
      
      4 9
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 1:43pm
      - In Vino Veritas
        
        And of course WS, you didn’t read my post. Not that that is unusual. The intersection between verbal logic, written logic and you is the empty set.
        
        4 0
        Report
        February 11, 2026 2:26pm
      - rouppe
        
        Given that you have made an unevidenced leap, I will make one.
        
        He did say he was going to…
        
        0 0
        Report
        February 11, 2026 2:38pm
      - Wandering Star
        
        Am I wrong? No.
        
        0 0
        Report
        February 11, 2026 8:10pm
  - KKNZ2025
    
    Accelerated by more & more public servants. 18000/40% additional between 2017-2023 (& no significant improvement in public services) which National have only made token virtue signaling to mitigate.
    
    11 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 11:32am
    - Swifty
      
      The bigger a government gets, the more fraud, waste and abuse will happen.
      
      Yet another reason for our state apparatus to be kept as small and nimble as possible.
      
      13 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 11:56am
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  NZ slipping down the Perception of Corruption index, I see.
  
  We’re not a very perceptive people, really.
  
  15 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 8:24am
- imalwaysright
  
  The Government should contract the consultants who used to work at these Departments and offer them 10c on the dollar recovered to hunt out the thieves.
  
  I would say the most common theft would be paying on bogus invoices.
  
  14 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 9:53am
  - cmm
    
    I suppose it will depend what you mean by “bogus invoices”.
    
    Completely fraudulent invoices for services etc that were not supplied at all are maybe relatively rare.
    
    But I would place my standard bet of 50 cents and a servo pie that some others – such as inflating the services provided or not verifying that services were supplied properly are relatively common.
    
    12 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 10:44am
- Burtland
  
  yet we are 4th in the world for least corrupt in 2026
  
  https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/least-corrupt-countries
  
  we can all see it yet it cant be measured
  
  4 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 11:15am
Maggy Wassilieff

Where’s the tax-payer funded documentary on Chlöe?

“NZ On Air’s $200,000 funding for Being Chlöe was announced in late 2021, with the expectation the film would be released after the 2023 election,” says Mr Stephenson.

“Four years later, it still hasn’t been released. There’s no confirmed date, no marketing, and only vague assurances that it’s ‘in post-production’.”

https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2602/S00051/is-the-taxpayer-funded-swarbrick-documentary-stuck-in-development-hell.htm
40 1
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 8:22am
- Gravelroad
  
  I’m sure it will be released in time for promotion before the general election.
  It will be boring.
  
  39 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 8:32am
- peterwn
  
  It will be released before the 2026 election.
  
  35 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 8:34am
- Simon
  
  Why hadn’t NZ on Air been closed down by National. Complicit acceptance of this nonsense by National is the only explanation.
  
  16 6
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 8:56am
- imalwaysright
  
  “…it’s ‘in post-production’.”
  
  Probably digitally removing the third of their caucus who are no longer there.
  
  There’s no way they will release a video of those reprobates in election year.
  
  16 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 9:07am
  - NeverMindTheBollocks
    
    “ Probably digitally removing the third of their caucus who are no longer there”
    
    Heh!
    
    2 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 5:47pm
- Sacha
  
  $200,000 ?
  Would have been spent by February.
  Or maybe the filmmakers realised that there was nothing to make a film about –
  
  0 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 8:32pm
imalwaysright

New Zealander, Luca Harrington, won an Olympic bronze medal for skiing.

If there was a medal for humility, appreciation of supporters, and pride in his country, he would certainly get a gold.
16 0
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 8:25am
Ra Henare

The recent post by Lucy Rogers
https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2026/02/media_bias_on_display_the_headlines_should_have_been_hamas_terror_tunnels_beneath_anzac_cemetery_in_gaza_turn_cemetery_into_military_target_responsible_for_destruction_of_veteran_headstones.html

Set me investigating and thinking.
Rather late in the day I posted a review of Lucys assumptions which started with
The Headline was based on fact.
Lucys was based on assumption.

You can read my rather length comment debating the situation and rebutting some indication of lefty bias. I pointed out some IDF propoganda in the article.

It seems that the Canadians are now also getting in to the graves bulldozed reporting.
https://www.castanet.net/news/Canada/598531/Ottawa-investigating-report-Gaza-cemetery-where-Canadians-were-buried-was-destroyed

This was more balanced in my view of IDF tactics and omitted the propoganda term Terrorist Tunnels.

I am neither for or against either party of the conflict. I am a truth seeker and like most major conflicts, finding the truth amongst all the dis and mis information is not easy.

I envy those commenters who view the conflict thru emotional and ideological lense
4 11
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 8:26am
- imalwaysright
  
  “I am a truth seeker..”
  
  So am I, but the mere act of asking questions on this matter is met with personal disparagement and derogatory responses.
  
  That doesn’t bother me at all, its the absence of an answer, or at least a counter argument, that reduces a discussion to the level of emotional outbursts…. that is disappointing.
  
  3 4
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 10:44am
  - Jack5
    
    With Hamas defending Gaza from tunnels, buildings were destined to be flattened and parks and cemeteries were destined to be blown up.
    
    This was a Stalingrad-type battle, and from a military view, the Israelis showed great skill and determination in winning it.
    
    Here’s a pro-Palestinian news source from 18 months ago complaining that the Israelis were avoiding damaging Gaza’s two British war cemeteries.
    
    https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-british-cemeteries-gaza-destroying
    
    9 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 11:30am
    - imalwaysright
      
      Thanks.
      
      2 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 12:07pm
    - Ra Henare
      
      Jack.
      My response was directed to the suggestion that the Heralds headline was biased.
      And an observation as to why to bulldoze tunnels?
      
      [deleted]
      Stalingrad type battle????????
      A long bow.
      
      You are comparing two large formal armies of two independant nationas
      Against a well armed military against lightly armed rebels in occupied territory!
      
      [Mod – just debate the topic]
      
      0 4
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 4:25pm
- cmm
  
  When it comes to military action, only the most naive speak about winning wars or losing wars.
  
  What experienced military people speak of is achieving objectives. There is a huge difference.
  
  Some years ago Israel realised they will never defeat and completely eliminate the anti-Israeli forces around them. The objective then changed to limiting the impact on Israel – a policy they called “mowing the lawn”. ie. keeping the terrorism etc at a low enough level to be able to have a functional society.
  
  Unfortunately the lawn was left to run wild for a while and that lead to some pretty savage outcomes. They have needed to do some severe garden maintenance to get the lawn under control to the extent where it can be handled by mowing again.
  
  Achieving valid military objectives often results in civilian casualties. This is particularly true when the belligerents set up shop in civilian facilities to use the civilians as human shields and garner sympathy.
  
  It is for this reason that human shields (and cultural shields like hiding in churches, mosques, graveyards etc) are a violation of international law.
  
  Hiding behind human (or cultural) shields does not mean the people hiding are immune from attack. It means they are responsible for all the damage to the civilians (or cultural items).
  
  The bombing of apartment blocks, schools and hospitals that hide valid Hamas targets is all on Hamas. Same for the bombing of graveyards.
  
  https://guide-humanitarian-law.org/content/article/3/human-shields/
  
  12 3
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 12:36pm
  - imalwaysright
    
    Cmm,
    That’s a pretty clear explanation, and its also fair.
    
    The pushback from the previously disengaged members of the public seemed to be because of the overwhelming and prolonged response of the Israeli Government which led to said public seeing it as an unfair fight.
    
    I am one of them, but thanks for the insight in to the grey area of necessity, ethics, and morals.
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 1:08pm
  - Wandering Star
    
    “The bombing of apartment blocks, schools and hospitals that hide valid Hamas targets is all on Hamas.”
    
    The problem with this fantastical but well-worn argument is that there’s almost always no evidence to support the Israelis’ “human shields” argument. After all, there could be anyone lying dead at the bottom of a pile of rubble produced by an IDF bomb, and we’d never be able to determine their identity until months later, if at all.
    
    If seems to me that claiming Hamas was the actual target is just a lame and cynical excuse to kill as many of the detested Palestinians as possible, while attempting to hide behind a moral fig leaf.
    
    1 5
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 1:55pm
    - cmm
      
      Hey Wandering: I, and I presume you, have never been to Israel, Gaza and such so we must rely on some second hand reporting.
      
      The only place I have ever been to in the Northern Hemisphere is USA. For all I know the entire Europe and Middle East could just be a fiction, but I don’t think that is a realistic position to hold.
      
      Nor do I think
      
      To the best of my understanding (and for my ongoing education I would love for you to correct me if I am wrong):
      1) There are something like 500 to 600km of tunnels and over 5000 tunnel entrances. Much of that is under cities and civilian buildings. All of it is legitimate targets.
      2) Many Hamas tunnels end in apartment blocks, mosques, schools and hospitals. Hamas tunnels and their entrances are Hamas strategic and tactical assets and are thus legitimate targets.
      3) The same applies to hospitals, schools and such that Hamas use as tunnel entrances, weapons stores, storage facilities and weapons platforms (for rockets, etc).
      
      A hospital with a pocket launcher poking out of the window, or used to store weapons and logistical material, or used for Hamas meeting rooms, is no longer a hospital. It is a valid military target.
      
      Unfortunately for the Gazan inhabitants they stand in the way of legitimate targets. It is not their fault (other than choosing to harbour Hamas) and it is certainly not the Israelis’ fault.
      
      The Israeli military have a very unpalatable task to perform, but they need to do it to achieve their objectives.
      
      4 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 4:48pm
      - Wandering Star
        
        “You’ve never been there”? You sound like Douglas Murray.
        
        Say what you like, but the IDF are (by their own admission, because this is their justification) knowingly killing civilians – they dismiss them as being “human shields.” So nobody’s denying that the Israelis are knowingly killing civilians, not even the IDF who are carrying out the killings.
        
        0 1
        Report
        February 11, 2026 8:14pm
AitchW

Oranga Tamariki employment contract provides for unlimited paid “cultural leave” for Maori only. Said leave is undefined and will be specified by the employee with no managerial oversight. Suggested reasons for leave are attendance at Maori Land Court, tangi, attendance at cultural events like Matatini.
I should imagine that the few remaining non-Maori employees will be scouring their family tree for a Maori ancestor.
https://matuakahurangi.com/p/oranga-tamarikis-race-based-leave
28 1
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 9:17am
- cmm
  
  I suspect they are encouraged to admit their white privilege and donate some of their leave to Maori.
  
  3 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 4:50pm
- Prince
  
  This has to be a joke, right ?
  What possible reason would any HR dept have to offer Maori staff as much leave as they believe they can justify, with no management oversight, while other ethnicities have to stay confined to a stated limit.
  I haven’t seeen this on any mainstream media, but surely they can’t keep this hidden from. the public.
  Where is the minister (an ACT MP) on this ?
  
  4 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 6:17pm
Yvette

Criminal Tarrant
Wanting enthusiastically to plead guilty to terrorism, while denying the murders and attempted murders, is legally incoherent — but psychologically and ideologically coherent.
To Tarrant, “terrorist” is an identity, not merely a charge.

Murder frames him as a criminal. Terrorism frames him (in his own mind) as an ideological actor. All the history related signage written on his weapons is one minor detail.

During his evidence he claimed he always intended on dismissing his lawyers, going to trial and representing himself.
He felt “forced” to plead guilty in March 2020 because of his deteriorating mental state and his fear he would make a fool of himself at trial.

Had Tarrant represented himself and “made a fool of himself at trial” due to evaluating himself to have a deteriorating mental state, he would have destroyed what had (in such a warped way) become his life’s purpose –
Tarrant’s extreme ideology seemed to be “more important to him than any idea of fair trial rights”, Tait said.

Now a re-trial, if that happens and Tarrant still defending himself, would become a focus of world attention.
Actually a world more akin to what he wanted: the tide in Europe turning against mass immigration, and America more militant in the aspects where he hoped his heinous act would provoke civil division.

“I did express some remorse. I would now say that was induced by the prison conditions, I was irrational,” the terrorist told the court.
That seems to say he was not genuinely remorseful for want he did – and, in his warped thinking, is he still trying to do something.
_____________
all quotes RNZ –
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/586356/christchurch-mosque-shooter-wanted-to-be-called-a-terrorist-ex-lawyer-says
10 0
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 9:17am
Paulus

Changing all
I want a special New Zealand big Gold medal for Zoe Sidowsky- Sinnott, as well as her well earned Silver.
Why because every time we see her she is smiling from ear to ear. She has a lovely smile and that is because of what many young New Zealanders can learn – she appears to be an entirely a positive person in what she says, and does, and have never heard an unfriendly word from her.
She is a smasher as we would have said years ago.
Go Zoe !
27 8
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 9:22am
- cmm
  
  Of course she’s smiling ear to ear.
  She’s enjoying herself doing her hobby and other people are paying for it.
  
  11 22
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 9:51am
  - Philview
    
    You could say that about any job and ignore the service going back the other way. Zoe is paid to promote products because she is top of her game and businesses see value in linking to a proven performer.
    
    9 3
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 11:15am
    - cmm
      
      A “job”?
      
      If people want to sponsor her for philanthropic reasons (eg. you seem to think she’s a “smasher”) or as an endorsement for their products – that’s fine.
      
      But the taxpayer has spent tens of millions on this.
      
      The sports minister calls it an “investment”. Let’s be honest for a second – it is spending.
      
      9 9
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 12:41pm
  - Paulus
    
    Peasant !
    
    4 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 2:08pm
- Fender
  
  She was very proud of her haka, that was certainly the main jist of it
  Another smiler was a certain pretty young pole vaulter that now lectures us like greta and has lost my support
  
  4 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 3:49pm
Raphael

So the MSM just realised that Winston was right that the Indian FTA is bad as there is no way to cap the number of Indian Students coming in.

https://x.com/2ETEKA/status/2021130725429522685

Heather DPA : “I hate to say it but Winston Peters was right about that Indian FTA… the Free Trade Agreement does actually stop us from being able to cap students”

MSM finally grew some brains and worked it out.

Heather goes on : “It’s obvious National is being misleading, judging by the way Todd Mclay is ducking and diving. National are not being straight up and are hiding details of the deal – in election year”

She concludes “Indian students have historically been a problem, dodgy and we get stuck with them. NZ has to make a decision if we accept this for the FTA”

That last line reminds me of Seymour saying “Indians come from a culture where they’ll pull one over you, kiwis just need to accept that.”

Luxon that blithering boob has set up his election year in the worst possible way. And he’s going to try to flood us with Indians to make up for Nationals shit economic stewardship.
23 10
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 9:28am
- AitchW
  
  We have never capped student numbers from any country. Not now, not under the last Labour government nor under the Labour NZF government before that. Peters is being disingenuous at best.
  
  13 4
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 9:44am
  - R
    
    Peter’s is POLITIKING; and has been since the day Seymour took over as deputy PM. NZfirst WINSTONFIRST has no credible policies for the election; only the promotion of FEAR and disinformation
    
    6 5
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 10:54am
- HalfFull
  
  They can and do cap by way of the university’s limited/limiting numbers and selection also don’t they have a time limit on their visa
  
  7 4
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 9:47am
  - AitchW
    
    Universities are not the government.
    
    11 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 10:32am
  - cmm
    
    It isn’t just universities. It is also these very sketchy international business colleges etc – set up almost exclusively as a way to get a student visa.
    
    There was one just down the road from us for a while in the rather run-down Bishopdale Mall.
    
    Play “spot the kiwi” (this is in one of the less sketchy outfits, but..):
    https://www.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/en/study-options/education-provider/211-provider
    
    15 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 10:54am
- cmm
  
  The problem with the FTA is it opens up the bottom end and gives us more Uber drivers.
  
  All the doctors and nurses could get in fine under the pre-FTA systems.
  
  19 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 9:53am
- imalwaysright
  
  I don’t think there is a cap on international students from any country.
  The only physical limit is places on courses.
  
  International students are an income earner, why would we impose a limit?
  
  10 7
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 10:09am
  - cmm
    
    That is not the problem.
    
    The problem is that they get student work visas, then put down roots.
    
    Many attend the most flimsy “business colleges” to get their student status. It is clearly a rort.
    
    18 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 10:48am
    - R
      
      So called Business Colleges have been a RORT for years. A source of income for the promotor only.
      
      5 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 10:57am
    - AitchW
      
      So sort out the dodgy colleges.
      
      5 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 11:12am
    - Jack5
      
      They also take a lot of the unskilled jobs away from NZ kids. At present NZ youth unemployment is about 15 per cent.
      
      9 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 11:13am
      - cmm
        
        That’s where almost all of them end up.
        
        If you are a student you get the right to work too. Some of those “students” hardly ever show up for course work and many are online (even before covid).
        
        In 2009 or so I got some students around to help with planting trees. A few from Sri Lanka turned up. They were at some sort of college teaching some IT skills. Even back then, all their lectures were videos and courses were online. They were working far more than they were studying doing part time jobs – many of those cashies.
        
        So they end up doing low level work.
        
        After all, none of the nurses and doctors are business college students.
        
        4 0
        Report
        February 11, 2026 1:32pm
      - MCōs
        
        So you were profiting from a scam you abhor?
        
        1 0
        Report
        February 11, 2026 5:39pm
    - imalwaysright
      
      Understand. If they are already doing it will the FTA make any difference though?
      
      1 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 11:39am
      - cmm
        
        Yes, because it opens up other paths for less skilled people.
        
        Note that all the benefits of access to top-end skilled people is not really changed. There is nothing in the FTA that makes it easier, or more likely, for a doctor to come to NZ.
        
        Don’t get me wrong. I am all for high value immigrants coming to NZ (I am one myself). The last time I was in hospital pretty much everyone I was treated by was from India, China or Philippines. All excellent.
        
        What I am opposed to is squeezing the lower end workers and our cuzzies ending up on the dole instead.
        
        7 0
        Report
        February 11, 2026 12:46pm
- Paulus
  
  It took Eleven Years for our Trade Diplomats to get this FTA with India,
  – why would you stop now because Peters wants to be Prime Minister in November.
  
  3 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 2:10pm
- Prince
  
  Fact: There is no cap now, never has been, and nothing to stop any Govt introducing a cap in the future.
  But yeah, continue to rant against Luxon, and rejoice in your Labour/Green/TPM Govt that will continue with teh FTA and be laughing all the way to your bank balance.
  
  3 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 6:22pm
imalwaysright

Its looking possible that the Government will reject the recommendation of the Fast Track Panel to reject the TTR application to mine ironsand, vanadium and other metals an minerals 20km offshore of the North Island.
Fingers crossed.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/prime-minister-christopher-luxon-to-face-questions-after-fast-track-panel-rejects-mining-plan/CZU73Z3P65GXRLU3ESLRYLU3OY/
8 3
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 10:03am
- SoloView
  
  @ imalwaysright
  Can the government approve a fast track application that has been declined?
  
  From https://www.mpdc.govt.nz/district-plan/fast-track
  ” The Minister for Infrastructure decides whether a project can enter the Fast-track process, and an Independent Expert Panel decides whether to approve the project and set conditions.”
  
  From https://environment.govt.nz/acts-and-regulations/acts/fast-track-approvals/fast-track-approvals-process/
  “Panel considers the application, comments, advice or reports (and may commission extra reports or advice); declines or approves the application; and determines if conditions should be imposed.”
  
  1 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 12:47pm
  - imalwaysright
    
    “Can the government approve a fast track application that has been declined?”
    
    Yes
    
    And I think they will in this case.
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 1:15pm
    - SoloView
      
      NZ First campaign item (Tuesday, 10 February 2026):-
      
      “New Zealand First will campaign on reinstating sweeping ministerial powers in the fast track legislation this election.
      
      The law, set up as a ‘one stop shop’ process for consenting infrastructure, initially proposed three ministers would refer projects and make the final approval decision.
      
      After widespread push-back during the select committee process, the government changed the legislation so an independent expert panel would get the final say.”
      
      https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2602/S00055/nz-first-to-campaign-on-ministers-getting-final-say-in-fast-track-projects.htm
      
      0 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 3:13pm
sungsamning

The Trump administration is set this week to overturn an Obama-era scientific finding that serves as the legal basis for federal greenhouse-gas regulation, the Environmental Protection Agency said on Monday. [Another day. Another grift under threat. Another piece of political cover for smalll states that want to take similar measures. Will Greta be cross; or has she moved on. ]
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/us-news/trump-repeal-landmark-climate-finding-rollback-10523899/
Trump set to repeal landmark climate finding in huge regulatory rollback this week.
9 4
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 10:04am
- imalwaysright
  
  Maureen Pugh is leaving Parliament this year, maybe Christopher and Nicola can get their Climate Bible back from her and put it in a Diplomatic pouch and send it to Donald?
  
  5 3
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 10:59am
  - Paulus
    
    It was Simon who started this Pugh affair not Chrisopher and Nicola I believe.
    
    2 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 2:11pm
    - imalwaysright
      
      Definitely Chris and Nicola, Paulus:
      
      https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/02/21/nationals-pugh-yet-to-see-evidence-of-man-made-climate-change/
      
      1 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 3:35pm
sungsamning

One Nation is surging across Australia, especially in South Australia, because we’re offering the most comprehensive policy platform in the country. [Will this surge last? Will they replace the Liberals? One Nation needs MPs in the lower house too. How will the prefgerences go?]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUz29bQpYYM
Bernardi Joins One Nation Surge.
8 4
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 10:04am
Notsofast

Looks like the social media ban is against the evidence.
It is “woke” and the parents and teachers leading to suicide increase in youth in USA at least.
I heard about half this so far.
Too late to turn back?
Probably, but remember alone is not loneliness.

https://substack.com/@naturednurture/note/p-184055797?r=3ehku5
0 3
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 11:44am
I remember when

“More than 45,000 people have signed a petition demanding equal treatment of visitors from New Zealand’s Pacific neighbours:” RNZ

Once again, we have managed to convince ourselves that Pacific people can only be successful with our intervention.

Not racist.
11 1
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 11:48am
- Ian
  
  Not quite 1% of the population signed it then. Is there a breakdown of where the signatures came from? South Auckland perhaps?
  
  6 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 12:55pm
  - Jack5
    
    Good estimate, Ian. Using last Statistics Dept guess, 5,334,000 people at 30 September 2025, the signatures amount to 0.84 per cent of the national population.
    
    0 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 4:52pm
- cmm
  
  Nowhere in the world do visitors get equal treatment.
  
  If they did then concepts like residence and citizenship means nothing.
  
  8 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 1:26pm
I remember when

A First Look Below Antarctica’s Most Menacing Glacier: NY Times.
“Our Climate Reporter Raymond Zhong walks us through their landmark experiment and the bitterweet outcome.”

Barely bitterweet, mostly bitter lack of success.

After a protracted build-up, which included their reporter boarding a ship in Chrstchurch, the project ended when the scientific equipment finished up stuck in the borehole through the ice.
8 1
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 11:59am
Swifty

Aotearoa is an apartheid state and ‘decolonisation’ is its greatest ally:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lPFpeVFN8Us

Garner exposes race-based entitlements at OT.

I cannot think of ways to more quickly and more effectively divide a nation than to determine privileges, rights and entitlements based on race.

It is a cancer to harmonious relations between people.

Our civil service is actively working against the nation’s interests.
20 3
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 12:01pm
Swifty

Who would have thought that when you import large numbers of people from corrupt nations that they will bring their corrupt practices here?

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/586519/new-zealand-s-corruption-free-reputation-takes-hit-for-fourth-year-in-a-row-survey

We’ve brought this on ourselves.
14 1
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 1:02pm
- cmm
  
  Remember this is not the corruption index. It is the corruption perception index.
  
  Corruption levels might or might not have changed, but perception has.
  
  I would think we’ve had some serious corruption going on for quite a while, but are just deluding ourselves – hence perception stays low.
  
  10 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 1:24pm
  - Swifty
    
    Yea good points.
    
    However, events like these has altered my perception:
    
    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/579636/warning-over-looming-driver-shortages-following-commercial-licence-revocations
    
    Events which never used to happen.
    
    8 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 1:46pm
cmm

Do we really live in the age where a Naval Commander can be brought down by some allegations of “give us a kiss”?

I don’t think a workplace kiss is something we should need smelling salts for, but military command is something else.

“The accused also said a kiss on the cheek in that scenario would not be out of place.

“If he came and kissed me on the cheek it wouldn’t have seemed out of the ordinary … I have been around a while and people have greeted me like that.”
”

Look Bronnie, I know you said you wanted to “bring a woman’s touch” to the Navy, but, FFS girl, it’s a bloody navy.

You aren’t some tart down at the boozer.
Nor are you granny handing out cuddles and scones.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360936627/senior-navy-officer-found-not-guilty-encouraging-junior-officer-kiss-them
9 3
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 1:39pm
- Taieri
  
  How to make a mountain out of a mole hill…
  
  5 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 2:12pm
- kowtow
  
  There’s a great historical precedent though .
  
  Kiss me , Hardy .
  
  0 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 4:59pm
  - AitchW
    
    There is some speculation that what Nelson actually said was “kismet, Hardy”.
    
    1 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 5:32pm
- Quail
  
  CMM,
  A Court Martial for a kiss!
  Sink a ship and no Court martial for that ( yet or that has been obvious )
  
  2 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 8:13pm
Scooter

So the mother of Malachi Subecz was sentenced to 3 years jail for importing drugs while her friend Te Wheoro who set it up was given 11 months home D. Malachi was murdered by the daughter of Te Wheoro. Now what the article doesn’t say is what cultural discounts were given to Te Wheoro and not to Cotter. And maybe this Maori bias contributed to his death, authorities too scared to step in for fear of being racist.

“In late 2020 and early 2021, Te Wheoro asked Cotter to receive several packages from overseas on her behalf, and to accompany her on a trip to Christchurch to pick up a package.

Those packages contained drugs, and Cotter pleaded guilty to drug importation charges, accepting her name was on the packages but telling the court she had been naive about what they contained.

Upon entering a guilty plea, she was remanded in custody until sentencing, where she was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.

Her co-defendant, Te Wheoro, was sentenced to 11 months’ home detention.”
https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/coroner-s-findings-on-malachi-rain-subecz-s-death-include-call-for-oranga-tamariki-changes/
8 1
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 2:11pm
- Ian
  
  Yes, all very sad. If the mother hadn’t chosen a life of crime, maybe Malachi would still be alive…
  
  7 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 3:57pm
- cmm
  
  This racist shit needs to stop.
  
  How can a mule end up with 3 years when the actual “brains” behind the deal only gets home D?
  
  Unless Jasmine Cotter had some serious history of offending or such that triggered some 3 strikes – like ruling, this would seem to be extreme and in no way “justice”.
  
  So Oranga Tamariki thought it OK to leave this kid with the drug-importing family? FFS!
  
  The last time I saw a racially-skewed insane judgement like this was in South Africa in the 1980s when a white man and a coloured woman were charged for having sex across the colour bar. He was found not guilty on grounds that there was insufficient evidence; she was found guilty and copped three months.
  
  12 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 11, 2026 4:14pm
  - Gravelroad
    
    I could stand to be corrected, but at the time of the case and subsequent death of the child, it was reported that the mother asked that the her friend and/or cousin be appointed to take care of Malachi while she was in prison.
    Don’t think it was totally a placement by Oranga Tamariki to a family unknown to the mother or child.
    But maybe should have been more thorough in their oversight.
    
    5 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    February 11, 2026 6:49pm
    - Scooter
      
      Apparently the family of the mother and child wanted to take him. They were ignored and he was given to the daughter of the person who organised the drug import. We must be the thickest wokest and weakest nation on the planet that someone didn’t have the brains to think this was wrong.
      
      “Jasmine Cotter’s adult niece Megan Cotter was concerned about the arrangement and made “persistent and valiant efforts to try and ensure that Malachi was safe”. “
      
      2 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      February 11, 2026 9:27pm
Swifty

Labour hold great fears it seems:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360936979/government-orders-independent-review-covid-era-monetary-policy

You’d think that if Hipkins was confident that both Labour and the RB got everything right in the Covid response he’d welcome any enquiry, irrespective of its timing.
14 1
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 4:30pm
Swifty

“Vote Green, get Brown!

https://x.com/suitandtie9999/status/2021408702205698555?s=46

Heh.
8 1
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 4:33pm
- greybeard
  
  Well, Wellington voters expected Much but got Little.
  
  1 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  February 12, 2026 7:43am
Quail

For those who missed it on TV one tonight.
Willis is having an enquiry into the Reserve Bank actions during Covid.Her concerns apparently ate the effect of the money printing.
The report due out just prior to the election.
What she should be doing, is something about what is happening now, with stopping deficit budgeting and spending money she and the taxpayers don’t have.
Michael Reddell ( croaking Cassandra ) made this point well on screen.
This is rank and offensive politics, simply bare faced electioneering.
We know Labour and Orr made a terrible mess, what NZ does need is for the Coalition to fix it, not dwell on it.
Action like this is contemptible !
2 2
Log in to Reply
Report
February 11, 2026 7:07pm

Add a Comment Cancel reply

Login to comment or vote

« Blame Labour and Greens Crs for the sewerage spill

The LNG decision »

Donations

You can now donate to Kiwiblog

Exclusive content from DPF on Patreon

Become a Patron!

Never miss a post

Email Address

Join 13K other subscribers

Highlights

Target achieved II
Good progress on attendance
Health Target 5 – elective treatments
Health Target 4 – Specialist appointments

Links

Parliament fails to defend transparency
No Right Turn
BOAC Flight 777
Utopia
"The principal view of human laws is, or ought always to be, to explain, protect, and enforce such rights as are absolute, which in themselves are few and simple."
Not PC
Let’s listen to Dame Lynda on the matter of Defence spending – Bob Jones (who contributed to NZ Ballet) was dismissive, too
Point of Order
To be fair – nothing manages to celebrate the sham 250 year democracy of a neofascist regime quite like Vanilla Ice
The Daily Blog
Daily review 04/06/2026
The Standard
Word of the day
Hompaddock
We Are a Country That Decided Housing Was The Economy
No Minister
Playing with numbers.
Kiwipolitico
Another non-tariff barrier
Offsetting Behaviour
Rugby Premiership Predictions for Round 18
Stats Chat
Budget 2026
NZCPR
UK Conversion Therapy Ban, Digital ID, Rallies, Elections
Bob McCoskrie's McBlog
A central banker’s fiction
Croaking Cassandra
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
Get Vaccinated Tomorrow Or Shut Your Pie Hole
Cactus Kate
Making this movie might have been a mistake
Liam Hehir
Why I am retiring from political blogging
Kiwi FireWalker

[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: