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March 9, 2026 8:00am by Kokila Patel

General Debate 09 March 2026

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General Debate

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Cassandra

American pollster Nate Silver forecasts that the US petrol price could go from $3.50 pg to $5 pg soon. NZ’s would do the same. It’s perverse but National will get the blame.

If NZ voters are stupid enough to elect a Lab/Green/Maori government then by February 27 they’ll be even worse off as reckless spending, waste on whale songs etc and additional tariffs kick in.
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March 9, 2026 8:02am
- Cassandra
  
  And re whales, see the kumara patch item below!
  
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  March 9, 2026 8:06am
- Damocles11
  
  Yes, National are unlucky. But they haven’t really had an economic plan except waiting for lower interest rates to boost house prices. They haven’t cut government spending and borrowing, they’ve done nothing to address our pitiful collective savings rates, nothing has happened regarding introducing competition to the grocery sector (despite much talk), nothing has been done to address the onerous cost burden being imposed by co-governance and maorification. National is all about simply maintaining the status quo and favouring vested business interests over free enterprise. A moribund party intent on just ‘being better managers than Labour’ and nothing else. This is the hollow and obsolete John Key way of doing where you have no ideas and no conviction, you just govern for governings sake.
  
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  March 9, 2026 8:13am
  - Sensible moderate views
    
    “National is all about simply maintaining the status quo and favouring vested business interests over free enterprise”
    
    This is the problem in a nutshell. They are no longer interested in creating opportunities and making things better for people. And they have no idea of macroeconomics so they can’t even manage the economy. And it’s all always somebody else’s fault – no ability to take any responsibility.
    
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    March 9, 2026 10:00am
  - kowtow
    
    Indeed .
    Add to that a significant move to the left ; the so called , self styled Blue Greens .
    And there’s nothing I like about the Treaty Principles Bill.
    
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    March 9, 2026 10:43am
  - Pope Punctilious II
    
    How I wish you were wrong.
    
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    March 9, 2026 1:18pm
- Boy Geoff
  
  Indeed Cassandra – I sincerely hope Liam Dann’s next scoop will demonstrate how Chippie, Swarbrick & Waititi plan to save our economy – using concrete examples from each one’s party manifesto of course…
  
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  March 9, 2026 8:14am
  - Gravelroad
    
    They will increase taxes on rich people.
    Simple.
    Job done.
    
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    March 9, 2026 10:10am
    - gravedodger
      
      Then give the New York Mayor a call and ask why the wealth took the Gap?
      
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      March 9, 2026 11:27am
    - R
      
      Not ‘rich’ people, but the motivated people. Can’t have people with independent means of income, in a Marxist state!
      
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      March 9, 2026 11:37am
      - Bullion
        
        Could tax work less and wealth more, hypothetically a very low % on land and drop the tax rate for the first wrung of income tax. Loosen zoning restrictions a little so that land could then be used more efficiently.
        
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        March 9, 2026 3:11pm
  - cmm (semi-retired edition)
    
    Well, if everyone plants a tiny kumara patch they will immediately earn $146k a year. That will build the economy really quickly.
    If you add carbon credits to the kumara patch then you can maybe increase that to $150k or even more!
    
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    March 9, 2026 10:20am
  - Paulus
    
    They have a Manifesto – I must have missed it !
    
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    March 9, 2026 2:22pm
    - Boy Geoff
      
      Te Pati Maori – for one – put all its progressive ‘bottom line’ policies on its website. Well they certainly used to and I haven’t looked lately.
      
      Everything there for all to see – including the media and prospective coalition partner voters…
      
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      March 9, 2026 9:17pm
- Simon
  
  Nate Silver isn’t a pollster. Do better.
  
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  March 9, 2026 8:18am
  - Cassandra
    
    Really? What is he then?
    
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    March 9, 2026 9:48am
    - Cassandra
      
      Okay, he’s a statistician and poll analyst.
      
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      March 9, 2026 10:58am
- Northshoredoc
  
  NZ elections are seldom won. They are usually lost by governments who the voting public have become bored or disenchanted.
  
  Unfortunately the current government have been so utterly beige and largely hopeless that all Labour and The toxic Greens will need to do is keep quiet and they may sleep walk into government.
  
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  March 9, 2026 8:25am
  - imalwaysright
    
    Correct.
    Its almost as if this is a caretaker Government installed to give the previous regime time to get away, rewrite history, and regroup.
    In the meantime, the Public Service, Judiciary, and media continue to run the country
    
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    March 9, 2026 9:47am
  - Souvlaki
    
    Yes….they are as BLAND as unsalted porridge!
    The Govt appoints members of the NZ Medical Council. It seems having a greenstone tiki/ pendant increases once chance of appointment.
    If they push through the proposed amendments to Medical Practice in NZ…we will be left only with MAPAS Drs , as most other bright sparks will emigrate!🙄
    National COULD nip this in the bud….but…crickets…..
    
    https://www.mcnz.org.nz/about-us/our-people/
    
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    March 9, 2026 10:38am
    - OlderChas
      
      Could the reason that NZ is having trouble keeping and recruiting doctors and nurses have anything to do with the over the top insistence that they affirmatively accept pagan gods and rituals as displayed in their “governing body’s” rules?
      
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      March 9, 2026 11:23am
      - Northshoredoc
        
        No – it’s largeluy due to the fact that they can earn considerably more in Australia and further afield.
        
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        March 9, 2026 12:51pm
    - AitchW
      
      I’m not sure that we want an exciting government! I want them to fix inflation, sort out the schools, hospitals and Police and make it easier to do business.
      It would be nice if they could reverse the silliness in the public service like the compulsory karakia and waiata, the creep of Manglish into correspondence and conversation and the special rights for Maori.
      But the public service is implacably hostile to this government and will resist any changes not approved by the PSA.
      The government has appointed a Public Service Commissioner who is steadily chipping away at Labour’s sillier policies and who will have made good progress by the end of hte year.
      Slow and steady wins the race. Let’s hope it wins the election.
      
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      March 9, 2026 12:12pm
      - zulumonster
        
        Agreed, with the addition of a complete clean sweep / revamp of the Education sector to reverse the inexorable decline in standards over what has now been decades. Otherwise any changes made elsewhere are doomed to quickly slide back to current state or worse …
        
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        March 9, 2026 2:10pm
- MCōs
  
  Anyone with any sort of knowledge of world events will understand that petrol prices and inflation in general, if they take off, are out of the control of our government.
  Americans have good reason not to be so charitable; particularly as their leaders can’t seem to be able to explain exactly why they attacked Iran.
  
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  March 9, 2026 8:35am
  - Michael Johnston
    
    “Anyone with any sort of knowledge of world events…”
    
    Regrettably, that excludes a majority of Kiwi voters.
    
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    March 9, 2026 8:47am
    - Paulus
      
      But they know how to do a Kapa Haka war dance which the rest of the World do not (except Maori in Aussie).
      
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      March 9, 2026 10:52am
      - Jack5
        
        And deep in Argentina!
        
        In San Carlos de Bariloche, on the edge of the Andes, there’s a Uber driver.
        
        https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2026/03/08/i-feel-like-a-maori-argentinian-uber-driver-diego-acuna-on-his-full-face-mataora/
        
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        March 9, 2026 11:47am
    - Alwyn Poole
      
      Michael – you have a huge lack of self-awareness. As someone who has thrust himself into the centre of the Minister of Education’s attempt to improve outcomes for NZ children … you are prepared to publicly denigrate the “majority of kiwi voters”.
      
      With friends like yourself Minister Standford does not need enemies and the mess that yu and the MAG team have made is a very good reason why:
      “Luxon is also more unpopular than NZ First Leader Winston Peters who has a net favourability of -8% and two of the people tipped as his potential replacement, Chris Bishop with a net favourability rating of -14% and Erica Stanford with a net favourability of -16%.”
      
      It would be good to develop some humility and self-awareness.
      
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      March 9, 2026 11:23am
      - Alwyn Poole
        
        [Mod – take is elsewhere]
        
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        March 9, 2026 12:02pm
  - kowtow
    
    Given that about half the price of fuel at the pump in NZ is taxes ,levies , duties I’d say the govt has a massive impact.
    
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    March 9, 2026 9:01am
  - RichardF
    
    Are the ballistic missiles, nuke ambitions, and violent suppression of the civilian population not enough?
    
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    March 9, 2026 9:14am
    - Yabster
      
      add in funding terrorism… that help you out Mcos?
      
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      March 9, 2026 9:31am
    - Albie
      
      George Friedman on Leighton’s podcast reckon’s Trump’s main reason for attacking Iran after the talks failed was his fear the radicals in the regime could plot a nuclear attack on Manhattan using a nuke hidden in a foreign flagged freighter. This scenario has been the plot of a few fictional books- Tom Clancy comes to mind.
      If you had lived through 9/11 and the aftermath as he did I am sure you would think this is not beyond the realms of possibility.
      
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      March 9, 2026 9:52am
      - imalwaysright
        
        I would say that Trump is trying to appease Nettanyahu because of his ability to threaten America.
        
        Nettanyahu is evil, but the real problem is that he can deliver evil.
        
        He wants to drop a nuke to take the centre of power from Washington to wherever he is currently hiding.
        
        Cyprus ?, Germany? He ain’t in Tel Aviv.
        
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        March 9, 2026 11:38am
    - septic skeptic
      
      All of that isn’t enough to make Trump attack North Korea. He is more likely to attack Denmark. I think you need to re-consider what motivates him
      
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      March 9, 2026 10:32am
    - Taieri
      
      Are the ballistic missiles, nuke ambitions, and violent suppression of the civilian population
      ———
      
      Is that Kim Jong Um that you have in mind?
      
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      March 9, 2026 5:42pm
  - surfing
    
    Let me educate you, nukes, China, and Russia.
    
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    March 9, 2026 9:30am
  - gravedodger
    
    I guess you do not accept the Negotiators for Iran at the last talks in Geneva before the launch of the US/Israel attack were openly boasting they were days away from sufficient weapons grade Uranium to create 11 nuclear weapons at least equal to the Nagasaki bomb that vapourised much of that city.
    A regime that includes the suicidal notion that death and immediate paradise were an ultimate path to a worthy death as motivation should not have a Nuclear capability.
    Sheesh 47 years of threats for death to the great Satan and an overt intent to erase Israel from the map plus an unknown how many killed whether Iranian or others did not indicate a need for some alternative solution to appeasement and cash was not a warning?
    
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    March 10, 2026 7:45am
- imalwaysright
  
  Cassandra
  What now are your thoughts on us increasing military spending in order to encourage our allies to protect our supply routes?
  
  It seems that if supply is restricted at source, in this case Hormuz, that the remainder of the supply routes are irrelevant.
  
  Wouldn’t it be better to spend the money on our independent fuel security?
  
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  March 9, 2026 9:05am
  - Cassandra
    
    They are not options. Closing Hormuz is one factor only. We need both.
    
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    March 9, 2026 9:51am
    - kowtow
      
      We haven’t learned anything . Going back to the oil shock of the ’70’s , if anything we’ve got worse .
      
      We need to be energy independent.
      
      With our coal we could be. Synthetic fuels , domestic power from coal fired generators.
      
      Instead the best they can do is a,LNG white elephant also dependent on imports and all that implies.
      
      Coal . It really is that simple.
      
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      March 9, 2026 10:47am
      - Bullion
        
        If you want true independence, then renewables, they’re also cheaper than coal.
        
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        March 9, 2026 12:03pm
      - wsk12345
        
        Garbage. Renewables may be cheaper than coal at 3pm but I guarantee they are not cheaper than coal at times that actually matter (morning and evening peaks on weekdays) because they are simply not available.
        
        Add in batteries and you spend a whole lot more and still don’t have long term firm supply.
        
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        March 9, 2026 2:55pm
    - imalwaysright
      
      Its a bit like the schools on NZ bases argument.
      We will deal with it, if and when.
      Does the NZ military have an actual plan, or are they the Uber eats of the theatre.
      They can’t keep pretending on the taxpayers dollar. (Actually $2 Billion taxpayer dollars, which requires $6 billion of actual work to pay .)
      
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      March 9, 2026 11:44am
  - Poppax8
    
    Drill baby, drill!
    
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    March 9, 2026 10:10am
- lastmanstanding
  
  The problem is many voters dont have the intelligence to understand the difference between matters a NZ Government can control and matters that they cant control. They also have very short memories. After 6 years of the Ardern disaster an intelligent voter would know to steer well clear of Labour let alone the Greens and Maori Party. But no like leemings they will vote for a repeat and then wonder at the result. Dumb.
  
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  March 9, 2026 9:13am
  - AitchW
    
    And the Labour/Green/Maori coalition will blame the current government for the consequences of their brain fart policies.
    Of course if they are elected they’ll have virtually no policy and spend the first two years getting working parties to develop their policy…
    
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    March 9, 2026 10:39am
    - Paulus
      
      First few years will be having many a Korero on various Marae in discussion how each will spend its share of the money.
      
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      March 9, 2026 2:28pm
      - AitchW
        
        Then give it all to JT!
        
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        March 10, 2026 8:42am
  - kowtow
    
    The problem as you say is a certain demographic of thicko swing voters .
    
    To think our democracy is in the hands of very stupid , possibly low intelligence types , driven by the media and immediate self interest.
    
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    March 9, 2026 10:49am
    - Taieri
      
      To think our democracy is in the hands of very stupid , possibly low intelligence types
      —————
      
      Our democracy is in the hands of the people we elect.
      
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      March 9, 2026 12:24pm
  - Paulus
    
    Perhaps Jacinda will fly across the ditch regularly to tell them what to do !
    
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    March 9, 2026 10:54am
    - OlderChas
      
      Why? Aunty Helun is here and can do that for free.
      
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      March 9, 2026 11:27am
      - Jethrod
        
        FREE!!!!!!!??????
        
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        March 9, 2026 5:05pm
  - Bullion
    
    I wonder what the correlation is between the price of oil and cpi? Surely the last time there was a spike intelligent people of kiwiblog understood difference between matters a NZ Government can control and matters that they cant control.
    
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    March 9, 2026 12:05pm
- Master Mariner
  
  “NZ’s would do the same”,
  Nope we will run out, Simple as that.
  
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  March 9, 2026 9:42am
  - AitchW
    
    Carless days, here we come…..
    
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    March 9, 2026 12:29pm
  - artemisia
    
    What about Venezuelan oil as an option. Maybe not this week but sounds like production is now ramping up fast.
    
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    March 9, 2026 1:04pm
- leoj
  
  Refined petrol takes about four weeks to get here.
  
  The war against Iran started just over one week ago.
  
  How come the price of petrol has increased when the supply we are currently using was purchased weeks before the conflict?
  
  I do know the answer. The petrol companies cannot wait to gouge us.
  
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  March 9, 2026 11:18am
  - The Goblin
    
    The price at the pump is always calculated on the price oil companies would have to pay to restock on the day.
    
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    March 9, 2026 12:33pm
    - kowtow
      
      The price at the pump is determined by how much the oil companies calculate they can get away with.
      
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      March 9, 2026 1:00pm
      - imalwaysright
        
        The price at the pump is determined by the price of the missiles that are used that day.
        They don’t grow on trees you know!!!
        
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        March 9, 2026 5:59pm
- david in Aus
  
  I think AI is more accurate.
  Ask Grok: at $US 150 per barrel: Petrol NZ 3.30-3.80 per L
  at US $200 per barrel: petrol NZ $ 4-5 per L
  
  I note oil analysts forecast US $250 per barrel if the war lasts for a while.
  The all-time high for oil adjusted for inflation is $250 per barrel. It is not inconceivable that the oil price surpasses the all-time high.
  
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  March 9, 2026 11:38am
  - surfing
    
    Lucky I recently bought one of the must fuel efficient hybrids on the market ( for its size).. will sip 3.8l/100km .. even if the pump price triples still saving over the old petrol SUV.
    
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    March 9, 2026 12:42pm
    - david in Aus
      
      I put 20% of my net wealth into LNG, oil, and coal shares over the past week. They were cheap to begin with. I am hedged whatever the outcome.
      Sold my copper miners, they use sulphuric acid, much of which comes from the Gulf.
      
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      March 9, 2026 2:34pm
      - david in Aus
        
        Buy your airline tickets for your overseas holiday now. The prices haven’t gone up as yet. Just make sure you have insurance for cancellations.
        
        I wouldn’t be surprised if Air New Zealand requires a taxpayer funded bailout. It made a loss last year, and this year will be very challenging to say the least.
        
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        March 9, 2026 3:38pm
- Wandering Star
  
  What’s perverse is being all in on the latest unprovoked war of choice against a Middle Eastern nation, but then acting surprised or expressing annoyance when petrol prices inevitably go through the roof as a result.
  
  Just think of the extra dollars you’re paying to fill up your car and to buy other goods as the Cost of Freeing the Iranian People.
  
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  March 9, 2026 12:08pm
  - imalwaysright
    
    But this is the absolute first time that its ever happened in our absolute living absolute memory…
    
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    March 9, 2026 6:19pm
  - gravedodger
    
    I consider the attacks by US/Israel were far more about curtailing the imminent Nuclear threat, declared allegedly from the now abandoned talks in Geneva than anything to do with “freeing” any Iranian citizen?
    
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    March 10, 2026 7:51am
- grumpy
  
  I would be happy at $5 per gallon!
  
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  March 9, 2026 3:33pm
- Local Miller
  
  It seems ridiculous that petrol prices should be increasing the the USA because of the war in Iran. During Trump 1.0, the USA was a net exporter of oil, which means their petrol prices should have been determined 100% by the local market conditions.
  They can thank sleepy Joe for the petrol price increases as his green agenda is what cut oil production and pushed up prices.
  This is even worse in California where petrol prices have stayed stubbornly high when they have gone down in other states. All thanks to Newsom and his anti oil legislation.
  
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  March 9, 2026 4:03pm
Im Right

There would be no bombing of Iran if HC was in charge, she seemingly honestly truly believes Iran were not enriching 10,000kgs of uranium for nuclear weapons but for energy use only.
Their funding and arming of Hezbollah/Houthis/Hamas was nothing to be concerned about and everything would be sorted out at the negotiation table…that has not halted Iran one jot in 30yrs of international talks.
Is she REALLY that naive or does her funding, from whatever organisations, depend and rely on her being this naive?
And yet the MSM keep printing her statements or going to her direct for her opinion on anything and everything.
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March 9, 2026 8:20am
- Notsofast
  
  Chatgpt explains to HC (Helen Clark) and her ilk.
  
  “Uranium enriched to about 60% in the isotope U-235 has very few legitimate civilian uses. It sits in an awkward range: far above what industry or medicine normally needs, but just below weapons-grade. That is why it often raises concern in nuclear-proliferation discussions”
  
  But she knows this anyway. She is addicted to attention, yet she proves she is a lying liar, who the media should audit accordingly.
  
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  March 9, 2026 10:45am
- Colville
  
  A lot of the arguments against the bombing of Iran seem to start in a logic loop…If Trump did it then its bad so I must take the opposing side and anything I can say or do is fair game…
  
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  March 9, 2026 10:52am
  - Northshoredoc
    
    ..and vice versa..
    
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    March 9, 2026 3:27pm
- david in Aus
  
  I don’t think Iran was enriching Uranium from my reading. The IEA have super sensitive sensors which detect radiation in real time. Which would be difficult to hide. According to Trump, any doubts that the attacks last year put to rest Iran’s nuclear ambitions is FAKE NEWS.
  
  The motivation for war is Israel’s concern about Iran’s ballistic missiles. Israel wants total dominance over Iran. Israel thinks it is existential for them. For some reason they persuaded Trump to do this. Israel’s pysch-ops is top tier.
  
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  March 9, 2026 11:52am
  - In Vino Veritas
    
    “Israel wants total dominance over Iran”. I’d suggest david, that statement is nonsense. What they want is to have a Iran that is not a mortal enemy that attacks them constantly, either directly or via proxies. That view seems not unreasonable.
    
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    March 9, 2026 2:13pm
    - david in Aus
      
      That’s Israel’s interests. Which is not the same as US’s interests. Israel is in reality a client state of the US, but it is acting as the senior partner. The tail wagging the dog.
      
      Iran is a despicable evil regime. So is is Putin’s Russia. The biggest winner of this war is Russia. What a debacle from geopolitical point of view.
      
      The son of the assasinated leader is the new supreme leader. What are the chances of a deal with someone who had their father and sister killed by the enemy? Close to zero, I say.
      
      Either Trump needs to cut and run or go all-in. Going all-in, hasn’t worked well in the past.
      
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      March 9, 2026 3:00pm
  - Local Miller
    
    “The motivation for war is Israel’s concern about Iran’s ballistic missiles one day carrying nuclear warheads”
    There, I fixed it for you.
    
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    March 9, 2026 4:10pm
    - david in Aus
      
      Hmm, Israel has nuclear weapons on ballistic missiles too. Mutually assured destruction (MAD), it worked in the cold-war.
      That being said, Israel and Iran’s spat should not be the concern of others. Strong words are more than enough from my end. Like the Taliban abusing their own population, no one is going to intervene unless it affects others. The costs are too high.
      
      The cost of this war will be extreme, especially economically. This could be Covid-like for a country like NZ. Ships cannot get fuel. Those at the end of supply chains will be affected the most.
      
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      March 9, 2026 8:48pm
  - Local Miller
    
    “Israel wants total dominance over Iran”
    
    Where do people get this nonsense from? There is no evidence anywhere, ever that Israel want to dominate any country. Israel have only ever launched attacks against countries who attack them or support terrorists who attack them. Additionally, Israel will attack but never occupies.
    All Israel has ever asked for is the right to live in peace in a narrow stretch of land on the East coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
    
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    March 9, 2026 4:15pm
    - david in Aus
      
      I think you have blinkers on. Israel looks after its own interests. They took the buffer zone beyond the Golan heights in the Syrian Civil War because it was opportune.
      I am sure it was the calculation this time. They had intelligence that the supreme leader was somewhere and could kill him.
      To be honest, Israel and Iran have beef. It would have been tea in a stormcup if it was only them involved. But Trump to be involved was stupid and we will all be paying for it.
      
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      March 9, 2026 8:55pm
    - david in Aus
      
      To dominate, I mean Israel cannot be militarily challenged.
      
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      March 9, 2026 9:05pm
- Bullion
  
  on Iran’s nuclear capabilities, someone should tell 2025 Trump:
  
  “Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term! The white structure shown is deeply imbedded into the rock, with even its roof well below ground level, and completely shielded from flame. The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!”
  
  https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/06/irans-nuclear-facilities-have-been-obliterated-and-suggestions-otherwise-are-fake-news/
  
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  March 9, 2026 12:26pm
  - Graeme Hall
    
    Maybe Iran has more capabilities than first thought and this is why Trump acted?
    
    https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/iran-boasted-of-enriched-uranium-for-11-nuclear-bombs-witkoff-justifies-us-israeli-military-strikes/ar-AA1XpZrd
    
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    March 9, 2026 1:52pm
  - Don Beckett
    
    Yes, but the Iran regime had a large quantity of 60% enriched uranium stashed away from those facilities & was untouched. So in theory anyway, Iran could have nukes n a matter of months.
    
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    March 9, 2026 1:52pm
    - Ian Boag
      
      Not much use without the centrifuges and other bits and bobs required to enrich it …..
      
      6 4
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      March 9, 2026 3:25pm
      - Don Beckett
        
        So with the regime making new centrifuges a priority, how long do you think it would take to build new ones at an undisclosed location ?
        Within 6 months ?
        
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        March 9, 2026 5:06pm
    - virtualmark
      
      A nuclear bomb needs uranium enriched to at least 90% U235. So if it’s accurate that they had enriched uranium to 60% then that suggests Iran was still some time away from having a workable nuclear device, let alone a bomb.
      
      But, if you believe the Israelis Iran has been a month away from having a nuclear bomb for about 10 years now …
      
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      March 9, 2026 4:09pm
- Drone
  
  Maybe just maybe Helen believes that all countries should possess the bomb to deter other countries from attacking them. Ukraine would have been safe if they had kept theirs instead of believing the rest of Europe would protect them…
  
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  March 9, 2026 4:12pm
Tomtoddy

After weeks of orchestrated sniping the MSN have failed to force Luxon out. That won’t stop them. They have an agenda to treat Hipkins and his team gently while taking any chance to undermine Luxon and his Coalition.

I am no fan of Luxon. He has very limited political nous, his instincts are often poor, he is too dictatorial and far too soft on key policy areas but he is PM and the country needs steadiness and less disruption in the run up to the election.

The most critical thing now is to ensure the left do not get back in power in Nov and changing leaders when there is no obvious replacement is not going to help that important aim.

The biggest thorn in the Coalition’s side is the Iran war. Fuel prices and inflation are set to go up. Petrol is over 280 cents at some outlets. It will go over 300 in days. Labour dont need to raise a finger – just sit back and let the media harp on. It seems strange that the US and Israel are not choking off the drone and rocket attacks. We need the war over for every reason.
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March 9, 2026 8:25am
- Master Mariner
  
  “It seems strange that the US and Israel are not choking off the drone and rocket attacks. We need the war over for every reason.”
  US Ground based Radar systems are destroyed.
  If you think the Kuwaiti’s shot down 3 US jets then I have a Bridge to sell you.
  This will go for a long time, Iranians hold all the cards. The biggest issue facing the US military is “Supply chains”.
  On a regional plan. What is NZ’s Fuel strategy ?
  It appears there is no plan B ?
  
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  March 9, 2026 8:44am
  - R
    
    Surely Ardern & Hipkins had a Plan B thought out, and in place, when the Captains call was made
    
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    March 9, 2026 10:25am
    - AitchW
      
      That’s what the grownups would have done. 6th form student politicians? Nope.
      
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      March 9, 2026 12:48pm
  - Colville
    
    US Ground based Radar systems are destroyed.
    
    Ummm…where?
    
    9 2
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    March 9, 2026 10:57am
    - Ross Bayer
      
      Colville at the thee airforce bases
      
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      March 9, 2026 11:31am
  - Charlotte Wells
    
    Where’s this bridge?
    
    I could be in the market for one.
    
    Who shot down the US jets?
    
    4 2
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    March 9, 2026 1:24pm
    - Master Mariner
      
      If the Kuwaiti jets did not shoot down then I guess just maybe the Iranians.
      TBC. But on the balance of probabilities this seems the most plausible unfortunately.
      Sorry to burst your bubble
      
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      March 9, 2026 4:21pm
  - Charlotte Wells
    
    Here’s some numbers that disprove your claim.
    
    The numbers are in sequence to match days 1 to 8.
    
    Ballistic missiles, 250, 175, 120, 50, 40, 32, 28, 15.
    
    Drone swarms, 294, 541, 200, 85, 45, 28, 30, 12.
    
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    March 9, 2026 1:29pm
    - Master Mariner
      
      Please elaborate. Im confused.
      How does that disprove anything?
      Honestly would like to know
      
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      March 9, 2026 7:16pm
- MCōs
  
  In NZ oppositions don’t tend to win elections. Governments lose them.
  That’s what happened last time and if there’s a change this time it won’t be because Labour is soaring ahead in popularity because they aren’t.
  It’s a Battle of the Bland, the two leaders are a Match of the Mediocre
  
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  March 9, 2026 8:51am
  - David George
    
    “oppositions don’t tend to win elections”
    Hipkins seems determined to ensure defeat; he’s been getting tips from Loser Starmer, the most unpopular British PM since records began.
    
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    March 9, 2026 9:03am
    - NeverMindTheBollocks
      
      Which, considering Boris, Liz Truss et al, is quite an accomplishment.
      
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      March 9, 2026 12:57pm
- kowtow
  
  The number of drone/missile attacks are way down.
  Apart from being a supreme leader the most dangerous job there at the moment will be rocket launcher operators.
  
  Meanwhile the petrol retailers are profiteering.
  
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  March 9, 2026 8:58am
  - leoj
    
    Absolutely!
    
    Gas we buy today was purchased four weeks ago, long before the conflict.
    
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    March 9, 2026 11:20am
  - Gary Benner
    
    Apparently it takes about 2-3 weeks to ship oil from the Middle East to Singapore (where I believe our petrol is refined), up to 1-2 weeks to refine, and then another 2 weeks to ship to New Zealand.
    
    Therefore the petrol being sold today here in NZ was shipped 6-7 weeks ago, well before the current military action commenced.
    
    Might I ask that someone asks questions as to why retail prices went up so quickly?
    
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    March 9, 2026 11:24am
    - OlderChas
      
      Happens every time. It’s called priteering. Wait till the prices dop – then the oil companies will explain why there current stock can’t be sold cheaper straight away because of exactly what you explained Gary.
      
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      March 9, 2026 11:32am
      - Taieri
        
        It’s called priteering.
        —————
        
        Profiteering.
        
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        March 9, 2026 5:36pm
    - Master Mariner
      
      To guess what the replacement costs are going to be.
      
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      March 9, 2026 12:13pm
- All_on_Red
  
  ‘It seems strange that the US and Israel are not choking off the drone and rocket attacks. ‘
  They are; ‘As we enter day five of Operation Epic Fury, the pace of Iranian missile launches has dropped 86%, according to CENTCOM. ’
  https://hotair.com/ed-morrissey/2026/03/05/irans-missile-pace-falters-heres-why-n3812548
  
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  March 9, 2026 9:02am
- Hugh Jarse
  
  Who here wants to allow the media to choose their next government ?.
  
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  March 9, 2026 9:08am
  - nathie
    
    I think Chucky does, when he rang ZB yesterday afternoon and went full venom on Luxon – I’m sure I could feel the spittle coming out of my speakers! 😉
    
    Tactics – National scooping the centre with ACT and NZF scooping those on the outer circle. Pity that seems lost on some!
    
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    March 9, 2026 9:44am
    - Hugh Jarse
      
      It seems some here are so tribal they would sink this coalition through undermining current leadership rather than see it win with Luxon or National at the head. Well so be it, no complaining when the left coalition gets in.
      
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      March 9, 2026 12:20pm
      - Jethrod
        
        Amazingly good comment!
        
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        March 9, 2026 5:10pm
  - sirknz
    
    I wouldn’t let them choose my lunch.
    
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    March 9, 2026 9:57am
  - Drone
    
    I vote to allow Trump to choose he seems to think he can select the best leaders.
    
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    March 9, 2026 10:26am
  - Paulus
    
    The Media do to show how clever they are !
    
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    March 9, 2026 10:57am
- Raphael
  
  The MSM wants their magic money tree back. They will be doing whatever they can to bring down the Coalition.
  
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  March 9, 2026 9:08am
  - the deity formerly known as nigel6888
    
    Yes, and the coalition missed its chance to abolish RNZ and to simply cancel the public good media funding.
    
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    March 9, 2026 11:23am
- peterwn
  
  See this Facebook posting by Nick Smith in support of Chris Luxon. Well worth a read in my opinion.
  https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1343873630881343&set=pb.100057761572469.-2207520000
  
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  March 9, 2026 9:25am
  - MCōs
    
    Support from Nick Smith
    That should be worth something
    
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    March 9, 2026 10:07am
    - Gary Benner
      
      MCos, you may not like Nick Smith for whatever reason, but if you read the FB post, it appears reasonable and contains some essential points.
      
      To make it easy for you, here’s a summary (courtesy of Grok)
      
      Hon Dr Nick Smith, a former National MP and current Nelson Mayor, expresses his personal support for New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon amid recent criticism, emphasizing his bias from 31 years in politics but prioritizing the country’s best interests. Having worked with the last ten PMs, Smith values Luxon’s substance, values, policies, and long-term focus over superficial style, citing positive local changes in government agencies, a swift response to a storm-related request for a rain radar, and Luxon’s relentless efforts to boost exports and tourism. He attributes Luxon’s polling struggles to fiscal challenges requiring painful savings amid deficits and inflation, global instability affecting democratic leaders worldwide (e.g., poor ratings for Starmer in the UK, Albanese in Australia, Macron in France, and Merz in Germany), and the polarizing effects of declining mainstream media and rising social media echo chambers that favor extremes. Smith warns against changing leaders, referencing historical failures in NZ, Australia, and the UK, and argues Luxon is growing in the role with strong ministerial choices and a solid plan to recover from post-Covid issues, deserving time and a fair go.
      
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      March 9, 2026 11:29am
      - RoboRob
        
        ‘He attributes Luxon’s polling struggles to fiscal challenges requiring painful savings amid deficits and inflation, global instability affecting democratic leaders worldwide (e.g., poor ratings for Starmer in the UK, Albanese in Australia, Macron in France, and Merz in Germany), and the polarizing effects of declining mainstream media and rising social media echo chambers that favor extremes.’
        
        That is pure media spin. Luxon, the man, has been less popular then his party for the entire term. Thats not becuase of the economy or international trends, it is becuase people have a hard time identifying with him. While Smith talks about his ‘substance and values’ two years in most people are struggling to identify his values.
        
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        March 9, 2026 2:29pm
- R
  
  Obvious replacement!…….. there is no need for a replacement. The present Cabinet is the most competent since late 2023.
  
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  March 9, 2026 10:27am
  - In Vino Veritas
    
    Yes R. But back between 2017 – 2021 the Government had the intellectual fire power of cardboard cutouts.
    
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    March 9, 2026 2:16pm
- Quail
  
  Mr Luxon won’t resign,.
  That would require some decision making by him, ,might rock the boat, scare the horses etc,
  For NZ’s sake Mr Luxon and National please DO something !
  
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  March 9, 2026 4:35pm
  - peterwn
    
    If he resigned he would be handing Labour/ Greens victory on a plate. And his Caucus (hopefully) knows it.
    
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    March 9, 2026 7:56pm
Gnome

News report on ZB at 7.00 this morning stated that some children were learning te reo up to 12.5 hours in a week. That is 20 weeks solid in a year.

Imagine if that time was fritted away on nice to haves, reading, writing, arithmetic. Useful stuff that produces Einsteins rather than glorified tribal cannibalism useful only in the square km in Wellington.

I despair.
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March 9, 2026 8:26am
- Crafty
  
  To be fair learning a second language when young is extremely good for a growing brain. I’d much prefer another language more useful in the world was taught but don’t write off the benefits of learning a second language. I wish I had when I was young.
  
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  March 9, 2026 9:39am
- AitchW
  
  School generally run from 9 to 3 with a 30 minute morning break and an hour for lunch.
  That’s 4.5 hours in the classroom.
  12.5 hours/ week is 2.5 hours a day on te reo leaving 2 hours for the 3 rs and other subjects.
  Surely this can’t be happening? Maybe in kura but not mainstream schools….
  
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  March 9, 2026 10:44am
  - Paulus
    
    Many now of mainstream schools are being used just like the Kura near us, built as a replacement for an older primary, and on first day became a Kura.
    
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    March 9, 2026 2:35pm
- rouppe
  
  Yes I heard that too.
  
  Yet the teachers unions are screaming about having to teach English 5 hours a week.
  
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  March 9, 2026 1:47pm
peterwn

So a Christchurch couple has had a council ‘flood warning’ removed from their land title after MBIE decided after commissioning alternative advice that it is not warranted. Their house is a ‘new build’ following the earthquakes.
That the council has been forced to remove it most probably removes the council being sued if the property did get flooded.
The couples’ concern was that the insurance premiums had greatly increased. Not too sure whether the insurance company will reduce the premiums. This raises the issue of whether a future government might try to ‘level’ premiums so that people with relatively safe houses (on high ground with relatively low earthquake risk) would effectively subsidise people with houses considered ‘vulnerable’.
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March 9, 2026 8:58am
- Master Mariner
  
  I fail how the Councils can be collectively stupid in declaring Climate emergencies and policies to that effect.
  Meanwhile the insurance agencies are smiling with Glee.
  
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  March 9, 2026 9:37am
- imalwaysright
  
  Maybe we will end up using the model applied to Tornado alley in America where they buy a dollar value of insurance rather than insure for replacement.
  
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  March 9, 2026 9:57am
- Isobar
  
  This is a crazy story and of course its not for premiums at all, its for values.
  
  For this homeowner, conceling these risks from future buyers helps keep their home value higher.
  
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  March 9, 2026 12:34pm
  - peterwn
    
    But is is still in the LIM although it would not be so noticeable. And that causes issues because home owners do not like that either – an ex-environment judge and a barrister on Kapiti Coast forced the withdrawal of flood maps.
    
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    March 9, 2026 12:59pm
artemisia

Decade mistakenly in a cash fund: ‘Why didn’t the bank contact me?’

A woman who did not realise that her KiwiSaver was mistakenly in a cash fund for more than a decade is taking her complaint to the Banking Ombudsman.

The bank said they followed the rules. The Banking Ombudsman ruling will be interesting if it finds the bank did follow the rules.

Ten years. Financial illiteracy and personal responsibility are both things. No problem to cut some slack to 18 year olds, but the internet doesn’t forget. Including when prospective employers check.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/588996/decade-mistakenly-in-a-cash-fund-why-didn-t-the-bank-contact-me
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March 9, 2026 9:08am
- peterwn
  
  This is where the ‘financial advisor’ rules can backfire. Bank officers are not registered financial advisors and the banks have assessed and set boundaries to their advice. Also one needs to remember the ‘diversified yield fund’ promoted by a firm associated with ANZ some years ago. ANZ staff were told to advise customers with term deposits to switch to this fund for better yields. The fund managers were concerned with the low yields so loaded the fund with sub-prime USA mortgages with predictable consequences. The fund value drooped to 60% of original value and ANZ had no legal option but to make good to the customers ANZ staff steered into this fund.
  
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  March 9, 2026 9:20am
  - Paulus
    
    I believe some Bank Officers are Registered Advisors.
    
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    March 9, 2026 10:58am
    - peterwn
      
      They are probably in the ‘private banking’ department which requires a million or two of assets.
      
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      March 9, 2026 2:28pm
      - imalwaysright
        
        You would think they would share the knowledge with their colleagues wouldn’t you?
        
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        March 9, 2026 4:12pm
- pdm
  
  The biggest flaw when Kiwisaver was introduced was that the Default funds were Conservative thereby inhibiting long term returns.
  
  The default should have been at least balanced which is middle of the road.
  
  To get into a cash fund I suspect that this person may have had it recommended by Bank Staff because they perceived her to be very `risk averse’.
  
  Poor advice, which she at the time accepted, so even being naive as an investor she is probably as much at fault as the Bank.
  
  Perhaps her biggest mistake was in having her Kiwisaver with a bank because after 23 years in the Financial Services industry I would not want my Kiwisaver or Unit Trust investment in any funds run by any of the banks.
  
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  March 9, 2026 9:25am
  - RoboRob
    
    My KS isn’t with a bank but some of the bank funds do pretty well. Whats your issue with the banks? Is it the highish fees, poor investment skills, conflicts of interest or something else?
    
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    March 9, 2026 9:40am
  - Graeme Hall
    
    Shortly after Kiwisaver was implemented we had the Helen Clark/Cullen recession (they spent everything) followed by the Global Financial Recession and a cash fund was a safe(ish) place to be so initially it was good advice. The problem was never shifting to a growth fund when the economy was picking up.
    
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    March 9, 2026 10:56am
    - peterwn
      
      Looks like Kiwi voters may vote (egged on by the media) for a NZ recession in November.
      
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      March 9, 2026 1:02pm
- RoboRob
  
  ‘She said even if she was given information noting she was in a cash fund, she would not have known what that meant. “I just thought our verbal discussion was enough to know that she had my best interests at heart and I was signing there because I felt like she was basically trying to help me out.”‘
  
  Lots of people at the banks do care about customers and make suggestions they think are appropriate. By the sounds of it, it is quite possible the original staff member thought cash might be the best option for this person. They are not financial advisors and will tell you that.
  
  After ten years of statements with the ‘check your fund is the right one’ meesage on them, it is pretty rich for this person to be blaming the bank. If she is brain damaged (as implied) and not good with money, sheshould have had someone help them with this stuff. Clearly someone, advised them to increase contributions from 3 to 6%. Perhaps they should have talked to them.
  
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  March 9, 2026 9:33am
  - In Vino Veritas
    
    It’s her job to decide what risk she is prepared to take, banged on the head or not, not the bank’s job. If she is that impaired, she would have had someone with her. And it’s not for the bank to decide how impaired she is if it is not immediately obvious. And you can bet that she had the cash fund explained to her, single mother with a windfall payment, who doesn’t want to put any at undue risk.
    If the bank had put her in a fund where her money had gone down over the 10 years you can bet that the story would still be about her by RNZ.
    Stupid people generally beget stupid outcomes.
    
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    March 9, 2026 10:07am
- Apteryx
  
  Use of the word ‘mistakenly’ spins the article. Whose mistake? An innocent one by the saver or a foolish one by the bank?
  
  She was 14, rather than 16, when she had the car accident according to her book:
  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8660790-as-one
  
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  March 9, 2026 12:29pm
KH

It’s fatuous for Gulf States to protest Iran throwing missiles at them. And it’s the measure of our media they present that message in the same way.
What is really happening is Iran is targeting USA bases in those countries. Even if you detest Iran, do you demand they don’t fire back at those bases? Well they demand just that, as USA bombers take off from bases in those countries.
If you don’t like being fired at, don’t host the bases.
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March 9, 2026 9:12am
- RoboRob
  
  Sure. If you host a US base be aware that base could be attacked. However some of the missiles were targeted at non US targets, hotels and hirports etc
  
  I suspect qatar, good friends of the Iranians, were very surprised to be recieving missiles.
  
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  March 9, 2026 9:36am
  - imalwaysright
    
    They would be surprised, if they assumed it was Iran who sent them.
    
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    March 9, 2026 9:45am
  - Master Mariner
    
    “I suspect qatar, good friends of the Iranians, were very surprised to be recieving missiles.”
    
    I think all Gulf states are surprised. Huge US base in Qatar to the West of Doha.
    No more a friend or foe than other Gulf states apart from sharing oil/gas fields etc.
    FWIW the US / Israeli’s both requested they host Hamas senior leaders in Qatar if that was your line of thought?
    
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    March 9, 2026 10:02am
    - imalwaysright
      
      Spot on Mariner
      
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      March 9, 2026 11:50am
  - Im Right
    
    Meh..no love lost….Iran is the Middle East playground bully, they have at one time or another (since 1979) bullied every country in their surrounding area, their obsession with destroying Israel and a theocratic regime has ensured the surrounding countries may voice opposition to what is happening to Iran, but I don’t doubt the leaders/populations of these other ME countries are happy behind closed doors.
    
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    March 9, 2026 10:06am
  - Drone
    
    But we’re they actually Iranian missiles..
    
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    March 9, 2026 10:32am
  - KH
    
    We tolerate collateral damage, like bombs on a tent city in Gaza, or 180 school girls in Iran.
    When Israel sends 200 war planes to bomb Iran you have to expect return missiles into the Israeli embassy in Dubai.
    Which was in a highrise multi tenanted building downtown.
    
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    March 9, 2026 11:18am
Gravelroad

On the radio news this morning there was a report about the great increase in the number of school students, at all levels, learning Te Reo.
Fabulous. Hundreds and thousands can now speak and/or read it.
But why? What is the point of it?
I would say the same thing about my learning of French and German at secondary school many years ago.
I don’t speak or read it now.
When I went to France it didn’t come up much. Didn’t go to Germany, so ditto.
Learning a different language at school used to be a matter of choice.
Now it is state mandated.
Why should kids be obliged to learn Te Reo?
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March 9, 2026 9:48am
- Cassandra
  
  It’s probably quite helpful in the job market. Reading the Clerk of the House’s drivel a few weeks of Manglish could be worth a bonus.
  
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  March 9, 2026 9:58am
  - Gravelroad
    
    So what you are saying is that if primary and secondary school students today do not learn to speak and read the Maori language, their future employment opportunities will be negatively impacted?
    That is discrimination.
    
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    March 9, 2026 10:03am
    - surfing
      
      Which is why people are fleeing to Australia.
      
      Racism is part of government by design.
      
      My child just learned in 3rd year law, that you can’t mix water from different rivers and doing so will make people damaged.
      
      Why is this factually wrong nonsense being taught in 3rd year law? If you want to learn law, go overseas!
      
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      March 9, 2026 10:18am
  - cmm (semi-retired edition)
    
    I think Cassandra is stating reality, not a desire.
    
    Yes, it is discrimination but I doubt Cassandra is endorsing it.
    
    But that’s the problem with this official language status of Maori. People can demand to speak Maori because it is an official language and demand to be served in it.
    
    The major “principle” of the Treaty is surely that Maori became British subjects to get the advantages of being British. That surely means learning, and communicating, in English for one.
    
    Maori culture and language are fine to learn, but keep them at the cultural interest level – along with Morris dancing and playing the bagpipes.
    
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    March 9, 2026 10:29am
    - imalwaysright
      
      Unfortunately New Zealanders are complacent and compliant.
      Can’t be bothered arguing, just say yeah nah, or if you’re not sure, just say whatever..
      
      8 2
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      March 9, 2026 12:11pm
      - cmm (semi-retired edition)
        
        It is what we have become through laziness (or some might say efficiency).
        
        The whole purpose of emotion is to cause immediate reactions without the need for that pesky thinking stuff. Don’t think, just act.
        
        The knee-jerk reaction to a well constructed explanation is that people don’t like what it says – not that they can find any coherent fault with the logic.
        
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        March 9, 2026 3:40pm
    - Cassandra
      
      cmm: Totally correct!
      
      2 2
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      March 9, 2026 3:05pm
  - imalwaysright
    
    “Reading the Clerk of the House’s drivel a few weeks of Manglish could be worth a bonus.”
    
    What?
    
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    March 9, 2026 3:51pm
- In Vino Veritas
  
  LOL Gravel, when it is rammed down their throats from primary school onwards, of course the numbers of semi-speakers will go up. If the schools stopped using Maori altogether, the onus would go on Maori to learn themselves, rather than have the whities save their language for them.
  
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  March 9, 2026 10:10am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  But why? What is the point of it?
  
  I suspect the point of it is much the same as when I had to endure 3 years of French and 2 years of Latin…
  
  It keeps some Language teachers employed in a relatively cushy job.
  
  14 4
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  March 9, 2026 10:49am
  - mogg
    
    My wife did the same languages. When she left school along with a few other young girls in her office, they would chat on the phone to some boys who they could see working in an office over the road. They would try to ask her out on a date, she had great fun saying “I only speak French and make out she couldn’t understand “. Then the sign language would start.
    
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    March 9, 2026 2:55pm
  - greybeard
    
    I took Latin for 2 years, and French for 7 ( 1 at Uni ).
    I still read a bit of French these days. Both have been valuable in reading and understanding the English language. And crosswords.
    
    8 0
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    March 9, 2026 3:58pm
- Paulus
  
  Cos the peole who run this Country have told them yo.
  But where will that get them a job ?
  Public Service I expect as they will make vacancies for them.
  
  4 3
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  March 9, 2026 2:40pm
sungsamning

Cuba’s 1902 Constitution, as well as in the US the Platt Amendment to the Army Appropriations Act, set out eight milestones for Cuba to achieve to become fully independent. Full independence was achieved in 1934, with a Treaty between the US and Cuba establishing such. [Cuba has many problems. Virtually no oil. Failing infrastructure, an economy on the brink, and a possible humanitarian crisis. There are solutions. They’re not easy, quick, or cheap though. China and Russia won’t help. There are some solutions though. A deal with the US like Venezeula has. Independence retained. An FTA with the USA. Dollarization and a lifting of the trade embargo. A foreign aid package would be needed to bring its infrastructure up to scratch. Would American/Cubans help? ]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fXAfDSNGg0
Cuba the next 51st state? My thoughts.
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March 9, 2026 9:49am
- kowtow
  
  All’s possible , as long as the Mob get their casinos back.
  
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  March 9, 2026 1:07pm
sungsamning

For decades, many experts believed China’s space program was decades behind the United States and Russia. But over the past few years, something extraordinary has happened. China has quietly achieved a series of historic lunar milestones that shocked the global space community. [When they did an earth orbit in 2008; I thought: “Wow, I rremember this dejavu from last time, circa 1961”. Credit where its dues. they landed on the dark side. Figured out the communication problem, and made some new discoveries.]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O3u17eIpDY
How Did We Underestimate China’s Moon Program This Badly.
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March 9, 2026 9:49am
- artemisia
  
  There are other areas where China is quietly moving forward. Quiet but fast. Just a couple of examples. China’s universities are quietly but quickly rising up the global uni rankings. That means others are falling …. Meanwhile the smart and highly educated are probably not teaching basket weaving.
  
  Then China is exploring possible new sources of in demand raw materials. Like the agreement with the Cooks for seabed mineral research and exploration. Probably not followed by filing the research in the bottom drawer.
  
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  March 9, 2026 12:59pm
  - sungsamning
    
    I’m not surprised. What a difference non woke, technocratic leadership makes.
    
    4 4
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    March 9, 2026 1:24pm
David Garrett

To Wandering Star: Yesterday you confirmed that you “agree with David Irving” regarding the holocaust.

But just to be clear, are you agreeing with the David Irving of 20 years ago – his position then was that the holocaust happened, but far fewer than six million Jews and others were killed – or do you agree with Irving’s position today, that the holocaust never happened at all?

I’m sure other readers would be as interested as I am regarding which Irving you agree with.
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March 9, 2026 10:15am
- imalwaysright
  
  You both have great arguments. Worth the price of admission and more.
  
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  March 9, 2026 12:14pm
  - David Garrett
    
    You think?
    
    WS’s “argument” is pretty much as follows:
    
    1. No written evidence exists of Hitler ordering or approving of the holocaust (just hours of vitriol in dozens of speeches blaming the Jews for all of Germany’s woes)
    
    2. There are no traces of cyanide in the plaster walls of the extermination camps – which is hardly surprising, since most of them were destroyed at the end of the war, but rebuilt as they were as monuments.
    
    3. David Irving says the holocaust never happened
    
    vs
    1. Testimony of literally hundreds of survivors of the camps;
    
    2. The testimony of American and Soviet soldiers who liberated the camps;
    
    3. The findings of the Nuremberg trials
    
    4. Extensive contemporary film footage of gas chambers and crematoria.
    
    5. The admission by all German governments since the war that the holocaust happened, and that around six million people were murdered during it
    
    etc. etc.
    
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    March 9, 2026 1:44pm
    - In Vino Veritas
      
      Seems conclusive enough to me David. It never ceases to amaze the number of people who seem entirely rational that suddenly become wearers of tinfoil hats. With little aerials on them….
      
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      March 9, 2026 2:20pm
    - imalwaysright
      
      DG
      WS
      He states facts and opinions and doesn’t rely on ‘feelz.
      It is hard to rebut someone with a broader knowledge of the subject at hand.
      
      1 3
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      March 9, 2026 3:58pm
- Wandering Star
  
  “I’m sure other readers would be as interested as I am regarding which Irving you agree with.”
  
  I think I made myself clear yesterday, and every other day I’ve commented on this and related topics, in fact on any topic at all.
  
  However, it’s odd you think that “other readers would be interested” if I agree with David Irving. Why? The obvious subtext here is that you assume readers would be (in fact, must be) shocked and appalled if someone (i.e. me) has a differing opinion to the “acceptable” view on this topic – why should anyone care about this?
  
  Doesn’t it suggest the fragility and the fallibility of the “official” narrative (in this as well as similar instances) when people instinctively start to panic and think they can demand an explanation accountability (and in Irving’s case, punishment) if someone dares to express a different view to the one we are conditioned to have?
  
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  March 9, 2026 6:27pm
- MCōs
  
  I don’t care what Messrs. Star and Irving say I’m convinced in my mind about what happened and it wasn’t pretty
  
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  March 9, 2026 6:31pm
  - MCōs
    
    I was discussing the topic with my Croatian mate one day. He agreed that about six million Jews had been murdered by the Germans and others before and during WWII, but he reminded me that about twenty million Slavs had also died.
    As he pointed out Hollywood and various other organizations make sure we don’t forget about the holocaust, but not so about the slaughter of the Slavs.
    
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    March 9, 2026 7:05pm
Maggy Wassilieff

Bryce Edwards pulls back the curtain on the political pollsters…..

https://www.democracyproject.org.nz/p/democracy-briefing-the-hidden-politics
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March 9, 2026 10:53am
- Graeme Hall
  
  Good article that untangles many of the political connections polling companies have hidden. It does miss one though, the author himself is hardly politically independent and leans/points Left. Even the title of his project “democracyproject” is deliberately misleading as it suggests he cares deeply about promoting democracy when he supports an ideology that is all about heading towards a one-party state. No young person should ever attend one of his courses hoping to get educated.
  
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  March 9, 2026 11:11am
  - In Vino Veritas
    
    Graeme, Edwards has reinvented himself as a “neutral” commentator. Early on, he was hard left. And of course very few took any notice of him. Now he gets all sorts of gigs posing as someone in the middle.
    
    8 2
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    March 9, 2026 2:21pm
- RoboRob
  
  Pretty decent write up and well worth a read. Whilst he does point to potential issues with Curia, especially national bias, it is hard to see why Curia would do a ‘dodgy’ poll to get Luxon / National. If anything you would expect them to try and improve the results. Unless, and this is real conspiracy theory here, the TPU and / or Curia are out to remove Luxon. Certainly the TPU hasn’t been afraid to hold the coalition to account.
  
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  March 9, 2026 11:12am
  - greybeard
    
    I have no idea what the questions were in that latest Curia poll, but I bet that if another group of people were to be asked them then the results would not be the same as the last lot. In fact, that would be an interesting exercise: put the same questions to ,say, 5 different groups of 1000 respondents each and compare the results.
    
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    March 9, 2026 12:13pm
- imalwaysright
  
  Why don’t pollsters all ask the same questions?
  
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  March 9, 2026 11:54am
Ian

“Climate Liberation Aotearoa and Extinction Rebellion Ōtepoti activists protest the dangers of “luxury emissions” on the environment outside Armstrong Prestige car dealership in Dunedin at the weekend.” Eight people holding up a banner – “End Luxury Emissions.” Unlike previous protests, this time they were highlighting the harm caused by high-emission vehicles such as SUVs and luxury models, which could emit three or four times the amount of carbon per kilometre than a more economical petrol vehicle, Ms Olsen said – what, are they endorsing economic petrol vehicles? Thought they were entirely against fossil fuels, no matter what. Meanwhile, in a Swiss referendum, a proposal to set up a climate fund to combat global warming was voted down by 70% of the voters…
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March 9, 2026 11:08am
- rouppe
  
  When will you learn…
  
  First they come for the SUV’s and luxury models (though blowed if I know what will tow my 3T caravan then).
  
  THEN they come for the other vehicles.
  
  It’s like the Greens tax policy. They got ird to do a study of people worth $100 million plus in assets and how much tax they pay on an annual basis. THEN based on that they come out with a policy that goes after everyone with $2 million of assets.
  
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  March 9, 2026 5:54pm
Yvette

Just in passing

Iran’s new leader Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei is a son of the recently killed supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and has been an influential figure in the shadows of power, coordinating military and intelligence operations at his father’s office. He is known to have very close ties to the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and was considered their favored candidate. –NYT

If data processed from Israel’s penetration of Tehran’s traffic camera system allowed their initial strike to take out supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and so many high officials (said to number close to 28) why was son Mojtaba Khamenei not killed in the same strike?
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March 9, 2026 11:22am
- Don Beckett
  
  Maybe because he wasn’t there ?
  
  10 3
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  March 9, 2026 12:36pm
  - David Garrett
    
    Don: perhaps he was with one of his “temporary wives”…
    
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    March 9, 2026 1:05pm
    - Maggy Wassilieff
      
      His wife was killed along with his father.
      
      https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/who-was-zahra-haddad-adel-wife-of-irans-likely-supreme-leader-mojtaba-khamenei-killed-in-strikes-ayatollah-ali-khamenei-11175786
      
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      March 9, 2026 1:38pm
      - David Garrett
        
        Maggy: In that case he probably WAS with another wife! (He’s allowed as many as he can support)
        
        9 3
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        March 9, 2026 1:51pm
      - Taieri
        
        He’s allowed as many as he can support
        ————
        
        Up to four.
        
        Most of Iranians have just one though.
        
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        March 9, 2026 2:43pm
      - Libertarians are right
        
        David – by “temporary wives” I thought you were talking about pre teen boys.
        
        5 1
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        March 9, 2026 3:03pm
      - MCōs
        
        Who does this allowing you speak of?
        Not the principal wife I’m picking.
        The king of Thailand is married to his 4th wife, has a concubine plus a harem of about thirty young girls and there’s nothing anyone dare do about it.
        
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        March 9, 2026 5:17pm
Fender

There are those that are saying Iran is actually controlling this war and is far from losing.
Its hard to believe who actually is telling the truth about what’s been hit etc but I suspect Trumps call to Starmer that they have won is a little premature. A bit like the two different accounts of how the bombings were successful and took away the nuclear threat.
It would appear that alot of countries that took American bases as security have now seen a heavily imbargoed country go toe to toe with America and are perhaps wondering if they are still needed
Interesting video with plausibility even if you disagree

https://youtu.be/G-zfo7ZJl8Q?si=MYy6aBKmetAITpLw
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March 9, 2026 12:33pm
- MCōs
  
  Iran won’t lose what’s loosely described as ‘the war’ inasmuch as there won’t be a surrender in the conventional sense.
  Who are they going to surrender to?
  There’s no organized opposition for the disenchanted citizens to rally to as far I can determine.
  Who is advising President Trump that he’s on the right path?
  
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  March 9, 2026 5:36pm
NeverMindTheBollocks

Oil shooting past US$100 per barrel.

I expect the petrol companies here will be planning for an uptick in drive offs
10 1
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March 9, 2026 1:02pm
- artemisia
  
  Young petrol head in the fam sold his car, an hour later service station called chasing a drive off. Smart kid changed ownership online right after the sale so could prove he was not the owner at the time.
  
  Ratbag buyer, prob not the first time. Tell your kids.
  
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  March 9, 2026 3:40pm
Hugh Jarse

Stuffs online poll for preferred PM,

Christopher Luxon 39%
Chris Hipkins 29%
Someone else 32%
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March 9, 2026 1:27pm
- David Garrett
  
  Hugh: Not exactly a ringing endorsement of Luxon…
  
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  March 9, 2026 1:52pm
  - Aquarius
    
    But that’s from leftyville………
    
    12 2
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    March 9, 2026 2:04pm
    - RoboRob
      
      Yeah I am stunned that Stuffs left leaning readers would prefer Hipkins. Also, as Mike says below, these polls are worthless and totally open to manipulation. 1 staffer in Luxons office could be sitting there repeatedly voting for him (for example of manipulation)
      
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      March 9, 2026 5:04pm
- mike
  
  Online polls are not worth the paper they are written on.
  
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  March 9, 2026 4:49pm
  - Hugh Jarse
    
    Except when they support the left
    
    5 3
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    March 9, 2026 5:08pm
Charlotte Wells

Here’s a clip I watched today.

It’s more reason to support Israel wiping Hamas from the face of the earth by whatever means possible.

Chilling to hear that on the morning of October 7 the Hamas soldiers were discussing how many girls they needed to take as hostages and saying they had too many and start shooting some.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPBFfuNY0hg
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March 9, 2026 5:32pm

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