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April 2, 2026 8:00am by Kokila Patel

General Debate 02 April 2026

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General Debate

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NeverMindTheBollocks

It turns out that subsidising electric cars is unnecessary. All NZ consumers have to do is to reprioritise their spending.

And, the e-vehicle industry says – thanks, Trumpy!

http://www.carexpert.co.nz/car-news/tesla-model-y-confirmed-as-nzs-best-selling-passenger-car-in-march
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April 2, 2026 8:00am
Cassandra

* Māori are rapists and gang members who murder; Māori prefer gambling, fast food and alcohol over medical care.
* Māori cause most crime and problems for society in New Zealand.
* Māori genetic makeup is to conquer, seeking land, slaves and power. Non-Māori are the perfect tribe to conquer as they have ‘power, money, and land’ and would make excellent slaves.
* Tribal groups are ‘lusting’ for power. New Zealand is at risk of a civil war.

Going a bit far?

Sir Ian Taylor has cancelled his Herald subscription because one of its directors funded the author of the remarks above in a court case.

I agree with Taylor (to the extent that I won’t buy the Herald either) and with the director and the author (although I’d start his list with “Some” or even “A lot of”).
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April 2, 2026 8:02am
- keepcalmcarryon
  
  Ascribing good and bad traits to race is actual racism and that is the road we’ve been driven down by the decolonizers.
  Such comments above- which to me appear racist- are unfortunately what happens when critical race theory splits society as it was intended to. It is a form of Marxism.
  Did anyone boycott covering TPM when they claimed Maori had superior genetics on their website?
  NZ Herald is trash and has been for years.
  
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  April 2, 2026 8:25am
- Tomtoddy
  
  Cass – they are the remarks attributed to Julian Batchelor of Stop Co-governance. But Sir Ian is being naughty. Those remarks do not appear in that form publicly – he has massaged the message to make it seem more negative.
  
  It is worth considering that Māori leaders are always prefacing their remarks with “our people” as though they are one – all of one mind, one direction, one status. Let them, then, take responsibility for their own negative statistics instead of blaming colonialism.
  
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  April 2, 2026 8:38am
  - Flossie
    
    I for one do not like TPM assuming they are speaking for me.
    
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    April 2, 2026 9:19am
  - David Garrett
    
    Tom: It is worth considering that Māori leaders are always prefacing their remarks with “our people” as though they are one – all of one mind, one direction, one status
    
    Yes…but it’s not just Maori who do it: You often see that stupid word “Maoridom” in the media which implies exactly the same thing; which of course is bullshit.
    
    Back in the day I had a (female) Maori friend who got so incensed seeing gang members on the TV that I had to turn it off lest she suffer a conniption.
    
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    April 2, 2026 9:54am
    - pdm
      
      DG I worked for over 3 years with a Maori guy (first cousin to late Maori King) who did the same when he saw gang members gathering in the street or going into the pub next door.
      
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      April 2, 2026 10:08am
- Damocles11
  
  I don’t believe all Maori are gang members and rapists, as demonstrably they are not. No sane person would state or believe such a thing and I don’t believe Julian Batchelor said anything of the sort either. As to whether Maori do commit crime, and make up a disproportionately large portion of the prison population, there is absolutely nothing controversial or contentious about asserting this, as it is incontrovertibly true and backed by hard statistical data.
  Maori did have a society which unquestionably included in its fabric the conquest of land and the enslavement of war captives, and we can add cannibalism into that as well. How these elements would fit into an authentic retribalisation and a return to pre-European values systems has never been articulated by Maori thought leaders.
  Tribal groups are demonstrably seeking more power and control within New Zealand, this is also demonstrably true.
  Where you say a ‘race’ is ‘genetically predisposed’ to something, you get yourself in trouble. But stick to the bald facts and the hard data, and Sir Ian Taylor should find little to quibble with.
  
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  April 2, 2026 8:53am
  - kiwimike
    
    Sorry Sir Ian Taylor is behaving like a prick, cherry picking statements to create that.
    
    i know many salt of the earth Maori who would give you the shirt of their back to help out.
    
    I am also very aware of pre 1840 Maori culture and life as reflected in present day Maori gang life.
    
    scumbags all
    The original 3 Strikes was correct, not this lily livered National tripe.
    
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    April 2, 2026 11:17am
Cassandra

President Trump took to Truth Social to admonish U.S. allies for not helping with the war in Iran. “You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself,” Trump posted. “The U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil! President DJT.”

He said that countries that want jet fuel and other Gulf oil products because the Strait of Hormuz has been blocked must do two things: “Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.”

And now he’s said that he thinking of leaving NATO.

This is a further deterioration in the Trans-Atlantic relationship. Perhaps the impending royal visit will mend things.
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April 2, 2026 8:02am
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  I think plenty of people are counting the days until Trump leaves office.
  
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  April 2, 2026 8:14am
  - David George
    
    How many days is it?
    
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    April 2, 2026 10:12am
    - Ra Henare
      
      David, I think the question should maybe.
      
      How long after the mid terms(November 2nd, 215 days away) and the republican wash in Congress, wIll it take for President Trump to be impeached by both the house and the Senate.
      
      I am skeptical he will last until the next Presidential election November 7th 2028 (950 days).
      
      Here is a thought.
      Trump steps down in favour of JD Vance, who will give Trump a full and unconditional pardon (Think Bidens Pardon for his son) to cover ALL his terms in office.
      
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      April 2, 2026 2:44pm
  - Phronesis
    
    Trump is a symptom not a cause in this case. The US electorate is clearly moving away from support for foreign military involvement of any kind. Mostly due to shifting demographics. By spelling it out to Europe that they will not be able to rely on the US in future Trump is at least giving them a chance to adapt. The only alternative would be to pretend that support will be there in future and then not show up when needed.
    
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    April 2, 2026 10:28am
    - Damocles11
      
      ‘The US is moving away for support for foreign military involvement of any kind.’
      
      Is this the same US that is currently embroiled in a war with Iran?
      
      NATO is a defensive alliance. An attack on one member effectively becomes an attack on all. Iran did not attack the US. The US attacked Iran. What on earth is Trump ranting and raving about?
      
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      April 2, 2026 11:36am
      - Don Beckett
        
        Iran has been attacking the US through it’s proxies for 46 years, and has killed many US citizens at various times & places – along with others of course.
        
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        April 2, 2026 12:55pm
      - David George
        
        You dishonestly altered that comment, those weren’t Trump’s words. You left out that that was an unreferenced opinion on what the “electorate” thought.
        
        Also the Iranian Islamic regime declared and committed war on America, Israel and on the West generally upon it’s inception. Now it’s FAFO time – thank goodness.
        
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        April 2, 2026 1:12pm
      - Ra Henare
        
        Damocles, stand by for all the commenters who will rattle on about Irans being at war for 47 years, since 1979 etc etc etc.
        
        They will rattle on about Iran supporting HAMAS. They will leave out that HAMAS was created by Israel.
        
        That Hezbollah was born by the invasion of Lebanon by the IDF (attempting to eradicate the PLO)
        
        The Houthi (Miliatry Organisation) was born by the US Invasion of Iraq in 2003.
        
        So none of those “Resistance”organisations was created by Iran.
        
        Yes subsequently supported by Iran in attempt to gain Allies.
        
        Remebre that the USA (CIA) supported/supports “Resistance movements”.
        Think
        The Mujahideen (Afghanistan, 1979–1989)
        The Contras (Nicaragua, 1980s):
        UNITA (Angola, 1970s–1980s
        
        So it depends on your point of view as who is better at supporting so called Terrorists. Remember, one mans Terrorist is another mans resistance fighter.
        
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        April 2, 2026 3:01pm
      - rockape
        
        How many people does the IRGC have to kill for it to be an attack ?
        
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        April 2, 2026 7:45pm
- Dudley Quaffquaff
  
  Of course we’d like it better if NATO was being led by a competent, friendly, trustworthy US. That option, however, is not on the table. The rest of NATO and the civilized world needs as a matter of urgency to adjust to the reality that the US is none of those things.
  
  No, the King’s visit will do nothing to ameliorate any of that. Trump has already been honoured more than any other president by the King and by the late Queen and the UK is still being tariffed in the same way as everybody else and singled out as especial targets of his rudeness. Anything he is induced to agree to while the King is there, he will forget the next day and renege on shortly afterwards. I’ve signed a petition asking that the King be spared the painful and pointless ordeal
  
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  April 2, 2026 8:27am
  - Drone
    
    Trump will not be agreeing to anything when the king visits, he will be his usual bellicose self. Get ready for his slagging off Camilla, making crude comments about Andrew and Epstien and generally being unbearable.
    
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    April 2, 2026 9:54am
    - Dudley Quaffquaff
      
      Probably true. So there’s nothing whatsoever to be gained by putting the King and Queen through it
      
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      April 2, 2026 12:18pm
- lastmanstanding
  
  Trump addressing the nation at 2pm today our time. Will be interesting to see what he says. Must be comething big as he usually uses pressers social media.
  
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  April 2, 2026 8:32am
  - Flossie
    
    He may well announce he’s going to do A, but by tomorrow that could have changed to B, or even C.
    
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    April 2, 2026 8:36am
    - Lance
      
      I am sure that attacking Iran without a plan and it turning into a shitshow was all Bidens fault.. the bastard.
      //
      
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      April 2, 2026 9:13am
    - Graeme Hall
      
      To paraphrase Lord Keynes – when the evidence changes I change my mind, don’t you?
      
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      April 2, 2026 9:23am
      - David Garrett
        
        Graeme: That happens to be one of my favourite maxims – but it most definitely does not apply to Trump: he changes his mind and then changes it back again – tariffs are just one example – for no apparent reason, and certainly not in the light of new evidence. In fact he often seems oblivious to evidence of any kind.
        
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        April 2, 2026 10:00am
      - Graeme Hall
        
        David, if you rely on reports on CNN or local media of how Trump spoke or behaved you can be misled. Yesterday RNZ and Newstalk ZB reported that Trump looked unsettled and was rambling and contradicting himself at his press conference. By chance I later watched the same conference and it bore no resemblance to the reports. Trump was calmly sitting at his desk in the Oval Office while the White House Press Core asked questions. Throughout it I thought he spoke slowly and sensibly with the odd jibe and the odd joke. He never looked ruffled and only if someone asked a poorly thought out question did he probe back – such as “Iran has threatened to attack Google, Telsa, and other big American companies what are you going to do?” Trump asked back where the journalist got the information from and how Iran was going to attack these companies and with what? It was clear the questioner had no idea.
        
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        April 2, 2026 2:38pm
  - Damocles11
    
    He’ll be putting the boot onto NATO, perhaps even dissolving it. He needs a scapegoat for the Strait of Hormuz fiasco and US petrol prices being at $4 a gallon. It’s clearly not going to be all his fault is it, MAGA doesn’t work that way: it’s always someone else who is cowardly, incompetent, or ‘dumb as a rock.’
    
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    April 2, 2026 9:02am
    - Taieri
      
      He’ll be putting the boot onto NATO, perhaps even dissolving it
      ———
      
      He can’t “dissolve” NATO or withdraw the US from it as this would require congressional consent. What he can do though is limitation or minimisation of the US participation in the treaty military structures.
      
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      April 2, 2026 10:02am
    - Burtland
      
      petrol is $US5.89/G in California, and only $US3.27/G in Oklahoma
      – like NZ, US gas prices seem to be as much about tax as oil price
      
      considering that the US gets hardly any fuel through Hormuz and there is actually no shortage yet, someone in ‘ the market chain’ is making a killing
      
      https://gasprices.aaa.com/state-gas-price-averages/
      
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      April 2, 2026 10:34am
      - Damocles11
        
        When I see global oil price benchmarks, I don’t see anything about ‘oil thought the Strait of Hormuz’ and ‘oil not through the Strait of Hormuz’, but anyway.
        Bully boy Trump rages against traditional allies, clearly believing they have no cards to play. But it is a global economy and a finely-balanced geopolitical chessboard. Europe and Canada will increasingly pivot away from the US and cement trade deals elsewhere, excluding the US and imposing tariffs of their own. The US will find itself increasingly alone.
        
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        April 2, 2026 11:44am
      - Ra Henare
        
        Needless to say there are different prices for different oils. DONT BELIEVE THE MEDIA, fear mongering.
        
        https://oilprice.com/oil-price-charts/#prices
        
        Example. Today.
        
        WTI Crude (US): Traded at $99.36 (Cushing, Oklahoma)
        Brent Crude (Europe): Priced at $101.94
        Murban Crude (UAE): Listed at $120.84
        Iran Light traded at $112.21,
        
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        April 2, 2026 3:11pm
  - RoboRob
    
    It will be the biggest and best ever in the history of the greatest nation in the world 🙂
    
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    April 2, 2026 9:22am
    - Don Beckett
      
      Indeed. One cannot blame Trump for minimising his lyperbole.
      
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      April 2, 2026 12:59pm
  - septic skeptic
    
    To the tune made famous by the village people 🎤🎤🎤
    
    TACO, TACO MAN, he’s gotta be the TACO MAN!
    
    Sing along folks 😄
    
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    April 2, 2026 9:56am
  - Drone
    
    He basically said nothing, just repeated himself to shore the American Stock Market up…
    
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    April 2, 2026 2:50pm
- Ehlana
  
  It amazing other countries weren’t in at the beginning of a war he didn’t tell them he was planning to start.
  
  And decimated means 90% of Iran is still there.
  
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  April 2, 2026 8:41am
  - RoboRob
    
    I know what you are saying however think about it as if you were mates. I decide to move house and ask my mates to come over and give me a hand. Now I have helped my mates dozens of times, often even paying for movers, so even though I didn’t involve them in my choice to move I still hope that they will show up to give a hand. After all I always have.
    
    Imagine my surprise when my mates say, nah, once you have moved we will come over and have beers at your new place but since you didn’t ask us if you could move we aren’t helping. Even more we are going to criticise you publicly for your decision to move. This is what England (and the rest) are doing. They will only send support after the war is over (and its no longer needed) and they will enjoy the rewards of a new safer middle east.
    
    Now on the flip side I will say that Trump has publicly slagged off his mates prior to this so its also a bit like insulting someone and then asking them for a favor.
    
    I can see both sides of the arguement but personally believe that Europe should help as the results of ending this conflict quickly and favourably are great for the people of Europe. Dragging this out might snub Trump but in doing so you hurt your population too.
    
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    April 2, 2026 9:15am
    - MCōs
      
      I like the analogy BBC correspondent Frank Gardner put forward yesterday of someone going into a pottery shop, smashing everything up and then asking passersby to clean up the mess.
      
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      April 2, 2026 9:36am
      - RoboRob
        
        I thought it was a poor example. Its more like local cops going into a drug manufacturer and smashing it up. Then asking other police departments for assistence to help clean up.
        
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        April 2, 2026 9:51am
      - David George
        
        Did Frank mention that it’s the Islamist regime that have been attacking internationally flagged merchant shipping, just as they and their proxies have done before this war even started.
        The inaction of western appeasers then is why we are were we are now.
        
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        April 2, 2026 9:55am
      - MCōs
        
        Except that the smashing up hasn’t had the desired effect
        The gang is still in place and more dangerous than ever
        
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        April 2, 2026 10:53am
      - David George
        
        MCos:
        “The gang is still in place and more dangerous than ever”
        So the Iranian Islamic regime, with enriched uranium, a Navy, an Air Force, and missiles was less dangerous than one without?
        How does that work?
        
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        April 2, 2026 11:06am
      - kiwimike
        
        what a silly post.
        they’ve got no navy air force and minimal missiles.
        they are open to attack from everyone.
        
        Trump was a fool got not destroying every bridge, railway junction, power plant, in the first 7 days too.
        
        the real Persians will have understood.
        
        now about those Iraqi militias brought in to massacre the people?
        
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        April 2, 2026 11:24am
    - Taieri
      
      I decide to move house and ask my mates to come over and give me a hand.
      ————–
      
      NATO is not an assembly of “mates”. It is a defensive pact and there’s a formal procedure, involving activation of the Article 5, which commits members to the collective defence. Activation of the Article 5 requires unanimous decision of all members. The Article 5 was invoked only once in 2001.
      
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      April 2, 2026 10:09am
    - KH
      
      Robo
      The more accurate example is you ask your mates to shift your household stuff to the middle east.
      And then you find they can’t and you get hissy.
      
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      April 2, 2026 11:23am
    - Interested Party
      
      Yeah that’s my thinking on the subject – well said. What many don’t appreciate is Trump is thinking on many levels. There’s Iran (his attitude is the same today, as he has stated in interviews over decades), but there’s a world order realignment happening, he’s pushing it along in his usual style, from a position of strength, rather than a gradual decline of the west. The world history of regional and global power plays.is the same as it’s always been, recently we have had a relatively chill period, it’s now heating up. One just needs to look at the history of the British empire, and how they maintained power. Post WW2, the world needed the US to push against the Soviets, and this also enabled globalisation to occur under their security umbrella. Trump and the American First crowd, are now saying we can’t afford to underwrite the world order anymore, Europe you start pulling finger in your region, we (the US) have a global geopolitical strategy to implement
      
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      April 2, 2026 12:09pm
      - Drone
        
        So if you can’t afford to underwrite the security of the world pull all your troops and planes and nukes out of European countries and let them get on with their own lives..
        
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        April 2, 2026 2:47pm
    - Ehlana
      
      While it’s true we don’t know what was said behind the scenes, I haven’t heard any claim that the allies were actually told of a specific intention to start hostilities.
      If I don’t know your moving house, I can’t turn up to help.
      
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      April 2, 2026 1:08pm
      - Charlotte Wells
        
        Do you think the US could trust telling any of the NATO crowd their intentions?
        
        If they couldn’t figure out what was about to happen based on the movemnts of US forces then they are either wilfully blind or totally stupid.
        
        On this very blog I predicted, to the day, when the attacks would start.
        
        They went in during the daytime to nail that leadership group. I had them down for that evening.
        
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        April 2, 2026 1:30pm
      - Taieri
        
        On this very blog I predicted, to the day, when the attacks would start.
        ———-
        
        But then again, you have an insider’s knowledge…
        
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        April 2, 2026 3:41pm
    - Paulus
      
      Goes back as far as recently the finalisation World War II whereby Germany would not have lost as without the USA we would all be speaking German or Russian.
      
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      April 2, 2026 2:58pm
      - R
        
        OR in NZ ……JAPANESE !! …..arrrh so.
        
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        April 2, 2026 7:38pm
    - Ra Henare
      
      Now consider you ask your mates to help you move house why you are being hasttled (because you pissed them off) by Mongrel mob AND Black power.
      
      You think they would rushh over????
      
      Another small fact (Why Europe wouldnt get involved)
      
      in 2025 only about 4% to 7% of the crude oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz was destined for Europe. Specifically, Iranian shipments directly to the European Union were negligible
      
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      April 2, 2026 3:15pm
  - David George
    
    We don’t know all what was discussed or revealed with the (former?) allies – a lot of that is not in the public realm.
    Regardless, the threat of a military response was definitely made prior to, and during, the “negotiations”.
    The Islamists and their Western appeaser governments assumed it was a bluff, a continuation of the pathetic and totally ignored “condemnation” that has allowed this toxic regime to continue.
    They were wrong.
    
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    April 2, 2026 9:32am
    - Burtland
      
      add to that, Western appeaser media – the BBC have no balance at all
      
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      April 2, 2026 10:53am
    - KH
      
      DG:
      Different version. The Yanks pretended to negotiate, and then bombed in the middle of that.
      
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      April 2, 2026 11:24am
  - David Garrett
    
    Ehlana: I don’t think English was Trump’s best subject at school – he of course would have called it “American”…
    
    In Europe 100 years ago I actually heard a Yank ask a Spaniard if he “spoke American”
    
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    April 2, 2026 10:03am
    - RoboRob
      
      In Thailand we were on a tour with some Americans. While seated for our meal an American said ‘is this food safe for Americans?’ (in a really strong southern accent). I was young and even more obnoxious and said ‘no, its specially poisoned to harm Americans’. This did not go down well.
      
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      April 2, 2026 10:26am
    - Paulus
      
      Well Trump’s mother was a Scottish Lady from the Isles.
      
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      April 2, 2026 3:00pm
    - Ra Henare
      
      In Europe 100 years ago I actually heard a Yank
      
      Didnt realise David that you were that old!!!!
      
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      April 2, 2026 3:17pm
  - David George
    
    No Ethlana, “decimated” is rarely used in it’s historic or original meaning.
    “Decimated means to drastically reduce in number or to cause great destruction or harm to something. Originally, it referred to the practice of killing every tenth member of a military unit in ancient Rome”
    Mirriam-Webster
    
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    April 2, 2026 11:28am
- BarryB
  
  In many respects some of what Trump has done in this term is/was well overdue. A good kicking of NATO was due years ago, and telling the EU that if they think Hate Speech is their biggest challenge then they are dreaming. What he hasnt yet said is that Europes really big problem is the growing numbers of Muslims. Its the reason that The UK and Spain and France and maybe others have refused to get involved in the current conflict. I think Trump has every reason to tell them to “get their own oil”
  Of course the really big elephant in the room is the enriched Uranium that Iran has. They dont have to make a bomb – all they have to do is slap a few kilos of it to each drone and fire them around the other states in the area and the whole area suddenly becomes uninhabitable – and then no-one will be getting middle east oil.
  
  In the long run Trumps attempt to bring the Iranians to heel will be seen as a move that only the US could do – and if highly radioactive Uranium is broadcast around the area then there will be lots of blame to spread around.
  
  Trump might come across as a blundering idiot but the shake up of NATO and a few insults to the EU are good. What the world seems to be ignoring at this stage is that the Iranians are lunatics and they have no idea of limiting the damage they want to do. If they are not stopped they will build a nuclear bomb and they will use it against Israel – and then all bets are off.
  
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  April 2, 2026 8:51am
  - Paulus
    
    Think of all the European Committees and staff who could lose their very cushy number if they have to think and pay forthemselves.
    The German ex failed German Defence Minister, as EU President, may well not be able to have her hairdresser along with her all the time in case somebody talks to her.
    
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    April 2, 2026 3:04pm
- Damocles11
  
  ‘Perhaps the impending royal visit will mend things.’ lol.
  
  The US hasn’t done much if any fighting, just launched bombs and missiles, largely from distance. Most of Irans airforce and air defences were ‘totally obliterated’ early in the operation so a lot of the missile launching (‘fighting’) has been at the level of a training exercise, albeit involving real-world missiles with real-world consequences for those on the receiving end. What is also ‘real world’ is the enormous costs to US taxpayers of all those missiles and bombs.
  The US has so far been too timid to put any boots on the ground, so there has been no actual ‘fighting’.
  
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  April 2, 2026 9:00am
  - RoboRob
    
    ‘The US has so far been too timid to put any boots on the ground, so there has been no actual ‘fighting’.’
    
    Thats not fair, they haven’t been timid. Trump is well aware the US population has almost zero support for boots on the ground. Also, they have not yet needed to have boots on the ground.
    
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    April 2, 2026 9:37am
    - imalwaysright
      
      Nettanyahu is the problem. He lost a lot of support because of Gaza and isn’t generally trusted.
      Even the majority of his own country don’t trust him, asking the rest of the world to fall in behind him is too big an ask.
      
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      April 2, 2026 9:47am
      - Interested Party
        
        They may not fully like him, but the Israel population is fully supportive of his (and their cabinet) actions with Gaza and Iran.
        
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        April 2, 2026 12:15pm
      - MCōs
        
        From what I understand the attack on Iran is extremely popular in Israel, but Netanyahu isn’t , which seems a paradox, but there you are.
        
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        April 2, 2026 2:50pm
    - Drone
      
      The American public have zero support for this war.
      
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      April 2, 2026 9:59am
      - Charlotte Wells
        
        Prove that statement if you can.
        
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        April 2, 2026 1:33pm
      - Ra Henare
        
        Its Hyperbole Charlotte. (Popular in A merica)
        [Mod -deleted]
        One poll said
        Nearly 90% want an immediate end to military action.
        
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        April 2, 2026 3:26pm
      - MCōs
        
        I watched President Trump’s bombastic speech a couple of hours ago followed by comments by a variety of pros, one of whom said that most rural Americans were not interested in the Middle East, but were dismayed at rising gas prices and fertilizer
        
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        April 2, 2026 4:01pm
  - David George
    
    Apart from the missiles the Islamist’s air defenses were largely destroyed in the twelve day war, that gave the freedom coalition free reign to bomb military targets – missile arsenals, air fields, aircraft, the Iranian navy and the gatherings of leaders. Those bunker buster bombs are the only effective weapon for underground silos.
    It doesn’t make sense to put “boots on the ground” until the enemy’s offensive capability has been largely incapacitated. We are only now at that stage.
    
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    April 2, 2026 9:48am
    - Charlotte Wells
      
      My money is that there are already US troops within Iran.
      
      Special forces and ‘advisors’ will be there.
      
      Regular forces will move in when the battlefield has been properly prepared.
      
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      April 2, 2026 1:35pm
      - Don Beckett
        
        There may not be Americans, but you can bet your boots there will be one or two small clandestine Israeli cohorts in there, working with Persians & Mossad pinpointing any strategic necessities.
        
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        April 2, 2026 2:10pm
      - David George
        
        Yes Chalotte.
        There are several courageous clandestine groups preparing for the overthrow – Price Reza’s “Immortal Guard”, Mossad and US operatives, Kurdish fighters, police and military deserters and ordinary Iranians gathering arms and recruiting support.
        We don’t know what level of cooperation there is but I suspect the tipping point to armed uprising is not far off.
        
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        April 2, 2026 3:03pm
      - Ra Henare
        
        Finally Charlotte we can agree on something. 🙂
        
        The US already has “”troops”” on the ground in Iran (CIA contractors, usually seconded from the military or retired US Military).
        
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        April 2, 2026 3:28pm
- G152
  
  So the US flake is claiming stupid again.
  Should we remind him that we have fought in to many wars for to little gain while the US profited.
  And the American lack of success in all the latest mini wars they have provoked.
  Shut the borders
  
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  April 2, 2026 9:23am
- Tom Hunter
  
  Amidst all the usual hair-on-fire stuff caused by Trump’s comments people seem to have forgotten, if they ever were aware, of a little thing published back in November 2025 called the US National Security Strategy.
  
  Because if they had looked at it, and it’s only 29 pages, none of what’s happening now would surprise them, at least with regard to Europe.
  
  As I put it in my post on the subject, Dear Euros: It’s Worse Than You Think, the key takeaways from it are these:
  
  – Europe is now only 3rd on the US strategic priority list, behind the Western Hemisphere (#1) and Indo-Pacific (#2)
  – The EU has gone from 25% of global GDP in 1990 to 14% now, and falling.
  – The western part of the continent is slowly being overwhelmed by immigrants who are not assimiliating, especially Muslims from the developing world.
  – In short, the US thinks that in 20 years time at a minimim, the EU will not be capable of being a reliable partner on anything: diplomatic, economic or military.
  – They’re already looking for more reliable partners: Japan, SE Asian nations, India, and now even the Gulf States.
  
  Here’s the phrase that should have put the wind up the Euros…
  “This economic decline is eclipsed by the real and more stark prospect of civilizational erasure.”
  
  People may say that this is just Trump and the winds will change direction with a Democrat Presideent in the future, possibly as early as 2028, but I don’t think those people understand that a degree of bi-partisanship on this thinking has already been shown by the lack of any real kickback to this from the Democrats or voices inside the D.C. “Blob”.
  
  And regarding the denizens of Kiwiblog, how many of you have said much the same of the EU in the recent past?
  
  It’s like the tariffs of Trump 1.0: once Biden came to power he quietly kept them. My bet is that a future Democrat President will do the same with the 2025 NSS.
  
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  April 2, 2026 11:00am
  - Charlotte Wells
    
    You have 6 downticks from those that won’t comprehend reality.
    
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    April 2, 2026 1:37pm
  - David George
    
    Thanks Tom,
    I think we’re in an actual civilisational war, a war that the likes of the pathetic weasel Starmer & Co refuse to see.
    He’s so in thrall to the Muslims he even refuses to act on the rape of a hundred thousand British schoolgirls. Utterly disgusting capitulation to the worst of humanity.
    
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    April 2, 2026 3:10pm
    - Ra Henare
      
      Rape of a hundred thousand British School girls…
      .
      And there, I thought Trump was great at exageration.
      
      You beat him hands down.
      
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      April 2, 2026 3:31pm
    - Charlotte Wells
      
      Spain has fallen to the Moors.
      
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      April 2, 2026 4:32pm
- Handyman
  
  Doing nothing was bad enough, but refusing to allow US jets to fly across NATO airspace is not the behaviour of a good ally. Trump is right to be peeved.
  The UK, France and Germany are pandering to their voter base.
  
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  April 2, 2026 2:25pm
  - Taieri
    
    The UK, France and Germany are pandering to their voter base.
    ———–
    
    That’s who elected their governments. Should they pander to Trump instead?
    
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    April 2, 2026 6:39pm
Philview

The Roy Morgan poll yesterday had National on 26%. They are competent so I really don’t understand why swing voters are polling a move to Labour. What motivates a typical swing voter? What do they see in Chris Hipkins that makes swing voters think he could do better?
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April 2, 2026 8:10am
- RoboRob
  
  Have a listen to the interview I posted a link too with HDPA. Then you will see why National voters are fleeing to NZF and ACT. You will see why middle voters are returning to Labour.
  
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  April 2, 2026 9:38am
  - Dougal10
    
    Luxon has left the wet woke “experienced” ministers from his party in positions too long , he should have done a full reshuffle 8 months ago , then his rma and other reforms may have worked , but instead people who will simply retire from politics if they lose in November have been sitting back cruising and collecting their pay.
    
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    April 2, 2026 10:29am
- Phronesis
  
  I maintain that NZ politics is less about left and right and more about leadership. Elections are popularity contests not policy contests.
  
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  April 2, 2026 10:09am
  - MCōs
    
    This particular won’t be a battle of the bland as you predict.
    It’ll be battle of the back pocket, which National most certainly is not winning and there’s not much indication Labour is doing much better
    The lower half of the population is paying more for everything and can’t afford the pressure
    A lot of people rearrange priorities. One can hardly grizzle about to the price of mince and then fly to Queenstown for a spot of skiing.
    Someone needs to come up with innovative policies to enable people to keep costs down
    
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    April 2, 2026 3:18pm
    - MCōs
      
      In the meantime while at least a good proportion of the people are hurting our not exactly impoverished leaders could take a leaf from this chaps book
      https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWAMWLmjF2r/?igsh=N3FydXkxaGt2a2Fs
      
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      April 2, 2026 5:45pm
  - Jack5
    
    Phronesis’s “… NZ politics is .. more about leadership.”
    
    But does coalition government, which MMP overwhelmingly leads to, need a special kind of leadership? More like chairman of the board, or horse-team driver?
    
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    April 2, 2026 3:48pm
- The Boss
  
  The first thing I nowadays look for when any poll is released is the Labour plus NZF combined number. Currently 46%, only maybe 2% away from forming a government. We are in very serious danger territory.
  
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  April 2, 2026 10:24am
  - Graeme Hall
    
    With all due respect Boss, the first thing you should look with any poll is the methodology and how it was conducted. Many polls these days are more theatrical constructs than scientifically robust. For example, many polling companies keep pet pools of responders on call and sample those.
    
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    April 2, 2026 2:23pm
- Ghost
  
  Price of fuel, cost of living. People annoyed they never got help with fuel. Power prices rising. When people are hurting they look to the opposition
  
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  April 2, 2026 10:33am
  - Burtland
    
    when people are hurting they look to blame someone – and the media consistently point to the bald white rich guy. Willis’ $373M handout would never be enough. Even stories of abusing your ex-wife arent enough.
    
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    April 2, 2026 11:22am
    - lifesgood
      
      Dumb people are hurting. “People annoyed they never got help with fuel” For goodness sake, where do they think the money is to come from? I know Nicola said it will come from reserves but there must be a limit.
      
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      April 2, 2026 1:59pm
    - MCōs
      
      I read what Hipkins was alleged to have done and it didn’t include abuse.
      Furthermore it’s an unproven allegation and that’s likely to be the way it remains — in public at least
      
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      April 2, 2026 3:29pm
  - Quail
    
    Ghost,
    The mess created by Labour followed by unbelievable incompetence of a coalition sitting on its hands .
    National refused to back their partners ( ACT ) concepts .but had very few real changes of their own.
    They had huge opportunity but lacked the courage to make the necessary changes.
    Example ,from Farmers weekly ( March 23 )
    “Farmers worse off in RMA overhaul .”
    National have not had the guts to do anything properly. Lip service to property rights but absolutely nothing that might upset the huge RMA bureaucracy. In fact this coalition doubled the fines for breaches of the act.
    This government has been a failure, which leave NZ this election staring at a bitter choice,
    General Incompetence or worse , much ,much worse —,Labour continuing taxing and regulating battered NZ producers ,choking any residual productivity out of the economy. Perhaps a bit more quantitative easing might be part of their manifestos.
    
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    April 2, 2026 12:22pm
  - RoboRob
    
    The latest poll results aren’t all becuase of fuel prices. National have been steadily dropping in the polls for two years. This a continuation of this trend, admittedly not helped by all hopes of an economic recovery going out the window.
    
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    April 2, 2026 1:06pm
- kowtow
  
  Swing voters are thickos , that’s why.
  
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  April 2, 2026 1:43pm
- Paulus
  
  Seems to still be woman voters !
  
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  April 2, 2026 3:06pm
  - Don Beckett
    
    No dinner for you tonight, Paulus. 😆
    
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    April 2, 2026 3:11pm
    - MCōs
      
      Maybe he/she is the cook
      
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      April 2, 2026 3:37pm
  - R
    
    If this RESULT is really the opinion of the woman, then it reinforces my previous comment, ‘that the female vote may well see the downfall of DEMOCRACY in NZ’
    
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    April 2, 2026 5:18pm
- Ra Henare
  
  and the thing we should all look at is the margin of error. 3.2% as only 872 elecetors polled.
  
  Roy Morgans headline (NOT MSM bashing National)
  
  Roy Morgan’s New Zealand Poll for March 2026 shows the National-led Government (National, ACT & NZ First) on 47.5%, down 1% point and effectively tied with the Labour-Greens-Te Pāti Māori Parliamentary Opposition on 48%, up 1% point, the latest Roy Morgan New Zealand Poll finds.
  
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  April 2, 2026 3:38pm
- R
  
  You don’t really believe that the latest Polls actually reflect the thoughts, even limited thinking ones, about the TRUE political opinions of the masses. This is election year, the public poll questions are subtley worded to give the AGENDA results required by the requesting(paying) organisation
  
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  April 2, 2026 5:14pm
NeverMindTheBollocks

Mevo (e-car share firm) goes bust. WCC backed them by providing free car parking all over town, while EECA gave them $1m.

Still, it’s not just ratepayers and taxpayers who have had their pocket felt.

“ The collapse comes barely a month after the Wellington-founded company completed a capital raise that exceeded its $2.2 million target. The raise included a US$1 million (approximately NZ$1.7m) commitment from an unnamed strategic institutional investor”.

Assuming the commitment was actually paid, that will be one unhappy investor.

https://autotalk.co.nz/mevo-enters-voluntary-administration-weeks-after-3-28m-crowdfunding-raise/
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April 2, 2026 8:12am
fightingtemeraire

DJT and the US are fed up to the back teeth with the NATO allies spending stuff all on defence. Look at how much Spain spends???
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April 2, 2026 8:29am
imalwaysright

The NASA astronauts will have a NASA designed childs soft toy tethered to the dash to tell the astronauts when they are in zero G…. yep.

What’s wrong with some fluffy dice?
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April 2, 2026 8:43am
redeye

Kiwiblog has warned us a couple of times about the dangers of the government changing it’s leader in an election year. I dont question that logic.
But what would happen if both major parties were to change leaders in an election year?
The latest Roy Morgan poll didn’t do Luxon any favors, and Hipkins has had the fortnight from hell.
At least National has a couple of good leader candidates. Although none appear to be from the conservative side, which in my view is what they’re lacking. Labour only has the socialist.
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April 2, 2026 8:50am
- RoboRob
  
  I thought they should have rolled Luxon January 2025. I have agreed that this year is too late, they have left it to late. Spineless.
  
  However If polling hits mid 20s, and it certainly seems it will accross the polls, what does National have to loose?
  
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  April 2, 2026 9:42am
  - R
    
    Robo, you HOPE that it will!
    
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    April 2, 2026 5:20pm
- MCōs
  
  The Roy Morgan poll and all the others showing the Nats sagging in popularity and Labour struggling to take up the slack also show Winston edging up for no other reason than someone has to fill the void.
  Btw
  The polls aren’t doing the damage. They reflect the disappointment of the population who were promised prosperity and found out it was for the banks, gentailers, oil companies, dairy farmers . . . . and it doesn’t trickle down
  
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  April 2, 2026 6:02pm
RoboRob

I strongly recommend listening to this interview between HDPA and Paul Goldsmith re the BSA.

https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/paul-goldsmith-broadcasting-minister-weighs-in-on-the-bsas-future/

There was much more discussion afterwards that is also worth a listen (outside of the above link) but the above is a shining example of everything that is wrong with National. For all those people saying, we must vote National to keep Labour out, have a listen and tell me if you still think its worth it.
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April 2, 2026 8:51am
- Simon
  
  Ohh ohh don’t say anything bad about National you will get down ticked.
  
  Just know that National polling at 26 % they are holding the middle ground. 26 % is all part of the plan.
  
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  April 2, 2026 8:56am
- Albie
  
  Goldsmith was pathetic. We are supposed to think National is the party for business, hard work and entrepreneurship.
  The BSA attack on the private company The Platform was an opportunity for National to show us they still adhere to their founding principles. Luxon has done nothing in over 6 months to reign in this rouge woke outfit, and Goldsmith’s giggling and rambling on HDPA’s show yesterday told us everything we need to know why National are in terminal decline.
  
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  April 2, 2026 9:08am
- H. Upmann
  
  Goldsmith took word-salad to a new level. What a dithering fool.
  
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  April 2, 2026 9:10am
- Bobba Fret
  
  Goldsmith um’s and ah’s and in my opinion is a seat warmer. He never really gets anything done. I have never understood how he rose to where he is. Really time he retired.
  
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  April 2, 2026 9:18am
  - RoboRob
    
    Remember show selected him and kept him (and Watts) in place for the last two years. Look to see Goldsmith promoted today.
    
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    April 2, 2026 9:44am
    - RoboRob
      
      Goldsmith promoted!
      
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      April 2, 2026 1:03pm
  - pdm
    
    Scary thing BF is that as I understand it he is one of Luxon’s favoured confidants – in the `kitchen cabinet’.
    
    Hard to believe but, maybe another indication of the poor choices Luxon has made.
    
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    April 2, 2026 10:15am
    - RoboRob
      
      Thats my, poorly worded, point above. This isn’t just a Goldsmith issue. Goldsmith was selected and is supported by the great manager. Lets see if Goldsmith get promoted today.
      
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      April 2, 2026 10:29am
    - Bobba Fret
      
      Luxon obviously sees Goldsmith as very loyal to him and no threat. Bishop not so much.
      
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      April 2, 2026 12:52pm
- Poppax8
  
  Goldsmith reminds me of Hacker from Yes Minister and not in a good way
  
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  April 2, 2026 9:32am
  - Quail
    
    Bring back Melissa Lee!
    We hardly got a chance to see her media proposals before Luxon replaced her with Goldsmith!
    
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    April 2, 2026 7:27pm
- Notsofast
  
  One of the curious things is the BSA complaint is against a proper and formal use of the expression mumbo jumbo.
  Not sure exactly where from but this X post is very specific about the meaning of the term. No one can agree with that definition and hold Sean Plunkett in breach of the Broadcasting code.
  
  https://x.com/i/status/2039213752374161581
  
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  April 2, 2026 3:25pm
RoboRob

Barry Soper says there was an attempt to remove Luxon from leadership over the weekend. He notes people should pay attention to the cabinet reshuffle today. The implication being that some of those involved in he attempt might lose portfolios. Will be interesting to see.

I will note that National are down to 26% in the latest Roy Morgan poll and interviews like the one yesterday between HDPA and Goldsmith will do nothing to help them. It seems Nationals plan of ‘doing nothing controversial’ has backfired spectacularly.
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April 2, 2026 8:55am
- pdm
  
  I wonder if those (allegedly) making the move had details of the Roy Morgan Poll ahead of publication.
  
  Or is it more likely Nationals own polling is showing the same, or worse numbers?
  
  Then there is the National Back Bench uprising against aspects of the fisheries bill – is it all of the back bench or just a few?
  
  Is the National Caucus being rend asunder?
  
  So many questions about National and no answers unless the reshuffle yields some clues.
  
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  April 2, 2026 9:08am
  - RoboRob
    
    I am assuming there are some right wingers in the National party. Likely they are all well out of positions of power and lower down the list. Since the Nats are likely to loose 15 to 20 MPs on current polling, lots of those down the list must be looking at the left leaning helm and trying to do something to save their jobs.
    
    Given Labour and the state of the economy when they took power, I would have expected National to be in the 40% + support range at this point.
    
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    April 2, 2026 9:20am
    - grumpy
      
      In reality they probably are. God knows why. Election day will tell.
      
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      April 2, 2026 9:32am
      - R
        
        God knows why!!!!!!!! Have a look, and listen, to MSM PRESENTATIONS during the last two years.
        
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        April 2, 2026 5:24pm
- Quail
  
  Yes RR.
  Your last sentence sums it up!
  National have had the opportunity , and encouragement from their coalition partners (ACT in particular) to make ,at least some of the important changes that this country has needed for decades/ generations
  Their myopic focus on just getting re- elected , not what is good for NZ ,is rebounding on them!
  Their leadership has failed!
  
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  April 2, 2026 9:39am
- grumpy
  
  They have made the mistake of thinking the media are their voters and trying to make them like National by showing how like Labour they are.
  Contrast that with Winston going to his voters and taking Labour strongholds of Blackball and Westport by storm.
  National is scared of the media and wants their love. Winston loves the media as he uses them as a foil for his message. Seymour uses logic to embarrass them to expose their hypocrisy and stupidity.
  
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  April 2, 2026 9:42am
- David Garrett
  
  Robo: History shows that with one exception – Ardern – a party which changes its leader in an election year loses – Judith Collins is the most recent example in the Nats.
  
  I see Luxon as a wet dishcloth – but they are stuck with him until after the election; unless they want to lose, and lose badly. (They may well lose anyway of course)
  
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  April 2, 2026 10:11am
  - RoboRob
    
    When you are polling 26%, what is there left to lose?
    
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    April 2, 2026 10:32am
    - Bobba Fret
      
      an election!
      
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      April 2, 2026 12:53pm
- imalwaysright
  
  There seems to be the assumption that the 26% support for National is the same as 26% support for Luxon.
  
  It is more likely that the support is for the talented Ministers such as Stanford, Brown, and Penk, and it is also likely that the support for these Ministers would be greater if Luxon wasn’t their boss.
  The public has seen what Luxon will do to one of his own if they stray into areas he doesn’t agree with.
  
  A National party sans Luxon should be around the mid thirties. They should press eject while they are still airborne.
  
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  April 2, 2026 10:11am
  - David Garrett
    
    Imalways: A National party sans Luxon should be around the mid thirties. They should press eject while they are still airborne
    
    Too late mate…see my comment above.
    
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    April 2, 2026 10:50am
    - imalwaysright
      
      DG
      My point is that there is probably an element who WONT vote National purely because Luxon is leader, therefore if he was rolled then those people presumably WOULD vote National. (Apologies for the capitals, can’t do bold type on my phone)
      
      An analogy is the Royal family.
      With the mum in charge it was ticking over nicely, but now the daft boy is in the chair, its tanking.
      
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      April 2, 2026 11:11am
      - Charlotte Wells
        
        My vote is not going to National for the first time in 50 years.
        
        More confirmation, as if needed, in the latest B&M post.
        
        “MBIE paying staff for daily waiata sessions”
        
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        April 2, 2026 1:56pm
      - imalwaysright
        
        Do you have a link CW, not doubting you but the site is unfamiliar. Thanks
        
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        April 2, 2026 7:01pm
- Paulus
  
  I suppose we can assume that Barry was pissed again over the weekend but had to say something – anything !
  
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  April 2, 2026 3:09pm
Paulus

Robo
You forget that the large share of the 40% is actually the so called media promotion, and now that Tova is back with herself and Maiki will go up even further.
To what end ?
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April 2, 2026 9:26am
- RoboRob
  
  Sure the media is mostly against the coalition but we must stop using them as a scape goat for Nationals poor performance. Listen to the Goldsmith interview for the reason National are not resonating with voters.
  
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  April 2, 2026 9:49am
  - greybeard
    
    “Listen to the Goldsmith interview for the reason National are not resonating with voters.” – how many people do you think actually heard that interview ? I didn’t, and I imagine there were many who heard it who had no problem with Goldsmith’s answers and opinions. For every mediocre interview there is an equally good one.
    
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    April 2, 2026 11:29am
    - RoboRob
      
      Did you actually listen to the interview though? There would be zero people happy with his answers.
      
      Thats part of the point, they aren’t making anyone happy by fence sitting on any issue that has a tiny chance of controversy. Its not this interview its everything they touch. Dont change it, people might get upset.
      
      Oh and lots of right wing people listen to NewstalkZB. They are one of the few non all-left MSM outlets left.
      
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      April 2, 2026 12:03pm
  - R
    
    Forget the personalities; try listening too, and comprehending the messages of policy and practice
    
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    April 2, 2026 5:29pm
I remember when

Upgrading Europe’s “insufficient” grid is a “matter of urgency” for the continent’s energy security: Euro News.
“Bottlenecks triggered by Europe’s outdated energy grid are putting more than 120 GW of anticipated renewables at risk.”
“Planned clean energy projects used to power millions of households in 20 EU countries could be “stranded”, a new report by energy think tank Ember warns.
The analysis found that one in every two grid operators has “insufficient grid capacity” to connect upcoming wind and solar projects to the grid – including rooftop solar panels.
Experts have described barriers to rapid renewable rollout as a “matter of urgency” amid the war on Iran , which has seen oil and gas prices soar.”
“Grid bottlenecks are no longer simply a technical issue. They are a security risk.”
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April 2, 2026 9:33am
grumpy

A headline from The Spinoff landed in my inbox today and I was minded that the most wasteful and useless spending by Jacinda was paying them to write glowing content for Labour and her specifically.
They would (and do) publish left wing propaganda for free.
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April 2, 2026 9:36am
- MCōs
  
  How much money did Jacinda spend on the Spinoff?
  I put the question to Google and their AI engine scoured the internet and came up with the answer — zero.
  
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  April 2, 2026 9:46am
  - David George
    
    Either your question was ambiguous or Google is useless and/or corrupt.
    Try Grok.
    In answer to the question: “How much money did Spinoff New Zealand receive from the journalism fund.”
    They (it?) summarised:
    “The Spinoff (also known as Spinoff New Zealand or The Spinoff), an independent New Zealand online media outlet, received a total of NZ$1,782,353 from the government’s Public Interest Journalism Fund”. And provided multiple references for that conclusion.
    
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    April 2, 2026 10:29am
    - MCōs
      
      My question was as I set out above.
      Grumpy stated that (Spinoff) was paying them to write glowing content for Labour
      The Public Interest Journalism Fund was a contestible fund administered by NZ on Air to support local news media in difficult times caused by the COVID 19 financial instability
      https://www.taxpayers.org.nz/pijf
      
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      April 2, 2026 2:02pm
      - Swifty
        
        Covid-related instability was the fig leaf – they would have done it anyway.
        
        And my proof? That they’re going to bring in $100-200 Million of new media funding provided by taxing the large internet media groups, but which will of course end up/ne passed on as costs on NZ families.
        
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        April 2, 2026 3:46pm
- Paulus
  
  PIJF is still being paid is it not?
  It is now called Local Democracy Reporting I understand.
  
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  April 2, 2026 3:11pm
I remember when

Lindsay Mitchell: ‘Brown Optimism.’
“I visited the new Wellington Library today unprepared for the towering inscription, rising through almost three stories, which has been installed on the west face.”

Why?
At what cost?
Almost three stories high? Why?
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April 2, 2026 9:57am
Gravelroad

Here you go-
One of the inmates here subscribes to an online clothing store.
Today’s headline offering:
“New Season Bottoms, Just In”

Make of it what you will………
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April 2, 2026 12:43pm
Damocles11

‘Even if the war ends today, it will take months to restore oil output and years to repair Qatar’s terminal for liquefied natural gas.
RBC Capital estimates that 11.6 million b/d of oil is currently shut down. Each week the war goes on, the greater the permanent damage to well pressure. If the Red Sea is closed too, the giant Saudi fields will also suffer structural degradation.’
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April 2, 2026 1:08pm
- Drone
  
  The war will not end today, Trump is a major bullshit artist whose only action/repose is to repeat everything he’s said before in the hope somebody will believe him, like they did in his past life…
  
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  April 2, 2026 2:38pm
- Graeme Hall
  
  Saudi is piping most (70%) of the oil across to the Red Sea for loading.
  
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  April 2, 2026 2:41pm
lifesgood

I’ve just read through all the GD comments and I am seriously depressed. It seems to me that most commentators on here are hoping for a left government come election time. Ye Gods! Do they have short memories? How much more damage could they inflict on the country? Sometimes it is necessary to vote for the lesser of two evils and I think the Govt has handled the fuel crisis admirably so far. Just imagine the billions Labour would be spraying around.
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April 2, 2026 2:06pm
Jack5

Another receivership including GST debt …

IRD’s been hit again by yet another company in trouble. This time it’s Christchurch firm Good Cars Ltd, owned by Sergey Serikov and Iouri Serikov. It specialised in selling Japanese “used imports” online and from a car yard.

The IRD is owed $614,000 in preferred debt ($515,000 in GST and $19,000 in PAYE) and $59,000 in secured debt. Westpac Bank is owed $875,000. The big debt, however, is $2.17 million to AutoBridge, the Japanese-owned finance firm used by many car importers.
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April 2, 2026 3:43pm
- greybeard
  
  IRD is run by muppets.
  
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  April 2, 2026 7:41pm
David Garrett

So, the Toddler in the White House attacks Iran – probably in response to urgings from Netanyahu – which results in attacks on Gulf states friendly with the US, and creates an oil crisis when the Iranians – entirely predictably – strictly limit access to the strait of Hormuz.

Then, having created an unholy mess, he fucks off, saying to the rest of the world “If you need it open, you do it.” That decision is prompted – at least in part – by the fact that said toddler knows the US is self sufficient in oil, and there will be no shortages at home.

But what I think may have escaped him is that the price of oil is set internationally, and US producers will charge what they can get elsewhere in the world, not set a “special price” for US consumers.

Perhaps his next move will be to mandate prices in the US because they have plenty? Who knows? The man changes his mind as often his mummy once changed his nappies.
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April 2, 2026 4:19pm

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