About
Contact
Advertise

Facebook
Twitter

May 2, 2026 8:00am by Kokila Patel

General Debate 02 May 2026

Like this:

Like Loading…

Email
Facebook
Twitter
Comment114

Uncategorized
General Debate

Comments (114)

Login to comment or vote

Cassandra

Donald Collins-Roberts is a veteran offender with 56 convictions to his name over more than 20 years. Found guilty of a brutal and unprovoked assault in Dunedin a judge has sentenced him to three years in prison. He is precisely the sort of person who should be permanently separated from society.

It was an attack by four mongrel Mob gangsters on some university students.

An application by the Crown to forfeit the gang patches worn during the attack was declined by the Judge, who noted it was “not an instrument of crime”.
39 0
Log in to Reply
Report
May 2, 2026 8:03am
- peterwn
  
  Seems gang patch legislation was botched them. Or the judge failed to interpret the law ‘in the light of its purpose’ as judges are required to do.
  
  30 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 8:16am
  - Simon
    
    “Seems gang patch legislation was botched them”
    
    Yes ofcourse it was “botched” . Its gang costume by the way. As in hey boy time to earn your costume.
    
    What generally happens is gang suffer a major drug raid by the police. (They get very light sentence years late) But soon after any raids they have to kill or maim a normal member of the public to “assert their authority” Happens all the time. Its area based.
    
    5 5
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 9:05am
  - R
    
    Judges, on many occasions seem to display a ‘lack of comprehension of the intent of legislation’.
    Perhaps a consequence of too much kool-aid indoctrination
    
    12 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 9:10am
    - Ra Henare
      
      I think they understand the intent, but disagree with it, so have come up with judicial interpretations and workarounds.
      
      IMHO Minstry of Justice should appeal any such rulings by wayward Judges.
      
      5 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 2, 2026 2:51pm
      - peterwn
        
        That is Crown Law’s job, not the Ministry’s job. However the Ministry should recommend removing any loopholes in the law.
        
        1 0
        Report
        May 2, 2026 5:31pm
  - Boy Geoff
    
    So you’d deprive someone of their alternative whanau arrangement…?
    
    5 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 10:37am
  - RoboRob
    
    That legislation is known to be botched. Goldsmith acknowledged that but has done his usual. Sat on his hands.
    
    16 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 10:46am
- Northshoredoc
  
  Another incredibly weak judge imbedded in what is an incredibly weak justice system.
  
  After this many convictions the offender should be removed from society and placed far enough away that he can only do harm for himself.
  
  As for the gang patches it should be quite a simple matter, if you are a member of a gang which is a known criminal organisation your gang paraphernalia will be gathered and destroyed or you can keep it and have an additional 5 years added to your sentence.
  
  21 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 8:17am
- KKNZ2025
  
  OTOH, a sensible judge “…hoped that the group had learned an important lesson.
  
  “That it is important to respect people’s property and their privacy.”
  
  A lesson the NZ Poilce consistently ignore, as in this case.
  
  https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/burnouts-toots-and-taunts-teens-v-a-waikato-farmer-with-a-metal-pole-and-tractor/2FMFF3GVCRF6BLFQTEP47UIABU/
  
  7 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 8:34am
- Simon
  
  I know working class whites and Maori who would take these criminal gang scum apart. The gang members pick on kids.
  
  Working class men would have dealt with the “gang issue” decades ago, but are prevented by the state.
  
  Gangs are a protected class of the state.
  
  20 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 9:00am
- pdm
  
  `An application by the Crown to forfeit the gang patches worn during the attack was declined by the Judge, who noted it was “not an instrument of crime”.’
  
  The ineptness of Goldsmith shines brightly again.
  
  He must be `very tight’ with PM Luxon to hold his Cabinet ranking because if there is anyone in Cabinet who shows up as an `achieves nothing’ Minister it is surely him along with the lower ranked Local Government Minister Watts..
  
  28 3
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 9:08am
  - Prince
    
    This isn’t Golsmith’s fault. The attackers were clearly bound by their allegiance to ‘the patch’. It waasn’t a random attack by four strangers – they were all associated with the gang.
    The judge decided to add his/her political belief to the sentencing.
    Goldsmith doesn’t choose judges. Perhaps it is time in. New Zealand for politicians to choose judges, or at least have the opportunity to criticise them.
    
    14 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 10:15am
    - RoboRob
      
      Yes the Judge, like many, appears to be a dudd. However Goldsmith and the government are the makers of their own failure. If the law was amended to always remove and destroy gang patches then Judges would be bound to follow it, despite their own personal views. Goldsmith knew of these issues soon after passing the original legislation but has purposely chosen to do nothing.
      
      I guess National just likes that they can claim to have ‘implemented gang patch legislation’.
      
      14 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 2, 2026 10:50am
- imalwaysright
  
  Are sentence discounts applied to the maximum sentence, or to the judges sentence?
  
  If the judge sentences a five year term for a crime with a maximum sentence of ten years then he has already applied a 50% discount.
  
  Any further discounts to the five years are surely illegal?
  
  11 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 10:32am
  - RoboRob
    
    My understanding is that the Judge determines the sentence based on legislation, i.e. a min and max range for a particular set of crimes and THEN applies as many discounts as possible. In your example the judge could chose 5yrs (from a range of say 5-10yrs) and then apply up to 40% discount to it (the new max discount).
    
    Where there is no range or no minimum judges have a free hand. We regularly see sentences clearly constructed so people get home D rather then jail. The judges sentences to say 2yrs jail and then discounts down to a period the is eligible for home D, which they then give.
    
    9 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 10:55am
    - Gravelroad
      
      Whatever happened to: if you do the crime, you do the time?
      Excuses for violent and anti social behaviour now entrenched.
      It starts early.
      Have just been to a primary school age group rugby event.
      Talk among the adults on the sidelines turned to bullying at school.
      They all said that if your kid is being bullied at their school and they (the adults) go to the teacher (or further up) to “get something done about it” – the response always is “but this child is from a broken home.”
      And nothing can be done.
      The kids being bullied just have to learn to cope with it.
      
      5 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 2, 2026 12:53pm
- malc
  
  There is a potentially simple answer to our gang problem. We should apply the RICO laws that largely dismantled the mafia in the US. If you a member of a gang and commit a crime, not only are you liable, but so are the gang’s leaders. Not only would gang leaders quickly be put behind bars (notwithstanding our weak judiciary) but others would be much less willing to take their place. Gang discipline quickly dissolves providing an open goal for the police.
  
  8 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 12:21pm
Waipuk

This is what Wind and Solar renewables does to the environment.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CXDZ6WPbH/?mibextid=wwXIfr
7 0
Log in to Reply
Report
May 2, 2026 8:04am
NeverMindTheBollocks

The Anglican Church owns $561m of property in its Canterbury diocese alone. Some of that will be tied back to what the church actually does, but I note that there’s a holiday home and empty land. I also note that the insured value may be an underestimate, as the cost of insurance has skyrocketed and it’s a cash outgoing. On top of that, there’s also the value of property around the rest of the country.

I have no problem with the Anglicans fundraising, but further tax and ratepayer contributions should be off limits until the Church can demonstrate that non critical assets have been liquidated.

Likely to be paywalled

http://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360995967/anglicans-sit-half-billion-dollar-canterbury-property-empire
16 1
Log in to Reply
Report
May 2, 2026 8:07am
- RoboRob
  
  Yes. Just to add the Anglican church has NEVER wanted to restore the cathedral, Anderton and the council forced their hand.
  
  16 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 10:57am
- Scott
  
  Once again this old chestnut. Fortunately Roborob has the facts.
  As Robo stated the Anglican church never wanted to restore the ruined cathedral.
  I visited the cardboard cathedral and the Anglican staff told me that the church voted 80% to demolish the cathedral and build a new one using the insurance money. If they had been allowed to do so the new cathedral would have been built by now at no cost to the taxpayers and ratepayers. The insurance money would have paid for it.
  
  They were stopped by court action coming from Anderton and Burton and ordered by the court to rebuild the old cathedral.
  
  The Anglican church is in a very difficult position with a half restored cathedral they wanted to demolish and build a new one.
  
  I’m disappointed this old chestnut is still coming out. It seems like it is too delicious to let go even though the facts have been widely told in this blog?
  
  6 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 11:57am
David Garrett

Cass: three years means out in 18 months- two years at most – but just enough to not be “manifestly inadequate “
22 1
Log in to Reply
Report
May 2, 2026 8:11am
- peterwn
  
  If there are concerns about courts being clogged, then the Court of Appeal should be allowed to increase sentences to what it should have been without limitation. If an appeal was against conviction and the person got a discount for remorse, then the discount should be cancelled if the conviction should be upheld. Criminal appeals would then drop off very rapidly.
  Also discharge without conviction should not be available to those who blow more than 600mcg.
  
  25 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 8:25am
- pdm
  
  No mention of any Strikes DG.
  
  6 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 9:10am
  - David Garrett
    
    Pdm: He’ll have at least one…you can virtually guarantee that
    
    10 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 9:37am
Crafty

Disgraceful ‘journalism’ by Jenna Lynch on stuff . A headline in Stuff saying the PM is escaping to Singapore after a fractious week in politics but when you read the article it is a trip planned well in advance. It’s a god damn joke and purposely misleading. When are these journalists gonna realise that they are destroying their profession with this sort of crap?
28 0
Log in to Reply
Report
May 2, 2026 8:12am
- Gussy
  
  Editors – not reporters – write the headlines.
  Having said that, it’s Stuff, so maybe someone’s 5 year [old] writes them, or a lefty AI bot.
  
  8 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 10:54am
  - Jack5
    
    Headline writing in NZ usually falls to subeditors (in America the term is copy editors).
    
    Artificial intelligence will soon play a key role in this task.
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 2:59pm
- Paulus
  
  Another silly …
  
  3 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 11:53am
- R
  
  Journalists have already destroyed their collective credibility; just that the majority, particularly most high profile journalists, aren’t bright enough to realise the obvious.
  
  6 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 12:18pm
- peterwn
  
  Jenna Lynch does not realise it, but her next tank of petrol could depend on the outcome of the PM’s visit to Singapore.
  
  5 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 5:39pm
NeverMindTheBollocks

A question for politicians: how does Pharmac calculate the value of medicines? Specifically, does it include the benefit to the country of tax contributions by an earner, where a modern medicine might see that person out of the workforce for (say) three months vs an older medicine might result in a three year absence?

The other concern is the loss overseas of medical personnel who want to spend their time curing people rather than comforting them. Working with third rate tools must be so dispiriting.

http://www.rnz.co.nz/news/health/594023/the-detail-medical-migration-only-option-for-many-blood-cancer-sufferers
7 0
Log in to Reply
Report
May 2, 2026 8:12am
peterwn

So asylum seekers and their supporters do not like being held in Mt Eden Prison while their cases are considered but want to be released on bail. They have Mr (passport down the aeroplane dunny) Zaoui to blame for that. He conned the judges into thinking that he risked execution if he was deported back to Algeria. After getting NZ citizenship he returned to Algeria and is still alive!
So why should NZ be taken for mugs?
Perhaps the Green Party candidate pool is so shallow that they need these ‘asylum seekers’ in NZ.
40 2
Log in to Reply
Report
May 2, 2026 8:14am
- Swifty
  
  I understand he’s just been released in Feb after two years in prison there.
  
  6 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 8:25am
- lastmanstanding
  
  IMHO the mark of a professional political reporter is that you cant tell which Party they vote for. Alas there are no professional political reporters.
  
  18 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 9:06am
  - David Garrett
    
    Lastman: Quite so…Lindsey Perigo was the last I can remember, and that was 30 odd years ago.
    
    I had no idea he was a rabid right winger – far to the right of me – until after he resigned, calling TVNZ “brain dead”
    
    22 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 9:16am
    - pdm
      
      Lindsay Perigo was clearly a Libertarian but he never allowed it to influence his interviewing style.
      
      Of the modern lot Peter Williams is very good when he does the occasional interview as is Chris Lynch and the fellow from Pacific Islands radio who interviews David Seymour and others.
      
      I don’t mind Michael Laws but Sean Plunket talks over too many people and while Duncan Garner digs into the stuff that I think matters more than most his interview style is way below par in my opinion.
      
      16 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 2, 2026 9:38am
      - David Garrett
        
        Pdm: Well, you must be much more astute than me…Perigo wasn’t “clearly ” anything to me…other than being totally impartial.
        
        9 4
        Report
        May 2, 2026 9:56am
      - pdm
        
        DG it is a fair while since Perigo was active in the interviewing scene.
        
        Maybe it was after he left TVNZ that he made clear his Libertarian views.
        
        Perhaps it even came through his sister in law with whom mrspdm was a work colleague from 1999 until 2009.
        
        9 1
        Report
        May 2, 2026 10:04am
      - Ra Henare
        
        Totally agree with your comment re Sean Plunkett.
        
        When ever he is on any media, (Even back to his days on TV3 and RNZ), I switch(ed) off as his interviwing style is akin to a personal opinion(his opinion) piece.
        
        Abrasive is not what I want in an interviewer.
        
        2 1
        Report
        May 2, 2026 2:57pm
      - Observer of Life
        
        Garner has a terrible interview style. And for me, if I see him, I feel like he needs a good wash/haircut/shave. It’s obviously his thing, but to me just looks like a hobo.
        And Plunket notoriously talks over people and is quite rude if he doesn’t agree with the other persons opinion.
        
        0 0
        Report
        May 3, 2026 9:36am
  - Jethrod
    
    Barry is very centre tho.
    
    5 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 9:28am
    - pdm
      
      Although in latter years he showed a leaning to WinstonFirst.
      
      5 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 2, 2026 11:29am
- Paulus
  
  I understood that Zaoui was in Jail in Algeria from his earlier terrorist charges etc.
  But his many family, once said to be 18 people, are still here.
  
  10 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 9:57am
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    Zaoui has been released from Jail in Algeria – after a 2 year stint.
    
    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/ahmed-zaoui-released-from-algerian-prison-after-28-months-behind-bars/QAB2OLJURBD2PEISPMN3IYC4UU/
    
    He was jailed for his recent political activities…
    
    12 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 10:03am
    - David Garrett
      
      Maggy: the fact that he was in prison for recent activities rather than historic ones proves that he did indeed hoodwink the New Zealand courts…and that naive young lawyer who represented him pro Bono….she must be somewhat pissed off.
      
      18 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 2, 2026 10:21am
      - Paulus
        
        From her History she would never be pissed off no matter what she does, as long as she get the Greens opinionated media onside.
        
        8 1
        Report
        May 2, 2026 11:56am
CJames

In an under-reported move, the scientific committee that coordinates worldwide climate change research has determined that the extreme future case is not plausible. It goes under various names RCP8.5, SSP5-8.5 & SSP-3-7.0. It has been grossly misrepresented as the “business as usual” case.
Where this is important, and the scientists/ activists don’t want it publicised, Is that almost all their research is modelling the effect of this extreme case. The model output gives a range (say by 2100, sea level will rise 1-3m. The media report this as a 3m sea level rise. All carbon reducing policies have effects judged against this extreme. That massively exaggerates the modelled benefits of almost anything done. Take it back to their latest extreme case (now called CMIP7 High) and almost all the benefits disappear.
That change has major real world effects. The modelling done in so much planning cases was using the extreme case, not the realistic one of no changes in behaviour. flooding zones, and carbon credits are just two examples. All the government policies on climate change will now have little or no modelled benefit.
As Roger Pielke pithily commented about the decision “The future isn’t what it used to be”
26 2
Log in to Reply
Report
May 2, 2026 8:14am
- Handyman
  
  As an example, the Kapiti Coast flood predictions and resultant flood map are based on the impossible version 8.5.
  The model scenario required all of the world’s known coal reserves to be burnt every year for a hundred years.
  To be fair to the original modellers, they never expected this crazy scenario to be taken seriously as it was physically impossible. It is akin to a financial planner adding a line on the spreadsheet calculating much you need for retirement if you were to live to age 200.
  
  11 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 9:06am
- DukeOfAngus
  
  Any source? – people need to read more about this.
  
  6 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 10:03am
  - Spam
    
    Here you go:
    https://rogerpielkejr.substack.com/p/rcp85-is-officially-dead
    
    9 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 10:58am
  - NZer In Exile
    
    Unfortunately normies don’t go into the weeds of these things. So they are easily baffled by the bullshit fire-hosed out by the alarmists.
    
    4 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 4:05pm
Nukuleka

I note that at the recent hearing in Taupo in which Kaci Tauroa was sentenced for dangerous driving that caused the death of her 10 year old brother Jax, Justice Hollister- Jones began court proceedings with a karakia. Does this mean that if, God- forbid, I were to appear in court on such a charge, as a European Christian, I might expect the presiding judge to recite the Lord’s Prayer?
28 1
Log in to Reply
Report
May 2, 2026 8:36am
- peterwn
  
  It is Judge, not Justice. There is no High Court in Taupo.
  
  10 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 8:40am
  - David Garrett
    
    Peter: You miss the point entirely…karakia should not be recited in any court except, perhaps, The Maori land court
    
    30 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 8:46am
    - Nikola Donatello
      
      As a catholic, I am required by my state sector employer to participate in karakia multiple times per week. I need to lead the karakia once per month or thereabouts. I rote learn the Maori words and have no idea what they mean.
      
      Could I refuse? Possibly. Would it adversely affect me? Definitely.
      
      I have not heard of anyone refusing.
      
      It is horrible. Yes I am looking for a new job.
      
      EDIT. In contrast my catholic faith is private. I don’t mention it at work let alone contemplate forcing others to take part in prayer.
      
      It is a shocking disappointment that this government has allowed these practices to flourish.
      
      53 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 2, 2026 8:53am
      - David Garrett
        
        Niko: When was an MP 15 years ago I walked out of a karakia – WordPress thinks I mean kayaking! – after about 15 minutes of untranslated Maori…I got into untold trouble, including from Rodney.
        
        It will be ten times worse now, 15 years later.
        
        26 1
        Report
        May 2, 2026 9:06am
      - Taieri
        
        Could I refuse? Possibly
        ———-
        
        But you haven’t. Just as thousands of other State employees haven’t. And that’s why it is happening.
        
        Please do not take it as a personal criticism. I realise that taking a principled stand is not always easy or even possible.
        
        20 1
        Report
        May 2, 2026 9:19am
      - Nikola Donatello
        
        I am sure that it is worse. Many state sector agencies pressure folk into singing Waiata with the words up on a big screen. Only happened to me once and I did walk out.
        
        I am not prone to anger. Hoever what this government has failed to do makes me angry.
        
        Question for the PM “Should public servants be required to take part in karakia?”
        
        Answer. “Word salad” 😩
        
        35 0
        Report
        May 2, 2026 9:22am
      - Yvette
        
        Nikola, as you say, “I rote learn the Maori words and have no idea what they mean,” one first step would be to use Google Translate or some other source to find out what you’re asked to say in English – what you are pressured to say to conflict with your Catholic religion.
        
        The practice appears to offend the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, New Zealand’s Bill of Rights Act protection of “freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and belief,” including the right to hold opinions without interference, the Ministry of Justice guidance explicitly stating the freedom “not to believe in or adhere to” any religion or ideology. It also warns against policies that compel acts inconsistent with someone’s beliefs, such as reciting an oath.
        
        14 0
        Report
        May 2, 2026 9:32am
      - Maggy Wassilieff
        
        What is the purpose of chanting a karakia in your place of employment?
        
        Is it to call on the Maori gods (Atua) for direction/assistance with your work?
        https://www.otago.ac.nz/maori/world/te-reo-maori/karakia-prayers
        
        or is it merely to stamp a maori tone at your work?
        
        30 0
        Report
        May 2, 2026 9:34am
      - David Garrett
        
        Maggy: It is obeisance to the wonderfulness of all things Maori
        
        21 2
        Report
        May 2, 2026 9:39am
      - Nikola Donatello
        
        “Is it to call on the Maori gods (Atua) for direction/assistance with your work?”
        
        When I asked those who take this seriously that was the answer.
        
        19 0
        Report
        May 2, 2026 9:44am
      - rouppe
        
        @Maggy. Like everything, it is stated as the former, but done as the latter.
        
        Santana’s revelation that opposition would be conditional on payment is similar. Stated as “consultation”, actually it is a shake down.
        
        10 0
        Report
        May 2, 2026 9:47am
      - Nikola Donatello
        
        A further thought on this issue. What we see on the left and in the media and in the public service is the rise of tyrants. In the public service, the message is “You will not debate the orthodoxy on the Treaty. You will believe in the wonder of Te ao Maori. You will recite Karakia. Or we will ensure that you are shunned. You will be made redundant as soon as we can manage it. You will never again be employed in the state sector. You may never be employed again.”
        
        I say this without any exaggeration or hyperbole.
        
        25 0
        Report
        May 2, 2026 10:09am
      - Maggy Wassilieff
        
        Then as a Christian why don’t you quote the Commandment in Exodus 20….
        
        Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
        
        Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
        
        Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
        
        (As a complete non-believer in the spiritual dimension, it’s all mumbo-jumbo to me).
        
        17 0
        Report
        May 2, 2026 10:12am
      - Yvette
        
        Further –
        ACT resurrecting Treaty change aspirations
        https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/nationals-former-attorney-general-prospect-james-christmas-switches-allegiance-to-act/BPB7UOCRUBFPDAQ7FDMJHQMBWQ/
        
        ACT should start with a simple law that re-states New Zealand government and all its services are secular or devoid of religion, except where such considerations are direct needs, but all other religious matters, including te Ao o Maori (the Maori religious world view or expressions of it) are not otherwise any aspect of Government.
        
        For example, the Parliamentary prayer should not exist. A statement of civility, honesty and transparency could start Parliament conduct but it should be totally non-denominational.
        
        15 0
        Report
        May 2, 2026 10:34am
      - Nikola Donatello
        
        Good question Maggy. Because my daily life would be a misery at work. Best to just look for a new job.
        
        13 0
        Report
        May 2, 2026 10:41am
      - Maggy Wassilieff
        
        As a further, further thought…
        
        It is State Sector bullying to expect a Christian, Jew, Moslem, Atheist to partake in chants/invocations/karakia
        
        15 1
        Report
        May 2, 2026 10:45am
      - imalwaysright
        
        “It is a shocking disappointment that this government has allowed these practices to flourish.”
        
        It is a shocking disappointment that WE have allowed these practices to flourish.
        
        9 0
        Report
        May 2, 2026 11:00am
      - kowtow
        
        ‘What is the purpose’
        
        The purpose is very much to undermine the constitution, to install a state religion by stealth and in the end via treatyism to destroy our democracy and institute co governance .
        
        Already the rule of law is gone ; across the country in local govt there are literally appointees from race organisations who have voting rights!
        
        This is not just a few prayers or displays of “unity” with Maoris , it is literally the death of our democracy.
        
        6 0
        Report
        May 2, 2026 11:04am
      - Yvette
        
        Nikola, apparently official guidance already acknowledges your issue exists.
        
        A recent response from the Public Service Commission noted that the Human Rights Commission has guidance stating:
        “karakia should not be compulsory” and employers should recognise that karakia and waiata may raise religious concerns for some employees.
        
        Perhaps see –
        https://tikatangata.org.nz/cms/assets/Documents/Guidelines-and-resources/Employment-A-Z/Guidance-on-social-cohesion-for-workplaces_FINAL.pdf
        – it may be of interest if, ironically, you can separate the wheat from the Maori chaff
        
        It may be that your department while performing karakia is not observing the provision which should go with it.
        
        8 0
        Report
        May 2, 2026 12:43pm
- rouppe
  
  I wonder if that could be grounds for appeal by the prosecution…
  
  If he does a karakia for Maori defendants, but does not do one, or an requisite, for any other defendant, then that shows bias, doesn’t it?
  
  13 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 8:58am
  - Don Beckett
    
    Using the word “Atua” does not necessarily denote a pagan god. Atua is used in Christian Maori prayers as well. Context is all important, as in all Maori speach.
    Likewise, “Ke te ingoa o Te Matua, Te Tamaiti e Te Wairua Tapu….”
    “In the name of The Father and The Son and The Holy Spirit…..”
    The sign of the cross before prayer.
    
    4 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 3:02pm
- Notsofast
  
  This is presumably a substantially Maori tragedy. Concede this one, and identify now specific instances for the future where a karakia in court can be performed.
  This is similar to Simon Court saying sites of Maori relevance should be identified now with hard evidence, and not discovered fortuitously to harvest money, eg the gold mine.
  If this makes sense.
  
  8 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 9:05am
- Simon
  
  The mumbo jumbo at the start is to mask the light sentence. Saw a sentencing judgement a few days ago, I know the scum who carried out the major crime, the judge was almost apologizing to this scum as he sent him away for a handful of years.
  
  8 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 9:13am
  - Paulus
    
    Shortens the work time before Morning tea and Lunch breaks.
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 2:08pm
- R
  
  Perhaps regular reciting of the Lord’s Prayer in public institutions, may be what we need to improve the publics behaviour
  
  7 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 9:19am
  - Flossie
    
    I would be equally offended be it a karakia or the Lord’s Prayer. I am definitely agnostic – in any and all languages.
    
    5 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 12:07pm
- DukeOfAngus
  
  This is shocking indeed. I am an atheist, and refuse to participate in any religion’s ceremonies. And I refuse to sing eitehr the English or Maori version of the National Anthem “God of Nations…” or translated ) “Hear us Lord God”.
  
  In one job I was forced to mouth rubbish which Identified my background. “My river is the Yangtze; my mountain is Boulzie Hill” (in bad maori) provoked some interesting reactions.
  
  We must resist!
  
  12 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 9:53am
Maggy Wassilieff

A couple of opinion pieces today on the rot within NZ’s MSM:

https://onpointnz.substack.com/p/hamlet-and-the-nz-media

https://djhdcj.substack.com/p/gravitas-in-political-journalism
14 0
Log in to Reply
Report
May 2, 2026 8:38am
- Philview
  
  This is a big problem for New Zealand. I have read the odd comment that Sherman is a DEI appointment. I differ and see her as a political appointment. It became evident when TPM refused to play ball after the by-election victory last year. The media ferociously turned on TPM and Sherman appeared influential in that, and it all seemed like there was a big story hidden in there somewhere. Why did the media’s cosy relationship with TPM turn toxic?
  
  10 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 9:09am
  - JJ56
    
    I assume that’s The Party Media.
    
    4 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 10:54am
  - Paulus
    
    Sherman is thoroughly Maori first no matter how it is dressed up.
    Her so called Iwi Dynasty along with her extended family show as an important part of her temper.
    
    8 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 12:02pm
- MCōs
  
  The inference being that in the good old days the MSM was wonderful and the Burr/Sherman incident would never have been covered up.
  One only has to read the Spinoff review of Barry Soper’s autobiography to realize a lot of shameful activity went on that was known about, but never reported.
  
  11 6
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 9:16am
  - David Garrett
    
    MCos: Perhaps you could give us a couple of examples? Or even a link to the review you refer to
    
    14 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 9:25am
    - SoloView
      
      @ David
      
      The Spinoff Barry Soper book review
      
      https://thespinoff.co.nz/books/28-04-2026/review-barry-sopers-press-gallery-was-a-lot-different-from-mine
      
      4 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 2, 2026 9:36am
    - MCōs
      
      https://thespinoff.co.nz/books/28-04-2026/review-barry-sopers-press-gallery-was-a-lot-different-from-mine
      
      3 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 2, 2026 9:46am
      - David Garrett
        
        MCos: Thanks for that… two things stand out in that review for me : first her reference to Soper being “spiteful ” for opining that Ardern “didn’t have the intellectual capacity to understand what was happening to the economy during Covid”; he is spot on – Ardern lacked intellectual capacity about many things. She and I were newbies in 2008. I was on a select committee with her.
        
        Secondly this under-educated girl thinks Soper’s memoir is “a novel”. God help us. But it’s not an autobiography either.
        
        22 2
        Report
        May 2, 2026 10:13am
      - Boy Geoff
        
        DG: Is Lyric’s reference to Soper’s book as a ‘novel’ just a smart arsed dig that she doesn’t think it’s factual….? Or just a simple denigration of some old white msn from a wahine?
        
        5 1
        Report
        May 2, 2026 10:55am
      - David Garrett
        
        Boy Geoff: Fair question…but I suspect the answer is that this young woman has only a vague idea what a novel is…and even less knowledge of 5he nature of a memoir
        
        3 1
        Report
        May 2, 2026 3:33pm
  - Jack5
    
    Cossie, the regional owners of regional newspapers back in the day in influence balanced the union-Left stance of journalists and printers.
    
    8 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 9:27am
  - Cassandra
    
    Spinoff? Re Soper? Dog bites man is not news.
    
    11 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 9:37am
    - MCōs
      
      Suit yourself
      
      4 4
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 2, 2026 9:46am
      - Cassandra
        
        😇
        
        4 0
        Report
        May 2, 2026 11:07am
      - Cassandra
        
        It’s anti Muldoon and pro Ardern, precisely what,you’d expect from The Spinoff. And just your cuppa.
        
        9 2
        Report
        May 2, 2026 11:12am
    - Maggy Wassilieff
      
      link:
      https://thespinoff.co.nz/books/28-04-2026/review-barry-sopers-press-gallery-was-a-lot-different-from-mine
      
      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/barry-soper-on-new-book-lifting-lid-on-12-prime-ministers-in-the-beehive-the-front-page/SRJFJT7WQVA3BKLPJLWDMEXXLI/
      
      7 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 2, 2026 9:47am
- pb
  
  They are being destroyed using the same dirty tactics they’ve used for years and want our pity? Let them cook.
  
  Sir Thomas More: “Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned ’round on you, where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country is planted thick with laws, from coast to coast, Man’s laws, not God’s! And if you cut them down, and you’re just the man to do it, do you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I’d give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety’s sake!”
  
  5 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 11:35am
  - Paulus
    
    Not forgetting the Bible I believe which says
    “Drink a little Wine for the sake of your stomach, and thine other oft infirmities “
    
    5 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    May 2, 2026 2:21pm
    - Don Beckett
      
      Sir & Saint Thomas More – one of the greatest chancellors England ever had, & one of the greatest English Catholic saints in history.
      
      4 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      May 2, 2026 3:10pm
artemisia

A report on meniscal tear surgery from Alex Berenson on his Unreported Truths substack.

Does meniscal tear surgery – performed in the US nearly 1 million times a year – do any good?
A new study suggests the answer is a flat no. Worse, the surgery may actually harm patients’ knees in the long run.

While the results are interesting it is perhaps even more interesting the way the study was run. The control group had fake surgery.

https://alexberenson.substack.com/p/does-meniscal-tear-surgery-performed
5 0
Log in to Reply
Report
May 2, 2026 10:45am
- rouppe
  
  I can tell you that meniscul tear surgery is incredibly useful. I’ve had 3 such surgeries.
  
  First, a bad golf shot, twisted on the back foot, instant pain. Could not walk comfortably, nor do any activity without searing pain flaring in the knee. Surgery, while recovery was quite long, about 6 months, solved that problem.
  
  Second, after starting going for lunch time runs in an attempt to get fitter in my mid thirties, every run would result in massive swelling in the other knee, taking several days to recede, only to recur on another run. The GP just said I was overweight and unfit. I went directly to the surgeon – Chris Hoffman if you’re interested, bloody good – who ordered an MRI that showed a split. Another surgery, another longish recovery, but all good since then.
  
  Third I can’t even remember what the trigger was, but same action and result as the other two.
  
  As a result I can still ski, I’m still hiking and trekking, I can still scuba dive, many of which I wouldn’t be able to do without the surgery.
  
  7 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 1:12pm
Jack5

The Herald continues on its Leftist track …

– Reporting Stuff’s anonymous attack on Rod Drury.

– Piling on to Chris Luxon for cancelling TVNZ. interviews.

NZ’s media hunting as a pack. “Come out and talk with us when we say or we’ll bloody well eat you.”

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/pm-christopher-luxon-speaks-with-mike-hosking-after-india-free-trade-deal-signed/522ZSPNQ2VDEDCKZECX75L4JQM/
7 0
Log in to Reply
Report
May 2, 2026 11:07am
- Prince
  
  The cartoons tell you all you need to know about their concept of balanced content.
  
  3 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 8:33pm
pb

Diversity has been holed and is sinking. It was perhaps not as Judith said “Something of a Triumph.”

https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/navy/navy-news/final-court-of-inquiry-into-hmnzs-manawanui-grounding-and-sinking-in-samoa-released/
7 0
Log in to Reply
Report
May 2, 2026 11:41am
Swifty

I completely support Australia’s decision to boot him out of their country, just as we maintain the right to do the same to undesirables here:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/african-born-father-to-be-deported-to-new-zealand-from-australia-as-a-501/AQBTQBYVTRE3LMOPMKGREVWUUI/

It’s just a pity that it is to our shores that he is being booted to.
11 0
Log in to Reply
Report
May 2, 2026 1:59pm
- NZer In Exile
  
  Citizenship should be provisional for people not born into a country. As in do serious crimes or bring the nasty crap from whence you came and you go back to where you came from with citizenship and re-entry cancelled for good.
  
  If people argue “but that’s not real citizenship” then fine, just give them long term PR (with the aforementioned terms and conditions).
  
  5 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 4:10pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  Oz doesn’t piss around…
  
  Looks like Karel Sroubek is still in NZ.
  
  https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/580109/karel-sroubek-may-still-avoid-deportation-after-court-setback
  
  We really are a bunch of suckas!
  
  6 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 4:31pm
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  I support Australia’s right to remove wrong ‘uns, but Australia needs to acknowledge that they made him, we didn’t. He arrived in NZ aged 4 and left aged 12. All of the offences he has committed were committed in Australia.
  
  3 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 6:07pm
Don Beckett

It appears – via Tousi – that 3 Iranian cities have been abandoned by the I.R.G.C & the citizens have taken over – Teheran, Shiraz & Mashdad ??
No doubt the IRGC & the Mullahs are regrouping and to start the slaughter again – maybe tomorrow.
However, the citizenry is now partially armed & are hunting down IRGC members.
Is the is the beginning of the end of the Islamic State of Iran ? Let’s hope so.
9 1
Log in to Reply
Report
May 2, 2026 3:17pm
- Notsofast
  
  Tousi is the go to guy when needing more winning.
  Him and Victor Davis Hansen.
  
  2 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 5:36pm
greybeard

Jamie Joseph must be the most overrated coach in Super Rugby.
Not only does his selection of players deserve very strong examination but his total lack of game-strategy is pathetic.
Any team going to Fiji and playing their team in front of a hostile and partisan home crowd, and almost guaranteed filthy hot and wet conditions, requires a well-thought-out game plan.
Fiji’s strength is is their ability to play sevens-style rugby with 15 men. That is what they do, and it never varies.
The best counter to this is to play 10-man rugby: control the set piece, get into a dominating position using scrums and lineouts and then kick the penalties or use the forwards as an attack weapon.
Don’t resort to playing them at their own game.
4 0
Log in to Reply
Report
May 2, 2026 6:46pm
- Prince
  
  I agree, thankfully he missed out on gthe big job.
  On the other hand we have Tana Umaga as defence coach. Bewildering.
  
  3 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  May 2, 2026 8:30pm

Add a Comment Cancel reply

Login to comment or vote

« The UK elections – how bad will Labour do

Soper on Ardern »

Donations

You can now donate to Kiwiblog

Exclusive content from DPF on Patreon

Become a Patron!

Never miss a post

Email Address

Join 13K other subscribers

Highlights

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

Links

"The principal view of human laws is, or ought always to be, to explain, protect, and enforce such rights as are absolute, which in themselves are few and simple."
Not PC
We Are a Country That Decided Housing Was The Economy
No Minister
My Opening Statement for the UATX Caplan-Jones Immigration Rematch
Utopia
Woman of the day
Hompaddock
Open Mike 04/06/2026
The Standard
Playing with numbers.
Kiwipolitico
A lot of fuss about a simple Bill – its purpose (to make English an official language) is spelled out in 22 words
Point of Order
A crime
No Right Turn
Another non-tariff barrier
Offsetting Behaviour
Rugby Premiership Predictions for Round 18
Stats Chat
Budget 2026
NZCPR
UK Conversion Therapy Ban, Digital ID, Rallies, Elections
Bob McCoskrie's McBlog
A central banker’s fiction
Croaking Cassandra
THE WORKING FROM HOME RACKET BY PUBLIC SERVANTS
No Punches Pulled (Bob Jones)
Tory Whanau may have to sell Wellington mayoralty to make ends meet
The Civilian
The Accidental Engagement
Imperator Fish
Legal Beagle: Election '23: The Special Votes
Public Address
Get Vaccinated Tomorrow Or Shut Your Pie Hole
Cactus Kate
Making this movie might have been a mistake
Liam Hehir
Why I am retiring from political blogging
Kiwi FireWalker

[email protected]

PO Box 12270, Thorndon, Wellington 6144

Facebook
Twitter
FourSquare
Instagram
LinkedIn
Google+

Archives
Disclosure Statement
Editorial Policy
Privacy Policy
Complaints Policy
Comments Policy

Design by cre8d

%d

Share this:

Like this: