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June 23, 2026 8:00am by Kokila Patel

General Debate 23 June 2026

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General Debate

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Cassandra

Damian Grant re the Defence Capability Plan released by Judith Collins: “It isn’t a plan. It is a public relations document. We do not take defence seriously. We are relying on obscurity, hope, along with the tyranny of distance, and prefer others do the dying and pray the good guys prevail. We are following Ireland’s strategy, not Switzerland’s, to avoid falling prey to any east Asian crocodiles.”

Grant goes on to lambast Luxon and the Nats’ hypocrisy.

I’ve long felt that Luxon is a competent manager but a hopeless politician. But we’re stuck with him for now and will have to rely on others to steer the Coalition to a more responsible policy.

We live in dangerous times. NZ must pay its share.
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June 23, 2026 8:12am
- pdm
  
  Cass I think we have a good man in Chris Penk on the job at the moment.
  
  The big problem would be if he is not there after the Election.
  
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  June 23, 2026 8:17am
  - Pope Punctilious II
    
    He has a majority of over 19,000 in his Kaipara electorate, so he’s very likely to survive a swing against the government.
    
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    June 23, 2026 8:54am
    - pdm
      
      PPII – I was more concerned about the likelihood of the Coalitioin being re-elected to Government.
      
      National are doing their best to ensure it does not happen and it only needs Winston to jump left and it is probably game over.
      
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      June 23, 2026 12:19pm
      - R
        
        The present coalition, sans Winston, would be much more effective, and stable
        
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        June 23, 2026 12:42pm
  - imalwaysright
    
    I like Penk, but he has to sideline his manners and affability and draw upon his military aggression.
    
    He was on TV1 breakfast last week and, while he had the winning ideas, he came across as weak and insipid in the mould of his leader.
    
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    June 23, 2026 12:19pm
    - R
      
      Chris Penk is not a knee-jerk reactor. Military discipline trains you to be reflective of ALL the options; not just the politically expedient ones.
      
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      June 23, 2026 12:44pm
      - imalwaysright
        
        And it doesn’t instruct you to be subjugated by an ex bookie and a political activist masquerading as a tv presenter.
        You clearly don’t realise the value and application of the use of emotional and verbal force. The prime rule is that one does not allow themselves to be minimised in front of the ‘other ranks’.
        
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        June 23, 2026 1:10pm
- Taieri
  
  NZ must pay its share
  ———-
  
  Its share of what? An to whom?
  
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  June 23, 2026 9:23am
  - Bevan
    
    It’s a common phrase used to reference that NZ needs to invest more in defence in comparison to its allies – in this instance, Australia. Hope that helps.
    
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    June 23, 2026 10:06am
    - Dudley Quaffquaff
      
      Defence against what? Who’s going to invade us, and why would they? What have we got that another country might want, but can’t – more quickly, easily, cheaply and with less political damage – obtain by simply buying it?
      
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      June 23, 2026 10:46am
      - R
        
        STRATEGIC LOCATION!……a base in NZ gives an aggressor nation unconstrained access to the entire Pacific, and America’s backdoor
        
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        June 23, 2026 12:49pm
      - virtualmark
        
        Using a purely “defence of New Zealand” lens it’s primarily defence against economic coercion.
        
        The largest potential threat is another country, or group of countries, threatening our air and sea lanes and hence stopping the flow of goods and people in and out of New Zealand. The low level version of this threat is some sort of blockade. The high level version is something like the War of the Atlantic in WWII. The air and sea lanes we’re particularly concerned about are those to Australia and to North America.
        
        Historically the country that could give life to that threat was the United States, and our response was to ally with them – which was easy because we share the same basic worldview of democracy, free trade etc.
        
        But now China is rising to the point where it too could give life to that threat. We don’t feel comfortable allying with them because their worldview is at odds with ours. So we need to be able to deter them. We can’t do that on our own so we will need allies, and those allies will expect us to do more than just lie back and phone it in.
        
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        June 23, 2026 4:53pm
    - ds
      
      Defence against whom. Even if we spent our entire budget on defence would it make any difference if invaded…..Rollover in two days instead of one.
      
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      June 23, 2026 12:01pm
      - imalwaysright
        
        Correct.
        We are better off trading our skills at producing food to those who need it and are willing to protect their source.
        Spending $12 billion every year on crap that will never be fired or will arrive just after Christmas is ridiculous.
        The ties between modern politicians and the military industrial complex Eisenhower warned us about have become embedded.
        
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        June 23, 2026 1:32pm
    - Taieri
      
      The “need to invest more” is not specifically addressed in the current agreements with Australia as in:
      
      https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/statements/2024-12-06/australia-new-zealand-joint-statement-closer-defence-relations
      
      or in:
      
      https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/operationalising-australia-new-zealand-alliance-anzac-2035-closer-defence-relations
      
      In fact, other than very general statements there’s very little that would indicate the specific detailed defence policy of this fine country.
      
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      June 23, 2026 12:15pm
  - alphabeatrium
    
    You almost convinced me. Even if NZ allocated 20% of GDP to defence, our size would mean that it could not possibly prevent hypothetical invasion by China.
    It falls over on a few fronts:
    – China would undoubtedly still prefer to just buy whatever it needs from us.
    – If we are to rely on our allies, then their goodwill relies on us committing to funding our defence reasonably comparably to theirs (as a % of GDP).
    – There are other benefits to having a competent and well-equiped military, including regional disaster relief (which is good for international relations).
    
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    June 23, 2026 1:39pm
- R
  
  Cas, the reason this country is in the paralous economic situation it is; is because past SOCIALIST governments have only had politicians, NOT competent managers who understand economics, plus the concept of consequences. Look at the recent Ardern/Hipkins govt for an recent example
  
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  June 23, 2026 10:04am
  - Ian Boag
    
    Muldoon was great too!
    
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    June 23, 2026 12:15pm
    - Steve Otto N Shore
      
      Who forced you to type and post that??????
      
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      June 23, 2026 1:17pm
      - Ian Boag
        
        competent managers who understand economics ….. 🙂
        
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        June 23, 2026 1:54pm
      - tavita
        
        A friend of mine was in the prime minister’s department at the time
        His conclusion: muldoon was a brilliant analyst – unless he became emotionally attached to some idra
        
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        June 23, 2026 7:17pm
- Ra Henare
  
  I read Damian’s “”piece”.”
  
  Suggest Damian stick to his day job/insolvency.
  
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  June 23, 2026 3:13pm
Gravelroad

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360994940/riding-gravy-train-why-our-politicians-are-no-longer-us
This is just straight out one-sided electioneering propaganda.
Read the comments though. There is credible pushback.
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June 23, 2026 8:14am
- greybeard
  
  [ Mod – not really “debate” ]
  
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  June 23, 2026 8:17am
Cassandra

Trump may ask Iran for a new peace deal after the midterm elections a member of Mr Trump’s inner circle has told the UK’s Telegraph.
.
The US president needed to secure an agreement to address surging inflation and protect vulnerable Republican seats when Americans vote on 3 November.

After the election Trump will “renegotiate” ie the war might well resume.

Makes sense in some ways – Trump will not want to be remembered as a loser – but he also won’t want a Democratic successor.
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June 23, 2026 8:15am
greybeard

I have just heard Hosking interviewing Ardie Savea, the new ABs’ captain.
Good grief, talk about dull as dishwater ! Hardly inspiring.
I couldn’t help but compare his delivery with Kirifi’s speech and comments after the SRP final. Kirifi was articulate, energised, intelligent – considering his obvious playing ability , why he was omitted from the squad is a mystery.
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June 23, 2026 8:15am
- pdm
  
  Savea was always going to be like that.
  
  I think Kirifi’s problem is he is too small for the modern game.
  
  No mention of Finau missing out – he was probably the Chiefs best forward on Saturday but he has never measured up in an All Black Jersey.
  
  Why? I think he was overawed by being in the Black jersey.
  
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  June 23, 2026 8:21am
  - MCōs
    
    Kirifi is short at 5’-11, as opposed to Savea at 6’-3, but he’s 102kg and Savea 105kg
    Height is pretty much set, but weight is easily manipulated
    Btw
    The shortest current AB forward at 5’-10 is Asafo Aumua
    
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    June 23, 2026 10:00am
- artemisia
  
  I really don’t understand why Moana Pasifika continued operating long after they knew they could not meet their financial obligations. Media items mentioned up to 80 staff, including the squad (about half the number), impacted. One item mentioned 4 marketing staff. Maybe those numbers are quite usual, but competent financial management is still a thing. Isn’t it?
  
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  June 23, 2026 8:29am
  - pdm
    
    Obviously the marketing staff weren’t too flash at their jobs arty otherwise Sponsors and Donors would have been queuing up with bags of dosh for the club (is it a club?) to keep it going.
    
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    June 23, 2026 8:54am
  - MCōs
    
    The competition needs them rather than vice versa to remain relevant
    It’s already lost the South African teams, and Australian, Japanese & Argentinian teams
    Hoards of players are heading to Japan and Europe
    NRL scouts are over here eyeballing schoolboy talent and signing kids up without a lawyer in sight
    
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    June 23, 2026 10:18am
- Prince
  
  I think Savea would have told teh selectors he didn’t want Kirifi. When Savea ditched the Canes, Kirifi took over and had immediate effect on morale and results.
  I think Savea wouldn’t appreciate that.
  
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  June 23, 2026 8:35am
- Anthony Melchett
  
  Savea is also well past his prime (he was very good in his prime too) and now plays lazy rugby where he hides 3 out from most rucks and has a vastly reduced workmate. Not what you expect from a 7. Also, the way he carried on last year was very entitled, to the point I hope he fails spectacularly. He doesn’t even want to be captain.
  
  Kirifi has now won 2 npcs and a super title as captain. When you hear him talk he is a genuine leader and 10 x the captain savea is. He is also way more effective at 7 given he gives you 120% every game compared to the 60% we get from Savea.
  
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  June 23, 2026 8:59am
  - imalwaysright
    
    NZRFU could easily pass for a Government department.
    
    This will probably be the worst year for the All Blacks and will see kids going to football and basketball etc.
    
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    June 23, 2026 10:10am
    - Quail
      
      Message to all those interested in taking part in NZ Rugby .
      Go north young man, if you want to play ( coach )for the AB’s .
      
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      June 23, 2026 11:12am
      - imalwaysright
        
        Yes, plenty of New Zealanders hoping for a career in rugby will quickly become experts in passport eligibility requirements.
        
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        June 23, 2026 1:13pm
- imalwaysright
  
  “…Good grief, talk about dull as dishwater ! Hardly inspiring.”
  
  Have noticed that in sportsmen these days. They play everything down and appear to adopt the persona of a bank teller nearing retirement.
  
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  June 23, 2026 10:54am
NeverMindTheBollocks

Shell Lane (The Terrace) bike rack report:

At 8.22am, just the one lonely bike today.

A cool, calm, sunny morning in the Capital, absolutely ideal for cycling.

If not today, then when?
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June 23, 2026 8:22am
- [email protected]
  
  Kamo Road, Whangarei bike rack report.
  
  Yesterday was pretty nice. Zero bikes as usual. I have actually never seen a bicycle in the racks by the Marina or those at Kensington.
  
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  June 23, 2026 10:07am
  - Taieri
    
    I have actually never seen a bicycle in the racks
    ———-
    
    That’s because they are all riding…
    But, jokes aside, these racks are not there for any practical reason. They are there to show that the councils are progressively supporting “active transport” and care about the state of the planet.
    Down south they reduced the number of lanes on SH1 to accommodate cycle lanes. Cycle lanes, which nobody seems to be using, yet they are still there, contributing to the not-so-smooth anymore flow of traffic on what is supposed to be an arterial road.
    
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    June 23, 2026 12:27pm
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  Update: at 1.37pm, 7 bikes.
  
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  June 23, 2026 1:37pm
  - Ra Henare
    
    So? Proof that bike riders dont go to work early OR they are going to town for lunch with friends.
    
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    June 23, 2026 3:17pm
    - NeverMindTheBollocks
      
      “Going to town to lunch with friends” – guffaw!
      
      Amigo, let me enlighten you. Ladies Who Lunch do not do so on The Terrace, and never travel by bicycle.
      
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      June 23, 2026 5:37pm
  - NeverMindTheBollocks
    
    Further update: at 5.35pm, back to one bike, which looks like being the bike that was there at 8.22am. Kudos to that rider.
    
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    June 23, 2026 5:35pm
Cassandra

The big news this morning is Starmer’s resignation. Burnham will be sworn in as an MP later today I imagine and then off to see KC3 after that.
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June 23, 2026 8:30am
- Nikola Donatello
  
  How can he see the King today without being leader of the Labour Party? Doesn’t he have to he elected leader?
  
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  June 23, 2026 8:51am
- Damocles11
  
  ‘Starmer has asked Labour’s ruling national executive committee to set out a timetable for a contest, with nominations opening on 9 July, and to be completed by the summer recess just a week later. Labour MPs would hold an in-person hustings regardless of the number of candidates.
  But with no other Labour MP expected to get the requisite 81 names, and Wes Streeting saying he would not challenge him, Burnham is set to take over unopposed, entering No 10 as early as 16 or 17 July.’
  
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  June 23, 2026 8:55am
  - All_on_Red
    
    Link?
    
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    June 23, 2026 10:00am
    - MCōs
      
      It was all laid out on the BBC yesterday
      It’s not like the Nats here, who can vote on a new leader on the spot.
      The UK Labour Party has a caucus of 403 MPs with all sorts of factions.
      I don’t know what the Conservatives did over there.
      Their leaders have come thick and fast.
      
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      June 23, 2026 10:31am
      - All_on_Red
        
        You should link to Articles you quote
        
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        June 23, 2026 11:24am
      - Ghost
        
        It’s on the bbc, it’s a very easy url to type in and look for yourself
        
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        June 23, 2026 12:16pm
      - All_on_Red
        
        Yes Ghost I am quite capable of using Search Engines.
        But the blog etiquette is you link to the article (well it has been the last 20 odd years on this Blog).
        Enables us to check on Cherry picking etc.
        Be nice if some of these ‘cut n pasters’ made a comment about the article too.
        This isnt Facebook.
        You do it well Ghost-its useful.
        
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        June 23, 2026 12:56pm
- Nukuleka
  
  Are you implying that the UK has become something of a banana republic, Cassandra? Not quite descended to that as yet. Burnham may have staged something of a coup but even he has to go through the formal process of an election to become Leader of the Labour Party before he can form a government and head to Buckingham Palace to get the royal warrant from Charles to become PM. Starmer has indicated he will likely remain PM till September.
  
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  June 23, 2026 8:58am
  - Cassandra
    
    I read that he’d resigned. The September plan is off apparently. He won’t see the King today. One estimate is three weeks. I guess Starmer stays as a caretaker until then.
    
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    June 23, 2026 9:20am
  - NeverMindTheBollocks
    
    No bananas.
    
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    June 23, 2026 6:49pm
- cmm (semi-retired edition)
  
  The Muslim King is probably at prayers.
  
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  June 23, 2026 9:06am
  - imalwaysright
    
    Starmer is a Fabian so he will know the prayer schedule inside out…
    
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    June 23, 2026 10:29am
- kowtow
  
  Not so quick.There’s to be a few months of transition.Kier remains in the meantime.
  
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  June 23, 2026 9:08am
- lastmanstanding
  
  Starmer is staying on until they have an election contest under Labour rules. The plan is Burnham will replace Starmer after the summer recess. He will be the 7th PM in 10 years. He is hard Left and has much support in the Party. He will take the country further to the Left. Higher taxes more borrowing more benefits more illegal immigrants. There will be a flight of capital. The Right is split between the Conservatives Reform and Restore none of whom want to work with each other. Labour will win the next election in 2029 and will keep on winning while the 3 Right wing parties dont unite. UK has FPP not MMP. I dont see a good future for hard working taxpayers.
  
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  June 23, 2026 9:10am
  - Cassandra
    
    There’s only a contest if someone stands. One estimate is that Burnham could be the PM mid July.
    
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    June 23, 2026 9:28am
  - mogg
    
    You are treating the Makerfield by election as if it were a general election, Burnham was a popular Northern local boy standing in a Labour stronghold, the rest of the country knows nothing about him he has already u-turned on previously held positions.
    If he carries out his big talk spending plans the bond markets will destroy him, 10 yr Guilts have already risen at the prospect of a Burnham govt. UK debt is £2.8 trillion, annual interest bill alone is £115 billion. They are bankrupt.
    
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    June 23, 2026 10:50am
    - NothingLeft
      
      Makerfield was a chance for UK voters to knife Starmer – which they did with turnout higher than last election.
      
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      June 23, 2026 1:29pm
  - Drone
    
    Until any government addresses the increasing financial inequality in society be it American, English or New Zealand, hard working taxpayers wont have a good future. PR governments will always seek to implement the “softest” policies, which may not be in the long term interest of the country. Right Wing governments tend to seek or extend the status quo, see Trump’s America and the excess number of billionaires and now a trillionaire and the number of people existing at or below the poverty line. Perhaps the new PM in England can do something positive for the country unlike the last six prime ministers.
    
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    June 23, 2026 3:40pm
- Wairoa Native
  
  Keir Starmer had some of the worst popularity ratings of any recent British prime minister. According to YouGov’s May 2026 poll only 23% of Britons viewed him favourably, 69% viewed him unfavourably. Giving him a favourability rating of -46. He had to go.
  
  For a party in government, in the UK, labour are very unpopular. YouGov published a poll in early June 2026 showing Reform UK on 27%, Conservatives on 18%, and Labour on 18%. Even worse than National are doing here in NZ!
  
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  June 23, 2026 9:24am
  - All_on_Red
    
    I reckon most of those voting for Burnham in Makersfield did so to get rid of Starmer
    
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    June 23, 2026 10:03am
- NothingLeft
  
  Winston Marshall does a pithy summary of Keir’s appalling tenure as PM and bleak future outlook as labour plan push to impose proportional representation while they hold their last every majority:
  https://youtu.be/m2r8tnx02Lg
  
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  June 23, 2026 9:29am
- David Garrett
  
  Cass: For me the only surprise is that Starmer lasted as long as he did. He lost all authority after the Mandelson disaster.
  
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  June 23, 2026 10:30am
  - mogg
    
    He lost all authority when he started taking free gifts (bribes) from donors. That was in the first month of his premiership. If that wasn’t enough he allowed two budgets which destroyed growth, jobs and enterprise. In two short years Labour raised taxes by £600B, the wealth creators scarpered. For gods sake who in their right mind would take away Winter heating payments from pensioners, while at the same time spending billions on housing illegals immigrants and overstayers.
    
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    June 23, 2026 11:01am
  - imalwaysright
    
    He never had any authority in the proper sense.
    He abused the Office from day 1 with his jackbooted fishnet clad foot being placed firmly on the throat of the British, post the murder of the little girls at Southport.
    
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    June 23, 2026 11:17am
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    He kept losing any credibility amongst working-class folk as his role in the grooming gangs’ scandals became clearer.
    
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1I5e1pcD1Us
    
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    June 23, 2026 12:29pm
  - Pope Punctilious II
    
    Lowlights of two-tier Kier’s political career:
    – Taking the knee.
    – When asked whether he preferred Westminster or Davos, he chose the latter. When asked “Why not Westminster?” he answered “Too limiting”.
    – His role in the grooming gangs scandal.
    
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    June 23, 2026 5:32pm
- Ra Henare
  
  Cass, do keep up. 🙂
  Your Imagine is well out of touch as to the time frame.
  
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  June 23, 2026 3:19pm
Rusty

The UK has now had 7 PMs in 10 years. How many has NZ and Aust had in that time?
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June 23, 2026 9:05am
- cmm (semi-retired edition)
  
  And they’re getting worse and worse.
  
  Remember when we thought Theresa May was a clown? Ah, the good old days!
  
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  June 23, 2026 9:35am
  - Inandout
    
    cmm, we were told that about Liz Truss by the legacy media, but she gave a bit of reality when interviewed by Heretic. PMs today are little more than cardboard cutouts, they do what they are told.
    
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    June 23, 2026 9:55am
    - NothingLeft
      
      I think times now well passed when we would trust the opinion of MSM journos and editorials- they’ve shown their 5th columnist colours and destroyed all trust once invested in them.
      
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      June 23, 2026 1:32pm
- Anthony Melchett
  
  NZ has had 5 and Australia 3
  
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  June 23, 2026 10:52am
  - imalwaysright
    
    Don’t think so.
    
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    June 23, 2026 12:29pm
    - MCōs
      
      Luxon, Hipkins, Ardern, English and Key
      The difference is that two of them lost elections after their predecessors unexpectedly resigned
      In the UK only one of their seven pms lost an election. The rest were booed off the stage except Cameron, who was humiliated by the Brexit vote
      
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      June 23, 2026 1:36pm
      - imalwaysright
        
        Yes, thanks
        
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        June 23, 2026 6:16pm
- pb
  
  Larry the cat for PM
  
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  June 23, 2026 6:56pm
imalwaysright

President of New Zealand in Waiting, Jacinda Ardern, is selling her house in Auckland.
She says she lives in Australia to be closer to New Zealand.
Yip….
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June 23, 2026 9:08am
- kowtow
  
  She did say there were two classes of NZers .
  
  Here’s more proof .
  
  Them and us.
  
  Donncha lurv how internationalist socialist comrades can literally make a fortune out of western capitalism and be truly international by doing the moonlight flit with all that moolah.
  
  Leaving the Plebs behind in cold houses they can’t afford to heat , cos climate change and this generations’ something or other moment.While cosplaying as an indigenous princess .
  
  She’s no “imposter”, just a fraud and hypocrite.
  
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  June 23, 2026 9:36am
- Taieri
  
  President of New Zealand in Waiting, Jacinda Ardern
  ————
  
  President-for-Life…?
  
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  June 23, 2026 9:47am
  - Raphael
    
    Malevolent Dictator For Life.
    
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    June 23, 2026 11:49am
    - imalwaysright
      
      Most permitted her to be Dictator.
      
      The brave parliament protestors saved this country from total annihilation while the opposition, National, actually facilitated her dictatorship by allowing Parliament to be dissolved and supporting her regimes deal with overseas drug companies to employ her and the rest of the signatories to the still secret agreement as marketing agents.
      
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      June 23, 2026 12:35pm
- Mr Nobody NZ
  
  I’d suggest she recognises that, given public sentiment, the reality is she won’t be able to return to New Zealand to live full‑time in the short to medium term.
  
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  June 23, 2026 9:54am
  - imalwaysright
    
    It could be that the Police have told her they can’t guarantee her safety.
    I would be very surprised if they told her that they could.
    
    11 1
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    June 23, 2026 10:14am
  - R
    
    If ever. She must be the most despised ex PM that NZ has ever had.
    
    13 1
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    June 23, 2026 10:55am
    - muzled
      
      I’d say she’s viewed as a coward which is almost worse than being despised.
      
      If she’d stayed here and taken her metaphorical beatings on the chin she would be living a largely normal life here now.
      
      People would still dislike her, but they would have been able to vent their dislike, and moved on.
      
      Alas, she trucked off overseas to do the only thing she’s ever wanted to do – build her brand.
      
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      June 23, 2026 2:54pm
      - Drone
        
        [ Mod – not sure which bit of this was “debate” ]
        
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        June 23, 2026 3:46pm
- Hugh Jarse
  
  Helen Clarke has her name on that role, certainly not some faux socialist who wanted all the trappings of a royal investiture in a real palace in the home of royalty, by a real Prince.
  
  Not a more fitting local service held in a somewhat rundown big house in Wellington by a local indigenous Governor General amongst the people she adored and the children she saved from poverty for this upwardly mobile middle aged socialist.
  
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  June 23, 2026 10:43am
- Sacha
  
  Wouldn’t the Chathams be closer?
  
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  June 23, 2026 11:10am
- pb
  
  Jacinda is the high heeled wicked witch of the west, flown off on her broom. She’s just another economic immigrant now, victim of her captain calls and the podium of labour truth’s
  
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  June 23, 2026 7:02pm
Paulus

Ovder there she will get a CGT not like her capital gain here.
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June 23, 2026 9:40am
imalwaysright

Michael Laws, this morning on the Platform, has interviewed Chris Bishop, Nicola Willis, and Winston Peters.
All about 10 to 20 minutes length.
Mr Farrar is also a regular guest.

TVNZ and RNZ should take a look at themselves being shamed by a company of about 10 people whose budget would be their rounding error.
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June 23, 2026 9:46am
- MCōs
  
  How many people listen to Michael Laws?
  
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  June 23, 2026 10:38am
  - imalwaysright
    
    They were listening to Laws and his guests.
    
    Three of the top politicians in the country within an hour while TV1 are interviewing pissed up football supporters and showing us chickens wearing football strip.
    
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    June 23, 2026 11:02am
    - MCōs
      
      Yes, but how many people listen to Michael Laws, which is necessary to listen to all those government big shots?
      
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      June 23, 2026 2:12pm
      - imalwaysright
        
        Clearly its enough for them to want to take part MCos.
        It is the only place where they get a chance to speak and elaborate and where we get a chance to listen.
        Its very good.
        
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        June 23, 2026 6:20pm
  - muzled
    
    Well mcos, if you’d listened to him last week you would have heard him say that he has over 440,000 ‘views’ a week.
    
    You’re welcome.
    
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    June 23, 2026 2:56pm
Prince

With the recent outrage by whanau over the treatment of an 11 year old by authorities, has anyone asked why an 11 year old girl was in the middle of the road climbing a bridge at 6:30am on a Sunday morning ?
Or is that a question too uncomfortable to ask.
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June 23, 2026 9:55am
- Ghost
  
  The girl is non verbal austitic, elopement is common amongst autistic
  
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  June 23, 2026 10:05am
  - Prince
    
    Were the enraged whanau not aware of this ? Were no safeguards in place at 6:30am on a Sunday ?
    In all the hand-wringing and apology-seeking from the ‘gumint’,should no questions be asked of whanau ?
    
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    June 23, 2026 10:26am
    - Ghost
      
      What safe guards do you want? Family were asleep. There is always a way out of the house no matter how well someone thinks its secure. I’d always climb out of a window.
      
      Parents who are shopping with their autistic child turn to grab something and the kid is gone.
      
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      June 23, 2026 10:36am
      - cmm (semi-retired edition)
        
        “What safe guards do you want?”
        
        If you have a special needs child then you change your lifestyle to cater to it.
        
        Improve the security so the child can’t slip out. Become buddies with the cops so they know your child personally.
        
        If you have an child that does a runner then either don’t take them to the mall or alternatively keep an extremely good eye on them.
        
        The idea that you should just let your child run wild and society must compensate is entirely broken.
        
        Alternatively, if you really must fall back on society to do your parenting for you then you need to accept that “the system” is not perfect and sometimes mistakes will happen.
        
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        June 23, 2026 10:43am
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    Yeah, but it is not common for young autistic girls to be walking down the middle of the road and climbing onto the railings of a bridge early on a Sunday Morning.
    
    I really can’t see why the Prime Minister needed to apologise, especially after the Health authorities had apologised for sedating the child (in the mistaken belief she was a missing compulsory treatment patient).
    
    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/615881/as-a-human-being-as-a-dad-pm-sorry-over-case-of-girl-sedated-at-mental-health-ward
    
    What the heck would have been the outcome if the cops hadn’t got to the child in time?
    
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    June 23, 2026 10:32am
    - cmm (semi-retired edition)
      
      “I really can’t see why the Prime Minister needed to apologise,”
      
      It is group white guilt. You’re guilty by association. Punch whitey and he hands out lollies.
      
      PS: You are also responsible for slavery in USA and Germans being mean to Herero people in Namibia.
      
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      June 23, 2026 10:37am
    - imalwaysright
      
      Luxon inserting himself in this reminds me of something Ardern might do to pull focus upon herself and utilise someones misery for self promotion.
      
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      June 23, 2026 10:44am
    - Ghost
      
      I’d go walking, I still do, from midnight until 2am. As a kid I would Climb trees, sit on the beach, swim. In high school my friends would join me and we’d play soccer or rugby, walk around the town, one friend id go fishing with. My parents never knew.
      
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      June 23, 2026 10:51am
      - Maggy Wassilieff
        
        Yes Ghost… many of us ancient ones grew up in benign times when cars and trucks weren’t racing down our streets… and when our local cops knew all the folks in the district.
        
        Plus, I suggest that a verbal child in possession of a modicum of cognitive skills is quite different from a confused, intellectually challenged, non-responding pre-pubescent girl.
        
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        June 23, 2026 11:12am
    - kowtow
      
      Has there been any media coverage of what her parents/caregivers were /weren’t doing so as she was out and about ……
      
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      June 23, 2026 11:37am
    - lifesgood
      
      It’s really weird. I grew up in a busy neighbourhood with lots of families and children and I don’t recall any children who were non verbal or autistic. Now there seems to be a proliferation of them. It’s not as if the disabled were hidden, one of my childhood playmates had Downs Syndrome and we treated him as just one of the “gang” , no problem.
      
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      June 23, 2026 11:54am
      - lifesgood
        
        I want to clarify. I am not denying these young people exist with these problems I am just wondering why there seems to be so many. I sincerely hope causes and cures are discovered.
        
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        June 23, 2026 1:26pm
  - David Garrett
    
    Ghost: So they have a propensity to go off and get married without warning?
    
    Just teasing you…I have learned a new meaning of a word today.
    
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    June 23, 2026 10:49am
    - imalwaysright
      
      In the West Coast its known as emmigrating…
      
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      June 23, 2026 12:06pm
    - Ghost
      
      https://autismawarenesscentre.com/autism-and-elopement-understanding-the-causes-and-reducing-the-risks/
      
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      June 23, 2026 12:09pm
    - Ghost
      
      Btw, if you want to watch something interesting in down time
      
      The The Telepathy Tapes is a good series
      
      The Telepathy Tapes is a groundbreaking series that challenges everything we think we know about communication and the human mind, inviting listeners to step into a reality where the impossible is not only possible but happening every day. Through emotional stories and undeniable evidence, The Telepathy Tapes offers a fresh perspective on the profound connections that exist beyond words. Prepare to be captivated, challenged, and ultimately transformed as the series shines a light on the untold capabilitie
      
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      June 23, 2026 12:19pm
      - imalwaysright
        
        Yes, I’ve often thought of the Telepathy Tapes…
        
        4 1
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        June 23, 2026 12:41pm
- SoloView
  
  @ Prince
  
  The police and the health system stuffed up.
  But hey – it’s a Maori child so it’s the parents fault./
  
  Would have been interesting to see people’s reactions if it had been a young white girl.
  
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  June 23, 2026 11:04am
  - R
    
    Would still be the parents fault, poor parenting supervision in both casès
    
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    June 23, 2026 1:06pm
  - Prince
    
    If it had been a young white girl, the first question would be how was she allowed to wander in the middle of the road at 6:30am Sunday. Where were the parents ?
    But hey, Maori child so gummint’s fault. Colonialism etc etc.
    
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    June 23, 2026 1:18pm
    - Ghost
      
      It happens more often than you realise, but they aren’t arrested, restrained and injected with psychotropic drugs. Some parents with money use trackers to monitor their children for when they go wondering.
      
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      June 23, 2026 1:29pm
      - imalwaysright
        
        Some parents with money?
        Do some parents have no money?
        A tracker costs $50.
        
        4 0
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        June 23, 2026 1:40pm
      - Ghost
        
        No, you do not use luggage trackers.
        
        https://www.angelsense.com/
        https://www.jiobit.com/
        
        In NZ https://wandersearchnz.org.nz/
        
        1 1
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        June 23, 2026 1:47pm
      - Ian Boag
        
        Bluetooth ones have no range to speak of. We got one for our dog … a small device that clips on the dog collar …. has a GPS and talks through the cell system so there are no range issues – uses an app. It’s not too bad in trees either. But you need to pay about $15/mo for the cell plan. Works real well but no free lunches 🙁
        for example – this is the one we bought
        https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/PETTRC0020/Tractive-GPS-Dog-6-Tracker—Subscription-Required
        
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        June 23, 2026 2:30pm
      - cmm (semi-retired edition)
        
        Ghost, just give it a rest mate.
        
        I expect the cops said: “Hey look, a wee Maori girl. Been looking for one of those. Let’s shoot her up with some drugs!”
        
        Is that what you really think happened?
        
        6 3
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        June 23, 2026 2:31pm
      - Ghost
        
        you’re the one that wrote cmm. bit moronic, but hey, this is kiwiblog. BTW, unlike many here throwing the family under the bus and bringing race into it, I am autistic and have friends whose children and grandchildren are non verbal autistic.
        
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        June 23, 2026 3:06pm
      - Prince
        
        By ‘throwing the family under the bus’, do you mean asking legitimate questions about how an 11 year old is out in the middle oof the road at 6:30am ?
        There may well be a simple answer, but in NZ it appears we are not even allowed to ask that question.
        
        6 0
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        June 23, 2026 3:18pm
      - NZer In Exile
        
        IB the bluetooth ones sold by large big tech phone operating systems just need another device with the same OS to go past and the location of the tracker is passed on to “HQ” by the passing phone. So in urban areas, bluetooth range is generally not a major issue. In more isolated areas, yeah, different story. A friend with a kid who has had serious depression got the kid to allow tracking software to be put on his phone so the parent can check in on the kid’s movements and location at all times. If the kid turns off the phone or tracking then the parent also gets alerted.
        
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        June 25, 2026 6:26pm
Swifty

World births visualised:

https://x.com/truthtroll_x/status/2069094615861596383?s=46

Quite startling.
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June 23, 2026 10:43am
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  Demographics are destiny.
  
  In decades to come, some minority historian will wonder how such wealthy people willed themselves into non existence.
  
  Except, they won’t, because the cultural values of the winners won’t permit history of that nature.
  
  Really, the post apocalyptic movies should feature not whites but Nigerians, Afghans and Pakistanis.
  
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  June 23, 2026 7:02pm
Swifty

The best leadership is by example.

I challenge Green MPs to begin paying taxes from today in line with their newly announced election tax policy.

They should begin paying 2.5% on net assets annually (I don’t care what their wealth is) capital acquisitions tax and personal tax at the proposed personal income tax rates.

Don’t expect others to do what you’re not prepared to do yourself.

Leadership 101.
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June 23, 2026 10:50am
- rouppe
  
  You’d see a flurry of asset revaluations like Ilhan Omar who in the space of a year (pre and post Illinois fraud revelations) has seen her net worth go from as much as $30 million to near zero.
  
  Magically. Due to “an accounting error”.
  
  I’m a little bit suspicious.
  
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  June 23, 2026 12:28pm
- Ian Boag
  
  You could demonstrate your sincerity by volunteering to do it as well. If you think it is wrong, then you should agree if they don’t do it.
  
  I get similar rants when I say well-off pensioners should not be getting any kind of dole. I get it – I think it’s wrong – but it’s my money ….
  
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  June 23, 2026 6:36pm
  - NeverMindTheBollocks
    
    Swifty is not standing for office and seeking to implement draconian tax policies.
    
    That’s the difference, Ian.
    
    You’re welcome.
    
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    June 23, 2026 7:04pm
Ghost

Ryan Bridge Today, where he was asked about the possibility of NZ First forming a coalition with the Labour Party after the election in November, following recent ructions between NZ First and National.
“What’s wrong with you people? Do we need to come and put a brand on your head: ‘We’re not going with Labour’,” he responded.
“I haven’t been around this long to come on this programme to come on to talk about that sort of w…er question.”

Article

Still wouldn’t be surprised if he went with labour
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June 23, 2026 12:07pm
- Yvette
  
  Winston this morning …
  What’s wrong with you people? Do I need to come and put a brand on your head? We’re not going with Labour… I haven’t been around this long to come on this programme to talk about that sort of wanker question.”
  
  So Winston says “We’re not going with Labour” and now I have listened to a recoding of ‘Ryan Bridge TODAY’ to see was said straight after, in the [ … ] and it does not change or qualify the statement Winston makes.
  
  So I wonder if there is any legal or Electoral Commission device which means Winston can be held to this statement. Does the Electoral Commission have any means by which it protects voters from people who make definitive statements and then act to reveal they lied?
  Is there such a thing as Electoral Fraud?
  
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  June 23, 2026 12:10pm
  - Ghost
    
    Is there such a thing as electoral Fraud?
    
    Yes, it’s called politics.
    
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    June 23, 2026 12:14pm
    - Yvette
      
      The pivotal interview where New Zealand First leader Winston Peters unequivocally ruled out working with the Labour Party was published by the Weekend Herald in November 2022, conducted by senior political correspondent Audrey Young – the interview Winston referred to this morning.
      
      In his most definitive rejection of a major party in his MMP career, Peters famously declared, “No one gets to lie to me twice”.
      
      Peters cited a profound breach of trust, explicitly stating he could not work with the “present Labour Party crowd” He specifically pointed to “secret agendas” and being kept in the dark by his former coalition partner on major issues like Three Waters and the commissioning of the He Puapua report.
      
      When Young pressed him on whether he was ruling out a Jacinda Ardern-led government, Peters replied, “Most definitely,” solidifying his stance as firmly against any Labour coalition.
      
      This interview was a historic moment, as Peters had not previously ruled out major parties so far in advance of an election.
      It set the tone for subsequent election cycles, with Peters consistently doubling down on his promise to never return to a Labour-led government, a stance that ultimately culminated in the formation of a National-ACT-NZ First coalition.
      
      Note: wriggle room lies in “present Labour Party crowd” and “a Jacinda Ardern-led government” rather saying precisely “Labour”
      
      And one assumes Winston can still play a game of “threatening to sit on the ‘cross-benches’ as he has said in past Elections” so National deals with him to coalit with them, or faces getting NZF to vote with National on every question put to Parliament.
      
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      June 23, 2026 12:44pm
      - Yvette
        
        I should also point out for clarity, both Winston and Shane Jones were recorded as present (physically) in Minute of Decision MCR-19-MIN-0003 [ https://www.tpk.govt.nz/mi/mo-te-puni-kokiri/corporate-documents/cabinet-papers/all-cabinet-papers/develop-plan-on-nz-progress-un Minute decision.pdf [at the foot of the page linked] from which the Report He Puapua originated.
        
        • Labour MP Willie Jackson says his party didn’t intentionally withhold the contentious He Puapua report from Winston Peters, but he’s glad NZ First never saw it.
        “In retrospect it was probably good he didn’t see it. For goodness’ sake, look at how he’s acting now. And let’s not be cute here … if they had got it they would have utilised it and said ‘there we go, that’s why you have to vote for NZ First’.
        Willie could have rubbed it in more by pointing out Winston was there when the development of a response to UNDRIP was initiated.
        
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        June 23, 2026 12:52pm
  - pdm
    
    Yvette.
    
    We all know that with Winston that statement only applies until the 8 November this year.
    
    The Baubles are too precious to him for him to relinquish them on the basis of pre election promises.
    
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    June 23, 2026 12:35pm
  - David Garrett
    
    Yvette: There is electoral fraud – but that doesn’t include parties reneging on their policy positions. The only thing voters can do about that is to punish them at the next election.
    
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    June 23, 2026 12:40pm
    - R
      
      OR …better still don’t support him at this coming election.
      
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      June 23, 2026 1:33pm
  - Ra Henare
    
    Is there such a thing as opinions ingrained in electors that diregard any facts or changes of information??
    
    But hey, loving the conspiracy theorists on here.
    
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    June 23, 2026 3:27pm
- leoj
  
  I won’t be surprised if National goes with Labour so that they don’t have to “work with the kids in the back seat”.
  
  Simeon Brown, along with Luxon, just cost National a heap of votes with his stupid statement.
  
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  June 23, 2026 1:02pm
  - R
    
    I think that this election leoj, you may find that the majority of the electors are tired of ‘juveniles’ masquerading as political adults!
    
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    June 23, 2026 3:36pm
Ghost

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins says he is confident his party could form a Government with the Greens without making any concessions on tax policy.

Article

Hmmm, I’m not sure, either Supertramp – dreamer or Jelly roll – liar
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June 23, 2026 12:27pm
- Damocles11
  
  A hard left voter will be thinking “so that’s his attitude is it…righto, I’ll vote for the Greens to strengthen their hand.”
  
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  June 23, 2026 1:11pm
Ghost

Seriously, you put your hand in the reflecting pool and this is the response

https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360996691/woman-cited-dipping-her-hand-washingtons-reflecting-pool

National guard, police, US Marshall.
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June 23, 2026 1:13pm
- mike
  
  Naturally, Trump is whining about ‘vandalism’, as he is pathologically unable to admit to fucking this up.
  
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  June 23, 2026 2:57pm
  - Ghost
    
    yeah. Bad job that wasn’t going to last the supposed time he claimed, and it’s everyone else’s fault. I’m surprised he hasn’t had someone arrested for dumping algae in the water….
    
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    June 23, 2026 3:10pm
  - virtualmark
    
    Make Algae Great Again.
    
    But look, they now have to empty the Reflecting Pool to repair this … so Trump really will be draining the swamp!
    
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    June 23, 2026 4:59pm
  - NZer In Exile
    
    He admitted he fckd up with his bizarre saintly/healer picture. He apologised for his recorded old grubby and crass bro talk about some women being very eager to be around wealthy and famous men. So no, demonstrably not unable to admit where he’s fucked up, regardless of the far left wanting desperately for this to be so.
    
    And yes the way he talks does often leave a lot to be desired. Many people who generally think he’s heading in the right direction can see this quite clearly.
    
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    June 23, 2026 9:43pm
surfing

I wouldn’t trust any doctor who qualified through the rural or race based pathways.

They should be flagged if they did obtain their degree through those pathways.
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June 23, 2026 3:13pm
- imalwaysright
  
  Yes, that’s a natural reaction.
  
  However the current system can also taint the Maori who may be the best in their class.
  
  This is what happens when there is racial interference in academia.
  
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  June 23, 2026 6:28pm
- Ian Boag
  
  You can refer us to some evidence that 7th form results are a definite guide as to who will be a good doctor … it’s a hard one.
  
  For example, some med school applicants already have a degree – how do you compare that with a first year student? ….. Some might even have a masters – but if you automatically put such folk at the front of the queue then “a first degree” becomes the default needed to apply ….
  
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  June 23, 2026 6:44pm
  - Ian Boag
    
    Actually it’s simpler than that. When you are in hospital and a doctor shows up you could interrogate him/her about how he/she got into med school. If you suspect it was on a racial quota tell him to piss off and demand a “real” doctor …
    
    You’d probably want to certify any Indian/Filipino nurses involved in your care … demand a NZ trained nurse – even if she had some Maori …
    
    Good luck with all of that.
    
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    June 23, 2026 7:01pm
Hugh Jarse

This Immigration situation just gets worse:

Immigration Head questioned at Select Committee.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/616552/immigration-new-zealand-head-didn-t-tell-select-committee-35m-it-project-had-been-axed.

Not related but I see the Human Rights Commissioner is now under investigation for unspecified conduct concerns.
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June 23, 2026 5:41pm
greybeard

https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360997016/coalition-out-new-poll-opportunity-nudging-so-close-5
“National was on 29, down 1 percentage point from Verian’s April poll, while Labour was on 32% – plunging 5 points. The Greens were up two to 13%, New Zealand First up one to 11%, Act dropped one to 6% and Te Pāti Māori was on 1.8% – up 0.3 points.
The rebranded Opportunity Party is the wild card threatening to upset the election at this stage – registering on 4.6% – just 0.4 percentage points off the 5% needed to get into Parliament.”

– no way that 13 out of every NZ voters would choose the Greens: they are loonies, both economically and environmentally. Sensible people know this.
– no way that Opportunity Party is at 4.6%: this figure is certainly due to a popularist vote, fuelled by lots of positive MSM coverage. Follow the herd mentality.
– ACT is the real outlier here: their policies are probably the ones resonating most with middle New Zealanders, so I see this number as far too pessimistic.
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June 23, 2026 6:33pm
- Homeworker
  
  I am very weary of political poles as they are easy to manipulate. I take notice of the Taxpayers Union polls as they came out the same time each month. However media companies, TVNZ being the worse, increase the profile of the parties they support and denigrating the parties they don’t like for a week or two and then suddenly we have a poll that reflects the previous few weeks news as presented by them. Then they wonder why we don’t trust them.
  
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  June 23, 2026 7:38pm
Maggy Wassilieff

What a joke!

What is a doctor/General Practioner?

Seems Labour doesn’t know….

A Labour Government will:

Give every New Zealander three free doctor’s visits a year with a new Medicard

https://www.labour.org.nz/familydoctorloanscheme

But wait……
that free Doctor’s appointment may be with a nurse….

The Labour Party acknowledges that New Zealanders may use up their annual “three free doctor’s visits” on seeing nurse practitioners, rather than doctors.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-why-you-may-not-see-a-doctor-under-labours-free-doctors-visits-policy/5HIJCJZRKFF5LJRZXRJBT2JL74/

Oh Dear……
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June 23, 2026 6:39pm
- Ian Boag
  
  So how would you have done it MW?
  
  In our house we just pay – GP, specialist, whatever – we can afford it. So may be everyone should just pay full whack – except for CSC holders? I dunno.
  
  Maybe noone should get any “free” visits … some of which might have been visits they would have anyway ….
  
  Linking it to CGT revenue is just nonsense. We don’t do hypothecated tax here other than RUCs/petrol excise -> transport fund which doesn’t really balance.
  
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  June 23, 2026 6:53pm
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    If the intent is to have 3 free visits to a nurse practitioner and/or a GP (doctor), then that should have been clarified at the launch of Labour’s proposal.
    
    I’ve no problem with being seen by a nurse practitioner… but that may not be the case for everybody.
    
    Personally, the less often I see a medical practitioner, the happier I am. I actively avoid them.
    
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    June 23, 2026 7:20pm
    - Ghost
      
      The nurses bring in a doctor if it is needed
      
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      June 23, 2026 7:21pm
      - Maggy Wassilieff
        
        Yeah…if the Dr is available and not already overbooked.
        
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        June 23, 2026 7:46pm
      - Ghost
        
        No. I walked into my gp a few weeks ago with an urgent problem, taken straight to their triage, nurses examined me then went and got a dr. When needed the nurses get a doctor. I’ve been in with my doctor when he has been called away to triage to check on a patient.
        
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        June 23, 2026 7:58pm
      - NZer In Exile
        
        Seems to be hit and miss across the nation Ghost. I hear both horror/concerning stories and good accounts like yours regularly.
        
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        June 23, 2026 9:39pm
Homeworker

I would much rather have a system where you pay for your first 3 or 4 doctors/nurse practitioners visits then the taxpayer pays for you after that. This would help the sick and high users a lot more than everyone (including those who don’t need help) getting 3 taxpayer funded visits.
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June 23, 2026 7:33pm
- Ghost
  
  Sweet deal, that would mean someone like myself would be having free doctors visits for 11 months of the year. I pick your option.
  
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  June 23, 2026 8:00pm

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