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July 16, 2026 8:00am by Kokila Patel

General Debate 16 July 2026

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General Debate

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Cassandra

Labour leader Chris Hipkins has defended MPs’ unusually generous superannuation arrangements by arguing that strong pay and retirement benefits help protect the political system from corruption.

The late Marilyn Foreman (Mandy Rice-Davies) had a response for Mr Hipkins.
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July 16, 2026 8:25am
- rouppe
  
  HDPA interviewed someone a couple days ago who said that.
  
  So Hipkins is likely just repeating that.
  
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  July 16, 2026 8:35am
- Hugh Jarse
  
  Didn’t stop one of Labours own, Taito Philip Field !
  
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  July 16, 2026 8:48am
- Tauhei Notts
  
  I understand the hugely generous employer subsidy for MP’s superannuation is not subject to Employer Superannuation Contribution Tax.
  Bludgers!
  
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  July 16, 2026 2:54pm
David Garrett

Much better second half so far in the semi final
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July 16, 2026 8:32am
- rouppe
  
  Been a bit of argy-bargy….
  
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  July 16, 2026 8:36am
- MCōs
  
  Argentina were clearly the superior team when they needed to be, but at least England still has the Falkland Islands
  
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  July 16, 2026 10:11am
  - mike
    
    Malvinas!
    
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    July 16, 2026 10:18am
    - Don Beckett
      
      Depends on your ethnicity. 🙂
      
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      July 16, 2026 10:21am
    - Bevan
      
      Not right now, and likely not ever.
      
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      July 16, 2026 12:53pm
  - Gussy
    
    Colonists fighting over a colony.
    
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    July 16, 2026 12:00pm
- Bobba Fret
  
  It’s not coming home!
  
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  July 16, 2026 10:32am
- Cassandra
  
  Telegraph just a few minutes ago:
  “All 31 dirty tricks Argentina unleashed on England.
  South American masters of the dark arts lived up to their reputation in World Cup semi-final.”
  
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  July 16, 2026 11:06am
  - David Garrett
    
    Cass; the Argies were the better teamm on the day…end of.
    
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    July 16, 2026 12:16pm
  - NeverMindTheBollocks
    
    The Poms knew what was coming. And, they went ahead. Very poor game management to not see out the win.
    
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    July 16, 2026 12:27pm
- Ra Henare
  
  Huge screens (I mean, width of the road High Def)
  IN Pub Street, Siem Reap, Kingdom of wonder.
  
  RIP England.
  
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  July 16, 2026 3:26pm
Southern Raider

Church of England has followed the Christian faiths decent into aligning with radical left and the takeover by those with alternative agendas.

The majority vote to support the fringe position around Palestine shows how far the rot has gone and that these old Christian institutions continue their path to obsolescence and takeover by Islam.
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July 16, 2026 8:36am
- Philview
  
  Multiple New Zealand denominations came out swinging against David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill.
  
  Common Grace Aotearoa seems to be driving some kind of Marxist agenda under a Christian banner and is widely supported by church leaders.
  
  https://www.commongrace.nz/
  
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  July 16, 2026 9:57am
  - KKNZ2025
    
    Don’t they know that in opposing it they’re confirming they’re racists?
    
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    July 16, 2026 3:06pm
- Don Beckett
  
  I think you mean ‘descent’.
  
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  July 16, 2026 10:22am
- Bullion
  
  WWJD
  
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  July 16, 2026 12:14pm
- Paulus
  
  Church of England, formed by Henry VIII, is now run by women, so it is different.
  
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  July 16, 2026 2:04pm
- Ra Henare
  
  A contrarian point.
  Might it be that they are opposed to the Israeli (Netanyahu) genocide/ethnic cleansing???
  or Whatever you call killing more than 76,000 people, the majority being civilians
  
  Doesn’t it say in the Christian Bible? Thou shalt not kill (actually, I believe the correct translation is “Thou shall not murder”).
  Hence their approach.
  
  Labelling them radical left is disingenuous.
  
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  July 16, 2026 3:35pm
Damocles11

‘New Zealand motorists are being urged to fill up sooner rather than later, with the Automobile Association (AA) warning fuel prices are set to climb following the renewed conflict in the Middle East.
While fuel prices have steadily eased over recent weeks, the AA says the current dip may prove short-lived.
“The longer you wait, the more you’re probably going to have to pay.”
Oil prices have swung near their highest levels in a month overnight because of the war. The price for a barrel of Brent crude briefly topped US$86 before falling back to US$84.33 per barrel, down 0.5% from the day before.
AA fuel spokesperson Terry Collins said drivers who can afford to should top up their tanks before wholesale price increases begin flowing through to service stations.’
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July 16, 2026 8:41am
- Nikola Donatello
  
  It seems a little hysterical. Let’s assume that “topping off your tank” means 20 litres. Assume worst case scenario of prices rising 20 cents per litre overnight. Yay you have saved yourself $4.
  
  A great example of our mainstream media searching for hysteria. A bit like “Weather causes havoc” when it rains.
  
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  July 16, 2026 9:09am
  - RoboRob
    
    And a mad rush of people filling up when they normally wouldn’t is sure to help drive up prices, supply and demand and all 🙂
    
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    July 16, 2026 9:36am
    - Don Beckett
      
      With the US blockade of the SoH, & Iran’s IRGC so degraded that they cannot enforce their own demand for control, the oil tankers will still get through as they have done for the past month.
      Panic merchants spreading disinformation.
      
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      July 16, 2026 10:25am
      - Ra Henare
        
        IRGC so degraded that they cannot enforce their own demand for control,
        
        What propaganda have you been reading, Don?
        
        Actions (i.e., missile attacks on ships by IRGC)
        speak louder than words
        
        Ie Trump and his team saying that the US have destroyed Iran’s military
        
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        July 16, 2026 3:38pm
      - Don Beckett
        
        Degraded – not eliminated
        
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        July 16, 2026 5:23pm
- peterwn
  
  Years ago a MP heard a rumour that fuel prices were about to change, so he filled up. The rumour was right, they did change – downwards.
  
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  July 16, 2026 10:19am
- Colville
  
  Diesel at $2.03 this morning, lowest in months.
  
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  July 16, 2026 11:12am
  - [email protected]
    
    The explosion of people buying EV’s will eventually cause electric companies to realize that increases in electric prices will eventually cost them. Once you have an EV, you are not likely to use the petrol pump as much for as long as you own that EV. Once you lose that customer, that customer is gone forever.
    
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    July 16, 2026 6:49pm
artemisia

Northland Mill Workers Feel ‘Abandoned’ As Closure Confirmed

What has recently changed in the wood processing sector? According to this article 7 non viable facilities have closed recently and possibly Triboard Mill closure coming up. So no buyers for the 7 and not looking great for Triboard. Because the owners can no longer make a buck, clearly. So again, what changed in the last couple of years?

Maybe high wages? Maybe low productivity? Maybe less demand? Maybe taxpayers not coming to the party?

The union says- “There was every opportunity for the Government to step in and facilitate the sale, run the mill as a temporary measure, or just guarantee the operations until a buyer is found. None was taken.”

Thing is, it’s not just this sector. Construction sector liquidations up. Big apple grower Crasborn in liqudation. Whakatohea Mussels reporting a huge loss.

https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2607/S00203/northland-mill-workers-feel-abandoned-as-closure-confirmed.htm
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July 16, 2026 8:47am
- RoboRob
  
  I understand energy costs are a large factor. High fuel costs coupled with large electricity price rises.
  
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  July 16, 2026 9:02am
  - Reg Perrin
    
    Energy costs will be the big factor. The only reason Tiwai point is still operational is because of cheap power. The comparison is interesting in that they ship in the Raw material. In the case of the mills we have the raw materials here and its cheaper to get it processed off shore
    
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    July 16, 2026 9:11am
    - Quail
      
      A potentially energy rich country like NZ should have harvested more of that energy long since.
      egThe last new hydro energy was a Muldoon construct.
      And that is a long time ago!
      
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      July 16, 2026 10:05am
      - RoboRob
        
        Yup, we have sat on our hands while we moved from an energy rich company to an expensive energy tight market. A real lack of leadership from decades of governments of both colours.
        
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        July 16, 2026 1:09pm
      - Jack5
        
        Only smaller schemes are feasible now for hydro power, mostly in the South Island, and still weather dependent (on alpine snow and snow melt etc). Better find and tap more geothermal resources.
        
        Regardless, for energy, we’ll likely soon be decompressing LNG gas created from Queensland’s coal-seam gas while we ignore NZ’s untapped coal-seam gas.
        
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        July 16, 2026 1:35pm
      - CJames
        
        That isn’t correct. The last big hydro was the extra tailrace at Manapouri which gave about 100MW. They have also done major referbishments at many of the hydros replacing the runners and the like to allow them to generate 5-10MW per station for the same water. That adds up to a station the size of Roxburgh (which is partway through an upgrade itself).
        
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        July 16, 2026 5:21pm
  - Spam
    
    They should install rooftop solar and wind. That’ll sort it.
    
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    July 16, 2026 9:13am
    - Nikola Donatello
      
      Not sure how the night shift would manage on a dark calm night.
      
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      July 16, 2026 9:16am
      - imalwaysright
        
        As opposed to a sunny night…?
        
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        July 16, 2026 9:42am
      - Jethrod
        
        All the bright lights who suggested it!
        
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        July 16, 2026 9:46am
      - Spam
        
        Well, seeing as Labour, National and the Greens are all trying to outdo each other with rooftop solar pledges, and clearly because they all have fantastic track records of picking winners, I can only assume that you’re being chicken little in poo-pooing my awesome suggestion.
        
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        July 16, 2026 12:12pm
      - RoboRob
        
        @Spam
        
        They are all announcing it as it is a ‘giveaway’ they can promise as it costs them almost nothing. Its a the kind of election lolly you through out when the cupboards are bare.
        
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        July 16, 2026 1:11pm
    - Ra Henare
      
      You have been captured by a myth.
      
      Household solar will NOT solve NZ energy problems.
      
      Do some real research and stop reading hype comments inMSM
      
      maybe start with
      
      https://www.brashandmitchell.com/post/bryan-leyland-a-solution-to-our-electricity-problems
      
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      July 16, 2026 3:42pm
      - CJames
        
        Bryan isn’t correct about the markets.
        
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        July 16, 2026 5:23pm
  - imalwaysright
    
    The Data Centres seem to have no issue with energy costs.
    Does anyone know details of their price and supply agreements ?
    
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    July 16, 2026 10:58am
    - RoboRob
      
      In the US most data centres are now building power plants as part of the construction phase. I.e they supply their own power to keep prices down and avoid the hate that comes from accessing the National grid.
      
      In NZ our existing data centres are not AI ones, they are more the web hosting variety. So not the same scale as overseas. There is talk of one down south, perhaps it would get power from the same source as the smelter?
      
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      July 16, 2026 1:16pm
      - imalwaysright
        
        The purpose of the computers doesn’t matter. AI processing uses the same electrons as web hosting.
        
        The Datagrid Southland Project will initially use about 300MW and can be expanded to use 1GW.
        
        That’s more than twice the output of the Clyde Dam.
        
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        July 16, 2026 1:57pm
      - RoboRob
        
        @imalwaysright
        
        Your first bit is just not true, the use of the data centre is massively important. AI data centres use significantly more processing power (and related energy) then web hosting which is very very light in comparison.
        
        Re Datagrid. A search returns
        
        Mercury NZ (Power Purchase Agreement): Datagrid signed a long-term, 15-year Power Purchase Option Agreement with electricity generator Mercury. This deal secures a fixed 140MW of power (covering about half of the facility’s total potential capacity). The power will be backed by Mercury’s renewable energy pipeline, specifically supported by assets like the Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm.
        
        Local Hydroelectric Generation: The remaining power requirements will leverage the South Island’s abundant local hydroelectric infrastructure, sitting in close proximity to major generation assets like the Manapōuri power station.
        
        So yes, the national grid, although Mercury may be building additional infrastructure specifically for this purpose. They can do this as they have guaranteed sales. Manapouri is not currently connected to the National grid so this may be using ‘spare’ capacity from it.
        
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        July 16, 2026 4:55pm
      - CJames
        
        Manapouri is connected to the grid. It just can’t send all its output to Benmore because of constraints in the Roxburgh switchyard, especially if that station and Clyde are generating at high output.
        
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        July 16, 2026 5:24pm
      - imalwaysright
        
        Roborob
        My point was that, in a facility that uses 300 MW, how it uses the 300 is irrelevant.
        
        You are right about the energy use density of an AI facility being higher than that of a web hoster, but the point is we will need the equivalent of another Clyde dam to feed it, seemingly at the expense of factories.
        
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        July 16, 2026 5:58pm
- Nikola Donatello
  
  Anecdotally it is energy costs but it is probably a bunch of things. These products need to be shipped to the northern hemisphere customers.
  
  You have to love the union thinking that the government should bail out a wood processing plant. It would end up being permanent. “Kiwi Timber”.
  
  If it is energy, expect more like this. Both Labour and National are obsessed with renewable energy to worship at the altar of climate change.
  
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  July 16, 2026 9:15am
  - David Garrett
    
    Nikola: Not game for a wager on TOP getting 5% then?
    
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    July 16, 2026 9:18am
    - Ra Henare
      
      Nothing like beating your drum day after day.
      
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      July 16, 2026 3:46pm
  - Ian
    
    The same union didn’t holler for a government bail out when a similar mill closed in Tasman recently. But I guess it’s not the union in particular, but one localised union official doing his own thing….
    
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    July 16, 2026 10:35am
David Garrett

England’s cup is over
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July 16, 2026 8:54am
- Blog-aholic
  
  It’s (not) coming home.
  
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  July 16, 2026 9:03am
Tomtoddy

We have one dead sea bird from the HS virus and some “expert” is saying we could see entire populations of native birds killed off.

Have they got pink hair?
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July 16, 2026 9:07am
- Southern Raider
  
  She’s from Otago Uni so that it’s all we need to know.
  
  To be fair when the media “an expert has expressed dire concerns about this deadly virus” I was expecting Michael Baker to pop up.
  
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  July 16, 2026 9:10am
  - imalwaysright
    
    Michael Beaker.
    
    Apparently Ardern will be flying in today to make a speech from the Perch of Truth…
    
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    July 16, 2026 9:48am
- imalwaysright
  
  Saw a seagull wearing an N95 mask this morning….
  
  Crowvid-26
  
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  July 16, 2026 9:14am
- Nikola Donatello
  
  The birds?
  
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  July 16, 2026 9:17am
- Northshoredoc
  
  Can we manufacture masks for the entire bird popopulation ?
  
  They can be distributed and fitted by S Wiles and M Baker.
  
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  July 16, 2026 9:25am
  - RoboRob
    
    They have already been vaxing some species of birds. The vax is effective for about 6mths apparently.
    
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    July 16, 2026 9:38am
    - wsk12345
      
      And a side effect of the vax programme is the birds dying of shock. Seriously.
      
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      July 16, 2026 9:44am
- Cassandra
  
  She is an expert. I think it’s sensible to be alert which is what this woman is recommending.
  
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  July 16, 2026 9:27am
  - Nikola Donatello
    
    Yes exactly. I have no idea what prompts the derision of such folk. Many examples in recent history of avian viruses running rampant.
    
    It is worth recalling that while transmissions to humans is uncommon, the fatality rate in humans is awful. IIRC about 50 percent.
    
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    July 16, 2026 10:08am
    - cmm (semi-retired edition)
      
      Every strain of bird flu is different with a different range of possible outcomes.
      
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      July 16, 2026 12:34pm
- Ghost
  
  why be a dick about her? unlike you Jemma Geoghegan actually is qualified to be making such statements.
  
  here is what she said
  
  “Many of our native sea birds and other threatened species could be vulnerable when the virus comes here.”
  
  If the virus becomes more widspread and infects poultry barns, birds will need to be culled.
  
  Hoggard said: “The reality is, that’s something you’re going to have to do, because you’re not going to be able to re-stock your barn, or carry on producing with the disease in your barn.”
  
  Geoghegan said there was no reason for public panic.
  
  “The advantage is that New Zealand is not facing this blindly. We can draw on several years of international experience, including the recent Australian response, to guide surveillance, wildlife monitoring and outbreak management.
  
  “The priority now is to understand how widely the virus may be circulating and whether this is an isolated detection or evidence of broader spread. Rapid testing, genomic sequencing and close monitoring of wild birds will be essential.”
  
  perhaps you have pink hair
  
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  July 16, 2026 9:35am
  - Nikola Donatello
    
    What am I missing? It seems a perfectly sensible statement.
    
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    July 16, 2026 10:09am
- imalwaysright
  
  Birds have been around for over a hundred million years and haven’t needed our help so far.
  
  This smacks of having overtones of the climate scam where we restrict our behaviour and pay our money to achieve the unachieveable and nonsensical aims of whoever is in charge.
  
  The weak birds might die, but the remaining birds will have another immunity in their dna arsenal and will pass it on to their offspring.
  
  Same as us.
  
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  July 16, 2026 10:53am
  - Bullion
    
    Birds in general, yes.
    
    Species, we have plenty in NZ that need our help currently.
    
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    July 16, 2026 12:28pm
    - imalwaysright
      
      How will we help wild birds?
      
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      July 16, 2026 1:31pm
      - keepcalmcarryon
        
        Free KFC?
        
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        July 16, 2026 3:47pm
  - Nikola Donatello
    
    You are missing some important points. We have a stake in billions of birds. Humans have created bespoke versions of chickens, ducks, turkeys and on and on in close quarters. So yes the birds do need our help.
    
    Secondly humans did not pass on immunity to deadly diseases. We just kept dying. Until vaccines
    
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    July 16, 2026 12:33pm
    - cmm (semi-retired edition)
      
      Vaccines (the real ones), are indeed game changes at population scale, however the following part of your statement is complete bullshit:
      
      ” We just kept dying. Until vaccines”
      
      Nope. We often do develop immunity.
      
      That is why older people did not die in droves during the Spanish Flu.
      
      The Spanish Flu is an extremely interesting example because it mainly whacked younger adults with tens of thousands of children orphaned in USA alone. Normally flus kill lots of old people – this did not.
      
      It is thought that the survivors of the 1889/90 Russian Flu were set up with signifcant immunity that protected them from the Spanish Flu in 1918-20.
      
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      July 16, 2026 12:43pm
      - Bullion
        
        Surviving a disease and having some beneficial genetic make up to do so is only passed on if those surviving are of age to procreate (or yet to reach thar age) and do so.
        
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        July 16, 2026 2:34pm
      - cmm (semi-retired edition)
        
        Bullion, those that survived built up immunity and were the older people that survived the Spanish Flu while their offspring often did not. Yup, that is not passed on through genetics.
        
        The Spanish Flu happened during the tail end of WW1 and is, at least partially, responsible for WW1 grinding down to an inconclusive ending (or as some see it – a half time break until it kicked off again in WW2).
        
        Deaths of fit soldiers in training camps was huge. That really did not fit the standard pattern of flu where the younger and fitter people get relatively mild sickness while old folk die in droves.
        
        In NZ, many soldiers survived the war itself – and the trip home – only to die in holding camps.
        
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        July 16, 2026 4:49pm
    - imalwaysright
      
      ” We just kept dying. Until vaccines.”
      
      So we kept dying for 3 million years until about 200 years ago?
      
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      July 16, 2026 1:19pm
      - cmm (semi-retired edition)
        
        Most of us living a long life is, indeed a quite new phenomenon.
        
        The last month or two I have been scratching back through my family tree which kicked up some interesting facts…
        
        My great, great grandfather in Newfoundland had 11 or 12 children of which only 4 survived him. About 5 died as infants. At least one got killed in WW1.
        
        Another had a similar experience.
        
        A grandfather lost his first wife at age 26 in 1932 (maybe childbirth?). He married again (my grandmother). Their first child died aged about 1 year.
        
        Childhood vaccinations have been an absolute game changer on child mortality numbers.
        
        And that is why it is borderline criminal for Cindy and her mob to have conflated Covid vaccinations with the effectiveness of childhood vaccinations. This has lead to a reduced uptake of childhood vaccinations in our part of the work [world]. (And I’m not dissing Labour – I doubt National would have done any better).
        
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        July 16, 2026 4:59pm
      - Bullion
        
        Life expectancy was like 35 for the entirety of human history until 150-200 years when the first vaccines (like smallpox) and germ theory (resulting in improved sanitation and pasteurisation) came about. Antibiotics another arrow in the quiver 80 odd years ago (though that’s at risk with over usage, especially in animal ag often used prophylactically or metaphylactically)
        
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        July 16, 2026 7:40pm
    - Peter S
      
      The last statement is patently untrue.
      Mothers pass on many types of immunity to babies.
      It is why initial inter population contacts have produced massive and devastating infection events on one side or the other, where a population with no inherited immunity gets hit by something seemingly minor in the other.
      
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      July 16, 2026 1:27pm
      - cmm (semi-retired edition)
        
        “The last statement is patently untrue.”
        
        Yes, immunity is passed on, but it isn’t genetic. Genetic adaptations take quite a few generations to establish.
        
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        July 16, 2026 5:00pm
  - Master Mariner
    
    The only difference is we now have Superior Modelling //
    Think Fergusen and our own version Hendy of superior Modelling .
    
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    July 16, 2026 4:29pm
- cmm (semi-retired edition)
  
  All they have are more “80,000 grannies will die” models.
  
  Didn’t we learn during Covid?
  
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  July 16, 2026 12:33pm
  - Nikola Donatello
    
    Yes we learned that several million grannies died and millions more would have died without vaccines.
    
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    July 16, 2026 12:34pm
    - Peter S
      
      Doubtful on the millions more statement.
      Millions of grannies would have died anyway regardless of whether the pandemic happened.
      Worse, the focus on saving the elderly had a return of a very low life expectancy increase for the elderly, but came at a life expectancy cost (through things like undiagnosed aggressive conditions and delayed treatment) to the younger population.
      
      Sure, the emotional cost would have been high up front with a more pragmatic approach, but would have reduced the ongoing costs (which will become more apparent and significant over time).
      
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      July 16, 2026 1:22pm
    - imalwaysright
      
      I didn’t wear a mask and I didn’t get the jab and I didn’t get covid.
      
      I did drink water every day though.
      
      Therefore, if I hadn’t drank water I would have died of covid.
      
      That’s as ridiculous as your argument.
      
      And, newsflash!
      Grannies tend to die…
      
      9 1
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      July 16, 2026 1:23pm
  - kowtow
    
    Gooneys this time.
    
    1 1
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    July 16, 2026 2:51pm
Southern Raider

If you want to see the future of a left wing coalition just look at the Green and Labour MPs recent tax payer funded international trips

Samantha Paul (Green) travelled to Scotland to learn about separatist Parliaments and other radical welfare policies.

Vanushi Walters (Labour) travelled to Australia to meet with a representative of the Palestinian Authority and pledged support for NZ getting in behind South Africa’s international criminal court cases against Israel if Labour is elected.

Are these official left bloc policies now and I’m sure there has been more of these recent trips as well.
24 4
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July 16, 2026 9:09am
- Notsofast
  
  Disgusting.
  We should hope these vile women have no part to play in managing New Zealand’s interests.
  They are fighting the war on the west.
  
  15 2
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  July 16, 2026 9:51am
- Swifty
  
  Further proof that the Greens don’t believe a word of their own ‘climate crisis’ propaganda and scare tactics.
  
  Either that or they’re the world’s greatest liars and hypocrites.
  
  17 2
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  July 16, 2026 10:07am
  - Spam
    
    Both statements can be true.
    
    17 1
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    July 16, 2026 12:15pm
- Bullion
  
  Who’s Samantha Paul?
  
  3 0
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  July 16, 2026 12:29pm
  - Prince
    
    She’s a Green ex Wgton City Councillor.
    She chaired the Environment and Infrastructure committee with explicit responsibility for capital works delivery (including Wellington Water’s programmes) .
    When that literally turned to shit, she drifted off to be a Green Party MP, making bizarre claims that water rates would impact renters more than house owners.
    
    Just another grifting Greenie.
    
    [It’s Tamatha Paul https://www3.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/paul-tamatha/ ]
    
    7 1
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    July 16, 2026 2:55pm
    - Southern Raider
      
      Also wants all the prisons closed down and Police defunded
      
      5 0
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      July 16, 2026 3:02pm
  - Southern Raider
    
    Sorry autocorrect didn’t like Tamantha
    
    5 0
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    July 16, 2026 3:01pm
KKNZ2025

“Green Party to take automatic union membership bill to the election”

https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361006822/green-party-take-automatic-union-membership-bill-election

Back to the (1970’s) future
18 1
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July 16, 2026 9:40am
- Ian
  
  There’s a Stuff poll on this – currently 70% are against the idea….
  
  16 0
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  July 16, 2026 10:38am
- Southern Raider
  
  Greens obviously looking to solve their funding issues by aligning with the unions bosses.
  
  It’s like a politically run pyramid scheme and in another part of society would have the organisers locked up.
  
  Greens make union membership default, union makes millions more in subs, union funnels part of that back to the Greens to ensure the law doesn’t get overturned.
  
  13 0
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  July 16, 2026 10:44am
  - Ian Boag
    
    Naturally – as this is accepted as a dumb idea – people will not vote for it. Doncha hate democracy?
    
    2 2
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    July 16, 2026 4:05pm
- rouppe
  
  Would joining the Free Speech Union count?
  
  5 0
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  July 16, 2026 12:37pm
Nikola Donatello

What an awful idea.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361006822/green-party-take-automatic-union-membership-bill-election
18 2
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July 16, 2026 10:02am
- mandk
  
  The Greens’ policies seem to be about collapsing the economy, reducing the population to serfdom and putting employees under the control of union barons.
  
  13 0
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  July 16, 2026 10:55am
  - R
    
    That folk, for those of you who can think this exercise through; is how COMMUNISIM works.
    
    6 0
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    July 16, 2026 1:38pm
    - Quail
      
      R etc,
      Another way to access other peoples hard earned money!
      
      4 0
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      July 16, 2026 3:08pm
Inandout

It appears Starmer resigned at the right time, just before England lost against the Argies. Poor Andy Burnham must take the poisoned chalice. I do wish Hosking would do a bit of reading on Manchester. It is not the perfect city by any means.
15 2
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July 16, 2026 10:09am
- Gussy
  
  Burnham increased Manchester’s debt significantly. He’s about to do the same across Britain (assuming that’s possible).
  
  9 0
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  July 16, 2026 12:23pm
infused

I’d say National is fucked.

I won’t be voting for them. Most of the National voters I know are not either. It was likely going to be Act, and I think it will be.

This govt has been the worst in memory (giving adern a run for her money).

Old boy lux should have been rolled. National are going to pay dearly, I think.
13 17
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July 16, 2026 10:10am
- BeaB
  
  What a strange point of view when National told us what they wanted to do and have an impressive record of delivery, all the while competently managing a challenging coalition. They haven’t done everything they promised but a second term will see even more momentum from experienced ministers. Chucking them out now would be a disaster for the country. I like ACT but as a coalition partner only.
  
  9 3
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  July 16, 2026 11:48am
  - Jack5
    
    Infused’s … lux should have been rolled …
    
    Whom do you think should have replaced him as PM of the Coalition?
    
    2 0
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    July 16, 2026 1:25pm
  - infused
    
    [Keep your gratuitous gutter language to yourself – not welcome here. holy mod.]
    
    0 0
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    July 16, 2026 1:28pm
    - lifesgood
      
      So often I see comments from small minded people having tantrums because a government doesn’t do every single thing they want. It is time some people grew up and realised they are not the only pebble on the beach. I think Luxon has done a remarkable job holding the coalition together.
      
      5 1
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      July 16, 2026 5:17pm
  - R
    
    ACT has no breadth of policies, either social of economic. Still a populist options party. A degree of arrogance rising also.
    
    2 5
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    July 16, 2026 1:40pm
- Prince
  
  You do know that ACT is part of the coalition, as is National.
  I think most NZ’ers need a basic lesson in coalition Govt. As someone once said…
  ‘You can’t always get what you want…’
  
  5 0
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  July 16, 2026 2:48pm
  - Graeme Hall
    
    Yer, but when all three parties line up on a one issue before the election and afterward only one party tries to carry it through then,what is the lesson on coalitions we need to learn?
    
    My guess is be very wary of trusting National or NZ First.
    
    5 2
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    July 16, 2026 3:37pm
  - Quail
    
    Yes Prince ,indeed.
    Voting for/ against any NZ MMP party policies is is very problematic..
    Given that at post election coalition conferences they just change policy to suit. Election Manifestos get thrown out!
    With MMP it is almost impossible for voters to hold any politicians or parties to account.
    And it has eroded the value of the ballot
    MMP has damaged effective democracy beyond any reasonable voters expectation.
    
    6 0
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    July 16, 2026 3:38pm
Swifty

The NZ Greens’ totalitarian malodorous urges bubble to the surface more often these days:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361006822/green-party-take-automatic-union-membership-bill-election
12 1
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July 16, 2026 10:12am
BeaB

The government still collects union dues on behalf of public service unions like the PPTA by deductions from salaries before they are paid. I wonder how many teachers would still belong if they had to consciously fork out the money themselves.
All organisations,unions included, should collect their own dues.
17 0
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July 16, 2026 10:39am
- imalwaysright
  
  Could apply that to anything we spend our money on B.
  
  Imagine if we paid for petrol and then separately paid nearly the same again in taxes and levies.
  Or if a man from the Government knocked on your door every Friday asking for 30% of your pay packet.
  
  We don’t miss what we don’t see.
  
  5 0
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  July 16, 2026 11:45am
- R
  
  Perhaps thd government should be charging unions a commission, for services rendered.
  
  4 0
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  July 16, 2026 1:42pm
  - Southern Raider
    
    Should be like those companies who door knock and collect money for NGO’s. I think they keep 80% of what’s collected so our Govt should do the same for unions.
    
    3 0
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    July 16, 2026 3:06pm
Swifty

Not bad for Palmy:

https://www.drivencarguide.co.nz/news/palmerston-north-powerhouse-the-new-zealand-engineering-behind-a-hypercar-v12/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1784075160
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July 16, 2026 10:51am
BeaB

The sudden prevalence of homelessness stories in the media means one thing. It must be an election year with an incumbent National-led government to turf out.
Luxon should just hire Jacinda Ardern as a consultant as the issue barely surfaced in the media during her six years as PM. Even John Campbell, boasting of his long experience with the topic, was silent. So she must have found the solution.
21 0
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July 16, 2026 10:52am
Gary Benner

I note the media (in this case NZH) salivating over Space-X valuation down 1.4% below it’s IPO price, calling it a “crash” affecting many kiwis, and of course Elon himself.

What was not indicated for readers is that this a very typical pattern for high-profile, high-growth (especially tech-heavy) IPOs — often called the “IPO pop, peak, and pullback” cycle. SpaceX’s trajectory so far — explosive debut, peak, then ~33%+ retracement near IPO price — is textbook for this category.

When you look at what is in development, autonomous robots, data centres in space, and whatever else comes with high capacity transport into space (sorry Rocket Lab, you’re a vespa riding on a lane with large trucks right now).

Markets are typically finicky with any little perceived change. They tend to be spreadsheet driven rather than having deeper understanding of the technologies and vision required to bring all these fantastic things into reality.

More negativity from the media, cloaking what an amazing world we have and where it is going. Author Chris Keall, you are marked as “could do better”.
9 2
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July 16, 2026 10:59am
- RoboRob
  
  Yes. I would like shares in SpaceX, I decided that if I bought shares I would wait until the boom / bust phase post IPO was done.
  
  I bought Rocket lab at IPO ($10) then was disappointed when after shooting up, it drifted down over months to $3-4 per share. However as it drifted down I bought more shares. When it recovered to $20+ I sold half my shares, this returned all the money I had put in and left me a holding of ‘free shares’ with a cost value of ~$4. I wish I had held on longer but I am happy I still have a decent holding and a great margin.
  
  The problem with the media reporting is
  1) The 25yr old ‘journalists’ have no idea of how the share market works and no financial skills.
  2) They hate Elon because of his association with Trump and so any chance to have a go at him, they will.
  
  The lefts change of views on Musk are stunning. For a while the hipsters all loved him and his electric cars, then he associated with Trump and now he is a Nazi.
  
  13 1
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  July 16, 2026 11:39am
  - Paulus
    
    Must be t6ime to buy the Shares a such as history will prove.
    
    3 1
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    July 16, 2026 2:13pm
    - RoboRob
      
      I’m going to leave it a while longer. I expect them to keep dropping. Also I like SpaceX as a comms / space company however a large part of the valuation is as an AI company, which I am not keen on.
      
      3 0
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      July 16, 2026 2:23pm
Colville

https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361006640/no-need-semi-automatic-weapons-acts-paul-henry-doesnt-want-gun-laws-changed

Best interview with an ACT guy in forever.

ACT stands for freedom. Nice simple clear articulation.

(He needs an uppercut for his stance on guns tho)
7 2
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July 16, 2026 11:16am
- keepcalmcarryon
  
  He clarified his thoughts to COLFO he’s not anti gun, was quoted when talking about the American situation , NZ firearms owners very sensitive to ACT over this following demonization by the other political parties.
  
  3 0
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  July 16, 2026 3:52pm
cmm (semi-retired edition)

NZ President of Comancheros wants to step away from the gang and wants a second chance.

Well so he’s trying to convince the judge.

As far as I am aware, the Comancheros is a “join for life” gang where one can’t leave and one must repeatedly prove yourself and your loyalty through criminal acts.

Nobody in Comancheros, least of all someone high ranking and certainly not the president deserves any second chance.

Besides, there is nobody that has been to prison who has not been given dozens of chances.

I am prepared to place my standard bet of 50 cents and a servo pie that this guy finds himself in the dock again within 3 years.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361006378/nz-president-comancheros-wants-step-away-gang
18 1
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July 16, 2026 11:25am
- imalwaysright
  
  Article:
  “He was sentenced in 2021 for a “sophisticated” money laundering scheme.
  Despite being in prison since, he continued offending.”
  
  So he was allowed to continue operating as an organised criminal while in jail?
  
  11 0
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  July 16, 2026 11:52am
  - Swifty
    
    It’s very hard to stop if such people are determined.
    
    5 0
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    July 16, 2026 1:01pm
    - imalwaysright
      
      Yes, it is hard.
      But people are paid a lot of money to run prisons. We don’t pay them that money to just do the easy stuff.
      
      This guy was literally committing the same crimes he was imprisoned for.
      
      5 1
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      July 16, 2026 2:28pm
  - cmm (semi-retired edition)
    
    It is virtually impossible to stop a kingpin type from operating while in prison. He’s not doing it himself. He has minions and accountants. He keeps operating wherever he is.
    
    6 1
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    July 16, 2026 2:41pm
    - kowtow
      
      Perhaps because the powers that be , wowsers etc kee insisting prisons are places of correction / rehabilitation.
      
      If prisons were more about punishment , then the crims couldn’t run the places like the personal fiefdoms they appear to have become.
      
      7 1
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      July 16, 2026 2:55pm
- Tauhei Notts
  
  Hey, CMM, you would have won a number of servo pies over the years. What have they done to your waist-line?
  
  4 0
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  July 16, 2026 3:07pm
Ghost

about time he took responsibility, but i still wonder how many more there are

For the first time in court, Jago also admitted he was guilty of sexually abusing all his victims.

His lawyer, Ian Brookie, read out a portion of a letter Jago had written.

“I’m guilty of sexual offending against three young men in the period 1995 to 1999. It’s been altogether too late in taking full responsibility for my offending. What I did back then was simply wrong,” Jago said in the letter.

Article

I cannot help but wonder if this admitting guilt is simply to look good for parole.
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July 16, 2026 1:11pm
- cmm (semi-retired edition)
  
  “about time he took responsibility”
  
  A sucker is born every minute. Of course he’s doing it for the last point you mention: to get the feelz going in the bleeding heart luvvies. He’s not taking real responsibility at all.
  
  Far too many of these judges have the Messiah Complex and think they can reach these “disturbed” and “misdirected” individuals and put them back on the straight and narrow.
  
  Like all Massiah Complex people, they love a redemption story: see I touched one and saved him!
  
  No, sorry:
  1) If someone really has gone straight, then prove it with one year, then 5 years, then a lifetime of no offending. You need to earn that second chance – not get it handed to you on a plate. Maybe you get that second chance after 5 years of no offending.
  2) As president of the Comancheros he has no doubt decided on the punishment of many members – some of them who likely wanted to leave but were not allowed to due to Comanchero rules. Did he give any of them second chances? He does not deserve another chance. Every.
  
  9 2
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  July 16, 2026 2:50pm
- Ghost
  
  The children are fighting
  
  https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/act-rubbishes-paul-henry-internet-conspiracy-amplified-by-winston-peters/OX66V5NAPJDWBPA3Z2FWSOFKF4/
  
  1 0
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  July 16, 2026 5:55pm
Philview

I saw the news story last night about E. Jean Carroll being awarded further damages by Donald Trump. While I wouldn’t be surprised if Trump has done some dodgy things in his life I am still a bit dubious on this one. E. Jean Carroll claims to have either been sexually assaulted or physically assaulted by 21 different men in her past. She must be a very unlucky woman.
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July 16, 2026 1:52pm
- Graeme Hall
  
  That, or EJ Carroll is somewhat disturbed. She claimed to be wearing a dress at the time that hadn’t yet been created. And, her story of what happened matched that from a TV series. Even the “assault” date was unclear. Still, nothing about her story worried the presiding Democrat judge who was not going to let DJT off, no matter what.
  
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  July 16, 2026 3:49pm
- Gary Benner
  
  She is simply a tool of the left, who fight dirty.
  
  If there were not bigger isues such as Iran, Ukraine, and a few internal idsues, I’m sure Trump would be fighting harder. But as many high profile so, they settle to get rid of the problem.
  
  7 1
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  July 16, 2026 4:07pm
- SoloView
  
  @ Philview
  Your statement “E. Jean Carroll claims to have either been sexually assaulted or physically assaulted by 21 different men in her past” interested me.
  
  I’ve searched and cant find any reference to this claim. Can you help with some search suggestions please
  
  4 1
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  July 16, 2026 4:13pm
  - CJames
    
    Here is one source
    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/crazy-e-jean-carroll-accused-several-men-sexual/
    
    3 1
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    July 16, 2026 6:07pm
  - CJames
    
    And here is one from not a rightwing source
    https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-july-4-2019-1.5199530/amid-sexual-assault-allegation-e-jean-carroll-says-trump-is-just-one-of-21-hideous-men-in-her-life-1.5199555
    
    3 1
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    July 16, 2026 6:09pm
Gary Benner

Sadly David Seymour shows a blind spot in his life experience, coming out today with the idea of banning phones for teenagers instead of the social media ban proposed by the Government for under 16s.

First, the safety and convenience for kids to be able to communicate with their parents, grandparents and siblings greatly outweighs any potential downside. If you have never had to deal with this very practical situation (David has never had that joy of bringing up kids or grandkids) then you see just how ridiculous this idea is.

David (or one of your minions), if you are reading this, remember that this is election year, and engaging the mouth before the brain can be disastrous.

We are currently in an election where National have gone full retard on so many issues, and people are looking for a way to bring the centre right coalition back to a level of common sense. ACT was an option, but mistakes like this then bring NZFirst to the fore. And the polls seem to endorse this view.
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July 16, 2026 3:42pm
- Graeme Hall
  
  Banning smart phones not all phones.
  
  7 0
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  July 16, 2026 3:49pm
- Ghost
  
  It is a terrible idea. under 16s can go out and get a job, yet they cannot use their money to go and buy a smartphone. The good news though is that if this ever became reality there would be a booming black-market for smartphones for kids. BTW, who is going to waste their time having to police this moronic policy?
  
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  July 16, 2026 4:26pm
  - RoboRob
    
    Agree. This is Act, the party of individual choice and responsibility talking about bans.
    
    The polling shows massive support for bans on social media and all the parties are jumping on the populist bandwagon. Not unexpected but sad to see Act following the herd.
    
    6 0
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    July 16, 2026 5:01pm
Jethrod

Following on from around 1100 to 2.23

Stock market crashes …….
1857…..August
1869…..September
1873……September
1929…. October
1973-74 January to December
1987…..October
2008……late September
2026……place your bets now
Tend to be in the latter part of American summers
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July 16, 2026 4:13pm
Ghost

someone on here once claimed that when Jacinda next came to NZ she would be served, as he had filed a lawsuit against her.

I guess she has been served or it was just another made up story

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland/former-pm-dame-jacinda-ardern-seen-back-in-auckland-a-week-after-selling-house/MVIDALU4AVGTNAY6IXYRYFUTCM/
1 1
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July 16, 2026 6:53pm

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