About
Contact
Advertise

Facebook
Twitter

July 31, 2026 8:00am by Kokila Patel

General Debate 31 July 2026

Like this:

Like Loading…

Email
Facebook
Twitter
Comment157

Uncategorized
General Debate

Comments (157)

Login to comment or vote

Cassandra

New York City is building a supermarket in each of its five boroughs. They’ll be privately managed but pay no rent. They’ll be required to sell core goods – meat, seafood, plus a list of 20 groceries – at a discount of 30%. Anyone can use them ie billionaires and beggars.

What’s not to like? Q might like to give this some thought. Since TOP favours daft policies this’d fit right in. But act quickly, the Maori Party and the Greens will also be looking at it.
31 1
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 8:01am
- Swifty
  
  Pity the poor other shop owners having to compete against city-subsidised operations.
  
  36 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 8:15am
  - artemisia
    
    Those bidding to run these will do the sums to make sure they can survive with free rent and 30% discount off something. Could be a hard ask.
    
    9 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 9:15am
    - septic skeptic
      
      You wouldn’t say that if you knew NY rental costs!
      
      3 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 9:21am
  - nz_aj
    
    The 30% discount is based on market-rate average prices calculated across New York City. “N.Y.C. Groceries” will determine these baselines once a month. Items include:
    Fresh Proteins: All chicken, beef, pork, and seafood.
    Fresh Produce: All fresh fruits and vegetables.
    Dairy & Refrigerated Goods: Milk, eggs, cheese, butter, and yogurt.
    Carbs & Grains: Bread, pasta, rice, and beans.
    Pantry Staples: Nuts and other basic everyday cooking ingredients.
    I can’t see how other stores will compete, as its such a high proportion of typical shopping, and prices being revised monthly means other stores will always be undercut.
    I’d expect the free rent won’t cover the difference, so “N.Y.C. Groceries” will have to have higher prices for other items: Cigarettes and tobacco, Alcohol, Lottery tickets, Hot or prepared foods.
    I’d start a store next door, selling just these things.
    
    4 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 12:51pm
  - Steve Otto N Shore
    
    Liquor shop owners will just buy booze at the supermarket to sell in their own shop – as they already do!!!!
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 3:30pm
- peterwn
  
  Greens in NZ has already promised something similar. They have promised to set up a new power company financed by a new tax to sell cheap power.
  
  28 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 8:18am
- Tomtoddy
  
  Yep clothing shops should not pay rent too. Oh, and Chemists. They are critical supply outlets. Come to think of it hardware is an essential service or we would have no homes so they should be rent free as well. People need furniture and whiteware so they should be added to the list. Crikey, we could get the cost of living down real quick.
  
  29 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 8:33am
  - Steve Otto N Shore
    
    No rent at petrol/diesel stations? Both are essential
    
    0 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 3:33pm
- artemisia
  
  If Q is the job title, like that other Q, Opportunities might be onto something. Otherwise, not so much.
  
  9 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 8:41am
- artemisia
  
  Predict long queues, shelves emptying faster than they can be restocked, and no point joining the queue once risk (shelves) exceeds reward (basket).
  
  17 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 8:48am
  - kowtow
    
    Theft central , massive losses , staff being endlessly abused , and the boys ( and girls) of the NYPD constantly in attendance.
    
    7 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 9:02am
  - Skottowe
    
    “Predict long queues, shelves emptying faster than they can be restocked…”
    
    Reminds me of pix we saw in our young adulthood, in the 1960s and 70s, of shopping USSR-style.
    
    5 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 10:08am
    - artemisia
      
      Toilet paper, Covid?
      
      3 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 1:55pm
  - David George
    
    Under socialism you queue for the bread.
    Under capitalism the bread queues for you.
    
    15 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 10:41am
    - imalwaysright
      
      Very good.
      
      3 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 11:44am
- pdm
  
  Cass we already have it in Hastings.
  
  It is called Nourish For Nil and people roll up in their BMW’s, Jags, Mercedes, wearing suits and ties and get a “hand out’ at least once a week.
  
  I have actually seen these people there when driving past – most of them have no shame or a conscience..
  
  We have never bludged off Nourish For Nil which does provide a good service for the needy but, is abused by others as they do not turn anyone away.
  
  24 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 8:58am
  - David George
    
    My friend started working (volunteer) at the local food bank. She gave up in disgust – all the “clients” were fat or obese and could have done with missing a meal or ten..
    Hunger or greed?
    
    8 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 1:21pm
    - Inandout
      
      DG, we taxpayers then provide subsidised doctor visits and the obesity related drugs. I have noticed large sized shoppers with trolleys full of chips, packaged sweets, budget bread and coke.
      
      3 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 3:18pm
    - Skottowe
      
      “…all the “clients” were fat or obese…”
      
      Indeed. As a younger family member has pointed out, there’s no starvation in NZ. If there were, we’d be seeing skeletal people. We aren’t.
      
      3 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 4:51pm
  - NZer In Exile
    
    There was a similar concept in Melbourne Aus. A not for profit restaurant supposedly for people doing it tough. It was situated in a hip lefty poser area. Customers could pay “what they could afford”. Initially it did feed homeless people and those going through a tough time. Of course the backpackers and other assorted low-conscience bludgers caught on, paid little or nothing for the meals offered and surprise surprise the place eventually went out of business.
    
    0 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 11:29pm
- RoboRob
  
  Asside from all the silliness around these communist (government owned means of production) policies, lets look at the reality.
  
  IF they do in fact start selling goods at 30% less cost, they will either
  a) shut down all the commercial operations, less employment and more needy.
  b) People will buy the goods at 30% discount and then on sell them at a profit.
  
  22 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 9:36am
  - Nigel Kearney
    
    Most likely neither will happen because the queues will be so long that most people will not shop there, despite the lower prices.
    
    7 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 10:11am
    - RoboRob
      
      Or they will run out of things so frequently nobody bothers to go. Who wants to make a trip to a supermarket where you cant get the things you want.
      
      Oh and the violence and homelessness around the supermarkets is also likely to put of normal people. Even those on a budget.
      
      10 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 10:16am
      - imalwaysright
        
        And who decides what the 30% discount is based on?
        
        The dearest, cheapest, or the average?
        
        Good luck to them working that out every day.
        
        4 0
        Report
        July 31, 2026 10:40am
- Gussy
  
  And the queues will make a Russian housewife gasp.
  
  2 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 6:32pm
Yvette

Peters, Jones refuse to back down over ‘go back to your own country’ jibe

In mid-2025, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Albert K. Barume, issued a letter to the New Zealand government expressing concern over local policies. He specifically targeted the Regulatory Standards Bill, a piece of legislation championed by David Seymour.

Rather than waiting for a coordinated, official response through standard government channels, David Seymour fired off his own scathing letter to the UN official, branding the UN’s concerns as “presumptive, condescending, and wholly misplaced”, calling the UN’s intervention “an affront to New Zealand’s sovereignty” and openly dismissing parts of the UN’s letter to the media as “insane”.

As Foreign Minister, Winston Peters publicly scolded Seymour for overstepping his boundaries and bypassing diplomatic channels. Peters noted that “experience is important in this business” and reminded Seymour that international diplomacy dictates the Foreign Minister handles communications with the UN.

Following the dispute, Seymour was forced to withdraw his rogue letter. Winston Peters subsequently issued a formal, government-wide reply to the UN, taking a significantly milder tone and explicitly expressing “deep regret” for the breakdown in diplomatic protocol caused by his coalition partner.
________________

China voices concerns to MFAT over Peters’ comments
The Chinese Embassy in New Zealand said it had lodged “solemn representations” with MFAT over the “negative China-related remarks made by a certain politician in the New Zealand Parliament.”
That certain politician, Peters, told the Chinese-born MP to “go back to your own country” during a debate in Parliament on Wednesday.

China’s ambassador Wang Xiaolong had earlier posted on social media that New Zealand’s domestic politics were not China’s concern, but “sometimes, a statement says more about the person that makes it than anything or anybody else.”
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/844267/chinese-embassy-in-new-zealand-voices-concerns-to-mfat-over-winston-peters-comments

Peters replied, “Go back to your own country. You only came here just five minutes ago. Go back to your own country, that’s where they lie like a flat fish. But they don’t lie like that here, alright, this is what we call democracy.”

Lawrence Xi Xu-Nan was born, born 12 December 1986, in Tianjin, China, while his ancestral home is in Shandong. His family formally settled in East Auckland in 1997 – when Xu-Nan would be 10 – 11 years old.
Now about 40, this man has spent roughly three quarters of his life so far in New Zealand rather than China.

“Sometimes, a statement says more about the person that makes it than anything or anybody else”

David Seymour was responding to a letter. What was Winston Peters reacting to? – just his own emotion of being interrupted in Parliament.
14 9
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 8:12am
- Cassandra
  
  I think you should listen to the exchange in the House. The directive from Peters was not to leave but to learn.
  
  18 10
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 8:15am
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    Oh C’mon… It was a straight-out racist attack…and now that’s been reinforced by Shane Jones stating that Lawrence Xi Xu-Nan “should know his place”.
    
    It bodes ill for all of us settler-folk/manuhiri/non-indigenous citizens when senior Maori start telling us to go home…or know our place.
    
    17 8
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 8:37am
    - Cassandra
      
      It was an angry response to an interjection. Peters is no George Wallace.
      
      12 7
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 8:44am
      - MCōs
        
        I don’t think he was angry at all.
        I believe it was more a calculated attack on immigrants from non English speaking Asian countries who are critical of our system and in particular Mister Winston
        There are a minority of voters who agree with everything he said and this election will be decided on how various minorities vote.
        According to the polls every party is little more than a minor party.
        
        11 11
        Report
        July 31, 2026 9:00am
      - KKNZ2025
        
        It was a typical Peters dog whistle. Not the first time.
        
        2 2
        Report
        July 31, 2026 10:46am
      - Jack5
        
        Lawrence Xu-Nan was heckling Winston Peters, the veteran member of the House of Parliament (48 years).
        
        What was the House Speaker doing allowing heckling? That’s for street meetings. This rudeness was like the untimely hakas of Maori Party protests that the Speaker also allowed in the House.
        
        Xu-Nan was baiting the veteran Peters. Where was the respect due to a senior member of the House?
        
        Was Peters racist in his response to Xu-Nan? If so it was mild racism.
        
        Hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders in jest and otherwise have been told to “go home” in Australia and vice-versa. Just hot air, and soon gone.
        
        Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of New Zealanders have been called “guilo” in southern China, a Cantonese term which means white demon or evil white ghost. I’ve never heard of one who Kiwi object that it was racist.
        
        It’s just words – nothing. You move on.
        
        9 1
        Report
        July 31, 2026 11:35am
    - Media hater
      
      Yes, I agree.
      
      Also, once NZ First get a decent share in the election, I expect Peters to go full retard, because underneath the veneer that is all he is.
      
      Note: He won’t mind being called a retard.
      
      3 5
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 9:32am
    - Skottowe
      
      “It bodes ill for all of us settler-folk/manuhiri/non-indigenous citizens when senior Maori start telling us to go home…or know our place.”
      
      And it will happen eventually. Possibly followed – eventually – by forced emigration. God knows where to, since most of us are of mixed descent.
      
      Anybody as old as I am has seen this sort of thing in the past, elsewhere in the world. It’s one of the fruits of “decolonisation”, and it’s coming to NZ, just a bit later than in Africa, for instance. Anyone heard lately about what’s happening in New Caledonia?
      
      1 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 4:02pm
  - Yvette
    
    Hansard: Wednesday, 29 July 2026
    
    Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan: Are you vaccinated?
    
    Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: I’m not making it up, sunshine. I noticed you came here five minutes ago. Go back to your own country—that’s where they lie like a flatfish, but they don’t lie like that here, all right? This is called a democracy—this is called a democracy, unlike what you’re used to. Go back to where you’ve come from, you loudmouth, and maybe you’ll learn something about the political system of New Zealand in time before you go streaming out of here in three months’ time.
    The fact is, it’s not informed consent if people don’t know …
    https://hansard.parliament.nz/hansard-transcript/2026-07-29/debates-general-debate?sId=db1ee394c5cd21dc61bd7b2a4edf389b
    
    After that would Xu-Nan know if he is coming or going
    
    9 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 8:41am
    - Paulus
      
      Remember that Peters’s is a born Actor and when he prevaricates over just anyhing, which he can get some media traction, he is doing just that.
      He does not necessarily mean one word of what he says.
      As Shakespeare said it ” All the World’s a Stage”.
      
      14 5
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 9:21am
      - RoboRob
        
        Came to post the similar. Winston is the most politically skilled politician we have ever had. Its election time and he knows the visibility is important. He says this shit because because it gets him that visibility.
        
        In the meantime sensible parties work on good policy and get no coverage and little voter interest.
        
        13 3
        Report
        July 31, 2026 9:38am
      - mogg
        
        So do you think that people who agree with Peters saying the unsayable should not be represented in parliament?
        
        1 0
        Report
        July 31, 2026 3:21pm
    - imalwaysright
      
      “Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan: Are you vaccinated?”
      
      Is that a crack about the Wuhan flu?
      
      If the situation were reversed, would a Kiwi in the Chinese ‘parliament’ get away with taunting a Chinese member about being vaccinated against a disease developed in NZ?
      
      (Hypothetical, I know)
      
      7 3
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 9:50am
  - peterwn
    
    The guy he was ‘lecturing’ to is for all practical purposes a Kiwi. He came to NZ as a baby or toddler so has lived in the NZ environment for all educational and social purposes. His political preference is his to choose.
    The implication is he should leave, rather like an Aussie saying a Kiwi living in Australia from a very young age should be 501’d.
    
    13 4
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 9:47am
    - Jack5
      
      Looking at the Hansard text of Parliament someon pointed to elsewhere in this thread you can see that Lawrence Xu Nan is an active member of Parliament taking part in the minutaie of discourse about various bills.
      
      It’s notable that Xu Nan gets the honorific of “Dr” before Hansard records of his word flow in the House.
      
      On digging, I was fascinated to learn Xu Nan’s doctorate is a PhD in Egyptology from the University of Auckland, where he specialized in Ancient History.
      
      Good on you, Lawrence, for studying something you’d have had a snowball’s chance in Hell of studying in China.
      
      7 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 11:57am
      - Maggy Wassilieff
        
        He also has a degree in Pharmacology, and a Law degree (LLB).
        
        https://rocketreach.co/lawrence-xu-nan-email_717249721
        
        Perpetual student +/or wunderkid?
        
        3 0
        Report
        July 31, 2026 3:46pm
      - OlderChas
        
        Actually replying to Maggie. Hit the report button by mistake. Mods please ignore the report! Just wanted to say that the Green MP has been here since age 9 (TVNews) or 10 to 11 (a comment above) or since as a toddler ( comment above) Has also spent a lot of time in education (if you can call A PHd in Egyptology education), yet has not managed to learn to speak english with a kiwi accent. Deliberately hanging on to his whakapapa? (Greens are big on whakapapa I think?)
        
        2 0
        Report
        July 31, 2026 5:02pm
      - Maggy Wassilieff
        
        yet has not managed to learn to speak english with a kiwi accent.
        
        The Mother-in-law spoke English with a fairly heavy East-European accent even after having spent 60 years living in NZ, Australia and the UK.
        I never managed to win a scrabble game against her and I suspect she’d clean up most opponents even if the game was played in French, German, Italian, Russian or Serbo-Croat.
        
        My father never lost his Glaswegian accent after 55 years in NZ, but my brother began speaking Ocker after a couple of years living in Queensland.
        
        3 0
        Report
        July 31, 2026 7:37pm
- Scott
  
  I agree with Winston Peters. It’s the sort of language that the liberal elites hate but is the sort of forthright sentiment the ordinary person understands.
  
  The interesting thing about the TV3 news item on the matter last night was that they criticised Winston’s remark as racist. I didn’t think Maoris could be racist? Racism, I’m told, is all about white privilege and differential power structures and institutional racism. I’ve heard many radicals say that Maori can’t be racist. It’s only white people’s racism that matters.
  
  So which is it? Can Maori be racist or not?
  
  11 7
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 8:38am
  - Northshoredoc
    
    Of course individual maori are just as capable of being racist and bigoted as any other people.
    
    Who are these radicals who suggest maori can’t be racist?
    
    2 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 12:31pm
    - Scott
      
      Northshore, fair question. Can Maori people be racist or not? Here’s the thinking which comes from universities all over the world, including our own :
      
      “While assumptions and stereotypes about white people do exist, this is considered racial prejudice, not racism. Racial prejudice refers to a set of discriminatory or derogatory attitudes based on assumptions derived from perceptions about race and/or skin colour. Thus, racial prejudice can indeed be directed at white people (e.g., “White people can’t dance”) but is not considered racism because of the systemic relationship to power”
      
      https://www.aclrc.com/issues/anti-racism/cared/the-basics-level-1/myth-of-reverse-racism/
      
      2 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 4:20pm
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    Near-by Maori resident has a property with a very long grassed frontage which he takes pride in keeping in a neat mown state.
    
    Some young horse-riding maori youngsters took to cantering down along his frontage and the horses’ hooves dug up the grass.
    One day he stepped out from his drive-way and requested that they ride their horses on the road not on his grassed berm. One of the girls immediately replied that he was just an old bald-headed white guy and they could ride where they pleased.
    
    He replied, “have you looked at me?”
    
    She looked….. as did the others…
    Seems their first response was to offer racial abuse before even recognising the nonsense of their abuse.
    
    8 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 1:32pm
- keepcalmcarryon
  
  What passport does he hold?
  
  6 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 8:51am
- leoj
  
  Never forget how Winnie screwed the country in 2017.
  
  8 4
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 10:09am
  - Inandout
    
    leo, with a little help from the new millionaire who lives in Sydney.
    
    1 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 3:29pm
- Yvette
  
  I am still a little perplexed that, despite China’s non-democratic aspects only being delicately addressed because of China being a major trading entity with New Zealand, that relationship is put at risk in an international incident because a Chinese-born man, who has spent three quarters of his life so far in New Zealand, asked Winston Peters if Peters was vaccinated against covid.
  
  4 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 11:52am
Sensible moderate views

Vote National, get Winston Peters. Whom Luxon is unable to control in any way at all.
5 29
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 8:21am
- pdm
  
  Vote Labour and you probably get 18months of Winston as Prime Minister.
  
  Now that is a scary thought.
  
  33 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 9:04am
  - Paulus
    
    Not enough time !
    
    4 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 9:22am
    - pdm
      
      `Not enough time.’
      
      ?
      
      2 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 10:06am
      - Paulus
        
        Winst0n only wants the lot i.e. 3 years as PM (including his State Funeral).
        
        2 2
        Report
        July 31, 2026 11:14am
      - imalwaysright
        
        Paulus
        
        Winston would have the State Funeral first. He wouldn’t miss it for the world…!
        
        5 0
        Report
        July 31, 2026 11:48am
      - NothingLeft
        
        I’ve been hoping Winston would pop his political clogs for the last 20 years. But over much time I have come to uncomfortable conclusion that he is Nosferatu, sadly without the weakness for sunlight or garlic.
        
        3 0
        Report
        July 31, 2026 2:13pm
  - peterwn
    
    This would be the lesser evil than 36 months of Chris Hipkins.
    
    20 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 9:55am
    - septic skeptic
      
      I’m not so sure. It’s election year and Winston is pushing the buttons of the gullible – no surprises there. Last I heard he was railing against the inadequacy of the Covid enquiry. I recall about this time 3 years ago people on this blog were planning to vote NZF in order to get a proper enquiry. As I predicted then, Winston did not deliver. He delivers for his donors. The horse racing industry must be pretty happy with the greyhound ban and that he facilitated their seizure of the greyhound industry assets.
      
      5 3
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 10:55am
- RoboRob
  
  Vote Labour, get Winston Peters. Whom Hipkins is unable to control in any way at all.
  
  Either way, we are getting a Winston fix 🙂
  
  13 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 9:39am
  - BeaB
    
    NZ is overrun with numpties who will give their votes to Winston and to Labour. It’s incredible. We have a competent government delivering good policy and people want Winston’s antics and anachronistic ideas. He doesn’t do things by accident. This was a deliberate ploy to goad Luxon into sacking him. Luxon is damned either way. And so is NZ the longer we let Winston First rule the roost.
    
    2 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 11:56am
  - R
    
    Winston will be fixed once he has received his KNIGHTHOOD.
    Not that these are as valuable here in NZ now, due to some of the more recent resident, and non-resident, recipients
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 12:13pm
    - OlderChas
      
      Winston for Speaker!
      
      1 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 5:06pm
- peterwn
  
  Given the circumstances, Chris Luxon has done extremely well in the circumstances both in forming a workable coalition and successfully holding it together. If Chris or Winston forced a snap election the coalition most probably would have lost the election. People criticise Chris for being a businessman rather than a politician. His success in forming a coalition government and holding it together would have been largely because of his business skills.
  
  16 3
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 9:54am
  - leoj
    
    Luxon is weak, woke and stands for nothing.
    First principle in the Treaty Principles Bill was: Equality for all New Zealanders.
    Luxon said there is nothing in the bill he liked.
    
    13 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 10:12am
    - Steve Otto N Shore
      
      Luxon likes his bank accounts balances——
      
      2 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 3:42pm
  - imalwaysright
    
    Don’t think he’s a businessman, he has always been an employee.
    
    7 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 11:08am
  - septic skeptic
    
    Self interest is the glue that binds these coalitions. 🦃 don’t vote for an early Xmas.
    
    4 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 11:50am
- mogg
  
  That’s MMP, if we vote Labour we could get a Justice Minister who will be on the run from the police or a Green Minister who is a thief.
  
  3 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 3:28pm
- SeanOConnor
  
  Vote Hipkins, get Rawiri and Debbie.
  
  2 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 4:07pm
- NZer In Exile
  
  MMP = Lucky dip.
  
  0 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 11:32pm
imalwaysright

Stunning video of Rand Paul questioning Faucci….!

https://youtu.be/4bC-rF2ymK0?si=fJy7yvo9-KzPpCIa
7 4
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 8:30am
David Garrett

Good morning from the Kingdom …you don’t want to know what the temperature is here this morning…particularly if you live in the South Island. I’ll wander in to work in an hour or so
12 3
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 8:34am
- RoboRob
  
  It was 12 in Christchurch this morning at around 8am. Quite high for this time of year.
  
  Apparently it is going to change late today with ‘freezing temperatures and snow to low levels’, which explains the nice weather. Its often nice, warm and sunny just before it snows. Not that we get much in the way of snow.
  
  6 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 10:13am
  - Charlotte Wells
    
    Snow predicted for the peninsula.
    
    2 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 1:33pm
- MCōs
  
  It’s actually quite pleasant here in Mangere Bridge this morning and I don’t have to wander off to work
  For some years after I was last employed I dreamed about being back in the office and all sorts of things were going wrong!
  
  6 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 10:18am
Tomtoddy

Apparently cruise ship visits are down 40%. We could be losing a billion in revenue – important income for many SME’s who provide support services.

Some of the main reasons for this drop are caused by our own incompetence – differing regs between ports, same rules applied haphazardly, lack of certainty around anti-biofouling laws, plus poor quality disembarking facilities, excessive charging by ports. Self inflicted wounds.
22 1
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 8:55am
- peterwn
  
  NZ ports are probably average for the alleged issues. Some foreign ports would be far worse and a real test for agents, masters and pursers.
  
  7 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 9:57am
- pb
  
  That ghost ship of LGTP’s is still looking for a port near you.
  
  https://www.dailymail.com/travel/article-15968239/lgbtq-gay-cruise-passengers-refused-entry-egypt-turkey.html
  
  10 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 9:59am
- imalwaysright
  
  NZ spends a lot of money to attract tourists and then hits them with levies and charges when they do come.
  
  There are better deals elsewhere, the customers have voted.
  
  12 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 10:04am
- Albie
  
  I’ve got the Marine Tracker app as I can see the ships coming and going to the Auckland port from my apartment. I thought the drop off on cruise ships the last few months was just due to the winter season, but interesting you have offered other factors to account for the decline. I understand Auckland is in the process of building a significant cruise ship terminal. Perhaps this will help.
  
  3 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 10:59am
- Ghost
  
  Cruise ship vists are increasing in Timaru. They’ve even become the home port for the Scenic Eclipse II antarica cruise. Councils need to get out and sell their area to the cruise companies.
  
  6 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 11:01am
  - Jack5
    
    Perhaps Ghost’s neighbour is building some sort of car museum for cruise ship passengers loose in Timaru.
    
    What else? Perhaps the statue of top boxer Bob Fitzsimmons, if it’s back on display yet (I’m not going to pay $44.99 to read the whole Timaru Herald story about the statue donated by Bob Jones).
    
    2 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 12:19pm
Maggy Wassilieff

The sad thing about Winston’s xenophobic outburst is that it has completely diverted the media away from the topic of Winston’s speech which was on the Government’s response to the Covid Inquiry.

Winston pointed out that Chris Hipkins and Ayesha Verrall had not been telling the truth when they told the inquiry they had not been briefed on the dangers of over vaccinating young folk.

He also brought up the fact that over $30 billion of public money that was meant to support the Covid Response and Recovery went elsewhere…to people and projects unrelated to the pandemic.

https://hansard.parliament.nz/hansard-transcript/2026-07-29/debates-general-debate?sId=db1ee394c5cd21dc61bd7b2a4edf389b
23 2
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 9:22am
- Ghost
  
  He reminded me of a great Chinese doctor and his wife who had lived in NZ for decades, would still get told to go back their own country
  
  6 6
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 10:46am
- BeaB
  
  That was entirely Winston’s intention. He can easily cope with heckling without that over-reaction.
  He knows how to command the headlines. Helen Clark tediously weighing in just adds to his performance
  
  6 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 11:59am
graham

Oh dear … wouldn’t it be a shame if Chlöe Swarbrick received the DCM card in her own electorate.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/green-party-losing-in-auckland-central-and-national-ahead-of-rivals-in-new-poll/3NWUVM55OZDNFKJ5UOSTUUXZLI/

Green Party losing in Auckland Central and National ahead of rivals in new poll

The Green Party is on track to narrowly lose the Auckland Central electorate it has held for two consecutive elections, according to a new poll.

A Curia Poll commissioned by the Taxpayers’ Union and obtained by the Herald shows National in first place, polling 30%, and the Greens five points behind on 25%.
18 0
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 9:31am
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  We can but hope
  
  11 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 11:25am
- Steve Otto N Shore
  
  Could not happen to a better commie!
  
  5 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 4:29pm
Maggy Wassilieff

I no longer trust RNZ…

Once I would have read this article about Cat Christey, the Phillips children’s mum, and believed it all, but now I’m wondering if there’s an agenda here to frame a certain narrative before the Public release of the Government inquiry into the disappearance of the children.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/crime-and-justice/847951/he-was-a-dictator-mother-of-marokopa-children-speaks-out-about-her-relationship-with-tom-phillips
16 5
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 9:37am
- keepcalmcarryon
  
  There was a very obvious limiting of facts to the public coordinated with multiple media stories demonizing the guy at the time without specifics then a propaganda documentary against him after he was shot dead in murky circumstances, overstepping all sorts of police/media boundaries.
  
  If police/government aren’t covering something up then they’ve gone a long way out of their way to look exactly like it.
  
  10 7
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 9:54am
  - Ghost
    
    Nothing to do with the government or police, details were suppressed by the courts to protect the children
    
    6 9
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 11:07am
    - keepcalmcarryon
      
      Didn’t stop the cops making a docco or his ex Mrs saying her bit did it.
      Suppression only covers certain things, it’s being used as an excuse to suppress anything inconvenient.
      
      7 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 12:58pm
      - Ghost
        
        the doco is having to follow the court suppression orders and all relevant details won’t be in it. His wife also has to follow those orders which is why her interview doesn’t cover any of the suppresed details. It’s sad this monster has fanboys.
        
        4 4
        Report
        July 31, 2026 1:08pm
      - David Garrett
        
        keepcalm: Notably absent from that “report” was and mention or even hint as to exactly why the children are not back with their mother.
        
        And in the absence of any other information the rumours fly about her drug use
        
        6 0
        Report
        July 31, 2026 2:23pm
      - keepcalmcarryon
        
        It’s a sad story all round. I don’t know how anyone can be a fan without knowing all the details, it’s just as dumb as calling him a monster when details are under suppression and nobody knows.
        Don’t mistake my wish for transparency as fandom, we aren’t all binary thinkers.
        
        2 0
        Report
        July 31, 2026 2:24pm
      - Ghost
        
        this story, as well as the suppressed details was reported by foreign media before they took it down. Which is why one talkback host said that everyone and their dog knows what’s suppressed. The minister also knows full well why he called this man a monster.
        
        1 4
        Report
        July 31, 2026 2:44pm
  - Jack5
    
    In today’s Herald report today of the RNZ interview with Cat Christey, Tom Phillips’ wife:
    
    … Christey told Mata she was “dead set against” the Netflix documentary but Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders said police did not need her permission.
    
    4 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 12:06pm
- Skottowe
  
  “….now I’m wondering if there’s an agenda here….”
  
  Funny you should say that. With regard to this story, I remarked to a family member this morning that, given who’s reporting it, I took this account with a grain of salt. It may be so, or it may not.
  
  5 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 10:02am
- [email protected]
  
  > I no longer trust RNZ…
  
  First time?
  
  RNZ has been running with an agenda for sometime now. Tom Phillips has been set up to be a complete monster for a while now and to be fair his actions of shooting at police hasn’t helped his case in this regard.
  
  Minister Mitchell was very quick to call him a monster without actually explaining why. Questions I have is why, if he was such a monster, was he able to get sole custody in the first place? Or were there issues with the mother that are now being conveniently kept quiet?
  
  There clearly is a lot more going on in this than the media narrative wants us to know – simpler to go with one villain than the more likely wider spread of blame.
  
  13 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 10:34am
  - imalwaysright
    
    What surprised me was the Police ambush was set up knowing he was armed and that he had a child with him, and it was dark.
    
    3 3
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 12:17pm
    - Hugh Jarse
      
      It wasn’t an ambush, it was one Constable attempting to put a cordon in to take this dangerous offender into custody and put an end to several years of torment for these children. Unfortunately the Constable was severely wounded in the attempt, had this been an ambush there would have been multiple trained armed staff and highly likely that only Phillips would have been the only one injured or killed. The sole Constable did a very brave thing here against an armed offender in the middle of the night and his courageous actions should not minimised by the use of such terms as ambush.
      
      There are very good reasons why there are significant suppression orders in place to protect the children and it shouldn’t take much to work out why.
      
      3 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 2:37pm
      - imalwaysright
        
        So they didn’t know he was armed and had a child with him?
        Not sure that the policeman was severely wounded, if he was we would have been made well aware of it.
        
        If he did get a nick then it was clearly his own fault for not following police procedure.
        
        1 2
        Report
        July 31, 2026 3:09pm
      - Charlotte Wells
        
        IAR, you need to read a lot more.
        
        That cop was shot in the head with a high powered rifle. This information is well know.
        
        To the best of my knowledge he still hasn’t recovered sufficiently to return to work.
        
        2 0
        Report
        July 31, 2026 8:48pm
      - Hugh Jarse
        
        IAR yes was a mere nick ffs. Best you get out more and stop drinking whatever koolaid you are on. “The police officer shot in his head by Tom Phillips with a powerful hunting rifle is set to return to work more than 10 months after the fugitive Marokopa father died in a shootout.
        
        Waikato District Commander Scott Gemmell confirmed the officer injured on the morning of September 8 last year had made “positive progress” in his recovery.
        
        “We are currently supporting the officer to return to work on a light duties basis as part of our reintegration programme,” Gemmell said.
        
        The officer is set to continue his rehabilitation.
        
        The constable, referred to as Officer A, was ambushed on a rural Waikato road by Phillips, who fired at least four rounds at close range. At the time it was reported the officer suffered a severe injury to his skull, while a second shot caused significant damage to his right shoulder.
        
        Phillips was shot and killed shortly after by a second police officer.
        
        Can you advise us based on your experience of dealing with dangerous mobile armed offenders what police procedure the Constable failed to follow that resulted in his injuries ?.
        
        1 1
        Report
        July 31, 2026 10:32pm
    - Ghost
      
      there was no ambush. The wanted criminal was evading police, they got in front of him and he tried to kill one of them. Another made up fact from you
      
      3 3
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 2:39pm
  - David Garrett
    
    banksie: “Issues with the mother”…widely rumoured; exact facts unknown.
    
    1 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 2:24pm
    - [email protected]
      
      Precisely my point. The actual facts around the whole affair are very limited right now. Which is what irks me with the rush to judgement here.
      
      We simply don’t know what went on right now other than he felt sufficiently worried about *something* that he took his kids away.
      
      0 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      August 3, 2026 8:43am
  - Ghost
    
    He did not have sole custody of the children. He did not have legal custody of the children. The minister is limited in what he can say because of the suppression order
    
    1 3
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 2:39pm
    - [email protected]
      
      You are being selective with your facts. I reference this article :-
      
      https://dailytelegraph.co.nz/news/cops-claim-custody-dispute-as-main-motive-behind-tom-phillips-disappearance-with-children/
      
      He *had* full custody of the kids prior to 2021. That is very very unusual for a father to get full custody in the NZ legal system.
      
      You are right that at the time he took off with the children he had lost that full custody but there is much more context here than you allow for.
      
      0 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      August 3, 2026 8:48am
- Ghost
  
  The release of the report will be respecting the suppression order and protecting the children, so the details on the monsters offending will remain suppressed. Unless foreign media decide to report it, NZ public will remain with idiots fanboying over a monster. She is allowed to tell her story.
  
  Hopefully the children are getting every resource given to them to help them on what will be a very long path to deal, heal with what was done to them.
  
  4 6
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 10:43am
- MCōs
  
  Maybe C² is getting her retaliation in first
  
  This is an appalling case of children abuse and hopefully the inquiry has some strong findings about who is at fault. I think a lot of people and organizations fell down on their responsibilities.
  
  9 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 10:43am
- CJames
  
  IIRC, there were allegation by Phillips before he went bush that the mother was a drug addict and the children were neglected but government departments weren’t interested in doing anything. If that memory is correct, it would explain why the children did not go back into the custody of the mother after the shooting.
  And stretching it further, if true, then that is critical information that reflects badly on the media publicising uncritically the mother’s comments.
  
  8 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 1:05pm
pb

Whatever happened to the dynamic trio of realestate wise guys? Those fix-all 2bit new york diplomatic thugs: Undertaker Kushner, witless Witcoff, and Trumpet.

Seems WW3 is kicking off and the trio are hiding.
4 9
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 10:03am
Ghost

Today the hoarder neighbour has bought his third car this year. Both him and the girlfriend are on a couples supported living benefit. There is nothing wrong with her and no reason for her to be on anything but the job seekers. He currently has 5 cars out the front of the property, 4 down the drive, 3 down the back and several in storage.
11 4
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 11:27am
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  Perhaps you should anonymously suggest to MSD that they take another look at your neighbour’s circumstances. IIUC, social security benefits are means tested. That many cars, even if they are dungas, would suggest that your neighbour has access to assets.
  
  7 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 11:45am
  - Ghost
    
    Already done, but I don’t think they actually care. They are either still spending the money they originally stole from WINZ, or committing more fraud. His ex wife used some of the stolen money before covid to buy a cafe. Which because of covid went under.
    
    4 3
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 12:28pm
- imalwaysright
  
  “He currently has 5 cars out the front of the property, 4 down the drive, 3 down the back and several in storage.”
  
  That can’t be good for ones mental health.
  
  1 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 11:52am
  - Steve Otto N Shore
    
    Spare parts to keep shitters running??
    
    2 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 4:32pm
    - imalwaysright
      
      Maybe they’ve been ‘driven’ to it….
      
      0 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 5:26pm
- MCōs
  
  My wife’s niece and her husband had about three cars.
  Their problem was they bought them with finance from the car yards, but when they wanted to sell them what they could get was far less than they owed
  
  1 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 1:06pm
- mogg
  
  Go round and tell him what you think of him.
  
  0 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 3:46pm
NeverMindTheBollocks

There are a lot of people in NZ who are ignorant of basic economics. Or perhaps they just have short memories (I blame the internet). It’s just staggering that so many people think Labour are better than National (the Coalition) at managing the country.

http://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/848032/labour-considered-most-capable-of-managing-new-zealanders-top-five-concerns-survey
11 0
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 11:30am
- ISeeRed
  
  More and more I’m starting to believe democracy doesn’t work. It contains the seeds of its own eventual destruction. Universal suffrage —> universal suffering.
  
  5 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 12:18pm
- R
  
  Not staggering really. There is a large cohort of the voluntary who are unable to analyse, or think rationally about the relationship between politics and economics. They rely upon RNZ, the Herald, TV1 or their Trade Union newsletter to guide them. Hardly unbiased sources.
  
  4 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 1:17pm
- kowtow
  
  Really scary .
  
  4 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 1:23pm
- Charlotte Wells
  
  A decline is still a decline; no matter how well managed the decline is.
  
  Eventually you end up in the same place.
  
  4 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 1:37pm
- Prince
  
  There are a lot of people who rely on the Govt for their income. Public Sector, Unemployed, Beneficiaries.
  Just look at the Local Govt results – most people believe the Govt can solve their problems.
  National, Act and NZ First will come to regret their timidity in cutting back the ever-increasing scope of Govt in our lives.
  
  9 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 1:42pm
  - imalwaysright
    
    Yep, when most people rely on the Government, the Government becomes the boss.
    
    4 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 2:06pm
NeverMindTheBollocks

A Canadian intern at NATO has been arrested on suspicion of espionage.

Canadian, you say? Spying on NATO? Sounds odd.

Oh. She’s of Chinese origin. Hmmm.

http://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwymk20n0v7o
5 1
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 12:05pm
AitchW

I’d suggest that around 30% of voters are rusted on to the left, and a similar number to the right.
The difference is that the right, in ACT and NZF, has two reasonable alternatives to National.
The left has TPM and the Greens……
4 0
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 12:17pm
- MCōs
  
  Back in the Key days he worked with the Nats holding down 45+% of parliamentary seats. He formed relationships with some minor parties, but they had little real influence.
  Now the mix is so bad he can brush off Top, who quite frankly are hardly a dangerous juggernaut and cling to the increasingly embarrassing NZF
  
  0 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 6:57pm
imalwaysright

Greg Fleming, National Party MP, delivered his contribution to the English Language Bill debate primarily in Te Reo Māori.

Not sure of his motivation for doing this, but it appears a bit woke.
6 0
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 1:00pm
- Pope Punctilious II
  
  And what was the thrust of his speech on the topic?
  
  2 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 2:25pm
  - imalwaysright
    
    Don’t know. Can’t understand Maori.
    
    Not many others can either, apparently.
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 3:15pm
  - Ghost
    
    Always important to fact check a couple of people on here
    
    You can watch it here, it’s at 2 hours 43 minutes
    
    https://videos.parliament.nz/on-demand?id=42a3459c-2d48-46c3-6211-08deee5c2bd1
    
    DEPUTY SPEAKER: Greg Fleming.
    
    Tamatha Paul: Do it in te reo—do it in te reo.
    
    GREG FLEMING (National—Maungakiekie) (16:44): [Authorised reo Māori text to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]
    
    [Authorised translation to be inserted by the Hansard Office.]
    
    In about 15 minutes, we will have two official languages: Māori and English.
    
    The only thing woke in this is the person writing woke above
    
    3 6
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    July 31, 2026 4:18pm
    - imalwaysright
      
      Sounds woke to me.
      He could have said no….
      Just another weakling then?
      Or just another wokeling?
      
      2 3
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 5:02pm
      - Ghost
        
        Your idiotic comment shows you have no idea who Greg is. This sort of unintelligent crap is to be expected from you.
        
        0 1
        Report
        August 1, 2026 12:05am
    - NZer In Exile
      
      A language being pushed by a woke minority.
      
      By all means have fun learning it. I have no problem if that is your pet hobby. Most can not be arsed and that includes most part-Maori. Too many other more important things to worry about.
      
      0 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      July 31, 2026 11:37pm
artemisia

Brad Olsen has stepped down as chief executive at Infometrics. Have to say the part of his interview this week on NewstalkZB about the Green Party and Treasury wealth flight was not very convincing to this layperson – basically a lot of words saying everyone makes assumptions. (Audio 29 July after the 5pm news.)

Of course correlation etc.
2 0
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 1:21pm
- imalwaysright
  
  Economists are the witnesses who quote the eye witnesses.
  
  2 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 1:26pm
NothingLeft

Morocco has just staged an invasion of the North African Spanish City of Ceuta, using thousands of just-released prisoners that they delivered to the border and another few 10’s of thousands of north Africans and Moroccans as an irregular and uncontrolled invading force.

Spain’s Far left president who has perhaps been in on it and had previously opened the flood gates on giving amnesty to all immigrants is refusing to defend it.

Expect hundreds of Spanish citizens to be raped and murdered as this invading barbarian army pillages the city through the night.

Could this perhaps be a turning point for Europe and a rejection of the far left migrant insanity.

In other news British authorities are trying to pretend that 3 women on a migrant boat crossing the channel all coincidentally died of heart attacks – not murdered after who knows what by the men on board.
7 1
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 2:22pm
- NothingLeft
  
  Also Melilia, another Spanish city on Moroccan coast.
  
  Estimates are up to 80000 young male invaders entering into these two cities, that combined only have about 170k inhabitants
  
  4 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 2:48pm
- kowtow
  
  Turning point ?
  
  They’ve had 50 years and the only thing the bureaucrats are openly interested in pretending to activlely deal with , is the weather.
  
  2 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 2:53pm
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  Spain, the country that regularly castigates Britain for its colony of Gibraltar, has itself two colonies in Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa. The stench of Spanish hypocrisy fills the air.
  
  TBH, I don’t know why Spain clings to them. Bargaining chips of some kind? Access to fishing grounds? Or just the last lingering effect of Empire?
  
  Any which way, the Spanish would be better off relinquishing the two, which are Europe’s only land borders with Africa.
  
  2 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 3:05pm
- Taieri
  
  About half of the Ceuta population is Arab already anyway.
  I visited Ceuta in 1970s. Back then, they didn’t have all those anti-migrant fences. An interesting place.
  
  1 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 4:20pm
mogg

Spains Socialist government has just given an amnesty to 1.1 million African illegals, now they are in the Schengen zone they can travel anywhere in EU and claim benefits.
3 0
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 3:42pm
NeverMindTheBollocks

In a surprise to no one following events, the Government has awarded the contract to operate Molesworth Station* to … drum roll please, Maestro … Ngai Tahu.

* Oh, and by the way, it’ll now be called Rangitahi, not Molesworth.
6 0
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 4:00pm
- Quail
  
  NMtB,
  Questions.
  How much did Ngai Tahu have to pay taxpayers ( owners ) for Molesworth ?
  Is this a freehold transaction ?
  Will they have to pay rates / rent on the property.?
  Or is this just another full and final settlement gift ?
  Or are they merely managing the property for all New Zealanders ?
  As every New Zealander has an interest in this property they also have a right to know the details of this transaction.
  Details please!
  
  2 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 8:34pm
NeverMindTheBollocks

Whahooo! Break out the good stuff, Trevor!

http://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/854309/wellington-city-council-proposes-wide-ranging-job-cuts
2 0
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 4:08pm
greybeard

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361014205/my-whole-world-complete-bree-tomasel-and-fiancee-welcome-baby-boy

Baby boy will not have a father. Will never know his father. Will never have the input and guidance from a man.

The man who created this baby is simply a disposable, unknown, donor so that these two can be temporarily notable and in the public eye.
Pathetic.
4 0
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 6:28pm
Jack5

Molesworth to Ngai Tahu

The Government’s giving management of the country’s biggest farm to Ngai Tahu.

The Department of Conservation has chosen one of the tribe’s companies, Ngai Tahu Farming, as manager of the 440,000 acre sheep station in Canterbury and Marlborough.

Forty-three entities are registered under Ngai Tahu Charitable Group. The group had a bottom-line return of $93.127 million for its 2025 financial year, from net assets of $1.296 billion.

Under the sweetheart settlement with Ngai Tahu under a National government, the tribe was given perpetual first rights to buy all State assets being sold in the South Island. However, DOC hasn’t announced transfer of Molesworth ownership. The headline on the DOC announcement says: “Ngāi Tahu Farming selected as preferred operator to negotiate for Molesworth lease.”

RNZ reports DOC deputy director-general regional operations, Henry Weston, as saying farming will remain the core commercial activity at Molesworth.

RNZ reports Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst welcoming it, and Ngai Tahu’s CEO, Ben Bateman, saying it reflected the tribe’s capability in farming, conservation and commercial management.

Ngāi Tahu Farming, part of the tribe’s group charity registration, farms three high country stations, spanning 36,000 hectares, as part of the 100,000 hectares of farming and forestry land it manages across the South Island.

RNZ reports the chairperson of Ngai Tahu’s Kaikoura branch, Hariata Kahu, as saying of the Molewswroth decision:

“For many generations we have longed to play a more active role in protecting Rangitahi Molesworth. Growing up, we learn the pūrākau of Rangitahi and the journeys our people made through this landscape. The Awatere and Waiautoa rivers are part of those stories and even the name Rangitahi speaks to the coming together of those waters.”

Jim Ward, who has leading a campaign to have Molesworth a national resort, says DOC gave him an hour and a half’s notice of the decision, but hadn’t told him why his bid was unsuccessful.

RNZ report:

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/854409/ngai-tahu-farming-chosen-to-operate-country-s-largest-farm-molesworth-station
2 1
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 7:34pm
- keepcalmcarryon
  
  They could have chosen the guy who knows how to run it and also pays tax.
  This is not the best outcome but it’s certainly form for DOC and government.
  
  6 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  July 31, 2026 10:01pm
Quail

“ Ngai Tahu Farming part of the tribe group’s charity registration “
So any returns at all to taxpayers will likely be negligible!
Clearly National just doesn’t want to be re-elected!
4 0
Log in to Reply
Report
July 31, 2026 9:59pm

Add a Comment Cancel reply

Login to comment or vote

« Does Labour want a navy without combat ships?

My hierarchy of needs for energy »

Donations

You can now donate to Kiwiblog

Exclusive content from DPF on Patreon

Become a Patron!

Never miss a post

Email Address

Join 13K other subscribers

Highlights

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

Links

An easy policy
No Right Turn
"Postmodernism has created a generation of semi-psychotic, semi-neurotic, ignorant, and hostile whim-worshippers."
Not PC
Daily review 20/08/2026
The Standard
How much land tax will you pay?
Utopia
What Carl Bates says about expertise in tax policy – and (good grief!) the Finance Minister lacks those credentials
Point of Order
Comrades I have had a medical episode
The Daily Blog
Word of the day
Hompaddock
A Deep(er) Dive into Modern Anarcho?Tyranny: The New Zealand Variant
No Minister
Fear-mongering the “Other.”
Kiwipolitico
NRL Predictions for Round 25
Stats Chat
Trans Group Admits They’re Not The Experts
Bob McCoskrie's McBlog
Reader mailbag - prediction markets
Offsetting Behaviour
Insights from the Polls
NZCPR
Yet more “pretty (il)legal” stuff from the Reserve Bank
Croaking Cassandra
THE WORKING FROM HOME RACKET BY PUBLIC SERVANTS
No Punches Pulled (Bob Jones)
The Accidental Engagement
Imperator Fish
Legal Beagle: Election '23: The Special Votes
Public Address
Get Vaccinated Tomorrow Or Shut Your Pie Hole
Cactus Kate
Making this movie might have been a mistake
Liam Hehir
Why I am retiring from political blogging
Kiwi FireWalker

[email protected]

PO Box 12270, Thorndon, Wellington 6144

Facebook
Twitter
FourSquare
Instagram
LinkedIn
Google+

Archives
Disclosure Statement
Editorial Policy
Privacy Policy
Complaints Policy
Comments Policy

Design by cre8d

%d

Share this:

Like this: