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October 8, 2026 8:00am by Kokila Patel

General Debate 08 October 2026

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General Debate

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Southern Raider

On this day three years ago over 1200 innocent civilians were brutally murdered by a Stone Age cult.

The youngest victim was a 14 hour old baby shot in the leg while in his mother’s stomach. He was an Arab Israeli.

The oldest victim was a 92 year old Holocaust survivor.

Many of the young women and children were subjected to extreme sexual violence, including mutilation during rape.

Yet around the world today (including NZ) we have protesters and politicians celebrating these heinous acts of terrorism.

May their memories be a blessing.
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October 8, 2026 8:08am
- Peter S
  
  Sorry, missed the up and hit the down tick.
  
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  October 8, 2026 5:30pm
- Ra Henare
  
  Emotive BS there Southern.
  I guess you are hoping for click bait.??
  
  Some facts
  1. Not all 1200 fatalities were innocent civilians killed by invaders.
  
  2. 300? IDF solders, 65? Police officers, 38 local/armed security.
  
  3. Of civilians killed, a number killed by friendly fire. Helicopter gunships & tanks/artillery fire.
  IDF wont publish the figures but do admit(documented by independent sources) at a minimum 14 deaths.
  Keep in mind that 1200ish cars were destroyed in the attack, and some of those (some suggest 80) destroyed by Apache helicopter fire.
  
  So innocent civilians, about 750.
  
  I am not excusing the killings, just providing some FACTS!!
  
  Yes still too many.
  I deplore any innocent civilians involved in wartime actions. Just as I deplore the tens of thousands killed by IDF forces in Gaza and the westbank.
  
  Moving on to STONE AGE CULT.
  Another emotive clickbait set of words.
  
  If we accept that the attack was done primarily by Hamas troops/fighters.
  Then the fact is that the Hamas military wing is a modern organization formed in 1991(The political Hamas was formed in 1987.)
  So definately not Stone age.
  
  If we accept that the attack was done predominately by Muslims then.
  Their religion started around 600 BC with Mohammed.
  The Stone age finished at least 2000BC.after existing for approximately 2 MILLION years.
  
  So not a stone age cult.
  
  But nothing I say or any facts will stop your biased rants.
  
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  October 8, 2026 8:35pm
  - Fender
    
    Firstly the police and local security were innocent in this weren’t they, they didn’t go to work that day expecting to be in an attack
    You could argue the same with friendly fire which wouldn’t have been needed but Lets not go there.
    Your attack on an obvious analogy or reference to a description of stone age as being something that you are calling out as being incorrect because of time is so irrelevant that its laughable and then calling something biased ranting just shows you have lost the argument before you started
    You can do better than this petty stuff Ra , we have all seen proof of that
    
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    October 9, 2026 10:35am
    - Ra Henare
      
      Didnt like the facts huh.
      Up to you.
      
      Innocent civilans does NOT INCLUDE POLICE AND ARMED SECURITY
      
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      October 9, 2026 7:01pm
RW Capitalist

Mistakenly believing that the TV3 debate was to be a leaders debate, I watched. (next week).
Some takeaways
I continued to watch because.
1. A pleasant up lifting atmosphere
2. Non partizan host.
3. rich with factual content.
4. Entertaining (not as important)
5. Optimistic tone
6. Factual depiction of the past, present and possible future. (I don’t mean the fanciful 1950’s esc. depiction)
7. I learned a lot about NZ, that I did not know. (humbling).
8. Massive technology and medical advancements in NZ
9. The actual progress of NZ in 3 years especially in education.
10. Future prospects if we stay the course.
and MUCH MORE.
I switched to TV3 because of Tova and Jack and their biased and negative coverage.
I think I may be becoming a baked on viewer. Having to force myself to switch to TV1 just to see, and tell myself to be more balanced.
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October 8, 2026 8:11am
- pdm
  
  Who were the participants RW?
  
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  October 8, 2026 7:30pm
  - RW Capitalist
    
    oops replied to wrong person.
    Sir John Key (Former Prime Minister)
    • Nick Judd (Chief Executive, One New Zealand)
    • Mike Fuge (Chief Executive, Contact Energy)
    • Bayden Barber (Chair, Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated)
    • Cameron Bagrie (Economist)
    • Moko Tepania (Mayor, Far North District)
    • Bronwyn Hayward (Climate Change Expert)
    • Plus a selection of additional business leaders, entrepreneurs, and academics rounding out a group of 24 panellists.
    Including Guy Haddleton is a prominent New Zealand businessman who co-founded several successful global software companies (such as Amana and Anaplan) and was an early investor in Xero.
    
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    October 8, 2026 9:37pm
Ra Henare

Recently got asked a question.
If people are anti-abortion.
Is it hypocritical for them to eat eggs.

There is of course a morals only apply to humans argument.
But then the Animal Rights supporters would probably not agree. Ie eating the Hens young is an abomination.

Seems like either the question is poorly presented
or it falls in to the Äll depends bucket.

Will ponder some more, but look forward to Kbers take.
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October 8, 2026 8:11am
- rouppe
  
  The egg from an egg laying hen is not fertilized. No rooster is involved.
  
  Any unfertilized egg from a human female is discarded every month.
  
  Not a valid comparison.
  
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  October 8, 2026 5:49pm
  - rouppe
    
    More specifically is not a valid comparison to say eating an unfertilized hens egg is the same as an human abortion.
    
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    October 8, 2026 5:56pm
artemisia

A financial sector harbinger.

HSBC to axe UK wealth managers in AI push – Herald today

But wait, there’s more.

Bloomberg reported in March that as many as 20,000 jobs at HSBC could be at risk globally as part of its push to use AI. This would represent around 10% of its workforce, which consists of about 211,479 staff. The current announcement affects only the managers and specialist advisers in their wealth management division. Only, but 70% of. And following a big recruitment drive as recently as 2024.

While this wealth management division change won’t be very significant for HSBC in New Zealand, employees in our large financial sector might be well advised to look at plumbing apprenticeships while there are still some available.
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October 8, 2026 8:13am
- imalwaysright
  
  “…employees in our large financial sector might be well advised to look at plumbing …”
  
  The AI redundancies should already be well under way in the Public Service.
  
  Why aren’t they…
  
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  October 8, 2026 8:38am
- Raphael
  
  Are these the chaps that, when a study was done comparing their success to coin flips, they came out worse than the coin flips?
  
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  October 8, 2026 9:10am
  - artemisia
    
    Heh, don’t know but suggest some of the 30% remaining will be the experts who can identify AI anomalies and sort them. For big bucks.
    
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    October 8, 2026 10:19am
- Simon
  
  Third world mumbo jumbo at the heart of university education. Thanks to the National party.
  
  Reminder the goal of every hard working person is to escape the consequences of the National party. NZ can not longer carry the National party and the burden will be increasingly forced upon the productive.
  
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  October 8, 2026 9:38am
  - Anthony Melchett
    
    Are saying the alternative of labour is better?
    
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    October 8, 2026 10:46am
  - ISeeRed
    
    Your solution? Who to vote for? Spit it out. No dodging or ghosting.
    
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    October 8, 2026 2:28pm
- Handyman
  
  It is bad news for the UK. Outside of the London financial sector, the average UK GDP is less than the poorest US state (Mississippi).
  The City of London success has masked the effects of the mass migration and net zero policies.
  Odd, then, that the Labour government has launched a campaign to drive out wealthy owners of successful UK companies with 130 billion pounds leaving so far. Prices of expensive London real estate are plummeting.
  They could also drive out Scotland, Northern Ireland and possibly Wales.
  England in five years will certainly be a different place then today.
  
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  October 8, 2026 9:55am
  - Philview
    
    There has been much discussion this week of something akin to martial law in Gosport at the weekend to accommodate the latest arrival of migrants. People in the streets being asked by police to show papers. Critics say “Hang on a second, isn’t it the young men coming in on the boats who are doing the illegal stuff”. Then in London people take to the streets to celebrate Israeli deaths on October 7th and the UK Government says they are powerless to stop it. Critics reply, “How come you shut down Gosport at the weekend”
    
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    October 8, 2026 11:27am
    - Ra Henare
      
      mmm?F
      Freedom of speech by protestors re Oct 7th is still a legal right.
      
      Does not equate to searching for illegals who do NOT have a legal right to being in Uk.
      
      But nothing I say will change your rather emotive opinion.
      
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      October 8, 2026 8:43pm
- Frank the tank
  
  Well that will f*&k the bars, coffee shops and strip clubs around the city and Canary Wharf…..
  
  They didn’t work 20yrs ago when I was in finance therefore no great loss
  
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  October 8, 2026 9:59am
- peterwn
  
  Son of a friend graduated in accountancy. Went to Western Australia and completed an electrical apprenticeship in the mining industry (the qualification is also valid in NZ). He seems to like that more than accountancy. So young people should seriously consider trades rather than university.
  
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  October 8, 2026 10:05am
  - igm
    
    Had a petrolhead young Asian guy in one day, driving a very nice Subaru WRX he had done up. Asked him what he did for a living . . . he was working as an electrician, having originally been an accountant, but the internal politics had driven him to do an appreticeship and he was loving the job.
    
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    October 8, 2026 10:10am
  - artemisia
    
    The career path for that doubly qualified man is not going to be the same as for a communications degree. Like the young communications grad reported recently that had applied for 600 jobs followed by more than 50 unsuccessful interviews.
    
    Trade quals need literacy, numeracy and common sense. In spades. How’s that working out, teachers?
    
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    October 8, 2026 10:16am
    - slightlyrighty
      
      Is it wrong to point out that a communications graduate sending out 600 CVs and having 50 unsuccessful interviews is probably a bit shit at communicating?
      
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      October 8, 2026 10:36am
Maggy Wassilieff

The Cultural Revolution has overtaken our universities:

The University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau Stage 1 course remains mandatory for accredited programmes – Engineering, Nursing, Health Sciences, Architecture, Urban Planning, Biomedical Science, clinical‑pathway BSc students, Education, Business and Law.

Law deserves special mention. From Semester 1, 2025, Tikanga Māori and Te Ao Māori content and assessment became compulsory in all core LLB courses across New Zealand. Some Law Schools have taken a strong decolonisation stance on this. For example, AUT is aiming for a structural decolonisation of the Law curriculum. AUT Law School Dean Khylee Quince has stated that their redesigned curriculum aims to weave Māori law and Pākehā law into a “third law of Aotearoa” using a bijural, bicultural, bilingual legal‑education model.

https://www.brashandmitchell.com/post/john-raine-the-indoctrination-must-stop-but-labour-would-double-down
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October 8, 2026 8:15am
- kowtow
  
  ‘AUT is aiming for a structural decolonisation ‘
  
  They are hypocrites.
  
  True or pure “decolonisation” would mean literally closing the universities ( and much else besides) themselves .
  
  Donning a flax loin covering and resorting to eating one’s fellow man or the vegan menu could just include chewing roots ( in the NZ context).
  
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  October 8, 2026 8:22am
- Yvette
  
  [ Mod – just a headsup – you are getting a bit carried away with cut/paste dumps – this will be reflected in moderation of your posts if you continue. Summarise stuff or post a link ]
  
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  October 8, 2026 8:27am
  - Boy Geoff
    
    I’ve always taken comfort from the fact that fat is a feminist issue – however much this conflicts with my own lived experience…
    
    I guess like climate change and every known planetary oppression, fat disproportionately affects brown people too!
    
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    October 8, 2026 8:37am
    - Ra Henare
      
      haha. Visit SE Asia (mainly brown people) not suffering from fatness compared to European tourists, who generally are gross.
      
      Your inuendo was Maori & PI people living in NZ.
      Be honest BG; there’s no need to hide behind Innuendo
      
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      October 8, 2026 8:47pm
  - septic skeptic
    
    [ Mod – address moderation issues to DPF ]
    
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    October 8, 2026 1:58pm
- Taieri
  
  Māori law
  ———-
  
  Is it codified? Where?
  
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  October 8, 2026 8:33am
- Taieri
  
  Looks like brashandmitchell has introduced a log-in in order to be accessed. Oh well, one less to read in the morning…
  
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  October 8, 2026 8:36am
  - Flossie
    
    I don’t understand why. They’ll lose readers.
    
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    October 8, 2026 8:11pm
    - Ra Henare
      
      Whats the big deal.
      Its not a problem !!!
      No cost and keeps nutters out. IE mods can edit or block said nutters.
      
      Of course you have to log in to Kiwiblog to make comments. 🙂
      
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      October 8, 2026 8:50pm
- Scott
  
  Quite right Maggy. It’s all different shades of Marxism really. And it’s so irrational. Western countries such as NZ have centuries of common law that gives a basis for the decisions of the courts based on years of experience and precedent. That’s one reason why western civilisation is the best civilisation in the world that everyone else wants to emigrate to.
  
  On the other hand there was no such thing as Maori law. Pre colonial Maori had obligations to their family but not any obligation to others. So they were in a constant state of war, brutal war up to and including slavery and cannibalism.
  
  There was no law across the land prior to colonisation. There is no basis for Maori law in today’s legal system. It’s become something of a religion for today’s over educated elites. Instead they should go to church for that one hour a week and the rest of the time focus on something sensible, not “Maori law”.
  
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  October 8, 2026 8:37am
- Blog-aholic
  
  Quince is like Charters in their deranged ideology of their belief in the pseudo-exceptionalism that is all things maori.
  They are the anathema of equal rights under the law.
  
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  October 8, 2026 8:48am
- Pope Punctilious II
  
  Great. So expect more acquittals on the basis of “tikanga”.
  
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  October 8, 2026 11:00am
- Pope Punctilious II
  
  NZ law schools: ushering in anarcho-tyranny in Aotearoa.
  
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  October 8, 2026 11:56am
- Jethrod
  
  Mmm….. not according to Simon at 9.38 today. It is ALL Nationals fault the mumbo jumbo at universities , thanks to the National party!!
  
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  October 8, 2026 12:38pm
Gussy

I went over to Brash&Mitchell this morning to see what our Rodney had to say, and was compelled to sign up. Anybody know why?
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October 8, 2026 8:16am
lastmanstanding

On current polling it appears the result could be as follows.
Labour 34 seats Green 19 seats Opportunity 7 Maori 3 and a total of 63 enough to form a Government.
On this basis Labour would have 54% of the total seats. This is a lot less than previous MMP elections where the majority party has had around 75%.
The other parties will demand seats around the Cabinet table and a much bigger say in policy.
On the basis of seats in a 20 person Cabinet the Greens would want at least 6 seats and Opportunity 3 or 4. Maori probably wont want any seats as they are disruptors and dont see themselves as part of the system.
IMHO this will lead to conflict just to agree the inital make up of the Government. With Opportunity comprising all new MPs I wonder if their Leader will be able to keep control of them. My prediction is this Four Headed Hydra will not last the full term and most likely implode within the first year. The good news for those of us on the Right is these Parties wont see the Treasury benches for many years.
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October 8, 2026 8:27am
- David George
  
  Lastman: “I wonder if their Leader will be able to keep control of them”
  Imagine Chris Hipkins if he ends up in a position to try and form a government with the collective delusions of Rawiri, Debbie, Chloe, Marama and the fifth column that is the “Maori Caucus”. Willie & Co were effectively running the show last time – their He Puapua deceit a taste of things to come once they are fully empowered by their Green and Maori Party ideological allies. If Hipkins doesn’t 100% go along with their BS he’ll be called a racist and fold like the cheap suit he is.
  
  I note Hipkins is now parroting Willy’s idea that the problem with co-governance is merely one of perception. We’ll just call it something else. Simple!
  
  Hipkins as handbrake fills me with foreboding, I don’t think he has any idea what is in store; or the character to prevail if he did.
  
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  October 8, 2026 8:35am
  - pdm
    
    DG – I am in no doubt that Jackson and Prime are running Labour now.
    
    Hipkins is but a convenient puppet for their orchestrations.
    
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    October 8, 2026 8:39am
    - imalwaysright
      
      There is big money to be had in the Racism Industry.
      The ideal situation for the activists is that they get to actually write the cheques as well as cash them.
      Maori people don’t matter to them.
      
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      October 8, 2026 9:01am
  - Boy Geoff
    
    With all the bagging that Christopher Luxon gets on this blog, his abilities in holding together a coalition with Winston Peters and David Seymour in it has been most impressive.
    
    It’s looking like we’ll possibly be seeing Hipkins’ managerial competencies absolutely shine in coming months.
    
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    October 8, 2026 8:42am
  - Yvette
    
    David George, if Hipkins is now parroting Willy’s idea that the problem with co-governance is merely one of perception, what would co-governance look like in reality, rather than just a perception – 60 Maori Seats and 60 Non-Maori Seats?
    Is that in the Treaty, and would reality actually stop there?
    
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    October 8, 2026 9:12am
    - Philview
      
      Co-Governance would most likely give Iwi control of resources such as water, land, coastline, minerals etc The Crown will levy taxes for health/social spending and usual functions of Government. Elizabeth Rata has warned the future will give Iwi control of assets/resources and the rest of the population will have renter status.
      
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      October 8, 2026 9:47am
      - rouppe
        
        “would most likely give Iwi control of resources such as water, land, coastline, minerals”
        
        Pre ToW:
        Water: No one had unilateral control of water. The Waikato river runs through at least two major iwi. No iwi downstream paid anything to any iwi upstream. False.
        Land: it was occupied until a stronger tribe came and killed you for it. Same with lakes. False.
        Coastline: as above
        Minerals: they’d mastered fire, having burned 40% of the bush and forest. Picked up stones to fashion into tools. But that’s it. No metallurgy, no manufacturing techniques bar basic weaving using coarse materials. False
        
        There is no justification for handing that over. If it’s considered, then we must include Maori access to technology that was at least two “ages” beyond their capability.
        
        Decolonization should include Maori who support that dispensing with everything that modern living has brought to them. It amazes me people calling for decolonization being literally draped from head to foot in the benefits of colonisation.
        
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        October 8, 2026 6:12pm
- septic skeptic
  
  I doubt the government would implode in the way you hope. They are bound by the same self interest in going full term. I think maybe Winston/Shipley took out one coalition slightly early. Other than that even the worst alliances hold together to keep everyone at the trough.
  
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  October 8, 2026 8:46am
- kowtow
  
  Good discussion this am on The Platform.
  
  If Nat voters were smart they’d split their vote and give their party vote to Act or NZF and create a massive overhang .
  
  Then there’d be no fear of such a dangerous left co alition coming to power.
  
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  October 8, 2026 9:14am
- MCōs
  
  There is no need for such an unwieldy coalition
  The Greens have never been part of a coalition before and not had cabinet seats. Their ministers have been outside cabinet. They, along with TPM, are never going to vote with National on confidence and supply.
  Similarly Act and NZF have nowhere to turn if Luxon puts his foot down. Mind you he’s not a put his foot down sort of bloke.
  
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  October 8, 2026 9:23am
  - peterwn
    
    On the contrary, Chris Luxon successfully put together a three way coalition and has held it together for the last three years without any major hiccups. That has been hard work, he has not received any lucky breaks whereas Jacinda received two lucky breaks in her first term.
    
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    October 8, 2026 10:12am
    - Tomtoddy
      
      @Peterwn. I agree and I am a sharp critic of Luxon. His captaincy has been an outstanding success despite the critics and media scorning his chances at the beginning of the Coalition.
      
      He has shown that someone as difficult a Peters and as strong and focused as Seymour can be welded into a team. Accomplishments is a different matter. His own philosophy is badly skewed but now he is a proven chairman of the board.
      
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      October 8, 2026 10:39am
      - imalwaysright
        
        The three Parties are mutually dependent.
        Why would their cohesion be due only to Luxon?
        
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        October 8, 2026 1:31pm
      - R
        
        Agree; Luxon’s term has been a success. Recently read an article relating to NZ situation today via 5 years ago. Law and Order, Crime resolution, Health, Education, other social indicators ALL have improved; despite the attitude of many of the incumbents employed, particularly their so-called union and political leadership.
        
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        October 8, 2026 2:16pm
    - Damocles11
      
      Wow, parent Luxon held the two unruly brats in check and kept the coalition together. That’s the Nats narrative anyway. Except the reality is that none of the 3 parties had any incentive to blow up the coalition, so Seymour and Peters can take just as much credit as Luxon can.
      ACT are the party that the Nats should be, just without the rusted-on base, and the ‘we must lead’ born to rule nonsense.
      
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      October 8, 2026 12:17pm
    - MCōs
      
      The coalition could be said to have held together because the PM didn’t put his foot down and ruffle some feathers
      
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      October 8, 2026 5:00pm
  - Quail
    
    MCos.
    Not true , the Greens have had ministers.
    Just one example: Eugenie Sage was a full minister in the sixth Labour Government holding Associate Environment, plus Conservation and Land information NZ.She also held Minister for Women in the post natal absence of Julie Ann Genter.
    
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    October 8, 2026 11:16am
    - MCōs
      
      From Google AI
      Ministers Outside Cabinet: When the Greens entered government arrangements with the Labour Party—first under a confidence and supply agreement (2017–2020) and later under a cooperation agreement (2020–2023)—their leaders and MPs held ministerial portfolios outside the formal Cabinet.
      Specific ministers are then listed
      
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      October 8, 2026 8:15pm
  - David George
    
    Hipkins would have “no where to turn” if Waititi & Co put their foot down.
    Playing a game of Russian roulette/political chicken with mad people is not a good idea.
    
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    October 8, 2026 11:49am
  - lastmanstanding
    
    The Greens Opportunity and Maori Party have never had the proportion of the total Left seats before so Labour hasnt had to offer any seats around the Cabinet table. Tell me with 55% of Labours seats do you really think the Greens are going to sit in the corner and not want seats at the Cabinet table. Cabinet is where stuff gets decided. Get Cabinet to agree a policy and it becomes a law or regulation.
    
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    October 8, 2026 12:29pm
    - rouppe
      
      Agree. Especially when Chloe has said she’d like finance. Pipe dream or not, that’s a threat cabinet seats are becoming expected.
      
      I’ll just note that the German party that cannot be named legitimately came to power through elections, political maneuvering, and the exploitation of national crises.
      
      If you don’t learn from history…
      
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      October 8, 2026 1:30pm
      - Don Beckett
        
        You are right rouppe, but the problem is that around 50% of NZ electors are as dumb as a sack of hammers when it comes to history, & will vote in the Left, because ‘She has a pretty face’ and ‘He has a nice smile & says nice things’.
        
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        October 8, 2026 3:13pm
- Handyman
  
  It will look like chaos, financial ruin and the breakdown of society, but…
  This is all surface stuff by the useful idiots in these parties,
  The real game is to have at least 60 percent totally dependent on them handouts via benefits, civil service jobs, NGO or Maori trusts. The grand plan is to embed this 60 percent who will never accept National’s plan in the 2029 election for fiscal austerity. The more debt and chaos the better.
  Former finance minister Robertson said one of his proudest moments during covid was when 85 percent of New Zealanders were dependent upon him.
  Labour learned the lesson from their 2020 victory. Voters don’t care about debt or the economy; they just care about getting free stuff. Once in power, they will set about giving free stuff to the 60 percent while vilifying the 40 percent who generate the tax to do it.
  
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  October 8, 2026 10:21am
  - septic skeptic
    
    Sounds about right. The obvious answer is for the 40% to emigrate. I’m going to consider that seriously.
    
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    October 8, 2026 10:53am
  - R
    
    The 40% will probably
    Y only be around to tax, for as long as it takes to move their activity off-shore.
    
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    October 8, 2026 2:19pm
  - Sane Voice
    
    90 percent of the population are already dependant on the 10 percent that pay 100 percent of the taxes.
    
    That’s why this country is stuffed.
    
    We don’t need to be a state of Australia, all the contributing Kiwis will be living there soon.
    
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    October 8, 2026 2:25pm
- Notsofast
  
  The national overhang means it will probably take 64 seats to govern, and the coalition will get that 64.
  I went through this with chatgpt, who seems impartial.
  On this scenario, the Harry Mowbray campaign to vote ACT and NZ First for list seats works, with a small switch from current.
  If people wish to achieve this, careful explaining to family, friends etc will be remarkably effective.
  In simple terms, vote National electorate, NZFirst/Act party.
  This is a dead rat for National to swallow, but looks a certainty now, due to the extremely high stakes in this election.
  
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  October 8, 2026 10:23am
- Nūhaka Native
  
  See the recent Roy Morgan poll here. https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/10351-nz-national-voting-intention-september-2026
  
  Their recent polling shows those parties, even with TOP, won’t get the chance to fall apart in the next few years.
  
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  October 8, 2026 10:25am
  - septic skeptic
    
    Roy Morgan is the most volatile and least reliable poll. Just saying.
    
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    October 8, 2026 10:57am
  - Prince
    
    Things are desparate when we hang on to a Roy Morgan poll for hope.
    
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    October 8, 2026 4:38pm
Nūhaka Native

I wonder if RNZ, TVNZ, Stuff, etc. will loudly report this recent poll result (August 31 – September 27, 2026). Somehow, I doubt it.

“The latest Roy Morgan New Zealand Poll shows the National-led government coalition increasing its lead into an election winning position over the Labour-led Opposition – now leading 52% to 41.5%.

“This is the largest lead for the Government for two years since September 2024.”

TOP is not holding the balance of power either.
“In addition, Opportunity Party would win its first seats in Parliament, its support of 6.5% is enough to secure the party eight seats, but not enough to hold the balance of power in the next Parliament.”

https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/roy-morgan-update-october-6-2026#:~:text=The%20latest%20Roy%20Morgan%20New%20Zealand%20Poll

https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/10351-nz-national-voting-intention-september-2026
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October 8, 2026 8:28am
mike

Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Random election question:
Was putting Nicola Willis’s face on so many hoardings a good idea?
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October 8, 2026 8:52am
- Dougal10
  
  No
  
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  October 8, 2026 8:59am
- David George
  
  All the parties have used photos of both leader and deputy leader.
  Is it just Nicola you have a problem with?
  
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  October 8, 2026 9:07am
  - MCōs
    
    It’s a problem of sorts if she’s not in parliament
    One would have thought she would have been gifted a safe seat, except there are no safe seats for national around Wellington.
    
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    October 8, 2026 9:30am
    - kowtow
      
      So they could have safely gutted the public “service”.
      
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      October 8, 2026 10:01am
  - mike
    
    I haven’t seen any hoardings featuring Sepuloni. Perhaps you are fortunate enough to live in her electorate.
    
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    October 8, 2026 9:53am
    - Boy Geoff
      
      Is it really a major concern for you, mike?
      
      Surely you’re interested in way more important issues for the country than whether the National Party wants to put pictures of one of its own MPs on its own election materials?
      
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      October 8, 2026 10:04am
    - Boy Geoff
      
      Heh, maybe the Labour Party doesn’t want to make Sepuloni all that visible at the moment – for whatever reason…
      
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      October 8, 2026 10:13am
      - pdm
        
        Arena Williams seems to be front and center by Hipkins side in recent days.
        
        Williams presents better than Sepuloni who is probably past her `use by date’ so could a change in Deputy be coming fo Labour?
        
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        October 8, 2026 1:53pm
    - David Garrett
      
      Mike: I was in West Auckland over the weekend – New Lynn to be precise. I noticed several billboards featuring the grim visage of Ms Sepuloni – who likes to highlight her half Tonga ancestry but doesn’t speak more than 10 words of the language.
      
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      October 8, 2026 10:38am
      - Ra Henare
        
        Why the speaking Tongan Jibe/problem?
        Some 81% of maori dont speak Maori at a basic level.
        
        Talking to the younger generation. A large percentage of them don’t speak English as you and I understand it. …chortle…
        
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        October 8, 2026 9:00pm
- RW Capitalist
  
  After watching TV3’s debate last night, combined with Barbara Edmond’s incompetence……..Y E S
  
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  October 8, 2026 9:07am
- Jethrod
  
  I see it as a good thing if she scares the snot out of you.
  A bit like having hipkins on a board saying “better starts now” with all sorts of connotations and changes that can be made to that!!
  
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  October 8, 2026 9:31am
- rouppe
  
  This is getting boring.
  
  Are you the person who writes the maori party questions:
  
  “Do you stand by all your statements and actions”
  
  Boring, boring, boring
  
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  October 8, 2026 6:29pm
Handyman

I think the upcoming Labour coalition will be unified and ruthlessly controlled by the common thread of the Maori caucus (as they call themselves).
Other factions eg teacher unions will still be able to run their specific agendas, but only with the tacit support of the Maori caucus.
Beyond that, the key theme of the next three years will be ban, regulate, confiscate delivered by a PR machine using words like justice, fairness and equity.
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October 8, 2026 9:14am
- septic skeptic
  
  Ban, regulate, confiscate and TAX!!
  
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  October 8, 2026 10:59am
- R
  
  Return of the Adern era.
  
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  October 8, 2026 2:21pm
Damocles11

When Luxon said the other night that his proudest moment as a New Zealander was standing alongside Keir Starmer meeting Ukrainian troops being trained, I felt a little bit sick. Would have been a great opportunity for a story about a retired person who had worked all their life and was doing great work voluntary work in the community, or a young entrepreneur who had the number 8 wire mentality and some gumption and built an amazing business from scratch.
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October 8, 2026 9:19am
- David Garrett
  
  Damocles: Well said. Luxon just doesn’t “have it”.
  
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  October 8, 2026 10:40am
  - Ra Henare
    
    As often said. Luxon is not a politician. He is just a corporate manager holding the Coalition together until a real politician takes over.
    
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    October 8, 2026 9:02pm
- Pope Punctilious II
  
  I’m surprised he didn’t say his proudest moment was getting more gays into AirNZ, or reporting the airline’s so-called gender pay gap.
  
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  October 8, 2026 11:03am
- imalwaysright
  
  What a bizarre little man he is.
  
  What has Starmer and Ukraine got to do with New Zealand pride?
  
  I would expect that from Ardern, who referred to her daily schedule as “activities”.
  Is Luxon just as shallow?
  
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  October 8, 2026 11:05am
- Handyman
  
  Luxon confused being proud with being impressed.
  
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  October 8, 2026 5:04pm
- Beach Haven expat
  
  When you’re trying to grab glory from the halo of such a deeply unimpressive figure as Starmer, you need to have a good long think about yourself.
  
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  October 9, 2026 1:24am
david in Aus

Trump has had an unfortunate effect on centre-right parties in the Anglo-sphere.
Canada: the Conservatives were leading before Trump and should have won.
Australia: Albanese should have lost but was helped by Dutton’s association with Trump.
New Zealand: without the Iran-Israel-American war and its effects on the economy, the centre-right should be in a stronger position.

Trump is a Manchurian candidate for the Left. A ‘previous’ Democrat, who loves big government and big deficits. The next government in the US is going to be more left-wing than ever before.
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October 8, 2026 9:29am
- BananaLlama
  
  He has been a complete disaster for the right across the entire western world. He can’t even follow his election promise of no new wars, no one wants be associated with a deranged warmonger so expect the left to do very well.
  
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  October 8, 2026 10:42am
- MCōs
  
  This morning I went to a local pool for the purpose of exercising my creaky legs and got into a conversation with a Pacifika chap about my age about jobs we’d had and where we’d lived
  Nothing about local politics or the coming election
  I suppose inevitably the price of petrol came up and he said he’d heard a speech made by Trump seeming to suggest Iran could nuke LA/San Dieg, Isn’t that treason, he said?
  
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  October 8, 2026 1:01pm
  - kowtow
    
    No that’s not treason.
    
    It’s a dumbo who didn’t get what Trump actually said.
    
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    October 8, 2026 6:39pm
Simon

lol – National have lost their marbles bigly.
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October 8, 2026 9:47am
NeverMindTheBollocks

Apropos of Tamihere, D. He’s a wrong ‘un.

Give him $1 in compensation. Tell him to whistle for anything else.
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October 8, 2026 10:03am
- David Garrett
  
  Nevermind: I agree. It should not be forgotten that at time of the Swedes’ murders he was on bail for a particularly nasty rape. IIRC he waited at the victim’s home until her children returned from school so he could rape her in front of them.
  
  He also has a manslaughter to his “credit” – a manslaughter that would be murder today, but in 1972 a prostitute’s life had less value than an “ordinary” woman’s.
  
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  October 8, 2026 10:46am
  - imalwaysright
    
    DG,
    TV news seemed to have amnesia regarding this scumbags criminal history. They appeared almost sympathetic towards him.
    
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    October 8, 2026 11:12am
  - wsk12345
    
    For those interested there is an awesome podcast by an investigative journo called guilt – season 3 is the Swedes. He essentially concludes that tamahere did it along with another guy, but it didn’t happen where or how the police made the case. There were plenty of family witnesses who went on the record saying they were at this place and saw these men with the Swedes. It’s a family farm very close to where Urbans body was found.
    
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    October 8, 2026 11:18am
  - Jethrod
    
    I truly believe he is possibly the only person alive with “knowledge” about what happened!
    
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    October 8, 2026 12:45pm
mw

I am not against the random drug testing for beneficiaries but I wonder who its trying to appease? No one on the left, so who on the right? A swing voter?
Why randomised, why not targeted when they probably know who they want to get in the first place? So why risk people who don’t think that every beneficiary is a bum on drugs.
It just seems like one of those things that could alienate but not bring votes.

I will say, on reflection even when writing this that I am probably thinking about this in too much of an election mode rather than is it a good policy on its own. So maybe its something they just implement because it may be good policy, you don’t need to campaign on everything you may do.

The article in the herald also mentioned that 18 and 19 year olds would lose the jobseeker benefit if their parents earned over $65k. Honestly, that seems stupid. Maybe not the concept but to think that $65k is anybodies reasonable level of wealth to support adult children as you are an adult under the law for most things.
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October 8, 2026 10:17am
- ds
  
  I will appeal to those who like to punish….They are already voting right.
  
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  October 8, 2026 10:47am
- RoboRob
  
  The drug testing policy seems just traditional ‘tough on beneficiaries talk’. It seems desperate to me. I wonder if such a policy still has traction with the right.
  
  I am not opposed to being tough but this one seems, stupid and expensive. If you are not turning up to interviews because you are stoned isn’t that handled by simply saying ‘miss three interviews and your benefit drops’. If you are getting jobs and getting fired quickly because of your drug use, doesn’t Winz now already know there is an issue? Why do we need to spend money and time on random drug tests?
  
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  October 8, 2026 11:10am
  - rouppe
    
    You don’t have to not turn up. You’re thinking like a normal person.
    
    Turn up, asked if you’d pass a drug test, answer no. There’s no consequence for that.
    
    Mind you general bad attitude does the same thing.
    
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    October 8, 2026 2:07pm
- Bullion
  
  The govt set an arbitrary target to get jobseeker benefits down to and rather than going down its been going up (as has unemployment), and based on prefu going to be off by 60k people by 2030.
  
  So, they are doing things to kick people off of jobseekers – as you say, parents earning the massive wage of $65k (in this economy!) and young adults are off jobseekers, now random drug testing where people with addiction problems are going to be punished, alongside their children if they have any, with no mention of providing health and addiction services. Also, been on jobseekers for a length of time they are going to reduce benefits – when there are many areas with more jobseekers than advertised jobs what are they supposed to do? (And people on jobseekers are not going to be filling that advertised gp position).
  
  I don’t what the plan is.
  
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  October 8, 2026 11:36am
  - Ra Henare
    
    You do realize that the PREFU guesses are generally way off the mark when guessing more that 12-18 months out.
    ie Treasury PREFU forecasts are RARELY TRUE.
    So London to a brick, their forecast. Guesses for 2030 will be way off.
    
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    October 8, 2026 9:08pm
    - Bullion
      
      none of the forecasts (budget, half year) have been accurate in recent years – too optimistic. at the time it has allowed Willis to say, “we expect things to improve” when in matter of fact things like jobseekers/unemployment have gotten worse.
      
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      October 10, 2026 1:01pm
- imalwaysright
  
  The Public Service and Government should also be drug tested.
  Getting more money and being slightly better dressed shouldn’t exclude them…
  
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  October 8, 2026 12:35pm
- artemisia
  
  Cutting benefits after failed drug tests will encourage many into the black economy. Where they are more likely to be before the courts than if they stay on the sofa. Maybe some will accept help to improve their lives.
  
  End of the day there are plenty of the 1 in 8 working age on welfare because their voluntary lifestyle makes them (increasingly) unemployable. Taxpayers expect better.
  
  So what is a better use of taxpayer money to force these, often young, people to take control of their own lives?
  
  Our small tradie business has given a chance to several, no taxpayer support asked for. A couple turned their lives around based on the support and skills offered. Most were hopeless. We don’t bother any more.
  
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  October 8, 2026 1:28pm
  - mw
    
    I don’t disagree that anyone that has taken to welfare as a lifestyle should have the incentives taken away so that they think that work is the better alternative.
    I probably didn’t even say my view all that well, I don’t think that random drug tests is a good thing, but if some drug tests are required because that use is stopping people getting work and keeping then on welfare then maybe, ok but do it for those people. Not some random 60 year old that has been working, lost his job and can’t work in the meantime but needs income.
    I will reiterate my other point, you don’t have to broadcast everything you might do in the next three years and I don’t see what voter this will attract you didn’t already have but it may seem harsh to some you do already have.
    
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    October 8, 2026 1:37pm
  - artemisia
    
    Just to add, these young people were all paid through the books and it was stressed to them they had to advise WINZ, pay tax etc. Did they? Highly doubtful. We certainly never heard from WINZ or IRD.
    
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    October 8, 2026 1:53pm
    - rouppe
      
      You’d think with you paying paye that IRD and winz would share information.
      
      Certainly my son was told his kiwisaver PIR was too low after he got a summer job.
      
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      October 8, 2026 2:10pm
      - artemisia
        
        They were set up as independent contractors paid by invoice that included their IRD number. So not PAYE.
        
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        October 8, 2026 3:04pm
      - rouppe
        
        So there’s very little chance they complied with tax regulations and paid any tax.
        
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        October 8, 2026 6:35pm
  - Handyman
    
    Years ago, the company I worked for was hiring workers for road works in Gisborne. The job was good pay and had a training program for driving big machinery. (making them employable anywhere in the world).
    A quarter! Of successful applicants failed the drug test even though they were given a week’s notice and specifically told not to smoke 48 hours before the test.
    
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    October 8, 2026 5:23pm
- rouppe
  
  For me it’s about expectation setting.
  
  Those on job seeker need to be work ready. Many employers have a drug testing policy. Beneficiary turns up, fails a drug test, isn’t hired, and nothing else happens.
  
  If you test a bunch of people aged 18-45 and there are consequences for failing, maybe there’ll be an attitude adjustment.
  
  Maybe it won’t work. But that’s not a reason for not seeing if it will.
  
  Perhaps it can be done via feedback from prospective employers. But I think threats of retaliation are a thing…
  
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  October 8, 2026 2:05pm
- MCōs
  
  According to as answer to a query I put to Google drug testing unemployed beneficiaries has been considered in the past by the Key government, but never implemented
  Its very expensive and does nothing to get people into work according to experience from elsewhere
  
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  October 8, 2026 2:41pm
  - Ian Boag
    
    Leaving aside the basic nonsense
    
    I can get seriously trolleyed (good ole non-drug booze) on a Saturday night, still be a bit wobbly Monday and no worries.
    
    I smoke a casual joint – there are some detectable metabolites three weeks later – no physiological effect – and fail a drug test …..
    
    There are significant parts of the world where you can buy dope over the counter …. what would they know?
    
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    October 8, 2026 3:24pm
    - septic skeptic
      
      All true and any druggie with even impaired intelligence could sort out a trip to the doctor and a certificate for the sickness benefit. The intention is fine but maybe we need a better way. Time limits for the dole perhaps…
      
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      October 8, 2026 4:09pm
      - Ian Boag
        
        So puffing a joint once or twice a week makes me a druggie? Wot? How many beers/wines and how often does it take to make me an alcoholic …. ?
        
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        October 9, 2026 3:44pm
rangitoto

Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya was murdered in Moscow 20 years ago. Whoever ordered her killed is still at large and just turned 74.
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October 8, 2026 10:21am
- kowtow
  
  He’s killed and maimed 1.5 million other Russians , at least .For what . Now there’s one really mad,bad narcissist.
  
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  October 8, 2026 10:43am
- David Garrett
  
  Rangi: It would be interesting to know just how many people Trump’s mate ordered killed.
  
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  October 8, 2026 10:49am
Southern Raider

46% of all Muslims in the UK between 16 and 64 do not have a job.

UK is gone.
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October 8, 2026 10:30am
Ian

Hipkins says “No easy answer to this week’s leaders debate question on whether it’s okay to be a billionaire. Labour’s leader told Mike Hosking he thinks there’s something imbalanced about an economy that sees so much power and money concentrated in the hands of so few people.” From Newstalk ZB.

So the point is, along your journey to better yourself, which may lead to being a billionaire, do you say to yourself “stop.” What an uninspirational outlook Labour has…
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October 8, 2026 10:32am
- RW Capitalist
  
  “Labour’s leader told Mike Hosking he thinks there’s something imbalanced about an economy that sees so much power and money concentrated in the hands of so few people.”
  Hipkins
  Ardern
  Clark
  Moore
  Palmer
  Lange
  Rolling
  Kirk
  All incompetent, all damaged the country either by action or inaction
  
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  October 8, 2026 9:49pm
NK

This election has all the hallmarks of 2002. Can Luxon beat Bill English’s 22%? Will the Opportunity Party be the next Peter Dunne party (for one election cycle)?

This is Labour’s election to lose. The worst government in my living memory, the destruction they caused, and National cannot sell themselves to beat them. Absolutely incredible.
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October 8, 2026 10:49am
- imalwaysright
  
  Bill English would clean up in the current environment.
  
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  October 8, 2026 11:20am
- David Garrett
  
  NK: I agree…and you could add to that Labour’s current leader is perhaps the least inspiring in 20 years – for all her many faults Cindy communicated very well – and he may well be PM elect on the night.
  
  And the Nats only have themselves to blame. They could and should have replaced Mr Dishcloth a year or more ago.
  
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  October 8, 2026 11:31am
  - RoboRob
    
    They are making some VERY strange campaign decisions. Hardly trying to win electorate seats. Lots of money spent on Blue jackets but little advertising (NZF and Act are thrashing them based on my internet experience). The most major though is instead of campaigning on Education and Crime, their standout portfolios they are focusing on a negative tax campaign. I wonder if the choice to not talk education or crime is due to those ministers being ‘future leadership challengers’? If so its a disgrace.
    
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    October 8, 2026 11:49am
- RoboRob
  
  Luxon is in a worse political position then Bill English too. Luxon has National voters attempting to get an overlap by not voting for National. If he gets les then English its not all his doing.
  
  That said I think English was robbed in that election. NZ would have been much better off under an English led government. Sadly personality counts more then skill or policy.
  
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  October 8, 2026 11:46am
  - David Garrett
    
    Robo: I only partly agree…perhaps it is more accurate to say personality is needed to “sell” policy to the electorate at large – by which I mean swing voters, and not those who would vote for the proverbial sheep standing for the Nats in Clutha-Southland. Or the Labour equivalent.
    
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    October 8, 2026 12:03pm
    - cmm (semi-retired edition)
      
      Yup, he certainly does need to sell to swing voters, but mustn’t make such a push for hypothetical Green to Nat voters than he actually scares off the Clutha-Southland Nats who would vote for a ewe tupped by a ram with a blue raddle.
      
      Even they do have their limits. If they swing would it be to Act or Winston First?
      
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      October 8, 2026 3:52pm
  - Jethrod
    
    Bill English did a really, really dumb thing in the run up to that election, getting into a boxing ring for charity. Whoever considered that a good thing to do was off their rocker.
    Held my nose when I 2 ticked National that year!
    
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    October 8, 2026 12:51pm
- MCōs
  
  Everywhere seems to be experiencing their worst government ever and replacing it with some other variation that will be their next worst government ever
  
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  October 8, 2026 2:49pm
  - Northshoredoc
    
    LOL …. and sadly Yes.
    
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    October 8, 2026 3:34pm
- greybeard
  
  Only if you (a) believe the polls and (b) believe the MSM view of the coalition.
  
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  October 8, 2026 3:10pm
Southern Raider

Just wondering how I can make a comment at 8.08am and over 3 hours later it’s still waiting in moderation?
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October 8, 2026 11:15am
Quail

The old advice of “follow the money “is something a proper journalist should follow, there is a story with all parties.
Particularly Op as info from Google is that Gareth Morgan has now disassociated himself from funding and has cut all ties with the party! (Ref .Spin-off)
The other listed funders noted are mostly generic , and are also funding other parties.
The motives of those starting OP are not clear , but apparently were worth employing Ms Wong to lead the party.
All this costs money .a lot of it!
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October 8, 2026 11:39am
- rouppe
  
  You’ll notice that the party named is not the same.
  
  Under Gareth Morgan it was The Opportunity Party.
  
  Under Ian Lees-Galloway it’s The Opportunities Party.
  
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  October 8, 2026 6:45pm
  - rouppe
    
    Oops. The other way around
    
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    October 9, 2026 2:25am
RW Capitalist

4 1/2 hours awaiting moderation????
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October 8, 2026 12:42pm
pdm

I read somewhere that Tama Potaka’s seat may be under threat.

Does anyone know if there is any confirmation of that in DPF’s Patreon seat review as I do not subscribe to Patreon.
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October 8, 2026 1:59pm
lifesgood

KiwiBlog General Debate is making depressing reading lately. It seems that a lot of commenters are hell bent on getting a left co-alition. I find this incredibly sad and, dare I say it, stupid. Has everyone got short memories about the terrible mess Labour put us in last time. OK so Luxon doesn’t fulfill all your heart’s desires but just think of the alternative. Shudder.
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October 8, 2026 2:03pm
greybeard

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361043909/rooftop-bar-fails-owing-500k-leaving-couple-scrambling-find-new-wedding-venue
I have posted on this topic before, many times: how on earth can IRD let a company run up $329,000 of unpaid taxes ? The company opened in late 2023, so in 3 years the IRD did nothing. If they had acted sooner maybe they, and other creditors, would have got some money back.
I am convinced that IRD is staffed by cretins.
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October 8, 2026 3:08pm
- RW Capitalist
  
  How much is interest and charges?
  Considering they charge 2% per month for each month overdue and charge 2% interest on top of the total.
  Therefore owings as of 3 years ago could be $100000, with penaltys and interest would be over $300000 now.
  
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  October 8, 2026 3:56pm
- cmm (semi-retired edition)
  
  I would assume they have been using both GST takings and PAYE deductions from their employees’ wages as a slush fund.
  
  This should be made illegal if it isn’t already.
  
  When you charge a customer GST you have made an agreement to pass that GST amount on to the IRD. If you do not, then that is taking money under false pretenses (aka fraud).
  
  The same for deducting PAYE and not passing it on.
  
  I would expect that locking up a few people for fraud would soon stop this nonsense.
  
  PAYE should be passed on to the IRD the day the employee is paid. OK, I will allow some grace – within 30 days.
  
  GST already requires consolidation every 2 or 6 months (depending on the agreements). Failing to deliver should be prosecuted.
  
  Letting things get out of hand for years is not acceptable. IRD is dropping the ball.
  
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  October 8, 2026 4:07pm
- septic skeptic
  
  I have a slightly different view. Setting up a new business has all sorts of challenges. Paying tax on time, while important, might not be to the front of mind. It is reasonable that the IRD cuts them some slack. If businesses are closed down the instant they fall into arrears, sure it will reduce bad debts to the IRD. But it will also close down businesses that might have recovered and become profitable, employed people and paid taxes for many years. IRD should try to strike a balance – especially for first time entrepreneurs.
  
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  October 8, 2026 4:20pm
  - cmm (semi-retired edition)
    
    Nah. Disagree.
    
    Any point of sale accounting system quickly works out GST flowing into the business and any accounting system such as XERO works out your full GST commitment. Any payroll system quickly works out PAYE.
    
    To then not pay the money through is pretty deliberate diversion of IRD money (at this point taxpayers’ money) to keep the company afloat.
    
    If a business gets into debt then they should sort that out by getting a bank loan. The IRD is not a bank.
    
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    October 8, 2026 6:35pm
cmm (semi-retired edition)

Annoying: NZ has a special income smoothing scheme – only available to farming, forestry and similar.

It is not available to other businesses which seems rather discriminatory.

This year is setting up to be a boom year for my part-time side-hustle business which has seen income about 5x a normal year’s business in just 6 months. More expected in the next few months.

I expect this earnings bubble to go away within 18 months. It would be really handy to be able to defer income using the rules available to farmers, but it seems that’s not the case.

I fully understand that farmers have boom years and bust years, but they are not the only businesses that have this.

Why should farmers and such get special treatment that others do not?

https://www.ird.govt.nz/income-tax/income-tax-for-businesses-and-organisations/income-equalisation-scheme/how-the-scheme-works
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October 8, 2026 3:47pm
- rouppe
  
  Rename your business to “cmms side hustle and cattle inc”, stick a calf on your back lawn for a few months and hey presto!
  
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  October 8, 2026 6:49pm
- Tauhei Notts
  
  CMM, I have made submissions on that in the past. A client got a big big taxable capital gain upon his retirement. If he had been able to use the Income Equalisation Account in his retirement the difference would have been big. And the Tax Man would have got his money much earlier, as he would have deposited a decent part of the big big capital gain in the Government’s coffers.
  But I am not one of the Big Four accountancy firms so my submission was ignored.
  
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  October 8, 2026 10:51pm
cmm (semi-retired edition)

Winnie says that requiring drug testing of beneficiaries is a step towards fascism.

Wtf does “fascism” mean any more?

Hey, if you’re taking my tax$ saying you’re looking for work, then at least pretend you’re trying to be ready for work which means being sober.

Drug testing sounds reasonable and getting fired for failing a drug test should not be an acceptable reason to get income support.

I would go further and expect people take self-improvement courses etc. Have a shave (or other suitable descruffing) and be presentable too. If you can’t read, learn to read etc etc…

Ultimately the main benefit is supposed to be bridging support until people get back into employment. The money (benefit) is just a small part of the bridge. If people work on their skills, presentation etc then they build more of that bridge. That requires some effort from the person being helped too.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361043523/nz-election-2026-live-updates-politics-campaign-news
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October 8, 2026 4:18pm
Ra Henare

My post early this morning is still flagged as waiting modification.

Is there a problem? [Mods are volunteers and not always available – mod]

So I repeat here.

Recently got asked a question.
If people are anti-abortion.
Is it hypocritical for them to eat eggs.

There is of course a morals only apply to humans argument.
But then the Animal Rights supporters would probably not agree. Ie eating the Hens young is an abomination.

Seems like either the question is poorly presented
or it falls in to the Äll depends bucket.

Will ponder some more, but look forward to Kbers take.

Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0Reply ReportOctober 8, 2026 8:11am
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October 8, 2026 4:29pm
- rouppe
  
  https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2026/10/general_debate_08_october_2026.html/comment-page-1#comment-3887092
  
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  October 8, 2026 6:51pm
- Ra Henare
  
  I see my original has now been approved since this post.
  
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  October 8, 2026 8:39pm
MCōs

The grotesque life and times of Christa Pike continues
Here arms were severely damaged by incorrectly administered execution drugs after which she subsequently kept alive by ventilators in a coma.
Life support was due to be turned off, but she woke up and talked, but can’t swallow
She’s handcuffed to the bed to stop her doing a runner while they get her healthy enough to be executed
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October 8, 2026 4:41pm
- MCōs
  
  https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/10/08/what-death-row-inmate-christa-pike-said-upon-waking-from-failed-execution/
  
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  October 8, 2026 4:46pm
Gulag1917

“The public sector ie the state emits twice as much carbon as the private sector”.
Ian Plimer
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October 8, 2026 6:22pm
greybeard

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/361044066/real-estate-agent-secretly-helped-husband-try-buy-clients-128m-property
They just can’t help it , can they ?
It has become an everyday occurrence in NZ but nobody brings it out into the open.
Except maybe Winston.
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October 8, 2026 6:23pm
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  Kick them both out. When they came to NZ, they swore that they were of good character. Ipso facto, they are not. They have forfeited their right to live among us. Outski!
  
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  October 8, 2026 7:28pm

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