General Debate 5 July 2017

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duggledog

‘A trip to the dump could cost at least twice as much, if a waste sector lobby group gets its way.’

(Currently it’s $10 a tonne.)

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/334374/call-to-increase-dump-levies

‘WasteMINZ chief executive Paul Evans said the levy should be at least $20 per tonne.’

‘If the levy was boosted to $140, Mr Evans estimated 9000 jobs would be created, making the country $500m each year after costs.’

What an utterly stupid idea. Evans just has to be a Green Party member because that’s exactly how they think.

Doubling the levy = many, many more old fridges, sofas, piles of junk and broken TVs scattered along a rural road or in a park near you.

It’s already rife. And guess who pays to pick it up? The ratepayer!

Council dumps used to be very cheap (the cost came out of the rates bill so you didn’t notice) so illegal dumping was almost unheard of. Now rubbish tips are gold mines. See what they did there?
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July 5, 2017 8:00am
- pdm
  
  Yep dd – there is an empty section about 200 meters from where we live and the owners have had to put up signs saying rubbish is not to be dumped there.
  
  A few weeks ago there was an old couch dumped on it.
  
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  July 5, 2017 8:16am
- mister nui
  
  If the levy was boosted to $140, Mr Evans estimated 9000 jobs would be created, making the country $500m each year after costs.
  
  This shows the stupidity of lefites and their thinking.
  
  How on earth is this going to make the country richer? It will do nothing of the sort. In fact, it will make our country poorer, as all it will do is transfer money from the individual to an already bloated bureaucratic gummint. If that money were left in the individuals hands, then they could invest it in export earning industries, that could certainly make our country richer.
  
  Why are our reporters so mind-numbingly stupid they cannot see this and then ask the hard questions of these left-wing imbeciles.
  
  Furthermore, the wasted cost in picking up trash that will be dumped illegally as a result of this stupid brain-fart.
  
  A country only gets richer when we increase our overseas earnings, not when a lefty conflates taxes on the populace with the gummint getting richer.
  
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  July 5, 2017 8:26am
- peterwn
  
  Where is that $10/tonne refuse landfill? In Wellington it is $158/tonne. And rubbish bags (for non recyclable stuff) are >$2 each.
  
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  July 5, 2017 8:31am
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    The landfill levy is what the Govt collects from the landfill operator.
    http://www.mfe.govt.nz/waste/waste-disposal-levy/about-levy
    
    It’s not the fee that Joe Bloggs pays to dump waste at the Landfill.
    (general waste $298/tonne; green waste $105/tonne in Gisborne)
    
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    July 5, 2017 8:42am
- waikatogirl
  
  News report yesterday that some dirty bugger over near Napier had illegally dumped 300 dirty nappies. A letter with an address was found with the nappies. Investigations are continuing to find the dirty hua.
  
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  July 5, 2017 8:35am
  - Fletch
    
    In my mothers day and age, you only had the reusable nappies – had to scrape the shit off and wash them. Parents don’t know how lucky they are these days.
    
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    July 5, 2017 12:18pm
- MCos
  
  I took a boot load of green rubbish to the Onehunga Transfer Station. It cost twenty six dollars.
  
  The Manukau City refuse people had suddenly refused to pick up green rubbish, which was ironic because a good proportion of the stuff was clippings from their footpath berm.
  
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  July 5, 2017 8:53am
  - tf78
    
    I put that sort of council droppings into the rubbish bin now. I’m sick of filling up OUR garden bag with it, not to mention the time it takes to clean up.
    
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    July 5, 2017 10:02am
- mister nui
  
  Check out this from Evans’ linkedin, could it be any more cliched. Any wonder the clown is running a totally useless unproductive organisation such as wasteminz.
  
  Throughout my career I have had a firm focus on advancing positive outcomes in a diverse range of stakeholder-focussed organisations. In particular, I have a record of transformative leadership, advancing challenging projects, enhancing relationships and ultimately delivering outstanding results.
  
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  July 5, 2017 9:12am
  - tf78
    
    WOW what a bloke – give him a pay rise.
    
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    July 5, 2017 10:04am
RRM

Kiwiblog.co.nz is still very slow and unresponsive on android devices. Comments sections are almost unusable.
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July 5, 2017 8:03am
- Happychappy
  
  I emailed DPF last Friday about it and still haven’t had a reply.
  
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  July 5, 2017 8:07am
  - ztev
    
    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
    Its your phone/tablet. Dont blame the blog
    Ask some child how it works, you dont have a clue
    
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    July 5, 2017 8:48am
    - VicParking
      
      I use an Ipad, on fibre and have a fast/strong wireless. Sometimes KB can be so slow especially if you are making a comment. Its only KB becauae when I shift to other interests news, facebook etc they are fast as fast.
      
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      July 5, 2017 8:57am
    - RRM
      
      ztrev can’t contain himself and prematurely shoots his load… as usual. Must be a day ending in y.
      
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      July 5, 2017 9:16am
    - Happychappy
      
      I see your head is getting bigger than your mouth and my phone is only six months old and under Guarantee, the supplier checked it and said it was okay. But then again you are a expert at all things but a master at fuck all.
      
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      July 5, 2017 9:19am
      - ztev
        
        Turn off the javascript feature and notice the difference
        
        I was working with computers when you lot were in nappies
        
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        July 5, 2017 10:24am
      - Paulus Gnome
        
        I don’t think one of those hand cranked adding machines with the roll of paper coming out the top counts as a computer ztev, but I am sure you will correct me
        
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        July 5, 2017 10:29am
      - ztev
        
        NZ businesses and government departments had mainframe computers from the 1960s- you would now call it cloud computing
        I was using the Ministry of Works computer in Wellington via a link to auckland
        
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        July 5, 2017 10:35am
      - Happychappy
        
        ztev: You must be in your 90s then and that would account for some of your senile rants.
        
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        July 5, 2017 10:56am
      - Kiwi Dave
        
        Ztev’s solution works on my iPad, but it also turns off videos on other web sites and the tick system on this web site, so:
        1) no uptick for ztev from me today;
        2) it’s a cure almost as bad as the problem.
        
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        July 5, 2017 1:22pm
      - Gabby
        
        I bet your head’s bigger than your mouth chappy. What kind of crappy head is smaller than its mouth? Maybe a snake?
        
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        July 5, 2017 6:41pm
- dime
  
  yeah man, same for me.
  
  apparently my galaxy tab s3 and galaxy s8 are pieces of shit if you ask ztev.
  
  maybe its my 100/50 fibre connection?
  
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  July 5, 2017 9:18am
  - Harriet
    
    The thing is Dime…….I’m in regional aussie[shifted a year ago] and just hooked up to the NBN a couple of weeks ago – it’s split second stuff for me here on kb…..submitting comments is still the slowest action but it is much faster.
    
    Albeit yesterday when I clicked on to one KB thread it was set out in a different format until I refreshed the page.
    
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    July 5, 2017 9:47am
    - dime
      
      i can read kiwiblog ok.. but trying to write a comment sometimes is shit. i give up.
      
      only on tablet and phone. pc is always sweet
      
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      July 5, 2017 10:15am
      - ztev
        
        Your settings are wrong, have you heard of google ?
        
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        July 5, 2017 10:26am
      - dime
        
        ztev – have you heard of being employable in the private sector?
        
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        July 5, 2017 10:30am
      - Paulus Gnome
        
        have you heard about humility; google that
        
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        July 5, 2017 10:30am
      - dime
        
        Paulus Gnome – always great humour in humility.
        
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        July 5, 2017 10:52am
    - Paulus Gnome
      
      My response was meant to go under ztevs, not your dime; apologies for any confusion.
      
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      July 5, 2017 1:16pm
      - dime
        
        geez, tell me that now. i spent the morning soul searching, ive signed up for courses in humility haha
        
        all good
        
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        July 5, 2017 1:58pm
tas

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40480386

Satire, surely?
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July 5, 2017 8:03am
- RalphT
  
  And note that the parent’s lawyer spells her name without capitals. Talk about birds of a feather flocking together; it’s probably no coincidence that Canada’s $1 coin features its quasi-national bird – the loon.
  
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  July 5, 2017 8:13am
  - Inandout
    
    Look at Canada’s leader and wonder no more.
    
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    July 5, 2017 8:22am
    - G152
      
      Hey, its hard for a pretty boy with no education or redeeming features to get a job outside the trough 🙂
      His only redeeming feature is his fathers already had his bash at it (the trough)
      
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      July 5, 2017 8:34am
      - ztev
        
        Liberals in BC replaced this week by the NDP + greens
        last year the NDP replaced the Conservatives in Alberta ( who were in government since early early 70s)
        
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        July 5, 2017 8:54am
      - Longknives
        
        His Mum was also a very ‘close’ friend of several of the Rolling Stones in the 70s…
        
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        July 5, 2017 9:17am
      - ztev
        
        Was she a waitress at Taupo’s Stag truck stop ?
        
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        July 5, 2017 10:27am
- Don the Kiwi
  
  Canada is stuffed.
  Still a great country, but cold and crazy leftist.
  
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  July 5, 2017 10:02am
- calendar girl
  
  The parent’s name is ‘Doti’. Says it all.
  
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  July 5, 2017 11:45am
kowtow

The apologists like to claim oppression, ignorance, or US invasion “radicalises” these Muslim terrorists .

What’s this guys’ excuse .

“A former University of Otago student who joined Islamic State in 2015 has fronted a new propaganda video for the organisation.”

https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/former-otago-student-fronts-islamic-state-video
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July 5, 2017 8:04am
- Inandout
  
  Will this guy now be a hero to the recently formed Muslim nest in Dunedin?
  
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  July 5, 2017 8:25am
- RalphT
  
  Probably got a bad grade from an Otago lecturer, who was obviously a Trump-loving racist.
  
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  July 5, 2017 8:31am
- Gabby
  
  If you can’t get an Otago degree, life isn’t really worth livng. If you’re Australian, it really isn’t.
  
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  July 5, 2017 6:38pm
kowtow

Why do “former refugees” need extra funding, surely being “former” refugees they are in gainful full time employment afterall the gummint assures us we get the pick of the crop.

Note also the health board had a propaganda plan around them.

“The released papers show the board prepared a public relations plan to highlight “good news stories” about refugee health. It has not been implemented. More than half the $1.345million was for community health, such as GP visits. The rest would be used by the DHB for interpreters ($187,000), a public health evaluation ($50,000), and hospital services ($211,000).”

https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/13-million-refugees
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July 5, 2017 8:11am
- kowtow
  
  Meanwhile New Zealanders sit on the floor.
  
  “Older patients were forced to sit on the floor while waiting for an appointment in the crisis-hit eye department at Dunedin Hospital, prompting a complaint from staff to their union.”
  
  https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/health/elderly-patients-forced-sit-floor
  
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  July 5, 2017 8:13am
Monique Watson

Raqqa is now being cleared of the ISIS pests by the SDF. Mosul is freed. With U.S. backed troops. Talk about taking action. Which Obama didn’t. And now we have Obama diddling around with the Paris Agreement.
It’s all about priorities. Glad the Pencil pusher is out of the White House.
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July 5, 2017 8:13am
- kowtow
  
  The media hate Trump so much they’re now singing the praises of Putin and Xi , you couldn’t make it up.
  
  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/04/china-russia-diplomatic-double-act-exposes-trumps-crudeness
  
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  July 5, 2017 8:15am
- rangitoto
  
  Looks like the fun is over for Sally Jones:
  
  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4663216/Sally-Jones-ISIS-poster-girl-wants-UK-return.html
  
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  July 5, 2017 10:50am
  - Gabby
    
    Prolly not too happy that the news is out.
    
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    July 5, 2017 6:34pm
- SPC
  
  Fake news.
  
  The campaigns to do both were well advanced before Obama left office.
  
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  July 5, 2017 5:12pm
Happychappy

So where has privacy gone when the media can quote figures in the billion dollar range from profits made in people selling their homes in 2016-17. I would not have thoughts any company is allowed to release that sort of information.
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July 5, 2017 8:13am
- Inandout
  
  Most houses have previous sale price figures available online, so easy to calculate the profit.
  
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  July 5, 2017 8:33am
  - Paulus
    
    Tauranga Council have a site where you can see the officially reported house sales (and other info)of all properties since 2015.
    As soon as a sale is registered it is on line.
    
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    July 5, 2017 8:49am
  - Happychappy
    
    So does it tell you how much someone paid for it in 1960 to 70. I am sure that there would still be a lot of people that built there house then still in the same house.
    
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    July 5, 2017 8:58am
holysheet

Who said the present migration of neanderthals from africa to europe was the first?

https://www.theverge.com/2017/7/4/15919692/neanderthal-dna-modern-humans-interbreeding-sex-fossils-evolution

An early wave of modern human ancestors interbred with Neanderthals between 470,000 and 220,000 years ago, a new DNA discovery from an ancient Neanderthal thigh bone suggests. That’s much earlier than experts had thought, and it could help explain why human DNA seems to be appearing in Neanderthal genomes much earlier than it should.
“There are conflicting answers in ancient DNA”

It’s not entirely clear when humans and Neanderthals split — and there are conflicting answers in ancient DNA. The 124,000-year-old leg bone offers scientists a peek at the DNA animals get primarily from their mothers, tucked away in the cells’ energy generators. It looked a lot more human-like than it should, according to scientists led by Cosimo Posth at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.

We knew already that human ancestors interbred with Neanderthals. Even today, we can see signs of the inter-species hookups in the genomes of people with European ancestry. We also know that genes flowed in the opposite direction: DNA from a 130,000-year-old Siberian Neanderthal included chunks that looked human.

But that’s weird: humans didn’t engage in mass migration from Africa, their home turf, to Europe, Neanderthal territory, until 75,000 years ago. Early human-like DNA suggests that a female ancestor of modern humans gave birth to a Neanderthal several hundred thousand years before humans and Neanderthals were first thought to meet. Does that mean a small group of archaic humans left Africa early, and interbred before the big migration?

The only difference is the present migration is base on religion.
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July 5, 2017 8:13am
- kowtow
  
  Madness.
  
  “What is happening in the 300-mile stretch of sea between Sicily and Libya, day in and day out — in other words, what ‘we’ are doing there — is beyond reasonable doubt insane.”
  
  https://www.spectator.co.uk/2017/04/are-we-helping-desperate-migrants-or-just-people-smugglers/#
  
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  July 5, 2017 8:31am
  - Odakyu-sen
    
    Definitely helping the people-smugglers.
    
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    July 5, 2017 8:46am
  - Tauhei Notts
    
    Thank you for bringing that article to our attention. I have thought for some time now that there something iffy in all this refugee carry-on. Now I am informed. It is gigantic rort.
    
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    July 5, 2017 9:24am
- Odakyu-sen
  
  Let’s see if I got that right.
  Humans and Neanderthals have a common ancestor, but we don’t know when they split off. Later, some Humans and Neanderthals interbred. ?
  
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  July 5, 2017 8:38am
  - Gruffydd
    
    Well distilled Odakyu-sen
    Not at all surprising that Neanderthals and Homo “sapiens” shared a common ancestor in Africa.
    These two species later met and melded somewhat in Europe as homosapians left the veldt.We killed off Neanderthals as we edged into their habbatat and outcompeted them for resource and probably hunted them for food.
    The very thing that differentiates European sapiens from Africa and Asia is the later Neanderthal placers in its dna.
    
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    July 5, 2017 9:04am
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    Yep,….
    https://3c1703fe8d.site.internapcdn.net/newman/gfx/news/hires/2017/2-dnaofearlyne.jpg
    
    or you could just take a broad brush view of the matter and treat these groups (Denisovans, Neanderthals, modern human) as one species… that varies in time & space.
    
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    July 5, 2017 9:13am
    - Gruffydd
      
      Who knows what we might find as we unlock the human genome?
      https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-05-scientists-genetic-roots-intelligence.html
      We homosapians are the only species left.
      That we intermingled with other species made ours stronger.
      The genetic diversity represented in this gene pool gives us a competitive advantage as a species.
      
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      July 5, 2017 10:04am
- cmm
  
  The current lot are not Neanderthals.
  
  There is absolutely no indication that the Neanderthals were stupid. Indeed, the argument could be made that they were highly intelligent (large brain etc).
  
  It is really challenging to try decide what waves of people flowed from where to where and when.
  
  For example, black Africans moving south only got to South Africa about 1500 years or so and only inhabited the northern and eastern parts of South Africa. They never populated the area west or south of Lesotho.
  
  Before the black Africans moved south the KoiSan (aka Bushmen/Strandloopers) inhabited the whole of Sub-saharan Africa, but were slowly displaced by the black Africans as they came south.
  
  Where did the KoiSan originate? How did they spread?
  
  And that’s just Africa… Add others like Neanderthals and Australian Aborigines to the mix and it really gets confusing.
  
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  July 5, 2017 8:49am
  - Odakyu-sen
    
    You could guess at the Neanderthal intelligence by looking for examples of “cave wall painting” as well as the sophistication of their stone tools.
    
    Also, you could look at the evolution of the Neanderthal lifestyle over time. They seemed to have been doing essentially the same thing in Europe for 4,000 generations (100,000 years), which is not a good look.
    
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    July 5, 2017 9:25am
    - cmm
      
      That is all very true art & the finer things in life can be taken as signs of intelligence, but they are also linked to having an easy life (easy access to food, benign climate etc). When you’re having a hard life hunting mammoths in the snow it’s probably a bit more of a challenge to think of building temples and making music.
      
      Were Neanderthals really the thick Uggs depicted in cartoons or where they really the genetic “spark” that gave those with a small amount of Neanderthal genes a huge leap up the intelligence/cultural ladder compared with those without?
      
      East Asians have higher amounts of Neanderthal genetics than Europeans who have more than Africans. Same pattern for IQ.
      
      Perhaps that is just a correlation like KFC eaters’ cars are more likely to fail their WOF. Perhaps not.
      
      Perhaps we will never know.
      
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      July 5, 2017 10:42am
      - Odakyu-sen
        
        I don’t think that “Africans” have any Neanderthal traces at all.
        Interesting that both Europeans and East Asians have the Neanderthal traces. Maybe these two groups have more in common that they might realize…
        
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        July 5, 2017 2:01pm
      - cmm
        
        “I don’t think that “Africans” have any Neanderthal traces at all.”
        
        Correct. Black Africans none, East Asians the most.
        
        https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/neanderthal/
        https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2015/02/23/why-do-asians-have-twenty-percent-more-neandrathal-dna-than-europeans/
        
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        July 5, 2017 2:32pm
  - Scott Hamilton
    
    ‘For example, black Africans…never populated the area west or south of Lesotho.’
    
    That’s apartheid mythology. Archaeological evidence shows that the Bantu expansion had reached the bottom of Africa about 300 AD.
    
    ‘the KoiSan (aka Bushmen/Strandloopers) inhabited the whole of Sub-saharan Africa, but were slowly displaced by the black Africans’
    
    No they didn’t. The San are indigenous to the southwest corner of Africa: they weren’t some sort of pan-African ‘pygmy’ ur-people, as historians keen to defend apartheid once claimed.
    
    ‘Add others like Neanderthals and Australian Aborigines to the mix and it really gets confusing’
    
    It certainly is confusing trying to understand the world using racial myths created to bolster apartheid. You should check out archaeology and anthropology instead.
    
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    July 5, 2017 9:48am
    - cmm
      
      “Archaeological evidence shows that the Bantu expansion had reached the bottom of Africa about 300 AD. ”
      
      Those numbers are consistent with reaching the northern parts of South Africa – not with populating the whole of South Africa.
      
      Reasonable populations of black Africans only got all the way to the south (ie. to Cape Town) in the last 50 years.
      
      If they ever did get all the way to the Cape, then it was never in large numbers and they buggered off again. As for archeology, well they certainly traded with the KhoiSan people so it could have been bartered goods.
      
      The “apartheid history” is that the black Africans and whites arrived in what is now South Africa at the same time. That is clearly not so. Shipwreck survivors on the Pondoland coast encountered well established populations there in the 1500s.
      
      If you have ever been to South Africa and traveled around the North Eastern Cape (Bantustan-era Transkei) you will note a huge difference in climate between that area and south of there. The Transkei is lush, the area west and south of Lesotho are arid.
      
      The cattle and maize (introduced to the Bantu by the Portugese in the 1500s) thrived in the lush areas and not in the arid areas.
      
      My major source for this is actually from personal conversations with some archaeologist friends of my parents – certainly not right-wing people. One of them was arrested for being an ANC sympathiser.
      
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      July 5, 2017 10:13am
      - ztev
        
        maize didnt get to europe from central america till 1500-1600s
        
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        July 5, 2017 10:31am
      - Scott Hamilton
        
        ‘Reasonable populations of black Africans only got all the way to the south (ie. to Cape Town) in the last 50 years.’
        
        Apartheid historiography held that South Africa was an empty land when whites found it; you admit that this wasn’t true with respect to the eastern coast, which is covered in Iron Age sites, but seem to want to hold that it is true for the western coast, which was less thickly populated but nonetheless populated. Some of the San rock art sites in the Cape Region go back tens of thousands of years.
        
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        July 5, 2017 11:03am
      - cmm
        
        ztev: Correct. The Portugese brought back maize from Americas in the 1500s and took it to their African colonies (Angola, Mozambique) in the 1500s (as well as chickens and some other livestock). They probably also introduced kumara, but that could have also been the Arabs who were in the area before the Portugese drove them out.
        
        The farming of maize spread from there and was instrumental in increasing the African population.
        
        Scott:
        
        I grew up in South Africa. I read those shitty apartheid era textbooks in school in the 1970s. I find history interesting, but hated school history because it was bullshit.
        
        The way those books told it, the blacks were lined up on the northern borders of South Africa in the 1600s, the whites arrived in the Cape in the 1600s and pretty much the whole of South Africa in between was a void. Someone blew the start whistles and there was a mad rush by both blacks and whites to colonise South Africa. Clearly crap.
        
        Those history books were replaced by ANC-era text books which push the line that blacks arrived in South Africa in AD300-500 and were well established through South Africa. Every acre of land the whites took was stolen from blacks. They ignore the KhoiSan and others mainly because it undermines their first occupier status.
        
        Everyone has their bullshit to peddle.
        
        The truth is somewhere in between: both blacks and whites displaced KhoiSan., the blacks more so than the whites. The blacks arrived in the northern parts of South Africa in 300-500 or whatever (undocumented), then south along the eastern parts (Natal, Transkei) where the Zulu and Xhosa people live. They were likely well established in that area by 1000. They did not go further (in any meaningful numbers) because when you go further south than that the land becomes very arid and the maize and cattle do not thrive there.
        
        There are strong indications that the Xhosa had been settled for a long time. For example, the Xhosa language has some distinct differences from the Zulu language which is in turn different from Tswana (northern most parts).
        
        Apart from the KoiSan, there are other groups such as the mixed-ethnicity Basters and Gricqas which make the picture even more complicated.
        
        It certainly is not black and white :-).
        
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        July 5, 2017 12:25pm
      - cmm
        
        ztev: I think I figured out where you were trying to go with that: Maize didn’t get top South Africa before 1500, so how could it have changed migration patterns before then?
        
        Before 1500, the black Africans grew sorghum which was not productive as maize and struggles even more to grow south of Transkei. The introduction of maize kicked up the food production a notch (hence population growth which ultimately led to the Mfecane).
        
        Maize is more interesting in that it was influential in the period people most often argue about: the early 1800s when the whites really moved into South Africa (as opposed to farting about around Cape Town).
        
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        July 5, 2017 2:26pm
      - Maggy Wassilieff
        
        An interesting paper (especially maps at end) illustrating history of use of root and cereal crops in Sub-saharan Africa.
        https://afriques.revues.org/1575
        
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        July 5, 2017 8:29pm
      - realityczech
        
        “the eastern coast, which is covered in Iron Age sites,”
        
        Scott, I would love to read about black Africa’s history of iron craft. Got any reading suggestions ?
        
        And I do mean black Africans, not Arabs, or other groups. I mean black African “iron”
        
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        July 5, 2017 8:59pm
EAD_TWO

Straight from the horses mouth (Jewish Voice UK)

https://mobile.twitter.com/J_VoiceUK/status/882001159766102016

Our enemy is not Islam. Not at all, Muslims are like family to us. Our enemy is, always has been and always will be the Far Right.
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July 5, 2017 8:14am
- G152
  
  Which is why the Jewish people are being murdered by muslims and why nazis like yourself post nonsense as above
  
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  July 5, 2017 8:39am
  - EAD_TWO
    
    @ G152,
    
    I only post the truth.
    
    Wake me up when ISIS attack Israel ?
    
    Or are ISIS to busy apologising for accidentally attacking Israel?
    
    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-israel-defence-force-apology-attack-unit-golan-heights-defense-minister-moshe-ya-alon-a7700616.html
    
    Did you see how Israel have been busy helping out Islamic militants who are fighting against the only regime (after Hussein was disposed after the Twin tower attacks) in the Middle East offering protection to Christian minorities?.
    
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3315347/Watch-heart-pounding-moment-Israeli-commandos-save-Islamic-militants-Syrian-warzone-risking-lives-sworn-enemies.html
    
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    July 5, 2017 9:00am
    - Lance
      
      WTF?
      Israel has a large Arab Christian population (relatively speaking), it’s the only safe place in the entire ME for them.
      
      Must…. stop… feeding … the … troll
      
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      July 5, 2017 11:32am
      - EAD_TWO
        
        Israel has a large Arab Christian population (relatively speaking),
        
        Now you’re definitley the one who is trolling Lance!
        
        The Christian population of Israel is less than 2% and constantly decreasing due hostility towards them from Jews + racial laws that prohibit Christians moving there.
        
        Christians are regularly being spat at and abused in Israel:
        http://www.timesofisrael.com/brazilian-fiddler-director-orthodox-jews-spit-on-christians/
        
        Racial supremicism laws that bar Christians marrying in Israel:
        http://www.haaretz.com/jewish/shavuot/.premium-1.596576?v=33E2E3F1A9D29CF3BF99A6C6AAF244BF
        
        Even Jesus believing Jews, let alone Christians barred from moving to Israel:
        https://www.spectator.co.uk/2017/01/the-hateful-whispers-that-make-me-want-to-move-from-london-to-tel-aviv/
        
        All it takes is some form-filling, a £50 fee, passport photos, a birth certificate and evidence that I’m Jewish. Membership of a synagogue will do, but I don’t have that. There was some rabbinical detective work: the names on my birth certificate were cross-matched to the names on my parents’ ketubah, their marriage contract. The rabbi writes a short letter and you have the proof. At the first meeting my immigration officer, Moran, asked if I’m Messianic. I am not. It would be an immovable obstacle if I were, it turns out.
        
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        July 5, 2017 6:54pm
      - EAD_TWO
        
        Anyway Lance, how do you define what a troll is?
        
        Is it someone like me who comes on her discusses matters in a calm and reasoned way and provides links to the information they present or is it someone like you or G152 who gets all hysterical, calling people trolls and Nazis and think that by shouting the loudest and by using trigger words, you can shut down legitimate discussion?
        
        You’re not a?Hasbara troll? by chance are you? ?
        
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        July 5, 2017 7:04pm
- Lance
  
  You are actually trying to tell us some nutter in the UK is speaking for all the people of Israel when you say the enemy of Israel is not Islam?
  
  Bloody hell, what a clown
  
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  July 5, 2017 8:43am
- ross411
  
  One tweeter speaks for all Jewish people. That your assertion?
  
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  July 5, 2017 8:45am
  - EAD_TWO
    
    No that is not my assertation,
    
    This statement is consistent with all the observations I’ve seen right through history from opening the gates of Toledo right up to the French election where Jews voted overwhelmingly for the candidate who wanted to dramatically increase Islamic immigration.
    
    Macron received 96.3 percent of votes in Israel. The vote was seen as an effort to block his opponent, the far-right candidate Marine Le Pen
    
    Also interesting how the Jewish Media label Marine Le Pen “far-right”just because she wants to stop the immigration that is destroying France. By such a definition, every single Israeli political party is “far-right”. Not to mention every party in Japan, China, Korea etc being “far-right” because they want to maintain their historic population norms.
    
    http://www.timesofisrael.com/french-israelis-vote-overwhelmingly-for-macron/
    
    It is ironic that the Jewish Voice UK are saying exactly what the true right have been warning of for ages, that those two were best buddies and working together, despite the pantomime show around Israel.
    
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    July 5, 2017 8:53am
    - Odakyu-sen
      
      As you know, nationalism does not equal “far right.” I am sure that Ghandi was a nationalist, as were Castro and Stalin.
      
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      July 5, 2017 8:56am
      - EAD_TWO
        
        As you know, nationalism does not equal “far right.”
        
        But that’s what the people who control the MSM tell us (well at least when its White people wanting for their countries what other countries are allowed)
        
        Heck – I wouldn’t even go as far as demanding blood tests like some countries:
        
        http://www.timesofisrael.com/russian-speakers-who-want-to-immigrate-could-need-dna-test/
        
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        July 5, 2017 9:27am
- Inandout
  
  Scroll down to comments and not everyone agrees. However, I do marvel at why so many US universities have angry outspoken Jewish professors with decidedly left wing and pro illegal immigrant views. Once the far right would be their natural enemy, but the lines are now blurred and the left has swung toward Islam hugging, making the Jews outsiders.
  
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  July 5, 2017 8:46am
  - EAD_TWO
    
    @ Inandout,
    
    you should read Morgoth Reviews well researched latest piece for a different perspective on Jews and the left wing (link below) that might get you somewhere closer to the truth:
    
    http://nwioqeqkdf.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-great-corbyn-con.html?m=0
    
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    July 5, 2017 9:20am
Happychappy

Andrew Little doesn’t obviously read Kiwiblog and his disciples are not giving him the right information. Little tells Maori that they have done and achieved more for their tace than the Maori Party have in the nine year they have been a attachment to National. I am sure there is a lot of people on here that could take the Labour Leader to task on his false rhetoric again as posters on this site are always complainingat the amounts that Maori are given by this National Government.
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July 5, 2017 8:42am
- VicParking
  
  Giving money and ensuring that its used wisley, or at all are two different things. National complain that the Labour party just throw money at issues yet they throw money at maori and dont care what happens to it.
  
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  July 5, 2017 9:08am
  - GoVege
    
    Yes …and National work with a racist party that says violent criminal gangs are “whanau” and 13 to 17 year old girls having babies at 4 times the rate of any other race is “our fertility “.
    
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    July 5, 2017 11:43am
  - kowtow
    
    “….they throw money at maori and dont care what happens to it.”
    
    Why should they , it’s OPM so Ngati Notional don’t care.
    
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    July 5, 2017 1:14pm
All_on_Red

Meet ‘Flippy’ the Robot.
http://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/04/miso-robotics-is-bringing-artificial-intelligence-to-restaurants.html

Robots should get a living wage. The discrimination is Yuge.
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July 5, 2017 9:07am
Hugh Pavletich

Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING: WHAT PART OF ‘3.0’ DOESN’T NICK SMITH UNDERSTAND ?

http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2017/07/general_debate_4_july_2017.html/comment-page-1#comment-1963194 … and WOW … an essential read … thank you economist Leith van Onselen ! … … https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2017/07/nz-housing-minister-fails-auckland-housing-defence/#comment-2908811

Housing affordability ‘in the eye of the beholder’ – Minister | Radio New Zealand News

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/334454/housing-affordability-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder-minister

… extract …

… The Building and Housing Minister Nick Smith told Morning report today that the definition of affordability was “very much in the eye of the beholder”. … read more via hyperlink above …

2017 13th Annual demographia International Housing Affordability Survey

http://www.demographia.com/dhi.pdf

DEFINITION OF AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING MARKET …

For metropolitan areas to rate as ‘affordable’ and ensure that housing bubbles are not triggered, housing prices should not exceed three times gross annual household earnings. To allow this to occur, new starter housing of an acceptable quality to the purchasers, with associated commercial and industrial development, must be allowed to be provided on the urban fringes at 2.5 times the gross annual median household income of that urban market (refer Demographia Survey Schedules for guidance).

The critically important Development Ratios for this new fringe starter housing, should be 17 – 23% serviced lot / section cost – the balance the actual housing construction.

Ideally through a normal building cycle, the Median Multiple should move from a Floor Multiple of 2.3, through a Swing Multiple of 2.5 to a Ceiling Multiple of 2.7 – to ensure maximum stability and optimal medium and long term performance of the residential construction sector.
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July 5, 2017 9:53am
- Hugh Pavletich
  
  Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
  … To illustrate … Auckland example (h/t GF & MR) … this is NOT AFFORDABLE Nick Smith …
  
  http://www.trademe.co.nz/property/residential-property-for-sale/auction-1338386026.htm
  
  … while these Pulte Homes examples from Phoenix Arizona (h/t GF) ARE AFFORDABLE …
  
  https://pulte.com/homes/arizona/phoenix/florence/parkside-at-anthem-at-merrill-ranch-7739#CommunityDetailsView
  
  … Nick Smith needs to check out the other simple industry structural measure, the ‘consent rates per 1000 population per annum’ May results for local government ‘star performers’ Selwyn (29.05); Tauranga (15.80); Waimakariri (11.58) on the one hand … and the bureaucratically bloated basket cases on the other hand being Christchurch (7.20); Auckland (6.57); Wellington (3.86) …
  
  http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2017/06/general_debate_30_june_2017.html/comment-page-1#comment-1960805
  
  … No wonder within a Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment Regional Economic Report last November, it was found the compound employment growth nationally these past 10 years was 1.4% annually … with Waimakariri District 4 times that and Selwyn District a stratospheric 7 times that … and the bureaucratic basket case the Christchurch Council Area just a quarter that.
  
  Not surprisingly … people and businesses flee bureaucratic basket case local authority areas and locate in smaller and therefore functional ones.
  
  Why have you failed to learn these simple economic realities Nick Smith ?
  
  PS … Nick Smiths birthplace is Rangiora, the major urban centre for the Waimakariri Council …
  
  Nick Smith (New Zealand politician) – Wikipedia
  
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Smith_(New_Zealand_politician)
  
  It really is hugely embarrassing.
  
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  July 5, 2017 9:56am
  - stigie
    
    Oh fuck Hugh !
    
    12 1
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    July 5, 2017 11:48am
- Captain Mainwaring
  
  Here we go again.
  Time to go away and get on with something else.
  
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  July 5, 2017 9:56am
  - Hugh Pavletich
    
    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
    Auckland house prices grind to a halt as buyers shut out of the market: QV … Susan Edmunds … Stuff NZ
    
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/94372754/Auckland-house-prices-grind-to-a-halt-as-buyers-shut-out-of-the-market-QV?cid=app-iPad
    
    Some buyers looking for houses now face a lot less competition than they had at the same time last year, as house price rises grind to a halt in many parts of the country.
    
    Statistics from QV for June confirm a fall in sales volumes, particularly in Auckland, where the number of sales is now 30 per cent lower than it was this time last year.
    
    At the same time, price rises have vanished: Across the Auckland region, values have not changed over the past three months. … read more via hyperlink above …
    
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    July 5, 2017 10:05am
    - Hugh Pavletich
      
      Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
      Auckland house sales plummet 30 per cent, QV says … TVNZ
      
      https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/auckland-house-sales-plummet-30-per-cent-qv-says
      
      Auckland house sales are down 30 per cent compared to this time last year as banks tighten their lending criteria for homebuyers, a report has found. … read more via hyperlink above …
      
      Average prices on Realestate.co.nz dropped in 10 out of 19 districts in June. Auckland’s average price down by $73,639 since February … Greg Ninness … Interest Co NZ
      
      https://www.interest.co.nz/property/88569/average-prices-realestateconz-dropped-10-out-19-districts-june-aucklands-average
      
      The housing market is feeling the winter blues, with average asking prices of homes newly advertised for sale on Realesate.co.nz falling in a majority of districts in June.
      
      The national average asking price dropped from $642,478 in May to $626,889 in June, with declines recorded in 10 regions (Northland, Auckland, Manawatu/Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast, Canterbury, Otago and Central Otago/Lakes) and rises recorded in nine (Waikato, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Central North Island, Wairarapa and Southland).
      
      In Auckland the average asking price dropped from $956,267 in May to $905,013 in June, which was the fourth straight month in which it has declined since it peaked at $978,652 in February, a drop of $73,639 in four months.
      
      In Wellington it dropped from $568,493 in May to $541,298 in June and in Canterbury it declined from $492,551 in May to $461,351 in June (An earlier version of this story contained a map which showed the monthly movement in asking prices around the country, which did not match the average prices stated in the story. That was because the figures in the map were seasonally adjusted, while the figures in the story were not seaosnally adjusted). … read more via hyperlink above …
      
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      July 5, 2017 10:18am
      - Hugh Pavletich
        
        Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
        Barfoot & Thompson’s median selling price now back down to where it was 12 months ago | Greg Ninness | interest.co.nz
        
        https://www.interest.co.nz/property/88635/barfoot-thompsons-median-selling-price-now-back-down-where-it-was-12-months-ago
        
        The low numbers of homes being sold in Auckland are finally causing prices to fall, according to Auckland’s largest real estate agency Barfoot & Thompson.
        
        “While prices invariably fall as we head in to winter, June’s results confirm that prices are definitely falling,” Barfoot & Thompson managing director Peter Thompson said.
        
        “Monthly sales numbers have been below the previous year’s numbers for nine consecutive months, and that is finally having an effect on prices,” he said.
        
        Barfoot sold 855 homes in June, down 313, or 27%, from 1168 in June last year.
        
        It was the lowest number of sales the agency has made in the month of June since 2010.
        
        The median selling price was $840,000, which is virtually unchanged from the June 2016 median of $839,500. … read more via hyperlink above …
        
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        July 5, 2017 10:42am
      - Hugh Pavletich
        
        Over 96% of New Zealand Property Owners Profiting From Resales … Core Logic NZ
        
        http://www.corelogic.co.nz/news-research/item/over-96-of-new-zealand-property-owners-profiting-from-resales/
        
        … extract …
        
        … Of the main centres, Christchurch had the highest proportion of properties resold at a loss in the first three months of the year at 7.9%, a slight increase from 6.9% in the previous quarter. Dunedin had the second highest proportion of resale losses (2.7%), followed by Tauranga (2.5%), Auckland and Wellington (1.3%) and Hamilton (0.6%)…. Read more via hyperlink above …
        
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        July 5, 2017 4:15pm
      - Hugh Pavletich
        
        Check out in particular the Core Logic historical graph.
        
        Its going to be absolute carnage unwinding out of the current bubble shambles.
        
        Take particular note of what I have written earlier on the Irish ’07 experience … bearing in mind we are way way worse.
        
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        July 5, 2017 4:47pm
      - Hugh Pavletich
        
        Christchurch leads cooling housing market trend … Chris Hutching … The Press
        
        https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/94418443/christchurch-leads-cooling-house-market-trend
        
        More houses have resold at a loss in Christchurch than other centres in the aftermath of the region’s building boom.
        
        Stagnant prices means it is slightly easier for first-time buyers in Christchurch, while rents are reducing.
        
        Data released from property analytics company CoreLogic said 7.9 per cent of sellers in Canterbury sold for less than they bought in the first three months of the year. That was a slight increase from 6.9 per cent in the previous quarter. Dunedin had the second highest proportion of resale losses (2.7 per cent), while in Auckland and Wellington it was 1.3 per cent.
        
        Housing affordability commentator Hugh Pavletich said Christchurch’s slowing market was likely to be followed by Auckland where the housing bubble was shutting more people out of the market. … read more via hyperlink above …
        
        Based on earlier figures … note historic graph … in a fast changing market …
        
        Over 96% of New Zealand Property Owners Profiting From Resales … Core Logic NZ
        
        http://www.corelogic.co.nz/news-research/item/over-96-of-new-zealand-property-owners-profiting-from-resales/
        
        … Note brief Pavletich comments on MacroBusiness Australia article thread yesterday …
        
        NZ housing minister fails in Auckland housing defence … Leith van Onselen … MacroBusiness Australia
        
        https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2017/07/nz-housing-minister-fails-auckland-housing-defence/
        
        … Mid-March report by Rob Stock of Fairfax New Zealand …
        
        The NZ homeowners who hate high house prices are revealed in Labour polling | Stuff.co.nz
        
        http://i.stuff.co.nz/business/money/90244287/The-NZ-homeowners-who-hate-high-house-prices-are-revealed-in-Labour-polling
        
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        July 6, 2017 1:57am
Manolo

Who could call this clown a “leader”?
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/340574-maxine-waters-ben-carson-doesnt-care-about-people-in-public-housing
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July 5, 2017 10:17am
Maggy Wassilieff

The Germans are waking up to the dangers of their Green insulation schemes.
http://ruhrkultour.de/daemmwahn-bringt-hausbewohner-mutwillig-in-gefahr/
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July 5, 2017 10:28am
big bruv

Judith Collins (a person I once wanted to head the Labour lite party) has just boasted on Twitter how she is hosting the Eid Celebration in our parliament.

Two things,

1. Why are we using tax payer funds to give special recognition to a religious group?

2. Do we do this for other religions?

Either way, she has lost my vote.
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July 5, 2017 10:48am
- Longknives
  
  Can’t recall them celebrating Ash Wednesday or Yom Kippur?
  Are we really seeing the ‘Islamification’ of our Parliament??
  
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  July 5, 2017 11:30am
  - MCos
    
    Parliament opens with a Christian prayer every sitting day
    “Almighty God, humbly acknowledging our need for Thy guidance in all things, and laying aside all private and personal interests, we beseech Thee to grant that we may conduct the affairs of this House and of our country to the glory of Thy holy name, the maintenance of true religion and justice, the honour of the Queen, and the public welfare, peace, and tranquillity of New Zealand, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”
    
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    July 5, 2017 12:28pm
    - kowtow
      
      Quite right too.
      
      4 4
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      July 5, 2017 1:10pm
      - MCos
        
        I don’t agree will it, but I’m not losing any sleep over it either.
        
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        July 5, 2017 1:46pm
    - logan0312
      
      Isn’t it interesting that they still pray this prayer. I wonder how members reconcile this prayer of submission to Jesus Christ to the passage of bills such as (for only one example) legalising homosexual ‘marriage’, which appears to be in direct contravention of their pledge to the ‘maintenance of true religion…’ and the ‘honour of the Queen’ (who for her part pledged in her coronation oath to maintain the true profession of the Gospel).
      Are we governed by hypocrites or what?
      
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      July 5, 2017 2:42pm
      - Gabby
        
        I guess they resolve that the next secretary they shag will probably be the last. Pretty much the last.
        
        1 0
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        July 5, 2017 6:04pm
- Captain Mainwaring
  
  “Either way, she has lost my vote.”
  
  Another single-issue warrior eh?
  
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  July 5, 2017 12:30pm
- VicParking
  
  Its a pity you can only vote once as National has lost my vote so many times I’d will vote them out all by myself.
  
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  July 5, 2017 2:57pm
- Gabby
  
  If she thinks that’ll get her an exemption from being blown up she’s got another think coming.
  
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  July 5, 2017 6:06pm
Manolo

stephieboy, sorely missed pious Muslim, would be horrified:
https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21724426-did-i-say-out-loud-i-meant-makers-leather-and-metal-goods-inside-pakistans-sex-toy-industry
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July 5, 2017 10:54am
Rodney Randall

http://anglicanlife.org.nz/publications/reports/

Financial Statements 2015

page 13

“The Diocese is wholly exempt from New Zealand income tax having full complied with all statutory conditions for these exemptions”

The National Party are simply buying Ditsy Wagner a seat.

VILE

And DPF (Tax Payer Union) supports giving my hard earned cash to the Anglican old guard.

He would do well to read the comments online at Stuff and various facebook pages to guage the sentiment of the public.

The majority want this heap of shit bulldozed.

There will be massive resistance to this National Party tactic.
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July 5, 2017 11:12am
- ex-golfer
  
  I agree – its time for the Peoples Republic of Christchurch to stop accepting taxpayer handouts and go on their own merry way.
  
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  July 5, 2017 2:53pm
Lucia Maria

Really exciting research into ancient Roman concrete that could help us build incredibly strong seawalls …

Why Roman concrete still stands strong while modern version decays

The Roman recipe – a mix of volcanic ash, lime (calcium oxide), seawater and lumps of volcanic rock – held together piers, breakwaters and harbours. Moreover, in contrast to modern materials, the ancient water-based structures became stronger over time.
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July 5, 2017 11:55am
- rangitoto
  
  What would we do without concrete.
  
  There is a theory that the blocks (apart from the small number of granite ones) in the great pyramid are actually concrete cast in situ. Mainstream archaeologists don’t like this idea but some materials scientists who have studied the limestone blocks believe they are man made concretions.
  
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  July 5, 2017 12:13pm
- kowtow
  
  Cue Monty Python……..
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7tvauOJMHo
  
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  July 5, 2017 1:07pm
- Jack5
  
  Roman concrete ashore was ahead, as well. Take the Pantheon, in Rome, strong after nearly 2000 years.
  
  Some engineers think modern steel reinforcing reduces the life of concrete. Have a look at old reinforced concrete and you can see leach stains from the metal. Concrete inevitably corrodes steel.
  
  According to the source below, cure time of modern concrete is also far too quick: perhaps a few weeks compared with a few years for the Romans.
  
  What great civil engineers the Romans were. Take the Cloaca Maxima, one of the world’s first sewerage systems, and still partly in use in Rome millennia later. Wikipedia says: ” .. even today [the Cloaca Maxima] drains rainwater and debris from the center of town, below the ancient Forum, Velabro and Foro Boario.”
  
  On the Romans’ fine concrete:
  
  https://simplesupports.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/the-truth-about-roman-concrete/
  
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  July 5, 2017 3:25pm
Longknives

Seems that dreadful Maori song New Zealand Rugby fans are all supposedly singing loudly to drown out the Lions fans has been ‘mistranslated’
*I suspect some $$$ compensation from NZ Rugby might be required to ‘heal this pain’?

https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/94396802/new-zealand-has-been-singing-tutira-mai-nga-iwi-wrong

Honestly- Who wrote this drivel?
“We all think we know it well”- Really? I grew up in NZ and have never even heard of it.
“However the song that has become a staple in every New Zealand school..” – Certainly none of the Schools I attended.
“NZ Rugby said they chose the song because most Kiwis knew it and could sing along.”- Then NZ Rugby must be complete idiots..Because the song is an embarrassing joke at the Rugby and not a soul is singing it!
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July 5, 2017 12:15pm
- alex Masterley
  
  I didn’t even know that this song existed until the marketing drive started. If anything it is a dirge that makes the national anthem sound good.
  The attempts to get it sung at games are laughable. The ground announcer (who is annoying at the best of times) cuts to some non-entity planted in the crowd (who is even more annoying) who tries to rustle up blokish enthusiasm and which falls flat.
  Then the lions supporters laugh.
  Spare me.
  Anyway Saturday nite is the last time i have to put up with this dribble.
  
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  July 5, 2017 1:27pm
  - itstricky
    
    Hmm. You confess you’d never heard before, but pronounce it a ‘dirge’.
    
    Every rendition of the song I’ve ever heard has been upbeat. ‘dirge’ is the last word I’d pick.
    
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    July 5, 2017 1:48pm
  - KevinH
    
    You guy’s must have been living underneath a rock if you had’nt heard of Tutira Mai Nga Iwi.
    
    A
    Tūtira mai ngā iwi
    D A
    Tātou tātou e
    
    Tūtira mai ngā iwi
    B7 E7
    Tātou tātou e
    A
    Whai-a te marama-tanga
    D A
    me te aroha – e ngā iwi!
    D
    Ki-a ko tapa-tahi,
    A
    Ki-a kotahi rā.
    E7 A
    Tātou tātou e.
    
    Sing it all a second time.
    
    Then finish with…
    D E7 A
    Tā – tou, tā – tou E!!
    
    Hi aue hei !!!
    
    Line up together, people
    
    All of us, all of us.
    
    Stand in rows, people
    
    All of us, all of us.
    
    Seek after knowledge
    
    and love of others – everybody!
    
    Call ourselves one people,
    
    And stay united.
    
    All of us, all of us.
    
    Sing it all a second time.
    
    All of us, all of us!!
    
    Hi aue hei !!!
    
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    July 5, 2017 2:50pm
    - Longknives
      
      Nope.
      I had never heard of it- But then I’m not a ‘Bone Carving’ wearing/Drowning in ‘White Guilt’ type…
      
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      July 5, 2017 3:34pm
      - Rachael Membery
        
        Neither am I, but I think that’s OTT.
        
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        July 5, 2017 5:43pm
    - itstricky
      
      How dare you post some Maori, Kevin! Two automatic downticks for you and some abuse about being a ‘white guilter’ (even though we’ve no idea at all who you are, what your background is, or whether ‘bone carving wearing white guilter’ is a ‘thing’). That’ll learner you.
      
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      July 5, 2017 3:52pm
- itstricky
  
  Certainly none of the Schools I attended.
  
  Yet, enough people do know it, from school.
  
  Maybe you’d be so kind as to list the schools you attended.
  
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  July 5, 2017 1:38pm
Manolo

The poor (credulous and foolish) Italians are left fuming after this demonstration of European fraternity:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4663920/Austria-control-Italy-border-send-armoured-vehicles-block-migrants-ministry.html

Austria has moved four armoured vehicles close to its border with Italy to guard against migrants and will likely set up controls on a key trade crossing ‘very soon’, defence ministry officials said on Tuesday.

‘I expect border controls will be introduced very soon,’ Defence Minister Peter Doskozil told daily newspaper Kronenzeitung in an interview published on Tuesday.

All this while the big crook Junker makes promises:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4666250/Why-fear-migration-stirring-dark-forces-Italy.html
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July 5, 2017 1:48pm
- holysheet
  
  Maybe they could follow Trump and build a wall?
  
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  July 5, 2017 2:07pm
  - Jack5
    
    Or take back the German-speaking part of Italy, Alto Adige.
    
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    July 5, 2017 3:33pm
- Gabby
  
  It’s almost as if Junckie has shares in a people smuggling outfit.
  
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  July 5, 2017 5:58pm
SPC

While it is good news that the property market has peaked, what is not good is that property developers are struggling to get finance for new builds.

If the government will not find a way to ensure the finance, then we have a market failure (there is still a shortage of property/and continuing inflow of population) – which makes Labour’s Kiwibuild approach all the more necessary.
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July 5, 2017 1:52pm
- All_on_Red
  
  The Banks have to stay within prudential limits and be conservative about exposure to certain sectors.
  I’d suggest they want to see a lot of Projects completed and settled before they have more appetite.
  Those settlements will also be quite a good gauge as to whether values have held up. Some of the costs and hence prices for new builds- notably apartments, are getting up there…
  Labour are so fucking dumb that letting them start doling cash out is a recipe for disaster. Funding Property Development is fraught with risk. Huge risk.
  
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  July 5, 2017 2:33pm
  - SPC
    
    Still a market failure to have a lack of new builds while there is a continuing shortage.
    
    PS Labour is not intending to dole out funding, but finance its own builds then sell them and use this to fund the second tier and so on.
    
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    July 5, 2017 2:48pm
    - All_on_Red
      
      There are plenty of new builds going on. Thousands. The Building industry is stretched now. Sometimes a pause is needed so things can catch up. The Banks cutting the cord has caused land prices to ease- which is good. Some were being completely stupid about value.
      Labour doing Development itself is even worse!
      Their numbers are nonsense and show remarkable ignorance. They truly have no idea. Development is very complex. Beyond anyone in Labours capacity. It will be a disaster.
      
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      July 5, 2017 3:20pm
      - SPC
        
        The original problem began with an earlier market failure.
        
        With our finance companies failing, then the GFC and banks being reluctant to take over the finance companies role lending for new builds, there was a major decline in new builds – this created the original shortage of housing (emerged in the 2008-2011 period) which led to the speculation.
        
        Another market failure to finance new builds may mean the current governments inputs to alleviate the shortage come to naught.
        
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        July 5, 2017 4:11pm
      - Gabby
        
        Bingles admitted nutty’s housing policy involves taking public land and building unaffordable houses that will be sold to speculators.
        
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        July 5, 2017 5:55pm
      - All_on_Red
        
        ‘With our finance companies failing,….. (emerged in the 2008-2011 period) which led to the speculation.’
        
        Oh rubbish. We had a recession during that time, people lost their jobs. People had to sell. Demand fell off, house supply exceeeded demand. Prices dropped.
        It’s only when National got people wanting to come back that demand increased.
        The real issue is as Hugh keeps saying over and over and over again is the restriction on Urban limits for development. The Oxymoron which is the Smart Growth policy.
        It’s not a market failure at all. It’s a Regulatory failure. Because of fucking Auckland Council. Councils control land supply not Governments. You haven’t answered my question. Want the Nats to take over AC?
        I could give you many examples of communities planned outside the zone killed by the Council.
        What’s next? Want to talk about monopolistic behaviour screwing the cost of construction?
        
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        July 5, 2017 8:19pm
      - All_on_Red
        
        ‘Bingles admitted nutty’s housing policy involves taking public land and building unaffordable houses that will be sold to speculators’
        
        Wrong, if it’s a Housing Foundation Project like Waimahia Inlet and others then all buyers get vetted and can’t sell for three years. They have to be owner occupiers.
        I really don’t think some of you realise how much is actually being built.
        
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        July 5, 2017 8:28pm
      - SPC
        
        Er no, the decline in prices in 2008 (and flat-line 2009) was not due to over-supply but high interest rates.
        
        The lack of building in the 2008-2011 period led to under-supply – so speculators moved in (the percentage of homes owned by landlords began to increase) as soon as interest rates fell.
        
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        July 5, 2017 9:03pm
    - All_on_Red
      
      Oh and any failure is on the Auckland Council. They have caused these problems for over a decade now. Havent you been reading Hugh’s Posts? AC has been practicing Smart Growth for years. That’s caused most of the problem,
      Personally I’d like to see Commissioners appointed to run the Council, have a big clean out, and take away Planning, Consenting and Transport from them.
      Do you agree?
      Mind you, if Labour get in, I’d change my mind as they are so useless.?
      
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      July 5, 2017 3:28pm
      - SPC
        
        My point is, if developers cannot get finance for new builds, it does not matter what regime is in place there will be insufficient new building.
        
        PS One option is to restrict foreign buy up of existing housing and restrict them to new builds – then they will provide the finance.
        
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        July 5, 2017 4:14pm
      - All_on_Red
        
        Yes, I got your point. I was aware of this NINE MONTHS AGO. Did you get mine?
        Just wait, you don’t want Banks to collapse do you?
        More finance will turn on again but Banks have to be sensible.
        And, Labour is fucking useless and has no idea about how to do Property Development.
        Fill an order for two fish, a hot dog and some chips maybe. That’s about it. Ok, maybe a potato fritter too.
        Oh and I was suggesting following the OZ rule of restricting foreigners to only buy new stock OVER A YEAR AGO.
        You see unlike the amateur Hugh, who doesn’t even live in Auckland and has no solutions I am happy to share them.
        We’re out there doing it, not promoting some stupid survey which tells us all what we knew 15 years ago…
        
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        July 5, 2017 8:07pm
      - SPC
        
        Every time the housing market peaks banks restrain lending – but where there is an existing shortage in supply it will get worse. Thus the market fails to work – this requires government input to ensure new building.
        
        In 2011 we needed Kiwibuild – but Labour only realised this around 2014. National has acted of late under the pressure of the Kiwibuild – but with the decline in new builds in the private sector it will not be enough.
        
        PS Even Labour has been promoting the Oz policy on restricting foreigners to new builds for several years, many of us for a decade or more.
        
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        July 5, 2017 9:12pm
- KevOB
  
  Stand by for more strife in the financial markets. The situation with Qatar may also be a precipitating trigger to a very wild ride in the near future.
  The FED is tightening liquidity so we lose here too. NZ is not an isolated island.
  
  People have ignore value and chased price movements which are independent.Value remains prices move.
  
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  July 5, 2017 3:17pm
starboard

Guaranteed to be a special. Gets Home D !
Scumbag.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/94407789/father-punched-his-baby-daughter-so-hard-her-intestine-split-open
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July 5, 2017 1:56pm
- Longknives
  
  I see he is to do a ‘Parenting Course’.
  Day One Lesson- ‘Don’t punch your Baby’??
  
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  July 5, 2017 2:09pm
- GoVege
  
  Terrible but apparently they were all living in one room.
  It never fails to amaze me these idiotic mothers who leave their babies for hours or even days with a male, even if it’s their father. .
  Surely everyone knows no male can stand the sound of a screaming baby?
  
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  July 5, 2017 4:32pm
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    Goodness, Go Vege…
    
    With baby #1, I thought she needed tittie every time she cried… (even when she had just had a decent feed).
    
    but by the time baby # 2 came along, I’d wisened up…and realised that sometimes the baby just needed daddy’s company. He was just as capable of of cuddling, talking to, amusing and soothing the baby as I was.
    
    Funnily enough, I’ve met quite a lot of men who are rather superb soothers of distressed babies.
    
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    July 5, 2017 4:52pm
    - GoVege
      
      I’m sure there are saintly men out there who can endure a screaming baby without going nuts, but I reckon they’re in a minority.
      I think if we are honest, we can all remember times we nearly lost it with a screaming infant.
      Once when I was totally exhausted I realised it was time to admit defeat.
      I put my precious bundle in the cot and retreated to the other end of the house until he cried himself to sleep.
      Fortunately I had a whole house available, not just one room.
      Maybe we need to face the realities of the stresses of parenthood and teach young guys to ask for help before they reach breaking point.
      
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      July 6, 2017 12:56am
All_on_Red

Interesting article by Gerard Henderson about The Royal Commission into Sexual Abuse and the Catholic Church in Australia.
‘The Royal Commission concentrated overwhelmingly on the Catholic Church in general and Cardinal Pell in particular, ignoring some and skating over other alleged offenders and institutions. Yet the evidence suggests Catholics were neither the worst nor only offenders. Why the singular focus?’
http://quadrant.org.au/magazine/2017/07/royal-commission-media-church/

I know of Gerard from his Blog ‘Media Watch Dog’ which comments on Oz Politics and Media. He is an excellent researcher.
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July 5, 2017 2:04pm
- kowtow
  
  Pell is the subject of the modern equivalent of the witch hunt.
  
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  July 5, 2017 2:48pm
  - Fletch
    
    Those in the know reckon it is more to do with Pell being in charge of finance reform at the Vatican.
    That is the reason they are trying to bring him down.
    
    http://www.nationalreview.com/article/449086/cardinal-george-pell-sydney-australia-police-charges-allegations-vatican-bank-reform
    
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    July 5, 2017 5:26pm
- Sir Leslie Bottocks
  
  I’ve previously posted this link but it is well worth reading
  
  https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2017/07/the-case-against-cardinal-pell
  
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  July 5, 2017 4:32pm
Swifty

Folks – to assist with my Sep 23 decision, what do you believe are the chances of ACT holding Epsom?

And what do you believe they’ll get in the party vote?

Thanks in advance.
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July 5, 2017 2:32pm
- kowtow
  
  According to the anti Trump media , Putin should already have a good idea of how many votes they’ll be registering as cast for the respective parties in that electorate.
  
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  July 5, 2017 2:46pm
  - Swifty
    
    Righto – thanks.
    
    Will send a letter of to the Russian Consulate forthwith!
    
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    July 5, 2017 2:55pm
- MickMac
  
  very little party vote.
  Hes a boy and it shows.
  party vote New Zealand 1st….
  better use of your vote.
  
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  July 5, 2017 4:14pm
Swifty

It should be the law that if you kick or stomp someone’s head while they’re on the ground (once, let alone multiple times, and from height!) then it’s an automatic attempted murder charge.

No ifs no buts.

(Read at own risk).

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11886252

I don’t give a shit what amount of drink or drugs you reckon you’ve consumed beforehand.

With such mindless, brutal, overkill, street thuggery – I think 10 years is a travesty. It’s only luck that the victim didn’t die.

Taylor should be locked up until he proves himself to be at low risk of reoffending. If that’s never, well too bad.
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July 5, 2017 2:53pm
- Rachael Membery
  
  Not just luck that he didn’t die, but likely advances in medicine.
  
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  July 5, 2017 7:17pm
Colville

Sheesh even Ladbrookes wont offer over $1.25 for an Alblack win on Saturday.
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July 5, 2017 3:11pm
Manolo

The face of a true barbarian:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jul/3/haroon-syed-terror-plotter-who-eyed-elton-john-con/
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July 5, 2017 3:43pm
GoVege

“I have got to get to Jannah (heaven)”, the kid told an undercover cop.
Obviously there are many young Muslim guys desperate for their 72 virgins.
I see a solution: A brothel subsidy for Muslims until they get hitched.
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July 5, 2017 4:05pm
- simpleton1
  
  A good idea GoVege
  Brothel subsidy to be paid from funds from a “reverse” Jizya’ tax.
  A tax that only all muslims must pay.
  
  “Jizya” is a tax per capita yearly tax historically levied by Islamic states on certain non-Muslim subjects—dhimmis—permanently residing in Muslim lands under Islamic law
  
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  July 5, 2017 5:43pm
  - Rachael Membery
    
    Or it could mean something else in context 🙂 Jizya, I had my own thoughts before your explanation.
    
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    July 5, 2017 8:12pm
    - simpleton1
      
      So long as there were no thought crimes.
      🙂
      
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      July 5, 2017 9:57pm
- Gabby
  
  No subsidy needed, 1/2 can be customers and 1/2 can be staff.
  
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  July 5, 2017 7:55pm
MickMac

What’s our National Debt?
Per taxpayer (actual people who pay)?

This is our debt at http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/top-20-countries-with-the-biggest-public-debt.htmlSelected Countries and Economies

Country 1960 2016
New Zealand 2,312.9 39,426.6
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July 5, 2017 4:33pm
- simpleton1
  
  Sorry your link does not work.
  Strange as some one has given an up tick.
  
  Where in The World is this page?
  Looks like you’ve stumbled into some uncharted territory. The page you’re looking for does not exist.
  
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  July 5, 2017 5:34pm
Fletch

TVNZ having a jab at Netflix – saying subscribers aren’t getting much value from it 😛

https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/94397251/tvnz-says-kiwis-are-treating-netflix-like-a-pet-but-theyre-not-getting-much-in-return

Well gee. There is seldom anything worth watching on terrestrial TV these days. If TVNZ (or any of the other local stations) put anything decent on, I’d be more likely to watch. I did watch the documentary on Prime last night about the Beatles, but it’s the first time I’ve watched any evening programming for weeks and weeks. It really is barren of anything worthwhile. Judging by the comments accompanying the linked article, most people feel the same.
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July 5, 2017 6:22pm
sbk

WOW…how to make a bad situation worse…the Fake News Network ,more commonly known as CNN,is blackmailing a Reddit user by threatening to disclose who he/she is…

Stupid is as stupid does.
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July 5, 2017 7:51pm
- Ross12
  
  Yes sbk —CNN are really digging a massive hole for themselves. It’s all over the Net that it was 15 year old kid on Reddit that made the video. If true then the “apology” was definitely not written by him/her but more likely the PR department at CNN and the kid put his/her name to it after effectively being threatened. There are plenty saying they blackmailed the kid and that is a felony under NY state law.
  Get out the popcorn.
  
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  July 5, 2017 8:50pm
  - Fletch
    
    Stefan Molyneux
    
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCewpjd2Yfc
    
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    July 5, 2017 9:50pm
- Fletch
  
  Yeh, they getting lots of blowback on Twitter about it, too. Haha.
  
  http://dailycaller.com/2017/07/04/extremely-unethical-cnn-draws-backlash-after-threatening-to-id-reddit-user-behind-trumps-wwe-video/
  
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  July 5, 2017 8:51pm
  - Ross12
    
    Paul Watson has done another great video about it. But CNN make’s his job really easy
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZV0sw39Be8
    
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    July 5, 2017 9:01pm
nasska

Scientists say that a 124,000-year-old bone found in Germany suggests that Neanderthals and humans split 300,000 years later than thought. No one knows exactly where the Neanderthals went, but there were footprints heading towards Mecca.
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July 5, 2017 8:40pm
- All_on_Red
  
  And Mt Roskill
  
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  July 5, 2017 8:44pm
Nostradamus

ATO website crashes as Australians try to submit tax returns

The Australian Tax Office shuts down its online customer services just hours after its boss says he is pleased with how they are performing.

*Giggle*
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July 5, 2017 9:03pm
Nostradamus

A headline that’s bound to attract Nasska’s attention:

Vatican rocked: Police raid drug-fuelled gay orgy at cardinal’s apartment

They say a picture is worth 1000 words – in this case I’d rather not see the picture!
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July 5, 2017 9:07pm
- nasska
  
  …..”When police showed up at the apartment, they reportedly found drugs and a group of men engaged in sexual activity”…..
  
  No small boys? I’m amazed!
  
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  July 5, 2017 9:13pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  Not many other news sites are carrying this story.
  
  Perhaps Manolo can help…. is Il Fatto Quotidiano a reputable rag?
  
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  July 5, 2017 9:16pm
  - Nostradamus
    
    Maggy:
    
    We could always skip the messenger and go directly to the primary source:
    
    The occupant of the apartment is alleged to be a priest who serves as a secretary to cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, the head of the Pontifical Council for Legislative texts and a personal adviser to the Pope.
    
    We know where to find him:
    
    Police entered an apartment at the former palace of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (or Holy Office) last month not far from the Vatican City.
    
    Oh hold on:
    
    The priest was then arrested and taken for questioning.
    
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    July 5, 2017 9:30pm
    - Maggy Wassilieff
      
      OMG
      
      It’s been reported in The Times
      https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/clouds-of-scandal-gather-over-vatican-after-police-break-up-gay-orgy-cardinal-tdfn9px8q
      
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      July 5, 2017 10:05pm
nasska

Time for a bit of Guns & Moses:

Take me down to Vatican City
Where the robes are long
And the boys are pretty.
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July 5, 2017 9:39pm
Maggy Wassilieff

Goodness, isn’t there some religious outfit that doesn’t indulge in kiddy fiddling?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/94410344/church-member-jailed-as-perverted-past-catches-up-with-him
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July 5, 2017 10:08pm
- Nostradamus
  
  From your article Maggy:
  
  Defence lawyer Nick McKessar asked for a home detention sentence as the man, an Exclusive Brethren now in his 80s, was in poor health. But despite probation also recommending home detention, Judge David Ruth was not swayed, sentencing him to two years and four months in prison.
  
  Supporters burst into tears as Judge Ruth gave his decision at the Blenheim District Court on Wednesday. … The man maintained his innocence after the verdict and did not apologise or offer compensation, so got no credit for remorse, Judge Ruth said.
  
  Two questions:
  
  – Is the reference to “probation” a division within the Ministry of Justice? WTF are they doing making home detention recommendations? Particularly if those recommendations are inconsistent with Crown prosecutors’ submissions.
  
  – Did the “supporters” who “burst into tears” provide an equal amount of waterworks for the sexual abuse victim? (Tentative answer: no)
  
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  July 5, 2017 10:15pm
Maggy Wassilieff

Q1.
Probation Officers are with the Dept of Corrections (not Justice).

Probation Officers are expected to give reports/recommendations to the Court.

This old chap had been convicted a month ago… so would have been on the books of a P.O. until sentencing.
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July 5, 2017 10:28pm
Digmen1

Yes I dislike all of the lefties who keep wanting to organise our affairs and tax this and tax that.

I’d also like to see some reports on what REALLY happens to the stuff we take to recycling places.

Is is made into new cardboard, or glass, or plastic, or is it just dumped?
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July 6, 2017 9:23am

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