General Debate 30 October 2017

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Jack5

It looks as though the Labour and NZ First promises to throttle back immigration have been a confidence trick on voters.

Already a Labour List MP, Priyanca Radhakrishnan, is promising that Labour will review the regulation of offshore immigration agents. She made the promise addressing a rally of the “Migrant Workers’ Association”, which seems to be using a slogan: Migrant Lives Matter.

How can NZ take responsibility for regulating immigration agents in foreign countries without creating jobs for hundreds more bureaucrats and financing their international travel? Foreigners coming to NZ meet our laws or they either don’t get entry or they get turfed out. It’s not the NZ taxpayers’ responsibility to finance the policing of foreign shyster immigration agents.

In the meantime, prepare for Labour and NZ First to double-cross those who voted for them because of, or largely because of, their immigration policies.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/342614/rally-challenges-govt-to-act-on-migrant-student-issues
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October 30, 2017 8:01am
- All_on_Red
  
  Yeah, and if these illegal immigrant Indian students get to stay because of fraudulent agents who did dodgy paperwork then these and other fraudulent agents will just keep sending them, because they know they will be able to stay!
  Labour are so effing dumb.
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:06am
  - kowtow
    
    Labia will let them stay , seeing as they’re vulnerable.
    
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    October 30, 2017 8:08am
    - RalphT
      
      and potential Labour voters…
      
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      October 30, 2017 8:13am
      - Paulus
        
        Doubt they will appear on the Election Registers.
        
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        October 30, 2017 8:19am
      - RalphT
        
        Paulus, or they could do a Bradbury and appear multiple times using different spellings of their names; look at how many ways there are to spell Mohammad.
        
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        October 30, 2017 9:40am
  - SPLOOGE
    
    Indians generally aren’t called Mohammed due to the fact they’re not Muslim.
    But great slur.
    
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    October 30, 2017 1:47pm
    - Don the Kiwi
      
      Some Indians ARE Muslim – depends which part of the country they come from.
      I bought a car from an Indian named Mohamed – it was a great deal too.
      
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      October 30, 2017 2:33pm
      - SPLOOGE
        
        *generally.
        14% are Muslim so it was a bad analogy and tinged with racist bigotry.
        But hey, most people here are idiots.
        
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        October 30, 2017 6:44pm
- Inandout
  
  Of course they will go back on their word, they are politicians at the inept end of the scale. Peters is calling the shots without the slightest reference to his voter base, and the constant fumbling will end in chaos. Watch for Robertson to make his move in the New Year, perhaps with Little in tow.
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:10am
  - cmm
    
    This is Winnie’s last shot at being an MP.
    
    He has no further use for the voters.
    
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    October 30, 2017 8:13am
    - sooty
      
      Going to take his baubles and run! SORRY. I ment jump the waka and run!
      
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      October 30, 2017 8:29am
      - hullkiwi
        
        Can Winnie swim? Or is it a case of “man overboard!”
        
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        October 30, 2017 10:08am
      - holysheet
        
        More like a case of johnny walker.
        
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        October 30, 2017 11:54am
    - Maxx
      
      I was thinking about this over the weekend and it really must be the main reason behind the waka jumping law for him. If he steps down in 12-18 months time and there is a leadership battle, it would split the party.
      
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      October 30, 2017 8:43am
- Chris R
  
  Immigration “policy” is only the piece of the iceberg which is visible above the surface. The new government is already a mess…Shane Jones about to be smashed by the unions (L1 NZF 0) the petrol tax…is it Auckland only, Twyford doesn’t seem to know? (L0 NZF 0.) The Kermadec no-fishing zone (L1 NZF 1 Greens 0.) A stamp duty on foreign buyers after Ardern’s flimsy pledge that there are no new taxes this term (Voters 0 L1 .) All of the above from their own foot shooting wait’ll they get to sit in the House. The self-destruction of this absurd bunch needs updating almost every hour.
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:10am
  - Paulus
    
    They are not Taxes – they are Levies – so there.
    
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    October 30, 2017 8:20am
    - pdm
      
      Paulus – when it suits they can be royalties as well.
      
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      October 30, 2017 8:30am
    - Lance
      
      Compulsory koha?
      
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      October 30, 2017 9:15am
      - MrLovebucket
        
        Tithes
        
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        October 30, 2017 9:18am
  - KevOB
    
    How are they going to know who the buyer is when a NZ agent of another NZ agent etc.. buys it?
    
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    October 30, 2017 8:48am
    - 3-coil
      
      KevOB – According to Winston that’s what the government gets the GCSB to do, spying on the locals. Remember Winston told us, cos that’s how National knew he’d been to the DotCon mansion 3 times.
      
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      October 30, 2017 10:03am
      - KKKKatee
        
        I wonder how many Labour Party MP’s went to the Dotcom mansion also? For that matter, how many MP’s – whether they are National, Labour, NZ First, Greens – paid a visit to His Emminence and, if so, what for? We certainly know what Hone and Laila were up to don’t we? Look where it got them – down the gurgled…….
        
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        October 30, 2017 10:08am
  - Maxx
    
    I’m looking forward to the whole new industry being setup where NZ property investors partner with foreign property investors going 51/49 on the purchase of properties, with a 5% fee going to the company managing the transaction.
    
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    October 30, 2017 9:08am
    - KevOB
      
      The 51% will also be held by a nominee too. Winston railed about this in the Winebox days. The details revealed there provide lessons of how lawyers both here and abroad can create an impossibly difficult trail to hide a real owner.
      
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      October 30, 2017 1:08pm
  - GazzaW
    
    I’m waiting for the response to Joyce’s “Show me the money.” call.
    
    I won’t hold my breath.
    
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    October 30, 2017 4:26pm
  - Viking2
    
    Twyford has/is cancelling all the Special Housing area’s.
    OOPs that’s a lot of houses not going ahead.
    
    But he wants some mega towns built south of Auckland on our best horticulture land. He’s a fucking idiot.
    
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    October 30, 2017 6:50pm
- mandk
  
  Re agents – Why would anyone grant a visa to someone who can’t complete a visa application themselves?
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:18am
- Keeping Stock
  
  Immigration agents are already subject to a licensing and regulatory regime.
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:22am
  - Oskar
    
    The licensing of agents is run by Education NZ – a Govt body to promote international education. They have a recognised agent scheme whereby to get approved agents have to undergo training by ENZ. I assume that Immigration NZ only accepts visa applications from recognised agents. However I would not be at all surprised if these recognised agents in places like India and China made their money by taking applications from unapproved agents and putting it on their own letterhead as though it was from them.
    As an aside the Chair of Education NZ is Charles Finney – a mate of McCully and the National Party. I wonder how long he will remain?
    
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    October 30, 2017 9:48am
- Prince
  
  You misunderstood Labour/Green/NZ First policy.
  When they said they would cut back on immigration, they meant they would cut back the restrictions on immigration.
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:25am
  - waikatogirl
    
    They will cut back on the legitimate immigrant applicants while those who arrive illegally will be welcomed with open arms.
    
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    October 30, 2017 9:08am
  - 3-coil
    
    Simple really – left wing logic says: “cut back” on immigration, which will increase capacity to receive far higher numbers of refugees.
    
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    October 30, 2017 10:08am
  - Maxx
    
    They will cut back on right leaning immigrants. Those of the left will be let in. Look to see a new questionnaire introduced which helps to identify this.
    
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    October 30, 2017 12:18pm
- treadingthemill
  
  It looks as though the Labour and NZ First promises to throttle back immigration have been a confidence trick on voters.
  
  Labour’s policy is to reduce low skilled immigration, which will reduce immigration by 20 to 30%. That policy remains in place. Ensuring that immigrants are not duped or abused by immigration agents is a different issue. That is about enforcing the law and basic justice.
  
  http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/10/time-to-keep-an-eye-on-immigration-agents-ardern.html
  
  So it is not true that Labour’s policy has been a confidence trick. I don’t know about New Zealand First. Perhaps they did not fight as hard on that issue as their supporters might have liked. But I do think you are grasping at straws with your claim.
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:41am
  - Jack5
    
    The student visa con has brought in thousands of young folk, often from India, who work in petrol stations and pizza parlours and dairies.
    
    Protecting that is Labour’s idea of skilled immigration?
    
    It’s a con, alright.
    
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    October 30, 2017 8:48am
    - UpandComer
      
      Labour aren’t doing anything about immigration. As Croaking Cassandra blog notes, the real need for reduction is in the permanent residencies which were 47,000 last year. Labour isn’t touch those. All it’s doing is saying it will reduce by 20k all categories, which includes kiwis leaving.
      
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      October 30, 2017 6:46pm
  - All_on_Red
    
    Labour told us they want to reduce immigration to take pressure off the housing market.
    Low skilled immigrants don’t buy houses.
    Highly skilled immigrants who earn large salaries and bring foreign currency with them do.
    So nice of you to admit that this is just another of Labours lies…
    
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    October 30, 2017 9:14am
    - treadingthemill
      
      Labour told us they want to reduce immigration to take pressure off the housing market.
      
      Partly, and partly to reduce competition for jobs at the low end of the market. They never actually said that the policy was solely about the housing market. They have other polices in that regard, such as Kiwibuild, and some restrictions on foreign speculators and land ownership. I have noticed that one of the tactics used here is to take one thing Labour have said, or might have said, claim that Labour is saying that it’s the single be-all answer to an issue, and then point out that it won’t work on it’s own, while ignoring other policies. That’s a form of lying. I understand. People who have tied themselves to one party or one side of the spectrum, are desperate to find anything they can to convince themselves that the new government won’t work or will implode. But in their desperation they employ a great deal of misrepresentation. It’s exactly what people on the tribal left said at the Standard. You lot are more alike than you realise. People at the extremes always have trouble seeing the seeing the forest for the trees.
      
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      October 30, 2017 12:29pm
      - All_on_Red
        
        Oh boo hoo. Blub blub blub.
        I never said it was the single answer but it IS something they have said – repeatedly.
        So listen. Perhaps you need to be more precise about what you say and then maybe you won’t get called out on the rubbishyou write and made to look stupid.every.time.
        Btw, only about 3% of house sales are to ‘foreigners’.
        And leave the moral high ground rubbish out of it you patronising sanctimonious twat.
        Hey, what about that Grant Robertson eh. Good with numbers huh.
        Lol.
        
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        October 30, 2017 2:49pm
- oldpark
  
  Also been reading “Commie Chic” Comrade Ardern is running scared on what it has cost NZ taxpayers for Lie-bour/Green/Peters / to get to the treasury benches.
  “Commie Chic” Comrade Ardern is fudging the massive cost. By delaying the truth and cost around Christmas time she thinks the shock of the many many bribes will be nullified. Maybe Peters “select” not “elect” PM is out of her depth.
  Perhaps she has also come to the conclusion “,she can’t fool all of the people all of the time.”
  
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  October 30, 2017 11:48am
  - GazzaW
    
    And she can’t fool Stephen “show me the money” Joyce. He’s asked the question and it ain’t going away. Labour and their MSM lapdogs poopooed Joyce’s pre-election ten billion black hole claims and I’ll be he’s not far off the mark.
    
    Show us the money Jacinda.
    
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    October 30, 2017 4:50pm
Left Right and Centre

Welcome to celebrating diversity with your host, LR&C . . .

I’m on a pushbike at traffic lights – car with gormless middle-aged Asian woman sits through a very long green arrow phase – it changes to red again. Nothing.

Fark it – I ran the light just to get the hell away from the muppet.

See ?
I spray and walk away.
Rubbish stays.
I walk away.
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October 30, 2017 8:03am
- MCos
  
  We were in our Thai friend’s car one day and I pointed out that she didn’t come to a complete halt for the mandatory three seconds at a stop sign.
  She looked at me and said ‘Fucking Asian drivers!’
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:37am
  - Maxx
    
    Reminds me of a friend of mine who go cut off by an Asian driver and started yelling at them to go back to their own fucking country you fucking *insert racist remark here.
    
    I had to remind him he is also an Asian immigrant as well, and had only been living here 3 years at that point.
    
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    October 30, 2017 8:46am
  - Nigel Kearney
    
    AFAIK there has never been a ‘mandatory three seconds’. You can stop for less than a second if the way is clear.
    
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    October 30, 2017 9:25am
    - MCos
      
      Well there you go!
      
      Here’s something I just found “If you are taking your driving test, some examiners will fail you if you don’t stop for at least three seconds. Remember that you also need to indicate for at least three seconds when you are performing a manoeuvre.”
      (Things are a bit slow this morning)
      
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      October 30, 2017 10:05am
      - Brigitte
        
        Yep, and you only need stop once so long as you can see clearly both ways. That means you could proceed with the front car without stopping a second time. Again, common sense suggests not doing that during a driving test (or when you can see a traffic cop nearby) even though it is legal and above board.
        
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        October 30, 2017 10:51am
doggone7

My suggestion is that people like you who voted Labour and NZ First because of, or largely because of their immigration policies and who think they’ve been double-crossed, contact those politicians. Let us know how you get on.
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October 30, 2017 8:04am
- VicParking
  
  I wont hold my breath………
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:10am
VicParking

Week two and the Unions are starting to collect.
Hobbit Law – Gone
League Tables – Gone
Work for Dole – Gone by Xmas
NCEA – “Shakeup”
National Standards – Gone
“Fair Pay” – Backdown
Wage Increases – 8% per year
More to come in week three
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October 30, 2017 8:07am
- Inandout
  
  Not if the old goat has any say..but then perhaps he is being kept happy in a finest Scotch drunken state.
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:13am
  - VicParking
    
    Labour have it over him. ‘Walk from the trio and you loose your legacy, no ambassadorship in London, no Gong, no Nz First, just a leaking boat in Northland’
    
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    October 30, 2017 8:24am
  - Maxx
    
    I think Jacinda has worked out Winnie and is distracting him with the baubles of office. You know, the ones he didn’t want.
    
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    October 30, 2017 8:51am
- redeye
  
  Only some foreign house buyers will be forbidden.
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:39am
Odakyu-sen

“Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is hoping to finalise details within a fortnight on a policy to ban overseas buyers from purchasing existing New Zealand homes.”

So an overseas Dad can get his son (studying in NZ or on a residents’ visa) to buy the existing house instead? There’s always going to be a work-around.

Laws targeted at individuals don’t always work so well against collectivist cultures.
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October 30, 2017 8:11am
- cmm
  
  It’s all about being seen to be doing something.
  
  No need to actually accomplish anything.
  
  Besides, if you make a new law and leave enormous loop holes then you can claim to have done what you said you would do, but without pissing anyone off.
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:16am
- VicParking
  
  So they rent for a year, get Citizenship and then daddy will buy them half a dozen rentals.
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:27am
All_on_Red

Can’t see how Robertson is going to keep al his funding promises and stay within their own fiscal responsibility rules.
To be fair, I don’t think he knows either- lol.
‘Newly minted Finance Minister Grant Robertson will be wanting to put this weekend’s appearance on The Nation behind him very quickly. Finally subjected to some meaningful scrutiny about both the deals made by Labour to win the Government benches, as well as their own much vaunted fiscal plan, Robertson struggled to present a coherent narrative of what lies ahead for the government’s books and economy under the new Labour-led Government and, it turns out, misled the public over what he knows about the cost of the new policies they’ll have to fund.’
Lisa: “If your economic premises that you base it on, for example if growth doesn’t peak out at 3.7%. If we have the 10 year downward slum that some predict for 2018, then you’re in trouble with your money?”

Grant: “No I don’t think we are.”

Actually Grant, you are in trouble. Where you start to run into problems is that whereas the PREFU’s forecasts are based on immigration numbers naturally returning to historic rates, Labour is actively looking to slash immigration numbers by nearly half. Labour’s changes may actually have an even greater impact than intended, especially when combined with Labour, New Zealand First, and the Green Party all looking to restrict foreign investment in New Zealand, and renegotiate crucial free trade agreements.’
https://www.libertas.digital/blog

For the tl:dr crowd. Robertson is lazy and useless with numbers.
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October 30, 2017 8:12am
- VicParking
  
  No problem we have All on Red’s and my wallet.
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:29am
  - sooty
    
    Don’t worry, Alfs in the back room looking after the money because he has years of counting out change on the bus.
    
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    October 30, 2017 8:35am
- KKKKatee
  
  Not only is Steven Joyce’s $11B hole forecast leaking, it’s about to go BOOM! Can’t wait for Steven Joyce to get stuck into Robbo at question time over ‘Mr Robertson – my predicted $11B deficit based on your pre-election promises is now $30M. Where’s all the money gone? I think the public of NZ deserve to now what it’s been spent on and why?And, more importantly, why you lied to voters in the first instance?” Now, that will be worth watching – Robbo squirming – a change of underwear could well be indicated…….
  
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  October 30, 2017 10:17am
  - waikatogirl
    
    And a backhander is due to the msm for their “poo-pooing” of the $11B hole. The msm jumped down Stephen Joyce’s throat DEMANDING he prove his claims. Already four days after being sworn in the 3-headed hydra is proving what we all suspected, they spend taxpayers money like drunken sailors. ? ? ?
    
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    October 30, 2017 10:47am
    - marcw
      
      97% of MSM economists said Grant was right. The science is settled.
      
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      October 30, 2017 11:46am
      - Brigitte
        
        “MSM economists” – that’s the best oxymoron I’ve seen in ages.
        
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        October 30, 2017 12:37pm
      - Paulus
        
        All two of them = 97%
        
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        October 30, 2017 2:30pm
    - Kiwi Dave
      
      Sailors spend their own money; politicians spend other people’s money.
      
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      October 30, 2017 12:53pm
    - doggone7
      
      In the election campaign that was happening where I was the two main parties and NZF were talking about spending taxpayers money. “Like drunken sailors” if you like.
      
      Labour would say they were going to do something so Simon Bridges would come up with another six lane highway coasting 1.4 billion or somesuch. That’s how it was for a couple of weeks there, money like water.
      Did you complain about National promising to spend the amount they said they would?
      
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      October 30, 2017 12:53pm
  - Brigitte
    
    You need to be a bit more careful with your letters. Going from $11B to $30M reduces a significant deficit into rounding error.
    
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    October 30, 2017 10:48am
    - KKKKatee
      
      Oops! I meant $30B. Thanks for pointing that out?
      
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      October 30, 2017 2:04pm
  - lifesgood
    
    The big trouble with all this is that absolutely NONE of it will be published in the MSM and who actually listens to parliament, anyway? So the morons who voted the morons in will be all blissfully ignorant of how the country is being destroyed.
    
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    October 30, 2017 11:16am
    - doggone7
      
      Once again: If the trouble is that NONE of it will be published in the MSM, no-one actually listens to parliament, morons voted morons and will be blissfully ignorant of how the country is being destroyed, what has changed?
      
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      October 30, 2017 12:56pm
    - calendar girl
      
      So it should be a decent test of National’s PR staff to ensure that the Government’s stuff-ups and excessive spending are detailed regularly in the MSM. That (and National’s remedies / better ideas) are what they are employed to achieve.
      
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      October 30, 2017 2:42pm
kowtow

When kowtow’s out and about the number of and increasingly fatter specimens waddling ’round never fails to astonish him .

And now I know it’s all John Keys ‘ fault. What a man ! To have been able to capture all those skinny people , across the whole country , hold them down force feed them and stuff them full of sugary drinks , amazing.

“Labour accused the last Government of inaction on the issue of obesity”

Get ready for more taxes.

https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/food-drink-industry-sugar-notice
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October 30, 2017 8:14am
- VicParking
  
  Going by the type of rubbish dumped at the bus stop outside my gate there are not two many starving kids in Whanganui, although looking at the sugar content on the packaging we might have an obesity problem.
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:34am
- tf78
  
  The sugar tax should only be for Labour voters as I suspect they are the poorer ones who have bad food choices -there goes a few thousand of their voter base.
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:49am
- Left Right and Centre
  
  I linked to a food wastage story on odt site.
  
  Sure – don’t waste any food, that will save the planet.
  Anyone ever think about maybe not increasing the human race by extra billions all the time ?
  
  Wow . . . that could work !!
  
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  October 31, 2017 4:10am
oldpark

It is strange watching the reactions and comments from another blog site. Daily they keep supporting the coalition of losers. Must be because one of the catalysts used to be called the “Unemployed pensioner from St Marys Bay”.Panic seems to have set in with the daily abuse of the so called “Unemployed Pensioner from St Marys Bay”.Rumour has it ,the abuser was asked for a please explain. Now it is strange watching the reactions and comments from the same abuser.
Seems the Person in question a guy called Peters is responsible for being part of the coalition of losers. He is also responsible for the “selection” of the “default” PM called “Commie Chic” Comrade Ardern.
The same abuser of Peters has had an epiphany and no longer refers to him as “The Unemployed Pensioner from St Marys Bay Auckland”. In fact he is so enamoured with him ,it is just a matter of time that he will talk to the Pope and have him turned into a The employed “Saint” from Marys Bay Auckland.Nuff Said.
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October 30, 2017 8:15am
- peterwn
  
  Someone thought that objective (anti immigration) could be fulfilled by a National/Winston government and that a government involving Winston and the Greens just would not happen (wishful thinking at its best). So when the wished for National/Winston government does not happen Bill English cops the blame for not negotiating hard enough and is being sniped at.
  Bill has remained firmly entrenched as National’s leader so he can get on with a three year plan of winning in 2020. This does not rule out a possible leadership challenge but any such challenge if it happens would be at least a year away the new leader would be able to build on the first years work.
  And this means a three year plan – not assuming that the coalition will disintegrate earlier. The coalition leaders will fall over backwards keeping it going for the full three years as an early election could have disastrous consequences for them.
  What will be interesting is if the coalition can obtain the outcomes they seek without unintended consequences.
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:43am
  - alex Masterley
    
    Discussion over lunch on Saturday with some-one with solid beltway knowledge.
    The Nats didn’t want to give NZF 4 ministerial roles as part of a coalition deal. Simple as that.
    And as an aside, Megan Woods is regarded as being terminally useless, but thats pretty obvious.
    
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    October 30, 2017 9:06am
    - peterwn
      
      Assuming that was the situation (WO thought that Bill closed the wallet at 4pm on announcement day by refusing NZF one more Ministerial position), it would signal long term thinking on National’s part. Far better three years in opposition followed by nine years in government than the other way round.
      
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      October 30, 2017 10:10am
  - All_on_Red
    
    The only way the Nats will get back in power this term is if NZF jumps over the fence to National after a meltdown with Lab/Greens.
    That could happen.
    Then the Nats still have the problem of no friends to go into coalition with in 2020.
    Sadly they need the Maori Party to win at least two Maori seats- which the portion of the Nat base which hates that race based policy won’t like- at all.
    Or perhaps Act to win two seats and improve their support.
    Both options look to be a big ask.
    
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    October 30, 2017 9:24am
    - Ross12
      
      All_on_Red
      Why do people think the MP is some sort of racist organisation. I do not think I, as a non Maori, would be stopped from joining.
      I accept argument about the Maori seats but the MP is a party representing a sector of our society in the same way as the Greens representing Green interests.
      Those in the Nat. base that think that way need to get their thinking right.
      
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      October 30, 2017 9:37am
      - All_on_Red
        
        I don’t know Ross. As far as I’m aware they have only advocated what’s they think is best for Maori (rightly or wrongly)and have never made racist comments about other races. So I agree with you.
        I think historically some form of Positive Discrimination was appropriate for seats- and policies.
        I don’t think it’s needed today as our Govt is diverse in representation and we seem to target problems specifically anyway.
        The other thing I don’t like about the Maori Seats is how proportionally they get more seats for less constituents.
        Maybe with Labour now winning those seats it really is time for them to be amalagamated and the number of seats in Parliament reduced…?
        
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        October 30, 2017 9:49am
      - Nigel Kearney
        
        Here’s a guide: if it’s racist when you replace ‘Maori’ with ‘European’ then it’s racist when you don’t.
        
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        October 30, 2017 9:57am
    - Paulus
      
      Has nobody seen that it is possible the likes of Willie Jackson along with the other active Maori party members will not sit back and watch what Cindy does without special recognition to the Maori rights and the tight role that the coalition of losers is.
      One vote can shit stir.
      
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      October 30, 2017 2:37pm
  - Ross12
    
    Peter
    I think the other blog does not know what to think. The result was definitely not as planned. After election night they said English had an absolute blinder of a campaign and Joyce is an international level, star of a campaign manager or words very similar to that.
    Now Joyce and co are has beans and English will be gone sooner rather than later. They have “reprints” of opinion columnists ( attention grabbers) saying the last 9 years were wasted etc. etc.
    So long as Bill English wants to stay on he should right up to the next election and beyond. This “cycle” is quite different to others. The opposition is much stronger than normal ( there has been quite rigorous rejuvenation throughout the 9 years which people seem to have forgotten) and the Government is relatively inexperienced. The opposition has relatively more funding compared to usual and will be competitive in the Select Committee process.
    
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    October 30, 2017 9:31am
    - peterwn
      
      I did not say that Bill would stay leader for three years, all I said was that caucus at this time needed to affirm his leadership through to the next election so they could get on with the job. That is why I think any change would now be at least a year away.Individual caucus members will have their continuing thoughts on leadership as well as leadership aspirants sizing their individual situations. There would be a balance between selfish objectives (becoming leader or hoping for favours by supporting a contender) versus the overall interests of the party. If the caucus is cohesive to outsiders the first the public will hear of a leadeship change is when it happens. If word or signs of a leadership change leak out this is potentially damaging.
      As far as I remember National’s 1974 leadership change happened this way. Caucus members started having doubts that Gentleman Jack Marshall was up to the task of toppling Norm Kirk in 1975 so Jack resigned and Rob Muldoon became leader. There could well be a similar scenario in 2019.
      
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      October 30, 2017 10:29am
      - Ross12
        
        I wasn’t really challenging your point Peter. My view on how long Bill English should or shouldn’t stay was just that –my view and that doesn’t count for much.
        The main point of my post was about what was happening on WO , and agreeing with you on that.
        
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        October 30, 2017 11:22am
  - marcw
    
    The “unintended” consequences will be the lower paid workers in NZ – more pay, but higher prices, higher unemployment, higher mortgage payments, fewer rentals. None of these consequences will matter to the MSM. They will have a new TV station for their socialist propaganda. Jobs for them forever.
    
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    October 30, 2017 11:54am
- lifesgood
  
  That same abuser is now claiming that it was traitors inside the National Party who ruined negotiations with Winston. He seems to overlook the fact that Winston’s claims became more and more outrageous over time and the idiots in Labour were so power hungry they just rolled over and let him have his way with them.
  
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  October 30, 2017 11:20am
VicParking

New city in South Auckland.
Where will wastewater (sewerage, stormwater) go
Where will water come from.
Who will build it, not the 33% of apprentices who leave in their first year.
Two hour drive to get to Auckland
Phil Twyford in the loop, Goff knows nothing about it.
Labour wont like it as it will be half a million National voters.
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October 30, 2017 8:19am
- sooty
  
  I think that Labour said it’s 30 min from CBD.
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:37am
  - Maxx
    
    By high speed train which will be built in 10+ years time.
    
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    October 30, 2017 8:55am
    - All_on_Red
      
      They need a third track to put Express Trains on which don’t stop at every Station. Should have done that when they paid for the extra one to be put in.
      Just shortsighted.
      
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      October 30, 2017 9:27am
      - Maxx
        
        Hahahahaha. That would require actual thought going into it
        
        6 0
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        October 30, 2017 9:34am
      - sooty
        
        Just slow the other trains down, no problem. Stop them at a station to let express thru. Next question
        
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        October 30, 2017 12:36pm
      - All_on_Red
        
        Sooty,
        There’s only two tracks- one each way.
        No side lines to move onto to let a train go by…
        It’s just crazy.
        
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        October 30, 2017 2:54pm
  - waikatogirl
    
    30 mins, yes, except they forgot the traffic jams. A new commuter train will get them to Auckland quicker. ?
    
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    October 30, 2017 9:38am
    - VicParking
      
      Don’t forget the train breakdowns, burning buildings and we have to factor in that Labour is in power therefore stopwork meetings and STRIKES.
      
      7 1
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      October 30, 2017 10:19am
    - Paulus
      
      If there is not a stuff up in Auckland Britomart area.
      This happens regularly.
      
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      October 30, 2017 2:40pm
  - KevOB
    
    That’s by light rail at 160kph.
    
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    October 30, 2017 1:13pm
- tf78
  
  Remember John Pallino – the satellite city was his idea, he wrote a book how to best structure Auckland. What a different city Auckland would be now, six years down the track had been elected as Mayor. I would be bloody angry if I were him.
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:56am
  - Classic Liberal
    
    I couldn’t vote for him because his website looked so unprofessional: I think there were even spelling mistakes. I really wanted to like the guy, but he needed a much more professional site.
    
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    October 30, 2017 4:35pm
- kowtow
  
  New city name competition.
  
  Helengrad .
  
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  October 30, 2017 9:02am
  - Tarquin North
    
    How about Vacuousville as a tribute to dear leader?
    
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    October 30, 2017 10:30am
  - calendar girl
    
    Twitford
    
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    October 30, 2017 2:51pm
  - Piniwi
    
    Or Porurooted kowtow
    
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    October 30, 2017 11:44pm
- Rachael Membery
  
  Plans etc under National, not a Labour initiative.
  
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  October 30, 2017 9:44am
Jack5

Today’s diversity dividend …

ISIL scum threaten to kill four-year-old Prince George.

Meanwhile young British Muslims believe returning ISIL terrorists should be reintegrated in Britain rather than being imprisoned:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11938330

AND

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/young-british-muslims-uk-isis-fighters-syria-return-reintegrate-society-research-a7682836.html
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October 30, 2017 8:20am
- Jack5
  
  Meanwhile the Telegraph reports that the campaign to “decolonise” the English literature curriculum at Cambridge University has spread to other departments of the great old university. Subjects targeted initially include ubjects including history, philosophy, and history of art.
  
  The Telegraph reports:
  
  ‘A group of sociology, politics and education lecturers have set up a “Decolonising the Curriculum Faculty Research Initiative”, which seeks to “generate and support efforts to centre decolonisation, race, and the politics of knowledge within the reform of the Cambridge curriculum”.
  
  ‘The initiative, run out of the University’s Centre for African Studies, hopes to “build a network of faculty members throughout Cambridge interested in advancing debates and efforts around the decolonisation of the curriculum and curriculum justice”.’
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:40am
- Jack5
  
  Across the Atlantic, a church caves in …
  
  And in the U.S, the church where George Washington worshipped is taking out a plaque noting that fact along with a plaque commemorating another famous churchgoer, General Robert E. Lee, who commanded the Confederate Army.
  
  Both were slave owners.
  
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/10/29/george-washingtons-church-remove-plaque-honouring-first-us-president/
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:45am
  - Jack5
    
    If this movement spreads to NZ, what happens to plaques etc about Maori chiefs who owned slaves?
    
    Will these memorabilia have to go, too?
    
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    October 30, 2017 8:58am
    - realityczech
      
      The slaves in the US were treated far better than the slaves held by other blacks or Arabs.
      
      They received free food, housing, clothing etc in exchange for some light gardening work. A slave back then was better off than most Africans are today.
      
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      October 30, 2017 12:28pm
  - alloytoo
    
    Lets not forget who sold theses slaves in the first place.
    
    Lets also not forget that their descendants standard of living is significantly better than that of those above.
    
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    October 30, 2017 9:27am
    - Don the Kiwi
      
      Other maori tribes – enemies – were defeated and taken as slaves – no-one sold them slaves.
      
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      October 30, 2017 9:46am
      - Jack5
        
        What’s worse Don? To be sold or to be eaten?
        
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        October 30, 2017 10:33am
      - Don the Kiwi
        
        The slaves never had much option did they, Jack.
        
        5 0
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        October 30, 2017 10:49am
  - Scott
    
    Jack 5 – totally agree. The descendants in the George Washington Church are unworthy of their ancestors.
    
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    October 30, 2017 10:08am
    - Kimbo
      
      I’m surprised he is honoured still in their church. Washington was, after all, likely a divinity-of-Christ-and-atonement-denying…deist heretic.
      
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_views_of_George_Washington
      
      On second thoughts, that is probably ~~qualification~~ a prerequisite for a modern Episcopalian bishop! 😉
      
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shelby_Spong
      
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      October 30, 2017 10:16am
      - Don the Kiwi
        
        Good one, K. 😆
        
        2 0
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        October 30, 2017 10:50am
      - Kimbo
        
        Watch out, Don the Kiwi – I’m just warming up as tomorrow is 500 years to the day since Martin Luther accidentally kicked off the Reformation with the small matter of 95 theses nailed to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church door! Was warming up with the Mrs last night educating her as to why Mother Theresa’s spirituality of venerating and glorifying suffering was not one of which the great Reformers would approve! 😉
        
        My views on Mother T may have cost me Mr Tips in my kick-arse Pub Quiz team, but to quote the great Martin Luther, when asked to back down some 3 and a half years later by the Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms
        
        “Here I stand. I can do no other. So help me God”.
        
        Bit of a pity losing Mr Tips, though… 😉
        
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        October 30, 2017 10:56am
      - Don the Kiwi
        
        Yes – Mr. Tips would be a loss for you 😉
        
        “….nailed to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church door”
        Yes, historically, there has been much conjecture as to whether or not it was the Cathedral door, or the notice board in the public square – the history of the Cathedral door gives much more dramatic impact.
        It is a sad thing that the so called ‘Reformation’ – I prefer to call it the ‘Deformation’ – set in progress the destruction of much of Christendom, internecine wars and huge number of deaths, and set off the advent of Freemasonry, Atheistic Socialism and the destructive French Revolution.
        It’s a good thing, however, that at long last the various Christian denominations are beginning to talk to each other in a sensible way, and coming to realise that there are more things that unite them than divide them.
        Viva la Reconquista. 🙂
        
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        October 30, 2017 11:58am
      - Kimbo
        
        It is a sad thing that the so called ‘Reformation’ – I prefer to call it the ‘Deformation’ – set in progress the destruction of much of Christendom, internecine wars and huge number of deaths, and set off the advent of Freemasonry, Atheistic Socialism and the destructive French Revolution.
        
        You see a train of related events, I call non sequitur and instead see the legitimate questioning of the Scriptural basis of the authority of a corrupt and failing institution. After all, the Reformers were not rejecting God or Christ, nor the Scriptures or the creeds, nor the legitimate authority of the Church.
        
        So in the interest of ecumenism how about we call it a tie? 😉
        
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        October 30, 2017 12:05pm
      - Don the Kiwi
        
        Agreed – otherwise we will be accused – “a couple of bloody God botherers have taken over the thread – get your own bloody thread/blog” 🙂
        
        There is much interesting stuff to debate though – but not here. 😉
        
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        October 30, 2017 12:25pm
  - Longknives
    
    Are they going to rename Washington DC?
    
    4 0
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    October 30, 2017 11:16am
    - Kimbo
      
      Which part? The “Washington” or “District of Columbia” (i.e., ‘land of Columbus’)? May as well go two-for-two and rename it Obamaville, or Al Sharpton City! 😉
      
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      October 30, 2017 11:49am
- realityczech
  
  “ISIL scum threaten to kill four-year-old Prince George.”
  
  IDF “scum” kill kids all the time Jackie with your full support.
  
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  October 30, 2017 12:24pm
kowtow

Haka booed at the league match in Auckland.
A “home” game with a majority Samoan crowd who support the away team by disrespecting the home team’s culture.
“Multiculturalism” at its finest.
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October 30, 2017 8:20am
- Inandout
  
  I for one am becoming tired of the haka being used at every turn. The trend seemed to start at Muldoon’s funeral when an assortment of gang members sprung forth. It is a war dance and best left with the All Blacks, in its original short version.
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:29am
  - MrLovebucket
    
    The AB’s do it to death as well. Do it for away games and only then, for a fee.
    
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    October 30, 2017 10:19am
  - VicParking
    
    Agreed, it seems that it has become a ritual to be performed for everything. Arriving, departing, celebrating and mourning. Its become so common its lost all its appeal and is about as welcome as picking ones nose.
    
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    October 30, 2017 10:26am
    - lifesgood
      
      It’s bloody rude, if you ask me. Sticking your tongue out, slitting your throat, showing your bum, shouting and stamping. One big huge bloody embarrassment. I’m ashamed of it.
      
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      October 30, 2017 11:25am
  - Paulus
    
    It is the first thing for the first term at Primary School to learn Kapa Haka.
    
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    October 30, 2017 2:44pm
- Jack5
  
  If the multiculturists are consistent, then, given the number of Pasifika-descent players in the team, they should call for the All Blacks to alternate the haka with Manu Siva Tau, the Samoan war dance.
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:29am
  - Captain Mainwaring
    
    You should have seen the haka at yesterday’s motor race at Hampton Downs. It went on forever, but at least it was more exciting than the race itself.
    
    15 1
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    October 30, 2017 8:59am
    - Longknives
      
      I’d rather stab my eyes out with a fork than watch yet another tongue-poking, googly-eyed Haka.
      Talk about overdoing it…
      
      14 0
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      October 30, 2017 11:09am
    - RF
      
      But did it work ?
      
      Did it rain ?
      
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      October 30, 2017 3:28pm
Simon

Auckland Shitty’s white elephant projects require massive levels of immigration for its own numbers to work.

Will be very interesting to see how a utter Mong government like the coalition of losers get reelected if house prices drop.

In NZ people carry the shit weight of the State provided house prices go up. The extra shit weight of this government is of Micheal Moore proportions.
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October 30, 2017 8:20am
Simon

Currently unemployment at 4.8 and inflation 1.9.

Lets see how lipstick on a mong goes.
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October 30, 2017 8:24am
- Digmen1
  
  Yes and I’d like to know the number of women on dpb, and the surplus and the government debt in actual dollar terms.
  And the number of sworn police officers
  And the number of doctors in our hospitals
  
  Then we can measure Labour’s progress
  
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  October 30, 2017 10:32am
ByterNZ

Immediate attack needed from National: Hey, Cindy! How can the tax cuts only be for the top 10% if it only affects the bottom two tax brackets, and someone earning 150k gets the same amount as someone earning 50k? If it only helps the top 10%, then why did The Greens vote for it?
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October 30, 2017 8:31am
- Keeping Stock
  
  Indeed. Right through the election campaign, Labour prattled on about “tax cuts for the top 10%”, when the tax cuts passed into law after the Budget guaranteed a $1000 tax cut for every Kiwi earning more than $52k per annum. In actual fact, the bloke on $52k would have got a far bigger proportional tax cut than someone ion the top 10%, for whom the amount, on a percentage basis, will be negligible.
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:41am
  - VicParking
    
    When you are paying $50,000 in tax a grand is nothing.
    
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    October 30, 2017 10:28am
    - waikatogirl
      
      It all helps Vic. Take care of the pennies and the pounds take care of themselves. Or be happy the taxman leaves you a grand!
      
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      October 30, 2017 10:59am
flipper

Meantime the anti Bill campaign by surrogates of Auckland toxicity continue to make themselves look silly …….
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October 30, 2017 8:31am
Prince

Heard Hosking talk to Ardern this morning.
She needs some communications guidance. Very vague and unsure as the various inconsistencies between Ministers’ statements appear, and the voice is cracking under the pressure.
I expect H2 to be installed stat to sort this out, or the wheels will fall off.
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October 30, 2017 8:32am
- holysheet
  
  Just wait for question time in the house.
  Bill. “Does she stand by all her statements?”
  Cindy looks bemused. “Which ones?”
  Bill. “Take your pick.How about getting rid of poverdy in NZ?” or “No more new taxes”
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:49am
  - stigie
    
    Or zero suicides !!
    
    26 1
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    October 30, 2017 8:57am
    - VicParking
      
      Or child poverty…it goes on and on and on……
      Tuesday to thursday 2pm… days of our Lies.
      
      20 1
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      October 30, 2017 10:31am
  - rangitoto
    
    Taxinda will just hire all Phil Goff’s spin doctors. That will fix poverdy and help Auckland council’s massive payroll blowout in one fell swoop.
    
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    October 30, 2017 11:27am
- Digmen1
  
  Damn, I missed that, I’ll see if I can hear it on their website.
  To be fair to her, there is a lot going on.
  But she has a vision, and likes being transparent, and stealing election victories.
  
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  October 30, 2017 10:50am
- waikatogirl
  
  You mean Mike wasn’t asking Cindy easy questions and simply accepting her bland answers like the rest of the media!? ?
  
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  October 30, 2017 11:01am
  - Prince
    
    He didn’t press her too hard, although in comparison with the other interviews she has had it was brutal and nasty.
    
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    October 30, 2017 12:14pm
Politburo of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Aotearoa

Apologies for being late, comrades… The 3 day weekends in the workers paradise really take it out of one.

I see Comrade Vic has already made today’s policy announcements, and will be recommended for promotion to Class 2 Commissar.

Added to the banned words list today are:
Cindy (+/- Socialist)
Commie Chic
Libtard
Snowflake
Feminazi

That is all plebs, back to work.
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October 30, 2017 8:43am
- waikatogirl
  
  Told you the Politburo guy doesn’t work weekends! ?
  
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  October 30, 2017 11:03am
  - Politburo of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Aotearoa
    
    Indeed Comrade Waikatogirl. In order to meet rationing demands, the internet is turned off at the Buro from 4pm Thursday to 8am Monday.
    
    Such is my commitment to all my fellow Comrades here on KiwiBlog (Dear Leader is most pleased Comrade Farrar chose this name, it will make re-branding easier after the compulsorily acquisition) I see fit from time to time to use my personal allocation of the internets in inform and clarify for all the comrades.
    
    Now get back to work, pleb.
    
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    October 30, 2017 11:16am
    - Don the Kiwi
      
      You got it wrong, PODPRA.
      
      “….the internet is turned off at the Buro…”
      
      You spelt it wrong – it should be “Burro” – you know, Spanish for an ass or mule – even a donkey. 😉
      
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      October 30, 2017 12:04pm
      - Politburo of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Aotearoa
        
        Comrade Don,
        The comrades at the Politburo are not amused.
        OMON officers will make contact with you shortly, I suggest you get your affairs in order…
        
        Burro will be added to the list of banned words tomorrow.
        
        Get back to work plebs.
        
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        October 30, 2017 1:28pm
Victor Omega

Really looking forward to Halloween this year, I’m going to wear a Jacinda Ardern mask. When the kids come to my door I’ll take most of their lollies and give them to kids that chose not to go trick or treating.
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October 30, 2017 8:49am
- RalphT
  
  The mask alone would scare me.
  
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  October 30, 2017 9:24am
- holysheet
  
  How about her floppy dick disguised behind her skirt. Now that would scare the adults let alone the kids
  
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  October 30, 2017 9:31am
cmm

https://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/98303104/saudi-arabia-gives-citizenship-to-robot-sophia

These things that look and mimic people are a joke. They are toys. Not real robots. Not even real AI (to the extent that AI can be real). They are just PR bullshit.

The robotics that iseffective (and displace workers) are not those that look like people. They are the automation that look completely unlike people, but do the job faster, better and cheaper than people.

That includes:
* the kiosk that takes your orders at McDonald’s.
* the whole of Amazon (from the eordering through the warehousing to the automated dispatch system.
* the GPS/laser systems that help build our roads faster, cheaper and more accurately resulting in better built roads that are safer and last longer with less maintenance.

That is the robotics that really matters.

Wanting to mimic human intelligence is pointless.
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October 30, 2017 8:50am
- Digmen1
  
  All we need now is to automate beneficiaries.
  Then they would be out of a job.
  
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  October 30, 2017 10:48am
All_on_Red

With house prices dropping and lots of Construction under way Banks are getting nervous, not only about financing new off the plan Projects but also retail buyers on low deposit.
You used to be able to make a 10% Deposit and borrow 90% for a new build if you were a First Home buyer.
That’s very hard to get now. That’s going to make it worse for First Home buyers who will need more Deposit.
I see the racist bigot Twyford wants the Govt to finance Projects.
Will he now extend that and provide finance for the end buyer?
He could call it Freddie Mac or maybe Fannie Mae.
Sure to be a winner.
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October 30, 2017 8:56am
- Jazz-Hands Mc Feels
  
  “I see the racist bigot Twyford”
  
  Is that about the Chinese buyers pushing up house prices in Auckland?
  
  You do realise there is a flood of hot money coming out of China and inflating property prices in hot spots across the West.
  
  If you live in Auckland you can see the dodgy Asian money on the roads in the form of a swarm of (badly driven) expensive late model vehicles with beady eyed asian poker faces peering out the windscreens.
  
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  October 30, 2017 10:09am
  - softail 1450
    
    JHMF,,,,,I just avoid like the plague a late model car with dents all over it .
    getting to close could cost you your life ,,,seriously ,especially if you are on a push bike or motorcycle .
    
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    October 30, 2017 10:44am
- cmm
  
  “Banks are getting nervous,”
  
  Nervous means more perceived risk and higher interest rates.
  
  That might bring down house prices, but not enough to compensate for increased interest rates.
  
  For example:
  
  $500k loan for 30 years at 6% = $2998 per month
  
  $450k loan for 30 years at 8% = $3300 per month
  
  So who wins? Potentially the cashed up Rich Pricks who get a lower price house.
  
  The people this is supposed to help certainly don’t benefit.
  
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  October 30, 2017 10:43am
- KevOB
  
  See the ODT this morning: the banks are signalling the credit crunch and falling markets. The message is gentle but it’s a strong warning to all.
  Love to be in government now.
  
  http://www.odt.co.nz/business/nz-property-market-has-peaked-anz-chief
  
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  October 30, 2017 1:21pm
  - JasonJohns
    
    Jason Johns here.
    This is JJ live.
    I’m in the Delta Tavern, waiting for my cabinet.
    Important meeting coming.
    Will keep you informed.
    
    2 3
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    October 30, 2017 1:22pm
Jack5

How did Harvey Weinstein ever get time to make the movies?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/10/24/harvey-weinstein-forcibly-performed-oral-sex-aspiring-film-production/
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October 30, 2017 8:56am
thedavincimode

WILL NOBODY STOP THE SLAUGHTER OF THESE INNOCENTS?

Jacinda, their BLOOD is on YOUR hands! Yours too Metiria. If you hadn’t fiddled your bene you would be saving these innocent lives!
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October 30, 2017 9:06am
waikatogirl

A Wellington landlord is irate after his well maintained rental failed the housing wellness check for dry, healthy conditions for his tenants.

What was wrong? The porch light didn’t work and a couple of the windows required security latches to be fitted. When did mandatory security latches become part of the protection of tenants? Talk about wrapping tenants in cotton wool.
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October 30, 2017 9:18am
- KKKKatee
  
  Crikey – we don’t even have security latches on our windows!
  
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  October 30, 2017 10:24am
- VicParking
  
  Filled in the wellness check for my house. Failed.
  Could not even rent it to students if I shifted it to Dundas St.
  
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  October 30, 2017 10:35am
  - softail 1450
    
    VP , accidental down tick there vp ,meant to be uptick,,,,,
    
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    October 30, 2017 10:48am
- Salacious Crumb
  
  One assumes that had they installed security latches they would have failed on the basis of them preventing escape in a fire?
  
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  October 30, 2017 10:45am
- cmm
  
  It also failed because there were no “Please remember to breath in and out.” safety signs.
  
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  October 30, 2017 10:46am
Manolo

It is all on:
http://nypost.com/2017/10/28/robert-mueller-should-resign/

https://www.buzzfeed.com/jasonleopold/fbi-probe-of-paul-manafort-focuses-on-13-suspicious-wire?utm_term=.gwDLBwdkP#.xiVLbA9rR
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October 30, 2017 9:48am
Chuck Bird

I wonder what out new refugee Green MP thinks if this qualifies for hate speech.

Calls to expel Iran diplomat from NZ after fiery anti-Israel speech ‘fuels radicalism’

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/98300391/iran-diplomat-under-fire-for-antiisrael-speech-in-auckland
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October 30, 2017 9:48am
- Kimbo
  
  Well, as he was restating what is official and well-known Iranian government policy – and no matter how odious it is arguably better to have a diplomat speak the truth than deceive with platitudes – I think many Kiiwbloggers would agree that more pertinent and relevant questions for New Zealanders are
  
  …have you received official clarification yet, Chuck Bird, on the new government’s policies regarding the scheduling of a referendum on the abolition of the Maori seats
  
  …and did NZ First even bother to press the matter in the coalition negotiations?
  
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  October 30, 2017 9:53am
- Kimbo
  
  Also, if you expel him for stating official Iranian government policy, we would, in effect, be breaking off diplomatic relations with Iran, over an issue
  
  1. no other country in the world takes the same stance
  
  2. at a time, since Obama’s administration, when the West has been seeking to develop relations with the Iranians, and
  
  3. with possible damage to our sheep meat exports and other trade with Iran – which have been a regular feature of our economy since we developed relations with the previous, Israel-recognising, but nonetheless human-rights abusing regime of the Shah back in the mid 1970s.
  
  On a brighter note, in accordance with our (correct IMHO) co-sponsoring of UNSC2334, we would indeed demonstrate we are an “honest broker”. Not that any of the belligerents in the Middle East, including the Israelis, is likely to give a shit. Only they will say it more diplomatically than that…as diplomats usually do! 😉
  
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  October 30, 2017 10:02am
- Nigel Kearney
  
  Hate speech is not a crime. But thanks to the legislation passed by National, the person who put this speech online for us all to see may end up being prosecuted.
  
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  October 30, 2017 10:04am
- Manolo
  
  Barbarian Muslims of the worst kind.
  Long live the Jewish State!
  
  12 0
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  October 30, 2017 10:11am
  - VicParking
    
    Be afraid they are coming, not for us, but our Grand Kids. Is this the legacy we wish to leave. “They had the chance but did nothing”
    
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    October 30, 2017 10:39am
- Longknives
  
  Golriz? Golriz are you there??..
  
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  October 30, 2017 11:04am
Digmen1

Look at the problems muslims are causing in the Philipines and Somalia, and Iraq and Libya and Nigeria etc etc.

Long live Myanmar, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia and Israel.
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October 30, 2017 10:46am
- Digmen1
  
  Let alone the terrorist attacks in Germany, France, the UK and Belgium.
  And all of the extra expense that we all have to pay for airport and general security and police time.
  
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  October 30, 2017 11:17am
RF

After 9 years of Labour with their faces pushed up against the window looking envious they are quickly undoing many of Nations very successful policies.

It’s lipstick on a pig as it’s their same old shit.
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October 30, 2017 11:08am
- Digmen1
  
  Sadly National were not very good at selling their successful policies.
  
  Eg how well was the 90 day trial working?
  How many ex-prisoners etc got jobs because of it and kept he,
  
  Eg How many less solo mums did we have?
  
  What was Whanau Ora?
  
  Show some actual examples of rivers being cleaned up
  
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  October 30, 2017 11:15am
Maggy Wassilieff

Oh my goodness…
RNZ website hosts a less-than-laudatory analysis of the minimum wage increase (cribbed from The Spinoff)

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/342652/triumph-or-disaster-a-guide-to-the-minimum-wage-increase
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October 30, 2017 11:12am
Longknives

If Jacinda ‘Capitalism has Failed’ Ardern hates money and the evils it brings so much- Then why is she whoring herself to the big spending Woman’s Day magazine? Are we to believe she is doing this for free??
*And has she announced how much of her 500k salary she is giving away to those ‘Poverdy’ stricken children yet??
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October 30, 2017 11:21am
- treadingthemill
  
  If Jacinda ‘Capitalism has Failed’ Ardern hates money and the evils it brings so much-
  
  Do you have a link to her saying she hates money? I already know she did not claim Capitalism had failed, that was a journalist creating a click bait headline out of what she actually said. For people who like to claim that the mainstream media is untrustworthy it’s funny how often poor journalism by that same media is held up as incontrovertible truth,
  
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  October 30, 2017 12:40pm
  - VicParking
    
    She hates money like her commrade commo mate Putin does…….
    
    11 2
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    October 30, 2017 12:50pm
    - waikatogirl
      
      No, she hates people who have more money than the poor unfortunates who can’t manage their own lives. Oh, hang on, how much does she earn these days?!
      
      11 0
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      October 30, 2017 1:41pm
      - Paulus
        
        Perhaps as a non Capitalist she will give her salary to Charities like Key did.
        
        10 1
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        October 30, 2017 2:54pm
    - Paulus
      
      Putin is now considered one of the richest man in the World – even more so than Mugabe and Zuma.
      He takes 10% of everything in which he does not have majority shares.
      Gulag if you do not think that fair.
      
      6 1
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      October 30, 2017 2:52pm
      - realityczech
        
        Putin has lifted Russia to new heights and wealth, in spite of sanctions by the Jewish controlled USA due to Russia getting on ok with Iran.
        
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        October 30, 2017 8:17pm
  - Longknives
    
    http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/jacinda-ardern-capitalism-has-failed-new-zealanders/news-story/d8dd86ac01419bcd6e8a1b7ebdbf03bc
    
    “Ms Ardern has cited New Zealand’s poverty and homelessness among her top priorities, yesterday calling capitalism a “blatant failure” in her country.”
    
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    October 30, 2017 3:46pm
    - Longknives
      
      That was for Treadingthemill- Who does not seem to believe his beloved People’s Princess said such a thing…
      
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      October 30, 2017 3:47pm
    - Doubledimp
      
      Twyford was stating to end homelessness. I think by housing the un-housable, maintenance costs for social housing will skyrocket.
      
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      October 30, 2017 8:00pm
  - All_on_Red
    
    TreadingtheMill says
    ‘ I already know she did not claim Capitalism had failed, ‘
    Lol, another day where you show how little you know. Or, you’re a LIAR
    Watch this video.
    http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/10/homelessness-proves-capitalism-is-a-blatant-failure-jacinda-ardern.html
    
    ‘That’s a blatant failure, what else can you describe it as’
    
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    October 30, 2017 5:30pm
Fletch

Apparently, Stephen Joyce is asking Labour to “front up quickly” with the cost of their policies.

“Mr Robertson has done two long-form interviews over this weekend and yet New Zealanders are still none the wiser about the cost of the coalition’s programme and the impact on their back pockets,” Mr Joyce, a former finance minister says.

He says Mr Robertson has access to advice about the costs of policies but doesn’t want to reveal the numbers.

“New Zealand’s healthy government accounts are the product of the hard work of millions of Kiwis. They are entitled to know how much has gone out of their collective pockets in the process of forming this government.

“They also have a right to know whether the new government’s spending plans in actual dollars will match the cast-iron commitments Labour repeatedly made before the election.”

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/national-party-want-government-front-up-quickly-cost-policies
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October 30, 2017 11:22am
- Manolo
  
  Clarity, precision, diligence and accuracy are qualities unknown to the lazy Mr Robertson.
  
  Unfortunately, he is the Minister of Finance and NZ will be soon paying dearly for the mistake.
  
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  October 30, 2017 11:47am
- ex-golfer
  
  Reality is kicking in.
  Labour and their colleagues are going to find being in Government a very different kettle of fish.
  Firstly you have to be accountable.
  Secondly you have to acvtually do some work.
  
  Opposition is an easy place to snipe and sneer and make all sorts of statements about how differently you would do it.
  
  Of course they could always fall back to the old faithful of blaming the previous Government for every problem they encounter.
  
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  October 30, 2017 11:54am
  - Don the Kiwi
    
    Yes – the Obama strategy.
    
    13 1
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    October 30, 2017 12:08pm
  - Inandout
    
    This suits the greatest non-worker Winston. All speak but no responsibility.
    
    10 0
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    October 30, 2017 12:38pm
  - treadingthemill
    
    Reality is kicking in.
    
    I really wish it would pay a visit to many of the people on Kiwiblog.
    
    So far I have heard: Jacinda is a communist, communism is on it’s way to New Zealand, the country is about to be flooded with millions of Muslims, property rights will disappear, huge statues and photos of Jacinda are going to go up around the country, gulags may be set up anytime now, and various other hair brained nonsense. Reality seems very far away…
    
    3 26
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    October 30, 2017 12:42pm
    - Garbageman
      
      Streuth if you dont like a bit of humor mixed in with cold hard facts then the door is that way —> or you could take a pill & chill out but thanks for your help over the last 9 years when JK & his family were getting abused daily im sure you were vigorously defending that vile shit spewed out on other blogs & our pathetic excuse for a MSM
      
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      October 30, 2017 1:12pm
    - JasonJohns
      
      Alarmists are misrepresenting kiwiblog
      http://readingthemaps.blogspot.co.nz/2017/10/fomenting-happy-murder.html
      http://readingthemaps.blogspot.co.nz/2017/10/is-jacinda-commie.html
      
      7 1
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      October 30, 2017 2:28pm
- VicParking
  
  Its was pointed out to Adern this morning, when she said “we have our own estimates of what it would cost”, that they had access to the Treasury to provide them with the figures. “We wont get the treasury figures till Xmas (half year update”. Bullshit the Treasury provide ongoing figures all the time.
  
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  October 30, 2017 12:56pm
Maxx

So David Parker (I think it was him) said that the Government is going to be larger, increasing it from 28% of GDP to 30%.

By my calculations that’s another $4b of spending. They must be financial geniuses if they can get all of that into a balanced budget!
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October 30, 2017 11:59am
- UrbanNeocolonialist
  
  NZ GDP is $270billion, a 2% increase in Govt spending is $5.4billion per year.
  
  13 0
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  October 30, 2017 12:51pm
  - Maxx
    
    Sorry. I must’ve been allowing for the “we fucked the economy and now GDP is less” amount.
    
    Of course when they do fuck the economy it will be 35% of GDP.
    
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    October 30, 2017 1:56pm
Don the Kiwi

Yes, but remember they are going to do the impossible, and lift our surplus to 4% for the next 3 years – they are so much better than National.
13 1
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October 30, 2017 12:10pm
- Digmen1
  
  And start paying into the Cullen Fund
  
  8 1
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  October 30, 2017 1:02pm
  - Maxx
    
    And then direct the fund to spend on their pet projects.
    
    Two birds, one stone.
    
    6 0
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    October 30, 2017 1:57pm
  - Paulus
    
    And using the Cullen fund money for their own socialist use you mean.
    
    7 1
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    October 30, 2017 2:56pm
realityczech

The religion of peace …

In Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, where the rule of law sometimes takes a back seat to the rule of God, zealots are on a campaign to stamp out behavior they consider unchaste. They hurl stones at women for such “sins” as wearing a red blouse and attack stores selling devices that can access the Internet.
In recent weeks, self-styled “modesty patrols” have been accused of breaking into the apartment of a Jerusalem woman and beating her for allegedly consorting with men. They have torched a store that sells MP4 players, fearing devout Jews would use them to download pornography.
“These breaches of purity and modesty endanger our community,” said 38-year-old Elchanan Blau, defending the bearded, black-robed zealots. “If it takes fire to get them to stop, then so be it.”

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/27023066/ns/world_news-world_faith/t/jewish-modesty-patrols-sow-fear-israel/#.WfZkeFSCyyI

This same cult recently declared war on NZ for not supporting their human rights and legal abuses against civilians.
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October 30, 2017 12:33pm
- Brito
  
  Just out of curiosity realityzech, did the holocaust occur?
  
  6 1
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  October 30, 2017 1:12pm
- david
  
  Ignorance may be your excuse. The “ultra-orthodox” part of Judaism is a tiny minority. Akin to branding all Catholics with the practises and interpretations of the Jesuits.
  
  10 2
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  October 30, 2017 1:37pm
  - kowtow
    
    Care to elaborate on that Catholic/Jesuit thing?
    
    1 3
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    October 30, 2017 2:44pm
  - Odakyu-sen
    
    The “ultra-orthodox” communities in Israel cause a fair amount of trouble with their reliance on welfare, non-productive studies, and refusal to serve in the armed forces.
    Since they are against the modern man-made Jewish state in principle, you have to ask yourself why they choose to live there. (It must be the climate.)
    
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    October 30, 2017 2:51pm
    - Classic Liberal
      
      ‘(It must be the climate.)’
      
      No way. I’ve read how they ‘have to’ dress: stockings and long skirts for instance. It would be painfully hot. The women even tend to wear wigs: imagine that in a hot climate.
      
      No modern person admires this small, extreme portion of judaism.
      
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      October 30, 2017 5:03pm
  - realityczech
    
    Ignorance may be your excuse. The extremist part of Islam is a tiny minority. Akin to branding all Catholics with the practises and interpretations of the Jesuits.
    
    1 4
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    October 30, 2017 5:08pm
    - lifesgood
      
      And what is wrong with Jesuits?
      
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      October 30, 2017 6:49pm
- tom hunter
  
  Kea’s just pissed because he could never get a Jewish hottie like Orin Julie.
  
  And guys? He’s just trolling with one of his consistent themes.
  
  BTW, he actually got one of his ten bans from KB by posting a sickening video of some Latin gang’s head-hacking and blaming it on their Catholic upbringing, so this angle of argument is his usual.
  
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  October 30, 2017 1:58pm
  - Kimbo
    
    Kea’s also pissed that in JasonJohns we finally have the better and amusing standard of troll we have requested for years. ?
    
    14 2
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    October 30, 2017 2:40pm
    - Odakyu-sen
      
      Kimbo,
      
      I have long maintained that KB lift the standard for trolls on the forum.
      I would suggest at least ISO/IEC 80079-34 (for explosive atmospheres) as being the applicable standard to apply.
      
      7 1
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      October 30, 2017 2:58pm
    - All_on_Red
      
      Yeah JJ is funny.
      Much better than that whiner TreadingtheMill
      Poor wee precious.
      Lol
      
      2 4
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      October 30, 2017 2:59pm
  - Longknives
    
    Orin Julie- Giggity!
    Where can I sign on for Judaism??
    
    3 1
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    October 30, 2017 3:43pm
Manolo

You can call her crazy and mad:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/nancy-pelosi-isnt-going-anywhere-will-it-help-or-hurt-democrats-in-2018/2017/10/28/2ea9baa2-bb17-11e7-a908-a3470754bbb9_story.html?utm_term=.3f2d53cae7dd
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October 30, 2017 1:33pm
JasonJohns

Reality Czech needs to some serious self-criticism.
Would hate to be stuck with his ideology.
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October 30, 2017 2:27pm
Captain Mainwaring

Here’s something for Hugh to ponder on.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11938394
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October 30, 2017 3:12pm
Digmen1

Please – John Key giving his pm salary to charity is only a myth.

I think he said he would do it for the first year.
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October 30, 2017 3:13pm
Fletch

I just picked up a physical copy of the Herald and flicked through, and they have a reprint of a story from The Guardian (I think it was), which is also advertised on the cover about “All The President’s Men” (a clear reference to the film of the same name about Watergate). The article is all on Trump and the Russia probe and about what it could mean for Trump and his staff.

Absolutely nothing about the connection between Russia and the Clintons – the so-called “Trump dossier” paid for by Hillary and the DNC which (mis) information came through the Russians, and then the whole Uranium One scandal, where the Clinton Foundation was paid $145 million dollars by the Russians at the same time Hillary was Secretary of State and sat on a panel that gave away 20% of America’s uranium to the Russians.
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October 30, 2017 3:14pm
- Gruffydd
  
  ROFL
  Benghazi,emails, Clinton foundation …..
  Millions of written words many inquires and not even an indictment.
  Trump and Russia we have a charge already .
  Either the USA is controlled wholly by the Democrats
  Or the conservatives wingnuts are feed nonsense.
  I know which one is more likely.
  
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  October 30, 2017 3:28pm
  - Fletch
    
    Yeh, a charge coming from a team led by Mueller who was leading the FBI at the time one of their own men was undercover and alerted them about the Russia connection with the uranium deal – yet Mueller did nothing – in fact the man and his testimony were stifled and he was gagged. And Mueller’s whole team is led by democrats who have it in for Trump.
    
    If I were Trump, I ‘d fire the whole damn lot of them.
    
    We actually have evidence of Democrat/Russia collusion and no evidence at all to connect Trump and Russia. It’s a big “nothing burger” as the New York Times employee got caught saying in undercover video.
    
    Before the Obama administration approved a controversial deal in 2010 giving Moscow control of a large swath of American uranium, the FBI had gathered substantial evidence that Russian nuclear industry officials were engaged in bribery, kickbacks, extortion and money laundering designed to grow Vladimir Putin’s atomic energy business inside the United States, according to government documents and interviews.
    
    Federal agents used a confidential U.S. witness working inside the Russian nuclear industry to gather extensive financial records, make secret recordings and intercept emails as early as 2009 that showed Moscow had compromised an American uranium trucking firm with bribes and kickbacks in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, FBI and court documents show.
    
    They also obtained an eyewitness account — backed by documents — indicating Russian nuclear officials had routed millions of dollars to the U.S. designed to benefit former President Bill Clinton’s charitable foundation during the time Secretary of State Hillary Clinton served on a government body that provided a favorable decision to Moscow, sources told The Hill.
    
    The racketeering scheme was conducted “with the consent of higher level officials” in Russia who “shared the proceeds” from the kickbacks, one agent declared in an affidavit years later.
    
    Rather than bring immediate charges in 2010, however, the Department of Justice (DOJ) continued investigating the matter for nearly four more years, essentially leaving the American public and Congress in the dark about Russian nuclear corruption on U.S. soil during a period when the Obama administration made two major decisions benefiting Putin’s commercial nuclear ambitions.
    
    http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/355749-fbi-uncovered-russian-bribery-plot-before-obama-administration
    
    Face it – Hillary is as dirty as they come. Now that the informant aga order has been lifted, we’ll see what he has to say. The bitch should be in jail, but she probably won’t because she is close to being royalty in America.
    
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    October 30, 2017 3:49pm
  - Ed Snack
    
    Griff, we have only one documented case of collusion with the Russians to influence the US elections, and that’s in the Steele “Dossier”. The sources are said (in the document itself) to be a senior intelligence official and a senior person in the foreign ministry – that is actual members of Putin’s government.
    
    That document was produced for and paid for by both the DNC and the Clinton campaign (and note that the Obama campaign paid significant sums to the Lawyer/bagman who actually handled the money).
    
    Unless that dossier is a complete unreliable load of crap, that’s outright collusion with the agents of a foreign government right there – staring you in the face mate ! And of course if it IS complete garbage, why did the FBI and others use it to gain a FISA Court order to tap into the communications of the Trump campaign ?>
    
    Two options – it is garbage (and Steele made up his contacts) and the FBI (and Comey in particular) are committing a criminal act misrepresenting matters to the FISA court (and other crimes); or it is accurate at least in describing the sources, in which case the DNC and Clinton colluded with the Russians and Mueller *must* be on their cases.
    
    But he won’t do that, he’s too deeply in hock to the Clinton’s over the Uranium One “affair”, where he colluded with the Obama administration and the Clintons to cover up crimes and enable wholesale bribery and corruption to take place.
    
    A special counsel is needed to investigate Comey, Mueller, the Clintons, and others in the Obama administration up to and including Obama himself for obstructing justice and corruption. Mueller and others in his team really need to have 3 am unannounced raids made on their houses to gather evidence – sauce for the goose and all that…
    
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    October 30, 2017 4:47pm
    - All_on_Red
      
      Apparently it’s Manafort who is going to be charged.
      It’s for wire transfers to people in the Ukraine he was dealing with in 2013.
      Nothing to do with Trump
      So they say. We will see.
      
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      October 30, 2017 5:16pm
- tom hunter
  
  Why the fuck do you bother with the Herald, Fletch? Why on earth would you expect anything different? Please tell me you did not pay for that shit?
  
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  October 30, 2017 3:47pm
  - Fletch
    
    Nah, I found a copy laying around. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t actually spend money on it…lol
    
    6 1
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    October 30, 2017 3:51pm
  - Classic Liberal
    
    But we need to know what the masses are being fed and believing. This morning on Nat Radio too: smug Schadenfreude in the news, obviously they believe that Mueller will somehow take down Trump. No mention at all of the p**sgate dossier.
    
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    October 30, 2017 5:12pm
Captain Mainwaring

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/98362705/phillip-smith-claims-maximum-security-a-breach-of-human-rights

Boo-hoo, this despicable prick doesn’t like it in jail.
And his victim doesn’t like being dead either.
Somebody please find a way to cut off his oxygen supply.
Or is he putting out feelers for Ms. Jacinda Fix-Everything to take pity on him?
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October 30, 2017 3:34pm
- Brito
  
  Put him out in the general prison population and you’ll probably find that his oxygen supply be under threat, but also his desire for the maximum security wing will suddenly increase at an extraordinary rate.
  
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  October 30, 2017 4:08pm
- Digmen1
  
  That guy (or his lawyer) is unbelievable.
  
  They should add ten years every time he loses a case.
  
  Why do we allow prisoners to make such cases?
  
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  October 30, 2017 6:48pm
cmm

MSM still batting hard for Jacinda:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/98301154/rocking-the-feelgood-factor-and-freddys-drop

Appartently our love for her spans generations and National better dump stale pale male Bill and find someone more youthful.

No matter that people HATE Jacinda and Labour.

They only HATE Winston more because he served her up to us!

According to the latest Colmar Brunton poll (corrected for leftie bias), Labour is back in the 20%s and National could govern alone.

Which planet do the MSM fuckwits live on?
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October 30, 2017 4:25pm
- MCos
  
  According to the Colmar Brunton website their latest poll was conducted before the election more than a month ago.
  https://www.colmarbrunton.co.nz/news/political-polls/
  
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  October 30, 2017 8:17pm
Nookin

I think I read somewhere that Colin James, a political journalist, had forgone voting in order to preserve his sense of political independence.
I have always had the feeling that James was objective in his commentary.
Not so, this guy. I have always sensed that he had a political agenda. I wonder how long he has been associated with NZ First? https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/98376714/political-scientist-jon-johansson-appointed-nz-first-chief-of-staff-by-winston-peters
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October 30, 2017 4:42pm
Brito

In 1846 there was a battle in Northland which according to history the Poms lost. The Stuff headline suggested that the negative affects from this battle still scar Northland today.

Really? How much koha will the taxpayer have to pay to heal this? If the locals are after reparations shouldn’t they go hat in hand to the English parliament and request an audience? I’d buy a ticket to that hearing.

And the New Zealand Wars? Wasn’t there one war with a series of battles, or have I missed something?

Why do we not have a memorial-day for the Musket Wars? Lets all think back to those days when iwi v iwi meant that slaves and heads were abundantly available for the winner.

No! Too uncomfortable perhaps or maybe there isn’t a buck in it?

Time to look up and realise that the 21st Century is up and running folks.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/98218154/looking-back-on-the-northern-war-will-help-inform-ngapuhis-future
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October 30, 2017 4:47pm
- nasska
  
  From your link:
  
  ….”Contemporary Māori poverty, for example, so evident throughout much of Northland, makes little sense without an understanding of this historical context, leaving some to resort to deficit theories blaming Māori themselves for their predicament.”…..
  
  What’s there to understand? The local Maori didn’t want a bar of the British which is the sole theme of the article.
  
  They obviously spurned European contact & were largely left alone to get on with whatever they were doing. Now their dismal failure is the fault of the pakeha with deep pockets.
  
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  October 30, 2017 5:16pm
- nasska
  
  Currently the CEO & myself are holidaying in the Far North. It’s a repeat of visits made & times enjoyed several times in the past few years.
  
  We’ve ventured deep into Hone Harawira country & even as a big old pakeha I’ve never been abused or threatened. Most of the people we’ve met, Maori & pakeha, have been good value kiwis getting on with life & dealing with the cards as they fall.
  
  This is what pisses me off about the Stuff article. One battle is made out to be a game changer when many other factors are far more pertinent. Anyone with five minutes spare might want to follow this link:
  
  https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/far-north-tail-of-the-fish/
  
  Nothing is as black & white as the airheads of the MSM make it seem.
  
  (And until you’ve tasted mussels & chips from the Awanui takeaway outfit you haven’t lived.) 🙂
  
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  October 30, 2017 6:10pm
  - realityczech
    
    ” mussels & chips”
    
    They are on the list of unauthorised foods and will be heavily taxed.
    
    Now line up at the state store for your bread and cabbages.
    
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    October 30, 2017 7:47pm
    - nasska
      
      Anyone who stands between me & a decent feed of mussels & chips would be a poor candidate for life insurance RC.
      
      If Comrade Toothypegs had been introduced to such delicacies at a young age she wouldn’t be a miserable socialist. 🙂
      
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      October 30, 2017 7:54pm
      - realityczech
        
        Count on a fat tax along with sugar.
        
        The trouble is fat is not what is causing heart disease, diabetes and obesity. It is our high carb [its all sugar] eating. Main stream medicine is finally , ever so slowly, beginning to admit they bullshitted us with the low-fat fad that started in the 70’s based on shonky science.
        
        So eat up while you can afford them. She will also put up the price of cheaper booze that the working classes drink.
        
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        October 30, 2017 8:01pm
      - Left Right and Centre
        
        People can look shit up for themselves – they don’t need your frothing version of crackpot bullshit.
        
        You’re like a retard screaming fire – even if there is a fire, you think yeah right.
        
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        October 31, 2017 4:01am
Johnboy

What a bastard. Developing something this big could make the coalition of losers look like good economic managers. 🙂
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/98380838/nzog-field-could-earn-32b-in-royalties-report
No sweat the Melons will stop it in it’s tracks! 🙂
14 1
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October 30, 2017 5:59pm
- RF
  
  That just might test the love in. The greens will be spewing if Labour expresses any interest.
  
  Popcorn time……
  
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  October 30, 2017 6:04pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  Jacinda hasn’t ruled out deep-sea oil and gas exploration….
  She wants us to have a “just-transition”….
  http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1709/S00203/jacinda-ardern-refuses-to-stop-deep-sea-oil-drilling.htm
  
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  October 30, 2017 7:41pm
RF

I see Labours chief whip is Ruth Dyson.

Boy child from the Greens is telling anyone who will listen that he is also a whip. Thought you needed balls for that job…..
10 1
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October 30, 2017 6:01pm
- Manolo
  
  Exactly. That explains why few believe him.
  
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  October 30, 2017 6:04pm
- Johnboy
  
  Some of the labour “ladies” will be able to donate him a set without losing their masculinity. 🙂
  
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  October 30, 2017 6:26pm
tom hunter

Awesome fucking win to the Astros to leave them at 3-2 in the World Series.

Jesus, after yesterday’s tight pitching into the 9th – what a slugfest – they won 13-12 after being down 0-4. Lead changed hands several times, with each side getting leads that would normally be considered unbeatable.

Emotionally this can’t compare to 2016 – but this really was a brilliant game and it’s turning into a brilliant series.

Back to LA and 50:50 odds to win the series over two games – I’ll take those odds for Houston!!!!
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October 30, 2017 6:46pm
- Kimbo
  
  Funny – thought I posted an update and a link when the game went into extra innings. Must have been distracted by JFK assassinations, and Kea’s now dull attempts at pyrotechnics.
  
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  October 30, 2017 7:37pm
Viking2

But this wasn’t just any group of thugs. This was a rally addressed by two MPs from a party that is now part of the New Zealand government: Marama Davidson and Golriz Ghahraman of the Green Party. There is no hint that these MPs stood in front of the rally and urged restraint, reminding the rally participants that we live in a free land, in a democracy, where the freedom to speak one’s mind, to protest – perhaps especially in the grounds of Parliament – is intrinsic to our liberty. Or to point out that freedom of speech – liberty – means something only if it applies to those with whom one disagrees, perhaps very strongly.

But it does leave questions for (a) the two Green MPs, (b) James Shaw, minister of the Crown and Green Party leader, and (c) the Prime Minister. Is the freedom to protest – without fear of a bigger group of thugs breaking up the protest – something they believe in? Does it apply even to groups you disagree with strongly, or only to those who support comfortable causes? And does the Prime Minister regard the involvement of members of Parliament, from a party whose votes she relies on to govern, in such disruptive rallies as acceptable conduct? In the grounds of Parliament no less? As a reminder, there is no merit in defending the right to speak or to protest of those ones happens to agree with, or whose views one is simply indifferent to. It only means something if you stand up for, and respect, the rights of those you strongly disagree with, perhaps even deplore.

https://croakingcassandra.com/

These are, after all, MPs who should know better. Davidson herself participates in protests in support of overseas terrorist organisation. I count that as pretty despicable, but it is her right (at least in New Zealand). Ghahraman is apparently a “human rights lawyer”. I don’t put much stock by the New Zealand Bill of Rights myself, but it is an act of the New Zealand Parliament of which Ghahraman is now a member. It states, quite simply,

16 Freedom of peaceful assembly

Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly.

Best blog/opinion comment I have seen in years.
Calls out the hypocrisy of the Greens and labour and its constituent MP’s.

Wonder what wonder man Shaw is going to say about this?
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October 30, 2017 7:34pm
nasska

Recent studies have shown that 60% of those living in South Auckland suffer from obesity.

The other 40% don’t seem to mind.
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October 30, 2017 8:38pm
Fletch

For anyone interested, The Orville is on Duke at the moment. It’s a kind of weekly parody of Star Trek: the Next Generation written by Seth McFarlane (Family Guy, etc). It is actually more serious than you might think.

Anyway, in tonight’s episode, they go to an Earth-like society which is based on up and down votes (eg, Facebook), and anyone under so many votes can be arrested and have to go on an apology tour.
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October 30, 2017 8:58pm
- Left Right and Centre
  
  Good for Seth – still working with 100s of millions to his name.
  
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  October 31, 2017 4:08am
Doubledimp

John Key says we won’t re-enter Pike River unless it’s safe, and the media loses their shit. Andrew Little says basically the same thing on One News tonight, and I expect the response from the media tomorrow will be crickets chirping. What a world we live in.
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October 30, 2017 10:10pm
- realityczech
  
  I expect the media will apportion blame to Key if anyone gets hurt during the entry.
  
  Just like he sank the Rena and caused the Christchurch earthquakes. 🙂
  
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  October 30, 2017 10:24pm
Fletch

SO it turns out that years ago Kevin Spacey tried to sexually seduce a 14 year. Now he has played his get-out-of-jail card and come out as gay. You couldn’t write this stuff.

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/entertainment/kevin-spacey-reveals-hes-gay-he-responds-allegation-tried-seduce-14-year-old-actor

It just goes to show what a den of vice Hollywood really is. It’s all being exposed to the light now, and I don’t expect it will end anytime soon.
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October 30, 2017 10:27pm
- realityczech
  
  Artists have always been flaky kooks. What do you expect ?
  
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  October 30, 2017 10:49pm
Hugh Pavletich

NEW ZEALANDS NEW HOUSING MINISTER PHIL TWYFORD STARTS ON SORTING THE HOUSING CRISIS …

New Zealand new Housing Minister Phil Twyford spells it out clearly to the slow learners of the property industry … such as Ashley Church of the Property (Valuers) Institute …

Kiwibuild housing plan should be led by private sector says Property Institute … TVNZ

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/kiwibuild-housing-plan-should-led-private-sector-says-property-institute

… extract …

… Another idea is to create satellite cities in places like Paerata, south of Auckland.

Mr Twyford said it would take a few years to get that up and running but he’s interested in 10 to 15 large new urban development projects around Auckland and “most of those you’d want in the city in places like Henderson and Manukau” … VIEW & READ more via hyperlink above …
.
.
… with the abolition of Auckland’s urban limits and bond financing of infrastructure nationally on the horizon as well …

Housing – New Zealand Labour Party

http://www.labour.org.nz/housing

… extract …

Remove barriers that are stopping Auckland growing up and out

Labour will remove the Auckland urban growth boundary and free up density controls. This will give Auckland more options to grow, as well as stopping landbankers profiteering and holding up development. New developments, both in Auckland and the rest of New Zealand, will be funded through innovative infrastructure bonds.
.
.
The development and construction sectors will respond rapidly … allowing the government to meet its housing aspirations.

Robertson asks to be judged on how Labour govt lifts productivity; Says foreign investment still welcome, just not in existing houses; Is ‘realistic’ about RBNZ’s ability to effect full employment | interest.co.nz

https://www.interest.co.nz/news/90604/robertson-asks-be-judged-how-labour-govt-lifts-productivity-says-foreign-investment-still

Welcome to the real world Mr Church !
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October 31, 2017 4:20am
Manolo

The long arm of justice:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41804740

Donald Trump’s former presidential campaign manager, Paul Manafort, has been charged with conspiring to defraud the US in his dealings with Ukraine.

The 12 charges brought against Mr Manafort and one of his business associates, Rick Gates, include conspiracy to launder money.
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October 31, 2017 6:44am
Doubledimp

This direct intervention crap is only going to end in tears. Those of us older than 50 remember Rob Muldoons reign and his interfering with the economy. Can you imagine what this lot will do?

“Coming Soon – Homeless Days! That’s right, with a lack of reasonable accommodation, one day a week your family will be forced to move out to make way for someone you wouldn’t say boo too in normal interaction. Feel the love as you help someone less fortunate than yourselves, maybe even through no fault of their own (if you are lucky), Be assured, your MPs are so important to keeping this scheme going that we will exempt them from this socialist experiment”
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October 31, 2017 6:54am

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