General Debate 10 May 2018

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waikatogirl

Chaos this morning in Auckland with the train service into Britomart central city station severely cut due to 3 carriages derailing yesterday morning in the tunnel. Three platforms will open, but two will remain closed in the central city hub until it can be worked out how to get the carriages back on track.
No reason has been given as to what caused the derailment?
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May 10, 2018 8:02am
- Shaun the Sheep
  
  A failure to maintain contact with the rails due to inadequate maintenance by the former National government over all 9 years.
  And John Key because.
  //
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:05am
- cmm
  
  ” No reason has been given as to what caused the derailment?”
  
  Shit happens. Trains get derailed.
  
  Rail is a very fragile form of transport due to the lack of flexibility. Derailment, suicide on tracks, crash on tracks, strike, earthquake, electrical failure, points failure, signalling failure… they all bring rail to a stand still.
  
  Really dumb idea in NZ.
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:12am
  - hullkiwi
    
    Wait until CRL is completed and they start withdrawing redundant bus services.
    
    What are the chances AT will be able to call up the bus companies for emergency bus-tail replacements in the future at short notice.
    
    Answer = zero chance!
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:17am
  - flipper
    
    “ … lack of flexibility. Derailment, suicide on tracks, crash on tracks, strike, earthquake, electrical failure, points failure, signalling failure… they all bring rail to a stand s ….
    
    No just change all that to read “The Peters-Ardern Regime and we would be on the right “track”.
    
    Of course the BS over a BS stoneage language being made compulsory in our schools when half the youngsters cannot speak, write or understand English ….. that speaks volumes for the intelligence of the idiots at the helm (and those who put them there)>
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:29am
  - RW Capitalist
    
    Many moons ago, on my OE, I worked for British Rail as a signals tech.
    They are probably at least 20 times bigger than anything in NZ. They had fewer “derailments” or serious incidents than we have here.
    Up shot:
    They can’t run the railway we have now, why are they wanting to expand it.
    
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    May 10, 2018 9:01am
  - doggone7
    
    You got it, shit happens, trains get derailed.
    
    Roads don’t have derailments. Nor are there suicides on roads, crashes on roads, earthquakes, electrical failures with traffic lights, or logging trucks flipping over roads, or mental midgets out to prove their limited intellect, or unsafe vehicles, or drunk or drugged drivers, or trees and rocks falling on to them, or the need for constant expensive upkeep. All good reasons to be rid of rail.
    
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    May 10, 2018 11:02am
- G152
  
  But but but rail is the answer to all the traffic problems in Auckland.
  We have Cindys word on it and she wouldn’t lie
  
  would she?
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:21am
  - starboard
    
    Cinders was being transparent, so it’s definitely kosha.
    
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    May 10, 2018 10:46am
- kowtow
  
  Auckland?
  
  When I watched the story on the “news” last night judging by the passengers exiting the station I thought it was a story from Mumbai.
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:27am
  - hullkiwi
    
    At least the people of Mumbai have a clue as to where they are going, unlike the dumbed down populace of Auckland Who seem to have the intelligence quota of Forest Gump.
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:43am
  - Simon
    
    “When I watched the story on the “news” last night judging by the passengers exiting the station I thought it was a story from Mumbai.”
    
    Very true. Given how shitty and expensive AUckland has become due to open doors immigration the only people who will want to move to Auckland are third worlders.
    
    You should see the shitty housing being built around Auckland. 100 apartment boxes that only third worlders want to live in. Auckland Shitty badly needs the rates income and mass third worlders to support its white elephant transport projects.
    
    If you are from Germany or the UK why the fuck would you want to live in Auckland. If you are from a shit hole like India then ok AUckland will do.
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:46am
    - Interested Party
      
      Simon reading between the lines I’m sensing you don’t like Auckland
      
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      May 10, 2018 9:24am
    - rockape
      
      Germans and pomms like me are all in Nelson!Living the good life!
      
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      May 10, 2018 11:13am
    - Odakyu-sen
      
      I flew over Pukekohe yesterday and was appalled by the way that subdivision is swallowing up horticultural land.
      What I noticed more was the detached houses in name only. The had Japanese-sized footprints and spaces of less than a meter between the walls of adjacent dwellings. They were effectively terrace houses.
      
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      May 10, 2018 11:27am
- Sir Cullen's Sidekick
  
  Why are you not taking Twitford’s light rail built by my Kiwisaver funds??
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:00am
- DifferentPerspective
  
  If you are forced onto commuter trains you can be punished. Strikes can be held, socialism’s power can be exercised. Unions can extort. The rail unions around the world were once a force to be reckoned with. They had the power to starve business of workers and raw materials.
  
  Socialists long for the days when those powers could be exercised. They want to bring them back.
  
  Socialists even are not above acting like organised crime and raiding pension funds to pay for socialist wet-dream projects.
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:18am
- softail 1450
  
  waikatogirl , the russians of course according to hillary clinton??
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:22am
- fluffykiwi
  
  I understand the train ended up on the wrong track, heading towards another train and the breaks were applied heavily.
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:26am
- Dave Mann
  
  Given that the derailment happened so close to the station and the train was only crawling along, I would say it was either a taniwha or a points fault.
  
  As cmm said above, shit happens…… but what I find ridiculous is the length of time taken to fix the problem. The investigation ‘team’ took over 5 hours to arrive FFS!
  
  As to how to get the carriages back on the rails, isn’t this one of the basics of running a railway? I mean…. I know this sounds like a far out crazy idea, but how about using a crane thingy whatisname?
  
  WHY the delay? I suppose OSH throttled the process, or maybe everybody had to wait until the Maoris came along to ‘bless’ the site (just in case it was a taniwha) ?
  
  Not acceptable in a first world country. Oh wait…..
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:37am
  - Dave Mann
    
    Update: As of this evening, AT is still reporting delays and disruption to train services.
    
    These people are incompetent fuckwits. They wouldn’t be allowed to underperform in this way in any properly run country. Three carriages came off the rails 32 hours ago (without even tipping over) and the rail system in our largest city is thrown into chaos.
    
    Idiots. We should ask the Chinese to take it over.
    
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    May 10, 2018 6:04pm
alex Masterley

UMR research seems to suggest that the majority of NZers want the government to collect more tax!
Thats fine if the increase is as a consequence of more companies making profits and more tax-payers paying tax, but if it is visited on existing taxpayers then the government can piss off.
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May 10, 2018 8:03am
- waikatogirl
  
  “UMR research seems to suggest that the majority of NZers want the government to collect more tax!”
  
  I suspect those surveyed only wish tax to be collected from all the nasty “rich pricks”. ?
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:14am
  - RalphT
    
    And a rich prick is anyone earning more than you, whether that be $50,000 or $150,000
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:23am
  - Dafixeruppa
    
    Actually Waikatogirl, that is exactly what they said.
    The respondents want rich people taxed more including assets and given to them.
    Let’s not focus on improving everyone’s lot, let’s focus on dragging everyone down to the lowest common denominator, making everyone equally miserable.
    Thanks Winnie.
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:43am
    - Sir Cullen's Sidekick
      
      The respondents are unwashed Greenies under the influence of cannabis.
      
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      May 10, 2018 9:01am
- hullkiwi
  
  Alex, remember URM is the polling company of the Labour parddyyy.
  
  So, is such a poll result really surprising?
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:21am
  - Sir Cullen's Sidekick
    
    Commissioned by the Labour lapdog CTU.
    
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    May 10, 2018 9:01am
    - KevOB
      
      ~~Commissioned by the Labour lapdog CTU.~~
      Commissioned by the CTU lapdog Labour.
      
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      May 10, 2018 9:25am
  - Piniwi
    
    Right hullkiwi it is just another episode in the pre budget propaganda Media party support for the COL. Then they offered this:
    “The CTU’s submission to the Tax Working Group says the group of trade unions would support measures including:
    
    Reducing the rate of GST to 12.5 %
    
    A capital gains tax that excludes the family home
    
    Increasing the highest tax brackets to 38 cents on income above two times the average wage (over $106,000) and to 45 cents on income three times the average wage (over $160,000)”
    
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    May 10, 2018 1:43pm
- Ed Snack
  
  You seem to have slightly misread what the survey found – Most NZ’ers want more tax paid by someone else.
  
  And companies don’t pay tax, people do. Company tax is actually paid by some combination of owners, workers, and customers. Like the “Amazon Tax” – anyone who thinks that Amazon will in anyway pay this tax is deluded; it’s a tax on NZ’ers buying from Amazon.
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:21am
  - waikatogirl
    
    “And companies don’t pay tax, people do. ”
    
    It seems every time I turn around hubby and I are discussing payment of our next company tax bill. Like us, most NZ companies are small private companies, not large faceless corporates. ?
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:49am
    - Sir Cullen's Sidekick
      
      So you are a rich prick then?
      
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      May 10, 2018 9:02am
      - fluffykiwi
        
        Highly likely they are an entity that employs other people, pays wages, and contributes towards said people’s kiwisaver.
        
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        May 10, 2018 9:28am
      - UrbanNeocolonialist
        
        AKA evil capitalist scum. Boo! Hiss!
        
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        May 10, 2018 9:35am
      - waikatogirl
        
        Depends on your yardstick SCS. ?
        
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        May 10, 2018 10:23am
    - Classic Liberal
      
      I’m already reading the TWG ‘Key Documents’, working out how much extra land tax and/or CGT they will be charging small landlords, e.g. mum & dad little rental property owners (i.e. their retirement savings), and how they will have to explain the thus necessary higher rents to tenants.
      
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      May 10, 2018 2:22pm
      - artemisia
        
        Perhaps when contemplating those higher rents, it would be worth also including the impact on rents of – extending the bright-line test, removing the ability to ring-fence rental losses, the additional costs of minimum standards under the Healthy Homes Guarantee Act, and any changes to the Residential Tenancies Act. The latter not determined yet but the government has indicated changes will support and extend tenant rights.
        
        At the same time it would be good to make a stab at rent increases arising due to the shrinking rental pool due to the above, and in addition the fiscal impact of more emergency and social housing. Also due to the shrinking rental pool that will increasingly be good for excellent tenants. But others, not so much. .
        
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        May 10, 2018 2:57pm
- Paulus
  
  This “poll” was conducted for the Unions.
  They want to increase the top tax rate at $70,000 being twice the average wage.
  Unionists – all 360,000 and all Public Servants – eg Teachers, Nurses, Midwives, Council employees, etc would be horrified at paying more tax surely.
  But we are told that we would be happy to tax the “rich” which by their definition includes these.
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:24am
  - hullkiwi
    
    In other words a bull shot survey, with leading questions to come to a predetermined result. Now where have we seen recent examples of that?
    Like:
    1. 52% of Aucklanders are happy to pay a 10% regional fuel tax; or
    2. Colmar Brunton & their election polls last year.
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:47am
  - Sir Cullen's Sidekick
    
    Kiwi suckers are ready to pay more tax to get free education and health.
    
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    May 10, 2018 9:03am
- Harkman
  
  Yes it is all in the way the question is phrased. It’ll be “Do you want high income people to pay more taxes for better social services.” These questions never include the side effects of such action, like the rich leaving NZ, bigger current account deficits, more inflation which causes higher interest rates, more government corruption, a smaller private sector etc.
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:00am
- Rich Prick
  
  Some one should tell that “majority” that IRD does take donations. Will they all form an orderly queue? No, I didn’t think so.
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:53am
- Paulus
  
  Like any survey it is what and how the questions are asked.
  UMR are the Labour Party pollsters.
  
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  May 10, 2018 2:02pm
Dave Stringer

RIP Carl Perkins
Inspiration to millions of guitar players and
Father of Rock & Roll
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May 10, 2018 8:03am
- MCos
  
  Another father of rock ‘n roll.
  
  Not to be confused with local reggae musician Carl Perkins who died today.
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:27am
  - RalphT
    
    Indeed, the blue suede shoes singer died nearly 20 years ago.
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:48am
    - Dave Stringer
      
      yep
      The local reggae ‘s death brought to mind the life of his namesake, without who bands like The Beatles maya never have existed.
      
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      May 10, 2018 8:55am
thedavincimode

You should all know that milky is doing well.

The first few days were difficult as the medical team had to find the right balance in his medication to get him stable without causing permanent frontal lobe damage. He’s hopeful that the restraints will be removed some time over this coming weekend.

In the meantime, and because of his somewhat restricted circumstances, he’s kept himself occupied by learning to type with his nose. He’s found that being severely cross-eyed has turned out to be something of a blessing in this regard although his right pupil is so severely displaced that he has to maintain a pronounced tilt of his head to the left. That doesn’t seem to bother him for some reason, although he seems a bit frustrated that the nurses won’t let him have batteries in his keyboard.

He’s very grateful that the Headmaster has provided him with access to the safe space facilities and I’m sure that your prayers and any messages of support would be most welcome.

Kia kaha milky.
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May 10, 2018 8:05am
- Shaun the Sheep
  
  Who?
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:09am
- RalphT
  
  Are you organising a collection?
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:24am
  - Paulus Gnome
    
    Yes, any spare grey matter will be gratefully accepted
    
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    May 10, 2018 9:21am
    - ldypen
      
      Oh OK, I’m off to the Beehive then.. there’s shit loads of unused grey matter there.
      
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      May 10, 2018 9:59am
- flipper
  
  Yes, it was good that a lobotomy was not required or that shock treatment was deemed unworkable. 🙂
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:35am
  - simpleton1
    
    Undoubtedly not enough solar and wind power electricity to be eco sustainable, and could risk that natural gas coal-fired base powered electric would have to be started up.
    
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    May 10, 2018 9:01am
- calendar girl
  
  So ‘mikewasmild’ was banned on 5 May, and a ban of corresponding length was recorded the same day against the name ‘mikenmild’. First real confirmation I’ve seen of two names for the same contributor.
  
  How does he get registered / recognised on KB using two different aliases?
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:32am
  - waikatogirl
    
    ‘mikenmild’ confirmed he is now ‘mikewasmild’ after being previously banned, but there was a complication getting accepted back on KB as ‘mikenmild’ .
    
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    May 10, 2018 10:29am
  - dime
    
    I dunno, but my “dime4justice” name never made it through lol
    
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    May 10, 2018 11:24am
- backster
  
  A blessing by his kaumatua might help.
  
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  May 10, 2018 11:19am
- dime
  
  lmao did milkys “no more mr nice guy, im tough” persona get him a ban?
  
  BAHAHAHA
  
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  May 10, 2018 11:23am
Humble Capitalist

Got called up to present my submission at the Employment Relations select committee meeting. They emailed to tell me they would call me with my presentation time. No phone call received and I found out the meeting was yesterday.
That’s democracy in NZ for you…
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May 10, 2018 8:05am
- Poppa
  
  They didn’t want to hear what you had to say, it wouldn’t suit the agenda
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:17am
  - Humble Capitalist
    
    Believe me it would have been 180 degrees off their agenda. It would have been beyond their comprehension anyway as I would have talked about running a business. You know the things that provide JOBS
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:37am
- waikatogirl
  
  Let’s face it HC, you weren’t going to say anything they were interested in hearing. Your name is on the official list of submitters but they were never going to notify you. The CoL is all about smoke and mirrors and it will be your fault for not turning up! ?
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:21am
- flipper
  
  That is the norm in Duck country…..
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:37am
- Sideoiler
  
  Davey Hughes of Swazi outdoor clothing, (Darren Hughe’s uncle) sugesting that there will be no viable textile industry in New Zealand within two years. http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=2018644249
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:18am
  - 3-coil
    
    Well Dave Hughes, this stuck-in-the-mud Labour Party apologist idiot, wasted his vote then didn’t he!
    
    What’s he bleating about when he’s helped create the problem! The “feelgood” rise in the minimum wage (etc etc) doesn’t feel so good when the reality collides with your business’ bottom line does it Davo. When Swazi goes tits up (“2 years” ?? ) he can glow in the feelgood buzz that it was for the common good (more unemployed beneficiary voters to prop up his beloved Labour Party).
    
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    May 10, 2018 10:29am
  - Duxton
    
    Perhaps he could diversify into a new product, such as a Swazi Ball.
    
    “A Swazi Ball?”, I hear you ask.
    
    It’s like a Swiss Ball, but with a handle on either side. His nephew could help with the design.
    
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    May 10, 2018 12:44pm
    - cha
      
      Been done.
      
      https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71AXinQG5GL._SY679_.jpg
      
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      May 10, 2018 2:44pm
Inandout

Seems people actually enjoy haggling when buying a new car, not buying online. Toyota sales are down 29% and heads will no doubt roll (in the nicest possible way).
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May 10, 2018 8:05am
- Salacious Crumb
  
  No doubt compounded by the availability of other vehicle brands that give equal reliability and greater features for the same price or less.
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:10am
  - cmm
    
    Quite. There really are no unreliable cars on the market any more.
    
    Toyota has lived on its brand name for far too long and will need to sharpen its pencil if it wants to stay in business.
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:17am
    - Gravelroad
      
      Yes, Toyotas used to be the on farm vehicle of choice – but not so much anymore because they are not fit for purpose – too long, too heavy, too low to the ground.
      They are way too expensive and pitched at the recreation market rather than the on-farm working market.
      
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      May 10, 2018 8:23am
      - cmm
        
        Yup, modern utes are designed for cafe cruising in Italian leather boots.
        
        It used to be that people put thought into making a ute practical. For example, the rear lights were placed so that they would not get damaged by a bit of rough usage (loading stuff into the tray, reversing into a gate,…). Now the lights are even part of the tailgate. They wouldn’t last a week on a proper gumboot farm.
        
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        May 10, 2018 8:30am
    - hmmokrightitis
      
      Can still fit and fire a 50 cal on the flat bed of a Hilux. Maybe they should use that as a marketing point of difference.
      
      Hence why I dont do marketing 😀
      
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      May 10, 2018 8:32am
      - sooty
        
        The vehicle of choice in certain parts of the world.
        
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        May 10, 2018 6:14pm
    - big bruv
      
      “Quite. There really are no unreliable cars on the market any more.”
      
      Not sure I agree with you there. I can think of a few Italian brands that are far from reliable and nearly every Chinese brand also falls into the same category. We also should not forget that the brands we used to call British always come near the bottom of any reliability survey. As for the French, well they make very good cheese.
      
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      May 10, 2018 12:02pm
      - softail 1450
        
        big bruv ,ive been in the buisness of car repairs for 30 years and what you state is 100% correct, all japanese built cars are still far superior to the south korean,chinese,european,and various world cars from all around the planet. Bmw,Merc,Vw ,porche,Audi etc etc are great cars as long as they are still covered by a warranty.
        the absolute biggest piles of shite are from the USA,,,Thats a fact, lead by Chrysler who’s vehicles are a joke .
        
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        May 10, 2018 2:45pm
  - Inandout
    
    I agree. The days of the Top Gear indestructible Toyota are over, they aren’t built like that anymore. Most Japanese and Korean vehicles are pretty reliable now.
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:17am
- ex-golfer
  
  People could see through this “we’ll raise the prices, fix them, and tell everyone we’re making life easier for them” strategy.
  Toyota based this strategy on the sheep principle.
  Unfortunately for Toyota the average NZr is not as stupid as their marketing geniuses thought.
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:20am
- dubya
  
  Honda have had no-haggle policy for years, but then they offer an arguably premium product and have much better brand loyalty with private buyers. Reality is, Toyota don’t really have any major point of difference now their #1 reliability status is long gone, but they continue to make very bland cars (notable exceptions being the 86 coupe and the big Landcruiser).
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:21am
  - Humble Capitalist
    
    My father-in-law told them to get f-ed when they wouldn’t budge on the price a couple of years back.
    Good cars but no wonder sales have dropped.
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:42am
  - Salacious Crumb
    
    Isn’t the 86 is made by Subaru who also market it as the BRZ? Lovely sports car but they missed a trick not making it an AWD.
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:43am
    - dime
      
      under powered too
      
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      May 10, 2018 11:25am
  - marcw
    
    Toyota based a whole marketing exercise on the “talk turkey” philosophy. So much for that investment.
    
    Everyone knows it’s duck shooting season now – not ‘turkey shoot yourself in the foot’ time.
    
    Are you listening Toyota?
    
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    May 10, 2018 11:08am
- LTA1955
  
  In a dull Marxist world we need this today:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u75XQdTxZRc
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:45am
cmm

Who can possibly think it is a good idea us giving $250M a year to Pacific countries? Then add to that all the other donations we make: $17 million to Indonesia, $5 million to Clinton Foundation, millions to various shitholeistans… Soon it starts adding up to real money.

$250M a year is enough to pay the mortgages of everyone living in the Pacific.

I would not mind so much if it was sustainable. ie. Give then a billion once and they’re set on their feet for good. Nope, all it is doing is making them even more welfare dependent.

Welfare is like drugs. You have to keep increasing the dose or it doesn’t “work”. $250M this year means they will need $300M next year and $350M the year after. Then, in 20 years they will all bleat their houses are going to go underwater (white fellas fault), so we must pay to relocate them all here.

There are only about 100k net tax payers in NZ. They essentially are the only people paying these taxes. That $250M a year is adding $200 a month to the net tax payers’ tax bill! That is on top of sponsoring the baby factory down the road and paying for crims to be cuddled etc etc.

Jeez, Cindy you’re determined on leaving an American size debt mountain for your unborn kid!
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May 10, 2018 8:07am
- Jack5
  
  Yep, quarter a billion a year would be great for our neglected mental health hospitals, which look after Auckland’s Pacific Islanders as well as other New Zealanders.
  
  The largesse for the Pacific will make Winston Peters feel like the visiting rich uncle when he calls on island capitals. But NZ can’t afford it, given the rundown in our health infrastructure.
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:17am
  - Simon
    
    “quarter a billion a year”
    
    Tonga GDP US$395 million
    Samoa GDP US785 million
    Micronesia GDP US$322 million
    
    Foreign aid is the economies of many of these chicken shit Island tribal failures.
    
    What the fuck are those clowns in Wellington actually doing with the money they piss away. Is there no accountability?
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:35am
- Simon
  
  “Welfare is like drugs.”
  
  Have to point out there are some magnificent homes owned in the Pacific and here in NZ by well connected Pacific government and tribal figures who normally couldnt rub two cents together.
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:29am
- GJM
  
  I bet a lot of this money will be diverted into various government minister and related crony’s bank accounts. Charity begins at home.
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:39am
  - Gravelroad
    
    Ever been to Tonga, GJM?
    Provides clear illustration of your point.
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:44am
- Humble Capitalist
  
  Its ridiculous, its wrong and we will be bent over for a long long time now
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:46am
- Harkman
  
  Every day that goes by Winton First voters get more and more screwed by Labour and the Greens. The funny thing is if he went with National he would have gotten virtually everything.
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:05am
  - Happychappy
    
    If that was the case you would have heard Peter taking the dick out of National by now as his ego would have overcome his promise to not release details of what happened at the negotiations. Winston Firsts hate for National would have been to much for him not to give his drinking mates and excuses for journalism a few hints at what was discussed.
    
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    May 10, 2018 9:34am
- fluffykiwi
  
  So is this “gift” to the Islands and payment to each person available to all who may choose to go and live in the Islands, perhaps it is the answer to housing the elderly. Give them a pacific paradise and their homes are then available back in NZ for all those unhoused people.
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:30am
- KevOB
  
  The proposal to give away such huge sums is horribly wrong. This must be put to the electorate first. There was no suggestion at the election. Is this a variety of treason against the people by this selected government?
  
  They have no mandate and must go.
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:35am
  - calendar girl
    
    Not even a Budget in place yet.
    
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    May 10, 2018 9:44am
    - hullkiwi
      
      No, but it will be next week. What is it with these dipsticks announcing their departmental spending plans ahead of the budget?
      
      Twitford started it two weeks ago with the Auckland Transport plan.
      
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      May 10, 2018 10:00pm
  - Dave Mann
    
    There’s no way I’m a supporter of this government…. but increasing the aid budget for the Pacific is probably a good idea, given that China is in there in a big way. That having been said, it might be too late by now as the Chinese money is in productive investment rather than feelgood handouts.
    
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    May 10, 2018 9:49am
    - Wangas Feral
      
      You don’t think China will get influence in there anyway? No matter how much we give they can outbid us as far as influence goes whenever they want.
      
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      May 10, 2018 10:36am
      - Dave Mann
        
        Good point. Maybe we have already ‘lost’ the Pacific. I have family in Fiji who tell me that there are a lot of Chinese vege growers in some areas (especially around Suva) who are growing stuff and taking it to market and participating well in the local economy. They seem to get on well. Anecdotally, we were discussing one guy from outside Shanghai who impresses everybody with his little bit of Hindi as well as some Fijiian and basic English.
        
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        May 10, 2018 5:06pm
    - KevOB
      
      It was too late 10 years ago. Samoa has been captured by Chinese “loans”.
      Vanaatu belongs in the Australian region–why are we interfering there?
      
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      May 10, 2018 1:25pm
- Salamander
  
  I wonder how much of this funding will pass through businesses associated with this man
  
  http://www.cookislandsnews.com/item/66262-local-man-advises-nz-first
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:44am
- alwyn
  
  If we give them that much money out politicians will be able to visit and they will be treated like Royalty. Can’t you see Jacinda being carried along while handsome young men throw rose petals at her feet?
  Or Winston with nubile young maidens bringing him an unending string of potent alcoholic beverages?
  That will be much more fun for them than just having some anonymous New Zealand pensioner being able to afford to heat their home in winter and to be able to go to the doctor when they are unwell.
  This Government have their priorities right. Pity they aren’t our ones.
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:59am
- Prince
  
  Today’s Dompost editorial welcomes the move. Along with the usual leftie ‘Opinion’ pieces.
  I’m cancelling my sub today – The Standard offers a more balanced view of the world than the Dompost.
  
  Here’s a representative example of the Dompost ‘Opinion’. A new writer, attacking the (yawn) “OPINION: Ever noticed the thread between trolls? Pale, stale and mostly male. ”
  
  https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/columnists/103742893/glenn-mcconnell-the-column-i-didnt-want-to-write
  
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  May 10, 2018 12:39pm
lifesgood

National Radio has a short programme at around 5.45am called The House. It is very interesting. It reports on the happenings in Parliament and also explains a lot of the rules of parliament. This morning they had Simon Bridges questioning Jacinda. She came across as a screaming harridan and, at one point, refused to answer a question. She was definitely rattled. The only thing she has going for her is the gift of the gab, but her gab is mostly rubbish. Nearly every question she was asked had something like “It’s the previous government’s fault” in the answer. Time she grew up, that’s schoolyard talk.
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May 10, 2018 8:08am
- oldgolfer
  
  She doesn’t have the gift of the gab; she has a grab-bag of cliches she recycles.
  It is populism dressed up as concern; it is mantra disguised as understanding.
  Politics aside, she is deeply irritating, not least her habit of leaning towards the interviewer and opening her eyes wide.
  I’m sure she thinks it is a look of concern.
  I have another theory.
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:24am
  - Humble Capitalist
    
    after nine years of neglect, I utterly reject that.
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:51am
    - RW Capitalist
      
      If “9 yrs of neglect” gets you:
      Massive No. of operations in hospitals
      More houses built
      Rock star economy
      falling unemployment
      Kiwi’s returning home
      etc etc
      All in the head wind of GFC and Christchurch earthquake
      What adjective should we use for our current shower of shit.
      Who inherited an economic tail wind and have had it easy over the past 6 months.
      
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      May 10, 2018 9:15am
      - Jack5
        
        Go easy with the “rock star economy” point – that was bullshit from the mouth of a Sydney bankster.
        
        GDP per capita growth figures show it was a myth.
        
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        May 10, 2018 10:29am
      - Piniwi
        
        Funny RWC especially when we hear the new head of the RBNZ in his pink tie say: “Employment growth was “unprecedented”, Mr Orr said.” The cash rate has been retained at the level set in 2016 as inflation is still low and there are jobs aplenty. Seems they now have a new paddler in their boat who will happily peddle what he is given to say by the “new” panel.
        However he has a fair way to go to match the Commie Chick who is puzzled by the falling business confidence and had this to say about recent surveys:
        “They feel akin almost to being in high school and suddenly discovering the notes that people are passing around the classroom about you,” she said of the business surveys. We know that schools, classrooms and children are her safe space but to offer that to our business community is priceless. You just can’t make this shit up.
        
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        May 10, 2018 2:26pm
- ex-golfer
  
  Peter Dunne has suggested that National would be better to starve Cindy of oxygen and abandon the tactic of always asking the PM questions.
  It just gives her the opportunity to use her comms degree to twist words to suit her narrative.
  Better tactic to keep hammering away at the numerous weak links in the CoL – Twyford, Clark, Davis, Curren, Sepuloni, Mahuta, Nash.
  They are all being lined up nicely.
  Tuesday’s Collins vs Twyford show was particularly entertaining.
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:25am
  - Jack5
    
    Comms degree?
    
    Oh, that’s right, “comms” means communications. “Comm” used to mean commerce.
    
    Communications-public relations wasn’t even a university subject until fairly recently.
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:39am
    - hullkiwi
      
      There is nothing in a “Comms degree” to suggest it is a true university degree.
      
      Where is the academic/researched body of knowledge to support the notion that this a degree that somebody could read for at university?
      
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      May 10, 2018 11:38am
      - waikatogirl
        
        sorry hulkiwi, aiming for upticking but downticked your comment by mistake. ?
        
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        May 10, 2018 1:10pm
  - Gravelroad
    
    On the other hand, watching the PM at question time gives the blinkered a real eye-opener.
    Gone is the smiling, positive, caring, faux anxious girl next door, I’m afraid.
    What we see is a shrieking, frowning woman focussed on angry payback.
    Don’t think Lizzie, Hillary & co will be watching though, and certainly not the homeless and beneficiary armies.
    
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    May 10, 2018 9:00am
    - VicParking
      
      Lizzie is jealous of the Catch of the Day.
      
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      May 10, 2018 9:11am
      - Gravelroad
        
        You reckon?
        Didn’t she make the big news announcement the other day that she is now trying out for the other team?
        
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        May 10, 2018 9:38am
      - Keeping Stock
        
        The “other team” is welcome to her Gravelroad 😉
        
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        May 10, 2018 10:25am
  - fluffykiwi
    
    So is this “gift” to the Islands and payment to each person available to all who may choose to go and live in the Islands, perhaps it is the answer to housing the elderly. Give them a pacific paradise and their homes are then available back in NZ for all those unhoused people.
    
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    May 10, 2018 9:31am
    - Piniwi
      
      @fluffykiwi added to by being able to return to the thatched hut under the coconut palms on a full pension after the shortest qualifying period of any recipient. That was so blatant a hand out it should come out of the Foreign Aid allocation.
      
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      May 10, 2018 2:31pm
  - fluffykiwi
    
    Yes, imagine if no one asks the PM a question, it would certainly indicate that no one believes she knows anything or has an answers.
    
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    May 10, 2018 9:32am
  - KevOB
    
    We are going to have to get out into the streets. The PM can never be starved it would affect the babe to be. The media don’t comment on anything else than her informed dress sense and hope she can take over the Australian govt too with her small talk and enlarged mouth.
    None of the cabinet are fit for office–rubbish dump maybe.
    
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    May 10, 2018 9:40am
  - Shaun the Sheep
    
    Don’t you mean “Conns degree”?
    
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    May 10, 2018 11:08am
  - Flash
    
    And Collins did a good job of tying up Twyford’s hapless surrogate in question time just now – Mallard had to finally shut the surrogate down.
    
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    May 10, 2018 2:21pm
- Chuck Bird
  
  I will going to hear Simon Bridges this morning in Hamilton.
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:31am
  - Poppa
    
    At a cafe in Frankton I hear. Not expecting much of a crowd then
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:41am
    - Chuck Bird
      
      I will report back the size of the crowd.
      
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      May 10, 2018 9:10am
      - Dave Mann
        
        Thanks Chuck. Will you report in this comment thread and tell us what it was like? Cheers.
        
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        May 10, 2018 10:02am
  - Flash
    
    He was good on the ZB farming session at lunchtime.
    
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    May 10, 2018 2:24pm
  - Chuck Bird
    
    Dave, there was a very good turn out. I would estimate 250 to 300. I also heard from a friend who lives in Cambridge that he could not get into the 9 am meeting as it was full.
    
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    May 10, 2018 2:37pm
    - Dave Mann
      
      Thanks for that Chuck. What did he say or what was the substance of his meeting? Was it covered by the press?
      
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      May 10, 2018 2:49pm
      - Chuck Bird
        
        The meeting went well. I do not think it was covered by the MSM. The questions were varied. I got mine out about his view on whether Cindy’s public reference to President Trump being a professional arsehole was damaging to NZ.
        
        He had not heard the exact comment that was on the Newsroom. That show how bias the left wing media was. If Simon had made referred to Hilary as Crooked Hilary I am sure the MSM would raise that with him more than once.
        
        https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/08/01/40749/jacinda-vs-the-media-a-tale-in-two-acts
        
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        May 10, 2018 3:31pm
      - Dave Mann
        
        Cheers! There’s trouble if a meeting like this had NO media presence at all.
        
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        May 10, 2018 4:55pm
- Liberty
  
  Only Rattled. You heard her on a good day.
  Most days she sounds like a fish wife.
  Jacinda is very lucky she has friends in the media.
  The populace are screened from the real Jacinda.
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:33am
  - lifesgood
    
    I did say “screaming harridan” and that her gab “is mostly rubbish” ?
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:41am
    - Duxton
      
      Gab? or garb?
      
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      May 10, 2018 12:57pm
- Simon
  
  National Radio = Newspeak Radio
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:36am
- niggly
  
  Here’s the video, for your viewing pleasure/displeasure!
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WviqwS45VO8&feature=youtu.be
  
  Must watch more of QT to see Taxcinda going near-full retard (I’m pretty sure I’ve seen worse behavior from her in the past)!
  
  Oh and check out the guy doing the sign language interpretation, especially when Jacinda loses her rag somewhat and the poor guy has to translate that (especially towards the end)!
  
  I reckon as well as doing an excellent job he is also having a bit of fun and makes it seem so effortless – well done that man!
  
  Oh and looks like the interpreter does a better job than the Speaker Mallard does himself! 🙂
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:43am
  - Komata
    
    It was interesting and illuminating to watch winnie while all this was going on…
    
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    May 10, 2018 1:38pm
- Dave Mann
  
  In the 19th century, asking clever questions in the House was probably terribly smart, what with the oratory, the tricky asides, ‘hear hear’s and hearty guffaws.
  
  Sadly, Mr Bridges, this is not the 19th century. Do you have any other communications strategies up your sleeve, given that only 16 people listened to your magnificent performance on the wireless?
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:58am
- RF
  
  Last night on the parliamentary channel Crusher gave a very good summary of screaming skulls refusal to answer questions.
  
  The skull is not coping and is an embarrisment. Interesting watching the faces of her minions when she is in her harridan mode as they suddenly find something very interesting on the floor to look at.
  
  Mike Hosking put the sword through Twitfords housing policy this morning and proved it was a load of crap.
  
  The word I am hearing is that this will be a one term Govt or less.
  
  Happy days
  
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  May 10, 2018 10:01am
  - lifesgood
    
    Oh please be right! I was talking to a Wellingtonian recently who said everyone down there is thrilled and excited by this disaster of a government. He went on to say he isn’t but keeps quiet in company.
    What is it with the Wellingtonians, has the wind affected their brains or something?
    
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    May 10, 2018 10:20am
    - Humble Capitalist
      
      Im a Wellingtonian but Im not quiet when it comes to pouring my derision on this `government’. I might work in a red part of Wellington but I live in a blue part.
      If you work in the public service like many I know then you cant be outspoken on political matters.
      
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      May 10, 2018 11:37am
    - Poppa
      
      Some suburbs such as Aro Valley are very Green
      
      I was helping my son in law down there some time ago & had a weedeater going full noise at about 10.00am. One of the neighbours took exception to the noise. They were lucky I left it until that late
      
      They sure are different
      
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      May 10, 2018 11:51am
- alex Masterley
  
  “screaming harridan”
  I like it.
  Very apt especially as whenever I see Ms Adern an image of Edvard Munch’s work “The Scream” pops into my concious!
  
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  May 10, 2018 1:14pm
- Piniwi
  
  But lifesgood we see the inconsistencies from Mr Speaker when the Commie Chick starts her response with a question? He sorted that out before the last recess but has become even more in “school” teacher mode since this season started. He lets them ramble on and spout on about what they will do without him hauling them up. The Commie Chick will be glad to be absent today as she desperately needs to run for cover after yesterdays sad performance.
  
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  May 10, 2018 2:13pm
hullkiwi

A case of cart in front of the horse & govt arm twisting:

Super Fund offer to finance Auckland Light Rail

A case of WTF. Has anybody ever heard of a bank/finance fund offering to support a scheme when there are no details – nothing for the LRT has been let?

So, as of today we have a group offering money on unknown terms for an unknown transaction. Brilliant, not!
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May 10, 2018 8:09am
- Simon
  
  “Super Fund offer to finance Auckland Light Rail”
  
  Yeah right. Super Fund told to make an offer.
  
  This had to happen, the left just couldnt leave all that money in the Super Fund alone. They just had to tap it for their bull shit projects.
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:25am
  - Tricati
    
    I Agree Simon – I call BS on the offer being ‘unsolicited’.
    Does this now mean the increase in fuel levy & AKL regional fuel tax can go?
    
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    May 10, 2018 10:34am
    - hullkiwi
      
      Both you & Simon are correct, the govt has told the Super Fund to be a partner. What will be interesting to see will be the term sheet, as the Super Fund will require a return at 10% or greater, even with a gold plated government guarantee on revenue risk.
      
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      May 10, 2018 12:30pm
      - Paulus
        
        But unless hell freezes over the Super Fund (our pension money)will effectively lose money on this deal.
        Every other county has done so so far but we have Sweet Cheeks, loser Cullen, and Calamity Cindy on the job.
        
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        May 10, 2018 2:11pm
- septic skeptic
  
  This is probably a great opportunity for the Superfund to take a stake in what will be the next best thing to a monopoly – a business with enough guaranteed subsidy going forward to sell its product way below cost and still turn a decent profit.
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:27am
- ex-golfer
  
  I hope the advisors on this crazy idea are following the excellent (*sarc) progress being made in Sydney……:
  http://www.afr.com/business/sydney-light-rail-investors-told-of-delays-well-before-public-20180508-h0zs3x
  
  http://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/sydney-light-rail-extension-a-horror-story-of-missed-deadline-and-billion-cost-overruns/news-story/5a9507b0986bba221a6123db5c86d890
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:27am
  - hullkiwi
    
    Yes, Sydney Metro is costing 2x the original budget. Then there is Auckland’s CRL, running late & current forecast not published, but at the moment is way north of NZ$4 billion.
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:51am
    - marcw
      
      Why is the MSM not reporting on this Auckland millstone any more? Initially (wrongly) estimated at $2B, probably going to cost at least $6-7B, and NEVER going to break even, even with huge commuter subsidies – paid for by said commuters.
      
      FFS, now they want to add to their pain with a light rail boondoggle.
      
      So how’s that $0.5B computer system going Goof?
      
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      May 10, 2018 11:23am
      - hullkiwi
        
        Exactly, the current forecast for CRL is $5billion (makes $2.4billion look like the lie it was). Current rail pax in Auckland is 20mill p.a. (this is overstated as it includes transfers from bus) provided a yield of $1.66 per passenger or $34mill p.a.
        
        So, what are the chances that CRL will ever pay for itself?
        
        Answers on a postage stamp to the Transport Blog & Generation Zero (Transport advisors to the government) = Never!!!!!!
        
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        May 10, 2018 12:08pm
      - hullkiwi
        
        I forgot to write, with this & the ATAP programme, Ross has more than enough ammunition to chase Twitford into the witless protection programme.
        
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        May 10, 2018 12:15pm
  - Humble Capitalist
    
    Can we also have a CGT like they do in Sydney because that’s really slowed down their property market. Yeah right.
    
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    May 10, 2018 11:43am
- peterwn
  
  I have been wondering about this and where the idea came from. If it is equity finance the fund managers would need to consider it is a good investment idea or there would need to be cast iron guarantees from the Government and/or Auckland Council. Otherwise the fund is being politicised.
  What is really scary is Grant Robertson indicated recently that he had his eye on Kiwisaver funds financing public works, presumably meaning that funds had to lend a portion of the fund for these works at an interest rate set by Government. That would take us back to the pre Rogernomic days when banks, insurance companies etc were forced to lend a portion of their funds to Government and Local Bodies at regulated interest rates that were less than inflation.
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:31am
  - Simon
    
    “Kiwisaver funds financing public works”
    
    Comrade in time Kiwisaver personal accounts will be nationalised for greater good to share the proceeds equally.
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:40am
    - dime
      
      yeah dime wont go near kiwisaver. i dont give a rats ass about the “free” 500 a year or whatever it is.
      
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      May 10, 2018 11:52am
  - KevOB
    
    Kiwisaver funds are ultimately going to be paid in NZD so overseas investment means exchange risk as well punting on foreign markets.
    
    Any sovereign fund has to be at govt direction as the tail cannot wag the dog with the large economic forces involved. The fund trustees should be free to negotiate with the govt for market rates and an equity stake if they judge the risk is reasonable.
    An investment like suggested will not generally be marketable so the govt will indirectly pick up responsibility to the individual account holders.
    
    That is a problem of Kiwisaver. Directed investment in Singapore ultimately took 55% of the budget as interest payments. Samoa had no such problem and was recently adding 9% p.a. to members accounts. The Samoan NPF has almost morphed over its 46 years into a peoples bank.
    
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    May 10, 2018 10:07am
  - marcw
    
    This is why Muldoon scrapped the original Super Fund and repaid all the contributors funds. It had the potential to overwhelm private investment and stifle future development.
    
    Look who’s not laughing now at all his “Think Big” projects that critics mocked relentlessly at the time. And CoL want to buy them all back now they are so successful. Retards.
    
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    May 10, 2018 11:28am
    - alwyn
      
      I think the main reason Muldoon scrapped the Douglas Super scheme was that he didn’t think of it first It’s not that I don’t approve of scrapping the fund. Ultimately the same thing would have happened to it is what is now happening to the New Zealand Super Fund. Politicians, or all creeds and all Parties can never resist the chance to seize, and waste, any large pile of money. They will never consider any time in the future past the next election. We should cash up, and pay out, the New Zealand Super Fund to the countries taxpayers.
      As far as the “Think Big” projects go, which ones do you think Winston wants to buy back? Please limit your answer to projects that actually were part of Think Big.
      The only one you could possibly justify for your list is the Clyde Dam, now owned by Contact..
      To help you this article includes a list of the projects.
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Think_Big
      Before you do applaud the Clyde Dam I suggest you read this. The dam was something that should never have been started. It was the biggest make-work scheme in New Zealand’s history with the possible exception of the current lot’s tram set.
      
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      May 10, 2018 11:53am
      - marcw
        
        Methanol/ammonia/urea plant – close it down by eliminating feedstock.
        Not sure what’s happening to the Methanex plant.
        Marsden Point – nationalise fuel prices and build a new pipeline to keep up with demand.
        NZ steel – close down – coal is used here.
        Electrification of rail – eliminate diesel/electric and expand electrification to whole country. A Green essential bottom line.
        Tiwai Point – close it down so all that electricity can be used to charge up your Prius, and so all that aircraft quality aluminum and overseas earnings can be made by coal fired smelters overseas instead, and ‘save’ the planet.
        Clyde dam – cause we have too much hydro power already, and rich prick ‘mum and dad’ investors are owning shares now. Look at South Australia – industry fleeing the state, and electricity prices only 25% higher than QLD. We need more wind and solar right? Who cares if we can’t afford to heat up our South Island homes with heat-pumps in winter because wood burners are verboten too.
        
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        May 10, 2018 12:23pm
      - Flash
        
        The National Film Unit made a film about the building of the Clyde Dam. It’s on youtube. Even in hindsight it was a huge project.
        
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        May 10, 2018 2:45pm
      - KevOB
        
        At the time Muldoon had balance of payments problems and stroppy unions putting pressure on the economy. It was not possible to accumulate the savings.
        
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        May 10, 2018 5:19pm
- Harkman
  
  So the logic of running surpluses and investing them offshore in event of a crisis is sensible. But using that money in good times on loser public works is not.
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:09am
- Piniwi
  
  @hullkiwi we have to follow the bouncing ball on this one as it first bounces over the plan to fund the trams with a PPP. Then as a foot note it reminds us that the Super Funds is a “public” fund and as such is not considered a “private” contributor?
  Another own goal it seems since if it is a “public” fund then obviously the Government can “guide” them with investing in infrastructure. It is also funny that while this might reduce the need for more Government borrowing the Super Fund is now being again funded by BORROWED funds. That’s like planning your domestic budget and including your credit card limit as “cash on hand”.
  
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  May 10, 2018 2:46pm
Jack5

Oil is headed for $US150 a barrel, and some investment funds are predicting an oil-price shock by next year.

That’s some of the gloom in an article by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard in the Telegraph.

He reports OPEC and Russia, by managing production, have cleared a four-year glut in world oil supply. Add to this Venezuelan chaos reducing supply by 700,000 barrels a day. A year ago, the market would have been little affected by Iranian oil dropping out, but not now, Evans-Pritchard says.

He adds that both shale and tar-sands oil production in North America are in an infrastructure crunch, with not enough pipelines to cope. So North America can’t pick up a supply deficit.

What a stupid time for Jacinderella to kill oil and gas exploration in NZ, and to pile more tax on to petrol.
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May 10, 2018 8:10am
- Poppa
  
  Add the fact that our dollar is sinking against $US which will all add up to severe pain at the pumps folks
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:20am
  - Humble Capitalist
    
    Will a dramatic increase in petrol (which the government will contribute to) put more people into poverty? – in the real world YES
    Or will that only happen if more people are successful and the median income rises?
    RIDICULOUS definition used by politicians and believed by the gullible DENSE masses that vote them in
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:27am
  - kowtow
    
    Look on the bright side.
    
    Fewer drongoes / ferals will be able to afford to jaunt around so the road toll will go down , also with less driving the COL tax take will fall .
    
    Win , win.
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:37am
    - RalphT
      
      Nah, they’ll just drive away without paying for the petrol so the same number of idiots will still be on the road.
      
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      May 10, 2018 9:33am
      - peterwn
        
        Petrol stations have made drive-off’s more risky by number plate recognition. If need be they can ‘white list’ number plates of regulars and require all others to front up with cash.
        
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        May 10, 2018 4:15pm
      - Shaun the Sheep
        
        Used to watch the fuel price of the servo near where I worked. Price would jump 5cpl for several hours for no apparent reason.
        Turned out they did that when there was a drive off to recoup their loss.
        Other stations charge the staff member who didn’t collect.
        
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        May 10, 2018 8:22pm
    - Wangas Feral
      
      No – they will get WINZ grants for petrol to go on road trips.
      
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      May 10, 2018 10:42am
    - Humble Capitalist
      
      the problem being – if sales volume is down and tax take goes down then the c/litre tax rate will have to go up to compensate.
      It will be sold as `its not a new tax just an increase’
      
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      May 10, 2018 11:55am
    - Piniwi
      
      But kowtow while we might keep the tank full to handle the increases easier it might be an invitation for siphoning like the massive increases in cigarette prices.
      
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      May 10, 2018 3:09pm
  - DifferentPerspective
    
    It is slightly worrying how the NZ$ is progressing against the US$.
    
    Although to be fair, it is exacerbated by the fact the US is having massive foreign policy wins all over the show as well as having triggered a booming domestic economic resurgence.
    
    Although it is probably also further exacerbated by Jacinda’s “village idiot” approach to international diplomacy.
    
    It’s a classic contrast between:
    – the bounty that conservatism can deliver and
    – misery that socialism always inflicts.
    
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    May 10, 2018 9:34am
  - Piniwi
    
    @ the NZ$ has left the little plateau it took refuge on around 6-7th May and continued on it’s slide even below the $0.69 mark. There was a $0.02 rise in pump prices last week that may well become a weekly increase at the rate A) crude increases in price and B) the NZ$ continues to slide. Perhaps the latest slide is as a result of the Super Fund being directed to fund infrastructure? It does signal weakness in the Governments ability to fund so much over promising in the lead up to sweet cheeks first budget.
    
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    May 10, 2018 3:04pm
- cmm
  
  One of Canada’s biggest problems is that they were a hugely reliable employer for a long time before the crunch.
  
  When the crunch came, people across the board left the industry. If the jobs come back, they will stay away – once bitten, twice shy. I know three geologists who were unemployed for months and vow to never go back into oil no matter what.
  
  Of course people will eventually go back into oil, but it will take time and be expensive to get the staffing and infrastructure going.
  
  Cindy’s stupidity can easily cause the same thing to happen here. All our oil/gas experts bugger off to somewhere else. Why would they want to come back to NZ and face the risks of going through it all again?
  
  The saying is that money goes to where it is appreciated. The same goes for skilled staff too.
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:23am
  - Ross12
    
    cmm
    The biggest issue for Canada in it’s energy industry, in general, is the stupid climate change related policies that Trudeau has bought in. Huge amounts of investment are leaving Canada very rapidly.
    You are absolutely right about the people and infrastructure.
    
    This article outlines what is going on
    https://wattsupwiththat.com/2018/04/18/canadas-climate-change-policies-are-affecting-its-economy-when-it-comes-to-resource-development/
    
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    May 10, 2018 9:00am
- hullkiwi
  
  I remember the same crap (also emminating from London fund managers) when they were predicting oil would reach US$200 A barrel for the same reasons in 2008. Within months the price of oil crashed & 2 years ago was US$25 A barrel. Greed & over supply will see the price fall again.
  
  Plus remember this, if there is one group more under qualified (other than Jacinda & her merry band of no hopers) to comment on anything, it is London city traders.
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:28am
  - Jack5
    
    I think London traders will be up with the play.
    
    Oil prices have risen about 30 per cent in the last three months, Hullkiwi.
    
    Here’s the graph: https://www.nasdaq.com/markets/crude-oil.aspx
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:34am
    - hullkiwi
      
      Jack5, your faith in London city traders is misplaced. Yes, oil has risen sharply in the past 3 months, but have a look at the graph from the start of 2008 to June 2016, and answer the question why in that time oil reach an all time high price & then fell to a 30 year low, then string all the comments of oil traders giving reasons. You are left with something that is of more use in the toilet.
      
      For example at the start of 2011, London traders were trying to tell people that sudden spikes in oil prices were because of the problems in Syria. Reality, Syria doesn’t produce tradeable quantities of oil, but the funds were attempting to profiteer based on geo-politics tensions.
      
      In, fact London traders have history of this going back to the South Seas bubble.
      
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      May 10, 2018 9:05am
    - stephieboy
      
      Jack5, also the local US oil production helps keep those prices relatively stable and low.
      
      https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/31/us-oil-production-tops-10-million-barrels-a-day-for-first-time-since-1970.html
      
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      May 10, 2018 9:22am
- kowtow
  
  Iran will still export.
  
  These folk always find a way.
  
  ISIL sold oil through Turkey , a Nato ally (yeah right) and EU aspirant.
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:35am
  - stephieboy
    
    kowtow , which Bashar Assad also purchased.
    
    LOL
    
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    May 10, 2018 9:07am
    - lilman
      
      Muslims,kiddy fiddlers what ever .
      
      Mohammed was ahead of his time.
      
      Dirty little mossies.
      
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      May 10, 2018 11:26am
- Harkman
  
  If oil goes to US$150 it’ll be the CoL’s Waterloo moment.
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:12am
  - DifferentPerspective
    
    It’ll be their “nuclear-free” moment with “Venezuala” consequences.
    
    Virtue-signalling – it’s for losers.
    
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    May 10, 2018 9:35am
  - MCos
    
    If oil goes to $150 it won’t be NZ that will have some explaining to do.
    The price of petrol in America will rocket, effecting everyone, including those who don’t care about Iran or North Korea.
    
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    May 10, 2018 9:42am
    - Paulus
      
      The US is almost 100% no fuel imports anymore.
      It is self supporting.
      
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      May 10, 2018 2:19pm
  - alwyn
    
    If oil was to go to $150/bbl it would last, at most, a couple of months. Fracking technology has a very short lead-in time and the fracking industry in the US would start up on a massive scale and flood the market with cheaper oil.
    I suspect Saudi oil would also come back into mass production in order to reduce, or replace, the demand for Iranian oil, particularly if Iran started up their nuclear weapons program again.
    
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    May 10, 2018 10:08am
    - Harkman
      
      I was going to reply to Mcos, but you did it for me. Shale and fracking has made oilshocks a neutral to the US economy (not necessarily a positive because consumers still get hit). Oil won’t stay at $150 in the US (or even get there), other non-producer nations will see their currencies fall against the USD unless they hike interest rates. Notice the NZD has been falling?
      
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      May 10, 2018 10:55am
holysheet

Cindy, Jimmy2mums, and the drunken dwarf are crossing the road, when a bus runs them all over, killing them instantly. They appear before Saint Peter, who prepares to let them into Heaven. The three plead and beg to be allowed to go back, as they’re only young and haven’t led full lives. Eventually, Saint Peter relents, tells them to stop lying, and lets them go back to earth – on the one condition that they each pay him $500. Cindy pays her $500 straight away, and POOF!, she’s back in the same street she had just left. Immediately, she goes into the nearest pub, and tells her comrades her amazing story. Of course, they don’t believe her. “So,” asks one, “if all this is true, then where are the other two?”. “Well,” says Cindy, “when I left them, the drunken dwarf had him down to $100, and Jimmy2mums was arguing that the government should pay for it”.
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May 10, 2018 8:11am
Humble Capitalist

Sir Michael has hard working Kiwis with their undies around their ankles in preparation to fund Winston and Jacinda’s pet projects.
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May 10, 2018 8:12am
Gravelroad

So the DomPost has a new boy wonder columnist.
May I suggest that KB’ers resist the temptation to give air time to this person.
Don’t contribute a rant up here as has already occurred on WO. All this does is give confidence and glee to the flagging newspaper proprietors, left wingers and Stuff.
Time to start ignoring this travesty of journalism.
(Yes, I realise I have now drawn attention to the column. But am relying on KB’ers common sense!!)
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May 10, 2018 8:14am
- Inandout
  
  I think Bob Jones has given his opinion on how the incredible shrinking DomPost has tanked by miniaturising itself. With the reduction is size came reduction in quality articles.
  Poor old Dompost
  So long Dompost
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:04am
  - 3-coil
    
    DomPost —> ComPost
    
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    May 10, 2018 9:53am
  - Jack5
    
    The Christchurch Press has also transformed into a tabloid.
    
    It looks okay, but the accompanying shift of the newspaper to the Left will piss off a great slab of potential readers.
    
    Advertising in today’s issue is quite light, but includes two advertisements for retirement villages, another for dentures (false teeth), and another for hearing aids.
    
    Yet the opinion column sneers at the “ageing suburban Pakeha majority”. It is headlined: “Angry Voices are Stale, Pale, and Mostly Male.” The author, Glenn McConnell, from the column and from his Twitter posts, is obsessed with Don Brash and writes little of interest to anyone who is above 20, non-Maori, and doesn’t vote Labour-Green.
    
    The revamped Christchurch Press has a different tone from the traditional conservative newspaper of past decades. But, regardless, good luck to it in keeping paid subscribers and winning advertising.
    
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    May 10, 2018 10:44am
    - marcw
      
      I bought a copy of the ‘Press’ yesterday with the groceries (as I do once a week), and I will be saving my $2.40 from now on. Talk about a page turner – ‘cos that’s all you do!
      Next page – nothing!
      Next page – nothing!
      Next page – nothing!
      etc
      
      And you have to peel apart the junk sections, which used to be presented as folded in separately.
      
      It’s a weird world when employees (so called journalists, in the loosest sense of the word) actually work towards the promotion of their own redundancy. It is a reverse-investment project.
      
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      May 10, 2018 11:45am
- Kabull
  
  As a result of that dreadful opinion piece I have just cancelled my subscription to the DomPost.
  
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  May 10, 2018 10:38am
- Garbageman
  
  Sorry mate i was in like flynn couldn’t help myself the dickhead is getting a right royal roasting on Stuff for his pitiful efforts
  
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  May 10, 2018 2:50pm
Humble Capitalist

and just how much will we be subsidising the light rail through tax and super fund to make it look like a winner
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May 10, 2018 8:20am
- sooty
  
  One thing is for sure, the passengers will not be paying their share.
  
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  May 10, 2018 6:40pm
oldpark

What a five star editorial by Mike Hosking first thing this morning on his Newstalkzb editorial.
Yes at last it was about the pig-in -a poke Peters.
How his treacherous betrayal of many many of his supporters.
First how he got their votes. then shafted them when he selected the present cabal lost in the woods so called NZ Government.
Not long after he shafted the poor old fixed income pensioners by vetoing their small pension increase.
Just recently he allowed the promised winter heating payment to coldie oldies to be watered down to around half which was promised by May First. Now mabye July First.
Not forgetting the reneging of cheaper Doctors visits by July First.They have beeen cancelled and dropped.The lies and excuses there was no money to pay for them.
Now the massive betrayal the Party known as “NZ First”, hands out NZs Shafted Taxpayers money and deprived fixed income Old Age Pensioners entitlements,of circa a Billion Dollars to some Pacific Islands. Whatever for. Sounds like High Treason and a massive smack in the face for his now realising supporters how he has betrayed and shafted them.
Starting to sound like for NZs fixed income pensioners and Taxpayers ,poverty begins at home in NZ.
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May 10, 2018 8:22am
- septic skeptic
  
  Why does the leader of “New Zealand First” keep taking the role of Foreign Minister? Hypocritical much?
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:33am
  - UrbanNeocolonialist
    
    Cos everyone in NZ fucking hates him. At least overseas he gets a tepid reception and lots of free booze.
    
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    May 10, 2018 10:26am
  - backster
    
    Kickbacks.
    
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    May 10, 2018 11:50am
- Scott
  
  Oldpark – Absolutely right! According to Mike Hosking these Pacific Islanders are being subsidised by the New Zealand taxpayer at the level of approximately $10,000 for every man woman and child. Meanwhile things like subsidised doctors visits in New Zealand are being put off because the government has no money.
  
  This is the exact opposite to what a New Zealand first voter would expect from the government. New Zealand first expects the government of New Zealand to look after New Zealanders first! It’s a very simple concept but one that seems to have escaped the Labour Party.
  
  An issue that Mike Hosking didn’t talk about was immigration which again is a key plank of New Zealand first policies. The Labour Party ran on cutting immigration but their first act once in government was to pester Australia that we could be allowed to take on Mano Island refugees! This is again the exact opposite of what a New Zealand first voter would want.
  
  Actually labour doesn’t want to cut immigration. They are progressive globalists who favour open borders.
  
  One wonders how long this coalition can last given the angst that New Zealand first voters are manifestly feeling??
  
  https://www.facebook.com/MikeHoskingBreakfast/
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:29am
  - KevOB
    
    It is the duty of the NZ Government to put NZ first. They are talking of High Treason paying others overseas when they cannot pay for a child health camp at home.
    
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    May 10, 2018 10:14am
- noskire
  
  Thanks for that oldpark. The link is here for those that want to read it.
  
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  May 10, 2018 12:34pm
Maggy Wassilieff

92 year-old Mahathir wins Malaysian election
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44036178
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May 10, 2018 8:25am
- holysheet
  
  Bugger off Maggy. The drunken dwarf doesn’t need anyone putting any more stooopid ideas into his feeble brain.
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:32am
  - stephieboy
    
    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
    holycrap, you forgot to include yourself in the feedback loop.
    
    Why?
    
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    May 10, 2018 9:10am
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    @holysheet..
    
    It’s not Winnie that you need to be worried about.. It’s one of our ex-PMs who might be inspired by Dr Mahathir Mohamed’s example to come out of retirement and run for PM again.
    
    Now who was our PM 15 years ago?
    
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    May 10, 2018 3:14pm
    - Johnboy
      
      I can’t remember her name but I can always remember her beautiful poster! She just had such wonderful teeth! An inspiration to us all to brush at least three times daily! I do so wish she could return as our leader and inspire a new generation of dental nurse’s. I mean the new one’s sort of OK but her teeth just don’t really give you the ring of confidence. 🙂
      
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      May 10, 2018 6:51pm
- MCos
  
  This is SE Asia.
  The guy may have the most seats. Doesn’t necessarily mean he’s won just yet.
  
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  May 10, 2018 8:39am
  - Dave Mann
    
    This is SE Asia. Doesn’t necessarily mean that he got the most votes or that anybody actually voted at all.
    
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    May 10, 2018 9:20am
    - MCos
      
      I’m sure he will have got the most votes. However governments over there have ways of nullified unpleasant results.
      
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      May 10, 2018 9:46am
    - MCos
      
      In Thailand the PM is going round the country holding big political rallies although it is unlawful to have political rallies of more than five people.
      
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      May 10, 2018 9:50am
      - starboard
        
        Haven’t seen any yet, was in Bangkok for 2 weeks, not a soul. Nothing down south either.
        
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        May 10, 2018 10:52am
    - Dave Mann
      
      Upon consideration, I retract my somewhat snarky comment about SE Asian democracy, given what happened in our own country at the last election. My apologies.
      
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      May 10, 2018 10:24am
    - Captain Mainwaring
      
      Looks like Malaysia has its own version of the CoL.
      
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      May 10, 2018 10:25am
      - MCos
        
        Nothing like NZ.
        None of the countries in that region have democracies that bear any resemblance to this country.
        
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        May 10, 2018 11:07am
      - holysheet
        
        Stop talking shit. We haven’t got a democracy. We lost that last election. Fucken MMP is the problem.
        
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        May 10, 2018 12:16pm
- kowtow
  
  RNZ didn’t cover what is a very significant Commonwealth , Asia/ Pacific region news item at 8 am , but they did cover some wimmin torturer CIA USA story ……. got to keep our anti USA obsession to the forefront.
  
  They are also keeping the Israel Folau outrage thingy going too , his “extreme religious” views ?
  
  Not that long ago “extreme” was mainstream. How quickly things change.
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:04am
  - stephieboy
    
    kowtow ,
    “.. very significant Commonwealth , Asia/ Pacific region news ”
    
    Such as ..?
    
    “Not that long ago “extreme” was mainstream.”
    
    Until ISIS arrived on the scene?
    
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    May 10, 2018 9:12am
- Ross12
  
  This is amazing Maggy.
  I think the Mahathir was just a figure head for the Opposition party. My wife is living and working up there, so I have been following it. Even on Monday they were confidently reporting that the current Government would be returned by a healthy margin.
  So this is Malaysia’s Brexit or Trump situation.
  The interesting thing was when I asked my wife about Monday’s prediction she said it was strange because everyone she worked with and met said they wanted change ( yes, a relatively small sample). The other point of similarity was some were saying they hoped the young would get out and vote —they thought they would support Mahathir (NB. he is a former PM who was kicked out of the other main party)
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:09am
  - GazzaW
    
    Najib called the election on a Wednesday not thinking that voters would take the time off to return to their place of registry which is a requirement. For many that is a long journey. He was wrong, the voters did and Najib is out. Interesting times ahead.
    
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    May 10, 2018 12:53pm
    - Ross12
      
      Yes GazzaW
      All sorts of things going on. But to your point about returning to their place of registration –they estimated 7.0mill vehicles would on the road Tues/Wed.
      Couple of stories — 3-4 weeks ago about 1/4 of KL was without water for a week. Everyone knew it was political because the area involved largely voted for the opposition last time.
      Late last week a police inspector goes to vote early because he was working on election day. He found he could not vote as he was recorded as having voted already! ( investigation started)
      
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      May 10, 2018 1:36pm
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    Yep,
    I hope it’s a good sign.
    Can’t say I enjoyed (Peninsular) Malaysia much when I was there a few years back.
    
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    May 10, 2018 3:19pm
- Humble Capitalist
  
  Winston Peters adjacent
  
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  May 10, 2018 12:09pm
GazzaW

The KB Kiwibuild monitor is starting to take on some real significance now standing as it does with a deficit of 5374 homes. Twyford said yesterday that he hoped to have 18 homes finished by August along with a further admission that that the starting point for ‘affordability’ had been lifted by $50k to $650k. It seems also that finance is drying up as a consequence of the CoL’s draconian policies on offshore ownership. Your days could be numbered based on current form.

Not so easy in Government is it Phil when you have to back your words with action? You’ve had plenty to say but there’s been zero delivery.
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May 10, 2018 8:38am
- artemisia
  
  If the government is to continue to intervene in the housing market by propping up developers who cannot get finance, the big question is why can’t they? Is it because developers cannot sign up buyers off the plans? (Why not?) Is it because banks won’t lend? (Why not?)
  
  And the next big question. If the developers cannot sign up buyers, how will Mr Twyford be able to and what will that cost the taxpayer.
  
  There is also that other whole issue – Kiwibuild was to provide homes over and above current private sector builds. What happened to that.
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:11am
  - Captain Mainwaring
    
    Kiwibuild will go down in history as this Government’s biggest cockup of many. If they ever get even a small fraction of the promised houses built, there won’t be buyers for them. They will probably end up in the hands of Housing NZ.
    
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    May 10, 2018 9:22am
    - artemisia
      
      Agree that some, perhaps many, will end up as social housing. And that will be the death knell for private buyers in intensive developments like Unitec.
      
      More than half of social housing applicants accepted on to the waiting list now have no children and almost all of those are single people. It does not take much throught to realise that among them will be plenty with what we might charitably call ‘issues’. Unitec is already earmarked for 20% social housing (around 800 units) and could end up with a lot more.
      
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      May 10, 2018 9:29am
      - UrbanNeocolonialist
        
        Part of buying a house is to get low-down on local state house numbers. More=no-go
        
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        May 10, 2018 10:35am
  - marcw
    
    “Kiwibuild was to provide homes over and above current private sector builds.”
    
    That was the before the election quote arty. I think nowadays Twitford is more of the “including current private sector” conversation. To cover any misunderstanding – you understand.
    
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    May 10, 2018 11:55am
- ex-golfer
  
  They got the name wrong.
  It should be “KiwiFacilitation” or “KiwiDelivery”- notice how the “build” is being slowly removed from the language.
  Another example of throwing around wild promises in opposition thinking you would never be held responsible for them, then changing the message when the proverbial hits the fan and its discovered to be harder than expected.
  Just like $10 GP visits.
  
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  May 10, 2018 11:15am
marquess

Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
It’s always a good day when the deputy leader of the Coalition of Losers gets hoisted by her own petard ?
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May 10, 2018 8:40am
- MrTips
  
  Oh marquess. You really should stop looking at social media. Because in the real world, its finally being told that Jacinda, Hipkins and Robbo are bald face liars and assholes with no care except for their union socialist mates.
  https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/jacinda-ardern-labelled-a-liar-over-charter-schools/ar-AAx25NR?li=BBqdg4K&ocid=mailsignout
  Your glorious leader and crew of misfits care not one jot for children.
  
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  May 10, 2018 10:33am
  - MCos
    
    “You really should stop looking at social media”
    Facebook, Twitter, Kiwiblog . . .
    it’s terrible isn’t it
    
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    May 10, 2018 11:15am
waikatogirl

Well done Alwyn in your fight for Charter Schools on TV3 this morning. I am sure the CoL won’t hold your criticism of their bias against Charter schools against you. //

Good luck.
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May 10, 2018 8:41am
- Alwyn Poole
  
  Thank you so much.
  
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  May 10, 2018 12:45pm
Harkman

Anyone see the sign language clip last night? Cindy’s name is a finger pointed at the teeth, Hilary Barry claimed “it was for her smile” bull when did she last smile? It was for her teeth. As for Carmel Sepoloni hers was the ‘over me head’ gesture. You can’t make this stuff up, everything is over Sepoloni’s head.
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May 10, 2018 9:19am
- Rich Prick
  
  Shane Jones in sign is fingers circled to thumb and an up and down motion.
  
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  May 10, 2018 10:18am
  - Harkman
    
    Classic Richard Prick, too funny ?
    
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    May 10, 2018 10:40am
  - Duxton
    
    Grant Robertson’s is a fist being slowly clenched and unclenched.
    
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    May 10, 2018 6:53pm
EAD_TWO

Twitter has been awash with punters commentating on the international witch hunt of the 89 year old frail grandmother for failing to turn up to the start of her 2 year prison sentence.

This was frail grandmother Ursula Haverbecks punishment for stupidly believing that free speech extended to the ability to recount interviews with real people about their experiences. (FWIW – look at some of the news stories from the global MSM to see the level of bestial hate towards Haverbeck).

To quote Orwell, the Twitter reaction highlighting other crimes in Germany and the subsequent reaction is a reminder that all crimes are bad but some crimes are more bad than others.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2052461/outrage-as-convicted-german-rape-gang-walk-free-from-court-despite-leaving-victim-14-for-dead-after-judge-says-the-attackers-appeared-to-feel-sorry/

Motto of the whole sad story – don’t get on the wrong side of a Shoah group 5,000 miles away because they will hunt you down and muster the forces of the global MSM regardless or your age and level of (((crime))).

If only Haverbeck was a so called refugee and her crime was murder/rape and the victims German and nobody would have heard of her such is the White Privilege we labour our lives under….
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May 10, 2018 9:46am
- EAD_TWO
  
  The responses made me chuckle:
  
  https://mobile.twitter.com/MarkACollett/status/994230474254921728
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:57am
DifferentPerspective

Proof Trump did the right thing re the Iran deal

The Iranians are nutters, this is a clip from Iranian Parliament TV. They’re chanting “death to America”.

You can’t have any reasonable, meaningful relationship with people like this. They’re not worth even shitting on – let alone giving them hundreds of billions of dollars in extortion fees.

The only answer is to send Golly G back there to sort them out.
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May 10, 2018 9:47am
- MCos
  
  The Ghahraman family left Iran to get away from all that bullshit.
  
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  May 10, 2018 9:58am
  - DifferentPerspective
    
    Yet the daughter carries on with “all that bullshit”.
    
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    May 10, 2018 10:38am
- LisaGinNZ
  
  Yep… who remember the O-regime NOT backing the Iranian people’s ‘green revolution’?!
  
  “One of the most shameful acts of President Obama’s term in office was his stiff arm toward the Green Revolution that sought to topple the mullahs in 2009.” —- “The mullahs are deeply unpopular with the Iranian populace, and there have been anti-government demonstrations all over Iran.”
  
  more here: http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/05/the_unspoken_key_to_trumps_iran_policy.html
  
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  May 10, 2018 2:18pm
Jack5

Christchurch ratepayers will note that the city’s immigrant community has asked the City Council for $7 million for a migrant centre, with Hagley College ready to kick in with $4 million of taxpayer funds. The centre would apparently be at the college.

An Afghan immigrant told a council committee:
“We don’t meet friends in bars and cafes.”

The cost of multiculturism and diversity.
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May 10, 2018 10:05am
- mandk
  
  Did anyone point out that the bars and cafes where non-immigrants meet were created without funds from the Council?
  
  Besides, last time I went to ChCh, I saw plenty of immigrants (including young Muslims associating with the opposite sex) in places where food and alcohol are served.
  
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  May 10, 2018 10:43am
- Harkman
  
  How long before a terror “incident” at Hagley High?
  
  Lots of pretty Asian, Brazilian, British and German females in the bars and gyms I go to. I think Mr Afghani needs to fit in or go home.
  
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  May 10, 2018 11:03am
  - Longknives
    
    I think a ‘Sexual Emergency’ or two is more likely at this stage Harkman..
    
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    May 10, 2018 11:20am
    - cmm
      
      One wonders whether it might just be a bit more cost effective to hire them a few hookers.
      
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      May 10, 2018 11:47am
      - Jack5
        
        Some of them might be too rough for our ladies of the night:
        
        https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503450&objectid=12048275
        
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        May 10, 2018 3:05pm
  - cmm
    
    It is only a few hundred metres from the hospital, so the ambulances won’t have to go far, so that’s a plus!
    
    Nurses walking to their cars at night are already getting accosted at an alarming rate. Can’t see that reducing.
    
    But $7M+$4M + inevitable cost overruns= $15M for, basically, a Muslim centre in the city. I doubt there are more than 5k Muslims in Christchurch. That’s $3k each! Sounds like my rates are going to double.
    
    The mosque is on the opposite side of Hagley Park. What are they going to do? Put in a dedicated light rail link?
    
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    May 10, 2018 11:34am
Fletch

Well, well, well.

The US just ran the highest monthly budget surplus in history. I know Trump doesn’t smoke, but give that man a cigar.

The April surplus will be $218 billion according to the Congressional Budget Office. This total eclipses the previous record of $190 billion set in April of 2001.

The CBO attributes the surplus to more tax receipts being submitted than previously anticipated. The office received $515 billion in receipts for April which was roughly $40 billion more than expected.

The CBO argues the difference is due to a higher volume of individual income taxes paid in April.

http://dailycaller.com/2018/05/09/highest-monthly-budget-surplus-in-history/

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/cbo-forecasts-largest-ever-monthly-surplus-as-record-tax-receipts-pour-in-2018-05-08

See, you if you cut taxes and give the people more money then they are more unlikely to cheat on their income taxes. The Laffer Curve pretty much predicts this.
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May 10, 2018 10:06am
- cha
  
  See, you if you cut taxes and give the people more money then they are more unlikely to cheat on their income taxes.
  
  What went wrong in Kansas?
  
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  May 10, 2018 3:46pm
- All_on_Red
  
  Since Tax cuts have only just happened, it’s really the extra Tax being paid from the extra 3 million jobs added in the past 12 months.
  
  Ironically Cha has a point in that in Kansas the change actually made it easier for people to cheat on their taxes…
  There are other reasons why the cuts failed in Kansas too.
  
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  May 10, 2018 4:13pm
Manolo

The heat is on. Down with the mullahs.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/6249305/israel-air-raid-sirens-syria-golan-heights-strike-damascus/

Israel has claimed that Iranian-backed forces have launched missiles at their military base in the annexed Golan Heights region following reports of an Israeli bombing campaign near Damascus.
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May 10, 2018 10:24am
- KH
  
  Not true Manolo. It was the Syrian Government, and they have every right to shoot at invaders squatting in Syria.
  The Israelis will attribute everything to Iran that it can. God alone knows why.
  
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  May 10, 2018 6:19pm
Manolo

stephieboy assures me his messiah Obama made it possible:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5709301/Trump-says-three-Americans-imprisoned-North-Korea-way-home-Mike-Pompeo.html
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May 10, 2018 10:38am
- Fletch
  
  The closest Obama got was exchanging an AWOL traitor solider for 5 terrorists, and his kidnapped U.S sailors for pallet loads of cash.
  
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  May 10, 2018 10:46am
  - cha
    
    Eleven American hostages were released from N Korea during Obama’s administration.
    
    Why do you persist in telling lies, Fletch?.
    
    Euna Lee
    Laura Ling
    Robert Park
    Aijalon Gomes
    Eddie Yong Su Jun
    Merrill Newman
    Jeffrey Fowle
    Kenneth Bae
    Matthew Miller
    Sandra Suh
    Arturo Pierre Martinez
    
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_foreign_nationals_detained_in_North_Korea#List_of_detained_US_citizens
    
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    May 11, 2018 7:05pm
- virtualmark
  
  Keep in mind that 2 of the 3 Americans released by North Korea were arrested last year. So to be fair it’s hard to see how President Obama could have done much to secure their release.
  
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  May 10, 2018 3:31pm
Longknives

Just saw the vid of Judith Collins absolutely destroying Labour’s People’s Princess in Parliament yesterday. Impressive!

Anyone know what she is referring to with this ‘Dinner with Journalists’ ?
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May 10, 2018 11:29am
- Keeping Stock
  
  Yes; Ardern is going to the Media Awards dinner where she will be welcomed with open arms by all the luvvies. It’s just a shame she hasn’t managed to get to New Plymouth yet, as she promised she would before she headed off the the UK and Europe.
  
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  May 10, 2018 11:44am
  - Longknives
    
    Ardern certainly avoids any ‘tough crowds’ doesn’t she??
    It’s always adoring Schools, Varsitys, or cosy Media Dinners for the People’s Princess…
    
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    May 10, 2018 11:57am
    - Keeping Stock
      
      You may well think that Longknives, but I couldn’t possibly comment 😉
      
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      May 10, 2018 12:01pm
  - Poppa
    
    I will win lotto before she sets foot in New Plymouth KS
    And I never take a ticket
    
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    May 10, 2018 12:01pm
  - alex Masterley
    
    My invite to that event must have got lost in the post. Never mind I will go to the Rugby instead.
    
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    May 10, 2018 1:59pm
- Humble Capitalist
  
  do you have a link?
  
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  May 10, 2018 12:26pm
  - Fletch
    
    It could be this?
    
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BCN-2CheqE
    
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    May 10, 2018 1:20pm
    - lifesgood
      
      Go you good thing, Judith. That was brilliant!!!!
      
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      May 10, 2018 4:42pm
Jack5

The greatest auditing hoard ever: China has collected nearly three trillion banking records.

The South China Morning Post says the data trove was revealed on Wednesday in a speech delivered on behalf of Guo Shuqing, chairman of the country’s powerful new China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC), at a forum on financial stability in Hong Kong.

http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/2145424/china-collects-trove-3-trillion-financial-records-bid-tighter-control
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May 10, 2018 11:38am
cmm

What is it about these people? The attraction of public office seems mainly focused on it being a way to get your fingers in the till rather than doing any good.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12048798

If NZ’s corruption index doesn’t take a huge dive over the next few year or two we’ll know the corruption index is, itself, corrupt.
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May 10, 2018 11:44am
- Longknives
  
  Lizzie Marvelly will surely have something to say about this?
  
  She has written several attack pieces on ‘Racist’ Police already-I bet that now one of her ‘whanau’ is in the shit she will go nuts..
  
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  May 10, 2018 11:55am
- starboard
  
  And its generally maori most of the time. They have a thing about taking whats not theirs. They have no moral compass. They kill their own children in record numbers, rape and steal, fill our prisons..and they demand respect of maori and all things maori.
  Have their shitty language shoved down our throats at every stage…Fuck that. Respect is earned. Fit in or fuck off.
  
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  May 10, 2018 1:09pm
  - artemisia
    
    Well the ones we hear about most of the time are indeed Maori. But need to bear in mind that anyone under about 40 has been exposed to the notion they are treated like second class citizens so deserve whatever they can score.
    
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    May 10, 2018 1:21pm
    - KevOB
      
      Maori have had more perks than can be imagined. The “settlements” were a rort. Queen Victoria saved them from extinction at their own revengeful hands. Settlers have contributed a great deal.
      
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      May 10, 2018 5:27pm
- Tauhei Notts
  
  Please note that the beneficiaries of her fraudulent behaviour were various outfits. She DID NOT personally benefit from that fraudulent activity.
  Several years ago a sports club that I had a bit to do with had a good improvement in its finances. The honorary treasurer was subject to very strict audit procedures. It was found that he had not stolen as much as ten cents. But his fraudulent activity had been real good for the finances of the amateur sporting club. Some volunteers can be blinded by their obsession with the outfit they do work for.
  
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  May 10, 2018 1:42pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  I’ve been keeping my eye on this one…
  ex-policeman Shaun Keenan ripped off his Taranaki Iwi for $640,000 after becoming its CEO.
  https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/357043/former-cop-pleads-guilty-to-dozens-of-theft-charges
  
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  May 10, 2018 3:29pm
Humble Capitalist

When is the next political opinion poll?
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May 10, 2018 11:47am
- Poppa
  
  Yeah must be a Roy Morgan one due?
  
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  May 10, 2018 12:02pm
Philview

This has probably been mentioned but per The Guardian it looks like NZ will need to be bringing in immigrants urgently to pick Kiwifruit. At the weekend the Government was saying they want to replace dairy farms with horticulture. The kiwifruit article highlights the absurdity of this strategy.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/09/kiwi-crisis-new-zealand-changes-visa-rules-to-save-bumper-crop-of-national-fruit
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May 10, 2018 1:33pm
- Paulus
  
  You need right soil and climate to grown Kiwifruit.
  Cow pasture useless for it.
  
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  May 10, 2018 2:27pm
  - trout
    
    Both cows and kiwifruit seem to do very well in the eastern Bay of Plenty.
    
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    May 10, 2018 5:25pm
  - UrbanNeocolonialist
    
    Intensely farmed (irrigated) diary becomes ideal for horticulture within about 10-20 years as it builds up about 10mm of high quality topsoil per year.
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:12pm
Maggy Wassilieff

In this day & age women still being stoned to death.
Somali woman ‘with 11 husbands’ stoned to death by al-Shabab

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-44055536
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May 10, 2018 1:42pm
UpandComer

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5707039/Sharing-hate-posts-online-lead-six-months-jail.html

See above.

United Kingdom – pending legislation which will almost certainly pass.

Six months imprisonment for any statement causing anyone anywhere subjective offence.

3 years imprisonment for uttering ‘originating hate-speech’ re-transmitted by others.

Note that the United Kingdom’s legislation is retrospective in application.

Theresa May’s commissars could dredge up comments you’ve made at any age or stage in the past and prosecute you for it. They can even go into you private messages in social media platforms to find wrong-think.

This is why I say the tradition of English liberty is dead and England is a police state, because it is.

Imagine what would happen to everyone on Kiwiblog if it happened to be based in a UK domain. David Garrett for example, would be low hanging fruit, because he’s made remarks which, even if true, could cause offence to certain people. Literally everyone here as. Even Stephieboy has said things which could cause someone, somewhere offence, and therefore be imprisonable for 6 months. For example – in defending muslims, he’s implicitly criticised Israel – so he wouldn’t escape either.

I still can’t quite believe it’s happening. But it is. This is the beginning of the end-game of the oppression of the LGBTQ and Islam alliance from hell. The complete destruction of anything that might hurt their feelings.

So insidious. Think about the sheer scope of what could be imprisonable for three years.

Oh, you criticised Theresa May? She’s a woman. That’s hate speech. Some feminist took offence – 6 months imprisonment.

Oh, you don’t like the Adhan breaching the common-law around nuisance and noise control? That’s Islamophobic, hate-speech – 3 years in prison since it’s a common issue.

You quoted true statistics about the relative number of muslims committing any given crime? 6 months imprisonment.

You think the minister for immigration as a non-Englander has cultural bias towards other non-Englanders? Hate-speech – 3 years

Show me the man and I’ll show you the crime – Laventry Beria.

It doesn’t take much intelligence to construe literally anything and everything into a statement forming the basis for taking offence. Any criticism of government. Any criticism of absolutely anything can be construed as a comment related to identity domains.

Why does no one care about this? Why?

This is worse then just ignoring the Rotherham rapes. They’re going to criminalise conservatism.

Can anyone who reads Kiwiblog from the UK chime in with their take on this?

Look at how Hate is being inverted.

Muslim rape isn’t hate. But talking about it is.

Thank God we don’t live in England.

Israel Folau for example would have been thrown into prison for three years for making a theologically correct statement.

Some people find the very notion of gay ‘marriage’ given the complete absence of key components of marriage such as ‘monogamy’ and ‘man and woman’ abhorrent and deeply offensive. I wonder if were to complain to the UK commissars if they would see gay activists who openly say they will destroy marriage and make children gay into prison?

I doubt it.

The United Kingdom is going to die, because no society can really function under those social conditions.
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May 10, 2018 1:48pm
- Philview
  
  Have you read about London lately? Doctors have been comparing hospital wards to scenes in Syria. Weird politics highlighted by this Guardian article when the police have to stay away from people from a certain ethnic persuasion.
  
  https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/09/police-gang-lists-racist-black-matrix
  
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  May 10, 2018 2:50pm
Surely Knott

NY Times piece by Weiss entitled, Meet the Intellectual Renegades of the Dark Web (which included a group of loosely affiliated intellectual, , who didn’t have much in common except for the belief in the free sharing and discussion of ideas, and the article received the full lefty twitter backlash. But a wee moment of thanks for Farrar, our own intellectual renegade, and a blog which is our own little slice of sanity on the dark web where we can freely discuss ideas.https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/05/bari-weiss-column-receives-disproportionate-outrage-from-left/
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May 10, 2018 2:03pm
- UpandComer
  
  All of those people are neo-cons who voted for Hillary or would have voted for Hillary. They are not ‘dissidents’. They are approved opposition.
  
  None of them are 1) nationalist 2) Christian 3) economically conservative.
  
  Michael Shermer was around before even Richard Dawkins. He is absolute warmed over fish fingers.
  
  Most of these individuals are Jewish. All of them are socialists except for Shapiro. But Shapiro wants to get rid of the first amendment because he supports the move by AIPAC to ban people from being able to use their freedom of assembly to boycott Israel. So he’s not a conservative.
  
  It’s a joke.
  
  They aren’t the ‘intellectual dark web’. That would be people like Jack Posobiec, Stefan Molyneux, Alex Jones, Theodore Beale, Lauren Southern, Faith Goldy, Mike Cernovich, Steven Sailer, Jon Derbyshire, Ron Unz, Nassim Taleb, Peter Theil, Scott Adams, Candace Owens, Roosh, and even friggen Pewdiepie.
  
  Most of those people are absolute no-names, getting fed cash and proifle because the New York Times is so terrified of nationalists.
  
  The New York Times is so brazen in it’s defining of approved opposition that even friggen Jonah Goldberg and Bill Kristol are beyond the pale. If Jonah Goldberg is too edgy for you, you know you’re a milquetoast.
  
  The list is exactly like the 2006 wired article that defined the original generation of approved Neo-Cons.
  
  The only guy on that list who is believable is Joe Rogan. That’s it. All the others are either card-carrying socialists or establishment neocons. Especially and including Petersons and Jonah Goldberg.
  
  Peterson is a complete phony.
  
  The only reason Sam Harris is to be tolerated is because the SPLC put out a hit request on him.
  
  Only use that group of people as a list of people who you should now ignore if they pretend they’re conservative.
  
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  May 10, 2018 2:17pm
  - stephieboy
    
    Upandcomer ,
    
    Christian 3) ? Trump a Chrsitian ?
    
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    May 10, 2018 2:24pm
    - GazzaW
      
      Well I’m sure he wouldn’t qualify to enter the hallowed cloisters of St Albans stephie if that’s what you are worried about.
      
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      May 10, 2018 3:32pm
  - Dave Mann
    
    Peterson is a complete phony.
    
    The only reason Sam Harris is to be tolerated is because the SPLC put out a hit request on him.
    
    I’d be interested to hear what you have against Jordan Peterson and Sam Harris.
    
    Could you please elucidate? Thanks.
    
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    May 10, 2018 2:43pm
    - UpandComer
      
      Read the irrational atheist if you want part of the case against Harris.
      
      Harris is one of the reasons for the replication crisis. He is trying to find a materialist case for morality that is ludicrous on it’s face, but he’s so arrogant he keeps insisting he’s right.
      
      If you want to see Peterson in action – look at this last interview with Harris. You can kill two birds with one stone.
      
      Harris spends 2 hours incredulous that Peterson doesn’t ascribe to Aristotle’s correspondence theory of truth.
      
      Peterson is an existential relativist. He spent 2 hours telling Sam Harris that truth is whatever aids survival or serves life. You probably think I’m kidding, but I’m not.
      
      Here’s a tiny example of Peterson on truth – the most important public intellectual of our time:
      
      “I don’t think facts are necessarily true. So I don’t think this scientiﬁc facts, even if they’re correct from within the domain that they were generated, I don’t think that that necessarily makes them true. And I know that I am gerrymandering the deﬁnition of truth, but I’m doing that on purpose”.
      “Your truth is something only you can tell, based as it is on the unique circumstances of your life. Apprehend your personal truth.”
      
      Facts aren’t true.
      
      Here is Aristotle and Jesus Christ on truth – even Sam Harris agrees with the first one:
      
      Aristotle: To say that that which is, is not or that which is not is, is a falsehood; and to say that that which is, is and that which is not is not, is true.
      Jesus Christ: Let your Yes be Yes, and your No, No. For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
      
      Frankly, I’m amazed Peterson took a stand on the Trannie perversion of language issue. There is no difference between his version of truth and the people who think they’re the other gender.
      
      Far from being a modernist reacting against post-modernism – Peterson’s a fusion of the two.
      
      Peterson isn’t conservative:
      
      “my socialist colleagues and I weren’t out to hurt anyone. Quite the reverse. We were out to improve things—but we were going to start with other people. I came to see the temptation in this logic, the obvious flaw, the danger—but could also see that it did not exclusively characterize socialism. Anyone who was out to change the world by changing others was to be regarded with suspicion. The temptations of such a position were too great to be resisted.
      
      It was not socialist ideology that posed the problem, then, but ideology as such.”
      Maps of Meaning
      
      Peterson isn’t Christian.
      
      His definition of evil from the 12 rules is that evil is the unnecessary infliction of suffering.
      
      That’s not what evil is. That’s a deeply subversive post-modernist, subjective definition of evil.
      
      His definition of chaos is that it is fear, feelings, and femininity. It’s not, chaos is disorder and confusion.
      
      Peterson on morality:
      
      “you can use your own standards of judgement. You can rely on yourself for guidance. You don’t have to adhere to some external arbitrary code of behaviour. Perhaps you will then see that if all people did this in their own lives the world might stop being an evil place”.
      
      Moral subjectivism is the reason for chaos. Not the antidote to it. He’s not even a textual positivist. He is pure Derrida and Rousseau. I have no idea why he took exception to the trannies. It must be purely because of the coerciveness of it. But it can’t have been philosophical opposition.
      
      His morality is the worst post-modern form of morality there is. Do as thou wilt shalt be the whole of the law is Peterson’s rendition in other words.
      
      His obsession with the cold war, the holocaust, the dreams about ritually sacrificing and eating his cousin, every day for a whole year, his autonomic drawing of tortured Jesus wearing a serpent belt at College.
      
      This is not a stable guy.
      
      He says to speak with precision, and he is incredibly imprecise. Maps of meaning contains weird unnecessary definitions of commonly understood words, every other paragraph.
      
      Peterson is also just ignorant. He says that
      
      “scientific truths were made explicit a mere 500 years ago with the works of Rene Descartes, Francis Bacon and Isaac newton. Before the dawn of the scientific world view the world was construed differently. Being was understood as a place of action. It was not understood as a place of things. It was understood as something more akin to story or drama. That story or drama was lived subjective experience”.
      
      Someone pointed out the Umberto Eco wrote a book called “from the tree to the Labyrinth”.
      
      The scientific categorisation of knowledge began definitively with Pliny the Elder. It arguably began with Aristotle. Thousands of years before Francis Bacon. All Bacon did was change our organisation of knowledge from a tree to a labyrinth – such that we now use hypertext per Eco.
      
      Peterson is someone who has zero knowledge of the Greco Roman legacy, purporting to speak on behalf of western civilization. The early Church fathers were Bacon before Bacon – read Tertullian.
      He’s a boomer speaking for boomers.
      
      He’s also a complete liar about the average IQ of people – read Ron Unz’s “the myth of American meritocracy”.
      
      No.
      
      He’s garbage. Very, very compelling, rhetorical an authentic, garbage.
      
      I still like him, even though I know he’s garbage.
      
      Anyway – that’s just my personal opinion. He slaps down so many different ambiguous permeable meanings you read what you want to read. But that’s incoherence, not intellect.
      
      Anyway I know people really like Peterson – but he is now approved opposition. I won’t be paying too much attention to him aside from measuring what is approved oppositional thought.
      
      Shaprio is much worse then Peterson by the way. He hasn’t got an original thought in his body. He’s just a neo-con mouth-piece.
      
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      May 10, 2018 3:49pm
      - Dave Mann
        
        Wow! That was great, thank you UpandComer! You really have thought about this and you obviously know your stuff and you write well.
        
        I have had my doubts about Peterson and I have listened to both Sam Harris’ Waking Up podcasts with him (I’m a subscriber) and I agree with Sam Harris in his characterisation of religions generally and particularly Christianity and Islam….. so we’ll have to agree to disagree on Sam Harris.
        
        One thing I particularly appreciate about Sam Harris is the way he treats his podcasts as respectful discussions rather than ‘clashes’ or even ‘interviews’.
        
        I find Jordan Peterson ratter wordy and convoluted, TBH, and I thought that he and Sam Harris tended to talk past each other to a degree.
        
        Anyway, cheers!
        
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        May 10, 2018 6:33pm
- Flash
  
  Hey, where do you close the brackets? Makes a difference in interpretation. 🙂
  
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  May 10, 2018 2:55pm
oldgolfer

Gravelroad – I reported you in error.
Jitter finger.
Sorry.
1 1
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May 10, 2018 2:08pm
Tauhei Notts

I always read press reports about employment disputes. I have noticed a trend recently where the worst mongrel employers almost always have foreign sounding names, as if they are from various parts of Asia.
I cannot remember the Smith, Jones, Thompson and Johnston (various spellings), Wilson or Taylors ever getting a mention recently.
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May 10, 2018 2:17pm
Chuck Bird

Drunken fatal stabbing result of woman’s traumatic life at hands of partners

She was sentenced to 12 months’ home detention on that charge by Justice Gerard van Bohemen today who described her “horrific” life of physical and emotional abuse.

And

The couple had been together since 1983, when she was released from prison for stabbing her partner who had also beaten her.

I wonder what she will get for a third strike. How do we know her partner held a knife to her throat?
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May 10, 2018 3:09pm
rangitoto

Climate alarmists are the worst environmentalists:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272494418301488#!

I guess they try to emulate their hero Al “private jet” Gore.
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May 10, 2018 3:18pm
- mandk
  
  Don’t forget Gore’s home consuming 34 times the amount of electricity as the average American home.
  
  I guess you need plenty of hot tubs and saunas and the like when you come home to recover from all that jetting around, but how do you consume that much electricity?
  
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  May 10, 2018 4:50pm
  - Johnboy
    
    Never forget that “Big” Al is the inspiration for the Algorinim that has revolutionised life on this planet as we know it! How can he develop his theory without a hot tub to indoctrinate his new interns? 🙂
    
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    May 10, 2018 6:15pm
    - stigie
      
      “How can he develop his theory without a hot tub to indoctrinate his new interns?”
      
      Crikey, i’ve heard of someone up in the North Island that uses a sheep dip for the same purpose..?
      
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      May 10, 2018 6:31pm
      - Johnboy
        
        He would if any of his interns ever showed up stigie! 🙂
        
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        May 10, 2018 6:33pm
- Steve (North Shore)
  
  Al “that is not a swimming pool, it is a water reservoir in case of fire” Gore.
  He is the “H” Man
  
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  May 10, 2018 5:58pm
GazzaW

I have just finished watching Parliament.

How many KBers are getting more than a tad bored with every answer (yes every) from the Government Ministers containing any or all of the following parroted words or phrases – neglect, inherited, rundown, underfunded, the last nine years etc etc.

It is so patently obvious that the $11.7 billion++ hole is all set to be blamed on the previous Government. I wonder how many times those words and phrases will be used by Robbo in his speech next Thursday in order to justify his Black Budget of 2018.
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May 10, 2018 3:25pm
RF

The more I watch this clusterfuk Govt it reminds me of an American soap that was on our screens many years ago.

Peyton Place.

It had story lines of sex, knocked up un-married females, dodgy boyfriends, affairs, drugs, corruption, divorce etc….

Sound familiar ?
14 2
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May 10, 2018 4:20pm
- cha
  
  Sound familiar ?
  
  Indeed, Ena. Coronation Street.
  
  5 4
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  May 10, 2018 4:40pm
- Longknives
  
  Ha Ha “Dodgy Boyfriends”…
  I know for a fact that one very prominent ‘Boyfriend’ is dodgier than the proverbial two bob watch-Shadier than a palm tree etc etc
  
  I strongly suspect we will hear more of this character’s ‘activities’ (Despite the scare campaign to keep the masses quiet)..
  
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  May 10, 2018 6:14pm
  - Johnboy
    
    What sort of bait do you recommend old chap? 🙂
    
    10 0
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    May 10, 2018 6:19pm
    - sooty
      
      Hundys!
      
      4 0
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      May 10, 2018 7:02pm
Ross12

Later this year, probably, James Shaw will start his push for UK style Climate Act ( which has been an unmitigated disaster for the UK) and he will push his fantasy of a carbon neutral economy by 2050. Almost certainly he will refer to Germany as one of the leaders, if not the leader in this area.

Well here the reality :
http://notrickszone.com/2018/05/09/german-co2-reduction-targets-completely-illusionary-comments-german-national-daily/#sthash.B65YHvM4.YCEa4vBr.dpbs
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May 10, 2018 4:42pm
Brigitte

NZ MUSIC MONTH

Tonight is Emma Paki with her single System Virtue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDpmEHf-y-g
4 4
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May 10, 2018 5:52pm
ex-golfer

Well, well, well – Finland has dropped its living wage experiment because of……..cost!

https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2018/04/finlands-universal-basic-income-experiment-falls-flat/

Anyone heard anything about this in the MSM?
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May 10, 2018 5:55pm
Johnboy

Decisions decisions? Should a chap buy a couple of Mitsi Tritons for $34990 or a couple of Actyons for $28990?
7 0
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May 10, 2018 6:30pm
- nasska
  
  Why not let the moths out of your wallet & buy a 70series Landcruiser?
  
  At least you won’t have to push it! 🙂
  
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  May 10, 2018 6:48pm
  - stigie
    
    I have given her grief over the years but very sorry to hear of the news !~
    
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    May 10, 2018 6:59pm
  - Johnboy
    
    So a “Great Wall” is out of the question then nasska? 🙂
    
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    May 10, 2018 7:02pm
    - nasska
      
      Didn’t you see that Tui ad a while back JB?
      
      “I traded in the HiLux on a Great Wall”.
      
      “Yeah. Right”. 🙂
      
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      May 10, 2018 7:05pm
      - Johnboy
        
        The children own a panelbeating business nasska. The advice is “dont buy a greatwall They are rusting straight off the boat! ” God help anyone who gets tempted by a Haval SUV! 🙂
        
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        May 10, 2018 7:09pm
      - stigie
        
        I reckon this is more JB’s style Nasska, just the bees knees for the Wainui farmer..?
        
        http://cinemovie.tv/images/stories/Movie%20Pics/Monster-Trucks-Viviana.jpg
        
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        May 10, 2018 7:10pm
      - Johnboy
        
        We keep weak sort of shit like those just to pop up to Countdown for the groceries stigie. You should see our really serious going to the pub and dealing with the cops vehicles! 🙂
        https://www.google.com/search?q=m1a1+abrams&client=firefox-b&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjGsuWhzPraAhUJwbwKHXbXCsAQ_AUICigB&biw=1680&bih=885
        
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        May 10, 2018 7:15pm
Maggy Wassilieff

Penny has been given a dreadful diagnosis.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/103809270/auckland-activist-penny-bright-says-she-has-incurable-and-inoperable-cancer
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May 10, 2018 6:46pm
- nasska
  
  That’s bad! She’s a total pain in the arse but no one deserves to hear news like that.
  
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  May 10, 2018 6:55pm
  - UrbanNeocolonialist
    
    Disagree. Stalin, Pol Pot, Putin, Mugabe, Kims 1, 2 and 3, Mao, Hitler, Bishop Tamaki… Probably 1000 more I could name if I thought hard about it.
    Almost of the occupants of maximum security prisons, most gang members, and a shit load of evil types out thieving, hurting and generally fucking over their fellow men on a day to day basis deserve a huge helping of shit in return. So I’m going to say at least 0.1-1% of the population strongly deserve a lot of suffering.
    
    But justice is a human construct, a schema developed via evolutionary game-theory/economic balancing of conflicting individual desires. The universe is uncaring. Stalin died in his sleep.
    
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    May 10, 2018 8:00pm
- Johnboy
  
  I have, of course, always had a sneaking regard for Penny. I’m very sorry to have read that. Good luck Penny with your journey.
  
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  May 10, 2018 6:59pm
- UrbanNeocolonialist
  
  So really being cashed up at this point might be almost ideal – she can holiday, spend up large on fun stuff or rent nicer digs for her remaining days etc
  
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  May 10, 2018 7:49pm
rightoverlabour

That’s not good. I know I have told her where to go on numerous occasions, but that kind of news is dreadful, and she deserves sympathy in this respect.
13 0
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May 10, 2018 7:50pm
Don the Kiwi

Latest from Fox says that Trump will meet Kim Jong Un in Singapore.
Go Trumpy – you bloody beewdy. 🙂
14 2
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May 10, 2018 8:06pm
RF

Not a good prognosis.

She is a fighter and will not give up.

Sad news…..
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May 10, 2018 8:09pm
sooty

Look on the bright side. The ACC is going to get their money, no matter what happens. Either sold by her, the estate or court and rates money and penalties paid will be paid. I would not think she can gift it away.
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May 10, 2018 9:42pm
Awww C-mon

Penny, may your battle with cancer be as long and drawn out as your battle with ACC.

All the best
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May 10, 2018 9:45pm

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