General Debate 6 March 2019

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pdm

Normal service resumes.
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March 6, 2019 8:02am
Sir Cullen's Sidekick

Abother great day under the rule of CoL. Cindy is improving our quality of life and delivering on her promises.
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March 6, 2019 8:02am
- hullkiwi
  
  …yeah right, pass me another Tui’s!…..
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:08am
- DigNap15
  
  I don’t want the COL to deliver on any of their promises or even their lies.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:09am
- Liberty
  
  So you didn’t see Dear Leader rant of like a fishwife under presser from Simon in the house yesterday. Don’t worry you are not alone. The inept media in hacks gallery were like the 3 wise monkeys.
  
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  March 6, 2019 9:49am
- Rachael Membery
  
  You going to change your name? lol
  
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  March 7, 2019 7:42pm
Lee C

Nice to see the beginnings of a nice, surgical evisceration of Ardern in Parliament yesterday.
That Bridges guy is relentless. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Looks like John Key’s revenge on Winston is starting to take effect.
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March 6, 2019 8:03am
- Simon
  
  Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
  Lol, normal people didnt know Bridges existed until Jamie-lee Ross put him on the front page. Mr 5% anit going no where.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:07am
  - Muttonbird
    
    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
    There’s always 4%!
    
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    March 6, 2019 8:09am
    - KevOB
      
      To be increased to 7% for incompetence.
      
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      March 6, 2019 8:14am
      - stigie
        
        They seem to be very afraid of Simon don’t they..?
        
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        March 6, 2019 8:32am
- Muttonbird
  
  Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
  I can understand how you get your jollies when Bridges uses Mike Hosking’s name in parliament and proceeds to belittle the Prime Minister’s after school jobs. You are 12 after all.
  
  But once again Bridges just looks mean and petty to most people.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:08am
  - Salacious Crumb
    
    It’s interesting that you refer to her role as President of the Union of International Socialist Youth as an after school job. Then again she does come across as an ill informed, naive teenager.
    
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    March 6, 2019 8:12am
    - Keeping Stock
      
      Yes, a bit of an own goal there from Muttonbird 😀
      
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      March 6, 2019 8:47am
      - Rich Prick
        
        I still have Cindy’s “comrades” speech in her little Rocky Horror outfit etched in my mind. What was that about?
        
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        March 6, 2019 9:01am
  - KevOB
    
    And the PM 37 going on 12. An ideologue in blinkers with a very dubious mandate.
    
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    March 6, 2019 8:16am
    - sooty
      
      0h, just out of naps then,
      Youth adjacent now!
      Anyone would think she got preggy at school!
      
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      March 6, 2019 11:13am
  - Keeping Stock
    
    The PM has actually embellished the truth over her IUSY role. She may have been president, but the NGO was actually run by an employee, the Director-General. So what business did she do the “hiring and firing” in?
    
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    March 6, 2019 8:17am
    - Swifty
      
      The lies and half-truths roll off her tongue quite easily, don’t they?
      
      Oh, and why is she so ashamed of her Socialist Youth role, that they will not mention its name?
      
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      March 6, 2019 8:22am
      - holysheet
        
        Cindy is getting set up for a job for life when she leaves our parliament next year.
        With her abundance of small business experience she would have to be front runner for the CEO’S job of the Clark Foundation
        
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        March 6, 2019 8:24am
    - alex Masterley
      
      I’ve been wondering about that as well.
      The only conceivable role she could be doing hiring and firing, (well firing anyway) is within her office when one considers the too-ing and fro-ing going on there.
      My feeling is that the PM is telling porkies and she has been caught out.
      Question time will be interesting.
      
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      March 6, 2019 8:34am
    - labrator
      
      I think she’s thinking of that time she “fired” her flatmate. Remember the Minister of Opacity? Friends with that lady that had to resign because of their joint incompetence… oh gosh, so many disasters it’s hard to keep track of them all…
      
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      March 6, 2019 9:38am
    - ztev
      
      Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
      Ardern compared to what ?
      
      Bridges was a mid level employee of a law practice where he specialised completely in government work ( he probably never touched a will ..)
      Bennett was a former truck stop waitress…when she wasnt a welfare queen
      Brownlee was kicked out of his family timber business but found his niche as a woodwork teacher
      
      English had been a Treasury bureaucrat …. it goes on
      Jamie-Lee Ross was a city councillor when he became an MP…that was it..
      Chris Bishop had his career working for national in parliament with a sabbatical as a lobbyist ….working the corridors of parliament
      
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      March 6, 2019 9:47am
      - labrator
        
        Ardern compared to what ?
        
        Ardern compared to anyone. Least experienced Prime Minister in living memory.
        
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        March 6, 2019 9:51am
      - stigie
        
        A lot of snarly bitchyness from the left this morning..?
        They just don’t like it up em !~
        
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        March 6, 2019 9:59am
      - calendar girl
        
        What’s wrong, ztev, with working for a living as a “truck stop waitress”?
        
        Why have you socialists lost your all your support and admiration for the “the working class” who earn their own money – as opposed to waiting for a hand-out from the State?
        
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        March 6, 2019 11:33am
    - slightlyrighty
      
      Probably Cabinet. She’s sacked 2 ministers so far.
      
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      March 6, 2019 9:52am
    - Rachael Membery
      
      So she was just a mouth piece.
      
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      March 7, 2019 7:44pm
  - Rich Prick
    
    Cindy is NZ’s dumbest PM ever. We asked about, and all agreed.
    
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    March 6, 2019 8:33am
  - Monique Watson
    
    Probably looks mean and petty to individuals like yourself who never give back to the community nong head.
    
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    March 6, 2019 8:45am
  - harvey wilson
    
    On the Internet as in life Muttonbird is the reverse Midas . Everything he touches turns to shit.
    
    Still up for that wager Muttonbird, get back to me when you grow a spine.
    
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    March 6, 2019 8:56am
  - Nookin
    
    … mean and petty…
    
    .
    Absolutely! What possible excuse can the leader of the opposition have for holding the Prime Minister to account and exposing the extent of her disingenuous comments?
    I suspect however that he only appears “mean and petty” to the ever diminishing band of brothers who remain addled and besotted by stardust and glib figures of speech.
    
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    March 6, 2019 9:45am
- oldgolfer
  
  Lovely to watch.
  Little wonder Wee Winnie keeps saying Bridges won’t be there at election time – he can see he is a threat.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:15am
  - Monique Watson
    
    Haha Winnie is going to be gone after the next election. I mean who the fuck would vote to keep him in for a second term. He sure has no mandate from any electorate, it’s just the bimbos and the manlads in the MSM who keep giving him oxygen.
    
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    March 6, 2019 8:49am
    - waikatogirl
      
      Winnie, despite his sketchy politics still has his faithful followers who will vote for him in 2020. Don’t count him out if he has any control over it healthwise.
      
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      March 6, 2019 9:15am
  - Keeping Stock
    
    One of Winston Peters and Simon Bridges will not be there after the 2020 election. I’m willing to wager that one will NOT be Simon Bridges.
    
    Father Time has caught up with Peters.
    
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    March 6, 2019 8:50am
  - RW Capitalist
    
    If Bridges isn’t a threat, why are they attacking him.
    That surely would be a waste of effort.
    
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    March 6, 2019 10:31am
    - RW Capitalist
      
      You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.
      Winston Churchill
      
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      March 6, 2019 10:37am
- Surely Knott
  
  The only thing the Media had wrong is that this is a rare win for Bridges against Ardern in the house. When he’s been landing plenty of solid punches on the housing/kiwibuild fiasco, and when she showed up to the house about the embarassing Sroubek /Hardcore/CousinSwney fiasco. But the media only report it if someone is thrown out or if their is a funny soundbite.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:16am
  - Liberty
    
    “this is a rare win “
    What a load of piffle
    If you have been watching Parliament
    It was just normal day at the office for Simon.
    
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    March 6, 2019 10:18am
- JIV
  
  Also nice to see that Ardern takes advice from Kiwiblog.
  
  Rather than “refuting” Simons $64k claim she “absolutely disgree with the members ascertain”.
  
  Someones obviously given her a dictionary and told her to come up with a new word for 2019
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:36am
  - RW Capitalist
    
    AAAHHH
    so that’s what she meant by 2019 being the year of delivery.
    Delivery of speeches with more and more complicated words in them.
    
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    March 6, 2019 10:45am
- kevn
  
  @Lee… Asking questions to which you know the answer is always a good strategy. Even in daily life.
  
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  March 6, 2019 9:18am
- Longknives
  
  Has anyone got a link to Bridges destroying Ardern yesterday?
  The MSM seem to be ignoring it….(as usual)
  
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  March 6, 2019 9:22am
  - Ruawai
    
    Mike Hosking played it this morning on ZB
    
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    March 6, 2019 9:38am
  - Surely Knott
    
    Here’s the full Simon Bridges to Prime Minister link. The heat really starts at the 8.30 mark. It would be good if the media would include links in online articles eg to parliamentary videos, or studies they refer to so you can get further info.
    https://www.parliament.nz/en/watch-parliament/ondemand?itemId=205180
    
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    March 6, 2019 9:42am
    - ztev
      
      Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
      These things only matter to a tiny number of people, and you would increase that by 10%.
      Wont get any clicks on mainstream media, as its their BUSINESS to know what readers want, and its not that stuff.
      
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      March 6, 2019 9:50am
      - herb1
        
        seems to matter to you ztev. are you saying you are in the tiny number of people
        
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        March 6, 2019 9:57am
      - Shaun the Sheep
        
        If mainstream media are ‘in the business of knowing what people want’ why are they still publishing biased tripe?
        If that’s what people want their subscriptions would not be languishing.
        
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        March 6, 2019 10:18am
      - Tall Man
        
        And up pops the stupid boy. Just because steffy is on a time out it doesn’t mean you have to fill the idiot ratio.
        
        In your mind only 10% but if half of that 10% were swing voters, Simon is on his way to the Prime Minister’s job in 2020.
        
        Hurts a bit doesn’t it?
        
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        March 6, 2019 10:25am
      - freethinker
        
        Media circulation is down year on year so the only readers who MSM understand is the leftards and arseholes like yourself.
        
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        March 6, 2019 10:39am
      - RW Capitalist
        
        “as its their BUSINESS to know what readers want”
        and there in lies the problem.
        They are supposed to REPORT the news not:
        Make it
        Alter it
        Redefine it
        Ignore what THEY don’t like
        
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        March 6, 2019 10:40am
      - mic
        
        No Ztev, it’s their business to give readers the true facts, not their sanitised version.
        
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        March 6, 2019 1:24pm
    - slightlyrighty
      
      They used to load this up on YouTube, they no longe do so, claiming “Parliament TV clips are currently not being added to the YouTube channel as YouTube restrictions led to problems publishing the clips last year.”
      
      I don’t believe them.
      
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      March 6, 2019 9:59am
    - Rich Prick
      
      Jesus, Cindy really is Mallard’s Special Little Girl. She wouldn’t last two seconds in the House of Commons. Our House is a sheltered workshop for Cindy and her crayons.
      
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      March 6, 2019 10:00am
  - kowtow
    
    The media are largely commie scum pushing their own agenda.
    
    Compare their relative silence on this lie from the socialist comrade to the absolute hammering all arms of the msm gave Brash on the time he talked about “mainstream” NZ .
    
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    March 6, 2019 11:13am
Simon

Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
This will happen:

Kamala Harris will get the Dem nomination for 2020

She will win the popular vote over Trump by a large number

Trump will win EC vote comfortably

Left/ Dem & MSM outrage at result will cause massive violence. They will refuse to accept result.
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March 6, 2019 8:08am
- Tall Man
  
  Yep, when the lefties don’t get what they want they resort to violence.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:11am
- Scott
  
  For those struggling with Trump Derangement Syndrome it’s going to be a long time till 2024. That’s because the signs are good for Trump cruising into a second term. The American economy is going well, unemployment is down, revenues and wages are up and investment is flowing in. Oil and gas revenues are up and the USA is now self sufficient for fossil fuels.
  America is talking rather than warring with North Korea and China’s predatory trade practices are finally being taken on.
  
  In NZ it’s the exact opposite. Business confidence is down. Oil and gas exploration has been stopped and we are now importing coal. Our government wants to tax us more rather than less.
  
  The contrast could not be more stark. The president of the USA has had a stellar 3 years delivering a great economy while here in NZ we are led by an earnest head girl in charge of the worst government ever.
  
  https://townhall.com/columnists/kevinmccullough/2019/03/03/7-signs-trump-will-landslide-2020-n2542498
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:26am
  - Monique Watson
    
    She would make a great PTA president.
    
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    March 6, 2019 8:51am
    - toby1845
      
      Agreed. Although in her case it would help that normally only one person puts their hand up to be PTA President.
      
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      March 6, 2019 12:20pm
    - Rachael Membery
      
      Not. You have to take responsibility.
      
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      March 7, 2019 7:59pm
- RW Capitalist
  
  and yet
  The polls, this far out are saying that
  40% will or are likely to vote for Trump at the next election. Before all the Dems have even decide to run in a primary.
  2nd term coming.
  
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  March 6, 2019 10:49am
- kowtow
  
  ‘She will win the popular vote over Trump by a large number’
  
  I’d return that crystal ball to Ali Express , it’s reading all wrong.
  
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  March 6, 2019 11:16am
  - Batman
    
    Simon and kowtow – yes that crystal ball is wrong but not in the way you think.
    
    It is not realistically possible for the Dem to win the popular vote by a large margin and Trump to win the EC comfortably, without some seriously weird shit going on.
    
    You’d have to end up with the entire population of every current blue state voting for the Dem candidate, but somehow all the swing states and current red states going to Trump.
    
    I mean it is mathematically possible, but that’s like how every year it is still “mathematically possible” for the warriors or phoenix to make the playoffs from the bottom few places with six games to go…..
    
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    March 6, 2019 1:50pm
Salacious Crumb

Why will Jacinda Ardern not openly admit to being a former President of the Union of International Socialist Youth?

Is she embarrassed by this or more concerned that the mask slipping?
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March 6, 2019 8:10am
- Poppa
  
  If she is not embarrassed she should be
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:12am
- calendar girl
  
  She’s embarrassed by her “Comrades” acceptance speech, having not realised at the time that the internet would preserve in perpetuity that image of her political self-branding.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:22am
- Bill felt
  
  For the same reason that the Labour backroom removed all evidence of that Comrade video and other information (until WO put it up again). They are concerned that if we actually knew just how hardcore socialist Cindy is that we would not vote for her!
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:23am
  - Gravelroad
    
    We didn’t vote for her.
    She was foisted upon us.
    
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    March 6, 2019 8:38am
- Swifty
  
  Yeah, good question.
  
  Why is she embarrassed about it?
  
  Edit: added ‘why’
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:23am
- SGA
  
  Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
  Why will Jacinda Ardern not openly admit to being a former President of the Union of International Socialist Youth?
  
  From a quick google, she did so in her maiden speech in parliament, it is quite prominent on her Wikipedia page, and it was well reported in MSM articles when she became Leader of the Opposition? Not sure what you are going on about, to be honest. It hardly seems a skeleton she’s hidden in the closet.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:29am
  - Salacious Crumb
    
    So why does she avoid questions about it in interviews or in the house?
    
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    March 6, 2019 8:40am
    - SGA
      
      No idea (or even whether she does or doesn’t). But a quick fact check of your basic accusation shows it doesn’t hold water. She has very openly admitted it, and it has been very much in the public domain.
      
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      March 6, 2019 8:43am
      - Salacious Crumb
        
        In a pre-election interview with Garner she stated “My politics are more of the progressive movement”.
        
        So what is she; a progressive or a socialist? It wasn’t the International Union of Progressive Youth she was, as you put it, openly admitted to.
        
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        March 6, 2019 8:53am
      - SGA
        
        So what is she; a progressive or a socialist? It wasn’t the International Union of Progressive Youth she was, as you put it, openly admitted to.
        
        Sorry, I’m not finding this particular witchhunt very convincing. I was surprised by your basic accusation because I thought I remembered that issue being well covered in the media a couple of years ago. A quick check confirmed that, and that she’d quite freely said as much in her maiden speech (which seems pretty much openly admitting something to me).
        
        Do her politics now align exactly with her politics then? Don’t know, but I’d be surprised – many of the people reading this blog have changed or at least moderated their political views since their 20s. David Garrett was once a leftie of sorts, and ended up a member for ACT (which itself was founded by ex-Labour ministers).
        
        From the sounds of things, you would only be happy if she started every speech with some reference to it 🙂
        
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        March 6, 2019 9:15am
      - kevn
        
        SGA… It wasn’t really ‘in the public domain’ unless one was looking. However now it is in a newspaper, the fact is out.
        JA was very reluctant to admit her NGO socialist youth ‘job’. That was plain as day.
        
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        March 6, 2019 9:22am
      - SGA
        
        However now it is in a newspaper, the fact is out.
        
        Sorry, kevn, but I remembered reading about it when she became Labour’s leader, and my quick google search confirmed that it was in newspapers in 2017. That’s why I can’t see what all the fuss is about now?
        
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        March 6, 2019 9:36am
      - labrator
        
        No idea (or even whether she does or doesn’t)
        
        It’s a direct reference to a question yesterday on what the NGO was. She couldn’t say the words and instead relied on Bridges asking directly if that was it to which she replied “Congratulations, you can use wikipedia”. Why when asked is she unable to say “I was the President of the Union of International Socialist Youth”? Is it a soundbite she doesn’t want repeated? Labour went on and on about what Key was doing when he was 18 but she can’t repeat what we know she did in her twenties!
        
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        March 6, 2019 9:45am
      - kloyd0306
        
        ….yet avoided it yesterday.
        
        CGT and the disaster that is Venezuela is starting to bite.
        
        Socialism promises everything and fails miserably.
        
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        March 6, 2019 12:07pm
    - Monique Watson
      
      Because most individuals like myself will have a visceral reaction to a politician being outed as a Socialist. In my younger years I didn’t realize that’s what Helen Clark was and voted Labour. It’s lipstick on a pig that will trample liberty.
      
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      March 6, 2019 8:54am
      - mikenmildagain
        
        You must have been very poorly educated to make it to voting age without knowing that our two main political parties have maintained a consensus on democratic socialism since the 1940s.
        
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        March 6, 2019 10:58am
    - Local Miller
      
      This total avoidance of the question by JA in the house really riles me.
      Bridges: Was that NGO the Union of International Socialist Youth?
      Ardern: I see the member knows how to use Wikipedia!
      Correct Answer: YES!
      
      Same with the previous question. I don’t have time to watch question time, so this is all I’ve been able to pick up. But really, not answering the question is lying. As I see it the useless speaker should be insisting she actually answer the question. All this dodging and diving just makes it obvious she is a lying, petulant child pretending to be a leader.
      
      I bet if this were John Key, the press would be all over the dodging like rash!
      
      Worst Government, worst PM ever.
      
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      March 6, 2019 9:04am
      - SGA
        
        Wow, I see what you mean – some may see that as a sarcastic answer to a sarcastic question, but you’ve opened my eyes to her cunning deception and duplicity 🙂
        
        I’m not a Labour supporter, but this is really very silly.
        
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        March 6, 2019 9:47am
      - labrator
        
        I’m not a Labour supporter, but this is really very silly.
        
        No, the silly thing is claiming that you understand the needs of a small business in New Zealand because you were once the head of a delusional group of young political interferers.
        
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        March 6, 2019 9:53am
      - SGA
        
        That’s a much more relevant accusation. Much less silly.
        
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        March 6, 2019 9:55am
      - RW Capitalist
        
        She is like a 5 year old
        She lies
        We know she lies
        She knows we know she lies
        But she still lies.
        
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        March 6, 2019 10:54am
      - Howdy
        
        So by avoiding answering the question Jacinda was a liar!
        
        Thanks for sorting that for me.
        
        Jacinda Adhern is a Liar
        (By avoiding direct answers about her Socialist Past in Parliament…..)
        
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        March 6, 2019 11:18am
      - Rachael Membery
        
        And yet just the other week there was a clip of a young Simon saying what his views were on homosexuality, I have never seen those clips of Jacinda on TV, everyone should put them on their facebook, I have recently, even though I usually keep politics off it. I am sick of the bias.
        
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        March 7, 2019 8:07pm
  - tf78
    
    SGA – have you not seen her “comrades” speech, that’s what she doesn’t want people to see.
    
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    March 6, 2019 9:17am
  - Ruawai
    
    Even her office when answering an OIA called it an international group rather than naming it in black and white. I am surprised they didn’t redact it and put a black line through the name.
    
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    March 6, 2019 9:40am
  - Tall Man
    
    Perhaps not then but this is now so why the change?
    
    Here you go.
    
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9rsxFaq6Ig
    
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    March 6, 2019 10:27am
    - calendar girl
      
      15 uses of the socialists’ “Comrades” form of address. Almost as annoying as her frequest repetition of the word “pardee”.
      
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      March 6, 2019 11:52am
- Nigel Kearney
  
  Socialism and winning elections aren’t really compatible. If a politician calls themselves a socialist, generally either they don’t expect to get elected or they are already in power and have fixed things so they can’t be voted out.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:35am
cmm

The handling of Lime has been a complete joke.

First off, it should not be about a specific safety incident – the braking problem. Rather, it should be about:
* Lime’s engineering/quality control/release procedures.
* Lime’s policies when issues are uncovered (recall, warning the public etc).
* The level of auditing that should be used for the Lime devices.

Lime’s firmware (the software controlling the scooter) is capable of unintended braking and unintended acceleration thus exposing the user, other road users and the public in general to injury and death.

In my opinion (35-odd years of dealing with firmware), the Lime scooter firmware development should be handled the same as firmware development for a motor vehicle.

Before Lime should be allowed on the roads, they should have to prove that their firmware development procedures, QA etc up to scratch and that any firmware they deploy is up to those levels.

Further, like with motor vehicles, they should have alert/recall procedures in place.

Until they can prove those points, they should not be allowed on any roads/footpaths etc in NZ.
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March 6, 2019 8:11am
- KevOB
  
  The regulation and introduction of Lime scooters seems very lax.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:20am
- Ruahine
  
  Lime scooters or any other motorised vehicles that are capable of travelling in excess of 25 kph should not be allowed on the footpaths at anytime. Cycleways Yes. Roadway Yes.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:38am
  - labrator
    
    Yes, it seems a loophole. The roadcode references wheel size as a way of limiting adult bikes but this was all pre-electric-scooters. It also mentions a max-power output of 300W. If that was dropped to 200W you’d outlaw electric scooters on footpaths.
    
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    March 6, 2019 9:57am
    - kowtow
      
      It’s not a loophole .
      
      Someone at the NZTA changed the definition of a motor vehicle to facilitate their being allowed on footpaths . It is madness but also smacks of back room shenanigans.
      
      ‘By law, in order to define e-scooters as non-motor vehicles, the NZTA had to issue a gazette notice, and then present the notice to Parliament. But the NZTA had not presented this “within the required time”, ‘
      
      https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/e-scooter-footpath-use-%E2%80%98illegal%E2%80%99
      
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      March 6, 2019 11:21am
      - labrator
        
        Thanks for that kowtow. I was unaware it had been a deliberate change. I was aware of a power and wheel limit for some time so assumed it remained unchanged.
        
        Here is the gazette: E–Scooters (Declaration Not to be Motor Vehicles) Notice 2018
        Dated: Dated at Wellington this 18th day of September 2018.
        
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        March 6, 2019 12:32pm
      - labrator
        
        Even more interesting is the same limit of 300W applies to ebikes for them not to be classified as motor vehicles. I wonder how many ebikes are above that and still getting ridden in bike lanes?
        https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2013-au4618
        
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        March 6, 2019 12:40pm
  - cmm
    
    The scooter max speed is due to firmware throttling.
    
    If the firmware goes mad there’s probably not much limiting it from going 50kph.
    
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    March 6, 2019 10:10am
  - Viking2
    
    Ok then, This morning I was passed, whist in a queue at a round about, by a full blown motor bike using the bike lane.
    Is that OK?
    
    Last night on the way home I waited while an electric scooter crossed the intersection. Wasn’t a lime and to my knowledge no other company has started in Tauranga so it must be owned by the driver. Are there rules for him?
    
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    March 6, 2019 12:47pm
    - Batman
      
      Yes, the same rules as for everyone else on a small transport device. Bikes, push scooters, skateboards etc
      
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      March 6, 2019 1:57pm
- Nigel Kearney
  
  They are nothing like motor vehicles. The risk to the user is much less, and the risk to third parties is even less than that. Lime’s R&D budget is nowhere near what a car manufacturer has. What you are suggesting would kill innovation stone dead.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:41am
  - KevOB
    
    Ask ACC.
    
    Why was a fast transport device allowed so widely and so fast?
    Why was it able to be fixed so readily? Was it actually tested before release?
    Cui bono?
    
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    March 6, 2019 9:48am
  - cmm
    
    “Lime’s R&D budget is nowhere near what a car manufacturer has.”
    
    So what? Why should not being able to afford to do proper QA be an excuse?
    
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    March 6, 2019 10:09am
- Tall Man
  
  Mike Williams did a good job for them didn’t he?
  
  https://twitter.com/checkpointrnz/status/1098073702929821696
  
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  March 6, 2019 10:30am
  - KevOB
    
    So it has the stench of a Labour lobbyist. This is almost imperialism by Foreign Corporates.
    
    Lime should reimburse ACC for all costs.
    
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    March 6, 2019 10:51am
    - Batman
      
      Oh calm down you old fuddy duddies
      
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      March 6, 2019 1:58pm
      - KevOB
        
        Why should Lime com here and cause $1/2m ACC mayhem from a slack product?
        
        1. The scooters were not fit for purpose.
        2. A former Labour Party head is named as introductory lobbyist.
        
        I am happy to promote safety. Old? You’ll have to ask my children–not all college age even.
        
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        March 6, 2019 4:04pm
      - Tall Man
        
        Young at heart and still “fighting fit”…..
        
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        March 6, 2019 9:13pm
      - Rachael Membery
        
        If they were up and running when I was in Akl I would have had a go last week.
        
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        March 7, 2019 8:23pm
DigNap15

I loved it watching Simon ask what ngo Ardern worked for!
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March 6, 2019 8:11am
Monique Watson

Oh Fuck. Sineloa is in NZ. I was pretty sure this was the case reading between the lines. Anything intercepted at the main International airport in certain quantities may have originated two stops prior to its destination. Auckland Airport has corrupt employees.
Forget the ‘nice’ politics for a bit. This will lead to the drug epidemic taking hold in New Zealand. I’d be interested to hear what the party leaders have to say about this threat. I’m recent years I’ve encountered scores of twenty year olds who have pretty severe heroine, meth, fentanyl and coke habits. It has a huge bearing on youth suicide rates.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2019/03/sinaloa-cartel-behind-major-recent-new-zealand-drug-busts-experts.amp.html
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March 6, 2019 8:11am
- Jules99
  
  And yet we are not allowed to buy cold and flu remedies.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:17am
- Tall Man
  
  Well I think you’re wrong….. 😉
  
  ardern the liar will welcome the “diversity” that another nation’s drug dealers can bring to the “market”.
  
  Of course the local “maori” cartels will be lodging a ‘treaty” claim asking to establish the “truth” that only maori have the right to import and distribute narcotics as per the “rights” ceded to them by the Crown under the terms o the treaty. Then ardern the liar will jump on board as “separatism” is vastly more beneficial to NZ than “diversity”.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:17am
- Salacious Crumb
  
  Yeah forget the coke and heroin. It’s the serious shit like fentanyl and it’s stronger derivative carfentanyl that is really concerning. Cheap to make and highly addictive. Look at what’s happened in Canada for a lesson in what it does to communities.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:17am
- Jules99
  
  Once Trump closes off the Southern border those drugs (and people being trafficked) need to go somewhere.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:20am
- Inandout
  
  MW, you will never stop the vulnerable from taking drugs. Well you can reduce it, but we don’t want drug dealers shot do we?
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:24am
  - Tall Man
    
    Don’t we?
    
    It takes patience waiting for them to do it to each other……
    
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    March 6, 2019 8:26am
  - kowtow
    
    Drug dealers deserve to be shot.
    
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    March 6, 2019 12:40pm
- Lizziep
  
  Narcos Mexico will give an insight as to how they operate. While it is dramatized it is based on fact.
  
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  March 6, 2019 12:01pm
secondcumming

Back in August last year, the NZH published an article about problems besetting the troubled *Alexandra Park Apartment development*. At that time, Auckland Council had imposed a 3 month shutdown on the site. One para in the story that was particularly concerning – ‘Steel from China was being used on the job and was subject to robust quality assurance measures’.

Following yesterdays announcement, would you be prepared to hang on in there for another couple of years…..or ask for your deposit back?

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12209283

Asking for a friend.
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March 6, 2019 8:13am
- alex Masterley
  
  Mis-quoting Monty Python “…run away, run away…”.
  My inclination would be to get my deposit back and find somewhere else to live.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:15am
  - Keeping Stock
    
    Sounds like a bonanza for your brethren in the legal community Alex 😀
    
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    March 6, 2019 8:34am
    - alex Masterley
      
      Regrettably that is the case.
      Sadly I don’t see it stopping. I think Alexandra Park is just the tip of the ice berg.
      There have been a number of apartment builds that have fallen over in recent times.
      I just wish some of them could get to CCC and settlement without the cock ups that have been bedeviling them. It is very unsettling for those purchasing as well as those working under the head contractors.
      
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      March 6, 2019 8:44am
  - Rich Prick
    
    Issues with structural steel are so hard to fix short of demolition and re-build. X-rays are well and good, but only tell you if the steel is there, not whether it is of a quality up to the job of holding the building up. I wouldn’t touch one. What’s the bet Auckland’s ratepayers stump up after the inevitable litigation?
    
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    March 6, 2019 8:43am
    - alex Masterley
      
      There are also issues with the underlying geology which is basault indisbursed with lava caves only some of which were located during the site investigation phase…
      
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      March 6, 2019 8:45am
      - tf78
        
        I believe a lot of the money went into pouring concrete into those caves before any construction began.
        
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        March 6, 2019 9:22am
    - Tall Man
      
      At a site just up the road, a truck load of steel takes about 4 hours to unlaod as every piece of steel has to be inspected before it is taken off the truck.
      
      This is before “forming” is undertaken.
      
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      March 6, 2019 9:21pm
- Inandout
  
  second, I have always followed the saying that a fool and his money are soon parted. Thus far I have skirted around pitfalls.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:20am
- Poppa
  
  I really feel for the Auckland Trotting Club on this, it was a great idea & they have put in place large stake increases which will be really good for harness racing.
  
  I hope they get this sorted
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:26am
- thetiedarch
  
  I’m a structural engineer. Almost actually bought an apartment in that complex.
  
  The announcement that the developer is being asked to scan and X-ray all the concrete implies significant quality control issues around reinforcement and concrete pre-pour inspections. And this is before even considering the implications of the quality of the steel coming from China.
  
  If I’d bought, I would be asking for my money back immediately.
  
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  March 6, 2019 9:01am
- Maggie Pie
  
  My partner drives past those places on Greenlane Rd every day. He reckons that for the last few months theyve been paying a few guys to dress up in orange vests and hard hats and look busy. LOL!!
  
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  March 6, 2019 11:10am
Lee C

Yes I certainly did ‘get my jollies’ enjoying the clinical ripping apart of Brandcinda.
Personally, I can forgive her socialist background. But that pvc swimsuit. Oh for pity’s sake girlfriend!

The best part was, just before the cut when she looked at the Speaker with an “Thank God you’re here to rescue me” look in her eyes. It almost looked pre-rehearsed.
I’d would say it was blatant bias on the part of the Speaker.

But Ardernt.
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March 6, 2019 8:24am
- stigie
  
  Im quite sure when Mallard stands up after an awkward question to Jacinduh and think about how it has been delivered is to give her time to think about the answer !~
  Do i and everyone else think Mallard is covering for the SLG..?
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:55am
  - Tall Man
    
    You can see the “intellect”level of the lefty posters we get on here.
    
    They are not very deep and I for one see no reason why their adored leader, adern the liar should be much different.
    
    In short, she’s dumb, they do their best to emulate here.
    
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    March 6, 2019 9:26pm
KevOB

Good backgrounder on the shonky science being used to remold the world…

https://www.city-journal.org/global-warming
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March 6, 2019 8:24am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  Yep
  A good read on a climate scientist who understands how to do science.
  
  Not like these clowns who have fudged their data and tried to hide their fudged efforts from the public for years:
  https://wattsupwiththat.com/2019/03/04/climategate-continues-the-mann-hockeystick-university-of-arizona-emails-are-now-public/
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:34am
  - Shaun the Sheep
    
    https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/mar/4/patrick-moore-greenpeace-co-founder-shreds-ocasio-/
    
    Patrick Moore’s comments on the Green New Deal are interesting.
    Without fossil fuels the planet will be unable to produce enough food to feed its population.
    Without fossil fuels producers will be unable to get food to markets.
    People will die without fossil fuels.
    AOC is a fool.
    
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    March 6, 2019 10:27am
holysheet

A former campaign staffer who worked on Cindy’s 2017 election campaign has sued her, alleging she kissed him without consent.
I want to sue her for fucking the country without my consent.
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March 6, 2019 8:25am
- Shaun the Sheep
  
  Does he still have the teeth marks?
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:31am
Maggie Pie

“HELLO!! Michael Hill – Designer.” LOL 🙂

https://twitter.com/nzherald/status/1102851266110210048
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March 6, 2019 8:28am
- Inandout
  
  The ‘jewel’ of Foxton.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:36am
  - Maggie Pie
    
    I can tell you one thing – based on the look of his boat theres no way i’d let him anywhere near my ring.
    
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    March 6, 2019 9:01am
    - Inandout
      
      Maggie, I doubt MH would be inclined, if you know what I mean.
      
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      March 6, 2019 9:33am
- Jules99
  
  Looks like a battle ship, which makes me wonder, what does he know that we don’t?
  
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  March 6, 2019 9:13am
Bill felt

What a shame!

Hillary Clinton rules out 2020 rematch with Donald Trump
ASSOCIATED PRESS MARCH 05, 2019
WASHINGTON — Hillary Clinton says she won’t run for president in 2020, but vows she’s ‘‘not going anywhere.’’

The former secretary of state, senator, and first lady ruled out another campaign during an interview posted Monday by New York TV station News12.
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March 6, 2019 8:28am
- MCos
  
  What a shame says nobody, except maybe President Trump.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:46am
- Scott
  
  Hillary Clinton not running is a real shame. I would like her to run every election for president of the United States. Who knows maybe third time lucky? 🙂
  It will be interesting to see who the Democrats nominate to run against Pres Trump? Given that most of the leading contenders at the moment are championing socialism, want to spend $93 trillion on the green new deal and are quite comfortable with abortion at any time including the third trimester and even voted against giving medical attention to a baby who survives abortion, they are going to have a lot of explaining to do.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:50am
  - tf78
    
    Does an abortion at anytime make it legal to murder anyone of any age that you don’t like.
    
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    March 6, 2019 9:27am
  - Scott
    
    tf78 – it does make you wonder?!
    But the stance of the Democrat party appears to be that abortion is okay at any time and that if the child survives an abortion then the child should be killed. Apparently drowned in some kind of solution is the standard practice?
    
    But I would guess that is the logical consequence of abortion. If you think it is okay to abort in the third trimester, if you think it is okay to abort right up till the day of birth, then logically it is a very small step to aborting the child the day after it is born.
    
    We appear to be reviving the ancient Roman practice of infanticide. Apparently the father could decide not to accept the newly born child and it was perfectly acceptable to leave the baby outside the city wall to die of exposure or to be killed by wild animals.
    
    I would have thought that civilised society would have moved beyond these kind of practices but evidently not.
    Given our prime minister’s desire to move abortion out of the crimes act I imagine that she would be of a similar mind on this issue?
    
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    March 6, 2019 9:58am
holysheet

Simon and Cindy are in a bar at the airport. Simon leans over, and with a smile on his face, says, “I must say it’s most unusual, but the media are really tearing you apart for that scandal.” 
Cindy: “You mean when my Government ignored advice from Treasury and put $9.9 million from Wristys slush fund into Westland Milk. Ignoring yet again my pre-election promise to build Buller hospital?
Simon: “No, the other one”
Cindy: “You mean when I got my office staff to give totally false answers to the request to please explain all my small business experience?”
Simon: “No, the other one”
Cindy: “You mean when I knew of Jimmy Two Mums excessive flights around the world, thus making him a weapons grade hypocrite?”
Simon: “No, the other one”
Cindy: “You mean when I said that befriending a neighbour holds more value than curing diabetes
Simon: “No, the other one”
Cindy: “You mean when I said on the international stage that every cent of our well being budget will somehow be run through a filter to show how it contributes to “intergenerational wellbeing”.
Simon: “No, the other one”
Cindy: “You mean when I approved the burying of the report showing how successful Nationals Whanau Ora policy has been?
Simon: “No, the other one”
Cindy: “You mean when I said there was a poll question that asked if you would be in favour of a CGT, if it led to a tax switch, and I stated there was overwhelming support for it?
Simon: “No, the other one”
Cindy: “You mean after we spent three years in opposition with our own inquiry, into the future of work, now we are having another inquiry into the findings of our first inquiry?”
Simon: “No, the other one”
Cindy: “You mean when I said on The Nation, that just like in Australia, 95% of kiwis will not be affected by a CGT?”
Simon: “No, the other one”
Cindy: “You mean when I agreed with International Tax experts that NZ has a relatively simple and effective taxation system, yet we immediately attempt to implement a punitive tax to drive this country into an economic depression?”
Simon: “No, the other one”
Cindy: “You mean when I allowed David Clark to abolish public reporting of health targets and then we are surprised that DHBs are now failing to meet even basic requirements?”
Simon: “No, the other one”
Cindy: “You mean when I lied to you when you asked me a question in Parliament about my saying to Mike Hosking that I had worked for a NGO overseas, and I said no, I had not?
Simon: “No, the other one”
Cindy: “I give up! … Oh wait, I think I’ve got it!“ You mean when I lied during the election campaign that there would be NO strikes on my watch??”
Simon: “THAT’S IT! I almost forgot about that one”
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March 6, 2019 8:33am
BeaB

The Left mocked John Key’s accent. Now they jeer at the way Simon Bridges speaks.
But not a word about Helen Clark’s horrible voice or Jacinda’s inability to pronounce basic vocab. Or her mangling of Maori pronunciation.
Must be lovely to be so totally above criticism.
Must be a contortionist act to see either of them as perfection.
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March 6, 2019 8:34am
- MCos
  
  You know you’re grasping at straws when mock someone’s accent or teeth or chin or body shape . . . . .
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:43am
  - Maggie Pie
    
    .
    
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    March 6, 2019 9:15am
  - kevn
    
    Yes, I feel sorry for Simon. He is getting better though. Maybe getting his teeth into something is helping?
    
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    March 6, 2019 9:28am
- mandk
  
  Don’t forget Peters’ constant slurring of words.
  
  “Now listen here sunshine, flbb dinna snorl barga get me a mmnak (pauses with a stupid grin waiting to see if everyone is laughing at his witticisms) Simon Bridges won’t snuf garbble fink by the end of the year”
  
  Who’d be a Hansard stenographer?
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:49am
  - stigie
    
    You are demonstrably wrong sunshine !~ //
    
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    March 6, 2019 9:00am
Dany

SJWs are upset Will Smith is not black enough to play a black man in a movie…..also the next 007 must be a gender fluid person of color
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March 6, 2019 8:36am
- Rich Prick
  
  The Spy Who Fudded Me?
  
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  March 6, 2019 9:18am
Lee C

Deep down, they are snobs, a self-appointed ‘vanguard of the proletariat’.
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March 6, 2019 8:36am
- Ruahine
  
  They are also bigots.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:42am
Inandout

Baby Trudeau is heading downwards and may soon be ejected. Let us hope this entitled prick departs soon.
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March 6, 2019 8:39am
- Sideoiler
  
  Baby Trudeau is heading downwards and may soon be ejected. Let us hope this entitled prick departs soon.
  
  Seems to be a lefty thing, looks like AOC is in a spot of bother.
  Just a misunderstanding I am sure.
  
  http://us24news.com/aoc-facing-jail-time-as-campaign-cash-scandal-explodes/
  
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  March 6, 2019 9:15am
- RF
  
  Be very afraid Ardern. You are next……..
  
  We do not want socialist POS running this country……
  
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  March 6, 2019 1:27pm
Salacious Crumb

Very interesting article about China’s growing reach:

https://quillette.com/2019/03/04/china-is-gearing-up-for-a-long-fight/
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March 6, 2019 8:48am
hullkiwi

Has anyone else out there been wondering if there is something very odd going on out there in NZs political beltway.

As the holiday season came to a close, we had almost daily stories about a series of stuff ups about the CoL and CoL policies and how the fallout was handled in the media. In particular, there was Phail Twitford and his own special failure KiwiSlum which now has to be recalibrated.

Then as if to knock back the rising fortunes of the Nats, we get two opinion polls in quick succession which seemed to suggest all was well in the land of the CoL.

Roll on another week and we get the release of the TWG recommendations, and almost immediately Roberstson is back tracking on the recommendations after a Reid Research poll shows a majority of Kiwis against the CGT and also the poll was contrary to the Colmar Brunton poll (an organisation that has track record of publishing dubious results when they are being paid to provide a poll to support a policy).

Now a further two weeks has gone by and we are now seeing something strange emerging at the Horrid….almost like they are getting nervous about the SLG and the future of the CoL and are now wanting an each way bet?

My view is based on a series of opinion pieces over the last week, and even if we look at the last 2 days

On one side we have Barely Sober, turning rabid on the CoL…acting like he got left off an invite list, or is he taking new instructions?

Yesterday he gave us…

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=12209438

Then for today’s offering he gives us…

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=12209826

Meanwhile, for balance over in the far left looney red corner of opinion writing we have David Cormack yesterday giving us this piece of fanatasy rubbish. In his piece, Cormack has turned the reality of the past 10 years on its head (it just shows what happens when you progress from school into politics and your only job has been to be a spinmeister).

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=12209321

In Cormack’s case, having an opinion is one thing, but being able writing unchallenged falsehoods is another…

If, there are shifting sands beneath the feet of the CoL, the message for National is that the party needs to take advantage of the changing environment and be on top of its media campaign and ensures it outguns the CoL early at each policy turn.

As the “so-called debate” about CGT is proving, the CoL don’t have a clue about their policy. The early king hits from critics have discredited a bad policy early and in a fast and hard hitting manner. Thus sowing doubts in the minds of the public and the CoL’s supporters. Meaning the likes of Cormack are resorting to fantasy to make the CoLs message heard.

So, back to my original point it now seems that outfits like the Horrid maybe turning to have an each way bet on the SLG. If, this is so, then National must move to take advantage!
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March 6, 2019 8:49am
- KevOB
  
  …outfits like the Horrid maybe turning to have an each way bet…
  
  They are responding to National all ready and having moved.
  ☑️ ☑️
  
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  March 6, 2019 11:03am
Maggie Pie

I sooo look forward to the start of parliament ‘Quesetion Time’ just to see what Jacindas wearing. Why she chose that black-number yesterday is beyond me. To be honest, it made her look like Lily Munster 🙁
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March 6, 2019 8:49am
- Longknives
  
  That is very, very unfair on Yvonne De Carlo! She was a glamorous movie star in the 40s and 50s- I doubt she would have been seen dead in clunky cankle boots and the rest of Jacinda’s drab ‘Socialist Youth’ wardrobe….
  
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  March 6, 2019 9:29am
  - rangitoto
    
    Even as Lily she looked hot. Nothing like Taxinda
    
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvonne_De_Carlo#/media/File:Lily.Munster.jpg
    
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    March 6, 2019 10:10am
- noskire
  
  When will shet trot out the number she wore at her infamous International Union of Socialist Youth speech?
  
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  March 6, 2019 9:52am
  - ABS
    
    I hope not. I’m on NoFap
    
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    March 6, 2019 10:27am
  - alex Masterley
    
    I doubt it. That outfit will be kept for “those” moments with Jethro.
    
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    March 6, 2019 12:08pm
- freethinker
  
  I thought she looked like MoMo with makeup.
  
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  March 6, 2019 10:55am
cmm

So Cook Islands is going to change its name to expunge colonialism

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12209847

Does that also mean they will stop taking the Evil Handouts?

https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/aid-and-development/our-work-in-the-pacific/cook-islands/

PS Why is it called a “partnership” when we’re doing all the giving and Cooks is doing all the taking?
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March 6, 2019 8:53am
- Jack5
  
  One political group in the Cooks wants a “more independent” foreign policy, including its own UN seat.
  
  The NZ position has been if that happens it gets full independence, including free rights to live in New Zealand, where two-thirds to three-quarters of Cook Islanders now live.
  
  The name change would be an interesting marketing challenge. Converting the tourist market to a Polynesian name would be costly, and New Zealand won’t – or shouldn’t – pay for that. A likely Polynesian name would be Avaiki Nui. From the written form in English, the big language of tourism, pronunciation of this name isn’t obvious.
  
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  March 6, 2019 9:20am
  - Longknives
    
    But surely they won’t be writing the new name in English?
    Because Colonialism/White Culture is evil…You know?
    
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    March 6, 2019 9:44am
    - Jack5
      
      It’s interesting that the Hooerald web site headline reads: “Cook Islands to change name to remove any association with Captain Cook.”
      
      Yet the report, which is a repeat of Radio NZ’s, contains the deputy prime minister of the Cook Islands, Mark Brown, saying:
      
      “”I’m quite happy to look at a traditional name for our country which more reflects the true Polynesian nature of our island nation,” Brown told Radio New Zealand.
      
      “I think the first steps are to find out what the public appetite actually is for a change of name.”
      
      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12209847
      
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      March 6, 2019 10:08am
      - adventure
        
        My pick is there is encouragement (financial) from the ‘most preferred lender’ to further loosen colonial links, similar to the flag debate here. Anyone recall how influential Taiwan was in the Pacific??
        
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        March 6, 2019 10:33am
      - Maggy Wassilieff
        
        @adventure
        
        Taiwan’s influence is in the islands north of the Cooks.
        Cook Is is in the PRC camp.
        https://theconversation.com/soft-power-goes-hard-chinas-economic-interest-in-the-pacific-comes-with-strings-attached-103765
        
        https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/28/taiwan-china-rivalry-unfolds-in-the-pacific.html
        
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        March 6, 2019 10:58am
      - Jack5
        
        A Cook Islands name change presumably would mean its present internet suffix, CK, would have to change. CI was taken by the Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire – colonial name, and colonial French is the official language).
        
        If the Cook Islands become Avaiki Nui, they will find AN already taken by Netherlands Antilles (oh dear, another colonial name).
        
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        March 6, 2019 1:16pm
  - mikenmildagain
    
    I think most tourism marketing already refes to Rarotonga rather than the Cook Islands.
    It appears this will happen, some time. I gather the last attempt foundered on inter-island differences.
    
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    March 6, 2019 10:20am
  - cmm
    
    I welcome their independence – especially from my wallet.
    
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    March 6, 2019 11:56am
    - RW Capitalist
      
      not with winnie splashing the cash to the islands,
      
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      March 6, 2019 12:00pm
- Rachael Membery
  
  Who was it that cooked Cook?
  
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  March 7, 2019 9:02pm
  - mikenmildagain
    
    Hawaiians.
    
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    March 7, 2019 9:04pm
holysheet

It looks like I have been unfair to Cindy. A liitle research shows she will not be getting much when she resigns next year.

Annuity for former Prime Minister The annuity payable under section 43(1)(a) of the Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Services) Act 2013 to a person who has held the office of Prime Minister for not less than 2 years (whether for a continuous period or for periods totalling 2 years) is payable at the yearly rate of the lesser of the following:
(a) $10,700 for each complete year of the total period for which the person held the office:
(b) $53,500 (annual maximum annuity payable).

At her age she would need to get another job. With that big debt on her house, she would need to put her extensive small business experience to use to pay the bills. Jethro will need to get a proper job as well.

Given their past experience, they could join forces, set up a small company and import lawnmowers.
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March 6, 2019 8:53am
- Rich Prick
  
  Get another job? Buggered if I know what she’s actually qualified for. Is there a Union of International Socialist Youth Adjacent?
  
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  March 6, 2019 9:11am
- noskire
  
  I’ve been working on some company names for them.
  Hardcore Mowing Company?
  Straight Between The Lines?
  Momo and Co?
  Jethro’s Fine Cut?
  
  26 0
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  March 6, 2019 9:57am
- mikenmildagain
  
  That is serious. But other ‘retired’ PMs have managed to get by. I see Jenny Shipley is going to ramp up her speaking career now that she is too toxic to get board sinecures.
  
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  March 6, 2019 10:24am
  - KevOB
    
    Do you have the ability to be a Public Company Director and to be exposed to the personal liabilities of that position?
    
    11 0
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    March 6, 2019 10:37am
    - mikenmildagain
      
      Are you asking me to expose myself?
      
      1 13
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      March 6, 2019 10:38am
      - noskire
        
        Would that be your third strike? Asking for a friend.
        
        11 0
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        March 6, 2019 11:14am
      - sooty
        
        Go on, we know you want too!
        
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        March 6, 2019 11:35am
      - KevOB
        
        I perceive you are unlikely to be suitable for directorship of a public company.
        
        Are there any COL promoters who are possible?
        
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        March 6, 2019 4:10pm
      - Rachael Membery
        
        it will be interesting to see if Jacinda is offered anything like that. Meritocracy and all of that.
        
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        March 7, 2019 9:08pm
- Tall Man
  
  The Mexicans may not be too keen.
  
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  March 6, 2019 9:46pm
harvey wilson

AOC accused of fraud of almost a mill

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/ocasio-cortezs-chief-of-staff-ran-1m-slush-fund-by-diverting-campaign-cash-to-his-own-companies?_amp=true
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March 6, 2019 8:54am
- RW Capitalist
  
  Ya see, she’s just an amateur, check out the linton foundation.
  Billions in for Haiti………almost NOTHING paid into Haiti…but Chelsea had a slap up wedding.
  
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  March 6, 2019 9:03am
  - mikenmildagain
    
    So why hasn’t the Clinton Foundation been closed down? Surely malfeasance on the scale you allege would attract action in an era when the Trump Foundation has been shut down for its penny-ante grifting?
    
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    March 6, 2019 10:25am
    - UrbanNeocolonialist
      
      Yes why. Though it seems the wheels of justice are slowly grinding with respect to the Clintons with evidence of a lot of questionable exceedingly favorable decisions towards Clintons from within Department of justice and FBI:
      https://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-docs-reveal-fbi-cover-up-of-chart-of-potential-violations-of-law-by-hillary-clinton/
      
      14 0
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      March 6, 2019 10:59am
    - Maggy Wassilieff
      
      Clinton Foundation seems to be running short on dough.
      https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2018/12/clinton-foundation-revenue-low/
      
      7 0
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      March 6, 2019 1:00pm
      - Tall Man
        
        Hasn’t ardern the liar paid “our” $8 million yet?
        
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        March 6, 2019 9:48pm
RW Capitalist

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/05/world/europe/london-transit-bombs.html
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/isil-fighters-surrender-numbers-final-syria-enclave-190305074306139.html
(Before Trump, they said this could not happen)

Labour sex camp trial coming up
Progress on “Bad check?
Kiwi build fail
Tree planting fail
yet another strike
DHB’s racing to financial ruin
Construction industry collapsing.
Communist style centralization of trades education, attempt by govt.
Using Kiwisaver apparatus lo look into Aussie bank profits. (who’s profits are next?) NOT what it is for. Trying to drive customers to Kiwibank (govt. owned bank)….
These guys are getting more socialist by the minute.
What are the MSM talking about
Ticket scalpers
“slum landlords” if there are so many of them, get out of the studio and show us. Or would this turn out the same as the hunt for the homeless, 300 went out to look and found less than 300 homeless.
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March 6, 2019 8:58am
- DigNap15
  
  Minimum wage rise coming soon.
  Power payment subsidy coming soon.
  Next poll
  Labour still ahead?
  We will need some really bad news.
  
  16 0
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  March 6, 2019 9:01am
  - MCos
    
    You’d like some really bad news?
    You want something really bad to happen to the country so that the government doesn’t look so good.
    Maybe a bomb killing a whole lot a innocent kids in a primary school?
    Or would a crash in the stock market be enough or milk prices?
    What sort of patriot are you?
    
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    March 6, 2019 9:16am
    - RW Capitalist
      
      Don’t be a dick.
      We want them to do a good job, because that impacts all of us.
      So far they are a complete clusterfuck.
      But that has always been the case, for EVERY labour govt. in my lifetime.
      
      19 1
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      March 6, 2019 9:49am
      - DigNap15
        
        I do not want them to do a good job, as everything they do is idealogiclly opposed to what I believe in.
        Nanny state
        Schools
        Polytechs
        Health
        Unions
        
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        March 6, 2019 9:56am
      - Muttonbird
        
        You don’t believe in schools, BigNappy? Or health?
        
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        March 6, 2019 10:13am
    - Rachael Membery
      
      Well we sure as hell don’t want an earthquake. If we do, we will at least have some semblance of the structure National had set up.
      
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      March 7, 2019 9:19pm
  - Longknives
    
    Mate don’t stress about Polls.
    They are blatantly biased toward the Left.
    Remember when Polls told us Clinton was going to cruise to victory?
    Remember when Polls told us Labour were ten points clear of National before the last Election?
    
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    March 6, 2019 9:24am
    - Jack5
      
      Our blog host is a pollster. Surely he doesn’t bias his polls.
      
      6 1
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      March 6, 2019 9:28am
      - alloytoo
        
        No, he keeps them very close to his chest.
        
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        March 6, 2019 11:44am
DigNap15

Is Kiwifuit picking good pay?

Well yes it is compared to the wages they get in China (a very country) or Chile our main kiwifruit growing opposition.
And its more pay than the minimum hourly rate in the USA (from 10 to 12 dollars an hour, depending on the state)
Its also hard work if you are overweight and out of condition or lazy.
But its more than the dole.
So WINZ needs to cancel the dole tomorrow in all fruit picking area where there are jobs.
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March 6, 2019 8:59am
- Ultima
  
  Fruit picking is just a job not a career, staying on the dole is a career for some.
  
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  March 6, 2019 9:23am
  - kowtow
    
    It mightn’t be a career but it’s a job that can branch into other things……
    
    4 0
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    March 6, 2019 4:36pm
- Tall Man
  
  My son made a fair wack of dough while at Varsity picking kiwifruit flowers.
  
  2 0
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  March 6, 2019 9:51pm
- Rachael Membery
  
  Suspend, no stand down.
  
  1 0
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  March 7, 2019 9:21pm
Jack5

China trade is distorting the NZ timber industry, and that must push up building costs.

A Taranaki sawmill is closing, largely because it can’t compete with Chinese buyers of NZ raw logs.

The China trade is distorting the NZ timber industry. Try buying a piece of timber that needs local manufacturing. With a bit of luck you might find an Asian milled substitute at a fraction of the price.

Our mills and workers are competing with those in a controlled communist economy.

Another example is flour, if rumours are true. These are that some of our bread is being baked from Chinese flour. China is a net importer of wheat, but runs a strategic, State-controlled supply of flour and has been reducing this with overseas sales, including even to Canada, a leading wheat exporter.

Free trade is ideal. But can it properly work when one party is not itself free market?

What happens if NZ loses the experience, skills, supporting skills and facilities for key industries such as timber milling and flour milling?

The Taranaki mill closes:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/111014308/shock-in-small-taranaki-community-as-sawmill-closes-and-65-jobs-are-lost
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March 6, 2019 9:09am
- Miritu
  
  Bear in mind that NZ is not a free market in many respects either, look at cost of labour for example
  
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  March 6, 2019 9:51am
- KevOB
  
  The complaint is that foreign buyers are offering forest owners a higher price for their logs. We have this problem with other commodities including food too. The Waverly sawmill is also facing large capital maintenance outlays all of which has jeopardised viability.
  
  We are essentially price takers. If the govt was to intervene in external/internal price relationships they have models like Venezuela for guidance.
  
  The end buyer overseas is irrelevant except for political considerations.
  
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  March 6, 2019 10:29am
  - Inandout
    
    Poor Taranaki.
    
    11 1
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    March 6, 2019 10:50am
    - Jack5
      
      Poor New Zealand.
      
      We’re among the nations China is reducing to raw material sources.
      
      9 0
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      March 6, 2019 11:47am
      - Maggie Pie
        
        “Rice Rice Baby!”
        
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        March 6, 2019 11:59am
      - KevOB
        
        We’re not really poor. Good economic management has enabled us to increase exports and provide as needed.
        Cutting out the hard won fuel surpluses we have may prove to be too much. Most of what we spend lands up in the balance of payments so wage increases are critical. We can’t control export prices so an amateur Minister of Finance may not be up to the juggling skills required.
        
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        March 6, 2019 4:23pm
brett68

Our mills and workers are competing with those in a controlled communist economy.

China is not communist, they’re just one giant company.
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March 6, 2019 9:18am
- Jack5
  
  The old denial of the pro-China faction – “China’s not really communist”.
  
  The State owns all land in China, the Communist Party controls Government, the all-powerful army, the Reserve Bank. The big banks are owned by the State, and smaller banks by local governments. The main industry, steel, is State controlled.
  
  China’s telecommunications giant, is judged by major Western nations, to have links with the PLA.
  
  The clincher: President Xi declares Marxism is still “totally correct” for China:
  
  https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-marx-china/no-regrets-xi-says-marxism-still-totally-correct-for-china-idUSKBN1I50ET
  
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  March 6, 2019 9:26am
  - mikenmildagain
    
    It doesn’t really matter whether the Chinese totalitarian state operates a communist economy or not. What matters is the totalitarianism – the party controls all – and that economic liberalisation has not been accompanied by political liberalisation. In fact, the reverse has occurred, as notionally private firms have flourished, political and personal freedoms have been reduced.
    That our major political parties find it expedient to collect money from this regime and accede to most of its wishes is shameful.
    
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    March 6, 2019 9:49am
    - Jack5
      
      There doesn’t seem to be a consensus on what communism is: Lenin’s, Stalin’s, Mao’s, Deng’s, Pol Pot’s, Grammsci’s, or Trotsky’s.
      
      Common factors seem to be State ownership and control and a highly detailed planned economy. These require totalitarianism.
      
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      March 6, 2019 10:12am
      - RW Capitalist
        
        Upon the failing of socialism, it REQUIRES totalitarianism to survive..
        Socialism requires capitalism to exist (otherwise there is no MONEY to run it)
        When the supply of money runs out (see Margaret Thatcher quote), the economy fails.
        Not willing or able to blame themselves, socialists blame the very population they claim to support…leading to Totalitarianism.
        Finally the collapse of all society and rule of law (after all the laws don’t apply to socialists in power)
        This has been the path of all socialist societies.
        
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        March 6, 2019 11:07am
      - Jack5
        
        I’m not a socialist, but I’d sooner live in a socialist (social democrat) country like Sweden, Norway, or Finland, than in a pure capitalist place like Taiwan.
        
        Compare Singapore (GDP per capita about $US94,000 – 7th in world) with NZ (GDP per capita about $US39,000 – 48th in world).
        
        Which of the two is more socialist? That’s interesting, because some economists regard Singapore as a socialist-capitalist hybrid.
        
        The Singapore Government owns most of the land in the island republic, and the Government supplies about 80 per cent of housing. Singapore’s two sovereign wealth funds are together vast, and the proportion of State funding in business is high.
        
        In its powerful sovereign funds, Singapore resembles the social-democrat (socialist) Norway, which has the world’s biggest sovereign fund. Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global has assets totalling more than $US1 trillion (in NZ dollars 1.472 trillion)
        
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        March 6, 2019 12:07pm
      - toby1845
        
        Jack5: then go and live in Sweden. We won’t miss you.
        
        And, by the way, Norway’s sovereign fund is almost entirely based on exploiting oil reserves. You know…..the stuff you and your ilk hate.
        
        And Singapore’s pension fund is funded by profits from Singapore Air…..which burns up polluting fuels…..you know, the stuff you and your ilk hate.
        
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        March 6, 2019 12:45pm
      - Jack5
        
        Don’t be an idiot, Toby1845.
        
        Where did you get the idea I oppose oil and oil exploration? Give me some evidence for your smear?
        
        We were comparing communism and socialism, not New Zealand with anywhere-else.
        
        However, if you must talk about friends of the Left in NZ …
        
        The biggest mate of Chinese Communism in NZ seems to be the National Party. It brought into our Parliament as an MP Jian Yang who worked for the Chinese security service, and there is the party’s connection with Zhang Yikun.
        
        So, Toby1845, perhaps you might consider migrating to China.
        
        https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/10/17/281366/question-of-china-influence-in-zhang-yikun-saga
        
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        March 6, 2019 12:55pm
Hugh Pavletich

… CHINA …

Morning Brief: China’s economic growth at its weakest in almost 30 years … Yahoo Finance

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/morning-brief-chinas-economic-growth-at-its-weakest-in-almost-30-years-111351583.html
.
.
It Begins: China’s Largest Property Developer Will Sell All Homes At A 10% Discount | Zero Hedge

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-03-04/it-begins-chinas-largest-properties-developer-will-sell-all-homes-10-discount

Thousands Fired By Chinese Tech Companies Amid Sudden Breakout In Austerity | Zero Hedge

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-03-04/thousands-fired-chinese-tech-companies-amid-sudden-breakout-austerity

Deflationary Red Alert: Chinese Car Dealers Are Slashing Prices, And It’s Not Helping | Zero Hedge

https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-03-04/deflationary-red-alert-chinese-car-dealers-are-slashing-prices-and-its-not-helping
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March 6, 2019 9:36am
- KevOB
  
  What are the implications for NZ Hugh?
  
  7 0
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  March 6, 2019 9:50am
- DigNap15
  
  Even if growth in China has slowed, its still quite high. (if you believe their figures)
  But the bottom line is that there are still millions of people moving into the middle class there.
  And all Chinese people aspire to work hard and buy a house.
  Its in the DNA
  
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  March 6, 2019 9:54am
  - Nigel Kearney
    
    The self-selected group that choose to leave China and come here are always going to be above average human beings. China’s competitive advantage comes from having lots of reasonably well educated people who are willing to accept a relatively low standard of living. That was never going to to be sustainable long term.
    
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    March 6, 2019 10:20am
    - Hugh Pavletich
      
      KevOB … in case you missed these …
      
      Slowing Chinese visitor numbers could be costly …Thomas Coughlan … Newsroom
      
      https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/02/18/449749/slowing-chinese-visitor-numbers-buck-australian-trend
      
      China’s Entrepreneurs Are Wary of Its Future – The New York Times
      
      https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/23/business/china-entrepreneurs-confidence.html
      
      Political Roundup: Jenny Shipley’s downfall raises questions about NZ’s political class – Comment by Bryce Edwards – NZ Herald
      
      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12208254
      .
      .
      I have long been of the view China is an unsustainable authoritarian debt ponzi (the advantages of ‘democracy’ are poorly understood … particularly by dopes in our commercial world) … when the debt got way out of control post GFC.
      
      What I wrote back April 2014. Why have New Zealand policymakers dithered … allowed us to be so vulnerable ? …
      
      New Zealand’s Bubble Economy Is Vulnerable | Hugh Pavletich | Scoop News
      
      http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1404/S00166/new-zealands-bubble-economy-is-vulnerable-hugh-pavletich.htm
      
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      March 6, 2019 10:33am
      - DigNap15
        
        Hugh, people will be saying that China is an unstainstainable ponzi long after you and I are gone.
        The pardy control everything, so it will be OK.
        
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        March 6, 2019 10:37am
      - Hugh Pavletich
        
        DipNap … They said that prior to the fall of the Berlin Wall back in ’89 … then after … ‘how the hell did that happen !”
        
        The economist author of “Economics 101’ Paul Samuelson noted, as I recall, in the 17th Edition just prior, that the USSR would soon surpass the US on GDP per capita.
        
        I think it was subsequently found the Russian economy was about the size of the Netherlands.
        
        A former respected governor of a Chinese Province Bo Xilai (who was disposed of with trumped up offences by the Party elite) is reputed to have said ‘There is no more nervous a politician than an un – elected one’ .
        
        We vote ours out.
        
        In authoritarian countries they (of necessity) take a different approach.
        
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        March 6, 2019 11:03am
      - Jack5
        
        Re Hugh’s comparison of Russia and the Netherlands:
        
        GDP: Russia 6th in world, Netherlands 27th.
        GDP per capita: Russia 74th, Netherlands 23rd.
        
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        March 6, 2019 12:11pm
      - Hugh Pavletich
        
        NZ regional town house prices getting unaffordable – mayors … Scoop NZ News
        
        http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1903/S00032/nz-regional-town-house-prices-getting-unaffordable-mayors.htm
        .
        .
        Jack5 … re the Samuelson ‘Economics 101′ 17th Edition … we are talking about back in the mid 1980’s. Post the fall of the Berlin Wall it came as a huge shock to many in the West just how small the Russian economy really was.
        
        The Samuelson error of judgement was a very big deal at the time. The “Left of the West’ (mainly in academia) had very rosy views about communism … and the abilities of bureaucrats to run things !
        
        Go right back to George Bernard Shaw, the Webbs, Lady Acton and others during the 1920’s and 1930’s.
        
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        March 6, 2019 12:32pm
      - KevOB
        
        Thanks, I largely agree. I am surprised how they have managed to keep the asset prices up so long.
        
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        March 6, 2019 4:26pm
      - Hugh Pavletich
        
        KevOB … Like you, Im surprised too … but that appears to be the nature of bubbles !
        
        They take longer to play out than we expect.
        
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        March 6, 2019 5:31pm
- Cobolt24
  
  BREAKING: Australia falls into recession on a per-capita basis.
  .
  https://www.theage.com.au/business/the-economy/australia-falls-into-per-capita-recession-as-growth-tumbles-20190306-p5122r.html
  
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  March 6, 2019 10:01pm
Swifty

I’m a jihadi, get me out of here!

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/111057052/mark-taylor-kiwi-jihadi-hopes-to-come-home-to-nz-and-start-a-cannabis-business
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March 6, 2019 10:32am
Stars And Stripes

New Zealand Radio Stations Drop Michael Jackson
https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/111059699/new-zealand-radio-stations-drop-michael-jackson

“Michael Jackson will no longer be played on MediaWorks and NZME radio stations”.
“We [MediaWorks] aren’t deciding whether Michael Jackson is guilty of paedophilia, we’re just making sure our radio stations are going to play the music people want to hear,” he said.

Personally I would prefer people be allowed to make up their own minds than be subject to censorship courtesy of the shouty class who want everything removed which they don’t approve of or class as too risky.
If we are going to go down this road then quite possibly all rap music, heavy metal and a few other genres should be completely removed from public airplay because they are littered with racist, sexist and homophobic lyrics which might lead you to believe the artist is a horrible person as well.
Hey just last weekend we had Eminem perform here who has a less than rosy record when it comes to treatment of women but nobody was calling for the show to be cancelled even less his songs to be removed off the air.
Selective moral standards at play here I think.
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March 6, 2019 10:41am
- mikenmildagain
  
  Always a tricky subject – separating the art from the artist. I’ve seen lots of comments on Kiwiblog over the years denigrating all sorts of art on the basis of the artist’s political views, for example.
  
  These broadcasters are making a commercial decision – presumably they bet more people would prefer not to hear Jackson’s music than the few that would ever wonder why they no longer hear his songs on those radio stations.
  
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  March 6, 2019 10:48am
  - ABS
    
    Good point Mike but in that case they should stop playing;
    The Rolling Stones
    Led Zeppelin
    The Beatles
    Most boy bands
    Any band from the 60’s
    Most bands from the 70’s
    
    Most of whom have been linked to underage sex with groupies
    (The most serious of which would be Jimmy Page who actually had a relationship with a 14 year old girl that was widely publicised)
    
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    March 6, 2019 11:09am
    - mikenmildagain
      
      It’s going to be a matter of individuals’ taste, and broadcasters’ responses to what their listeners want.
      Personally, I would put Jackson’s purchase of little boys from the mothers in a different category to consensual (yes, not quite the right word) sex with underage fans. But I agree that if one were to restrict one’s consumption of music, art or literature to works only by artists who we can be sure meet our strict moral standards then there might be very little to see, read or listen to.
      
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      March 6, 2019 11:24am
      - ABS
        
        I agree with you, it would be a world devoid of a lot of artistic endeavours if we took the perverts out.
        But it’s a bit rich while their TV arm still plays Weinstein movies.
        FWIW I always thought Jackson was a weird character and had my suspicions, but his youth was destroyed in the pursuit of fame and a lot of his problems probably evolved from that. Hollywood and the music industry seems to churn out broken kids after they’ve used them up.
        
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        March 6, 2019 11:32am
- ABS
  
  Pretty empty virtue signalling when you consider that MediaWorks who owns TV3 are still running Weinstein movies. Don’t they care about women being pressured into sex for roles?
  
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  March 6, 2019 11:26am
- Longknives
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mpj1kyO1-2c
  
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  March 6, 2019 11:59am
- Nigel Kearney
  
  The allegations are probably true but the documentary is definitely a hatchet job with footage carefully presented to point to a pre-determined conclusion. Making any decision based on the documentary is just silly.
  
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  March 6, 2019 12:18pm
- noskire
  
  I see the asking price for Neverland has been reduced by $US69 million (spot the irony).
  Labour should put a bid in – great spot for their summer yoof camps.
  Excellent time-keeping there too – you know it’s bedtime when the big hand is on the little hand.
  
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  March 6, 2019 1:05pm
- cmm
  
  You can draw a line between the person and their “art” or other product.
  
  For example, you can decouple:
  * Hitler from VW
  * Wagner (anti-semitic) from his music
  * MJ (and his alleged deviance) from his music.
  * Ford (anti-semitic) from his cars.
  
  But that is hard to do with rappers where their lyrics still project their thoughts.
  
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  March 6, 2019 1:36pm
Kiwi_in_Paris

Are we one hundred percent sure Winston is actually alive? Have you seen his face lately, it’s like Weekend at Bernie’s.
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March 6, 2019 10:53am
- mikenmildagain
  
  Remember Whoops Apocalypse?
  We might be at the stage where a fresh clone needs to be brought out of the freezer.
  
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  March 6, 2019 11:04am
- stigie
  
  The face on Winston yesterday said it all during Q1.
  It must have been hard for him to sit through the garbage from the SLG over the CGT.
  
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  March 6, 2019 12:42pm
  - sooty
    
    You selected her, you fool!
    It’s all your fault! You are for ever tainted!
    
    11 0
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    March 6, 2019 2:00pm
- KevOB
  
  Winston or a good facsimile were running interference for the PM in QT today. She’s worn out and avoids answers with juvenile debating retorts.
  
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  March 6, 2019 4:32pm
Muttonbird

Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Oh dear. Mark Mitchell and the Nats have struck out in their vendetta against Le Roux.

Seems they can’t even get Corrections to do their bidding properly anymore.

“I was told off for not answering the door and not responding to her message, which I did straight away, not hours later as she implied. She told me a letter was sent to warn me officers would be at my house on the 12th. That letter arrived four days later,” she said.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12209768
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March 6, 2019 11:05am
- All_on_Red
  
  ‘She told me a letter was sent to warn me officers would be at my house on the 12th. That letter arrived four days later,” she said.’
  
  That’s irrelevant if she supposed to be there anyway.
  
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  March 6, 2019 4:03pm
  - Muttonbird
    
    And she was there apparently.
    
    Wouldn’t surprise me if Mark Mitchell does face paint and night vision googles and stakes out her place very night.
    
    What a creep.
    
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    March 6, 2019 7:59pm
- Tall Man
  
  Silly muttonturd…and smelly.
  
  Not sure why you think National are still in chanrge of Corrections but I can understand your confusion as those in charge do seem to make a potatoe of the most simple things.
  
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  March 6, 2019 7:54pm
Maggy Wassilieff

What do folks make of this suggestion that 2 versions of Sroubek have been coming in and going out of NZ?
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/384041/sroubek-double-antolik-likely-to-have-visited-new-zealand
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March 6, 2019 11:10am
- Gravelroad
  
  Dunno what to make of it.
  All I know is that Sroubek is a gangster drug peddling convict with friends in high places protecting him.
  One law for us and something different interpreted for him.
  
  23 0
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  March 6, 2019 12:48pm
  - RF
    
    Suggest you ask the lawn mower man.
    
    He has a friend in very high place.
    
    12 0
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    March 6, 2019 1:12pm
    - Longknives
      
      Richie Steward might know something about it as well Gravelroad!
      
      7 0
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      March 6, 2019 1:28pm
      - sooty
        
        He would be in shitters ditch if he was traveling since his double was locked up!
        There’s a Tui ad.
        Which one is the real one?
        Did they let the wrong one go?
        
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        March 6, 2019 1:57pm
- alex Masterley
  
  That’s just peachy. Two bouncing czechs.
  
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  March 6, 2019 2:00pm
MCos

In about three weeks Thailand is scheduled to run a general election for the first time since the last coup.
To a degree the results don’t count for much because the military have instigated a new constitution that takes away most of the power from the elected representatives in favour of appointed flunkies. If all else fails there will be another coup.
There’s a ban on alcohol sales on voting day.
Previously it was said this was to stop people getting befuddled and forgetting who had bought their vote.
Vote buying used to be a big deal out in the countryside. My brother in law collected several hundred dollars from various candidates as payment to ‘buy petrol’ to come to their meetings.
The Bangkok Post once reported that the party officials needed police escort because they were carrying so much bribe money.
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March 6, 2019 11:26am
Ross12

For those following the Brexit issue this is an interesting read

https://brexitcentral.com/deal-no-deal-heres-brexit-cannot-stopped/
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March 6, 2019 11:36am
- James Stephenson
  
  “If MP’s hold their nerve…”
  
  That’s a pretty big “if” from my point of view as an expat POM.
  
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  March 6, 2019 12:19pm
- RW Capitalist
  
  Corbin wants an election, so he can be PM….considering his MP’s are leaving because of him…HAHAHA…delusional much?
  For the remainers….”better off in”?…really
  UK pays BILLIONS into the running of the EU and has an 80 bill pound deficit with the EU
  Looks more like better off out
  In….it’s a slow death
  out…it is a short fall, followed by a fast recovery.
  
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  March 6, 2019 1:58pm
Captain Mainwaring

I see NZ Post is putting the price of sending a letter up to $1.30.
Last time I posted a letter it was about 60c.
Why don’t they put it up to $20 then close the door?
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March 6, 2019 12:07pm
- ABS
  
  Wasn’t that another business Dr Michael Cullen was involved in firebombing?
  
  14 0
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  March 6, 2019 12:22pm
  - Gravelroad
    
    Call me Sir Michael, if you don’t mind.
    
    14 0
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    March 6, 2019 12:50pm
    - RW Capitalist
      
      but I do mind.
      
      7 0
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      March 6, 2019 1:59pm
- noskire
  
  Probably a good time to cash out on your stamp collection too. 20 years from now people will look at a stamp and say “What the fuck it that?”
  
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  March 6, 2019 12:22pm
  - stigie
    
    Is there a stamp with Micheal (call me sir) Cullen on it..?
    Just asking for a leftie friend that loves his work !~ //
    
    8 0
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    March 6, 2019 12:48pm
    - Tall Man
      
      You wanna lick the back………
      
      4 0
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      March 6, 2019 5:16pm
      - stigie
        
        Heh, that’s stretching it Tall Man ?
        
        2 0
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        March 6, 2019 7:05pm
      - Tall Man
        
        I was going to say “backside” but even my stomach heaved at the thought……..
        
        4 0
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        March 6, 2019 8:57pm
- Nigel Kearney
  
  When I get letters now they are generally from people who pay for postage using my rates or taxes. I’d say NZ Post must be getting close to a point where they can put up prices without much reduction in demand.
  
  10 0
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  March 6, 2019 12:27pm
  - Captain Mainwaring
    
    Yes Nigel I can relate to that.
    The only thing that I get regularly delivered by NZ Post now is the rates bill and the council is wasting my money by not emailing it.
    
    9 0
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    March 6, 2019 12:51pm
  - rangitoto
    
    About the only thing I ever send by post these days are Christmas and Birthday cards.
    
    8 0
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    March 6, 2019 1:10pm
    - Jules99
      
      A ‘card’? What is that? LOL.
      
      8 0
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      March 6, 2019 1:24pm
      - rangitoto
        
        You youngsters 🙂
        
        5 0
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        March 6, 2019 1:48pm
    - RW Capitalist
      
      My customers actually like the had written and posted Christmas cards.
      Shows, I put in some effort.
      Not just find an on line card and “send to all” in my address book.
      
      8 0
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      March 6, 2019 2:01pm
      - Tall Man
        
        True, but at a buck a time it’s gets pricey.
        
        I mean it is relative but adding in the cost of the calendar or card plus postage it can hit the grand very rapidly.
        
        5 0
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        March 6, 2019 5:14pm
- Jules99
  
  It’s getting harder to find a box to put it in these days.
  
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  March 6, 2019 1:24pm
  - DigNap15
    
    yes, they started cutting back on the number of post boxes years ago.
    At the time I thought WTF, now I realsie that its just todays modern world.
    
    But what they need to do is drop the price for posting parcels.
    
    It is killing sales on Trademe.
    The Chinese seem to be able to post stuff to NZ for next to nothing!
    And yet NZ post deliver it!
    
    10 0
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    March 6, 2019 1:58pm
  - stigie
    
    “It’s getting harder to find a box to put it in these days.”
    No wonder men are accused of wandering around the paddock next door..?
    
    4 0
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    March 6, 2019 4:09pm
  - Rachael Membery
    
    🙂
    
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    March 7, 2019 9:52pm
Maggie Pie

This is sooo beautiful 🙂
‘SPY’ reports Anika Moa has been spotted breast feeding her new baby in public!
Anika takes to Instagram and sez, "…her wife is her best fried and she loves her body even more with every strech mark, bruise, and saggy bit. More cushion for the pushin' "

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuW60GcnbzT/

[My partner said it made him vomit 🙁 ]
14 0
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March 6, 2019 1:07pm
- Longknives
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zWsTnSl9hk
  
  4 0
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  March 6, 2019 1:24pm
- DigNap15
  
  @Me Too
  
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  March 6, 2019 1:54pm
Muttonbird

So, a Kiwiblog commenter gets into a lift at Auckland Council:

He says: You going up to the councillors floor?
Yes I am.
Are u going to see someone?
Yeah, I have a meeting.
On the councillors floor, he asks again?
Yes, I say. I have a meeting.
He says, oh… so what do u do that brings u here in your “cool gear”? referring to how I’m dressed. In my respectful Samoan tone I reply: I’m a councillor. I represent the people of Manukau.

-Efeso Collins

https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2019/03/05/that-awkward-conversation-in-the-lift/
4 25
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March 6, 2019 1:08pm
- Longknives
  
  I call bullshit.
  Like anyone who has ever even been to Auckland would bat an eyelid?
  
  15 1
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  March 6, 2019 1:23pm
  - Muttonbird
    
    Are you from Christchurch?
    
    2 23
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    March 6, 2019 1:30pm
    - Longknives
      
      Are you from Dunedin?
      
      15 0
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      March 6, 2019 1:32pm
      - Tall Man
        
        He’s from Idiotsville..even they rejected him as being too stupid.
        
        7 0
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        March 6, 2019 5:05pm
- KevOB
  
  Efeso from the picture of him elsewhere was probably dressed in a lavalava. These vary from a mere colouful wrap around like a tied skirt to a highly tailored garment for more dressy situations.
  
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  March 6, 2019 4:48pm
- Tall Man
  
  And your beloved leader, ardern the liar, accuses Simon Bridges of being racist.
  
  Not often a semi literate lying honkey gets to call a part maori racist. At least we don’t have to make shit up…even Hansard now records ardern the liar as a moron and a liar.
  
  Shove that little gem up your arse dickhead.
  
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  March 6, 2019 5:04pm
stigie

Simon has had another good day in the house in Q2 today on whether she has read the Tax Working Group’s report resulting in obfuscating to the max.
Brilliant from Simon and the same result as yesterday pissing off the SLG as she slumps back into her chair !~
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March 6, 2019 2:37pm
- rangitoto
  
  I wonder if she has bothered to read the Treaty yet, or just relies on Willie whispering some Maori word she doesn’t understand into her ear if she has to answer any questions about it.
  
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  March 6, 2019 2:43pm
  - Tauhei Notts
    
    The worst part of that Treaty is the absence of the word, “Aotearoa”. Niu Tireni gets some mention.
    
    10 0
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    March 6, 2019 2:52pm
    - KevOB
      
      Niu Tireni gets some mention.
      
      The Treaty of Waitangi: a new tyranny, indeed.
      
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      March 6, 2019 4:55pm
- slightlyrighty
  
  It’s great when the telling points are achieved by reading from the report that her government commissioned.
  
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  March 6, 2019 3:07pm
- waikatogirl
  
  Was Cindy suggesting that Simon is racist toward Maori? Has she not noticed that Simon belongs to that race?
  
  What a scowl she had on her face while she “reiderated”.
  
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  March 6, 2019 3:08pm
  - slightlyrighty
    
    Yes she was, and if John Key has addressed someone in this manner, the media would be all over it.
    
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    March 6, 2019 3:09pm
DigNap15

Yes I don’t think that Maori had a name for NZ.
They did not even know what a country was!
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March 6, 2019 2:58pm
DigNap15

Once again Ardern did not answer any question in Parliament today directly.
It was all about what National had done previously.
The speaker was getting upset with her.
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March 6, 2019 2:59pm
- KevOB
  
  He had to consider removing her from the Debating Chamber.
  
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  March 6, 2019 4:57pm
slightlyrighty

Ardern was terrible in the house today. She essentially called Bridges racist, even though he is the one with Māori ancestry.
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March 6, 2019 3:06pm
oob

Bridges utterly dealt to the hapless Ardern today.

His command of the detail and sharp questioning exposed Ardern’s total unfamiliarity with the Cullen Report and her lies, misdirections and obfuscations.

At one point Bridges was literally LITERALLY! reading the report to her, line by line, the items she had just denied were in it.

What an absolute ruffian. Well done that lad!

If you haven’t seen it, watch it here:
https://tinyurl.com/yxmldzpe
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March 6, 2019 3:12pm
- Maggie Pie
  
  And did you see that frock she had on!??
  Did absolutely nothing for her.
  
  14 1
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  March 6, 2019 3:23pm
  - oob
    
    God Maggie wasn’t it revolting? And her posture didn’t help, accentuating the flabby bits.
    
    Watching it I thought to myself “she’s metamorphosing into Helen Clark.”
    
    15 1
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    March 6, 2019 3:36pm
  - waikatogirl
    
    The dress was the first thing I mentioned to Hubby when we started watching. Someone had gone made with the hole punch! Ugly ‘winter’ colour that did nothing for her.
    
    14 1
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    March 6, 2019 4:24pm
  - Maggie Pie
    
    @wg
    I know! When MY partner saw it he thort it might have been made out of one of Clarke’s old burley sacks!! LOL
    
    9 1
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    March 6, 2019 5:08pm
- MrTips
  
  And to cap it off, Bridges has put his waratah firmly in the sod: https://mobile.twitter.com/simonjbridges/status/1103074210132373504
  
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  March 6, 2019 3:24pm
  - Tall Man
    
    And you can see the little labour interns springing up immmediately.
    
    What a hateful bunch of ne’er do wells they seem to be.
    
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    March 6, 2019 4:52pm
- labrator
  
  I’ve never seen someone so able to weasel out of answering any question at all. What is Mallard up to? I can’t think of a single question in those 15 mins that she just had a straight answer for.
  
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  March 6, 2019 3:31pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  So, Jacinda as well as Grant Robertson didn’t know which taxes had been recommended in the Cullen report.
  
  What a couple of numpties.
  
  Her cheap responses seem very similar to the trolls’ efforts on KB.
  Hardly the way to inspire confidence in her leadership skills.
  
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  March 6, 2019 4:58pm
  - rangitoto
    
    He should have raised a point of order:
    
    “Mr Speaker, the question was to the Prime Minister, not this imposter”.
    
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    March 6, 2019 5:23pm
- Pateke
  
  Just watched question time rerun. I found it hard to believe i was watching a Prime Minister in action. The responses were ad hominem a la Muldoon, and derogatory a la winsome Peters. If this is the best she can do, then I look forward to the eventual meltdown. I would say her backrest on the PMs Chair is need of reupholstery already
  
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  March 6, 2019 5:32pm
- Shaun the Sheep
  
  When Bridges was obviously reading from the report, quoting page numbers etc, how can Um-Ah-Dern bounce to her feet and reply that ‘That Member’ is not acquainted with the facts?
  
  I wonder what Audrey Young will write tomorrow.
  
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  March 6, 2019 9:30pm
  - Rachael Membery
    
    Simon says nothing in the face of the PM’s brilliance in the house?
    
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    March 7, 2019 10:17pm
rererangihirihiri

28 March is closing date for Helen Houghton’s petition to stop transgender teaching in NZ schools. That is, to stop teaching children that they can change their gender.
No public announcement on this, no consultation, no debate. Textbooks are printed and ready to go.
Link to signing the petition below.
Also a link to Mates & Dates teaching content (topic:gender & identity) which is already in our high schools. These articles were investigated and written by Jared Luke. Jared had to obtain a court order after being refused access to the lessons when he requested to see exactly what was being taught to our children.

https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/document/PET_83774/petition-of-helen-houghton-stop-transgender-teaching-in?signed=true
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March 6, 2019 3:24pm
Swifty

So my 16 year old daughter comes home a bit after 2pm this afternoon crying – she has been followed by an older bloke approximately 300 meters to near the top of our street before disappearing.

He had originally pedalled by her on his bike before stopping and dismounting, letting her get in front of him and then following her from then on from a few meters back, on the other side of the road. Just staring at her.

At one stage she dived into some scrub/bushes and he crossed over and walked around the bushes trying to relocate her before walking off.

She told me as soon as she was in the door – so we jumped in the car and cruised around the streets looking for him – no luck. Did see two cops who had just pulled some guy over and told them the tale. Saw several phone/power line gangs working around the neighbourhood and told them too.

Cop reckoned it’s quite common and urged us/her to ring 111 immediately if it happens again. I’ve also told her she must get photos/video of him too.

New North Rd/Blockhouse Bay Road.

Indian/Pakistani, wearing the full blue pyjamas, grey hair and grey Abe Lincoln beard (no moustache).

The man needs educating.
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March 6, 2019 3:57pm
- alex Masterley
  
  Not good.
  Some people have no idea of what is right and what is not. Or dont want to.
  
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  March 6, 2019 3:59pm
  - Swifty
    
    You may have seen me mention here that I’ve had a curry flatmate for the last three years. He and I have talked about this a few times.
    
    Here it is not acceptable to stare, especially at women, if you’re a bloke. In fact to even get sprung is a no no, certainly where I grew up.
    
    There it is acceptable (for men) and common. In fact to follow and crowd around a women or women is commonplace.
    
    I see it myself when she and I go for our walks – just blatant stopping and staring.
    
    Gives her the creeps, and me the red mist.
    
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    March 6, 2019 4:07pm
- Inandout
  
  It is perfectly acceptable behaviour in Pakistan. In London the bastards kill young kids.
  
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  March 6, 2019 4:11pm
- Nostradamus
  
  Swifty:
  
  Indian/Pakistani, wearing the full blue pyjamas, grey hair and grey Abe Lincoln beard (no moustache).
  
  How unusual – a pervert and, for once, Stephieboy isn’t the prime suspect!
  
  I hope your daughter holds up ok.
  
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  March 6, 2019 5:05pm
  - Swifty
    
    Thanks Nostradamus – she’s back to her usual happy self.
    
    She’s not a crier, or an exaggerator, so I knew today was serious.
    
    I’ll certainly be keeping a look out for a certain elderly muzzie on a bike from now on.
    
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    March 6, 2019 5:33pm
  - waikatogirl
    
    Sorry to hear your daughter was frightened. Nasty. Give her a whistle to blow to scare him away?
    
    Hope the pickling, etc was a huge success on Sunday.
    I managed 9 jars of marmalade and 3 jars of raspberry jam. ?
    
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    March 6, 2019 6:24pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  Inform her school (or workplace). (in case this character is stalking others of a similar age)
  Inform neighbours, local shopkeepers.
  
  If your daughter seems reluctant to use that route again… have some agreed time when she can ring you/or a trusted person when she sets out/or arrives home.
  
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  March 6, 2019 5:05pm
  - Swifty
    
    Thanks Maggy, yes, school – she was in her MAGS uniform.
    
    The cop said he hears about it all the time – just staring and following. No words spoken.
    
    Creepy.
    
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    March 6, 2019 5:26pm
- Rachael Membery
  
  Not a good idea to hide in the bushes. Perhaps she could have gone knocking on a near by houses door, if she was too far from home.
  
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  March 7, 2019 10:20pm
Swifty

A bit of a commotion at stigie’s place today:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/111057035/police-in-pursuit-of-suspected-arsonist-near-nelson-fire-site
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March 6, 2019 4:24pm
- Nostradamus
  
  From the article:
  
  Two people were led away in handcuffs after a police pursuit of a suspected arsonist ended near a nudist camp. … Residents of the camp were startled when a helicopter hovered over their boundary, and then six police cars turned up following a short pursuit of a man seen trying to start a fire near the Moutere Highway around 2pm on Wednesday afternoon.
  
  I can imagine the nudists were “startled” – it’s not every day that you get your kit off and become the focus of an aerial police surveillance operation!
  
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  March 6, 2019 5:03pm
  - stigie
    
    Fortunately they don’t hover over every day Nostra just to have a purve on the old fellas and sheilas but have it on good authority they were checking out who had new tattoo’s as well !~
    
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    March 6, 2019 5:19pm
    - Nostradamus
      
      Stigie:
      
      they were checking out who had new tattoo’s as well !~
      
      What happens if the tattoo is located in a (how can we put this) delicate location like the buttocks? Do they use a widescreen telescope to check it out?
      
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      March 6, 2019 5:24pm
      - stigie
        
        There is night vision equipment available to them Nostra for that purpose.
        
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        March 6, 2019 5:27pm
    - Swifty
      
      Heh
      
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      March 6, 2019 5:29pm
      - stigie
        
        I should have added in amongst the wrinkles Swifty..?
        
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        March 6, 2019 5:45pm
  - holysheet
    
    No sign of stoooopidboy and his goats then??
    
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    March 6, 2019 5:23pm
burt

I guess this article spells the end of regional based stats;

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/111075900/postcode-lottery-aucklanders-twice-as-likely-to-survive-bowel-cancer-than-those-living-elsewhere

Will be much easier to ignore this once we stop keeping the numbers that have up till now been used to help manage the problem.
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March 6, 2019 5:01pm
BeaB

Listened to some of The Panel today. David interesting and well-informed. Lizzie Marvelly totally predictable, full of received ideas, stating the flipping obvious as though we need it pointed out to us, very partisan and bigoted.
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March 6, 2019 5:12pm
Viking2

Michael Cullen will remain the Chair of the Tax Working Group (TWG) for longer than he was initially contracted to be in the role.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson said the Government extended Cullen’s appointment to June 30, because it was “aware there would be extended public discussion on the report”.

He acknowledged this public discussion “has played out”.

Cullen was originally supposed to be in the role until the TWG delivered its final report in February. This was when the other 10 members’ contracts ended.

However, the Government on January 30 – two days before the Government announced it had received the TWG’s final report – offered to extend Cullen’s contract.

Robertson told interest.co.nz of the extension when it asked him whether he was aware beforehand, of an interview Cullen did on Radio NZ’s Morning Report on Wednesday.

https://www.interest.co.nz/personal-finance/98499/government-keeps-twg-chair-job-4-months-longer-initially-planned-michael

So Cullen is being paid now to create p[ropaganda for the socialists. when do these old cunts fall of the perch or out of the trough forever?
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March 6, 2019 5:41pm
- Steve (North Shore)
  
  That prick Cullen was on the wireless (steam radio) this morning. He said (paraphrased) “Just because the public do not approve something does not mean they won’t accept it”
  Arrogant commie bastard
  
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  March 6, 2019 5:46pm
  - Monique Watson
    
    Yeah well, he’ll be out of a job for good shortly.
    
    If the silly prick had come up with a report saying; CGT on rental property only of say 25%, then Lsbour would have had a chance to get it across the line.
    
    He got too fucking intellectual and got grabby on everything and committed ‘political homicide’ He may have consigned Labour to a one term Government: the main death blow will be that Maori interests go CGT free:
    
    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12210180
    
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    March 6, 2019 6:31pm
    - Universal Smith
      
      We live in hope. But don’t underestimate how stupid and shallow most voters are.
      
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      March 6, 2019 6:36pm
      - Steve (North Shore)
        
        Yep. US Congress got AOC, easy peasy
        
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        March 7, 2019 7:52am
    - MrTips
      
      Cullen is in the position he’s wanted for years. He can advance his own greed filled communist agenda and Gracinda (both of whom he can’t stand) have to wear it. No skin off Cullen’s prune sacked nose.
      
      Total jerk imo.
      
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      March 6, 2019 7:09pm
    - Steve (North Shore)
      
      Monique, he just inherited $130K for this shit and it goes on until June (more money) Such a commie and does not need a job. How about Tax returns? like they demand from Trump?
      
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      March 6, 2019 7:13pm
    - Rachael Membery
      
      Jacinda’s Foreshore and Seabed moment?
      
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      March 7, 2019 10:49pm
Swifty

Kiwis. NZ Citizens. New Zealanders. Apparently.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12210178
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March 6, 2019 5:53pm
- simpleton1
  
  The absolute wonderfulness of ethnic choice of food.
  
  It is rated so important in being a super diverse city. 🙂 and to have a bit of real life “Dhaka”: in action in New Zealand.
  
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  March 6, 2019 9:16pm
Swifty

No more chances?

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12210156
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March 6, 2019 5:57pm
- Nostradamus
  
  Swifty:
  
  [The scumbag’s lawyer] said where the children alleged they were touched would occur when they came in to contact with the man’s swimming stroke. … ”You can’t be sure the defendant did all of those things. ”Whatever he did was clearly accidental. ”He was just swimming.”
  
  “Just swimming”.
  
  Like “Cardinal” George Pell:
  
  LOUISE MILLIGAN, REPORTER: The police investigation into Pell widened. New claims were made about alleged abuse in the 1970s at the Eureka Stockade pool in George Pell’s hometown of Ballarat. Damian Dignan was eight years old at the time. In 2015 he made a complaint to police…we spoke to him the following year.
  DAMIAN DIGNAN (7:30, 2016) Father Pell was always at the deep end around his chest height there, and he would love to pick the kids up and throw them over his shoulder. Or throw them up in the air. So they could have a splash.
  LOUISE MILLIGAN, REPORTER: So things got a bit rough? So what happened?
  DAMIAN DIGNAN Ah, around the testes, around the anus.
  LOUISE MILLIGAN, REPORTER: What would he do?
  DAMIAN DIGNAN Grab you.
  LOUISE MILLIGAN, REPORTER: How did it make you feel?
  DAMIAN DIGNAN Scared. Scared but hurt. Very forceful around the anus.
  LOUISE MILLIGAN, REPORTER: Could there ever be an interpretation that it just so happened that his hands slipped down there, you know, by mistake?
  DAMIAN DIGNAN Fair enough, one time it might have, but it got to a stage where every time he picked you up, it was there. And ah, not much fun, no. No. Get out of the pool.
  
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  March 6, 2019 6:29pm
  - nasska
    
    …..”Very forceful around the anus”…..
    
    Fair enough. Nothing worse than a dirty old Catholic pervert with a weak finger checking your oil.
    
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    March 6, 2019 6:35pm
    - Swifty
      
      I fail to see what this man did wrong.
      
      He just had his dipstick out and checking for appropriate lubrication.
      
      Case dismissed!
      
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      March 6, 2019 6:43pm
      - Nostradamus
        
        Swifty:
        
        Case dismissed! Next priest!
        
        I’ve fixed that for you 🙂
        
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        March 6, 2019 6:49pm
      - nasska
        
        It’s got me buggered why the Catholic pervs don’t use the “traditional rights” defence. In medieval Europe nobles had the right to take either the virginity of a bride or a fee, to be paid on the behalf of the betrothed.
        
        It wouldn’t take much of a legal stretch to include altar boys’ arses as spiritual if not temporal assets. 🙂
        
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        March 6, 2019 6:54pm
      - Nostradamus
        
        Nasska:
        
        There’s an interesting conundrum for George Pell that comes with being so close to God:
        
        – If Pell’s appeal is successful, then God has blessed him, although Pell will probably be left wondering why God allowed him to be dragged through the criminal justice system.
        – If Pell’s appeal is unsuccessful and he rots in prison, then God has cursed him, and Pell will be left wondering why the other priests got off scott-free.
        
        Thankfully you and I aren’t burdened with such spiritual conundrums!
        
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        March 6, 2019 6:59pm
      - Maggy Wassilieff
        
        Goodness, Nostradamus…
        have you forgotten your Sunday School lessons?
        
        God puts little tests in front of the faithful…
        Remember Job and his boils?
        Jesus on the X…”My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me”?
        
        Suffering is a battle for your Soul…and preparation for Glory
        https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/five-truths-about-christian-suffering
        
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        March 6, 2019 7:13pm
      - stigie
        
        I would imagine Bishops and Cardinals wouldn’t be interested in a sun club like we have here in Nelson, too many older wrinkleys and no kids.
        Pity really, it could change them to a more wholesome way of life without their sordid thinking about kids !~
        
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        March 6, 2019 7:25pm
      - Nostradamus
        
        Stigie:
        
        I guess they would be more interested in setting up a therapy community along the lines of Bert Potter’s Centrepoint?
        
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        March 6, 2019 7:39pm
      - Swifty
        
        Maggy, that is one of the most sickest, delusional and inhuman pieces of writing I can recall reading.
        
        Thanks for pointing it out.
        
        The Catholic God will, apparently, witness and fail to intervene in a man raping a child, but will welcome the man into heaven if he says sorry subsequently.
        
        What about the child?
        
        A disgraceful ideology.
        
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        March 6, 2019 7:52pm
      - mikenmildagain
        
        I seem to remember I copped a ban from Kiwiblog at some time for suggesting that the Catholic church was a criminal organisation that should be suppressed as the Nazi Party was in Germany after WWII.
        
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        March 6, 2019 8:00pm
      - Universal Smith
        
        More true than you think. The Catholics were passionate supporters of the Nazi party.
        
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        March 6, 2019 8:04pm
      - Maggy Wassilieff
        
        And the Vatican is finally going to let some folks have a look at Pius’ papers…
        https://edition.cnn.com/2019/03/04/world/vatican-archives-pius/index.html
        
        Tho’ I suspect the contents of the Secret Archives have been well “homogenised” over the last 70+ years.
        
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        March 6, 2019 9:06pm
  - MrTips
    
    Lol. Those charges Digman mentioned went nowhere. And Milligan is going to find, like Det Chris Reed, that the money trail is hard to hide.
    
    There are plenty of homosexual perverts in the RCC, but Pell isn’t one of them imo.
    
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    March 6, 2019 7:14pm
    - Nostradamus
      
      MrTips:
      
      What about this though?
      
      Six months after the Ballarat men went to police, another man came forward. Les Tyack told police that in the mid 1980s he saw Pell in the changerooms at the Torquay Life Saving Club.
      LES TYACK When I walked in, I saw a fellow there towelling himself, criss-crossing across the back, towelling himself off. And there were three young kids, about eight to ten years of age, they would have been two metres across from him. Um, also getting changed. I went into the showers and I would’ve been been in the showers probably five to ten minutes. When I came out, this fellow, was facing the boys with the towel over his right shoulder. And I thought that to be a very odd situation. Here I was, in the shower, he had not got dressed, he was facing the boys and I thought then, immediately, there’s something’s not right here.
      I said to the boys, ‘if you’re finished, off you go, we’ll see you here again another time’. And I said, to this fellow, um, ‘George, I know what you’re up to. Get dressed, piss off and don’t come back to this club again. If I see you back here, I’ll call the police.
      LOUISE MILLIGAN, REPORTER: And George was George Pell?
      LES TYACK: George was George Pell.
      LOUISE MILLIGAN, REPORTER: So, what you’re saying is, you thought that George Pell was exposing himself to those boys.”
      LES TYACK: Absolutely. Absolutely. I have no doubt whatsoever.
      LOUISE MILLIGAN, REPORTER: Les Tyack was inspired to speak up when the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse began sitting.
      LES TYACK: Pell’s name kept on coming up. I felt that that was the time that maybe I should put my statement into the police as to what had happened. Because if they were forming some dossier on Pell, it might, it might be some sort of backup and just another example of what this man was up to. I had no, no beef. I was not a victim. I had nothing against the Catholic Church. But this was a situation that did disturb me greatly.
      
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      March 6, 2019 7:29pm
      - MrTips
        
        I’m with the judge who threw out the trial https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.smh.com.au/national/pell-won-t-face-trial-on-allegations-from-the-70s-of-pool-impropriety-20190226-p510b7.html
        
        And remember it’s the same Judge who convicted him for the Melbourne fiasco.
        
        And Les Tyack is a liar, imo.
        
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        March 6, 2019 7:47pm
      - Universal Smith
        
        TM, why do christians rape boys?
        
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        March 6, 2019 8:10pm
      - Tall Man
        
        Jeez us, you seem a little obsessed with paedophilia, is there something you need to share?
        
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        March 7, 2019 10:15pm
    - nasska
      
      I take my hat off to our co-respondent ‘MrTips’ for he out of all the Catholic nutters who comment here doesn’t stall, defend, excuse or attempt to ambiguate the behaviour of too many priests.
      
      If the sellers of smoke had more followers who were prepared to face facts from the outset 90% of the alleged & proven abuse wouldn’t have occurred.
      
      But I’m conflicted! So many perversions……so much fun to be had in exposing them. 🙂
      
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      March 6, 2019 7:42pm
      - MrTips
        
        Lol, cheer’s Nasska. There is a real battle going on right now and Frank, our Papa, is as bent as they come in all this. The Vatican is a cesspit I wouldn’t even send Stephie too (Morrissey might enjoy it though ?).
        
        The reason I stay is because, despite the clear failings of many leaders, the RCC is still here. By rights it should be long gone. I believe in the Founder and the message, but not the “leaders” necessarily.
        
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        March 6, 2019 7:54pm
      - Nostradamus
        
        MrTips:
        
        “The Vatican is a cesspit I wouldn’t even send Stephie to”
        
        Stephieboy has conquered St Albans and St Lukes – the Vatican would be a walk in the park for him!
        
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        March 6, 2019 7:59pm
Viking2

Former Labour MP Annette King has criticised the way the Labour chooses its leader in a new authorised biography, saying it was likely Jacinda Ardern would not have got the top job if she had had to go through the usual vote of members, MPs and unions.

A new biography of Annette King provides new details and an insider’s account of significant periods in Labour’s history – from Rogernomics, through several leadership changes to King’s role in the coalition talks with NZ First after the 2017 election.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12210147

Be an interesting read.
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March 6, 2019 7:08pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  That Herald excerpt was enough for me.
  
  How wearying, to always be in the midst of internecine turmoil.
  
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  March 6, 2019 7:29pm
  - mikenmildagain
    
    So, like every other political party, ever. And we wonder why many people do not like politics, or politicians.
    
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    March 6, 2019 8:18pm
- MrTips
  
  Medicine ball man Hughesey makes an appearance! Big call to revisit the controversy to drag queen a young guy through downtown Wgtn.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:08pm
  - niggly
    
    I see Hughes is still playing (he’s) the “innocent victim” card … interesting, because when he last did that (several years ago) the Police issued a statement that contradicted him.
    
    And to think King and Ardern are still his friend despite what happened ….
    
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    March 6, 2019 9:36pm
Muttonbird

Here’s how National governments build roads.

Badly.

Not content with fucking up waterways, the housing market, and the education sector, they can’t even do their flagship RONs properly.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/111065215/kpiti-expressway-needs-25-million-worth-of-repairs-just-two-years-after-opening
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March 6, 2019 7:53pm
- MrTips
  
  Um, wouldn’t that belong to the NZLTA and the Alliance that built it? I mean that’s what they’re there for.
  
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  March 6, 2019 7:58pm
- Tall Man
  
  And this is how labour builds roads…or doesn’t..
  
  https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/109181365/extension-of-expressway-from-cambridge-to-piarere-wont-happen-within-a-decade
  
  https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/347839/national-party-to-petition-govt-over-highway-projects
  
  You are a simpleton and so easy to squash because you are basically a turd in feathers.
  
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  March 6, 2019 7:58pm
- Universal Smith
  
  Mutt, well not everyone can afford to fly around in Jets like the leaders of Labour and the Greens.
  
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  March 6, 2019 8:00pm
- Muttonbird
  
  If you read the article it turns out that National rushed the project for election campaign purposes. Now I’m not surprised they’d do that because I know they are a corrupt bunch of misfits, but you all should be very angry, especially the people on the Kapiti Coast who not only have to put up with months and months of repairs, but have to forgo the last pieces of the project because of the deliberate and criminal mismanagement of the project.
  
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  March 6, 2019 9:08pm
  - Rachael Membery
    
    Are you a Socialist?
    
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    March 6, 2019 9:18pm
    - Muttonbird
      
      No. I’d say I’m a social democrat or left-wing. Not radical left and not centre left. I don’t think changing the money system or nationalising everything in sight is necessary but I do think essential services should be owned by the people for the people. I’m certainly not a centrist – they’re the worst of the lot!
      
      The term socialist doesn’t really apply in the way the right wing use it in their attacks. Look at the IUSY wiki page and it’s all pretty mild activism for compassionate political change. This is the organisation which the Nats are trying to demonise the Prime Minister for associating with but really, they’re just nice kids.
      
      I had a much longer reply about my thoughts on NZ but what’s the point – no one would read it good faith.
      
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      March 6, 2019 10:03pm
      - Rachael Membery
        
        Attacks, mentioning is hardly attack. If it wasn’t seen as a negative by ordinary NZ’ers then it would have been heralded far and wide as a badge of honour and it certainly hasn’t been.
        Thosr clips were 9 years ago, just before Jacinda got on Labour’s list, seems like it was approved, if not directed by Labour central, as I assume the sojourne to Tony Bair’s office was also ‘networking’..
        
        What would you consider to be an equivalent sin on National’s side?
        
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        March 7, 2019 11:08pm
  - Ultima
    
    So what, like Labour wouldn’t do the same? I live near and use SH20 in Auckland a lot, the extension to SH1 was only completed in 2011 and already it need more lanes, 2 more on each side at least. We don’t invest enough in infrastructure.
    
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    March 6, 2019 9:30pm
    - Muttonbird
      
      We don’t invest enough in infrastructure
      
      On that we agree. Bitten off more than we can chew on the immigration front and haven’t got the revenue to pay for it.
      
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      March 6, 2019 10:06pm
      - Ultima
        
        We need immigration as our birthrate doesn’t cover deaths. We have the revenue growth and borrowing capability, heck, we don’t even need to borrow as foreign capital would love to invest in our infrastructure with a growing economy and stable govt. The problem is the the long term thinking, the RMA etc… Nothing to do with immigration.
        
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        March 6, 2019 11:16pm
      - Jack5
        
        The present problem is that our population is growing faster than our economy. Our population is about to reach 5 million.
        
        For 40 years or more NZ has been in the red internationally, measured by the balance of payments deficits. We aren’t earning enough in the world to cover population growth.
        
        In the last reported quarter, NZ’s GDP per capita sank slightly below zero, and already the economy is ranked 48th in the world in GDP per capita, and 114th in GDP growth adjusted for inflation.
        
        Immigration is way too high.
        
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        March 7, 2019 1:01am
- Ultima
  
  Mutton get a grip, these things happen. Its a popular stretch of road, Labour would have build trains with not many people using it. This goes to show we need more money into roads, not trains.
  
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  March 6, 2019 9:13pm
wreck1080

Mainzeal fines should have been higher and criminal charges pursued.

Now we are finding they took shortcuts during construction…tauranga ratepayers are up for 4 million dollars in repairs for a shoddy mainzeal build…

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503347&objectid=12209640

Mainzeal ‘shortcuts’ blamed for Baywave’s up to $4 million repair bill

I wonder if Jenny Shipleys liability insurance will cover this?
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March 6, 2019 10:53pm

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