General Debate 18 August 2019

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Happychappy

Has the sex deviate from the PM’s office left the building yet. Sexual assault is a crime and for it to be covered up for as long as it was us disgusting especially from our Prime Minister.
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August 18, 2019 8:07am
- Souvlaki
  
  There can be no doubt, Ardern does seem complicit in this cover up…no escaping the fact !
  Today, Mau,( #metoo NZ co-ordinator)
  after 2 weeks of prodding calls out Labour for their long history of concealing REPEATED sexual abuse.
  
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  August 18, 2019 8:52am
  - harvey wilson
    
    Where is this? Its long overdue for Mau to address their endemic rape culture.
    
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    August 18, 2019 9:07am
    - Greg Ettridge
      
      Alison got more than she bargained for on Twitter, she argued against going the police, she copped a pile on and she became very silent. Big decisions for her here, no longer winning her argument on Twitter. Stark choice, Jacinda my bud or justice.
      https://mobile.twitter.com/Alisonmau/status/1160788790295744512
      
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      August 18, 2019 9:24am
      - Engelbert Humperdink
        
        Basically, Mau got mau-mau’d. A common lefty tactic.
        
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        August 18, 2019 10:54am
      - coge
        
        He, (or she) who is moral, can be shamed.
        
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        August 18, 2019 11:31am
    - Souvlaki
      
      http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/115064334/alison-mau?cid=app-android
      
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      August 18, 2019 9:25am
      - harvey wilson
        
        That stuff article was pretty weak, almost token. Mau didn’t seem to want to actually point out theres something very very rotten within labours culture. Darren Hughes and the naked teenager running from his house, three sexual assaults at youth camps-two of which they successfully covered up and an alleged rapist working for the pm who gets to keep his job and women in the office are told to avoid certain areas of the building to avoid becoming his next victim
        
        These are just the incidents we know about, I’m sure theres more and that article from Mau skirts around the condoning of rape culture within Labours ranks and shifts the narrative to bullying.
        
        She should be ashamed, as the self appointed head of #metoo in NZ thats an incredibly weak effort . I also get the sense that she’s written the article not actually achieve anything other than silence her critics who have been for months pointing out how she refuses to discuss the disgusting behaviour coming to light within the labour party.
        
        Compare this to her response to John Keys idiot behaviour towards a waitress https://www.magic.co.nz/ALISON-MAU-Once-again-the-victim-is-blamed/tabid/615/articleID/79638/Default.aspx
        
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        August 18, 2019 9:54am
      - Hollyfield
        
        Agree, Harvey. While her opening paragraph refers to a scandal, it does not mention scandal of sexual abuse, or scandal of a cover up or telling victims to change their behaviour, but instead “… I do think it is a scandal that an increasing number of people who are otherwise loyal to the party and its work are feeling so abandoned.”
        
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        August 18, 2019 10:26am
      - All_on_Red
        
        ‘Modern Journalism is all about deciding which facts the public shouldn’t know because they might reflect badly on Jacinda Ardern’
        
        – paraphrased from Jim Treacher
        
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        August 18, 2019 10:36am
      - stephieboy
        
        Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
        All on Red,, is this the same Jim Treacher?,
        
        “Good job, good effort, Jack: Jim Treacher suspended for ‘targeted harassment”
        
        https://twitchy.com/brettt-3136/2019/02/02/good-job-good-effort-jack-jim-treacher-suspended-for-targeted-harassment/ i
        
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        August 18, 2019 10:47am
      - All_on_Red
        
        Stephie- is this the same Stephieboy?
        PERVWATCH
        A division of Groperwatch
        Today we look at one of Kiwiblogs Creeps.
        Yes, it’s STEPHIEBOY who has had Strikes for linking to porn sites on KB and constantly harasses women.
        Who has such a lack of judgement.
        Yes, it’s STEPHIEBOY.
        
        ‘19,565 COMMENTS
        stephieboy
        Yesterday I was at the Robert Harris cafe St Lukes Megacentre , Mt Albert enjoying a cappuccino. I noticed next door three Muslim women enjoying their lattes with their children . Two of these honeypots .were wearing their Nijabs with stylish jeans and blouses . The other in more typical kiwi informal attire?
        Thumb up 7 Thumb down 36REPLY REPORTAUGUST 21, 2016 8:51AM’
        
        ‘Honeypots’!!!
        And this;
        Jack 5, recently i was at St Luke’s shopping mall and I saw a Muslim lady dressed in traditional apparel accompanied by her two beautiful young daughters dressed in modern western tight jeans and blouses , revealing lovely supple body proportions , including small but ample breasts .
        Thumb up 1 Thumb down 16REPLY REPORTDECEMBER 3, 2015 2:26
        
        Wow, just wow.
        PERVWATCH is brought to you as a public service to out the creeps amongst us.’
        
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        August 18, 2019 11:11am
      - sooty
        
        I wish to support that.
        And say that he is a stalker!
        edit.
        Why is he not on Morrisys list of perverts?
        
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        August 18, 2019 11:33am
    - lilman
      
      Talk about deranged.
      Was out for tea and good friends wife said she liked Jacinda,thought she Kind and was a breath of fresh air.She was doing a good job.
      Enter me…..I asked her if her 22 year old daughter was working in the PMs office was sexually assaulted and raped would she think it was ok for the PM not to stand down the alleged attacker and support her daughter or at least see that the victim,in this case her daughter, had the support she needed?
      Does she think the PM ,who is so nice ,would dismiss up to 8 women,to follow party lines and be as nice as to keep the alleged rapist in his position of power over her daughter as a sign of compassion to all the women of NZ who have been raped or assaulted over the years.
      
      Silence.
      
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      August 18, 2019 11:05am
      - Jules99
        
        Breath of fresh air between her ears more like.
        
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        August 18, 2019 4:14pm
    - 3-coil
      
      Don’t hold your breath – Ali Mau (self appointed mangai of the NZ “#MeToo” movement!) delivers a lame whitewash: full of diversion, false equivalence, obfuscation, and flat out denial. She is a Labour Party lapdog through and through, and this fake analysis and limp challenge to NZ Labour Party (what about Jacinda!) exemplify it. Objectivity is a totally alien concept to Mau, and she totally undermines the credibility of #MeToo – she’s as disgusting as Hilary running interference for Slick Willie.
      
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      August 18, 2019 11:26am
- peterwn
  
  And it is a ‘strike’ crime although a smart lawyer would try and persuade the Crown Solicitor to downsize it to assault of a female or even common assault. These are not ‘strike’ crimes.
  
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  August 18, 2019 9:08am
- Doubledimp
  
  Someone needs to get nasty in the house on this, even to the point of being thrown out by speaker.
  
  “Prime Minister, if Neve comes to you in 20 years time and claims she has been sexually assaulted, will you shrug and tell her it is an issue for the Labour Party? And if not, how can you act like the “Mother of the Nation” now and do nothing about this issue?”
  
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  August 18, 2019 9:26am
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    if Neve comes to you in 20 years time and claims she has been sexually assaulted,
    
    You are implying that our PM is capable of connecting the dots.
    
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    August 18, 2019 10:15am
  - burt
    
    If Neve comes to in 20 years time telling you she’s been sexually assaulted will you be comfortable that the offender keeps his job and Neve needs to resign?
    
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    August 18, 2019 10:44am
- freethinker
  
  Bit hard on the prinzess, I am sure she will attend to the matter on her next fleeting visit to NZ.
  
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  August 18, 2019 10:32am
  - sooty
    
    It’ll be fleeting after getting booed at the rugger last night!
    
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    August 18, 2019 11:36am
    - burt
      
      That was a bit rough, we should treat our celebrity visitors a bit better than that.
      
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      August 18, 2019 3:16pm
    - Overworked
      
      Does anyone have a link to video of this? I can’t find the ceremony on youtube or msm
      
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      August 18, 2019 5:29pm
    - Komata
      
      sooty@1032
      
      Can you provide a link please; I can’t seem to find one – perhaps the MSM have decided to to mention it.
      
      Thanks.
      
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      August 18, 2019 6:16pm
  - calendar girl
    
    A “visitor” is the right description for our Prime Minister; she’s hardly ever here.
    
    And now that she and NZ rugby fans have had an opportunity to show their affection for each other, will Ms Ardern be present in Japan for the Rugby World Cup, with or without Clarke Gayford and / or Neve? And would the NZ taxpayer be paying for the costs incurred on behalf of Royal Family members and nursing staff?
    
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    August 18, 2019 4:10pm
- Classic Liberal
  
  There is no hope from the idiots who voted Taxinda in. Recently couldn’t help overhear the louder parts of a conversation. It was a painful experience:
  
  Some middle aged people. Half behaved like ‘chattering class’. Only one bloke in a suit.
  
  The chattering types kept screeching they thought Jacinda was doing an ‘amaaayzing job’. The others didn’t say much, but I did hear a ‘grumble grumble my tax grumble grumble’ from the guy in a suit. Then he just shut up and let the chatterers carry on. Once bloke seemed silent throughout. Then the screeching again that ‘Jacinda’s doing an ‘amaaayzing job”.
  
  The main explanation from people like those chatterers would be that they are making a juicy profit out of gvt spending, so love socialism. Or are just so stupid that they don’t see that destroying the economy is not a good idea.
  
  So: unless there are plenty of people who are thinking ‘grumble grumble my tax’ and dare vote against the chatterers, we will have another CoL next election.
  
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  August 18, 2019 11:22am
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    Yep,
    I’ve just started hearing a few grumbles from my dedicated lefty/green mates.
    Seems when their adult children finally encounter the real world (job difficulties, rental prices, family responsibilities), the scales fall from their eyes.
    
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    August 18, 2019 2:12pm
Brian McDonald

We saw the best AB pack performance for 2 seasons and the best starting 15. That first half was tense, had the Aussies scored they would have gained confidence but the AB’s held them out with one tackle by Tuipulotu executed with the player over the try line being pushed back to the field of play. Tuipulotu played his best as an AB so far and has been threatening to do so for 3 seasons. Laulala ate metres with ball in hand and we got to see how the new backline (NB Tony Stuart) delivered with ball coming on the front foot. SBW showed the touches that had been missing for most of the season. While Lienhart Brown again showed his consistent play, he has delivered all year. Mo’unga delivered and then some, given time by the pack going forward and the loosies dominating in a top display by the new combination.
We saw the Wallaby scrum pushed back twice by a 7 man shove with only 1 lock, those are moments like the Tuipulotu tackle which create AB history. I think we saw the Wallaby vulnerability at fullback and a fade in confidence meeting a hitherto unknown fierce dog in a street fight. When Tupou was subbed on for the Wallabies the AB pack was again tested but they responded to quell the young Tongan prop who made such an impression at Sacred Heart. Joe Moody made metres as we know he can and Dane Coles let the niggle get the better of him stupidly but he’ll get his ears chewed off and he’s cup ready for the finesse he’ll bring out wide and in the pack, I’d like to know the number of meters Laulala ran. Reed showed a McCaw like comeback after an indifferent season – but granted there have been injuries to deal with and enforced rest periods all now looking to have been well managed.
At the beginning of the year I asked a rugby mate if Reece was the bolter for the World Cup, and weeks ago texted late in the SA game that Bridge was the man to give the ball – last night he covered a try-saving tackle on the opposite side of the field with Reece and another player, but it was his roaming role that showed his rare class of rugby brain and along with Reece they look the current most dangerous pair of wingers at international level – play in the same team outside the same first five and unlocked what shag must have seen some time ago – attacking dynamite as we saw in Mo’unga’s try. What wasn’t under question was routinely established again – the tempo going up with reserves coming on, including Geordie Barratt with that finger tip low catch and running, the unsung front rowers, Hemopo and Perenara sporting his support for Ihumatao.
A couple of Herald writers wrote crap about the AB’s this week because there is something, they don’t understand which several players have said in after match interviews all year – that they trust their systems. Systems that clicked last night, even with penalties that shouldn’t have been offered.
Shag himself, crumpy old ex-cop and straight talker – just held back the emotion but would have enjoyed a quiet 1 after the game. I’m eager to find out the prognosis on Mo’unga. There is a question solved about the locks in the absence of Retallick, about the front row, and about the loosies, also about the backs and that’s a few ticks that have been a while coming. Now for the hard part.
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August 18, 2019 8:09am
- All_on_Red
  
  Nice review. I think it was Cha, who last week showed that even when we lost to Oz and SA we still went on to win the World Cup.
  Here’s hoping…
  anyway, it was a fantastic game.
  Is it true that Ardern got booed?
  
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  August 18, 2019 8:20am
  - Paulus Gnome
    
    A good urban myth to start if she wasn’t
    
    I am suprised to see her there, is she holidaying in New Zealand this week? Sort of like going on a mystery bus tour and ending up where you had set out from in the morning!
    
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    August 18, 2019 8:24am
    - Greg Ettridge
      
      Great game,
      Hopefully Jacinda and Raylene got a selfie together.
      Diversity personified.
      Want a ticket to the World Cup there are plenty going. Best game will be Uruguay and the Wallabies.
      Raylene will be able to discuss how you run an operation with no money on the sideline.
      I think you will find there were more Aussies cheering on the All Blacks than Wallabies.
      Screwing a whole code in the name of diversity.
      
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      August 18, 2019 9:11am
  - igm
    
    Hope she was, I turned to another channel as soon as I saw the harridan having the audacity to front up to the presentation.
    She may be welcome at a mosque, but surely she is not wanted at Rugby.
    
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    August 18, 2019 8:29am
  - lofty
    
    She sure did, it was loud and clear.
    
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    August 18, 2019 8:30am
    - coge
      
      I remember Kevin Rudd getting the similar treatment, the rest is history.
      
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      August 18, 2019 10:43am
  - JibberJabber
    
    I don`t know if I`d have called it a Boo, there was most certainly a rumble of discontent, not the usual adoration she gets when she visits a Kindy.
    
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    August 18, 2019 8:33am
  - stephieboy
    
    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
    Got booed?
    
    Nope!
    
    Silly boy.
    
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    August 18, 2019 8:52am
    - Biscuit
      
      stephie, it seems that not only do you go through Life with one eye shut but you also keep one ear shut too.
      
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      August 18, 2019 9:34am
      - freethinker
        
        Doesn’t matte, without a brain to connect to ,sight & sound are just ephemeral waves to Stephie.
        
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        August 18, 2019 10:35am
    - Greg Ettridge
      
      did you hit the mute button by mistake.
      Bit like Mr Russian hands and Roman fingers in the beehive, utter and complete silence. Muted.
      Unfortunately for you and her adoring fans, the worm has turned, it is all downhill from here.
      I really enjoyed the game until
      https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gSMmxyGeEb4
      
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      August 18, 2019 10:08am
  - Tony Stuart
    
    Yes, it is true. Not when she was introduced, but when she was called on to present the Bledisloe Cup.
    
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    August 18, 2019 8:58am
    - James Stephenson
      
      I had the boys with me so I left at full time and didn’t stay for that but I can also confirm that there was clear booing when she was introduced to present Kendra Cocksedge’s 50th cap.
      
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      August 18, 2019 10:00am
    - alloytoo
      
      Would dearly love a video clip.
      
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      August 18, 2019 8:13pm
  - Prince
    
    She was booed at the presentation of the cup. Announcer “Prime Minister Ardern will present the cup to Kieran Read’
    Loud boos from crowd as she picks up the cup.
    Turns to applause as Read hoists the cup aloft.
    Ardern looked bewildered by the reception.
    
    At the start of the game the ground announcer spoke of the lives of Bruce Deans and Sir Brian Lochore. As he spoke of the respect for Lochore’s achievements as a man and a husband, the camera showed Ardern, glass in hand, laughing and talking to Gayford and their mates. No respect at all. It’s all about meeeee.
    
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    August 18, 2019 10:19am
    - paulm48
      
      “Ardern looked bewildered by the reception”…
      
      So was this her Ceaușescu moment when she realises that the people are not with her…?
      
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      August 18, 2019 10:33am
    - Bill felt
      
      I saw the pre-match talking while we were all honouring Deans and BJ – she just has no idea and no class, no respect, ……..
      
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      August 18, 2019 10:57am
    - igm
      
      She sure is as detestable as Corbyn, Sadiq Khan, David Cunliffe, et al.
      
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      August 18, 2019 11:35am
  - geoff3012
    
    Yes.
    
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    August 18, 2019 10:36am
- Colville
  
  Don’t get too excited. It was only a game Vs Australia. The boks also put 35 points on them.
  
  Get Guzzler back in there with Squire being angry by his shoulder and we will have what it will take to beat Ireland or England.
  
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  August 18, 2019 8:26am
  - Colville
    
    And I see we have lost number 1 rank!
    
    Wales got over England in a tough game and have taken top spot.
    
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    August 18, 2019 8:37am
    - Tony Stuart
      
      The World Rankings are farcical. I’m 64, and Wales hasn’t beaten New Zealand in my lifetime!
      
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      August 18, 2019 9:01am
      - Biscuit
        
        I’m, 67, Tony – born March 1952.
        
        I don’t REMEMBER it but I presume I was still filling nappies last time (late 1953) Wales beat the Blackness!
        
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        August 18, 2019 9:19am
    - Bill felt
      
      I watched the England Wales game.
      Excellent result all round. No skills, no fitness, no speed off the back of rucks, no game-breakers, some players who have spent their time in the gym but lack any rugby instincts.
      
      The AB’s would have put an easy 30 on both these teams and probably a lot more!
      
      I watched both games (AB/Aus and Eng/Wales) and there was only one team on track for Nov 2 and three teams who will struggle.
      
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      August 18, 2019 11:16am
      - Colville
        
        So only France, South Africa and Ireland for us to worry about then? LOL
        
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        August 18, 2019 3:24pm
- Biscuit
  
  Good summary, Brian.
  
  The eye-opener for mine in Bledisloe II was George Bridge, particularly for the searing pace that led to the Aaron Smith try.
  
  You READ The New Zealand Herald’s Rugby reporters?
  [You seemed so SANE, heh heh]
  If it’s not ‘Give us the Cup now!’ or ‘All Blacks in crisis’, it’s – as today – ‘Why All Blacks aren’t fixed’.
  
  I liked that, alone in the Australian Rugby scene, Michael Cheika kept his feet on the ground after Perth, noting that his side had ‘only won a trip to Auckland’.
  So true…
  
  And don’t start me on the ludicrosity of World Rugby’s rankings. Wales are now No. One (after sharing a series with England) whilst New Zealand slip to No. Two (after sharing a series with Australia).
  
  Mind, I also hate with a passion sports that involve judges allotting points/marks- Gymnastics, Diving, Dressage in Three Day Eventing, Boxing, Synchronised Bloody Swimming etc etc.
  
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  August 18, 2019 8:28am
  - Brian McDonald
    
    That moment Bridge ran into the gap was special Biscuit, and so fast it look effortless like either of the 2 Wilsons in their time on the wings. He turned an opponent inside out. The earlier tackle he made against a bigger player indicated that he was physically strong which his try proved was no accident.
    I seldom read the Herald sports writers but I keep open minded that something critical might be revealed. Would have been great motivation for the team.
    Yes Cheika did keep his feet on the ground. He didn’t get a nose like that from being a diplomat and he’ll happy with the progress. The Aussies didn’t give up and didn’t fall to pieces despite the pressure of dropped balls. They’re in the hunt.
    We are better off at 2 in the World Rankings, let the Brits start counting their chickens now.
    
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    August 18, 2019 9:01am
    - Brian McDonald
      
      Also Tupou did himself no favours when interviewed and revealing that NZ had been a stepping stone to his dream of playing for Australia, reminding me of the NSW prop, also Tongan, who was raised in Auckland. I know his dad. Don’t give the All Blacks extra reasons to dislike you – like being disloyal to NZ and thinking you’re a front rower.
      
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      August 18, 2019 9:08am
  - pdm
    
    Lucky Liverpool won or you would be grumpy all day Biscuit.
    
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    August 18, 2019 9:28am
    - Biscuit
      
      pdm, I watched Pool’s game – always comfortable.
      
      Watched the last 5 minutes of City-Spurs, too, and swore when City got a last-gasp goal to ‘win’ by 3-2.
      
      Isn’t VAR great!
      
      You’d have been happy with the Bay on Friday. Dunno how Wellington didn’t win that…
      
      Will be at the Cake Tin Friday night to watch Wellington get their first win, mind. Some lowly side called Kannerberry!
      
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      August 18, 2019 9:39am
- Paginus
  
  That was sodomy heavy call on Dane Coles.
  
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  August 18, 2019 9:09am
  - Colville
    
    off the ball, Christmas hold and the arm around the neck.
    in the World Cup with a French ref he would have been risking a red for that. and a certain ban.
    
    I expect to see a lot of yellow cards in the World Cup for things that , as New Zealanders, we would consider to be just hard but fair play.
    
    IMHO What Coles did went past.
    
    But I can see his thinking at the time. We were hot on attack with 2 tries in the bag, get another and the game was over before halftime.
    
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    August 18, 2019 10:44am
    - pdm
      
      Colville – the interesting thing was that while Coles was doing his 10 minutes in the bin the lineout throwing improved and the scrum more than held its own.
      
      Taylor must start from now on in the big games.
      
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      August 18, 2019 8:14pm
- Tony Stuart
  
  Excellent review Brian.
  
  This was the 80-minute performance we’ve all been waiting a couple of seasons for, and I suspect it will have sent shudders through the rugby world. All those who were under pressure going into last night’s match stepped up big-time. Tuipolotu was massive at lock, and SBW had his best game in any jersey for several seasons. He put away the offload, and simply ran hard at the Australians, and his defence was strong.
  
  The loose trio really gelled, and Read was superb, whilst the Smith try showed the potential of the Barrett/Mo’unga combination; Barrett could just as easily have launched Mo’unga to the right than Bridge down the left.
  
  My player of the night however was Nepo Laulala, who was an absolute rock in the front row, especially when a seven-man All Black scrum twice pushed the Australian scrum, so impressive last week, off the ball.
  
  I think it’s safe to say that all the predictions of the All Blacks’ demise were premature. I wonder what Peter Fitzsimons has to say this morning.
  
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  August 18, 2019 9:12am
  - Biscuit
    
    I read Peter on Twitter, Tony. A leftie, yep, but a leftie with opinions I surprisingly often agree with.
    
    His Tweet after the game last night – actually, whilst it was still GOING – was ‘I don’t wanna talk about it.’
    
    He is far more excited this a.m. that Alan Jones has been told by his broadcasting bosses that a repeat of his implied violence against Ms Ardern will seem him out on his ear.
    
    I’m no Ardern fan, you may have guessed, but I’m very down on anyone using such langauge re any politican.
    
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    August 18, 2019 9:25am
  - Brian McDonald
    
    Going to take some days to sink in Tony, 1 out the box for sure. When reflecting on Franks his career began when props were not expected to run, but he adapted – Laulala on the other hand more likely began with running as a prop being expected. Gives shag more choices and I read yesterday just how stop, start Laulala’s career has been from injury – but he certainly epitomises the modern expectation of a prop.
    Yes Barrett could have launched the attack to the right just as easily. I noted his drop goal attempt was clever because it seemed plain the attack wasn’t on and aussies were coming up fast – probably too dangerous to run and possibly over turn over ball.
    I think Peter Fitz is deliberately provocative so maybe he won’t be too surprised – but I expect it will still hurt, he was a Wallaby afterall and a good 1.
    
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    August 18, 2019 9:35am
    - Biscuit
      
      Agreed re Peter Fitz, Brian.
      
      He gets up New Zealanders’ teeth the same way that that execrable Stephen Jones does in England … but Peter does it with a chuckle.
      
      Right, me is out. Hopefully to hit a little white ball less than 80 times in 2 and a bit hours!
      
      Nice fine day here, chilly as, ground still wet … but do I ever complain?
      
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      August 18, 2019 9:43am
      - Tony Stuart
        
        Lucky you Biscuit; I’m indoors at Rotary meetings in Otaki this arvo.
        
        9 0
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        August 18, 2019 9:49am
      - pdm
        
        Played 9 holes did you Biscuit – asking for a friend.
        
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        August 18, 2019 8:17pm
    - Colville
      
      I like Peter Fitz.
      
      A bit of fun and has a dig in a good natured way.
      
      He lost an absolute shitload of weight in a very straightforward way and talks about that (a lot!)
      
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      August 18, 2019 10:50am
- alex Masterley
  
  Good review, I was at the game last night.
  It was well worth the money.
  Pity about the service standards in the bars and food concessions. Usual Eden Park rubbish.
  I thought George Bridge had a special game. Great tackling.
  The forwards out-played their opposites. There was an intensity I haven’t seen for while.
  Some of the tackles where huge. You could hear and feel the impacts.
  
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  August 18, 2019 10:19am
- Brian Marshall
  
  I have to admit that even Sonny Bill Williams has a great game. I still think he’s overrated, but last night he played very good. Wonderful to see us competing at the breakdown when it was appropriate and Mo’unga showed class as he has for the crusaders for the last two years. Don’t think having Beauden at 15 was the best use of his talents, but it adds another option going into the World Cup.
  
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  August 18, 2019 12:06pm
srylands

I can see why people hate insurance companies.

I phoned mine yesterday with a motor vehicle claim. The door sill got bent when I hit a ramp in a car parking building. The quote to fix it is $940.

So I am guessing the guy is in India. He asks me to describe the “incident” but he doesn’t know what a door sill is. He can’t get my name right. And then he tells me the car might need to be written off. WTF. That really got me going.

This level of service is totally unacceptable. As soon as this claim is sorted I’m changing insurers.
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August 18, 2019 8:09am
- Colville
  
  Who are you with?
  I have found AMI excellent in the past.
  
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  August 18, 2019 8:28am
  - Tall Man
    
    AMI, Lantern, State, NZI etc plus a couple of Bank insurers are all part of the IAG network.
    
    https://www.iag.co.nz/
    
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    August 18, 2019 10:09am
  - srylands
    
    State.
    
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    August 18, 2019 12:23pm
    - Captain Mainwaring
      
      There’s your problem right there.
      
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      August 18, 2019 3:10pm
      - Tall Man
        
        There are only 2 large domestic insurers for all classes in NZ, Vero and IAG so you are a little restricted, it just depends on what “front line” you want to talk with.
        
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        August 18, 2019 5:57pm
- sooty
  
  I hate callcentres overseas for anything!
  They all can’t speak english!
  
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  August 18, 2019 8:30am
- Brian McDonald
  
  Might be the overseas ‘call out’ system similar to that which Telecom (use?) to use for number inquiries – cheaper with communications to match.
  
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  August 18, 2019 8:33am
- Inandout
  
  Try another company like AMI, and presumably they will be ‘kind’ to your claim.
  
  ‘ Kindness, when you kinda need it’.
  
  Who writes these ads?
  
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  August 18, 2019 8:36am
  - Brian McDonald
    
    Broke the rule on word repetition.
    
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    August 18, 2019 9:09am
- the deity formerly known as nigel6888
  
  I found Vero through ANZ to be totally professional and excellent. Other party fessed up, my car fixed to as good as new, no fuss at all.
  
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  August 18, 2019 8:42am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  I’ll put a plug in here. NZI (Lantern) They have all of my policies House, contents vehicles, caravan, boat and others. They even arranged for my rear windscreen to be replaced when I was in Alaska! Email response is almost immediate, phone calls are in English, and you can even go to their office in Takapuna!
  
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  August 18, 2019 9:48am
  - Tall Man
    
    Check out how much is now processed in India for Lantern.
    
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    August 18, 2019 10:05am
- Tall Man
  
  Today in many cars the sill is the “side rail” of the car and therefore is an integral part of the “structure”.
  
  Remember the Leyland P76? A simple low speed nose to tail could compromise the sills of the car making it a write off.
  
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  August 18, 2019 10:08am
  - Lance
    
    Not quite the same thing but there was this program on Sky where they had to replace the entire rear bulkhead of a 767 after a ground services truck backed into it making a 100mm dent… right where the bulk head meets the superstructure (part that keeps the cabin pressurized).. ouch. Millions of dollars to repair.
    
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    August 18, 2019 10:30am
  - srylands
    
    Yes the mechanic who picked it up explained why it was important to fix the sill because it would fail a warrant. My warrant is due to expire in two weeks so just out of interest I took the car to VTNZ for a warrant check. I was expecting them to pick up the bent door sill. But they didn’t even notice the sill which you can see with the naked eye is bent. They failed the car because the “rear middle seat belt is wrinkled”. That’s because it is never used and is tucked down the back of the seat.
    
    Anyway I am having the sill fixed.
    
    Honestly WOF checks are just totally random and I think there is a lot of variability between VTNZ inspectors.
    
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    August 18, 2019 2:54pm
Paulus Gnome

I bet Michael Hooper was suprised when he got a handshake from our part time PM last night!

a) that she was there when he could have reasonably believed she would have been on holiday and,

b) a lecture on people on Manus Island,

c) a lecture on fairness and how this applies to NZer’s in Australia,

d) a lecture on why Australia needs to stop digging holes in the desert to improve the economic well being of its citizens,

e) how to reverse climate change while everybody learns how to love brown outs, and finally, the perennial favourite,

f) how President Trump, or Trump as she calls him, is not as orange as she thought but is still an arsehole
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August 18, 2019 8:10am
- Classic Liberal
  
  “Well I think Jacinda’s doing an amaaaaaayzing job!!”
  
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  August 18, 2019 12:11pm
  - sooty
    
    Watch you smoking bro?
    
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    August 18, 2019 2:10pm
srylands

What happened to Dime?
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August 18, 2019 8:13am
- Paulus Gnome
  
  One of the ho’s husbands turned up and it did not end well perhaps?
  
  His style is pretty unique so there is no way that he is commenting here with his given name like KS
  
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  August 18, 2019 8:27am
- Brian McDonald
  
  Forgot about Dime till now.
  
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  August 18, 2019 8:34am
  - srylands
    
    Maybe he didn’t react well to moderation?
    
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    August 18, 2019 8:48am
- Evadne
  
  He left after the moderation changes – said his goodbyes.
  
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  August 18, 2019 9:22am
  - Evadne
    
    https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2019/03/moderation_changes.html#comment-2458247
    
    https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2019/03/moderation_changes.html#comment-2458060
    
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    August 18, 2019 9:30am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  He got the shits with moderation
  
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  August 18, 2019 9:50am
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    He is an importer so did not want to use his real name. Fair enough, he has a business to run that I guess does not warrant having his name out there
    
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    August 18, 2019 9:53am
G152

Alan Jones told some-one to tell Cindy to ‘put a sock in it’ and is the target of choice of the Aussie fake news.
I wonder if the comments made against Aussie politicians on the right will get the same attention?
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August 18, 2019 8:19am
- Martin Williams
  
  Don’t sanitise it, you dishonest prick.
  
  He said Morrison should, “shove a sock down the throat”, of Ardern.
  
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  August 18, 2019 2:32pm
John Warren

Mate of mine at Eden Park last night said Ardern was very audibly booed when she showed up to present the Bledisloe Cup. He reckoned she suddenly looked very uncomfortable.
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August 18, 2019 8:21am
- Humble Capitalist
  
  A trip to a primary school to lift spirits will have been firmed up for the week ahead.
  The poor thing might need a fossil fuel guzzling holiday somewhere warm as well
  
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  August 18, 2019 8:35am
- Inandout
  
  JW, I am surprised Jacinda was out of bed that late.
  
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  August 18, 2019 8:38am
  - igm
    
    Jethro was probably rounding up a few stray fillies!
    
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    August 18, 2019 9:09am
- Martin Williams
  
  You mate is delusional. As are you.
  
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  August 18, 2019 2:33pm
  - Komata
    
    MW@1433
    
    As you were evidently there (at the game) please provide us with the REAL facts to justify your comments about JW.
    
    Thanks.
    
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    August 18, 2019 6:27pm
  - John Warren
    
    Yes, were you there Martin? Plenty more eyewitnesses have come out of the woodwork since my mate was on the blower to me.
    
    Often find yourself the only soldier marching in step, Martin?
    
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    August 18, 2019 9:11pm
cmm

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/115079612/dramatic-car-crash-in-warkworth-ends-happily-thanks-to-lowcost-resqme-tool

Why do these accidents get reported as if the car just had a mind of its own?

“I tried to control the car but we ended up going over the side of the road,” she said.

No sweetie, you failed to drive to conditions. You were driving too fast on a wet road and lost control. This accident was 100% avoidable.

“Fortunately, Mel remembered she had the Resqme tool with her… Mel grabbed the tool and used it to cut her seatbelt then break her side window so she could get out of the car…. She is now encouraging others to be prepared for crashes, not only by carrying similar tools but by carrying survival blankets and other essentials.”

Not once does she recommend people drive to conditions. Huh!
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August 18, 2019 8:22am
- peterwn
  
  She may get a careless driving ticket through the mail.
  
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  August 18, 2019 8:28am
- Humble Capitalist
  
  A call last week to reduce WOF times to 6 months. Where are the calls to improve the horrendous driving we all see every day?
  
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  August 18, 2019 8:29am
  - tf78
    
    We had two car WOF fails in two days. One for headlights not clean enough – they offered to clean them for $50 – did it with jiff for nothing. The other was failed for windows too tinted – been the same for 14 years and never failed before. I don’t know what’s going on.
    
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    August 18, 2019 2:16pm
- JibberJabber
  
  This is what 50 years of ACC culture has created, no one is to blame, no one has to take responsibility and no one has to suffer the consequences of their actions, except the ol` Taxpayer, the taxpayer is to blame, the Taxpayer is responsible and the Taxpayer liable for everything.
  It`s a Lefty Utopia.
  
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  August 18, 2019 8:29am
  - MCos
    
    All very persuasive except that the road toll was nearly double fifty years ago to what it is today with much lower population.
    
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    August 18, 2019 11:07am
    - Maggy Wassilieff
      
      Our road toll is 3X that of Norway
      
      (which has a slightly higher population, slightly fewer vehicles, and similar length of roadway)
      
      Road toll of Norway 2018: 108
      Population of Norway: 5,295,619
      Number of registered vehicles in Norway: 3.67M
      Total length roadways: 92,946km
      
      In NZ
      Road toll 2018: 380
      Population: 4,885,300
      # Registered vehicles = 4.34M
      Total length roadways: 94,301km
      
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      August 18, 2019 2:39pm
      - Captain Mainwaring
        
        There are ethnic groups in NZ who have a much higher incidence of road crashes than the general population. Coincidentally, these ethnic groups are not present in Norway.
        Another thing. Norwegians tend to drive much newer cars.
        
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        August 18, 2019 3:18pm
- Paulus Gnome
  
  Wait until the Indian taking the claim details as srylands above, figures out that the seat belt did not have to be cut because she wasn’t wearing it, the window was already down and, the gold bullion in the boot was never there in the first place let alone to go missing.
  
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  August 18, 2019 8:32am
- Captain Mainwaring
  
  No comment on how bald the tyres were.
  
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  August 18, 2019 8:36am
  - srylands
    
    The tyres on so many cars in New Zealand are just shocking. People buy cheap Chinese crap and wear them down until they fail a warrant.
    
    I’d increase the minimum tread from 1.6 mm to 3 mm. Right now if someone passes a warrant with 1.6 mm of tread, the tyres will be a death trap well before the next warrant comes about..
    
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    August 18, 2019 8:54am
    - JibberJabber
      
      I bought a set of cheap Chinese tyres a while back when things were tight, from new they were terrifying to drive on, understeered into corners oversteered out may as well have been driving on oil.
      Bit the bullet and put real tyres on the never-never card, never again will I purchase anything as important from China.
      
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      August 18, 2019 10:01am
      - dubya
        
        Top spec Bridgestone Potenzas all round on my car, there’s nothing quite like them for grip. Not a hugely expensive car, but I see it as a safety investment. Shop around and you can get a full set of 17 inch for less than a grand.
        
        6 1
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        August 18, 2019 11:06am
      - srylands
        
        You are correct. There are some hilarious YouTube videos comparing cars on wet tracks with Chinese crap and premium tyres.
        
        About 12 months ago I had a near miss on a wet highway. It was my fault. The car started fish tailing at 110 kmh. It had just been fitted with new Goodyear F1 tyres. I firmly believe those tyres saved my life.
        
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        August 18, 2019 3:00pm
    - Jules99
      
      Not helped by the poor quality of our roads. 20+ years of driving in the UK, never had to get new tyres. 7 years here, two new tyres on a new car.
      
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      August 18, 2019 4:24pm
  - cmm
    
    The tyres just got bald all by themselves.
    
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    August 18, 2019 9:11am
    - Tall Man
      
      I seem to having a similar problem 😉
      
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      August 18, 2019 10:02am
      - Sacha
        
        Oh no! You are bald?
        
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        August 18, 2019 9:12pm
Albert_Ross

Occasionally someone on here demands changes to the law so that parties with 7 per cent of the vote don’t get to decide the government. I agree that it doesn’t seem right that so few votes could bestow so much power, but what change would ensure that such a situation couldn’t arise?

Minor parties must support the party with the largest vote? So ACT would have to support Labour if Labour got more votes than National?

FPP? Opposite problem – lots of votes not translating into power, like in the UK, where the LibDems got fewer votes but several more seats than UKIP?

Raise the threshold so that you have to get (say) ten per cent for a seat if you don’t win an actual constituency? Ten per cent is a lot of voters to be left quite unrepresented. So’s five, come to think of it.

In short, I dunno. Have better suggestions been made? Are better systems in place elsewhere? Or do we just have to accept that fair systems are also fair to irresponsible idiots?
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August 18, 2019 8:45am
- Right of way is Way of Right
  
  How about if you gain 40% of the vote, you have the right to form a minority government, gaining cross party support on an issue by issue basis. That way minority parties don’t get to decide who governs, yet still are able to contribute as required.
  
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  August 18, 2019 9:02am
  - Albert_Ross
    
    Rather you than me, trying to govern under such conditions! That rule would have put National into power now, but they would have lost every vote in Parliament since election night, including presumably an early vote of no confidence in the PM.
    
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    August 18, 2019 9:36am
  - gorse
    
    I believe the German system gives the major polling party the right to try to form a Government. If they can’t another election is called.
    
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    August 18, 2019 12:58pm
    - Tall Man
      
      I thought that as well but have struggled to find a link…
      
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      August 18, 2019 2:56pm
- Tall Man
  
  STV.
  
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  August 18, 2019 10:00am
- Faroffsound
  
  MMP always had the potential to be manipulated by unscrupulous minor parties and that’s exactly how we ended up with this Government and, if we’re incredibly unlucky we could end up with the same outcome next election.
  
  Tweaking the rules so that the highest polling party gets first go at forming a government might work but also might not.
  
  STV looked better when the system was changed but unfortunately it didn’t get the votes.
  
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  August 18, 2019 10:55am
  - Jack5
    
    All systems have flaws. STV, which entails ranking names in a list, tends to help celebrity airheads into power because their names are familiar.
    
    Also, it entails multi-member constituencies.
    
    Do you have to be a mathematician to understand the formula that translates the grading? Would a formula be able to correctly sort Maori candidates’ names including macrons or a Pacific name with hyphens?
    
    MMP has its flaws, notably with representation of minorities, as when Social Credit was nobbled in its heydey.
    
    However, it’s solid in that it entails electorates, with locals sorting out some, but not all, of the flakes before they get to Parliament. Local selection isn’t flawless, but it tends to provide the sort of people you would prefer in a jury judging you – sound, level headed, and worldly wise – rather than political stars and would-be stars.
    
    MMP, by its list-selection, gives us too many ambitious party rats and people with flaws that probably wouldn’t have go unnoticed by locals.
    
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    August 18, 2019 11:28am
    - Steve Todd
      
      “All systems have flaws. STV, which entails ranking names in a list, tends to help celebrity airheads into power because their names are familiar.”
      
      That may be true of local elections, where about 85% of candidates nationwide are independents / no party, but, the same is therefore also true where FPP is used. We can all think of many mayors / councilors elected primarily on name-recognition, whether by STV or FPP.
      
      In political party-based elections, your comment is just nonsense.
      
      “Also, it entails multi-member constituencies.”
      
      That is the main advantage of STV. Not only do (large) multimember electorates ensure that as many voters as possible have parliamentary representation, by someone they voted for, but they give voters a choice of MPs to go to, for assistance with a particular matter. For example, a National voter living in a predominantly Labour area will have a National MP (whom they likely voted for) to approach.
      
      Furthermore, PR-STV maximises the power of the voters; it enables them (by means of their preference-rankings) to convey a wealth of information as to their evaluations of the parties and candidates on offer, and to clearly indicate their coalition preferences.
      
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      August 18, 2019 2:27pm
      - Jack5
        
        Steve, I think you are overoptimistic in that STV “convey(s) a wealth of information as to their [voters’] evaluations of the parties and candidates on offer.”
        
        In an STV voting booth, you face a list. As you tick the lower preferences are you, as a typical voter, going to have carefully weighed up the policies of each name on the list? Or will you hurry through the final names?
        
        Steve, can you explain for us the mathematical formula which establishes total preferences from the voting papers?
        
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        August 18, 2019 4:05pm
      - Steve Todd
        
        @Jack5 @ 4:05PM
        
        When all the preferences of the voters are analysed by election officials / academics, after the fact, the “wealth of information” is extracted. There is much literature out there about all this.
        
        How people vote in STV elections is up to each individual voter. I have explained here, recently, how my dream STV system, to elect parliament, would work. It is based on large multimember electorates, not on three- to 5-seat electorates (as in Ireland), or as recommended in 1986 by the Royal Commission on the Electoral System.
        
        Each party’s candidates would be set out in separate party columns, not in a single list (of say 9 to 12 candidates, in total), as in Ireland. (Google Tasmania or ACT ballot paper.)
        
        There would be no above-the-line party boxes. Therefore, voters would look at, say, the National Party column, and rank-order some (or all) the candidates, by whatever criteria is important to them. They might then go to the ACT Party column and rank-order one or two candidates (who they consider to be better than National’s remaining candidates), before, perhaps, returning to the National Party column, to continue rank-ordering one or two more candidates.
        
        Now, knowing that National and ACT cannot fill all the seats being contested in any given multimember electorate, our National voter might then say, to him- or herself, “I want the remaining portion of my vote to help elect the best of the Labour candidates (in his or her view) to the seats that National and ACT can’t fill.” There is no problem with doing this, because a vote (or part of a vote) cannot transfer to a lower preference candidate until all earlier-preference candidates have either been elected, or excluded.
        
        In this way, voters obtain for themselves the very best electoral outcome, commensurate with how much they wish to participate.
        
        (See http://www.prsa.org.au/2010-08-26_todd_stephen_stv_meek_new_zealand.html, then go to page 3 of the ‘Description’ paper, to see how a vote is used in NZ STV elections.)
        
        So, to answer your second question, voters will decide on lower-placed candidates in a party column, based not on individual policy, but on their assessment of those candidates, based on other criteria.
        
        Unfortunately, I don’t quite understand your third question. People need to keep in mind that, under STV, everyone has one vote only, which is given for the candidate who is their first preference. All other preferences are contingency choices only, whereby the voter is telling the electoral officer / computer, who they want their vote to transfer to, if necessary.
        
        Can you clarify what you’re asking?
        
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        August 18, 2019 5:45pm
      - Jack5
        
        Steve I’ve found at Wikipedia a description of the various methods of calculating STV winners.
        
        My apologies, I should have looked there first.
        
        It’s more complicated that I suspected. Here it is:
        
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counting_single_transferable_votes
        
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        August 18, 2019 8:24pm
      - Steve Todd
        
        Jack, excellent.
        
        There are quite a few ways of counting the votes / distributing surpluses, in STV elections. In New Zealand, we use Meek’s method – it’s detailed (of course) but very straightforward.
        
        I give a very clear description of how an NZ STV count unfolds at the link I gave, above. If you click on ‘Example’ you will see a full description of the count of a real election – Cargill Ward, Dunedin, 2004.
        
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        August 18, 2019 9:06pm
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    I’ve posted this link before, but Karl Popper gave a clear exposition as to why Proportional Representation inevitably leads to a minority party holding disproportionate power.
    
    https://www.economist.com/democracy-in-america/2016/01/31/from-the-archives-the-open-society-and-its-enemies-revisited
    
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    August 18, 2019 12:30pm
    - Faroffsound
      
      Interesting – PR sounds great until you see what it can lead to. Exactly what we have here.
      
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      August 18, 2019 12:52pm
      - Tall Man
        
        If the minority party was honest and altruistic it could work, unfortunately both minority parties in the coalition are in politics for their own benefit first and foremost. Both “pretend” to have their voters interests to the fore but are just cynical ideologues with “self aggrandisement” their primary function.
        
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        August 18, 2019 2:54pm
      - Jack5
        
        Very interesting link: thank you Maggy.
        
        I like this in Popper’s discussion of proportional representation:
        
        Most important of all, it means the decay of responsibility. For in a coalition government there is reduced responsibility for all the partners in the coalition.
        
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        August 18, 2019 4:21pm
  - Paulus
    
    Having heard Peters recently I am beginning to wonder what he is up to, and it has been suggested that he is touring the country as a PR exercise at the same time sorting out with Jones what conditions they will put to Ardern – probably about end of year as to what they want from her to support her in the election – like Peters does in the House, to keep her, and of course him, in power.
    Givva seat ! its called.
    If she does not do another early secret deal will he give her a run for the 10 months, say to the election, or will he continue quietly to undermine her.
    Power is all that matters to both of them.
    
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    August 18, 2019 1:34pm
- MCos
  
  If you look back over the years there have been few NZ governing administrations led by a party with 50% of the popular vote. I think the last might have been National after the 1951 waterfront strike.
  Under FPP Social Credit got 15-20% of the vote, but only a couple of seats. Hence the change to proportional representation.
  The current situation is unusual because NZF is such an opportunist party by NZ standards They’re far right one minute, left the next, whichever way the wind blows and gets them across the line on polling day. Peters is also an annoying good political operator.
  
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  August 18, 2019 11:34am
  - Tall Man
    
    “what’s in it for wynston” is nothing but a con man who has an ability to sucker a group of voters, generally older, who seem to have the attention span of twats like steffy girl or psycho…..
    
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    August 18, 2019 2:50pm
  - Faroffsound
    
    Winston Peters is a populist and an opportunist with a captive caucus.
    
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    August 18, 2019 3:52pm
- kloyd0306
  
  Pre MMP, we had 12 National Governments in 16 elections.
  
  A few blips but mainly very stable governments.
  
  Nothing wrong with FPP.
  
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  August 18, 2019 12:14pm
  - Ian Boag
    
    Good ole FPP.
    
    35-40% of the vote could get 60% of the seats. It happened. So the government comes in after an election where nearly twice as many people voted “against” as voted “for”.
    
    In 1981 the National party got more votes than the Labour party but got more seats so became government.
    
    Nothing wrong with any of that ….
    
    There’s a fair proportion of the electorate who have never seen an FPP election. So good luck changing anything …
    
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    August 18, 2019 1:02pm
    - Jack5
      
      So we have swapped power of the near-majority or even occasionally majority, for power of the small minority or minorities.
      
      MMP gives disproportionate power to minorities such as the Greens.
      
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      August 18, 2019 3:58pm
    - Steve Todd
      
      Yes, New Zealand is now too far past the FPP era, ever to go back – what, to predominantly white, middle-aged, male, MPs, elected with minority-support?* Never going to happen.
      
      * At the last general election under FPP, in 1993, only 19 of the 95 General Electorate MPs were elected with more than 50% of the vote – 9 National; 10 Labour.
      
      I’m fairly confident that once the last of the FPP MPs, Winston Peters, has exited the stage (along with his party), MMP will increasingly come to be accepted as the “natural” way we elect our parliament.
      
      As the older generation (born before 1946) continues to die off, along with the baby-boomers (b. 1946–1964), and, as we continue to be increasingly comfortable with successive parliaments that look like *us*, and with MPs who are elected in near-proportion to our collective wishes, the desire to reconsider how parliament is elected will surely fade.
      
      In time – give it another 10 years, max – it just won’t be an issue.
      
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      August 18, 2019 4:36pm
      - Jack5
        
        Steve, you say:”as we continue to be increasingly comfortable with successive parliaments that look like *us*.
        
        You seem to be arguing for MMP because it’s multiculturist, and pro-diversity.
        
        Are you are saying effect that MMP is good because it restricts the power of the white majority in New Zealand?
        
        IMHO, a big flaw of MMP is that it leads to government by coalitions, and these are seldom decisive and far sighted. It’s too much about keeping the team together for now.
        
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        August 18, 2019 5:35pm
      - Steve Todd
        
        Oh, Jack, I’m sure you know the arguments for and against PR as well as I do. You may not agree with the “pro” arguments, but that, in itself, doesn’t make them invalid.
        
        I’m saying PR / MMP is good, because it gives fair – but not the best – representation in parliament to as wide a cross-section of New Zealand society, as possible. To me, that is a good thing.
        
        Yes, PR electoral systems inevitably lead to coalition governments; that’s what they’re all about. And yet, 87 countries use PR, including pretty much the whole of Europe.
        
        Google ‘Countries that use PR’ and ‘Countries that use FPP’, or similar wording, then compare the two lists – it’s quite revealing.
        
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        August 18, 2019 7:22pm
- cmm
  
  Here’s where it really breaks down: having parties.
  
  The original purpose of having MPs was because communications were crap. The only way to get representation was to send someone from your village off to London/whatever to look after your interests. Those MPs were primarily elected based on who they were and who trusted them.
  
  Then came party politics and the colour of their badge counted more. They end up representing their parties and not the people who elected them.
  
  Consider, how often does an MP vote according to the interests of their electorate? Almost never. It is, almost without exception, along party lines.
  
  Another defect of electing MPs and parties is that they are a package deal. What if you like the National’s education policy but Labour’s health policy? Who do you vote for?
  
  Far better would be if we could all vote on most of the important issues. ie. more referendums. Now you don’t need to take package deals.
  
  That would also severely reduce the power of parties – particularly the “king makers”
  
  Holding frequent referendums need not be expensive. The Swiss seem to do this. A bit of internet/phone magic….
  
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  August 18, 2019 12:44pm
  - kloyd0306
    
    Good summation.
    Many think that elections every two years is too often (e.g. House of Reps in USA) however, regular referendums would not be much different in responding to current matters quickly and directly.
    Engage the public to be more aware by having more involvement. With modern communications it should be more possible than ever (but only if we can keep Google, Facebook and Twitter away from the technology).
    
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    August 18, 2019 1:23pm
  - Tall Man
    
    The Swiss have something we don’t, intelligent voters are the majority and for most, self interest takes second place to the “interests” of your country.
    
    Here, we have a vast array of beneficiaries whose sole focus is maintaining their bludging at worst or an increase in freebies from the rich bastards at best with zero regard for their country or their fellow citizens.
    
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    August 18, 2019 2:48pm
    - Jules99
      
      Potentially people may make themselves more informed if they feel their vote will make a difference.
      
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      August 18, 2019 4:36pm
      - Tall Man
        
        And if they’re not idiots at the beginning…
        
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        August 18, 2019 6:05pm
John Warren

What bullshit is this? Does it not make a farce of the entire UN refugee program?

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/396928/new-zealanders-seeking-asylum-abroad-un-report
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August 18, 2019 8:59am
- chaos
  
  Oooooo, can we seek asylum to get away from these criminals trying to cover up sexual abuse currently running our country
  
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  August 18, 2019 9:16am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  There was the case a couple of years back of Suzie Dawson seeking asylum in Russia…
  
  http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1611/S00102/new-zealand-journalist-seeks-temporary-asylum-in-russia.htm
  
  Then she became head of Kim Dotcom’s Internet Party (While based in Russia)
  https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/93790331/internet-partys-new-leader-is-a-citizen-journalist-living-in-russia
  
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  August 18, 2019 10:08am
- dubya
  
  Hard to imagine what the circumstances and legitimate cases were. Perhaps escaping organised crime/gangs? Not everyone can wait around for witness protection and the value of drugs being imported into NZ is massive.
  
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  August 18, 2019 11:18am
- cmm
  
  Not surprising.
  
  As the Saudi-led Human Rights people have pointed out, New Zealand is a hot bed of sex trafficking and human rights abuses – especially women.
  
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  August 18, 2019 12:52pm
stephieboy

“Muslim Cleric who Hid 262 Christians During Attacks is Honored”

He is one of five recipients of the first International Religious Freedoms Award from the US government.

“Thanks to the courage, benevolence, and selflessness of 83-year old Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, who put his life on the line, 262 lives were saved.

For several years, there has been animosity between ethnic Fullani herdsman, who are predominantly Muslim and ethnic Berom farmers, who are predominantly Christian. In June, 2018 violence escalated when groups of herdsmen carried out a coordinated attack on 10 villages in the Barkin Ladi region of Plateau State in Nigeria.

The day of the attacks, the Imam and his congregation were praying when they heard gunshots from outside. Instead of avoiding the violence and staying safely inside, Imam Abdullahi opened the door, and ushered hundreds of Christians into the mosque and his private home. He then stepped outside and confronted the herdsmen; Imam Abdullahi not only refused to give up the victims, he even offered to sacrifice his own life in order to protect them.

Imam Abdullahi is one of five recipients of the first-ever International Religious Freedoms Award. Each individual is being honored for their dedicated and altruistic work fighting for religious freedoms in Cyprus, Iraq, Brazil, and Sudan. The ceremony, held by the US State Department, took place on July 17, 2019.

Below are the biographies of the recipients as published on the department’s website:…”

https://www.goodnet.org/articles/muslim-cleric-who-hid-262-christians-during-attacks-honored?utm_source=inb_goodnet&utm_medium=inbound&utm_campaign=inb_goodnet

In a way a great way to celebrate the ABs humiliation of the Wallabies and as the OZ press described, Sonny boy Williams with “Bledisloe Saviour tags” Which Sonny just laughed of., A real humble and honourable man.

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/rugby/sbw-laughs-off-bledisloe-saviour-tags-they-dont-watch-too-much-rugby
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August 18, 2019 9:02am
Shut the hell up you Fascist!

Does anyone else find Global Warming Greta an obnoxious tyke?
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August 18, 2019 9:25am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  Yep, but sadly there are adults to blame for her exposure.
  
  Anyway, the Putsch is full on:
  https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/2018709007/media-s-worldwide-push-for-climate-change-coverage
  
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  August 18, 2019 10:41am
  - Jack5
    
    And in that link: ~~who~~ what is sinking Stuff faster than necessary:
    
    Stuff editor-in-chief Patrick Crewdson wrote at the time: “Solving climate change – or at least averting cataclysm – isn’t as simple as planting more trees, eating less meat, and swapping your car for a Lime … We need systemic change that shifts communities, companies and countries.
    
    “The classic Kiwi ‘she’ll be right’ attitude won’t serve us here. Without urgent and comprehensive action, she won’t be right,” he wrote.
    
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    August 18, 2019 2:11pm
  - andydownhere
    
    I tried to reply to that survey and just tell Stuffed that climate change was a just a huge hoax, but the entry to the survey said no anti- climate change comments will be accepted. Unbiased survey, you got to be joking. Cancelled my subscription to the The Dom which I had had for 30 years.
    Al Gore has already given you the answer Stuff. He has said “Unless drastic measures were taken within 10 years, the world would reach a point of no return.” That was 2006. And at 2019, we are still here, and the world average temperature has dropped 0.3 degrees in the last 3 years. Game over, you are a fraud Al Gore
    
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    August 18, 2019 7:17pm
Odakyu-sen

Police have confirmed a homicide inquiry is underway after an Australian tourist was murdered by a gunman trying to steal a campervan at Raglan.
Herald: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12259134

Who shoots at people so freely in the south Raglan / Kawhia part of New Zealand?
No description of the perpetrator, but “Police believed it was random attack by a sole offender, who would be known to members of his community.”
What community would that be, I wonder? Who would kill a man over a rental campervan (later abandonned)? It that how little they value life?
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August 18, 2019 9:26am
- Psycho Milt
  
  Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
  Who would kill a man over a rental campervan (later abandonned)?
  
  Most likely answer: someone with a very poorly managed mental health problem. The other possibilities strike me as much less likely than that one.
  
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  August 18, 2019 9:55am
  - cmm
    
    So colonialism’s fault eh?
    
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    August 18, 2019 12:56pm
    - stephieboy
      
      cmm, whose saying that?
      
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      August 18, 2019 1:17pm
    - sooty
      
      We love you bro!
      
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      August 18, 2019 2:14pm
    - Tall Man
      
      Twats like psycho can’t conceive the fact that their attitude of blaming others for the faults of the few actually “enable” more of the same.
      
      Their desire to look woke over rides all common sense and decency.
      
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      August 18, 2019 2:42pm
    - Psycho Milt
      
      So colonialism’s fault eh?
      
      I’m no expert in the field, but am pretty sure mental illness pre-dates colonialism.
      
      Still, interesting mis-reading of the comment. It reads almost like you’ve read Odakyu-sen’s comment as a “bet it was a Maori” dog-whistle, and therefore interpreted mine as apologia for Maori violence. But that couldn’t possibly be it, right?
      
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      August 18, 2019 3:46pm
      - Jack5
        
        The phenomenon where people would “lose their heads” – wairangi- was indeed present these islands before Westernisation, Psycho. ?
        
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        August 18, 2019 8:35pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  You must have missed yesterday’s spin:
  
  ‘I feel like I failed’, flatmate of alleged Raglan shooter says.
  
  Speaking on Saturday afternoon, the flatmate said the accused had “a good heart” but had been through rough times.
  
  “I knew he wasn’t all right, but not that not all right.”
  https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/115078636/shooter-yet-to-be-found-amid-raglan-homicide-investigation
  
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  August 18, 2019 9:55am
Maggie Pie

“Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. My last confession was four months ago and these are my sins…………………………………………That is all I remember Father”

As soon as I knelt and uttered those words, I knew I’d be late getting back home” 🙁

Good morning all.
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August 18, 2019 10:08am
Maggy Wassilieff

RNZ publishes an apology to Chinese businessman

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/396938/retraction-and-apology-to-donghua-liu-for-untrue-statements
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August 18, 2019 10:10am
- Maggie Pie
  
  @MW
  My partner was saying they probably ment to say, William Yan – a.k.a. Bill Liu, Yang Liu , and Ming Yan.
  
  An easy mistake to make of course, we often get confused ourselves with all the waiters at our local Chinese restaurant.
  
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  August 18, 2019 10:29am
- stephieboy
  
  Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
  MW, that’s right and duly apologised. What’s wrong with that?
  
  BTW at least RNZ is willing to publish both sides of the story in the Peter Ellis case which you conveniently overlooked,
  
  https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/the-detail/story/2018706747/peter-ellis-and-the-christchurch-creche-case
  
  cf,
  
  https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018708898/ellis-case-a-witch-hunt-against-victims-complainant-s-aunt
  
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  August 18, 2019 10:56am
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    Shall I explain it slowly :
    
    Point 1. Donghua Liu
    
    RNZ ran the article telling lies about Donghua Liu in November 2016 – pre-Election.
    
    It has taken them nearly 3 years to own up to their error…
    
    Now the questions any thinking person would ask are:
    Who provided the false information?
    What was their motive?
    Why didn’t RNZ run a few fact checks?
    
    Point 2.
    I brought up the very recent interview RNZ ran on an “alleged aunt of an alleged victim of Peter Ellis on this blog a couple of nights ago:
    https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2019/08/general_debate_15_august_2019.html#comment-2540015
    
    So an anonymous person who was never at the Creche makes unsubstantiated claims decades after the “events” were meant to take place.
    
    The Nation’s Public Radio should be ashamed of itself.
    
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    August 18, 2019 11:22am
    - Jack5
      
      Below is the link to the Radio NZ report Maggy is posting about. It was on Checkpoint.
      
      The person claimed to be an aunt, unnamed, though there’s no need now for anonymity: the kids about whom the allegations were made have grown up.
      
      Note this by the anonymous “aunt” in the report:
      
      “I honestly think the whole satanic ritual abuse thing is just a red herring for what we now know as widespread child pornography.
      
      “This was in the background of the 1990s… People couldn’t believe it could happen.”
      
      So the international hysteria outbursts that led to innocent were in fact “child pornography”?
      
      The internet’s social media made its stuttering start with the Six Degrees site in 1997. The first blogging sites began in 1999.
      
      The Peter Ellis trial was in 1993, over allegations about supposed incidents before that. The international hysteria about child-care centre abuse began in the 1980s.
      
      If social media wasn’t then up and running, how did the alleged international pornographers communicate. To describe the child-case hysteria outbreaks as international child pornography is e implausible.
      
      That was a disgraceful report by Radio NZ. Note that it made no mention at all of the thousands paid out in “compensation” to the parent-complainants. Radio NZ could have asked the aunt about how much her siblings received for their complaint.
      
      If any of Peter Ellis’s victimised fellow-workers at the creche are still living, they might get some advice on their rights over the anonymous allegations.
      
      The Radio NZ report:
      
      https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018708898/ellis-case-a-witch-hunt-against-victims-complainant-s-aunt
      
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      August 18, 2019 11:50am
      - Maggy Wassilieff
        
        Thanks for expanding on my point.
        
        I see stephieboy is still carrying on with his nasty slurs against me
        
        which you conveniently overlooked,
        
        But oblivious to the fact that it was he that had overlooked our posts on this RNZ debacle on August 15th.
        
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        August 18, 2019 1:53pm
    - Tall Man
      
      So “state radio” is happy to defame when the mood takes them but Kiwiblog is too scared to call out ardern on a regular basis for her gross dishonesty to avoid what exactly…….
      
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      August 18, 2019 2:40pm
Maggy Wassilieff

The push is on for our failing MSM to be publicly funded:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/2018708908/a-media-cry-for-help
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August 18, 2019 10:20am
- Captain Mainwaring
  
  If they did a real reporting job instead of acting as the CoL’s PR arm they wouldn’t be failing.
  
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  August 18, 2019 10:31am
- Jack5
  
  The nationalisation of the print media is already under way, Maggy.
  
  Eight reporters are being funded by the State broadcasting agency New Zealand on Air. Radio, as well as newspapers, will access to their reports.
  
  An ex-editor of the Hooerald who reminisces about journalism on Radio NZ on Tuesdays has been pushing, too, for more support (ultimately from the taxpayer) for “investigative” reporting.
  
  This is back-door socialism. Expect an expansion of pro-Left, pro-Woke material.
  
  https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/2018696809/publishers-public-broadcaster-and-the-public-purse-back-new-local-news-scheme
  
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  August 18, 2019 10:50am
  - Jack5
    
    For details of the NZ subsidies for regional reporters, have a read of this article from Britain.
    
    It includes this:
    
    In New Zealand, the funding is guaranteed for 12 months from the one-off NZ$6m RNZ/NZ On Air Innovation Fund, with later funding dependent on the success of the pilot.
    
    NZ On Air chief executive Jane Wrightson called the scheme a “timely intervention”.
    
    “NZ On Air’s role is to ensure public media funding addresses gaps in the market,” she said.
    
    “It has become increasingly clear that New Zealanders want and need more reporting on the issues at home, that affect them and that the commercial news market is finding it difficult to meet these needs.”
    
    Socialism by stealth! Why isn’t National speaking up on this?
    
    https://pressgazette.co.uk/bbc-confident-others-will-follow-as-new-zealand-sets-up-own-local-democracy-reporters-scheme/
    
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    August 18, 2019 10:53am
- Inandout
  
  Just like most airports in the world have CNN feeds, so does our media. CNN is tanking along with our MSM, says a lot that.
  
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  August 18, 2019 10:53am
- The King
  
  Oh Marxist propaganda can’t fund its self, nobody could of predicted it.
  
  Mediaworks is owned by Zionist Bruce Karsh who has a net worth of 1.8 billion. He should just start dipping into his own profits to fund his propaganda machine.
  
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  August 18, 2019 11:21am
  - stephieboy
    
    The King,
    
    Let’s Blame the Jews!
    
    https://dotsub.com/view/fb9fb56b-e872-4043-888c-ac7ba01d11c2
    
    Take the Presenter’s advice and go and visit your Doctor.
    
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    August 18, 2019 1:19pm
    - The King
      
      …then one day for literally no reason at all, everybody voted for Hitler.
      
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      August 18, 2019 4:02pm
Jack5

The South China Morning Post has an interesting series on the Hong Kong protests – the link is below.

A Kiwiblog poster last week scoffed at a comment from one of the South China Morning Post’s columnists, apparently ignorant of the status of this long-standing newspaper, now owned by Jack Ma, China’s richest man and a member of the Communist Party.

To Ma’s credit, the newspaper seems to be trying to present the views of both sides of the protests, which unexpectedly had a quiet evening yesterday. However, if anything the newspaper will lean to China’s side of the row.

Here’s one of the SCMP series:

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3022342/hong-kongs-anti-government-protesters-versus-police
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August 18, 2019 10:43am
- Classic Liberal
  
  “China’s richest man and a member of the Communist Party.”
  
  Can’t process that…
  
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  August 18, 2019 12:20pm
  - Jack5
    
    The Chinese Legislature includes more than 90 Communist members who are US dollar billionaires.
    
    The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), with 170 members, is the core power group. But the NPC as a whole has almost 3000 members.
    
    The Communist Party of China has about 90.5 million members.
    
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    August 18, 2019 2:29pm
  - Tall Man
    
    On a par with “the labour party once had the cream of the working class, not it has the dross of the middles class”.
    
    Not my thoughts, Andrew Peacock’s father is credited with that.
    
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    August 18, 2019 2:34pm
RW Capitalist

Some poetry for ya!
Back in the days of tanners and bobs

Back in the days of tanners and bobs
When Mothers had patience and Fathers had jobs.
When football team families wore hand me down shoes,
And T.V gave only two channels to choose.
Back in the days of three penny bits,
when schools employed nurses to search for your nits.
When snowballs were harmless; ice slides were permitted
and all of your jumpers were warm and hand knitted.
Back in the days of hot ginger beers,
when children remained so for more than six years.
When children respected what older folks said,
and pot was a thing you kept under your bed.
Back in the days of Listen with Mother,
when neighbours were friendly and talked to each other.
When cars were so rare you could play in the street.
When Doctors made house calls and Police walked the beat.
Back in the days of Milligan’s Goons,
when butter was butter and songs all had tunes.
It was dumplings for dinner and trifle for tea,
and your annual break was a day by the sea.
Back in the days of Dixon’s Dock Green,
Crackerjack pens and Lyons ice cream.
When children could freely wear National Health glasses,
and teachers all stood at the FRONT of their classes.
Back in the days of rocking and reeling,
when mobiles were things that you hung from the ceiling. When woodwork and pottery got taught in schools,
and everyone dreamed of a win on the pools.
Back in the days when I was a lad,
I can’t help but smile for the fun that I had.
Hopscotch and roller skates; snowballs to lob.
Back in the days of tanners and bobs.
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August 18, 2019 11:31am
- stephieboy
  
  An overtly nostalgic and distorted view of the past!
  
  Not much fun for divorcees, mentally ill, crims, bashed Mums ,homos etc, etc !
  
  The country at that time accurately described as a well lit cemetery!
  
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  August 18, 2019 1:25pm
  - Biscuit
    
    stephie, I’m an oldie – and maybe you are, too – but I’m sure you’d agree that in the days RW references, and I’m talking about New Zealand here, you’d have been hard-pressed to FIND a divorcee, a mentally ill person, a crim, a bashed Mum, a – your word – homo.
    
    I’m sure they were there, mind.
    
    I remember ‘Hopscotch and roller skates; snowballs to lob’, RW.
    
    I grew up (Ages 8 through 13) in Waiouru.
    
    Great days.
    
    I learned about the JFK assassination whilst with ‘the gang’ in the bullrushes at what we used to call ‘the Taddy pond’, ha.
    
    I read, avidly, the news of my first-ever murder – a young boy my age in Sydney who was kidnapped/slain because his Dad had won one of the big Opera House lotteries run back then.
    
    Stephie is right re the ‘well-lit cemetery’ when you compare those simple times with today – why, our choice of Takeway back then was Fish N Chips, or Chips N Fish, ha.
    
    We’ve lost our ‘innocence’ but we’ve gained in so many ways – a more-empowered female workforce, more political choices, wonderful imported foods: Thai, Szechuan, Japanese, mmmm!, just as a few examples…
    
    11 0
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    August 18, 2019 2:51pm
    - Maggie Pie
      
      And lets not forget ‘Krispie Kremes’ either bikkie!
      
      6 0
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      August 18, 2019 3:22pm
    - The King
      
      Peak boomer post.
      
      Chinese import tons of meth every month, but the food is so good!
      
      5 1
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      August 18, 2019 4:07pm
      - Batman
        
        The meth precursors come from China, imported by organised crime and gangs.
        
        The “Chinese” (outside of organised crime) aren’t mass importing meth ingredients.
        
        7 1
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        August 18, 2019 4:22pm
  - Greg Ettridge
    
    Is that just Homos erectus you refer to.
    Or all the worlds Homos?
    Homos is latin for “Human Being”.
    Don’t tell me it has other meanings.
    
    6 0
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    August 18, 2019 4:11pm
  - Sacha
    
    I remember my Mother saying that ‘the poor are always with us’ – and she was always concerned that our family didn’t become part of ‘the poor’. When I think back now, I realise that we were only saved by the strenuous efforts of my parents, and that I had a reasonably stable working life while ensuring that my children kept up the momentum. They are all going to be reasonably independent in their retirements, & all are very aware that there are others less favoured than themselves. But one thing we agree on : we do not feel any guilt because there are others worse off than ourselves, because we have worked to be independent, and made plans –
    
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    August 18, 2019 8:50pm
secondcumming

What really pisses me off, is why they allow individuals *accused of the most heinous crimes*, to appear before the court without being manacled and dressed in a police issue orange jumpsuit.

Yesterday, it’s reported that the suspect accused of the murder in Raglan, ‘appeared before the judge wearing a tee shirt which was pulled over his head for most of the hearing’

No wonder we are a laughing stock when it comes to law and order in this country.
26 1
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August 18, 2019 11:39am
- chaos
  
  The prison fashion isn’t why we are the laughing stock, the wet bus tickets are
  
  8 0
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  August 18, 2019 1:51pm
Hugh Pavletich

… BUSINESS LEAVING CHINA …

Uncertainty hangs over Foxconn’s newest China factory as trade war and economic slowdown take a toll … He Huifeng … South China Morning Post

https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3023244/uncertainty-hangs-over-foxconns-newest-china-factory-trade

• Guangzhou facility was supposed to begin operations next month, but now everyone involved is ‘a bit embarrassed’ over its uncertain future

• A firm linked to Foxconn founder Terry Gou has reportedly been trying to sell the plant, which was supposed to boost China’s role in the global value chain … read more via hyperlink above …
.
.
Recent Sydney Morning Herald articl;e

‘Brutal consequences’: Ansell warns China over exodus of manufacturers … Darren Gray … Sydney Morning Herald

https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/brutal-consequences-ansell-warns-china-over-exodus-of-manufacturers-20190812-p52gat.html

Ansell chief executive Magnus Nicolin has warned China of “brutal” consequences as manufacturers leave the country over rising costs and fears at the escalation in trade war with Donald Trump.

“So many manufacturers are moving out of China at breakneck speed. You don’t see it in the China-reported GDP growth numbers yet. I suspect that sooner or later it will be visible,” Mr Nicolin said. … read more via hyperlink above …
.
.
Google NZ Search ‘Business Leaving China’

https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=vopYXYCsNZfQvQTSkaeADQ&q=business+leaving+china&oq=business+leaves+china&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0i13j0i13i5i30.2940.10121..
3 24
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August 18, 2019 11:57am
Happychappy

Another $54 million to keep people off the street.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12259520
The more keep throwing money at the problem the more they expect. I have no problem when those with Mental Health problem are helped but it seems when they have been released they don’t help themselves and return to doing the same things.
13 0
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August 18, 2019 11:58am
- Tall Man
  
  More money for “admin”… not the front line staff they are desperate for.
  
  6 0
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  August 18, 2019 2:31pm
Shut the hell up you Fascist!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeaO5UZ5OcI

Jacinda with Dylan
6 1
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August 18, 2019 12:36pm
- stephieboy
  
  Purile!
  
  0 23
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  August 18, 2019 1:27pm
- Tall Man
  
  Teeth and talent, unlike ardern… just teeth.
  
  14 1
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  August 18, 2019 2:24pm
- secondcumming
  
  BoL!! – what an absolute ringtail 😎
  
  8 0
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  August 18, 2019 2:32pm
Maggie Pie

When i got back from Mass this morning, my partner was telling me the All Blacks beat Australia last night. [i thort BFD]. Can’t say i’m a big fan of rugby.
And to be honest, whenever i see or hear that fat guy who coaches them being interviewed, i just about lose the will to live 🙁
11 4
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August 18, 2019 1:53pm
- Biscuit
  
  Each to their own, Maggie!
  
  Me, any time I see any reference to organised religion, I think BFD too!
  
  ‘That fat guy’ did use to play Centre for Canterbury. In retirement years he has, erm, ‘ballooned’ almost as badly as the ex-Cricket star Ian Smith has, heh heh…
  
  ‘Prime has highlights of the Test on at 4.30pm, Maggie!
  
  8 0
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  August 18, 2019 2:58pm
  - Maggie Pie
    
    Thanks for the heads-up Bikkie! But i’m pretty sure that clashes with the Kardashians on E.
    
    6 0
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    August 18, 2019 3:14pm
    - Tall Man
      
      Commonsense and good taste clash with the kardashians….
      
      3 0
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      August 18, 2019 8:03pm
  - barnacle bill
    
    Hi Biscuit.
    
    Hansen actually played for Canterbury B.
    13 matches in total as far as I can recall.
    
    4 1
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    August 18, 2019 8:34pm
- Tall Man
  
  You need to get out more Maggie…..
  
  6 0
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  August 18, 2019 6:10pm
Martin Williams

Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Massive mea culpa from 2GB misogynist Alan Jones.

Best way to get far-right, women-hating dogs like Jones to back down with their tail between their legs is to attack their funding.

A soon as advertising gets pulled the apologies come thick and fast.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/115083146/australian-broadcaster-alan-jones-apologises-to-pm-jacinda-ardern-for-unnecessary-comments
1 37
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August 18, 2019 2:10pm
- chaos
  
  Yes how dare anyone have free speech and speak up against idiot ardern and her merry bad
  
  27 2
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  August 18, 2019 2:31pm
  - chaos
    
    Awww, if you are going to edit my comment mod at least make it sound better than how you ended it.
    
    9 1
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    August 18, 2019 2:58pm
- kowtow
  
  Corporations had better learn to ignore the bully lefty crowd who seek to silence other views , after all the real money lies with the right , innit?
  
  9 1
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  August 18, 2019 3:00pm
- MrTips
  
  Indeed Martin, can’t wait to hear of all the Labour funders ceasing their support to a party that hides and defends its people committing sexual harassment.
  
  You really must stop walking around with your nuts hanging out for any old punter to kick ’em hard
  
  19 0
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  August 18, 2019 3:26pm
  - Tall Man
    
    Nuts? That tosser wouldn’t have nuts, he’s happily emasculated himself years ago.
    
    8 1
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    August 18, 2019 6:14pm
- Greg Ettridge
  
  Woman hating dog eh, He drives lefties to distraction, Jones has just signed another two years at $8 million.
  Or you describe him as Australias’s highest listened to compere for over 200 survey’s dating back to 2002.
  Like him or hate him, he can tell Wheat from Chaff, He like most of the Journalists in Aus and NZ, smelt the greatest swindle seen for years was on, stirred up in epic proportions by Jucindah, its just that no one in New Zealand is game to call her out, except her puppeteer Winston.
  He can say what he likes, the agreement says so.
  Did Jucindah ask the Chinese representative why they were building dozens of new power stations?
  The silence was deafening.
  Weakest pathetic waste of tax payers money on both sides of the ditch for no return. Disgusting waste of tax payers money.
  Not happy to just turn NZ into Venezuela, wants Aussie to follow suit, she has out worn her welcome.
  People dying from insufficient health funds, and she is buying top of the line utes thoughout the pacific. I wish she would put a sock in it.
  
  19 2
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  August 18, 2019 4:05pm
  - Martin Williams
    
    I don’t imagine Alan Jones will last much longer.
    
    When these guys step over a line they find it difficult to cross back. Their hatred doesn’t let them.
    
    Look at Paul Henry, Hosking, Leighton Smith, Sean Plunkett, Larry Williams, etc. They all tossed their toys the they realised the foul things they wanted to say about the PM wouldn’t fly.
    
    Actually Plunkett is still having a crack.
    
    0 24
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    August 18, 2019 5:02pm
    - Tall Man
      
      Millionaires as well…. must stick in your pathetic immature craw eh martin.
      
      Payback 2020 and ta ta ardern, back to the back room with the rest of the bullshitters 😉
      
      6 1
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      August 18, 2019 8:05pm
    - Captain Mainwaring
      
      OK Martin, have you told the partners in your Napier law firm that you continue to make an ares of yourself on Kiwiblog?
      If you are not that Martin Williams you need to declare it in order to stop impugning the real one.
      
      7 0
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      August 18, 2019 8:57pm
      - Captain Mainwaring
        
        Sorry about the misspelling of ‘arse’. Fixing it would send me into moderation for the rest of the night.
        
        4 0
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        August 18, 2019 8:59pm
      - Martin Williams
        
        Put your teeth in you decrepit grave-dodger and chew on this:
        
        For the last time, I am not Martin Williams of Napier!
        
        0 1
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        August 18, 2019 9:54pm
    - Sacha
      
      Jeez, Alan Jones was causing people to be outraged back in 2000 when I was in Sydney. He’s part of the landscape. Haven’t they got anyone you’re and who cares more, to get outraged about?
      
      4 0
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      August 18, 2019 9:05pm
- The King
  
  How dare anybody speak to Chairman Adern like that! to the gulags!
  
  Behead those who insult our Glorious leader!
  
  18 1
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  August 18, 2019 4:13pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  Yep, Jones realised he had made a mistake and stepped up to the mark.
  
  It is never good to advocate violence against another person.
  
  And wasn’t it great that the PM of Australia bawled Jones out for his abusive comment.
  
  “I have two daughters so you can expect that’s how I would feel personally about it,” Morrison said.
  
  How long before our PM realises that there is nothing to be gained by protecting the abusers in her camp?
  
  17 1
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  August 18, 2019 4:50pm
  - Tall Man
    
    Maggy, the phrase “put a sock in it” has never been associated with the physical idea of actually inserting the sock.
    
    Now his particular phraseology may have been a tad more basic but only a particularly “obtuse” person would have actually decided to view the phrase as a call to violence.
    
    12 2
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    August 18, 2019 6:18pm
    - Maggy Wassilieff
      
      I realise that, Tall Man, but the fact that the WOKE folk have decided to take a literal interpretation of the suggestion that Morrison “shove a sock down her throat” has meant that Jones had to apologise.
      
      Always pays to be careful with what you say/write, as some bugger will try and twist your words to fit their framework.
      
      12 1
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      August 18, 2019 7:45pm
      - Tall Man
        
        I prefer to “twist” the words while they’re still in their mouth… unless like ardern, they do the job all by themselves.
        
        This episode will enhance Alan Jones within Aussie I think.
        
        8 1
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        August 18, 2019 7:56pm
      - Martin Williams
        
        Twist words? Those were his words, ffs.
        
        0 1
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        August 18, 2019 9:51pm
    - Sacha
      
      “put a sock in it” = “shut up” (for goodness’ sake)
      
      4 1
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      August 18, 2019 9:06pm
  - sooty
    
    Everbody is getting on her case for been shit.
    Booed at the rugger.
    Protesters in ak.
    Rapist in her office.
    I bet shes got a holiday planned shortly!
    
    12 1
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    August 18, 2019 6:18pm
    - Tall Man
      
      New York I think must be beckoning.
      
      Will the C130 be taking the boat this time?
      
      4 1
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      August 18, 2019 7:59pm
- coge
  
  Jones got into similar strife with advertisers over his comments about Julia. His ratings went up.
  
  8 0
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  August 18, 2019 6:19pm
chaos

Guess it’s not over yet

“Jeffrey Epstein’s lawyers have vowed to carry out their own independent investigation into his death, saying they are not “satisfied” with an official investigation which ruled the financier killed himself in prison.”

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/08/17/epsteins-lawyers-not-satisfied-autopsy-conclusion-vow-carry/
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August 18, 2019 2:13pm
MCos

Educational tweet thread of the day for anyone interested in the true meaning of the word ‘cracker’
https://twitter.com/inspectornerd/status/1162768802095849472?s=21
0 3
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August 18, 2019 2:35pm
- The King
  
  ugh pronoun in bio twitter.
  
  pass.
  
  1 1
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  August 18, 2019 4:16pm
- Jack5
  
  That definition sounds flaky, MCos.
  
  H.L. Mencken suggests other origins for “cracker” as applied to a person from the United States South, noting it goes back to 1767 and appeared in English literature from before Shakespeare:
  
  – Originally a term from the North Carolina coast for a boaster.
  
  – As a term for a teamster, from the sound of whip cracking, or from teamsters’ habit of eating cracked corn, or from their manner of speaking, which may have sounded like crackling.
  
  Wikipedia says the term “cracker” applied to convicts transported from Britain to North America before American independence. The site describes “cracker” as an ethnic slur for white people.
  
  If white folk knew, would they be demonstrating outside supermarkets for their use of the “c” word? Nah.
  
  5 0
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  August 18, 2019 4:47pm
- burt
  
  So much blatant anti white racism in that thread.
  
  6 0
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  August 18, 2019 5:48pm
Maggy Wassilieff

Somehow this doesn’t look like alt-right, white supremacist racism.

How could that be?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/115090609/butcher-was-right-to-be-fired-for-racist-comments-era-says
11 0
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August 18, 2019 6:09pm
- Tall Man
  
  And I think of all the times in my youth that I was called a “fucking white maggot” or “pakeha bastard” usually followed by an attempt to smack me in the head.
  
  7 1
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  August 18, 2019 6:24pm
- Inandout
  
  Maggy, can’t these deadheads get it right..Muslims are not a race FFS.
  
  8 0
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  August 18, 2019 6:30pm
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    That detail seems to have been overlooked by the ERA.
    
    7 0
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    August 18, 2019 7:16pm
- Tauhei Notts
  
  He had been with the same employer for 31 years. I think he should retrain as a bacon curer and he will be happy. I think his new employer will also be happy.
  
  5 0
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  August 18, 2019 6:33pm
Hugh Pavletich

ARGENTINA … Economic & Political Woes …

Sovereign debt default increasingly likely in Argentina – as prospect of a Leftist leader spooks markets … UK Telegraph (behind paywall)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2019/08/17/sovereign-debt-default-increasingly-likely-argentina-prospect/

Mauricio Macri will probably lose his presidency in the aisles of Argentinian supermarkets. The country’s beleaguered shoppers, who have already endured a 60pc surge in food prices in just 12 months, will face even higher costs in the coming weeks.

The peso collapsed to new record lows on Monday and shops are already receiving bigger bills for imported products, such as oils and flour. … read more via hyperlink above (behind paywall) …
.
.
Argentine Economy Minister Dujovne Resigns After Market Rout … Bloomberg

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-17/argentina-economy-minister-dujovne-resigns-after-peso-plunge
3 12
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August 18, 2019 6:20pm
- chaos
  
  Who gives a bleep.
  
  3 1
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  August 18, 2019 9:12pm
Wired-one

Very surprised and pleasantly I might add to see the thousands of boos directed towards our idiot in chief at the test last night. Ardern must have been shocked to hear how many feel about her. It was easily over half the crowd, giving it to her. Is the tide slowly turning?
10 0
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August 18, 2019 8:18pm
- Captain Mainwaring
  
  And in her home electorate as well, only a couple of blocks from her doorstep.
  Oh Dear.
  
  7 0
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  August 18, 2019 9:03pm
chaos

RIP Prince Andrew , I wonder how you will leave this world, Paris tunnel has already been used. Paper thin sheets from a bunk bed already been used.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12259629
3 3
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August 18, 2019 9:05pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  Tacky, tacky, tacky
  
  4 2
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  August 18, 2019 9:28pm

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