General Debate 6 August 2019

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Greg Ettridge

Ms Ardern on Hosking, 20 questions not one answer.
Maybe last appearance here, Hosking thinking its all a waste of time.
Two sex scandals now appear, how many more?
This is going to turn to hell in a handbasket very quickly.
Its all over bar the shouting, Hooton summed it up on outsiders, Jacinda would make a great Princess, but hopeless leader.
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August 6, 2019 8:03am
- igm
  
  To think I was berated for stating Labour was a party of perverts, leeches, and losers!
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:12am
- Greg Ettridge
  
  Prediction
  Winston will be PM twice in the term of this COL, sooner than later.
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:19am
- Random T Person
  
  Anyone got a link to listen? Don’t know why Newstalk ZB makes it so hard to find audio. Or it could just be me being stupid, either way-. Thanks.
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:30am
  - graham
    
    Go to https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-demand/week-on-demand/ and then find the timeslot you want to listen to.
    
    Jacinda is normally on just after the 7:30 news, so click on the Tuesday 07:30-07:45 link.
    
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    August 6, 2019 8:55am
    - Random T Person
      
      Thanks Graham appreciated.
      
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      August 6, 2019 9:04am
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    And here she is on the AM show
    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/08/ihum-tao-protest-jacinda-ardern-has-no-intention-to-visit-site.html
    
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    August 6, 2019 9:18am
    - RW Capitalist
      
      The classic….”spray and walk away” leadership style??
      
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      August 6, 2019 12:25pm
      - KevO'Brien
        
        Cats that spray in the house get put outside.
        
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        August 6, 2019 1:03pm
- kevn
  
  @Greg… Most important JA keep Tuesday morning free for the Hosking interviews.
  It is like a booster for our innoculation of CoL.
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:30am
- Bill felt
  
  Mike Hosking: Do you want to read some texts out?
  
  Ouch!
  Jacinda not one real answer
  What does she know?
  Any chance of a straight answer to a straight question?
  Umm umm Mike umm down the track after we have talked more I’ll have umm a meeting and umm and I’ll umm go overseas again
  HI Mike. I like Jacinda but clearly she is in over her head
  She just does not know how to answer a question or take any accountability for her Governments performance.
  Mike. Does she know anything. Get someone on who answers the questions rather than Jacinda
  Wow never heard an interview before with so many non-answers
  Wow PM Jacinda Ardern managed to not answer all 20 questions?
  All conversations no decisions
  Can she ever answer a question rather than dodge around everything?
  So many questions so many bloody answers what a waste of time
  Mike you couldn’t ask Jacinda about the coalition agreement because the most open and transparent
  Government wouldn’t release it!
  Thanks Mike another great interview with the PM (Really?)
  We rely on you to pull her up on issues but as usual she avoided direct answers and smiled her way through it
  Hi Mike. All discussion not discussion
  Unbelievable mismanagement Mike blab la bla
  Bla blab la bla conversation, obfuscation. She is like a possum in your headlights
  Mike….
  
  MH: How many hundreds of these would you like me to read out?
  MH: A lot of people ask the question why do we have her on the program? That’s a good question!
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:34am
  - Rich Prick
    
    The social studies child is well and truely out of her depth now. Roll on 2020. We’ll give her a participation ribbon though.
    
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    August 6, 2019 8:50am
  - The Feed
    
    “Have a conversation around…”
    
    No. FFS.
    
    Do. Take ownership. Take responsibility. Lead.
    
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    August 6, 2019 9:00am
    - alex Masterley
      
      There seems to be an excess of indecision and inability to make decisions (other than virtue signalling captains calls).
      
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      August 6, 2019 9:33am
    - Rich Prick
      
      That “have a conversation” twaddle is Cindy admitting she has no idea. Who voted for this silly bint?
      
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      August 6, 2019 9:40am
      - UrbanNeocolonialist
        
        Who voted for Ardern? Seemingly about 10% (change in Labour’s polling from Little stepping down to Ardern taking over)
        
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        August 6, 2019 10:00am
    - septic skeptic
      
      I suspect it’s quite revealing when Cindy says she has “sought assurances” about something. My guess is that she asks to be told what she wants to hear – that everything was handled appropriately and that it wouldn’t be appropriate to make any further comment. No wonder nothing seems to change.
      
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      August 6, 2019 9:47am
  - the deity formerly known as nigel6888
    
    she has been well trained to smile when she speaks- makes her sound friendly and a bit condescending
    
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    August 6, 2019 10:37am
    - RW Capitalist
      
      I can teach a horse to do that…
      Stand over you and show it’s teeth.
      But looking at a picture of each……OOOHHH now wait a minute, it looks like, that’s exactly what we did do.
      
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      August 6, 2019 12:29pm
- BobbyS
  
  I asked my 2 sons to listen to the interview this morning. They counted 71 Ummm’s & Ahhhh’s, after 11 minutes of the 13 minute interview they gave up as they started missing them
  How can anyone have confidence in this “PM” when they are unable to string a sentence without a space filler? She sounds flustered, ill prepared, evasive and clue less.
  Clearly a Communications Degree doesn’t necessarily mean she has mastered the art of speaking.
  I’m so glad i undertook that little exercise with my sons, they got to hear first hand how low the bar has been set in NZ to become a PM
  
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  August 6, 2019 9:30am
- Classic Liberal
  
  Greg, Taxinda was utterly pathetic this morning, but when hasn’t she been? What gives you the conviction that the CoL would give up their *only* hope: their beloved show pony?
  
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  August 6, 2019 9:58am
- freethinker
  
  The PriNZess Anus Horiblis is gathering speed – more revelations to come.
  
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  August 6, 2019 10:24am
  - calendar girl
    
    “Anus Horiblis”?
    
    freethinker, it’s not polite to comment on our Leader’s rear end in such a disrespectful fashion! Especially before her forthcoming appearance on the cover of “Vogue” magazine.
    
    On the other hand, you may have in mind Ms Ardern’s “annus horribilis” which, while as disastrous as it sounds, is much better fun to discuss.
    
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    August 6, 2019 1:07pm
- Fletch
  
  She is very practiced at equivocating.
  
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  August 6, 2019 10:35am
Maggy Wassilieff

What has been going on in the Labour Party?
Labour Party members quit over investigation into allegations against staffer
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12255887
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August 6, 2019 8:03am
- Humble Capitalist
  
  Nothing to see here Maggy just another day at the office
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:05am
- cmm
  
  What Wood they do anyway?
  Fingergate all over again.
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:35am
  - MrTips
    
    FYI, the person intimated has no children. It’s a waste of time going down that path.
    
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    August 6, 2019 9:07am
    - skyblue
      
      I thought Megan Woods has children.
      
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      August 6, 2019 9:55am
      - MrTips
        
        No, and I have this from someone related to her
        
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        August 6, 2019 12:12pm
  - Liberty
    
    “Fingergate all over again.”
    So when is the Labour naughtiness trial?
    
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    August 6, 2019 10:07am
    - freethinker
      
      2/9/2019 at Auckland District Court.
      
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      August 6, 2019 10:46am
- backster
  
  Well woodn’t Ali Mau and her ‘Me tu’ movement know the creep’s identity considering her close association with the Labour Party. Then again she is still un-aware who the pervert at the Labour summer camp was. Some-one who could tell her..”.they said the person was well known to Jacinda Ardern and Grant Robertson.”
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:54am
- Rich Prick
  
  Jeez, what is it with Labour and their inability to keep it in their pants. Sexual socialism perhaps? From each by his ability, to each according to their needs. Freaks.
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:55am
  - Inandout
    
    RP, that is why they want to dismantle our society’s morals so anything goes. Epstein had many years of ‘anything goes’ and that case is an example of what happens when people stop caring. Civilisation is a very thin veneer it has been said many times.
    
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    August 6, 2019 9:29am
John Warren

Did anybody notice how distracted Ardern was during her press conference, as broadcast on 1 and 3 last night? She was speaking slowly, and occasionally lost the thread altogether, pausing and lowering her head while she grasped for the next word.

Again, this morning on red radio, she was speaking quietly and hesitatingly.
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August 6, 2019 8:10am
- Tall Man
  
  Too many words inside her head to remember and retain the thread. A symptom of stupidity. Her ignorance of many issues is one of the triggers for her lying, she can’t remember so makes stuff up… job done.
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:36am
  - Rich Prick
    
    She has a three slogan limit. It all turns to ummm, ahhhs and “well Mike” after that. Vacuous Airhead is what I’ve landed on. She did wrap chips OK though.
    
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    August 6, 2019 8:59am
- Odakyu-sen
  
  Will some types of medication cause this?
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:58am
  - John Warren
    
    Yes. Particularly if she hasn’t been taking them long and they’re still bedding in.
    
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    August 6, 2019 10:03am
  - freethinker
    
    Quite possibly but a Bottle of Chateau Hemlock cures it permanently.
    
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    August 6, 2019 1:14pm
- Wangas Feral
  
  I was half expecting her to stop, stare at the camera and say “look at my baby!”
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:58am
- Inandout
  
  JW, maybe some sort of ‘quietening medication’?
  
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  August 6, 2019 9:30am
- John Warren
  
  She didn’t look well to me. Look, I don’t like her one little bit, but my general human compassion causes me to be concerned for her if indeed she is struggling and not coping. I don’t wish that nightmare on anybody.
  
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  August 6, 2019 10:03am
  - Faroffsound
    
    Heat – kitchen. Jacinda could always stand down from the PM’s office. She would still be an electorate MP – just not so many trips abroad.
    
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    August 6, 2019 5:08pm
- UrbanNeocolonialist
  
  She doesn’t look well. She should step down and let deputy PM Kelvin do the job until she is recovered.
  
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  August 6, 2019 10:03am
  - Bill felt
    
    oh that is funny!
    
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    August 6, 2019 11:28am
  - calendar girl
    
    Nor do I wish that nightmare on Ms Ardern, John Warren (above).
    
    But if she is unable to cope with her present situation, why isn’t she honest enough with herself to retire completely from the public life ‘persona’ that she has accepted and cultivated? And go back to being a private person – now one with the pressing needs of a family to look after?
    
    It’s all in her own hands, and I’d be surprised if there wasn’t a handsome annuity payable to a retired PM, even to one with only a couple of years’ service at that elevated level. But if she stays where she is (and insists on making ‘Captain’s Calls’ like the one she made at Ihumatāo), then she needs to play out whatever consequences may flow from the choices that she has made.
    
    For our part (i.e. New Zealand in general) we need a capable and assured PM, capable of leading a strong Government in implementing a documented, rolling 3-to-5-year plan that has won majority support of the public in a General Election. And a PM who accepts that it is his or her personal decision to want to lead a NZ Government, and that inevitable personal commitments and compromises will flow inevitably from that personal decision.
    
    So what’s your choice to be, Ms Ardern?
    (1) knuckle down to the challenging responsibilities and realities of the Prime Ministerial role?
    (2) step back from the rigours and burdens of the PM’s role, in favour of a back-bench role in Parliament? Or
    (3) depart Parliamentary life and make your way in the real world as most of us manage to do on any reasonable day.
    
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    August 6, 2019 5:49pm
- rockape
  
  Should be a fun question time!
  
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  August 6, 2019 10:37am
- KevO'Brien
  
  Ardern is presenting as worn out. She may be accused of being lazy but anyone in her Office would be really stretched without even having a new child.
  
  Every call on her in a state capacity could take her close to her mental health boundaries. Memory and concentration are likely to be poor in her apparent state.
  
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  August 6, 2019 1:19pm
  - John Warren
    
    That is my appraisal too.
    
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    August 6, 2019 3:04pm
- Scooter
  
  Even the poor sign person looked perplexed
  
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  August 6, 2019 6:35pm
Philview

At a time in our history when maternity care is in crisis, midwife shortages and many stories of babies born in the street what does our Government do. They decide it is time to prioritise abortions.
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August 6, 2019 8:11am
- sooty
  
  Well that will stop them been born in the street!
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:40am
- Gravelroad
  
  “Other changes include allowing authorities to set up “safe zones” around (abortion) clinics to keep protesters away” ……
  So how will this work?
  What implications does this have for “free speech” gatherings generally?
  Who is going to Police the safe zones?
  
  I wouldn’t attend a pro or anti abortion protest- it is not my business – but legalising to “keep protesters away” is a significant mis-step in a free society imo.
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:57am
  - Evadne
    
    But think of the possibilities… they could also designate Ihumātao a protest free zone. And Labour Party conventions.
    
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    August 6, 2019 9:15am
    - Ruawai
      
      And outside oil and gas conferences.
      
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      August 6, 2019 2:50pm
      - Evadne
        
        No, I think that one comes under “freedom of speech” and “right to protest”, as do the vicinities of: National party conferences, gun shows, right-wing speakers, GM trials, military bases, chicken farms, and anyone who doesn’t believe the world will end next year due to climate change.
        
        It’s only the lefties, the woke, and their causes that need protecting from nasty protesters.
        
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        August 6, 2019 5:53pm
  - Ruawai
    
    Maybe they could set up a safe zone outside Fletchers this morning to keep protestors away from those going about their working day.
    
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    August 6, 2019 11:43am
  - Scott
    
    Gravelroad – no worries according to 3 news last night. All very normal, absolutely nothing to see.
    You can’t protest under pain of arrest but move on, nothing to see.
    
    The most radical change on the subject of abortion ever but according to 3 news there is no worries apart from anti abortion protesters!
    
    No issues, no pro life point of view, just all fine, move on.
    
    That is the state of the government and the news network in our country. The 20% truly are controlling the 80%.
    
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    August 6, 2019 11:53am
Yvette

In an interview with Pania Newton, Ihumātao protestor / protector, on Radio Magic Talk yesterday afternoon, she was asked about being on private land, and in response – if I heard right – she claimed to have never seen an eviction notice.

A July 23 article on the Herald website says “Protesters at Ihumātao served eviction notices” –
Police are at a disputed housing development in Auckland where an eviction notice has been served against occupiers.
Counties Manukau District Commander Superintendent Jill Rogers said a dozen officers were assisting a bailiff to serve an eviction notice.

In a statement, Fletcher Building said kaumātua representing mana whenua from Te Kawerau ā Maki, Te Ākitai Waiohua, and Tainui, walked onto the land that Fletcher Building owns at Ōruarangi Road and asked protestors to leave.

It does not confirm Pania Newton was specifically served an eviction notice.
Yesterday she seemed to claim she wasn’t.
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August 6, 2019 8:12am
- sooty
  
  Yes, she might not have at the protest that day.
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:42am
- Sofia
  
  Protesters and police have been in a standoff since July 23 when occupiers of the site – believed to be one of New Zealand’s earliest settlements – were served an eviction notice.
  
  How long would such an eviction notice allow intruders to vacate private property?
  It has been 13 full days at least since July 23.
  
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  August 6, 2019 9:05am
- Harlequin
  
  Just because you refuse to look at it or screw it up doesn’t mean it hasn’t been served.
  
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  August 6, 2019 9:23am
- Classic Liberal
  
  News today: ‘Maori leaders’ are saying all land originally confiscated should be back on the table, even if privately owned.
  
  This protest is opening a huge can of worms.
  
  I think Maori and anyone supporting this concept should think very carefully whether this is really what NZ wants: anyone in NZ owning a little plot of land, a home, a lifestyle block would be threatened by this. And that includes Maori who have bought any land that was originally owned by other Maori and supposedly confiscated.
  
  Everything would be back on the table: your home, my home, farms, lifestyle blocks, commercial property.
  
  *Including* things owned by Maori of the ‘wrong’ tribe or who have no tribal affiliation.
  
  BTW, how do people currently prove tribal affiliation?
  
  If tribal affiliation is becoming this important to everyone, won’t it need to be thoroughly proven?
  
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  August 6, 2019 10:31am
  - KevO'Brien
    
    Yeah, put all the “Maori” land back in one big pot. Maori acquired temporary title by battle until another tribe fought and won again.
    Didn’t the Crown fight too?
    
    Who owns NZ? The seven tribes were separate and arrived independently. It’s becoming obvious by their standards whoever has possession has the right over use of the land. Pakeha possession has validity too.
    
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    August 6, 2019 1:30pm
  - Straight arrow
    
    On that RNZ show the executive director of Maori Council, Matthew Tukaki, made the comment he wouldn’t be surprised if Shelley Bay was next.
    
    I would certainly be surprised, as Shelley Bay was returned to the Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust in 2009. They then sold some land to developers in 2017. What Tukaki is suggesting, inadvertently, is that private land is used for settlements, Maori on-sell it, then Maori claim it again…
    
    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018707389/maori-leaders-urge-law-change-on-confiscated-land
    
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    August 6, 2019 1:50pm
Shut the hell up you Fascist!

Never mind the rain,
and bugger the cold!
Ooooh it’s going to be a fun day today,
Let Jacinda-Watch unfold!
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August 6, 2019 8:13am
Humble Capitalist

I um thought that err um Jacinda was ummmm absolutely umm err outstanding on errrr Hosking arrrr this morning.
Never known a `PM’ to be so clueless.
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August 6, 2019 8:15am
Martin Williams

Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Perhaps Simon Bridges and Nick Smith should go to Ihumatao?

John Key could go too – crack a few jokes, pull a few ponytails.

{Mod: Perhaps you could offer more in your comments than abuse and inanities. Consider this a warning]
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August 6, 2019 8:17am
- Tall Man
  
  Nope, they’re not as dumb as ardern.
  
  She’ll just be the comedy relief as she couldn’t remember anything relevant to say.
  
  Why are labour supporters dumber than their leader?
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:38am
- septic skeptic
  
  Well yeah, maybe they could go and fan the flames a bit, but probably better just to leave Jacinda to wallow in this tar pit of her own making.
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:40am
- MrTips
  
  Are you “the” Martin Williams, LLB of Hawkes Bay RMA fame? Or just a another left wing poser?
  
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  August 6, 2019 9:10am
- SGA
  
  Mod: Perhaps you could offer more in your comments than abuse and inanities.
  
  Well… that’s a bit harsh. The signal to noise ratio on blogs like KB is always going to be low. How about “Perhaps you could focus your abuse and inanities on more acceptable targets”. 🙂 🙂
  
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  August 6, 2019 9:10am
- UrbanNeocolonialist
  
  So Mods: what about Stephieboy? Trolls all day, every day. generally abusive, and adds nothing. And Hugh’s repetitive pages long mono-maniacal link-whoring that again adds almost nothing (wouldn’t mind if he could be more brief)?
  
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  August 6, 2019 10:07am
  - Swifty
    
    Also, is it ok for people to post under multiple identities, while supporting their own points/posts?
    
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    August 6, 2019 11:05am
- rightoverlabour
  
  Hey SAFFA Hater, how about you go? I could join you and teach you how to protest SAFFA style. A few necklaces, maybe, even a Russsian Limpet mines, ( the smaller ones are so easy to hide), molotov cocktails (google the ingredients)
  
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  August 6, 2019 11:31am
G152

Hey nothing to see there.
No, no labour members would -ever- not never.
(Have they tried to blame John Key)

Must be a misunderstanding, he thought the lady was falling and went to support her.
Or there was a spider… honest guv one of them redbacks or maybe it was a Katapo and I removed it…
Yeah right
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August 6, 2019 8:20am
Happychappy

Who is going to stop Winston and Shane from doing irreversible damage to our farmlands through their personal quest to change NZ.https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/114010655/rural-life-under-threat-as-forestrys-canopy-grows
We have a poverty problem now so where will the nutrition come from when they have fucked farming.
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August 6, 2019 8:25am
Tarquin North

There was talk on here yesterday about Labour gifting a seat to NZF or the Greens. NZF seem to think Jones will win Northland or Whangarei (my electorate), Thus fixing the 5% problem. I don’t think they have a prayer but I’m quite happy to laugh at their fantasy. The real question is, if they were to give a seat to the Greens which seat would it be and can they afford to give a seat away?
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August 6, 2019 8:25am
- Tony Stuart
  
  I don’t see Whangarei as being even remotely winnable for NZF. Dr Shane Reti had a majority of almost 4000 votes over the combined total of Jones (who came 3rd) and the Labour candidate. The meningitis vaccine scandal, which Reti has been prominent in exposing, will be the death knell to any accommodation between Labour and NZF.
  
  I can’t see Jones winning Northland either. Matt King hasn’t put a foot wrong yet, and I believe that Jones lacks the work ethic required to win an electorate seat, which is why he never has.
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:53am
  - Tauhei Notts
    
    I wrote on this site, about March 2017, about how Matt King was working assiduously for the Northland seat. And, against all odds he won. I had had two trips to the far north in February and March 2017.
    I would love to see some comment from an informed Northlander about how Matt King is going up north these days.
    
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    August 6, 2019 9:09am
    - David George
      
      Matt King is doing great, keeps his profile up and speaks up on important local issues. Shane Jones manages to get himself in all the photo shoots but throwing (our) money round like a drunken sailor is widely seen as a bribe.
      If labour don’t stand a candidate it could be very difficult for Matt though.
      
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      August 6, 2019 10:47am
  - septic skeptic
    
    If they do gift them a seat Epsom style, that makes Winston and the rest of NZF Labour sock puppets with no real power in the next coalition.
    
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    August 6, 2019 9:57am
- backster
  
  Mt Albert.
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:57am
  - alex Masterley
    
    Please lord no.
    We have a hard enough time coping with our current MP.
    
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    August 6, 2019 9:06am
- artemisia
  
  Wellington Central has been mentioned as a gift seat for the Greens. Mr Robertson is going to be high on the list anyway. And the reeferendum will bring out the students, of which there are many in the electorate.
  
  Suspect Labour will be watching windsock Wellington Council elections carefully.
  
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  August 6, 2019 9:29am
- rockape
  
  Tauranga with Labour not running a candidate would be my guess. hard as it would be , Winston would love to unseat Bridges.
  
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  August 6, 2019 10:41am
  - Ruawai
    
    On the radio this morning with Peter Williams Winston Peters said he will be making an announcement int Tauranga on Thursday, I wondered if it could be him standing in Tauranga again.
    
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    August 6, 2019 11:49am
    - hullkiwi
      
      Ha ha ha.
      
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      August 6, 2019 4:56pm
Hugh Pavletich

Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
NEW ZEALAND

Former BNZ chairman blames ‘weak and ineffective’ Reserve Bank for industry failings | Stuff.co.nz

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/114751794/former-bnz-chairman-blames-weak-and-ineffective-reserve-bank-for-industry-failings

… extract …

… McDonald, who quit as BNZ chairman in 2008, said the failings highlighted systemic problems in the banking system largely born out of the Reserve Bank not doing enough to ensure banks operated within the regulatory framework.

“It’s less about the individual banks. It’s more about the failings of the system.”

A large reason for so many banking failures coming to light was due to a lack of competence of directors on bank boards, he said.

“The boards of the banks are not capable.”

He said many directors on bank boards did not have a thorough understanding of the banking and finance sector and relied heavily on a small number of directors that did. … read more via hyperlink above …
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August 6, 2019 8:29am
- Cobolt24
  
  Rise of fake rich: Kiwis look like they’re doing well, propped up by loans | Stuff
  .
  https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/114760238/rise-of-fake-rich-kiwis-look-like-theyre-doing-well-propped-up-by-loans
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:47am
- Happychappy
  
  Have you also highlighted the failings of Kiwi Bank with the overcharges in fees which carried on for the best part of a year even though they new they were doing it.
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:50am
- Cobolt24
  
  US Treasury declares China a currency manipulator | CNBC
  .
  https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/05/us-treasury-designates-china-as-a-currency-manipulator.html
  
  …extract… “a historic move that no White House had exercised since the Clinton administration”
  
  The formal designation — the first since President Bill Clinton’s administration in 1994 — came after China on Monday allowed its currency to breach a psychological level. The yuan fell to 7 against the dollar earlier in the session for the first time since 2008.
  
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  August 6, 2019 10:27am
  - KevO'Brien
    
    And Trump with his tariff is not? We are seeing a textbook run of what-not-to-do. Trump’s been to the vigorous business school but avoided economic papers. He has triggered a classic downward tit-for-tat downward spiral. Game theory requires a corresponding response.
    
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    August 6, 2019 1:42pm
seismac

Obviously the PM can only answer the questions she likes –eg

would you like a pay rise

would you like a holiday this week

how long will will you be in the UN in Sept

Will you buy the wedding dress in New York

Will Vogue film the wedding

These are all important things that Fairy Princesss have to know not how to run a little tin pot country when you are as important now !!!!!!!
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August 6, 2019 8:32am
- kevn
  
  @seismac… Will markle be on the guest list?
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:49am
cmm

Herald: Ihumātao, police use aggressive tactics against women

Bloody sexist reporting.

So what if it was against men or women? I thought they wanted equality? Why should their bits matter?

If they dish it, then they must take it.
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August 6, 2019 8:33am
- alex Masterley
  
  What are minors doing at the protest late at night.
  And no I am not talking about Pania Newton.
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:52am
- Rich Prick
  
  I’m in a very un-pc part of continental Europe at the moment. It’s enormously refreshing. With this lot, Tasers would have been deployed and politicians would be congratulating a job well done. Instead we have emasculated boys in blue and our lovely Cindy being a ponce.
  
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  August 6, 2019 9:09am
  - Hard Cheese
    
    Where? Sounds great!
    
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    August 6, 2019 8:46pm
peterwn

There was an article yesterday on ‘theBFD’ (I would have commented but I have been banned there) concerning National Party Board elections where Glenda Hughes got defeated. It portrayed Glenda as a valuable member of the team who had a sort of ‘H2’ role and was influential in the matter of candidate selection etc. However the article missed some very important points:
1. With respect to electorate candidate selection, the local Party membership has almost the complete say. The Board (and leadership) has a power to veto particular potential candidates, but in practice it cannot be used to exclude candidates that are merely not favoured. There is a pre-selection process where the heirarchy has a similar limited capability. Therefore she would need to ‘influence’ the local membership to impose the heirarchy’s choice locally.
2. Any effective electorate MP or prospective candidate (eg the list buddy MP) will work hard to build an effective electorate organisation and build membership and do fundraising to help get elected or re-elected. This is the stuff of politics. And it is these members who choose the delegates who cast the votes for board members.
3. Therefore it is incumbent on any Board member or prospective Board candidate to gain the goodwill of MP’s, Electorate chairs and active Electorate members. Doing ‘hits’ on local MP’s and prospective candidates on behalf of the heirarchy which was apparently Glenda was doing is not exactly going to help build such relationships.
So as mentioned in the article she had a collapse of support from some southern electorates and some others presumably including Ohariu.

So there you have it.
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August 6, 2019 8:36am
- Poppa
  
  Hughes was also on the racing board, and has been replaced. I have been told that she was a problem there as well.
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:51am
  - Tony Stuart
    
    With regard to the Racing Board, I can well imagine that Glenda Hughes might have been seen as a problem – by the Minister for Racing…
    
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    August 6, 2019 8:55am
  - Tauhei Notts
    
    She has gone from the Racing Board to the Greyhound Association as head. Apparently she has an affinity with female greyhounds.
    
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    August 6, 2019 9:13am
- Chuck Bird
  
  I did not vote for Hughes as she did not respond to my email queries. I voted for those who did.
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:57am
- kowtow
  
  Another reason to do away with the Party List.Too much power in the hands of the already powerful.
  
  Isn’t it great that local members control their electorate candidate.
  
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  August 6, 2019 9:06am
- rockape
  
  There were several places up for re election. Other candidates were better. There was an election by all delegates at the Conference and one new candidate got a lot of votes.
  
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  August 6, 2019 10:42am
  - peterwn
    
    More exactly, 6 candidates (including the 4 incumbents) contested the ballot for 4 places with one of the ‘new’ candidates winning a place at Glenda’s expense.
    
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    August 6, 2019 12:53pm
Maggy Wassilieff

Anyone prepared to count the numbers of uuummms and aaaahs in the PM’s latest RNZ interview?
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018707379/jacinda-ardern-discusses-ihumatao-christchurch-call-nato
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August 6, 2019 8:39am
- UrbanNeocolonialist
  
  Bizarre, like she hasn’t prepped at all. Lazy or having a few personal problems at the moment?
  
  How long is she in NZ for on this visit?
  
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  August 6, 2019 9:05am
  - JibberJabber
    
    Just a flying visit this week…
    
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    August 6, 2019 10:21am
- oldgolfer
  
  I think the PM is struggling and beginning to find the pressure intolerable.
  I would not be surprised to see her stand down.
  There may be an element of wishful thinking in that, but all does not seem well.
  She looks, too, to have lost weight.
  
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  August 6, 2019 9:14am
  - Greg Ettridge
    
    Old Golfer
    I don’t think its wishful thinking, its inevitable.
    Don’t know if you heard or saw this on sky.
    I thought this was an excellent interview with Matthew Hooton. He calmy explains the real facts of how the COL and Jacinda are travelling.
    It was on outsiders 29 minutes into podcast on 4 August. Should pick up link on computer or handheld.
    https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/sky-news-outsiders/id1182784661?i=1000446072201
    If you believe what is said by Matthew, she is just in way over her head and it can’t end nicely.
    Excellent truthful summation, rarely seen in NZ by any journalist.
    I believe Jacinda cannot tolerate any criticism, now the journalists could turn on her, she will crumble and it will be brutal and quick.
    It will be in the agreement for Winston to lead.
    
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    August 6, 2019 4:01pm
- backster
  
  I made it 74 but the last short question on the sex predator every second word was um so might have missed a few.
  
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  August 6, 2019 9:26am
- stephieboy
  
  Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
  MW, trivial pursuits again on the agenda today?
  
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  August 6, 2019 9:27am
  - Captain Mainwaring
    
    Nothing trivial about a so-called PM who can’t answer questions.
    
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    August 6, 2019 10:18am
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    The PM seems unable to answer many questions clearly and concisely.
    
    If she took the time to listen to a few of her radio interviews, she might be able to identify her problem: opening her mouth before engaging her brain.
    
    A related exercise could also prove valuable to folks who stalk me on KB:
    Think before you hit post comment
    
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    August 6, 2019 11:05am
    - peterwn
      
      Also think ‘Rotary four way test’ (I am not a Rotarian).
      
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      August 6, 2019 1:01pm
  - freethinker
    
    No just trying to get answers from the “Most transparent Govt ever whose leader has no reason to tell lies” Advice to Cindy to fulfil the lies is apply a large piece of Ductape to her mouth and leave it there.
    
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    August 6, 2019 1:34pm
  - Greg Ettridge
    
    You obviously haven’t listened to the train wreck of an interview. Either she was having a melt down, or in way over her depth.
    She appears to have major thought process issues that seem to be getting worse.
    If you support Labour, the future looks bleak, a flustered leader that can’t or won’t answer questions with a gaggle of inept followers waiting in the wings.
    Who will be new Labour leader?
    Must feel really bad to have to reel out Winston to get any sort of message through and hide the deputy leader from parliament.
    I guess thats why she only attracted a third of the vote.
    She is starting to show clearly why she only attracted a third of the vote.
    I would think a dozen assaults is a fairly serious accusation, you certainly wouldn’t trust the Labour party or um, Cindy to sort it.
    
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    August 6, 2019 5:42pm
Maggie Pie

So fab to see our local MP castigating the ‘Chinese Consulate’ for their stance on freedom of expression in this country, suggesting it is something that can only be enjoyed providing the Chinese agree with it 🙁

https://twitter.com/dbseymour/status/1158215513262051329
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August 6, 2019 8:57am
- kowtow
  
  Seymour , the lone Opposition member in the house.
  
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  August 6, 2019 9:07am
Maggie Pie

China’s Xi ….LOL!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8wtKadWIfA
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August 6, 2019 9:04am
- stephieboy
  
  Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
  Maggie Pie. young children using the F word rests well with you?
  
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  August 6, 2019 9:24am
  - JibberJabber
    
    Ohhh, how many concern troll points do you get for that virtue signal?
    
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    August 6, 2019 10:22am
lastmanstanding

Some random questions.

1. Why arent western democracies ( I use the word loosely) protesting against the situation in Hong Kong.

2. Is it because they have a policy of not commenting on other countries internal affairs.

3. But these same 2 faced arsehole pollies have no problem commenting on The Donald.

4. Is it because they are scared witless at the economic damage China can do to them.

5, Has NZ shackled itself with the FTA rather than taken a long term view and done deals with others to spread the export dollar around.

6. Will the Chinese continue to exert even more control such as they tried at Ak Uni.

7. Will future generations curse the short sightedness of our generation in tying our apron strings to the Chinese.
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August 6, 2019 9:11am
- kowtow
  
  ‘Why arent western democracies ( I use the word loosely) protesting against the situation in Hong Kong.’
  
  The initial protests in HK have moved beyond the Pale and into a situation of unbridled violence and lawlessness.
  This is not a China V young people situation.
  It is a situation of radical violent activists V the rule of law.
  
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  August 6, 2019 9:34am
- Notsofast
  
  AUT have responded in a letter to herald ed 0n Tiananmen event, just for the record
  
  “Chinese event
  I would like to correct your editorial (NZ Herald, August 1) concerning the Tiananmen Square event. This event was not cancelled by AUT (it wasn’t ours to cancel) or by the organisers. It went ahead elsewhere and apparently was very successful.
  No one at AUT officially had any knowledge of the event until an advertisement in the NZ Chinese language media was brought to our attention.
  We don’t allow external groups to use our premises without seeking approval (and in most cases paying the basic user costs), regardless of the organisation or the nature of its event. In addition, it was on a Public Holiday when the building was closed.
  At AUT we are not unfamiliar with China’s requests for events to be stopped. The present case was not new. These are requests to which we do not accede. We were not intimidated by Chinese officials.
  We do seek to maintain a courteous relationship with the Chinese Consulate – as we should with any country’s official representatives – and my communications reflect this.
  At AUT we are committed to free expression. We hold to our status and responsibilities as an autonomous institution with academic freedom, and to our part in an open democratic society.
  Derek McCormack, Vice-Chancellor, AUT. “
  
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  August 6, 2019 9:41am
  - kowtow
    
    AUT are reported to have cancelled a pro HK demo today. Looks like the United Front have their balls in a vice.
    
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    August 6, 2019 12:51pm
- MCos
  
  China is the biggest destination for our export of our goods and services, followed by Australia.
  It almost equals to toal for the next three three countries US, Japan & UK.
  If we pick a fight with China we’re fucked.
  Don’t imagine some deal with a newly liberated Boris led UK is going to be much help.
  We currently export almost ten times the amount of goods to China that we do to that country.
  
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  August 6, 2019 10:39am
  - Ed Snack
    
    I guess it is mostly food that we export. The Chinese state no longer produces enough to feed the country, at least not in manner to which they have become accustomed. They can’t wage a trade war for long without serious problems.
    
    Mind you, neither can we, but they’re not invincible. The US has significant advantages in many areas.
    
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    August 6, 2019 11:51am
- MCos
  
  In 2014 there was a coup in Thailand.
  A US representative for the region came to Bangkok a few months later and mildly rebuked the junta and called for a timely return to democratic rule.
  This caused a contrived protest (most people couldn’t give a shit) outside the American Embassy and some cooling of relations. China popped up with promises of some cheap trains, hordes of tourists and generally ingratiated themselves.
  America was fortunate that the then Thai king was born there and had a soft spot for the place.
  Thailand is a strategic country in SE Asia for all its flaws. Sometimes it pays to bite your tongue
  
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  August 6, 2019 12:06pm
Happychappy

Just a comment on Andrew Little wanting to shut down protest outside Abortion Clinics. I am neither for or against abortion but I find it a bit rich when as one of the senior MP’s in the Labour Party and former opposition leader that he has allowed people to be shut down from talking about the sexual assaults in the Labour Party. This has become a habit for Labour going back to Darren Hughes and a young fella he chased down the same street that Darren lived in nude. We have also had the Young Labour Summer Camp incident where four people were allegedly sexually assaulted which is due in court this month after over a year and again thought to have been also covered up by Senior Politicians. So maybe while he is making laws outlawing protests against Abortion he might like to encourage his own party to let those alleging sexual assault the right to a descent hearing.
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August 6, 2019 9:12am
- Chuck Bird
  
  I believe he is due in court 2 September.
  
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  August 6, 2019 10:05am
Poppa

Another polar storm heading our way next week, potentially colder than the last one.

Anyone in the south with stock should should keep up with warnings which I am sure will be coming
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August 6, 2019 9:14am
stephieboy

The President goes further on gun control where he has never gone before,

US mass shootings: Trump condemns racism and white supremacy

President Donald Trump has condemned hatred and white supremacy in a public address following mass shootings that left 31 dead in Texas and Ohio.

He called for mental health gun control reforms, the death penalty for those who commit mass murder and more bi-partisan co-operation over gun laws

“Mental illness and hate pull the trigger, not the gun,” Mr Trump said, speaking at the White House on Monday.
He did not express support for gun control measures proposed in Congress.

“In one voice, our nation must condemn racism, bigotry and white supremacy,” Mr Trump said on Monday. “These sinister ideologies must be defeated. Hate has no place in America.”…”

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49240310

At last being Presidential!
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August 6, 2019 9:20am
- Brian Marshall
  
  Yeah about that guy in Dayton Ohio…… yet another AntiFa…… and the Leftist Fascist in El Paso….. in his manifesto ranted against both Democrats and Republicans…..
  
  It’s not guns that are the problem, it’s the leftists.
  
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  August 6, 2019 10:37am
  - stephieboy
    
    Brian Marshall,
    
    “It’s not guns that are the problem, it’s the leftists.”??
    
    Bad day at office today?
    
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    August 6, 2019 1:07pm
  - Inandout
    
    BM, it is not the guns, it is the motor vehicles and knives.
    
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    August 6, 2019 1:21pm
Maggie Pie

I must admit we do get a few laughs at work – as well as the dramas.
Had a female visitor on the ward last night wearing what would have to be the tightest ‘Leopard Print’ pants I’ve ever seen. I do think it’s important if your’re going to wear something like that, you should weigh less than the actual animal 🙂
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August 6, 2019 9:26am
- Fletch
  
  “Spandex – it’s a privilege, not a right”.
  
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  August 6, 2019 11:05am
  - MH
    
    Muttley laughs again
    
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    August 6, 2019 3:31pm
MCos

Here is an article from the Financial Times that lays it all out for you
https://www.ft.com/content/ebee2658-6b3c-11e9-80c7-60ee53e6681d

“Put it this way: mocking Donald Trump and his administration or criticising American policy will not trigger US sanctions. Countries, companies or, indeed, newspapers that attempt the same with Xi Jinping and China do so at their peril.”
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August 6, 2019 9:35am
hullkiwi

Julie-Ann Genter, a dangerous ideologue who should be nowhere near any levers of power.

Last week, in her capacity as Associate Minister of Health, Genter issued a policy advisory paper to hospital dietitians recommending in the name of SUSTAINABLITY that hospital dietitians should replace red meat in hospital meals with more vegetables and fruits.

However, this policy advice has not been well received by hospital dietitians, who seem to know more about the properties of food than Ms Genter (a vegetarian). Apparently, the dietitians are reluctant to implement Ms Genter’s advice. To anyone with a basic knowledge of food groups and food is required by people who are ill in hospital, they will know that Genter’s advice is dangerous. To aid recovery people who are ill need as much protein, iron and energy in a minimum amount of food. So a diet of red meat and dairy is the best way to achieve this, not a lettuce salad with chickpeas.

The source of this posting can be checked out on the RNZ News website.

So, any Green trolls out there, do us all a favour and tell your party to demote Genter down the party list, if for no other reason than the health of all New Zealanders.
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August 6, 2019 10:00am
- Poppa
  
  Genter is a very dangerous idiot
  
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  August 6, 2019 10:59am
- MrTips
  
  The hospital should have refused to release the letter to the dieticians until Genter released her one to Twyford
  
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  August 6, 2019 12:17pm
- KiWombat
  
  Question 10 today should be interesting. From the way the question is framed it would appear that Chris Bishop has a copy of the letter.
  
  Stay tuned – fireworks ahead !
  
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  August 6, 2019 1:01pm
- stephieboy
  
  hullkiwi , a link would be much more preferable rather than taking your word for it judging by your past antics.
  
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  August 6, 2019 1:10pm
  - hullkiwi
    
    Who are you today? ztev in drag?
    
    My antics, maybe you would like to answer the questions I posed to you yesterday in the GD on additional electricity generation required for electric cars.
    
    As for source ho to:
    
    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport
    
    Scroll down the page to the item at 8.37am this morning and listen to your hearts content. By the way do you know where Marshall Laing Primary school is yet?
    
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    August 6, 2019 1:50pm
  - All_on_Red
    
    You can talk. One of the biggest liars on here. As for links. Pretty much every link you put up disproves your own arguments eh Electroverse Boy
    That one was real funny
    LOL
    
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    August 6, 2019 1:57pm
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    The issue of Genter recommending that Hospitals replace red meat in meals was covered in the Media and here on KB last week.
    https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/opinion/mike-hosking-whats-going-on-with-julie-anne-genter/
    
    Here is a link to the Dieticians response:
    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018707396/meat-dairy-in-hospital-food-needed-for-energy-protein-dieticians
    
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    August 6, 2019 2:25pm
    - hullkiwi
      
      Maggie, thanks the mods have not approved my reply to Stephie. My guess this Stephie is a ztev variant.
      
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      August 6, 2019 2:37pm
Cobolt24

ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner now expects the Reserve Bank to cut interest rates three times before the end of 2019 to combat a global and domestic environment ‘turning sour’
.
https://www.interest.co.nz/bonds/101052/anz-chief-economist-sharon-zollner-now-expects-reserve-bank-cut-interest-rates-three
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August 6, 2019 10:16am
JibberJabber

Why on earth to people continue to use the Viagogo ticket scam website then sook to the media about it?
Claiming you have never heard of Viagogo before only compounds the stupidity even if you are to be believed, the sob story doesn`t give you immunity from personal responsibility.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/114765903/no-refund-from-viagogo-because-of-phone-call-to-check-whether-tickets-were-fake
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August 6, 2019 10:19am
Shut the hell up you Fascist!

First the Chinese came for the Muslims and I wasn’t a Muslim so I said nothing.
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August 6, 2019 10:21am
- mikenmildagain
  
  That’s certainly been the line from NZ politicians, even repeating word-for-word the Beijing line that the internment camps in Xinjiang are ‘vocational training centres’.
  While on Kiwiblog, we someone defending the crackdown in Hong Kong as maintaing the ‘rule of law’.
  
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  August 6, 2019 10:37am
  - BananaLlama
    
    Sad state of affairs. I blame myself as i never liked Islam and have contributed to the situation we now find ourselves in.
    
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    August 6, 2019 12:08pm
  - kowtow
    
    The huge peaceful protest marches resulted in the withdrawal of the bill .
    
    The violent radicals continue in their quest to create mayhem.They have crossed many lines that no governmt should tolerate.The police response to the violence has been very proportional .
    
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    August 6, 2019 12:48pm
    - freethinker
      
      I thought the protests were about the bill being withdrawn but not cancelled?
      
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      August 6, 2019 1:48pm
      - kowtow
        
        “When pro-independence activist Edward Leung Tin-kei first declared his election slogan “Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times” in 2016, not many could relate to it, let alone understand what it meant.
        But over the past week, the rallying cry of the now-jailed student leader has become the most commonly heard chant in the city as long-running protests against the extradition bill have morphed into a full-blown anti-government movement.”
        
        https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3021518/liberate-hong-kong-revolution-our-times-who-came-protest
        
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        August 6, 2019 4:28pm
    - UrbanNeocolonialist
      
      It’s a dangerous game, but really they have little to lose.
      
      Protesters hoping to use the moment when China is steadily encroaching upon and eroding the 1996 end-of-UK admin ’50 year’ deal. If protesters do nothing they will slowly be shackled like rest of Chinese. China continues to grow in political, military and economic strength so that Hong Kong will inevitably be subsumed in next few years by the regressive Chinese govt.
      
      This is their last chance to retain some freedom, however bad the odds.
      
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      August 6, 2019 2:21pm
      - kowtow
        
        Apparently China has slowly been moving in , but make no mistake , the HKSAR still retains a remarkable level of constitutional freedom from China.
        The danger is that if the young violent radicals push too hard then all will be lost for all HKers.
        
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        August 6, 2019 4:30pm
Cobolt24

US Treasury declares China a currency manipulator | CNBC
.
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/05/us-treasury-designates-china-as-a-currency-manipulator.html
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August 6, 2019 10:27am
- mikenmildagain
  
  But trade wars are good, and easy to win, aren’t they?
  
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  August 6, 2019 10:38am
  - Ed Snack
    
    No, they’re not. Hard to know who really has the upper hand, but the US has a far larger internal market and is far less reliant on exports than China so probably has the advantage.
    
    As I understand it, one key US demand is that the Chinese get serious about intellectual property theft. It was in the draft agreement that the US provided a few months ago. The Chinese apparently removed all the compulsory text and replaced it with woolly “best endeavours” stuff – in other words no change.
    
    Under Obama that would have been good enough (like the climate change “agreement” that Obama trumpeted – China “agreed” to make no changes and carry on increasing their output until at least 2035 – which was hailed as a great deal by the clueless) but Trump has stuck to his guns and is insisting that the Chinese agree to prosecute IP theft and fraud officially. That will be hard for the Chinese as it is a major driver of their current innovation. Reminds one of Huawei’s first big selling router/modem – it was an absolute copy of a Cisco device down to the users manual that was a photocopy of the Cisco one with Huawei replacing Cisco. Cisco actually sued and won a settlement, but it was still a huge seller and profitable for Huawei.
    
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    August 6, 2019 12:00pm
    - RW Capitalist
      
      In a trade war , the last man standing wins.
      The bigger you are, the more chance of “winning”.
      
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      August 6, 2019 4:53pm
  - freethinker
    
    I suspect you think a lower Yuan improves Chias competitive pricing which it does, it also makes debt repayment in US$ more expensive so it depends on the balance of the two that counts and the market is looking more unfavorably on the Yuan hence its depreciation.
    
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    August 6, 2019 1:52pm
Tauhei Notts

American Politics;
Who the hell is Andrew Yang?
The betting markets have reclassified him from hopeless case to slight possibility.
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August 6, 2019 10:27am
- UrbanNeocolonialist
  
  Entrepeneur and wonk. Garnering support for having an open minded pragmatic technocratic future-looking agenda. Focussed on considering the massive societal upheavals that are coming as a result of tech and ways of dealing with it. To my mind doesn’t have good answers yet but at least has a good attitude and mind-set and helps elevate the discourse. I like him more than all the other candidates.
  
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  August 6, 2019 10:55am
  - Ed Snack
    
    One major proposal is a “Universal Basic Income” scheme of around $1K per month for every adult. Not really a practical scheme I suspect, but he is at least a little different than most of the pack.
    
    Me, I wonder if my early guess at the nomination in Kamala Harris can recover from the smack down she got from Tulsi Gabbard. And I still wonder how the Dems who want Biden think they are going to cope with the “Creepy Joe” advertising that will hit if he’s nominated. If Trump had the Locker Room tapes and that did affect his polling, the “Joe Biden molesting little girls in public” ads are going to be potentially devastating even if the MSM refuses to mention them.
    
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    August 6, 2019 12:19pm
    - stephieboy
      
      “Joe Biden molesting little girls in public” ads,
      
      Carry on…
      
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      August 6, 2019 1:12pm
      - All_on_Red
        
        Looking forward to seeing them Stephie?
        Not surprising given your form.
        #PervertWatch
        
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        August 6, 2019 1:55pm
      - Ed Snack
        
        Stephie, try looking for “Senator Coon’s daughter” with Biden. If it doesn’t make you grimace to see it, well, maybe that’s your sort of thing too…
        
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        August 6, 2019 6:54pm
Straight arrow

Ihumatao: Incongruous arguments.
“Ihumātao is .. home to New Zealand’s earliest market gardens and a significant archaeological site on land considered wahi tapu, or sacred, by local hapū and iwi.” [RNZ report, 24 July 2019]

Archaeologist Dave Veart told the Listener in 2016, “It’s like building houses on the fields alongside Stonehenge.”

Well, explain the following…
“Fletchers commissioned an archaeological survey on the block for their consent application. The 165-page report concluded that the only feature of archaeological interest worth protecting was the concrete farm house built in 1906.

However, newly discovered shell midden and fire remains found just last week tell a different story. Archaeologist Dave Veart identified the midden as culturally significant.

Midden is a word archaeologists use to describe old refuse areas.” [Te Ao Maori News, 17 October 2016]

Taua [Head of Iwi] said some of the protesters have been using the situation to “rewrite history for their own purposes” by claiming it was a burial site, which he says isn’t true. [Stuff, Jul 30 2019]

My question: Would Maori have used sacred land as a rubbish tip, especially if it was used for burials?

And, as usual, why are MSM journalists not asking the above question?
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August 6, 2019 10:44am
- Jules99
  
  If I recall correctly the age of the midden was interesting too – pre-Maori arrival.
  
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  August 6, 2019 1:07pm
Fletch

Fly on the wall in Jacinda and Clarke’s house…

JACINDA: Clarke, what do you think about having another baby?
CLARKE (startled)” What? Why? So soon?
JACINDA: Well we need something to distract the electorate again and it’ll give me some time away from the spotlight.
CLARKE: Well…..
JACINDA: And if we have another girl, we’ll give her your name as a middle name…
CLARKE: (feeling honored) Oh, well, in that case….
JACINDA: And what do you think of Helen as a first name? Helen Clarke Ardern-Gayford. It’ll go down a treat with the faithful…
CLARKE: Oh, but….
JACINDA: and after I’ve given birth I can say that I’m just too busy now and can gracefully retire.
CLARKE: Sounds like a plan, but let’s make it Helen Clarke Gayford-Ardern…
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August 6, 2019 10:45am
- Sacha
  
  Well, if it’s early pregnancy that’s affecting her performance, she should take maternity leave as of now. God knows what she’d be like in 6 months –
  Winston would look straight-up competent . . . . . .
  
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  August 6, 2019 11:22am
srylands

What is it with the media and weather in this country.

New Zealand Herald says there is a giant storm coming. Yes giant.

Go to Metservice severe weather outlook. Nothing. At. All.

Totally irresponsible.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12255956
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August 6, 2019 10:58am
- Tony Stuart
  
  Metservice’s Severe Weather Outlook normally only goes 3-4 days out. I believe this next winter storm might be a day or two further away than that.
  
  The SWO normally updates between 2 and 3pm each day, so it might show up later today 😀
  
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  August 6, 2019 1:07pm
  - alex Masterley
    
    Met service normally has predicted weather with isobaric charts out to five days and some modelling for 10 days without isobaric charts.
    On the other hand if you look on MET VUW you can see the predicted storm.
    It does look quite intense so early next week may be interesting.
    The storm does also appear on the specialist weather prediction website that i look at for sailing.
    Having said that any weather predictions for period 5-10 days out are at best a guess as things can change quite suddenly.
    Probably by Thursday the predictions will have firmed up and we will know what is comming.
    
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    August 6, 2019 1:17pm
  - srylands
    
    But they have modelled 10 day weather forecasts. And it all looks totally benign.
    
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    August 6, 2019 1:27pm
- Fletch
  
  Looks to be quite a bit of rain next Monday?
  
  http://www.metvuw.com/forecast/forecast1.php?type=rain&region=nz&tim=156
  
  A big dumping for the South Island on Saturday maybe –
  
  http://www.metvuw.com/forecast/forecast1.php?type=rain&region=nz&tim=102
  
  JUst check through the thumbnails –
  
  http://www.metvuw.com/forecast/forecast.php?type=rain&region=nz&noofdays=10
  
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  August 6, 2019 1:57pm
Poppa

The reserve bank is due to make another announcement tomorrow & the smart money is on a rate cut.

There looks to be very stormy waters ahead, well actually, we are probably already there but it just hasn’t shown itself yet due to lag time with figures

There won’t be much room to move once it really takes hold
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August 6, 2019 11:06am
- MCos
  
  I have only a vague understanding of the trade war going on between the US & China, but its odds on we’ll be covered in shit as will Oz.
  
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  August 6, 2019 11:46am
Maggy Wassilieff

Who has the $10M trickled off to?

The government has spent more than $10 million of taxpayer money trying – and failing – to get Northland iwi Ngāpuhi to enter into treaty settlement negotiations since 2009.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/396052/government-spends-10-million-on-ngapuhi-over-10-years
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August 6, 2019 11:19am
- John Warren
  
  I was wondering the same, Maggy. Once those dollars are sucked into the whirling black hole of the Maori grievance industry there’s no accounting for it. But you can bet every fat brown hand in Northland, including Sonny Tau’s, has been grasping at it on the way past.
  
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  August 6, 2019 11:31am
  - mikenmildagain
    
    Probably most of the money has gone to the fat white hands of lawyers.
    
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    August 6, 2019 11:42am
    - UrbanNeocolonialist
      
      More likely catering and koha for endless ~~hui~~ Tangata Whenua lifestyle augmentation events.
      
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      August 6, 2019 12:30pm
    - Ed Snack
      
      I think you’ll find mike, that a goodly chunk of the grasping lawyerly hands are pretty brown – or at least claim to be. It’s been a growth industry with no expertise qualifications except a sense of entitlement.
      
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      August 6, 2019 12:59pm
    - freethinker
      
      Like Eddie Durie and his appalling wife – Donna Hall both with Brown hands in the trough!
      
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      August 6, 2019 1:58pm
    - Gravelroad
      
      MM: Racist and body shaming comment.
      
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      August 6, 2019 3:10pm
      - mikenmildagain
        
        Well spotted.
        Did it draw your attention to John Warren’s ‘fat brown hand’ comment that attracted the upticks?
        
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        August 6, 2019 3:32pm
      - MH
        
        some still prefer to live off a staple diet…..
        
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        August 6, 2019 3:42pm
  - Classic Liberal
    
    It’s not about melanin levels. Two people I know who claim 1/8 and 1/4 Maori are white as (one blond and blue eyed). One of them claims tribal affiliations and benefits from some tribal land ownership.
    
    ToW claims are about tribal affiliation one tribe making ToW gains does not benefit all Maori. Heck, the tribes doing best under ToW might be the most warring, aggressive ones who already stole plenty of land from others. Who knows more how the ToW deals with that?
    
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    August 6, 2019 1:49pm
    - Classic Liberal
      
      Duh, 1/4 and 1/16. Grand parent and a great-grand parent. You can see how little I care about this kind of ‘blood’ stuff.
      
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      August 6, 2019 3:26pm
stoptheboats

this will be interesting at q time today

CHRIS BISHOP to the Associate Minister of Transport: What were the first three paragraphs, not including salutations, of the letter she wrote on 26 March 2019 to Hon Phil Twyford, Minister of Transport, regarding the Let’s Get Wellington Moving indicative package?
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August 6, 2019 11:36am
- rockape
  
  He obviously has had the letter leaked. Now he is just letting them dig a hole!
  
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  August 6, 2019 11:55am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  Taxpayers deserve to know what Julie Anne Genter and Phil Twyford are hiding
  
  https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12255888
  
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  August 6, 2019 11:57am
  - UrbanNeocolonialist
    
    Lots of circumlocution and stonewalling from Genter today continuing to claim some non-governmental personal communication privilege, though eventually admitted it was on Minsterial letterhead. No knockout revelation from Hipkins. Ombudsman being petitioned to have it released.
    
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    August 6, 2019 4:27pm
- alex Masterley
  
  q time will be interesting today full stop.
  
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  August 6, 2019 12:09pm
  - UrbanNeocolonialist
    
    So we can almost certainly pencil in Ardern as ‘absent’ then?
    
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    August 6, 2019 1:51pm
    - John Warren
      
      I couldn’t get QT to load today. Must have been all the Kiwibloggers watching. Was she there?
      
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      August 6, 2019 7:47pm
kiwiBuzz

Jim Salinger admits that global warming has stalled.

In an article in the Herald on the fifth, headlined “July the hottest ever”, Jim Salinger claimed that, according to a new temperature record he had just invented, July 2019 was 0.05° (0.15°/century) warmer than July 1998.

So, it seems, he is claiming that global warming is virtually non-existent.

So we can all stop worrying. As we should.
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August 6, 2019 12:02pm
- UrbanNeocolonialist
  
  http://www.drroyspencer.com/2019/08/july-2019-was-not-the-warmest-on-record/
  
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  August 6, 2019 12:33pm
  - stephieboy
    
    UN, Roy Spencer Ph d , climate change denier, crank and creation science advocate,
    
    https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Roy_Spencer
    
    Birds of a feather…
    
    2 23
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    August 6, 2019 1:29pm
    - All_on_Red
      
      Usual moronic statement and lies from Stephie.
      Dr Spencer is merely publishing the NASA Satellite results collated by the University of Alhambra.
      There’s no evidence Spencer believes in creationism- show me a video of him saying it.
      If you don’t believe data from NASAs Satellite then you are the Science Denier- oh wait.
      
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      August 6, 2019 1:48pm
    - kiwiBuzz
      
      How about responding to what I wrote? Or do you agree that I have interpreted the article correctly?
      
      In which case, man-made global warming is a non-event.
      
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      August 6, 2019 2:34pm
- Kabull
  
  Climate change has more than ‘stalled’ – it is almost nonexistent. (I don’t deny change but I completely reject that change is primarily man-made.) NASA and NOAA have been altering US temperature records for years to fit their projections. Thie video expands: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ag3D0rjGuc
  (A quick understanding can be gained from about 23:30)
  
  At the end of the clip reference is made to Pres Eisenhower’s farewell speech in 1961, in which he said
  The prospect of domination of the nation’s scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present – and is gravely to be regarded. We must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific-technological elite.
  Heller notes that many billions of dollars have been put into research grants to academics to push global warming. The money is being used to generate fake data which has become the basis of the fake CO2 endangerment finding.
  
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  August 6, 2019 4:57pm
RW Capitalist

Liked it so much, I posted it again.
https://gab.com/system/media_attachments/files/007/749/090/original/93c37c0970c4298e.png?1564839610
A diesel powered charging station
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August 6, 2019 12:38pm
- stephieboy
  
  RW Capitalist, then you will love this,
  
  Beautiful, solar-powered EV charging stations promise to charge a vehicle in 15 minutes
  
  “Copenhagen-based architectural firm COBE has just unveiled what are possibly the most beautiful and sustainable electric vehicle charging stations in the world. Built entirely from recyclable materials and powered by solar energy, these ultra-fast charging stations not only recharge a vehicle in just 15 minutes but also offer drivers a welcoming place to rest and relax. The first COBE-designed EV charging station was installed on the E20 motorway in the Danish city of Fredericia, with 47 more planned along Scandinavian highways: seven more in Denmark, 20 in Sweden and 20 in Norway….”
  
  https://inhabitat.com/beautiful-solar-powered-ev-charging-stations-promise-to-charge-a-vehicle-in-15-minutes
  
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  August 6, 2019 1:22pm
  - Classic Liberal
    
    Nice, if it works. And if the batteries don’t cause so much pollution that nothing is really gained.
    
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    August 6, 2019 2:02pm
  - Swifty
    
    You’ll LOVE this Stiffy!!!
    
    https://youtu.be/F_xSdxZx-RM?t=88
    
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    August 6, 2019 4:29pm
  - KevO'Brien
    
    One fine day in the middle of the night…
    A cloud appeared blocking the light.
    My battery’s not charging said COBE EV
    I’m not on the grid, it cannot be.
    I need monster fuel to pack a punch
    The cars need to be home
    they’re awaiting their lunch.
    Pity the light’s so fickle in fall,
    Not fit for purpose of charging at all.
    Out you battery you’re in disgrace
    Fifteen minutes–in your face.
    Proper juice is what we need
    More than this teensy pansy feed,
    Something to make the hairy chest grow,
    make a battery retire below.
    You’ll just wait then quite a bit
    as the Einsteins and others do their knit.
    They’ve found a solution not far off
    where subatomics mock and scoff
    as they play pass the parcel and spin and burn
    giving up heat with each little turn.
    In time then we hope to see
    It all explained to you and me,
    And Nobel and Laureates get their prize
    explaining their find of heat in disguise.
    Heat so powerful and friendly too
    that its surely coming to home with you.
    No more wires attached to the grid
    but freedom for all is its bid.
    Cheap and plentiful, CO2 free
    Enough to turn a Green to a tree.
    LENR is on its way.
    Patents are more everyday.
    Even Airbus is in it too,
    Planes and cars all Yahoo.
    
    (Apologies to Kev. McGonagle.)
    
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    August 6, 2019 4:38pm
  - Captain Mainwaring
    
    Stephie, stop wanking on about electric cars for rich pricks and tell us what you drive.
    (If you do).
    
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    August 6, 2019 9:04pm
Than

I don’t think the protesters at Ihumātao realise what a huge can of worms they are opening.

Imagine the government did buy back the land from Fletchers. OK, first thing that means all “full and final” settlements reached between the Crown and iwi are rendered void and worthless. From the Crown’s side of things, they can have zero faith that iwi will be able to uphold their end of the deal and that the settlements will be adhered to.

Worse, that would apply to any possible future settlements as well. If a bunch of random protesters can invalidate it on a whim, why would any sensible party agree to a new settlement?

And still worse, if you take a step back this would cause a major fracture in the whole foundation the Treaty of Waitangi is built on.

The ToW was supposed to be an agreement reached between the British Empire (represented by the Crown) and iwi (represented by the various rangatira/chiefs). But if the rangatira (or rather the modern iwi organisations accepted to speak for them, just as the govenor-general and parliament are accepted to speak for the Crown) are not considered to have the mana to speak for Maori… then one party to the ToW has effectively ceased to exist. The whole treaty would (or in any sane world should) become a legal non-entity.
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August 6, 2019 12:52pm
- Classic Liberal
  
  They absolutely realise what a large can of worms they are opening: ‘Maori leaders’ on the news today were saying they want private land to no longer be protected from treaty claims.
  
  That means every farm, every lifestyle block, every home, every business – even if owned by other Maori (different tribe or no clear tribal affiliation), even if the land was not originally seized by government. There could be claims on anything. Do you want to have to somehow try and prove your land was fairly bought 150 years ago?
  
  And not just future settlements couldn’t be trusted, but any real estate deal: could this land become part of some claim? The answer, without the law that private property is exempt, will become ‘yes’.
  
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  August 6, 2019 2:19pm
  - KevO'Brien
    
    Vest all land in NZ in the Crown. We no longer run to Maori-bash provisions or now modified to mob occupation or lawfare. Title can no longer be forcibly acquired.
    
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    August 6, 2019 4:04pm
- KevO'Brien
  
  The former Maori parties to the Treaty do appear to be substantially defunct. Are we being shown mob rule as the way ahead?
  Maori have little more right to claim NZ as theirs than any other past seafarer who landed here.
  
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  August 6, 2019 4:07pm
  - igm
    
    They have less to claim having done and produced less.
    
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    August 7, 2019 12:30am
Pharmachick

After yesterday’s interesting chat on abortion… and it was interesting, as well as [for the most part] civil (!) I just wanted to make a PSA about stem cells, as there appears to be much public confusion and as usual we Sci/Med types aren’t doing a great job around Public Education…

Yes, the earliest stem cells were extracted from cultured human embryos. These are known as embryonic stem cells. Whilst they can still be made this way, and it is legal is most countries (note: not USA, one can only use the original 7 [err, it might be 9] lines already created there, you can’t make your own, and those lines are still propagated.), most scientists don’t do this because of ethical issues.

A far more common and easy way to get and propagate stem cells, is to extract them from placental tissue and the fetal blood it contains after birth. This is relatively straight forward and, apart from Maori, Hawaiian and a few other cultures; the placenta is usually seen as “waste” tissue after birth. This is probably the most commonly used technique world-wide.

Finally, we can now make stem cells from differentiated somatic cells from adults of [any] species. The process involves re-programming the cells back into a “developmental” form. Its considerably more difficult, but no longer Nobel-level effort. Indeed, I imagine that with CRISPR/Cas 9 technologies is will soon become even easier.

The advantage stem cells have over differentiated cell lines, is that they are pluripotent – meaning they can become anything. So we can study the development of the human heart or skin or… By learning how things work normally, we can gain insight into how it goes wrong, which allows us to develop drugs, surgeries or devices to fix it.

Thus the arguments around embryonic stem cells are valid, but given that most people used the extraction or transformation methods, how they are still linked to fetal tissues and abortion issues is not a mystery to me (because we’re not doing our job as scientists to educate the public), but should be addressed in a responsible, non-confrontational factual manner when possible.

Cheers
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August 6, 2019 12:54pm
- cmm
  
  “This is relatively straight forward and, apart from Maori, Hawaiian and a few other cultures; the placenta is usually seen as “waste” tissue after birth.”
  
  I would expect that there are far more cultural problems using tissue form a 20 week old baby-to-be.
  
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  August 6, 2019 1:23pm
  - Pharmachick
    
    Oh, sorry; I didn’t mean placenta from 20 week abortions (although that would work). You can get stem cells from normal term placentas delivered by C-section or natural birth, makes no difference. 🙂
    
    PS the “embryonic” period ends at 12 weeks.
    
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    August 6, 2019 2:12pm
- Fletch
  
  About 10 years ago the Catholic church announced a joint initiative with a company to work with adult stem cells. I think they are taken from the nose of adults?
  
  https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/catholic-church-announces-adult-stem-cell-venture-with-neostem
  
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  August 6, 2019 1:37pm
  - Pharmachick
    
    Yes it was quite interesting. I’m not always a fan of the Catholic Church and its doings, but they were well ahead of the curve on this one, and put money into adult stem cells (a.k.a. iPSC – “Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells”) when many in the Med and Sci spheres said it was science fiction. Turns out it was not… and this is now a real avenue.
    
    The company is now re-named Caladrius (sp?). And I believe they’re mostly interested in cardiovascular stuff (although if I was them, I’d target cancer for sure).
    
    Cheers
    
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    August 6, 2019 4:14pm
Maggie Pie

Q9 today – Nick Smith to the Min of Justice….
The question doesn’t matter – but its worth tuning in just to see the
satanic darkness that comes across Trev’s kisser.

LOL!!
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August 6, 2019 1:18pm
- sooty
  
  What is the question?
  
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  August 6, 2019 6:58pm
  - Piniwi
    
    @ sooty Q6. “Does he stand by all his actions and statements in respect of electoral and referendum law?” and the question does matter. Again Labour are trying to bypass the referendum process by making it a caucus only method of “forming” the question. They thought the dope referendum would be a slam dunk as well draw out more voters to their gain.
    Unfortunately the situation might be made worse if there are two or possibly even three referendum votes taken at the next election. That could be complicated for some single issue voters over which box to tick already puzzled by more than one vote.
    
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    August 6, 2019 10:22pm
Maggy Wassilieff

Hard to believe this Historical Abuse inquiry will go anywhere now.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/396075/sir-anand-satyanand-steps-down-as-head-of-inquiry-into-historical-abuse
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August 6, 2019 2:06pm
- cmm
  
  A bunch of bollocks. This is a white-wash trying to look into historic issues, but not dealing with any of the more recent issues that are what really needs attention.
  
  All the organisations implicated in the period covered by the ToR will just say that they have tightened up their procedures and have moved on. Nothing of substance will come from it.
  
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  August 6, 2019 2:38pm
- MCos
  
  The similar inquiry in the UK has thus far had four heads.
  
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  August 6, 2019 2:51pm
- KevO'Brien
  
  Sir Anand Satyanand is going for the right reasons.
  He affirms what I have personal knowledge of. The problem is huge and will never be resolved. People near 60 are reluctant to have their lives disturbed again.
  Justice is best served by seeing that state institutions are independently well supervised and “care givers/gaolers” personalities are rigorously checked.
  
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  August 6, 2019 3:56pm
MH

law suits from savile row ?
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August 6, 2019 3:52pm
Graham Sharpe

Winston to make an announcement in Tauranga on Thursday. My bet? He’s pulling the rug on the Coalition!
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August 6, 2019 4:26pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  wee hoooo
  
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  August 6, 2019 4:53pm
- Inandout
  
  His retirement?
  
  8 1
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  August 6, 2019 4:57pm
Martin Williams

Incredibly good wage and unemployment numbers came out today.

Wages rose 4% in the year to June, the largest increase since June 2009. And unemployment fell to 3.9%, the lowest since June 2008.

These numbers of course take you pretty much back to pre-John Key, to a time when the economy was last managed properly. By the last Labour government funnily enough.

I expect a post by our host tomorrow praising this government’s sound economic management and positive visionary plan for New Zealand.

What will Kiwibloggers complain about? Well that our PM looks like a horse I suppose!

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/114782315/kiwi-workers-in-hot-seat-as-unemployment-down-wages-up
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August 6, 2019 6:00pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  Oh, that’s wonderful news…
  
  Such a pity that an extra 14,000 people went on the Job-seeker benefit this last year, and since September 2017 an extra 4,329 children are living in benefit-dependent households.
  
  https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20190806_20190806_20
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:06pm
  - Martin Williams
    
    Those are the people who were denied their entitlements by Paula [Mod – deleted] as she kicked the leader out from under them.
    
    Maggy, why do you hate New Zealand so much? Are you an immigrant?
    
    [Mod – final warning]
    
    2 18
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    August 6, 2019 8:21pm
    - Maggy Wassilieff
      
      Maggy, why do you hate New Zealand so much? Are you an immigrant?
      
      I don’t do hate.
      I was born and raised in W(h)anganui.
      I have spent my life being grateful for the opportunities afforded me as :
      
      (1) The recipient of full blood tranfusion at birth at Wanganui Hospital.
      (2) The recipient of good, free education to Honours Level
      (3) The awarding of Funds from the NZ Govt for my Ph.D.
      (4) free maternity care and hospital care for my Pregnancies and post-natal cares.
      
      Consequently, I have never really cared less than I earned about half the salary here in NZ as I could get
      overseas.
      
      Because I care for the landscapes/ecology of NZ, I have spent the last 40 years or so running /supervising plant restoration projects.
      
      Because I care about the education of NZ kids, I went school-teaching in my 40s;
      now I spare some time helping out with 1:1 literacy classes for teenagers from my community (low decile, Maori).
      
      etc, etc..
      
      Oh do you think I’m an immigrant because I have a foreign-Wog surname.?….
      
      18 0
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      August 6, 2019 9:01pm
      - All_on_Red
        
        People like you helped build our country
        
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        August 6, 2019 9:08pm
      - stephieboy
        
        All on Red,
        
        “Help build our country”
        
        And you???
        
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        August 6, 2019 9:42pm
    - Captain Mainwaring
      
      Mr. Mod, why not just cut the prick loose now?
      
      11 0
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      August 6, 2019 9:09pm
      - Maggy Wassilieff
        
        Na,
        I’ll just add him to the list of those chaps on KB who do personal abuse and smears.
        
        Shall I tell him that we’ve already covered the following bits of personal abuse:
        
        my menopause
        my sexual behaviour
        The size of my saggy tits
        The odour of my cunt
        The size of my underwear
        My mental state
        The method I use to clean my underwear
        The method I used to “get” my Ph.D
        My Nazi name
        My Russian name
        and now
        My loyalty to my Country.
        
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        August 6, 2019 9:21pm
      - stephieboy
        
        MW,
        “The odour of my cunt”?
        ” My Nazi name” ?
        ” My Russian name”?
        
        etc
        
        Who on earth mentioned those things ?
        
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        August 6, 2019 9:50pm
      - Martin Williams
        
        Maggy, I only asked because you seem to hate your country right now. Always complaining.
        
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        August 6, 2019 10:34pm
      - Maggy Wassilieff
        
        Splooge with reference to my cunt being smelly
        
        You stephieboy with reference to my underwear
        
        You stephieboy
        linking my comments to Alt-Right, Neo Nazi epithets and images.
        
        9 0
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        August 6, 2019 10:44pm
      - Maggy Wassilieff
        
        @Martin Williams
        
        No – I don’t seem to hate my country now or at any time.
        
        If you had paid attention you would have seen my original link was to answers given in Oral Questions today in NZ Parliament.
        One figure was provided by a member of our Government’s Loyal Opposition
        The other figure was provided by a Labour MP.
        
        You wouldn’t be suggesting that these MPs hate NZ would you?
        
        Or is any thought pattern that you disagree with to be described as HATE?
        
        If you can’t be bothered checking on my background,
        or contacting me personally, please don’t presume to know what I believe.
        
        9 0
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        August 6, 2019 11:12pm
      - stephieboy
        
        MW,
        “You stephieboy
        linking my comments to Alt-Right, Neo Nazi epithets and images”
        
        I believe I did no such thing!
        
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        August 7, 2019 11:10am
      - Maggy Wassilieff
        
        I believe I did no such thing
        
        You can believe, that Stephieboy.
        
        I suggest you take a look back to your following posts:
        https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2017/02/general_debate_22_february_2016-2.html#comment-1878204
        
        Have you forgotten all the times you tried to weasel out from all of us on KB telling you that alt-right meant neo-nazi, anti semite, etc.
        https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2018/01/general_debate_26_january_2018.html#comment-2124389
        
        Have you forgotten how you linked to Alt-right sites that had embedded Neo-Nazi literature in it.
        and all that stuff got removed by DPF sometime around 6pm-8pm on 12 February 2018?
        
        and do you forget that on December 29, 2016 when you were first using the term alt-right (which I had never seen before) you put up a link to an image displaying a Nazi symbol and mentioned 4-Chan?
        
        You called your post “Alt-right starter pack”
        https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2016/12/wto_rules_for_nz.html#comment-1845385
        
        Because if you don’t remember any of this stephieboy, be assured that I do.
        
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        August 7, 2019 11:53am
    - Martin Williams
      
      Ah, that should be ladder, not leader.
      
      What a wonderful place this is. Where the PM can be trashed about her looks hundreds of times a week, and you can even call the deputy PM a fucking cunt, yet a simple, harmless nick-name for Pulla Bennett gets you a ban threat.
      
      What a joke.
      
      1 11
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      August 6, 2019 10:33pm
    - igm
      
      No one should receive anything unless they earn it. This useless bludging scum will really whinge when the cupboard is bare and there is no benefit money to be paid,
      
      3 0
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      August 7, 2019 12:26am
- All_on_Red
  
  Awww
  That’s cute. Martin doesn’t recognise that Labour didn’t build those jobs nor see that their policies are now starting to drag it all down- the poor are always the first to be hit when things turn bad.
  
  Narrator: Martin is a racist and a xenophobe.
  
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  August 6, 2019 8:55pm
  - stephieboy
    
    “Narrator: Martin is a racist and a xenophobe.”
    
    Irony air raid siren alert!
    
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erMO3m0oLvs
    
    LOL!
    
    1 15
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    August 6, 2019 9:43pm
Swifty

For years Labour slagged off National and Key for this, called it corruption etc etc.

Now they’re doing exactly the same thing.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12256200

Two-faced scumbags.
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August 6, 2019 7:10pm
Swifty

The Green Party transport spokesperson get’s all tied up in knots…..

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12256227

I guess that’s what happens when you set out to deceive.
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August 6, 2019 7:20pm
Maggy Wassilieff

Chief Ombudsman to investigate Julie Anne Genter’s secret letter
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12256227
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August 6, 2019 7:32pm
Suze Wainwright

Have to admit that it’s mildly entertaining watching Genter dance on the head of a pin with the best of them. Her transparency and openness is utterly intoxicating.
Why is Chris Bishop so unkind and does bully her so much…? (Well worth the price of admission though)
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August 6, 2019 7:39pm
- John Warren
  
  Most open, honest and transparent government ever. Unless it has something to hide. Then out come the pins and the dancing shoes. Chris Bishop is now my new hero.
  
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  August 6, 2019 7:51pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  I am sure the Good folks of Wellington/Hutt Valley would like to know whether Genter (Greens) was Bullying Twyford (CoL).
  
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  August 6, 2019 7:52pm
  - Suze Wainwright
    
    Hey, you don’t reckon Chris Bishop already knows what the contents of the communication is and he’s just having a bit of a wind up…?
    Wow! What a rascally trickster he must be! 🙂
    
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    August 6, 2019 9:11pm
Maggy Wassilieff

My old stomping grounds.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/114778650/man-charged-for-possessing-improvised-explosive-device-after-search-of-woofingtons-luxury-dog-stay

There used to be some BLOODY large dogs roaming within the fenced compound (? Neopolitan Mastiffs)
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August 6, 2019 8:29pm
Maggy Wassilieff

Splooge with reference to my cunt being smelly

You stephieboy with reference to my underwear

You stephieboy
linking my comments to Alt-Right, Neo Nazi epithets and images.
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August 6, 2019 10:46pm
igm

Look what happens when non-ratepayers vote in local body elections?
They elect their own brand: useless, good-for-nothing, fiscally dyslexic leeches who don’t care, don’t know, and don’t pay!
https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/114791444/smile-youre-in-porirua–home-of-a-98000-smiley-face-brand-makeover
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August 6, 2019 11:54pm
Hugh Pavletich

… NEW ZEALAND …

QV figures show property values on a long slow decline in Auckland, starting to head downwards in several other regions … Greg Ninness … Interest Co NZ

https://www.interest.co.nz/property/101060/qv-figures-show-property-values-long-slow-decline-auckland-starting-head-downwards

Average residential property values in Auckland are continuing to slowly but steadily decline, according to the latest figures from Quotable Value.

QV says the average value of residential properties in Auckland declined for the eighth consecutive month in July, down from $1,050,647 in November last year to $1,025,389 in July this year. Across the region average values were 2.6% lower in July than they were in July last year, and 0.8% lower than they were three months ago. …

… Areas where average values are down compared to three months ago include parts of central, north west and south east Hamilton, plus Tauranga, Whakatane, Rotorua and Taupo, all of Wellington City, Christchurch’s central, northern and hills suburbs, Timaru, Queenstown Lakes, and Dunedin central, north and south. … read more via hyperlink above …
.
.
Major and belated announcements by Housing Minister Megan Woods ( substantially revamped KiwiBuild ) and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford ( land supply / urban limits abolition and proper debt financing of infrastructure ) by the end of August … following a recent announcement by Environment Minister David Parker of a major overhaul of New Zealand’s land use law ( Resource Management Act ) …

Government to transform Resource Management Act (land use / planning) to increase affordable housing … Henry Cooke … Stuff New Zealand

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/114460844/government-to-transform-resource-management-act-to-increase-affordable-housing?cid=app-iPad

The Government is moving to transform the nebulous Resource Management Act (RMA), the main law that constrains development in New Zealand.

The reform will look to increase affordable housing development and radically reduce complexity, while also increasing freshwater quality and fighting climate change. … read more via hyperlink above …

… and the important late March speech by (now ) Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford …

New Zealaned (then Housing) Urban Development Minister Phil Twyfords speech to the New Zealand Initiative Members Retreat … New Zealand Government / Beehive

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/speech-nz-initiative-members%E2%80%99-retreat
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August 7, 2019 7:01am

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