General Debate 9 November 2019

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Souvlaki

I am appalled by Nationals genuflexion to the woke AGW religion this week. Their rationalisation of ” we may change it if elected” doesnt cut the mustard I’m afraid. They are coelenterates in this punters book…in essence no different from Labour.
Furthermore…this is the second time they have sodomized their supporters this year…the first being the ” in boots n all” capitulation to Arderns ill thought through gun confiscation legislation.
Go ACT/ Seymour ! Someone with principles & guts!
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November 9, 2019 8:10am
- alloytoo
  
  I am forced to agree.
  
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  November 9, 2019 8:16am
  - Jack5
    
    Seymour choked on the gun legislation.
    
    He started well and bravely. He could have forced considered, unrushed discussion of the measures. But then he missed the vote because he was out on the steps talking to media.
    
    Pff!
    
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    November 9, 2019 8:28am
  - Colville
    
    I am forced to disagree.
    
    Voting against the AGW bill would have allowed the Greens to demonise the Nats in the lead up to the election as being anti climate change… and a very large proportion of the people National need to vote for them (the swinging center) believe in climate change.
    More cunningly by voting for the bill the Nats may suck in a few Green voters….. and the Green are very close to the edge of the 5% precipice … so every vote is a good one.
    
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    November 9, 2019 8:46am
    - chaos
      
      Exactly, as tony said yesterday, this is about playing the long game.
      
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      November 9, 2019 9:05am
    - krazykiwi
      
      They should welcome demonization on the basis of rejection of junk science, and use it as an opportunity to announce just how much of our money they’re going to withhold from the UN Climate czars, redirecting it to genuine environmental projects here in New Zealand.
      
      The principle of arresting power at any cost is not one that secures my vote.
      
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      November 9, 2019 9:20am
      - peterwn
        
        Well, then. You then effectively vote for a Labour/ Green government anyway. National cannot afford to try and appease a small but loud mouthed group if it in turn drives away a larger group of voters.
        
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        November 9, 2019 10:05am
      - krazykiwi
        
        Not at all. I vote for a non-socialist future.
        
        Voting National simply to keep Labour/Greens from the treasury benches is to support panning our Overton Window left.
        
        Successive National governments have not only failed to arrest this trend, but have coaxed it along in the pursuit of power, and principles be dammed.
        
        Vote ACT.
        
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        November 9, 2019 10:40am
      - Colville
        
        peterwn.
        
        Exactly. The loud 10% on the harder right have a stark choice, either vote Nat or ACT or by not voting they are supporting the Greens.
        Its just a pity that some of them are not smart enough to see it that way.
        
        My vote goes to a party that will keep the Melons out of power.
        
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        November 9, 2019 11:01am
      - krazykiwi
        
        @Colville, the ‘hard right’ as you call it is further to the left today than Labour was 30 years ago. How boiled do you like your frog, sir?
        
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        November 9, 2019 1:26pm
    - septic skeptic
      
      So you are saying National are basically lying when they support this bill. In the hope that it will attract a few votes off the greens. That just doesn’t pass the sniff test.
      
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      November 9, 2019 9:23am
    - Tony Stuart
      
      I agree Colville. Have a read of Todd Muller’s speech from Thursday, where he lays out National’s position pretty succinctly, especially this bit:
      
      I’d like to address my comments this afternoon to the 23,000 farming families of New Zealand. I am the National Party’s agriculture spokesperson; I would like to speak directly to them. Now, I appreciate that they are feeling, quite understandably, under a great sense of stress, that they haven’t felt, probably, in a generation. It started with the capital gains tax and various taxes that sat within that. It’s been incredibly amplified by the Essential Freshwater Package, which is in front of rural New Zealand in particular, at the moment. I know that they will be looking at this zero carbon bill with some anxiety.
      
      Can I first say that we have worked assiduously to ensure there are some very strong protections that exist within this bill. Remember, this bill is establishing a commission. This commission will advise successive parliaments around how we reduce, over time, the emissions profile of this country. But the advice that they provide parliaments must be anchored on a number of critical tests that we, the National Party, were determined to put in the legislation. The first was the importance of what the economic impacts would be. The second was that science needed to be at the forefront of their consideration. They needed to understand and reflect what was going on in the rest of the world. So regardless of what has been said by others in this House already, that calibration with the global response is in the bill, and we put that in there, and it is an important part of this framework to give rural New Zealand some comfort.
      
      Now, this is a solid bill, but as you’ve heard from my colleagues, there are areas that we intend to strengthen, if we are given the privilege of leading this country next year. We will focus on the target to ensure that instead of a very wide range, there is a specific number informed by the best and brightest that we hope will sit on that commission. As discussed, food production will be included—the protection of food production, the acknowledgement that that sits at the core of the Paris Agreement that created this endeavour in the first place. That will be put into the legislation more specifically, and particularly for our farming families. We will make sure that there is a specific focus on the appropriateness of the ongoing use of forestry offsets, and, in particular, how we can make sure that the carbon that exists on your farm is counted in this conversation around what you, as farming families and rural operators, bring to this solution—for you’re already world leading, and that needs to be acknowledged, and we are going to make sure that the commission pays due cognisance of it.
      
      We need to be very upfront about the fact that agricultural emissions are a critical part of this country’s challenge. It’s half of our emissions profile. And the reason for that is because we have over 30 million cattle and sheep and five million people. As some would make out, even some on the other side, this is not a national tragedy; it is something that should be celebrated, because the farmers of New Zealand ensure that the emissions from those cattle and sheep are the most emissions-efficient in the world. And so, as we have the conversations that we need to have, as a Parliament and as a country, around how we deal with agricultural emissions, this party will never forget that we stand on the side of farmers, that we understand that the starting point is a position of global leadership.
      
      The Prime Minister earlier this afternoon said we must lead from the front in climate change. Prime Minister, our farmers already do. She said we must lead in terms of innovation and science. Prime Minister, every farmer, every day, is looking at opportunities to improve their business. It underpins the strength of this New Zealand economy. In fact, the New Zealand story is one long arc of adaptation and innovation, driven by the farmers of New Zealand.
      
      https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/HansS_20191107_059850000/muller-todd
      
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      November 9, 2019 9:41am
      - niggly
        
        Another part that needs to be highlighted is Todd Muller saying:
        
        But the advice that they provide parliaments must be anchored on a number of critical tests that we, the National Party, were determined to put in the legislation. The first was the importance of what the economic impacts would be. The second was that science needed to be at the forefront of their consideration.
        
        National are ensuring there can be no more disastrous COL captains calls, like the O&G ban in which the COL did NOT consider the economic impacts and the science …. meethinks Jimmy Shaw and Jacinder virtue signalling on “Zero Carbon” won’t get as much traction as they deludedly think they will!
        
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        November 9, 2019 9:53am
      - Michael
        
        But,
        That doesn’t mean Soimen and the rest of National won’t fck us over on this, like they did the 250,000 Gun owners for the “woke’ generation either……..
        
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        November 9, 2019 10:24am
      - septic skeptic
        
        So, the US, China and India are just waiting for NZ to show the way. Once we do they will inevitably fall in behind and follow our lead.
        Has someone spiked the drinking water in parliament? This is pure bullshit.
        
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        November 9, 2019 10:29am
      - septic skeptic
        
        Sorry michael.accidental downtick
        
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        November 9, 2019 10:36am
    - Lizziep
      
      We do seem to be waiting and waiting and waiting for what National will come out with during the campaign for election. It better be bloody good, as so far they are certainly not showing any promise at all as far as I am concerned.
      
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      November 9, 2019 11:26am
      - Tony Stuart
        
        Lizziep – National has released a number of discussion documents this year, the latest being the Social Development one. Go to the National Party website – https://www.national.org.nz/ – and they’re all there, inviting public input.
        
        It’s far too early to start releasing detailed policy, partly because people have short attention spans when it comes to politics, and partly because other parties will copy them.
        
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        November 9, 2019 1:28pm
    - Rob2
      
      Wishful thinking.
      The nats are never going to govern alone. Never so get used to the fact they need a good partner.
      
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      November 9, 2019 8:47pm
      - andydownhere
        
        Rubbish. NZ 1st are 3%. Greens 6% in polls. Less on polling day? And National leading Labour. Two party parliament. Good times. Unless its Labour!
        
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        November 9, 2019 10:03pm
- Simon
  
  Yep Natz and Labo 98% aligned. It comes down to what type of people make up these political parties.
  
  Ardern covered for a rapist for personal political gain. The real pro quid pro.
  
  If someone wakes up in Natz and has policy for the productive they will win easily
  
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  November 9, 2019 8:27am
  - Prince
    
    Tax cuts. It’s about time the working NZ’er got some reward for carrying an increasingly large burden of welfarers on his/her back.
    
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    November 9, 2019 9:15am
    - gump
      
      You can have tax cuts or you can have universal National Superannuation.
      
      Pick carefully – you can’t have both.
      
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      November 9, 2019 9:51am
      - Prince
        
        Says who ? Appears to be plenty of dosh around for every dubious project at the moment.
        
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        November 9, 2019 6:26pm
      - andydownhere
        
        Make Kiwi Saver compulsory and 8-10% contribution. Similar to Australia Then National Super could be halved in 20 years. Tho some idiots would still blow their nestegg
        
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        November 9, 2019 10:05pm
    - Michael
      
      Lets change benefit completely, to a Study benefit for only 3-4 yrs and then it stops forever.
      Then only a transition benefit 3 months long, based on tax inputs. Only accessible 2-3 times in life.
      
      Intergenerational benefit completely cancelled.
      But everyone gets a leg up study period once in their life.
      
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      November 9, 2019 10:27am
- freethinker
  
  Yes I will be a returning party vote ACT and National electorate as have a good MP.
  
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  November 9, 2019 8:35am
- Greg Ettridge
  
  Aussies farmers are praying for rain.
  NZ farmers are praying their life times of hard work are not put to the sword by one powerful individual.
  I know which will get the better outcome.
  NZ nationals are looking like a hollow gutless party.
  You never win by giving throwing your ideals and beliefs to the wind.
  This vote could see NZ become an agricultural Zimbabwe, making farmers less competitive internationally really is a stupid dumb arse idea.
  Why sign trade agreements then legislate to have nothing to trade.
  
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  November 9, 2019 8:41am
  - Nickc2
    
    You are right on the money there Greg.
    If this so called AGW is true (which I dispute), we should go about doing our own thing to reduce it. We should be cognisant of what others are doing, but not compelled to blindly follow them. Our AGW countermeasure should be agreed by us, implemented by us, measure by us and reported to us, not some overbearing self appointed dictatorship such as the UN. In doing this, we should bow out of the Paris and Kyoto agreements.
    I believe our current trade agreements can go hand in hand with our own designed and implemented AGW countermeasure. This is evidenced by countries still vying to trade with the US, China and India despite them not being part of the charade that is AGW. These countries are doing exactly what I have suggested previously, THEIR OWN THING!.
    
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    November 9, 2019 2:07pm
- fightingtemeraire
  
  Reading here and the BFD how many votes have National now lost that will go to either ACT or NC at the next election.
  Matthew Hooton reckons ACT is now at 3% so that will give them 3-4 seats at the election if held today.
  
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  November 9, 2019 8:44am
  - niggly
    
    LMFAO at those BFD commentators smashing their spades in their sandpits by stating they won’t vote National …. I thought they said that back in 2017 and all voted for WinstonFirst!
    
    Anyway if ACT has picked up a couple more percent meaning they will gain 3-4 more seats well then that is excellent! Both for ACT themselves and National (if losing a couple % Nat supporters means ACT support partner gains 3-4 more seats …. and it also makes it harder for the COL)!
    
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    November 9, 2019 9:17am
    - Paulus Gnome
      
      The BFD! hahaha hahaha!
      
      Hasbeen parading as a political commentator with a sycophant following!
      
      Larf, I almost bought a round!
      
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      November 9, 2019 12:58pm
      - theoldbloke
        
        and they seem to be scared of something.????
        Cant read it something about 1550 security..
        Maybe because its I am in Asia and they only want to rattle Kiwis at Home.
        I used to enjoy Whaleoil in the year leading up to an election.
        But since Cameron’s demise and no more rants from him. It stopped being interesting
        
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        November 9, 2019 8:26pm
  - Colville
    
    personally I believe a pragmatic move would be for National to move further left and leave the right to ACT.
    
    Its just a sad fact that the center of NZ politics leans left… and National need to capture those voters to control treasury.
    
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    November 9, 2019 9:30am
    - Colville
      
      I would like ACT at 8% !
      
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      November 9, 2019 11:05am
  - Michael
    
    I’d prefer them having 10-15.
    Just saying.
    
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    November 9, 2019 10:28am
    - Tony Stuart
      
      It really depends on who those 10-15 are.
      
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      November 9, 2019 1:37pm
    - Morrissey
      
      You’d be hard pressed to find ten people in a THOUSAND who are depraved enough to vote for that discredited and ridiculous rabble.
      
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      November 9, 2019 3:26pm
- chaos
  
  So would you prefer National didn’t support this bill because the next election whether you agree with it or not climate change will be a big issue. It will be an issue for teenagers that are voting for the first time, it will be an issue for parents and grandparents that are voting for what they perceive their kids and grandkids future will be. To do nothing would cost national votes as labour, greeens and nz first proclaim that national does not care about the future or about the climate
  
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  November 9, 2019 8:57am
  - krazykiwi
    
    National shouldn’t care about the climate, because the climate is something we respond to, not something we control.
    
    It’s high time junk science that’s now unquestioningly cited is challenged.
    
    National don’t have the balls.
    
    Vote ACT.
    
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    November 9, 2019 9:23am
    - Happychappy
      
      Things don’t change krazykiwi didn’t you say the same when Bill English was PM,the only differe6 was you were going to vote for Winston Peter’s, that helped heaps ah.
      
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      November 9, 2019 7:00pm
  - septic skeptic
    
    Supporting this bill will cost more votes. Most people are not aligned with Greta Thunderbrow.
    If National don’t distinguish their message from Labour, why vote for them?
    
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    November 9, 2019 9:29am
    - sam green
      
      Calling her silly names only diminishes you.
      
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      November 9, 2019 10:22am
      - septic skeptic
        
        OK, millennial.
        
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        November 9, 2019 10:41am
      - sam green
        
        It would be amusing if it were apt. It’s not amusing.
        
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        November 9, 2019 8:42pm
  - niggly
    
    Very good points! Although I would have liked to have seen National say FU to the fool little Jimmy Shaw and not entertain Jacinda Ardern’s stupidity and ego, by not supporting the 3rd reading of the ZCB …. the reality is it would have passed anyway thanks to NZ First (traitors!) embracing their Greenie and Labour buddies!
    
    But the other reality, as Shane Jones pointed out on MagicTalk’s panel yesterday (and others have too) is that unfortunately NZ is a small bit player (in the world economy) and is reliant on the excellent and hard-working farming community to produce products for exports … which will eventually be hurt by other nation’s imposing restrictions on us if we don’t appear to play the game. So National are being pragmatic.
    
    The other reality too is if National doesn’t work with these COL clowns (and traitorous NZF) on these issues and walk way, then the COL will have free reign to do what it wants with no consequences as it did in regards to making Captain’s Calls and banning O&G exploration – there was no consultancy, debates and reviews into that – I seem to recall National saying “never again” hence forcing the COL to accept there needs to be input into future decision making (ZCB for example). Again National’s pragmatism is actually helping wider NZ (even if it doesn’t look like it in terms of their decision on Thursday).
    
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    November 9, 2019 9:33am
    - Ruahine
      
      Well identified as to our position in the world when it comes to trade. What Shane Jones has stated is exactly what Maurice Williamson told me a number of years ago. National had intended to largely ignore most ot those Climate conferences going on at various venues around the world but were startled by the proposed policy put forward by the IPCC and supported by the EU that exports travelling around the world should should have tariffs imposed according to the distance of travel. These were called ‘food miles’. Well look at how food miles would affect our exports. It was then decided that you have to be in the game. The skill in all this is learn how to play the game. Take lessons from the Chinese. Their Belt and Road Policy has virtually brought the entire world under their economic influence. In New Zealand this is a light touch so far. In the new trade agreement signed with China recently, increased advantage was given to Chinese companies, read Chinese Government companies to set up businesses in New Zealand. Look and learn.
      Now back to those all important Transgender issues.
      
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      November 9, 2019 11:31am
    - Tony Stuart
      
      Well said niggly. National has also exposed NZF as enablers because they voted with Labour and the Greens to vote down National’s amendments to the Bill which would have undoubtedly improved it.
      
      If Peters goes after the rural vote next year, National can call them out for their hypocrisy.
      
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      November 9, 2019 1:40pm
  - Greg Ettridge
    
    Why would I vote for a fantasy, and that is what this is, do the sums, if NZ reduces its emissions another 1% a year, what percentage of the worlds emissions will this represent, it is a very easy question no one on the left will utter it, because it makes them look stupid.
    I tell my children and grandchildren, never worry about something you cannot change, climate you cannot change. Going to start controlling volcanoes, the sun, Yeah sure thing.
    China and India just treat this whole sorry saga as a complete joke, China up 58% on emissions, Nz up 19%. It is one thing to be woke and prance around the world in a gas guzzling 757, to actually do something is in a different world.
    It is like fixing homelessness in a month, the COL is on target get this up 60% by next election.
    If it can be fixed in a month, fix it.
    Just all platitudes and brain farts isn’t it.
    I am thought half the voters are gullible, never thought 95% are suckers. But there you go.
    
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    November 9, 2019 9:47am
  - The Feed
    
    The type of person that actually believes New Zealand can control the weather will never be voting National. Labour and the Greens have a lock on those voters.
    
    They have squandered the opportunity to capture left voters who know it is bullshit.
    
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    November 9, 2019 1:56pm
- krazykiwi
  
  This has been a turning point for me.
  
  It’s a realisation that despite the many National/Labour differences we banter about, the one thing that makes them identical is the one thing I despise: A pursuit of power no matter the number of principles sacrificed.
  
  Vote ACT.
  
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  November 9, 2019 9:32am
- srylands
  
  The real test on the Zero Carbon Bill will be when the Commission sets out what is needed to achieve targets. You can set all the targets you like but it is the policy measures that count.
  
  I am not in touch with the latest analysis but it would not surprise me if New Zealand’s emissions are forecast to be HIGHER in 2030 on current policy settings. And hence the painful contradictions. Our high population growth and international tourism drives emissions.
  
  I just do not see the policy options that would change emissions to a steep downward trajectory and which are in any way politically acceptable. You would need to shut down the highest emitters like cement manufacturing (which would be absurd because production would move to India) and make private motor vehicle ownership much more expensive.
  
  So if I am correct, there are two scenarios. First the targets are missed and the whole thing is not talked about again. That is exactly what happened in the last Labour Government. They had a target of “sustainable downward path for emissions by 2008”. But the opposite happened.
  
  Second scenario is that the Greens demand more stringent measures like a ban on petroleum powered cars and they get their way.
  
  If prople think I am unduly pessimistic let me know. What are the real options for achieving zero carbon on current, and reasonable anticipated technologies? Because I have not heard any politician set this out.
  
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  November 9, 2019 11:08am
- KevO'Brien
  
  I’ll go along with a strategic maneuver; politics are beyond crazy at present and attempting to spilt the middle where the fake artists are hard at work may lose all.
  
  I’m satisfied that the next 5 years will reveal the full truth about the climate trends. There has been too much dishonesty to give credit to the severe push for change without waiting and seeing.
  
  There is a high probability based on solar activity that we are moving into a prolonged cooling period. As cooling impacts food and life more vigorously throwing out the lifeboats is not smart.
  
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  November 9, 2019 12:52pm
Happychappy

I can see why the average punter doesn’t want a bar of Politics or the Journalists that seem to be able to not see any wrong in some Politicians, todays column by Richard Griffin confirms that with bias dibble on NZ’s most corrupt Politician in many peoples minds Winston Peter’s.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/117277605/why-winston-peters-deserves-more-respect
You have Barry Soper, Bryce Edward’s and now Richard Griffin all blaming National s two MP’s for the leaks to the Media over the leaking of Winston’s Pension overpayment but not one to put their neck on the line and give absolute proof, so why insinuate that this has happened when you are not prepared to release facts.
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November 9, 2019 8:16am
- G152
  
  This case by Peters should never have happened had he obeyed the law like we minions and filled out a simple document.
  Claims that his name has been maligned has to be taken with a spoonfull of a common substance.
  My favourite Peters puff is the sale of Huka Lodge.
  No doubt others here have their favourites
  
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  November 9, 2019 8:27am
  - KevO'Brien
    
    Peters has authored his own misfortunes. He messed up his WINZ papers; he talked too much; he got others talking and thinks he can make political capital out of a grudge and a few bob damages on the side.
    Winston is a gambler–is this his final fling?
    
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    November 9, 2019 12:55pm
    - namron
      
      Kev, how about this?
      A knighthood in the New Year honours, followed by a resignation!
      {All in those “secret” negotiation documents!}
      
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      November 10, 2019 8:30am
- Colville
  
  Winston is calling all his favours in to get ahead of the bad news that he knows is coming.
  
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  November 9, 2019 8:32am
  - Happychappy
    
    Were those favours from the same people that gave Winston the information on the x Green Leader and her benefit woes with MSD, it was documented that Winston and NZ First were about to release some very important information on the former Green co Leader but were upstaged by the release of Winston’s problems. Winston and a few from this site were actually saying that NZ First would hit 20% in the polls then and the Greens were on the ropes, but the Winston pension delema hit the news and the rest is history. NZ First were prepared to use the same facts against the Greens, but it appears their standards are fair game but Winston’s were not.
    
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    November 9, 2019 9:35am
- sooty
  
  The hacks are just patting each other on the back and supping on Whinestones whiskey!
  
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  November 9, 2019 8:32am
- pdm
  
  Whisky swillers united – Peters, Bolger and Griffin.
  
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  November 9, 2019 9:00am
- Ceejay
  
  Seriously though, Griffin’s piece this morning just beggars belief doesn’t it?
  
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  November 9, 2019 9:16am
  - sooty
    
    The trouble is Griffin believes every word.
    Cough, cough!
    
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    November 9, 2019 10:24am
  - Faroffsound
    
    You would have to wonder whether he actually read it before pressing send.
    
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    November 9, 2019 4:24pm
Yvette

Winston, still
Newshub’s Jenna Lynch, Newstalk ZB’s Barry Soper, and Newsroom’s Melanie Reid all refused to reveal any information on Wednesday that could identify the person who leaked the overpayment information to them.

None were prepared to even reveal the sex of the person who called them, but Soper testified that the National Party stood to benefit from the leak of Peters’ superannuation overpayments [1]

So it is unclear if these three journalists subpoenaed by Winston Peters’ lawyers, were contacted by three independent leakers, or by one same person. Soper’s comments seemed to associate his leaker with the National Party.

Winston himself says, told Duncan Garner, some responsible journalists warned him of a “beat up” –

“Some of your more responsible colleagues called me to say ‘there’s an absolute total beat up coming your way, Winston’. So Lloyd [Burr] wasn’t the only person [privy to] this information, which by the way he said was a leak from the Inland Revenue, now that’s a crime.” [2]

Having been alerted, Winston did still seem totally unprepared when Lloyd Burr, a “junior inexperienced journalist who thought he had struck pay gold”, turned up.

However, if all these journalists had contact with separate leakers that is a maximum at least four, plus at least two benevolent leakers who rang Winston.
Or one leaker rang Lynch, Soper, and Read, while another contacted Lloyd Burr, who insists his person was from the IRD, and Winston’s two leakers.
So four to six leakers.
So far.

Still seek they not, the one to ring them all?

[1] https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/11/journalists-refuse-to-reveal-source-of-winston-peters-leak.html
[2] https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96212308/peters-goes-full-winston-on-the-am-show-over-superannuation-overpayment
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November 9, 2019 8:17am
- sooty
  
  Then straight after giving his lack of evidence, he went to sit with Whinestone!
  He knows which side his toast is buttered!
  
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  November 9, 2019 8:26am
  - niggly
    
    I heard Bazza say to Heather on ZB Drive’s political spot that because he knew alot of politicians quite well (like Winston ) because of his long time (decades) spent in the Press Gallery, that where else should he sit & it would seem rude not to do so with someone he knew (Winnie).
    
    That might seem like a sensible response in any other situation … except Hello Bazza, what were you thinking, the situation is you were in a court room appearing as a neutral witness and then you decide to sit with the person bringing the court case to court and then you think it will be a good look to do so?
    
    I mean imagine being a “neutral” witness in a criminal case and the witness goes to sit with the accused (or the prosecution)!
    
    Nope Barry sat with Winston as an act of loyalty (and put his “friendship” above “professional impartiality”). He misjudged that one that’s for sure!
    
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    November 9, 2019 10:05am
    - peterwn
      
      Possibly the participants in a civil case are not allowed to sit in front of the bar unless representing themselves, hence Winston was in the public gallery, so Barry was able to join him there. Very bad look as the Judge probably noticed him. Barry would not be allowed to sit in front unless he was there as a journalist. In a criminal trial the accused are in front of the bar by definition
      
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      November 9, 2019 1:41pm
- Ruahine
  
  A leaker here. A leaker there. Winston seeking a leaker eveywhere.
  
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  November 9, 2019 8:45am
  - tf78
    
    Incontinence pads needed I think.
    
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    November 9, 2019 10:20am
  - sooty
    
    He would need a mirror to see the leaker!
    
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    November 9, 2019 10:22am
  - Rachael Membery
    
    Protsate?
    
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    November 9, 2019 11:53am
- KevO'Brien
  
  Everyone knows someone who talked to them about it. However opened his mouth wide and often with the the details we didn’t get elsewhere.
  
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  November 9, 2019 12:58pm
- Faroffsound
  
  By the time the overpayment had been remedied and various government agencies had been consulted about who should or shouldn’t be notified there could have been 100+ people in the know.
  
  Add those who found out second hand and there would be even more who knew enough to alert the media.
  
  Finding the leaker could end up being like finding a needle in a haystack.
  
  And of course none of this would be happening if Winston had filled out the form properly in the first place.
  
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  November 9, 2019 4:37pm
Gravelroad

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/117277605/why-winston-peters-deserves-more-respect
Bwahahaha- Richard Griffin.
Who knew?
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November 9, 2019 8:18am
- Tony Stuart
  
  Is that the same Richard Griffin who was pouring whiskies for Peters and Jim Bolger during the 1996 coalition negotiations?
  
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  November 9, 2019 8:23am
  - sooty
    
    Yep. The same paid per view one!
    
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    November 9, 2019 8:27am
  - Jack5
    
    The Richard Griffin who chaired the board of Radio New Zealand while Wily Willie Jackson’s coup took the organisation for the tribal radio network?
    
    The Richard Griffin a.k.a the Silver Fox?
    
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    November 9, 2019 8:32am
  - oldpark
    
    Yes the same clown who used to be in charge of Red Radio not so long ago. Maybe his track record should also get some exposure. Ouch!.
    
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    November 9, 2019 8:41am
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    Indeed, the very same, & appointed by John Key & Co to chair RNZ (radio NZ) Board.
    
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    November 9, 2019 8:48am
    - sooty
      
      Is he still there in the trough?
      
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      November 9, 2019 8:52am
- John Warren
  
  Free speech, Richard, it’s a bitch, ain’t it? But, really, the “most successful politician in the New Zealand House of Representatives”? By what measure would that be?
  
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  November 9, 2019 8:41am
  - sooty
    
    His own!
    
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    November 9, 2019 10:20am
  - Tony Stuart
    
    I guess he’s the one who’s managed to keep his snout in the trough the longest; some would argue that’s a measure of success!
    
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    November 9, 2019 1:43pm
- Inandout
  
  Griffin, the original ‘silver fox’, cunning as.
  
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  November 9, 2019 8:53am
- Yvette
  
  What is even more baffling is why public servants thought they should take the issue to the Beehive at all. The so-called ‘need to know’ rationale and the timing one month out from an election should have rung ear-piercing alarm bells right across the political and public service divide. – Richard Griffin
  
  Griffin should perhaps be patient until we learn, if we do, what advice the Solicitor General gave in whether Ministers should be informed on not.
  
  And in fact it would seem that regardless to that advice, the fact that the matter is now a high court case seeking $1.8 million tax payment for supposed “damages”, would seem to answer the question of any “public interest”.
  
  Could Metiria Turei have sued Ministry Heads for unfair practice or some professional inconsistency had they not disclosed Winston’s matter, just weeks before the Election, “done and dusted” although it was?
  
  His determination to ensure privacy for those closest to him a reflection of values that go back forty years, his occasional resort to litigation an effort to focus on legal realities rather than political hype. – Richard Griffin
  
  Can Richard Griffin name one “detail” which Winston has not confirmed or in some facts, voluntarily enlarged on, where he had absolutely no need to, other than to continually say the matter is addressed to the satisfaction of the departments concerned, and publish the complementary letter he claims he has attesting to that?
  
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  November 9, 2019 9:28am
  - peterwn
    
    The Solicitor General’s opinion is unlikely to see the light of day. It would however be reasonable to infer that the opinion was that the Ministers should be informed. If the opinion was that the Ministers should not be advised, then the DSW and SSC heads would not have advised the Ministers. Therefore the Crown lawyer representing the departments and heads will strenuously argue that they sought legal advice and had no choice. Winston’s lawyer will argue the opposite. Arguably Winston as a Minister in the present Government should just accept that the Ministers should be informed in such cases, especially since there does not appear to have been any move to amend the Cabinet Manual in this regard.
    
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    November 9, 2019 2:02pm
- Swifty
  
  This whole thing smacks of Winston finding himself in an embarrassing position of his own making and then lashing out at others, trying to make out like he’s a victim, and in order to save face.
  
  Pure and simple.
  
  He’s fucked up, or worse, been found out and is now trying to cover it up by making out it’s all a conspiracy against him and engineered by his political opponents.
  
  Well, just like so many other instances with Winston, I’m not buying it for a second.
  
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  November 9, 2019 9:52am
oldpark

Message for Simon Bridges. You’re cause is a failure.Time to do something useful, get real.
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November 9, 2019 8:23am
Hugh Pavletich

AUSTRALIA: Was Australia warned about poverty creating housing bubble risks ? …

… There is a world of difference between bubble wealth and real wealth … as Australians will learn going forward …

Fears for Australia’s economy as retail sales plunge to their lowest level since the 1991 recession and houses become more unaffordable … Daily Mail

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7645747/Australians-richest-world-thanks-industries-export-trade-superannuation.html

• Credit Suisse regards Australia as the world’s second richest nation per capita
• *The land Down Under hasn’t had a recession since 1991 but that could soon end
• Australian retail sales have plunged to the weakest level in more than 28 years
• Cash register activity is now at the weakest level since the last recession in 1991
• Sydney and Melbourne are also among the world’s most expensive for housing ( refer http://www.demographia.com )
.
.
BIS: Apartment market faces years of implosion … Leith van Onselen … MacroBusiness Australia

https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2019/11/bis-apartment-market-faces-years-of-implosion/

Dwelling supply to fall way behind population growth … Leith van Onselen … MacroBusiness Australia

https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2019/11/dwelling-supply-to-fall-way-behind-population-growth/
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November 9, 2019 8:25am
- Hugh Pavletich
  
  NEW ZEALAND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT: Belatedly getting proper debt financed infrastructure in place …
  
  Phil Twyford hopes new legislation will make it easier for the cost of infrastructure in new suburbs to be covered by homeowners; an arrangement Crown Infrastructure Partners says is proving difficult to pull off beyond an Auckland development … Jenee Tibshraeny … Interest Co NZ
  
  https://www.interest.co.nz/property/102493/phil-twyford-hopes-new-legislation-will-make-it-easier-cost-infrastructure-new
  
  … extract …
  
  … Will legislation help?
  
  Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford hopes to introduce a Bill to Parliament before the end of the year that will make it easier for the Milldale model to be replicated elsewhere.
  
  He told interest.co.nz the aim was for the legislation to give developers a framework they could use, and cut out some of the red tape involved – especially when more than one developer is involved. … read more via hyperlink above …
  .
  .
  Property owners and developers want more councils to be directed by Government under new planning rules … Marta Steeman … Stuff NZ
  
  https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/116615782/property-owners-and-developers-want-more-councils-to-be-directed-by-government-under-new-planning-rules
  
  … concluding …
  
  … (Local Government New Zealand says …) … The real obstacles to development were a restrictive planning regime, too much risk on councils regarding building and the inability to open up land for development because of poor infrastructure funding and financing tools.
  .
  .
  … The New Zealand Labour Party July 2017 … then in Opposition …
  
  Infrastructure announcement too long coming … Phil Twyford … NZ Laboour Party
  
  https://www.labour.org.nz/infrastructure_announcement_too_long_coming
  
  Posted by Phil Twyford on July 23, 2017
  
  “What took you so long?” is Labour’s response to the Government’s announcement of a new infrastructure investment vehicle.
  
  Labour’s Auckland Issues spokesperson Phil Twyford says Labour announced its policy in 2015 to debt-finance infrastructure and service that debt with targeted rates back.
  
  “You certainly could not accuse this Government of being even a fast follower. Now weeks out from an election, and after nine years in office, they are desperate to look like they are doing something.
  
  “This Government cannot be trusted on housing and urban growth. … read more via hyperlink above …
  
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  November 9, 2019 11:36am
  - Nermal
    
    Spam
    
    6 1
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    November 9, 2019 2:11pm
    - Hugh Pavletich
      
      UPDATE: Infrastructure debt financing … useful background information … via http://www.PerformanceUrbanPlanning.org (also check US Municipal Utility District [MUD] Model links down left column) …
      
      … From 2018 section of Performance Urban Planning …
      
      How to get a $650,000 KiwiBuild-style house down to an affordable $300,000 … Stephen Sellwood of Infrastructure NZ … (August 2018) NZ Herald
      
      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12107783
      
      Enabling City Growth: Lessons from the United States … Ingrastructure NZ pdf
      
      https://infrastructure.org.nz/resources/Documents/Reports/Infrastructure%20NZ%20USA%20Report.pdf
      
      If New Zealand is to crack the problems of unaffordable housing, government here must look seriously at how the better parts of America finance infrastructure, Eric Crampton argues … Interest Co NZ
      
      https://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/94430/if-new-zealand-crack-problems-unaffordable-housing-government-here-must-look-seriously
      
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      November 9, 2019 5:45pm
Gandolfo

I remember completing my application to MSD for my superannuation. The form is the same for everyone. It has questions, we answer and the system is designed to react accordingly. It does not care who or what you are. It asks one answers. Winston or Joe the Plumber.The payment received is as a result of the applicants responses not of assumptions. The system does not assume. Dishonesty or honesty. What say you Winston?
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November 9, 2019 8:29am
- Tauhei Notts
  
  This matter has been puzzling me since last Monday when I sat in on the court hearing.
  I think it is because Winston has developed an attitude that he should respond to every question BUT never ever answer a question.
  Accordingly he did not answer the simple questions on the Superannuation application form. And then he had the audacity to sign the form saying it was complete in all detail.
  
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  November 9, 2019 9:13am
  - KevO'Brien
    
    Our Winnie is a bit faulty. Time he put his feet up.
    
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    November 9, 2019 1:05pm
G152

Fake news.
Why is there even comment after the ‘reporters’ have been named ??????
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November 9, 2019 8:30am
igm

Go to hell . . . why should motorists finance inept judiciary decisions?
The dirty little scrotes stealing cars should be jailed immediately without question.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/opinion/117234170/compulsory-immobilisers-would-reduce-the-number-of-stolen-cars-and-potentially-cut-the-number-of-police-pursuits-by-a-fifth
The problem comes from piss weak judges and wankers such as Becroft, Little, and formerly Geoffrey Palmer, who is responsible for most of this namby pamby soft shit towards youth, who now revel in comitting crimes with impunity.
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November 9, 2019 8:31am
- sooty
  
  Yer, just shoot the little shits!
  That’ll fix it overnight!
  
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  November 9, 2019 10:17am
- peterwn
  
  Immobilisers are all very well, but would they operate reliably? Imagine an immobiliser going haywire and bringing a car to a sudden stop in the right hand lane of a motorway.
  Also imagine if someone found a way of hacking immobilisers or the immobilisation infrastructure.
  Think 737 MAX.
  
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  November 9, 2019 10:40am
  - rightoverlabour
    
    Ask South Africans how effective immobilizers are (not). 38 Specials, however, do a great job of stopping car thieves “dead” in their tracks….
    
    We had two vehicles stolen, both with immobilizers…
    
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    November 9, 2019 2:25pm
Paulus Gnome

U2 Auckland concert.

Bono should stick to his music that was. The posturing and politicking was painful.

The Edge, said nothing and let his guitar do his talking.

Auckland Transport. A total unmitigated fucking disaster.

Northshore to central city, get off Aotea Square, walk around gathering a herd until someone knows where the busses to Mt Smart are.

Come out of U2 convinced Bono is a knob, bus to the city is okay and dropped off where we were picked up from.

Connecting service? Like AT, no joined up thinking there. Bus driver, polite and pleasant, did not know of any connecting or special services.

Wander around for forty minutes gathering a herd of like minded people who don’t necessarily come to central Auckland and even then, not by bus, looking for and trying to figure out where the busses went from.

Auckland Transport, you are a fucking disgrace with the way the bus transport to and from this major event was arranged.
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November 9, 2019 8:52am
- Swifty
  
  Come on mate, at any time before the concert you could have rung a person at AT who would help you plan your journey:
  
  https://at.govt.nz/about-us/contact-us/
  
  They’ve got teams of people who exist for just this function.
  
  Or, at any time before the concert you could have organised your journey yourself online:
  
  https://at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/how-to-use-the-journey-planner/
  
  My daughter has their app on her phone and uses it for multi-stage, multi-mode, journeys all over town all the time.
  
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  November 9, 2019 9:28am
  - mikenmildagain
    
    The app is very good. I’m not often in Auckland, but AT makes it quite easy to find your way around.
    
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    November 9, 2019 9:58am
- peterwn
  
  Thank goodness you are not in Tokyo. You will not know what has hit you. But then there is a public transport app for Tokyo and armed with a Suica or similar card all would be well.
  
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  November 9, 2019 2:08pm
John Warren

I wonder if the cognitive dissonance gives them a headache…

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/402876/ngati-kahungunu-ki-wairarapa-celebrates-its-first-knight-sir-kim-workman
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November 9, 2019 8:52am
mikenmildagain

Thirty years since the end of the Berlin Wall.
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November 9, 2019 8:53am
- stephieboy
  
  I wonder if 10 downtickers wish it was still there?
  
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  November 9, 2019 2:59pm
chaos

Sounds like a really great kid, just sad that there is a really sad asshole that lives in his town

* A young Cromwell entrepreneur who runs a garden maintenance company has been banned from riding his lawnmower to jobs.

Johnny O’Neill, 14, set up his successful business J.C. O’Neill Contracting in 2017 and until recently had been driving to jobs around the small Central Otago township on his ride-on 780cc lawnmower.

However, he has been forced to employ a driver to take him to jobs or tow the mower behind his bike after he received a written warning not to drive the mower.

“Police called and said I needed to come in and have a chat about the ride-on mower because someone had complained … It’s too big and apparently has too much power.”*

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/117197753/enterprising-14yearold-forks-out-25000-to-hire-driver-after-police-complaint#comments
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November 9, 2019 8:58am
- John Warren
  
  It might be the letter of the law and all that, but you have to wonder about the miserable, embittered anal retentive who dobbed him in.
  
  Never mind. Johnny is a legend. He’ll overcome this obstacle.
  
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  November 9, 2019 9:14am
  - Michael
    
    Yep find the scroat and make sure they pay double for everything in their life for ever.
    We don’t need their sort in NZ.
    
    He wasn’t driving irresponsibly or dangerously was he?
    
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    November 9, 2019 10:38am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Got to be a leftie suckholer who hates capitalism. Here is one kid who will not be voting Labour/Greens when he turns 18
  
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  November 9, 2019 9:31am
  - Swifty
    
    Or a competitor….
    
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    November 9, 2019 9:53am
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      I only just realised what you mean. Another kid wants his established area? Could be.
      
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      November 9, 2019 3:28pm
      - Steve Otto(North Shore)
        
        Or Jim’s mowing LOL
        
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        November 9, 2019 3:29pm
      - Swifty
        
        Unlikely another kid Steve.
        
        More likely a commercial competitor.
        
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        November 9, 2019 4:16pm
- kevn
  
  @chaos… Sad. I’ll bet there will be some retired person who would be happy to run him around at no cost. Maybe swap for a lawn mow.
  
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  November 9, 2019 9:40am
- igm
  
  What levels the left stoop to when they see someone doing well in business.
  The type of thing Parker and Ardern would stoop to.
  
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  November 9, 2019 10:20am
  - Michael
    
    Just how many years did Parker (as a lawyer) fail to file papers?
    
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    November 9, 2019 10:38am
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    Most have never been in business, so they hate someone successful
    
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    November 9, 2019 3:31pm
- rightoverlabour
  
  Great to see the Police on to it and keeping us safe. I’m sure this kid is a huge threat, compared to say raiding gang headquarters or tracking down rapists.
  
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  November 9, 2019 2:28pm
- stephieboy
  
  Riding his lawnmower to job?
  
  With all the dangers from loose metal and other debris spraying cars and foot traffic!
  
  Jesus wept!
  
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  November 9, 2019 3:01pm
  - Swifty
    
    Facepalm.
    
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    November 9, 2019 4:17pm
- peterwn
  
  Top speed?
  
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  November 9, 2019 5:56pm
mikenmildagain

Also, 250 years ago today, James Cook and Charles Green observed the transit of Mercury from New Zealand (Mercury Bay).
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November 9, 2019 8:59am
- rangitoto
  
  By coincidence, there is a transit of Mercury on Tuesday morning, which will be well underway as the Sun rises. The transit ends around 7:04 am NZDST.
  
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  November 9, 2019 11:06am
chaos

Does anyone else get the feeling this isn’t about cost but more about appeasing certain people. An icon of New Zealand Christmas, sad to see it go.

* This Christmas will be the last for Auckland’s giant “creepy” Santa.

For about six decades, the 18-metre festive icon has towered over downtown Auckland each December.

But storing, maintaining and assembling Mr Claus cost too much – more than $200,000 per year – so Heart of the City said it was a “fitting time” for him to take a “well-earned rest”. *

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/117270890/creepy-santa-sacked-aucklands-giant-festive-figure-to-be-scrapped-after-six-decades-on-queen-st
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November 9, 2019 9:01am
- John Warren
  
  Yep, it’s not the money.
  
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  November 9, 2019 9:15am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  The mentally challenged also said Santa’s beckoning finger was a pedophile signal to children
  
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  November 9, 2019 9:23am
- Harriet
  
  Santa is a white thing, you can’t have white things, white things are racist.
  
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  November 9, 2019 12:04pm
chaos

And finally, I really hope this guy never gets into our health system. Last thing this country needs is a doctor that finds fraud to be acceptable

* The unnamed academic wrote the 500-word post on the UO Meaningful Confessions page to address the “misconceptions about the elective scandal doing the rounds on social media”.

“Fifth year exams are brutal, you are assessed on four years’ worth of content. Therefore, it is only natural that sixth year (students) want to let-off some steam and travel before starting full time jobs as junior doctors. This is why I think it is understandable that some students forge their elective reports,” they wrote.

“In the grand scheme of things it doesn’t really matter if you spend six weeks following a doctor around like a lost dog or only two weeks and spend the remaining four weeks travelling and getting cultural experience and a much needed study break.”*

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/117252089/placement-scam-justified-because-studying-medicine-is-gruelling-student-argues
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November 9, 2019 9:03am
- Michael
  
  good points
  Are the student offenders going to be charged with fraud?
  as that was their intention and actions.
  Do they pass the good character test for medical school/registration?
  
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  November 9, 2019 10:40am
Jack5

More potential fall-out if the Bluff aluminium smelter closes: the port of Bluff.

Alumina in and aluminium out comprises a big part of its business.

That’s what may have prompted the South Port chairman, Rex Chapman to defend Rio Tinto in its complaint about transmission costs. Rio Tinto was well justified in this, Chapman told the South Port annual meeting.

The smelter was built in the 1970s in conjunction with the Manapouri power scheme, with a dedicated transmission line.

Chapman said the book value of the dedicated transmission structure for the smelter was $72 million in 2014.

Transpower has spent several billion dollars upgrading the grid in the North Island, and is now charging customers more to cover this, Chapman said. As a result the smelter operator is being charged $65 million to $70 million a year in transmission costs – almost the book value of the infrastructure.

Trustpower’s accounting record is flaky. How can you trust a State owned entity that tried, without the consent of the owner – the Government – to sell its assets to foreigners in a shonky accounting scheme?
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November 9, 2019 9:08am
- Jack5
  
  Whoops! Transpower’s accounting record is flaky, not Trustpower’s.
  
  Apologies to Trustpower!
  
  The accounting reference relates to Transpower’s sale of the South Island electricity grid. Here are academics Alan Robb and Susan Newberry on the deal in a journal article in 2007:
  
  “In 2003, in a cross-border lease with the Wachovia Bank of North Carolina (USA), Transpower sold the whole of the South Island high-voltage transmission grid to the Wachovia Bank for $701 million. It then leased the operation of the grid back from the Wachovia Bank via the Cayman Islands, a tax haven. This lease back from Wachovia is for 100 years, but the lease contains an option for Transpower to repurchase the transmission grid after approximately 25 years. The repurchase price and conditions have not been revealed. This arrangement is a lease-to-service (LTS) contract, a recent variant of abusive tax-driven arrangements that had been banned in the United States. Tax-driven arrangements are engaged in for the purpose of obtaining tax deductions or tax benefits rather than for any commercial or industrial reason. For the Wachovia Bank, the arrangement most likely would allow it to claim large tax deductions in the United States, in a manner similar to those claimed following the Wachovia Bank’s tax-driven and controversial transaction in Germany with Bochum’s underground sewerage system. The negative effect of transactions such as these on the United States tax base is significant.
  
  “At the time of the Transpower transaction, LTS arrangements were under investigation in the United States, and they have since been banned as tax abusive. That the nature of the arrangement was known to Transpower is apparent because reporting of the transaction in Transpower’s financial reports was delayed during the investigation. The date of the Transpower transaction preceded by days the date from which the LTS arrangements were banned. The tax-abusive nature of such transactions was politically sensitive in both New Zealand and the United States.”
  
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  November 9, 2019 1:01pm
  - peterwn
    
    It was ironic that Transpower, given its 100% Government ownership, allowed itself to be used as a tax avoidance vehicle. But then they kept making people redundant then having to hire them back a few years later.
    
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    November 9, 2019 6:08pm
- peterwn
  
  The Electricity Authority is now effectively the arbiter of power transmission pricing which is very much a political hot potato. There was a situation where very little transmission extensions was done by Transpower since its Board needed strong business cases which in return required strong guarantees from the generator, retailer or distribution network who would benefit from the work. The Electricity Authority effectively takes the risk now as it can allow Transpower to make a return on the investment even if the asset becomes redundant or ‘stranded’ in the future.
  
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  November 9, 2019 6:17pm
Steve Otto(North Shore)

I’ll just leave this here for you TDS fools:
https://trendingpolitics.com/must-see-trump-reads-damning-tweets-from-eric-ciaramella-s-lawyer-live-on-stage/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
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November 9, 2019 9:14am
- JibberJabber
  
  The sheer beauty of not having a career politician for a President,
  https://twitter.com/TheFirstonTV/status/1192857359430901760
  LoL.
  
  11 0
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  November 9, 2019 10:58am
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    Media too dumb to get tat Trump is the best troll!!
    
    5 1
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    November 9, 2019 12:29pm
Steve Otto(North Shore)

This week, there was tons of outrage because Don Jr. tweeted out the name of the Ukraine Whistleblower – Eric Ciaramella.

The media lost their ever-loving MINDS over this, but we were extremely confused as to why that was.

Not only had Ciaramella’s name been out in the public for a full week before Don Jr’s tweet, but it was on SEVERAL big-name websites like DrudgeReport and RealClearInvestigations.com.

Now, big tech companies are taking a huge stance in order to protect this “Whistleblower”.

They are outright DELETING and CENSORING any article that either speaks of or contains the name “Eric Ciaramella” in it!

Here’s what Breitbart had to say about what happened on their Facebook page:

“For example, on Wednesday evening, Facebook removed Breitbart posts reporting on the fact other respected news outlets have reported the identity of the alleged whistleblower is Eric Ciaramella. Any Facebook user who attempts to click on that article on Facebook is now given a message that says, “this content isn’t available at the moment.”

To be clear, Breitbart did not “out” the alleged whistleblower but did provide additional relevant reporting about him; he is, after all, a public figure, having served on the National Security Council. Moreover, his name has been used in the Mueller report (p283) and Ambassador Bill Taylor’s testimony.

Administrators of Breitbart News’ Facebook page began receiving notifications on Wednesday evening stating that Breitbart’s page is “at risk of being unpublished” but were not given any details as to why, or even which posts were allegedly at issue.”

This is not only happening to Breitbart, but this is happening to US as well.

On both of our Facebook fan pages (which have over 1.5 minion fans each), all of our Ciaramella-related posts were WIPED CLEAN overnight.

This is a frightening step towards censorship that we must take a stand against.

If you’d like to help us in our fight against the liberal media, consider becoming a “Patreon” of TrendingPolitics today to support our work and our team!

We’re constantly growing our team and company. Our writers are consistently exposing the liberal media on a daily basis and we have a content & social media army that is working hard to re-elect our President!

Every single month, we will give you metrics that PROVES to you that your money is being used to support Trump and his message! We are not affiliated with his campaign, but we support him fully and we have a Pro trump social media ARMY that you can help support!!!! Our website reaches over 10 million people per month and our social media reach is over 50 MILLION per month.

Admittedly, this is not for everyone. But if you’d like to give to a good cause that is helping promote Trump’s America-First agenda on a daily basis WHILE exposing the liberal media for the scum they are, become a Patron today and support our work!

Either way, stay vigilant and stay aware! We need to stick together if we’re going to re-elect Trump in 2020!!!
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November 9, 2019 9:16am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Comes from a webpage ‘I Love My Freedom’
  
  4 3
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  November 9, 2019 9:27am
- oldpark
  
  Go to duckduckgo. Eric Ciaramella seems is a bosom buddy of smarmy Joe Biden prince of liars .
  
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  November 9, 2019 9:33am
  - Fletch
    
    And Ciaramella’s lawyer, Mark Zaid, tweeted out soon after Trump’s inauguration in Jan 2017 that the “coup has started” and “impeachment will follow”.
    
    So clearly all set up from wayyy back.
    
    https://twitter.com/MarkSZaidEsq/status/826262311560216578
    
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    November 9, 2019 3:41pm
- mikenmildagain
  
  Ho hum.
  The identity of the whistle blower is pretty much irrelevant, given the record of the phone call between Trump and Zelensky, Trump’s own admissions, and Mulvaney’s, and the testimony of multiple officials.
  The only reason the whistle blower’s identity is being publicised is to create another smokescreen.
  
  3 20
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  November 9, 2019 10:13am
  - All_on_Red
    
    Yes, once the Transcript came out and the DOJ ruled there was no problem with the call then that was the end of it.
    Apart from the TDS sufferers going “Reeeeeeeeeeee”
    
    14 4
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    November 9, 2019 11:07am
    - stephieboy
      
      Ivanka Trump says whistleblower’s identity is not relevant
      
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2qQIoP4XbA
      
      LOL
      
      1 9
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      November 9, 2019 3:07pm
      - All_on_Red
        
        When I say ‘yes’ and agree with SM, what didn’t you understand?
        No wonder you get called the ‘hapless halfwit’ and ‘Kiwiblogs Dumbest Commentator’
        So ‘lol’ back at you dummy.
        
        6 2
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        November 9, 2019 3:48pm
      - sooty
        
        Also they named another blog after you!
        You are imortilised, “You Stupid Boy”
        
        5 1
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        November 9, 2019 4:48pm
Lance

Well I am shocked.
Just like when on the extremely rare occasion someone like stephieboy writes something sensible;
Hillary Barry has written that anti-vaxxers are feral and behave like gangsters.
Well said Hillary, I am sure normal service will resume shortly when her far left, grating views will cause me to urgently reach for the TV remote.
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November 9, 2019 9:33am
- Harriet
  
  Yep correct assumption – Barry is speaking out against those who seek freedom. That’s not to say I agree with anti vaxers, but anything in NZ where females are concerned – health and education are prime examples – freedom is to be suppressed.
  
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  November 9, 2019 10:30am
Sofia

Earlier, for some reason seemingly known only to Andrew Little, just knowledge of the name of the man accused of killing Grace Millane could result in an “unfair trial”, or even a mis-trial. A term that the defence lawyer mentioned in subsequent initial reports.

Now we have every minutest detail of the case, from blood splatter on the fridge to the suitcase Grace was buried in, after the alleged killer’s various Internet searches for means of body disposal.

How does this highly prejudicial material now place any new jury should Little’s warning of a mis-trial or unfair trial be raised, because some people knew what the man’s name is?
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November 9, 2019 9:35am
- sooty
  
  I think he’s a muzzie!
  
  9 2
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  November 9, 2019 10:12am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  And why is this trial being given such TVNZ attention?
  There’s numerous murder trials in NZ that have never had such attention.
  
  Is it just that it is close to the MSM headquarters?
  
  19 0
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  November 9, 2019 10:20am
  - chaos
    
    Because if it wasn’t they would have to report more on winston’s trial, which barely gets any coverage
    
    13 0
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    November 9, 2019 10:52am
  - Jack5
    
    Perhaps Tinder is intriguing to many people, and the victim and alleged killer met through it.
    
    Google “murders on Tinder” and up will come a string of links.
    
    3 0
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    November 9, 2019 1:28pm
- KevO'Brien
  
  NZ TV has gone full tabloid.
  
  12 1
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  November 9, 2019 1:09pm
  - Jack5
    
    Tabloid – yes, but Leftist tabloid.
    
    A recent time I turned TV on, a fawing clip of Jacinderella was followed minutes later by a clip of retired National Party MP Steven Joyce being smacked in the face by a dildo (thrown by a Leftist).
    
    They’ve run the Joyce picture and a picture of Don Brash with mud on his face at Waitangi scores of times.
    
    10 1
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    November 9, 2019 1:30pm
lastmanstanding

Just read the post on congestion charges. Can I make a point to the pollies and civil servants.

Why not treat motorists as customers and give them what they want instead of treating them as the enemy to be punished within an inch of their lives.

Reason. Its a monopoly so no need to consider the customer as they have no alternative except to move somewhere else.
Aucklands shambles is a result of 50 years post Robbie of neglect no planning bad planning treating motorists like shit.

Time for the revolution. March on city hall.
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November 9, 2019 9:39am
- Swifty
  
  Do you agree with water pricing in NZ?
  
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  November 9, 2019 9:46am
- mikenmildagain
  
  Don’t you mean ‘drive on city hall’?
  
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  November 9, 2019 10:10am
- niggly
  
  I’m sick of this congestion charge/money-making/tax the people BS! The reason why we have congestion is because people are going to work (en-mass, to start at 7.30, 8.00, 8.30am etc) so why penalise workers? When the roading network is substandard and/or public transport not very good (and fk off Greens, you can’t possibly have buses/rail going to everywhere within greater Auckland so it’s a 5-10minute walk to the bus stop – it’s just impossible to do)!
  
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  November 9, 2019 10:14am
  - Harriet
    
    Ask most parents and employers and they’ll tell you school buses is what will alleviate most problems around roads.
    
    The NZ Intuitive and environmentalists are a bunch of ignorant fools — it’s almost as if school zoning doesn’t exist. 😎
    
    4 2
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    November 9, 2019 11:54am
- KevO'Brien
  
  In some places motorists are now clogging up all the available road space at times. Transport use will have to be rationed or more parallel access ways created. Wellington City has become impossible. Road space is finite. Cars also need buffer space to enable flow.
  
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  November 9, 2019 1:15pm
atomic drop

Bombings in Sweden keep increasing along with the flood of 3rd Worlders:

https://news.yahoo.com/trend-gang-crime-bombings-rock-sweden-040936558.html

“I understand that many people are worried about what is happening, there’s a sense that the criminals’ vendettas are creeping closer to the general public,” he said.”

Haha, the imports are beginning to spill out of the no go zones into native Swedish areas.

Notice there is no reference to race in any of these reports, race is encoded in “criminal gangs” and place names like “Malmo”.

This is what you get when you let your white females take control of your country.
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November 9, 2019 10:04am
- Michael
  
  Atomic
  It is the white females that are being raped!
  WTF.
  80% of attackers are not Swedish born and +80% of victims are Swedish born in Malmo police district. Which is leaking to the media following restrictions on reporting “origins” of offender.
  Malmo the rape capital of Sweden for Swedish boen victims….
  
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  November 9, 2019 10:45am
  - atomic drop
    
    “It is the white females that are being raped!”
    
    It is the white females who are most ardent about “Refugees Welcome”. These “refugees” are overwhelmingly young single ME males.
    
    There has been a big scandal involving white middle age females in Sweden “adopting” these young male migrants and having sex with them.
    
    Sweden is a native female dominated society now, thats why the full on 3rd world #openborders. Any native Swedish guy who speaks out can expect to have his education/career destroyed/bankrupted/imprisoned.
    
    Scantily clad “empowered” blond blue eyed Swedish girls at Summer Festivals” get sexually assaulted by the moslem male imports they demanded be let in. Feminists announce ban on men at festivals because it is a “man problem”.
    
    So like I say -white males, this is how your females punish you for being so weak.
    
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    November 9, 2019 12:46pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  The Swedish gangs must have exhausted their supply of old grenades (from the Balkans)
  
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_grenade_attacks_in_Sweden
  
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  November 9, 2019 11:09am
  - Harriet
    
    “…..The hand grenades found by the police are exclusively the ex-Yugoslavian M75 hand grenade….”
    
    Russian criminal gangs trade ex-military/military weapons internationally.
    
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    November 9, 2019 11:47am
    - sooty
      
      Bugger, they will have to pay more for new ones!
      
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      November 9, 2019 12:06pm
  - atomic drop
    
    “The Swedish gangs”
    
    What is Swedish about them in your view?
    
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    November 9, 2019 12:48pm
- stephieboy
  
  atomic drop, sad for you but it’s all gang-related,
  
  Sweden bomb attacks reach the unprecedented level as gangs feud
  
  Police say lack of fatalities ‘incredibly lucky’ after 30 bomb squad call-outs in two months
  
  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/04/sweden-bomb-attacks-reach-unprecedented-level-as-gangs-feud
  
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  November 9, 2019 2:08pm
chaos

* A cancer expert has created a cow-pox like virus that has killed most types of cancer cells in tests and is expected to be trialled on humans next year.

American Professor Yumang Fong has created the virus, called CF33, and tested it in a petrie dish, where it successfully killed the cancer cells. *

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2019/11/cow-pox-like-virus-that-kills-most-cancers-tested-in-australia.html
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November 9, 2019 10:08am
- MCos
  
  Another one
  
  1 3
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  November 9, 2019 1:03pm
- cut n paster
  
  More importantly – where can you sign up?
  
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  November 9, 2019 2:00pm
sooty

It seems as though Angry and Labour have plans to waste more money at Pike River!
Just think what the Twit Twyford could use that money for. Might even build a house or two!
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November 9, 2019 10:31am
- niggly
  
  Mate, even if you gave money to Twyford (and stuffed a few million into his trouser pockets) he would still stuff up building a house or two!
  
  In fact, the section would still be bare (and full of tumbleweeds) and Jacinda would just smile and say “leave him alone, Twyford is working real hard” don’t ya know!
  
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  November 9, 2019 10:59am
- cut n paster
  
  Winston Pikers
  https://ibb.co/cYLWkgX
  
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  November 9, 2019 3:06pm
Harriet

When was china town ever meant to be the entire city? 😎
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November 9, 2019 10:32am
- atomic drop
  
  When Globalism took over.
  
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  November 9, 2019 12:37pm
Prince

Any progress on Ihumatao ?
Prime Minister Department sex scandal ?
Trevor Mallard’s parliamentary rapist ?
The Karel Sroubek case ?
The petrol pricing review ?

Does any media bother to ask ? Any airport or private home stakeouts like last govt term ? Anyone been ‘suzied’ ?
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November 9, 2019 10:33am
- chaos
  
  Nothing wrong with the price of petrol, just ask the commerce commission .
  
  https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/116973411/high-identical-fuel-prices-in-timaru-not-breaking-rules
  
  Labour sex camp abuser was given his sentence the other day, no mention from the media what if anything he got, prolly has to do lines in mummies office. “I must not get caught next time, I must not get caught next time, I must not get caught next time”
  
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  November 9, 2019 12:08pm
  - igm
    
    Seems as though this pervert has been given similar treatment to a ex-Labour MP who was convicted of dishonesty. He was given lifelong suppression of name and details of the crime, from which he emerged as a winner and lifelong leech in a highly paid ratepayer-paid position.
    This pervert must be named in public along with the irresponsible losers that have made his suppression possible.
    
    9 3
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    November 9, 2019 3:21pm
    - All_on_Red
      
      They’re everywhere
      ‘19,565 COMMENTS
      stephieboy
      Yesterday I was at the Robert Harris cafe St Lukes Megacentre , Mt Albert enjoying a cappuccino. I noticed next door three Muslim women enjoying their lattes with their children . Two of these honeypots .were wearing their Nijabs with stylish jeans and blouses . The other in more typical kiwi informal attire?
      Thumb up 7 Thumb down 36REPLY REPORTAUGUST 21, 2016 8:51AM’
      
      ‘Honeypots’!!!
      And this;
      Jack 5, recently i was at St Luke’s shopping mall and I saw a Muslim lady dressed in traditional apparel accompanied by her two beautiful young daughters dressed in modern western tight jeans and blouses , revealing lovely supple body proportions , including small but ample breasts .
      Thumb up 1 Thumb down 16REPLY REPORTDECEMBER 3, 2015 2:26
      
      6 3
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      November 9, 2019 3:59pm
    - sam green
      
      And who’s the “prominent NZer” up on sexual assault charges, along with his business manager(ess), and the well known entertainer, on attempting to pervert the course of justice? I’m most intrigued about the “business manager(ess)”.
      
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      November 9, 2019 9:06pm
      - sam green
        
        She wears blue I hear.
        
        2 0
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        November 10, 2019 12:28am
  - Morrissey
    
    http://i.imgur.com/wT4XtDj.gif
    
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    November 9, 2019 3:29pm
    - Captain Mainwaring
      
      So that’s the chief dickhead’s contribution for the day.
      
      5 1
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      November 9, 2019 5:05pm
      - Morrissey
        
        No, it didn’t stop there, sadly. Dickhead went on to make several more public appearances that day.
        
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        November 10, 2019 3:03pm
- Paulus
  
  Move on – nothing to see here – the Peter’s fiasco and murder trials are more important.
  Understand Peters off to Japan again next week (to avoid his court case evidence).
  Must like Japanese Whisky.
  
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  November 9, 2019 1:43pm
  - Tony Stuart
    
    Japanese whisky is excellent. I’ve got a bottle of a Suntory single malt sitting in my grog cabinet at the moment, the lid of which will be removed shortly. It’s first class booze!
    
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    November 9, 2019 1:47pm
    - sooty
      
      What, he just come back from there to fill in for the PTPM! I would hope he’s flying commercial!
      
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      November 9, 2019 4:42pm
    - Captain Mainwaring
      
      I totally agree Tony, although I haven’t had any for about 20 years.
      
      1 0
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      November 9, 2019 5:07pm
  - Odakyu-sen
    
    Ralphy knows his whiskeys…
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8K310aZJ1c
    
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    November 9, 2019 8:06pm
Maggy Wassilieff

A few weeks ago one of my neighbours – a 78 year-old widow- was robbed just as she opened her car door upon arriving back at her home which is located at the end of long driveway.
She had just returned from shopping at Pack& Save.

The robber was a young chap (wearing a hoody).

Unbeknownst to my neighbour at the time, is that 2 other neighbours heard & sighted a couple of strange events….One looked up when he heard a loud yell and saw a young chap sprinting up her driveway and getting into a car which was parked a little way down the road alongside an empty paddock; the other neighbour saw a SUV with a female driver drive just past his place then turn and park a little way down the road.

So by the time the cops came to hear the details of the robbery, they were given pretty good descriptions of the waiting car.
My elderly neighbour also mentioned that there had been a couple of ladies behind her in the queue at PacknSave who only had a couple of items in their baskets and she had said that they could go through before her and her full trolley… but they had declined the offer.

So, it was great to read yesterday that the Gizzy Cops had arrested 2 women and a 14 year-old boy – all from the same family – and charged with a string of offences of following elderly women home from supermarkets and robbing them.

http://gisborneherald.co.nz/localnews/4369998-135/robbery-arrests
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November 9, 2019 10:52am
- Swifty
  
  Hyenas.
  
  18 3
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  November 9, 2019 11:28am
  - atomic drop
    
    Racist.
    
    As if Maoris don’t have deal with enough racist attitudes as it is, you have to start comparing them with Hyenas.
    
    Shame.
    
    6 20
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    November 9, 2019 12:35pm
    - Swifty
      
      Mate, I don’t know what ‘race’ they are.
      
      The hyena label applies regardless.
      
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      November 9, 2019 1:25pm
      - stephieboy
        
        Swifty, with you pull the other leg.
        
        1 19
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        November 9, 2019 2:57pm
      - Swifty
        
        Be a man and dig out one racist statement I’ve made on here over 11 years.
        
        Do so and I’ll personally deliver you $100 to Dominion Road.
        
        6 0
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        November 9, 2019 4:19pm
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      The only person the mentioned ‘Maori’ is you. Not even in the news item linked to. So guess who the racist is?
      
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      November 9, 2019 3:47pm
      - Swifty
        
        Thanks.
        
        I’ve seen no mention of race, at all.
        
        I guess atomic has just assumed these offenders are Maori. That’s a bit racist don’t you think?
        
        4 0
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        November 9, 2019 4:22pm
      - sooty
        
        That’s why it wasn’t mentioned! Not allowed to!
        Read between the lines!
        
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        November 9, 2019 4:40pm
    - rightoverlabour
      
      Hmm hyenas are great animals. Don’t know what the problem is.
      
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      November 9, 2019 4:12pm
- Steve James
  
  Just keeping it in the whanau.
  
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  November 9, 2019 11:56am
- Inandout
  
  Maggy, if it is not practical to arm these retired people then perhaps a stun gun might work, providing the person was capable of pulling the trigger. The elderly are so vulnerable to being robbed.
  
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  November 9, 2019 1:30pm
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    It was the surprise factor operating here…
    The guy grabbed her wallet out of her hand before she was completely out of her vehicle.
    Goodness only knows what he would have done to her if her wallet had been on passenger seat or in the back of the vehicle with the rest of the shopping.
    
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    November 9, 2019 3:26pm
    - Shaun the Sheep
      
      Just wondering why you’d target the wallet of someone who’d just paid for a trolley load of groceries. Mine is usually pretty thin by then.
      
      2 0
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      November 9, 2019 6:04pm
      - Maggy Wassilieff
        
        She had taken out $100 cash at the checkout (as she was going out of town for the weekend).
        The wallet held her plastic cards…
        The trio have also been charged with “multiple fraud charges”.
        
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        November 9, 2019 7:25pm
Fletch

Jacinda’s failed gun buy-back makes news on a U.S pro gun site –

https://bearingarms.com/cam-e/2019/11/04/new-zealands-gun-confiscation-shaping-massive-failure/
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November 9, 2019 11:49am
- Harriet
  
  Her Dad, just like Julia Gillard’s – will die of shame. 😎
  
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  November 9, 2019 11:59am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Who writes that shit? Some clown named Cam Edwards.
  ‘ More than 32000 have been returned to the government’
  Returned? Get real, the fucking government never owned them
  
  11 0
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  November 9, 2019 3:54pm
  - Swifty
    
    More crap reporting.
    
    I’m never surprised anymore.
    
    4 0
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    November 9, 2019 4:23pm
  - sooty
    
    A shit daughter and an idiot son in law!
    
    2 0
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    November 9, 2019 4:38pm
septic skeptic

I was quite enjoying the discussion today. Until it stalled. I trust this moderation is culling defamation, incitement to violence, offensive material and posts breaching suppression orders in vast numbers. Maybe not?
6 1
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November 9, 2019 11:57am
Maggie Pie

Heading back home earlier on from Newmarket after indulging in a bit of ‘shopping therapy’ 😛
Called in to drop off a couple of the jam Krispy Kremes to my partners mum for her lunch. I could tell she was a little agitated about something, and she pointed to a headline in the Herald written by finance editor Mary Holm : ‘Should the Rich get Super?’
As ma said, “Who does the silly bitch thinks been paying in millions all their lives so the poor can get it?”

Just saying.
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November 9, 2019 12:54pm
- KevO'Brien
  
  The rich pay the highest tax rates on super as well as GST and any other taxes floating around. If they get 50 cents/$1 left they are fortunate.
  Seeing they pay for many other people treat them nice.
  Means testing is a lot more expensive and a nuisance than the cost of a universal payout.
  
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  November 9, 2019 1:20pm
  - Maggie Pie
    
    Just brought your comment to ma’s attention Kev.
    She said, “Great minds think alike” 😀
    
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    November 9, 2019 2:29pm
  - MCos
    
    ‘If they get 50 cents/$1 left they are fortunate.’
    
    That bought a tear to my eye.
    
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    November 9, 2019 7:37pm
- Morrissey
  
  Actually, working people pay most of the tax. The rich… not so much.
  
  https://i.pinimg.com/474x/a5/f7/bc/a5f7bc5bf2803e7db2ab6ca657435df2–man-vs-funny-things.jpg
  
  3 17
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  November 9, 2019 3:16pm
  - Maggie Pie
    
    That just shows how much smarter they are though Morrey.
    Ma’s hubby set up a number of Trusts many years ago that still have the IRD scratching their heads to this very day.
    
    6 1
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    November 9, 2019 3:54pm
  - mandk
    
    Stupid unregenerate Marxist bollocks, Morrissey.
    
    I suspect you are one of those numpties who thinks someone is a worker if they do a job that is noisy, dirty and dangerous.
    
    6 0
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    November 9, 2019 4:08pm
  - Swifty
    
    In NZ we pay tax on income not wealth.
    
    Please keep up.
    
    I thought you were a teacher. Shouldn’t you know these things?
    
    4 0
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    November 9, 2019 4:26pm
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  I am in a position where I still work (coz I like to) and collect Super. Now I can only do 4 days a week otherwise I get pinged in the next tax bracket. If I was earning more I would end up paying 70 cents in the dollar, yup 70%
  Seems like the Govt wants my job for someone younger who has no idea of how to do the job. 67 now and plan to keep working as long as I am fit and healthy, maybe 75?
  
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  November 9, 2019 4:00pm
stephieboy

Not having a career politician in the Whitehouse has proved to be the country’s unravelling by a man clueless about the business of governance,

“Trump’s debt wave threatens to drown us all — it’s time to turn the tide”

https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/436594-trumps-debt-wave-threatens-to-drown-us-all-its-time-to-turn-the-tide
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November 9, 2019 1:58pm
- KevO'Brien
  
  Turning an economic tide will bring an immediate catastrophe. It will turn and the longer the delay the greater the bubble and the bigger the downfall.
  Ultimately it’s the peasants who pay–the ultra-rich get bailouts.
  
  Trump is just a bystander in the current games.
  
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  November 9, 2019 2:29pm
  - stephieboy
    
    A mere bystander and powerless???
    
    “It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.”
    
    ― George Washington
    
    1 18
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    November 9, 2019 2:53pm
    - Inandout
      
      stephie, more to point in today’s world Washington said.
      
      “If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”
      
      10 1
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      November 9, 2019 3:36pm
      - Steve Otto(North Shore)
        
        You called stupidboy a sheep? How dare you?
        
        8 3
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        November 9, 2019 4:02pm
- Fletch
  
  While Obama doubled the debt before him – unprecedented in all U.S history.
  
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  November 9, 2019 3:50pm
Jack5

We will all be pissed off when the tax goes on overseas internet purchases in a few weeks’ time.

Maybe it will the time to remember the sort of causes our money will be going to – such as this crap: $26 million for an NZ satellite to measure methane leakage around the world. Could we says part of the loot will be a world fart tax.

Time for an NZ version of the Boston tea party.

Green fanatics to gather intelligence for international persecution of farmers:

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2019/11/nz-satellite-to-measure-methane-and-carbon-emissions-from-space.html
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November 9, 2019 2:15pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  No, Jack.. it is not a NZ satellite.
  
  It is a privately owned satellite… owned by a subsidiary of the Environmental Defense Fund.
  https://www.edf.org/climate/how-methanesat-is-different
  
  It is designed to monitor the oil and gas industry.
  
  Somehow NZ has tagged itself onto this project… hoping in some years’ time to get information about our agricultural emissions..
  
  I’m sure it would have been cheaper to design and send up a mini sat (with spectrometer) with Rocket Lab…
  but hey… what’s $26M when you are leading the world to save the planet?
  
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  November 9, 2019 3:37pm
  - Fletch
    
    It’s to monitor methane levels – you know, the woke gas…
    
    3 1
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    November 9, 2019 3:51pm
  - Jack5
    
    Maggy, so it’s even worse.
    
    And Auckland academic Richard Easther saying:
    “…outside of Rocket Lab, this is the beginning of New Zealand’s space programme.”
    
    Pie in the sky …
    
    2 0
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    November 9, 2019 4:26pm
  - Shaun the Sheep
    
    $26m is a lot of children’s raincoats or councillors for mental health.
    They were a prioriddy once upon a time.
    
    5 0
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    November 9, 2019 5:57pm
  - chaos
    
    Why don’t we just copy NASA, use a plane, or even hire their plane to do this. Waste of money from the government that just throws money away like never before
    
    1 0
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    November 9, 2019 8:09pm
Morrissey

Respect for Real Madrid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_3LrFv4Wlk
2 9
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November 9, 2019 3:09pm
Morrissey

“I don’t believe in God, but God gave me this land.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28512uOjeRM
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November 9, 2019 3:15pm
- Captain Mainwaring
  
  Can’t be arsed watching something for 53 minutes so will settle for a downtick because it’s Morrissey.
  
  17 1
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  November 9, 2019 5:13pm
  - Morrissey
    
    Try this then, Cap’n—it’s twenty minutes shorter.
    
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TBBhPUwrCU
    
    0 1
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    November 10, 2019 3:19pm
Straight arrow

WEDNESDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 2019
KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National): Using General Debate to push Sikhism, after withdrawing “leave to move a motion without notice and debate to congratulate the Sikh community on the 550th birthday anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.”

Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi used his General Debate speech to explain why Sikhism is great. Using precious time in parliament to push own religion is disgraceful (whatever religion of an MP). He also indirectly linked Sikhism with Indians, and called out Shane Jones as making hate speech and racist remarks.

He spoke about non-discrimination, but fairly sure his position as an MP is based on National making a decision based on his ethnicity, which he accepted.
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November 9, 2019 3:54pm
chaos

Year of delivery

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u__Mf_5L3YM
1 1
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November 9, 2019 5:21pm
sooty

He’s only a smidgen better than stephie!
2 0
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November 9, 2019 5:56pm
chaos

Well done to Maggie, shame some people are too stupid to actually check before sending a message who they are sending it to

* A keyboard warrior’s comment calling National MP Maggie Barry a “psychopath” backfired after the politician pointed out he had “slagged off” the wrong Barry.

Instead, the comment was meant for Seven Sharp host Hilary Barry after she called the anti-vax movement “feral” on social media earlier this week.

The man’s comment said: “Wow. So the psychopath Maggie Barry MP doesn’t think we own our own body and children over govt?”.

To which Maggie Barry responded: “You realise in your self righteous rant that you’ve slagged off the wrong Barry? In fact I agree with Hilary Barry about the feral anti vaxxers and you’ve just proved her point.”*

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12283773
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November 9, 2019 5:59pm
- nasska
  
  He may have got the wrong reason for calling her a psychopath instead of the wrong Barry. The Godaddled MP has through her rabid opposition to the the Death with Dignity Bill confirmed that she will not concede that we own our own bodies.
  
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  November 9, 2019 6:43pm
greybeard

The $200,000 that the Auckland City Council will save each year by getting rid of the Santa display will no doubt be used to top up their CEO’s salary.
8 0
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November 9, 2019 6:16pm
- chaos
  
  Na, you’ll find in their attack against New Zealand traditions it will go to some immigrant celebrations
  
  Bloody stupid, that Santa is iconic and a part of New Zealand
  
  11 1
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  November 9, 2019 6:35pm
  - Maggie Pie
    
    Last year, my partner recalls the editor of ‘Pink News’ labeled the come-hither finger movement as being…”somewhat erotic'”
    
    3 1
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    November 9, 2019 7:12pm
    - chaos
      
      Maybe to Mrs Claus, oh are we still allowed to call her Mrs, eeek, are we allowed to call her a her?
      
      2 0
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      November 9, 2019 7:57pm
Captain Mainwaring

Will someone from womens’ golf please let me know when Lydia Ko strings two decent rounds together.
Until then I’ll stop wasting my time on lpga.com.
4 3
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November 9, 2019 8:15pm

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