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July 15, 2020 8:00am by Kokila Patel

General Debate 15 July 2020

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General Debate

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Blackface Twin Reverb

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Ok, help me out here.

National got rid of Simon, because he wasn’t connecting with the public, and couldn’t win the middle – which is where NZ elections are won and lost according to knowledgeable KB folk.
We won’t talk abot Todd.
Now we have Judith in charge, and a strong desire on KB for her to drag National back to the right at the expense of Act.

What about the middle, how is Judith going to fare there?

Where exactly is the path to victory??

* I want Labour out as much as the next sane person, but I don’t think this will do it.
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July 15, 2020 8:00am
- The Proper Ghandi
  
  Screw “the middle” – convince them why the Right if right, and don’t move an inch on your principles. The world is politically polarised, so I’m not even sure there is a middle anymore.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:21am
  - Blackface Twin Reverb
    
    There is always a middle – those who have little to no interest in politics and vote on fee-fees about leaders.
    
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    July 15, 2020 8:52am
    - surfing
      
      they dont read kb so dont expect support.
      
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      July 15, 2020 9:16am
      - kowtow
        
        they don’t read
        
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        July 15, 2020 12:23pm
    - Tall Man
      
      That is not the “middle”, that is the extreme left who have “needs”.
      
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      July 15, 2020 9:19am
      - Blackface Twin Reverb
        
        point conceded 😉
        
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        July 15, 2020 9:39am
    - The Proper Ghandi
      
      Someone with “little or no interest in politics” should not even have a vote. But I understand that these people exist. Politics permeates every aspect of society, and isn’t simply one group arguing with the other group on the opposite benches. That is just the tip of the iceberg.
      
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      July 15, 2020 9:40am
      - C J Southern
        
        Equally, I would argue that people who are profoundly fiscally illiterate shouldn’t have a vote either. Unfortunately (or is that fortunately?) that would remove voting rights from about 95% of the country. It would also mean that people would see through all of Labour’s unaffordable empty promises and they’d be gone by lunchtime.
        
        Whilst we’re having this conversation, perhaps we should also tie voting power to lifetime tax contribution? Many say that the rich “should pay their fair share of taxes” when the reality is that they DO pay their fair share … and they pay many other people’s fare shares as well – and yet they don’t get anything more from these disproportional amounts that they pay (they get the same use of roads that they may have paid 50 times more for etc).
        
        Food for thought.
        
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        July 15, 2020 10:51am
    - Loddenthinks
      
      Yup, and therein lies the rub. Political tragics such as us, political reporters and blog proprietors lovelovelove this time of the electoral cycle.
      
      Joe Public and his equally disinterested partner make their decisions on a wide range of factors, most of which bear little relation to reality.
      
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      July 15, 2020 10:01am
      - Blackface Twin Reverb
        
        Exactly!
        and given the current state of the Media, how is Judith going to get enough of those votes to consign St Jacinda of Ardern to the dustbin of history?
        
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        July 15, 2020 10:05am
      - C J Southern
        
        @BTR Interestingly, Newshub are currently running a preferred prime minister poll; last time I checked Crusher was on 49% and St Jacinda was on 51%.
        
        Will be interesting to see how that translates come voting time.
        
        So far Crusher appears to be ticking a LOT of boxes for people. History will tell us if that was enough.
        
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        July 15, 2020 10:55am
    - madamezucchininz
      
      ….at 12.45 the newshub poll on preferred PM has Judith at 54% and Jacinda at 46%….
      
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      July 15, 2020 12:47pm
      - danewzealander
        
        Well I voted 5 or 6 time for JC…..does that count?
        
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        July 15, 2020 2:04pm
  - bruceavon
    
    No. we have a massive “middle”. In a place like the US the middle a swing voters are very narrow. But here it’s massive. Both main parties have gone to 30%. I can’t see National winning with its “base” only. She has to get some Labour votes. But I don’t see Collins going right at all. She has a tough reputation but I don’t think she is any more right than anyone.
    
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    July 15, 2020 8:54am
    - The Proper Ghandi
      
      Bruce and BTR
      Fair points, and I don’t deny there is still a middle. My point was that it has shrunk considerably, and voters can’t really sit on the fence any longer. Those in the middle have to make the move in either direction and stick to it, rather than the political parties coming to them.
      
      We have reached a fork in the road, where you want one of two things: Globalism, subjective morality and permissiveness, extreme liberalism, multiculturalism and therefore disorder; or, Nationalism, objective moral standards, traditionalism, a unified culture and therefore order. I don’t think people have the luxury of going which ever way the wind blows in any given election year, because the above sets of principles have solidified and are mutually exclusive.
      
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      July 15, 2020 9:37am
      - bruceavon
        
        No. We have had the National vote go from high 40’s to 30%. Almost 20%.
        I move widely in the public through work and through family and friends. All ages too. I find older people aligned with parties more firmly. my whole family have voted National their whole lives, apart from my sister. Younger people and friends move all over the place. Many have no left/right thing at all. When younger family members hear my father talking about ‘socialists’ they really have no idea what he’s on about, or they are really not interested. and to win Judith has to get some of these people to vote for her.
        
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        July 15, 2020 12:25pm
  - Komata
    
    TPG@0821
    
    But exactly WHAT ‘Principles’? The Nats haven’t even got ‘Policies’ let alone ‘Principles’ on their web-page (when you can actually even get to see them; they’re now demanding that you sign-up on their FB account before even seeing such ‘policies as might exist), so exactly what are we supposed to be voting for?
    
    Just asking.
    
    Thank you.
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:27am
    - marcw
      
      Perhaps you missed the main one: You can’t tax your way to prosperity. And to support growing the economy by getting businesses working again.
      
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      July 15, 2020 9:46am
      - Blackface Twin Reverb
        
        By doing what, exactly?
        It’s a sound principal no doubt, but how are they going to do it:
        -reduce GST?
        -reduce income and business tax?
        -reduce compliance costs?
        -reduce spending (and in what areas)?
        
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        July 15, 2020 9:52am
    - Batman
      
      The site is down for a refresh. If you sign up it won’t actually let you because it’s admin only.
      
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      July 15, 2020 9:53am
    - The Proper Ghandi
      
      National Party principles exist, but they have been put away in the dusty attic for a time now, as the political climate has shifted leftward. Others have posted them here on other occasions, but basically they are those laid out when the party was formed.
      
      Broadly, promoting the family and the community, individual freedom and self-sufficiency (but only on a solid, coherent social foundation that allows such liberty), keeping the State out of people’s lives as much as possible (but recognising that the State can and should be used for good when necessary), recognising the legacy of the past, and perpetuating it for the as-yet-unborn generations and the like. They would do well to read up on Edmund Burke’s writings, especially the idea of a contract between the past, present and future, and recognising and accepting the imperfection of human nature, instead of bludgeoning society with a utopian vision to hammer out those imperfections, which will fail every time.
      
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      July 15, 2020 10:01am
    - Fletch
      
      Policies? The other day Labour announced they were going in to the election without making any statements on policy. I guess their past policies flopping (Kiwibuild, Kiwi tree plant, elimination of poverdy) haven’t worked out, so why make any?
      
      https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/comfortable-lead-in-polls-labour-going-policy-free-election-campaign
      
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      July 15, 2020 11:01am
    - Komata
      
      Re: Komata@0927
      
      I find it fascinating that I have been downticked 13 times for the evident temerity of asking exactly what policies the Nats have and exactly what they stand for.
      
      Evidently I hit a nerve, but would the ‘Downtickers’ please at least answer my question!
      
      Thank you.
      
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      July 15, 2020 3:10pm
      - marcw
        
        Or you could read my reply? Or TPG’s?
        
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        July 15, 2020 3:21pm
- Classic Liberal
  
  I think she represents hard working, aspirational New Zealanders who want equal rights without all the identity politics crap. Judith in red radio interview demonstrated it: pro capitalism and growth, totally against identity politics.
  
  I hope that is middle NZ.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:25am
  - Blackface Twin Reverb
    
    As do I Classic.
    I do fear that the recent Covid response approval numbers are accurate. and if the government continues to hold that good will, well, it’ll be a difficult tide to turn for any Nat leader.
    
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    July 15, 2020 8:51am
    - nasska
      
      National can take comfort in an old truism.
      
      …..”gratitude is the shortest-lived emotion”……
      
      Even when all we have to thank Labour for is crushing debt.
      
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      July 15, 2020 9:15am
- Paulus Gnome
  
  I have a lazy fiver that says Judith Collins is going to shove ‘How to Do Leadership’ hard bound volumes 1 to 10, up the show pony’s pooper tube.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:28am
  - Blackface Twin Reverb
    
    I’d pay money to see that 🙂
    
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    July 15, 2020 8:48am
- SGA
  
  What about the middle, how is Judith going to fare there?
  
  If the “chatter” on Kiwiblog over the last couple of months is anything to go by, then National has drifted into a “two front” battle. Not only Ardern’s popularity, but ACT has looked increasingly attractive to disenchanted National supporters. Collins should at least stem the flow right, and that by itself is good for National.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:51am
  - danewzealander
    
    Agree….as a long time National supporter I had (almost) made up my mind to vote Act this time around….after last night I am not so sure anymore.
    
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    July 15, 2020 2:09pm
    - C J Southern
      
      I was in EXACTLY the same boat. I wonder how many more there are who think like us?
      
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      July 15, 2020 2:40pm
- Dave Mann
  
  After 34 l o n g months of being fucked over by a destructive, incompetent bunch of neomarxists, New Zealand has finally managed to form an actual political opposition!
  
  It’s gonna be a big ask…. but Judith Collins is the best hope for National and the country as we hurtle towards the abyss of third world failed state status.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:52am
- Isobar
  
  Ignore the middle at your peril. Corbyn found out this the hard way in the UK.
  
  Whether many on here want to believe it or not, elections are won and lost in the middle. Turn off those voters – then you will spend a long time in opposition.
  
  The real concern now in National HQ should be how can we win the middle back. They cannot afford to look too far right because all that will do is destroy the act party and collectively ‘The right’ will be no better off.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:59am
  - Tall Man
    
    There is no “middle”.
    
    Most Kiwis in NZ believe in welfare for those that “need” it. They believe in National Super as a reward for paying taxes to build NZ and create a future. They do not believe in pulling down statues and they believe in equal opportunity for all to become better and wealthier people. That middle has always voted National and will again.
    
    The losers that want a free ride and the jealous academics are the true left who only gained power due to “what’s in it for wynston” sabotaging his own party in his lust for baubles.
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:17am
    - Isobar
      
      Incorrect – if your strategy is to go out that and speak only to people that would have voted National anyway, its a strategy doomed to fail.
      
      If you think that everyone in the general public shares your view of what the middle is – you might want to spend sometime away from the poltical blogs and see what people are actually talking about.
      
      And unfortunately right now the public see NZ re-opened and other countries in lockdown, they see the climbing case numbers and deaths overseas and they look here and see a government that defended them from this.
      
      This might have been luck, but NZ looks pretty sweet right now and the public have no time for negativity.
      
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      July 15, 2020 2:52pm
      - Tall Man
        
        Absolute rubbish.
        
        Sure, there are a small number terrified of covid thanks to ardern’s bullshit but the vast bulk of the people I speak with want the borders open with self isolation on return until tested negative.
        
        People’s reactions to covid are not related to their politics so introducing that as a defining point of the political “middle ground” is incorrect.
        
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        July 16, 2020 8:07am
  - Surely Knott
    
    Politics and leadership aren’t two dimensional. There is more than left or right. There is the leaders personal, energy, charisma, clarity of vision, and communication skills. There are multi dimensional issues. There is a narrative that has been lead by the left that has determined where nz’s centre is, and identity politics and race based policy has been normalised. The right have failed to put forward their story. Judith will do that. She will articulate why a non racist, no identity politics, sensible spending goverment will be best for all New Zealanders.
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:28am
    - danewzealander
      
      For many the X-factor a leader has determines who they vote for.
      
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      July 15, 2020 2:13pm
  - RW Capitalist
    
    Corbyn didn’t lose the middle ground, in fact it had nothing to do with right, middle, left.
    Corbyn lost because he tried to play identity politics, but nobody liked his ascorbic, racist identity.
    Apart from having no workable policies.
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:34am
    - Loddenthinks
      
      And being completely unelectable. like Bernie.
      
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      July 15, 2020 10:05am
    - Lance
      
      I know the Labour traditional voters in Britain felt deeply betrayed by Corbin. He made it plain they mattered less than recent migrants.
      Never piss off your base support.
      
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      July 15, 2020 11:06am
    - Isobar
      
      Corbyn spent the whole time energizing the people who were going to vote for him anyway. He had no strategy for swing voters or even regular working class labour voters.
      
      All i’m saying that for Collins to be energising Kiwiblog voters – thats the easy bit. Its the people who could vote either way she needs to speak to most.
      
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      July 15, 2020 2:46pm
- Aunty
  
  Ok, I’ll play. Judith appeals to grass roots mainstream conservatives, whether they be in National, Act, New Zealand First, or Labour. That’s your path to victory.
  
  NZF just had the last nail driven firmly into its coffin. I’ll see you on that couch with your ne’er-do-well nephews shortly, Shane.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:59am
  - Blackface Twin Reverb
    
    Agree.
    The first thing to do is to get all of the Keep National Honest votes back off Winston First.
    Then they’re going to need something to to start peeling off the soft left vote.
    And at the same time not allow the Media party to paint her as the Wicked Witch of the East.
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:16am
  - Loddenthinks
    
    Look I think ne’er-do-well is a little harsh. Ne-er-do-anything is more accurate, surely.
    
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    July 15, 2020 10:06am
  - Classic Liberal
    
    Judith is not a far-right bible-thumping social conservative. Anyone pro choice or wondering why she voted for decriminalisation of abortion should read her very moving speech re the bill:
    
    https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/HansS_20190808_062700000/collins-judith
    
    She wants equal rights for all New Zealanders, no identity politics and sensible financial decisions. So far I agree with what she has been saying.
    
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    July 15, 2020 2:27pm
- Stephen Russell
  
  To the extent that ideology matters (and it matters less than idealogues like us tend to think), National’s caucus has now decided that they have to rally the base to forestall a rout – for which Collins is ideal. Another newbie, with more centrist leanings, might have a better chance of winning over centrist voters, but would highly likely be another train wreck that would cost votes on every side. Collins might be less likely to win ( highly unlikely anyway), but she is also much less likely to lead the Nats to the slaughterhouse.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:02am
  - Brian McDonald
    
    Agree on that Stephen, instill party discipline. Might be a hard job but is possibly the best way forward long term. I doubt JC could have done it years earlier when she was divisive, but that doesn’t appear to be the case now.
    As much as that may be better for the Nats medium term, I don’t think that holds long term – starting to look a little like an “oldies” party.
    If Judith doesn’t think she’s going to win she could think about pulling the plug on the ACT party, so Nat supporters have no doubt where their votes should go. That would be a bold move that could rally the support base and provide that ruthless look some folks might think is needed in forging ahead.
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:31am
    - Crisplion
      
      “…she could think about pulling the plug on the ACT party…”
      
      Why on earth would she do that? Quite apart from the fact that Seymour would probably win Epsom without any agreement with National, and that his party look to be heading towards 5% in September in any case, ACT will always responsibly support a National government given the opportunity.
      
      A National-led government that includes a resurgent ACT would offer a broad church on social issues and, on economics, ACT would help Collins restrain the impulses of the wetter members of her caucus. Seymour himself is a hard-working, principled politician. I would love to see Collins as PM with Seymour as Finance Minister. I know that probably wouldn’t happen, but making him deputy PM would be an immensely smart move and that could happen.
      
      I’m delighted that Collins has taken the National leadership. Even if she can’t pull it off, I think she’ll articulate an unapologetic centre-right/classical-liberal defence of the values that made our society so prosperous and free. We desperately need that in a National leader right now. In doing so she’d have no greater ally than the good Mr Seymour.
      
      Party vote ACT – Electorate vote National
      
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      July 15, 2020 10:10am
      - Brian McDonald
        
        Glad you like Seymour and are happy to see National shed votes to ACT, which are in part protest votes to keep the Nats honest, votes over objections to gun laws, and to support the right to life debate. But if the positioning was to strengthen the Nats base and avoid a rout, which is what I was commenting on in Stephen’s post, yours is a different perspective.
        The PM has ruled out deals with other parties’ pre-election, so who is playing it tough and building their own base?
        One thing we can be assured of is that JC will do things her own way.
        
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        July 15, 2020 11:09am
      - Crisplion
        
        Fair enough Brian – and for the record I didn’t downtick you. But Collins ought to focus on taking votes from Labour, not ACT, to avoid a rout – an outcome I want as little as you or Collins.
        
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        July 15, 2020 11:32am
      - Isobar
        
        “Party vote ACT – Electorate vote National”
        
        Including in Epsom? 😉
        
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        July 15, 2020 3:04pm
- Tall Man
  
  Downticked for pessimism 😉
  
  “but I don’t think this will do it”
  
  They will if everyone puts aside their pathetic personal objectives and gets behind National and help them sweep this lot into the trash where they belong.
  
  Roll them up into the same carpet they’ve been hiding their filth under for almost three years.
  
  Let’s see new ministers of immigration and police expose the real sroubek story to the people of NZ.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:13am
  - Blackface Twin Reverb
    
    Yes, lets have good, competent government, 100%
    
    not keen on more Labour, but a bit better
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:19am
- rockape
  
  Looking at the newshub leadership poll, looks like she will do just fine!
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:20am
- kloyd0306
  
  The Nats were not in the middle.
  Instead, they have been steadily drifting towards Labour.
  Judith might actually be able to drag them back to the middle.
  You want evidence? Who voted for Muller? That vote was highly questionable.
  ACT still gets my party vote
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:39am
  - Crisplion
    
    Mine too Kloyd but I’ll vote National in my electorate and I wish Collins very well indeed.
    
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    July 15, 2020 10:17am
  - krazykiwi
    
    The middle has been drifting left, and both Labour and National have been like piranhas on a carcass there. The problem has been this: Labour drags the carcass left while feeding, and National just feeds.
    
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    July 15, 2020 10:33am
- Nigel Kearney
  
  They were at 46% with Simon as leader. He is on the right of National politically and Judith has more charisma. Of course circumstances have changed and National are unlikely to win, but it’s not because the ‘centre’ have a natural aversion to the values that National have traditionally stood for.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:57am
  - Isobar
    
    I dont think anyone said the centre has an aversion to Nats.
    
    I think with the right mix of trust, personality and policies they are a fertile ground which can be won over. The problem is right now to most in the ‘Middle” national look like a mess, losing MP’s, changing leaders etc.
    
    Collins will need to work really hard to change that opinion in the electorate and she doesnt have much time to do it.
    
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    July 15, 2020 3:08pm
- rouppe
  
  National has been moving left, so the middle are now right of National. This is why votes sounded like they were peeling off to Act.
  
  National don’t need to “dive right”, as the propagandists will portray it, they just need to realise that they’ve drifted off the “centre” that they purported to represent
  
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  July 15, 2020 12:47pm
Classic Liberal

OK interview on news talk newstalk zb. Not many specific questions re policy. But her final answer, perhaps her trademark and NZ’s trademark to get through these times: “Never give up, just keep going”.

Sounds more useful for the real world than “be kind” and “let’s do this”.

Red radio interviewing old Bolger at the moment, basically trying to push National towards grabbing capital – yesterday he was after a cgt! Don’t listen to Bolger, Judith. Is he a guilty-feeling multimillionaire who red radio will now constantly go to?

Judith now on red radio being asked about ‘diversity’: “diversity of thought most important ” “Being representative is more important than looking representative.” “Representing all New Zealanders”. Asked whether we need tax increases to repay all the loans: NO: “grow the economy, not by ripping money out of people’s pockets, not by hobbling business, not by increasing taxes”.

Finally: “Of course we can win.”

The best thing is this: she was clear and strong with red radio. Deals with the hard questions perfectly
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July 15, 2020 8:02am
- amospicton
  
  Interesting to mull over who the Labour party and in particular the PM would have least wanted to win……pretty sure that’s what they’re now faced with.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:07am
- The Boss
  
  The bad news is that the Greens are again polling at 9% (Roy Morgan). With them back in parliament Nat/Act cannot win.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:22am
  - Captain Mainwaring
    
    Does anyone take any notice of Roy Morgan, apart from Roy Morgan?
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:59am
    - rockape
      
      The Roy Morgan poll takes place over at least a month. Thats how long it takes to get the result they want!
      
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      July 15, 2020 10:42am
      - Nickc2
        
        That’s what happens when the poll only canvases the Labour Party Caucus Room and the MSM on Friday afternoons during their renowned late lunches.
        
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        July 15, 2020 11:50am
- Clyde
  
  Kathryn Ryan’s interview with Judith Collins was, as you would expect, excellent. Good questions, good answers. My pick on this decision is that it is the right one for National.
  
  Two things that need to happen to ensure good support. The total exposure of the Labour cabinet as non-performers below the top three. Allied to this is the exposure of people being promoted to the point of incompetence purely because of their race.
  
  Second, and its already been signalled is the demotion of Woodhouse. This guy will be a total diversion unless he and his actions are dealt with. Judith has signalled that she will be making that decision today.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:51am
  - bruceavon
    
    Yes I heard that. Ryan does all sorts now but she used to be a very good political reporter. She still does the best interviews. Knows her stuff, gives them no room to hide and Judith was pitch perfect. And it’s a shame but I think Woodhouse will be gone. His explanation last week sounded very close to BS, there must be more coming out.
    
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    July 15, 2020 11:45am
Notsofast

Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Shoot from the hip quick draw Collins:

see this :http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1111/S00320/canadian-judge-to-assess-bains-claim-for-compensation.htm
The Simon Power 2013 press release specifically stating that Binnie was appointed to consider the issue of compensation. (“A retired Canadian Supreme Court Judge has been appointed to assess David Bain’s claim for compensation for wrongful conviction and imprisonment, Justice Minister Simon Power announced today”).

Collins response was that Binnie was out of line in making his recommendation. ee: https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/bain-compensation-raw-data-binnie-reports-fisher-report-judith-collins-statement-ck-133945

” Mr Binnie went beyond his mandate. He did not have authority to conclude whether there were extraordinary circumstances, or make a recommendation on whether compensation should be paid.”
Followed up by the Fisher Report which Collins is quoting above. And stating:”Nor was he invited to make any recommendation as to whether compensation should be paid.”

Good luck voting for this woman who also quickly denounced victims of the methamphetamine testing hoax that saw people thrown on the street and their belongings cremated.
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July 15, 2020 8:03am
- KevO'Brien
  
  We have a ton of dirt on your lot too. Fraud for starters.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:21am
  - Notsofast
    
    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
    I don’t have a lot. Jacinda Ardern is doggy deep in the Lundy hoax and must be called to account.
    
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    July 15, 2020 8:25am
    - Paulus Gnome
      
      OM fing God! Do us all a favour, just fuck off and ruin someone else’s day somewhere else.
      
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      July 15, 2020 8:32am
    - RJ
      
      You were guilty
      
      No one cares about you
      
      Move on
      
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      July 15, 2020 8:42am
    - Maggy Wassilieff
      
      Jacinda Ardern was barely out of nappies when Lundy killed his family.
      
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      July 15, 2020 8:44am
      - Chris R
        
        Maggy: A few weeks trying to combat Judith and the [deleted by Mod] pretend PM will be back in nappies which will require changing every hour on the hour!
        
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        July 15, 2020 9:01am
      - igm
        
        Thought she was still in them.
        Her knowledge and behaviour are that of a baby.
        
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        July 15, 2020 9:20am
- yossarian
  
  Binnie also thought David Bain a “credible witness”. There was an obvious reason why Binnie was retired
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:32am
  - Notsofast
    
    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
    Yes. This often happens when New Zealand cases are analysed without local prejudice.
    Simple question.
    Was the muzzle of the gun in contact with Robin Bain’s temple when the single shot was fired?
    
    This is a straightforward
    Yes.
    or
    No.
    
    I hope someone answers this before the thread expires but I do not expect it.
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:45am
    - Notsofast
      
      whoo, downticks come thick and fast, answers less so.
      It is not a trick question, I think Collins should have her feet put to the fire now she plans to control all your lives, not just a poor sucker she either did not research, or saw where the votes lay.
      
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      July 15, 2020 1:06pm
- Weinerpoop
  
  The Binnie report was a farce, I know prison guards that knew Bain in prison and they all believe he was guilty. As for the P houses do you really think that they were all innocent? Collins can and will win this election.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:40am
  - Notsofast
    
    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
    Yes and he was well treated by Judith Collins, not.
    Here is a transcript from the Kim Hill interview
    
    Kim Hill:
    This is Judith Collins now.
    Ian Binnie:
    Yes Judith Collins, and I had a 15 minute meeting, which meant I’d spent about an hour in an aeroplane for every minute I had with the Minister, I had the very clear impression she had not read my report.
    She certainly knew what the bottom line was, and she had a briefing note, which I had been given beforehand, which set out
    3 points, those are the only points that she touched on, and when I responded, one of them was this thing about Michael
    Guest, er, Michael Guest says he’s guilty.
    
    https://www.rnz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=201853679
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:57am
    - sharont
      
      Whatever happened to the “be kind” mantra?
      
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      July 15, 2020 12:45pm
- Bobba Fret
  
  Wow. Why are you so worried? Looks like you will be busy digging up as much from the past as you can over the next few weeks. I thought only Nats did “dirty politics”.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:27am
  - Notsofast
    
    Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
    I am not sure what you mean. Judith Collins is like Muldoon, proud to be nasty. Just the leader we need
    except she is very much in favour of the Chinese takeover.
    
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    July 15, 2020 10:07am
- rouppe
  
  Wow the propaganda machine is going overtime, dragging up stories from 2011.
  
  Maybe we should link to Jacinda’s
  comrade speech.
  
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  July 15, 2020 12:53pm
  - Notsofast
    
    National have always said the system works perfectly well. Amy Adams stated that when Teina Pora was exonerated by the privy council due solely to the endeavours of volunteers. The system never takes cases to the privy council, indeed the system fights till red in tooth and claw to prevent the embarrassment.
    
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    July 15, 2020 1:22pm
- Nookin
  
  Interesting that you accuse Collins of shooting from the hip, Notso. To me, that means gathering minimal info and coming out with guns blazing.
  
  I wonder if you bothered to read the real terms of reference or grabbed the first press release you could find and cherry picked the bits that you liked.
  
  The actual terms of reference required Binnie to decide whether Bain was innocent on balance of probabilities and, bearing in mind that the claim was outside the cabinet guidelines (requiring extraordinary circumstances), whether there were any other circumstances that cabinet should consider when it (Cabinet) decided whether Bain should receive compensation and if so how much.
  
  Awarding compensation was exclusively the prerogative of cabinet, not Binnie.
  
  Collins was correct. You seem to have shot yourself in the foot. Tends to happen when shooting from the hip.
  
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  July 15, 2020 7:22pm
Maggie Pie

Certainly made our day 😀

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ec1iWLhUYAA-KvE?format=jpg&name=small
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July 15, 2020 8:04am
- Rich Prick
  
  My heart just skipped a beat.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:42am
Bobba Fret

Well Judith is finally in charge that should please a lot of people. I believe that will stop the voters flocking to Act, just not sure if she will be able to pick up the middle ground voters where elections are won and lost.
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July 15, 2020 8:04am
- peterwn
  
  The ‘middle ground’ is more important than ‘voters flocking to ACT’. Judith must discern the attitudes of voters who do not make lots of noise than a minority who makes lots of noise on single issue things.
  ACT now seems to have enough political momentum that a party vote for ACT is equivalent to 0.9 of a vote against Labour/ Greens/ Winston whereas in some previous elections a party vote for ACT was a wasted vote being 0.5% of a vote for Labour/ Greens/ Winston.
  At least this time round, voters are more likely to see Greens and NZ First for what they really are, rather than the images they try and portray.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:37am
  - SGA
    
    The ‘middle ground’ is more important than ‘voters flocking to ACT’.
    
    Yes and no – I think that the wiser heads in National will think that they have an outside chance of forming the next government. The next thing worse to “losing” would be to decimated because your base has drifted to ACT.
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:02am
  - Bobba Fret
    
    I’m hoping NZF and the Greens do not make the 5% and are out, although realistically, probably only NZF to disappear.
    I think Act will get a few more seats (3%-4%?) but am hoping National can hold up in the 40’s.
    There is no doubt that comparing front benches is like comparing the All Blacks (Nats) to a school First 15 team (Lab) but unfortunately voters especially the younger ones do not vote on competence or policies, but simply on a nice smile and a friendly face. Many young Labour voters would not be able to name another MP other than Jacinda. Not sure how National combat this.
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:23am
    - DeepBlue
      
      Your last sentence… Nat’s just need to ask that question of them on social media, young people who answer ‘actually I don’t know’ are open minds.
      
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      July 15, 2020 10:12am
    - Random T Person
      
      Fortunately it is us stale, boring, quiet, old folk who rock up to the polls on election day.
      
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      July 15, 2020 10:38am
- Engelbert Humperdink
  
  Collins certainly makes no difference to me I will still vote Act party, and holding my nose will vote National local, because our wet local virtue-signalling and diversity-focused MP is still better than the other side. Not a high bar tho’.
  
  Collins has demonstrated she is against people having freedoms by her performance at the select committee hearings on the firearms theft, and before that, she was all about crushing boy racers’ cars which was a disproportionately costly burden on young people when she was also leaving all the corporate-level tax-thieves entirely alone. Effective penalties are good but they need to be across-the-board not just aimed at people who don’t vote National…
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:38am
- rockape
  
  ACT will take NZ First vote and get around 5%
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:16am
- freethinker
  
  Decisions are frequently made and implemented later. When National supported the Firearms theft legislation and failed to announce policies favourable to the core elector base of Small Business, Farmers & Landlords they lost my party vote to ACT because they lost my trust in them. Happy to electorate vote National but the party vote is gone.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:42am
- DeepBlue
  
  Trends are important.
  
  If Judith takes soft votes from Act to have National rise in the polls to high 30%, then low 40% then so be it. That upward trend will then snowball as a credible vote.
  
  Personally I think Act are best to have 3-5 MPs and not 8-10, this time round. Seymour needs to establish a parliamentary team and learn to lead one this term. He doesn’t need to lose his style by babysitting too many newbies.
  
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  July 15, 2020 10:09am
I remember when

It was the darkest of times and a special meeting was called. They had been described as lacking a plan going forward. What were they to do?
After some discussion and debating of ideas a voice said: “Let’s be the National Party”.
So there was much clapping and a feeling of relief.
Tomorrow is going to be a better day!!!!
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July 15, 2020 8:05am
The Proper Ghandi

While we’re only a few hours in, Judith is already saying all the right things. She wants to “crush” the other lot (which I think the media has seized on as a bad thing, not realising the connection to her the nickname they gave her. Even if she means it literally, that is the correct attitude), and she intends to have “fun” in her role. More significantly, she says she “loves her country” – I cannot recall a New Zealand politician saying that in decades. She wants to “take it back from the other lot.” She should push this patriotic nationalism regularly, and ignore the usual barbs that will come her way from the breathlessly outraged mob – we know what she means.

I am under no illusions that it will be a hard task, but stranger things have happened and I have a lot of faith that Judith is the one to do it, even if it was forced upon the Nats.
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July 15, 2020 8:05am
- Tony Stuart
  
  The Team of Five Million is shrinking by the minute. From all reports, the membership line at National Party HQ was ringing off the hook last night.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:21am
  - Rich Prick
    
    “Team of 5 million”, “bubbles”, “travel bridges” and “be kind”. I’m so over Labour’s kiddie talk.
    
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    July 15, 2020 10:10am
- tf78
  
  TPG – the old saying “Not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country!”
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:36am
  - The Proper Ghandi
    
    Yes, and from a Democrat President who’s outlook would now make him a Republican, and probably an “extreme, far-right” one at that.
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:45am
    - SB2
      
      The Proper Ghandi,
      
      Utter codswallop. A President and his successor who pushed through the Civi Rights Act and among many thingis stopped US Steel raising its Prices.
      
      JFK at heart a Keynesian and a Liberal!
      
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      July 15, 2020 12:00pm
      - The Proper Ghandi
        
        Exactly. The Democrats have now gone so far to the extreme left, those things are seen as right wing to them. They’d nationalist US steel and remove civil rights for non-people of colour.
        
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        July 15, 2020 9:32pm
oldpark

Judith Collins verses Ardern and her has been, and never wases gang of no hopers. Yes Judith Collins will be their worst nightmares.
Also with Judith Collins adult in residence . She will put a brake on how Ardern allegedly sneaks around Schools and Kindys grooming our children to the dark arts of communism /Socialism with a velvet glove and a Honey trap . Just a perception.
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July 15, 2020 8:06am
rouppe

I will be watching very closely the next few weeks to see how things change with respect to Nationals performance.

I just hope Judith doesn’t go into her shell and instead brings some toughness back into the opposition
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July 15, 2020 8:07am
- Isobar
  
  Its all about the policies. We’re all sick of hearing party leaders talk but offer nothing.
  
  Show us why you’re worth voting for Judith.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:03am
  - Komata
    
    Isobar@0903
    
    Exactly WHAT policies? They’re conspicuous by their absence…
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:43am
fightingtemeraire

An educated, well turned out, articulate and with a SoH Leader of the Opposition.

Up against a frumpy, inarticulate, humourless Socialist!!!
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July 15, 2020 8:08am
- Prince
  
  Don’t underestimate what we are up against.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:18am
- barnacle bill
  
  You should not talk about Gerry like that.
  It is not fair.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:52am
MT_Tinman

This disgusting, incompetent government must, for the sake of all New Zealand, be cut off at it’s knees.

Go girl (and boy), go get ’em!

Take no prisoners!

Of course Judith and Gerry, if you don’t succeed, that last instruction will be the one issued to the NZ Police in the next few months.
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July 15, 2020 8:08am
- the deity formerly known as nigel6888
  
  Whoops downtick. Sorry
  
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  July 15, 2020 10:56am
Wangas Feral

I am just hoping that she stands for something. I am sick of national leaders who seem to stand for nothing and roll over every time the outrage media attacks them – which they will at every opportunity.
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July 15, 2020 8:10am
- Classic Liberal
  
  Listen to this mornings rnz interview. She’s already kicked identity politics down and spoken for growth vs higher taxes.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:31am
  - Jimmy White
    
    The Labour party are getting a good return on their $50m by the musings in this mornings Radio and Newsprint are anything to go by.
    TTB
    
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    July 15, 2020 8:58am
    - NoCash
      
      You meant OUR $50m.
      
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      July 15, 2020 12:19pm
- arkhad
  
  Her 28min interview with Katherine Ryan gives a very clear picture of her intentions. https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucm56LmNvLm56L3BvZGNhc3RzL25pbmV0b25vb24ucnNz/episode/ZjFmOWQ0NjctOTk0Zi00YWI5LWEyZTctOTU1Y2I1YmQ0NjBm?hl=en-NZ&ved=2ahUKEwiw0tmW5M3qAhUN7nMBHSSPCBkQieUEegQIChAI&ep=6
  
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  July 15, 2020 10:26am
  - Classic Liberal
    
    Very good. Would have preferred not to hear Katherine’s breathing like she was running up a hill!
    
    Interesting: Judith says “I’m socially liberal, economically conservative”.
    
    Absolutely awesome!
    
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    July 15, 2020 4:37pm
    - Scooter
      
      I noticed the heavy breathing too, sounded like annoyance that JC was giving all the right answers and not deflecting like JA
      
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      July 15, 2020 11:18pm
mjw

Shall we play front bench rankings? I reckon

Collins
Brownlee
Goldsmith
Bridges
Kaye
Reti
Upston
Mitchell
Simpson
McClay
Muller
Lee
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July 15, 2020 8:15am
- Tony Stuart
  
  I certainly agree that Dr Shane Reti is likely to succeed Michael Woodhouse at National’s Health spokesman. I also believe Amy Adams will stay on the front bench, possibly at Melissa Lee’s expense.
  
  And if National becomes the Government in September, I would expect Gerry Brownlee to take Trevor Mallard’s chair. In the meantime, Gerry’s tough love skills will be put to good use, and he will quite literally sit on any MP who leaks or is otherwise disloyal 😀
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:26am
  - hullkiwi
    
    Tony, I agree with your analysis of Brownlee’s role. It will be to ensure discipline & unity in message and in actions. Something that had been sorely missing in recent weeks, but is definitely needed in the coming weeks.
    
    And just to keep him amused he can out Kelvin, semi-permanent resident of the witless protection programme.
    
    Ps. In the dying weeks of this Parliament, I wonder if he’ll play Mallard also?
    
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    July 15, 2020 8:40am
  - KevO'Brien
    
    Let Nick Smith have the Speakers role.
    
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    July 15, 2020 8:54am
    - Two bob
      
      Revenge would be sweet tasting for Nick Smith.
      he would make a great speaker and would be halarious if mallard tries the smallest bit of shinanagins.
      
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      July 15, 2020 9:00am
      - tf78
        
        I do think Nick would be a little more professional than that – it would be delicious though.
        
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        July 15, 2020 9:56am
    - G152
      
      And watch Mallard quit Parliament very very fast
      
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      July 15, 2020 9:04am
    - Libertarians are right
      
      And give leader of the house to Simon.
      
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      July 15, 2020 9:06am
      - KevO'Brien
        
        I nominate Simon Bridges for Attorney General.
        
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        July 15, 2020 12:24pm
    - Nickc2
      
      Now that would be interesting! Just imagine the fun he could have if Mallard was back on the opposition front bench. I doubt there would be any love lost between the two of them.
      Bring it on!
      
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      July 15, 2020 12:06pm
  - Bobba Fret
    
    I wondered if Nick Smith would become speaker (although i agree, Brownlee would be far better).
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:11am
  - freethinker
    
    Looking at Amy Adams on last night TV replays of Mullers initial TV appearances she looked sad/disappointed and may have been regretting coming out of retirement. Hopefully she will now have renewed faith and energy in removing the socialist scum and driving NZ safely through the coming storm.
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:50am
- Luke Piewalker
  
  @ mjw Lets play competent Labour front bench
  
  Ardern (as long as she’s at a kindy)
  …
  …
  …
  …
  Daylight
  …
  Davis/Mahuta/Clark/Lees-Galloway/Twyford
  
  … mmmm maybe we shouldn’t play this game
  
  Labour really are that useless
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:34am
  - Swifty
    
    The force is strong in you Luke.
    
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    July 15, 2020 8:56am
    - Bobba Fret
      
      And when Judith meets Jacinda:
      
      JC: “The circle is now complete. I am the master now”.
      
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      July 15, 2020 9:10am
- RJ
  
  Well she basically said last night she is not going to change much because we are so close to an election and they need to focus on that, basically the changes will come from her and Brownlee moving up and having to fill their portfolios. So don’t expect much change
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:44am
- RW Capitalist
  
  now make the comparison with CoL ministers
  https://dpmc.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2020-07/ministerial-list-02-jul-2020.pdf
  Like the All Blacks playing the local kindergarten 15.
  
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  July 15, 2020 10:24am
Tony Stuart

Well, my 65th birthday is certainly off to a better start than my 64th. This time a year ago, I was gutted at New Zealand’s heartbreaking loss in the Cricket World Cup final.

Today however everything is much brighter. The National Party has voted Judith Collins to be their leader. a prospect which I thought unlikely to ever happen up until 8am yesterday morning. Then to top it off, I unwrapped a copy of Pull No Punches this morning! I just need the Gold Card to arrive now, not that I’ll have any spare time to enjoy it until after the election; there’ll be no rest until the Ardern administration is consigned to history, and the Rt. Hon Judith Collins becomes Prime Minister of New Zealand 😀
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July 15, 2020 8:17am
- hullkiwi
  
  Judith has also started well with a good interview on RNZ.
  
  She has already got our opposites on the Standard and in feedback to RNZ in a state. I say this because rather than debating her message, they are slinging mud at her. That is shooting the messenger rather than the message.
  
  Or in other words, playing dirty politics. Words like pot and kettle come to mind.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:24am
  - hullkiwi
    
    Ps Tony, happy birthday, let us hope the next 2 months brings some joy too!
    
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    July 15, 2020 8:42am
- Paulus Gnome
  
  Happy birthday, best wishes and congratulations Tony S!
  
  Welcome to the Gold Card beneficiary club!
  
  To paraphrase Billy Connolly on turning 60: Never pass up a chance to have a pee,
  Never waste an erection, even if you’re on your own,
  Never trust a fart.
  
  Go JC! Give it to the show pony!
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:25am
  - RF
    
    After recently having a colonoscopy I can relate to never trust a fart.
    
    Believe me !!!!!
    
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    July 15, 2020 8:51am
  - Swifty
    
    I went to one of Billy’s shows in Wellington years ago, must have been the mid 80s or thereabouts.
    
    Pam had sprung him in the shower skinning his lizard and he was all “Dammit woman I’ll wash my willie as fast as I bloody well want to!”
    
    Heh.
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:00am
- alex Masterley
  
  Happy Birthday Tony. Enjoy yourself.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:27am
- mandk
  
  ‘Rt. Hon Judith Collins becomes Prime Minister of New Zealand’
  
  That will be a great headline, although it would make the lefty media choke on their kombucha.
  
  And belated happy birthday wishes. You and I have the same birthday, but I am a year older than you.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:27am
- Aliog
  
  Happy birthday, Tony – hope your day keeps getting better and better 🙂
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:36am
- Captain Mainwaring
  
  Tony, I trust you have a more enjoyable birthday than I did yesterday. Spent it on my own (Mrs. M is away visiting grandkids) with a nasty head cold.
  Couldn’t even celebrate.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:41am
  - Tall Man
    
    You can “always” celebrate Captn …. You just need a little commitment.
    
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    July 15, 2020 8:57am
  - Tony Stuart
    
    I’m sure you could have had a wee medicinal Captain 😀
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:20am
    - Captain Mainwaring
      
      Well yes I did, but I couldn’t go to the club coughing and sneezing.
      
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      July 15, 2020 10:07am
- Engelbert Humperdink
  
  Congratulations on your birthday Tony. Achieving your seventh decade on the planet and being halfway to the next is great!
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:41am
- Poppa
  
  Happy birthday Tony
  
  I wouldn’t get too excited about the gold card old boy, I am yet to use mine
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:46am
  - info@cruzpro.com
    
    I agree that the Gold card is not all that useful. Eight years after attaining the Gold card the only thing it was useful for was a reduced price of a movie ticket.
    
    I must be doing something wrong!
    
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    July 15, 2020 6:47pm
- andrew davies
  
  Cheers Tony
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:46am
- Tall Man
  
  Happy Birthday old man 🙂
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:56am
- RW Capitalist
  
  Happy Birthday ….21ar as around here we start counting the alphabet after 21.
  
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  July 15, 2020 10:27am
- lofty
  
  Happy birthday mate.
  
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  July 15, 2020 11:48am
JibberJabber

NZ journalism 101,
From the Twitter,
This is the quality of political discussion by our media…

Hilary Barry: And how did they look when Nats walked into their emergency caucus?

Jessica Munted: One had their hand in their pocket.
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July 15, 2020 8:17am
- Tall Man
  
  Wankers the lot of them.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:54am
- Bobba Fret
  
  That’s hilarious! One had their hand in their pocket!
  Oh…and some didn’t have their hands in their pockets!
  What a waste of space she is although I do prefer her to Tova but that’s not saying much.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:08am
- RJ
  
  One hand in the pocket was mentioned last night by Tova as well to portray he was relaxed
  
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  July 15, 2020 12:43pm
niggly

Heard a Chris Trotter soundbite on Newshub news, with him saying in effect that “National only elect women leaders when they are desperate”.

Seriously Chris? Take a look at your own comrades – Labour selected Helen Clark in the 90’s after Labour were in the doldrums and Labour selected JA when Angry Andy tanked Labour’s support into the 20%’s!

What a silly comment Mr Trotter!
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July 15, 2020 8:19am
- Paulus Gnome
  
  ‘Another silly comment Mr Trotter!’
  
  You’re welcome.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:36am
- yossarian
  
  I normally have a lot of time for Trotter, he seems an old school leftie…not some middle class Chardonnay socialist. But he has been way off track lately. He simply adores Jacinda but never actually says why.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:38am
  - Nickc2
    
    He has probably been taking Billy Connolly showering lessons. If in doubt, refer Swifty post @ 9:00AM.
    
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    July 15, 2020 12:22pm
- Frank Thomas
  
  The Left are worried. They are scared of Judith so just wait for every dirty trick they can think of to try and discredit her. What a lying bunch of hypocrites! Imagine the howls of protest and calls of misogyny and dirty tricks if anybody dared try that with Ardern. Bring it on I say……..can’t wait for the leaders debates.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:49am
  - alloytoo
    
    Already they’re desperately bringing up “Dirty Politics” and Judith just uses it as an opportunity to push her own “Much better” / “accurate” book.
    
    Classic.
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:46am
  - Nickc2
    
    [Deleted by Mod. Post it on your own blog if you wish.]
    
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    July 15, 2020 12:24pm
Durden

What a surprising twist yesterday was.

I am going to re-post a comment I made during the May spill about Collins and Brownlee which was, surprisingly to me, down ticked to pink. I can only assume that there are a lot of Labour supporters on this site who were always running scared of the new National team leaders. Hence down ticks. If only we could see who they were as DPF no doubt can 🙂

https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2020/05/general_debate_20_may_2020.html/comment-page-1#comment-2719464

All Labour have to attack with is crises manufactured by themselves. That Collins went after Adam Feeley–Hagar’s effort, officially discredited, Oravida–John Key did have to let her back in.

The worst slur they can come up with repeatedly is that she is polarising. Well the National party caucus seem to be now united behind Collins as much as the wider National supporters have been for a long time.

So it is game on. I just hope that someone can buy up NZ Herald, ideally for a dollar like the other lot. Maybe Stephen Joyce will get back into his old stomping grounds in NZ media. We do really need some balance in the media.

On this day Paddy Gower can have his say:
https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2012/12/gowers_mp_of_the_year.html

While choking on his breakfast fruit loops.
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July 15, 2020 8:20am
- alloytoo
  
  All labours “attack” fronts demonstrate how useless Ardern is at discipline and how good Key was.
  
  Bit of an own goal really.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:48am
Two bob

well I guess judith will be dusting off her big crusher and get ready to fill it up with labours policies and jacindas style.

I hope she rules the party with an iron fist and gets them all into line to unify them and cut the crap and infighting thats going on behind the scenes.

cant wait for the judith vs jacinda debates its guna be interesting.
think quite a few firearm owners wont forgive her for her select commitee performance but other then that at least the party made a wise move which they havent done for a few years.
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July 15, 2020 8:20am
- RRM
  
  If firearm owners stick with ACT that is a good thing, not a bad thing! 😉
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:28am
  - Engelbert Humperdink
    
    Damn right skippy!
    
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    July 15, 2020 8:42am
  - Tall Man
    
    I am a firearms owner and the “fact” that ACT says they will support us pales into insignificance when you look at their position on “climate change”.
    
    Very easy to promise the moon when you will never be called to deliver it.
    
    Watch their bottom lines fade away if they are ever part of a coalition.
    
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    July 15, 2020 8:51am
    - Engelbert Humperdink
      
      Tall Man: you could well be right, of course, it’s politics Jim as we know it.
      
      Yes, I am a little long in the fangs to to be this naïve, but Seymour has struck me as someone trustworthy. Of course, the people who surround him, their mileage may vary.
      
      Also, climate change may become less of a thing when we move from a slowed economy to budgetary haemorrhage.
      
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      July 15, 2020 9:16am
    - RJ
      
      That’s the problem people don’t get with the small parties, they promise so much then only achieve very little of those promises. People spouting out what a greens, act, bla bla government will do never understand they will never do it.
      
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      July 15, 2020 9:17am
    - RRM
      
      Tall Man so I guess your choice is:
      
      1) Act who might let you down?
      
      2) National who already sold your interests out to avoid upsetting the woke brigade?
      
      3) A new conservative party that has never even been in parliament let alone government?
      
      4) those well known gun ownership rights supporters in the left?
      
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      July 15, 2020 10:52am
      - Tall Man
        
        I still own my firearms as I didn’t own any that were deemed illegal.
        
        I’m not thrilled about the way the whole thing was handled but only a fool would have countered that argument at the time. Maybe things will improve when we have a few less “karens” squawking about the place.
        
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        July 15, 2020 9:59pm
  - Two bob
    
    yup my party vote will remain with act for the foreseeable future.
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:02am
- freethinker
  
  Two Bob – Judith can redeem herself over the firearms fiasco easily, just say I made an error of judgement and will now fix it – sorry NZ legal firearms owners. The double whammy would be showing up arderns total inability to apologize for something SHE did wrong, mean it and fix it.
  
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  July 15, 2020 10:33am
RRM

After a moment to reflect,for me as an ACT voter and big fan of David Seymour, I think yesterday was good for New Zealand.

Simon Bridges was sleepwalking to election defeat. Todd Muller bumped the Nats 9 points in the polls but it was hard to see him continuing that for a win. He just lacked x-factor.
So if yesterday didn’t happenwe were 100% headed for another Labour term.

Whereas with Collins at least there is the appearance of a chance now.

She is the leader a lot of National supporters have been fantasizing about for years. Someone who will take the fight to them, not get drawn into woke talking points about intersectionality and privilege and end up looking sheepish about owning a MAGA hat on live tv.

Is she what the public wants? Who knows… but the nats desperately needed to roll the dice and now they’ve done it, albeit in a pretty chaotic way.
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July 15, 2020 8:21am
Paulus

It is difficult sometimes to say “I am sorry – I made a mistake” even to yourself.
Nevertheless for Todd Muller to say that to himself his family and the National Party must be very difficult.
It shows the integrity of the man and am disappointed that the media have not really had the decency to acknowledge this fact – what is more they are revelling in it as a scalp in their caps although they did not expect it.
The fact that the media are in effect corrupt is shown by the use of the $50,000,000 gifted to them by Labour to denigrate everybody else in winning the election.
What a sad indictment of what we are experiencing today when any decency has gone out of the window on favour of power and money.
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July 15, 2020 8:21am
- Tall Man
  
  48 hours before the lies start.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:46am
  - KevO'Brien
    
    ODT has already one about last nights meeting–there’s a partial admission further on that they had no actual knowledge of what the reported as fact but muddied over.
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:02am
- niggly
  
  Well said. Although I had (mostly) refrained from talking about Todd Muller since his leadership coup (grrr), let may say this – the MSM have treated Todd Muller despicably with day after day of bullshit headlines and commentary knocking the man – probably 75% of it wasn’t deserved.
  
  And I note that the same MSM turned a blind eye to Jacinda Ardern’s leadership failings (with the MSM attacking her poorly performing MP’s but barely any criticism against her appalling leadership).
  
  If the MSM applied even half the toxic criticism (they applied to Muller) to Ardern instead, she too would have resigned under extreme stressful pressure (after all she acknowledges she is an “imposter” in the role). But instead the MSM protect her – go figure.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:48am
  - marcw
    
    Hopefully the media have shot themselves in their collective feet. As you say, their unrelenting criticism of Muller has now resulted in a new ballgame completely. I wasn’t ever confident that the Muller/Kaye team would be able to have any chance of success in September. That has now changed, and most of that change has been as a result of the medias’ dirty games.
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:15am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  what is more they are revelling in it as a scalp in their caps .
  
  And that is what I will remember.
  
  Our Media are happy to destroy individuals… not just politically, but personally.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:06am
  - KevO'Brien
    
    We have $50M to get back from them in compo.
    
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    July 15, 2020 12:26pm
Justitia

In the words of the beautiful chanteuse of the Far North, Celine Dion:

“I was waiting for so long
For a miracle to come
Everyone told me to be strong
Hold on and don’t shed a tear
Through darkness and good times
I knew I’d make it through
And the world thought I had it all
But I was waiting for you
Hush now
I see a light in the sky
Oh it’s almost blinding me….

Let the rain come down
And wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul
And drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls
For a new sun
A new day has come”

Labour will be trembling in their beds. Watch the miasma of “kindness” evaporate like a stale fog before the approaching gale.
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July 15, 2020 8:22am
- Tall Man
  
  I give it 48 hours before the “leaks” and “dirt” start on Judith.
  
  tova and others will be furiously interviewing their keyboards.
  
  “Opinions” trump reality when reality doesn’t suit the desired outcome.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:45am
  - Tony Stuart
    
    They’ve already started TM…
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:21am
- mark15
  
  Spare me,please.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:46am
- rockape
  
  Dont wait for a miracle, get off your arse and get out there and make it happen.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:08am
JibberJabber

Thomas Sowell

The self-flattery of the vision of the left gives its true believers a huge ego stake in that vision which means that mere facts are unlikely to make them reconsider, regardless of what evidence piles up against the vision of the left and regardless of its disastrous consequences
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July 15, 2020 8:22am
- alloytoo
  
  I’ve been watching some of Mr Sowell’s interviews on youtube.
  
  The clarity of the man’s thoughts is breath taking.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:56am
  - Romney
    
    He has a remerkable ability to condense broad, complex concepts to a few key phrases.
    
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    July 15, 2020 10:11am
    - Random T Person
      
      If you read Sowell’s books, you’ll find he introduces everything from a point of assuming the reader knows nothing about it, which rapidly brings you up to speed on principles before getting into nuances. Hugely insightful and valuable. Everyone should at the very least read ‘An Introduction to Basic Economics’. It’s a manual on how the world works.
      
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      July 15, 2020 10:44am
- SB2
  
  Thomas Sowell clartiy of thoughts?
  
  Obama- Hitler Comparsions
  
  Segregation in Public Schools
  
  Supported the Iraq war 2003
  
  New Deal Denialism- Pseudo history
  
  etc, etc ,
  
  https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Thomas_Sowell
  
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  July 15, 2020 12:10pm
  - alloytoo
    
    Fair to assume you’ve not watched any of his interviews on youtube then….
    
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    July 15, 2020 1:53pm
  - Surely Knott
    
    Urban dictionary defines Rationalwiki – “Online wiki devoted to propagating left-wing ideals without explicitly stating so. The title “Rational Wiki” is deliberately misleading, as it implies a logical, unbiased, emotionally detached approach when the site reads like a hotly opinionated liberal blog.
    According to RationalWiki, “reality has a liberal bias,” not them.”
    
    https://www.google.co.nz/amp/s/www.urbandictionary.com/define.php%3fterm=RationalWiki&amp=true
    
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    July 15, 2020 8:43pm
fernglas

Is it just me, or do others wonder at a sharemarket that keeps rising, a housing market that is holding its own, and a media attitude that all is well for the future? I look around and see record unemployment, a collapse in tourism, emptying out of the CBD and zombie businesses about to start littering the landscape. I see an emboldened China, a fractured US and our own country seemingly determined to retreat into its shell and lock out the world. Am I getting it wrong?
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July 15, 2020 8:23am
- Paulus Gnome
  
  It is the soothing drugs we are being fed by the gubbermint. When the ‘support packages’ injected directly into mainstream new Zealand wear off in September, the black dog will descend.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:41am
- Tall Man
  
  I think you are getting it a little bit wrong.
  
  The media thrives on “bad” not “good” news so only the bad bits are being reported.
  
  The whole world is a little fractured but that is merely a reflection of the excess coverage given to the nutjobs on the left and the media’s portrayal of some on the right.
  
  Eg: tarrant is portrayed as a right supremacist yet anyone who has even glanced at his ravings will see that he is an eco warrior and is as left as it is possible to be.
  
  Social media is not the world and the vast bulk are just shutting up and getting on with their lives here and everywhere else.
  
  You are right about the sharemarket and housing values. There is a problem there for sure.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:42am
- Engelbert Humperdink
  
  I see the equivalent of the “phony war” in terms of the NZ as well as the global economy, the late 1940s equivalent when the job war gets real is not far down the road, for us productive net-taxpayers personally.
  
  And yes, China is certainly emboldened and stroppy, on the other hand, with all the flooding going on and 38 million people said to be under evacuation orders yesterday, and the three Gorges Dam looking shaky literally and figuratively, they may not be in quite the sweet spot they think. If they lose the mandate of heaven in the eyes of the populace a civil insurrection is not impossible despite their iron fist.
  
  The US is fractured, but, we live here 🙂
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:44am
- KevO'Brien
  
  You are seeing the mirage. Central bank money printing is rife. Value now has no relationship to price across many asset classes. Asset prices will move with the money supply.
  
  This can’t last, but don’t speculate against it. This wild ride may still have some years to go. Protect yourself as best you can.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:12am
- cmm
  
  China, emboldened yes.
  USA fractured? Maybe far less than what you see through the media filter.
  
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  July 15, 2020 10:48am
- Sacha
  
  @ fernglas -no, you are not alone, but anyone who remembers the 1970-80s will be quietly making adjustments to their financial affairs. My family, who are all in their mid/late 50s, have been doing so for the past 18 months. Just when they had expected to be able to expand their lifestyles, they decided to hunker down – and now they are feeling vindicated.
  But they also feel secure.
  The under 40’s, who have mortgaged themselves to the hilt, and maxed out their credit cards, and have never known economic hardship, are in for a rude shock.
  
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  July 15, 2020 12:15pm
artemisia

The ‘middle’. Law of averages says half are going to tend a bit towards the conservative side. And more might well figure that a Labour/Green government in September ain’t going to be anywhere near the ‘middle’.
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July 15, 2020 8:25am
- Classic Liberal
  
  And National’s ‘conservative’ doesn’t mean sexist or racist. It just means respect for individual rights and private property.
  
  Sounds like middle NZ to me. Real people, working hard, aspirational, not interested in identity politics.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:47am
I remember when

Just watching Tova O’Brien on TV3 talking to Duncan Garner.
If these Political Commentators really know so much about everything why don’t they tell us what is going to happen beforehand.
Oh!, I know it’s because it’s only their opinion, of how things are going to work out.
It was however interesting that she wasn’t prepared to say National couldn’t win. That was probably not the case yesterday.
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July 15, 2020 8:25am
- RJ
  
  she declared Brownlee was the deputy before a deputy had been voted on, Brownlee thanked her for that
  
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  July 15, 2020 12:49pm
Maggie Pie

And I see where a number of people on Twitter are expressing their concern about Simon’s health….

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ec38P2JUcAAp0N_?format=jpg&name=900×900
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July 15, 2020 8:26am
- plc
  
  Looks nothing like Bridges
  
  11 0
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  July 15, 2020 8:51am
  - RJ
    
    No one said it did
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:07am
    - plc
      
      That’s the joke…….sigh
      
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      July 15, 2020 10:38am
      - RJ
        
        You need to keep your day job then
        
        4 2
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        July 15, 2020 12:49pm
  - Maggie Pie
    
    But he does have talent 😀
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:11am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  That’s what happens when you go vegan.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:10am
KevO'Brien

NZ’s on its way again. Time to dig all those hidden pesky wannabe commies out out their burrows.
☑️☑️Yeah!☑️☑️
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July 15, 2020 8:27am
rangitoto

News Hub Poll

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/07/poll-who-would-you-prefer-as-prime-minister-judith-collins-or-jacinda-ardern.html
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July 15, 2020 8:28am
- Engelbert Humperdink
  
  Good grief sir, kindly provide a health warning next time! I clicked on that & the face of Hellun Klark appeared…
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:45am
- hookerphil
  
  48% Collins 52% Ardern That is very promising considering Ardern’s previous heights.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:12am
  - cmm
    
    … and the silent Tory effect
    
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    July 15, 2020 10:51am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  Judith running at 48%
  Jacinda at 52%
  9:12am
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:12am
  - Tony Stuart
    
    Up to 49/51 now.
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:23am
    - DeepBlue
      
      Judith at 51% 10.30am.
      
      Jacinda is going to have to end her holiday and start work. She will be splitting into her soy, decade.
      
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      July 15, 2020 10:30am
      - Paulus Gnome
        
        Back to 49 / 51 at 11.08 so I voted again.
        
        Fraser House glidetime must have kicked in . . .
        
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        July 15, 2020 11:10am
Lance

It was hilarious watching Chris Trotter spit bile at National and Judith Collins this morning. He left no put down unsaid, no slight unmade.
He was literally squirming in his seat.
Going so far as to spout forth that Cindy will have Collins laughed off stage during the campaign.

Comedy gold
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July 15, 2020 8:32am
- Engelbert Humperdink
  
  Whatever makes a lefty lament is generally a good development.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:46am
- Bobba Fret
  
  That is a good sign. Chris Trotter is genuinely worried as just like Mallard at question time, they know the princess needs to be protected.
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:54am
- KevO'Brien
  
  Has Trotter finally broke too.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:14am
RJ

I did find it funny last night on Newshub they were talking about how this is now Judith and Brownlee against Cindy and Robertson, someone had to be reminded that it wasn’t Robertson but Davis. I really cannot see Davis doing any debates and Brownlee.
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July 15, 2020 8:47am
- MCos
  
  Winston, crook and all that he might be, is still the Deputy PM.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:07am
  - RJ
    
    No really. Who would of guessed, but hey genius, the deputy of labour is Davis.
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:15am
    - Captain Mainwaring
      
      Kelvinator Davis used so much of his limited brainpower learning to speak Te Reo there was nothing left for anything else.
      
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      July 15, 2020 10:15am
  - KevO'Brien
    
    Health or the SFO will see Whinestone off.
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:16am
    - cmm
      
      Winnie is a survivor.
      He will attend his own funeral.
      
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      July 15, 2020 11:05am
- Swifty
  
  Heh heh.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:08am
Batman

For anyone who was placing bets on how long the attack against JC for dirty politics would take to emerge, the answer is 45 minutes, as the worm Nicky Hager put out a statement with his usual bullshit before 10:45pm.

In other betting market news, anyone got money on the Durham report? Well thoughts and prayers for you as it seems Barr has in the last 7-10 days, told the White House that the report will not be arriving, full stop.

It’s only Wednesday, folks.
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July 15, 2020 8:56am
- MCos
  
  You might not like Hager, and plenty don’t, but even Judith Collins admitted this morning that she was involved in stuff she wasn’t proud of in the time period covered by his book.
  She claims she has moved on from those days. Unfortunately some of her colleagues haven’t, as we all know.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:15am
  - RW Capitalist
    
    The only dirty politics in the last 20 yrs has been Harger and Labour
    Receiving stolen EMails and making money off them.
    Labour hiring Private Investigators to go through bill English’s rubbish
    Sending uninvited spies to National party events
    Setting up Richard Worth with a “honey trap”
    etc etc etc
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:47am
    - RW Capitalist
      
      Changing the law so Harry Deynhoven did not have to go to a bi election.
      Chris Hipkins interfering in Australian politics at the request of the Aussie Labor party. (wonder how much that damaged their attitude to us?)
      I missed a lot, but it would take too long to list.
      
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      July 15, 2020 9:50am
  - alloytoo
    
    She also take the time to point out that Hager’s book is based on stolen emails, that’s gonna resonate with many People.
    
    Then she tells them to read her book. Genius.
    
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    July 15, 2020 10:01am
    - Paulus Gnome
      
      Turn Adhern, collect a Collins . . .
      
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      July 15, 2020 11:13am
      - MCos
        
        I just looked at my copy of the Collins missive.
        The back is yellow; on the off chance the ‘turn Ardern’ crowd don’t want you to read it.
        
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        July 15, 2020 11:55am
    - artemisia
      
      Ms Collins book will be flying off the shelves. And that’s just the mainstream media fast getting themselves up to speed.
      
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      July 15, 2020 2:14pm
RJ

A prominent human rights lawyer has taken aim at Helen Clark after she was appointed the head of a review into the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hillel Neuer, executive director of watchdog group UN Watch, says New Zealand’s former Prime Minister is too close to China and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to carry out the role effectively.

He also describes her as “an apologist for WHO wrongdoing” and took issue with her blocking him and UN Watch on Twitter.

Newshub
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July 15, 2020 8:56am
slightlyrighty

Let me tell you Judith’s greatest asset.

She has a look that communicates the phrase “Oh for Fucks Sake!” without having to say the words.
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July 15, 2020 8:57am
- RW Capitalist
  
  Just like a mother learns when her children become teenagers.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:43am
Maggie Pie

One thing i’ve never done, is stick a finger down my throat to make me puke.
Last night I came very close. Switched on the telly to catch ‘One News’ and its…….. JOHN CAMPBELL!! 🙁
Spent an hour watching My 600lb Life instead.
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July 15, 2020 9:02am
- RJ
  
  Wow, you need to lose weight…..
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:14am
- Gravelroad
  
  John Campbell: has there ever been a more over rated, ill disciplined “celebrity” arm waver reading out the news than John Campbell?
  Yuk.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:22am
- JibberJabber
  
  I`m looking forward to watching Judith spank Campbell like Sir JKey did.
  JK had been gone for 2 years before he felt safe enough to come out from under his rock, Judith will probably put him back there for good.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:59am
- Flossie
  
  If they’re going to persist with “Look at MEEE” Campbell on TV One news, then I am not going to watch. Slouchy, wavy, shouty…. even Hilary had to tell him – twice – to be quiet when it was 7 Sharp’s turn.
  
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  July 15, 2020 11:45am
  - kowtow
    
    Slouchy ,wavy , shouty ………pointy, giggly too.
    
    Arghhhhhhhh.
    
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    July 15, 2020 12:22pm
  - Maggie Pie
    
    Well, i’ve got no sympathy for that silly Hillary.
    It was only because of her bleating that got Cambell into TVOne in the first place after he was given the arse from NewsHub.
    I’m like you Floss, i find him absolutely nauseating.
    
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    July 15, 2020 12:48pm
- Paulus
  
  Campbell is in training to “moderate” the Leaders Debate.
  I no longer watch TV Red news whilst he remains –
  
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  July 15, 2020 1:59pm
bruceavon

I am not sure the tough “crusher” image for Collins is right. Already she has more charm and is joking and smiling in interviews more than both Muller but especially Bridges. Simon in particular didn’t bring enough personality to his parliament work. Judith can still be formidable and take no crap, but the smile will go a long way. Ardern is still on holiday by the look of it, can’t wait till they go one on one.
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July 15, 2020 9:04am
- rangitoto
  
  I hear she was busy pork barrelling up Gissy way yesterday.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:52am
- Close Hen Counters
  
  I agree Bruce- listening to her last night, she sounded like a true professional, gracious in her win, complimentary and kind about her predecessors, the patriotism and passion of Trump, positive, forward thinking, witty and charming. She is going to be all over cindy like a nasty STD and I can’t wait to see the debates over the next nine weeks
  
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  July 15, 2020 1:46pm
rockape

Well I havnt seen a leadership poll that close for a while. Jacinda 53% judith 47%, Thats good for an opposition leader!https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/07/poll-who-should-be-the-next-national-party-leader.html
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July 15, 2020 9:04am
Happychappy

I’m surprised that nobody has challenged Newshub and Garner on their poll ” do you tell lies” . Can anyone remember whether they have challenged Jacinda since she has been Prime Minister over one of many lies she has produced in several of there interviews.
https://m.facebook.com/TheAMShowNZ/posts/2072085129591126
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July 15, 2020 9:05am
Two bob

I would have huge respect for judith collins if one of her first moves is to raise her hand and give the media the middle finger, anounce gutting state funded media and level the playing field for the other outlets. that would certainly grab the attention of those that are struggling to turn a profit in the current media environment, could be more effective then letting them wonder when their next 50mil carrot will dangle.
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July 15, 2020 9:08am
- Batman
  
  A truly terrible political idea.
  
  The public like RNZ.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:11am
  - Jack5
    
    Advertising-free listening is attractive, and RNZ has heaps of taxpayer cash to put into its programming.
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:17am
    - RW Capitalist
      
      “……RNZ has heaps of taxpayer cash to put into its labour party political broadcasting.”
      There fixed it for ya.
      
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      July 15, 2020 9:42am
    - kowtow
      
      Ad free commie crap is never attractive.
      
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      July 15, 2020 12:20pm
  - Paulus Gnome
    
    ‘The public like RNZ.’
    
    The fuck ‘they’ do!
    
    I endure the repetitive almost non stop adverts on Magic and Hoskins to avoid non stop partisan spitty biased Marxist inspired interviewing and opinioned crap that spews from RNZ.
    
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    July 15, 2020 11:19am
  - calendar girl
    
    “The public like RNZ.”
    
    I disagree. The public is given little option when it comes to RNZ and TVNZ. These two state-funded outlets are permitted / encouraged to exercise such dominance of NZ’s “mainstream” media that there remains little room for private media channels to compete on a level playing-field.
    
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    July 15, 2020 1:21pm
  - artemisia
    
    The public like Facebook more. Lots more.
    
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    July 15, 2020 1:52pm
  - GJM
    
    If the public like Red Radio, then they won’t mind paying a subscription for it.
    What the Luvvies like, is someone else paying for their radio station, without those nasty, capitalist ads.
    
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    July 18, 2020 3:17pm
- RJ
  
  So basically turn the media against her, yeah, are you labour person by chance
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:13am
- marcw
  
  Or maybe wait until after the election – leave them wondering should they go all out Labour or bust. Your suggestion will not be good for their necessary role over the next 2 months.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:30am
- MCos
  
  Benjamin Franklin once said: “Never argue with anyone who buys the ink by the barrel.”
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:34am
- Close Hen Counters
  
  Watching Judith and Gerry last night, I thought they both gave the media at her announcement the massive national bird subtly…. tova and Jessica got gentle roastings and Judith eye rolling. Judith and Gerry have the measure of the media and it is not going to be pretty
  
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  July 15, 2020 1:50pm
  - info@cruzpro.com
    
    I sincerely hope (and am quietly confident) that JC will inform the MSM that they better be fair in their future coverage or she WILL remember if/when National gets elected next.
    
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    July 15, 2020 8:05pm
Maggy Wassilieff

From Judith’s maiden speech to Parliament -2002

I’ve been a lawyer for over 20 years. In that time, I’ve also been a restaurateur, a public company director, Law Society politician and regulator, a gaming regulator, a business person, a wife and mother. So the nice girl did get married, did become a lawyer and did quite a bit else as well.

This woman’s life experience stands in contrast to that of our current PM.
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July 15, 2020 9:22am
- Northland Wahine
  
  Says it in a nut shell really. Collins probably has more life, work (private’s and public) , family experience than the entire Labour cabinet.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:39am
  - Tony Stuart
    
    I loved her quip with Peter Williams just a few minutes ago. Asked about ethnic representation, JuCo replied “I am an ethnic minority in my own household!” before reassuring Williams that appointments would be made solely on merit.
    
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    July 15, 2020 9:57am
    - alloytoo
      
      Targeting Labour’s soft underbelly from the outset.
      
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      July 15, 2020 10:05am
    - Paulus Gnome
      
      JuCo works for me.
      
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      July 15, 2020 11:22am
      - calendar girl
        
        Great nick-name.
        
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        July 15, 2020 1:25pm
- RW Capitalist
  
  This woman’s life experience stands in contrast to that of our current PM.
  also apart from experience.
  This woman’s competence and ACHIEVEMENT stands in contrast to that of our current PM.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:40am
- Lance
  
  Ah… but Judith doesn’t say she has wrapped fish and chips. She is clearly inferior to Saint Cindy.
  
  (do I really have to include /sarc/?)
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:43am
- Tauhei Notts
  
  It is important that the part about Gaming Regulator is not reported.
  I have seen a blackjack table where the dealer stands on 22. Then I saw a roulette table with a “0” and a “00”. Then I saw that the deduction from pick the score pari mutuel bets on rugby have a 32.5% deduction from the pool.
  Being a Gaming Regulator in New Zealand is like kissing ugly women; it is a lot of fun, but you don’t want anybody to know that you have done it.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:50am
- Harriet
  
  Exactly Maggy.
  
  And do you know what it is most important off all.
  
  She UNDERSTANDS EVERYONE’S PAIN and doesn’t just feel it – however that helps.
  
  Her background in taxation, law, business, government, politics, family, media and international trade. Collins would be about as stable as NZ could ever possibly get at the moment. And then their is her husband. Another matter, altogther.
  
  On the other side she’s pissed off Scomo, Trump and Alan Jones base also, and is a ‘comradical’ for want of a better broad term for leftists.
  
  Collins will win. There’s too much money involved. Pauline Hanson said so. 😎
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:52am
surfing

Self delusional is not attractive.

National have a mountain to climb, but , they don’t seem to acknowledge it. They’ve already banked the win, seems a bit arrogant.

As for Muller, weak person. Kicks out Bridges then can’t hack the pace and quits because it is a hard job with long hours.

Be a few embarrassed muller supporters around the place.
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July 15, 2020 9:23am
- BeaB
  
  why embarrassed? A hardworking MP with a good track record both inside and outside of Parliament. Rather than weakness, I see strength in his decision the job was not for him.
  Judith is a real contender.
  Jacinda couldn’t win the popular vote last time when she was all sparkle. Now the gloss is wearing off as we see the incompetence of her team, the hardships we are facing and the knowledge and experience she lacks.
  Two ticks National!!
  
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  July 15, 2020 10:19am
  - Blackface Twin Reverb
    
    [Deleted by Mod. ]
    
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    July 15, 2020 11:44am
    - Blackface Twin Reverb
      
      [Mod. Comment: Perhaps say the same thing on your own blog under your real name then.]
      
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      July 15, 2020 12:57pm
      - Blackface Twin Reverb
        
        I imagine its an easily searchable matter of fact?
        
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        July 15, 2020 1:19pm
- Inandout
  
  surfing, politics means you don’t set out to lose so of course you want to win; just like with the Rugby World Cup.
  
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  July 15, 2020 10:24am
- Garbageman
  
  There is no “banked the win” what you see is hope & a rekindling of pride in our long suffering right wing views that have been ignored for to long by successive leaders trying to play the left & their media accomplices silly wee games, win or lose as long as Judith is willing to stay on there will be a massive resurgence within the party that will eventually sweep us all to a glorious victory over the marxist filth, thats only if we are not applying to Venezuela for aid by that time of course
  
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  July 15, 2020 1:24pm
rockape

Thatcher was hard in Parliament but came across as warm when you met her. Judith has that magic too. Thatcher got 13 years as PM , lets hope Judith does the same.
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July 15, 2020 9:34am
- Swifty
  
  1979-90
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:54am
  - rangitoto
    
    Maggy The Great was my local MP when I lived in London for a couple of years.
    
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    July 15, 2020 10:09am
- Inandout
  
  rockape, and didn’t the media mob hate her?
  
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  July 15, 2020 10:25am
  - rockape
    
    The Voters didnt though. She was only defeated by her caucus, never the electorate so stuff the press!
    
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    July 15, 2020 12:06pm
Pita

Have any Members of the Government reduced their pay by 20% yet?
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July 15, 2020 9:35am
- Lance
  
  That’s up there with NZF paying the money back
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:56am
- septic skeptic
  
  Labour couldn’t organize a pay cut in a parliament ?
  
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  July 15, 2020 12:32pm
RW Capitalist

There is one enduring image from all this.
(and I don’t like idolatry or image building, just the job to do)
Nationals front bench coming down on mass, behind her, each one competent and hard working.
Jacinda could not do the same honestly.
There would be her followed by Hipkins, Wood….Robertson (a long forth)…then no body else even in the building.
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July 15, 2020 9:38am
- Albert_Ross
  
  I’m less impressed.
  
  Where were all these competent, hardworking, loyal and steadfast people when the media were tearing into Simon Bridges for receiving public opprobrium after exposing an unpalatable but true point on Facebook – a point that Jacinda herself later accepted?
  
  How can we be expected to believe that their loyalty and unity behind Judith when she gets a Facebook shit-heap, as she most surely will and you can be confident that the media will be more than delighted to fan it for every last scrap – will be any more reliable?
  
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  July 15, 2020 10:48am
  - Paulus
    
    Easy – do not nor have ever had Facebook (or Twitter).
    What have I missed ?
    
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    July 15, 2020 2:03pm
WaveyDavey

Well it’s probably stopped the drift to ACT and “saved” the party but at the expense on losing the election.

Labour for another term it is then.
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July 15, 2020 9:41am
- Wired-one
  
  I’m not accepting that and neither should anyone on the centre to right side of politics. Incompetence such as Whaitari, Davis, Lees-Galloway, Clark and Twyford have shown cannot be rewarded with a second term. Especially now that we are in so much debt and so many are out of work. No more defeatist attitudes please, we all get a vote, make sure you cast yours.
  
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  July 15, 2020 10:26am
- WaveyDavey
  
  17 downvotes…
  
  17 people with closed-minds denying reality.
  
  3 more years minimum.
  
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  July 15, 2020 11:35am
Maggie Pie

I notice James and Marama have still to tweet their congratulations.

Just saying.
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July 15, 2020 9:43am
- RW Capitalist
  
  On that, what is the record for breath holding?
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:54am
  - Maggie Pie
    
    My partner managed nearly 3 minutes once 😛
    
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    July 15, 2020 10:28am
    - RW Capitalist
      
      Wrong…he has learned to breath through his ears.
      
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      July 15, 2020 11:13am
      - Maggie Pie
        
        Well…. he did get me to hold his clock.
        
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        July 15, 2020 11:36am
      - Swifty
        
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkJnd9rSAQ8
        
        🙂
        
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        July 15, 2020 11:39am
Maggie Pie

Those RAMADA SUITES look really nice.
Fully booked apparently.
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July 15, 2020 10:06am
Maggy Wassilieff

Yes, identity politics will have to take a back-step when dealing with Judith and her family.

Bicultural NZ is beginning to reek of our colonial past. Labour’s race-based MPs need to be consigned to the History books.

It’s time to position NZ as a modern multicultural nation.
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July 15, 2020 10:08am
- KevO'Brien
  
  Take out neo-tribalism too.
  
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  July 15, 2020 12:35pm
Ruahine

I totally agree Maggie.
Like Judith Collins I am an ethnic minority in my own house.
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July 15, 2020 10:32am
- rockape
  
  Me too, one Scot against 3 from Yorkshire!
  
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  July 15, 2020 10:51am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  As am I.
  
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  July 15, 2020 10:55am
  - Don Beckett
    
    Likewise – the only pakeha with she -who- must -be -obeyed part Maori, & my 3 kids (now long ago left home, and all doing better than the old stale white male did 😉 )
    
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    July 15, 2020 11:31am
    - Sacha
      
      You must have done something right, Don.
      We look at our kids and see how well they’ve turned out, and wonder how THAT happened, it’s a puzzle, because we have friends who seemed to be the same as us, but their kids have only caused their parents grief.
      Successful parenthood is a hugely under-rated achievement, so give you and Mrs Don a pat on the back!
      
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      July 15, 2020 12:37pm
Raphael

Beri Wiess just resigned from her roles of staff writer and editor for the Opinion section of The New York Times (which the NZ Herald considers a major source of truth and insight). here is her resignation letter:
https://www.bariweiss.com/resignation-letter

some highlights

But the lessons that ought to have followed the election—lessons about the importance of understanding other Americans, the necessity of resisting tribalism, and the centrality of the free exchange of ideas to a democratic society—have not been learned. Instead, a new consensus has emerged in the press, but perhaps especially at this paper: that truth isn’t a process of collective discovery, but an orthodoxy already known to an enlightened few whose job is to inform everyone else.

Twitter is not on the masthead of The New York Times. But Twitter has become its ultimate editor. As the ethics and mores of that platform have become those of the paper, the paper itself has increasingly become a kind of performance space. Stories are chosen and told in a way to satisfy the narrowest of audiences, rather than to allow a curious public to read about the world and then draw their own conclusions. I was always taught that journalists were charged with writing the first rough draft of history. Now, history itself is one more ephemeral thing molded to fit the needs of a predetermined narrative.

My own forays into Wrongthink have made me the subject of constant bullying by colleagues who disagree with my views. They have called me a Nazi and a racist; I have learned to brush off comments about how I’m “writing about the Jews again.” Several colleagues perceived to be friendly with me were badgered by coworkers. My work and my character are openly demeaned on company-wide Slack channels where masthead editors regularly weigh in. There, some coworkers insist I need to be rooted out if this company is to be a truly “inclusive” one, while others post ax emojis next to my name. Still other New York Times employees publicly smear me as a liar and a bigot on Twitter with no fear that harassing me will be met with appropriate action. They never are.

There are terms for all of this: unlawful discrimination, hostile work environment, and constructive discharge. I’m no legal expert. But I know that this is wrong.
….
Showing up for work as a centrist at an American newspaper should not require bravery.
…
Op-eds that would have easily been published just two years ago would now get an editor or a writer in serious trouble, if not fired. If a piece is perceived as likely to inspire backlash internally or on social media, the editor or writer avoids pitching it. If she feels strongly enough to suggest it, she is quickly steered to safer ground. And if, every now and then, she succeeds in getting a piece published that does not explicitly promote progressive causes, it happens only after every line is carefully massaged, negotiated and caveated.

It took the paper two days and two jobs to say that the Tom Cotton op-ed “fell short of our standards.” We attached an editor’s note on a travel story about Jaffa shortly after it was published because it “failed to touch on important aspects of Jaffa’s makeup and its history.” But there is still none appended to Cheryl Strayed’s fawning interview with the writer Alice Walker, a proud anti-Semite who believes in lizard Illuminati.
…
The paper of record is, more and more, the record of those living in a distant galaxy, one whose concerns are profoundly removed from the lives of most people. This is a galaxy in which, to choose just a few recent examples, the Soviet space program is lauded for its “diversity”; the doxxing of teenagers in the name of justice is condoned; and the worst caste systems in human history includes the United States alongside Nazi Germany.
…
All this bodes ill, especially for independent-minded young writers and editors paying close attention to what they’ll have to do to advance in their careers. Rule One: Speak your mind at your own peril. Rule Two: Never risk commissioning a story that goes against the narrative. Rule Three: Never believe an editor or publisher who urges you to go against the grain. Eventually, the publisher will cave to the mob, the editor will get fired or reassigned, and you’ll be hung out to dry.
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July 15, 2020 10:47am
- SB2
  
  You don’t seriously think by contrast Fox or Breitbart as full of Truth and insight?
  
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  July 15, 2020 12:18pm
  - Raphael
    
    Compared to what CNN or the NYT are today? Yes.
    They atleast just report the news and seperate out their commentary from the news. I don’t mind their commentary being biased as they are up front about it.
    
    (Note: the only time I really watch something from Fox is Simpsons reruns, and I don’t often read Breitbart)
    
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    July 15, 2020 1:39pm
  - Classic Liberal
    
    I seriously think by contrast they don’t bully a colleague the way she has been bullied and harassed.
    
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    July 15, 2020 6:20pm
Engelbert Humperdink

Ruahine maybe I beat ya at that – I have no ethnic majority anywhere in my own DNA, I am an ethnic-jigsaw mongrel bwahaha 🙂
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July 15, 2020 10:49am
- RW Capitalist
  
  Heinz 57….like me?
  
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  July 15, 2020 11:15am
double d

An interesting talking point for me is this view that JC polarises people – like it’s a bad thing. Heather DPA was trotting this out last night before the vote.
I think it is a strange talking point and we only need to look at our current PM to see that you can polarise and succeed.
I think many people gravitate naturally to a left or right position in politics sub-consciously and good politicians can tap into those preferences and turn that into support/votes.
Muller positioned himself as a lite version of JA and came across as wet and weak. JC has already positioned herself as the complete opposite of the current lot and this positioning will resonate well with those right leaning and those of the middle who value the ideals she has articulated.
Let’s see how it goes having two women party leaders with polar opposite political leanings ….
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July 15, 2020 10:54am
- RW Capitalist
  
  I drift to a competent or not competent decision making process.
  It’s a job interview for me.
  Q: Who has the ability to IMPROVE the lot of all NZers…including me?
  Who is telling me the truth and will do the job and who just telling me what they think I want to here?
  Who can do the job, and who is trying to tell me I will be better off regardless of others? and telling everyone the same thing.
  Judith……..Has ability work ethic and pragmatism.
  Jacinda…..doesn’t and just wants put a rosy picture in front of the disaster SHE created. If you ever see that disaster, she blames someone else. This started with the “9 long years” mantra.
  
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  July 15, 2020 11:22am
Happychappy

What’s spooked Jacinda Ardern into speaking about COVID-19 and the need to go back to level 4 if there is another outbreak, very strange the morning after Judith Collins is elected as the New Leader of National .
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/07/jacinda-ardern-s-covid-19-re-emergence-plan-the-scenario-that-could-lead-to-nationwide-lockdown.html
I thought she had already danced because she had irradicated it and there was no sign of transmission in NZ.
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July 15, 2020 10:57am
- C J Southern
  
  When one TV station is running something popular others will do the same to compete against them. Same in politics.
  
  Right now National are getting all the attention which our “PM” is trying to compete against. COVID-19 is her best platform to try and stay both in front of the cameras and relevant.
  
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  July 15, 2020 11:24am
- rockape
  
  Gee could Jacinda be so scared she wants to delay the election?
  
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  July 15, 2020 12:03pm
  - C J Southern
    
    Doubt it; the longer she leaves it the more the economic reality hits the country … and the more traction National are likely to get.
    
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    July 15, 2020 2:43pm
- KevO'Brien
  
  Has she consulted the MOH or is it just the Cinderella talking up a fear storm.
  
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  July 15, 2020 12:31pm
  - fernglas
    
    She has said she is not interested in the election; she wants to focus on Covid 19. That may well be flogging a dead horse. Bolger yesterday said he was surprised that neither party had said what their policies were for the future. If National comes up with some shit-hot initiatives, that will attract a lot of votes, including from Jacinda fans who suddenly see their jobs and businesses being ignored in favour of eliminating a disease that most of them don’t really fear. The suburban Karens who have nothing better to do than fuss on Facebook would vote for Labour/Greens anyway. Covid fatigue may be her weakness.
    
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    July 15, 2020 1:55pm
secondcumming

TRUMP 2020

The Donald, true to his word, allows return to *Federal Executions* 😎

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53401021

Can you imagine what someone like that soft-cock liberal Biden would do if he ever became President?
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July 15, 2020 11:07am
- All_on_Red
  
  First person executed was a White Supremicist
  Trump sure is shit at being a racist
  
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  July 15, 2020 1:02pm
Maggy Wassilieff

Labour “governing by fear”
https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/15-07-2020/live-updates-july-15-judith-collins-national-party-leader-sets-out-her-stall/

Interesting that Ardern announces “Local lockdowns” today, when clearly that was the best option months ago, instead of putting the entire country into Lockdown 2,3,& 4.
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July 15, 2020 11:29am
- burt
  
  I wonder if she is going to put a permanent lock down in place for Gisborne?
  
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  July 15, 2020 11:42am
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    I think we had 3 positive cases all-up….
    1 in March who had flown in from USA
    and a couple in mid-April.
    All safely self-isolated. ..
    
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    July 15, 2020 11:50am
- RJ
  
  It is topical right now with the lockdowns happening again overseas, but it is a distraction from her, and anyway [] We were meant to lock down just the areas last time that had it in the community. Cannot believe a word she says
  
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  July 15, 2020 1:00pm
- SB2
  
  MW, she is sensibly looking to the future and how the pandemic unfolds. Options need to be avaialble in case there are setbacks ( highly unlikley ) as in the USA or Victoria.
  
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  July 15, 2020 3:07pm
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    You wouldn’t have a clue, SB2.
    
    If you looked at the original lockdown pamphlet sent out to everyone in NZ, you would realise we never needed to have a national Lockdown.
    
    You should also realise that our PM is meant to be running the country… not running the Covid-19 show….that’s why we she has a Minister of Health, 2 Asst. Min of Health , a DG of Health and an ENTIRE Health ministry to do the bloody job.
    
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    July 15, 2020 3:38pm
mark15

They’re scared alright.
Ardern’s ‘I mean business’ face #1 post on the granny
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July 15, 2020 11:32am
Maggie Pie

Can hardly wait till they ask Jude if she thinks she’ll be able to….. work with Winnie LOL!!!

https://twitter.com/winstonpeters/status/446114699688431616
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July 15, 2020 11:41am
- burt
  
  Classic drunken dwarf comment right there.
  
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  July 15, 2020 11:43am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  I wonder who has sent flowers (this time) to our Deputy Prime Minister.
  https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/115212916/seriously-bad-taste–a-recuperating-winston-peters-on-paula-bennetts-flowers
  
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  July 15, 2020 11:52am
  - Engelbert Humperdink
    
    I’m trying to figure out which would be the best flower choice
    
    Nettles…
    Stinkwort…
    Poison ivy…
    Love-in-the-mist…
    
    No wait, by Jove I’ve got it!
    
    “Say it with flowers, send him a triffid”
    
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    July 15, 2020 12:29pm
- SB2
  
  Something the fat lady will likely sidestep as it could well be a question of having to!
  
  Didnt you know this is all about what is known as politics ?
  
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  July 15, 2020 12:23pm
  - RJ
    
    Mod, can we get rid of this crap where someone attacks a person by calling them a fat lady. It’s disgusting, thankfully people are getting hung up when they do it on talkback
    
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    July 15, 2020 1:44pm
    - fernglas
      
      I had thought Steve was a lefty, but now I see he is just another sad, … [OTT, set an example. Mod.] No wonder he spends so much time posting here.
      
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      July 15, 2020 2:01pm
    - SB2
      
      RJ. so its Ok to call Winston a drunken dwarf and Jacinda a [No it’s not OK. Mod.] etc ?
      
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      July 15, 2020 3:03pm
      - RJ
        
        So point out where I have called Winston a drunk dwarf, I haven’t. And just because someone has done something the mods haven’t seen doesn’t excuse you to attack a woman politician for how she looks.
        
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        July 15, 2020 3:30pm
  - Pharmachick
    
    PLAY THE BALL !!
    
    9 0
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    July 15, 2020 2:15pm
    - Engelbert Humperdink
      
      PC: We’ve already been kicked in the balls by the Coalition of Corruption and Incompetence and there were no naysayers about that then…
      
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      July 15, 2020 3:57pm
  - Classic Liberal
    
    Yes, totally hypocritical for a leftie to now try to body shame a politician. Plus it’s not even true! She’s just a normally sized middle aged person.
    
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    July 15, 2020 2:36pm
    - SB2
      
      Classical Liberal, you are comfortable with kind of negative allusions towards Jacinda’s front upper incisors that have appeared on KB in the past?
      
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      July 15, 2020 3:38pm
      - RJ
        
        You just don’t have the ability to grow up, shut up, and take responsibility for the crap you say do you. Stop making out people are responsible for the stupid things other people say and take responsibility for the vile things you constantly say about woman on this blog
        
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        July 15, 2020 6:56pm
JibberJabber

History is ~~hood~~ oops Hoot, I meant Hoot…
https://twitter.com/RealJamesWoods/status/1283162583701151745
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July 15, 2020 11:58am
Wired-one

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/07/poll-who-would-you-prefer-as-prime-minister-judith-collins-or-jacinda-ardern.html

Judith’s on the rise already.
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July 15, 2020 12:17pm
- C J Southern
  
  I saw that. Very interesting.
  
  I have to say that Bridges kinda resonated with me – Muller less so – but crusher is ticking ALL the right boxes.
  
  This election isn’t over yet – not by a long shot.
  
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  July 15, 2020 12:28pm
- Raphael
  
  I wonder how many people have voted…
  
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  July 15, 2020 12:30pm
  - RW Capitalist
    
    Doesn’t say, but I have looked several times and there appear to be at least 300 on line at the same time as me.
    
    9 0
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    July 15, 2020 12:46pm
  - Paulus Gnome
    
    I did a Martin Martyn . . .
    
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    July 15, 2020 1:01pm
- Blackface Twin Reverb
  
  Yeah, well… I’ve voted against Cindy 4 times already so make of that what you will.
  
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  July 15, 2020 12:34pm
- MikeMan
  
  Currently 56% to 44%
  
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  July 15, 2020 12:53pm
  - C J Southern
    
    Something’s off; it was 49 to 51 an hour ago – it wouldn’t swing that fast without some tampering.
    
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    July 15, 2020 1:06pm
Colville

I was wrong.

I picked that the very first action of JC would be to tell Winston to go fu*k himself.

What is she waiting for?
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July 15, 2020 12:21pm
- RJ
  
  I think you misunderstand the leadership in national. It is not up to the leader to do decide about working with peters, it is up to the caucus and they have already decided that at present, so she has nothing to announce.
  
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  July 15, 2020 1:02pm
- Engelbert Humperdink
  
  He may have already committed his own act of self-fornication when he ‘elevated’ the Morrinsville fishwife (not that there’s anything wrong with Morrinsville) to PMPT ( Prime Minister Post Turtle)…
  
  An old farmer is talking about politics with a young man from the city. He compares a politician to a “post turtle.” The young man doesn’t understand and asks him what a post turtle is.
  
  The old man says, “When you’re driving down a country road and you see a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that’s a post turtle.
  
  “You know he didn’t get up there by himself. He doesn’t belong there; you know an idiot put him there; he can’t get anything done while he’s up there; and you just want to help the poor, dumb thing down.”
  
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  July 15, 2020 1:50pm
Gravelroad

So – Judith Collins is the leader and plenty of people seem to be happy about it – albeit with great expectations.
That being the case can someone tell me, from the National Party’s point of view, what was the Muller interlude all about?
Was it just a stop gap, short term measure to oust Bridges? If so, why put the guy through that?
If all these people inside and outside the Party thought Ms Collins was so popular, capable, inclusive etc, why didn’t they get her to accept the leadership last time it was up for consideration?
Not trying to stir here- just interested in things how things happen in the political machinations.
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July 15, 2020 12:22pm
C J Southern

“Tim Dower: The grown-ups have stepped in and are taking charge”

https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/early-edition/opinion/tim-dower-the-grown-ups-have-stepped-in-for-national-and-are-taking-charge/

PERFECT headline!
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July 15, 2020 12:50pm
Maggie Pie

RANDOM IMPERTINENT QUESTION
Does Shorn Plunkett have the hots for Chloe Swarbrick? 😛
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July 15, 2020 12:59pm
- RJ
  
  I thought he had the hot’s for you? I know John Campbell does. Apparently, unconfirmed rumours I just started … [Deleted – Mod. Not here.]
  
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  July 15, 2020 1:14pm
  - RJ
    
    Sorry mod, I’ll sit in the naughty corner, it’s fun there, you can come sit there too if you want
    
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    July 15, 2020 3:31pm
- Engelbert Humperdink
  
  MP: wouldn’t that be breeding outside of the species?
  
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  July 15, 2020 1:53pm
RJ

Well done to this young woman, but she does raise a good point, we need more help for kids with addictions

Cheyenne Gillon-Gibson wants to see more support for teenaged drug addicts in South Canterbury as she fights to stay clean.

The 16-year-old celebrated seven months since she last touched hard drugs on Friday – a journey which has meant cutting out some of her friends and family, and even avoiding songs she would listen to while using.

Stuff
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July 15, 2020 1:08pm
RJ

Winston Peters says he has serious concerns for Todd Muller’s mental health.

The New Zealand First leader told The Country he has a lot of time for Muller and wishes him the very best.

“In this case, I’m told he had a serious breakdown. That happens in families.

NZ Herald
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July 15, 2020 1:13pm
- david
  
  That Winston Raymond Peters came out with what is (if true) hugely personal and private information says volumes more about Peters than it does about Muller.
  Remember this is the man who sued Cabinet Ministers without evidence and bleated loudly, publicly and unceasingly about the sacred nature of personal and private information.
  The man (and I use that descriptor with hesitation) is an unreserved scumbag of the highest order yet for some reason will not be challenged for his hypocrisy.
  
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  July 15, 2020 2:37pm
  - RJ
    
    Winston hasn’t come out with anything that hasn’t been reported, and for all anyone knows it is those reports that he is getting his information from, his words echo Audrey Young from her report yesterday.
    
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    July 15, 2020 3:35pm
I remember when

Apart from having an apparent passion for politics – with a green tinge.
What is Chloe Swarbrick really passionate about?
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July 15, 2020 1:48pm
- sooty
  
  The money, honey!
  
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  July 15, 2020 8:38pm
I remember when

When did covid-19 stop being a medical problem and pass to being a political weapon?
No wonder it will not die out.
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July 15, 2020 1:50pm
- RJ
  
  The first day when Jacinda realised she could campaign through it.
  
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  July 15, 2020 2:20pm
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  The day Cindy ignored expert opinions, and had a chat with socialist scum in London
  
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  July 15, 2020 4:10pm
- burt
  
  When we voted to change the strategy from flattening the curve to eliminadion.
  
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  July 15, 2020 4:18pm
RJ

Right, you keep saying this Jacinda, maybe some fool will believe you

“I absolutely accept that there is an election this year and there is no avoiding that. But at the moment, really it’s taking a bare minimum of my thinking because we are still in the middle of a global pandemic.”

“I have to admit that I don’t really sit down and analyse them all. My focus, my time, my energy is going into our COVID response and that’s as it should be,” Ardern said.

“I accept there will be politicking this year, I accept we have an election, but if I’m being brutally honest, my mind hasn’t been particularly focussed on that to date.”

Newshub
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July 15, 2020 2:00pm
- Alex13
  
  Only “some fool” will believe ANY politician. That said, she has handled the current pandemic in NZ pretty well – even Todd Muller had to call it “impressive”.
  (Yeah, I know, resident KB epidemiologists will disagree, they know better of course).
  
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  July 15, 2020 3:28pm
  - RJ
    
    Right, when did she handle it well? Was it when Bloomfield had to threaten to resign to stop her going ahead with the Christchurch shooting memorial? Was it when schools had to tell their. Students to stay home because the education minister wouldn’t close them? Was it when private businessman had to buy several plane loads of supplies for our hospitals? Was it when businesss leaders, medical personal had to beg her to close the boarders? Was it when she would stand on stage and lie about what GPS and hospitals were saying about the equipment they didn’t have that she constantly lied they did? Ummm, perhaps you can tell us when it was?
    
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    July 15, 2020 3:38pm
  - Engelbert Humperdink
    
    Actually, you don’t have to be a ‘resident epidemiologist’ to disagree with the stupidity foisted upon the nation by the coalition of incompetence and corruption.
    
    You don’t even have to be an epidemiologist. Note that the purple haired one and the bloomer were neither of them epidemiologists; Dr B is trained in public health and *non*communicable disease – repeat his training is on non-communicable disease. Note further that the modeller of 80,000 fatalities has no clinical / medical expertise whatsoever; his specialty is networks and complex systems.
    
    All you need to have to query the stupidities of recent months is to be reasonably well read, follow the scientific method, and observe what they say compared with what they do.
    
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    July 15, 2020 4:02pm
  - double d
    
    Ok – I will bite.
    When you sit in the big chair you consider more than one thing at a time. Yep, Covid 19 was a big deal and they dithered and fluffed around so as a consequence had to go hard and late. But when you run the country, you can’t just focus on one thing. You can’t just say we will wipe Covid out and not consider other things …..like the economy.
    I don’t think we did anything very special
    Or clever. We are an island nation and we locked everyone out. And we asked our citizens to stay at home for 12 weeks. Not clever. And our economy has taken an almighty hit. And we don’t have any apparent plan to exit the health response—— and people are ok with that and think we have handled it well?
    The PM needs to u der stand that you need to learn to chew gum and walk at the same time. A health only response was NOT the right
    move- in my humble opinion.
    
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    July 15, 2020 4:13pm
    - artemisia
      
      So if Ms Ardern is focused on covid, who exactly is running the country? Someone else? Nobody?
      
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      July 15, 2020 6:14pm
  - C J Southern
    
    Poppycock – she handled it abysmally.
    
    First up, when the virus started spreading internationally late January it was then only ever a case of “when” it gets here – not “if”. THAT was the time to secure the border. But did she? No – she pontificated with weasel words such as “we’re actively reviewing the situation and taking advice from experts such as the WHO and CDC”. When she finally did (“sort of”) secure the border weeks later it was far too late. If she’d done her job properly earlier then tourism would still have been screwed, but we would have avoided the lockdowns. She’s now cost your children and grandchildren a collective $140B; $28,000 for every man, woman and child in the country. What other employees get to keep their jobs after costing their employers $140B in a royal stuff-up?
    
    Take a look at this video to see a side-by-side comparison of how China were securing their borders at the same time we were f__king around. Night and day: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/steve-walker-03106065_an-insight-as-to-how-china-is-managing-covid-activity-6647308800414097408-ZGGE
    
    Second up, consider that europe are currently debating a $750B relief package. Europe has around 750M people – so that’s roughly $1000 per person. Our relief package is TWENTY EIGHT times that. If you’re going to spend 28 times more on something than someone else then I think we have every right to expect it to be exemplary; and yet all indicators are that our economy will be just as screwed as everyone elses; just as big a dip in GDP – same rates of unemployment – same rates of business failures – same rates of suicide increases. Just what the hell did we get that was so much better that we paid 28 times more than Europe per person for?
    
    She cocked-up the handling royally with breathtaking incompetence – and is now using the borrowed money to shore up her popularity. In these tough belt-tightening times we’ve had (so far) $210M for caregivers – $265M for sports – $278.2M for early childhood education – $2.2M for sanitary products – $100M for fencing (NZF) – $70M to upgrade marae, town halls, Pasifika churches, and war memorials – $60M to target Maori, Pasifika, and other vulnerable workers – 175M for Arts & music – $1M for “supporting women” – and more that I’ve forgotten this week.
    
    She’s hopelessly out of her depth and their only “plan” appears to be “borrow like crazy and hope like heck that nothing else comes along in the next 1/2 century that it’s going to take to repay $140B + interest”. And clearly the plan isn’t working. Worst PM EVER.
    
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    July 15, 2020 4:46pm
    - Engelbert Humperdink
      
      CJS: Hell yeah.
      
      8 0
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      July 15, 2020 5:26pm
    - All_on_Red
      
      Post of the day
      
      8 3
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      July 15, 2020 5:46pm
    - SB2
      
      Worst post of the day!
      
      1 11
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      July 15, 2020 6:10pm
      - C J Southern
        
        Pay your additional $28,000 Labour COVID-19 tax and then we’ll talk. Feel free to pull your weight and pay a few other people’s $28,000 ADDITIONAL COVID-19 taxes too (ie over and above usual tax payments).
        
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        July 15, 2020 8:37pm
- lofty
  
  Yes I heard her say that.
  
  Well she had better start focusing, because the scrap is now on.
  
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  July 15, 2020 3:38pm
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  OHHH lookie, another porkie. Outright lie, if not, then why did she appear daily on play school TV1 at 1pm with her sycophant Bloomfield?
  The heat is on now Ardern, Colins has you in the crosshairs, and the headlights are on full beam.
  
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  July 15, 2020 4:15pm
cmm

Does anyone else get the feeling Pakistan and India are among the countries telling massive lies about their CV19 rates?

In the last few days we’ve had quite a few positives from that part of the world, yet their death rates are tiny – around 20 per million and their reported infection rates are low too.

What’s the point of the WHO if it is not auditing numbers like this?
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July 15, 2020 2:20pm
- Jules99
  
  They are big on Hydroxychloroquine. They manufacture it and have no need to reject it due to Trump Derangement Syndrome.
  
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  July 15, 2020 2:44pm
  - Engelbert Humperdink
    
    Big problem in Pakistan and to a lesser extent India (although India is of course much more populous by a ratio of 5 to 1) is that many people especially in rural areas simply cannot get to hospitals – and many people who do get to the hospitals are turned away. Don’t get seen, don’t tested, and they may die uncounted and unremarked other than by their families and friends. Also & as seen elsewhere in the Middle East, imams in Pakistan be telling the faithful that faith will save them and don’t worry about masks and social distancing…
    
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    July 15, 2020 4:22pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  Helen will sort it…..
  https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2020/07/un-watchdog-takes-aim-at-helen-clark-over-her-world-health-organization-role-says-she-s-too-close-to-china.html
  
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  July 15, 2020 2:51pm
- SB2
  
  “Does anyone else get the feeling Pakistan and India are among the countries telling massive lies about their CV19 rates?”
  
  No until proven otherwise!
  
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  July 15, 2020 3:08pm
- Engelbert Humperdink
  
  The World Hoax Organisation exists to keep Tedros on the Chinese Gravy Train. Go ahead, change my mind…
  
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  July 15, 2020 4:03pm
  - SB2
    
    Engelbert Humperdink, straight out of the Trump playbook!
    
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    July 15, 2020 6:12pm
- burt
  
  Death rates are a curious statistic.
  
  Note that NZ has not had it’s average ~500 flu deaths this year, but for some reason 21 deaths from covid is enough to justify closing down the country.
  
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  July 15, 2020 4:21pm
  - Engelbert Humperdink
    
    It was always possible to crush the road toll and crush the flu deaths etc. by crashing the economy, squashing social interaction and mobility, shutting down places of employment, and locking people up harder than convicted prison inmates; after all, crims get a full hour in the exercise yard with other people every day…
    
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    July 15, 2020 4:24pm
  - C J Southern
    
    Keeping in mind also that at this time of writing there have been a total of 31,703,183 deaths in the world this year (https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/) – of which only 581,316 are attributable to COVID-19.
    
    That’s 1.83%
    
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    July 15, 2020 5:14pm
    - SB2
      
      CJ Southern, ah so we can be rest assured that the virus is absolutely harmless?
      
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      July 15, 2020 6:15pm
      - Maggy Wassilieff
        
        Do you have a comprehension problem?
        
        C.J. Southern has not written 0% (death rate) has he?
        
        No virus is absolutely harmless…. they need living cells for their survival.
        
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        July 15, 2020 7:44pm
      - C J Southern
        
        Not harmless, but so many aspects of it have been skewed (presumably to suit agendas) that it’s not funny;
        
        – To date, it’s not changing the life expectancy for any age group – especially the elderly. The vast majority who are dying (the elderly) die at the rate they have been dying anyway. It’s a reality of life that old people are frail. New Zealand Epidemiologist Dr Simon Thornley explains it better than I ever could (and backs everything up with hard data) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cB_DEbXrhE
        
        – The true R0 and case fatality rates point to it being less infectious and less lethal than the flu (based on serum studies to identify the true infection rate).
        
        – There seems to be a popular misconception that the handling of the virus was a “health” vs “wealth” choice; whereas in reality it was always a short-term health+wealth vs a long term health+wealth compromise. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve hearn someone say “I’d rather be alive and poor than rich and dead”; unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. With a trashed economy all of the following are likely to happen:
        
        1. Suicides from those who have lost jobs, businesses, life savings, and homes are likely to sky rocket. Sir Peter Gluckman has forecasted that as many as 10% of New Zealanders may develop depression. The virus isn’t even at the end of the beginning here in NZ and already we’re seeing reports of calls to lifeline-type services doubling. I can think of 3 COVID-19 suicides that made the news here – and although NZ only publishes suicide stats once a year, it’s probably an accurate statement to say that we follow Australia and I’ve been told by a colleague with contacts in NSW police that prior to COVID-19’s economic wrath they were attending 2 to 5 suicides a week – now it’s 2 to 3 per day. I think it would be naive to think that that’s not going to happen here.
        
        https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12328472
        
        https://amp.rnz.co.nz/article/e6adc12d-b5a8-488e-9942-24e310e8bd83
        
        2. Hundreds of thousands of people are going to be living in poverty – on a benefit – no longer able to afford quality food or appropriate heating. The impact that this has on life expectancy is well documented if you want to research it.
        
        3. Already we’re going to see an increase in cancer deaths in NZ (according to a senior oncologist) because many peeople weren’t diagnosed in a timely manner due to the lockdowns. We’re also going to have far more demand on health services for diagnosis and treatment at a time when the government is least able to afford to fund them at optimal levels (continuing to borrow borrow borrow) just isn’t a realistic option. It’s already severely strained now (took around 2 years to get my spinal cord tumour diagnosed) – expect it to get much worse with associated loss of life.
        
        https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/300037886/ministrys-handling-of-cancer-diagnosis-during-lockdown-a-disgrace-top-oncologist-says
        
        4. There’s going to be direct loss of life through Pharmac being unable to fund drugs like Keytruda (they’ve already said that they’ll be unable to fund it due to other drugs going up in price due to COVID-19). The lung association are estimating that this alone will cost 30 lives per WEEK.
        
        https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-depth/415797/without-keytruda-30-deaths-a-week-in-nz-from-cancer-lung-foundation
        
        Make no mistake about it – actions to date in NZ that have limited the deaths to only 22 in the short term – at the expense of widespread economic carnage that WILL result in tens of thousands of extra deaths over the next few decades. The death certificates just won’t record COVID-19 as the cause. This current “government” have been excrucuatingly myopic in their handling of this – and so far their response of “borrow and hope like hell” doesn’t appear to be working very well either.
        
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        July 15, 2020 8:27pm
- RJ
  
  This is a good look at what is going on in India. Death rate low because those who die aren’t being tested for it.
  
  The epidemic is growing very rapidly’: Indian government adviser fears coronavirus crisis will worsen
  
  2 0
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  July 15, 2020 4:32pm
  - C J Southern
    
    It’s hard to know. In some places if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 – have mild symptoms – you go home – rest – and 13 days later you walk to a testing station to confirm that you’re now COVID-19 negative – get hit by a bus crossing the road …
    
    … and you’re counted as a COVID-19 death.
    
    In other places you’re counted if you died after having the symptoms. Numbers are all over the show – including infected stats (serum studies have shown that exposure to the virus can be as high as an order of magnitude above officially diagnosed cases because for the vast majority it’s a mild disease with few – if any – symptoms).
    
    5 3
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    July 15, 2020 5:19pm
Maggie Pie

My partner went to deliver a new Rangey for a client out to Wattle Bay yesterday. He txt me just after 3 to see if i could come and pick him up. I had no idea it was way out West. Actually had to go thru Mt Roskill to get there. It was a combination of Police street closures, council road works, missing street names, grafitti, and bent signage. Even SIRI got lost!
11 1
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July 15, 2020 2:53pm
lofty

I just watched Judith PMiW, (Prime Minister in Waiting) give a press conference.

She done real good, cool calm and collected.
16 0
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July 15, 2020 3:34pm
- burt
  
  So was Muller in his first few press conferences.
  
  1 10
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  July 15, 2020 4:22pm
  - lofty
    
    Well you and I can disagree on that one Burt.
    
    7 0
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    July 15, 2020 7:43pm
- Ian Boag
  
  Appears as a competent leader. A pity for the Nats that she only got the job after two others had failed.
  
  Has gone all moderate since her “crusher” days. AFAIK there were only two cars ever crushed and that happened when Anne Tolley had taken over as Police Minister. Tossing out what Binnie said after the-by-then-departed Power had brought him in to close off the Bain thing. Matey with Slatey …
  
  But that was then and this is now.
  
  Now – and it has been that way for a while – looking much more like a leader. Could be third time lucky for the Nats 🙂
  
  Good to see – like Todd – she seems to be much more interested in what happens next rather than what happened recently. That will disappoint the “we should have done … ” counterfactual folk on KB …
  
  It could change, but she hasn’t shown interest in “doing a Sweden”. Probably a good move.
  
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  July 15, 2020 5:36pm
  - All_on_Red
    
    Isn’t Sweden free and clear now with deaths dropping right down?
    How did Japan do?
    
    4 2
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    July 15, 2020 5:42pm
    - SB2
      
      All on Red, Sweden apparently no,
      
      https://newsroom.uvahealth.com/2020/07/03/covid-19-deaths-in-sweden/
      
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      July 15, 2020 6:16pm
      - Engelbert Humperdink
        
        SB2: way too early to call the result of the Swedish strategy.
        
        Firstly, no one is publishing the balance of Chivirus deaths versus deaths from all other causes due to the lockdown, delayed diagnosis, delayed treatment, and patients not presenting to have their cancers, strokes, heart attacks and surgical emergencies etc. dealt with in a timely fashion.
        
        Secondly, even somebody who trolls like you has gotta be aware that there is a major amount of pathology associated with increasing unemployment.
        
        Thirdly, and you probably won’t get this or care, but freedom has a price, freedom isn’t free. I am in the aged age-group and I have comorbidities, but damned if I am gonna sit at home fearfully scrutinising the omens as to whether I can go out and about without contracting the Chinese Communist virus. Fuck that notion. I’m going to work without a mask, wearing a mask at work, and coming back from work without a mask. If the virus gets me, well, a man lives as long as he lives and not a day longer. Gotta be a better outcome than sitting in a nursing home for 10 years in my 90s 🙂
        
        7 2
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        July 15, 2020 6:52pm
      - Ian Boag
        
        @Humps
        
        Good to know you are so relaxed about the possibilty of infecting anyone else. Their problem ….
        
        2 7
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        July 15, 2020 7:06pm
      - Engelbert Humperdink
        
        @ Ian Boag – I’m wearing a mask at work. I’m more likely to get infected at work than to infect at work, because I am wearing a mask, and we get temperature and history checked when arriving at work. In my off duty time, I engage in solo pursuits except when in and out of the supermarket. Is basic reading comprehension not a thing for you?
        
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        July 15, 2020 8:07pm
kloyd0306

Is anyone interested in what advice Audrey Young has for Judith?

Does anyone care what Audrey Young thinks?

If I were Judith I’d do exactly the opposite.

Young is a royal pain.
16 1
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July 15, 2020 3:38pm
Swifty

Members of the current government have sworn to uphold our laws.

Do we think they will in this case, and so close to the election?

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/122137640/pasifika-groups-plea-to-parliament-give-overstayers-residency

Or do we think they’ll instead circumvent our laws for political expediency?
7 0
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July 15, 2020 4:19pm
- Engelbert Humperdink
  
  The Boochani Precedent.
  
  6 0
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  July 15, 2020 5:28pm
Steve Otto(North Shore)

Don’t use guns, hang about.
https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/chicagos-mayor-lightfoot-if-youre-attacked-dont-use-a-gun-call-the-911-and-wait/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=agora&utm_term=rpolitics&utm_campaign=rpolitics&fbclid=IwAR2JgLPMgG5PjQf6KqVcJ080-UUWJ2tnDF40MCnNWZ0VUEag0CTCQ73DfRM
5 1
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July 15, 2020 4:52pm
- Engelbert Humperdink
  
  Eye Bleach warning: don’t look at the Mayor’s picture. Just don’t.
  
  4 2
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  July 15, 2020 5:31pm
JibberJabber

https://twitter.com/MagicTalkRadio/status/1283253371046998017
It`s on.Tune in at 5.10pm to hear the interview where she calls
@jacindaardern
‘woke’, tells her to stop playing games & challenges her to a debate on The Ryan Bridge Drive Show.
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July 15, 2020 5:08pm
Steve Otto(North Shore)

Any truth of fake news in this?
President Trump has just ordered ALL Hospitals and Governors to report ALL Covid related cases directly to HHS by way of the National Guard! No more CDC involvement!
3 2
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July 15, 2020 5:25pm
- All_on_Red
  
  Don’t know if that’s true buts it’s becoming pretty obvious that reporting (all over the World) isn’t accurate and is full of variations which would make analysis difficult.
  
  3 2
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  July 15, 2020 5:41pm
  - SB2
    
    One thing Trump has done consistently leading up to the pandemic and after is to deny it’s significance and rewrite the science behind the coronavirus eg. its no different and is harmless like the flu
    
    In between playing golf and attending rallies.
    
    You see this litany posted ad nauseam on KB by his followers.
    
    1 11
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    July 15, 2020 6:53pm
    - Engelbert Humperdink
      
      OK SB2 bring your facts to the debate: is the current *fatality* rate for the ChiCom virus under Trump better, worse or similar to (1) the usual seasonal flu and (2) the H1N1 flu under the Lightbringer? show your homework; and note that you can’t quote fatality rates based on people dying *with* the Chinese Communist flu, you have to quote fatality rates based on people dying *from* the Chinese Communist flu. you also need to provide your figures on how the excess death rate if any is related to the President rather than the idiot Democratic governors, the Burn-Loot-Murder protests, and the grandmother-killing boss of New York City. Your work will be reviewed by third parties.
      
      6 1
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      July 15, 2020 7:17pm
      - SB2
        
        Engelbert Humperdink, not forgetting the current epicentres of Republican Governed Texas, Florida and Arizona
        
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        July 15, 2020 9:35pm
    - Maggy Wassilieff
      
      Trump was restricting Flights from China into the US from 2 February
      https://www.dhs.gov/news/2020/02/02/dhs-issues-supplemental-instructions-inbound-flights-individuals-who-have-been-china
      
      But there was a lot of push-back and infighting from the Democrats against this approach (as well as WHO)
      
      https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-nsc/as-trump-administration-debated-travel-restrictions-thousands-streamed-in-from-china-idUSKBN21N0EJ
      
      7 2
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      July 15, 2020 7:29pm
      - SB2
        
        MW, but he was insisting back then the virus was relatively harmless. Now his country is paying for the consequences hugely!
        
        0 4
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        July 15, 2020 9:39pm
    - Maggy Wassilieff
      
      @SB2
      Didn’t you keep up to date with reading Kiwiblog when you were banned?
      
      Check this post out..
      https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2020/05/1_-_coronavirus_in_trumpland.html
      
      8 2
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      July 15, 2020 7:37pm
    - C J Southern
      
      That’s skewed; what Trump has also done is realized that economic meltdown is going to cause orders of magnitude more loss of life than the virus; something our “government” hasn’t been smart enough to figure out yet.
      
      Keep in mind too that back in the early days it was one Dr Anthony Fauci who said many things such as “the virus is nothing to worry about” – “no need to wear masks” – “no need to change anything that we’re doing”. Clearly it’s progression has caught a lot of people out. About the only one I know of that’s read it right right from the start is epidemiologist Dr Michael Osterholm.
      
      But a more significant point here is that people can only claim so much impunity from responsibility; with the exception of perhaps a few tribes residing deep in some jungles somewhere, I’d say that most people on the planet have heard of COVID-19 by now. And given that avoiding contact with it for most (but not all) people is as easy as following a few common sense protocols and exercising a little self-disipline – and given the current increasing infection rates – I can only conclude that the vast majority of people just don’t care if they get it or not. It’s got to the point getting infected is practically a choice stupid people are continuing to make; and that’s on them – not on Trump or any other leader.
      
      They can lead a horse to water — but they can’t make them drink. The blatent stupidity people are showing by attending unnecessary gatherings – not ventilating buildings – holding COVID-19 infection parties etc beggers belief. It’s been my observation that when stupid & irrational people are faced with potentially life-threatening situations like this they simply continue to make stupid & irrational decisions. If they’d all think and act rationally then COVID-19 would be all over in less than a month.
      
      2 2
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      July 15, 2020 10:28pm
      - Batman
        
        You can’t bring the economy back until you deal with the virus. People will just keep dying otherwise.
        
        You’re running the standard white house lines to undermine Fauci, how very original. You should be honest and add that the comments you cute were from early on when we knew far less about the virus, particularly when China was being less than helpful about it. At that point, experts like Fauci were having to make calculated guesses. For instance, we now know it is far more aerosol than we knew, thus masks are essential.
        
        You point about sensible protocols is very true. However, low information (stupid) people are getting their advice from places like Fox and Facebook, where everything is a hoax and the doctors are just lame nerds who want to control your life. If only the President had been presidential and worn a mask in March, April, May, or June in order to encourage it.
        
        Your final point is also quite correct. Holding rallies or parties or mass gatherings is a terrible idea and thankfully that’s off the table for now… Here’s hoping the entire GOP doesn’t literally get killed off by holding a convention. At least the Israelis know how to do a socially distanced protest!
        
        2 2
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        July 15, 2020 11:23pm
      - C J Southern
        
        You need to look at the bigger picture. As of this time of writing – in the USA – this “out of control” virus has caused symptoms in only 1.09% of the population and killed 0.04% of the population. In contrast it’s economic wrath is affecting close to 100% of the population and will continue to do so for a generation; and that will kill one hell of a lot more people than the virus will through suicide, poverty, overloaded medical services, and other paths.
        
        It’s important to put the virus in perspective;
        
        – Data are showing that as many as 9 out of 10 who get it are asymptomatic
        
        – 99 out of 100 who get it show only mild symptoms (less severe than a bad dose of the flu)
        
        – Of the 1% of symptomatic people who are hospitalised with severe symptoms, 85% recover.
        
        In contrast – to date – 26,000,000 people have lost their job in the US: https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/richard-arnold-unemployment-crisis-looms-in-the-united-states/
        
        It’s naive and idealistic to think the virus can be controlled in a country with their kind of population densities without a vaccine; people neet to start dealing with reality – and that reality is that the best response is going to be a compromise; the best outcome possible ranges from “shitty” to “shittier”.
        
        It’s worth noting that NZ aren’t doing any better; yes, we appear to have the virus “under control” (maybe) but at a cost 28 times more than Europe ($28,000 per person – with an economy that’s just as trashed) – and that cost WILL cost lives from the economic fallout over the next few decades. Saving a few hundred (mostly) elderly now at the expense of killing tens of thousands of younger & healthier people over the next few decades is NOT a “win”. It’s important to realise that we’re not “nearing the end” of this event; we’re not even at the end of the beginning yet. The fallout from this will be measured in some unit of time ranging from decades to generations.
        
        You said “You should be honest and add that the comments you cute were from early on when we knew far less about the virus”
        
        I did. My exact words were: “Keep in mind too that back in the early days …”
        
        I’m just trying to make the point that there were many unknowns both then and now; what I find incredulous is the lack of personal responsibility from everyone. Fauci got many things wrong but gets a pass — and you know what? I’ve don’t have a problem with that; nobody has a crystal ball. But those in the best position – knowing what we all know now – to knock this on it’s head continue to get it wrong – day after day after day after day. Who are these incompetent idiots? … they’re the population general of the world. Don’t blame Trump – or Bolsonaro – or any other country’s leader; yes, their advice and example may have influenced some, but if people are stupid enough to believe everything politicians say when it flies in the face of common sense then they don’t have the right to complain when those stupid actions have predicted consequences.
        
        Perhaps the virus is natures way of eliminating stupid people?
        
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        July 16, 2020 9:41am
Engelbert Humperdink

It appears to be an option… but when even the lefty newspapers are reporting it, you know it’s getting serious.

The money quote: The Trump administration is asking governors to consider sending the National Guard to hospitals to help improve data collection about novel coronavirus patients, supplies and capacity, according to a letter, internal emails and officials familiar with the plans.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/07/13/trump-administration-recommend-national-guard-an-option-help-hospitals-report-covid-19-data/
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July 15, 2020 5:32pm
Fletch

Antifa member opens the car door of a black guy, instantly regrets it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4BvbLRpMls
7 1
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July 15, 2020 5:33pm
- RJ
  
  I saw that, found it interesting these Antifa people look white and sound a bit gay. I’m thinking they went to the wrong protests. Was that a tv camera they had
  
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  July 15, 2020 7:11pm
Steve Otto(North Shore)

Jim Jordan hammering a demo dick.
https://www.facebook.com/News.Teeadonis/videos/3219580064764859/UzpfSTEyMDA5MDEwODE6NDA3OTc0NjU4MjA1MTg5NA/
3 1
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July 15, 2020 5:36pm
rockape

Jacinda pretends to ignore Judith. If she thinks she will win the election by hiding behind Covid she is in for a surprise. People are concerned now about the policies to recover the economy. About Jobs, about education and health. Why is Jacinda so focused on Covid? Doesn’t she have a couple of ministers to do that or is she just afraid to front Judith?
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July 15, 2020 5:45pm
Steve Otto(North Shore)

AOC.
https://uniteamericafirst.com/eric/im-serious-aoc-says-skyrocketing-crime-in-nyc-caused-by-poor-people-shoplifting-bread/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook&fbclid=IwAR0OKYMCoQdERjO844IqaF-cLEKsOxTG7Yccr0gj3edh0nh8s1Bp5ZXDLKk
5 2
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July 15, 2020 5:46pm
- SB2
  
  It appears to belong to the same stable as this false claim,
  
  Fact check: A fake tweet claims AOC urged governors to shut down businesses to hurt Trump
  
  https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/07/14/fact-check-aoc-didnt-tweet-keeping-economy-shut-down/5352149002/
  
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  July 15, 2020 6:22pm
  - RJ
    
    That’s right the video of her saying it can’t be real, lol, you really are special aren’t you
    
    5 1
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    July 15, 2020 9:16pm
    - SB2
      
      RJ , I beg your pardon?
      
      0 6
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      July 15, 2020 9:40pm
- Tall Man
  
  I believe ardern would spout the same drivel if she went off script.
  
  It is the restricted questioning with preordained questions that she allows that stop her looking imbecilic.
  
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  July 15, 2020 9:41pm
Wired-one

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/07/still-leaking-details-of-national-party-leadership-caucus-meeting-revealed.html

If this is true, it needs to stop right now. Ffs National MPs, sort it out. I’m hoping its typical Tova though. Making shit up to damage National and look after her mate Jacinda. Poor look to the public though. These “journalists” have too much sway over the masses unfortunately and journos like Munch and Tova are a stain on a once trusted profession.
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July 15, 2020 7:01pm
- RJ
  
  Three has carried out a huge attack against Judith all day, this smelled more to me of them continuing to make shit up.
  
  6 1
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  July 15, 2020 7:48pm
- brett68
  
  It’s easy to sort.
  Split the caucus into two groups, people you can trust, people you’re a bit suss about.
  
  Leaks stop, you’ve cut the group of likely suspects in half, whoever doing it will probably shut up shop because the odds of getting rumbled have heightened considerably.
  
  But then you’ve narrowed down who it could be and then you can slit their throats post-election.
  
  If they don’t you’ve still narrowed down the odds significantly.
  
  I’d put Bennett, Tolly and Mitchell in the suss group to begin with.
  
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  July 15, 2020 7:56pm
  - BeaB
    
    Chris Bishop?Nicola Willis?
    
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    July 16, 2020 12:15am
Maggy Wassilieff

The Minister of Health says “Use the app”

But..Leading Public Health expert says Na…
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/122142354/while-kiwis-are-urged-to-use-covid19-tracing-app-an-expert-says-it-should-be-abandoned

Anybody else gaining the impression that our beloved leaders are expecting an influx of covid-19 carriers into the public realm very soon?
7 1
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July 15, 2020 9:06pm
- RJ
  
  She needs it for the election. Le me save you people, team of five million, bla bla bla
  
  4 1
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  July 15, 2020 9:15pm
- sooty
  
  All of a sudden, Lockdown!
  Is it real or cindy wanting the headlines?
  
  2 1
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  July 15, 2020 9:24pm
Maggy Wassilieff

Anyone remember when the Climate experts were telling us that Ski-fields would be gone from NZ in the 2020s?

https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/back-your-backyard/122139232/southern-skifields-underestimate-huge-school-holiday-crowds-seeking-snow
8 1
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July 15, 2020 9:22pm
- SB2
  
  Anyone remember?
  
  Nope!
  
  1 11
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  July 15, 2020 9:31pm
  - C J Southern
    
    Here’s a good summary of past climate predictions … and how they turned out.
    
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfxyoXjDzxA
    
    2 3
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    July 15, 2020 9:54pm

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