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April 13, 2021 8:00am by Kokila Patel

General Debate 13 April 2021

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Happychappy

Why would anyone be surprised at the incompetence of our Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern when she more interested in her image than listening to common sense from those that know about safety.
MIQ Covid -19 cased security guard raises questions on use of Ministry’s testing register.
The Governments move to make it mandatory for all testing of border workers to be recorded in a central is being derided as months to late.
Quarantine MIQ Security Guard, who last week tested positive for the virus flew under the radar for at least.a month, but it seems the mandatory message isn’t hitting home with MIQ head Brigadier Jim Bliss yesterday revealing the security guard who worked at the Grand Millennium appears not to be having regular tests.
National Party response spokesperson Chris Bishop has long called for the use of a register to be made mandatory.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/440338/miq-covid-19-case-of-security-guard-raises-questions-on-use-of-ministry-s-testing-register
This is just another example of a incompetence Government and Prime Minister not prepared to listen to commonsense as our Celebrity Prime Minister is more interested in herself than fixing the issues being made through her poor Leadership.
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April 13, 2021 8:00am
- sooty
  
  I would be more surprised if she made a sensible decision, for the first time in her life!
  
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  April 13, 2021 11:12am
- Happychappy
  
  If Duncan Garner knows this why is the Prime Minister spinning shit that she has no idea after she’s has no shame in taking credit for most things to do with Covid-19.
  Duncan Garner : it’s pretty clear New Zealand’s Vaccinations is failing and has some serious problems. It’s a flop, it’s behind time, it’s tardy, it’s slow- in other words ‘it’s failing’.
  The Government didn’t know how many frontline workers it had – let alone how many still hadn’t – had the jab, it’s 538 staff on the front line unvaccinated.
  https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/04/duncan-garner-new-zealand-s-vaccination-programme-is-failing.html
  Jacinda Ardern our Prime Minister Leader of New Zealand should have known that’s what she is paid for to keep New Zealanders safe , but no it’s everyone elses fault, never her own.
  
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  April 13, 2021 11:37am
  - Stellaboxer
    
    It’s always the people’s fault when things go wrong. The dogma is never at fault, extremists never criticise themselves
    
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    April 13, 2021 9:17pm
Benedict Yu

Something that will get a lot of attention later this year is the repeal of the Resource Management Act. That may seem a good thing. But the Act is being replaced by THREE new Acts to create a new resource management system.

There may well be some good things in there. I intend to work my way through all of it. But this bit has me a little nervous.

“[The system will require] effective partnering of central & local government and iwi/Māori in planning and delivery: Focuses decision-making about land use and the environment on a series of regional partnerships between central and local government and mana whenua.”

and…

“The [Review] Panel emphasised the importance of providing for a much more effective role for Māori throughout the resource management system. This includes recognising the concept of Te Mana o te Taiao; giving effect to the principles of Te Titiri o Waitangi, providing for specified Tikanga Māori outcomes and promoting effective participation by mana whenua.”

https://www.mfe.govt.nz/rma/reforming-new-zealands-resource-management-system/supporting-information-reform

Of course this comes as no surprise. It has the potential to stifle development and to effectively provide a veto to Maori on planning and zoning. Of course we will not know until we see drafts of the Bills.

Again the media is virtually silent on these reforms. I just hope that the Government does not repeal the RMA only to deliver something far worse. But if you think about their track record in government why would that not happen? They have failed at everything else. Why will RMA reform be any different?
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April 13, 2021 8:00am
- kowtow
  
  On track record and ideology , guaranteed to be waaaaay worse .
  
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  April 13, 2021 8:32am
  - Nickc2
    
    They’re trashing the joint on the way out. How long will it take before the as re-written RMA can be banished forever?
    IMO, this pursuit by Maori for power beyond their proportion of population must be stopped by any means.
    Let’s face it, there are NO Maori in NZ. What we do have are mixed breeds who crave power and wealth with the least amount of input.
    
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    April 13, 2021 9:11am
    - Ruawai
      
      Most Maori have as much European in them as Maori but they seem to forget this heritage.
      
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      April 13, 2021 1:00pm
  - Mr_Blobby
    
    The Maori mafia will object to everything until they have extracted everything they can out of it, even then the door will be open for a second dip at it, occupations will be legal, ongoing extortion encouraged, all protected by the law.
    
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    April 13, 2021 9:54am
- Tomtoddy
  
  Timely warning, BY. Be very afraid. Involving Maori more fully can only result in more delays and more expense. I wouldnt trust Parker on this. He has a chip on his shoulder and just enough brains to be dangerous.
  
  It would be a sure bet things will get worse.
  
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  April 13, 2021 8:50am
- hmmokrightitis
  
  I suspect the media are silent for a couple of reasons.
  
  Firstly, their agenda is their funders agenda, simply put. They will not dig too deep.
  
  Second and for me the wider and more concerning issue – most of the media these days dont have the intellectual horsepower to do more than surf tweets and post about the latest celeb happenings.
  
  We were poorly served by the media before the advent of “The Crisis” – now they have basically sold what remained of their soul for filthy coin.
  
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  April 13, 2021 8:51am
  - Mr_Blobby
    
    I think you are being unfair to the media.
    
    They can also cut and paste press releases, interview their keyboards and dress them up as news.
    
    Most of the time just cutting, pasteing and calling it news.
    
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    April 13, 2021 9:59am
    - Gravelroad
      
      So what is more “news”worthy to the general population today?
      Prince Phillip has died after a lifetimes work for Queen and country and the Commonwealth?
      Or-
      Will Meghan come to the funeral and if so, what will she be wearing?
      Likewise Prince Harry: will he repair the alleged rift with his brother?
      That’s the news folks.
      All those who cry out about the unfair media not reporting Nat Party stuff maybe need to realise that what we thought of as “news” in days gone by, has changed – sadly.
      
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      April 13, 2021 11:21am
      - Littletramp
        
        Have a listen to the recent Leighton Smith interview with Des Gorman – an excellent commentary on NZ.
        
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        April 13, 2021 11:41am
      - Nickc2
        
        BREAKING NEWS
        Kim Kardashian broke a fingernail. Shock horror, will she ever recover? Don’t forget to buy the X tomorrow and find out.
        BTW, FROZEN PEAS ARE ON SPECIAL AT Y IN HIKURANGI
        
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        April 13, 2021 12:54pm
    - Jack5
      
      The takeover of journalism by the liberal elite is result of the industry’s trade training transferring to universities.
      
      News media is now so Left dominated that the New York Times reports even staff of the hard-core conservative newspaper, the Wall Street Journal, are trying to force it to the Left.
      
      The NY Times reports thatan innovation team and a group of nearly 300 newsroom employees are pushing for drastic changes at the Wall Street Journal.
      
      The NYT says:
      
      They say The Journal, often [owner Rupert Murdoch] Mr. Murdoch’s first read of the day, must move away from subjects of interest to established business leaders and widen its scope if it wants to succeed in the years to come. The Journal of the future, they say, must pay more attention to social media trends and cover racial disparities in health care, for example, as aggressively as it pursues corporate mergers.
      
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      April 13, 2021 6:50pm
- Ian Boag
  
  Doing anything to the RMA seems to be a bit hard. National choked on it for 9 years and Labour seem to have done no better. I’m not sure if the Clark government choked on it too.
  
  This does look like an issue where some level of bipartisanship could be a good idea ….
  
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  April 13, 2021 8:57am
  - igm
    
    National were in a bad position as they could not get numbers for repeal. Dunne being the final stumbling block . . . still had his Labour roots!
    
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    April 13, 2021 9:02am
  - Gravelroad
    
    @Ian Boag- yes, it was too hard for National to do anything much about the RMA during their 9 years. We were told by our National MP here that they couldn’t get the numbers due to the interference and blocking by Winston Peters – a convenient excuse.
    Having said that, and I may be incorrect , but I understand that Judith Collins has already spent a lot of time, knowledge and ability re-drafting the RMA.
    I imagine that the current government won’t be interested , but I’d trust her work before theirs.
    
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    April 13, 2021 9:19am
    - rangitoto
      
      Also Dunne refused to support it.
      
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      April 13, 2021 10:26am
      - Tony Stuart
        
        As did the Maori Party. Which meant National plus Act did not have the votes to reform the RMA. Had Winston Peters agreed to put politics to one side, they may have been able to make changes, but as always, Peters was only interested in what was good for Winston Peters, not what was good for New Zealand.
        
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        April 13, 2021 11:29am
  - peterwn
    
    It was effectively bipartisan when first enacted. Work on it was almost complete when Labour lost power in 1990 and National’s Simon Upton oversaw its passing into law pretty well unchanged. IMO National should have taken another hard look at it and dealt with potential trouble spots.
    Jacinda’s government has been in no mood for any bipartisan approach over Covid 19, issues with The Speaker, etc. So why should Judith agree to any bipartisanship especially when Labour is very unlikely to consider any compromises or exchange of favours.
    
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    April 13, 2021 9:27am
    - Jimbob
      
      Simon Upton. ?????
      He destroyed research and health in the 1990’s. Especially research, disaster. It would take me an hour to cover some of the repercussions.
      
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      April 13, 2021 10:59am
      - peterwn
        
        A Green Party member infiltrated a National Party conference and asked Bill English an awkward question with recorder on. I wonder if Simon Upton was an infiltrator on a grander scale.
        
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        April 13, 2021 3:30pm
    - chukar
      
      Who originally passed the RMA in the first place?
      Bolger and National!
      I know it was written by Palmer and Labour in the first place but, why , oh why did National put it on the books?
      
      The reality is that both parties are pretty much the same!
      We now have one party government now with an opposition that is opposition in name only.
      It seems that has been the case for many years.
      
      It is bureaucracy that runs this country!
      
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      April 13, 2021 6:38pm
      - peterwn
        
        I was surprised at the time Bolger and co pretty well accepted it as it was and did not return it to a Select Committee.
        
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        April 13, 2021 10:56pm
- KevO'Brien
  
  Maori land takeover again.
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:37am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  How many people understand “the concept of Te Mana o te Taiao”?
  
  Can I with a fair knowledge of historical Maori cultural practices and a good knowledge of NZ’s ecology ever get a grasp of Te Mana o te Taiao”?
  
  I’m sure I can understand and even put into practice
  NZ’s biodiversity strategy.. but is that really the same as the concept of Te Mana o te Taiao?
  
  https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-strategy-ensure-nature-thrives
  
  https://www.minterellison.co.nz/our-view/resource-management-reform-greater-integration-of-mana-whenua
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:22am
  - Paulus Gnome
    
    I really don’t want to know, but what is Te Mana o te Taiao?
    
    How many other New Zealanders eyes glazed over and moved onto the puzzle page at that point?
    
    Answer: More than know what the fuck Te Mana o te Taiao is.
    
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    April 13, 2021 12:30pm
    - Maggy Wassilieff
      
      but what is Te Mana o te Taiao?
      
      I provided a link…
      As far as I’m aware it is the Aotearoa NZ Biodiversity Strategy
      
      https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/biodiversity/aotearoa-new-zealand-biodiversity-strategy/te-mana-o-te-taiao-summary/
      
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      April 13, 2021 4:30pm
- theoldbloke
  
  This country is heading down a separatist path.
  No ifs, buts or maybes.
  
  If one looks at history around the globe.
  Separatism doesnt work!!!
  
  The futures prediction is easy.
  It will all end in tears, violence and falling living standards.
  
  Thank God I wont be here to see the destruction of the society that nurtured me, educated me and allowed me to live a good life.
  
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  April 13, 2021 1:13pm
  - Unity
    
    “Thank God I wont be here to see the destruction of the society that nurtured me, educated me and allowed me to live a good life.”
    
    My thoughts exactly theoldbloke. It’s going to be one hell of a mess we will be leaving our younger generation.
    
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    April 13, 2021 3:50pm
    - wairarapapaul
      
      They probably won’t be here to see it either. The brain drain will begin shortly.
      
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      April 13, 2021 10:24pm
- Alan Wilkinson
  
  The RMA review committee was entirely composed of ticket clippers with zero doers.
  
  There will now be three bad laws instead of one and the outcomes will certainly be even worse. Government by the clueless for the vested interests.
  
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  April 13, 2021 1:18pm
Sir Cullen's Sidekick

Good morning and another great “delivery” day by Cindy and her gummit. Another wasted day in the life of Judith Collins as a National Leader.
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April 13, 2021 8:02am
- KevO'Brien
  
  Another wasted post by you.
  Cinders will get her ashes. When was she ever President of a Law Society?
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:39am
  - Sir Cullen's Sidekick
    
    KevO’Brien bro – You have too much faith on National and Judith. They are not going to make a dent in Cindy’s popularity.
    
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    April 13, 2021 9:46am
    - KevO'Brien
      
      Cindy may get fed up: her demonstrated tolerance levels are low.
      
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      April 13, 2021 12:28pm
- WaveyDavey
  
  2017: Labour
  2020: Labour
  2023: Labour
  2026: Labour Greens
  2029: Maybe a backlash, although 16yos probably voting
  2032: First small chance for RoC parties
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:10am
  - KevO'Brien
    
    Cripes. Will there be a New Zealand in 2029 under that awful scenario?
    Watch out for Nanaia Mahuta for a takeover run for Waikato.
    
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    April 13, 2021 12:31pm
RockyJ

Herald reports a 12 year old girl ordered off the field because she was not allowed to play in a boys-only competition. Mother and nation outraged at sexism.
FFS. The reason given is the high risk of injury to her because of the physical differences between girls and boys. Fair enough.
Another big justification for ordering her off in my opinion is that it is not fair on the boys. As an ex footy player I would be thinking “how do I tackle her, do I go easy on her, can I smash her?” There would be constant doubt in my mind.
Also I note that she left the field in tears. A boy would not have done that. Poor thing.
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April 13, 2021 8:06am
- hookerphil
  
  If it was defined as a boys only competition why did the coach endorse her selection without prior approval therefore setting up her removal.
  
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  April 13, 2021 8:57am
- MCos
  
  “Also I note that she left the field in tears. A boy would not have done that. Poor thing.”
  Two points there.
  By the very nature of the situation it couldn’t haven’t happened to a boy.
  On many occasions, not least when Argentina beat the ABs recently, I’ve seen on tv some of the biggest, meanest, ugliest, brick chewing, concrete drinking, ogres reduced to tears on the rugby paddock in full view of their patriotic supporters in the stands.
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:16am
- Benedict Yu
  
  So what happens if she just says “I identify as a male”?
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:18am
  - Loddenthinks
    
    This: https://babylonbee.com/news/girl-rushed-to-hospital-for-emergency-gender-reassignment-surgery-after-showing-up-to-school-with-a-gijoe
    
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    April 13, 2021 1:38pm
- Tall Man
  
  I coached kids and adolescent football teams up to age 16 a few years ago and some bright spark decided non college teams could be unisex.
  
  The difference between a decent young man player and a decent young woman player is more of a chasm, plus many girls from age 13 ish are feeling the “difference” and are embarrassed to get stuck in physically due to excess body part movements despite ironclad sports bras. The girls who are physically capable of footing it with their male counterparts are miles slower so are completely outclassed again.
  
  Now many will shout about exceptions and they may be right but in the real world where I lived in over 5 years of mixed teams I never saw one young lady capable or matching a half decent young man. It may be different after age 16 but I doubt it.
  
  Now rugby is a different game but generally bigger means slower so big enough to take it means too slow to get there in the first place. Muscle beats fat in all but sitting down contests.
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:37am
- virtualmark
  
  Rocky,
  
  Sorry mate, can’t follow you on this one. I have a 12yo boy who plays rugby in a mixed team. Has been in mixed teams for the last 4 years. He’s average size for a boy and for his team, but is still smaller than all 3 girls in his team. At 10yo-13yo the girls grow earlier/bigger than the blokes. So “high risk of injury” just doesn’t ring true.
  
  The best player he’s played with is a girl. Daughter of a rugby international. We spend the season wondering how long it’ll be before she’s in the Black Ferns.
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:17am
  - RockyJ
    
    Fair enough. Maybe it changes when you add a few years. Well said
    
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    April 13, 2021 11:06am
  - Tall Man
    
    Well maybe we’ll see if there’s a boy there with an “International player” father and compare those two.
    
    As I said, there may be exceptions but in the real non All Black progeny world I never saw them.
    
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    April 13, 2021 4:45pm
- I remember when
  
  Sorry rocky you obviously haven’t seen some of the girls that play at this level.
  
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  April 13, 2021 1:11pm
- MCos
  
  There is a rule in that particular completion the up to a certain age gender is not an issue.
  After that it is & they go their separate ways.
  However.
  The time to sort this out was at the preseason registration not on the field of play. The girl was shocked at her exclusion from the game and her parents were rightly furious at the inept way this had been handled.
  
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  April 13, 2021 2:37pm
Maggy Wassilieff

Does anyone doubt that NZ’s Covid-19 record is due to Good luck as opposed to Good management?

Auckland University professor of medicine Des Gorman said it was ridiculous the register was not already mandatory.

“I, like most people, would be saying ‘oh, I’m very, very surprised that we’re having conversations about compulsory registers now’ – it’s April 2021. I would have thought this was something we would have nailed in March 2020,” Gorman said.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/440338/miq-covid-19-case-of-security-guard-raises-questions-on-use-of-ministry-s-testing-register

For how much longer can our Government rely on luck and fairy dust?
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April 13, 2021 8:06am
- RW Capitalist
  
  Good luck combined with geographical location.
  
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  April 13, 2021 8:24am
  - Tall Man
    
    Plus a general population relatively low on the risk scale.
    
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    April 13, 2021 9:39am
    - Loddenthinks
      
      And highly compliant, at least for the first major lockdown, plus a police force prepared to break the law and act without lawful authority to ensure you comply.
      
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      April 13, 2021 1:46pm
- redeye
  
  National’s calculation is a simple one for mine.
  Labour has only Jacinda Ardern.
  After failing at almost everything Ardern only has the myth of a well managed COVID response (WMCR).
  So crush the myth and down comes the ivory tower.
  There is ample proof the WMCR is a myth. Their own Simpson-Roche report for one. Des Gorman is another. David Seymour called them out on their hard and fast bullshit and is reaping the rewards in the polls.
  Yet we have conservative commentators, supposedly National supporters, on this very blog describing WMCR as outstanding, like it is sacrilege to criticise it.
  
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  April 13, 2021 8:28am
  - Nickc2
    
    Name and shame those National supporters who sanction Cindy’s WMCR.
    
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    April 13, 2021 9:25am
  - KevO'Brien
    
    COVID response?
    Just saw a poster aiming at measles, saying it was 10x worse than COVID. At the foot one of the sponsors was The Ministry of Health.
    
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    April 13, 2021 9:41am
    - virtualmark
      
      10x worse? Or 10x more contagious?
      
      I’d say measles and Covid are roughly the same in terms of clinical outcomes (ie “worse”). But measles is the gold standard of contagious, and is way way way more contagious than Covid.
      
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      April 13, 2021 10:19am
    - Loddenthinks
      
      You spelled Ministry of Truth wrong, Kev 🙂
      
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      April 13, 2021 1:50pm
  - Sir Cullen's Sidekick
    
    There is nothing, I repeat NOTHING that can bring Cindy down unless she decides to retire. Her grip on Sheeple is stronger than anything you have witnessed ever. So wait until 2029 election.
    
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    April 13, 2021 9:54am
    - BananaLlama
      
      People are going to get sick of her shit. Right now no one can leave so they are stuck here and she is offering them free money and security so that’s fine thank you very much. The moment those borders open the world will change and Labour will be left behind. Who wants someone nagging at them over BBQs and getting lectured over kindness.
      Change comes at you fast.
      
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      April 13, 2021 11:11am
  - Bill Felt
    
    “All the Russia seamen have been tested – no they haven’t
    They have all been in quarantine – no they haven’t
    All the border workers are tested – no they are not
    No one is leaving quarantine early – yes they are
    There is no mixing and mingling – yes there is
    We have plenty of influenza vaccine – no we don’t
    The nurses are getting plenty of PPE – no they aren’t not”
    
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    April 13, 2021 11:22am
- MCos
  
  I don’t think luck has anything to do with our current situation.
  For every country where they are now is a consequence of the path their leaders chose to take.
  Depending on how you see the current state of the country, and your own personal circumstances, you could look back at the alternatives that were available and ask if the right options were taken.
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:58am
  - I remember when
    
    You forgot to start with –
    Once upon a time
    
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    April 13, 2021 1:19pm
    - NeverMindTheBollocks
      
      One hopes we all live happily ever after
      
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      April 13, 2021 10:18pm
- SB2
  
  I would say Joe and Jane Public think a combination of both.Short of draconian controlmeasures I think we can’t hope for much better.A measure of good faith and sensible actions by the public in every instance is not guaranteed
  
  I also think that’s reflected in the results of recent opinion polls
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:05am
- KevO'Brien
  
  The programming of a database for COVID scheduling and tracking is not far off learner grade. This should be done in a week.
  Another all hui-no doi.
  
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  April 13, 2021 12:36pm
- theoldbloke
  
  Another strike against the DG of Health and the Brigadier fellow.
  
  They are supposed to be in charge.
  
  Blaming the ventriloquists dummies(Politicians) is a waste of time as we all know that they know nothing and have no real world experience.
  
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  April 13, 2021 1:17pm
artemisia

Beneficiaries in debt to MSD. The only answers on the table atm seem to be give all beneficiaries more money or a wholesale write off of loans. Better still, both.

So how about doing the analysis that National did for the social investment approach. Instead of more money for all, target those at risk and provide intensive support. Like the Young Parent Payment where teen parents were found on analysis to be on benefit for years if not decades. Under the YPP they get wraparound support along with responsibilities and additional payments for meeting those responsibilities.

Yes it is expensive. But that is the whole point of the YPP, and other social investment initiatives – pay now to set households on a less dependent path. Like the unimplemented (yet) plan to remove decile funding for schools and target the funds for at risk pupils and their households.

If I were in charge I would start by extending the YPP scheme to include young beneficiaries who have accessed MSD loans more than X times, offer to wipe the debt if they enter into the YPP or similar and commit for a minimum period.
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April 13, 2021 8:07am
- sabre
  
  Cut benefits for the able bodied and cut the minimum wage, plenty of work out there fruit picking etc
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:27am
  - Batman
    
    Cutting the minimum wage wouldn’t provide any incentive at all. Just trim benefits for able bodied people and leave the minimum wage as is so it is a decent incentive.
    
    Otherwise you’re just playing into the stereotype of actually wanting to punish those less well off.
    
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    April 13, 2021 10:26am
    - sabre
      
      Cutting minimum wage is not about trying to punish less well off, just I feel it will open the door to more employers giving the currently unemployable a start in life that can lead onto better things, just my opinion tho maybe I’m wrong
      
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      April 13, 2021 11:54am
    - I remember when
      
      The consequence of the rising minimum wage and the living wage is just starting to come to fruition.
      At the week-end I was in a conversation where the problem of skilled and lower skilled workers back on the same salary scale was discussed.
      
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      April 13, 2021 1:34pm
    - Loddenthinks
      
      That’s the typical mistake made by people with a poor understanding of the human psyche. Give a man a fish (handout) and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish and you feed him, and his family, for life.
      
      There’s a real dignity and sense of purpose and value from doing a job and receiving money for it. We need (and by we I mean parents, the wider family and friends) to instill in our young people the idea that it’s their responsibility to provide for themselves and their dependents.
      
      Education, self-esteem and self-belief are key parts of the exercise, and creating the expectation that they will complete education and training, and that they will enter the workforce or start a business, are also vitally important.
      
      Teaching them that due to colonisation, white privilege, living in the wrong postcode and generally being picked on by the world (which, paradoxically, they are all taught owes them a living) is like cancer to kids. Aim high.
      
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      April 13, 2021 1:59pm
      - tf78
        
        Lodden – Melania Trump set up a program for kids “Be Best” – that’s the attitude we need.
        
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        April 13, 2021 2:18pm
      - Tall Man
        
        Are you surprised that many of those that have no dignity vote for ardern ……
        
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        April 13, 2021 4:37pm
  - Paulus
    
    Yes, but as a one time fruit grower I would not want any of them to be able to spoil my fruit.
    
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    April 13, 2021 10:53am
  - MCos
    
    The last time I approached WINZ with a view to obtaining an unemployment benefit I was 60. There’s no way I was in shape to go fruit picking after 40yrs of office work.
    There seems to be some sort of idea out there that just because one is unemployed they should accept anything, anywhere.
    
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    April 13, 2021 11:44am
  - artemisia
    
    Our small tradie firm has hired young people off the Jobseeker benefit over the years, occasionally not long out of prison. Most mediocre, some terrible, a few good and encouraged into apprenticeships. But too many not worth the time and hassles. We don’t do it anymore.
    
    Now pay twice as much for three times the output, and hassles nonexistent, mostly subbies with their own small business.
    
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    April 13, 2021 1:30pm
- Ian Boag
  
  Instead of more money for all, target those at risk and provide intensive support.
  
  Good idea. Let’s not extend it to the pension 🙂
  
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  April 13, 2021 12:33pm
  - Mike
    
    Means test for the pension.
    
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    April 13, 2021 12:42pm
    - theoldbloke
      
      Yep that will get a few dozen cardie wearers/desknazis some jobs. Good idea
      
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      April 13, 2021 1:19pm
    - Ian Boag
      
      Wash your mouth.
      
      Pensioners have been paying taxes all their lives (some of them anyway) and deserve their footling $20k per year each. It’s only 2x the dole and the admin costs of targetting it would cost more than the savings yadda yadda.
      
      Today’s taxpayers are happy to be paying for it. The fact that they won’t be on anything as generous doesn’t bother them at all.
      
      Anyway – means testing is hard. Income testing is pretty easy though ….
      
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      April 13, 2021 1:25pm
      - artemisia
        
        Yes, people advocating means testing often think it is no more pension for those still working. I remember Mary Holm writing a while back that she checked with IRD how feasible it would be to income test workers and was told the cost of administering would be more than the savings. Plus there are those pesky unintended consequences.
        
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        April 13, 2021 1:35pm
      - I remember when
        
        Further more it would be interesting to see some figures for the number of pensioners still paying tax on other earnings.
        So are either reducing their being a burden, tax neutral or still an overall tax contributor.
        
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        April 13, 2021 1:42pm
      - Ian Boag
        
        IRD seem to income test other beneficiaries without too much bother. Mary could have asked how they do it ….. 🙂
        
        As for working pensioners in the current situation – most would be taxed 25-33% of their pension. So they are still a cost to the taxpayer.
        
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        April 13, 2021 2:17pm
      - Tall Man
        
        Reasonable arguments have been promulgated on this blog numerous times to counter your obsession with the “pension” argument. As you seem incapable of retaining them maybe you should be looking for a “medical pension”.
        
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        April 13, 2021 4:40pm
TWEEDSE

If the world climate is warming, why do we need more insulation in houses?
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April 13, 2021 8:09am
- Benedict Yu
  
  To make the air conditioning more efficient in summer. Good luck with air-conditioning an uninsulated house.
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:21am
  - burt
    
    If that were the reason the healthy home standards would focus on the ability to cool the house to less than a certain temperature rather then be able to heat it to a certain temperature. But hey, we’re talking climate change and we all know that a heating planet means more cold and snow.
    
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    April 13, 2021 10:19am
    - WaveyDavey
      
      The Healthy Homes standards are a joke
      
      Much of NZ’s “unhealthy” homes issue is down to humidity and much of that is down to the way people live/lack of understanding about how moisture comes about
      
      You can seal up a home as tight as you like and it won’t stop dampness unless you both heat properly and ventilate the house at the same time
      
      Too many tenants and their supporters see insulation as THE magic bullet when it’s only part of the solution
      
      They even believe that they won’t need to use any power for heating as the “insulation will do it all”
      
      Even better, the HH heating calculator tool is total nonsense – apparently the 8kw heat pump in one my properties isn’t enough to heat a 60sqm house to their satisfaction. Even better their calculator tells me I need a minimum 32kw system to heat my own homw
      
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      April 13, 2021 10:48am
      - Batman
        
        Having just moved from a crappy Wellington flat that was uninsulated, had a heat pump, had drafty windows and a leak in the tin roof, to a sealed and insulated home with a heat pump, I can tell you that the difference is fucking huge.
        
        And we are people who heat, clean, and ventilate our houses because we know how it works.
        
        The issue is that so many NZ houses are uninsulated crap shitholes, maintained by landlords who won’t invest in them, or owners who can’t or won’t.
        
        Until we change our thinking about standards for and investing in homes that actually support healthy human habitation, this won’t be fixed.
        
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        April 13, 2021 1:05pm
      - tf78
        
        WD – drying washing indoors is a real dampener and often done by stupidos.
        
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        April 13, 2021 2:22pm
      - Tall Man
        
        How’s the arm Batman …. I assume someone twisted it up your back to make you live in the shitty dump …… Or were you price sensitive?
        
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        April 13, 2021 4:35pm
      - Batman
        
        Haha no, smart arse. We made a conscious choice to enable us to buy in the current fucked market.
        
        It was a crap experience despite not being the worst flat I’ve seen by any means.
        
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        April 13, 2021 6:26pm
      - WaveyDavey
        
        So not a “typical” tenant then
        
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        April 13, 2021 4:42pm
      - WaveyDavey
        
        So not a “typical” tenant then.
        
        I lived in the property I mentioned, my bach, for about 6 months over the winter and never had a problem. I ran the heat pump properly, never let the inside temperature fall below 16c and the place was bone-dry.
        
        Tenants however refused to use the heat pump, dried washing inside, used unflued gas heaters and never aired the place and barely opened the curtains.
        
        We ended up at the Tenancy Tribunal where the tenants said that the house had a damp and mould problem – it didn’t and they lost.
        
        We did find out that while having heating is compulsory there is no compulsion for tenants to use it or live in a house properly.
        
        When they moved out they lost their entire bond because of the damage they’d caused – swollen woodwork (skirting, doors etc.) 12 sets of curtains all ruined…
        
        I’m a member of a tenants/landlords advisory thing and the absolute incompetence of tenants is a thing to behold. They don’t know how to live properly.
        
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        April 13, 2021 4:50pm
      - artemisia
        
        Agree, and the Tenancy Services website has a list of what causes damp and mould and which party is responsible for which items. Basically landlord if structural. Tenant for pretty much everything else.
        
        University of Otago public health professor Philippa Howden-Chapman said overcrowding was the single biggest housing-related cause of poor mental and physical health. Not damp and mould. Though obviously overcrowding coupled with lack of ventilation can produce a whole lot of damp.
        
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        April 13, 2021 5:39pm
      - WaveyDavey
        
        @artemisia
        
        My partner’s 20 something daughter had a problem with damp in her rental
        
        Might have been something to do with running an unvented tumble-drier indoors. We explained: she still didn’t get it.
        
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        April 13, 2021 6:18pm
      - Batman
        
        Davey I think you just had shit tenants.
        
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        April 13, 2021 6:28pm
      - WaveyDavey
        
        All the “regular” tenants in all our properties were trouble. I could give you a list if you really were interested but I’m sure you already have an unchangeable opinion so probably not worth it.
        
        All of them had dry, solid properties to live all with over-specced heat pumps and insulation and all the tenants were uniformly bad.
        
        BTW 80% of Tenancy Tribunal cases are taken by landlords chasing rent arrears. Another 15% are landlords taking cases for other reasons. That leaves only 1 in 20 cases actually tenants with a grievance – and they fail in over half those cases.
        
        Tell me again about shitty landlords
        
        We had professional PMs who interviewed prospective tenants and managed the properties for us.
        
        Best thing we did was to get rid of tenants and change to STR only. Paid in advance, paid a week’s rent in 2 nights, had power paid for so ran the heating properly and no security of tenure.
        
        We’ll never ever have tenants again, they’re just not worth it.
        
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        April 13, 2021 6:39pm
  - Tall Man
    
    Time for a “sense of humour” injection Benedict…..
    
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    April 13, 2021 4:34pm
- oldfella
  
  tweedse: talking of climate change … apparently, current climate model simulations overestimate future sea-level rise. Better tell Cindy.
  https://phys.org/news/2021-04-current-climate-simulations-overestimate-future.html
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:37am
  - TWEEDSE
    
    That’s unfortunate news Oldfella, best we ignore it lest it confuses chicken Littles message.
    
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    April 14, 2021 6:34am
- artemisia
  
  Batman “The issue is that so many NZ houses are uninsulated crap shitholes, maintained by landlords who won’t invest in them, or owners who can’t or won’t.”
  
  Insulation in rentals has been mandatory for several years, with very few exemptions. Big fines payable to the tenants for failure to insulate to standard.
  
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  April 13, 2021 1:40pm
  - WaveyDavey
    
    I wonder how many 14-day notices our moderator sent to the PM/LL
    
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    April 13, 2021 6:20pm
    - Batman
      
      Not many because we knew we were going to fuck off to our own place. Had enough trouble just getting the managers to reply to emails and calls.
      
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      April 13, 2021 6:33pm
  - Batman
    
    Yes aside from anything without a roof cavity or anything between floors or against a hill.
    
    Plenty of those in Wellington!
    
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    April 13, 2021 6:30pm
    - WaveyDavey
      
      So properties that can’t be insulated then?
      
      You can’t really complain about a lack of insulation where it can’t be installed.
      
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      April 13, 2021 6:44pm
  - chukar
    
    What about the market?
    Have lived in and survived genuine shit holes and was grateful for a roof over my head.
    If the tenant is not happy they are free to leave!
    And no I don’t run rentals.
    
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    April 13, 2021 6:54pm
- I remember when
  
  Light snow falling, maybe not settling on ground, in London yesterday.
  
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  April 13, 2021 1:43pm
WaveyDavey

The last of the best.

Just turned 100yo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phyllis_Latour?fbclid=IwAR2X117rUyxDq0sxhb2v4ne9hUaIGeipcCxE4UNN7YFB3seGgv4yJdfnMK0
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April 13, 2021 8:11am
- Swifty
  
  Now living in West Auckland:
  
  https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/north-shore-times/97613185/former-french-resistance-agent-96-receives-military-honour-at-ceremony-in-devonport
  
  https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/pippa-latour-wartime-spy-who-helped-bring-down-nazis-honoured-in-auckland/O5FPN26VSNRE7GTQ3SEIQ2IX5I/
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:33am
- Tall Man
  
  A truly amazing woman.
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:32am
- CommanderC
  
  Thanks so much WaveyDavey, I had never heard of her. Unbelievably brave and determined!
  
  Her father died when she was a baby, her mother died in a crash racing her stepfather’s cars; during World War 2 her godmother and godmother’s father, who were her de facto French family, were arrested by the Germans and her godmother’s father was executed and her godmother committed suicide.
  
  This 2014 stuff article, which also repeats an older 2009 Army News article, has more of the story too:
  
  https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/63516307/pippas-astonishing-story-recognised?rm=m
  
  She first went into Aquitaine in Vichy France from 1942 and was dropped behind enemy lines under a new code name, Paulette, into the Calvados region of Normandy on May 1, 1944.
  
  Aged 23, she had the identity of a poor 14-year-old French girl to make the Germans less suspicious.
  
  The training members of the SOE were given was tough, and women were given no quarter, says Pippa. “The men who had been sent just before me were caught and executed. I was told I was chosen for that area (of France) because I would arouse less suspicion.”
  
  The Gestapo and SS were everywhere. And to add to the confusion and danger a double agent was working in the area.
  
  The SOE operative was friendly and talkative whenever she met German soldiers – “I’d talk so much about anything and everything, trying to be ‘helpful’ and they’d get sick of me” – and was constantly moving through the countryside where she was transmitting the information so urgently needed by the Allied Command.
  
  “I always carried knitting because my codes were on a piece of silk – I had about 2000 I could use. When I used a code I would just pinprick it to indicate it had gone. I wrapped the piece of silk around a knitting needle and put it in a flat shoe lace which I used to tie my hair up.”
  
  Once she was loaded into a truck along with other locals and taken to the police station for questioning. “I can remember being taken to the station and a female soldier made us take our clothes off to see if we were hiding anything. She was looking suspiciously at my hair so I just pulled my lace off and shook my head. That seemed to satisfy her. I tied my hair back up with the lace- it was a nerve-wracking moment.”
  
  Pippa had no real base, sleeping rough in the countryside and in the forest.
  
  She was constantly hungry. “One family I stayed with told me we were eating squirrel. I found out later it was rat. I was half starved so I didn’t care.”
  
  While she had a Sten gun and a 7mm pistol with a silencer, she couldn’t carry a weapon routinely as it would give her ruse away should she be stopped. She used the training she had been given but lived largely on her wits.
  
  “Germany was far more advanced with their DF (direction finding or radio detecting apparatus) than the Allies. They were about an hour and a half behind me each time I transmitted. Each message might take me about half an hour so I didn’t have much time.”
  
  She had no interest in discussing her wartime exploits, and it wasn’t until 2000 that she told her by-then adult children what she had done. “I didn’t have good memories of the war, so I didn’t bother telling anyone what I did. I knew I would have been owed medals but I wasn’t interested in any if the people who had helped me in France did not receive them too.
  
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  April 13, 2021 6:26pm
- Batman
  
  What an absolutely great New Zealander
  
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  April 13, 2021 6:31pm
I remember when

Siouxsie on Twitter:
‘So I’ve got this right, someone recently wrote a review about the supposed danger of wearing a mask is not only a pandemic denier but also a climate-change denying former professor of physics who was sacked from his university post.’
Great to get so much unbiased fact from one twit.
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April 13, 2021 8:12am
- Frank the tank
  
  NZer of the year (sic)
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:33am
  - theoldbloke
    
    Some customers of Kiwibank NZ of the year!!!
    Wonder what the other 99% of the population thought.
    
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    April 13, 2021 1:22pm
- Ruawai
  
  Be kind Siouxsie!
  
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  April 13, 2021 1:06pm
Maggie Pie

We really admire Kim Dotcom – particularly since he convinced my partner to invest in ‘Bitcoin’ a few years back.
Although I do wonder if his advice to Jacinda about ‘Covid’ may be sounding just a wee bit paranoid?

https://twitter.com/KimDotcom/status/1381504930641444867
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April 13, 2021 8:15am
- G152
  
  Why is that meat mountain still here when other far worthier get deported within weeks ???
  
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  April 13, 2021 8:25am
- Mr_Blobby
  
  The tax man will want to talk to your partner.
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:08am
  - Maggie Pie
    
    Do they have an office in Jersey?
    
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    April 13, 2021 10:58am
Maggy Wassilieff

It has always been difficult getting a First home loan help-out from the Government.

But now it looks impossible unless you are buying a house in the back of beyond.

https://www.newsroom.co.nz/governments-first-home-loan-scheme-totally-redundant
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April 13, 2021 8:23am
- Maxx
  
  You would think an easy way to solve the issue to what the maximum amount to qualify for a Welcome Home Loan or a First Home Grant is to peg it to lower quartile price, adjusted quarterly.
  
  But I guess we’d miss out on the Government making announcements about how they are going to announce that they are announcing further support for the sheeple. Then the media wouldn’t have 27 articles they could each write to report this (without any actual analysis), or PR agencies not being able to promote it, or comms managers being able to brief the PR agencies. Labour really are a jobs creation machine. Non-productive jobs, but hey, it’s not their money.
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:02am
graham

Listened to an interview on Mike Hosking this morning, where he talked to the Universities NZ chief executive Chris Whelan.

Apparently the University of Hull has told its lecturers to not bother about spelling and grammar, because they could be seen as being elitist. (Hello? It’s a university, of COURSE it’s elitist, and so it damn well should be.) In words that will echo scarily here, they want to “decolonise” their curriculum. And a couple of other universities in the UK are going down similar paths.

Listening to Chris Whelan was so refreshing, because he quite simply spoke good plain common sense. Mike started off by asking Chris if he was aghast, to which Chris replied he was astonished. Chris called it a “brave move” by the Universities, and noted that the University of Hull had said using good grammar and spelling was somehow a North European white male elite mode of expression.

Then, joy of joys, Chris went on to say that essentially, with all degrees in NZ, they listen to the employers. And that while employers may not require perfect grammar and spelling, a prospective employee certainly gets marked down if they don’t have it. He pointed out that Hull University reached the decision in consultation with their students, and that’s all very well, but when those students emerge looking for jobs, employers are going to say, “You can’t write well, you can’t spell – sorry, no job for you here”. Out in the real world, employers discriminate – who would’ve thought it. Employers know what to expect when someone turns up with a certain qualification, and which universities are better than others, and they will want to hire accountants from one specific university, or lawyers from another specific university. Although Chris didn’t say so, the obvious corollary is that employers will avoid hiring graduates from tertiary institutions where they know that the degree isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.

And he finished off by saying that at least here in NZ, employers consistently rate the ability to write well very highly.

Sounds like there may still be some good old-fashioned common sense present in our universities.
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April 13, 2021 8:25am
- Benedict Yu
  
  I learned English at school followed by Bachelors and Masters degrees in English literature. At school we were taught perfect grammar in English. And that was in Taiwan ??. I don’t think that Taiwanese schools and universities have any plans to decolonise their English teaching ?.
  
  Do these people realise that China celebrates English speaking countries committing cultural and economic suicide on the back of climate change and woke?
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:29am
  - graham
    
    I cannot for the life of me comprehend what madness led these clowns to worry about being seen as ‘elitist’.
    
    YOU’RE A F***ING UNIVERSITY, YOU’RE MEANT TO BE ELITIST!!!
    
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    April 13, 2021 10:32am
- Maxx
  
  I know a few people currently recruiting to fill positions. With only one exception they have all decried grammar and spelling errors that will see an application go no further. It speaks to professionalism, and in today’s world, using the tools available to check your work.
  
  The one exception is looking for a welder. Even then, spelling mistakes upset him.
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:10am
- H. Upmann
  
  Four years ago I attended an engineering degree pre-enrolment open day for my godson along with his parents.
  In informal chat sessions one-on-one, the main questions from engineering school staff and senior students assisting on the day related to his English proficiency. They were just as interested in his written submission and presentation as in his abilities with maths, physics etc.
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:35am
- lifesgood
  
  Yes, but the worry is that a lot of these illiterate graduates will be accepted into teachers’ training courses and will be put in front of poor unsuspecting children. It is absolutely outrageous. Who, why and where are these morons infesting universities coming from? Why are students being given the right to decide what is taught and whatever happened to excellence? Why is the great European civilisation being so denigrated? Honestly, I despair.
  
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  April 13, 2021 11:32am
- Bobba Fret
  
  University education summed up nicely!
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls8FjusSlyk
  
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  April 13, 2021 12:19pm
- I remember when
  
  Deer Serr, Can eye pleez applie four yore reporta job.
  
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  April 13, 2021 1:53pm
  - WaveyDavey
    
    You think you’re joking?
    
    The wannabe reporters’ applications that I used to see weren’t far removed from that.
    
    BITD there were subs to shout at them and put them back on track: first the shouting was banned and then the subs were put out to grass.
    
    Funnily enough the Australian print media saw the value of a competent sub-editor and since about 2021 much of the subbing of those titles is done in NZ via an outfit called PageMasters.
    
    Meanwhile Stuff reporters write direct to page…
    
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    April 13, 2021 5:35pm
- Bluegrass
  
  There are good reasons to pay attention to correct punctuation, especially when one has just helped one’s uncle, Jack, off a horse.
  
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  April 13, 2021 1:58pm
- GJM
  
  Our lawyer, a partner in a mid sized and v3ry successful company has a policy of not hiring Waikato University graduates. Their law degree being worthless.
  Being a Waikato graduate in another field, I would have to agree with him.
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:52pm
Tomtoddy

I picked up some rellies the other night who have been in MIQ at JetPark Hotel. They are Aussies. They had been tested a few days before release.

The question arises could they have caught the virus between test and release? If they had would anyone know who they contacted the Wuflu from, whether they were vaccinated or not, when they were vaccinated if they were, if they are keeping strict records of their movements etc.

On day one of the MIQ set up surely a detailed plan was drawn up with all possible contingencies covered? I thought the army would have done that?? Bureaucrats wouldnt have conceived of it but a smart Minister would have been all over it.

Incidentally the treatment of the rellies at JetPark was superb.
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April 13, 2021 8:25am
- Maxx
  
  Didn’t you hear? Cindy’s made an ultimatum. The foot is down. We can all rest easy now.
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:12am
  - sooty
    
    The boney finger has been pointed too!
    
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    April 13, 2021 11:20am
Paulus

Having read this morning in NZME paper the comment from the some Auckland Indian Association about discrimination of withholding entry to returnees from India – the question arises again – how many New Zealand Citizens and Visa holders are there waiting to return to this country ?
Or are they students or whatever looking to ultimate stay ?
Surely the airlines from Dubai must know from their ticketing as nowhere will the Immigration Department divulge “commercial sensitive” information.
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April 13, 2021 8:28am
Surely Knott

Great News. Another 17 NZ Covid cases recovered in the last 24 hours from the very deadly disease. Total 2457 recovered.
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April 13, 2021 8:30am
- krazykiwi
  
  If you think this is deadly, then just wait for the backlog of cancer cases and swelling death rate.
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:57am
- Ed Snack
  
  Current best estimate of the fatality rate for Covid-19 worldwide is 0.15 per thousand. Influenza varies between about 0.1 to 0.2 per thousand depending on the variety and the vaccine effectiveness.
  
  Does that put this “pandemic” in perspective ?
  
  And just to note that the fatality rate for those under 50 (as an example) is way lower and for these people, Covid is significantly less dangerous than influenza; with the opposite being true of those over about 65.
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:06am
  - Tall Man
    
    “Does that put this “pandemic” in perspective ?”
    
    Not for the majority of the fools in this country.
    
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    April 13, 2021 10:37am
  - tf78
    
    Ed, do you remember Donald Trump said about August last year that Covid is no longer a pandemic, it’s a ‘case-demic’.
    
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    April 13, 2021 2:27pm
hullkiwi

In these days when many of us see the consequences of the Covid mismanagement and economic fallout daily, what staggers me still are these bits of anecdotal information that to me suggest that the idiots are in control of the asylum:

1. Ticker tape news on AM show this morning, “high credit ratings of New Zealanders shows economy in good health”
Really, which idiot made that link? How short are people’s memories or do they need to be reminded what helped to create the 2008 GFC? 2008 resulted from excessive credit and rating agencies turning a blind eye to fraudulent practices.

2. Bulls*t ads promoting savings when purchasing product at different shops. Most of you will have seen the ads for a particular chain of FMG stores suggesting they are cheaper than a neighbouring rival. What those ads don’t tell you is how wide the disparity of pricing can be between stores in the same regional area in the same chain. This is because this chain 1. Is a franchise model, and local stores know they can fleece locals who dont travel 10 minutes down the road to det the same item at a markedly lower price. The reality is that despite 40 years of bullsh*t about market competition, NZ does not really have either proper competitive markets in any commercial sectors or informed consumers to engender competitive practices;
3. Politicians and media who pedal bullsh*t, half truths and mythology to an ill informed public as though it is the gospel truth. The reality is we get a situation with people expecting action of government for anything that might be considered an “issue”, the truth of situations get buried, politicians claim they are doing something – when they aren’t, because they don’t understand the situation in the first place. This then manifests itself in the completely dysfunctional examples such as the City Councils of this country (they are all as bad as each other).
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April 13, 2021 8:30am
3-coil

Why does airhead Green MP Chloe Swarbrick not understand that “no means no”? She’s been hysterically taunting all men about this….forever, so she’s familiar with the concept.

The referendum at the last election voted a clear majority “no” to her marijuana legalisation hobbyhorse, but she wants to push on with it anyway. From the stupidity of her Ok Boomer crack at the non-boomer, to the hypocrisy of “no-means-no” to everyone but her – she is a complete waste of time and space as an MP.
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April 13, 2021 8:32am
- graham
  
  I like that!
  
  Hey Chloe, No means No!
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:01am
  - oldfella
    
    I can just hear streets full of marchers chanting – ‘Hey, Clo, No means No!’
    
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    April 13, 2021 11:18am
- Nickc2
  
  Your description of her is far too kind 3-coil.
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:36am
- Raphael
  
  Because like many of the Woke, Authoritian Left mindset Swarbrick does not believe in democracy.
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:46am
  - Ian Boag
    
    Swarbrick does not believe in democracy.
    
    You get that with electorate MPs … 🙂
    
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    April 13, 2021 10:42am
- Maxx
  
  Chloe, you failed at the referendum because you failed to put in any work apart from chanting slogans and talking down to anyone who doesn’t hold the same view as you. If you can’t articulate what you want looks like i.e. do the work and draft the legislation first so I can understand what I am or am not agreeing to, then fuck off.
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:20am
- Phronesis
  
  That’s an interesting comparison. Of course democracy values every individuals voice equally where the left normally view the world in terms of collectives, or more recently, groups defined by identity politics. Following the lefts ideology to its natural conclusion the individual is subsumed by the collective, which doesn’t leave much room for individual or bodily autonomy. But then if the left weren’t hypocrites they wouldn’t be anything.
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:27am
hullkiwi

What has happened to Collins and the National Party that they are showing all the signs of the walking dead. My simple answer the weakness of the President and the Board to organise the party and the politicians.
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April 13, 2021 8:32am
- Captain Mainwaring
  
  What has happened is that the paid-off media party won’t give them any airtime.
  
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  April 13, 2021 8:57am
  - KevO'Brien
    
    Two can play that game–Partying trolls can be introduced to Pakehautu.
    
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    April 13, 2021 9:52am
- KevO'Brien
  
  Labour are actually dead and have ceased to walk. They have reduced the economy to a crawl and now Cinders is giving free ashes to all to paint their faces on “Celebrate No Trees for Housing Week.” (Being replaced by plastic.)
  
  Next buckets of sand to put out the fires of aspiration of ever encountering wellness again.
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:50am
Maggie Pie

And what’s with Mike Hosking promoting someone like that CNN guy ‘Richard Quest’ on his breakfast show?
Do they not recall that Richard was arrested in New York’s Central Park with a bag of meth in his pocket, a sex-toy hidden in his boot, and a rope around his neck that was tied to his genitals.

Sounds like a bit of a sexual deviant if you ask me.
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April 13, 2021 8:33am
- Swifty
  
  Perfectly normal behaviour around Mt Eden I am told.
  
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  April 13, 2021 8:38am
- Biscuit
  
  ‘A bit’?
  
  I know you Tennis playing lot are an oddball mob -Love means nothing to a Tennis player, right? – but exactly what would the chap you cite have to do to be up(down?)graded to 100% sexual deviant status?
  
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  April 13, 2021 8:39am
- Paulus Gnome
  
  Hoskins sounds quite sane to me . . .
  
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  April 13, 2021 8:51am
- Inandout
  
  Maggie, ZB use CNN for most of their overseas news and this points to being instructed by the radio bosses. Why Hosking uses this chap is a mystery, but Hunter Biden could be a contender if this is the new ZB standard.
  
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  April 13, 2021 8:52am
- hmmokrightitis
  
  “a sex-toy hidden in his boot”
  
  Ah Maggie, it must be euphemism Tuesday, that did make me giggle.
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:04am
- RF
  
  Maggie. Don’t forget he was naked as a jay bird.
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:05am
  - Ed Snack
    
    If he was naked, how could he have meth in his pocket ? Or is that another euphemism that I’m missing ?
    
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    April 13, 2021 10:09am
- virtualmark
  
  Maggie, so it sounds like he’s perfectly qualified to be a club pro at the Remuera Rackets Club.
  
  Wonder if he can actually play tennis but?
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:23am
  - oldfella
    
    VM, the women players would be safe.
    
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    April 13, 2021 11:23am
- SB2
  
  Makes me think of rising star ex-Republican Rep Trey Radel busted for Cocaine possession,
  
  https://www.vox.com/conversations/2017/4/4/15144282/trey-radel-democrazy-cocaine-republican
  
  And of course pr Trump Matt Gaetz sex trafficking
  
  https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/9/pro-trump-congressman-matt-gaetz-faces-sex-allegations
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:29am
- I remember when
  
  Perhaps that explains his really, really, distinctive voice.
  
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  April 13, 2021 2:07pm
I remember when

Not enough fingers and toes:
Tairawhiti DHB doesn’t know how many border workers haven’t been vaccinated.
DHB said 300 doses assigned for border workers and their families or households.
So far 86 border workers and 51 family members vaccinated.
Eastland Port say say about 60 staff plus about 170 contractors, mostly stevedores.
Estimates about 50 were border facing and earlier Gisborne Herald article stated Eastland Port serviced 14 Log Ships last month.
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April 13, 2021 8:34am
RW Capitalist

AM Show
I caught the end of an interview with a woman who had written a book.
“….I find that the nastiest people, are those that keep saying “be kind””
She said it several times.
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April 13, 2021 8:37am
- ldypen
  
  Yep I agree, and over the years I have found that most people that shout racist are in fact just about always racists themselves, funny world!
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:15am
  - Tall Man
    
    Many hypocrites assume others have the same values as themselves.
    
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    April 13, 2021 10:41am
igm

“Stuff” must no longer need taxpayers’ millions to stay afloat. If they can afford to decline bona fide advertising material from reputable sources because it does not fit Labour narrative then they must be in a position to also repay money received from government (taxpayers).
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April 13, 2021 8:38am
Raphael

On the Derek Chauvin trial, it is worrisome that journalists are largely reporting in a manner that does not acknowledge that the Defence has scored some significant points against the Prosecution.

The risk is, that if people are only seeing the wins from the Prosecution, and not the Defence, if Chauvin is acquitted (and if you look at some of the wins from the Defence, it’s a distinct possibility), there is going to be even more shocked and outraged people.
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April 13, 2021 8:46am
- hullkiwi
  
  I blame the one eyed reporting. If you don’t use an experienced court reporter, what do you expect?
  
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  April 13, 2021 8:55am
- fernglas
  
  My take on it is that the defence have achieved very little. However, the medical evidence is very different from what might have been expected. rather than the knee on the neck being the immediate cause of death, it is in fact positional asphyxia, where someone in a hyped up state can’t get enough oxygen because of the way they have been restrained. This has been known about for many years, and is the subject of police training here and in many other places. So the issue is likely to be whether Chauvin (with the others) was aware of the serious risks of asphyxia but went on regardless with the restraint. I think manslaughter is a much more likely verdict than murder, but it is hard to see an acquittal given the evidence to date about use of force.
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:09am
  - Steve Todd
    
    That’s not a bad summary, fernglas. Uptick from me.
    
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    April 13, 2021 9:47am
  - Raphael
    
    Getting the Prosecution’s Witness on Use of Force, to not only say he had done the same things, and that when he arrived on scene, Chauvin was within his rights to use his taser (which is seen as a more lethal use of force, especially with Floyd’s other health issues), that Chauvin chose to use softer tactics, trying to deescalate the situation.
    
    We’ve had one of the prosecution’s medical witnesses say that the reason fentanyl is so dangerous is because is slows down respiratory rate. We’ve had the ME say that if she hadn’t seen the video she would have said the cause of death was an OD.
    
    This doesn’t mean the the prosecution hasn’t had some wins. But so has the defence. And this is against the prosecution’s own witnesses.
    
    Legal Insurrection has had some fairly balanced reporting an analysis on the trial. Certainly more balanced than what the MSM is reporting.
    https://legalinsurrection.com/2021/04/derek-chauvin-trial-prosecution-problems-ignored-or-misrepresented-in-mainstream-media-open-thread/
    
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    April 13, 2021 9:55am
    - fernglas
      
      The ME, when asked to clarify, said that if Floyd had been in a closed room with no other evidence than his corpse, she would have said that it was an OD. That is because the fentanyl in the blood stream plus no other obvious cause of death would make that a logical conclusion. But here, there is video footage of the circumstances of his death. The likelihood of a spontaneous OD coincidental with the use of sufficient force to asphyxiate means that opinion would not be correct. Equally, even if fentanyl had some effect on his breathing, the positional asphyxia is a real and substantial cause of death. Basically, you take your victim as you find him.
      
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      April 13, 2021 11:33am
- fredonas
  
  Minneapolis burns to the ground whatever the verdict, which has started already apparently. Ben Shapiro has been doing a great job summarising progress on youtube and let’s just say the prosecution is struggling. George’s drug dealer who was with him in the car just before George’s arrest won’t be appearing on the stand as his testimony would be self-incriminating to say the least. The defence intends to call some of the prosecution witnesses as their testimony supports the defence case. Could go either way at this point.
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:44am
  - Batman
    
    Ahhh yes, the noted court reporter and paragon of neutrality, Ben Shapiro ??
    
    Also, is it “the prosecution is struggling” or “could go either way”? If the prosecution is struggling then the defence must also be struggling to make it a 50/50 call at this point.
    
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    April 13, 2021 9:48am
    - Inandout
      
      Bat, the riots (looting) continue as the desire for new free items reignites. As for Ben Shapiro he talks a lot of sense because he actually investigates matters, not just screams ‘I am right’. Anyhow back to the looting:
      https://trends.gab.com/trend-feed/6074364092fa5748dae88c58
      
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      April 13, 2021 10:03am
      - Batman
        
        Shapiro investigates in the same way that an alcoholic concludes that the solution is another drink.
        
        If you’re getting your “looting” news from Gab, it’s no wonder you take the stance you do. The place is full of white lives matter denialists with a fear of people who don’t look like them.
        
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        April 13, 2021 10:22am
      - Salacious Crumb
        
        Except that he graduated from Harvard Law (you might have heard of it?) at a young age so is quite qualified to comment on a legal case of interest. Are you in a better position to comment on US Jurisprudence or is that just your ignorant bias showing?
        
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        April 13, 2021 7:25pm
    - fredonas
      
      The prosecution presents their case first with the defence cross-examining prosecution witnesses and then the defence presents their case with the prosecution cross-examining defence witnesses. So the defence case will commence this week starting with the medical examiner taking the stand.
      
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      April 13, 2021 10:11am
      - Batman
        
        Yes that’s how trial cases work. Thanks for that.
        
        My point still stands as to the plot line of your comment. It is somewhat contradictory.
        
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        April 13, 2021 10:35am
    - kloyd0306
      
      Your dual roles are very similar.
      
      [ Mod (not Batman): You are becoming tedious. If you think Batman is unqualified to be a moderator because he also comments, then complain to DPF. ]
      
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      April 13, 2021 10:22am
      - Batman
        
        Shapiro is a Maga bro who sits behind a Twitter account and shrieks to gain attention and monetary gain from those who want justification for their feelings of resentment.
        
        That, and he proudly claimed to have never made his wife sexually aroused, which is perhaps the funniest thing about him.
        
        He’s a grifter who made money channeling MAGA rage.
        
        “The Mass Humiliation Of Ben Shapiro” https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2020/08/11/the-importance-of-humiliating-ben-shapiro/amp/
        
        As an aside, I don’t give a shit what you think about my voting record. ACT aren’t conservative anyway, look at their social policies. A basic lack of knowledge from on your part but that’s par for the course with willfully blind MAGAettes.
        
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        April 13, 2021 10:34am
    - Tall Man
      
      Good lad, attack the messenger…….
      
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      April 13, 2021 10:44am
      - Batman
        
        Incorrect, good sir. I’m critiquing the comment which makes a claim which is either too early to say or based on opinion alone.
        
        I’m not attacking the person. Gosh some are soft these days.
        
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        April 13, 2021 1:07pm
    - I remember when
      
      Oops again below.
      Just wanting to know if you have a list of which races aren’t racist.
      
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      April 13, 2021 2:34pm
- alex Masterley
  
  In earlier times in my career as a lawyer I was involved in a number of cases that attracted the attention of the media.
  Invariably, the media reportage of the case was so wrong that I didnt recognise the case they were talking about or the facts as I knew them.
  So I am not surprised that questions are being asked about media reportage of this case.
  
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  April 13, 2021 11:06am
  - fernglas
    
    The legal process does not easily lend itself to sensationalist headlines, clickbait, prejudice and politicisation. Here, you have the lot.
    
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    April 13, 2021 11:35am
  - Nickc2
    
    I understand alex. You only need to watch our Parliament during Question Time on TV and then read how it’s written up in our Newspapers to witness the bias and headline-grabbing antics of our MSM.
    
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    April 13, 2021 12:45pm
- Bluegrass
  
  The mass media have effectively rendered, in the public eye, the Anglo-Saxon common law rule regarding burden of proof a quaint concept.
  
  Possibly even a white supremacist device…
  
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  April 13, 2021 2:16pm
Ruawai

My son had his first Covid vaccination yesterday as a frontline health worker and he didn’t need to show ID. How are they able to say that he was vaccinated if they haven’t seen photo ID, he could easily have sent another person along to get the jab and then say he had it. Another gap in the system. Incidentally, the nurse told him the computer system for recording vaccinations is hopeless and he may not get a call up for his second jab due to the computer system not being fit for purpose.
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April 13, 2021 8:47am
- Paulus Gnome
  
  Labour. Failure. Hand in glove. Why the surprise?
  
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  April 13, 2021 8:53am
  - virtualmark
    
    To be fair, it’s not the Labour Party’s job to provide the booking and appointment system.
    
    Ministry of Health. Failure. Hand in glove. Why the surprise?
    
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    April 13, 2021 10:24am
- Ehlana
  
  They should have asked some of those hairdressers who weren’t allowed to work during lock down last year to show them how to manage a system to book, re-book and remind customers of appointments. Or car mechanics.
  Heck, some of those children stuck at home could probably have devised an app for them…
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:16am
- 70andstilllearning
  
  Any health practitioner ( nurse, doctor, etc ) should automatically confirm the identity of a patient before proceeding with treatment/action under this sort of non emergency situation eg. Full Name, NHI, DOB etc.
  Bloody ridiculous.
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:34am
- Souvlaki
  
  Yes, Im in the same category…..my peers got their texts to give their appointment for their second dose, 3 weeks following the first. I heard….nothing….rang the covid ” Helpline”…to be informed it appeared ” we have no record of you “. I assured the person on the phone, I had the blue card, denoting my first shot. She then re-registered me with the “system “,and from thereon it “worked ” .
  Furthermore, although carrying a photographic ID…NO ONE checked it on either occasion.
  It is in fact a complete schermozzle….and just as Bloomfield lied through his teeth last year over the flu vaccine…so history is repeating itself !
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:34am
EssenX

I’m not sure if this was posted yesterday, but Chris Trotter questioned on his blog why the Ardern administration hasn’t yet rejected He Puapua completely (http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/2021/04/a-break-in-wave-giving-effect-to-un.html). This was reposted on interest.co.nz (https://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/109895/will-labour-stand-behind-revolutionary-proposals-contained-he-puapua-%E2%80%93-20-year-plan), which I feel has a generally centre-left comment base. This issue, political correctness and free speech, I think are areas where a good National leader could easily have an Orewa moment and torpedo Ardern’s popularity. But why aren’t they talking about it?
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April 13, 2021 8:56am
- KevO'Brien
  
  The pua are still at it. That paper is almost grounds for arrest of the whole of the Ardern administration.
  It effectively denies the Treaty and returns NZ to full Maori control and title. That is a coup. They also want Tikanga returned which embraces utu, the cause of their wanting the English Crown to take sovereignty over them to prevent their annihilation. The Tribes have long memories and are separate entities. This could be leading to direct tribal wars again.
  Who let the stupid out into government?
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:02am
  - Raphael
    
    Who let the stupid out into government? That would be the electorate that voted based on feelz
    
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    April 13, 2021 1:35pm
Captain Mainwaring

Anyone heard how the slow train from Hamilton is going?
Apparently one of the NZ Transport Agency board members has been quoted as saying it’s a waste of time and money. He’s correct but will no doubt be summoned for retraining.
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April 13, 2021 9:01am
- sabre
  
  No mention in the media today of patronage, guessing it’s running to capacity and they don’t want to encourage overcrowding?
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:06am
- sooty
  
  Slowly!
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:13am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  I gather he’s had to delete his tweets about how useless the service is..
  https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300275341/waka-kotahinzta-board-member-slams-new-train-as-worst-of-both-worlds
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:25am
  - graham
    
    Damn, sounds like someone who calls a spade a spade, and is ACTUALLY open, honest and transparent, as opposed to just talking about it …
    
    … so of course he won’t last long.
    
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    April 13, 2021 9:28am
  - SB2
    
    I think we can blame a narrow-gauge on that and relatively busy freight movements.
    
    The Japanese bullet trains purposely run on the standard guage.
    
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    April 13, 2021 10:18am
    - virtualmark
      
      SB2,
      
      You can run trains on Cape gauge (the gauge we use here in NZ) at at least 160km/hr.
      
      But, that would mean needing to rebuild the track bed, strengthen bridges etc. And you would need to separate that fast train from the other slow-moving freight traffic. So you’d need a separate dedicated high-speed line, including one that ran straighter with less curves … so go out and acquire a lot of new land, including all the way from the outskirts of Auckland to the centre of Auckland.
      
      It’s certainly possible. But in no way could it ever be economically feasible given our low population densities.
      
      Any ideas of high-speed trains in New Zealand are pipe dreams that are disconnected from practical economics.
      
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      April 13, 2021 10:28am
      - mikenmildagain
        
        We seem to be able to run a daily passenger service from Palmerston north to Wellington and return (140 km), and several services each day from Masterton to Wellington and return (100km). A service from Hamilton to Auckland (120 km) should not be too difficult.
        
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        April 13, 2021 11:05am
      - I remember when
        
        mikenmildagain
        The Palmerston North/Wellington workers train has several times been threatened with losing the service.
        
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        April 13, 2021 2:49pm
      - Tall Man
        
        Palmy to Wellington, 2 hours plus a few minutes into Wellington Central. Get on train, sit on train and …. arrive 99% of the time.
        
        Hamilton to Auckland. 2 hours 20 minutes to Britomart. Get on train, get off train, get on train and no guarantee the train from Papakura will arrive at either end.
        
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        April 13, 2021 4:29pm
  - WaveyDavey
    
    “ Waka Kotahi put up $79.8m of the estimated $91.37m cost for the service.”
    
    I’m sorry, what?
    
    The taxpayer put up the millions that the agency is using to subsidise an uneconomic and ultimately useless train service.
    
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    April 13, 2021 12:10pm
    - chukar
      
      Who put up the money?
      Yeah I do know — road users!
      
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      April 13, 2021 7:27pm
- krazykiwi
  
  How’s the train? Slow and empty. Much like the heads of most cabinet ministers.
  
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  April 13, 2021 11:20am
- krazykiwi
  
  Further, I note that the train ad appearing here on Kiwiblog depicts a smiling woman working at a laptop. The caption notes that ‘face coverings must be worn’.
  
  So update your promotional photo, you hypocrites. Get a mask (aka compliance muzzle) on your photo model and show the service as you demand others experience it.
  
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  April 13, 2021 11:34am
Maggie Pie

TWITTER TRENDING…..

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson defends Prince Philip’s racist comments, says people….. “understood he was just trying to break the ice, to get things moving, to get people laughing”.

As my partner remarked, “Hard to disagree with Boris on that”
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April 13, 2021 9:04am
- SB2
  
  Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
  Let’s allow royalty to make a joke at your expense.
  
  What then?
  
  1 43
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  April 13, 2021 10:08am
  - hilaryt
    
    la guillotine?
    
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    April 13, 2021 11:12am
  - lifesgood
    
    I make a lot of jokes at my expense. I’m not a wet and wimpy, pathetic petal.
    
    12 2
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    April 13, 2021 11:41am
    - SB2
      
      lifesgood, such is your low self-esteem lying in the gutter it seems.
      
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      April 13, 2021 2:06pm
  - WaveyDavey
    
    Nothing.
    
    Because some of us are adults.
    
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    April 13, 2021 12:05pm
Happychappy

I wonder how long Patrick Reynolds will last as a board member after a he made this truthful statement about the new Rail service from Hamilton to Papakura
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300275341/waka-kotahinzta-board-member-slams-new-train-as-worst-of-both-worlds which takes 98 minutes.
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April 13, 2021 9:10am
lastmanstanding

Re the WCC and Maori voting. As I have said before accussing a person of racisim is the last refuge of a scoundrel.
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April 13, 2021 9:11am
- Alan Wilkinson
  
  More like the first refuge.
  
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  April 13, 2021 1:38pm
Durden

Jacinda must read this. She, who is actively and covertly selling out New Zealand sovereignty to the UN, from under its citizens just to get a position at the UN.

https://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2021/04/12/the_myth_of_a_rules-based_world_772304.html

“The idea that we must return to a glorious age in which nations were ruled by laws and liberalism is a fantasy, a fantasy that allows us to believe that we can return to it. It is a nostalgia for things that never were. The human condition binds humans to communities large and small that think of themselves as free. They do not submit to rules they have not made, nor to political principles they did not craft. The Greeks did not accept the rules of the Persians or their political order. So it was then, and so it is now. The world doesn’t change that much, and the only place we can return to is ourselves.”

The article is written by George Freidman the founder of Stratfor providing strategic advice to international corporates, and now founder of Geopolitical Futures.
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April 13, 2021 9:12am
RF

The worm is turning. Slowly but surely there is an obvious movement against the left and this includes the PM.

Some of the usual left wing commentators have been very critical of recent COVID decisions and this includes associates of mine who are normally Ardern groupies.

If I was a betting man my money is on a wedding announcement in the near future…

Diversion 101.
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April 13, 2021 9:14am
Maggie Pie

Looks like someone’s been watching too much MSM 😀

https://twitter.com/mariusknulst/status/1381498544071311361
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April 13, 2021 9:20am
- Steve Todd
  
  Well, it is New York, Maggie.
  
  (And no, that’s not Elton John on the lady’s right.)
  
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  April 13, 2021 9:39am
  - Maggie Pie
    
    Luved when Rod Stewart said….
    “Elton is the only person I know with a fully Furnished backside” 😛
    
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    April 13, 2021 11:09am
- Inandout
  
  Maggie, reminds me of that video of the woman with full blown burka eating spaghetti by lifting her hood momentarily. One can only imagine the smell of those garments at the end of the day, or indeed that woman diner’s face nappy.
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:17am
  - Maggie Pie
    
    That sounds like a Hi Jab 😀
    
    12 1
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    April 13, 2021 11:05am
    - Inandout
      
      Maggie, ‘hi jab’ sounds like getting a vaccine at 36,000 feet.
      
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      April 13, 2021 1:58pm
Surely Knott

Got an email from a government staffer yesterday whose signature included their pronouns (He/Him). My question is, Didn’t we already have a way to show gender? eg. Mr or Ms.
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April 13, 2021 9:39am
- lifesgood
  
  If I got a letter like that I would reply that I am ignoring your letter until you sign off properly. Are you a Mr, Mrs or Ms?
  
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  April 13, 2021 11:44am
- tf78
  
  Surely – better to just be “gender fluid” these days then you can’t be criticized.
  
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  April 13, 2021 2:50pm
- Tall Man
  
  But …. did he have a penis or not ….. after all, that seems the most relevant item these days, at least to the woke….
  
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  April 13, 2021 4:20pm
peterwn

So Duncan Garner is another journo who thinks he knows better than Judith Collins how she should do her job. Why does he not go into politics then, the pay is better than for interviewing typewriters.
Current Judith and her team have to be very careful not to put their foot in it. Anything they say has the potential to be twisted the wrong way. Spokespeople need to be right on top of their portfolios and not utter anything unless they are sure of their ground and have a sound understanding of what the response is likely to be. Better to keep the powder dry for the moment. Why waste ammo when the Government is continually shooting itself in the foot. Better to wait until Covid is properly under control. Labour’s high polling continues because it appears to be doing something about Covid and Housing.
Of course ‘white anting’ against National will continue. For example in the lead-up to the 2008 election, there were posts appearing all over the place to the effect that John Key would not be quite up to being PM etc. Currently it is ‘rumours’ about Judith being challenged for leader. The last two lots of ‘rumours’ seem to have had no foundation.
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April 13, 2021 9:42am
- KevO'Brien
  
  Cinders will be challenged next by Golly Gee.
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:04am
- surfing
  
  Criticism is necessary and part of the job. I doubt Collin’s will ever be PM.
  
  I wish Steven Joyce were still around. Liked his no nonsense approach. Even his ‘mistakes’ were proven to be right in the end (back of the napkin calculations). Although, I’m not sure he had mass market appeal.
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:12am
  - Bobba Fret
    
    IMO Steven Joyce is the biggest loss to National and NZ politics. Imagine if he was the minister in charge of Covid instead of Chippy.
    
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    April 13, 2021 10:52am
    - KevO'Brien
      
      Once upon a time there were able Labour Ministers too.
      This lot will ruin their party through substituting ideas and yak yak for governance. A fish & chip shop is a darn sight different than from running a country.
      
      Labour should be charged with criminal fraud for presenting themselves as able when they were not. The longer we allow them to continue the greater the damage being inflicted. Three year terms are far too long under MMP without a mechanism to terminate an incapable or errant Govt.
      
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      April 13, 2021 1:06pm
      - Steve Otto(North Shore)
        
        Tyrant Govt. Fixed it
        
        7 1
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        April 13, 2021 2:58pm
  - krazykiwi
    
    Joyce, Ryall, English, Key … are intelligent leaders who understood governance, who had relevant real-world experience. Unlike the pathetic, self-serving, lying pack of troughers we’re currently saddled with.
    
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    April 13, 2021 11:27am
    - tf78
      
      krazy – then, when they leave parliament they turn to local politics and do even more damage. No wonder the country inside and out is such a mess.
      
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      April 13, 2021 2:54pm
  - Captain Mainwaring
    
    He didn’t have mass market appeal because the mass market is largely stupid. Just look at the Government we ended up with.
    
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    April 13, 2021 12:05pm
    - tf78
      
      Captain, don’t forget that was all down to Winston Peters.
      
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      April 13, 2021 2:58pm
- Isobar
  
  Rubbish, if anything Collins cannot help but pass a comment on every passing car. In reality they need to knuckle down and focus on good policy.
  
  Unfortunately Collins seems more happy to be a political commentator, commenting on all the political issues of the day and news stories rather than actually participating in the political process. (Refer to her twitter account if you dot believe me)
  
  Unfortunately for National, the cupboard for leadership talent is rather bare (caused in part by their dreadful electoral result at the election – led by Collins and no succession planning from Key / English).
  
  They are stuck between a rock and a hard place – get rid of their poor performing leader and hand it over to someone else who will probably be just as ineffective or keep her on and keep polling low. Either way they look destined to be another no-show in 2023.
  
  It saddens me, now more than ever with a majority government we need a effective and clear alternative. Unfortunately for joe public all they see is a shit-show on the opposition benches. Until they get their shit together, the government will basically be able to get away with anything.
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:14am
  - peterwn
    
    Who did you vote for in the last election?
    
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    April 13, 2021 10:41am
  - Don Beckett
    
    Keep your hair on – the election is two & a half years away.
    
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    April 13, 2021 11:17am
    - peterwn
      
      Fully agree. By the way the ‘white anting’ of Chris Luxon has already started even though he should be ‘breathing through his nose’ for the first three years (Kiwi Keith’s advice to new National MP’s).
      
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      April 13, 2021 1:11pm
  - KevO'Brien
    
    What catastrophe is emerging now that the Labour drainage crew are out in force affirming the effectiveness of the bribery of the media to silence the Opposition?
    
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    April 13, 2021 12:56pm
    - peterwn
      
      1. Housing changes have put tenants between a rock and hard place and Labour cannot keep the lid on it. 2. Covid Vaccination plan is going haywire.
      So we see astroturfing of ‘rumours’ about Judith Collin’s leadership and white-anting of Chris Luxon.
      
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      April 13, 2021 3:36pm
Captain Mainwaring

Does this attitude tell you all you need to know about unions?

https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/miq-workers-shouldn-t-lose-jobs-for-refusing-covid-19-vaccine-union-says/ar-BB1fzXqB?ocid=msedgdhp
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April 13, 2021 9:58am
- SB2
  
  Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
  I suppose there is the expectation that they will be treated no differently than anti-vaxxers on this blog and YSB,
  
  https://ysb.co.nz/first-100-going-free/
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:11am
  - graham
    
    Please … it’s not “anti-vax”, it’s ‘vaccine hesitant”.
    
    Or at least, it is whenever the MSM talk about Maori and Pacific Islanders who may be reluctant to get the jab.
    
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    April 13, 2021 11:28am
- MCos
  
  If someone is employed by a security company and not made aware that being prepared to be vaccinated against covid-19 was a prerequisite the employer is in a bind if the employee refuses to be vaccinated at a later date.
  Either they find something else for them to do, pay them to do nothing or make them redundant & pay them out appropriately, which may be expensive ( I don’t know).
  Suffice to say refusing a vaccine is not grounds for dismissal as opposed redundancy.
  
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  April 13, 2021 5:38pm
Maggy Wassilieff

50% of primary school pupils in NZ are receiving a lousy science education

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018791312/science-teacher-on-state-of-the-subject-s-teaching-in-nz

Only 20% of Year 8 (Form 2) pupils are achieving at their expected level.

So 80% of the pupils entering Secondary School in NZ are below the level of Science understanding and knowledge that is required for them to cope with the Science curriculum in Years 9-11.

https://www.ero.govt.nz/footer-upper/news/supporting-improvements-in-science-teaching-crucial-for-new-zealand-tamariki/
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April 13, 2021 10:01am
- waripori
  
  There is a charity called House of Science that operates in several places around the country providing Science teaching resource kits to Primary and Intermediate schools. This is because, I was told, there is no science curriculum below year 9. A local electrical firm funds 6 local primaries into the programme. This is probably because they are tired of potential apprentices not knowing what an electron is.
  
  No wonder we have a productivity problem in this country.
  
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  April 13, 2021 12:59pm
  - Paulus Gnome
    
    but but but, te reo . . .
    
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    April 13, 2021 5:08pm
    - Paulus Gnome
      
      Te reo, got to be the stupidest answer in Christendom
      
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      April 13, 2021 5:09pm
- Alan Wilkinson
  
  Exactly what level of science understanding is required to cope with high school science for heavens sake?
  
  A decent grasp of maths, english and history should suffice along with an ability and desire to learn.
  
  Sounds like utter nonsense to me.
  
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  April 13, 2021 1:48pm
surfing

The covid-19 vaccine might cure some types of cancer. There are cases that suggest the mRNA vaccine might induce an immune system response that is also effective against cancer (and HIV?). Slightly old news, but, evidence is building.

https://www.insider.com/vaccines-for-cancer-hiv-coming-thanks-to-covid-19-vaccine-2021-4
Covid may end up saving more lives than it cost, at least in the long term. Adverse events can give rise to revolutionary scientific and technological advances.
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April 13, 2021 10:06am
- Inandout
  
  surfing, looking forward to empty hospital beds. This is indeed a miracle vaccine.
  
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  April 13, 2021 1:41pm
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Might be just a ploy to get the sheeple to take the vaccine. The socialist Govt of A tea rower know no bounds.
  Btw, I have low level prostate cancer, but I will not take a basically untested vaccine
  
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  April 13, 2021 2:55pm
Captain Mainwaring

Where did they find this Michael Wood character and what was he doing before he jumped on the gravy train?
He seems eminently qualified to be deputy manager of the garden supplies department at Bunnings.
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April 13, 2021 10:07am
- 70andstilllearning
  
  Labour are expert at finding the type – starts with their numero uno!
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:36am
  - 70andstilllearning
    
    Shiiit – no dts – fing amazing ? or ? – take your pick
    
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    April 13, 2021 5:57pm
- Maxx
  
  Do you mean the Michael Wood whose only professional achievement was landing a cushy role in a union role probably because he stood in a number of no hope electorates for Labour since leaving University, before finally being handed the safe Mt Roskill seat vacated by Phil Goff, and is now helping Goffy finish off Auckland’s train set? Apparently he did work several years in retail roles, but it does not sound like he rose to the level of deputy manager.
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:59am
  - Bob
    
    Wood would be totally out of his comfort zone in a Bunnings Garden Centre. All those different plants and their names to remember, not to mention sprays, tools and their uses, and fertilizers for which plant; although he has a lot recent experience with use of fertilizer it would seem.
    Measuring the ‘inside leg’ would have stretched him at the men’s outfitters.
    
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    April 13, 2021 2:07pm
- Paulus
  
  He was a Union representative at one time.
  Why do you think he got selected !
  
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  April 13, 2021 11:05am
- peterwn
  
  That is an insult to all Bunnings staff.
  
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  April 13, 2021 3:40pm
burt

I see on the morning stuff quiz this morning that a dog has the carbon emissions of 2 SUV’s.

Anyone who believes that – I have a challenge for you.

I’ll spend a night shut in my garage with a live dog, you spend a night in your garage with two running SUV’s. We can meet up in the morning and compare notes on how we both got on.
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April 13, 2021 10:37am
- BananaLlama
  
  Depends what you feed your dog i guess. Seriously though the claims are getting wacko and do no good for legitimate environmental problems.
  
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  April 13, 2021 10:57am
  - Alan Wilkinson
    
    Dunno about carbon emissions but one of our dogs has a killer fart. He’s a friendly little fellow though and much better company than a climate alarmist.
    
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    April 13, 2021 1:54pm
- igm
  
  Media would have a job washing the truth out that challenge!
  
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  April 13, 2021 11:04am
  - Jack5
    
    Think there’s been a Woke storm from the mainstream media?
    
    Prepare for a Woke hurricane season. The Leftist government’s $50 million handout to the media will fund 100 additional reporters for three years.
    
    That’s from the media report on RNZ’s National Programme today.
    
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    April 13, 2021 1:03pm
    - tf78
      
      Jack, I wish they’d stop bringing them straight out of kindergarten for the jobs.
      
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      April 13, 2021 3:03pm
- oldfella
  
  Burt, when you look at it like that, killing all our dogs would be really good for the planet.
  Hey, I bet there are people out there who’d be prepared to eat them. /s
  
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  April 13, 2021 12:02pm
- RalphT
  
  Have to laugh, burt. On my iPad your comment was cut in half by an ad for a Ford SUV
  
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  April 13, 2021 1:12pm
- James Stephenson
  
  How big is a Green Party minister’s carbon footprint in this new “number of SUVs” metric?
  
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  April 13, 2021 1:25pm
surfing

Another year, another scandal at waikato hospital.

Both my grandparents spent time there….awful hospital.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/waikato-hospital-secret-review-of-cardiac-surgery-bosses-warned-of-under-staffing-bullying-at-all-levels/KZQSBLFNCIOLBF3R5OFEZ5FW3Q/
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April 13, 2021 10:58am
- Alan Wilkinson
  
  Yep, one glance at the headline and you knew which DHB it would be.
  
  Did a consulting job there years ago and like everything else there seems to be their system was a misconceived disaster.
  
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  April 13, 2021 1:59pm
Master Mariner

Wheels are starting to turn on EV.

FWIW I think its great technology, Just not disguised as a “green” thing. But unsure if I want to attend a crash with battery damaged , though the same could be with Solar battery strapped to the side and a house fire.

And should be allowed to mine in NZ for any minerals, Whether Iron sands in Naki or Phosphate in Chatham Rise as long as its productive.

Bit like O&G banning in NZ,If you are going to ban it then stop useing it. Full stop. See how destructive this argument really is.

https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/video/mikes-minute-greenies-cant-have-it-both-ways-with-evs/
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April 13, 2021 11:05am
- SB2
  
  Hosking’s needs to consider these myths about EVs including the recycling pf Lithium batteries,
  
  10 COMMON ELECTRIC CAR MYTHS BUSTED
  
  https://www.myev.com/research/ev-101/10-common-electric-car-myths-busted
  
  Also, ask DPF about his recently purchased Nissan Leaf.
  
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  April 13, 2021 2:25pm
  - Benedict Yu
    
    So tell us what car you drive.
    And who is “Hosking’s”?
    
    11 1
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    April 13, 2021 6:44pm
lazza

Quote: “Yes, have to admit increasing dismay at the almost treasonous disregard for the interests of New Zealand. Diplomacy of course, but … ”

Aww … just let Chief Diplomat Ms Mahuta know.

There … fixed it.
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April 13, 2021 11:25am
oldfella

Stuffed this morning had this headline:
“Prince Philip showed you could have a boss-arse wife and not be a wimp.”
Without acknowledging the changes, it now reads:
“Prince Philip showed you could have a boss wife and not be a wimp.”
The term ‘boss-arse’ has also been removed from the story.
I suspect the writer was trying to be ‘cool’ in using a slang term, but I’d like to know how any editor thought ‘boss-arse’ was even remotely acceptable in referring to the Queen. Particularly after the death of her husband.
Black mark Stuffed!

https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/300274961/prince-philip-showed-you-could-have-a-boss-wife-and-not-be-a-wimp
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April 13, 2021 12:16pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  If the journos can’t get their gangsta phraseology right,
  
  as in boss ass bitch
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6ihCQZK-r0
  
  then they should stick with the Queen’s English.
  
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  April 13, 2021 1:48pm
  - SB2
    
    MW, English is a wonderful language that it’s success is largely due that it is not restricted by clamp irons.
    
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    April 13, 2021 2:11pm
    - Maggy Wassilieff
      
      The possessive form of it does not take an apostrophe.
      
      If you wish to use due as a preposition, then use the prepositional phrase due to
      
      Perhaps you were meaning to write something along the lines of:
      
      MW, English is a wonderful language. Its success is largely due to the fact that it has few restrictions.
      
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      April 13, 2021 6:46pm
    - Benedict Yu
      
      FFS you are like an illiterate online ghost court jester haunting Maggy. WTF did she do to release you from your crypt?
      
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      April 13, 2021 6:58pm
  - Paulus Gnome
    
    Went to Hull university of Woke . . .
    
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    April 13, 2021 5:12pm
  - Tauhei Notts
    
    I have read a lot of journalists’ opinions on Stuff and I think they will continue to stick with the Queens’ English.
    
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    April 13, 2021 8:31pm
- Gravelroad
  
  I believe a lot of reporters/journalists these days do not work out of reporters rooms with editors looking over their shoulders checking content and subs on the rampage about grammar.
  Mostly self-publishing with no oversight.
  So you write your opinion piece/story to appeal to the lowest common denominator, think up a “kick arse” headline for the bait and click publish.
  Done.
  Then someone might complain to whoever is in charge in the $tuff basement, they take a look and then edit – if the right people are going to be upset or offended.
  
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  April 13, 2021 2:01pm
- Alan Wilkinson
  
  I think Stuff possibly has two columnists worth reading but I’m not sure about one of them.
  
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  April 13, 2021 2:04pm
- MCos
  
  From the opinion piece
  “His hardworking, very manly, work as a sportsman, environmentalist and public patron also showed everyone else you could have a boss-arse wife and not be a wimp.”
  Verity Johnson, who wrote that article, is 27.
  I somehow doubt she gives a bag of beans that you have a negative view of her article.
  It’ll be a sad day indeed if all this stuff about the royals are nothing more than a giant glob of fawning 1950s style blandness.
  
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  April 13, 2021 3:08pm
- peterwn
  
  And so did Prince Albert (and Queen Victoria was arguably even more demanding). Two really special people.
  
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  April 13, 2021 3:45pm
- slernz
  
  This was my favourite part of Ms Johnson’s opinion piece: “And, it’s incredibly depressing to say this, but you don’t see that a helluva lot. For all the aren’t-we-all-egalitarian-now changing times, it’s still uncomfortably uncommon to see a high-profile couple where her career so actively takes precedence over his – and he can handle it. (Yes, I know there’s Jacinda Ardern and His Royal Jawline, but I can’t name many more.)”
  
  I presume the writer is referring to Miss Arderns’ boyfriend here? I don’t know how long the first couple have been together but it won’t be as long as the Queen and Duke. Miss Ardern and her boyfriend are not married while the royal couple were married for over 70 years. Will the fisherman stick around for 70 years? Somehow I doubt it.
  
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  April 13, 2021 6:29pm
oldfella

FWIW, if you search for ‘boss-arse’ on Stuffed it shows the original, offensive, headline and story preview, but click on it and the sanitized version pops up.
Why not be up front and apologize?
12 0
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April 13, 2021 12:22pm
Surely Knott

New terrorism bill – Terrorism definition now linked to religious, ideological, and political acts and includes disruption to critical infrastructure. Interesting. Will activists blocking streets or community owned venues or chaining themselves to railways due to ideology be a terrorist act?

https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/124077838/climate-activists-block-railway-track-in-coal-transportation-protest
8 0
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April 13, 2021 1:27pm
- slernz
  
  Will followers of the religion of peace be included in the new terrorism bill. Or will it only apply to Christians, Jews, white supremacists and “old white men”?
  
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  April 13, 2021 6:22pm
MrTips

Any one looking for answers as to why our vaccinations are going so poorly could look at he recent CDHB example.

Over the last two days, they have indicated frontline staff are to be jabbed……starting this week……..so they issued a call……..and then wondered why everyone turned up…..and it got so congested no-one could do anything……..so they postponed it.

These people are in charge of our healthcare system. And they don’t even know what the alphabet is or ICU, ED and high patient contact areas are.
8 0
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April 13, 2021 1:32pm
Maggy Wassilieff

Hong Kong or Tauranga?

Distant left-wing govt destroys city’s democracy, installing its own local govt, and taking away citizens’ right to challenge decisions. Then it changes how locals can elect their own reps, according to its own ideology.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/04/act-s-david-seymour-compares-labour-to-communist-china-after-tauranga-commissioners-vote-for-m-ori-ward.html
21 2
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April 13, 2021 1:41pm
- SB2
  
  Off to the Gulag /Dachau etc David Seymour and others should l go.
  
  1 9
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  April 13, 2021 2:19pm
- Jack5
  
  Relevant to Leftists taking away citizens’ rights.
  
  Can someone with law expertise tell us how serious it is that the NZ Government is widening police powers of warrantless searches of property, vehicles and people?
  
  This is in parallel with, or part of, new counter-terrorism legislation.
  
  https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/124820505/government-to-close-gap-in-counterterrorism-laws-criminalising-terror-attack-planning-and-preparation
  
  7 0
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  April 13, 2021 3:41pm
  - chukar
    
    This legislation has dangerous effects for the general public.
    It is not without precedence.
    For example, some councils regulatory environmental protection officers already have the right to enter properly without warrants .
    This is yet another opportunity grabbed by this government for the state to interfere with and suppress individual rights and freedom.
    As David Seymour said there is already enough regulation in place to control terrorism.
    So why was it not used in the past?
    Was it incompetence and bad decisions from the top down?
    These are the questions that must be answered before more NZ citizens rights are arbitrarily removed!
    
    0 0
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    April 13, 2021 8:09pm
- mikenmildagain
  
  Because a guarantee of Maori representation on a council is just like an authoritarian dictatorship.
  //
  
  3 7
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  April 13, 2021 5:11pm
  - Jack5
    
    Nope, but it’s neo-apartheid, Milky.
    
    Two classes of representatives: for one race, appointed; for other races elections.
    
    9 2
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    April 13, 2021 5:39pm
    - mikenmildagain
      
      I’m not if favour of appointed representatives – the House of Lords and our own late, unlamented Legislative Council are example of how useless such bodies are.
      I have no problem with a Maori electoral roll or a Maori ward for council elections, so long as representation remains proportional. To call that apartheid in an insult to people who actually suffered under a racist regime.
      
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      April 13, 2021 7:29pm
Maggie Pie

My partner’s mum called up earlier to see if I had time to meet up for a latte. Said it was…. “her shout”
Turns out they just got another 9 bucks a week in the pension.
She was saying all her friends at the Village are f – – ing ecstatic.
LOL!!
15 4
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April 13, 2021 1:52pm
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  $15.95 for me. That will sure help with all of the power, water, petrol, rates increases //
  
  13 3
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  April 13, 2021 2:47pm
  - mikenmildagain
    
    Must suck to rely solely on the benefit. Did you not have any retirement savings?
    
    3 9
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    April 13, 2021 2:57pm
  - sooty
    
    Don’t forget the heating allowance as well!
    We’re rich, I tell you!
    
    10 0
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    April 13, 2021 3:20pm
  - Tall Man
    
    I thought you were the new “Tui” writer 😉
    
    5 1
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    April 13, 2021 4:10pm
  - barnacle bill
    
    Our Insurances Policies (home, Contents and Vehicle ) increased $18.00 per fortnight more than our pension increased.
    No surprises here as it happens every year.
    
    Just waiting for our dreaded Rates summary (increase) to arrive next.
    
    Must be impossible for those who pay rent as well.
    
    9 1
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    April 13, 2021 4:13pm
    - Tall Man
      
      Sounds like you need a hug ……
      
      That’s all you’ll get from ardern I’m afraid, mind you, I’d check your wallet after the hug 😉
      
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      April 13, 2021 6:58pm
  - MCos
    
    The winter power subsidy will kick in soon.
    Apply for the rate rebate before the end of June.
    The price of petrol is much the same as ten years ago.
    
    1 5
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    April 13, 2021 5:22pm
- GazzaW
  
  Labour don’t seem to be overly vocal in announcing that the Winter Energy Payment has been halved this year.
  
  6 1
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  April 13, 2021 3:45pm
Maggie Pie

BREAKING now!!

What about this nasty pr*ck harrassing a female reporter…..

https://twitter.com/DailyCaller/status/1381786749031047173
6 4
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April 13, 2021 2:04pm
- SB2
  
  Obviously a disgruntled Capitol Hill rioter and Trump supporter.
  
  0 11
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  April 13, 2021 2:13pm
- mandk
  
  Really?
  What makes him a nasty prick?
  
  He was clearly upset, but I didn’t see him do anything especially nasty.
  
  CNN has a record of lying and distorting, so I can understand his viewpoint.
  
  7 2
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  April 13, 2021 2:48pm
- Inandout
  
  Maggie, WHPsaki says:
  ‘Mom of two humans under five’. FFS they are children either male or female, makes them sound like humanoids.
  
  11 1
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  April 13, 2021 3:08pm
Steve Otto(North Shore)

The description is in the link OK?https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300275882/parliament-upgrade-speaker-unveils-plans-for-three-new-buildings-to-futureproof-parliament-complex?
5 2
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April 13, 2021 3:01pm
- fightingtemeraire
  
  Have they ever thought of the simple answer, move Parliament out of Welly and build a decent complex else where. PN for example
  
  4 1
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  April 13, 2021 3:06pm
  - mikenmildagain
    
    Why do you hate Palmerston North so much?
    
    0 0
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    April 13, 2021 7:24pm
- Inandout
  
  Steve, the country is broke. Unless you can create wealth you can’t spend like the proverbial.
  
  7 3
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  April 13, 2021 3:10pm
- sooty
  
  Hello, hello, labour making room for all the new starts, working groups, sycophants and hanger ons! Will national cancel it?
  
  7 1
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  April 13, 2021 3:18pm
- Bloody Dago
  
  Considering the ongoing governance that’s running the show, will the disgruntled populace show their appreciation of the Ducks genius plans with a “FEDEX” upgrade?
  
  5 1
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  April 13, 2021 4:56pm
Maggy Wassilieff

So our politicians buggered off today at 2.40pm.

Surely you can express condolences and still get down to work.
16 1
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April 13, 2021 4:34pm
- lifesgood
  
  Imagine if everyone did that. “Sorry boss I’m leaving work early cos the Duke of Edinburgh died.” Don’t think it would go down well somehow.
  
  9 1
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  April 13, 2021 4:43pm
  - 70andstilllearning
    
    Worked for an indiginous organisation. Happened all the time for persons of stature – no probs.
    
    7 1
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    April 13, 2021 6:18pm
- GazzaW
  
  C’mon Maggie some of them had to get up real early this morning. The Crown limo would have picked them up about 6.00am to get them to the airport in time for a Koru Lounge brekky and then on to the 0800 red eye to Wellington. Another Crown limo ride to ‘the office’ and ready for another busy day. She’s tough at the top Maggie.
  
  9 1
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  April 13, 2021 4:48pm
- mikenmildagain
  
  Adjournment of the House of Representatives as a mark of respect is a tradition of very long standing.
  
  4 7
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  April 13, 2021 5:08pm
- Paulus Gnome
  
  Apparently not, no questions answered today, just like every other day really .. .
  
  I bet Phillip would have said ‘what bloody wog song is that’ if he heard the dirge from our parliament.
  
  10 2
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  April 13, 2021 5:15pm
  - mikenmildagain
    
    Did his birth in Corfu qualify him as a wog?
    
    1 0
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    April 13, 2021 7:03pm
70andstilllearning

Hosking on newstalk a short while ago.
National need to cool their jets when it comes to the leadership.

At the risk of suffering the dts tomorrow morning I think a few Kbers should read his thoughts.
6 2
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April 13, 2021 4:51pm
Jack5

State TV sings the Government song …

TV1 News tonight speculated on another leadership change in the National Party. It even included input from Labour’s Wily Willie Jackson.
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April 13, 2021 6:41pm
greybeard

https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/300275938/mediaworks-investigation-into-the-rock-radio-station-clears-staffers-of-misconduct

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/124820891/reality-show-star-admits-fraud-charges

As long as people are given name suppression there is surely no point in reporting the crimes for which they are accused !
Who cares ?
Crimes are committed.
The perpetrators are apprehended.
Their names never appear.
So apparently nobody is responsible – they are invisible and without identity.
They get away with it.
4 1
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April 13, 2021 6:48pm
Maggy Wassilieff

Increasing STIs under this Government

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/04/surveillance-contact-tracing-and-de-stigmatisation-how-we-should-address-nz-s-rising-sti-cases.html
2 2
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April 13, 2021 8:21pm
- mikenmildagain
  
  We have yet to win the rugby world cup under this government too.
  
  1 0
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  April 13, 2021 8:37pm

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