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February 1, 2022 8:00am by Kokila Patel

General Debate 01 February 2022

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General Debate

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NeverMindTheBollocks

TVNZ auto cue readers going nuts over Rafa’s win no. 21 in Melbourne, calling him the GOAT.

That’s GOAT, as in greatest of ALL TIME.

If they let Novak into the rest of the Slams, chances are he’ll pick up a couple by the end of the year.

Then he’ll be the greatest of ALL TIME.

Until the next one.

And the worst thing? Those fan-grrls and soi-bois are so dumb, they don’t even know how dumb they are.
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February 1, 2022 8:00am
- pdm
  
  A shame age and fitness has caught up with the best of them all Roger Federer.
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:20am
- ClanMcleod
  
  I tried politely commenting on the BBC sports page that he can’t really be considered the greatest of all time when the world number one was prevented from playing in controversial circumstances (to say the least.)
  My comment was deemed “inappropriate” and removed. The only comments permitted were those lauding Nadal.
  The BBC really has descended into the gutter.
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:35am
  - Spoff
    
    Better by far:
    UK Column News – 31st January 2022
    https://www.ukcolumn.org/index.php/ukcolumn-news/uk-column-news-31st-january-2022
    
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    February 1, 2022 8:50am
    - ClanMcleod
      
      Spoff – yes, just finished watching it. They have been a wonderful source of trustworthy news analysis during the last 18 months. Well worth subscribing to, a lot cheaper than the Herald and a million times more trustworthy.
      
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      February 1, 2022 9:34am
  - Scott
    
    Totally agree Clan. Novak is definitely the number 1 player at the moment. To him to be denied participating in Australia was very sad.
    Would he have stopped Rafa? If I was a betting man I would have had my money on Djokovic. ?
    
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    February 1, 2022 9:00am
    - I remember when
      
      Nadal is certainly a legend if we talk about clay.
      Medvedev is probably the best after Nadal and Djokovic.
      The best ever is always subjective.
      At the moment Nadal is subjectively the ‘best’ player ever.
      
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      February 1, 2022 12:10pm
      - Loddenthinks
        
        No he isn’t. He’s objectively the best male major winner of all time, because he’s won more majors than anyone else, ever. He also has a higher winning percentage in grand slam events. It’s not hard to do the math.
        
        Subjectively, I rate Federer the greatest ever and put Djokovic ahead of Nadal, but that’s just one man’s opinion.
        
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        February 1, 2022 7:42pm
  - pdm
    
    CM – moderators are probably English people who do not like Scots and secondly they probably took advice from Stuff on how to handle comments that did not agree with them.
    
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    February 1, 2022 11:32am
  - ClanMcleod
    
    The UK Telegraph does a rational report on the event.
    
    “Rafael Nadal’s triumph is astounding but Novak Djokovic’s absence casts an inescapable shadow
    Daniil Medvedev, the losing finalist, was not the best player that Nadal could have faced – he was simply the best vaccinated player”
    
    That’s it, in a nutshell. Nadal wouldn’t have been in the final if he’d been in the same side of the draw as Djokovic. Sad.
    
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2022/01/30/rafael-nadals-australian-open-triumph-astounding-novak-djokovics/
    
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    February 1, 2022 12:01pm
- yossarian
  
  As much as Rafa is fantastic, it should be known that Rafa hasn’t beaten Novak on hard court for over ten years
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:15am
- Gravelroad
  
  Yes.
  As a small town newspaper reporter back in the day, if I had included a reference to something or someone being “the greatest of all time”, I would have had a prompt visit to the reporters room from a prickly sub-editor demanding to know “what does this mean”?
  What are we going to say if someone does better next week? Will they also be the greatest of all time?
  Then you actually had to think about it.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:27am
- Stu2
  
  His record is heavily orientated to clay – 13 wins in Paris, 2 Wimbledon, 4 US Open and 2 Australian Open.
  
  Perhaps the greatest ever clay courter? But not the greatest overall?
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:36am
- Fishing in the dark
  
  All this is a subjective view. If I have a look to direct comparison:
  Djokovic – Nadal 30-28
  Djokovic – Federer 27-23
  Nadal – Federer 24-16
  Then I have to say Djokovic is at moment leading,
  Nadal is second and Federer is third.
  These are hard facts.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:48am
- Sir Cullen's Sidekick
  
  Mikie Sherman was doing her best with the help of Simon Hallow to put down Luxon and National party as much as possible in her report from Queenstown. TV1 is getting out of control.
  
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  February 1, 2022 10:53am
  - cas
    
    I noticed that. Starts with a snide comment about being in Queenstown ( did she have the same snide comment about Labour’s luxury retreat) and then said Luxon was slick but time would tell if he had substance. Does she ever accuse Jacinda of total spin. Nah I thought not. Brian Edwards used to write about the need for objectivity in journalism. That sadly has gone out the window ages ago.
    
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    February 1, 2022 11:35am
    - Tony Stuart
      
      Indeed. Maiki Sherman suggested that holding their retreat in Queenstown was an indication that National was out of touch on issues like poverty. Personally, I think National should be commended for going to a region which has suffered significantly at the hands of the current government, and putting a few dollars in the pockets of the tourism and hospitality industries. After all, those industries got stuff-all out of Tourism Ministers Kelvin Davis and Stuart Nash, so they should be very welcoming to Chris Luxon and his crew.
      
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      February 1, 2022 11:46am
  - amospicton
    
    Agreed SCS – that was a truly terrible piece of reporting. So partisan as to be embarrassing. S I’ve said before that’s OK for privately owned media but beyond the pale for state owned entities like TVNZ and Red Radio.
    
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    February 1, 2022 11:37am
  - kowtow
    
    The new top cat at TV3 was doing her very best to channel Toxic Tova on the same subject .
    
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    February 1, 2022 12:31pm
  - Flossie
    
    She’s unbelievably one eyed. Such bias should not be tolerated on public funded media.
    
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    February 1, 2022 2:43pm
- cas
  
  I would have put my money on Rod Laver being the GOAT. He won the Grand Slam in a calendar year ( the only one to do so?), won the Grand Slam twice and was banned for 5 years from playing. Maggie will have a view on this.
  
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  February 1, 2022 10:59am
  - amospicton
    
    The only knock on Laver is that his career spanned the professional/amateur divide so many of his slams were not necessarily won against the best.
    
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    February 1, 2022 11:38am
  - Stu2
    
    You got me curious – the hard court winners from 1950-69 are almost all American and Australian which suggests the gene pool was a lot slimmer then. No doubt complicated by amateurism.
    
    Paris was more varied but the majority were the same Americans and Australians.
    
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    February 1, 2022 12:41pm
    - amospicton
      
      I think both Aust and US Opens were grass court back then.
      
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      February 1, 2022 12:57pm
Benedict Yu

In New Zealand the government confiscates Covid test kits. In Australia you walk into your friendly chemist warehouse and buy them.

https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/shop-online/5465/rapid-antigen-tests

Now both the Australian and New Zealand governments cannot have rational policies here. One of them is stupid.

If the government had said 6 months ago that any individual or business could buy RATs, the market would have delivered them. They would have been on pharmacy shelves.

The way the government manages COVID tests reminds me of the story of the Soviet Union Minister visiting a food market in Washington DC. He is walking in the cheese ? section. He says to his host “There are hundreds of choices of amazing cheese. This is incredible.” His host tells him that this is nothing special. You can buy a variety of cheese in any large food market. The Soviet Minister responds. “Please convey my congratulations to your Minister in charge of cheese.”
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February 1, 2022 8:03am
- fernglas
  
  I still can’t see the point in everybody testing themselves to see if they have a virus that is about as likely to harm them as the flu. It wasn’t that long ago that if we felt crook we stayed home and went back to work when we felt better. Nobody was ramming stuff up our noses, no newspaper was running daily figures about how many people had whatever it was that was going round, and we got on with life. Omicron is no worse than the flu. Forget the tests and the statistics. Just get on with life. Or have we forgotten how to?
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:34am
  - tf78
    
    I read a report yesterday that confirmed the PCR tests can’t differentiate between Covid and the Flu – finally. When will the odium of truth admit it.
    
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    February 1, 2022 8:59am
    - alloytoo
      
      With Omicron displacing the flu in the UK, it is the flu.
      
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      February 1, 2022 9:30am
  - Benedict Yu
    
    There is a difference between Omicron and the Flu.
    
    Influenza is endemic. At any point in time there are thousands of people infected with the flu. At least there was until we closed the borders. Just wait till the flu comes back 🙁 Your immune system recognises the flu. If you are, say, 50, you have been exposed to different strains your whole life, dozens of times.
    
    COVID is a “novel” virus. Nobody has any natural immunity. So it will run through the entire population in a short period of time.
    
    To summarise, for the individual, COVID may well present less seriously than the flu. But for society, COVID carries much higher costs because of the numbers of people infected in a short time period.
    
    Personally I would like to be tested so I know what I have got and I can take informed decisions. But as I said yesterday the Government has provided massive disincentives for anyone to be tested.
    
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    February 1, 2022 10:53am
- Sacha
  
  I think many people miss the essential point of the government’s actions.
  They want to control the virus, but not too effectively, or too quickly.
  They want to control the unsuspecting population and the virus has proved to be an ideal conditioning tool.
  But there’s a spanner in the works: increasing numbers of the population are getting suspicious of the government’s motives, and have stopped co-operating; & the consequences be damned.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:16am
- surfing
  
  https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/shows/houston-matters/2020/02/21/361467/boris-yelstins-1989-visit-to-a-houston-grocery-store-is-now-an-opera/
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:30am
Benedict Yu

18 March 2019

“Within 10 days of this horrific act of terrorism we will have announced reforms which will, I believe, make our community safer,” Ardern said at news conference.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/18/christchurch-attack-jacinda-ardern-says-cabinet-has-agreed-in-principle-gun-reform

31 January 2022

“Two teens shot in ‘targeted attack’ at Invercargill House”

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/127641916/two-teens-shot-in-targeted-attack-at-invercargill-house

Looks like the criminals did not get the memo. Of course, Jacinda is silent. I do not recall her saying anything of substance about escalating firearms violence. Just as she says nothing about the housing affordability calamity.

There is only COVID.
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February 1, 2022 8:03am
- Nickc2
  
  If it wasn’t for Covid, she’d be back wrapping Fish-n-Chips.
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:28am
  - ClanMcleod
    
    If she’s lucky, I wouldn’t be employing someone so incompetent anywhere near food handling.
    
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    February 1, 2022 8:37am
    - Biscuit
      
      Nick and Clan, just imagine Jass at her refresher FishandChipWrapping.101 class:
      
      ‘Really, Jacinda? After all those lessons we tried to give you back in the day, you still haven’t remembered that the Fish and Chips go INSIDE the wrapping paper…?’
      
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      February 1, 2022 8:44am
      - Nickc2
        
        She’d refude that and set up a focus group.
        
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        February 1, 2022 9:19am
  - lastmanstanding
    
    Such is her lack of awareness Cindy only resigned her membership of the subversive Socialist Youth League 18 months into her term as PM and as the Diplomats told her it wasnt a good look.
    
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    February 1, 2022 9:18am
    - Brian McDonald
      
      Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
      Look all the unpopular girls have had another little bleat about Jacinda. It’s a way for them to spend their retirement between blues rinses.
      
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      February 1, 2022 9:24am
      - Taieri
        
        True love is blind Brian, isn’t it?
        
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        February 1, 2022 9:38am
      - ClanMcleod
        
        Nice, sparkly pom poms today Brian! Go Brenda!
        
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        February 1, 2022 9:39am
      - Flossie
        
        What is your obsession re blue rinses? When did anyone last see such a thing? Muldoon era?
        Stop living in the past.
        
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        February 1, 2022 9:47am
      - Biscuit
        
        Oooh, Brian has had his claws sharpened!
        
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        February 1, 2022 11:15am
      - Fuzzysnuggleduck
        
        “Meowww!”
        
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        February 1, 2022 11:33am
      - pdm
        
        BM – Biscuit is not a girl.
        
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        February 1, 2022 11:39am
      - Manu-Rau
        
        @ flossie.
        
        Your comment would have gone right over Brian’s head. Yow could he possibly remember Muldoon? He (Brian) was ‘otherwise engaged’ while Muldoon was PM.
        
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        February 1, 2022 1:37pm
  - yossarian
    
    As long as she’s not allowed anywhere near the til
    
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    February 1, 2022 9:19am
    - Steve Otto(North Shore)
      
      Yep, that is Grant’s job. Only so many fingers you can fit in a til
      
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      February 1, 2022 2:48pm
- Sacha
  
  She’s a one-trick pony, and in danger of falling.
  
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  February 1, 2022 2:36pm
- Harry Knuts
  
  that’s because the gun reform laws did nothing but give a bunch of people in NZ a cash injection for their gun collection. guns with law abiding citizens were never the problem. the reform never took the guns from the ones that were the problem in our society. 100mil later of tax payers $$’s … gun violence in NZ is still as bad as it can get. Another failed law reform.
  
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  February 1, 2022 4:15pm
Benedict Yu

This is hysterical journalism.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/127647059/senior-manager-who-chose-not-to-get-vaccinated-leaves-city-council

A Christchurch City Council official leaving his job because he is not vaccinated should not be a headline media story. Even worse, the journalist tracked him down at home, harassing his family.

The real madness is that all the vaccinated people at Christchurch City Council, and the stupid journalist, are all going to be infected with COVID.

New Zealand’s response to COVID will be studied for years to come. The madness of vaccine mandates, people losing their jobs and the horrific MIQ system. The madness originated in one person – Jacinda Ardern.
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February 1, 2022 8:04am
- kowtow
  
  The “madness” started in China with draconian lockdowns ( they knew they were dealing with a lab created escape) and as authoritarians can do just about anything.
  Italy then did it and the rest of Europe saw that “they had got away with it” and many , including us , copied them.
  
  How this was possible was due to intense Media Pardy coverage , including incredible attacks on any govt or individual who stood up to the nonsense. This coverage led directly to a fearful and stupid populace going along , enthusiastically in the majority with the “madness”.
  
  It has now taken two years for the same Media Pardy to very slowly begin to come partially to its senses . The damage is still being done by them as they are also very behind the mandates etc . And very slowly the dumb arses who voted for this are beginning to have buyers regret.
  
  Hypocrites , dumbos and authoritarians have got us here.
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:25am
  - 70andstilllearning
    
    Two very simple things occurred at the end of the first lock down.
    1) The the PM stopped her daily podium speeches for about a week then realised her mistake and restarted them.
    2) Faafoi announced the first MSM “assistance” package.
    End of story really, although I’m not sure the “dumb arses” have learnt anything yet.
    
    “She still has significant backing among Labour supporters, who give her a 90 per cent approval rating, and Wellingtonians, 65 per cent of whom approve of her. ”
    
    https://www.google.com/search?q=PM+approval+rating+nz&oq=PM+approval+rating+nz+&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i22i30.353874j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
    
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    February 1, 2022 9:09am
    - 70andstilllearning
      
      Damn it!
      Correct link:
      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/jacinda-arderns-personal-approval-rating-plummets-in-new-1news-poll-but-christopher-luxon-wont-be-getting-too-excited/VDDVM7A2KSBJ7Z6REEH7SU5ICE/
      
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      February 1, 2022 9:13am
- I remember when
  
  I wonder if we will ever learn what effect response to previous Covid outbreaks have on your largest wave.
  Are our immunity systems compromised.
  Are we more vulnerable than if earlier outbreaks had been more serious and we had greater exposure.
  Will other infections be prevalent this or next year.
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:30am
  - ClanMcleod
    
    We will find out eventually. That’s the thing with truth and reality. You can distort it, lie about it, twist it, but it will always be the truth.
    I’ve said for 18 months that hiding from a bug cannot be good in the long run. The impact on our natural immune system may be potentially devastating. I’ve said a number of times, winter 2022 will be one to watch. I believe we are going to get a spike in all cause mortality. If we do it will be due to the actions taken and policies mandated by Ardern and her “experts”.
    Dry tinder, weak immune systems, depression etc etc.
    I will be happy to admit I was wrong if it doesn’t transpire, but you get nothing for nothing.
    
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    February 1, 2022 8:44am
- tf78
  
  BY, don’t forget the W.E.F.’s and WHO who were equally complicit.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:02am
- Taieri
  
  The madness originated in one person – Jacinda Ardern.
  ——————
  
  I’m not sure…if the society wasn’t receptive, Jacinda’s obsessions would have remained Jacinda’s only…
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:40am
- Harry Knuts
  
  that’s cause stuff, NZherald and newshub are effectively tabloids – not newspapers report news and facts and that’s it – they are after that trash and ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. Look at their headlines.. alot of them starting with “tragic.. horrifying.. outrageous..” and all the opinion pieces.. they are NOT news.
  
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  February 1, 2022 1:39pm
Debsta

Could we at least get it right here on KB…omicron is pronounced
O as in odd
MUH as in much
CRON as in chronic
It’s not hard!
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February 1, 2022 8:05am
- mandk
  
  I think you have got the second syllable wrong.
  
  It should be pronounced: me
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:21am
  - Tauhei Notts
    
    She, who must be obeyed, who comes from Epirus, tells me that Debsta is correct.
    
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    February 1, 2022 10:18am
  - Nigel Kearney
    
    meh
    
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    February 1, 2022 10:46am
- pdm
  
  Debsta – don’t really care.
  
  If we do it right it should be gone by the end of April.
  
  If we do it wrong it will be with us all year – most likely scenario under our current government.
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:23am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  Depends if you want to pronounce it like the Greeks..
  
  O – oh
  me
  cro
  
  https://translate.google.com/?sl=en&tl=el&text=omicron&op=translate
  
  or the Yanks.
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:27am
- westernScientest
  
  I think CRON might be pronounced ‘cold’ in this case
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:45am
- RightNow
  
  I haven’t heard anyone pronounce it wrong on kiwiblog… just saying
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:55am
- tf78
  
  Debsta it’s actually OhTheCon.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:03am
- Spenditb4theytaxit
  
  Oh
  Mike
  Ron
  
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  February 1, 2022 10:29pm
Yvette

A while back Jacinda Ardern claimed that firing one man would topple the Government covid response –
Under normal conditions I would sack the Minister of Health [Dr David Clark, remember?]. What he did was wrong, and there are no excuses. But right now, my priority is our collective fight against COVID-19. We cannot afford massive disruption in the health sector or to our response. For that reason, and that reason alone, Dr Clark will maintain his role.’ [1]

“We need as a country, as a government, as a Cabinet, to be totally focused on our Covid response. Anything regardless of origin – anything that acts as an unnecessary distraction to that, we just simply couldn’t afford. That doesn’t take away from the wider work that he has done as a minister, mental health in particular will be a legacy of Dr David Clark.” [2] – Oh, really? – now that mental health is the “shaw pandemic” especially among the young?

So we can not “afford massive disruption in the health sector” over firing one man – although he was soundly demoted taking him out of the scene any way – removed enough that Ardern mislead then

But now Ardern’s Government is about to demolish all 20 DHBs nationwide and replace them with two co-governance bureaucratic entities – … the end of a 20-year experiment started and ended by the Labour Party – in changes being imposed on a system under strain. Over-worked staff are fighting for pay increases just as the Omicron variant promises to place the most severe pressure on the country’s health facilities since the start of the Covid pandemic. [3]

And the rest is in a Newsroom article “As DHBs die, a chance to feed a starved health system” …

Canterbury health researcher Dr Michael Gousmett [reveals] 19 of the 20 DHBs … are in “deficit”, for a total of $711 million.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing exactly how this is going to be treated from an accounting perspective,” Gousmett says. “How can you, after decades of deficits, all of a sudden turn around and, boomph, they’re gone? It just doesn’t make sense.”

Last week, addressing the committee hearing submissions on the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill, Dalton told MPs: “While we are heartened by the aspirations represented in this legislation, we are painfully conscious of the workforce shortages that may limit or entirely prevent the success of the Māori Health Authority and Health NZ.
“We estimate that we need right now 1500 hospital specialists and 1400 GPs just to achieve per capita parity with Australia.” [3]

… how the operation was a success, but the patient died.
And when it all goes tits up, likely thousands of current DHB workers will be blamed.

Sorry to depress you first thing in the day, but what isn’t depressing, apart from the weather – which is probably a 100 year drought somewhere after last year’s drought.
But that is a distraction from what Ardern is doing to not “afford massive disruption in the health sector or to our covid response” as Omicron is about to strike.

[1] https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8193833/Kiwi-health-minister-disgraced-driving-beach-family-coronavirus-lockdown.html
[2] https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/420312/prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-on-david-clark-s-resignation-as-health-minister-it-is-one-i-agree-with
[3] https://www.newsroom.co.nz/as-dhbs-die-a-chance-to-feed-a-starved-health-system
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February 1, 2022 8:07am
- Taieri
  
  We need as a country, as a government, as a Cabinet, to be totally focused on our Covid response. Anything regardless of origin – anything that acts as an unnecessary distraction to that, we just simply couldn’t afford.
  ———————
  
  “(…)Should staff shortages become severe, hospitals might only be able to provide life-preserving services.
  
  SDHB acting quality and clinical governance solutions director Dr Hywel Lloyd warned aged residential care and home support services would also be compromised by the predicted scale of the Omicron outbreak.
  
  While care would be maintained wherever possible, there would be a limited availability of additional workers, and the ability to admit patients would be reduced or non-existent.(…)”
  
  https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/health/avalanche-cases-predicted
  
  The panic mongers never sleep. Like rust…
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:46am
- Phronesis
  
  This is a far bigger deal than the 3 waters debacle or labour playing with train sets again or even covid. This has the potential to completely root what’s left of the public health care system. It will make the death toll from covid look like a bad winter, but these changes will be locked in for decades.
  The cost in lives and suffering for those who can’t afford private healthcare will be phenomenal.
  I am certain that it will be these “reforms” which history finds to be Jacinda’s defining moment as the enemy of the poor and middle class.
  
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  February 1, 2022 11:03am
Frank the tank

https://www.foxnews.com/world/critics-justin-trudeau-coward-flee-home-protesters-freedom-convoy-vaccines

Dear oh dear. Our PM’s political BFF is under some heat. And now he has wokeebola. Perhaps the UN can do a 2-for-1 deal midway through the year.
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February 1, 2022 8:07am
- artemisia
  
  That is an astonishing truck convoy in Canada. Not forgetting all the ordinary citizens on overhead passes and sides of route.
  
  Big question – for Canada and also New Zealand – will massive protests force change or not.
  
  Of course here any change will be following the science as deemed suitable. Nothing to do with protests or polls.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:00am
  - mawm
    
    Listening to Trudeau’s latest mischaracterisation of, accusations of violence and racism and of theft of food by the truckies doesn’t sound like he’s got the message yet. SWAT teams are rolling in so be prepared for a Comrade Dictator Dan type response.
    
    The opposition parties haven’t come to the party either so who knows how this will end.
    
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    February 1, 2022 11:53am
    - Man Among the Ruins
      
      Just like all the other politicians, Justin Trudeau is a slime ball who will say whatever he thinks is politically expedient at the time, no matter how inconsistent. Compare 2017 to 2022:
      
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-O9FRZTBXs
      
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIrLhyPG1CY
      
      The whole thing is falling apart now. Because of its coordination and necessary interdependence, it will inevitably implode here in New Zealand purely due to the falling dominoes elsewhere around the entire globe. As just a few prominent examples, Canadians descending on Ottawa demanding an end to all mandates; Australians descending on Canberra seeking the same; US truckers apparently organising an even larger mass convoy to Washington DC; as well as the mass popular- pushback that has seen the UK NHS vaccine mandates rescinded. Then there is the resistance right across Europe.
      
      The people are pushing back and are winning. Moral conviction, patience and perseverance are starting to pay off.
      
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      February 1, 2022 1:13pm
      - mawm
        
        Trudeau rates amongst the slipperiest most insincere wanker of the present WEF crowd. How did he manage to get reelected?
        
        I hope that you are right. I don’t think Johnson would have caved if it hadn’t been for a Cabinet revolt, Austria is Comrade Dan on steroids, Germany not far behind. Europe is coming out nightly protesting – Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Austria and Italy. You wouldn’t notice it if you follow TV news.
        
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        February 1, 2022 5:14pm
- ClanMcleod
  
  Apparently, according to Canadian mainstream media, the “Russians” are behind it. lol
  
  I kid you not. Have a watch of this short video clip.
  
  https://twitter.com/MaximeBernier/status/1487796130125684737?s=20&t=B3x8FNaRIniXXB_0loHlWg
  
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  February 1, 2022 10:22am
  - Man Among the Ruins
    
    The Russians? Or just millions of decent people who are sick of having their rights and freedom trodden on for no rationally justified reason? These people are desperate and deluded. This is what a dying regime held together by a web of falsehood looks like.
    
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    February 1, 2022 1:20pm
Frank the tank

http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/8889-nz-national-voting-intention-december-2021-202201310600

So waiting for the Fearald, Stuffed and FakeNewshub to report a poll showing the centre-right leading in 3,2,1……….
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February 1, 2022 8:09am
- dubya
  
  That yawning chasm in voting intentions between men and women under 50 has got to be bad for the birth rate!
  
  “Support for the Labour/ Greens coalition is strongest amongst younger women aged 18-49 at 59% compared to only 34% support for National/ Act NZ.
  
  There is also a clear age divide amongst men with those aged 18-49 most likely to support Act NZ (30%) ahead of National (28%) and Labour (24.5%).”
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:28am
  - Frank the tank
    
    Or more interest is the 50+ female vote. Evidently Mavis has had enough of the scare porn, People gibbering in Minglish, and gang-related crime
    
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    February 1, 2022 8:35am
    - kowtow
      
      That’s the problem with that type of voter .
      
      Blowing in the wind , no convictions.
      
      And then politicians actually try to court the ‘tards.
      
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      February 1, 2022 12:40pm
  - Sir Cullen's Sidekick
    
    dubya – Cindy is only surviving because of this giggling 18-49 year olds who think Cindy is 21. Add to this mix Cannabis Chloe who is a role model for these giggling, chai latte drinking group. No wonder Cindy is still surviving. It will require a huge shock for this group to wake up. Won’t happen that soon.
    
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    February 1, 2022 11:05am
- westernScientest
  
  if its not a rouge poll, any argument that the Nats rise is due to ACT loosing voters is well blown out of the water. ACT on 18.5% with the Nats on 31.5.
  
  Interesting ACT have very low support from 18-50 year old woman 5%, but 30% of 18-50 year old males.
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:52am
  - Tauhei Notts
    
    I expect a rouge poll to favour Labour, just as a vert poll would favour the Greens.
    It seems Act is losing some loose voters.
    
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    February 1, 2022 10:22am
    - Hard Cheese
      
      However a jaune poll shows Act in favour with jeune voters.
      
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      February 1, 2022 11:00am
  - curry4me
    
    westernScientist: And no support from me. Who needs jabs and boosters for a cold? Children sure don’t.
    
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    February 1, 2022 10:50am
- rangitoto
  
  Must be a fake poll. Doesn’t list the Taliban.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:22am
- rockape
  
  Whilste encouraging I don’t think this poll reflects current views. It is over a month out of date. Since that time ACT has been digging a bit of a hole for itself and I suspect is on about half that vote. Now wither that benefits National enough to see it rise and be in a position with ACT to govern or other the likes of the New Conservatives and even NZ First benefit only time will tell.
  
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  February 1, 2022 10:01am
  - curry4me
    
    rockape: The New Conservatives are definitely on the CCP virus bandwagon. Good for them.
    
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    February 1, 2022 10:51am
  - Sir Cullen's Sidekick
    
    rockape – Forget Nw Conservatives will ya? They can’t cross 1%, they may as well merge with ACT or NAT and save their bank balances.
    
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    February 1, 2022 11:07am
    - rockape
      
      I agree, I want to see a strong, very opinionated right wing within National.
      
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      February 1, 2022 11:26am
    - Clownworld
      
      Or take conservatives out of National if any were actually conservative?
      All weak ineffectual broad church of Labour lite. Unprincipled pragmatic and keeping in parliament.
      
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      February 1, 2022 11:42am
  - DaleK
    
    I would say that Labour have been digging faster and deeper in that month.
    
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    February 1, 2022 11:37am
    - JerJer
      
      Yes, I would say the poll is wrong. More likely National have picked up more in the last month off both Labour and Act. I would pick National at around 37+ and Act on 14.
      
      It is encouraging that Labour are really starting to fade fast, right when the proverbial shit is about to hit the fan with Covid scaring the shite out of the weak, inflation ripping the heart out of peoples budgets and lifestyles, interest rates dooming home ownership and further wrecking peoples balance sheets. In addition to that we have all the general uselessness of the Labour party not able to deliver, well, anything, except misery for the poor.
      
      All downhill from here. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer bunch of nitwits.
      
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      February 1, 2022 2:49pm
- Fuzzysnuggleduck
  
  What would be great is that Nats and ACT form a govt. and ACT is around in numbers enough to inject some principles and back bone around personal responsibility and race-based political rights.
  
  But yes, confirms what we new about the main fan-base being younger females.
  Oh Lord – when you get your preferred PM from your impression via the Womens Day.
  The others that can be taken for granted is the parasitic class (if they get off the couch to vote, that is).
  
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  February 1, 2022 12:02pm
Maggy Wassilieff

It looks like today will be the day that we get an announcement about a forth-coming announcement.

and how nice of RNZ to give us a heads-up about some as yet undecided decision.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/460616/cabinet-ministers-to-finalise-dates-for-reopening-borders
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February 1, 2022 8:12am
- Frank the tank
  
  LOL. With a poll showing the left underwater I expect we’ll see the borders “relaxed” by end of Feb. It will, of course be still with conditions and caveats that will make it difficult to travel.
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:26am
  - 70andstilllearning
    
    ” It will, of course be still with conditions……”
    
    Agree – prime issue here is keeping the overseas voters out of the country until post 2023 election – no one coming back for a “holiday” or just see family!
    
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    February 1, 2022 9:26am
  - Warren
    
    Yes but Jacinda Arderns Policy has has always followed the Labour Party rules when you have a problem throw as much money as you can at it and the problem will go away.
    Well without borrowing billions more they can’t replenish the fund in the media and journalism without the risk of a backlash and they can’t poor money into welfare without revealing how much emergency cash has been given out already in this term of Government .
    This will become a real problem for Labour, Jacinda Ardern and Grant Robertson, because Jacinda Ardern likes to be liked and has to pay for it to continue and retrieve her poll figures with the media, Journalism and many woman because with inflation comes higher interest rates and the extra money some woman have had will dry up because of this Government, just like it will for this Government, Jacinda and Grant.
    
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    February 1, 2022 10:05am
- Other_Andy
  
  This time she rally, really means it.
  Honestly!
  
  Every time this woman opens her mouth she lies.
  Look what happened in February!
  Until the fake “State of Emergency” is lifted, anybody who organises travel is a gullible idiot.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:52am
  - Ra Henare
    
    Yep. Add me to the gullible idiot list.!
    
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    February 1, 2022 2:14pm
- ecco
  
  Will definitely be an announcement of an announcement. They’ve found that’s worked to buy a bit more time. However that tactic is waning and everyone can see through Ardern’s tactics.
  
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  February 1, 2022 10:51am
kevn

@BY… arden blazing her own trail and dragging NZer’s along.
Check out the UK, they seem to have turned the covid corner. No nurses jab mandates etc
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February 1, 2022 8:14am
Benedict Yu

Yesterday I bought some of the N95 masks. The sales person said they meet the Government’s new mask requirements.

Read the box this morning. “Provides effective protection by small airborne particles. Ideal for sanding, grinding, and working with fibreglass. Not suitable for medical use.” ???????????
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February 1, 2022 8:14am
- slightlyrighty
  
  Of course. Medical Use implies for wearing in a hospital and working in hot zones. They have a different standard.
  
  The Amount of PPE required to work in an ICU for example far exceeds the level required to be out and about.
  
  I get what you’re saying, but I would no more expect a nurse to work in an ICU wearing just an N95 Mask, than I would expect all of us to walk around at all times wearing full PPE.
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:19am
- gump
  
  Why are you surprised by this? Medical grade masks are certified for use in operating theatres and other aseptic environments. From the 3m website:
  
  “Standard and surgical N95 respirators are both designed to help reduce the wearer’s exposure to airborne particulate hazards. In addition, surgical N95 respirators are FDA cleared as a medical device and can be used as a fluid barrier to splashes and sprays. Standard and surgical N95 respirators are both NIOSH-approved.”
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:33am
  - ClanMcleod
    
    I think the surprise might be the government cranking up the bullshit and spin to convince people to wear even more idiotic masks that do nothing to prevent covid spread. It has nothing to do with health.
    
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    February 1, 2022 10:47am
- ClanMcleod
  
  BY – Shhhhhh, don’t break the magical spell woven by Brenda!!! It’s cost us 50 odd billion dollars!! Don’t spoil it!!
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:47am
- Nickc2
  
  Oh shit, I’ve thrown out all my Surgical Masks.
  Perhaps the Govt mandated Masks will protect me from Covid while I’m sanding down my boat?
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:48am
- cmm
  
  BY: “Not suitable for medical use” does not necessarily mean they won’t work. It just means they have not been tested for that purpose and cannot be sold as such.
  
  The medical stuff being sold to hospitals is sold at way higher prices but might actually be exactly the same thing in a different box.
  
  Of course it could also essentially be a knock-off. Looks just the same as a medical grade mask, but is only suited to sawdust etc.
  
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  February 1, 2022 12:44pm
Tony Stuart

An interesting Roy Morgan poll out this morning. For the first time since the 2017 General Election, the National/Act blog holds a clear majority, 50 to 44%. Translated to an election, that would see a change of government.

http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/8889-nz-national-voting-intention-december-2021-202201310600

Labour may hold a clear parliamentary majority at the moment, but that shouldn’t be taken for granted. On the basis of this poll, Labour would lose more than 20 seats in the House, or more than a third of its caucus. You only have to ask Jim Bolger about the perils of an unruly back bench, especially when the chances of re-election look glum. I can easily see some Labour back benchers cutting up rough, and refusing to support certain pieces of legislation.

National and Act on the other hand, will be buoyant. Seeing a path to government in 2023 is the best possible way to start the political year.
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February 1, 2022 8:16am
- slightlyrighty
  
  Labour is reliant on a thin veneer of competence hiding a depth of incompetence.
  
  That veneer is wearing very thin. VERY thin…..
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:20am
- pdm
  
  Inv – most Labour Backbenchers do not have the nous to rock the boat.
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:26am
  - Tony Stuart
    
    Don’t you believe it. Many are on the best gig they’ve ever had, and seeing the possibility of that being taken away is a strong motivator!
    
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    February 1, 2022 8:35am
    - alex Masterley
      
      We have a labour list MP in the next street. Mext time I meet her I am going to ask if she is burnishing up her CV.
      
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      February 1, 2022 9:38am
      - rockape
        
        The fun will be if Labours list becomes shorter yet some of their dumbest muppets remain by winning their seats then the Labour talent pool will get even shallower. Think Nelson and Boyack and National there having to find a brand new candidate since Nick Smith went.
        
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        February 1, 2022 10:06am
- Frank the tank
  
  Yeah nah.
  
  The cult of Ardern is still in ascendancy in the Labour caucus. They’ll only become unruly when Ardern hits the New York ejection button and the poor man’s Gordon Brown ascends the throne with Angry and the Maori squad throwing rock in the glass house behind the scenes.
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:30am
  - pdm
    
    Frank I do like that comparison of Robb to Gordon Brown.
    
    Definitely like for like in competence or more accurately the lack of it.
    
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    February 1, 2022 8:37am
    - nathie
      
      I also agree it is most fitting!
      
      I think I will refer to Robbo as “Gordon Brown” when appropriate. Eg smiles and laughs when being duplicitous, all hype but no do … they seem to be birds of a feather!
      
      Jacinda is kind of like Tony Blair in many respects …. but hmm Jacinda Blair? Nah doesn’t sound right.
      
      Ahah maybe sometimes, depending on context, “Tony Blair” (for JA) just might do!
      
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      February 1, 2022 9:34am
      - Clownworld
        
        There was the Blair Witch Project?
        
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        February 1, 2022 11:48am
- ecco
  
  What I found interesting is the number of blind female sycophants that are still voting Ardern and Labour despite the covid response shambles. Over 50% of females under 59 years polled would still vote for Cindy. The breakdown by gender is on the Roy Morgan site. Interesting poll as I always thought the Roy Morgan poll was rigged towards the left.
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:32am
  - UrbanNeocolonialist
    
    Very depressing how uninformed average females in NZ are. Social media dumbing them down en mass.
    
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    February 1, 2022 8:59am
    - Alan Wilkinson
      
      They think talking is working so why are you surprised?
      
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      February 1, 2022 12:06pm
    - kowtow
      
      Social media ?
      
      No they’re responsible for their own stupidity.
      
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      February 1, 2022 12:51pm
  - Harry Knuts
    
    not sure where or how they are getting these polling results but i’m in the demographic and never have and still never will vote for Ardern. Far too clueless and full of slogans without achieving anything for my liking. I talk to many women my age and they feel the same so really don’t know where thee women are in NZ that they are supposedly polling??
    
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    February 1, 2022 1:48pm
- Biscuit
  
  The woman I share a cot with is slumbering peacefully as I type, Tony.
  
  But your news of Labour’s woes has inspired me to make up a fresh fruit and yoghurt platter to take through to her, with perked coffee, natch, for when she awakens.
  
  Yeah, yeah, I’m a saint…
  
  I wonder if Mr Gayford dares do the same with his Missus, heh.
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:38am
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    Your lady has trained you well…
    
    I need to get hold of her training manual.
    Mine has worn out and is need of extensive revision.
    
    (I don’t get my barista-style coffee until about 9.30 when hubby hauls his bum out of bed).
    
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    February 1, 2022 8:50am
    - Alwynn
      
      “Mine has worn out”
      Is that the manual or the hubby?
      
      14 0
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      February 1, 2022 10:52am
    - Ra Henare
      
      Ahh the joys of living alone. I get my morning coffee when ever I damn well please.!!!!!!
      
      I am not reliant on some snoring/slumbering oaf/oafess.
      
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      February 1, 2022 2:19pm
  - Nickc2
    
    Only if he wants his head bitten off.
    
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    February 1, 2022 8:59am
  - RockyJ
    
    Ha ha. I get my wife meusli and a cup of tea every morning. Occasionally we switch roles. It is divine.
    Gosh retirement is great fun.
    
    14 0
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    February 1, 2022 9:11am
    - Harry Knuts
      
      what you dress as a women and she dresses as you?? interesting… go you.. enjoy retirement your way 🙂
      
      4 0
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      February 1, 2022 3:24pm
  - Steve Otto(North Shore)
    
    3 day weekend for Auckland. Breakfast in bed for me, bacon, eggs, tomato and toast.
    Then the speaker of the house said no more bacon, you ate it all.
    Fried ham fixes it
    
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    February 1, 2022 3:35pm
- tui47
  
  Quite extraordinary. However definitely too high – Labour supporters will refer to it as a rogue pill. They won’t like hearing this especially as they are so wrought up about Ardern dropping below Luxon in the approval ratings. However further confirms the trend that Labour are on the down and National the rise. Plus no doubt taken before the bad publicity from Charlotte Bellis etc. Things will only get worse for Ardern and the Labour Government from now on.
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:59am
- Brian McDonald
  
  Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
  Don’t overlook Nat’s ability to screw it up, Tony. Chris is sounding decidedly socialist and multi-cultural he is even lamenting old white men’s politics.
  But it will be interesting. I doubt that the Nats broadly have the vibe of a younger refreshed party.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:34am
- greybeard
  
  No mention of it at all on Stuff as at 9:54am Tues
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:54am
- MCōs
  
  ACT at 18.5% seems a little out of kilter.
  However
  If these numbers are accurate and follow through to the next election it will, presumably, mean a lot of Dave Seymour’s mates around the cabinet table.
  
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  February 1, 2022 10:12am
  - rockape
    
    The two Roy Morgan polls set a trend.
    Nov labour green 46.5%
    National ACT 46%
    
    Dec (the current poll just released)
    Labour green 44%
    National ACT 50%
    Note: I don’t include the Maori party as I don’t think they will have an MP in 2023.
    
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    February 1, 2022 11:37am
    - Sir Cullen's Sidekick
      
      rockape – I agree. Maori party won’t have an MP in 2023. In fact, they should be wiped out now that they have made it clear they won’t back National/ACT.
      
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      February 1, 2022 12:47pm
    - jon
      
      Rockape..re your earlier post and Nelson seat. Nats need to get a candidate in place ASAP. An ideal person would be Liam Malone. Young and an achiever who has overcome adversity he would have crossover party appeal and support from all age groups.
      
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      February 1, 2022 1:18pm
      - rockape
        
        Sadly he isn’t a National supporter!
        
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        February 1, 2022 2:58pm
- Sir Cullen's Sidekick
  
  Bro – Labour backbenches are actually sheeps in human form. They will ask how high when Cindy says jump. So don’t hold any high hopes for these sheeps to do anything meaningful.
  
  David Seymour as Deputy PM sounds good!!! But not sure whether Christine Luxon will agree to that. She seems to be comfortable in the company of Willis.
  
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  February 1, 2022 11:10am
  - Sacha
    
    @ SCS: Are you being awfully witty or intentionally offensive in your references to the National Party leader?
    
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    February 1, 2022 2:42pm
    - MCōs
      
      And insulting to women
      
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      February 1, 2022 7:30pm
Cassandra

Viruses are just a wee bit smaller than sawdust. What a waste of money.
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February 1, 2022 8:17am
Simon

10th century religious war lords > the left. It’s not even close.

In other news, Labour gubermint have called in the Taliban to assist with child poverty.
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February 1, 2022 8:20am
- mawm
  
  I wonder if the Labour government has read the UN reports of hundreds of Afganistani soldiers and government officials that have been killed by the Taliban.
  
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  February 1, 2022 12:11pm
I remember when

Spotify:
Of course you should be able to ‘blackmail’ news media sites when we don’t agree with their content.
We wouldn’t want to waste our time having to debate issues, especially when the facts may be unclear.
Who has time for that.
It is only right that celebrities, many of whom have spent much of their lives drugged or drunk, should decide what we can view.
Let’s get rid of the local and world news and only have the Entertainment news.
Problem solved.
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February 1, 2022 8:22am
- ClanMcleod
  
  It hurt me to delete Neil Young’s songs from my media player. It only hurt for a few seconds, like remembering a nice holiday, but that was then, this is now. Bye bye Neil. A southern man don’t need you around anyhow. Oh, the needle and the damage done comes to mind too!
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:56am
  - RightNow
    
    Neil taught me that welfare mothers make better lovers.
    
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    February 1, 2022 9:19am
- ClanMcleod
  
  A wonderful take on it all on Bad Cattitude today. Great meme featuring Neil Young with the message:
  
  “If Spotify is going to allow people to question government, I’m taking down my song about government murdering people.”
  
  Many other excellent memes plus intelligent analysis on today’s post. Worth checking out.
  
  https://boriquagato.substack.com/p/perspective-from-the-great-white
  
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  February 1, 2022 10:09am
  - Zoomfatigued
    
    Keep on rocking in the free “as long you don’t question anything” world.
    
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    February 2, 2022 7:08am
    - ClanMcleod
      
      lol excellent!
      
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      February 2, 2022 8:39am
Paulus

Looks athough Minister Chippy is pregnant -he has been well and truly screwed by Bellis assisted by the PR Taliban killers.
Chippy should read Sun Zu now.
He should have known that the following facts are very pertenent.
She is a Woman
She is Pregnant
She is a member of the Journalist Media Mafia.
She is well practice at the art of getting what she wants from the media (like Tova).
She is very good at her media job.
Chippy there is a time to tackle this and a time to shut up and tell the peson incharge of MIQ to fix it – many other extraneous people like some wedding guests got places with ease.
Sack the person in charge alone for her bullshit.
Oh, can’t she is a senior Public Servant doing what she is told.
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February 1, 2022 8:22am
- ecco
  
  The story has gone pretty viral globally. Hahaha. On the Time website, guardian and many other global sites. Appreciate Bellis bringing this story to light and also showing how corrupt the Miq system is ie Chippy and Cindy will try and shut down bad publicity at the drop of a hat as we’ve seen with this case.
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:35am
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    Very pleasing to see that some of the females over at “The Standard” have taken up the cudgels on this one.
    
    https://thestandard.org.nz/womens-human-rights-and-the-vulnerability-of-pregnant-women/
    
    Once Labour believed in supporting vulnerable women and children…Now the Labour power brokers couldn’t give a toss… there’s even some willing to defend their inept bureaucracy.
    
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    February 1, 2022 9:06am
    - nathie
      
      Wow, that is a powerful and damning appraisal of the situation! Thank goodness someone on the Left (with a lot of respect at TS) has stood up to this appalling situation.
      
      Although the author (Weka) didn’t make it “political”, Labour’s leadership on this issue has been non-existent.
      
      It’s almost as if, Labour don’t realise they are the Government, and have the power to make changes (instead they dither and obfuscate).
      
      As Christopher Luxon said yesterday, ALL pregnant women are a priority.
      
      Why on earth are Labour and the Prime Minister “missing in action” (when it comes to resolving this)?
      
      For crying out loud, even Helen Clark would have made it clear what her expectations were and to have this resolved “yesterday” (with a health dose of public servants heads being chopped off in the process)!
      
      I think Weka unintentionally nails Labour’s indifference – they are more concerned about the rights of “gender dysphoric men” than the rights of actual Women, especially pregnant women too, it seems …
      
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      February 1, 2022 9:25am
      - rockape
        
        It’s called arrogance when a Government forgets to consider the little people.
        
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        February 1, 2022 11:39am
  - artemisia
    
    If Ms Bellis looks like getting special MIQ attention that would have to increase the local and global attention. And not in a good way.
    
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    February 1, 2022 9:07am
- pdm
  
  Paulus – the dumbest of dumb moves by Chippy trying to knock that woman back.
  
  He was a dead certain loser – even more so than he usually is.
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:40am
- nathie
  
  Labour need to get their A into G.
  
  For example, have they thought about the worse possible consequences (threats)?
  
  One of them could be the Taliban hold Ms Bellis and partner as hostages!
  
  (Sure probably most unlikely, as the Taliban are trying to present a different image nowadays).
  
  But what if something else forces their hand? (Like Sleepy Joe sensing an opportunity to target taliban leadership using drones, to shore up his falling approval ratings, enraging them)?
  
  The sooner the Labour Government act the better (for their sake), the sooner Ms Bellis & partner can get out of Afghanistan and into her home country the better (for her sake).
  
  Oh and does the Prime Minister of NZ have anything to say about this situation? Considering she is being called out by the international MSM? Or is the local NZ MSM still happy with her being in “witless protection” so she doesn’t have to face up and be accountable?
  
  It sure is interesting watching the international MSM actually hold our Labour Govt to account.
  
  Imagine if the international MSM then turn their eyes on the NZ MSM and start holding them to account, asking why the NZ MSM (and its cartoonists) continue to hold the Opposition to account!
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:49am
  - Sacha
    
    I bet the local MSM are seeing Ms Bellis with a wary eye.
    What would happen if she came back and started work?
    What if she started assessing the work of the current local media – or, heaven help us, the government.
    
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    February 1, 2022 9:36am
    - marcw
      
      Until Ms Bellis became pregnant and her circumstances changed to necessitating her rightful return to NZ, is there any evidence that she didn’t support the local media in their sycophantic Labour support? Where and when did she stand up for the tens of thousands of overseas NZers facing up to the MIQ lottery previously – to me it is only once reality struck that it became an issue. Too bad about the last year or so of others in this same discriminatory position.
      
      In a way, it’s a bit like Tova O’Brien finally hitting a patch of slippery reality with her restraint of trade case. It’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye, especially when it’s your eye.
      
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      February 1, 2022 1:39pm
- rockape
  
  This has certainly got the legs to upset Labours base. Childbearing age women. Chip pie you may have just put the final nail in Labours coffin.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:21am
- RightNow
  
  She just needed permit A 38 from the place that sends you mad.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:28am
- peterwn
  
  Chippy can at least call her in for an interview without coffee – would be good news for the taxpayer and bad news for Bellamys.
  
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  February 1, 2022 10:45am
- ecco
  
  I see Ardern’s contacted her friends over at $tuffed to try and undermine Bellis’s case with a negative story on Bellis and the Taliban. Ardern must be thinking that covid media bribe fund has come in so handy.
  
  Although I’ve noticed the Ferald are starting to cave and put out some free to all articles criticising Ardern. The editor must realise that the Right actually have a fighting chance of getting in next election and are starting to hedge their bets.
  
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  February 1, 2022 10:54am
- Sir Cullen's Sidekick
  
  At least Tova is not pregnant and can’t be on airwaves for another 2 months.
  
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  February 1, 2022 11:11am
Maggy Wassilieff

Looks like our Dear PM and her best buddies in the Labour Party have given up on the homeless

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/460612/omicron-outbreak-government-takes-different-path-over-housing-for-homeless

Perhaps all the shark landlords/motels have raised their rents too high to be a Government dumping ground again this winter .
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February 1, 2022 8:34am
- rockape
  
  The homeless don’t vote. So why would Labour care about them. They only made it an issue when it was a stick to beat up the then National Government. Since they won they lost interest and have made matters worse. Ask the sallies, ask the foodbanks.
  
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  February 1, 2022 11:43am
  - nathie
    
    Yep, even John Campbell doesn’t bother using his “TV1 Breakfast” slot to highlight the plight of the poor and homeless.
    
    After all, can’t have the privileged TV1 Breakfast presenters be reminded of poor and working Kiwis living in cars and tents (or $200/week garden sheds) as they admire and praise their zillion dollar studio makeover (the cost probably would have funded a decades worth of food and clothing for Auckland’s downtrodden)!
    
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/127587405/the-tvnz-breakfast-crew-are-back-and-theyve-got-a-new-whare (wow, check out the comments section)!
    
    And after all, can’t have the Labour/Greens MP’s reminded of all this poverty as they watch Tv1 Breakfast, chomping down their organic avocado and megabuck blue fin tuna, viewing their kind of feelz good news!
    
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    February 1, 2022 12:06pm
Rusty

So old dinosaur hippies Neil Young and Joni Mitchell have jumped on the cancel culture bandwagon.

They want their music taken off spotify because they don’t like Joe Rogans podcasts who interviews people with different views on covid vaccines.

Shame on these old hypocrite hippies who want to cancel peoples freedom of speech because they disagree with them.

Though good on Eric Clapton for making a stand on mandatory vaccines.
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February 1, 2022 8:34am
- Dairy Flat
  
  Always loved the guy’s music but Young himself is a rank hypocrite. When he was young he was an outspoken anti-establishment, freedom loving hippy, now that he’s old and not too healthy he seems to have shed his moral compass and jumped on the doomed bandwagon. Great shame as his LP’s will no longer sound quite the same.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:32am
- alex Masterley
  
  Frankly, I hadnt realised that either Neil Young or Joni Mitchell were still alive. Came as a bit of a surprise to me.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:40am
  - Biscuit
    
    alex, I went to a funeral a month back.
    
    96 people there under ‘da regulayshins’…
    
    The programme or order of service said that one of the several songs – my mate was a musical nutter – to be played was ‘the late Kenny Rogers’ ‘Goodbye’…
    
    Very moving song (https://youtu.be/qxcRleS8dyk) but, as I observed to a pal afterwards, I am so amusical that I had no idea Kenny had passed during Covid…
    
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    February 1, 2022 10:17am
  - curry4me
    
    alex Masterly: Does it still count if they’re only alive from the neck down?
    
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    February 1, 2022 11:02am
  - lifesgood
    
    I think Neil Young is dead, at least he certainly looks like it.
    
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    February 1, 2022 11:12am
Simon

Was the wedding called off to prevent embarrassing revelations about MIQ most favored treatment for Ardern / Gayford’s guests? Was the DJ Dimwit palgue carrier just the tip of the ice berg?
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February 1, 2022 8:34am
- All_on_Red
  
  There are rumour’s (which I wont repeat) of other reasons for the cancellation
  
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  February 1, 2022 10:01am
  - Biscuit
    
    ‘DJ Dimwit’, love it!
    
    :: Offers the mod a Kit Kat or three and murmurs ‘Please let All_on_Red repeat his rumours!’ ::
    
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    February 1, 2022 10:22am
    - curry4me
      
      Biscuit: I’ll add a virtual chocolate fish.
      
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      February 1, 2022 11:04am
    - rockape
      
      We will know if those rumours are true or not when the next date for the wedding or not is announced. Me I think you are on the money.
      
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      February 1, 2022 11:45am
    - pdm
      
      Biscuit – I am rather partial to Kitkats.
      
      You do have my address don’t you?
      
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      February 1, 2022 11:50am
      - Biscuit
        
        Bad news, pdm, my danglies would be seriously imperilled if I mailed away my presh’s Kit Kats!
        
        From my diary notes, talking about you-know-who:
        
        [If she ever gets her grump on, an easy way to coax her back into her normal happy self is to lob a Kit Kat at her.
        But a tip: breaking off half for yourself produces sub-optimal outcomes!]
        
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        February 1, 2022 12:29pm
    - Observer of Life
      
      Anklet anyone?
      
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      February 1, 2022 8:01pm
  - Sir Cullen's Sidekick
    
    Fake news All_on_Red. Move on.
    
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    February 1, 2022 11:12am
    - All_on_Red
      
      Fun though!
      And lets face it. Some just wont change…
      
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      February 1, 2022 11:20am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Is Jethro wearing shorts on the boat, or long jeans for the cold weather?
  
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  February 1, 2022 3:47pm
  - Observer of Life
    
    Doesn’t it relate to several supposed visits on consecutive days to a hairdresser… without a hair being touched?
    
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    February 1, 2022 8:04pm
- Harry Knuts
  
  all of the above. Gayford just can’t help himself. he’s about due for a twitter rant isn’t he??… haven’t had one in a while.
  
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  February 1, 2022 4:21pm
cmm

Old Bazza says the virus will be this government’s undoing.

No sorry mate, it their fucking uselessness that will be their undoing. About the only thing keeping them in the jockey seat is the virus.

There’s an effect in politics that you tend not to change the team during a crisis. That’s common in wars – people keep hold on to their leaders during a war then throw them out at the end of the war (refer W Churchill).

This myth of Cindy’s awesome inchewishun making us the best in the world is all due to the virus. As that crumbles, so will Cindy’s support when people see what’s really left – a debt mountain and inflation that has chewed away at their lifestyle.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-barry-soper-its-the-virus-that-will-be-the-governments-undoing/G4PE2XDXDQ6KDGACVVDWD3PJHI/
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February 1, 2022 8:35am
- Cassandra
  
  She made 1st equal in the “Worst Leader in the West” list, along with Brandon and Trudeau.
  
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  February 1, 2022 10:16am
- mikenmildagain
  
  people keep hold on to their leaders during a war then throw them out at the end of the war (refer W Churchill)
  
  Do you have any other examples?
  USA kept Truman
  USSR kept Stalin
  Australia kept Chiffley
  NZ kept Fraser
  Canada kept King
  
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  February 1, 2022 10:31am
  - amospicton
    
    Of course such was Stalin’s popularity he was re-elected unopposed wasn’t he?
    
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    February 1, 2022 11:57am
    - mikenmildagain
      
      Indeed. I included him for my own amusement, although cmm did not specify democracies in his nonsensical ‘tend not to’ example.
      
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      February 1, 2022 2:05pm
    - kowtow
      
      The Chinese kept Chiang Kai shek thru the war and then elected Mao in 1949.
      
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      February 1, 2022 6:20pm
CAKE FACE1

The new poll deserves a new post.

The economy hasn’t reached anywhere near bottom yet. The lefties are in freefall.

The Cindy cult is collapsing.

Great news…
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February 1, 2022 8:35am
- Gravelroad
  
  @Cake
  “The Cindy cult is collapsing” – maybe so, but I have no doubt remedial action will be taken.
  The Prime Minister does not have a large PR spin team on hand for nothing.
  As more critical and unkind comment about her is gaining momentum, I expect pushback along the lines of “poor Jacinda – we must support her no matter what.”
  She will soon achieve martyr status and the media, public servants, celebrities and academics (of which there are thousands) will oblige.
  Maintaining their current high level status will demand it.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:18am
  - Sacha
    
    But will people buy? Quite frankly, I think it’ll be a hard sell.
    
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    February 1, 2022 9:39am
  - Inandout
    
    Ha ha Gravel, I can imagine the spin team following Jacinda around with notebooks like Kim’s scribes do.
    
    https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-27116092
    
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    February 1, 2022 10:32am
    - Biscuit
      
      Inandout, ‘our’ version of Kim’s scribes is the group of (usually) five party hacks who stand, nodding sagely, in camera shot behind Jass at her public pronouncements…
      
      And who can forget Winne The Poo’s stunt, when replying to a question in Parliament, standing side on to his underlings behind him with a ‘Right, NZ First people, get ready to cackle inanely at THIS bon-mot’ expression.
      
      The first person to stop nodding sagely/cackling inanely would, of course, immediately be taken out back for a quick dose of ‘re-education’…
      
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      February 1, 2022 12:36pm
  - oldfella
    
    Not my creative effort, but well said…
    +
    Ardern is the shepherd I did not want.
    She leadeth me beside the still factories.
    She restoreth my faith in the National Party.
    She guideth me in the path of unemployment for her party’s sake.
    Yea, though I walk through the valley of the breadline, I shall fear no hunger, for her handouts are with me.
    She has anointed my income with taxes, my expenses runneth over.
    Surely, poverty and hard living will follow me all the days of my life,
    And I will live in a rented house forever…
    I am glad I am a Kiwi
    I am glad that I am (sort of) free.
    But I wish I was a dog…
    And Ardern was a tree.
    
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    February 1, 2022 10:55am
  - rockape
    
    The trouble is when you are a “cult leader” when people get over you they tend to get nasty and come after you. This is especially true of women, well known for bearing a grudge. Having promised do much for women ,kindness, end to child poverty, homelessness and having failed to deliver, it’s only a question of time before the mist of Covid clears and women feel letdown and turn against her.
    
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    February 1, 2022 11:50am
- ecco
  
  Cindy is going to have to throw a lot of money/bribes (even more than she already does) at the student and maori vote which gets her over the line every time. This will be done blatantly and by stealth over the next year and a half.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:35am
- Sir Cullen's Sidekick
  
  The MSM mafia is doing their best not to publish it.
  
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  February 1, 2022 11:13am
NeverMindTheBollocks

Apropos of the Charlotte Bellis affair – as a recent-ish older first-time mother herself, you would think that Jacinda would have had more empathy.

Imagine the media frenzy if an older man was PM & took the same approach.
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February 1, 2022 8:38am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  Somebody needs to investigate why only 13% of the emergency pregnancy appeals for a MIQ spot got through, but 60% of other emergency appeals were accepted.
  
  Someone at MIQ headquarters hasn’t got a clue about women and pregnancies.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:25am
  - alloytoo
    
    13% had scheduled C-sections, the remainder were waiting on bub naturally and couldn’t set a date?
    
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    February 1, 2022 9:48am
  - BananaLlama
    
    Someone at MIQ headquarters hasn’t got a clue about women and pregnancies.
    
    A growing trend but more so on the left of politics. I wonder if she has even had her Nuchal scan.
    
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    February 1, 2022 10:42am
  - UrbanNeocolonialist
    
    Pregnant ~~women~~ persons should do more DJing if they want easy access to NZ
    
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    February 1, 2022 10:50am
  - oldfella
    
    Maggy, would a pregnant DJ have a better chance of getting in? /s
    
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    February 1, 2022 10:57am
- Sacha
  
  Sociopaths don’t do empathy.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:39am
  - mawm
    
    This sociopath is bound to come out with a “personal interference because she is so empathetic” and “because she’s a woman who has a child and can’t bear to see anyone suffer” statement because her polls tell her to.
    
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    February 1, 2022 5:30pm
- lastmanstanding
  
  My first thought on reading the Bellis story was that the person who refused her was a Nat/ACT supporter. What better way to stick it up the Government and then say “I was just following orders”.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:49am
Tony Stuart

Matthew Hooten questioned last night whether Chris Hipkins had got Charlotte Bellis’ permission before releasing a whole lot of her personal and medical information yesterday. Bellis has confirmed that she did not give permission.

https://twitter.com/CharlotteBellis/status/1488090374866358275

I wonder if the media and all those on the Left will climb into Hipkins in the way they did with Paula Bennett a few years ago. On the basis of social media comments over the last few days suggesting everything from Bellis having an abortion to her having received a fat cheque from the National Party, I suspect not. There certainly hasn’t been much of Jacinda Ardern’s kindness on display!
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February 1, 2022 8:43am
- MCōs
  
  This is turning into a political soap opera.
  
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  February 1, 2022 10:22am
3-coil

This morning’s DomPost – front page, first sentence: “…UK Conservative politician George Osborn’s pale face…beamed in to the National Party’s caucus retreat”.

I know that the self-confessed racists at Stuff made a big noise with their (faux) apologies re their admission of their ingrained racism, but they forgot to tell their entitled blue-eyed blonde (and yes, pale-skinned) cub reporter Bridie Witton. This sort of divisive race-baiting language reveals how hypocritical the woke staff at Stuff really are – great at virtue signalling, but tone-deaf and blind to their own on-going racist racial bias. I guess the truth is, Stuff have a (self-confessed) long history of racist reporting to uphold.
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February 1, 2022 8:47am
- kevn
  
  @# coil… I had the good fortune to undertake an online Stuff survey about racial diversity.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:42am
- graham
  
  I wonder if, in years to come, we will see Stuff come to a sudden realisation, and witness them wringing their hands and tearfully apologising for their racist and one-sided coverage of Pakeha New Zealanders, and white people in general.
  
  Not holding my breath …
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:56am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  Well I suppose mentioning his pale face is a step up from calling him dark-haired and swarthy (in reference to his Jewish heritage)…
  or mentioning his leprechaunesque grin (in reference to his Irish ancestors.)
  
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  February 1, 2022 2:14pm
Benedict Yu

My car takes 98 octane petrol. $2.94 at BP this morning. 🙁

At the end of the day I don’t care. I don’t do much driving day to day. But if you were a family in Auckland with two cars commuting each day you would be feeling it.

Just like forever, inflation hurts the poor the most. The thing is that nobody in New Zealand younger than 50 years old has any real experience with the nasty effects of inflation.
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February 1, 2022 8:49am
- RightNow
  
  FYI if you have a Waitomo near you it’s about 10% cheaper.
  https://www.waitomogroup.co.nz
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:43am
  - Benedict Yu
    
    They do not sell 98 Octane petrol.
    
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    February 1, 2022 1:07pm
- UrbanNeocolonialist
  
  you only need 98 in hot weather. 91 is fine in winter.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:47am
  - Benedict Yu
    
    Seriously? Can you provide any evidence? The engine has a compression ratio of 11.5:1 and red lines at 7,800 RPM. The manual says use 98 octane fuel, but 95 can be used in an emergency for short periods.
    
    AFAIK there is only one reason to use 98 octane fuel. That is to avoid pre- detonation in a high compression engine. Which can destroy the engine. How does the weather affect that?
    
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    February 1, 2022 1:05pm
    - Ra Henare
      
      Sounds like a car for sale advert on Trademe shortly.
      
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      February 1, 2022 2:33pm
- alloytoo
  
  Well except for any South African immigrant.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:50am
- 70andstilllearning
  
  Well Benedict – with balance of trade (Dec) due out shortly and Q4 employment data tomorrow some of us who do remember will probably get an even better take on the comparison. 🙂
  
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  February 1, 2022 10:00am
- peterwn
  
  Inflation also hurts some small time savers eg those with savings accounts and conservative Kiwisaver funds (and historically those with endowment and whole of life insurance policies). Inflation would only seriously hurt people with big mortgages if they were were in a hopeless cashflow bind or if mortgage interest rates were greater than the rate of inflation.
  It is ironic that some people in ‘balanced’ or ‘growth’ Kiwisaver fret when the value of their fund decreases yet those in ‘conservative’ funds happily sit back and watch (if they bother) the value of their funds erode.
  
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  February 1, 2022 10:56am
- Jack5
  
  Older retired people on savings being watered down by inflation will be one of the harder hit sections of the community.
  
  This means that, if Peters is still fit and able by the next election, he will probably be back in Parliament.
  
  12 1
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  February 1, 2022 11:08am
- mawm
  
  BY – add the 10c/L Goff tax to the Auckland Family’s woes.
  
  13 0
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  February 1, 2022 12:24pm
- Sir Cullen's Sidekick
  
  I am expecting a poverty status report from the salvation army any time now and Sue Kellogs to march on the streets of Auckland along with Ricardo Green.
  
  10 0
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  February 1, 2022 12:28pm
- cmm
  
  Quite likely we’ll soon be looking back at $2.94 petrol as them good old days.
  
  15 0
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  February 1, 2022 12:35pm
  - Nickc2
    
    With a bit for forward-thinking and planning and less adherence to some draconian dictates supporting the Man-Made Global Warming scam, we could have been pretty much self-sufficient in most petroleum products.
    As they say in the classics; “ya gets wot ya pays for.”
    
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    February 1, 2022 1:31pm
- H. Upmann
  
  98 is @ $3.05 in Auckland today.
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:25pm
Maggie Pie

Back on TV ONE weekdays…..

‘CRINGE FACTOR 10’

Honestly, I’d rather get an HIV Infection than watch this 🙁

https://twitter.com/mrs_wiggley/status/1487930321333284865
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February 1, 2022 8:55am
- nathie
  
  For a moment there I thought I was watching a new Jim Henson inspired “Aotearoa Muppet Show” preview for the woke???
  
  16 2
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  February 1, 2022 9:02am
- kevn
  
  @Maggie… Featuring ‘talking head on a swivel’ campbell.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:44am
- graham
  
  Well, that confirms that my initial decision to never watch this was correct.
  
  But honestly … for John Campbell to be reduced to this. I never watched Campbell Live either, but wasn’t he supposed to be famous for his crusades and getting the truth out? When news of Campbell Live being cancelled broke, people were organising petitions to save it, claiming that Campbell covered the important issues, he “held power to account”, he fearlessly went where no other program would.
  
  And now … this.
  
  My word. That’s just sad.
  
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  February 1, 2022 10:32am
- Steve Otto(North Shore)
  
  Shocking – but the speaker of the house insists on that shit channel at 7am.
  Do a poll.
  How many Kiwis think John Campbell TV1 plays school is the biggest TV jerk in NZ?
  
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  February 1, 2022 4:00pm
Cassandra

Headline in the The Telegraph this morning: “Mother drops 3 year old into bear enclosure”. Well, we’ve all felt like that once or twice but most of us never do it. The child is OK BTW.
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February 1, 2022 8:58am
- Cassandra
  
  Downticks? Did you want the bear to get the child? Some people are just a little weird.
  
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  February 1, 2022 10:12am
- rockape
  
  Whole new meaning to bearing a child!
  
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  February 1, 2022 11:55am
tknorriss

Perhaps someone can help me understand the confusing government rules.

If I get Omicron, and then recover, but during the time of my illness someone who I live with gets Omicron, am I then considered a close contact and thus required to extend my isolation period further?

According to this government document, cases have to isolate for 14 days, and contacts for 10 days.

https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/pages/omicron-in-the-community-what-this-means-for-you-26jan2022.pdf

According to the site, above I would be considered a close contact if I live with someone who is positive:

https://covid19.govt.nz/testing-and-tracing/contact-tracing/close-contacts/

I can’t find anything that takes into account the fact that I have just had Omicron, so will probably be unlikely to get it again.

So, will this be like the song that doesn’t end? As each member of the group I live with gets Covid, my isolation period keeps extending, even though I have already had Omicron and hence am no danger to anyone?

Or perhaps I have got this all wrong. I would be interested in feedback on this point.
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February 1, 2022 9:01am
- cmm
  
  All thought up on the hoof. Expect holes.
  
  #SuckItUpForCindy!
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:45am
- RightNow
  
  Surely if you’ve got all your pfizer shots you must be able to have a shorter isolation period than a filthy anti-vaxxer?
  Or is exactly the same regardless?
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:56am
- oldfella
  
  tkn, just think Hotel California…
  Last thing I remember, I was
  Running for the door
  I had to find the passage back
  To the place I was before
  ‘Relax, ‘ said the night man,
  ‘We are programmed to receive.
  You can check-out any time you like,
  But you can never leave!’
  
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  February 1, 2022 11:03am
  - tknorriss
    
    You probably are right. By the time my last family member has had Omicron there will be a new variation which I will probably catch and restart the whole process.
    
    I could well be in isolation until Christmas.
    
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    February 1, 2022 11:26am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  As we have no readily available antibody tests for Joe Bloggs-folks, you won’t be able to prove that you have acquired natural immunity by being infected.
  
  Also we don’t know how long (if at all) naturally acquired immunity lasts (especially if previously vaxxed).
  
  So, the dreadful scenario you paint, seems a real possibility…
  
  Perhaps you could dump your house buddies…
  or develop dyscalculia and claim you thought you had to isolate for 14 hours….
  
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  February 1, 2022 1:56pm
ClanMcleod

Conspiracy theory and “misinformation” alert!

The evil Klaus Schwab from the nefarious WEF smiling and boasting about how his disciples/global young leaders (Ardern being one) are “penetrating” government cabinets around the world!
He actual says this.

https://tv.gab.com/channel/free4eva/view/kiwi-crisis-klaus-schwab-we-penetrate-61f0be6b5eb4cb218ecafd79

Seriously though, why is this not the issue of the day? Billionaires grooming people for powerful places in our “democratic” governments? How is this better than communism?

Deploy the death ray!!!
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February 1, 2022 9:13am
- Yabster
  
  yep the great fucking reset- reject the lot- lets hope Trudeau/Cindy/Macron get turfed out on there socialist arses.
  
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  February 1, 2022 10:39am
gorse

I was just told to visit roymorgan.com to check their latest poll. Can’t be true because it says:

Labour 35.5%
Greens 8.5%
Total 44%

National 31.5%
Act 18.5%
Total 51%

Labour can’t Govern.

Please check for me to make sure I haven’t got onto a phoney site. This can’t be true, can it?
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February 1, 2022 9:20am
- rockape
  
  Similar in the November RM
  
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  February 1, 2022 11:52am
- GJM
  
  Depends on the Maori seats. Labour traditionally have a 7 seat head start as a result, or in more recent times, a couple have gone to the [deleted by Mod] Maori party.
  It is something that screws up proportionate representation as Maori votes are worth several times that of normal votes.
  
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  February 2, 2022 11:13am
Cassandra

And there’s another bit in the DT, a comment that Biden is competing for “Worst leader in the Western world” with Ardern and Trudeau. NZ has made the big time!
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February 1, 2022 9:22am
- Jack5
  
  Help please, Cassandra.
  
  The DT? A link would be handy.
  
  I’m guessing DT means Daily Telegraph, but I can’t find the reference.
  
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  February 1, 2022 12:56pm
Maggie Pie

Things that make you go hmmm….

Local twitterati are raising a number of concerns this morning….. as to when and if Charlotte Bellis arrives back to New Zealand, whether she will be subject to intensive monitoring by the GCSB, due to her close links to the Taliban.
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February 1, 2022 9:25am
- Sacha
  
  Interesting, eh. I think she should be allowed to come home and ensure that her child has NZ citizenship. But I also think she is doing a very good job for us where she is, and she does have options if personal safety and obstetric care is an issue.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:48am
  - Taieri
    
    I think she should be allowed to come home and ensure that her child has NZ citizenship
    —————
    
    Her child will be eligible for NZ citizenship anyway:
    
    “(…)You might be eligible for citizenship by descent if you:
    
    were born overseas, and
    have at least 1 parent who was a New Zealand citizen by birth or grant when you were born.
    Register your citizenship
    
    If you are a citizen by descent, you need to register your citizenship to make it official and to get a passport. (…)”
    
    https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/nz-citizenship/types-of-citizenship-grant-birth-and-descent
    
    In addition, her child will be eligible for Belgian citizenship. Again, by descent.
    
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    February 1, 2022 12:18pm
- Jack5
  
  Plenty of pictures of Bellis wearing a hijab, but that’s mandatory amid the Taliban.
  
  Ardern won’t like the competition – the Westerner in a hijab portrait is hers, and Bellis is, well, hot competition.
  
  The Centre-Right and Right should be cheering on Bellis as an embarrassment to the Ardernists.
  
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  February 1, 2022 9:58am
- Frank the tank
  
  No. But she will unfortunately find herself locked out the twatteratti parties in Grey Lynn.
  
  15 2
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  February 1, 2022 11:09am
- OTGO
  
  Well she certainly won’t be able to get a firearms license having visited Afghanistan and all…
  
  11 1
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  February 1, 2022 12:34pm
  - Maggie Pie
    
    NW Remuera still selling carving knives 🙁
    
    16 2
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    February 1, 2022 1:09pm
Nickc2

A new set of ToW Principles anyone?
https://thebfd.co.nz/2022/02/01/the-challenges-of-waitangi-day/
Beware, academics are at work!
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February 1, 2022 9:30am
Jack5

Maori aren’t alone in asserting cultural copyright, but a Chinese cultural marketing campaign has met with less support than Maori frequently get.

France’s Chanel has a long association with the white camellia. It was the favorite flower of the founder, Coco Chanel. The company has begun marketing in China a cosmetics range featuring the red camellia.

Sun Laichun, the founder of Shanghai-based cosmetics company Forest Cabin, questioned the cultural legitimacy of a European brand using an Asian flower, reports the Wall Street Journal. Sun’s company launched skin-care products based on the red camellia in 2020.

Sun vowed on Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter, to do his “best to protect the beauty of Chinese women. Comrades-in-arms, together we will win this fight!”

The post drew 100 million views, but many Chinese rallied behind Chanel, and the State Council Information Office called Sun’s comments “irrational grandstanding.”
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February 1, 2022 9:53am
andretti

The whole of modern western society is led by weak weak men and even weaker women.God help us all.
Of late i have found myself looking up to Putin as the only world leader to have balls.
All the talk of F&^%ken Covid does my head in,its the same thing as i said above,we now follow the weak and stupid,God help us all.
Im not F&^ken scared of dying or even getting sick,i have never in my 65 years been scared of living life and to all out there that say i should be scared of this ,well i give you the finger.
FFS grow some balls and stop following and listening to pussy men and weak women.
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February 1, 2022 9:55am
Prince

Grant Robertson has become so bloated and over-confident through dealing with our cheer-leading media, he thinks any old answer will do.
And it appears he’s right, given the lack of questioning when he makes this statement about our Super age remaining 65, well below most other countries;
“While the spend as a percentage of GDP is relatively high compared to the rest of the world. It’s not out of kilter with a number of other countries who spend this amount of money,” he said.

Just think about that for two seconds. ‘Yes it is high compared to the rest of the world, but not high compared to the few other countries where it is similar.’
Like Greece, Venezuela ?
And this man has control over our finances !
39 2
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February 1, 2022 10:04am
- Yabster
  
  Brillant and this thicko is our Finance minister.
  
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  February 1, 2022 11:41am
Maggie Pie

TRENDING

Yet not a peep out of either Golriz OR Ricardo I can find 🙁

https://twitter.com/KarmelMelamed/status/1487829638244044800
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February 1, 2022 10:08am
- Inandout
  
  Maggie, very embarrassing I would imagine for all gays in Parliament. Hanging or thrown off high buildings, it beggars belief.
  
  19 1
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  February 1, 2022 10:39am
- oldfella
  
  Maggie, more likely to get a comment from Charlotte Bellis. /s
  
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  February 1, 2022 11:06am
- Frank the tank
  
  You’ll only hear crickets and also from our government as the Tainui Princess is too busy telling Vlad off
  
  16 2
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  February 1, 2022 11:08am
  - Nickc2
    
    [deleted by Mod, a repeat of this racist crap will see a ban]
    
    1 2
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    February 1, 2022 1:12pm
- kowtow
  
  Or from our Media but I note newstalk zb having a go at an Australian school over gender / sex orientation agreements.
  
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  February 1, 2022 6:28pm
- MCōs
  
  Golriz been listening to you
  https://twitter.com/golrizghahraman/status/1488380731089100801?s=21
  
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  February 1, 2022 7:45pm
- MCōs
  
  Tweet by Clöe a couple of days ago
  https://twitter.com/nzgreensglobal/status/1487550910049914882?s=21
  
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  February 1, 2022 7:51pm
gump

“Swastikas displayed at Canadian ‘Freedom Convoy’ protests against vaccination mandates”

https://m.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-695001
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February 1, 2022 10:30am
- OTGO
  
  Ironic swastikas
  
  12 3
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  February 1, 2022 12:37pm
  - mikenmildagain
    
    The truckers were being sarcastic.
    Ironic cross burning next.
    
    1 9
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    February 1, 2022 4:20pm
curry4me

https://www.bitchute.com/video/umfaHbyzpSWw/

There is no “It’s a Private Company” Defence for Corporate Censoeship.

The US surgeon general is literally urging Spotify to censor a political dissident. And this isn’t the first time this sort of thing has happened. [09:47]
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February 1, 2022 10:31am
curry4me

https://thefederalistpapers.org/us/pennsylvania-mail-voting-scheme-impact-2020-election-now-declared-unconstitutional

Illegal Pennsylvania Mail-In Voting Scheme That Had an Impact on 2020 Election Has Now Been Declared Unconstitutional.

A Pennsylvania court Friday struck down Act 77, the 2019 law that among other changes established no-excuse mail-in voting in the state.
Doug McLinko, vice chairman of the Bradford County Board of Commissioners in Pennsylvania, filed the suit, arguing that he was unable to legally perform his duties as commissioner and certify the 2020 election because the law is unconstitutional.
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February 1, 2022 10:31am
Jack5

Gangs run amok, but the Government tightens the rules on legal ownership of guns.

Disarm the gangs!

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/460622/new-firearms-laws-won-t-change-situation-overnight-police-minister
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February 1, 2022 10:33am
- kowtow
  
  Two “teenagers” shot in a gang related incident in I’cargill raises barely a mention in the national news.
  
  This is not New Zealand .
  
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  February 1, 2022 3:31pm
UrbanNeocolonialist

Socialists of the world, and their legacy media mouthpieces are incensed that Canadian workers (truckers) are uniting against their masters. The propaganda apparatchiks of Canadian govt are using police to severely restrict the number of trucks that are allowed into govt suburbs of Ottawa so that they can take pictures and run stories about how it is only a small protest.
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February 1, 2022 11:00am
Unity

Yesterday I read on Facebook where Clarke [Deleted – Mod]

Is this true or just another conspiracy theory? I hesitate to mention it in case I start a conspiracy theory but I’m keen to know whether or not it is true. Has anyone else heard something similar?

[Mod – there are dozens of theories/rumours doing the rounds at the moment. They ought be taken with a truckload of salt, and not repeated here, for DPF’s sake]
12 2
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February 1, 2022 11:36am
- Maggie Pie
  
  MY lips are…SEALED,
  
  14 2
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  February 1, 2022 12:34pm
  - Nickc2
    
    That smells fishy Maggie.
    
    16 2
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    February 1, 2022 1:19pm
  - Captain Mainwaring
    
    “MY lips are…SEALED,”
    And what’s trying to sneak out is known all over the place.
    
    13 1
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    February 1, 2022 2:47pm
  - Sacha
    
    And so are mine 🙂
    
    10 0
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    February 1, 2022 2:58pm
Ultima

At the start of the pandemic Cindy said the govt will not stop NZers coming home, the border is open for Kiwis coming home. She f*cking lied.
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February 1, 2022 11:38am
- Nickc2
  
  As has been said many times on KB, if her lips are moving, she’s lying.
  
  16 1
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  February 1, 2022 1:21pm
- kowtow
  
  She also said there’d be no fizzer jab passports but flipped on that too.
  
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  February 1, 2022 3:23pm
- Pineapple Lumps
  
  A few others to add to the list:
  – most transparent government ever
  – we will be a government for all NZers
  – I don’t tell lies
  – we are your single source of truth
  
  Not to mention all the times she lies by not moving her lips!
  
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  February 1, 2022 7:16pm
Frank the tank

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/aoc-tests-positive-for-covid-19-after-partying-in-miami-maskless

Dear oh dear.
23 2
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February 1, 2022 11:55am
- nathie
  
  She should “do a Jacinda” and refute all of that happened!
  
  10 2
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  February 1, 2022 12:16pm
- Alan Wilkinson
  
  Couldn’t happen to a nicer self-publicist.
  
  16 1
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  February 1, 2022 12:20pm
mandk

Another false accusation by Minister Clark?

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/127649621/banks-deny-ministers-irresponsible-lending-accusation

Remember Clark dishonestly perpetuating the myth that there was sewage running down the walls of Middlemore Hospital, when the Chair of the DHB had stated it was a small leak in the basement that was cleared up with a bucket of water?
31 2
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February 1, 2022 12:00pm
- Alan Wilkinson
  
  The guy is a moron who denies responsibility for making lenders legally responsible for anything and everything that goes wrong with a loan. And then is surprised when lenders won’t lend. Truly government by fuckwits.
  
  38 2
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  February 1, 2022 12:17pm
  - Yabster
    
    yep complete moron- one of labours elite MP’s…
    
    21 1
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    February 1, 2022 12:36pm
I remember when

On the 1/12/21 the ‘headlines’ were that South Africa alerted the world to Omicron.
So after two months we have figures for the effectiveness of booster doses against Omicron by age group.
Obviously there are less complications when producing figures for those being saved.
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February 1, 2022 12:22pm
I remember when

New firearms laws.
And tougher rules for ammunition sellers.
So the government that can’t stop gang members threatening neighbours is going to ensure they don’t threaten ammunition sellers.
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February 1, 2022 12:28pm
I remember when

Went for a short drive this morning.
A car approached from my left and I noticed a large sign reading “Spiritual Heath” on the back door.
It turned and followed behind so that I could read DHB on the front of the bonnet.
Wondered if I should stop and tell them that most people’s spiritual health would be greatly improved by better access to their services.
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February 1, 2022 12:36pm
Prince

Stuff reporters appear to lack basic maths skills.
From this article, by Nathan Morton,
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300507905/covid19-ministry-of-health-deems-northland-90-per-cent-first-dosed–despite-being-500-jabs-short

“On January 31, more than 130,000 booster doses were administered – taking the total of those who have received the booster shot 1,300,364.”

In fact simple calculations, taking daily totals, the actual number of boosters on Jan 31 is 23,783
On Jan 30, 13,402.
There has never been 130,000 boosters in one day, or anything like it.
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February 1, 2022 1:32pm
- ex-golfer
  
  Yep – MoH website reports 22,508 boosters were administered yesterday:
  https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-data-and-statistics/covid-19-vaccine-data#daily
  
  You’d think a journalist could read simple data tables. Unfortunately not many of them are capable of the basics anymore.
  
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  February 1, 2022 3:04pm
Maggy Wassilieff

It has taken the Catholic Church a heck of a long time to admit the scale of sexual offending that their clergy indulged in here in NZ.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/460646/horrifying-statistics-show-abuse-complaints-laid-against-1-in-7-catholic-clergy-working-for-a-bishop
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February 1, 2022 1:39pm
- Ehlana
  
  Holy hell. Apart from supporting the survivors and prosecuting the perpetrators, I hope what comes out of all of this is a much better understanding of how institutions end up enabling such abuse. And how they can be structured in future to avoid it happening.
  
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  February 1, 2022 3:03pm
Maggie Pie

RANDOM IMPERTINENT QUESTION…..

How would YOU feel, if you found out the winning ticket in the ‘$21 million Powerball’ was sold at a dairy in Mt Roskill ?

🙁
8 3
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February 1, 2022 1:40pm
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  If I was U, I’d start welcoming all newcomers to your neighbourhood.
  
  19 1
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  February 1, 2022 1:46pm
  - mikenmildagain
    
    If I was U</blockquote.
    Wouldn't the the vernacular at the Otahuhu Tennis Club be "if I were U”.
    
    4 4
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    February 1, 2022 2:14pm
    - mikenmildagain
      
      I see that I am yet another transgressor of Muphry’s Law:
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muphry%27s_law
      
      3 4
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      February 1, 2022 2:23pm
      - Kiwi Dave
        
        Au contraire, mma. Muphry’s law requires an error in the correction; since you have managed two – one repetition, one punctuation – even three if the formatting error is included, you have fully obeyed the law, rather than transgressed it. I write as an experienced practitioner of the same law.
        
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        February 1, 2022 4:25pm
    - Maggy Wassilieff
      
      Oh, I’m sure folks at the OTC would employ the subjunctive with precision, but I’ve decided to modernise and use yob-speech.
      
      12 1
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      February 1, 2022 3:24pm
- mikenmildagain
  
  Ah, one for the Harry Enfield fans:
  “someone considerably (nouveau)richer than you”
  
  3 4
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  February 1, 2022 2:07pm
Tony Stuart

Further to me post this morning about a possible privacy breach by Chris Hipkins, the Herald is now reporting thus:

Charlotte Bellis’ lawyer says Covid-19 Minister Chris Hipkins breached the Kiwi journalist’s privacy by sharing personal details in a statement yesterday and they are considering legal options.

Bellis is pregnant and in Afghanistan, where she and her Belgian partner have been fighting for the right to return to New Zealand for the birth through an emergency MIQ spot.

On Monday, Hipkins issued a statement disputing many of Bellis’ claims around her applications.

While many details had been discussed publicly in Bellis’ open letter, Hipkins also included details Bellis had not shared, including when the minister believed she had arrived in Afghanistan and that she had been offered consular assistance.

Bellis says she never gave consent for this information to be shared, and that it is also untrue.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-omicron-pregnant-kiwi-journalist-charlotte-bellis-considering-legal-options-after-chris-hipkins-alleged-privacy-breach/W6WRTU4D3X5WV5Z43AFRZME6W4/

This story is getting messier by the hour, and any wounds being suffered by the Government are entirely self-inflicted.
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February 1, 2022 2:43pm
- mikenmildagain
  
  I think she has been treated badly.
  I am little bit skeptical, however, when people who have gone to the media to publicize a grievance respond to official comment on said grievance with “you can’t use my personal information”.
  
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  February 1, 2022 3:06pm
  - Sponge
    
    It’s not often that it happens but in this case I couldn’t agree more Mike.
    
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    February 1, 2022 3:11pm
  - ex-golfer
    
    The Privacy Commissioner has today stated:
    
    ” …the fact that an individual has spoken to the media about their situation does not, in itself, provide authorisation for the Minister to disclose additional personal information about the individual.”
    
    “A Minister should only release personal information that the individual has not already made public if the individual has clearly authorised such disclosure, or if an exception to information privacy principle 11 applies.”
    
    As reported by Jason Walls (Newstalk ZB).
    
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    February 1, 2022 3:49pm
    - mikenmildagain
      
      Yes, I know that is the default position. But that hasn’t stopped many politicians breaching the principle over the years.
      
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      February 1, 2022 4:18pm
      - Nickc2
        
        We’re not debating historical issues, we’re debating the Bellis vs Hipkins fiasco.
        
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        February 1, 2022 9:37pm
- PeeJay
  
  I wonder how the old Taliban are feeling about hosting an unwed, pregnant foreign journalist. I mean, it was very clear from the story that the Taliban were ok subject to Bellis pretending to be married, as was stated in the very early reports when she sought safe haven in Afghanistan.
  
  Having this as a world leading story might upset the locals in that region – not exactly keeping it quiet!
  
  I think this will probably be the straw that breaks MIQ. Even Stuff had a story today saying it was time to call a day on MIQ – obviously stating how wonderful MIQ had been obviously. To think, all it took to end MIQ was a pregnant world famous journalist to flee to a despotic regime!
  
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  February 1, 2022 3:55pm
Benedict Yu

A couple of vaccination observations.

https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-data-and-statistics/covid-19-vaccine-data

80,000 people had a first dose but never went back for a second dose. That will close up a little, but not much.

36 percent of 5-11 year olds have been vaccinated but the initial rush tailed off yesterday with only 5,800 kids being vaccinated. Will be interesting to watch the trends over the next week. If it stays at about that level, it is hard to see how the rate will get to even 50 percent. Note there are major ethnicity and geographical variations – Auckland parents are much more likely to get their kids vaccinated than anywhere else.
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February 1, 2022 2:54pm
- PeeJay
  
  Was chatting with a friend last night – young mum, two girls at primary. The parents are both double jabbed and will probably get the booster, albeit very reluctantly, so that their business can keep going. When it comes to their kids, they think not and suspect they will need to homeschool as they can see a mandatory vaccination requirement on the horizon. She said a fair amount of her friends are in the same boat, but without the ability to homeschool (work etc), they will probably need to fold if the schools go mandatory. Crappy situation all round I think and got to wonder about the stress this is putting on relationships.
  
  I guess the rubicon will be mandatory vaccination. That would seem to me to be the only way they get the rate up. Will they be that bold / stupid? Based on their approach to RATS, I wouldn’t rule out mandatory vaccinations being rolled in for schools!
  
  Crazy times.
  
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  February 1, 2022 3:48pm
  - info@cruzpro.com
    
    Our grown up children are both doubly vaccinated but very reluctant to have their two five year old twins vaccinated. We decided that if vaccination becomes mandated for them we will share the home schooling duties rather than allowing them to be injected with some experimental rubbish of dubious value.
    
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    February 1, 2022 8:29pm
CAKE FACE1

It’s amazing how quickly and strongly the mood has changed of late.

Cindy was riding high only a couple of weeks ago, but something must have been simmering under the surface.

Cindy has always been nasty, but able to fake kindness and concern. She would do the frowny face and creepy smile, and somehow get away with it.

Now, along with their general incompetence, Cindy and Co seem to be incompetent even in their marketing and presentation skills. See Hippy’s last speech for evidence.

She uses the same slogans (“team of five million” etc), but they’re no longer working like they used to. Now, it sounds simply absurd and phoney.

If people are beginning to see through her act, this could be the beginning of the end for Cindy.

I wonder if Cindy will lead Labour into the next election? I wouldn’t be surprised if she does a runner…
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February 1, 2022 3:11pm
- cmm
  
  That’s what happens when everything is just theatrical illusion built on a soap bubble.
  
  When it pops it goes quickly.
  
  I wonder which of the following two scenarios will play out:
  A) She doesn’t want Brand Cindy to be associated with being flushed down the dunny, so she throws a hospital pass and does a runner. Play’s the victim card.
  B) She believes completely in her awesome power and is deluded enough to believe that she can turn it all around, so she holds on and doubles down on everything.
  
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  February 1, 2022 4:22pm
- Cinematic
  
  You think the horse hasn’t already bolted?
  
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  February 1, 2022 6:58pm
kevn

I bumped onto Magic Talkback on the wireless, 2 hosts, Danny and ?
A caller was onto the Canadian 130,000 rigs/truckers convoy. The 2 hosts were mildly disbelieving, playing it down (amazing what 105 million can do).
I txt the 2 hosts a website (ww.dailytelegraph.co.nz) which has videos and stories, to see if the 2 hosts would get informed.
We will never know.
The original caller was quite right, our MSM has nothing, even though Aussie has a truckies uprising happening and NZ truckies are to follow.
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February 1, 2022 3:32pm
- kevn
  
  If I could add, GBNews have the story as well. Jordan Peterson and Elon Musk are onto it via tweets.
  Magic Talkback hosts? No.
  
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  February 1, 2022 3:51pm
  - kevn
    
    Again…. adding the NoMinister site who has plenty of links. Neil Oliver from GBNews has a story as well.
    
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    February 1, 2022 4:10pm
- Maggie Pie
  
  Wasting your time with that Danny Watson!
  Have you heard how he pronounces Te Reo?
  Thinks he’s a descendant of Te Raupraha or something..
  Still wears a yuge plastic Tiki from his days on TV.
  
  My partner used to go to the same Dojo as him back when he was learning Karate.
  Reckoned whenever Danny arrived, he greeted everyone in Maori….but when he changed into his Keikogi, he stated speaking like a Jap!
  
  LOL!!
  
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  February 1, 2022 3:57pm
  - kevn
    
    @Maggie… That’s why I txt. Maybe should have done txt in maori you think?
    
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    February 1, 2022 4:02pm
- mikenmildagain
  
  Are NZ truckies going to do something similar? Will their procession to parliament be led by the Mongrel Mob like the last two protests?
  
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  February 1, 2022 4:50pm
kowtow

A guy ,already on bail, breaks a coppers jaw and gets more bail ?

There’s something very wrong going on.

https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/queenstown/man-accused-attacking-officer-already-bail

Fertile ground for the Nats , if they’re up for it.
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February 1, 2022 3:52pm
- Maggie Pie
  
  My partner read that in earlier in the Horrid 🙁
  As he said….it’s not only the crims the Police have to contend with, but the Chocolate Fudge as well..
  
  9 1
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  February 1, 2022 4:22pm
- cmm
  
  Astounding.
  
  ‘s ok though – he’s subject to extra bail conditions.
  
  I wonder what they are?
  
  Anyone want to take my bet that this is not his first brush with the law and he’s already got a bunch of convictions/warnings?
  
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  February 1, 2022 4:30pm
westernScientest

Just WTF:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300505581/covid19-live-government-secures-36m-extra-rapid-antigen-tests

so now they are claiming these stolen RATs are all their good doing, its just insane.
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February 1, 2022 4:05pm
- cmm
  
  I see the Associate Mininster’s smug mug over at Herald saying they’ll have 100 M RATs by the end of the year.
  
  End of the year? What’s the point?
  
  Not even the Spanish Flu which was arguably 300x as deadly lasted as long as that.
  
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  February 1, 2022 5:03pm
  - Cinematic
    
    Flooded with test kits precisely when they’re no longer of any use. Classic Labour.
    
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    February 1, 2022 6:55pm
Steve Otto(North Shore)

Another hint.
https://thepoliticalinsider.com/trump-hints-that-he-would-pardon-january-6-rioters-if-he-wins-in-2024/?
8 3
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February 1, 2022 4:38pm
lifesgood

If Jacinda had really wanted to get married she would have, just a quiet, close family affair and then had the big party at a later date when this covid nonsense was over. All those international guests, eh? I wonder where they stand now?
22 1
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February 1, 2022 4:56pm
Maggie Pie

TRENDING….

Charlotte Bellis turns down Deputy PM’s offer of MIQ spot.
Txts him to say… from what she’s heard, she’d prefer food provided by Taliban.
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February 1, 2022 4:57pm
- kowtow
  
  She wants to stay and report on all the extra judicial killings her “saviours” are engaging in.
  
  4 3
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  February 1, 2022 5:37pm
  - kevn
    
    @kow… Bellis has become ‘currency’ for Taliban now.
    
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    February 1, 2022 5:49pm
Hollyfield

The Ministry of Education has advised schools they have secured a limited stock of face masks from the Ministry of Health for the schooling workforce. Schools have to calculate how many they need, allowing 4 per day for each staff member. (100 staff = 2000 masks a week) The instructions say “As we work to secure ongoing supply, please only order sufficient quantity to cover one week at this stage”. It must be a couple of months at least since the govt said staff (and students Y4 ) have to wear masks, and the Ministry has sourced supply to last only ONE WEEK.
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February 1, 2022 5:23pm
kevn

@Holly… Masks for Y4 and up kids. Cruel and punishment.
W.H.O and many countries say NO to masks completely, and jabs for kids generally, but we putter on, in engulfed in arden madness.
Never forget this folks. Never.
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February 1, 2022 5:48pm
- Hollyfield
  
  @kevn – but according to the govt’s covid page the students have to wear masks in class, but don’t have to for “special interest education” like “music lessons, art classes and girl guides”. So apparently the tricky covid can search out children (Y4+) doing maths between 9am and 3pm, but somehow not the student doing art at 4pm.
  
  By the way I don’t support mandatory masks, I think it’s just theatre to make people feel better. A recent study of US school districts showed no difference in covid rates between schools wearing masks and those not. I’m just pointing out that the govt’s rules are completely illogical. If the govt really thought children need to wear a mask doing maths at 10am, they would also think children need to wear a mask doing art at 4pm. And if the govt really thought teachers need to wear masks they would have more than one week’s supply available.
  
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  February 1, 2022 7:37pm
Cobolt24

Green MP on the news saying “pregnant people”

Hahahaha….
13 1
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February 1, 2022 6:03pm
- Maggie Pie
  
  Ricardo?
  
  4 1
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  February 1, 2022 7:21pm
  - Cobolt24
    
    [No, that is incorrect. mod.]
    
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    February 1, 2022 8:49pm
kevn

Sir Ian Taylor on the job and getting the RAT caper happening.
12 0
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February 1, 2022 6:04pm
Maggie Pie

I’ve got no idea who this whining pom ‘Enda Brady’ is?

But he’s on ZB telling HDPA….. that the Met are investigating over 300 photos handed to them of Boris Johnson ‘partying during lockdown’.

Meanwhile, the BBC are reporting over 170
‘crimes of violence’ on the streets of London in the last 24 hours….gang shootings, stabbings, vicious assaults, rapes and murders.

It’s getting more like Auckland over there every week.
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February 1, 2022 7:02pm
Maggy Wassilieff

Was listening to Checkpoint this evening…
seems all the Government ministers are too shy to be interviewed today.

The following refused to do a Checkpoint slot:
Grant Robertson
Damien O’Connor
Ayesha Verrall
Chris Hipkins
Megan Woods

Running scared?
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February 1, 2022 7:12pm
- H. Upmann
  
  Maggy: Running scared?
  More like Running scared!
  
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  February 1, 2022 7:26pm
Maggie Pie

*WARNING* TO ALL OUR AUSSIE FRIENDS!!

Sir Ron Brierly, who was sentenced to jail for the possession of thousands of ‘Child-Abuse Images’…. that following an appeal by his lawyers, has just been allowed back on the streets of Sydney’s Point Piper.

🙁
5 1
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February 1, 2022 7:34pm
- mikenmildagain
  
  You don’t need to call him ‘sir’ any more, Maggie.
  
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  February 1, 2022 8:00pm
- Sponge
  
  It would appear that the grubby old bugger has a couple more weeks of porridge before he gets out Maggie.
  
  https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2022/02/ron-brierley-could-be-freed-from-jail-early-due-to-his-failing-health.html
  
  5 0
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  February 1, 2022 8:04pm
- Alan Wilkinson
  
  Possibly more concern in Thailand?
  
  2 0
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  February 1, 2022 9:06pm
Littletramp

Even the latest episode of Billions having a little critical dig at the Ardern Govt.
We are infamous on the world stage.
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February 1, 2022 8:22pm
Vory v zakone

“Mostly they are puny people but when they speak they sound like Caesar. Joe Biden very often sounds like this. So does that squeaky little woman with weird teeth who runs New Zealand” ?

Tucker Carlson, Fox News. Monday Jan 31st
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February 2, 2022 1:12am
Surely Knott

NZ Herald reports Simon Cowell lucky to be alive after 2nd ebike crash. Pic shows him riding on the road with a facemask but no helmet. No mention of that in the article though. Perhaps with all the covid media he forgot other things can kill ya. So outside on a bike in the sunshine chooses to protect himself from a virus but not head injury. ?

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/simon-cowell-rushed-to-hospital-after-second-bike-crash-in-18-months-lucky-to-be-alive/VADHZA4LTLP55KEWYX5FDEWDMQ/
2 0
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February 2, 2022 11:56am
Gulag1917

Australia v NZ
The average Aussie has $A32,800 tucked away for a rainy day.

Most people in New Zealand have negligible net assets and less than $NZ10,000 cash in the bank, according to an independent analysis of government data.

$A32,800 = $NZ34,288.48
$NZ10,000 = $A9,333
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February 4, 2022 11:48am

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