General Debate 12 February 2025

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NeverMindTheBollocks

Is the Luis Rubiales – Jenni Hermoso World Cup kiss court case peak DEI?

An Indian-Australian woman gets off on a charge of racial harassment of a UK police officer, despite the offending words being captured on film. I’d like to think that this signals a new beginning, but somehow I doubt it.

http://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp9xpv8105jo

http://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2qzxdw75qo
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February 12, 2025 8:01am
- Yabster
  
  substitute the word white for black and you would be in prison fairly quick- personally I don’t think either comment should result in a charge let alone prison.
  
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  February 12, 2025 9:54am
- kowtow
  
  It’s not the end.
  Cos those “race” laws are how the UK Establishment keep the proles in check.
  
  That’s what Powell was warning about back in ’68 with labour’s Race Relations Bill . Look how bad it got after that.
  
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  February 12, 2025 10:16am
  - igm
    
    The world should have listened to Enoch . . . he was 100% correct in his analysis.
    
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    February 12, 2025 10:49am
    - mandk
      
      Not quite 100%.
      Powell was concerned about immigration by Afro-Caribbeans, but they have integrated fairly well and contribute.
      
      Nor do they want to impose an entirely alien legal system (Sharia) on the UK.
      
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      February 12, 2025 1:14pm
      - Paulus
        
        But many Afro Caribbean’s live and work as very good people since.
        London Transport and Brtish Rail could survive even now without many of them.
        Love the one many years ago.
        Porter at an underground station calls out every morning,
        “Minds your backs Arse an All”
        Your know the station – believe he was reprimanded.
        
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        February 12, 2025 2:22pm
      - Sir Henry Morgan
        
        To be honest, many Afro-Caribbeans living in the UK seem consumed with anti-white hatred inspired by BLM and so on. There are many exceptions, but open racial animosity towards Britain’s indigenous people by black immigrants and their descendants is a big issue negatively impacting the UK. For years UK footballers were forced to kneel for racial bigotry in the name of BLM. That sort of racist carry on is just not a sign of a well-integrated community.
        
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        February 12, 2025 4:58pm
    - Jack5
      
      Women footballers! Compare that incident with this Spanish player touching an opponent’s genitals!
      
      https://www.news.com.au/sport/football/global-outrage-over-womens-footballers-sick-act/news-story/4af879ae7a720bb054c8bcc88b5d6603
      
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      February 12, 2025 1:18pm
- Philview
  
  I read an Aussie Cabinet Minister said ‘All of Australia is standing behind Sam Kerr’ . I very much doubt that is the case as she is clearly a rude entitled person.
  
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  February 12, 2025 11:06am
  - NZer In Exile
    
    Yep. Looking at the vid of Kerr’s woke racism event, she appeared to be totally full of herself (I observed the wannabe-gangster style head swaying as the words in question came out). Appears to be yet another typical woke cry bully from the woke cry bully sausage factory. The “sports minister” appears to be a fellow traveler. Please Australia, kick these fing idiots to touch at the upcoming election! Enough is enough!
    
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    February 12, 2025 4:59pm
Yvette

‘maori’water

• Individual Ngāi Tahu leaders, and the collective group Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, are taking the Attorney-General to court in an attempt to force the Crown to recognise its rangatiratanga (chiefly authority) over freshwater (wai māori) in its territory (takiwā).
https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/02/11/court-claim-seeks-to-force-water-co-management/?

• Tukoroirangi Morgan, a member of the working group and Waikato Tainui descendant, said it was time they set the record-straight. “There is a view being promoted by some of the councillors around the country that this is a Māori grab for power, that we are interested in owning these water assets,” he said. “It’s absolute nonsense. We have always said, that we’re not interested in owning the water assets. What we’re interested in is the proprietor rights over water, and that is a discussion to be had with the Crown, not with councils.”
https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/03/09/claims-maori-will-own-nzs-water-infrastructure-dismissed/

“What we’re interested in is the proprietor rights over water, and that is a discussion to be had with the Crown, not with councils” – Tukoroirangi Morgan

No interest in pipes, spending money and maintenance and headcahes
It is indeed what flows through them, except in Wellington where it is half of what should flow through them, that Tukoroirangi Morgan is interested in. And any gains Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu may make in the South, Morgan will want in the North, with the Waikato supply to Auckland.

First they came with Principles (about the 1970s)
Then they came with television phrases in the News bulletins and on RNZ
Then they came with covid special needs
Then they …
Keep a-movin, Dan, dontcha listen to him, Dan
He’s a devil, not a man
And he spreads the burning sand with water
Dan, can ya see that big, green tree?
Where the water’s runnin’ free
And it’s waiting there for you and me?
But perhaps mostly me!
Water
Cool, clear water

freshwater (wai māori)

______________________
‘maori’, just above, appears to mean ‘normal’ or ‘natural’
see what the court makes of it
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February 12, 2025 8:03am
- Don Beckett
  
  This is complete nonsense. Rain comes from the sky & fills our streams, rivers & lakes, then flows down to the sea – where it evaporated by the sun, then rain comes from the sky………………
  
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  February 12, 2025 10:30am
  - kowtow
    
    Ngai Tahu came from the North Island and conquered , subjugated , enslaved and possibly ate quite a few of the folk there .Only a hundred odd years prior to whitey ( give or take).
    
    And in turn were very nearly wiped out by another North Island marauder in the 1820’s.
    
    Till the evil settler colonists came along and put a stop to all that nonsense.
    
    Now the evil white settler colonist is about to surrender to the very nonsense he put an end to .
    
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    February 12, 2025 11:36am
- PurplePen
  
  Maori weren’t originally called Maori. The word ‘maori’ means ‘ordinary’. The British called them the ordinary people of NZ and in the maori language this translated to ‘maori’. It stuck and hence the entire group are now known as Maori.
  
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  February 12, 2025 11:37am
  - Don Beckett
    
    The word is common throughout Polynesia. Te Maori simply means The People.
    
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    February 12, 2025 4:01pm
    - Keith White
      
      Te Led-By-Grifters.
      
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      February 13, 2025 2:29am
- PurplePen
  
  ToW article 2 included maori chiefs being able to carry on their business as they pleased when on their land such as customs, rule over their people etc. It’s actually not that far removed from anyone in NZ that owns property. You have the right to carry out your customs on your own land, sort of rule over your own people or family so long as you don’t break the law.
  
  When it comes to resources such as water that’s on your land, the water leaving your property and entering another must be maintained to a specific standard such as no bad chemicals are just dumped in the water in one property and that then bad water being allowed to flow into a neighbouring property. As far as I can tell, this is the gist of the ngai tahu action. Govt has allowed water quality on different properties to be degraded and done sweet f all about it, even though they’ve been asked to.
  
  An issue with ngai tahu action is that they’ve wound the whole thing up in the usual maori nonsense of maori words that are ever changing and ever being redefined such as taonga, etc. None of that is necessary. They could just as easily as you or I take action for govt inaction in relation to water without reference to the Treaty.
  
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  February 12, 2025 11:54am
  - PurplePen
    
    I’ve just realised, I think they want water that flows into property that they don’t own but on which they have customary rights. Customary rights being customary practices such as gathering food but not necessarily on land they own. If that’s the case, the scope of property involved is much more than just what they own.
    
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    February 12, 2025 12:58pm
  - pdm
    
    `It’s actually not that far removed from anyone in NZ that owns property. You have the right to carry out your customs on your own land, sort of rule over your own people or family so long as you don’t break the law.’
    
    Earlier communes like Gloriavale then?
    
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    February 12, 2025 1:28pm
- fredonas
  
  This is blatant rent-seeking con-artistry and extortion aided and abetted by the khandallah [use proper names. mod] and a deluded, activist judiciary.
  These are traitors selling the NZ taxpayers and ratepayers down the river for a few pieces of silver to line their own pockets
  
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  February 12, 2025 1:46pm
Yabster

I see Ngai Mafia are in the High Court trying gain control of Fresh water for most of the South Island – 3 waters by the judiciary..? they of course put a few maori words around it saying it not ownership, but it would mean they would be consulted on everything and of course imagine the fees required … corrupt!
Finalyson is their KC (he was more suited to the title when the Queen was alive) – if this judgement goes against the crown- the other IWI’s will line up.
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February 12, 2025 8:08am
- Quail
  
  Re water: at one stage water in NZ use rights were just part of rural properties assets. When some one purchased land the water came with it.
  Those use rights were restricted as time went on and local authorities took on the management and allocation of water.
  Overall local authorities have done a good, no excellent, job of managing water allocation fairly.
  The historic landowners with water, largely farmers, saw the need to share the resource with others who could increase the country’s productivity. The use rights were taken by legislation with no compensation paid.
  Water use control was taken with various acts, starting with the Town and Country act and culminating in RMA. Fresh water is still a focus for Councils and central Government.
  To my admittedly imperfect knowledge, there have been few if any angry farmers demanding “their water “back in courts, asking for compensation , or claiming they have special rights.
  That is apart from the present Ngai Tahu action.
  Let us hope that these appellants are paying for their day in court themselves and are liable for all costs!
  
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  February 12, 2025 1:14pm
sungsamning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhIUSOGfNQs
This Is What Happens When Cowards Run the West.
In 2025, a decade after a major event in France that shook the world, a new incident has reignited the debate on free speech. Salwan Momika, in Sweden, has lost his life after making a controversial yet profound statement—but this time, the response has been markedly different. Instead of global outrage, there is silence, and in some corners, even approval. This stark contrast raises an unsettling question: has the West abandoned its commitment to free expression?
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February 12, 2025 8:10am
sungsamning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKCFVtQx8yc
Is a US Sovereign Wealth Fund Actually a Good Idea?
In this video, we’re going to explain what a sovereign wealth fund actually is, why they’ve become so popular recently, and whether they make sense for the US or the UK.
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February 12, 2025 8:11am
Steve Otto N Shore

Judith Collins gives the Public Sector a pep talk.
It will not make any difference. These ignorant people have been doing whatever they want for decades.
“You and your staff need to think about your customers. When you are talking to or writing to your customers, think how it sounds to them.”
Collins does not get it. They don’t give a shit about us.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/judith-collins-warns-public-service-chiefs-to-show-respect-to-taxpayers/2YKH5MTIFBAMXLHHVNUOBWCUCU/?
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February 12, 2025 8:16am
- cmm
  
  She is completely naive if she thinks a wee pep talk is going to change the out of control behaviour.
  Unless there are significant consequences (ie firing) then I can’t see any reason to expect change.
  
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  February 12, 2025 8:23am
  - Michael Johnston
    
    I don’t think she does think that. The ‘pep talk’ is for public consumption. I’m sure all Ministers are acutely aware of the ways in which the public service is delaying, distorting and thwarting their intent. Whether the government has the stomach for the necessary reform is a different question.
    
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    February 12, 2025 8:40am
    - pdm
      
      `Whether the government has the stomach for the necessary reform is a different question.’
      
      I think only the ACT component of the Coalition is genuinely committed to such reform.
      
      No doubt some National Caucus members are but they are constrained by the leadership.
      
      Plus maybe only Shane Jones in NZFirst – at least he is the only one in their Caucus who seems inclined to make the right noises.
      
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      February 12, 2025 9:37am
      - Mark Hanley
        
        The latest poll results are interesting, National up and ACT down.
        
        It is a timely reminder that the National leadership are tracking reasonably well despite Voters hurting from the deep rescession required to clean up the adern hipkins Clark robertson financial disaster.
        
        Despite the despicable NZ media attacking Luxon at every chance, the Labour spin doctors / ACT sycophants repeating the tired old lines in an attempt to denigrate Luxon and National; Luxon and the National Party are keeping the coalition at a reasonable level ready for the economic uptick and run into the next election.
        
        A fact the ACT sycophants might reflect on before posting more generalized, unfounded, false, and counter productive negatively.
        
        Otherwise even driving a bus up parliaments stairs won’t keep ACT in a position to push their policies.
        
        And FFS (that ones for g) stop panicking about the Maori issues, Luxon has removed the ridiculous self enriching labour Party Maori schemes. That doesn’t mean stopping working with maori organisations who can deliver effective value for money services., nor does it mean trashing TOW settlements (with partnered management of some resources) which would lead to a new expensive wave of unrest and activism.
        
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        February 12, 2025 10:53am
      - Yabster
        
        keep you head in the sand Mark- currently National shld be concerned with the polls- (“National is up”- lol) They need ACT and probably NZF to govern- so calling people “ACT sycophants” is very ironic coming from you. ps voted for the Nats all my life- except the last election- why do you think that is?
        
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        February 12, 2025 11:29am
      - Mark Hanley
        
        Yabster…. ACT sycophants repeating the tired old lines like “i used to vote for national but now I don’t” because said sycophants have no valid criticism, is eactly what I am talking about.
        
        I dont go on kiwiblog to denigrate Seymour and/or act mps. I do criticize ACTS free market at all costs ethos because its been tried many times to the detriment of the middle class.
        
        i do celebrate Seymours contribution to the coalition. I also heap praise where praise is due (search my comments on the EOL and TOW principles bills).
        
        Perhaps more balanced posting would bring back the multitude of KB posters/ readers who got sick of the ACT sycophant takeover of what was once a reasonably balanced, multiviewed discussion board.
        
        The departure of the moderates has left you in a self serving, non informative, potentially damaging (to yourselves), echo chamber.
        
        Ps most act supporters aren’t sycophants…. they probably shy away from the once great KB too.
        
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        February 12, 2025 1:08pm
      - Damocles11
        
        We saw National lose another electorate seat in Auckland at the last election and the new trend will be people who have become comfortable with party voting ACT shifting their electorate vote to ACT as they realise their local National MP either cannot or will not effectively advocate for ending co-governance, maorification, and getting us out of the Paris climate scam. I’m not interested in peripheral tinkering like speed limits and WOF’s and empty slogans such as ‘going for growth!’ Many people on the right want meaningful change.
        I also find it interesting that a poll of 1000 people can speak for over 5 million people. I have never been phoned by a polling company.
        
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        February 12, 2025 1:29pm
      - Mark Hanley
        
        Domacles/pope/matt/ jack etc.
        
        Perhaps you should read the poll results before posting….. ACT and NZ first losing support…. National gaining.
        
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        February 12, 2025 2:13pm
      - Damocles11
        
        Who is damocles/pope/matt/jack? I have only ever posted under the one handle here.
        
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        February 12, 2025 6:04pm
    - pdm
      
      `It is a timely reminder that the National leadership are tracking reasonably well………………………..’
      
      With Luxon one point ahead of the inept and unliked Hipkins in the preferred Prime Minister stakes.
      
      Your comment does not ring true MH.
      
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      February 12, 2025 1:33pm
      - Mark Hanley
        
        Pdm… this is why I suggest you atually do some reading before you comment. In particuar you could look at the polled support for ACT, National, and NZ first.
        
        You could also read my post above about generalized unevidenced Luxon derrangement syndrome.
        
        It might help!
        
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        February 12, 2025 1:53pm
      - Gravelroad
        
        As was evident on here yesterday, there are some insecure National Party supporters who seem determined to shut down discussion about their party and its leadership.
        Again today, there is one who thinks that by denigrating other commenters who may, or may not, support another party, this will cause all uncomfortable questioning and debate to fade away.
        Maybe stop blaming others, and the kiwiblog platform, and get on with some solutions.
        Mark Hanley has made some bold statements describing commenters as “sychophants, self serving, non-informative, echo chamber “ because they dare question here the National Party and its effectiveness.
        And claims that moderates have departed.
        Well they will depart when faced with that sort of name calling for not toeing the party line.
        Any party line.
        
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        February 12, 2025 3:40pm
      - Mark Hanley
        
        Gravelroad….. same advice as I gave pdm….. try reading the poll results.
        
        It is not National supporters who should be worried.
        
        Then try reading the post you are replying to….
        
        there is no mention of shutting down discussion, there is an intimation it will be better for everyone if the discussion is improved by (for example) people actually reading the post they are attempting to denigrate.
        
        There is no putting down of the kiwiblog platform, that would be stupid as the platform hasn’t changed and the platform doesn’t post inaccurate, non referenced, boring, repetitive negative posts….. an example of boring posts is inaccurately claiming that describing a discussion (self serving, non-informative, echo chamber) is the same as abusing a person. Understanding English is soo important if one wants to have an informed exchange.
        
        If you take the time to read my posts you will see that before the unbalanced wave of constant, inaccurate, unreferenced Luxon attacks, I offered many and varied solutions.
        
        I also offered solutions for the current wave of one sided posts…
        
        try reading before commenting!
        
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        February 12, 2025 4:14pm
      - Damocles11
        
        I seem to remember David Seymour arriving by boat at his election HQ one election night with reporters saying ‘wow, you’ve done well – the polls never picked up this swing to ACT’. It was the 2020 election. ACT had 1 seat prior to the election and had 10 seats after it. But you keep hugging your poll results tightly Mark.
        
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        February 12, 2025 6:10pm
      - kiwimike
        
        MH
        wake up son, Luxon is sleep walking…..
        
        “with party voting ACT shifting their electorate vote to ACT as they realise their local National MP either cannot or will not effectively advocate for ending co-governance, maorification, and getting us out of the Paris climate scam. “
        
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        February 13, 2025 4:37pm
      - Mark Hanley
        
        Kiwimike. Same advice to you…. read the poll which was most accurate at the last election.
        I Provide a link in today’s general debate.
        
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        February 14, 2025 2:54pm
  - Benedict Yu
    
    Yesterday I posted a comment here that attracted interest. The te ao Maori strategy of the Financial Markets Authority. They are recruiting for a highly paid person to drive te ao Maori through the organisation.
    
    A regular commenter suggested that this was an aberration. Some rogue Board member from the Labour government.
    
    No no no. Wrong.
    
    Yesterday there were 575 jobs advertised on Seek in “Government and Defence”. These range from dog catchers to chief executives. Of those 575 more than 100 required a knowledge of te ao Maori to get the job. Note not “Te reo Maori”. Totally different thing.
    
    I would estimate that in the state sector there are betwen 300 and 500 people now dedicated to embedding te ao Maori into public service analysis, advice and delivery.
    
    No I can’t prove that. But it is conservative. I have a good understanding of government structures, contracts and I keep a watch on recruitment for senior people.
    
    So no. My example yesterday is not an outlier.
    
    This matters because te ao Maori is the antithesis of science and reason. We were a developed nation. We are driving out science and reason from government. It is that stark.
    
    So take this seriously. I assure readers that the determination by the state sector leaders to achieve this change is accelerating under this government. It will change the nation.
    
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    February 12, 2025 9:07am
    - imalwaysright
      
      “I would estimate that in the state sector there are between 300 and 500 people now dedicated to embedding te ao Maori into public service.”
      
      Correct, probably more.
      It doesn’t take many people, nor much time, to embed an ideology in a bureaucracy.
      Most bureacrats know they have the best job they ever will have and therefore will never contradict their boss nor their ideology.
      
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      February 12, 2025 9:16am
      - G the giant from Dunedin
        
        You estimate do you, will you listen to yourself
        
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        February 12, 2025 12:01pm
      - Benedict Yu
        
        Is that really the best you can do? Yesterday you alleged that the FMA policy was an aberration.
        
        Listen to yourself.
        
        My estimate is informed and conservative.
        
        Contrary to your fantasy, the te ao Maori way of thinking has greatly intensified under this government.
        
        Those pesky facts cause you cognitive dissonance.
        
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        February 12, 2025 12:33pm
      - Mark Hanley
        
        BY. Can you supply references / information to support.your estimates?
        
        I want to look at this issue. I may even write a letter or two if your estimates are accurate and any unwarranted practice (exacerbated by the adern government) is ongoing.
        
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        February 12, 2025 4:20pm
    - Swifty
      
      It will change the nation indeed.
      
      For the worse.
      
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      February 12, 2025 9:17am
      - Paulus
        
        It has change the Nation by 30 years !
        
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        February 12, 2025 9:43am
      - Jack5
        
        Who needs a Maori Party
        
        The National Party has been a big player in Maorification.
        
        And not just in pushing, pushing, national language change.
        
        Former National Treaty Minister Chris Finlayson’s back in court fighting for his old client, Ngai Tahu.
        
        The Christchurch Press’s Will Harvie writes the issue is whether Ngāi Tahu has enduring “rangatiratanga” over fresh water that gives the tribe a much greater say in how water is “allocated, used, managed and traded, and by whom”.
        
        Fourteen lawyers are present at the hearing that’s expected to last until April.
        
        https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360574806/song-and-prayer-ngai-tahu-freshwater-case-opens-christchurch-high-court?
        
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        February 12, 2025 10:44am
      - grumpy
        
        The things Ngai Tahu will do to make sure they have enough water for their dairy farms!
        
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        February 12, 2025 1:56pm
      - Damocles11
        
        National are complicit in this nonsense, this betrayal. Clark had the foreshore and seabed in Crown ownership, the idiot Key overturned that. Now here’s the weak woke Luxon doing nothing about the Maori attempted heist of our water.
        
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        February 12, 2025 6:13pm
    - NeverMindTheBollocks
      
      I don’t have a blanket view on the requirement re. te ao Maori; at least, a working knowledge of it. Frontline roles at Oranga Tamariki need to be sensitive, in the same way that someone working with church authorities should understand the ins & outs of organised religion. For example, I wouldn’t expect an overstayed to be arrested in the middle of Mass.
      
      Which is not to say that I agree with public sector agency culture being infused with te ao Maori, any more than I would expect to see a crucifix on the wall in OT’s head office.
      
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      February 12, 2025 9:18am
      - Sir Henry Morgan
        
        I would love to see overstayers arrested in the middle of Mass. Would liven Church up considerably! Would be even better than when you’re on a flight that just landed and the police burst into the cabin to seize some miscreant.
        
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        February 12, 2025 3:10pm
    - cmm
      
      On top of those estimated 300 to 500 people dedicated to embedding te ao Maori, likely 90% or more of public servants are in some way impacted (attending meetings, singing chants, attending courses on how to act, etc etc).
      
      Let’s conservatively say that 5% of every public servant’s productive time (huh!) is consumed by this. That would mean that approximately 3000 of the 64000 public servants are consumed by te ao Maori.
      
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      February 12, 2025 9:24am
      - pdm
        
        cmm – Daughter who is an area manager for Womens Refuge in what used to be known as King Country is in Hastings all of this week at a Hui.
        
        We don’t ask, because she is now well entrenched in the mantra but, we do wonder how much time at said Hui is taken with indoctrination and how much is of actual benefit to her core duties.
        
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        February 12, 2025 9:44am
      - cmm
        
        pdm: It is far easier to go down these DEI and such rabbit holes than it is to sort out real problems.
        
        For many people, redefining your role in this way is a far easier and lower stress way of living.
        
        In the past Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were things like revenue and getting products to market on time. Meeting those goals is high stress. For government is might be something like reducing hospital waiting times.
        
        So being able to redefine your KPIs to cover DEI makes life much easier. The manager can show a graph of the number of people saying Kia Ora and show that is increasing. Tick. Ignore the stuff that really matters.
        
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        February 12, 2025 11:56am
      - pdm
        
        cmm – daughter has just called in this is what the Hui has involved on the taxpayers dollars so far:
        Trip up Te Mata Peak
        Visit Arataki Honey
        Visit Silky Oak Chocolates
        Afternoon sightseeing visit to Napier
        
        Yesterday there was apparently some Hui and some argy bargy – no details offered.
        
        Daughter is almost embarrassed.
        
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        February 12, 2025 1:41pm
    - 7kiwi11
      
      We really do need a Trump/Musk like character to strip this sort of BS from our institutions. Sadly, I don’t think it’ll happen, especially with National at the helm.
      
      39 2
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      February 12, 2025 9:27am
      - imalwaysright
        
        A start would be an online comments section on each departments website where people can let the public know about the service or lack thereof.
        
        20 0
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        February 12, 2025 9:41am
      - Steve Otto N Shore
        
        “National at the helm.”
        I think you mean National Lite, with Jacinda wearing a blue tie.
        
        18 4
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        February 12, 2025 9:57am
      - G the giant from Dunedin
        
        Seymour has that job and has done nothing, still waiting for just one regulation to be chopped, just one sign of a plan, just something, all he is doing is stupid stunts, I watched parliament yesterday, and all other Act MOs conduct them self impeccably, it’s only Seymour being a dick, I note he sent a grovelling apology to speaker after his hyjinks and lies
        
        2 15
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        February 12, 2025 12:05pm
      - pdm
        
        G – Ministry of Regulation starts operating on 1 March 2025.
        
        10 1
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        February 12, 2025 1:44pm
    - pdm
      
      `I would estimate that in the state sector there are betwen 300 and 500 people now dedicated to embedding te ao Maori into public service analysis, advice and delivery.’
      
      BY – these people are like rust.
      
      Relentless and they never sleep.
      
      21 0
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      February 12, 2025 9:39am
    - Benedict Yu
      
      Addendum.
      
      I can see how some agencies should be aware of aspects of te ao Maori and tikanga when dealing with Maori clients. For example folk who visit Maori families on matters of child welfare.
      
      That is a completely different thing to a regulator of financial markets using te ao Maori. Or incorporating the spirituality of water into the regulation of water quality.
      
      In a developed nation it should not even be necessary to have this conversation yet here we are.
      
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      February 12, 2025 9:43am
      - NZer In Exile
        
        These would be part Maori living the lifestyle of Maori a la 1840? Or public servants visiting modern Maori just need to be familiar with modern bro-talk to keep from offending feelings? Are we not really more or less “one people” all living in the modern world with modern accoutrements and lifestyles??? Of course we are. It will take a Trump like figure though to cut through this obviously very silly BS unfortunately.
        
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        February 12, 2025 5:31pm
    - Suze Wainwright
      
      I’m telling Madam Siouxie on you!
      
      13 0
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      February 12, 2025 9:49am
      - Jack5
        
        Seldom heard or seen in the media these days are Siouxie Wiles and Shaun Hendy, prominent in Covid debate and leaders of the letter that attacked the “Listener Seven” scientists.
        
        Those seven brave Auckland University professors wrote to the “Listener” expressing concern about moves to make Maori “knowledge” equivalent with science in the school curriculum.
        
        The seven were: Professors Kendall Clements, Garth Cooper, Michael Corballis, Douglas Elliffe, Elizabeth Rata, and Emeritus Professor Robert Nola, and Emeritus Professor John Werry.
        
        The Wiles-Hendy letter included:
        
        “The Professors claim that “science itself does not colonise”, ignoring the fact that colonisation, racism, misogyny, and eugenics have each been championed by scientists wielding a self-declared monopoly on universal knowledge.
        
        “And while the Professors describe science as ‘universal’, they fail to” acknowledge that science has long excluded indigenous peoples from participation, preferring them as subjects for study and exploitation.”
        
        “Well done” to Paul Goldsmith, now a Coalition Minister, for defending the “Listener Seven” as did famous British scientist Richard Dawkins.
        
        Hundreds from academia who signed the attack on the “Listener Seven” are surely ruing the day they added their names.
        
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        February 12, 2025 11:30am
      - imalwaysright
        
        Isn’t it a sad state that they needed bravery to give their opinion.
        That, in itself, is an indictment on academia and their marxist ignorance.
        
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        February 12, 2025 4:34pm
    - thirteenstars
      
      “It will change the nation.”
      
      Too late, it *has* changed the nation. It’s a bit like putting on weight: once you truly notice it you’re already buying new pants.
      
      Consider the several decades of quiet ideological shift and indoctrination it’s taken to get to this point. The long march through the institutions takes patience and dedication. Many warned of it but were dismissed as alarmists and were met with blank stares from fellow Kiwis who at the best of times don’t think it’s too cool to be interested in ideas.
      
      It’s an insurgency, plain and simple. The activists have read their Mao, and they’ve learned it well. Meanwhile, she’ll be right, mate.
      
      18 0
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      February 12, 2025 10:32am
    - jacthecat
      
      I would suggest that your figure of 500 is extremely conservative. And to it you can add staff in ancillary organisations such as the NZ Council for Educational Research, not AFAIK part of the Public Service as such, but contracted by the Ministry of Education.
      
      12 0
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      February 12, 2025 12:54pm
    - Jules99
      
      I have to check job adverts as part of my business, and have done for many years. I can confirm that these roles have been around for a long time. I have even met some people who are applying for them. It’s a whole industry which includes training and certification, largely funded by the taxpayer. Some of the achievements delivered by these people are very weak, and are unlikely to benefit Maori. If this was stripped out throughout the economy we can save a lot of taxpayer dollars.
      
      11 0
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      February 12, 2025 2:21pm
    - Sir Henry Morgan
      
      Completely agree Benedict.
      
      I’m losing all hope New Zealand will ever improve. Despite having been born in New Zealand, the place feels increasingly foreign. Work options that avoid all the wokeus pocus are steadily shrinking. Even in self employment you’re now shut out of many areas – e.g. real estate, law, etc.
      
      I doubt the degree to which much of this stuff is genuinely rooted in Maori culture. It’s more like everyone has signed up to some weird cult, and a few opportunists are seizing the opportunity to pillage.
      
      I’m considering selling my property in New Zealand. Besides the country being screwed, it annoys me to be paying rates to a council that denies me equal representation by imposing special Maori representatives.
      
      Everywhere you look in New Zeealand there is racist nonsense, all funded by your taxes.
      
      Occasionally, if you are lucky, a government comes along that pretends to be fixing things.
      
      12 0
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      February 12, 2025 3:05pm
    - Sir Henry Morgan
      
      One other minor(?) thing, I believe the current version of the New Zealand passport is Maori first, then English. My current one is still English first, then Maori – which is weird enough and curious officials overseas have occasionally asked me about it.
      
      Truly bizarre, and I’m dreading having to update and travel around internationally carrying a document primarily in a language that nobody understands. It’s such an impractical, performative, anti-western and anti-British load of cringe.
      
      I do also have a non-NZ passport, but have to keep my NZ one updated because its linked to so much other stuff – e.g. residency permits etc.
      
      8 0
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      February 12, 2025 3:25pm
      - Ra Henare
        
        Dont let it get to you Sir Henry,
        Your mental health is important.
        
        Get out while the going is good.
        
        Move to a country where English is not the first Language, then you won’t read or listen to local news.
        
        Means, no crime, no political argy bargy
        
        Bliss
        
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        February 12, 2025 4:42pm
      - MCōs
        
        Nobody gives a shit
        My first passport was written in French/English with my details handwritten in a fountain pen
        My photo shows me grinning out of the page.
        The passport noted height, eye colour & ‘Visible peculiarities’, which in my case was noted l.i.m.p. pronounced limp
        Your nose is out of joint over a bit of te reo
        What a joke?
        My mother’s 1945 UK passport was also bilingual with French used again not one of the thousands of languages of the empire. Well I suppose it was used in Canada
        Btw
        If her husband had been British she would have been a mere appendage onto his passport
        
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        February 12, 2025 8:18pm
    - Bevan
      
      Yet the opposition are rising in the poles even though they would undoubtedly accelerate the practise, while the sole party who looks to be against it (Act) are stagnant.
      
      The NZ experiment is failing, let it fail and rebuild on the ashes.
      
      4 1
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      February 12, 2025 3:52pm
    - NZer In Exile
      
      End of the woke-idiot road for NZ; a cross between some voodoo worshipping broken down third world country and Zimbabwe/Sth Africa. Oh the fun that we shall have!
      
      3 0
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      February 12, 2025 5:07pm
    - kiwimike
      
      I concur that is what I see with Luxon’s mob.
      
      they are committed to co-governance.
      
      0 0
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      February 13, 2025 4:39pm
  - Paulus
    
    No Minister can fire any Public Servant.
    And they know it !
    
    11 1
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    February 12, 2025 9:41am
    - RoboRob
      
      NO, they absolutely can fire people. They either dont realise it or like to pretend they cant.
      
      They lack the ambition. They can ask the board to ask the CEO to remove a staff member. If the board chose not to, the Minister can remove board members and replace them with ones who will follow the ministers agenda. They can cut funding to agencies that refuse to follow direction.
      
      In NZ no (right wing, and many left) politician wants to excercise power. We like to live in a ‘utopia’ where government agencies are totally independant of the government. We have had this mantra for years but nobody asks, ‘why are government agencies independant to the government?’. They are government agencies right, its in the name.
      
      Nobody is saying ministers should tell health who gets operations and who doesn’t. But we do expect that if a minister says ‘do not use race to prioritise operations’ that the ministry follows instruction. ‘Health is independant, is NOT an excuse for inaction’.
      
      p.s. My health example is an eample, as far as I know they have stopped using race to prioritise operations (well done National).
      
      14 1
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      February 12, 2025 9:59am
    - Taieri
      
      No Minister can fire any Public Servant
      ———
      
      Of course they can. There’re many ways to skin the cat as the old saying goes.
      
      After all, if a Prime Minister can shut down the whole country by a simple announcement…
      
      16 0
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      February 12, 2025 10:03am
      - G the giant from Dunedin
        
        She was able to shut the country down because they put the country into a state of emergency, and I thought that gave all the power to Bloomfield
        
        5 3
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        February 12, 2025 12:07pm
      - PurplePen
        
        They could create law that allows a minister to fire at will post an election any CEO and their direct reports. I would have said this is not necessary in NZ, but the public service has since the election shown that they are partisan and have behaved unprofessionally.
        
        11 0
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        February 12, 2025 12:10pm
      - Paulus
        
        Only if his name was Trump !
        
        3 0
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        February 12, 2025 2:31pm
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    You do not know what else has been going on behind the scenes
    
    2 9
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    February 12, 2025 11:58am
    - Keith White
      
      Please inform us.
      
      0 0
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      February 13, 2025 2:33am
- Inandout
  
  SO, the public servants have Maori prayers before starting their day. They care little about their ‘customers’.
  
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  February 12, 2025 8:44am
  - riffer
    
    I don’t know where you get your information from, but it’s clear it’s well separated from reality.
    
    2 27
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    February 12, 2025 10:18am
    - Tom Hunter
      
      I take it then that you disagree with Benedict Yu’s comments above, that you perhaps simply don’t believe him about his ongoing and frequent contacts with the Wellington public service?
      
      Or perhaps you’re trying to dox him as we speak?
      
      19 2
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      February 12, 2025 10:27am
    - Eastlander
      
      My previous job was in the private sector (a major international consultancy) and office general meetings began and ended with Maori prayers. You are either wilfully dishonest or you are entirely disconnected from New Zealand affairs – either way you’ve got nothing worthwhile to say.
      
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      February 12, 2025 10:34am
      - G the giant from Dunedin
        
        Your previous job, you mess as n before this government came in, you don’t know what may have changed, I can speak from experience in health that appears to have completely disappeared
        
        2 7
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        February 12, 2025 12:13pm
      - Countrygirl
        
        And yet Christian prayers were removed from Parliament.
        
        13 0
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        February 12, 2025 12:51pm
      - Ghost
        
        No. They still say them
        
        2 1
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        February 12, 2025 1:18pm
      - kowtow
        
        countrygirl
        
        No the prayer is still there but it was changed by labour from a quite Anglican thing to;
        
        ‘ Almighty God, we give thanks for the blessings which have been bestowed on us. Laying aside all personal interests, we acknowledge the King and pray for guidance in our deliberations, that we may conduct the affairs of this House with wisdom, justice, mercy, and humility, for the welfare and peace of New Zealand. Amen.’
        
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        February 12, 2025 1:21pm
      - Sir Henry Morgan
        
        Yep. My brother’s private sector job involves daily Maori prayer sessions. Apparently they have to pray over the donuts at morning tea. The bosses get annoyed if the prayers are forgotten – especially if visitors are present. This all goes on despite nobody in the office being conversational in Maori.
        
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        February 12, 2025 3:15pm
      - Eastlander
        
        G, I can believe there may have been some retreat in some areas but it’s equally clear that it is still being strongly pushed in others.
        
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        February 12, 2025 4:18pm
    - Don Beckett
      
      OK, riffer, let’s hear your take on this, rather than denying whatever others say. Tell us for example, if you know what “Te Ao Maori” is, and whether you believe it, and think it should be embedded in our public service.
      Seriously, let’s hear your view, and the reasoning behind it.
      
      15 1
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      February 12, 2025 10:39am
    - NZer In Exile
      
      Did you say your Maori prayers today Riffer?
      
      2 0
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      February 12, 2025 5:09pm
  - Jack5
    
    How do Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, atheist Government workers feel about being forced to take part in indigenous-religion incantations?
    
    20 1
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    February 12, 2025 10:50am
    - Paulus
      
      They want to keep their jobs !
      
      6 0
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      February 12, 2025 2:33pm
      - NZer In Exile
        
        Imagine if the sane majority got together in these orgs and told the woketards to go forth and multiply on these edicts.
        
        3 0
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        February 12, 2025 5:10pm
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    As I noted with my time in Hospital in January there was not one utterance of Maori, not even a kiora. No doctors, no nurses, no physio, no management no surgeon, not even the people dishing food and drink.
    
    I prefer to believe what I seen with my own eyes, and not what you imagine, 3 years ago every time nurse or a doctor came into the room I was greater with Māori, it’s gone, so sick of this bullshittery
    
    3 14
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    February 12, 2025 12:11pm
    - Yabster
      
      what?- of course it not done on the wards – moronic.
      
      If you sat in on a staff meeting, you would be “informed”.
      
      11 0
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      February 12, 2025 12:27pm
    - Benedict Yu
      
      FFS. My comment is not about te reo Maori. Do you have a comprehension problem?
      
      14 2
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      February 12, 2025 12:36pm
    - RoboRob
      
      People aren’t talking about use of Maori language in hospitals.
      
      However your ‘proof’ is actually just anecdotal evidence. Based on your single experience in hospital you claim Maori is gone.
      
      Nobody asked for Maori to be banned. We wanted organisations with English names with signs and documentation primarily in English. I can guarantee that isn’t yet the case. Let alone dealing with the Te ao Maori that BY and others are actually talking about.
      
      9 0
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      February 12, 2025 1:27pm
      - Paulus
        
        All the signs in our Tauranga Hospital are also shown in Maori.
        
        5 0
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        February 12, 2025 2:34pm
      - NZer In Exile
        
        For woketards the cover story is about showing “respect” to part Maori (The vast majority of NZ’s part Maori NOT speaking Maori in every day life). Woke-ism is a cult. Cults are not big on common sense or reason. I believe with woke-ism it’s primarily about sticking it to “conservatives” (IE sensible and mature people) rather than achieving anything meaningful or productive.
        
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        February 12, 2025 5:21pm
    - kiwimike
      
      a family member in health just gets annoyed at all the maori stuff at the begginning of meetings.
      they wouldn’t mind if it was translated but it is not.
      they say in their head I don’t agree with this.
      
      0 0
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      February 13, 2025 4:51pm
- hookerphil
  
  ““Here’s a simple question I would urge you and your staff to ask themselves: if this was my money, would I spend it this way?”
  Funny that – many years ago as a District Treasurer that was the very question I always asked of the Councillors – If it was your money – would you spend it? So 35 years later Judith is onto it.
  
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  February 12, 2025 9:22am
  - Steve Otto N Shore
    
    These days the Public Sector employees do not care what Collins says. They have free reign.
    
    8 2
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    February 12, 2025 10:07am
    - riffer
      
      As a public servant I can assure you this is very far from reality.
      
      3 21
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      February 12, 2025 10:19am
      - Yabster
        
        as a public “servant”- you must have lots of days of riff- as I assume you aren’t commenting on kiwiblog at work? – surely not…?
        
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        February 12, 2025 10:34am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  She does get it, and you do not know what management has been told to do behind the scenes
  
  3 4
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  February 12, 2025 11:56am
  - Keith White
    
    “you do not know what management has been told to do behind the scenes”
    
    Please enlighten us.
    
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    February 13, 2025 2:35am
- sungsamning
  
  New Zealand needs a Title F law like in the USA; where ‘civil servants’ can be easily fired.
  
  5 1
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  February 12, 2025 4:28pm
  - MCōs
    
    So you don’t give a shit about some poor sod losing his job?
    Our office in Bangkok used to churn out shop drawings for steel fabricators in the US
    On one project we had a deadline of, say next Friday. Their project manager manager rang me up and said Cossie, if those drawings don’t arrive on time we’re going to have to lay off ten fabricators. They were a big outfit and would think nothing of sending the guys home on no pay for the foreseeable
    
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    February 12, 2025 8:41pm
Frank the tank

Dear Chris, Nicola, Chris & Erika,

It appears you are struggling to understand why support for your government is slipping. Here are some helpful tips:

1). Start building stuff. Identify the critical infrastructure and ensure construction has commenced within 6 months. Don’t worry too much about the cost as what is expensive today will be cheap tomorrow. Particularly in Auckland where the economy centers around construction.

2). Follow Trump’s lead. Here are some hints:
-Tell that muppet in the Cook Islands that if they sign that deal with China – NZ citizenship is gone and all aid is gone.
-If you can’t fire disobedient public servants then create legislation allowing you to do so (I’m sure Winston and David would agree). A couple of sackings and the behavior will change in a blink.
-Back Shane’s woke bank bill, actually strengthen it- show corporate NZ DEI and ESG aren’t part of NZ inc. Pass it under urgency to prove a point.

3). Go on the attack both at question time and in public. The left has just indicated they want to put in place a ‘treaty’ commissioner. That is a free hit Chris – use it.

And importantly around the media act like you are the CEO not the HR supervisor.

Otherwise when the next right government picks up the pieces in 2029 we will be New Zimbabwe.
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February 12, 2025 8:16am
- Ghost
  
  3, Hipkins has ruled out a treaty commissioner having any veto power, but not ruled out having one that advises
  
  20 1
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  February 12, 2025 9:47am
  - the deity formerly known as nigel6888
    
    And this is how they always start!
    
    21 0
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    February 12, 2025 9:58am
    - kowtow
      
      Yep ;
      
      slowly slowly catchee monkey .
      
      See latest maori claim for water in SI when National already gave them their fifth full and final ( yeah right) settlement in the late ’90s.
      
      17 0
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      February 12, 2025 11:42am
    - imalwaysright
      
      Yes, veto and advice are unnecessary when there is the term “consultation”.
      At the moment, consultation means do whatever the maori activist says and do it quickly.
      Or else!
      
      8 0
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      February 12, 2025 12:46pm
  - NoFax
    
    Advise is the first step then it will be challenged in Court that they didn’t listen to them and an activist judge will go along – normal playbook.
    
    18 0
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    February 12, 2025 9:59am
  - Taieri
    
    ruled out a treaty commissioner having any veto power, but not ruled out having one that advises
    ————–
    
    And the difference is…?
    
    After all the Waitangi Tribunal findings and recommendations are only advisory and not binding. In theory that is.
    
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    February 12, 2025 10:06am
  - Cassandra
    
    And his replacement will change that in a split second. Or Hipkins will do it by stealth. NZ needs the Seymour Bill enacted.
    
    21 0
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    February 12, 2025 10:11am
  - Pope Punctilious II
    
    Why do we need a treaty commissioner at all? We already have the Waitangi Tribunal. Come to think of it, do we still need the tribunal?
    
    17 0
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    February 12, 2025 12:03pm
    - imalwaysright
      
      Or a treaty…
      
      10 0
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      February 12, 2025 12:48pm
  - Damocles11
    
    And you trust Hipkins?!
    
    1 0
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    February 12, 2025 6:20pm
- coge
  
  How many quarters in recession does it take to become an economic depression? Keep a close eye on the unemployment numbers. The urgency is clear, all the feel good stuff needs to be dropped. It’s a sad situation for us, and was entirely avoidable. There is no evidence of anything positive coming from the top. They appear confused, out of touch, and frankly insufficiently educated for the task.
  
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  February 12, 2025 10:01am
  - imalwaysright
    
    NZ’s is the equivalent of a post war economy. No one in the current government knows how to lead the recovery, and, if they did, they wouldn’t have the courage nor ability to do it.
    
    11 1
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    February 12, 2025 11:02am
  - PeeJay
    
    On employment, in my sector the amount of folks I know who are planning to go to Aus, or are already there, is bloody scary. Some top people, some run of the mill, some below average at best. All gone, or looking to go, because they were either out of work here, could see what was coming, or just wanted some better opportunities for them and their kids.
    
    I’m probably too old to go – if I was 10 years younger, I wouldn’t hesitate, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to wondering if it’s worth looking at regardless of the risks. Bloody scary times at the moment and no signs of any recovery coming!
    
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    February 12, 2025 1:32pm
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    How many quarters in recession does it take to become an economic depression?
    
    12
    
    A depression is an extreme recession that lasts three or more years or leads to a decline in real gross domestic product (GDP) of at least 10% in a given year.
    
    https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/depression.asp#:~:text=A%20recession%20is%20a%20decrease,10%25%20in%20a%20given%20year.
    
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    February 12, 2025 1:55pm
- RoboRob
  
  Excellent and simple actions. Would absolutely improve popularity.
  
  Re #3. The issue will be that Luxon would be happy with a Treaty commisioner, just so long as they have no veto. He likes to be seen to be the nice, pro Maori, guy.
  
  Perhaps we should ask Luxon if he would pay for yet another (waste of time) commisioner out his own pocket?
  
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  February 12, 2025 10:06am
- PurplePen
  
  Like 1 and especially 2.
  
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  February 12, 2025 12:12pm
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Are you saying things like Dunedin hospital, tossing infrastructure that is starting this year, and fast track is all pie in the sky
  
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  February 12, 2025 12:15pm
Grunter

What are the major policy differences between National and Labour? Ignoring the influence of their coalition partners.

1.Co-Governance of public services. National against.

2. Tax – Labour appear to be in favour of wealth tax and capital gains (but have never implemented either, so debatable). Otherwise no difference. Nationals tax adjustment last year will be eroded by inflation by the end of 2026.

3. Size of govt/public services. Marginal difference only.

4. Deficit and Debt – both about the same. Both run deficits.

5. Foreign Policy and trade. No difference.

6. Law and order. National are tougher on crime.

7. Climate change. No difference.

So, the main difference between National and Labour is their coalition partners. ACT/NZF vs Greens/Maoris
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February 12, 2025 8:17am
- Nigel Kearney
  
  The key point is there is no real difference in how much they want to spend.
  
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  February 12, 2025 10:01am
  - Grunter
    
    Correct. So the financial pathway we are on will not change (unless the unbelievable happens and ACT get say +30% of the vote in 2026).
    
    So, then what happens as NZ digs itself into unpayable sovereign debt? In a world that is going nuts and already drowning in sovereign debt?
    
    Mathmatically there is only one answer. All Govt Bonds are defaulted on. This has happened many times throughout history. Govt Bonds become “Default Loans”. Typically there is a domino effect, as one defaults, that leads to the others defaulting. Don’t be surprised if this happens over the next 5 years or so.
    
    A number of central banks and sovereign funds around the world are reading the tea leaves, they see a monetary ‘reset’ coming. Most are picking a massive re-valuation of Gold to re-balance the books somehow. Essentially their gold stocks increase in value to soften the blow of massive defaults.
    
    Al conjecture of course, but the Govt Debt bomb at some point goes off. When it does, nothing else matters much……
    
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    February 12, 2025 10:33am
    - Quail
      
      Gr
      Gold is in high demand right now.!
      
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      February 12, 2025 3:54pm
- NoFax
  
  National is barely tougher on crime. Take the gang patch ban. Yeah it makes headlines for a bit and looks though. The real issue though is gangs themselves or what they really are organised criminal enterprises. We need to ban gangs and remove this cancer from our society. But that won’t happen.
  
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  February 12, 2025 10:02am
- PeeJay
  
  Mostly fair but I’d argue that there is realistically less between them on Co-Governance than the public utterances. As others like BY have noted, there is so much of this embedded within the state but National haven’t really moved the dial much on this – they utter public announcements which sound good, but actions tend to be quite weak.
  
  Further, Luxon mentioned the word ‘partnership’ numerous times in his Waitangi Day speech. Not sure I recalled him and the Nats droning on about partnership during the election!
  
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  February 12, 2025 10:13am
- pdm
  
  Grunter
  
  How can you be sure National is against 1 – Co Governance.
  
  PM Luxon’s Waitangi day speech suggests otherwise as do some of his other actions.
  
  In his (slight) defence he did say at QT yesterday that Maori ceded Sovereignty which is a bob each way.
  
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  February 12, 2025 11:13am
  - Grunter
    
    Yes, you are right, I can not be sure of anything the PM appears to support (zero trust in him).
    
    I guess I was stating the official policy position, which currently says “No” to co-governance of public services.
    
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    February 12, 2025 11:56am
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      Then what do you say s as bout the ludicrous greens asking Luxon again do you think Māori seeded sovereignty yesterday, his answer was YES , let’s not forget Hipkins now says no they didn’t, and also he is now back tracking on never having a treaty commissioner, do they are scary things after next election along with CGT and wealth tax
      
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      February 12, 2025 12:20pm
      - Keith White
        
        After you seed sovereignty, does it need lotsa watering?
        
        1 0
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        February 13, 2025 2:36am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  You s as power to forget threshold changes are going to alter every 3 years after election, but dropped if rotten labour get back in Labour to stay in deficit till after 2032 Nats to be in surplus 27-28
  
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  February 12, 2025 12:17pm
rouppe

As I predicted, Sam Kerr is found not guilty of racism.

I have no doubt that if a white person had called a black police officer “stupid and black” they would be found guilty.
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February 12, 2025 8:18am
- MCōs
  
  Probably wouldn’t have gone to court in the first place
  
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  February 12, 2025 1:11pm
cmm

Could there be extortion happening? Yes, certainly, but the story given here does not make sense.

This woman claims to have scanned items but they did not turn up on her invoice and then, somehow, the security guard knew to check these items.

Ok, for that to have happened the following would have to have occurred:
1) She legitimately did scan the products.
2a) Somehow due to a software glitch that only impacts the moisturizer in question, the software did not register that scan – leaving it off the invoice.
2b) Alternatively someone in the back office, in on the scam, deleted the transaction to set her up.
3) The security guy knew there would be a problem with the scanning of these items and pulled her over.

An alternative scenario:
1) She went through the motions of doing the scanning while covering the label.
2) She was acting suspiciously and the security people noticed the dodgy scanning.

Hmmm tough call. I’m going to need to think about that for a while.

The claim about the $395 “fine” is he-said/she-said but it is possibly true. After all even cops have the occasional bad apple.

The part I don’t understand is why she even wasted time stopping at the check out. There are few consequences to rolling straight out.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360577748/alleged-extortion-customers-south-auckland-supermarket
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February 12, 2025 8:19am
- Blog-aholic
  
  Dont self checkouts have a scale that once scanned the itm has to be placed upon and if the weight equivalence is not within accepted levels it is flagged? Mischief afoot?
  
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  February 12, 2025 8:32am
- rouppe
  
  Here’s the thing. If you are on a self checkout, and an item isn’t scanned and placed on the other side, the system locks up because there’s more weight on the checkout scale than expected.
  
  No way you can scan another item until that’s solved.
  
  The security guard story also sounds rubbish.
  
  It’s a stinky story all round
  
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  February 12, 2025 8:40am
- Steve Otto N Shore
  
  At Glenfield I have seen this happen twice at the self checkout:
  The items are scanned, no rewards card scanned, get ready to pay and then just load the trolley and walk out.
  Supervisor asks me if I saw who was there – I didn’t.
  
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  February 12, 2025 8:50am
  - Colville
    
    Surely if you remove items from bagging area without paying something would alert the shop guard person? Seems such an easy fix?
    
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    February 12, 2025 8:55am
    - Steve Otto N Shore
      
      I think there is no notification once you hit the payment tab, and then just load the goods without paying. Don’t really know – I will try it, like at payment time lift off something heavy like a pumpkin.
      
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      February 12, 2025 10:33am
    - PurplePen
      
      And what’s the guard going to do. You can actually load up your trolley and just walk out. No-one, not even the guards can stop you, unless you have more than a certain amount. I’m not sure what it is, it might be $1500 ?
      
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      February 12, 2025 12:16pm
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      Scanning I think will take the ability for the siren going off as you walk passed it, I guess that’s why they do it
      
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      February 12, 2025 12:22pm
- lemuzz
  
  Just a heads up re scanning at self checkouts in Supermarkets. A couple of weeks ago I had about a dozen objects in my trolly. I scanned and placed them on the “completed ” output section of the scanner and paid. After all were scanned I paid. Glancing at my till slip (which I seldom do ) I saw that the first 3 items, correctly listed on the slip, were repeated at the end (and charged ). My understanding how the system works, is after scanning there must be an equivalent weighted object placed on the output tray. This prevents say a tin of fruit is scanned and two objects put on the output tray as the weight would show a discrepancy. So I don’t know how this happened. I called the superviser over and showed her my docket and she said “This sometimes happens and this is why you should always check your till slip”
  
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  February 12, 2025 11:02am
  - imalwaysright
    
    “This sometimes happens and this is why you should always check your till slip”.
    
    So if a customer scans and pays but the system misses some items, they can tell the supermarket :
    “This sometimes happens and this is why you should always check each customers slip and bag”.
    
    If the supermarket is happy to take advantage of system errors, then they should also accept losses from system errors. Its their system.
    
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    February 12, 2025 1:51pm
Steve Otto N Shore

Ex-public servants still searching for work after last year’s public sector cuts.
I guess they are finding out the Private Sector wants people who will actually work, not just waltz through the door at 9.20am.
Must be tough after decades of freeloading. 1723 redundancies is nowhere near enough. 17 thousand would help.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/541564/ex-public-servants-still-searching-for-work-after-last-year-s-public-sector-cuts?
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February 12, 2025 8:22am
- Eastlander
  
  The government should encourage and assist them to emigrate to Australia. We’re so used to seeing emigration as a problem, why not start employing it as a solution? Why not pay long-term beneficiaries lump sums to emigrate to Britain and claim asylum from the ‘racist hard-right government’? Why not act like a developing country since we are assuming the economic profile of one anyway?
  
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  February 12, 2025 8:36am
  - cmm
    
    Emigration and immigration are not a problem per se.
    However that is just looking at quantity – not quality.
    
    What we would ideally have all low productivity (especially negatively productive) people leave NZ and have highly productive/skilled people enter NZ.
    
    They can have all our public servants and Uber drivers and we’ll take their engineers and doctors.
    
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    February 12, 2025 9:29am
    - Eastlander
      
      Yes, and anyone employed in implementing te ao Maori and that sort of moo can be quite easily fobbed off onto Australia which has its own burgeoning treaty industry.
      
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      February 12, 2025 10:41am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  I think the problem is more along the line that their skills – experience in social policy analysis or social project “management” are not needed in a lean Government.
  
  If they are willing to move from a big city to a provincial backwater, they could possibly pick up a decent job in a local authority.
  
  Beyond that, there’s always Plan B….
  
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  February 12, 2025 9:09am
  - NeverMindTheBollocks
    
    The Hawkes Bay freezing works have Help Wanted signs up. They even offer mates rates on meat.
    
    Of course, this would require a level of physical grunt, and one’s vegan sensitivities to be suppressed.
    
    But a job’s a job, right?
    
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    February 12, 2025 9:22am
    - Paulus
      
      Kiwi Fruit businesses have thousands of jobs now ready in the Bay of Plenty.
      
      16 0
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      February 12, 2025 9:47am
    - pdm
      
      Grandson (age 23) recently broke up with his girlfriend of 18mths/2yrs and moved back home to Hawkes Bay from Wellington.
      
      Took him a couple of weeks to settle down after the break up and had a job in a vineyard a week later.
      
      Work is there for those that want to work.
      
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      February 12, 2025 9:51am
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      Yes, Finegand in Balclutha has not been able to function fully for years because they can’t get staff. They pay good money, and even have day release prisoners from Milton prison working there
      
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      February 12, 2025 12:26pm
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    From what I hear it is mainly young 20-25 leaving, all deluded dead beat lefties and probably no hoper greenies with no work ethic. I very much doubt they have any skills this country requires.
    
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    February 12, 2025 12:24pm
    - Paulus
      
      The problem with the younger people now seeking employment (assuming they want to – its sunny summer) is that they totally lack even an education -called reading, writing and arithmetic.
      The had no education and employers saynthey cannot fill in a form or read simple instructions.
      There are many more on the way – well done Education ~!
      
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      February 12, 2025 2:46pm
  - rouppe
    
    People leave university and become social policy analysts immediately.
    
    No idea about real life. No idea about consequences.
    
    It beggars belief that people who have never been at the social coal face get to make policy
    
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    February 12, 2025 12:33pm
    - artemisia
      
      Those baby policy analysts don’t make policy. Or if they do their managers should be fired for gross incompetence and dereliction of duty. For starters.
      
      Even if right out of uni, they could one day be useful, with a decent boss and after a year or two ‘sitting by Nellie’.
      
      Of course there might be no need for the policy anyway, but that’s a different story.
      
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      February 12, 2025 12:56pm
- riffer
  
  You never seen to offer a credible reason why the public sector count should be reduced, merely that it should. Therefore I conclude that your reasons are purely ideological, and not based in any sort of rigorous analysis.
  
  4 26
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  February 12, 2025 10:24am
  - Swifty
    
    To lower the tax burden on struggling New Zealand families and businesses is a good start.
    
    Would you like some more reasons?
    
    25 1
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    February 12, 2025 10:31am
  - Steve Otto N Shore
    
    One good reason for reducing the public sector is that it was bloated under the Labour Govt. Jobs created doing nothing – buying votes!
    
    22 1
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    February 12, 2025 10:38am
    - cmm
      
      “t it was bloated under the Labour ”
      
      Worse yet, it continues to bloat under National.
      
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      February 12, 2025 11:59am
      - imalwaysright
        
        Maybe that’s the “growth” he keeps banging on about.
        
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        February 12, 2025 1:57pm
  - Grunter
    
    How about, …..
    People numbers have more than doubled in 10 years. There has been zero improvement in services nor productivity from these tens of thousands of extra people (maybe I’m wrong, please provide a list of specific improvements).
    
    That is, you provide the “rigorous analysis” that was done to double the headcount (hint – it was never done)
    
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    February 12, 2025 10:40am
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      No the number did not double in 10 years
      
      1 1
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      February 12, 2025 12:29pm
      - kiwikidsnz
        
        Under Labour the public service increased by ~18000 / ~40% from 2017 to 2023 with no significant improvement in services.
        
        Including several thousands in the 6 months leading up to the 2023 election as the Lefts acolytes were stacked in.
        
        4 0
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        February 12, 2025 1:52pm
  - Yabster
    
    lol- NZ is in deep trouble if you are a typical PS.
    How did you avoid the cull?
    
    Hers a few:
    
    * bloated- numbers have surged as they do always under Liebour- ur best mates
    * Wasteful- so many examples its not funny- DOGE NZ would. Don’t seem to give a toss what they spend as its only taxpayers money. Working from home today are we?
    * Mainly lefty socialist that are attracted to the roles- and they use that to influence policy or refuse to put in place government edicts- fuck off if you can’t do as instructed.
    
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    February 12, 2025 10:45am
  - Tom Hunter
    
    The public sector count swelled from about 45,000 at the end of 2017 to 60,000 by 2021.
    
    Our population, and god knows our economy, did not grow that fast.
    
    And it’s actually worse than that. In 2000 we had 28,000 bureaucrats for a population of about 3.8 million, one for every 136 subjects. By 2020 the ratio was one for every 83 subjects of the government.
    
    And I do like the projection about ideology when it’s the Lefts’ belief in an ever larger state that drives all this.
    
    Whether you are so ideologically inclined – and your comments on other matters indicate that you are – doesn’t really matter when all that connects so nicely with your job, income and public choice theory.
    
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    February 12, 2025 10:46am
    - NothingLeft
      
      In every other sector technology has mean businesses are continually doing more with less staff. But Govt bureaucracies sprint in the opposite direction.
      
      Excise the woke bullshit from govt would save a guaranteed 10–20% head count for a start. And cut down entirely useless/toxic HR and comms headcount by 80% would be the other easy win. HR headcounts have grown unbelievably in last 2 decades (something like 2-3x) without delivering any benefit to anyone other than HR.
      
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      February 12, 2025 11:48am
    - cmm
      
      60,000 in 2021, and around 64,000 now.
      
      Luxon is silently watching it grown from his perch on the fence.
      
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      February 12, 2025 12:01pm
      - Tom Hunter
        
        Ah, but as we see in that graph during the Key years, the increase is smaller than under Labour.
        
        I forget who crafted this description of National decades ago but it really is spot on:
        
        The National Party exists to keep the Labour Party out of power
        
        They’ve been remarkably good at that, less so in the MMP era it’s true, but still.
        
        12 0
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        February 12, 2025 12:24pm
      - G the giant from Dunedin
        
        It grew from 2021 to 2023 don’t try and suggest it grew inn2024 you have it written there from 2021
        
        2 4
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        February 12, 2025 12:31pm
      - Grunter
        
        G
        As of June 30, 2024, there were 63,537 full-time equivalent (FTE) public servants in New Zealand. This is a 0.7% increase from June 2023, but a 3.3% decrease since December 2023.
        
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        February 12, 2025 2:12pm
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    Here’s an example….too many office staff at DoC….many appointed during the Ardern regime… too few staff out oi the field…and a massive shortfall in funds consequently to deal with hut and track maintenance.
    
    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018974515/some-doc-huts-and-tracks-in-limbo-due-to-funding-shortfall
    
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    February 12, 2025 11:08am
  - artemisia
    
    We-the-people were told a year or so ago that there were ongoing line by line reviews by Ministers, presumably of functions, outcomes, budgets. At the same time, savings were requested by Ministers, and these were left as broad brush and up to the CEOs.
    
    I am expecting to see some very significant funding changes in the 2025 Budget, arising from the line by lines. And hopefully the changes will be based in value for money, justification for continuing functions in whole or in part, plus a dose of ideology would make sense.
    
    I guess we will see if an opportunity is grasped. Talking of which, the amount of ‘savings’ due to cancelling large numbers of vacancies was jiggery pokery and did not show good faith by those CEOs. Next opportunity, if needed, a few kid geniuses with pockets full of algorithms.
    
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    February 12, 2025 11:19am
    - Dougal10
      
      They should look into school principal salaries, it seems the latest rort instead of going for a pay rise some of them just take wednesdays off ,using up years of sick leave under the pretence of mental health day’s.
      
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      February 12, 2025 12:15pm
    - Paulus
      
      When I hear Department’s screaming along with their media slime, I will believe it.
      
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      February 12, 2025 2:48pm
  - Pope Punctilious II
    
    It’s not just about the public sector “count”. It’s about the uselessness or even counter-productiveness of some of the roles. What essential services would we lose if the entire Ministry for Women were abolished? Same question applies to the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, Ministry for Ethnic Communities, Ministry for Youth Affairs. How many DEI positions are there in the public service, and why are they needed?
    
    I await your answers.
    
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    February 12, 2025 12:21pm
  - GJM
    
    There are so many jobs in the public service that should not exist. Entire ministries, commissions and quangos need to go.
    The Children’s commission was set up as a sop to Peter Dunne – remember him and the bow ties? Why are they still around? What do they do? Why do they need 5 commissioners (https://www.manamokopuna.org.nz/about/) and how many admin staff? They have vacancies, but only if you are Maori.
    The Human Rights commission is toothless and useless and thought Jacinda was wonderful, and only white people are racist. The Human Rights Commission has four Commissioners and approximately 60 staff located in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. On 16 June 2023, Meng Foon resigned from his position as Race Relations Commissioner after failing to declare several conflicts of interest as required under the Crown Entities Act.
    What do they do all day? It is at best a 1 person job.
    The Ministry for Pacific Peoples office is located in Wellington and employs approximately 130 staff. 93% “work” from home. Also famous for fancy parties for $40000for leaving exec going to another PS trough. It has an annual budget in 2019/20 $19,863,000.
    What do they do? What is the output? Do they need to do it at all? Disband the entire ministry and save $20m.
    Plenty more examples where that came from. 17,000 redundancies would be achievable and would be a good start.
    
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    February 12, 2025 1:00pm
    - Pope Punctilious II
      
      Please try not to mention that ridiculous little man with the bow-tie.
      
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      February 12, 2025 2:02pm
  - BananaLlama
    
    Because our government currently spends 40% of our yearly GDP before you even get to spend a single cent.
    
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    February 12, 2025 2:51pm
rouppe

I’m in two minds about this school bus being cancelled for this family.

On the one hand, I don’t think we should pay for parents to go to their preferred school, rather than their closest school.

On the other hand, it appears their preferred school is 44.7km away, and the closest school is 44.2km away. I think all kids in this rural area should be able to take a bus to one of the schools, they can walk the rest of the way
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February 12, 2025 8:23am
- pdm
  
  rouppe – logical answer is to arrange Monday to Friday board in Napier/Taradale area.
  
  That was a regular arrangement for country kids back in the good old days.
  
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  February 12, 2025 9:54am
  - imalwaysright
    
    I wonder if he will teach them to go door knocking for accommodation, he taught them hitch hiking for transport after all.
    
    (Surely there is a multimillion dollar government funded maori entity designed for just this exact situation? They have them for everything else…)
    
    10 1
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    February 12, 2025 10:30am
- alwyn.a
  
  Those distances don’t mean that the two schools are close together or that it is just a short walk from one to the other. After all, the distance from Taihape to Taupo is about the same as Taihape to Paraparaumu. You wouldn’t want to try walking from Taupo to Paraparaumu though.
  
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  February 12, 2025 10:13am
  - pdm
    
    a.a
    
    My guess is that Colenso and Tamatea High Schools are not much more than a k apart.
    
    Sacred Heart is on Bluff Hill so may be 4/5ks from the other two.
    
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    February 12, 2025 11:20am
- greybeard
  
  Laa and Chamon: good grief.
  
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  February 12, 2025 10:22am
NeverMindTheBollocks

Shell Lane (The Terrace) bike rack report:

At 8.25am,just two bikes present.

A sunny, windless, dry morning in the Capital, ideal for cycling.

There are certainly cyclists about, but they aren’t parking here. Which just underlines my point, which is that this bike rack is a complete waste of money and the Council’s commissioning manager should be sacked.
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February 12, 2025 8:27am
- Maggy Wassilieff
  
  C’mon, we want more details..
  
  *Are they the same 2 bikes each day?
  *Are they in the same rack each day?
  *What time do the bikes disappear?
  
  17 1
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  February 12, 2025 9:45am
  - lemuzz
    
    And were they girl and boy bikes?
    
    5 0
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    February 12, 2025 11:12am
    - GJM
      
      Did you just assume their gender?
      These are modern times, so I guess the Town Bike can be either (or both)
      
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      February 12, 2025 1:02pm
- Taieri
  
  There are certainly cyclists about, but they aren’t parking here.
  ———–
  
  If they are cycling they can’t be parking at the same time, can they?
  
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  February 12, 2025 10:09am
- Jethrod
  
  Is there rust forming on those 2 bikes from lack of movement?
  
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  February 12, 2025 11:56am
  - PurplePen
    
    Yes. They might be plants by council officers.
    
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    February 12, 2025 12:22pm
Matt Long

We’re not wanting ownership, just sovereignty. Ngai Tahu seeks full control of water in the courts.
I understand their lawyer is someone called Chris Finlayson; poacher turned game keeper turned poacher, or poacher the whole time?
https://x.com/NZMAGAMike/status/1888415882675896620
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February 12, 2025 8:33am
- kowtow
  
  So much for that fifth “full and final” ( yeah right) settlement National so proudly gave them , along with perpetual top ups.
  
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  February 12, 2025 8:37am
- G152
  
  They want control of the water… Okay.
  So when there is next a storm and a flood event they will pay the property owners compensation
  
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  February 12, 2025 8:41am
- pdm
  
  John Key was dead right when he said:
  
  NO ONE OWNS THE WATER
  
  Ministers Potaka, Goldsmith and Collins should stop this rort right now.
  
  46 1
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  February 12, 2025 8:44am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    It’s a bit hard if it’s going to go through the courts, do you really want them to go Marxist and dictate to the courts
    
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    February 12, 2025 12:33pm
    - GJM
      
      Do you trust our woke courts and judges and their decision making?
      
      12 0
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      February 12, 2025 1:03pm
    - Matt Long
      
      Fair comment, if the activist Court says Ngai Tahu have sovereignty, it’s up to parliament to decide whether the law needs clarification, rather than a minister.
      
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      February 12, 2025 4:19pm
  - Pope Punctilious II
    
    John Key said that? Was that before or after he sold off 49 % of our hydro assets?
    
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    February 12, 2025 2:06pm
    - Bevan
      
      Did he actually sell the water itself?
      
      You conflated two items and made a point that failed spectacularly…
      
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      February 12, 2025 4:01pm
- JackRabbit
  
  Sovereignty results in control. And control is ownership.
  
  In the words of Frederick Edward Maning, NZ’s first Maori land court judge, the Maori tribal mind-set is that if a tribe/chief were in possession of something, it was theirs. How it came into their possession was irrelevant.
  
  The concepts and principles of fair ownership and honesty did not exist in the Maori mind-set, and clearly many have still not let go of tribal thinking.
  
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  February 12, 2025 8:44am
- kiwikidsnz
  
  Finlayson was a Trojan horse embedded in National.
  
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  February 12, 2025 8:45am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    And sacked by Bridges but hey, everyone here hated Bridges as well
    
    6 2
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    February 12, 2025 12:34pm
    - lifesgood
      
      I didn’t. The way Judith Collins got rid of him was utterly pathetic and shameful. I used to like her…not any more.
      
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      February 12, 2025 1:19pm
- Steve Otto N Shore
  
  Someone told me 3 waters was repealed and Taumata Arowai was going to die a natural death.
  
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  February 12, 2025 8:53am
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    Taumata Arowai was stopped in November last year
    
    2 8
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    February 12, 2025 12:35pm
    - RoboRob
      
      Tell them that, after listening to the Mihi on their Maori web site.
      
      https://www.taumataarowai.govt.nz/
      
      Perhaps you could apply for the job listed, applications closing 21/02/2025
      
      https://taumataarowai.elmotalent.co.nz/careers/careers/jobs
      
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      February 12, 2025 1:37pm
    - RoboRob
      
      Perhaps you should tell the Minister Wimon [Simon] Watts
      
      https://www.govt.nz/organisations/taumata-arowai/
      
      10 0
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      February 12, 2025 1:38pm
    - Grunter
      
      G
      Why do you continue with this line of debate……?
      
      These idiots are still creating havoc. Here’s their events calendar on THEIR website….
      
      FFS//
      
      https://www.taumataarowai.govt.nz/news/events/
      
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      February 12, 2025 2:17pm
  - Ghost
    
    I doubt that. National campaigned on keeping Taumata Arowai. Taumata Arowai Took over being in charge of the quality of the water. It has no ownership over the water. It will return to having an English name
    
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    February 12, 2025 1:52pm
    - RoboRob
      
      When? How long does it take to get an English name? Check the website, you would think it was a Maori agency for Maori.
      
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      February 12, 2025 3:10pm
      - Ghost
        
        When the legislation is amended.
        
        2 1
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        February 12, 2025 3:46pm
- Blog-aholic
  
  Sovereignty is a political concept that refers to a dominant power or supreme authority.
  They do not need ‘ownership’ sovereignty gives them that power….so once they have that they can charge for water as if they did own it…..semantics where designed for lies like these…..
  
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  February 12, 2025 8:56am
- Burtland
  
  Finlayson redefining rangatiratanga in the high court
  – will Justice Melanie Harland take the bait?
  control of NZs resources will rest on the decision
  
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  February 12, 2025 9:04am
  - grumpy
    
    Certainly will! What kind of name is “Melanie” for a High Court judge?
    
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    February 12, 2025 2:26pm
- cas
  
  If they want control of the water, then they should be able to be sued if someone drowns.
  
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  February 12, 2025 9:20am
  - Swifty
    
    Nope, it’ll be all rights but no responsibilities.
    
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    February 12, 2025 10:09am
    - Quail
      
      Earlier in todays blog Quail made comment among others
      “ Let us hope that these appellants are paying for their day in court themselves and are liable for all costs.”
      The point is that ; there must be real consequences for those causing frivolous malicious or vexatious legislation!
      “NZ must toughen up!
      
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      February 12, 2025 4:53pm
- Grunter
  
  Ever wonder why our ‘Bald PM’ (I can’t even say his name anymore….) went to visit Ngai Tahu last week? And talked up ‘partnership, blah, blah, partnership’??
  
  I think it’s time we all stopped pretending that “….that will never happen in NZ….”. It has happened already.
  
  Maori have captured enough of the political elites, the lying media, the judiciary, the universities, and schools that it is now probably too late for a political solution to this mess.
  
  I’m not even convinced that if this case goes through that ‘the people’ will even notice let alone figure out what this means.
  
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  February 12, 2025 10:49am
- Tom Hunter
  
  We’re not wanting ownership, just sovereignty.
  
  Actually that was Mussolini’s argument with the communists; he argued that the state did not need to own the means of production, 100% state ownership and so forth.
  
  Instead, the state would simply tell the private business owners and operators what to do – or else.
  
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  February 12, 2025 10:56am
- Clyde
  
  Finlayson is a tiny person with an enormous gift for seeking out the most money and a closet racist. Seen him in action and its nasty.
  
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  February 12, 2025 11:37am
Matt Long

WikiLeaks says USAID owns the messaging from Stuff, NZ ME, etc. through proxies.
https://x.com/wikileaks/status/1888740117247885509
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February 12, 2025 8:36am
- Inandout
  
  ML, might explain why Hosking ignores the USAID funding subject.
  
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  February 12, 2025 9:31am
- Grunter
  
  “The LLM (Lying Legacy Media) is controlled and funded millions of $’s by a global far-left (neo-Marxist) organisation…..”
  
  Conspiracy they yelled……!!
  
  ……until it wasn’t
  
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  February 12, 2025 10:53am
- kowtow
  
  Can this be verified and amplified .
  
  Fed into the Platform or some other independent media so it gets out there .
  
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  February 12, 2025 12:18pm
JackRabbit

Something many of us have known for many decades. USAID is just one of the tentacles of the Elite Octopus. Cut off one of the tentacles and another grows back in its place.
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February 12, 2025 8:48am
Maggy Wassilieff

The Speaker reminds Winston Peters that the Waipareira Trust and Manuwera Marae is under police investigation:

Rt Hon Winston Peters: Can I ask the Prime Minister whether the essence of the Te Pāti Māori questions remind him of the relationship between Te Pāti Māori and the Waipareira Trust’s so-called charitable donations?

Rt Hon CHRISTOPHER LUXON: Well, what it does remind me of—

SPEAKER: Sorry, just a minute. That’s a matter that’s currently under very significant police investigation; it won’t be brought up in the House.

Oral q 2:
https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20250211_20250211_32

In the mean time….
The Chairman of the Trust and a TMP member are criticising the delay in making public the commissioned report on the investigation into collection of personal data at the Marae.

https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2025/02/11/delayed-release-of-manurewa-marae-inquiry-report-criticised/
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February 12, 2025 8:49am
- Jack5
  
  Has the House of Representatives Speaker, Gerry Brownlee, opened a way to shut down Parliamentary debate on an issue?
  
  Get the police to look into it?
  
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  February 12, 2025 11:40am
  - imalwaysright
    
    Its hard to understand that the potential perpetrators are allowed to continue working while being investigated.
    
    Are all suspects in NZ allowed access to their crime scene?
    
    Maybe only if they work for the government or a favoured charity…
    
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    February 12, 2025 1:08pm
- Ghost
  
  This from yesterday
  
  https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/manurewa-marae-data-misuse-claims-top-police-detective-ross-mckay-leading-investigation-into-te-p%C4%81ti-m%C4%81ori/
  
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  February 12, 2025 12:08pm
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    Yes, meaning that Brownlie is right
    
    1 1
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    February 12, 2025 12:40pm
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  The report as been passed to a high flying cop, they better be very careful what they wish for, because if they think they are innocent this would have been stated and no need to be sent to police
  
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  February 12, 2025 12:38pm
Scooter

NZ is failing on all counts (race, crime, child abuse, cost of living etc) and this article is an example where crime is just a “life experience” according to the Judge Jo Reilly. For deliberately hitting a stag with a car one of the group is sentenced to four months of community detention with a daily curfew and 100 hours of community work.

Judge Jo Rielly said “People make mistakes but it doesn’t make them a bad person. In time you will put this behind you and see it as a life experience,”

A life experience, seriously???? These people are deciding people’s punishments and we expect them to keep us safer by locking up the deviants and she’s an ex cop as well.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/crime/teen-sentenced-for-his-part-in-brutal-killing-of-wild-stag-in-nelsons-marsden-valley/7QDLYDLOY5H3FL65GMXOK42ZUE/
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February 12, 2025 8:56am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Over all crime was down 3% last year
  
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  February 12, 2025 12:41pm
  - kowtow
    
    You do know that if Plod don’t record it ,it didn’t happen .Officially.
    
    4 0
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    February 12, 2025 3:27pm
  - GJM
    
    Reported crime, or actual crime. Let me assure you, speaking from experience, many thefts and burglaries are not reported as it is a waste of time and the Police admit they won’t even pretend to investigate. Shoplifting appears to be one such example of defacto legalised crime (for some people)
    The only reason to report such to the police is to make an insurance claim.
    
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    February 12, 2025 3:51pm
DimChappie

Here is a link to Geologist Murray Hawkes giving his submission on the Treaty Principles Bill to the NZ Justice Committee hearing. He said having worked all around the world, NZ’s regulatory system was “the most corrupt,” and “least attractive” with race-based demands for payment at every stage of development. (from 4:40 in the video)

https://youtu.be/FlFWzn70nuA
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February 12, 2025 8:59am
- pdm
  
  Great submission – Chairman Duncy did not like it did he.
  
  He tried to stop him even!!
  
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  February 12, 2025 11:31am
kiwikidsnz

It seems that TV1 has decided that Maiki & Benedict are supremely qualified to run NZ without election, given their nightly commentary on the numerous ways the Coalition is failing to do so & what it “must” do to “urgently” fix matters to TV1s satisfactio..
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February 12, 2025 9:00am
- NoFax
  
  Yet you still watch this propaganda? They don’t care why you watch as long you watch.
  
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  February 12, 2025 10:06am
- Grunter
  
  Mate – seriously, stop watching this crap, at some level it will brainwash you. No one can repeatedly watch this and not be affected.
  (well intentioned advice which you can choose to ignore).
  
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  February 12, 2025 10:57am
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  They say a very bad start to the week for the government, apart from Seymour making a fool of his self again, then I say what bad start?
  
  I note today another batch of cancer drugs and other life saving treatments rolled out today, media wonder why they are irrelevant
  
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  February 12, 2025 12:43pm
imalwaysright

There’s lots of talk about the government running the economy. None of them is capable of running an economy, there are too many interdependent variables. The people run the economy.
What they should be doing is removing the barriers and reducing their charges.
And its also time that kiwis take off their government security blanket and put it in the bin.
The country is starting to resemble a hen battery.
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February 12, 2025 9:06am
- cmm
  
  Well they kinda do run the economy by placing and moving barriers. A bit like herding sheep.
  
  Many, if not most, people prefer to be told what to do. It takes away responsibility.
  
  Unfortunately, the longer that goes on the worse it gets due to self selection. Those with gumption leave – leaving behind a higher proportion of cuzzies on the couch.
  
  If I was 15 years younger I would acknowledge we made the wrong decision by coming to NZ and would move elsewhere. Maybe Australia. Maybe USA.
  
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  February 12, 2025 9:35am
  - rockape
    
    I am of the same mind. I don’t see me having a happy retirement in NZ when it returns to a Labour,Green, Maori Government. I arrived 26 years ago and will be leaving with a couple of Million more than I arrived with. With the move to the right in Europe Portugal is looking good.
    
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    February 12, 2025 9:58am
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      You won’t have long to wait Rocky, 18 months and CGT and wealth tax will be here, and oil and gas will be banned again, TPM will be in cabinet with possibly portfolios like economic development. And let’s not forget the treaty commissioner that can over rule parliament.
      
      What could possibly go wrong
      
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      February 12, 2025 12:48pm
- Ian Boag
  
  time that kiwis take off their government security blanket and put it in the bin
  
  Aspirational.
  
  Bin the universal pension. People should save for their own. No savings? Tough. Couple of problems like “starting when?”
  
  You need a $100k/yr drug that your insurer doesn’t want to know …. tough.
  
  Need private hospitals to start dealing with acute stuff rather than just elective? Might take a while to organise ….
  
  School fees for all? Can’t afford them? No education for these kids.
  
  Toll roads everywhere of course.
  
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  February 12, 2025 9:55am
  - Cassandra
    
    One extreme to another. There is a middle, sensible, way. NB sensible.
    
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    February 12, 2025 10:17am
    - Yabster
      
      [Mod – debate the topic, not the person]
      
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      February 12, 2025 10:50am
  - Grunter
    
    Socialism works until you run out of other people’s money…….
    
    So now what do we do…….there is no more money?
    
    The harsh reality of maths is about to hit. So we either vote to change (that will never happen in NZ) or reality forces it in a catastrophic way.
    
    In say, 5-10 years, everything you have listed above will be our new reality. Best we all wake up to that.
    
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    February 12, 2025 11:04am
Ghost

A very intesting interview

Some key points.

Joe couldn’t answer questions that weren’t prescreened by the party

Donors writing into the White House asking what the fuck is happening and why are they being ignored

Left wing media wanted the leaks that he wasn’t capable to stand again
. Obama thought Biden would eventually fuck everything up. Didn’t have any faith in Kamala. Obama was vetting people for the top job, but she got it because she was a black woman.

After the debate Hunter was sitting in on all meetings. Joe would only receive intel hunter preapproved. Jill was acting as president

The lgqtb staffers were pushing the woke policy onto America. Senior advisors were writing the executive orders. Biden wouldn’t even remember signing the orders.

Lindy Li, is a former campaign advisor and prominent commentator on U.S. politics who’s made significant contributions to the political landscape. After moving from China to America at the age of five, she eventually attended Princeton University where she became the first woman to serve as class president for all four years. Her early career included roles as a financial analyst at Merck and Morgan Stanley before pivoting to politics, where she served as the Women’s Co-Chair and Mid-Atlantic Regional Chair at the Democratic National Committee. She was also involved in the Asian American outreach team for Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign.

Li has recently transitioned from her Democratic roots to align with conservative politics, citing a toxic culture within her former party as one of many reasons for her departure. She has been vocal in criticising both President Biden and Vice President Harris, claiming that their leadership has stifled dissent within the party. She currently co-chairs the Justice Unites Us Super PAC, focusing on increasing Asian-American voter turnout, and has been recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s most powerful women. In January 2025, she was appointed to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fundraising committee, marking a significant shift in her political affiliations.

YouTube
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February 12, 2025 9:11am
- DimChappie
  
  Link is not working for me.
  
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  February 12, 2025 9:31am
- NothingLeft
  
  It’s a must watch for political tragics, pulls back curtain on a lot of corruption and who was really running things in Biden’s admin.
  
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  February 12, 2025 11:45am
Steve Otto N Shore

Julian Batchelor’s Death Threat. What It Means For New Zealand.
NZ is in big trouble. Why are Maori opposed to the Principles Bill?
Nobody has answered, not even Chris Luxon, PM.

Video 20 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQJnc7Wmo1k
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February 12, 2025 9:12am
SimonRAnderson

The RNZ/Iwi corporations hit job on the X account Matua Kahurangi is here, his latest piece is syndicated at The Good Oil here.

I’ve spoken with the guy. My coverage is here.
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February 12, 2025 9:13am
imalwaysright

Look at the prices quoted in this for the basic repairs and upgrade of a Botanical Gardens glasshouse- $11,000,000.
Demolish the glasshouse- $3,000,000.
Total “refurbishment”- $20,000,000.
For a glasshouse!

All starting prices mind you, the standard WCC cost blowout multiple of X4 still to be applied.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360576594/25m-extra-begonia-house-could-be-saved
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February 12, 2025 10:01am
- NothingLeft
  
  Would even a single-percentage of Wellingtonians ever visit? Is it worth several hundred $ per person who decides to wander through?
  
  WWC needs to get it’s head out of it’s arse.
  
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  February 12, 2025 11:43am
  - NeverMindTheBollocks
    
    The numbers are horseshit, provided by Council staff who want the Begonia House demolished. Don’t believe them.
    
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    February 12, 2025 8:01pm
infused

Can we roll Luxon already?

This is the worst National government I’ve ever seen.

I can’t see how National voters can vote for this party again in its current state. The only ones making sense are Act and Winston. Even Shane Jones is saying sensible shit, which is nuts.
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February 12, 2025 10:36am
- peterwn
  
  So you want a Labour/ Green/ TMP government?
  
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  February 12, 2025 12:01pm
  - Matt Long
    
    The question is if Luxon is able to energise his base by demonstrating vision and action and get reelected, or if he’s already spent his chances. Those with marginal seats will be counting.
    Willis looks like she would be worse than Luxon.
    
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    February 12, 2025 12:29pm
  - MCōs
    
    There won’t be a Labour/Greens/TMP government in the same way as the current government is constituted because the Greens and TPM have no bargaining power in coalition talks as Winston always has.
    I doubt if the Nats will ever enter a similar partnership with Act again. Act has nowhere to go. If they force a new election watch their support dive.
    In 2017 when Labour didn’t have the numbers they could take the Greens for granted so basically they had to appease NZF. The Greens were never going to take down the government, but NZF could have gone with the Nats
    
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    February 12, 2025 12:39pm
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      Labour will need Greens and TPM to even get close, for the first time greens and TPM will have much power.
      
      Hipkins has already backed down on never having a treaty commissioner, so he has been told by TPM it’s a bottom line, Peters may go left if Labour heads Nats, but hey that’s what everyone seems to want
      
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      February 12, 2025 12:54pm
    - PeeJay
      
      Good comment.
      
      Agree with you on the Greens aspect, but the Maori party will be quite happy to bring down a Labour-led government – in fact, I reckon they’d actually be thrilled to have that level of power (and I doubt it would impact their vote percentage at all) and knowing the Greens will be quite a soft touch (and Labour aren’t exactly iron willed when it comes to the Maori Party), this will put the Maori Party in an unbelievably strong position of the election goes their way.
      
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      February 12, 2025 1:17pm
    - Yabster
      
      Greens and TPM have no bargaining power?- ffs- they will have all the power Liebour would do any deal to get back in- very bizarre statement.
      
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      February 12, 2025 2:17pm
  - Nigel Kearney
    
    I want a rightist government that will turn the country around. Second choice is a leftist government that will take the blame for the consequences of their actions and get pummelled in a subsequent election. The right getting blamed for terrible outcomes due to their implementation of leftist policy, is much worse. That’s what we have now.
    
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    February 12, 2025 1:15pm
  - infused
    
    Not at all what I said.
    
    I said National need to get its shit together. With Trump in power, there is a desire for a tougher line. Lux is not the one to do it.
    
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    February 12, 2025 2:07pm
  - Quail
    
    Clever voting vs integrity voting for the policies you like.
    MMP gives voters the idea they can actually make a difference by having two votes ( a Bob each way) allied to strategic voting .
    Sorry voter you just weakened your influence!
    Parties / politicians with strong manifestos are worth considering,but bear in mind that WILL change because it is MMP and the way it is.
    MMP is the cause of NZ poor political/ economic performance.
    Allied to very limited accountability at the ballot box genuine manifestos are never implemented .They are thing of the past in NZ.
    So what NZ gets is a minor party salad!
    
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    February 12, 2025 5:47pm
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  They are doing what was promised ffs. No they stated before the election they are opposed to TPB as did NZF
  
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  February 12, 2025 12:51pm
  - infused
    
    They aren’t though. They are barely delivering at all. Everything they do is way too slow. Lux won’t give straight answers on anything.
    
    He’s no John Key, not even close.
    
    We need some real leadership out of the right. Someone who will front up, make big calls and stick with it.
    
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    February 12, 2025 2:10pm
    - peterwn
      
      It is only some loud mouths who think National should swing right. The key votes are the centre left ones. These people would be uncomfortable with a mid far right government.
      
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      February 12, 2025 4:10pm
Chris Nisbet

The Depositor Compensation Scheme (DCS) described here…

https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/regulation-and-supervision/depositor-compensation-scheme/regulatory-environment-under-the-dta/dcs-levy-approach-agreed

seems quite interesting.

On the face of it, for term deposits up to $100k, it seems to reduce the risk to the depositor of using one of the ‘riskier’ financial institutions to pretty much zero (or at least the same as the ‘big’ banks).
If that’s the case, why wouldn’t I put some money into one of their offerings if they offer better returns?

I imagine that once the scheme kicks in (judging by the regulations, that will be ~1 July, 2025), we might see the rates offered by the ‘risky’ institutions drop a bit (to offset the cost of their contributions to the fund), but we might also see the offerings by the ‘big’ banks go up a little (to try and encourage depositors not to flee).

Do we know…
– Any more about when the scheme will actually kick in?
– If existing deposits will be covered when the scheme kicks in?
– How much trouble the depositor will have getting their deposit back if/when an institution falls over?
– Why haven’t we heard more about this in the news?
– If this one of these ‘too good to be true’ type of things that initially sounds good, but when you start looking closely, isn’t worth the hassle?

Yeah, it only covers $100k per depositor per institution, so it could be a hassle managing that if you want to spread things around, but still…
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February 12, 2025 11:00am
- Jack5
  
  A Wikipedia article worth reading on the 67 finance company collapses in NZ between 2006 and 2012:
  
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006%E2%80%932012_New_Zealand_finance_company_collapses
  
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  February 12, 2025 11:47am
- peterwn
  
  Too late now, but I think the scheme should be voluntary (via opt out) and user pays. Banks should be allowed to charge a fee to cover the cost of the scheme and customers can opt out of the scheme. There should be a voluntary separate scheme to cover the victims of fraud such as being conned into paying money into a mule account again with a fee and an opt out.
  
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  February 12, 2025 12:07pm
  - Taieri
    
    Too late now, but I think the scheme should be voluntary (via opt out) and user pays
    ————
    
    It will be paid for by the users, i.e. the customers. Who else do you think will pay for it?
    
    5 0
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    February 12, 2025 1:37pm
    - peterwn
      
      The greedy banks with their fat profits. After all, money does grow on trees.
      
      2 0
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      February 12, 2025 4:12pm
- kowtow
  
  Why ?
  
  Because the majoridy of our media presents us with either attacks on the coalition , race hustling or women’s mags style “news”.
  
  One danger with the scheme is with risk removed ( ie govt will now back them) even the big banks can afford to lower the returns they offer to savers .
  
  That’s what I’ve read elsewhere .
  
  Interest.co.nz tends to do a reasonable job of covering business news generally.On a daily basis.
  
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  February 12, 2025 12:11pm
Morgan H

Would Act get more votes if they replaced Seymour? I’m curious what people think the answer to this is. I know people suggest this solution for National to cure its polling problems but could this work for Act too?
1 11
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February 12, 2025 11:31am
- info@cruzpro.com
  
  I think not.
  
  11 1
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  February 12, 2025 12:32pm
  - G the giant from Dunedin
    
    They are going to have to do something about Seymour, he is making an absolute dick of his self every week, and he is going to be dep PM
    
    1 21
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    February 12, 2025 12:58pm
- Pope Punctilious II
  
  Yes, they quite possibly would. But replaced him with whom? Please not Brooke van Velden – even if she’s possibly more likeable than Seymour, her political profile is very similar to his. If they replaced Seymour with someone less libertarian, less globalist and more conservative (but with Seymour’s courage and intelligence), ACT would get my vote every time.
  
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  February 12, 2025 12:40pm
  - lifesgood
    
    Can’t stand Brooke, smug in the extreme.
    
    5 1
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    February 12, 2025 1:26pm
  - H. Upmann
    
    You have described National.
    “…..less libertarian, less globalist and more conservative”
    
    3 0
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    February 12, 2025 1:39pm
- MCōs
  
  I’ve always thought his style of leadership goes against the grain of that which appeals to the kiwi character of affability
  
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  February 12, 2025 12:55pm
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  Yes, I watched the Act MPs in the house yesterday, they compose their selves very well, it’s rather funny, you never hear any of the dhit they Seymour spouts from any of them, Brooke may well be the sensible choice, the stupid stunts would be gone for a start
  
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  February 12, 2025 12:56pm
  - kowtow
    
    Raising funds for charity is not a “stunt” .
    
    8 1
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    February 12, 2025 3:23pm
    - Ghost
      
      Doing something you are told you do not have permission to do is a stunt. They were approved only to have a photo taken, not for some idiot to drive it up parliament steps.
      
      2 6
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      February 12, 2025 3:48pm
- NoFax
  
  Depends on who he is replaced with. I don’t think they need to change policies per se to get me votes They need someone who can communicate across the spectrum and is likeable to a degree. I’m not sure if there is anyone in ACT that can do that. They need someone who doesn’t come across as smug and condensing. I’ve already stated why I wouldn’t vote for them but people should remember must people vote on vibe rather than policy and ACT’s vibe is a bit ho-hum.
  
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  February 12, 2025 4:43pm
bennerg

It came to me today, that the future for New Zealand is going to be bleak.

If we look at the USA, it took them four “Biden” years to realise that the left direction was bad, and that the country needed a reset. To the point that an ex Democrat was able to lead the Republican Party, and join with other ex Democrats (RFK, Tulsi etc), to correct the direction, in a “Shock and Awe” exercise. A complete change in the norm of left / right politics.

Now I suspect that in the UK they are a cycle behind, with Starmer being absolutely a Biden equivalent. It was a weak Conservative Party showing that allowed this to happen, and I predict that whenever (I actually doubt Starmer will last the distance), it will be the Reform Party that makes it in to power (not the Conservatives), sort of like what happened in the US with Trump creating a new party in reality.

As for New Zealand, the Luxon led National Party is weak. Just today Judith Collins is “asking” Pubic Service Heads to step up. Hah, great chance of that happening. She needs to fire someone, shame them, upset the apple cart, whatever!

The National Party are not listening to the people, they are listening to globalist advisors I’m sure.

So sadly my prediction is that a weak “right” party will predicate another even more radical left wing coalition that will attempt to destroy our way of life, and take us down the track of Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, and now South Africa. I believe that this is a real possibility.

The Left are not playing tiddlywinks, and this naive bunch of politicians with their heads in the globalist cloud, have no idea of what they are bequeathing us.

We will adjust afterwards, but not before so much damage is done.

So what to do?
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February 12, 2025 12:48pm
- cmm
  
  As I have said a few times here, we are used to cycles of leftish and rightish governments.
  
  If the country gets pulled left, then that is balanced out by the next right pull then that is OK, we stay on the middle ground. That’s fine.
  
  In UK they’re having the unbalanced effect of a weak right followed by a strong left. They have Starmer. The people have had enough.
  
  But what happens when you get a strong left, followed by a weak right (or arguably just a weaker left)t? That’s when you get NZ.
  
  Perhaps after the next left swing we will be in UK’s position and NZ will react.
  
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  February 12, 2025 3:52pm
- peterwn
  
  “The National Party are not listening to the people”
  Translated “The National Party is not listening to loudmouths who infest Kiwiblog etc”. They are listening to ordinary people.
  
  3 10
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  February 12, 2025 4:16pm
  - NoFax
    
    Then why are they going down in the polls – it’s a trend now. If they were done so great why aren’t they skyrocketing up? Do you think it’s the loudmouths here (who are under no obligation to support anything or any one) undermining the great work National were doing?
    
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    February 12, 2025 4:46pm
    - peterwn
      
      Polls mean nothing at present. They will start to have some meaning next year.
      
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      February 12, 2025 5:11pm
  - bennerg
    
    Peterwn, there was a promise the cut out the maorification of Ministry names and throughout government – some have happened, but many not. It is just plain confusing as many name eg Kainga Ora are meaningless to 90% of the citizenry.
    
    There is also a groundswell against the “Climate Scam”. Yet we are still tied into the Paris Treaty and WEF mandated policies.
    
    The National Party know this, but for whatever reason the party is lead by forces not of it’s voters.
    
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    February 12, 2025 5:25pm
bennerg

On another matter, there had been little focus on the technique Musk has been employing to analyse the finances and payment systems for fraud in the US.

Using AI technology they have been able to establish trends and patterns of fraudulent behaviour, and I’m sure directly implicate the actual people, and their networks that have been party to the fraud. That then makes it an incredibly simple exercise to get rid of the deep state infecting their administration.

This is massive, and it is something we desperately need here.

But where is our “Big Balls”?
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February 12, 2025 12:53pm
Jack5

An immigration tribunal has opened the doors of the UK to Gaza refugees, says the Telegraph.

An immigration tribunal judge has ruled that the Home Office’s rejection of an application from a Gaza family of six to join a brother in the UK breached their human rights.

The family made their application through the Ukraine Family Scheme and the decision to accept their case came despite warnings by lawyers for the Home Office that it could open the floodgates to “the admission of all those in conflict zones with family in the UK”.

NZ has an Immigration and Protection Tribunal that at times over-rules deportations.

Thank goodness that Ardern-Labour isn’t running NZ. It would welcome HAMAS resettlement here.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu has given HAMAS until Saturday to release remaining Israel hostages, and he’s told the Israeli armed forces to prepare for action.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c203lwx4vg4o
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February 12, 2025 1:12pm
- kowtow
  
  More votes for Reform.
  
  Slowly slowly.
  
  But the mess they will have to deal with is enormous.
  
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  February 12, 2025 3:17pm
Maggy Wassilieff

‘Takuta” Ferris confirms that he does not know the meaning of common words, cannot follow logic, and is a grand example of Te Pāti Māori incompetence.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/te-pati-maori-mp-takuta-ferris-deliberately-misled-house-required-to-apologise-committee/4IQFUUXH5ZH3JDYZH2WYJPILN4/
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February 12, 2025 2:14pm
- Blog-aholic
  
  Incompetence and contempt.
  
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  February 12, 2025 2:54pm
- cmm
  
  In this case I must agree with the less than honourable Mr Ferris – as much as that galls me.
  
  Mr Ferris said that ” many members of the House are masters of obfuscation” and accepts that obfuscation means deliberately misleading and lying.
  
  Yes they are. Cindy lied. Frequently. So did many MPs With some mastery of the skill.
  
  He did not make the allegation about any specific indvidual.
  
  To call the statement inaccurate is absurd.
  
  It is equally absurd to have a house rule that you are not allowed to call MPs liars, even if they are lying. How can you call out lying if you are not allowed to mention it?
  
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  February 12, 2025 4:21pm
  - Maggy Wassilieff
    
    His problem is that he denies that what he said means what he said, even though he acknowledges that the words he used mean exactly what everyone thinks they mean.
    
    Now if he replied that of course he’d said some folks in Parliament were liars, then we’d know that at least he can think and speak ok.
    
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    February 12, 2025 4:45pm
  - JackRabbit
    
    It would be true to call some MPs liars. The irony is that he did not include himself or the members of his own party in the implication.
    
    A common case of the pot calling the kettle black.
    
    To be a member of an outwardly duplicitous party, as in Greens or Te Pati, who take every opportunity to to skew the truth, would result in an automatic label of liar. The fact that he in in Te Pati Maori, condoning said skewing, instead of challenging it, says lots.
    
    During his maiden speech on 12 December, Ferris stated that he was there not to service the needs of the New Zealand House of Representatives but rather to “contest it.”
    
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C4%81kuta_Ferris
    
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    February 12, 2025 5:59pm
- Ghost
  
  Liar has many different meanings
  
  For example there is
  
  Liar – a member of the Māori party who speaks in parliament
  
  Liar – a female prime minister of the New Zealand parliament leading a labour government
  
  Liar – a NZ labour minister of health
  
  Liar – a member of the Green Party who shoplifts and claims innocence.
  
  Many different meanings…….. too many list, and most came from 2017 to 2023
  
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  February 12, 2025 4:52pm
SmokerGuy

What a joke this country has become. All the wowsers who think they know best once again winning. Screw the people there who may want a job, These idiots know best of course. Luxon was spot on with his comment that we have to stop saying no to everything, they’ve just proven his point!!

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360575327/mcdonalds-denied-chance-do-business-wanaka
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February 12, 2025 3:13pm
Chuck Bird

Would it make sense to send the people of Gaza to Syria instead of Jordan and Egypt?
1 0
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February 12, 2025 3:14pm
- Blog-aholic
  
  Syria has it’s own problems. After Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Kuwait’s ‘problems’ with the Pallies the last thing the current ISIS rulers in Syria would want is another faction muscling in….
  
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  February 12, 2025 3:20pm
- NothingLeft
  
  They should be split up into smallest groups possible and spread around the planet as widely as possible so that they are forced to integrate into less toxic cultures. It would give their children a chance at happiness without the millstone of past grievance hung around their necks.
  
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  February 12, 2025 3:24pm
  - rouppe
    
    No thanks. Muslims should be helped by Muslim countries
    
    8 0
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    February 12, 2025 3:54pm
  - Steve Otto N Shore
    
    4 families living in houses next to you of course?
    
    2 0
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    February 12, 2025 5:05pm
  - Albie
    
    NothingLeft, good idea but have you considered the internet? A small group of septic hate filled Palestinian’s relocated to Invercargill are just as likely to continue the cause, not to mention local activists like John Minto who would only be too pleased to assist.
    
    2 0
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    February 12, 2025 7:23pm
rouppe

Medical professionals in Australia say that if they come into contact with an Israeli, they will kill them.

I wonder how widespread this is.
13 0
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February 12, 2025 3:52pm
- Ghost
  
  Hopefully if they are immigrants they will be kicked out of the country, unless they are from here, then you can keep them aussie
  
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  February 12, 2025 3:59pm
  - Bevan
    
    One is an Afghani refugee who recently became an Aus citizen. Unless he has retained dual citizenship, Aus are stuck with him.
    
    7 0
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    February 12, 2025 5:21pm
- cmm
  
  I would crap myself if I saw a nurse wearing a hijab.
  HTF does that work?
  
  6 4
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  February 12, 2025 4:08pm
  - JackRabbit
    
    That would make a change. Most people crap themselves when they see a nurse with a suppository.
    
    7 1
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    February 12, 2025 5:43pm
- kowtow
  
  If they are not citizens they should be deported.
  
  5 0
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  February 12, 2025 5:04pm
  - Swifty
    
    It was just a joke. Oh, well, that’s ok then…
    
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/world-news/360579021/sydney-nurse-who-allegedly-threatened-israeli-patients-fled-afghanistan
    
    //
    
    4 0
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    February 12, 2025 6:52pm
- kowtow
  
  Apparently one is an Afghan , a citizen.
  
  Wtf has Israel ever done to Afghanistan .
  
  If anything Oz people arguably done more there than Israelis ever have with SAS and other forces intervention.( devil’s advocate ) .
  
  Do more people have to fear such people in the “health” system .
  
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  February 12, 2025 5:22pm
- Swifty
  
  Labour and the Greens, ably lead by Phil Twyford, want to import thousands of Gazans – the very people who have caused massive civil unrest, terrorism and violence wherever they have migrated (including Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon).
  
  Just look at Jordan’s King Hussein’s experience. Ultimately after years and years of violence and unrest he had to kill tens of thousands of them to get his country back under control.
  
  I struggle to think of a more reckless and suicidal policy than to import into New Zealand thousands of brainwashed, raving Islamist extremists who hate the West, regard non-Muslims as beneath contempt and who wish the death of every Jew on the face of the earth – and don’t get me started on their views on women, gays, atheists and ex-Muslims.
  
  Twyford, Labour and the Greens don’t give a fuck about us. All they care about is polishing their halos and burnishing their social justice credentials.
  
  Ten or fifteen years down the track when some of these Gazans start acting up Labour and the Greens won’t accept one shred of responsibility – no, they’ll blame us for being racists and not integrating them properly, or National for not spending enough on refugee re-settlement programmes.
  
  Just you watch.
  
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  February 12, 2025 6:18pm
- BananaLlama
  
  At the risk of doxing myself i use to work with someone from the Tampa and no word of a lie they couldn’t understand the difference between colours or numbers from one to four. It really makes me wonder what kind of job Afghani refugees would have inside the Health Care system.
  
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  February 12, 2025 6:25pm
Ghost

Should be interesting. I see the other day the fbi miraculously found 14,000 pages related to the JFK assassination

The House Oversight Committee has created a bipartisan task force on the declassification of federal secrets, including the John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. assassinations, UFOs, the Epstein list, 9/11 files and COVID-19 origins. The task force will be led by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., and will begin holding hearings in March.

YouTube
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February 12, 2025 4:14pm
Steve Otto N Shore

Listen to her go!
In the pw prints of her mother. Where there is smoke, there is fire. So face it, the Clinton family is surrounded with smoke. Just like the Bidens are.

https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/other/chelsea-clinton-weaponized-on-claims-she-got-84million-from-usaid/ss-AA1yOzhI?
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February 12, 2025 4:14pm
- Swifty
  
  I gotta tell you Steve, putting up links to click bait sites where you have to click a dozen or fifteen times just to read one article tells me you don’t give a fuck about KB readers.
  
  What am I supposed to do now Steve – just ignore every one of your posts from now on?
  
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  February 12, 2025 6:21pm
  - Steve Otto N Shore
    
    It comes to me like that by email
    
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    February 13, 2025 8:19am
Steve Otto N Shore

Via Truth Social:
US astronauts stranded on ISS could return in mid-March under new NASA plan.
This plan is of course done with Musk and SpaceX with NASA wanting the credit!

https://justthenews.com/nation/science/us-astronauts-stranded-iss-could-return-mid-march-under-new-nasa-plan?

I have only just joined Truth Social, so navigating is different.
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February 12, 2025 4:37pm
- Ghost
  
  They were due back end of march anyway.
  
  5 0
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  February 12, 2025 4:44pm
  - Steve Otto N Shore
    
    Just a bit quicker. For those up there I am sure that a quicker return would be welcome after 8 months.
    
    4 1
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    February 12, 2025 5:09pm
    - Ghost
      
      It’s actually stupid. Rushing a mission by a week or two to appear to be bringing them home quicker. Here’s hoping nothing goes wrong by moving it forward. But hey, they were due home this month, but space x needed more time for the construction of a new crew dragon, pushing it off to late march. Now instead they are going to reuse Crew Dragon Endurance
      
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      February 12, 2025 9:05pm
Steve Otto N Shore

Oh dear, Trump is finance officials in FEMA.
How rude!! The Dogebozer is working.
Please can we have this in NZ?????????

https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/other/doge-begins-purge-of-fema-by-firing-officials-in-charge-of-finances/ar-AA1yPBqa?
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February 12, 2025 5:22pm
- fernglas
  
  WTF are you talking about? Although I do see from the time of your post that the sun will soon be over the yardarm
  
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  February 12, 2025 8:21pm
Ghost

Im sure someone will believe you……. I think what you meant is, im so sorry, I never meant to be caught…..

A man with a long history of dishonesty offending described as “addictive” has issued an impromptu apology to all those he’s harmed.

“I’m sorry to all those people I have trespassed against. I never meant any harm. I won’t do it again,” John Tipene told a court in an impassioned speech on Tuesday.

His burglary conviction tally now tops more than 50, after he was sentenced in the Nelson District Court for his latest spree that involved breaking into homes in Christchurch and stealing from the Warehouse in Motueka.

Article
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February 12, 2025 6:35pm
Swifty

This is for David Seymour apparently:

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/15q31oEzw9/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Honestly, some New Zealanders are just braindead.
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February 12, 2025 6:41pm

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