However a spokesman for Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson, who steered the bill through Parliament, said there was…

incidentally, I've ridden a horse twice in my life (a big old draft mare at…

My god, I'd forgotten that one.
Quite successfully.

Sorry :(

Quite successfully.

Seriously, thanks to ancient organic video technology, the knowledge of which has long been suppressed (boo hiss), this is NZ before those ill-mannered polynesians showed up and ate everyone. All "natural" rock formations shown are lovingly hand crafted by…

And what sort of bike does she ride?

National's Nicky Wagner spammed me with this just now:

The committee has been set up to have a fresh look at the Emissions Trading Scheme in response to concerns about New Zealand’s poor record on emissions, the changed economic environment and rushed way the legislation was passed.

That last seven…

The current incoming government is suggesting far reaching changes in educational accountability and more testing in schools at a time when other nations are actually seeking to reduce testing in schools.

I had a squint at the proposed law changes in the Education sector, including the laughable law change that…

Perhaps it's done on solid legal advice

Well, it's fair to say it's the polite caution of a small new organisation.

I guess it would be a bit clearer if we put "The following is not for real. Please do not sue."

It's like telling a joke and pausing just before the punchline to say "this is going to really make you laugh"

Perhaps it's done on solid legal advice, à la "serving suggestion only".

Does anyone in the Nats realise what idiots they are making of themselves?

I believe they are probably relying on the last laugh principle..

in response to concerns about ... rushed way the legislation was passed.

Does anyone in the Nats realise what idiots they are making of themselves?

We wicked -specifically Kai Tahu – Maori ate them too

You bastards! You ate Kenny, too!

;-)

He sent me the piccies! I've seen them (you have to squint a bit.))

Well, if you're not prepared to squint a bit in pursuit of the real truth, what kind of truth-seeker are you?

If I may (not least because I pretty much though of it when I was here earlier):

Recession-Weary Nation Cheered By John Key's Chaplinesque Antics

Really nice Lyndon! Thanks.

__You fool! Hasn't Muriel Newman already told us it was the Chinese who got here first?>>

She's also claimed the moriori were here first...

Wrong, you're all wrong, it was the Piltdown Man, then the Spanish Vikings.

Don't bother trying to work out what it all means, just wait for the next clarification – now issued daily.

National's Nicky Wagner spammed me with this just now:

As part of the environment team I have been appointed as a member of the Select Committee to review the Emissions…

I must say though that the word "Satire" in your byline on Scoop is horrible, it really must go. It's like telling a joke and pausing just before the punchline to say "this is going to really make you laugh".

I used to think that, Giovanni, but after the last…

Submissions on the Celtic pre-Polynesian settlement of NZ will be warmly welcomed

Surely the cutting-edge ethno-science of Edward Tregear and F. D. Fenton proves that Maori are none other than the Lost Tribes of Israel. That, combined with Te Tiriti o Waitiangi and the Balfour Declaration, means we must stake…

If I may

Beat me to it. (It could be your new slogan: Lyndon Hood, faster than RSS). I must say though that the word "Satire" in your byline on Scoop is horrible, it really must go. It's like telling a joke and pausing just before the punchline to say…

National's transition from successful marketing organisation to actual government looks more awful by the hour.

If I may (not least because I pretty much though of it when I was here earlier):

Recession-Weary Nation Cheered By John Key's Chaplinesque Antics

You fool! Hasn't Muriel Newman already told us it was the Chinese who got here first?

I remember now... that hoary old chestnut Terra Nullius.

You fool! Hasn't Muriel Newman already told us it was the Chinese who got here first?

Thankfully, no. If she had I'd still be receiving spam for whatever it is that her husband's flogging these days.

You fool! Hasn't Muriel Newman already told us it was the Chinese who got here first?

She's also claimed the moriori were here first...

Submissions on the Celtic pre-Polynesian settlement of NZ will be warmly welcomed.

You fool! Hasn't Muriel Newman already told us it was the Chinese who got here first?

Climate change sceptic Mr Hide said the reference to central projections, risks and uncertainties could allow examination of the science.

And he's right. Rob's also doubtless right too ...

That statement is the kind of gibberish you'd expect from a government on the ropes, not one enjoying its first week…

Don't bother trying to work out what it all means, just wait for the next clarification – now issued daily.

Very simply (and I say this after 15 years covering select committees, and also with a weary sigh)....although the inquiry will have its own terms of reference, people will make…

But have you seen the Auckland Women's Health Council's paper on The Funding Of 12 Months Treatment With Herceptin For Her2 Positive Early Breast Cancer?

Outcome-based rational process: 0
Craven acceptance of emotive campaign run by drug multinational: 1

Submissions on the Celtic pre-Polynesian settlement of NZ will be warmly welcomed.

All your foreshores & seabeds are belong to us.

the Celtic pre-Polynesian settlement of NZ

Wasn't that the topic of the rest of the site where I found the photo drivers license stuff recently?

Don't bother trying to work out what it all means, just wait for the next clarification – now issued daily.

One suspects it'll mean something different to everyone who stands up in front of the committee.

It's a waste of time, I just hope it's not a waste of time…

Mr Hide, who will sit on the committee, has said as far as he was concerned the committee will get to look at the issue of the science theory behind climate change.

Submissions on the Celtic pre-Polynesian settlement of NZ will be warmly welcomed.

As one who has never voted National, I'm most impressed with 12month Herceptin on offer

But have you seen the Auckland Women's Health Council's paper on The Funding Of 12 Months Treatment With Herceptin For Her2 Positive Early Breast Cancer?

Latest (NZPA, today):

Leader of the House Gerry Brownlee today officially added to the committee's terms of reference: "Identify the…

The current incoming government is suggesting far reaching changes in educational accountability and more testing in schools at a time when other nations are actually seeking to reduce testing in schools.

With no consultation at all with teachers. We can't say Nicky Hager didn't warn us.

Hon Peter Dunne (Chair), Craig Foss, Nicky Wagner, Dr Paul Hutchison, Hekia Parata, Hon Rodney Hide, Hon David Parker, Moana Mackey, Charles Chauvel, Jeanette Fitzsimons, and one member of the Māori Party

and the terms of reference are:

* identify…

It's not often I'm horrified by the prospect of politicians wanting to talk about science.

In way it reminds me – one thing I though about Labour's campaigning being needlessly nasty:

If…

If this is true...

I heard such noises in the reporting of the debate somewhere this morning.

Also Rodney's triumphant PR yesterday makes more sense (strictly relative) that way.

If true (a big "if", admittedly) that would be the fourth version of their policy on climate change in as many weeks.

If this is true, then it's pathetic and alarming.

National have been looking composed and competent right up to the point where they actually have to do something,…

At the last moment, National has flip-flopped and inserted at the last minute an additional clause to the committee’s terms of reference that questions the science of climate change.

If true (a big "if", admittedly) that would be the fourth…

Call me crazy, but today I realised I am a Credit Crunch Denier.

"I found five bucks down the back of the couch last week. Economy is looking great in my little part of the world! There should be further debate over this whole economic downturn!"

I do not understand how anyone could look at that graph and declare that because it hasn't been as hot as the hottest year ever, global warming has ceased. The usual horde of climate deniers has, however, piled into to the Guardian's comments section to declare just that.

Call me…

I've had a theory for a while that each Party Lab/Nat does more for their non-constituant…

I see the the parallels though I can a tell Joe's a kiwi by the use of the phrase "dog tucker" – draws blanks stares here.

So, if this was an Australian blog, what would have been an appropriate phrase – torn apart by ravening drop bears?
__Hey…

I would love to see some incisive journalism on that one, but I suppose that’s boring too ?

I can tell you that members of the Press Gallery do cover Select Committees on a regular and constant basis.

Well, I stand corrected Felix. But when it comes to news judgement, I didn't exactly find Michael Cullen being a procedural smart-arse yesterday exactly "riveting" or particularly news worthy either.…

I may have misinterpreted your comment, and if I have I apologise in advance, but if you are implying gallery journalists are lazy or have an agenda hiding behind laziness then you would be very wrong.

My colleagues are among the hardest working people I have ever had the…

And, to be honest, that's not an appealing prospect. A lot of SC business is not exactly riveting stuff. It's a matter of making a news judgment about what's significant, how many people will be affected, and flow on implications ... etc etc.

All fairly important factors in the decision…

They should totally steal the ring of power and set up a new Dark Tower in Bowen House.

I'm glad someone saw the reference. And it seems like the Ring of Power is exactly what is on offer, for the mere price of selling the Maori party's soul. If I…

But I would like to make a small point in regard to previous criticisms made about media coverage of Select Committees as I think it was a little…

it's the change to bail laws that scares me

Another one I'm confused about. Is it just a repeal of Labour's change – which will apparently do little in terms of case law, or will the considerations they are suggesting will apply be written into it?

Lyndon, the fact that…

a chance for the Maori party to show their quality.

They should totally steal the ring of power and set up a new Dark Tower in Bowen House.

Jeanette Fitzsimons owned Rodney on Morning Report this morning

I liked the way she said 'this is not a matter of religious belief' and broke out the science, while Hide was all 'but I just don't dig the idea, man!'

(Yet somehow, in this weird political narrative we've got going,…

That's very persuasive analysis, Caleb. Ta.

Thanks — I wish it were mine! It's basically an observation I remember Hendrik Hertzberg making in the New Yorker about American journalists' peculiar relationship with George W. Bush. Whether Key, too, will eventually succumb to the media's build-them-up-just-to-tear-them-down celebrity narrative, I guess we'll…

But Rodney has a rather different view of the terms of reference:

Jeanette Fitzsimons owned Rodney on Morning Report this morning when she pointed out that he hadn't bothered to attend most of the select committee hearings on ETS.

I think journalists are a little mesmerised by him, and, by implication, their own power to anoint and un-anoint

That's very persuasive analysis, Caleb. Ta.

Isn't it. It's an interesting – and very real – phenomenon. While I'm not suggesting any parallel with Key I remember an Alan Moir cartoon,…

I think journalists are a little mesmerised by him, and, by implication, their own power to anoint and un-anoint

That's very persuasive analysis, Caleb. Ta.

Isn't it. It's an interesting – and very real – phenomenon. While I'm not suggesting any parallel with Key I remember an Alan Moir cartoon,…

I think journalists are a little mesmerised by him, and, by implication, their own power to anoint and un-anoint

That's very persuasive analysis, Caleb. Ta.

Fuck you're awesome, Danyl.

Why, thanks Ben. You might be surprised by how rarely I hear that.

The degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its
prisons. -Fyodor Dostoyevsky, novelist (1821-1881)

All of a sudden, working for a large corporation becomes more attractive.

You mean someone who will care what happens to their reputation if they start imposing probationary periods?

Mmm – like the ASB for instance, who, nine years after the demise of the Employment Contracts Act, still proudly and…

All of a sudden, working for a large corporation becomes more attractive.

You mean someone who will care what happens to their reputation if they start imposing probationary periods?

You'll never get that in the Herald on Sunday. Where's the property angle?

"Britney murdered in Parnell mansion by secret lesbian lover over drunk kitten escapade!"

Have just had a look through the Order Paper and the motion to establish the ETS select committee is in there with the suggested terms of reference – nothing about reviewing the science of climate change so that's a good thing at least.

But Rodney has…

A Stuff poll prior to the 2005 election had Destiny picking up a couple of seats. For the duration of their limited attention spans, the terminally credulous could barely contain themselves.

Teehee.

The Stuff poll on the matter is currently running 66% in favour, which suggests either that two-thirds of the Stuff website's visitors are small-business owners, or a lot of people have absolutely no clue about what's in their economic best interests.

Or that political parties stack these polls for their…

I find the "either party may terminate the employment relationship for performance, without a personal grievance claim being brought" thing hilarious. Employees win the right to quit!

The first broken promise was shelving the ERA, but at least they could blame Act for that. This is very poor.

Seems if it was at all mentioned prior to the election...National claims it has a mandate.

and somebody (Collins?) said it would be volunary on both sides

yeah right. A prospective employee determines not to 'voluntarily agree' and is still going to be hired?

National's spokesperson for labour and industrial relations Kate Wilkinson told the Herald on Sunday the new government has not set a time-frame for rolling out the policy as it is not part of Key's 100-day plan, but she hopes businesses will get some…

This 90 Day Trial can then be introduced as a solution and if it is timed right – in step with a bottoming out of the worldwide economy – unemployment will soon reduce and the Bill can be proclaimed a success.

Do you mean as a solution to cutting wages…

]]> Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:48:37 +1300 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-birth-of-the-nasty/?p=84940#post84940 https://publicaddress.net/system/cafe/hard-news-birth-of-the-nasty/?p=84940#post84940

CTU press release today: CTU president Helen Kelly said the organisation was assured the law change would not be part of the Government's first 100 days of action.

Surely the politic thing to do would be to wait until unemployment increases a bit, as it is bound to do in…

I do think the amendments have made the bill somewhat less objectionable. I'm especially happy to see:

* removing the benefit stand down period for those "let go" after the 90-day…

A trustworthy beginning! At least Labour managed to forge good relations with both business and labour organisations.

That's how you know about it. It's not up to journalists to critique the government – that's the role of the opposition. Journalists are then meant to report both the government and opposition viewpoints and if you read the story I've linked to you'll see that's exactly what's happened.

I'd…

Surely this does not affect the application of the law relating to unjustifiable dismissal even in a probationary period?

It's difficult because we haven't seen the bill yet.

It will be limited to enteprises of a certain size and somebody (Collins?) said it would be volunary on both sides, which would…

90 day fire at will

Surely this does not affect the application of the law relating to unjustifiable dismissal even in a probationary period?

Um... Caleb, the nice thing about being in Government is... well, you tend to get a wee bit more attention.

Although that didn't seem to apply much during the last parliamentary term, though, did it? :) I think that what's noticeable is that the Nats are not (so far) having…

James: I really think busting a blood vessel about a "secret agenda" being pushed by wannabe Rommels is absurd.

Craig, nowhere in my posts have I accused anyone of a secret agenda. That was Idiot Savant. I have questioned why it needs to be passed under urgency and why this…

"Last week, the Maori Party caucus decided we would not support the 90-Day Employment Probation Bill introduced by National MP, Wayne Mapp, and that we would vote against it when it comes back to the House. ...'

I seem to remember hearing a report that the Bill is a softened…

Well, yes. But the headline starts with the word 'Labour', which, in the current media climate, is short-hand for 'please don't take me seriously'.

Um... Caleb, the nice thing about being in Government is... well, you tend to get a wee bit more attention. But if you're arguing that Labour…

(Sigh) Journalists HAVE written about this. That's how you know about it.

Fuck you're awesome, Danyl.

The Stuff poll on the matter is currently running 66% in favour, which suggests either that two-thirds of the Stuff website's visitors are small-business owners, or a lot of people have absolutely no clue about what's in their economic best interests.

Or that political parties stack these polls for their…

Try following those linky things, James.

Yes, and you will note that not once in the story to which I had linked did Ms Watkins mention that this move had not previously been signalled / included in the "100 day plan". You can accuse me of pedantry, but don't you…

(Sigh) Journalists HAVE written about this. That's how you know about it.

Well, yes. But the headline starts with the word 'Labour', which, in the current media climate, is short-hand for 'please don't take me seriously'. The only people who won't like this bill, the story suggests, are Unions and…

I guess we can't expect the journos to stop their collective John Key handjob and return to their keyboards to write much about this.

(Sigh) Journalists HAVE written about this. That's how you know about it. It's not up to journalists to critique the government – that's…

But the Maori Party caucus are discussing their position this afternoon, so we might hear today.

I can't see why they should support either the bill or urgency. It doesn't affect their portfolios, and the gov't will still have the votes. They have no excuse to roll over on this…

I would say that there's going to be one hell of a shit fight about the way this has been introduced, but then again I guess we can't expect the journos to stop their collective John Key handjob and return to their keyboards to write much about this.

Try following…

I can't see why they should support either the bill or urgency. It doesn't affect their portfolios, and the gov't will still have the votes. They have no excuse to roll over on this…

(We should find out this afternoon if those Mana-Enhancing Baubles have worked their charm ...)

Next week. The address in reply will take 19 hours, which means that it will go on till next Tuesday.

Of course, they could go into urgency early for the extra time.

"Last week, the Maori Party caucus decided we would not support the 90-Day Employment Probation Bill introduced by National MP, Wayne Mapp, and that we would vote against it when it comes back to the House. ...

Our decision was based on the following arguments:…

Media7 was a light-hearted affair that examined the cult of celebrity

Heavy use of the royal "we" in the being, and I switched off.
Nice to see Fleur again tho.

John giveth with one hand and taketh away with the other.

I don't remember the 90 days fire at will law ever being mentioned in the same sentence as the first 100 days. Not even yesterday when Key was talking about the pre-Christmas urgency agenda Cabinet had signed off.

A…

Guess we'll find out this afternoon whether he intends to keep wearing it.

The wig is gone. Score one for informality!

Are the DNA-storage laws being pushed through in the urgency package as well?

Not sure. I haven't read anything that says they will be, but we'll find out when the legislation is tabled and urgency accorded. Surely they're not stupid (or contemptuous) enough to think this doesn't need to go…

"If anyone hasn't got hat they yet, get it soon."

Should be: If anyone hasn't got that yet, they should get it soon.

If anyone hasn't got hat they yet, get it soon.

Auckland's only daily newspaper is no longer about journalism and all about enabling a political agenda they intend to do their very best to…

The overwhelming direction of stories and editorial comment has been highly partisan, as partisan as I recall the Sunday Star (Times?) was in 1999 in the few months preceding Labour's win. I don't think it's healthy but I think it's close to established practice now.

In 1969 the Dominion ran…

This article in the grauniad (linky love – give them your ad $$!) suggests that people may in future be able to sue polluters. So NZ farmers, electricity utilities and possibly SUV…

I don't remember the 90 days fire at will law ever being mentioned in the same sentence as the first 100 days.

And it notably wasn't mentioned in the speech from the throne. This was a stealth policy, designed to be sprung on us by surprise and rammed through under…

Full-time, or only for ceremonial occasions?

I think Wilson might have worn one at the last state opening.

I don't think she did, but I could be mistaken. Memory is a little fuzzy after three years.

Guess we'll find out this afternoon whether he intends to keep wearing it.

They parallel the netroots who now fear that Obama will not be progressive enough. There and here the people who see themselves as "core support" have difficulty accepting that they won't get everything they want and so shout alot.

Isn't this how a democracy works? I don't think the point…

Wow. How awesomely progressive of them, helping low-income workers by shifting wealth upwards a bit more slowly than they'd previously planned, because the inequities of that plan were just too obvious.

John giveth with one hand and taketh away with the other.

I don't remember the 90 days fire at…

Maybe we need some sort of Wikinews type thing for NZ. The problem with Wikinews is that the coverage depends on what people want to write about, so it's a bit random:

And that they've suddenly bureaucratised the whole thing, which slows down the whole process and turns it away…

Well he's brought back the wig.

Full-time, or only for ceremonial occasions?

I think Wilson might have worn one at the last state opening.

You are right Kyle, I am wrong. But perhaps both give the link, and the paragraph?…

# US F-18 fighter jet crashes in San Diego residential area
# Wikimedia, IWF respond to block of…

What's the "Post" Craig? You mean the Mirror?

Sorry, I meant the Times and the Post in New York — the Grey Lady and the Crack-head Mugger. :)

Because select committees are boring. Who pays attention to them? Only people like me.

And here we have the editorial vicious circle...

ME: Why don't you cover select committees.

EDITOR: Because they're boring. And our focus groups say the readers aren't interested either.

ME: But how do they know, since…

I think it will be interesting to see how the new Speaker manages thing, will he fall back to that much detested quiz master manner of old or what
I must admit being very dissapointed on our last Speaker but who would want the job, it is hardly surprising that…

Or better, if you can combine it all into one sensational story: "Britney murdered over drunk kitten escapade!"

Oh I'm sure Ian W**hart is linking together a conspiracy as we speak !

I don't want to be rude, but I have to ask: If you guys don't like 'Granny herald', how about not linking to its articles?

Not at all. Mainly it's because I don't think it's responsible to engourage opinion about something without at least giving the reader the opportunity to…

I disagree though I accept that there's been some strong criticism of him from time to time.

Of course you would... I think we've had this conversation before, and we're not going to change the other's mind. But I'm still of the view that the real problem with the Herald…

Or better, if you can combine it all into one sensational story: "Britney murdered over drunk kitten escapade!"

You'll never get that in the Herald on Sunday. Where's the property angle?

If politicians want column inches and face time, why not give it to MPs who are doing their jobs on matters of import (Select Committees are criminally under-reported, IMNSHO), rather than ego-wanking at Question Time?

Because select committees are boring. Who pays attention to them? Only people like me. Wheras…

I think Russell's point was not to get over it or not, but to point out that the author of the article managed to stretch back a whole 24 years, but apparently had no memory of 25 years ago.

Exactly.

OK so it may have started with Muldoon, could have been even earlier. But I think the Herald has hit the nail on the head – things really had got out of hand and question time had just become an embarrassment.

Well, Rik, I'd respectfully suggest to the Herald (and…

Or before you link, ask yourself 'Should I be creating traffic for the newspaper that thinks Garth George's opinion is worth publishing?' The herald sales your eyeballs to its advertisers, every view on its site is worth money to it.

I'd hope that a lot of bloggers would find it…

OK so it may have started with Muldoon, could have been even earlier. But I think the Herald has hit the nail on the head – things really had got out of hand and question time had just become an embarrassment.

There was no "golden age". If you browse through…

I don't want to be rude, but I have to ask: If you guys don't like 'Granny herald', how about not linking to its articles?

I don't hate the Herald at all, still less its website. And I've been grumpy when the Herald website has quoted Public Address without a…

And he's been gone for a generation, so when are we getting over that?

I think Russell's point was not to get over it or not, but to point out that the author of the article managed to stretch back a whole 24 years, but apparently had no memory of…

Or before you link, ask yourself 'Should I be creating traffic for the newspaper that thinks Garth George's opinion is worth publishing?' The herald sales your eyeballs to its advertisers, every view on its site is worth money to it.

That's what Adblock is for. See no ads, give no…

Probably some issues with pests, as the winters won't necessarily kill annoying bugs any more.

And we can get invaded by nastier bugs from overseas who prefer a warmer climate. Malaria, anyone?

Actually, they are a lot like the Obama conspiracy theorists really.

They parallel the netroots who now fear that Obama will not be progressive enough. There and here the people who see themselves as "core support" have difficulty accepting that they won't get everything they want and so shout alot.…

Can anyone point me to some data to refute this idea I heard from a friend that...
"predicted changes [in climate] for new Zealand would all be good for our agricultural and horticultural industries"

Yes: every report on climate change impacts ever produced in New Zealand. For example, the [[http://www.maf.govt.nz/climatechange/slm/ag-production/index.htm|EcoClimate…

My prediction is you'll be seeing Helen Clark again... in about 15 years as the first president of the Repulbic of Aotearoa!!

Muhahahahahahahaha!

I have to say I am just loving all…

Or before you link, ask yourself 'Should I be creating traffic for the newspaper that thinks Garth George's opinion is worth publishing?' The herald sales…

It's a Tory paper, like the UK Sun and Daily Telegraph. Only thing is, the poms have a choice of buying the Guardian or Mirror. We don't. I haven't bought a paper in over a year and either get my news online or in cafes.

The London Times…

Putative answer #2: it's not as if the Herald has only been fawning over Key since the election — but it's ever since Brash bailed. That's quite a while to be all loved up.

And we're off into the Twilight Zone... Who exactly has had their lips permanently wrapped around…

The online crazies from the right have had nine years to convince themselves New Zealand is a corrupt cesspit in dire need of their version of de-Nazification. Anything less is proof that the…

It's a brilliant theory. Indeed, to find comparable brutishness in the House, one needs to go all the way back to … the Prime Minister immediately preceding Lange.

And he's been gone for a generation, so when are we getting over that? As for the Moyle Affair — well, Muldoon…

"predicted changes [in climate] for new Zealand would all be good for our agricultural and horticultural industries"

Too lazy to point to data, but the east coast will get drier (not so good), and the west will be wetter (meh). Warm temps good for grass growth/dairy farmers in Taranaki, Waikato,…

And Russell the "honeymmon" is called that for a reason...not much news actually but it would be nice if some with a left leaning just got used to the fact that national won...get your head around that and then start pointing out their mistakes.

Eh? Where's the part where I…

Wow. How awesomely progressive of them, helping low-income workers by shifting wealth upwards a bit more slowly than they'd previously planned, because the inequities of…

Does someone know whether this is a well thought out scheme? I believe we need to do something but some things I've heard about it second hand suggest that while the idea is good the implementation of the ETS is not so good.…

He was clearly in his element, speaking as he does best without prepared notes and obviously on top of his material.

I thought the problems in the elction campaign came when Key spoke without prepared notes? Or am I confusing him with our new Speaker of the House?
I also…

And Russell the "honeymmon" is called that for a reason

Putative answer #1: Yes, because the father of the bride traditionally provided the groom with mead for the month immediately following the wedding.

Putative answer #2: it's not as if the Herald has only been fawning over Key since the…

Can anyone point me to some data to refute this idea I heard from a friend that...
"predicted changes [in climate] for new Zealand would all be good for our agricultural and horticultural industries"

I guess the thinking is if it gets warmer in NZ our crops…

Danyl, so which large chunks of the private sector in New Zealand are being saved by the "public service"?

Domestically (to their credit) the government have just let all the failed finance and investment companies die – but I've lost count of how many times the taxpayer has bailed out…

When do you think the Herald is going to get over this thing with Labour?

Er, never. It's a Tory paper, like the UK Sun and Daily Telegraph. Only thing is, the poms have a choice of buying the Guardian or Mirror. We don't. I haven't bought a paper in…

And Russell the "honeymmon" is called that for a reason...not much news actually but it would be nice if some with a left leaning just got used to the fact that…

Talking with such leaders it was apparent that they believe the public service is ill-equipped to provide Key's Cabinet with the strong intellectual leadership now required to ensure skilful responses as the crisis morphs into different phases.

This might make a little more sense if huge chunks of the private…