Posts by Matthew Hooton
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Has to be about Covid, and ideally one which will last in the language. So, how about: GenCovid
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In between your ranty bits, you make some good points about media economics. But your definition of “shit speak” largely seems to be “things I don’t agree with or don’t think are brainy enough” and that is sinister and dangerous.
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Great piece that canvases a huge amount of territory.
One point of long-standing interest to me:
Our very awkward conversation ended with Peters flashing that big smile, as if it might all have been a joke..
That smile has a lot to answer for. We wouldn’t have tolerated his 25 years of hate and other ethical lapses without it. On the other hand I suppose we are lucky that our xenophobic political figure has never really meant it, and can be bought off by some cash for Baby Boomers and a few decent overseas trips. Imagine if Bolger, Clark and the Prime Minister had had to give him what he says he wants to hold power? But then back to the original hand - and in conflict with the “words matter” argument - that’s also meant his words haven’t been taken seriously , at least since Bolger went down to the floor of Parliament and compared his rhetoric to Hitler’s. That made me so proud as a young staffer in the Bolger Government. Of course, it turned out to be shortly before Bolger and Clark began desperately negotiating with him in 1996 and my party became the first to form a coalition with him.
Also, on your point about people like the terrorist writing these pretentious manifestos and thinking they are cleverer than they are: it reminded me how Don Brash’s Orewa speech was footnoted as if it somehow added legitimacy to select a handful of references that supported a predetermined position.
Also your point about the pride immigrants take in New Zealand: it reminded me of the times I have seen and heard people with heavy South Asian or Middle Eastern accents celebrating a RWC, Black Caps or America’s Cup win with an enthusiasm that more reserved or cynical locally born kiwis often don’t manage.
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That is horrifying: much worse than the Human Rights Council. I had no idea. Thanks for highlighting it.
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Hard News: The Unitec project: Something…, in reply to John Farrell,
Not really. The PM told her press conference today the land is currently zoned for just over 2600 houses so they would likely have been built over the same decade that the new government is talking about. The only difference is now the government will be responsible for the work.
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The PM now seems to be waking it back in her press conference to more like 2500 dwellings.
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I think they have probably released all the detail there is, because it feels like it was scribbled up on Friday as an announceable for the weekend rather than being a serious proposal - again, in the best traditions of Nick Smith.
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Hard News: The Unitec project: Something…, in reply to Russell Brown,
Very confident of zero before 2020. Maybe a show house or two for the media by then. Let’s check back then.
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Hard News: The Unitec project: Something…, in reply to Russell Brown,
According to the government’s announcement, the cheap ones (which will only be 30-40% of them) will be $500,000 to $600,000 and the rest more. If it’s 4000 dwellings in total (1000 more than its zoned for), the population density will be 6x Hobsonville, but with a height limit of 27 metres. This just doesn’t add up. The announcement is total bullshit in the best traditions of Nick Smith.
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I used the disabled toilets when my daughters were very young. Couldn’t go into the women’s with them, and didn’t want to take them into the men’s. Sorry.