Karl du Fresne: A few thoughts on the Sharma affair

Overwhelmingly, the opinion of press gallery journalists – including some for whom I retain a degree of respect – seems to be that Gaurav Sharma deserved what he got. Luke Malpass says so; so does Audrey Young.

But I wonder whether the public thinks the same. Political events often look different from a distance than they do from the close proximity of the press gallery, and what journalists think is often wildly at odds with public opinion. As I’ve argued before, they’re ill-equipped to know what the public thinks about anything.

Wendy Geus: Nothing to See Here

Ever evasive, Ardern has denied Dr Sharma an investigation into his bullying claims, falsely declaring that there is no evidence.

In doing so she has left MP Kieran McAnulty permanently under suspicion.

Cam Slater: When Will She Be Held to Account?

Do you remember when Jacinda Ardern told you all that if you got vaccinated “you won’t get sick, and you won’t die”? She also said that the vaccines were safe and effective. When is she going to be held to account for those mistruths?

John Porter: Politicians Trained in the Dark Arts

Deceit and Deception are part of the training given to Labour MP’s!

MPs are now being coached to avoid questions under the Official Information Act. This activity arises from explosive claims made by rebel MP Dr Gaurav Sharma in a recent interview.

Apparently, MPs are taught how to minimise information having to be provided in an Official Information Request by routing e-mails through the Labour Party Office, thus providing a 3rd party “cut out”.

They are also schooled on how not to say anything that the Prime Minister may later be questioned on by the media.

You would think this sort of behaviour was preposterous and unbelievable in New Zealand.

Heather du Plessis-Allan: Immigration is a 'chicken and egg' situation

 

I like the idea of letting another 4 million people into New Zealand in the next ten years, that doesn’t scare me. 

I know that’s going to scare a lot of people, so let’s talk about it.

This is the suggestion from an economist called Dr Kirdan Lees who works for Sense Partners.

Guy Hatchard: The Biotech Tipping Point

We have been wondering where all this is going. As time goes by, some longer-term outcomes are becoming apparent.

Excess all-cause mortality is rising around the world, especially in countries with high vaccination rates like New Zealand, Australia, and Portugal.

Point of Order: As Mallard moves on with our good wishes (to become an ambassador),

Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard has formally resigned from the role and is being succeeded by the current deputy Speaker, Adrian Ruawhe, much to the relief of Opposition parties.

Mallard will be taking up a diplomatic post as New Zealand’s Ambassador in Ireland from January next year.

The Opposition hasn’t been a fan of Mallard’s refereeing of Parliament’s political theatre over recent years.

Garrick Tremain: Quick n easy

 Here is Garrick Tremain's cartoon commentary on Sharma's DCM! 

Mike Hosking: Time for action on Covid restrictions

Actions, as it turns out, do speak louder than words.

Last week's poll around our view of Covid is backed up by; 1) another poll and 2) more importantly, real life.

Last week's poll had 65 percent of us wanting all restrictions gone. That's a fairly large majority.

This week's poll has fewer and fewer of us adhering to the so called rules.

Cam Slater: Why Should People Listen to Ardern?

The NZ Herald buried an interesting story deep within their website, where it is revealed that a majority of people no longer listen to anything Jacinda Ardern has to say about anything, but especially about Covid.

Bob Jones: Enough

The media have had a field-day over the Sharma affair.

The non-descript Hamilton MP came into Parliament as part of the Labour landslide, its principal reason being the then religious-like faith by dopey Kiwis that Jacinda was the second coming and had eliminated coronavirus.

It’s my pick circa 30 of those new MPs will be gone after the next election, including Sharma, albeit in his case, probably earlier, and all never to be heard of again.

Tony Orman: Beware Self-Serving Councillors

Elections are basically about the public electing their representatives whether it  be central or local government. With local government elections now in full swing, voters have to assess policies and the intentions of candidates in terms of their duty of serving the public’s best interests. 

But sadly the reality is a significant number of parliamentary and local council politicians are not there to represent the voting public and the public interest. Perhaps outwardly they don’t realise it, but inwardly and sub-consciously they are in denial that they are elected by the people to serve the public interest.

Kate Hawkesby: The Teaching Council wrote to me, but why are they wasting their time doing that?

 

A couple of weeks ago I told you guys the story of the relief teacher censured and embroiled in court action, over removing an ear bud from a Year 10 student’s ear because he refused to remove it himself, and the teacher had asked him to stop listening to music and pay attention.

The student had been verbally abusive and refused to oblige and this relief teacher had had a gutsful.

Graham Adams: Don’t ask us — we just work here

One of the most depressing features of journalism in New Zealand is that if you want to follow simmering debates of national interest you often have to look somewhere else than the mainstream media.

If you want to follow the mātauranga Māori debate closely, for instance, the most consistent coverage has been provided by Jerry Coyne, an emeritus professor of ecology and evolution from the University of Chicago, who has written at least a dozen lengthy posts on the topic over the past year on his blog Why Evolution Is True.

Point of Order: Robertson (we suspect) was banking on more plaudits for his balancing act to keep Kiwibank in Kiwi ownership

Finance Minister Grant Robertson didn’t get the cheers he likely was expecting from the government’s spending of $2.1bn to ensure Kiwibank remains fully Kiwi-owned.

The fact that two of Kiwibank’s existing shareholders, themselves New Zealand entities, wanted out immediately cast doubt on Robertson’s claim it was a win-win for the Crown.

And then the critics fired up, with one of NZ’s most formidable business leaders, Kerry McDonald, declaring that government ownership “rarely leads to success”.

Ross Meurant: Vicissitudes of Politics

Recently on Breaking Views, I predicted that Rt Hon Winston Peters would return to parliament next elections. (1)

This prediction was predicated on a persistently insipid performance (in my view) by the current National party leader Mr Luxon, particularly when it comes to making it clear that National will repeal all Labour’s racially divisive policies.

Garrick Tremain: Curriculum

 Here is Garrick Tremain's cartoon commentary on the importance of Te Reo! 

Eric Crampton: Remember, age differences account for a portion of inequality

A dinner game

Gather round, children. I have a sad fable to tell.

Five friends have been invited to dinner. They all sit down to eat.

But something seems off.

Cam Slater: A Ferry Breaks Down and Curious Coincidences

Today there is another protest against the Government in Wellington, and what do you know there are several curious coincidences all happening at the same time.

First up is Stuff’s egregious and shameless attack against a media personality who also happens to have a bigger audience than them. Shortly after the media attack the first curious coincidence occurs, Facebook moves to shut down Chantelle Baker‘s Facebook page just days before the protest

Roger Childs: More and more Jacinda government racial division, separatism and favouritism

In the month of August there have been two developments further increasing division in our society along racial lines. One relates to local government and the other to sport. The Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Act will allow the tribe to appoint two members to the elected Council. There are no special seats for Asian, Pasifika or any other non-Maori people.

In sport, concern about the lack of Maori involved in sport has the government throwing over a million dollars at it.