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National knew about Sabin allegations since before the election

Written By: - Date published: 8:44 am, December 28th, 2014 - 67 comments

The Sunday Star Times has revealed today that the inquiry into Mike Sabin started before the last election and that senior National figures knew about it.  And it appears that two private members bills he drafted have disappeared.  The questions has to be asked, why is he still the chair of Parliament’s Law and Order committee.  And when did John Key find out about the allegations?

If the voice fits….?

Written By: - Date published: 10:06 am, December 27th, 2014 - 218 comments

Politics has traditionally been men’s business.  Gradually women have come to be given more space in this sphere of public activity.  However, there are still strains of traditional masculine values evident in political activity, organisation and debate.  How much does Key trade in
bloke-iness?

Have a right royal Christmas and a Brighter 2015

Written By: - Date published: 11:13 am, December 25th, 2014 - 12 comments

A message from the throne of the right honourable, but close enough to touch it, Sir, John Key.

Imperator Fish: Let’s hear them out

Written By: - Date published: 10:43 am, December 24th, 2014 - 12 comments

Sky City wants the taxpayer to help cover the increased cost to build its new Auckland convention centre. They agreed to build the convention centre in return for the government giving the casino a licence extension and allowing it to operate more gaming machines…. So…

Where to the nation?

Written By: - Date published: 8:04 am, December 23rd, 2014 - 143 comments

Left wing politics in New Zealand bends most of its attention and energy inwards onto the nation state. This is of course understandable because traditionally Parliament has been the prime locus of power.  But no longer; two quite distinct forces are at work to change this picture. The first is globalisation. We are in its second […]

2014 man of the Year

Written By: - Date published: 12:53 pm, December 22nd, 2014 - 59 comments

Two prominent New Zealand men voiced their opinion on a serious aspect of life in New Zealand this year, let’s rate them…

Mike Sabin is in trouble

Written By: - Date published: 7:52 am, December 22nd, 2014 - 215 comments

Northland MP Mike Sabin is facing a police enquiry and a by election is possible.

We need to talk about the F word… closely followed by the V word.

Written By: - Date published: 1:43 pm, December 19th, 2014 - 70 comments

Feminism is a reaction. A position. A belief that women should, by right, be entitled to all the same ‘privileges’ as men: fair pay, high quality free education, control of their own money (and bodies), freedom to choose who to love and how to act. Freedom of movement, association, dress, beliefs. Respect as an equal. Opportunity. Equity in decision-making. A voice.

Open mike 19/12/2014

Written By: - Date published: 6:32 am, December 19th, 2014 - 113 comments

Open mike is your post.  The Standard is not a conspiracy – just a welcome outlet for the expression of views. Leaders that command respect will not be undermined by this.  The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).  Step up to the mike …

Open mike 18/12/2014

Written By: - Date published: 6:22 am, December 18th, 2014 - 247 comments

Open mike is your post. The Standard is not a conspiracy – just a welcome outlet for the expression of views. Leaders that command respect will not be undermined by this. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …

Open mike 13/12/2014

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, December 13th, 2014 - 48 comments

Open mike is your post.  The Standard is not a conspiracy – just a welcome outlet for the expression of views. Leaders that command respect will not be undermined by this.  The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).  Step up to the mike …

This is not business as usual. This is not some hippy over-reaction. This is serious shit!

Written By: - Date published: 4:18 pm, December 11th, 2014 - 55 comments

New author Mandy Hager joins us with some reflections on having become a grandmother: “So that’s why I’m speaking out now, every opportunity I get. Not because I like the exposure (shudder), but because I love this tiny little person and I will fight for his future, come what may. It’s the right thing to do. …”

Fudge-it-Budget

Written By: - Date published: 9:18 am, December 11th, 2014 - 31 comments

The lied about surplus in the run up to the 2014 National Election is looking like matching Penn and Teller for magical skills. It’s the ultimate disappearing act. Unlike bad economic figures when Labour is in Government, this isn’t National’s fault. Bill English says so. It’s all down to a whole lot of unusual and […]

Open mike 11/12/2014

Written By: - Date published: 6:30 am, December 11th, 2014 - 219 comments

Open mike is your post. The Standard is not a conspiracy – just a welcome outlet for the expression of views. Leaders that command respect will not be undermined by this. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …

The Roll of Shame.

Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, December 10th, 2014 - 41 comments

Another day of shame for the New Zealand Government. as they march us in lockstep…….

Towards the sort of police State we used to fight.

Teapot tapes released!

Written By: - Date published: 12:00 pm, December 9th, 2014 - 7 comments

As the matter seems to be heading for trial now is a good time for the audio from the teapot tapes to be released.

Profits before Botulism

Written By: - Date published: 10:49 am, December 9th, 2014 - 40 comments

The new report from the Government finds Fonterra woefully inadequate in its food safety culture putting profits before the safety of people. The Ministry doesn’t escape either. “The ministry had no single, coherent (or reviewed or rehearsed) crisis plan for a food incident that it could implement straight away after receiving notification of C. botulism. […]

Poverty of Details

Written By: - Date published: 9:42 am, December 9th, 2014 - 31 comments

The plan to reduce beneficiaries by 25% is based on actual data, right? Prior to the election Ms Bennett, then Minister for Social Development, now Associate Minister of Finance (note there isn’t much difference between the two portfolios in practice for kiwis unfortunate to have to rely on the safety net of welfare), announced National […]

Did you hear the one about the escaped pedophile killer cannibal with ebola?

Written By: - Date published: 9:52 am, December 4th, 2014 - 15 comments

Say – did you hear the one about the escaped pedophile killer cannibal with ebola? John Key reckons its hilarious!

Open mike 04/12/2014

Written By: - Date published: 6:51 am, December 4th, 2014 - 157 comments

Open mike is your post. The Standard is not a conspiracy – just a welcome outlet for the expression of views. Leaders that command respect will not be undermined by this. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …

Is John Key on the skids?

Written By: - Date published: 4:25 pm, December 3rd, 2014 - 85 comments

In the House today Megan Woods embarrassed John Key with some very simple yet direct questions about Jason Ede. Key’s attempts to joke away the issue was met with silence from his side of the house. Dirty Politics is clearly having an effect.

Why John Banks must never be the Super City Mayor

Written By: - Date published: 12:00 pm, December 3rd, 2014 - 60 comments

The Herald today suggested John Banks is thinking of another tilt at the Super City Mayoralty. This video shows why he should never be trusted with this position.

Nothing to hide nothing to fear?

Written By: - Date published: 7:44 am, December 3rd, 2014 - 93 comments

I guess we can conclude that Key has something to hide, otherwise what could he possibly have to fear?

The week that was

Written By: - Date published: 9:32 am, November 30th, 2014 - 55 comments

The past week has been a terrific one for Andrew Little and a very bad one for John Key, thanks to Cameron Slater.  Key failing to cut contact with Slater is bizarre.  It makes you wonder what Slater has on Key.

Open mike 30/11/2014

Written By: - Date published: 6:50 am, November 30th, 2014 - 127 comments

Open mike is your post. The Standard is not a conspiracy – just a welcome outlet for the expression of views. Leaders that command respect will not be undermined by this. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …

Porcupine on Key’s office and the SIS

Written By: - Date published: 7:15 pm, November 29th, 2014 - 13 comments

Very good …

Only on Planet Key

Written By: - Date published: 9:07 am, November 26th, 2014 - 16 comments

John Key thinks that the finding by Cheryl Gwyn that his office helped Cameron Slater with his OIA request is “contested”. Who should we believe? Updated: Key will be asked this question this afternoon in Parliament.

Chisholm enquiry whitewash

Written By: - Date published: 2:42 pm, November 25th, 2014 - 7 comments

Just as almost everyone predicted, the enquiry into Collins (dumped today to confuse coverage of the Gwyn enquiry) delivered a nice big bucket of whitewash.

Key in for the long term?

Written By: - Date published: 10:33 pm, November 22nd, 2014 - 38 comments

John Key’s election as chair of the International Democratic Union is significant. Key succeeds John Howard who has led the IDU for the past 12 years. Key’s acceptance signals that like  four-time winner Howard, Key plans a long career as Prime Minister of New Zealand. This news should be a wake-up call for the Labour Party’s review of its election organisation and party structure.

Open mike 21/11/2014

Written By: - Date published: 6:35 am, November 21st, 2014 - 95 comments

Open mike is your post.  The Standard is not a conspiracy – just a welcome outlet for the expression of views. Leaders that command respect will not be undermined by this.  The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).  Step up to the mike …

Open mike 15/11/2014

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, November 15th, 2014 - 95 comments

Open mike is your post. The Standard is not a conspiracy – just a welcome outlet for the expression of views. Leaders that command respect will not be undermined by this. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …