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6:00 am, July 15th, 2026 - 11 comments
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Open mike is your post.
For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.
The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).
Step up to the mike …
Arguably, the biggest asset and MVP of the National Party is over-inflated by [RW] media and his über-confidence is bordering on hubris waiting for a crashing downfall on 7 Nov.
https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/15-07-2026/who-could-have-predicted-this-national-cant-afford-its-roads
The topic of biofuels reoccurred here on TS recently. It’s a lot more complex than I thought, which might explain the slow progress here in NZ and elsewhere.
It does sound like there’s a lot of manoeuvring going on behind the scenes with big corporate and state players involved. Thanks to Newsroom for letting some sunlight and oxygen in.
https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/07/13/marsden-point-refinerys-secret-plan-to-power-kiwi-planes-and-ships-on-cow-manure/
Biofuels, energy – next? Charcoal is supposed to be good. I don't know if it has been has been trialled or even studied here. Perhaps Lincoln would know as they are big on forestry I think. When I have my pressing problems ironed out I'll look up.
From the past – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turnspit_dog (Look for dog in illustration). And of course there are always people who could do similar. But we could choose to use ourselves perhaps on a static bicycle which would service house devices, or for water supply.
Done in a fair manner, it wouldn't be too onerous. But there would always be some families with someone picked on who would be forced to do the most, and the favourites of the house would get the nicer jobs. Human nature!
Good opinion piece by Sam Stubbs in Stuff (15 July): https://www.stuff.co.nz/money/361006005/data-centres-beware-greeks-bearing-gifts
He points out the PR spin from those promoting the erection of data centres in NZ (50 jobs max, it seems, for one proposed for Southland) and the huge disadvantages in terms of power required to run these centres. Commentators have also noted the huge amounts of water data centres consume.
Looks like a repeat of the original Tiwai smelter deal. According to the politicians, that deal was so beneficial to NZ that the power price the Tiwai crowd were given had to be confidential.
Worse than Tiwai which created many, many more jobs for Southlanders.
I wonder, being in the process of installing a new washing machine while wondering what to do with the old, what does Southland do with the "old" data centre, down the track? Leave it sit, like the briquette factory?
Simeon Brown – "Golden balls"??
"Over at Newstalk ZB, presenter Heather du Plessis-Allan referred to Brown by his apparent nickname, “golden balls”, while ranking him runner-up for politician of the year in 2024."
Are these people ok?
Do we need to call intervention?
https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/15-07-2026/who-could-have-predicted-this-national-cant-afford-its-roads
My bad vision – I thought I saw 'this national cunt' – sorry just had to pass that on.
Sometimes, through the fog of poor eyesight, the truth is seen!
Brown certainly pulled a cunning stunt by convincing enough people that we could afford these multi multi billions worth of roads!
Strangely, this Spinoff dudester seems to think the media are supposed to hold the Nats accountable, not Labour.
Perhaps they knew his figures were dodgy but saw no advantage in calling his bluff. Nobody can recall when economic policy costing was credible, so make it up as you go along has been normalcy quite a while already. Could be that Labour has nobody competent on economic policy – that would explain why he doesn't cite any Labour attempt to force the Nats to get real on roading policy costings.
Dear councils
Here is some more work for you – you do the local planning and afford the cost of mitigation action
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/722721/government-to-require-councils-to-make-climate-adaptation-plans
Dear councils
amalgamate and meet the costs yourself
Dear councils
rates capping.
Conclusion
Cognitive dissonance 101 or completely and utterly clueless.