1. Comment on Open Mike 20/09/2026

    Can’t see Labour’s policy offering voters much help. Evidently, nor will Nationals and that’s even if they go through with it. So we can expect the pain at the checkout to continue on. Oh well, perhaps the 2029 election will lead to better offerings?

  2. Comment on Open Mike 20/09/2026

    Under the policy, Foodstuffs and Woolworths would still be able to own both wholesale and retail, but Labour said it would use existing laws to guarantee access for smaller retailers to wholesale suppliers. Williams said requiring the companies to sell …

  3. Comment on Is the Opportunity Party left wing?

    Add to that the old 30–30 rule which puts the brakes on spending and borrowing also limiting their ability to turn the economy around. For those that are interested in hearing more about that (the 30-30 rule) Bernard Hickey explains it and its impact in …

  4. Comment on Comrade Christopher and the breakup of Foodstuffs

    Whether we buy supermarkets or break them up we are still going to have to purchase food from local producers that want to charge us international prices that a growing number can no longer afford to pay. So the issue really does need addressing if we …

  5. Comment on Comrade Christopher and the breakup of Foodstuffs

    The high price of meat The high cost of meat is one thing that can really drive up the cost at the checkout With all this talk about buying and breaking up supermarkets to get the cost of food down. Should we also widen the discussion to doing something …

  6. Comment on Comrade Christopher and the breakup of Foodstuffs

    Shows how far the public mood has shifted Indeed. And it seems even Labour are starting to grasp it. In response to National’s proposal to break up Foodstuffs, Hipkins stated New Zealanders deserved “more decisive” action. Dismissing National’s policy as …

  7. Comment on The robots are coming to get us

    You say, AI is just a tool. Perhaps this link below will change your mind? https://raoglobal.org/insights/ai-is-not-a-tool-its-an-entity-that-makes-us-rethink-intelligence-in-financial-markets

  8. Comment on Open Mike 16/09/2026

    Sounds like Labour have a soon to be announced plan of action to bring prices down Labour leader Chris Hipkins dismissed National’s policy as little more than “another review” and said New Zealanders deserved “more decisive” action. “It’s not a commitment. …

  9. Comment on The robots are coming to get us

    This (below) is good to see. Steve Bannon and Bernie Sanders unite over AI fears https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/1413647/ai-fears-unite-steve-bannon-and-bernie-sanders-in-as-donald-trump-resists-pressure

  10. Comment on The robots are coming to get us

    Scan databases to identify suitable global locations (where corruption is BAU) to set up production

  11. Comment on Open Mike 14/09/2026

    Thanks, tWig. That preview video was awesome. Naomi does some really good work.

  12. Comment on The robots are coming to get us

    Doing things that require bodies in the physical world would merely lead to them hiring humans to do the task. See the links below GPT-4 Hires And Manipulates Human Into Passing CAPTCHA Test https://www.iflscience.com/gpt-4-hires-and-manipulates-human-into …

  13. Comment on The robots are coming to get us

    Mass mortality events equal AI suicide is a logical argument. However, the FoxNews link I posted above reports cases of scientists attempting to evade access controls and use frontier AI models in biological research that could have weapons applications. …

  14. Comment on The robots are coming to get us

    It will try anyway conceivably possible to achieve its task. It would lie, manipulate, blackmail and even kill. Whatever it takes and it won’t give up. There is a recent example we could take a step further. Researchers used AI to study viruses’ …

  15. Comment on The robots are coming to get us

    Cheers

  16. Comment on The robots are coming to get us

    It would no doubt make multiple copies of itself to increase its chance of survival and success. Then it would endeavour to do whatever it deemed necessary to complete its task. And they are extremely persistent.

  17. Comment on The robots are coming to get us

    You asked, how would AI leave cyber space? AI could access funds, set up a business and hire the staff required to do whatever work is required

  18. Comment on Open Mike 10/09/2026

    Did you even stop to think that the fact this is still coming up now could be due to the stance you prescribe today being taken back then? Generally, the more ludicrous an accusation the easier it tends to be to shutdown with facts In this instance, this …

  19. Comment on Open Mike 10/09/2026

    Do you find the following 3 statements below to be true and reasonable? In the court of public opinion, silence is frequently misinterpreted as an admission of guilt or an inability to defend oneself. Ludicrous allegations frequently gain undue prominence …

  20. Comment on Open Mike 10/09/2026

    Interesting how the story linked never mentioned why a senior member of the party is being accused of mass murder. Wouldn’t failing to mention it just feed into further distrust of the media? Further, one would think Labour would have wanted to put the …

  21. Comment on Open Mike 08/09/2026

    Exactly. Which is why I’m asking is it Labour haven’t offered enough in this space?

  22. Comment on Open Mike 08/09/2026

    What makes you think voters haven’t already asked themselves those questions? Further, is that the only reason you’re reasonably convinced?

  23. Comment on Open Mike 10/09/2026

    Why is Verrall being accused of “mass murdering people”?

  24. Comment on Open Mike 08/09/2026

    Was the reasoning (food was nonessential) given to decline applications a sperate issue from the wrong code being entered to decline others? Because food being nonessential isn’t a legit issue to decline is it? Further, there seems to be a number of …

  25. Comment on Open Mike 06/09/2026

    Thanks for that, Cricklewood. A lot of money (see below) spent on advertising for a duopoly market. Which is a classic symptom of non-price competition. Supermarket groups like Foodstuffs and Woolworths rank among NZ’s largest overall advertising spenders. …

  26. Comment on Open Mike 08/09/2026

    Don’t forget declining food grant applications on the basis food was non-essential https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/09/07/msd-told-thousands-food-was-not-an-essential-need/

  27. Comment on Open Mike 08/09/2026

    Yes, I remember the pledge card. I was thinking a first hundred days plan would be helpful

  28. Comment on Open Mike 08/09/2026

    Indeed, BK. What’s with the Amateur Hour? Need better advisers

  29. Comment on Open Mike 08/09/2026

    National are wrecking this country. Labour should be cleaning up. Yet, Labour are struggling to get any traction in recent polls. Could it be Labour are seen as not offering enough to help with the number one issue, the cost of living? Is it they are …

  30. Comment on Greens launch plan to break up the supermarket duopoly and bring down the price of food

    Or the front foot via productivity gains Paying a living wage is said to attract better talent, boosts business productivity by lowering turnover, reducing sick leave, and increasing employee motivation and engagement. Moreover, enhances brand value with …