Very amusing to see what a strange little country we are, the coarseness of Parliament, the foolishness of elites, and yet the success of those with their boots on the ground who are not afraid to get things done.
The MSM has become something of a joke. Today The Herald opened up comments on its Fb page on an opinion piece written by David Seymour. He was immediately subjected to a sustained and somewhat vitriolic series of attacks. The Herald waited until there were 429 comments before shutting them down.
Had the article been likely to attract criticism of Te Pati Maori or the Greens, it would almost certainly have never been opened for comments in the first place. It is high time taxpayers stopped funding the media, and that includes things like the PIJF.
I guess now the Board of NZME has moved to the right, their outlets will swing that way too. As for Seymour, I think he likes attack and counter-attack, and that's part of the demographic he's appealing to for next year's election.
I agree that the reporting of the Oxford debate was deficient - it didn't make sense. I'm familiar with the format, and the voting wasn't reported correctly. And it gave the impression that DS was speaking as an individual rather than as a team member. My main criticism of the media is the scrappiness of reporting, and (in interviewing), failure to push politicians to answer questions. Not so much any particular angle.
Regarding RNZ, in my 20's and 30's I was a regular listener. Then it started to go down hill rapidly, the final moment for me came about 10 years listening to "The Panel" where the esteemed panellists all agreed whole heartedly that it was absolutely ridiculous to think you could define a baby's gender at birth. It was apparently the most absurd idea they could imagine. I switched off in disgust and have never listened again, and furthermore I resent the idea that any of the tax I pay is in any way used to support that garbage. Defund RNZ!
Interestingly, Deborah Russell was booted out as the New Lynn (traditionally a safe labour seat) electorate MP last election, but thanks to MMP's allowing sitting MPs to also sit high on the party list, and despite the publics clear rejection of her woke policy support (The gender self ID bill, she was one of the more vocal hysterical ranters being an example) she's still in Parliament. It is time to adjust this anomaly and shift to STV to clean out the rejects.
Whilst we have political parties selecting candidates and creating lists based on a quota system rather than on merit, we are always going to see this sort of nonsense.
This weekly wrap-up is a great summary of NZ politics - enjoyable, easy to read, informative, and laser-like in its focus! Keep it up Ani, and thank you!
It seems we won't have to complete the 5-yearly census anymore
I think that's significant. After the bribery (for a selected few) and the breach of confidentiality scandal, I had decided never to complete one again......
Very amusing to see what a strange little country we are, the coarseness of Parliament, the foolishness of elites, and yet the success of those with their boots on the ground who are not afraid to get things done.
Very much enjoy these weekly updates - thanks.
The MSM has become something of a joke. Today The Herald opened up comments on its Fb page on an opinion piece written by David Seymour. He was immediately subjected to a sustained and somewhat vitriolic series of attacks. The Herald waited until there were 429 comments before shutting them down.
Had the article been likely to attract criticism of Te Pati Maori or the Greens, it would almost certainly have never been opened for comments in the first place. It is high time taxpayers stopped funding the media, and that includes things like the PIJF.
I guess now the Board of NZME has moved to the right, their outlets will swing that way too. As for Seymour, I think he likes attack and counter-attack, and that's part of the demographic he's appealing to for next year's election.
I just wish they would simply report the facts, accurately and without any spin, be it left or right.
I agree that the reporting of the Oxford debate was deficient - it didn't make sense. I'm familiar with the format, and the voting wasn't reported correctly. And it gave the impression that DS was speaking as an individual rather than as a team member. My main criticism of the media is the scrappiness of reporting, and (in interviewing), failure to push politicians to answer questions. Not so much any particular angle.
David Farrar's piece that Ani refers to is a prime example of spin over fact by our journalists.
Excellent informative with a bit of humour chucked in. So spot on. Thanks !
Regarding RNZ, in my 20's and 30's I was a regular listener. Then it started to go down hill rapidly, the final moment for me came about 10 years listening to "The Panel" where the esteemed panellists all agreed whole heartedly that it was absolutely ridiculous to think you could define a baby's gender at birth. It was apparently the most absurd idea they could imagine. I switched off in disgust and have never listened again, and furthermore I resent the idea that any of the tax I pay is in any way used to support that garbage. Defund RNZ!
Interestingly, Deborah Russell was booted out as the New Lynn (traditionally a safe labour seat) electorate MP last election, but thanks to MMP's allowing sitting MPs to also sit high on the party list, and despite the publics clear rejection of her woke policy support (The gender self ID bill, she was one of the more vocal hysterical ranters being an example) she's still in Parliament. It is time to adjust this anomaly and shift to STV to clean out the rejects.
Whilst we have political parties selecting candidates and creating lists based on a quota system rather than on merit, we are always going to see this sort of nonsense.
Thanks very much.
This weekly wrap-up is a great summary of NZ politics - enjoyable, easy to read, informative, and laser-like in its focus! Keep it up Ani, and thank you!
Thank you Ani. Another great piece.
Yes…10/10 for content tone and manner :)…well done.
Great, thanks Ani!
One more thing you might have covered Ani..
It seems we won't have to complete the 5-yearly census anymore
I think that's significant. After the bribery (for a selected few) and the breach of confidentiality scandal, I had decided never to complete one again......
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/no-more-free-warriors-tickets-or-food-vouchers-to-complete-census-government-considering-harsher-fines/2YF7WFQ3XBBIPDCORLULKGGLHE/
https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360586187/manurewa-marae-inquiry-john-tamihere-admits-census-forms-were-photocopied#:~:text=Te%20P%C4%81ti%20M%C4%81ori%20president%20John,help%20the%20party's%20election%20campaign.