New Zealand Politics, the Ardern years

[The Atheist]

Originally Posted by lionking

Yeah? NZ has the lowest covid death rate of all OECD nations with Australia second.

Big deal. The world and this country is a lot more than Covid, and the pandemic isn't over, either.

As the traitor has protected people from Covid she's allowed inequality to rise to obscene levels.

If you want to defend her, start here: https://interactives.stuff.co.nz/202...aanga-sisters/

Quote:

Right now, fewer Māori own their homes than ever before. If current trends continue, home ownership among Māori is projected to be effectively zilch by 2061. The rest of the population won’t be far behind.

[dudalb]

Originally Posted by lionking

Yeah? NZ has the lowest covid death rate of all OECD nations with Australia second.

Your assessment of her is garbage.

I think Adern's problem is she is not far enough to the left for some people here who seem to want to go to a hard line, Anti Capitlaist, GOvernment controls everything model. Despite the model having failed whenver it has been tried.

[The Atheist]

Originally Posted by dudalb

I think Adern's problem is she is not far enough to the left for some people here who seem to want to go to a hard line, Anti Capitlaist, GOvernment controls everything model. Despite the model having failed whenver it has been tried.

Utter poppycock.

NZ has a strong history of providing social housing since the 1940s.

She also promised to fix the housing crisis, and instead has exacerbated it.

If you want me to re-post her own words yet again, just ask.

[psionl0]

Originally Posted by The Atheist

Utter poppycock.

NZ has a strong history of providing social housing since the 1940s.

She also promised to fix the housing crisis, and instead has exacerbated it.

If you want me to re-post her own words yet again, just ask.

It sounds like NZ has the same problem with Arden that Australia had with Bob Hawke. She is free to suck up to the big end of town secure in the knowledge that her opponents would suck even harder.

[The Atheist]

Originally Posted by psionl0

It sounds like NZ has the same problem with Arden that Australia had with Bob Hawke. She is free to suck up to the big end of town secure in the knowledge that her opponents would suck even harder.

It's truly bizarre - Labour in NZ has this unbelievable problem with power. As as they get it, all principles go out the window. It's almost like they're self-serving scumbags.

And I've voted Labour all but twice in the 9 or 10 elections I've voted in.

The sole exception in that time was David Lange, with whom Jacinda shares a few parallels - both wildly popular, but both governments went off the path towards Conservate economic policies.

Lange saw it and called for a change of direction, so they executed him the Beehive lobby, while Jacinda has gone with the TV cameras just let it happen, at the cost of actual Labour voters and members.

[catsmate]

Originally Posted by lionking

Yeah? NZ has the lowest covid death rate of all OECD nations with Australia second.

Your assessment of her is garbage.

Indeed.

Originally Posted by Samson

No.
It is based on local knowledge.
Ardern is wilfully neglecting the people she promised to help. She knows where her bread is buttered.

You are welcome.

I assume you'll be providing details, and evidence, to support your vapid generalisations?

[The Atheist]

Originally Posted by catsmate

I assume you'll be providing details, and evidence, to support your vapid generalisations?

Instead of rolling your eyes, use them to read the large body of evidence I've posted in this thread.

[The Atheist]

Highly relevant: https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...-a-photo-essay

[The Atheist]

The irony could not be deeper, as Labour's total lack of response to the housing crisis is the prime driver of the current Covid outbreak: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/hea...rable--experts

[Samson]

China goes covid zero while New Zealand plots deaths by Xmas. Not sure why we can't do zero on our ear.

Over to you TA

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/cov...TS3OPPVP6PLJ4/

[The Atheist]

Originally Posted by Samson

China goes covid zero while New Zealand plots deaths by Xmas. Not sure why we can't do zero on our ear.

Over to you TA

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/cov...TS3OPPVP6PLJ4/

That's easy - we don't have everyone locked down like they can in China. We don't have the infrastructure to do it, and Level 4 isn't sufficient to shut down delta.

I just wait for the moment when the mesmerised masses suddenly realise the vile **** has allowed Covid into the country, caused generational economic harm, and caused hundreds of deaths, all through her personal hubris.

And the fact that nobody in her own party is prepared to bend her ear is an indictment on 105 years of history, and giants of politicians like John A Lee, Michael Joseph Savage and Norman Kirk. If they ever spin in their graves in unison the bottom of North Island would fall into Cook Strait.

[Samson]

Originally Posted by The Atheist

That's easy - we don't have everyone locked down like they can in China. We don't have the infrastructure to do it, and Level 4 isn't sufficient to shut down delta.

I just wait for the moment when the mesmerised masses suddenly realise the vile **** has allowed Covid into the country, caused generational economic harm, and caused hundreds of deaths, all through her personal hubris.

And the fact that nobody in her own party is prepared to bend her ear is an indictment on 105 years of history, and giants of politicians like John A Lee, Michael Joseph Savage and Norman Kirk. If they ever spin in their graves in unison the bottom of North Island would fall into Cook Strait.

Ok
So covid zero was on the table.
I pine for it if pining is not poetically too soon.

[Roger Ramjets]

Originally Posted by The Atheist

That's easy - we don't have everyone locked down like they can in China.

New Zealand isn't run by a communist dictatorship that rules with an iron fist. Who knew?

Still, it didn't stop Delta from wreaking havoc in China. Guess they will just have to smash the fist down even harder, eh?

Quote:

I just wait for the moment when the mesmerised masses suddenly realise the vile **** has allowed Covid into the country, caused generational economic harm, and caused hundreds of deaths, all through her personal hubris.

Somebody's personal hubris is on show for sure.

Quote:

And the fact that nobody in her own party is prepared to bend her ear is an indictment on 105 years of history, and giants of politicians like John A Lee, Michael Joseph Savage and Norman Kirk. If they ever spin in their graves in unison the bottom of North Island would fall into Cook Strait.

I'm sure those men would have sorted her out, right?

If only kiwis had elected The Athiest to be their leader, they wouldn't be in the sorry predicament they are now (with a whole 19 new community cases, 18 of which are epidemiologically linked to known cases). With the benefit of The Atheist's superior intellect, lack of empathy, iron fist and male hormones, New Zealand would truly be the hermit kingdom everyone wants - less free than Communist China but totally free of Covid forever!

You see, pursuing a policy of elimination only until a high enough immunity level can be achieved to prevent the virus from spreading was a terrible mistake - one that only a cynical and manipulative career woman child like Ardern would promote. Nobody but her was suggesting that such a policy could ever work. Or at least, nobody with the god-like powers of The Athiest!

[The Atheist]

Originally Posted by Roger Ramjets

New Zealand isn't run by a communist dictatorship that rules with an iron fist. Who knew?

Pointless comment of the week, well done.

[quote=Roger Ramjets;13616950]Still, it didn't stop Delta from wreaking havoc in China./QUOTE]

Sorry mate, I missed that - when did delta wreak havoc in China? I see zero deaths since delta arose, 40 cases a day from quarantine, and a rising GDP. That's the exact opposite of what's happening here.

Originally Posted by Roger Ramjets

I'm sure those men would have sorted her out, right?

Your fixation with gender amuses me.

Originally Posted by Roger Ramjets

If only kiwis had elected The Athiest to be their leader, they wouldn't be in the sorry predicament they are now (with a whole 19 new community cases, 18 of which are epidemiologically linked to known cases).

You're a superb lesson in making up idiotic comments by using only part of the information.

What you're failing to see is that Middlemore Hospital is seeing at least one rogue case a day, which shows that the disease is spreading quite nicely and that only a fraction of cases are being picked up.

What you're ignoring is that after seven weeks of strict lockdown, we're still nowhere near eliminating the virus.

The other fact, that delta only arrived here on the back of an idiotic and widely-condemned policy, is 100% the fault of your hero.

[Samson]

[quote=The Atheist;13617655]Pointless comment of the week, well done.

Originally Posted by Roger Ramjets

Still, it didn't stop Delta from wreaking havoc in China./QUOTE]

Sorry mate, I missed that - when did delta wreak havoc in China? I see zero deaths since delta arose, 40 cases a day from quarantine, and a rising GDP. That's the exact opposite of what's happening here.



Your fixation with gender amuses me.



You're a superb lesson in making up idiotic comments by using only part of the information.

What you're failing to see is that Middlemore Hospital is seeing at least one rogue case a day, which shows that the disease is spreading quite nicely and that only a fraction of cases are being picked up.

What you're ignoring is that after seven weeks of strict lockdown, we're still nowhere near eliminating the virus.

The other fact, that delta only arrived here on the back of an idiotic and widely-condemned policy, is 100% the fault of your hero.

You mean the travel bubble, or bringing covid to high density central Auckland instead of building open space facilities etc. with the 5 billion set aside for a Delta surprise last year.

[The Atheist]

Originally Posted by Samson

You mean the travel bubble, or bringing covid to high density central Auckland instead of building open space facilities etc. with the 5 billion set aside for a Delta surprise last year.

Both.

The useless bunch of cretins masquerading as our Cabinet were so smug in their luck that they took as success they took no action, and have ended up in the position I and many others said was inevitable.

Letting it in through an idiotic travel bubble was the height of stupidity, and it's at least a little gratifying that public sentiment is turning against the fools that caused our current situation.

And to other smugness talking about the low number of cases has been blown out of the water today, with unconnected cases turning up in four different locations. There are already dozens of cases not yet seen, and it will be hundreds in days.

Every single death from Covid and the others caused by the lockdowns are the direct responsibility of this "Labour" government. They will be all 100% avoidable.

The stupidity of it ******* appalls me.

[Samson]

Originally Posted by The Atheist

Both.

The useless bunch of cretins masquerading as our Cabinet were so smug in their luck that they took as success they took no action, and have ended up in the position I and many others said was inevitable.

Letting it in through an idiotic travel bubble was the height of stupidity, and it's at least a little gratifying that public sentiment is turning against the fools that caused our current situation.

And to other smugness talking about the low number of cases has been blown out of the water today, with unconnected cases turning up in four different locations. There are already dozens of cases not yet seen, and it will be hundreds in days.

Every single death from Covid and the others caused by the lockdowns are the direct responsibility of this "Labour" government. They will be all 100% avoidable.

The stupidity of it ******* appalls me.

We snatched defeat.

[The Atheist]

Originally Posted by Samson

We snatched defeat.

Yeah, we also had a very lucky year, as everyone else didn't, so it's probably karmic that the roles are now reversed. Just a shame the numb scum in the Beehive wasted their time.

The rest of the world's noticed, even if ol' Rogie Ramjet and her fan club haven't.

The star is fading fast as we slip from #1 to #38. I can see us being in the bottom 3 in short order after the weekend's disaster. South Island has been clamouring for Level 1, and they're going to get a nasty surprise, because with Aucklanders exporting it to Palmy, Hamilton & Raglan in the space of 2 days, South Island isn't going to keep their virginity much longer.

Poor darling Cindy will need to don her hijab for a few days to remind everyone how empathic she is.

[The Atheist]

The chorus grows louder:

Quote:

Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck says Wellington is "asleep at the wheel"

[Samson]

Ok

Originally Posted by The Atheist

Yeah, we also had a very lucky year, as everyone else didn't, so it's probably karmic that the roles are now reversed. Just a shame the numb scum in the Beehive wasted their time.

The rest of the world's noticed, even if ol' Rogie Ramjet and her fan club haven't.

The star is fading fast as we slip from #1 to #38. I can see us being in the bottom 3 in short order after the weekend's disaster. South Island has been clamouring for Level 1, and they're going to get a nasty surprise, because with Aucklanders exporting it to Palmy, Hamilton & Raglan in the space of 2 days, South Island isn't going to keep their virginity much longer.

Poor darling Cindy will need to don her hijab for a few days to remind everyone how empathic she is.

I was born in Christchurch and 66.66 recurring percent of my surviving siblings live there.
I consider there should be a hard border that can work for all New Zealand.

(From the leper colony)

[The Atheist]

More unconscionable work by the "Labour" government.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300...-child-support

Things must be pretty bad when the People's Daily Stuff starts being critical of the government.

[The Atheist]

When the housing crisis makes Al Jazeera, maybe that's a guide for the scumbag's cheer squad that all is not well in paradise.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/...sing-nightmare

[lionking]

Originally Posted by The Atheist

When the housing crisis makes Al Jazeera, maybe that's a guide for the scumbag's cheer squad that all is not well in paradise.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/...sing-nightmare

Your solution to supply and demand in the housing market?

I’m waiting for a world shattering response.

[The Atheist]

Originally Posted by lionking

Your solution to supply and demand in the housing market?

I’m waiting for a world shattering response.

It's not only not world-shattering, it's blindingly obvious, and can even be achieved without resorting to my preferred option of a capital gains tax.

1 fast-track new home zones and building consents
2 give tax incentives to builders putting up houses quickly, cheaply and safely
3 stop allowing tens of thousands of migrants in to prop up a tertiary education sector that is actually a scam for work visas
4 incentivise old farts to move out of the 400 m2 homes they live in alone
5 devolve social housing to private providers
6 give incentives to occupying owner buyers over others

The numb **** has had four years to do something and has instead presided over an asset boom that will stop future generations of Kiwis owning a house.

[The Atheist]

Originally Posted by Samson

We snatched defeat.

And we're snatching it pretty hard now. 60 cases today, and we'll be in the hundreds a day by next weekend. No doubt at all. Even the epidemiologists are panicking.

Cinderella might be in danger of ruining her fan club.

[Puppycow]

Hey, there was a "Wizard of New Zealand", but now he's out of a job!

I assume it was all just tongue-in-cheek, right? But they paid him real money!

Official Wizard of New Zealand fired by city council after more than 2 decades

Quote:

For more than two decades, the New Zealand city of Christchurch has annually paid thousands of dollars to Ian Brackenbury Channell, known as the official Wizard of New Zealand.

Now the city council wants him to disappear.

Channell has been paid $16,000 annually in New Zealand dollars (about $11,290 U.S.) – about $368,000 ($260,000 in U.S. dollars) over 23 years – for "acts of wizardry and other wizard-like services," the city's assistant chief executive Lynn McClelland said in a statement to USA TODAY.

"The Council is grateful for the valuable and special contribution The Wizard made to our city’s cultural life, and he will forever be a part of our history," she said.

Born in London, Channell began making appearances in the city's Cathedral Square in 1974, according to the city's library website. Over the years, his public appearances included rain dancing during droughts.

[The Atheist]

Originally Posted by Puppycow

Hey, there was a "Wizard of New Zealand", but now he's out of a job!

Christchurch indeed did have a Wizard.

He started off way back in the late '70s - a Pommy academic who took up being a wizard as a bit of a laugh for lunchtime crowds in the civic square. He became an institution of the city and they ended up paying him because he was good for the city.

He was an amusing bloke and often made some pretty pointed social commentary.

He did retire several years ago, so I was more surprised they hadn't stopped paying him yet.

[Samson]

And this is a tale of two city halves

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-...C6YJMW3PBNQIA/

This would be just dandy had it not been Ardern's specific election plan to fix.

[lionking]

Originally Posted by Samson

And this is a tale of two city halves

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-...C6YJMW3PBNQIA/

This would be just dandy had it not been Ardern's specific election plan to fix.

Wow, there’s poverty in NZ? I’m shocked. Next you will be telling me there’s crime……

Holding any leader anywhere responsible for poverty is ridiculous.

[The Atheist]

Originally Posted by lionking

Holding any leader anywhere responsible for poverty is ridiculous.

Even when that leader specifically stated she would fix it?

[Samson]

Originally Posted by lionking

Wow, there’s poverty in NZ? I’m shocked. Next you will be telling me there’s crime……

Holding any leader anywhere responsible for poverty is ridiculous.

One adult with a phone and no data.
No fix for that?

100,000 $200 phones looks like 20 million to me.
A bit of data and solution passed to the community.

[The Atheist]

Originally Posted by Samson

One adult with a phone and no data.
No fix for that?

100,000 $200 phones looks like 20 million to me.
A bit of data and solution passed to the community.

Mate, just sit back and revel in the fact our leader is so loved.

Did you see the hero-worship on Saturday?

There's a sainthood at least somewhere in the future for our very pwn Cindy. Secretary-General of the UN looks a snap.

[Samson]

Originally Posted by The Atheist

Mate, just sit back and revel in the fact our leader is so loved.

Did you see the hero-worship on Saturday?

There's a sainthood at least somewhere in the future for our very pwn Cindy. Secretary-General of the UN looks a snap.

I see it all and a fix.
If internet is needed (and I logged literature and science to my ordinary brain prior) let there be internet.

[The Atheist]

Yet another absolute indictment on this government.

4 ICU beds for 115,000 people, and that's after having had 18 months to prepare.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/hea...tion-of-116000

[The Atheist]

And more: https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/30...ll-clinic-says

[lionking]

Originally Posted by The Atheist

Yet another absolute indictment on this government.

4 ICU beds for 115,000 people, and that's after having had 18 months to prepare.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/hea...tion-of-116000

The problem is that the entire nation convinced itself that you had defeated the virus, and only evil foreigners would bring it in. So why gear up for hundreds of cases a day? I think this attitude was shared by both parties and virtually everyone.

So Delta proved everyone wrong. I don’t think it’s fair to condemn Arden for this when the consensus was so strong.

The delayed vaccination campaign is where Arden should be criticised, as should be Morrison in Australia.

Arden displayed hubris not incompetence. She deserves criticism not condemnation in my opinion.

Interestingly Australia’s infection rate may drop below the total NZ rate, not just the per capita.

[The Atheist]

Originally Posted by lionking

The problem is that the entire nation convinced itself that you had defeated the virus, and only evil foreigners would bring it in. So why gear up for hundreds of cases a day? I think this attitude was shared by both parties and virtually everyone.

Nope. The expert consensus was that it had to happen. With airline and quarantine staff consistently coming down with Covid, it was always a matter of time, and even worse, the government itself promised the health boards it would increase ICU and hospital capacities, when the reality is, as up-thread, that we started building extra negative-pressure rooms only once the disease was established.

Also, the icing on that cake is that was Ardern herself who opened the border to Australia, which is how the virus got in.

So Delta proved everyone wrong. I don’t think it’s fair to condemn Arden for this when the consensus was so strong.

Originally Posted by lionking

The delayed vaccination campaign is where Arden should be criticised, as should be Morrison in Australia.

I haven't really mentioned vaccines, because it's been an evolving science. We know now the best plan is to vaccinate as fast as possible, to retain higher immunity across the board. As it is, our oldest and most vulnerable residents are all sitting on 9-month-old vaccinations.

Originally Posted by lionking

Interestingly Australia’s infection rate may drop below the total NZ rate, not just the per capita.

I think that's highly likely, and I can even pick the middle of December as the time it happens, although it will partly depend on whether WA, QLD and SA keep trying to keep it out.

[The Atheist]

And there is no defence for sheer incompetence and utter absence of planning by the government.

People are being sent home with Covid and abandoned to volunteer groups and families, instead of being in hospital.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-...QCQG3K54BWZTQ/

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/hea...atives-at-home

[The Atheist]

This is hilarious!

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/kainga...3IM6ESLFSRI4A/

[The Atheist]

The government owns or manages rentals of 69,000 homes in NZ. These house a variety of beneficiaries and a few low-income workers.

One of the first actions of Cinderella's government was to stop evictions.

This is the result of that insane policy. Note only media focus is causing them to make any moves at all.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/kainga...RNM7ED3U3M5FY/