Massive Crowds fail to appear at Christchurch Flag exercise.

Is this yet another super success story? First there was hair pulling now there is flag waving:

Christchurch is New Zealand’s second largest city…the government would have spent at least or over fifty thousand dollars to hire a site, ship in the star performers, pay for heaps of TV, newspaper and radio ads, yet the people stayed away in their droves: The dreaming organisers laid out hundreds of chairs in great anticipation of mass attendance…the highly paid front-line and strange panel of experts[?] took their place on the stage and they even delayed the kick off time in the vain hope that a much needed crowd to would save face and would fill at least the front row…but alas, the Prime Ministers dream project was to kick off with a fizz rather than a show piece event.

The Prime Minister was keenly awaiting with great expectation in Wellington for the text news with pictures, of the massive success of his wonderful and much beloved ‘Flag changing policy’ that would see his royal imperative etched into the history of New Zealand forever. His PR squad had fully drafted a public statement about how delighted he was to see such a massive crowd turn out for this first public discussion of his dazzling and brilliant news manufactured exercise. He had practiced its presentation twice earlier in the day…getting feedback from Cam Slater and Paul Henry…they said he sounded great [as they always do].

In fact when he was informed by a anxious GCSB agent that the police numbers outside the venue were double the size of the crowd, he turned a lighter shade of pale, even lighter than when his wife told him to stop grabbing that waitresses pony tail, and believe me that’s one hell of a pale shade of blue.

Massive crowd of five supports PMs change of flag meetings.

The first of a series of public meetings about the New Zealand flag referendum was held today in Christchurch.

The hope is to encourage public involvement in the process ahead of the vote, but hardly anyone turned up.

The first of a series of Hui around whether to change the New Zealand flag was noticeably empty this afternoon – not what the Flag Consideration Panel hoped for the national road show, which kicked off this weekend in Christchurch.

"Our panel is there to get people engaged and talking about it ahead of the referendum, so that when people come to vote on it they'll have an understanding of a) the process and b) the issues involved," says Flag Consideration Panel chairperson Professor John Burrows.

"It's the first time in the history of this country that people have ever been asked officially to consider their flag, and although we're not entirely sure of this it's one of the first times in the history of the world," says Professor Burrows.

"I'm saddened at one level that there seems to be quite a bit of reluctance to engage in the conversation," says Hana O'Regan of the Flag Consideration Panel.

This whole process is expected to cost upward of $25 million.

The road show also chatted to the public in a major shopping mall.

But Denis Hampton who takes to the streets every day to fly the current flag stole their thunder when he said about the present flag:

"It has grown with me and I'm well aware of its long history in New Zealand," says Mr Hampton. "I see nothing wrong with it and I believe it's an excellent flag for our country."

This is the first of a number of hui to take place around the country. The final vote by the public on the New Zealand flag is expected to take place early next year.

Reference: http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/low-turnout-for-first-public-flag-change-meeting-2015051716#ixzz3aNShORSk

Key likes Capital Gains Tax and the Greens offer hope.

Today I received this by email from the Green Party, I read it a couple of times and realised that the Greens were on to something good. No matter from which angle I view it, it appeared to be a step in the right direction of helping those in great need and who have been generally forgotten.

Key has stated many times that he cares about hungry kids and those living below the poverty line, yet over the last six years he has done little or nothing to assist. 

He lowered tax for the wealthy and is still trying to work out how he will pay for that fool-hardy action. At the present time he is paying for it by having to borrow massive amounts from overseas financial markets…at the same time he increased GST which directly impacted on those in greatest need, this move was a complete back-flip on what he had promised before the election.

It was reported today that the National Party are now so frightened by the housing market bubble bursting, that they are going to introduce a ‘Capital gains tax’ of sorts in Thursdays budget, this is a stunning turn-around from the man who once said…”A capital gains tax…over my dead body”. 

It would appear that Key is on his last legs, the novelty of Prince Harry’s visit, a flying visit to the Saudi Kings Palace, the loss in Northland to Winston Peters is slowing down his brain and perhaps he is recognising that his neo-liberal Ponzi style day dream is just that…a dream, who knows? 

So read what the Greens have to say, think about it…is just possible that if we all are willing to think collectively both as communities and as a nation and put aside the neo-liberal nutty thinking, that we can actually assist where assistance is obviously needed.  

Kia ora Peter

I have some exciting news to share with you.
 

Today we announced a game-changing savings policy that will give every New Zealand child the start in life they need and deserve; it’s called Kids’ KiwiSaver.
 

Too many New Zealand families are struggling to save for their children’s futures. The Green Party wants to give you a hand so your children get a decent shot when they turn 18.
 

Kids’ KiwiSaver is an important step towards giving every kid the great start they deserve. Here’s how it works:

·        The Government will put $1,000 into a Kids’ KiwiSaver account for every child at birth (parents can choose to opt out).

·         Each child living below the poverty line will then get a Government top-up of $200 every year until they turn 18 and any contributions the family makes to their child’s future, up to $100 annually, will also be matched.

·        For all other families, annual contributions up to $200 will be matched by the Government.

With careful saving, our policy means children could have a minimum nest egg of $12,900 by the age of 18 that they can use to help fund tertiary education, invest in their adult KiwiSaver account, or use to help with a deposit on their first home.

I’m very proud of Kids’ KiwiSaver – it’s the kind of progressive policy you can expect to see more of from the Greens.

Metiria Turei

Green Party Co-leader

PS: You can find more of the ins and outs about Kids’ KiwiSaver on our website.

www.greens.org.nz

Bribery the new trade deal tool.

The PM has come under great fire for some of his strange financial deals over the years, we had the South Canterbury episode that cost tax-payers millions and millions, we had the Sky City so-called deal that is costing tens of millions while at the same time introducing hundreds of new pokey machine and increasing the problem gambling woes that abound here in NZ.

Then there was was the 40 million dollar interest free loan to Steven Joyce’s old buddies Media works to pull them out of their financial bog hole. There was Judith Collins private deal with a Chinese milk importing company, the list is endless. 

All this while Kiwi kids go hungry and others are forced on to below the poverty line wages and government supports Zero hour contracts for its contracting staff.

Now we have a new and hugely expensive deal between a Saudi Billionaire and John Key as he attempts to buy a so-called free trade agreement. The brilliant Palmerston North based blog ‘No Right Turn’ produced this absolutely stunning and well researched item on the cringing and head bowing efforts by key to spend millions to claim a victory in his latest failure. I don’t think that Key or English ever wanted to reach a surplus…that was always just PR bullshit. This from No Right Turn:

Friday, May 08, 2015

Isn't there a name for this?

The New Zealand government is currently trying to negotiate a "free-trade agreement" (which will as usual be nothing of the sort) with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council. But there's a problem: banning live sheep exports upset Hamood Al Ali Khalaf, a powerful Saudi businessman. So they gave him $6 million to make his objections go away:

The Government's spent millions of taxpayer dollars kitting out a farm with top-of-the-line New Zealand equipment and hundreds of sheep to "compensate" a Saudi businessman.

ONE News has learned that the Government has spent $6 million air freighting 900 pregnant ewes and farming equipment to Hamood Al Ali Khalaf's farm in Saudi Arabia.

According to Mr Al Ali Khalaf's business partner, Sydney-based George Assaf, everything from the fencing to "the shed and the wool shed and the yards and the drafting machines, the weighing, the scales, you mention it, it's all from New Zealand".

Mr Assaf says the deal was done to "compensate" the pair over a six-year-old ban of live sheep exports in which they say they lost hundreds of millions of dollars.

He says New Zealand was told "unless you fix that part of it, we won't sign" the free trade deal between New Zealand and the Gulf States.

National: gives $6 million to a foreign millionaire while kiwi kids go to school hungry.

But that snark aside, there's a name for this sort of activity, of paying people so that you get your policy: its called bribery. And if Khalaf was a public official, rather than just a rich prick who had officials in his pocket, it would be a crime.

(No, I don't buy the use of the term "compensation". "Compensation" implies wrongdoing. And we did nothing wrong by banning the trade in misery of live sheep exports. Quite the opposite, in fact. The fact that we're supposedly paying compensation for this simply heaps obscenity on obscenity). Quote ends.

So there you go folks, how low can we go...we condone the Saudi pastime of public beheadings, beatings,support of ISIS, mass Israeli style bombing, etc. etc all in the name of bribery and so-called free trade. The only thing Key trades in is human rights...He is known as the smiling assassin and he sure lives up to that nickname. Oh and he also has a liking for pony tails. 

Andrea Vance the new Eavesdropper.

I once had a column in one of our weekly give away,s called ‘Eavesdropper’ where I created imaginary discussions between people here in Palmerston North or NZ. I must admit that at times it was difficult because I was trying to keep it realistic while attempting to make a serious point. At times I don’t think I made a very good job of it…but at times it sounded so realistic that people like the CEO of the PNCC [Paul W] sent me lawyers letters…the then CEO of MCH complained to the local paper and alas ‘Eavesdropper was removed.

Andrea Vance a new Eavesdropper

While lunching today a friend suggested that Keys visit to Saudi Arabia deserved a ‘Eavesdropper’ style report. I thought seriously about it and later switched on my computer and if you’ll excuse the pun…Keyed in KEY and Saudi Arabia… various bits of information appeared on my screen. 

One by Andrea Vance of the Dominion appeared…on reading it I realised that there was no need for an Eavesdropper…Andrea had done it for me…so I present it without alteration or additions, you decide if I was correct: 

My view is Andrea’s reporting is in fact a actual feat of legal eavesdropping. Andrea is one of the few investigative journalists left and like Nicky Hager she fully understands what it feels like to have the GCSB on her back…when they handed over to government her phone calls during the Peter Dunne affair [saga]. Here is her report:

Prime Minister John Key meets Saudi Arabia's Prince Alwaleed bin Talal

ANDREA VANCE IN RIYADH

Last updated 20:00, April 29 2015

Photo: Chris Skelton/Fairfax NZ

NZ Prime Minister John Key meets Saudi Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal Bin Abdul Aziz in Riyadh.

If Prince Alwaleed bin Talal's 99-storey skyscraper doesn't make you dizzy, his rapid-fire conversation will. Taking tea is the Arab way to do business. As Prime Minister John Key is on a trade mission, sitting down with one of the country's richest men was a must.

With a net worth of some NZ$60 billion, Prince Alwaleed is an investor in Citibank, the Four Seasons Hotel chain, Fox Entertainment and Twitter.  Which is where their colourful conversation started.

"I follow your tweets, more than a year," the prince told Key.

Business delegates, journalists and aides peered at them over tiny cups. 

HRH pulled out a photo of Jim Bolger.

"I have been to New Zealand one time in 1997. I met the former prime minister. it seems I only meet prime ministers from the National Party, no Labour."  

They moved on to cricket, the conversation stilted as they sipped their tea.

Key stumbled on to safe ground: "What do you think of the global economy?" 

"This Greece thing doesn't make sense at all," the prince said.

"[Former prime minister] Antonis Samaras - a very good friend of mine but this new guy comes right now and flips it all over. Europe is the weak link...the big game is China."

When the royal stopped for breath, Key made his pitch but it strangled the conversation again.

"You own Fox News, wow," Key wrongly asserted. Prince Alwaleed ran through his considerable investments (13 industries in 40 countries). 

Again, Key saw his opportunity: "They had a Four Seasons in New Zealand?"

"No, there was a discussion at one time..."

Key interrupted: "In Queenstown, I think. No? But we want one." 

The prince seemed to hint New Zealand needed a higher GDP per capita before it could have one of his five star hotels. Awkward.

"Your trip to Turkey was interesting. Prince Charles, Prince Harry," the prince changed the subject. Key: "He's coming to New Zealand in a couple of weeks." 

Prince Alwaleed: "I read about it."

A discussion of the Gallipoli commemorations followed.

Tim Groser wandered in. "That’s the trade minister, actually. Tim Tim. Come and say hello."

Off they went on a long discussion about currency fluctuations and New Zealand's economy. Then China, again. Oil prices and what the prince called "this fracking thing."

Plates and plates of food were circulated. More tea arrived: "We have mint tea and ginger."

"I'll try ginger...so has Saudi Arabia changed a lot over the last 10-15 years?" A brief history of the kingdom followed.

Key did his best to get back to New Zealand's economic interests.

 "Gosh, the Four Seasons is an amazing chain, fantastic hotels...at our Maui house the Four Seasons is in front of us, it's a great place for dinner." 

On India: "Modi's doing a great job."

"We both lost a by-election recently," Key lamented.

Then it was next week's British elections: "I had Mr Blair here," the prince said. 

Key had just fired off a text off to Tony Blair's successor, Prime Minister David Cameron.

"Oh! You text David, I'll take the number off you. I use texting a lot."

They pulled out their smartphones.

"You can take my number," Key was uncomfortable about handing over the contact. 

The prince wanted to talk about Russia's Vladimir Putin. "Where is he heading this guy? Too much, huh?" 

On the table in front of them was a model of the prince's latest project: a 1100m tower which will be the world's tallest.

Key wanted to know the cost.

"$1.3 billion. Very cheap."

Prince Alwaleed

* The 60 year old is the world's 26th richest man and has been called the most influential Arab

* He bought London's Savoy Hotel in 2005, owns several aircraft and his yacht appeared in the James Bond film Never Say Never Again

* Home is a 317 room palace, with a cinema, but he's got two others to choose from

* This week he offered Bentley cars to 100 fighter pilots who took part in bombing raids on Yemen

* He donated $100,000 to help victims of the Canterbury earthquakes in 2011 

PS;

And before you ask...no John Key has never [to my knowledge] pulled her hair...but you would need to ask Andrea to be sure...