Thanks Nick, Many aspects of Act's gathering raise questions for me. Do they need money? Given the size of their 'war chest' for the election it seems they could have found sponsorship and registration would keep protesters out. Not surprised some have found the culture toxic. Why would Brooke deny it? Better to investigate. Most of all Paul Henry??? Who thinks he could possibly have anything relevant to say? The whole thing just gives me the shivers as do most things Act say and do.. Thanks for reporting this Nick. Certainly not my tribe.
Morena Nick. In the midst of our political turmoil, it's worth remembering that NZ First and ACT have licence to trash our house only because Luxon courted them to share the master bedroom. Generations hereafter will judge him harshly for his unprincipled quest for power. Kia kaha.
Yes, they are both VERY minor parties. Luxon is a traitor. He granted them a seat at the table to enable him to become PM. He doesn't realise he isn't a leader, nor a statesman. He doesn't realise Act and NZ First muck will stick to him forever - NZ's worst ever PM.
yes Brian, this continually amuses me....well thats too nicer word for it.............95% of the political news is driven by Nationals/Chris's bed buddies. It's seeming like the playboy mansion............where is the dynamo Chris and the nat talent in this..............in the desperation for power I think Luxon, who may just be the token blonde in this act, the
mansion bed et al (sorry blondes and yep, I know he is bald) ..........LuxAflake has killed off the Nats credibility.......imagine if he had had the testicles to seek a wider coalition for the people.........and that he didnt it shows why this coalition sucks....it only reflects so much...and the uglier side of the kiwi populace. Sorry to say that....but I continue to struggle with the fallout in relationships with thems that wanted and voted for this..........and didnt see what many of us saw coming, and haven't the guts now to revile a tad, or condemn it. Emperors parade syndrome is alive and well..
Beautifully put Brian, you’ve absolutely nailed it. I wish sometimes l could sound more like you sir, more measured and cleaver, like Nick too of course!
There is just sooo much outrage and despair.. we are all feeling it.. l certainly felt it looking at that clip of Paul Henry. It’s hard not to get a bit personal when talking about these bastards but you are dead right.. the mud will stick and karma will have her reckoning.
Mōrena..they are such a depressing, negative, scowling, nasty, small-mined, bigoted, racist, misogynist, cruel, privileged, ba'bag of a (very, very minority!) Party. Seeing Paul Henry again today (and I watched the video) made me sick. Just when you thought we'd moved beyond that .......
Their supporters all look like they've been asked to upgrade their slum rentals to livable levels by next month.
I ...however...remain hopeful. The turnout on Saturday to protest the Fast Track (to hell) Bill in Whakatū was amazing..at least 600 people (which is good for our area). And the turnout last week for the protest against attacks on Māori was possibly bigger. The support here for the suffering of Palestinians grows weekly.
There's a lot going on internationally, with far-right parties vying to lead in the next UK and European elections.
But don't lose heart whānau! Today I'm off delivering Te Tiriti o Waitangi flyers around my neighbourhood (I can because I am retired:) )Even those of my friends who don't take direct action, are similarly appalled by what is happening to Aotearoa.
Friends and relatives who live in the UK are still telling me they have it worse off...but we are in catch-up mode!
Many moons ago I had a favourite badge (during the Thatcher/Reagan years and the imminent threat of nuclear war)...it says 'Don't Mourn! Organise!. And that's my mantra for today!
God analysis Nick, David Seymore seems to continually, with his distorted truths, pushing the Pakaha attitudes of the 50's 60's I knew growing up.. For Maori, 'to be as good as the pakeha you were standing next to you had to be twice as good' as there was a lot of unconscious racism that did need to be challenged. NZ society has progressed a long way since then & younger Maori who are successful in life are not going to go back to the dominate European ways of previous times. David Seymore shows little understanding of Maori thinking so is continually trying to belittle it.
I watched that Paul video - give me strength - it was hard to watch and reminded me of the time he said "That lady has a moustache" .....the epitomy of a complete fuckwit.
it's embarrassing to watch eh..........makes you wonder about the sense in having someone like that brought in to bat for you, and the validity of anything he says by way of comentary and insight on Aotearoa.
imagine.
Ladies and gentleman, before our key speaker comes up and he needs no introduction, here's a video clip by way of introduction...........yes you thought he was somewhere else, but he wasn't........(video clip from Nicks article rolls)
Now that would be funny or sad.....the people there would have laughed and meant it
What is very depressing is if you scroll down and read the comments on that video they pretty much all say how funny they thought it was and what a clever guy Henry is...Oh dear...Good grief...
exactly......tis one of my info. absorbing habits ......to read the comments, then reach for the wine, or is that whine...............nah, tryn' to give that up......but comments inform don't they. Thanks Brian.
Every morning now I think I wake up, but no, it seems I am in a continual and worsening nightmare. Two of New Zealand's most abhorrent citizens ( I won't say Aotearoa as that is not their country ) Paul Henry and Nick Mowbray are front and centre in the news. Are we supposed to celebrate the Kings of Cheap Plastic Shit being worth $20Billion.
Over 200 Palestinians massacred ( again ) and the media is disputing the numbers, giving Israel's viewpoint at every turn, and celebrating 4 hostages saved seemingly with US assistance ( no mention of that anywhere ). TV1 says dozens killed, Newshub reports 210...
TV1 says thousands of protesters, Newshub says over 20,000.
Can I please soon wake up to sanity having returned or do I have to suffer day after day of things just getting worse.
The latest Grand Merde about to hit the fan - A bill to automatically extend the consent of every marine farm - approximately 1200 - by 20 years. Only ten days have been given to make submissions. Just another threat to the environment.
...and just to show what special kind of arsewipe Nick Mowbray is - ( as reported by Stuff ) New Zealand toy giant Zuru wants to sue former employees who posted serious allegations online about its company culture.
Yes, Nick Mowbray was the first face I saw on TV this morning. Vomit inducing. Luckily, I was fortunate enough to avoid Paul Henry until this Korero where I felt strengthened by the quality discourse.
Mark, man oh man, I just started to watch his whole34 minute speech on Youtube a few minutes ago, in order to judge it for myself. Well, I only lasted until 7:03, where he makes some snide 15 yr-old schoolboy comment about "Jacinda's bodily extremities" and turned it off in total disgust and disbelief. What an UGLY UGLY human being, both physically and mentally, who's time on TV has filled him with a level of 'hubris' that truly requires a good spanking, or a cuff about the ears...since he's nothing but a schoolboy...
Yep. He's a strange one. The sense of humor and self-control of a 15YO with ADHD. It is hard to imagine why anyone would ask him to appear as a keynote speaker, unless his reputation as a hard right a-hole fitted the bill.
If ever there was an opportunity to kill off the ACT party between now and the election it is. Seymour wants his vote doubled? Well, with a concerted effort I’m sure we can finish his spiteful little party off once and for all.
We know he is an odious little creep.
We know ACT is exploiting the fear of a certain demographic for monetary gain ( they don’t care about the future of New Zealand).
So, we concentrate on those who vote for them because I’ll go out on a limb and say the majority of those who vote ACT are doing it from a place of fear and we have to show them there is actually nothing to fear.
But I do console myself with the thought that this is the last roar of a dying breed that the protests of the last couple weeks have shown me the future of New Zealand and it’s looking good
Good point David, and I like the 'odious little creep', perfecto for him. It has occurred to me revelling in this write by Nick, it has occurred to moi, that Seymour (especialy re the female allegations and toxic party culture)...Seymour is like Henry......two diffferent kinds of brats that could throw tantrums. Seymour....a hinged entitled on the spectrum sort.........and Henry...totally unhinged and off the rails out of touch kind....and on the spectrum too.............
Thanks Nick for your report on this gathering of the “me” party. One thing is clearly obvious and that is if this is your party of choice your facial expressions sure don’t reflect “me” being a very happy place. Just look at the two women in your photo in the post. Maybe it’s the dodgy guys who represent them who are the problem.
In the words of Aristotle and my Mum, who was fond of this saying, "water seeks it's own level" - or in this case sewerage! .... what a concentration of nasty human beings :/
one thought I had Peter, one hope also.......after watching the video in Nicks post..........by association, and especially in the light of the ACT culture allegations..............by association, what dimwit, or odious creep as per Brians great description below........who would want Henry associated with your party, its image and even supporting it. Does that seem like unhinged as a play.....or arrogant or just plain dumb. Any of those options seem to lack brilliance and insight and offer me hope....offer us hope.
i do my best Peter........and that's how this crew in charge divide us isn't it. Whether it's environment, drug funding, farming, culturally, ethnically........it is becoming a 1982 rugby tour situation......within whanau, communities and nationally. I am reading a really interesting book I bought after an interview with the author I heard on RNZ. The Age of Magical Thinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality. Not only does it help me understand my own danger zones.......but makes visible some societal ones.
Decent could mean being able to reflect on my own shite and prejudice, and to read widely and challenge my held positions and who I trust and believe.
In that sense, I am decent.
I see in politics and this government loss of that kinda decent.
Great book, half way thru and I am making some changes and understandings.
Wasn't a case of getting a book to confirm by suspicions. It's the eternal and gentle search for understanding and answers to why.
The creation stories of countries are always written first by the colonisers, who are almost invariably male, have enriched themselves by exploiting indigenous people, and have the means to record and ratify their views. All other stories that emerge are silenced, censored, dismissed, discredited. It mirrors the process of indoctrination by religions and cults to credit the views of one male and vehemently discredit all other views of the world. I think Seymour sees himself as a saviour, and ACT certainly has some cult-like qualities!
Jill your excellent comments made me think and you are spot on when I muse upon what happened to my own and many pakeha Kiwis' ancient ancestors in Britain after the Roman invasion - my lot the Celts, like Māori, had an oral tradition only so the written history was skewed in Rome's favour by Roman writers and was tainted by their prejudices and politics as was religion. Moving into more recent centuries, with my MacGregor blood I feel deeply the struggle and rage of Māori at their dispossession of their lands and all the injustices they've endured .... my loathing for Seymour, Luxon and the rest of the toxic cabal currently in government is utterly visceral and getting stronger!
Thank you Vicky. I have links back to Ireland and Scotland through the Blennerhassett and Eliot families. The history of colonisation and oppression is deeply etched in most of our histories, but humans seem to be rather slow learners!
Thanks Nick, Many aspects of Act's gathering raise questions for me. Do they need money? Given the size of their 'war chest' for the election it seems they could have found sponsorship and registration would keep protesters out. Not surprised some have found the culture toxic. Why would Brooke deny it? Better to investigate. Most of all Paul Henry??? Who thinks he could possibly have anything relevant to say? The whole thing just gives me the shivers as do most things Act say and do.. Thanks for reporting this Nick. Certainly not my tribe.
Well said Heather - I completely agree!
Me too
And me.
Heather yes, 'a gathering of the horrible."
or i liked the Queens term for a bad year....horribilis.........that fits eh.
Morena Nick. In the midst of our political turmoil, it's worth remembering that NZ First and ACT have licence to trash our house only because Luxon courted them to share the master bedroom. Generations hereafter will judge him harshly for his unprincipled quest for power. Kia kaha.
Yes, they are both VERY minor parties. Luxon is a traitor. He granted them a seat at the table to enable him to become PM. He doesn't realise he isn't a leader, nor a statesman. He doesn't realise Act and NZ First muck will stick to him forever - NZ's worst ever PM.
yes Brian, this continually amuses me....well thats too nicer word for it.............95% of the political news is driven by Nationals/Chris's bed buddies. It's seeming like the playboy mansion............where is the dynamo Chris and the nat talent in this..............in the desperation for power I think Luxon, who may just be the token blonde in this act, the
mansion bed et al (sorry blondes and yep, I know he is bald) ..........LuxAflake has killed off the Nats credibility.......imagine if he had had the testicles to seek a wider coalition for the people.........and that he didnt it shows why this coalition sucks....it only reflects so much...and the uglier side of the kiwi populace. Sorry to say that....but I continue to struggle with the fallout in relationships with thems that wanted and voted for this..........and didnt see what many of us saw coming, and haven't the guts now to revile a tad, or condemn it. Emperors parade syndrome is alive and well..
Exactly!
You have put mental picture in my mind of those three in the bedroom that is extremely alarming!
🤣
Beautifully put Brian, you’ve absolutely nailed it. I wish sometimes l could sound more like you sir, more measured and cleaver, like Nick too of course!
There is just sooo much outrage and despair.. we are all feeling it.. l certainly felt it looking at that clip of Paul Henry. It’s hard not to get a bit personal when talking about these bastards but you are dead right.. the mud will stick and karma will have her reckoning.
Ugly folk with ugly attitudes - but I suppose every societal bell curve needs that tail
Mōrena..they are such a depressing, negative, scowling, nasty, small-mined, bigoted, racist, misogynist, cruel, privileged, ba'bag of a (very, very minority!) Party. Seeing Paul Henry again today (and I watched the video) made me sick. Just when you thought we'd moved beyond that .......
Their supporters all look like they've been asked to upgrade their slum rentals to livable levels by next month.
I ...however...remain hopeful. The turnout on Saturday to protest the Fast Track (to hell) Bill in Whakatū was amazing..at least 600 people (which is good for our area). And the turnout last week for the protest against attacks on Māori was possibly bigger. The support here for the suffering of Palestinians grows weekly.
There's a lot going on internationally, with far-right parties vying to lead in the next UK and European elections.
But don't lose heart whānau! Today I'm off delivering Te Tiriti o Waitangi flyers around my neighbourhood (I can because I am retired:) )Even those of my friends who don't take direct action, are similarly appalled by what is happening to Aotearoa.
Friends and relatives who live in the UK are still telling me they have it worse off...but we are in catch-up mode!
Many moons ago I had a favourite badge (during the Thatcher/Reagan years and the imminent threat of nuclear war)...it says 'Don't Mourn! Organise!. And that's my mantra for today!
The sun is shining in Te Wai Pounamu!
God analysis Nick, David Seymore seems to continually, with his distorted truths, pushing the Pakaha attitudes of the 50's 60's I knew growing up.. For Maori, 'to be as good as the pakeha you were standing next to you had to be twice as good' as there was a lot of unconscious racism that did need to be challenged. NZ society has progressed a long way since then & younger Maori who are successful in life are not going to go back to the dominate European ways of previous times. David Seymore shows little understanding of Maori thinking so is continually trying to belittle it.
Absolutely Rachel. The Te Kaianga generation. Very smart,very switched on and will not just accept the status quo.
Exactly- he does the same for everything he doesn’t understand like Māori Pacifica compassion women - anyone who protests etc etc
well said Rachel
Thanks Nick
I watched that Paul video - give me strength - it was hard to watch and reminded me of the time he said "That lady has a moustache" .....the epitomy of a complete fuckwit.
it's embarrassing to watch eh..........makes you wonder about the sense in having someone like that brought in to bat for you, and the validity of anything he says by way of comentary and insight on Aotearoa.
imagine.
Ladies and gentleman, before our key speaker comes up and he needs no introduction, here's a video clip by way of introduction...........yes you thought he was somewhere else, but he wasn't........(video clip from Nicks article rolls)
Now that would be funny or sad.....the people there would have laughed and meant it
Then applaused genuinely as he walked on stage.
What is very depressing is if you scroll down and read the comments on that video they pretty much all say how funny they thought it was and what a clever guy Henry is...Oh dear...Good grief...
exactly......tis one of my info. absorbing habits ......to read the comments, then reach for the wine, or is that whine...............nah, tryn' to give that up......but comments inform don't they. Thanks Brian.
Every morning now I think I wake up, but no, it seems I am in a continual and worsening nightmare. Two of New Zealand's most abhorrent citizens ( I won't say Aotearoa as that is not their country ) Paul Henry and Nick Mowbray are front and centre in the news. Are we supposed to celebrate the Kings of Cheap Plastic Shit being worth $20Billion.
Over 200 Palestinians massacred ( again ) and the media is disputing the numbers, giving Israel's viewpoint at every turn, and celebrating 4 hostages saved seemingly with US assistance ( no mention of that anywhere ). TV1 says dozens killed, Newshub reports 210...
TV1 says thousands of protesters, Newshub says over 20,000.
Can I please soon wake up to sanity having returned or do I have to suffer day after day of things just getting worse.
The latest Grand Merde about to hit the fan - A bill to automatically extend the consent of every marine farm - approximately 1200 - by 20 years. Only ten days have been given to make submissions. Just another threat to the environment.
The closing date is this coming Sunday.
Aaaaaarrrrrrgggggghhhhhhhh!!!!!
...and just to show what special kind of arsewipe Nick Mowbray is - ( as reported by Stuff ) New Zealand toy giant Zuru wants to sue former employees who posted serious allegations online about its company culture.
and they wonder why so many chose not to complain.
Yes, Nick Mowbray was the first face I saw on TV this morning. Vomit inducing. Luckily, I was fortunate enough to avoid Paul Henry until this Korero where I felt strengthened by the quality discourse.
Mark, man oh man, I just started to watch his whole34 minute speech on Youtube a few minutes ago, in order to judge it for myself. Well, I only lasted until 7:03, where he makes some snide 15 yr-old schoolboy comment about "Jacinda's bodily extremities" and turned it off in total disgust and disbelief. What an UGLY UGLY human being, both physically and mentally, who's time on TV has filled him with a level of 'hubris' that truly requires a good spanking, or a cuff about the ears...since he's nothing but a schoolboy...
Yep. He's a strange one. The sense of humor and self-control of a 15YO with ADHD. It is hard to imagine why anyone would ask him to appear as a keynote speaker, unless his reputation as a hard right a-hole fitted the bill.
I agree all scary shit
If ever there was an opportunity to kill off the ACT party between now and the election it is. Seymour wants his vote doubled? Well, with a concerted effort I’m sure we can finish his spiteful little party off once and for all.
We know he is an odious little creep.
We know ACT is exploiting the fear of a certain demographic for monetary gain ( they don’t care about the future of New Zealand).
So, we concentrate on those who vote for them because I’ll go out on a limb and say the majority of those who vote ACT are doing it from a place of fear and we have to show them there is actually nothing to fear.
But I do console myself with the thought that this is the last roar of a dying breed that the protests of the last couple weeks have shown me the future of New Zealand and it’s looking good
Good point David, and I like the 'odious little creep', perfecto for him. It has occurred to me revelling in this write by Nick, it has occurred to moi, that Seymour (especialy re the female allegations and toxic party culture)...Seymour is like Henry......two diffferent kinds of brats that could throw tantrums. Seymour....a hinged entitled on the spectrum sort.........and Henry...totally unhinged and off the rails out of touch kind....and on the spectrum too.............
I hope its the last roar coming down the pipe....
Clapped my hands after reading that last sentence, referring to getting rid of shit....Cheers MKRC...
Thanks Nick for reporting. Appreciate your work.
Me too!
Thanks Nick for your report on this gathering of the “me” party. One thing is clearly obvious and that is if this is your party of choice your facial expressions sure don’t reflect “me” being a very happy place. Just look at the two women in your photo in the post. Maybe it’s the dodgy guys who represent them who are the problem.
Yeah Mac, that is what struck me too, the obviously pissed-off demeanour of both those women standing there with Snarky Seymour.
snarky.....another good adjective for him......
Thanks Nick. Great way to start the week reading your piece. Particularly enjoyed your descriptions of those two weasels at the start.
Yes they were very appropriate
In the words of Aristotle and my Mum, who was fond of this saying, "water seeks it's own level" - or in this case sewerage! .... what a concentration of nasty human beings :/
brilliant
McKee, runs with the hares and hunts with the hounds. Kaore ia e tautoko te toto Maori.
Weasel Seymore, ae, a good description.
Me ōna pū katoa!
And today we hear there was a pharmacy break in. Guess what was the only product they took. Yes, of course, the pseudoephedrines and a lot of them
Couldn’t have been- you know Mr plod has made us so much safer now!
That break in was not the first, and certainly will not be the last. It was inevitable. The lesson of history ignored, if not forgotten.
I thought that odious creep henry had departed NZ .....
I wish had!!
one thought I had Peter, one hope also.......after watching the video in Nicks post..........by association, and especially in the light of the ACT culture allegations..............by association, what dimwit, or odious creep as per Brians great description below........who would want Henry associated with your party, its image and even supporting it. Does that seem like unhinged as a play.....or arrogant or just plain dumb. Any of those options seem to lack brilliance and insight and offer me hope....offer us hope.
an excellent point, though the ACT faithfull probably adore him.
yes, a sad truth. and what does that say about them.......different strokes for different folks......I must be missing something.
It means that you are a fundamentally decent person ...
i do my best Peter........and that's how this crew in charge divide us isn't it. Whether it's environment, drug funding, farming, culturally, ethnically........it is becoming a 1982 rugby tour situation......within whanau, communities and nationally. I am reading a really interesting book I bought after an interview with the author I heard on RNZ. The Age of Magical Thinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality. Not only does it help me understand my own danger zones.......but makes visible some societal ones.
Decent could mean being able to reflect on my own shite and prejudice, and to read widely and challenge my held positions and who I trust and believe.
In that sense, I am decent.
I see in politics and this government loss of that kinda decent.
Great book, half way thru and I am making some changes and understandings.
Wasn't a case of getting a book to confirm by suspicions. It's the eternal and gentle search for understanding and answers to why.
Thanks for engaging.
https://www.thenile.co.nz/books/amanda-montell/the-age-of-magical-overthinking/9780008701123?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpZWzBhC0ARIsACvjWRMV09i-e7RcnD_q5cZd1IFAX4gu7RIHR9LR4BkTG9NXhCCD9H4n480aAjlVEALw_wcB
and a free PDF version
https://z-lib.io/book/18032930
The creation stories of countries are always written first by the colonisers, who are almost invariably male, have enriched themselves by exploiting indigenous people, and have the means to record and ratify their views. All other stories that emerge are silenced, censored, dismissed, discredited. It mirrors the process of indoctrination by religions and cults to credit the views of one male and vehemently discredit all other views of the world. I think Seymour sees himself as a saviour, and ACT certainly has some cult-like qualities!
Jill your excellent comments made me think and you are spot on when I muse upon what happened to my own and many pakeha Kiwis' ancient ancestors in Britain after the Roman invasion - my lot the Celts, like Māori, had an oral tradition only so the written history was skewed in Rome's favour by Roman writers and was tainted by their prejudices and politics as was religion. Moving into more recent centuries, with my MacGregor blood I feel deeply the struggle and rage of Māori at their dispossession of their lands and all the injustices they've endured .... my loathing for Seymour, Luxon and the rest of the toxic cabal currently in government is utterly visceral and getting stronger!
Thank you Vicky. I have links back to Ireland and Scotland through the Blennerhassett and Eliot families. The history of colonisation and oppression is deeply etched in most of our histories, but humans seem to be rather slow learners!