40 Comments

"What really made my day, though, were the readers who came up to say hi and express their appreciation for the writing. They were just lovely, and it was so nice to meet you folks—it made it feel like our wee community was represented there, too."

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Brooke Van Vile has said that Labour put too high a value on human life during the pandemic, from that moment on I have nothing but contempt for that cow

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OMG 😱! Cow is too polite!!

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And they're way more productive.

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Wellington was fantastic - great crowd, no rain, and just so efficiently organised, including people handing out little sheets with the motions and chants on one side and the words to Tuutira Mai Ngahuia Iwi and Ngaa Iwi e on the other side. That was a brilliant idea, really inclusive. Again, it was well-timed so people could get back to work, and OWLs (old white ladies) like me could catch our buses home well before the 3.00 cut off for using our gold cards (ha ha). Richard Wagstaff for PM, I say!

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I hadn't heard of OWLs before, go the OWLs!

Yes, I didn't mention the singing at the start and end in Tamaki Makaurau, too. It did look like a fabulous turnout in the capital.

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This OWL thought it was an exhilarating meeting. Thousands of us supporting the CTU aims and very vocal with it! Loved the singing and chanting and the hugs from the MP’s- Barbara, Chloe, lots of others - even Willie, though to be fair he didn’t make the first move. Next up, the Hikoi next month

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We ended the meeting with a boogie on the forecourt, very satisfying! 💃🏻

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Us OWL’s have seen this stuff before

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OWLS count me in 😁

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Love it!

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Happy to be an OWL, so wise are we!

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Me too

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We've seen it all before!

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🤭😁😻 An Owl is supposedly my spirit animal & now I can add it to my resume 👏 I too caught the bus to attend, but in Christchurch there is no longer an evening cut-off for the Gold Card so time to visit the cool of the Botanic Gardens on a 🌞😎 day & a leisurely return home 💪

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OWLs - me too - wise owls 🦉 👌

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love OWLS am stealing for facebook

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The thing that people sometimes don't appreciate is despite Brooke V V's answer in parliament yesterday saying unions only represent 15% of workers, and her derisory answers (from an 8% party) unions do represent all workers. Every worker who joins a unionised company gets the same benefits whether they pay their dues or not. Tell me one thing from the weekend, to Labour Day, to increased sick leave, to paid parental leave to minimum wage, that hasn't applied to all workers that unions campaigned to win. Unions win for everyone. It is only ppl like BVV who don't understand that unions are part of a social contract, not an insurance agency. Every gain for workers throughout our history has been down to unions campaigning locally, in workplaces, in industries and politically.

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👏💯💪 I grew up with anti-union attitudes from my family, but didn't take long as an independent working person to recognise the vested interests of my business-owning rellies in preventing increased wages & all the other things you mention. I support causes case-by-case and was out yesterday to 'STAND UP - FIGHT BACK!' because this govt is so destructive for the whole of society (apart from their rich mates🤬)

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💯

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"I have been a part of, and led, cultural ceremonies for the Royal Family's visits to New Zealand and other dignitaries..."

This comment suggests the worker in question is possibly of Maori descent. If so, then what Andrew Bayly indulged in was racist abuse. That is a serious offence coming from a minster of the Crown and, in my view, there should be no other course of action other than to relieve him of his ministerial responsibilities.

Anyone who has been on the receiving end of serious abuse knows that it often does not stop at mindless verbal bullying. It can go on to include a variety of other offences including stalking, unlawfully entering property, burglary and malicious pranks - not to mention associated acts of violence. The causes are wide and varied and the perpetrators, more often than not, get away with it.

It is more than time for a change of attitude towards this type of behaviour by both governments and the police.

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He couldn't pronounce Nanaia Mahuta to save himself (on purpose I now think)

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National are so bereft of intelligent, hardworking members that if Luxon starts to carve into useless embarrassing ministers with portfolios, the availability of suitable replacements would very quickly run out! After all if there were quality people waiting in the wings why would Simeon Brown, Judith Collins, Erica Stanford, Dr Shane Reti, or Nicola Willis be in office?

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Thank you for your report Nick. So good, yet sad, to see workers having to unite in their disdain and anger at this Govt which is only interested in their donor class mates. The distribution of wealth upwards continues with arrogant p p p people like Andrew Bayley being recipients. Not the future for Aotearoa we deserve.

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As a one time Union delegate,(many years ago, when I was an angry young man instead of a grumpy old one), I found strike action to be a very helpful tool to have in the bargaining box when conversing about wage issues, conditions and all related interests. Withdrawing your labour for even a short time can have very desirable outcomes. Reading the Korero and how workers of all stripes are suffering from the policies of this miserly, greedy CoC, if I was still that angry young man, I'd almost suggest a general strike country wide might be a lesson well given. About 3 days would do the job. Unions combined are, or should be, unions not to be messed with. Yes, everyone in the country would feel the pinch but as the gym bunnies tell us there's no gain without pain.

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Definitely!!!

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Thanks Nick for the photos from around the country showing the dissatisfaction of those who deserve a lot more from the CoC than they're getting. Also a great song which was one of a trio which came up on my phone in the order below and complimented each other perfectly. (I think it knows me too well.. AI stealth in action?)

First was Mangara Ake Ai, the call to arms, next People have the Power, (spine chillingly good anthem for victory over greed and devisiveness), followed by Granchester Meadows, (Pink bloody Floyd again!! It was an acoustic version beautifully done, I recommend it thoroughly) once peace has been restored. Made my morning😊😊. Hope you all have a great day. I suggest we enjoy it before we are inundated with shots of Luxo patting backs and shoulders in Samoa, on the news tonight. I wonder if he'll talk about ships on this trip, unlike the Korean sojourn?

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I just hope that he doesn't try to manhandle the King! He's much too handsy when meeting people, no matter their elevated status.

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In his mind he's probably never met anyone more elevated than himself..... Or is that inflated?? 🤔

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Bayley showing his true colours thinking he's superior wow I'd love to see him taken down a few pegs. What an SOB.

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I enjoyed your report Nick. Chippie's speech is well worth the listen - thanks for the link.

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💪Thanks for all the photos - don't know about the rest but the one of the Christchurch outdoor protest (so people could attend in their lunch time) at the Bridge of Remembrance doesn't show ALL the crowd - there were too many for a super-quick gathering on the steps right at the end to get a group pic, & quite a few behind that can't be seen 😁 we had 🌞 & 🫂 & 💪 Was great to see so many at venues around the motu as well as the 2 in Christchurch.👏

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Thanks Nick. I was at the Wellington rally which went very smoothly. Chris Hipkins, Willie Jackson and Meghan Woods were there threading their way through the crowd before the speeches, happily chatting and smiling with everyone. Lots of selfies. And indeed Hipkins speech in Parliament about Bayly’s behaviour was powerful. No one on the opposite benches is capable of coming close to how articulate he was. Go Chippy I say.

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A great speech indeed. It was almost amusing watching Bayly, Bishop and Luxon bumble their way through question time trying to elude the obvious answers to Chippy's interrogation. The only thing that made it not so funny was the reminder that these clowns still have two more years to CoC things up completely.

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Four of us attended the New Plymouth event. Very well organised. TV3 included NP in their coverage. Loved reading about the other events, Nick.

Ironically today's newspaper on the same page Health NZ cuts..59 potential "cost containment options" like worse cafeteria food, higher parking, stuffier hospitals. Also "five service reduction options'...co-payments for emergency departments!!, reduced access to IVF, less dialysis, higher bar to access care ....other suggestions!

On the same page of the newspaper surprise, surprise!!! Performance pay for public service bosses all set for next financial year!

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Wasn't covered enough by the media of course, so thanks Nick for being our roving reported. There will be many more protests before this inept, uncaring and unwanted Government are gone.

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We are in a recession, getting worse as Geoff Bertram explained, the parties in power do not know that yet, but they will soon! The parties in power, have the power, they think, also they have the right to exploit their position of power. If we do not take specific legal action against the government, we get what we deserve! Legal action, conflict of interest, no confidence, economic incompetence creating the recession. There must be some lawyers out there, who can provide advice? If all we ever do is tick a "like" or wave a placard then we are supporting the twits in power!

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