CALLING ON NZ SEAFOOD INDUSTRY

This is a chance for the New Zealand Seafood industry to dip into their pockets and do something that will go someway to reminding people that Winston Peters cannot be trusted and has no place on our political landscape.

David Farrar at Kiwiblog is calling for donations to outbid the Prime Minister to get the framed version of Winston's "No" sign. The clearest and starkest reminder of what a lying shitbag he is.

And no doubt Kiwiblog and Whaleoil will use it to great effect during the election campaign.

We do not want to see his type of politics in New Zealand again. We remember the support you gave the right wing blogs at the last election. So we need your support again. Do it for Mike Claudatos - If he was alive today he would have been good for a grand at least.

We want to make sure Winston doesnt come back - we did it once - we need your support again.. besides all funds raised will go to Christchurch and the bonus is you will get to play a part in a campaign that will be aimed at reminding the country of how Winston cannot be trusted.

So all you salty old seadogs - wipe the fishguts off your hands dip your paws into your pockets and give some dosh here david@farrar.com to keep the lying shitbag away from the Big Round House.

HUGE CAJONES - WE BOW TO YOU JOHN.

Well we always thought that this year would be interesting . We have faith in John Key and today he delivered. Not because he has the balls to call an election date so far out .. No that requires big balls.

No, sadly in New Zealands political MMP landscape, the really big hairy ball call comes when you tell to Winston Peters to F**k off.

Today JK did just that - he kicked Winstons arse into the political wilderness..

Winston will have opened a bottle of Blue Label Johnny Walker, after he heard Keys statement and be swigging it back thinking of past because now, that's all he has. John Key has consigned him to history.

Goff has no choices left. Vote for Winston and you vote Labour...

It is a stroke of political mastery. Bloody bewdiful. That means we can get back to planting taters and punkins, making jam and pies and biscuits and drinkin wine and ginger beer over in the Wairarapa.

This will be the cruisiest election year in history.

Thank you John Key. You have made our day.

PLEEEEEEEASE WINSTON

Go on - give it a go....

WINSTON SUFFERING FROM ALZHEIMERS?

We really dont need to say a thing....... Winston’s Figures Wrong Tuesday, 3 August 2010, 3:31 pm Press Release: Aged Care Association

Winston’s Figures Wrong

Today Winston Peters gave a speech at a Returned Services Association meeting in Rangiora on the aged residential care sector. His speech included completely false information as follows:

Winston says “75% of rest homes are run by overseas companies”.

The truth is about 4,000 out of 34,500 beds are operated by foreign owned companies.

Winston says, “Last year the Overseas Investment Office approved sales of aged rest care facilities worth $1.5 billion”.

The truth is over the last year only one retirement village company, which included 335 aged care beds, was sold for $135 million to Australians. However, in the last year off setting this sale saw the fourth largest aged care provider, Radius, return to full New Zealand ownership. As such foreign ownership of New Zealand’s aged care sector has increased in the last year.

Winston says “They are here solely for profits - big profits”.

The returns made by the aged residential care sector are low. How low will be confirmed in a joint DHB and provider sponsored report to be released in early September.

“Winston is following Sue Kedley’s lead and getting onto the ‘outrage’ band wagon on the back of anti foreigner and anti business mantras. The reality is their facts are wrong and we look forward to providing all politicians with accurate information if that is what they want”, said Martin Taylor, CEO of the NZ Aged Care Association.

NOOO JOHN DONT!

Dear John,

Nothing has distressed this blog more than your wobbles over Winston. We were thinkin about giving up our blogging clogs but the fact that you would even consider, even for a moment, giving Winston any credibility means that we still have a place in the blog world.

It's to remind you of the scullduggery, the lies, the double dealing, the troughing that is New Zealand First and its leader.

While we can understand that after watching the shenanigans over the ditch that politics is indeed a game where you can only bank on yesterday , but that does not give you a reason to eschew your principles. The VRWC blogs became a collective force only because we had one link in common - Not to see you elected but to ensure that Winston wasn't.

We are in no doubt that we had a fair bit to do with him spending a fair bit of time fishing these days.

So we dont want you to give the oxygen thief any oxygen. Ignore him. Please for the sake of all New Zealanders.

P.S

We promise never to mention that unmentionable thing if you promise never to mention Winston again.

Black days

COMING SOON.... EXCLUSIVE - THE MEURANT CHRONICLES

We have had a pretty laid back weekend. Our knee is buggered. So we have been resting up - hoping that it might get a bit better but an operation is looking increasingly likely.

However we have been busy. We have been reading the Meurant Chronicles.

Late last week - in time honoured form we received a parcel of documents.

Euminedes perhaps?

Essentially they are the reports and emails of Ross Meurant while he was employed by Vela fishing at the same time he was employed by Winston Peters.

They are illuminating , sometimes funny, occasionally revealing and often outrageous.

They also mark what we believe were the last days of the worst years of the seafood industry.

They are the documents that Phil Kitchin used as the basis of his expose on Winston Peters a story that broke in the Dominion a couple of days before the election in 2008 on November 1.

Anyway in the next few weeks we are going to release them. As we should - in the name of transparency and openness and history - they relate to the late 1990's and the 2000's.

So everyone can read them and draw their own conclusions.

They will keep political junkies happy for days.

And don't worry - the documents are safe.. very safe.

ANOTHER VIEW

Economist Brent Wheeler isn't so kind when it comes to oldies keeping their gold card benefits.

We reckon that upping the age is the fairest way to go. Up to 70 seems sensible. However Brent, as economists do, says that the oldies forget that they have been looked after by the state in past decades.

He has no problem with giving them a subsidy- just questions the reasoning.

Not just the gold card either…. the argument is in common use in respect of numerous other things old people consider “I’ve always paid my taxes” gives them some right to.

The logic of this is faulty. At the time these people paid their taxes they consumed government services – education for their children, health care for themselves, a Police Force…. and myriad other things.

They consumed their “taxes worth” back then – more in fact – which is why we have run up various deficits at various times.

If we want to give old people money for being old – fine. But let’s not pretend that its because tax is some kind of saving scheme to be cashed in when you are over 65. If we stopped thinking like this we might see bribes like the gold card for what they are. Cheap vote grabbing schemes which penalise people who are still working and still paying tax.

His whole blog is here

OLD AND WORTH THEIR WEIGHT IN GOLD

We were not surprised to see that Steven Joyce is looking to review the free travel for pensioners that was championed by Winston Peters.

Now we are all for making the lot of oldies as comfy as possible. But its about time we redefined old.

Now we went to lunch with a bunch of 60 - 65 year olds earlier this week. They aren't old. Definitely showing signs of excessive wear and tear but not old. One was some computer guru and was flat out on his iphone. The other was an ex merchant navy captain. One was ex PR and the birthday boy was a landlord and book keeper. They all have lived a bit and by hell they still are.

Now BB's ma and pa are closing in on 70 and 70 plus. Are they old? hmm probably best described as oldish. Rickety Hoons who sleep a bit more than they used to.

Now Joyces dilemma is that due to the popularity of the travel subsidy of $18 million and the growing numbers of those eligible, the budget is about to blow out like a fat girl after a feed of cabbage.

We reckon its about time to up the ante on the eligibility.

To 70.

Nice round figure and for some reason the age where people get oldish.

Now according to statistics there are abut 384 thousand people older than 70.

And there are 173 thousand between 65- 69.

But the really scary thing is there are 226 thousand between 60 and 64. And other big dollup between 50 and 60.

So its pretty obvious the budget will be blown to smithereens if the criteria stays the same.

But there would be big savings if they shift the criteria out to 70. Its time we, as a nation, recognised that old isn't old anymore - 65 is still pretty young and 70 is just getting oldish.

We are currently riding the Wairarapa train and as its an off peak its full of cottontops and we overheard a few talking about the possible changes. Those who are eligible dont want it to go but those who havent got it yet can see the sense in it being raised. Its easier not to give than take away.

So those who are already eligible should retain that eligibility but those who are not yet 65 should now have to wait till they are 70.

Its a big change but one we have to make in light of the big bubble of an aging population that will impact on the countries economy soon.

However, we think that the subsidy is a great thing. We have seen people widen their horizons with a bit of free travel. The 65 plus demographic have seen out wars and paid their taxes with the full expectation that those taxes would provide a goodly sum to live on in their dotage.

And we owe it to them to ensure that they can.

ALLEGED DOUBLE DIPPER WINSTONS BAG MAN

So Roger McLay has been charged with using a document for percuniary advantage. Basically he has been charged with double dipping. He can claim some freebies as a result of being an ex MP but the charges relate to him allegedly claiming for the same things twice.

Now Roger, you may remember was a mate of Winstons- he was the go - get man for funds.

We wonder if Winnie will come to the aid of his old aide?

LIQUID SCAMPI

A Roarprawn reader submitted this - we don't know why...

Advertisement of Application for Putting Company into Liquidation
CIV-2009-441-739

This document notifies you that:
1. On 3 November 2009, an application for putting SCAMPI VENTURES LIMITED into liquidation was filed in the High Court at Napier. The application is to be heard by the High Court at Napier on 10 December 2009 at 10.00am.
2. A person, other than the defendant company, who wants to appear at the hearing of the application must file an appearance not later than the second working day before that day.
3. The plaintiff is the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Fisheries at Wellington, whose address for service is at Credit Consultants Debt Services NZ Limited, Level 3, 3—9 Church Street (PO Box 213 or DX SX 10069), Wellington. Telephone: (04) 470 5972.
Note: You may obtain further information from the registry of the Court or from the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s solicitor.
Dated this 20th day of November 2009.
DIANNE S. LESTER, Solicitor for Plaintiff.
SCAMPI VENTURES LIMITED

Apparently, according to the companies office, the shareholders are Graeme Clive Henry from Hamilton and Christopher Paul Walker Washdyke

SUPREME JUSTICE

Finally we may see an end to a very interesting saga.
It started here a long long time ago and has links to the infamous scampi scandal.
Phil Kitchin explored some of the issues. ( by the way - where is the bugger-?)

Even then we could see that this story, despite being extremely complicated, had legs. Today NBR in its subscriber only edition suggests that Justice Wilson is in a fairly untenable position after it was considered that his undisclosed business dealings could have led to bias in a particular case. At first the Supreme Court chucked it out then recalled its decision essentially on the basis that in light of new info they considered there was a case.
According to the NBR Attorney Gen Chris Finlayson is expected to make a statement tomorrow (Wednesday)

And well done Jock.

FUNNY AS A SHAG SLIDING ON KELP

YIP THE BLOG POST OF THE MONTH... maybe even the year from the bad young boys at NO MINISTER... -- its here

DOES WINSTON HAVE ALZHEIMERS - OR SOMETHING LIKE IT

We wonder if the greatest political trougher in living legend has finally lost his marbles. Winston has given a speech to the Kawarau and Districts branch of Grey Power. Wow, now thats an influential group if ever there was.

He is making a play for a return to centre stage.

Interesting really, when we hear that many of his old colleagues are getting all sweaty because of intense police scrutiny.

His speech is peppered with Winstonisms and marshmallow racism ( Winston is chocolate on the outside but squishy white inside) with phrases like "Tsunami of Immigrants"

He talks about the lack of integrity of some politicians... Ahhh Winston , Winston , we remember the night at Nicolinis... Do you?

And we also know where there are four boxes of documents, where the futures of many including Winston still rest.

Will this make Eumenides wake from the slumber?

So if Winston wants to comeback - good - we have been really bored.

RON MARK TO SEEK CARTERTON MAYORALTY

Yip, it was all over the Wairarapa Times Age yesterday - only in the hardy copy.
Ron Mark has plenty of political nous but we lost a bit of respect for him when he continued to back Winston to the last.

If he has signalled his intention to seek the Carterton Mayoralty this early it does mean one thing - NZ First is dead and buried.

DORIS'S BIG DAY OUT

We are on the 1 o'clock train from Wellington to Masterton. While there are a few glide time public servants on it - it largely full of old age pensioners. Thanks to Winston's swansong - the elderly can go backwards and forwards between Wellington and the Wairarapa for free - off peak. So the one o'clock train has become the Tena express.
Its great to see but I wonder if restaurateurs etc are capitilising on this phenomena on both sides of the Rimutakas.
I think there are some who are just going for the ride - Surely someone can see the opportunity and can come up with some packages to keep them entertained.

DUNCAN GARNER YOU NEED A KICKING

We have already blogged on the fact that Whale Oil broke the Winston Peters missing car story and this morning he continued with a bloody good follow up. Now Tv3 gives the story an airing and bugger me - no blood mention of Whales sleuthing - Not good enough Tv3.

WHALE TO GET FIRST BLOG QANTAS AWARD?

Now Whale is not noted for his subltly and he is not that whalish anymore - in fact he has lost so much weight he is in danger of having to rename the Whale Oil blog the Norwegian Racing Sardine News.

Anyway today he has a pearler of a story - it has all the right ingredients. Winston Peters , government departments and leaked emails.

Its a story he broke and has doggedly followed for weeks.

And wait theres more! Apparently he has more revelations tomorrow .

PRESS SAYS SOLOMONS FUTURE SHAKY

We agree. The Press Story canvases the same issues that we revealed here and here.

However it is Solomons reaction to the media we found interesting. Here's the reaction the Press got:

Approached about the increase last week Solomon said: "Did I [get it]? How come they didn't tell me about it. I'm not going to talk to you about that man. It's rubbish. How dare you. Get off the line. Goodbye."

He treated them like shit, he treated his own whanau like shit and he treated Wally Stone like shit. Wow - he reminds me of that other politician well known for his integrity, humility and wisdom - Winston Peters

Today Ngai Tahu is in Wellington to celebrate 10 years since the settlement. They will meet the government - we wonder if the Kaiwhakahaere is more measured in his responses to the press gallery he will undoubtedly face this evening.

They need to ask a couple of questions - Why wont he resign?
Why did he give himself a pay increase in the middle of a recession?

When he goes two things must happen. There needs to be an independent audit over governance issues. The iwi will not move forward until it can trust again in those at the "Table"

WHALE OIL ON THE MONEY

Whale oil appeared to have been distracted over the wee scrap in Gaza but we were mistaken. He was still hunting arsewipes. And today the Herald on Sunday has a pic of Winston's crown supplied car being taken back. The only bit we don't get is how the Herald swallowed the weasel words of Internal Affairs over the ins and outs of the vehicles return. We don't want weasel words from government departments.

Well done Whale.

Update - and the story is the lead in the Sunday Star Times. At least they acknowledge the story appeared first on the blogs.