Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: What we have really lost

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  • Sacha,

    A leader's job is to lead. If John Key is going to allow the tail to wag the dog, why the hell do we call him our leader then?

    Leadership is not dictatorship and nor is it mob rule. However, there are other places in the world if you want to live like that.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • HORansome,

    I think we're now talking past one another, actually.

    Tāmaki Makaurau • Since Sep 2008 • 441 posts Report

  • Bart Janssen,

    A leader's job is to lead.

    That's a very simple view. There are times when a good leader follows and more times when a good leader identifies who has the knowledge and needs to be the one to decide the direction that the leader will take.

    Equally there are times when the majority is horribly wrong and a good leader needs to take a path contrary to what the majority might want.

    Not that I believe for a second that our current system throws many good leaders into the PM's position.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    I think we're now talking past one another, actually.

    Which "we"?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • recordari,

    Which "we"?

    The royal 'we', of course.

    We are discussing sovereignty, after all.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report

  • Rich Lock,

    Can't have your cake and eat it too

    I'd agree - it is a double-edged sword.

    I agree. We've no room for sword swallowers in this circus. Too many strongmen and clowns.

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report

  • HORansome,

    Truth is a triple-edged sword. At least, that's what the Vorlon told me.

    Tāmaki Makaurau • Since Sep 2008 • 441 posts Report

  • Rich Lock,

    a triple-edged sword

    Ah, the zhan ma dao.

    Useful if you have any horses that need chopping.

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report

  • simon g,

    NZPA picks up a report in the Whakatane Beacon:

    "The newspaper report quoted a Tuhoe spokeswoman as saying the iwi recently learnt that Mr Key was involved in a telephone conference called by Transport Minister Steven Joyce, involving senior ministers but excluding Mr Finlayson, before the decision was announced by the prime minister.

    Those involved learnt a poll of North Shore voters indicated the Government was conceding too much to Maori.

    The spokeswoman also gave details of the arrangements put in place by the Crown and Tuhoe to mark the occasion, which included the engraving of 15 Parker pens bearing the inscription Tuhoe-Crown AIP (agreement in principle), Waimana, 2010.

    She said 30 Ministry of Justice officials had booked into Whakatane motels and deputy solicitor-general Matthew Palmer and ministry chief executive Belinda Clark were to attend, as were officials from the Crown Forestry Rental Trust.

    Representatives from Tuwharetoa, Ngapuhi and Tainui were also invited.

    Tuhoe budgeted $160,000 for the event and nine marquees had been ordered.

    Whakatane motel Tuscany Villas confirmed a booking for eight rooms for government officials was cancelled after Mr Key said giving Tuhoe ownership of the park was not on the table and was unacceptable to the Government.

    The report said Tuhoe negotiators were to meet with the Crown's chief negotiator, John Wood, last night to discuss whether a settlement could be salvaged."

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Islander,

    Soooo...John Key & assorted senior ministers make a decision based on a poll of__North Shore voters__
    -at a very late stage of the negotiations-
    while ignoring the Attorney-General - and, more importantly, Minister for Treaty Negotiations- well, what else can you call it, when they dont bother to consult with Chris Finlayson?

    This has become farcical.
    Maori have long memories, especially when we percieve we have been shafted by pollies much more interested in retaining popularity (for them, this = POWER)than negotiating honourably.

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    a telephone conference called by Transport Minister Steven Joyce, involving senior ministers but excluding Mr Finlayson

    Fark.

    I've been happy to say before that Finlayson, even though I might not agree with him on everything, is one of the National ministers I respect. He's a genuine intellect. And now ... I wouldn't blame him for going back to private practice.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    And also:

    ... Mr Key was involved in a telephone conference called by Transport Minister Steven Joyce ...

    Remind me: who exactly is the Prime Minister here?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • 81stcolumn,

    I don't get it - I'd hardly call the denizens of the North Shore a barometer for the nation's political mood.

    Worse, has the North Shore become the equivalent of America's mid-west and I haven't noticed......

    Notwithstanding the value-leden term I am feeling as though I ought to be aplogising to someone for a mighty foul deed.

    Nawthshaw • Since Nov 2006 • 790 posts Report

  • Rob Stowell,

    Wasn't Joyce one of the key players in "The Hollow Men"?

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Go Girls as the mood of the nation, eh

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Remind me: who exactly is the Prime Minister here?

    Cheney ring a bell?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • HORansome,

    As someone who grew up in Devonport, let me be the first to say that I apologise profusely for people from the North Shore. We are not good people and that's why we are stuck with Wayne Mapp (although I'm not; I'm now stuck with with Nikki Kaye).

    Tāmaki Makaurau • Since Sep 2008 • 441 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Joyce was President of the National Party and brought them to power. Seeing as he was so good at marketing them, stands to reason that this hollow man is listened to, when people from the shore (I'd even suggest Orewa boys who would dine with Brash (hollow man 2), who incidentally was just spotted with McCully avin' lunch but cant remember where I read that so ignore). Also would make sense why Key seems to have changed his tack these last couple of weeks (after his Afgani trip). Has he got a new speech writer? Someone from above might be the real bully now.Watch out, Brash is about
    Now what do ya think of that conspiracy theory HORansome ?,and I'll accept your apology,it felt good. :)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    I think Joyce was their campaign manager wasn't he, not president?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Was it Michelle Boag? Shit, how do we swing her into it? John Banks? :)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    As someone who grew up in Devonport, let me be the first to say that I apologise profusely for people from the North Shore.

    Devonport's not the Shore, really. Fairburn lived there, and he was rough as guts.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Islander,

    Long long time ago tho' Russell-I was 10 when he died-

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Was it Michelle Boag?

    Judy Kirk I think, but Joyce still crucial to their win and knows where the bodies are buried

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Rich Lock,

    Devonport's not the Shore, really.

    This is what I've been saying for years. The sooner we can stick an Iron Curtain across Narrowneck and secede from the hoi polloi on the rest of the shore, the better.

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    And somewhere further back, my suggestion appears to be somewhat right Go Hone, go!

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

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