NZ Politics

Across the ditch, her risk of “inciting discord” was deemed too great to allow her into Australia. But in Aotearoa, ministerial discretion was used to overturn the rejection of Candace Owens’ visa application, with the right to practise free speech – hers considered by many to be antisemitic, transphobic, racist and extremist – considered to outweigh considerations of her being an excluded person.

So how did it happen? Documents released under the Official Information Act reveal the process that led to associate immigration minister Chris Penk overturning Immigration NZ’s decision to deny Owens a visa to visit New Zealand for a speaking event, after the Free Speech Union went in to bat for the controversial conservative American commentator.

Owens – named as the person who influenced the Christchurch shooter “above all” in his own manifesto – will deliver a speech at Auckland’s Trusts Arena next January (if you haven’t already grabbed a ticket, sales have been paused). She was due to host her first-ever live event on New Zealand’s shores in late 2024, but a decision on her Australian visa by that country’s immigration minister Tony Burke had a ripple effect across the Tasman.

This wasn't a crime before?

This government's embrace of Trumpism should be worrying for all of us.

Look at what Trump is doing to the US, that's our future if NZF, ACT and National have their way.

God I wish he'd stop saying woke every sentence. He sounds like a complete and utter fool.

Also, great seeing him on the back foot like this.

Given that it's extremely rare to have a single term government in NZ, to be polling behind the opposition not even half way through your term is a dramatic swing in public opinion.

Some interesting parts that caught my eye:

1. If the hearings are a good indicator of overall submissions, most submitters oppose this bill.

17. Most of us can generally agree that the principles laid out in the Treaty principles bill do not accurately reflect what was written in the Treaty or te Tiriti, or the likely intention of those signing it.

31. Just because it’s your bill, doesn’t mean you have to show up – Act Party Justice Committee members were no-shows for most of the subcommittee hearings into the Treaty principles bill.

34. Being on the conservative side of politics doesn’t necessarily mean this bill will appeal to you, as displayed by submissions in opposition from Chris Finlayson and Dame Jenny Shipley.

37. Media interest in these things can wane pretty quickly. On the first day of hearings, essentially every media outlet was in Room 3. In the final week, only Whakaata Māori and The Spinoff remained.

Control over the media was the most important factor in moving the USA to oligarchy and Trumpism.

We are well on the road to that destination, this is just a boost of speed.

Winston as usual showing his true colours. Why the hell should we follow the US?

Is it really a dismissal level event? I mean, everyone sees how the world is turning....he just said it out loud.

I guess he is our Murdoch now.

Winston sucking up to the cheeto jesus.

I'm making the bold assumption, that most people here are not running, in either local body or national elections.

Everyone loves the complain about what "public servants" do. So why not step up and do something about it?

No accusation intended or implied. Just curious.

We can't feed our kids in school but we can spend money on nothing I guess.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's suggestion of a Marmite sandwich and an apple for lunch wouldn't keep a child full or feed their brain sufficiently, according to local health and education experts.

"If you're just doing a Marmite sandwich and an apple, you're probably not meeting the protein requirements [which depend on age and gender]," paediatric dietician Jenny Douglas explained to RNZ.

"Ideally it would be a Marmite and cheese sandwich at least," she said, noting that the high salt content of Marmite, which could shape one's palate, giving a child a taste for salty snacks like pies and chips early on.

They don't take responsibility though, that's the problem. I don't think the dude realises just how useless some parents can be.

Oh look Luxon is pretending he is the PM!

Is anyone else thoroughly sick of politicians constantly calling for resignations every time a mistake is made?

It sounds like the school lunch thing is a royal cockup, and I'm not defending it, but calling for a resignation over this is a bit silly.

Anyone have thoughts on pros/cons?