March 31, 2025

Benjamin Doyle NZ Greens MP

New Zealand has plumbed the depths once again. Yet another Greens MP, of course: 

https://centrist.nz/open-letter-to-nz-media-on-green-mp-benjamin-doyle/

The rest of the legacy media, who each continually claim to be trusted keepers of editorial independence, have published nothing. Normally quick to explode at the sight of an overripe banana in a school lunch, or an MP from a party they don’t favour touching a staffer’s arm, or an off colour tweet that some National MP posted when they were, like, 10, the mainstream media have stayed silent this weekend as allegations of child abuse swirl around proudly queer Green MP Benjamin Doyle.

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Despite state broadcasters RNZ and TVNZ having huge staffs and budgets to match, with editorial mission statements up the wazoo, none of them or their so-called investigative teams were brave enough to cover a breaking story which, at best, proves that Doyle’s future is no longer tenable as a spokesperson for the Greens on Early Childhood Education and sex education in schools.

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Over the weekend, however, I’ve investigated further and I believe Doyle has messed up so badly that there needs to be a formal investigation launched immediately by Police and Oranga Tamariki.
You see, I believe the evidence now in the public domain indicates that Doyle is dog-whistling pedophilia. At worst, I believe there is now sufficient reason for authorities to investigate the welfare of his child.

March 30, 2025

Food Unaffordable in New Zealand

New Zealand produces enough food to feed a population of 60 million. But it only has 5 million. Despite that, Kiwis pay ridiculously high food prices, and that's because the food chain is controlled by a duopoly, two big supermarket chains. 

Successive governments always promise retail reform, threatening to break up these two giants. Why don't they do it? They promise, conduct inquiries, and constantly look into it. Endless looking, never any doing.

So, the government does the usual again, announcing possible changes. Maybe, in a couple of years time. Is this announcement because National are behind the opposition Labour party in recent polls? That's probably it, because National will never actually do anything. 

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/556597/nicola-willis-considers-structural-separation-of-retail-grocery-market

The government says all options are on the table to introduce more competition into the supermarket sector, which could include the break-up or restructuring of the two existing supermarket chains.

Currently the Woolworths and Foodstuffs chains dominate New Zealand's supermarket sector.

Cabinet has also agreed to a formal request for information (RFI) to accelerate improved competition.

<snip>

"Officials are working with the appointed advisors to consider options including a possible demerger of existing entities."

Willis said there were a range of views about what that design would look like.

"Do you separate the wholesale from the retail? Do you split the existing brands up? And if you do that, what is required in terms of their wholesaling and warehousing and logistics, how would they be broken up to match the new brands?"

The advice she is seeking asks "what actually is the ideal market structure" and how can that be achieved.


See what passes for government in New Zealand? They really are useless.

Sentebale: Prince William to the Rescue?

I see one of the new trustees of Sentebale is Iain Rawlinson, who was a trustee and Chair of Prince William's Tusk Trust. Prince William may be necessary to rescue the charity that was set up, at least in part, to honour his mother.

There is an article in the Financial Times adding to what has already become known about what is going on at Sentebale, it reveals that Prince Harry's toxic brand was making fundraising difficult.

https://www.ft.com/content/8fc9561d-c145-4542-a32a-1707573c012b

Edit to add: Sophie Chandauka has recently spoken to Sky News UK:

March 29, 2025

Bob Woodward on Trump

In summary: fear. Trump is using fear to silence dissent, and to ensure he takes complete control. Does Donald Trump see himself as king, and how will this end?

March 28, 2025

About Elon Musk

What does Elon Musk believe in? 

March 27, 2025

Free School Meals - New Zealand

New Zealand's right wing politicians currently have an issue with free school meals. They're not supplied everywhere, but are made available in poorer areas where nutrition is a real issue.

In the embedded video, Richard Prebble is being interviewed by Leah Panapa. Prebble is a politician who was part for the Labour government of the 1980's that destroyed the modern post-war NZ economy, while Panapa should know better, but she doesn't as she's ignorant.

Prebble says, 'real facts'. Oh really, he's wrong, the facts are that NZ has always fed its vulnerable children. From the 1930's up until the late 1960's every primary school child in NZ had to drink half a pint of milk each school day. That's about 300ml every day Monday to Friday. Then, across the whole country up until, I think, the 1980's dairy products for human consumption were heavily subsidised. It was cheaper to buy milk and cheese than it was to drink a Coke or Sprite.

Additionally, every mother in New Zealand was paid a sum of money each week to feed their children. They got paid for every child, and this money went to mothers so that fathers didn't spend the money down at the pub. 

Then, finally, health camps operated across the country. Children found to be malnourished were taken to these camps and given food and exercise. These health camps operated for most of the twentieth century.

And just think what happens if NZ doesn't feed its vulnerable children. The cost of this is enormous, the country would end up with a segment of uneducated and sickly people. The cheapest way to deal with it is to feed the children at school and put these children in a position where they can learn. A hungry child doesn't learn, it's as simple as that.

Tesla Shares Drop

Tesla's share price dropped in the last trading session (Yahoo Finance) and down 28% for the year-to-date. But, I did notice a rise in price over the previous few days leading to this latest dip. What's up with that? Tesla make the world's worst automobile, and one model, the Cybertruck is a disgrace to trucks everywhere. It is probably the worst car ever built. 

The conclusion I have come to is that Tesla is a Ponzi scheme, and fools tip money in to try and extract some value. The shareholders left at the end, when it call comes crashing down, will be the ones left holding the bag. One clever commentator explained that Tesla doesn't make its money on the cars, but on crypto currency and taxpayer subsidies. I can believe that, but have no special insight on the matter, I just look at how bad the car is and think the company must go bust. 

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/26/tesla-drops-on-slowing-european-sales-concerns-about-trump-tariffs.html

Tesla shares fell almost 6% on Wednesday as data from Europe showed slowing sales last month, and investors grew increasingly concerned about President Donald Trump’s plan for tariffs.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) revealed on Tuesday that Tesla saw a 40% year-over-year drop in new vehicle registrations in Europe in February, while overall battery electric vehicle sales were up 26%.

Sentebale Resignations

Sentebale, the charity in southern Africa that Prince Harry established along with the prince of Lesotho, is in turmoil as every trustee resigns. Its chairperson has issued a damning statement, strongly implying irregularities in the way it has been run. 

Has this got anything to do with the USAID shutdown? I do notice that the High Court in England and Wales agreed to hear the matter, effectively preventing the removal of the board chair.

Sentebale chair, Dr Sophie Chandauka has issued a statement:

'I chose to join Sentebale first and foremost as a proud African who understands that, in the spirit of ubuntu: to whom much is given, much is expected. Everything I do at Sentebale is in pursuit of the integrity of the organisation, its mission, and the young people we serve.

'My actions are guided by the principles of fairness and equitable treatment for all, regardless of social status or financial means. There are people in this world who behave as though they are above the law and mistreat people, and then play the victim card and use the very press they disdain to harm people who have the courage to challenge their conduct.

'Discerning readers will ask themselves: why would the Chair of the Board report her own Trustees to the Charity Commission? Why would the High Court of England and Wales accept her application to hear the matter at all if the case had no merit?

'Well, because beneath all the victim narrative and fiction that has been syndicated to press is the story of a woman who dared to blow the whistle about issues of poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir – and the coverup that ensued. I could be anyone.

'I just happen to be an educated woman who understands that the law will guide and protect me. I will say nothing further on this matter at this time. I have one job. I must focus on fundraising for the very important work of the young people who inspire the incredible team at Sentebale who make sacrifices daily at a time when geopolitics is severely impacting funding for development work in Africa.

'For me, this is not a vanity project from which I can resign when I am called to account. I am an African who has had the privilege of a worldclass education and career. I will not be intimidated. I must stand for something. I stand for those other women who do not have the ways and means.

'I am indebted to those who have stood by me and picked up my urgent call for help so that we can continue the mission at Sentebale. I will continue to faithfully perform my role as Chair of the Board, and I look forward to the opportunity to work with others who are interested in issues of health, wealth and climate resilience for young people in Africa.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14537049/Prince-Harry-racist-sexist-bullying-Chairwoman-charity-harassment-misogyny-QUIT.html

March 26, 2025

Snow White RIP?

What's wrong with Disney, do they want to kill off the Snow White franchise? Disney, destroying childhood dreams everywhere:

March 24, 2025

Lydia Ko Vogue Korea Cover

New Zealand sporting great, Lydia Ko finds herself on the cover of Vogue Korea. I cannot think of another Kiwi who has done more to put New Zealand on the map this decade, than Lydia Ko. She's special, and humble with it. Not only that, she's gorgeous. 

https://www.lpga.com/news/2025/lydia-ko-appears-on-cover-of-vogue-korea

Ko made history last season after taking home a gold medal in the women’s golf competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics to earn automatic entry into the LPGA Hall of Fame. She also won three LPGA Tour titles at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, the AIG Women’s Open at the Old Course at St Andrews and the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G, her 20th, 21st and 22nd career victories, respectively.

With her win last year in Scotland, the New Zealand native became a three-time major champion, and along with her gold medal, Ko also has both silver and bronze medals in her possession, claiming the former at the 2016 Rio Olympics and earning the latter at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The 27-year-old is the only player in Olympic golf history to complete the medal trifecta.

Ko is a three-time Race to the CME Globe champion, a two-time Rolex Player of the Year winner and a two-time Vare Trophy recipient. She was the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year in 2014 and has been recognized with two peer-voted LPGA awards – the 2021 Founders Award and the 2024 Heather Farr Perseverance Award.

Most recently, Ko was made a Dame by New Zealand at the end of last year, and on Feb. 18, she was named the New Zealand Sportswoman of the Year and recognized with the Supreme Halberg Award in honor of her achievements during the 2024 golf season.


Lydia Ko Vogue Korea