January 2006

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Overheard in a Coromandel Peninsula Restaurant

by Whaleoil on January 25, 2006

A friend of a friend (FOF) of mine was dining at a popular eatery at a popular beach resort on the Coromandel when he noticed a familiar face.

He however couldn’t remember exactly who the person was, so he got up and went over and introduced himself. The person stated she was Michelle Boag and finally the penny dropped for the  FOF who then said Ahhhhh…now I know who you are….my mate doesn’t like you very much.

Upon enquiring who the mate was she then proceeeded to launch into a tirade against him using all sorts of language generally not becoming a lady….but then as someone pointed out to me "she ain’t much of a lady"

Finally after spewing vitriol for all and sundry to hear she finished up with the retort. "Oh he hates me because I beat his good mate for the presidency"

The FOF then dutifully pointed out that that wasn’t the case at he actually hated her because she promised so much and delivered so little, in fact the worst result for the party "ever".

He then went and sat down and finished his meal, which by all accounts was delicious and clearly now had been served with superb entertainment.

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Where in the world is David Benson-Pope?

by Whaleoil on January 24, 2006

Well from the looks of this photo he is in Melbourne at the Australian Open.

Where is Benson-Pope?
 

 

 

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Anderton Kiss of Death for Companies

by Whaleoil on January 24, 2006

More Anderton kiss of Death for companies.

Anderton waxed lyrical about Click Clack and Fisher and Paykel both of whom are now outsourcing production offshore to combat the high NZ dollar.

"There are a growing number of New Zealand companies that are combining high investment in research and development with a strong focus on design to create brilliant products that the world wants.

Fisher and Paykel with both healthcare and whiteware products are the most well-known example. Formay Furniture’s success with the life chair is another. In plastics, Palmerston North company Click Clack exports innovative food storage containers to more than 50 countries."

If I was these guys I would shut up shop now…there is no point carrying on, once you get mentioned by Anderton in a speech the chances are high your company is doomed.
 

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Politics of Envy….Again

by Whaleoil on January 24, 2006

The government is exploring "slapping higher penalties" on supposed gas guzzling vehicles in a forlorn effort to promte fuel efficiency.

Read higher taxes for "slapping higher penalties"

Typical socialist response to a non issue.

Bizarrely at the same time oil companies are the only ones claiming a lower NZ dollar for the reason for their latest price hike.

Every one else in New Zealand is crying out that the dollar is too high.

New Zealand because of its strange decision to include fuel prices and interest rates in its inflation index is always going to be in a Catch-22 situation. High dollar cheaper fuel but exporters tank….low dollar high fuel leads to increases in inflation, which leads to increases in interst rates which leads to increased inflation which leads to increases in interest rates……you get the picture, it also leads to increases int he value of the NZ dollar which tanks the export lead economy.

And Cullen has no idea.

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Goff and Clark in La-La Land

by Whaleoil on January 24, 2006

The US has announced a list of countries it wishes to pursue a free trade agreement with, and you guessed it NZ isn’t on the list. 

Phil Goff reckons that it isn’t a slap in the face…..

Well he wouldn’t would he, this government is now the denial government.

We have Goff denying the bleeeding obvious.

We have the Prime Minister denying the impending economic crisis as a "rough patch"

The Government of Denial….and that isn’t a river in Africa.

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Opps…

by Whaleoil on January 24, 2006

Opps Carly, there might be a Maori curse on you tonight.

While introducing the Ratana celebrations on Nightlight tonight, presenter Carly Kirkwood mistakenly said "Maori-dumb" instead of "Maori-dom". Carly, always in good spirit, politely corrected herself, but not without a big smirk on her face

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Canada turns blue.

by Whaleoil on January 24, 2006

Well done Canada for going Tory! Farrar-central has more details.

Harper Victory

Canadian voters veered slightly right Monday, electing Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper as their next prime minister but denying him the outright majority he would need to take any strong change in direction. Prime Minister Paul Martin, whose scandal-plagued Liberal Party was ousted after 12 years in power, conceded defeat. -(photo & text via CNN)

-(photo & text via CNN)

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A little reminder Jimbo

by Whaleoil on January 24, 2006
Jimbo Reminder
 

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Pat Booth retires

by Whaleoil on January 24, 2006

Waitakere City Councillor Pat Booth has resigned from the Council due to health reasons. Councillor Booth had been on extended health leave for some time.

Pat is most well known for his role in pressing for the release of Arthur Allan Thomas from jail. He was also editor in chief of Suburban Newspapers Ltd in Auckland up until recently, and still has a regular column in the SNL community newspapers.

Pat was also a commonsense Councillor who tackled things from a practical perspective. I’m sure he wouldn’t have approved $10 million worth of shares on borrowed funds!!

A by-election will be held in April, in which political christmas will have come 18 months early for former left wing Councillor Denise Yates who lost her seat to Pat.

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Jim and his "Jobs Machine"

by Whaleoil on January 24, 2006

More like "Jobs Massacre"

I wouldn’t be too keen on letting Jim Anderton trumpet my successes based on the following.

Jim Anderton and his jobs machine need a complete overhaul….it seems that anything trumpted as a great effort by Jimmy A as a result of his jobs machine goes tits up or slashes staff….

Here is the run down so far that I have been bothered to research.

Sovreign Yachts

Andertons version: "A super-yacht development in West Auckland announced in late January will deliver up to four hundred new jobs within two years, and up to six hundred million dollars of new export earnings over five years." Linked Article

Reality:  1 boat produced, nine and a half million dollars of taxpayer money wasted "My most recent advice on Sovereign Yachts was that it has provided something like 60 to 70 direct jobs and contract jobs." Linked Article

Jacks Links

Andertons version: They wanted to open a factory making beef jerky.

They saw we had good cattle, but they needed land close to the airport and skilled workers.

Some government officials went to work and found a place in Auckland.

We said to the company, if we train workers on the dole and give them skills, will you employ them?

They did.

We took two hundred people off the dole.

Some of them had been there for ten years.

They got good jobs in the Jack Links factory.

Imagine how different this Christmas will be in the homes of those workers, compared to the last ten Christmases.

Imagine what Christmas dinner will look like.

Imagine the hope the kids of those workers now have.

Linked Article 

Reality: Imagine indeed….I bet they were imagining they would still have their jobs but yesterday found out that  they have lost 102 of their number.

De’Amalfi Survival Ltd

Andertons Version: "It is a privilege and a pleasure for me to be able to meet with innovative business people like David. His prototype helmet may eventually save lives and be a sought after commodity for export. Both have got to be good for New Zealand,"

Linked Article

Real Version: Tits up and liquidated.

Worldwide Womens Network Limited

Andertons version: "received $7,700, to begin work on a seven part international documentary for the International Year of Women in 2003. By the time they complete the project they expect to hire about 100 people and provide a springboard for other film projects."

Reality: Struck off 15 March 2005

Monsta Trikes Aotearoa Ltd

Andertons Version: Granted $3,000 to assist with the development of motorised trikes.

Reality: Struck Off 17 December 2003

Expert Escapes Limited

Andertons Version: Granted $1,407 to assist with market research.

Reality: Struck Off 29 March 2003 

Nautic Marine Design Limited

Andertons Version: Granted $1,688 to assist market development.

Reality: In Liquidation 16 August 2004 Dividend expected to be <= 20c in $

All Star Events Limited

Andertons Version: Granted $10,000 to assist the development of the "Jiggernaut" craft project.

Reality: Struck Off 15 March 2005

Waitaki Biosciences International Limited

Andertons Version: Granted $4,264 to assist a feasibility study.

Reality: Clearly not that feasible…struck off 1 November 2005 

I could have gone on and on and on and I have only checked for grants made in 2000 and 2001.

I really don’t know what else to say other than this is clearly and demonstrably a complete waste of our time and money.

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