That commentary really sums up the complete lack of ability intellect and public service in the present day National party. Equally shared by Simeon, Nicola, Reti and Luxon.

I can just imagine Stephen Joyce smugly sitting back in his rum-coloured leather arm chair - a single malt in one hand and a large Montecristo Cuban cigar wafting smoke gently above him. Thinking... "we've done ourselves proud".

This is such a useful comparison. It highlights what a monumentally stupid decision Nicola made.

I'm hoping Winston Peters pushes this line a bit more (I'm not a supporter of his though! ).

Appalling.

From down here in New Zealand, this has prompted me to cancel my digital subscription too.

She's channelling Musk obviously.

Entirely understandable. I gave up on the Herald a few years ago. I'm not sure NZME realise that HDPA and Hoskings are fairly distasteful for a lot of people. I guess they'll just keep serving them up to their aging and "entitled" audience.

I was unfortunately listening to Newstalk ZB after the murder of the Nelson officer... predictably the ZB host amped up the discussion of arming police and got the expected response of a bunch incoherent callers arguing for guns. The Herald is just following through on their sponsors line.

Corporate "gang patches"... which predictably are not ever going to be candidates for being banned by NACT no matter how much evil is done in their name.

Public sector IT is exactly this too. The big 4 consistently play the same games.

They switch out experienced consultants with grads after securing the contract, deliver mediocre solutions, fail to give unbiased advice and cost the earth to the taxpayer. But... are politically well connected!