It’s an actual Babylon Bee board game — order link below

Cancel Culture Is Coming For YOU!

Battle it out for social credit points by Gaslighting your friends, Looting and Rioting, or being an all-powerful, little Social Justice Warrior — unless your friends call Conspiracy Theory or Defame you!

You old, racist, bigot. A parody on all things Cancel Culture.

 Join the Cancelled Club today. Don’t be a Karen – order your game now. It’s the dominant way to Virtue Signal. We will see you at the adults table.

by Michael Bassett from Bassett, Brash and Hide

These days, when reading statements from Te Partly Maori it’s often hard to trust one’s eyesight.

A few days ago, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi Clarke who faces suspension from the House for participating in the haka against David Seymour in opposition to his Treaty Principles Bill, was reported to be proposing legislation that would require MPs to learn about the Treaty and uphold its principles. What’s that again? Uphold its principles? She had a chance earlier in the year, but she ripped up her fellow Maori Seymour’s Bill rather than contribute to the debate, or make submissions on it.

But TPM dances to its own music, and only its own, it seems. Why won’t she tell us what she has been reading that led her to disagree with Seymour? And, why won’t she and her colleagues engage in activities that really could improve Maori lives?

These days, irrationality is one of TPM’s biggest hurdles. Their persistence in asserting that Maori are so deprived that every aspect of Maori life needs special assistance that is available only to them is a key example, until one realises that it is the well-paid jobs that go with special assistance that they are really chasing.

By themselves, and without help from the holders of those jobs, many Maori have over the last two decades increased their life expectancy and lifted their educational achievements. Thanks to Treaty settlements and a bit of honest get-up-and-go, most Maori household incomes today are close to Pakeha standards. Nor is there any evidence that Maori are conspicuously less well treated by any aspect of the health system. No wonder the new government after 2023 abolished the separate Maori health authority.

According to fellow columnist Tony Vaughn, its racially-selected bureaucrats “produced a mountain of consultancy invoices, a glossy logo, and a thriving cottage industry of diversity experts billing taxpayers for sermons on cultural safety”. It didn’t, and couldn’t, reduce the length of hospital waiting lists for either Maori or Pakeha. And when Maori so-called education specialists got anywhere near schools where Maori were enrolled in significant numbers, all that happened was that their bureaucrats insisted on kapa haka in the mornings and Te Reo lessons in the afternoon.

Little wonder that many young Maori leave schools in an unemployable state, move on to welfare, and then drift off into crime and to prison. Maori who are 17% of the total New Zealand population are 51% of today’s prison population.

Why are the likes of TPM not concentrating on the real causes of the problems experienced by growing numbers of their people? If the likes of Maipi-Clarke, Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa Packer concentrated their energies on encouraging their tribal kinsmen to take a personal interest in the 30% or so of their number who are consistently falling behind because of the cultural racism they insist on inflicting on Maori, the lives they lead would inevitably improve. There is no future for those who immerse themselves in resentment, call for race-based hiring quotas, or denounce Captain Cook, colonialism, or Pakeha standards of education. 

Instead, what has benefited Maori over the last few decades is self-help. Knocking off smoking was good for their wallets, and for their health. Encouraging young Maori to select long-lasting sexual partners would do wonders for the huge numbers of children who are fecklessly conceived and left with minimal support in their early years. That only 18% of new born Maori babies arrived into married households in 2024 is a national disgrace. I’m yet to hear of any steps TPM is taking to improve this situation. The Budget’s restraining of access to welfare for school leavers and encouragement from Maori leaders for those children to avail themselves instead of the plethora of trade training and other forms of higher education will always produce better results for young people than constantly organising rent-a-crowds outside Parliament to shout and roar against issues like the principles of the Treaty, especially since some Maori leaders like Maipi Clarke say they believe in them. Confusing your followers seldom produces good political outcomes.

Another area where TPM might produce a spectacular improvement in the standing of Maori in the wider community would be if they put some real energy into encouraging their disaffected young into greater participation in sport. Why has it been left to Pacific Islanders? I come from a generation where Maori figured largely in the All Blacks and League in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Those sports provided goals for young Maori men whose aimlessness these days leads to welfare-created chaos, with catastrophic results.

Modern failure on so many fronts of Maori society points to the worthlessness of their leaders. The continuing damage they inflict on their people by preaching nothing but racial division, victimhood, absurd assertions about the Treaty, and a desire to push Maori, who are all more Pakeha in their ancestry than Maori, into belligerent, ignorant racial separatism is having no positive outcomes. So many things bind us all together. But the likes of Maipi Clarke, Ngarewa Packer and Waiititi refuse to acknowledge them, preferring the pursuit of needless legislation and goals that have “dead end” stamped all over them.

To Mayor Holborow,  the Chief Executive, Deputy Mayor Kirby, Councillors, Community Board representatives and Council staff,

Good morning,

Thank you again for the opportunity to speak on behalf of CALM, a community-based organisation made up of residents who are concerned by the continual erosion of our private property rights by Kapiti Coast District Council.

Imagine our surprise, whilst still reeling from the repercussions of the Takutai Kapiti’s Coastal Advisory Panel’s Recommendations, to learn that another Report has been undertaken in secrecy – this time by AWA Environmental.  And apparently to update flood maps using outdated data.   How much of the ratepayers’ hard-earned money has propped up this latest lemon?  And why were we not consulted on this beforehand?  We note it leans heavily on the Jacob’s Report which is an insult.  For several years now CALM and Coastal Ratepayers United have been emphasizing the shortcomings of that Report which is based on implausible science and unlikely scenarios.  Namely, the use of RCP8.5.  I mean how many times do we honestly have to say it?  It’s about as likely as a comet hitting the carpark outside.   As it’s only a vulnerability and susceptibility assessment it can’t even be used for planning purposes.  In other words, it isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.  Unlike the de Lange Report of course, which identifies only 49 properties at risk, and no threat to any others. I would also like to draw attention to the fact that CRU’s members raised $20,000 of their own money to commission the Report.  

At CALM’s third public meeting at Southwards a year ago, we highlighted how insurance companies were beginning to pull out of the Kapiti property market.  Mayor Holborow uttered those words ‘I’m just as shocked as you are’.  Well since then things have got a whole lot worse, and it will continue to do so now the flood maps are out, affecting 4,000 properties in our region.  In sheer desperation, many residents have approached CALM with comments such as:  we don’t understand why our property has been singled out and our neighbours haven’t, especially since we’re on higher ground than they are.  Many have never experienced ponding or flooding before,  yet are suddenly at imminent risk.  Others talk about ponding issues solely due to the fact that Council appears to have stopped clearing out stormwater drains.  Insurance retreat is happening in Kapiti in real time, and CALM hears distressing stories from many members of the public on a daily basis.  For example….

“Hi Tanya, my rental insurance went up 40% last year.  Was reduced to 30% with a discount.  I increased my excess to $1,000 to bring down the cost as well.  Cannot sustain annual hikes as I cannot increase rents at the same percentages that rates and insurance increase.  Increasing rent is very difficult in this market”.

Another resident wrote “the new insurance premium on our rental property is up 22% from last year’s 4% increase.  It’s the same property we have been insuring for over 20 years.  A friend said that their latest insurance renewal went up by 35% and this is in real time so they better use the right science to update their flood maps!”

Someone else said “I was just looking at alternative insurance companies (home and content) for comparisons with our current insurance company’s quote.  It’s not what it used to be, that’s for sure.   A question that popped up on the online form for State Insurance was: ‘according to your local Council, is your rental property at risk of flooding, inundation, land instability, falling debris, erosion or subsidence?’  The process was so frustrating, controlled and demanding personal details, that I put an end to it all”.  

And another….”I was just getting a quote from Tower for a property in Paekakariki- this is what came back – given details of location cannot offer cover May 2025″.

One property owner, a former accountant, told us that due to increased insurance costs on their property they had to cut back on other expenses, so disposable income such as supporting local cafes or other businesses suffers. 

And apparently, with some insurance companies, they say it’s not specifically about your individual property being at risk, but takes in the surrounding neighborhood.  We have also heard anecdotal evidence that one individual contacted seven insurance companies and only two would consider insuring her.  

If you combine this with the recent rates increases, you will see that you have created an environment of extreme financial hardship for those you are elected (or employed) to act in the best interests of.  

It seems the Council is hellbent on placing as many hazards as possible on Kapiti LIM reports.  And despite the claims that it won’t affect insurance, I think we can agree that ship has sailed.  As the AWA Environmental Report has seemingly not been peer-reviewed, CRU are currently trying to raise $5,000 for Dr de Lange to provide one.  If anyone in this room, in the public gallery, or listening on the livestream, feels they can contribute, it would be very much appreciated.  Details are on Coastal Ratepayers United’s website, or alternatively you can find them at kapiticalm.com.  Once again, it’s the community that’s having to protect its own properties from a Council that seems very apathetic to our concerns, and basic needs.  

Some of the Councilors will be seeking re-election, and this issue will become relevant.  On your own,  your voice can be much harder to hear,  but if you were to stand up with moral fibre and say enough is enough, then what a legacy you would be leaving.  You might even save your own property in the process.

Tanya Lees is on the committee of both CALM and Concerned Ratepayers Kapiti.

At yesterday’s meeting Tanya was allocated 5 minutes like everyone else. The present Mayor spent about 2 minutes of that challenging that this had anything to do with the Annual Plan. After relenting, the address continued — but Mayor Holborow abruptly stopped Tanya from finishing once 5 minutes were up. Such rudeness is typical, which shows why we need a new mayor. —Eds

This simply is another confirmation that Climate Change happens from natural processes and is cyclical.

But as you might expect, the KCDC belongs to the Climate Cult and is currently conducting a have your say on “How can we work together to create a low carbon Kāpiti?”

“Our proposed Emissions Reductions Strategy aims to accelerate these efforts by supporting our community to create a more prosperous, healthier, low carbon Kapiti. Its success relies on our collective efforts – at home, at work and in the community – and we need your input to make sure the final strategy reflects our communities’ values and priorities.”

If instead the KCDC said it wanted to “reduce air pollution” it wouldn’t engender a negative reaction from people, as although Carbon Dioxide is beneficial to the world, compounds from coal smoke and petroleum exhaust like Sulphur Dioxide are not.

In Kapiti the committee of Concerned Ratepayers Kapiti is working hard to reduce KCDC’s imposts, but it’s not the only example.

With the Budget out of the way, the team at the Taxpayers’ Union are turning their attention to their next major campaign.

As Ratepayers, you and I know very well that our councils are broken. Unaccountable, secretive, and increasingly undemocratic with their unelected iwi and youth ‘appointments’ (with full pay and voting rights!) – enough is enough!

Voting papers in local body elections start hitting mailboxes in just over 100 days.

That means we have just 100 days to fix local government – but we need your support

I’m just back from meeting the campaign team to review the campaign strategy. And let’s just say, they’ve got some big plans!

While it’s vital the Taxpayers’ Union continue to snuff out and publicly expose wasteful council spending (and we all know there is plenty!) without democratic accountability and structural change to how local government works, nothing will change.

I’m asking for your support today, so the Taxpayers’ Union can:

1. A nationwide “Rates Cap Now” campaign to force Simon Watts (the new Local Government Minister) not to cave into LGNZ’s pressure.
   
   Without UK/Australian-style rates capping, 15 percent annual rates will be the norm.
   
2. Identify, promote, and hold to account candidates who stand for councils, sticking to the basic “three Rs”: Roads, Rubbish, and Reticulation (i.e. water).
   
   The team want to build a comprehensive “how to vote” website.
   
3. Draft and promote a Ratepayer Bill of Rights Law to guarantee councils stick to the basics, do it well, and cannot screw the scrum with undemocratic appointments to influence decision making.
   
   We’ve even got an MP who says they’re willing to sponsor it in Parliament. But we need the funds to instruct lawyers to draft the law.
   
4. Publish a 2025 edition of their renowned “Ratepayers’ Report” council financial league tables.
   
   We know the Council bureaucrats hate these! They really expose the councils trying to pull the wool over local communities.

Unless we get behind this effort to fix councils, nothing will change.

If it weren’t for the efforts of the Taxpayers’ Union, New Zealand would have been lumped with Three Waters. We’d still have the ‘ute tax’. Labour would have got away with their attempt to hike taxes on Kiwisaver. And we’d still be playing whale music to trees!!

My point is this: the Taxpayers’ Union shifts the dial. But unless we get behind them so that they can tackle local government, we can’t complain when nothing changes!

When the staff were giving me their presentation, I went onto the website and made a substantial donation because I am sick and tired of councils getting away with blue murder.

While local councils across the country are throwing money at the wall, they say there’s no money for fixing potholes or upgrading pipes.

The Taxpayers’ Union’s role is to expose the truth and demonstrate where the money is really going (hint: it’s not in roads and pipes, almost universally, the extra money has been ploughed into payroll – both an explosion in numbers and fat pay packets!).

But the Taxpayers’ Union can’t hold Councils to account without your support today.

Peter Williams Financial Supporter and Former Board Member New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union

Thank you for the opportunity to speak today on the adoption of the Annual Plan and the 6.9% rates increase.  I am speaking to you today on behalf of Concerned Ratepayers Kapiti as the Chair is overseas.

Normally Concerned Ratepayers would highlight to you that the planned 6.9% rates increase means that average rates will be 25% higher than they were two years ago.  Normally we would highlight that this is massively more than CPI inflation and the movement in the Local Government Cost Index.  We could speak about the burden these increases are imposing on ratepayers, especially those on low incomes.  We could highlight that Council rates is the second biggest contributor to New Zealand’s inflation rate and this Council is perpetuating a cost-plus pricing model.  We could have highlighted that this Plan locks in a 50% increase is staffing costs over the last three years, and an increase in staffing costs per FTE of 25% over three years.  But there is no point talking to you about these things – because Concerned Ratepayers has concluded that you simply don’t care.  You’re going to stick with these increases no matter the impacts.  

So instead we are going to talk about three other aspects of the Annual Plan. 

The first is the most notable feature of this Annual Plan is that you had initially lost control of costs so much that rates would have gone up by even more than you could bear.  So you found savings.  In doing so, you have blown your cover.

A large part of your narrative of why rates must go up by so much is that its forced upon you, by forces out of your control.  You talk about “cost pressures,” that local government costs increase faster than CPI, new regulatory burdens and activities forced upon you by central government, of new charges forced on you.  You then like to discuss about how good you are, to keep rates increases at 25%, and how good you are because other Councils have even less control of costs than you do.

Except that when rates would have increased by even more than you could stomach, you found savings. You chose to cut costs.  You chose to cut staff.  You chose to reduce some grant spending. 

But you could have chosen to reduce some of those costs by even more – there are plenty of opportunities to do so.  So what you have done is confirm that the level of rates increases are not the result of KCDC being buffeted by forces outside of your control – the level of rates increases is in fact a choice.  You could have made extra decisions that would have reduced this year’s rates rise – but you chose not to.  A 25% rates rise over two years is not an inevitability forced upon you; it’s a choice that you have made.

Second, a few weeks ago many residents received a letter in the mail about flood mapping.  These letters arrived unannounced, with no background and no context, and include the immortal words: “the final [flood] maps will help you …. Understand the implications for your insurance cover.”  The final product will inevitably end up on LIMs.  As a group, we have spoken to you before about how you engage with your community.  But even for this Council, this approach to engaging with your residents, on something so fundamental to them as their insurability, it’s a shocker.  

There may be perfectly good reasons for you to do this work – but what you see as a technical exercise could have profound effects for some residents.  You need to work out an engagement approach that works with residents, rather than seemingly working against them.  

Third, we all received this pamphlet with our rates bill.  One of our Committee members noticed that the table at the back of it doesn’t add correctly.  We could think of this a metaphor for this Annual Plan – that it doesn’t add up – but this is actually a systemic issue for the Council.  We have seen OIR responses where the rows and columns of figures in tables don’t add up either.  And to make it worse, another one of our Committee members noticed that the capex numbers for the “Access and Transport” activity on page 57 of the Annual Plan – page 60 of your appendices document -well, they don’t add up as well.  The column for the AP2025/26 is out by over $9 million.

Because this is a table itemising capex projects, an error in this table would 

have flow on effects for the forecast cashflow statement, balance sheet, debt calculations, debt headroom, interest and depreciation calculations in the Plan.  

In my first draft of this talk, I was going to have some fun and cheekily suggest that the Council invest in Microsoft Excel – as this would solve your troubles.  But this is more serious than that.  It seems the Annual Plan should not simply be voted through on the nod.  There may be a reason why a table of individual expenditure items shouldn’t add up, but it’s not clear what this would be.  You may also want to seek assurances that all the other tables in the Plan add up too.

Thank you again for your time today.

Michael used to work in Treasury and is now a committee member of Concerned Ratepayers Kapiti.

It will be a repeat of what happened to Germany under Hitler and the German Nazis in WW2. The Germans had better start building air raid bunkers for its citizens. Merz probably already has one.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s decision to supply Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine may widen the Russia-Ukraine conflict to the whole of Europe and potentially start a new world war, Bolivian geopolitical and security analyst Jose Hugo Moldiz Mercado told Sputnik.

“The German chancellor’s authorization for strikes against the Russian territory from Ukraine is an indirect German interference from a military perspective and a direct interference from a political perspective, which is aimed at widening the conflict to span the continent. And that is, obviously, a great risk not only for Europe or Eurasia, but for the entire world, because there is only one step left to a possible World War III,” the expert said.

Hugo Moldiz said Russia was “defending its territory and the right of nations to self-determination,” arguing that many Russian-speaking people in Ukraine wanted to live in Russia again.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that Moscow would regard a strike by German-made Taurus missiles on any Russian facilities as Germany joining in the hostilities on Kiev’s side. Russia believes that arms shipments to Ukraine prevent conflict resolution and involve NATO, thus, any arms shipments to Ukraine would be considered a legitimate target.

Article on Sputnik about Russia’s promises to respond to German provocation

“Oh no! On top of last year’s 17%, how the Stuff do they expect me to afford it?”

from Tucker Carlson

The United States faces no current invasion threat and has two big, beautiful oceans separating its shores from its worst enemies. 

So why do we need a $1,000,000,000,000 Pentagon budget?

We know wondering that may make us “bad Republicans,” but the question is still worth asking. What does dumping all that money into the military-industrial complex accomplish?

Former State Department official Mike Benz is among America’s most knowledgeable experts on how permanent Washington really works, making him uniquely equipped to tackle this forbidden topic and plenty of others. Click the image below to watch his latest appearance on The Tucker Carlson Show, featuring insights on that, the behemoth NGOs that have more power than you realize, how everything ties back to big corporations, and more. We hope you enjoy.

Mike Benz on the trillion-dollar Pentagon budget:

“It buys votes. It buys votes in Congress. If you want to fire people in the Justice Department, if you want to get people approved by the Senate for their positions, if you want to get rid of the Department of Education, [then] hey, you might need to give [the establishment] a Pentagon bone. It’s a very dirty soup.”