Tuesday, 10 May 2022 10:55

Get real!

Written by The Hound

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: The Hound wonders why so much fuss was made about the PM’s recent overseas trip to Singapore and Japan.

It appears, to this old mutt, that the press pack who attended this trip, along with the PM and Trade Minister Damien O’Connor (whose sole purpose seems to have been to carry Ms Ardern’s handbag), seemed to have over-imbibed on the Government Kool-Aid after three years of closed borders and over-egged just how much of big a deal this overseas junket actually was.

The facts were that, of the 50 people on the week-long jaunt, only 12 were real business people – with three of these failing to make it to Japan due to that country’s strict Covid test regime.

The other 38 were just a bunch of politicians, bureaucrats, media and government spin doctors – making it more a glorified junket for officials and hangers-on than some earth-shattering trade delegation!

More like this

Labour Supports NZ/India FTA

National's decision to ‘dribble’ information about the NZ/India to Labour contributed to the delay in it deciding to supported the FTA.

Diplomatic Incident

OPINION: Your old mate hears an international incident is threatening to blow up the long-standing Anzac alliance as Kiwis and Aussies argue over who wants new Australian resident and former NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Damien O’Connor: NZ united on global trade

When it comes to international trade, politicians from all sides of the aisle are united, says Labour's trade spokesman Damien O'Connor.

Wrong focus

OPINION: Your old mate reckons townie Brooke van Velden, the Minister of Workplace (or is it Woke Place) Relations is now showing how underemployed she is as a minister by initiating an investigation into whether young children should be banned from collecting eggs on farms and feeding animals.

Burn the village

OPINION: There's an infamous term coined by a US general during the Vietnam war, specifically in reference to the battle of Ben Tre: "We had to burn the village to save it."

Featured

Wet Summer Sets Stage for Strong Duck Hunting Season in Lower North Island

What’s been a "rubbish" summer for campers and beachgoers has duck hunters in the lower North Island rubbing their hands together in anticipation of a bumper waterfowl season, which starts this weekend (May 2/3).

Higher Lamb Weaning Weights Boost Profitability and Emissions Efficiency, Study Finds

New research suggests sheep and beef farmers could improve both profitability and emissions efficiency by increasing lamb weaning weights, with only marginal changes in total greenhouse gas emissions.

Pukerau Winter Grazing Field Day to Help Southland Farmers Prepare for Season

Southland farmers are being encouraged to get ahead of the winter grazing season by attending a practical field day in Pukerau next week.

Road Safety Week 2026 Urges Kiwis to ‘Be a Road Safety Hero’

New Zealand communities are being encouraged to participate in Road Safety Week, running from 4 - 10 May, with a nationwide push to raise awareness and reduce road harm.

Penske NZ Appoints Stephen Kelly as General Manager

Penske Australia & New Zealand has appointed Stephen Kelly as the general manager of its Penske NZ operations, effective immediately In this role he will oversee all NZ branch operations, including energy solutions, mining, commercial vehicles, defence, marine, and rail, while continuing to be based at Penske’s Christchurch branch.