42 Comments

The incompetence, arrogance and lack of empathy of the current Minister of Finance rivals only that of Ruth Richardson, who wrecked New Zealand's social structure in the 1990s with her 'mother of all budgets'. The country has never recovered from that and will suffer even further from the efforts of Nicola Willis. We have a government that doesn't listen, doesn't take the long view, and is focused on the wellbeing of the wealthy. That will eventually backfire on them, but the damage done before it does is unpleasant to contemplate.

Expand full comment

She reminds me very strongly of Ruth Richardson & seems to be in much the same vein. Whoever wins the next election is going to have a long slog uphill to even attempt putting things right...unless of course, it happens to be this lot again.

Expand full comment

Seems Chris or Nicola haven't yet got to the part of Ruth's career where even Jim Bolger realised those policies weren't working...

Expand full comment

I heartily concur!!

Expand full comment

Amazing lack of self awareness - she really has no idea of how clueless she actually is, especially watching her meanness in Parliament I can see the overindulged child bursting out like a scene from Alien

Expand full comment

Thanks Keith. Love the Alien reference.

Expand full comment

What I'm a little confused about is the "laser focus" of canceling ferries or overturning legislation. But when it comes to issues they don't actually want to deal with - ferries or the Treaty bill - they take as long as they like. The smell of hypocrisy is strong and quite unpleasant 🤨

Expand full comment

Excellent Karen!

Expand full comment

Given Seymours little side shots and return swats from Peters I would suggest that this may well be a coalition fail where competing egos have not been able to come to an agreement, particularly over State vs Private funding, so the necessary votes were not able to be got. Given they've had a year to nut this out something ugly has reared its head. Once again Luxon is nowhere to be seen.

Expand full comment

You are so right - once again Luxon missing in action - or is it inaction!

Expand full comment

Luxon is adept at MIA😅

Expand full comment

A futile attempt to save face through an act of commercial, social, and economic sabotage. Go figure….not the sharpest tool in the box then. Willis, the poster child for Atlas recruiters.

Expand full comment

Well said James!

Expand full comment

If unemployment is inevitable, then the incompetent should go first. That’s the real serving NZ…time to resign before you’re kicked. Except she’s still smarter than her boss. Low bars all round.

Expand full comment

OMG .. All that hype and buildup, excitement brewing for the BIG announcement... And for what? To announce NOTHING basically. A concept for everyone else to sort out hahaha, but shouldn't laugh. No real costings given, but NewsFlash Nicola ... It's taxpayer money you're spending, and the Taxpayer has a right to know how it's money is being spent, you're accountable Nicola to the Taxpayer every day that the Taxpayer pays you. You're not paid to withhold information from those who pay you, keeping your own power by keeping secrets.... What part of it all aren't you understanding? Nicola, you act as if all future costs are coming out of your own personal purse. And future Ferry's wouldn't be in service until 2029? Meaning the current fleet has to survive another 4-5 years when they can't even cope now. And what future maintenance costs to that fleet until 2029? Wow, obviously Winston has too much time on his hands, how can we keep him occupied? Idea ! Make him a Minister of, so that when everything goes pear-shaped, Winnie can carry and take the blame for whatever fallout. Oh, and Nicola, in your costings... remember to include the Penalties costs incurred by yourself when you cancelled the original Contract of Ferry's already being built..... MADNESS.

Expand full comment

Very well said - but Winnie may yet save us…

Expand full comment

I fear his limit is greyhounds...

Expand full comment

Spot on, Colin!

Expand full comment

🎯🎯🎯

Expand full comment

Spot on! That announcement yesterday about the Inter-Island ferries was a farce. The only thing that it indicated to me was this strategic asset was likely to be privatised. Now that will see yet another key asset in the hands of an overseas multinational who will then bleed untaxed money from this country, If you think travelling on the ferries is expensive now, just wait a few years.

Expand full comment

It didn't end well the last 2 times did it, fay rich white, then Toll had a go...

Expand full comment

It will never, road freight is only cheaper because we subsidise roads. Imagine if every trucking company had to build/maintain their own private roads!

Expand full comment

imagine if they actually had to pay their fair share for the damage that the trucks do to the roads...

Expand full comment

Even that would have them crying poor

Expand full comment

With a simple minded creature like simian brown as transport minister , the truckies have a free ride...

Expand full comment

Thanks, Bryan. It's like you're writing satire. I shouldn't have laughed but I did.

Expand full comment

I had quite a giggle too, especially when Winnie, the on track(?) minister of rail, announcing that the ferries should be rail enabled... 😂 He's been left a "hell of a mess" yussss, left by who, dare I ask?

Incompetence at its best.!!! 😳

Expand full comment

Willis in that condescending voice of hers like she's talking to a 2 year old couldn't agree more.

Expand full comment

So right Nicky. I laughed too.

Expand full comment

Willis is a total disaster. The ferries were not ‘Ferraris’, they were much needed freight haulers. Now we are shopping around for discount ‘Toyota Corollas’ to move our stuff with.

We are gonna be the poor smuck you see on the motorway with all their worldly goods strapped to the roof of their wee car. And this is Nicola Willis doing her job, apparently.

Expand full comment

I agree - an example of bungling incompetence at it's best. And we, the voting public, are supposed to be sucked in by their self-congratulatory presentation ...

Expand full comment

well 39% of the people are, you know the ones that cant think for themselves that vote for national lol

Expand full comment

Disgraceful hypocritical Government.

How does W Peters distance himself from the I Rex project that he was up to his neck in???

Expand full comment

Good question…

Expand full comment

And this is who kiwis thought would turn around our economy. F@#$ing unreal!!!! "I have discharged my duty" the ultimate F$%k you to the nation

Expand full comment

Very well put Bryan. Love the Trump analogy and the dead cat on the table line made me laugh out loud..

Expand full comment

I was 23 years in Freight and Logistics, the new ferries MUST be Rail enabled if they aren't its a fucking criminal act.

Expand full comment

Exactly. All of the above comments.

Expand full comment

Oops, correction. A load of shite.

Expand full comment