The Persistent Stain of Sexism Within the NZ Police Force

The New Zealand Police have long prided themselves on being a cornerstone of community trust, tasked with upholding law and order with impartiality. Yet, recent allegations of a pervasive "boys' club" culture within the Northland detective ranks expose a troubling undercurrent of sexism that undermines this mission. Senior police manager Bridget Louise Doell, with three decades of service, has laid bare a toxic workplace marked by gossip, exclusion, and bullying during an Employment Relations Authority hearing in Whangārei. Her claims of being sidelined by a predominantly male detective team reveal a systemic issue that not only harms individuals but also cripples the operational efficacy of the police force.


Today, RNZ reported:

Senior police manager alleges 'boys' club' culture among Northland detectives

A senior police manager alleges she was met with swirling gossip, private group chats and a pervasive "boys' club" culture when she stepped into a leadership role overseeing the predominantly male detective team in Northland.

The allegations now form the basis of an Employment Relations Authority (ERA) hearing in Whangārei this week.

Bridget Louise Doell, a senior police officer with three decades of experience, was seconded to the crime area manager role in 2020, overseeing senior detectives in the criminal investigation branch (CIB) at Whangārei police station.

The role involves operational oversight of inspectors, but Doell's evidence has been that the transition was met with resistance.

Over the next three years, she claims she was sidelined by detectives, describing a toxic workplace culture marked by gossip, exclusion from key decisions, and repeated allegations of bullying.

Doell’s experience is not an isolated incident. A 2021 Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) report found that a quarter of police staff had faced abuse, bullying, or harassment, with sexism and a "boys' club" culture identified as significant drivers. The report highlighted shocking examples: female officers being demeaned as "the girls" or assigned menial tasks, and one case where a topless photo of a female officer was circulated without consent. These behaviours, often dismissed as "banter," foster an environment where women are marginalised, their contributions undervalued, and their authority undermined. Such a culture erodes morale and deters capable women from pursuing leadership roles, weakening the force’s diversity and perspective.

The operational impact of this sexism is profound. Effective policing relies on trust, both within the force and with the public. When female officers like Doell are excluded from key decisions or face resistance from subordinates, as she alleged when detective inspectors bypassed her to meet with the Crown Solicitor, it disrupts the chain of command. This undermines case management, delays justice, and risks errors in investigations. The 2021 IPCA report noted instances where bullying officers failed to provide backup to colleagues in the field, a direct threat to operational safety. If officers cannot rely on their team due to discriminatory attitudes, the ability to respond to emergencies or complex investigations is compromised.

Historical cases further illustrate the depth of the problem. The 2007 Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct, sparked by Louise Nicholas’s allegations of sexual violence by officers, exposed a culture of cover-ups and misogyny. Despite promises of reform, the persistence of similar issues nearly two decades later suggests a failure to address root causes. In 2014, a police unit faced scrutiny after two staff were suspended for sending lewd footage to a colleague, alongside bullying allegations. These incidents reflect a pattern where sexist behaviour is not just tolerated but normalised, eroding public confidence in the police’s ability to handle sensitive cases, particularly those involving gender-based violence.


Last year, RNZ reported:

Female police officer harassed by senior, investigation flawed - IPCA

A senior police officer sexually harassed a female officer, but an internal investigation process was flawed, the independent police conduct authority has concluded.

The woman officer complained to police at the end of a two-month secondment where she was in the senior officer's section under his supervision, prompting an internal police investigation as well as an investigation by the independent police conduct authority (IPCA).

She said the senior officer - labelled as Officer A in the IPCA report - had frequently made inappropriate comments towards her, including some that were sexual. And that this had increased to the point she was concerned his behaviour could become physical and felt unsafe working with him, the IPCA said in a summary report.

In 2021, Star News reported:

 

'Boys club': Sexism, bullying, nepotism highlighted in review of police culture

Nepotism, cronyism and gaslighting have contributed to pockets of toxic culture in the New Zealand police, a new report into bullying and abuse has found.

Despite issuing scathing criticisms and outlining stories of abuse and harassment, the Independent Police Conduct Authority said recent police reforms show promise.

Two interviewees said when they were out in the field and radioed for immediate backup because they were at risk, bully officers failed to provide back-up.

"The interviewees subsequently verified that these other officers had been in radio contact and not involved in any other urgent job," the IPCA added.

In 2017, Stuff reported:

Lynley Tulloch: Police standards, sexism and social sadism

This programme of reform in 2007 was intended to shape the future direction of the police service. The report stated that police misconduct must be "dealt with professionally, expeditiously, and in a manner that gives both complainants and the general public no reason for concern".

Just this year another report was released documenting the police response to this Commission of Inquiry. Commissioner Mike Bush acknowledged that police deserved scrutiny over their behaviour. He said that there had been a lot of work done in attitudinal change in police culture over the past 10 years.

Clearly nothing, despite a number of investigations and reports, has really improved. The cost of this culture extends beyond internal dysfunction. Public trust is the bedrock of effective policing, yet how can victims of sexual assault or domestic violence have faith in a force that struggles to confront its own biases? The IPCA has acknowledged progress under Police Commissioner Andy Coster, with action plans to address toxic behaviours. However, the recurrence of these issues in Northland suggests that reforms are either superficial or inconsistently applied. Without rigorous, transparent processes to root out sexism, the police risk perpetuating a cycle of distrust that directly creates inefficiency.

To restore faith, the New Zealand Police must prioritise systemic change. This means not only disciplining offenders but also dismantling the structures that enable a "boys' club" mentality. Leadership must model inclusivity, and recruitment and promotion processes should actively counter bias. Even though the Police are desperate for new recruits, the operational stakes are too high for half-measures. A police force that fails to respect its own cannot hope to protect and serve the public with integrity. Until sexism is confronted head-on, the stain on the force’s reputation, and its inability to deliver justice, will only worsen.

Michael Forbes’ Sex Worker Exploitation Shames Government

In a shocking revelation, the National Party's deputy chief press secretary to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has resigned amidst allegations of recording sex workers without their consent. According to numerous reports, Michael Forbes allegedly amassed a large number of audio recordings and photographs of women in compromising situations, including sex workers, women at the gym, and even those changing in private spaces.

Police apparently investigated after a Wellington brothel raised concerns in July last year, though they deemed it below the threshold for criminal prosecution, perhaps a result of the offender’s position of power and associations rather than any limitation of the law. However, this sordid scandal exposes not just questions about individual moral bankruptcy, or who knew what and when and why the police failed to act expediently, but a broader systemic political failure under a clearly misogynistic right-wing government.
 

Yesterday, RNZ reported:

Prime Minister's deputy chief press secretary Michael Forbes resigns after reportedly recording sex workers without consent

The Prime Minister's deputy chief press secretary has resigned after allegedly recording audio of sessions with Wellington sex workers and taking intimate photos of women in public.

A Stuff investigation reported that Michael Forbes, a former journalist, allegedly recorded audio of multiple sessions with Wellington sex workers, and amassed a gallery of women working out at the gym, shopping, and being filmed through a window getting ready to go out.

A Wellington sex worker told Stuff she realised while Forbes was in the shower that his phone's voice recorder was allegedly activated back in July 2024.

She told the outlet she and other sex workers working that night asked Forbes for his phone PIN code and they went through his phone. They claim to have found multiple audio recordings of sessions with sex workers, albums full of photos of women, and videos of women getting ready to go out, filmed through a window at night.

Let’s cut through the spin: New Zealand’s Prostitution Reform Act 2003 decriminalised sex work to protect workers’ rights and safety, a world-leading move championed by the likes of the New Zealand Prostitutes’ Collective. Yet, under this government’s austerity-driven agenda, we’re seeing a grim reality unfold. Savage cuts to welfare, housing support, and health services, coupled with a cost-of-living crisis, are ensuring young women, particularly Māori and Pasifika, are being forced into desperate work they wouldn’t normally undertake.

The data is stark: Māori women, who make up only 9% of the population, account for 31.7% of those working as prostitutes, often in the riskiest street-based sector. Many enter under the legally required 18-years of age, driven by poverty and a lack of options, not choice.

There is no question that the coalition’s policies are socially destructive, slashing the safety net that keeps young women from falling through the cracks. Rising housing costs, stagnant wages, and gutted social services create a perfect storm where survival for young women often means turning to sex work. The hypocrisy is galling: a government that claims to champion “law and order” employ a press secretary who preys on the very women their policies are endangering.

Christopher Luxon’s recent lament about declining birth rates in New Zealand rings hollow when his government’s policies are fuelling poverty and inequality…conditions that stifle family formation. The Coalition’s austerity measures undermine young people’s ability to build stable relationships, save for a first home, or afford children. Instead, these policies are pushing more young women and men into precarious work, including sex work. Michael Forbes’ reprehensible actions represent a vile abuse of power, mirroring a broader culture of entitlement and entrenched misogyny that flourishes when society devalues its most vulnerable.

Critics of decriminalisation, like Family First, might argue for criminalising certain aspects of sex work, but they miss the point. Don't get me wrong...the oldest profession in the world has benefited from Labour's legalisation. The issue isn’t the legal framework; it’s the economic and social conditions forcing women into prostitution against their will in the first place. Survivors like Sabrinna Valisce have called out the “rosy rhetoric” of decriminalisation, noting how it can mask coercion and exploitation when structural inequalities persist, which is exactly what the National-led government has further ensured with their socially destructive policies.

Michael Forbes, whose scripted apology and sob story shouldn’t be believed, was providing advice to Chris Luxon to apparently “communicate the government’s priorities, milestones and successes to New Zealanders,” while exploiting sex workers that he had a vested interest in controlling, both physically and arguably through the government's legislative changes. His type of abusive mentality is clearly on display throughout the coalition's policy direction, which is designed to keep young women poor and desperate. The government’s refusal to fund robust exiting services for sex workers for instance or address poverty head-on suggests a tacit acceptance of this exploitation, or worse, a conscious effort to ensure young women have no other option.

Let’s not mince words: Chris Luxon’s government is complicit in a system that funnels young women into prostitution, then turns a blind eye when they’re abused and violated. Forbes’ alleged abuse of sex workers is a clear indication that he was advising the PM to further entrench targeted policies that strip away women’s rights. Cuts to social services and women’s refuges aren’t just to save the government money…they’re a manifestation of the right wing’s need to disempower and control women. This isn’t just negligence; it’s a deliberate design to keep young women vulnerable, ripe for exploitation by wealthy men in places of power.

This government’s failure to prioritise economic justice and social support is a betrayal of our most vulnerable, condemning young women to a cycle of desperation and abuse. No right-minded New Zealander should stand for this entrenched system of financial exploitation. It’s time to demand accountability, dismantle the policies that trap women in economic servitude, and build a society that truly values people’s dignity, no matter what type of employment they choose to undertake.

Piers Morgan - Arsehole of the Week

If you're lucky, you wouldn't have heard of a guy called Piers Morgan. He’s a self-absorbed and opinionated hack from England who’s made a career out of making offensive remarks, which he more often than not targets at younger woman of colour.

Morgan, who is well past his prime as a political commentator, has a general theme to his personal attacks, and that is to denigrate any outspoken or successful leaders of popular transformative movements in order to try and close them down.

In fact this is a common trope by active racists all around the world, who attempt to side-track the public discourse by essentially cock-blocking the conversation with their targeted insults or controversial reckons.

Of course one of the most proficient users of this divisive tactic is Piers Morgan, who once again displayed his inherent bigotry yesterday by criticising a star United States athlete called Simone Biles, who withdrew from the women's gymnastics team final at the Tokyo Olympics for mental health reasons.

Yesterday, the NZ Herald reported:

Piers Morgan criticises Simone Biles' decision to quit final

Outspoken British commentator Piers Morgan has weighed in on US star athlete Simone Biles' decision to quit the women's team gymnastics final in Tokyo.

Biles made the decision just minutes into the event, later telling reporters that she had been battling mental health issues and "fighting all those demons".

"It's just me in my head," she said. "I have to focus on my mental health and not jeopardise my health and wellbeing.

"We have to protect our body and our mind.

Which is exactly what a top athlete should do to ensure they can continue to perform at their best and excel in their chosen sport. Morgan using the same old ploy to get attention by criticising a young coloured woman just goes to show what a dinosaur he actually is, particularly when it comes to modern training techniques for athletes at the top of their game.

Are ‘mental health issues’ now the go-to excuse for any poor performance in elite sport? What a joke.
Just admit you did badly, made mistakes, and will strive to do better next time.
Kids need strong role models not this nonsense.

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 27, 2021

Obviously Simone Biles is doing exactly the right thing and being a good role model for her fans and fellow athletes alike, who shouldn’t be pressured into ignoring their mental health by grey-haired idiots like Piers Morgan. He assuredly is an out-dated egotist who should be ignored wherever possible.

Morgan doubled down, and blamed social media.

"Athletes are now deemed more courageous, inspiring & heroic if they lose or quit then if they win or tough it out, which is ridiculous," he fumed.

"I blame Twitter's virtue-signallers for fuelling this culture of celebrating weakness. The real world doesn't think like that."

Some took him to task for criticising Biles' decision to walk away given the public tantrum that saw him quit British TV show Good Morning Britain earlier this year.

But Morgan batted away critics with a sarcastic response.

Piers Morgan is clearly a bonafide fuckwit! He’s also a complete snowflake when it comes to being confronted for his numerous flaws…and just like most narcissists cannot handle even the slightest amount of criticism in return.

Hello pot, meet kettle. 🙄 pic.twitter.com/zRuvvbNg7s

— Amy Freeman-Britton (@chilpark) July 27, 2021

Sadly for Piers Morgan, this prestigious Arsehole Award is the closest he'll ever get to an Olympic medal. He may therefore like to reflect on his prize and just how much of a political pariah he’s become. Because without some much needed self-awareness, the world may never get a mental health break from the contemptuous old fool known as Piers Morgan, until the day he dies.

About those biased Oscar Nominations

There’s been a lot written about the 2020 Oscar Nominations and their apparent lack of diversity. It’s true, there are in fact no women nominated for the Best Director and very few nominees of colour across the board. But is this a result of a biased process or a symptom of a sickness pervading many aspects of the Hollywood movie industry?

Of course this all blew up a few years ago, with the upshot being that the Oscars would work towards a more inclusive ceremony. But you apparently can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Numerous prominent people have criticised the selection process and those involved have felt compelled to defend their decisions.

On Wednesday, Stephen King tweeted:

...I would never consider diversity in matters of art. Only quality. It seems to me that to do otherwise would be wrong.

— Stephen King (@StephenKing) January 14, 2020

Yesterday, The NZ Herald reported:

Stephen King criticized for comments on diversity 

Admirers of King, an outspoken liberal, were disheartened by his comments. Author Roxane Gay tweeted that "as a fan, this is painful to read. 

"It implies that diversity and quality cannot be synonymous," Gay wrote. "They are not separate things. Quality is everywhere but most industries only believe in quality from one demographic. And now, here you are." 

Director Ava DuVernay tweeted: "When you wake up, meditate, stretch, reach for your phone to check on the world and see a tweet from someone you admire that is so backward and ignorant you want to go back to bed."

So are the Oscars really to blame for a lack of diversity?

You only have to look at movies like Once Upon A Time In Hollywood to realise that their selection process is complicit in promoting association over substance. The shock value of Quentin Tarantino’s offering is prominent in this retelling of the Manson murders. However the chalk and cheese fictional take on historical events, although mostly well shot, adds very little to the art form with a stellar cast really being this films only redeeming feature.

It should be noted that Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is the first Tarantino movie to not utilise the “services” of sexual predator/producer Harvey Weinstein. Tarantino even seems to contradict the perverse nature of Hollywood with a scene where a stunt double, played by Brad Pitt, doesn’t take advantage of an apparently underage girl, played by 26-year-old Margaret Qualley. It’s almost as if Tarantino is trying to absolve himself from years of guilt by association.

Actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt with Director Quentin Tarantino

The all white mostly male dominated cast works through their lines professionally and generally carries this movie, but at times even they seem annoyed with the script. Perhaps it’s the often unending and unrealistic dialogue or numerous retakes that make it slightly clunky, but there’s no question that 10 nominations is excessive for a movie that's simply going through the motions and appears to be signalling Tarantino’s retirement.

We must therefore conclude that the Oscars selection process is somewhat biased towards movies that are produced by, and mainly employ, white males. It should also be noted that Hollywood appears to have run out of stories to tell. They’re now relying on remaking movies selected from a past that was also dominated by white males.

In recognition of this, Kyle Buchanan for the New York Times writes:

The homogeneous group of gatekeepers that came before us still affects so much of what we consider worthy of canonization.

I couldn’t have put it better myself. However there is a flip side to the argument that nominations must be diversified simply to provide an appearance of equality.

Many of those arguing for increased inclusiveness are in praise of a movie called Hustlers, starring the seemingly ageless Jennifer Lopez. This is where Stephen King is right to say he selects on quality and not diversity. Overly reliant on sex appeal, Hustlers tediously goes over the same old ground twice and culminates in a lacklustre montage that confirms the directors derivative skill-set. Despite its obvious flaws, Hustlers was somewhat of a box office success, leading many to question why the B grade movie wasn't selected.

Here is a pretty generic tweet about the issue by writer E. Alex Jung:

i genuinely think not nominating j lo is rooted in racism and sexism about the kinds of performances the oscars deem worthy of praise doNOT @ me

— E. Alex Jung (@e_alexjung) January 13, 2020

It's amazing just how many commentators argue that a movie about striptease artists drugging businessmen to empty their bank accounts is somehow worthy of an award.

Hustlers basically tells a story we’ve all seen before but in an unimpressive way. To promote such a forgetful film simply because it stars females of varying ethnicities will do little if anything to increase equality within the film industry.

Likewise, gender role reversal in movies doesn’t really work if it’s simply being done to promote inclusivity instead of providing any real increase to a movies artistic value.

The problem of sexism and racism in Hollywood goes far deeper than just the Oscars. These issues are entrenched in the way movies are made but can mainly be attributed to screenplay selection by big name producers and film studios predominated by men.

The Oscars are just the last cab off the rank when it comes to a lack of diversity within filmmaking. Unfortunately a testosterone driven industry will always try to tell stories it identifies with and until the old-school male movie moguls are culled from their positions of power, nothing will ever really change.

Whale Oil is bad for your political health

We should all know by now, and especially after Dirty Politics lifted the lid, that the blog site Whale Oil Beef Hooked is a poisonous cesspool of rumormongering and outright lies. But there’s one underlining stench that pervades the right wings attack blog… a hatred of woman.

Cameron Slater's misogyny is legendary, and stems from him seeking attention but not getting it. He, like most other sexists believe that it’s OK to denigrate a woman’s body and make false claims about their abilities, false claims that are often designed to damage a persons credibility.

Clearly the practice of bigotry isn’t very appealing to most people. It’s even less appealing when candidates standing for office practice it. But there’s one thing that needs to be highlighted… politicians are clearly putting their careers at risk by reading and repeating Whale Oil prejudices.

Yesterday, The Opportunities Party’s leader tweeted:

Sure but it's pathetic isn't it?All that matters is policy.Jacinda should be required to show she's more than lipstick on a pig.Will she be?

— Gareth Morgan (@garethmorgannz) August 20, 2017

Today, Gareth Morgan stupidly followed up with:

Policy matters pic.twitter.com/mlQr9KcAlW

— Gareth Morgan (@garethmorgannz) August 20, 2017

Like Morgan’s 'only whores' tweet, his latest sexist insult has received a lot of criticism. But it’s worthwhile keeping in mind that his juvenile mentality isn’t exclusive to the TOP party.

In July, Act party leader David Seymour tweeted:

H/T The Spinoff

The clear implication was that Jacinda Ardern is inexperienced because she’s a woman. That puts Seymour in the dirty laundry basket with all the other sexist idiots who’ve attempted to promote their bigotry through politics.

Seymour obviously realised this wasn't a good look, and has deleted his sexist tweet in the hope that the Internet will simply forget that the Act party is one of the most bigoted in New Zealand’s short political history.

The sexist and racist bile from Cameron Slater being regurgitated all over the Internet isn’t worth a damn thing, especially to a politician trying to promote their policies. The attention received isn’t going to result in votes, because the New Zealand public is intelligent enough to spot sexist idiots like Morgan and Seymour from a mile away.

Take note politicians, reading Whale Oil is bad for your political health. You only need to look at Act and TOP’s recent polling to see that repeating such prejudices does your party no favours at all.

Key resorts to sexist slander

We all know that the Prime Minister is a bit of a clown at the best of times. In fact without his script, John Key often appears to be unable to put a cohesive sentence together. It's not just his speech impediment though, which to his credit he's worked hard to remedy, it's the way the guy thinks that simply doesn't make much sense.

Today, 3 News reported on a perfect example of Key’s idiocy:

Key's Dotcom 'sugar daddy' comment sexist – Harre 

Internet Party leader Laila Harre is outraged the Prime Minister has called Kim Dotcom her 'sugar daddy'.

Ms Harre wants a head-to-head debate with John Key at his multi-candidate electorate event in Kumeu, but organisers say it's purely a public question time.

Speaking on RadioLIVE, Mr Key agreed it's for the locals and not an opportunity for Ms Harre to "grandstand on behalf of her sugar daddy Kim Dotcom".

Clearly this was a sexist and slanderous slur that was designed to belittle Laila Harre and Kim Dotcom. Not only is John Key showing that he's a bit of a creep by implying that Kim Dotcom is only funding the Internet/Mana party because of a sexual relationship with Laila Harre, he's also displaying a complete lack of respect for woman in general.

What else is new? Just a few weeks ago the slimy Key also refused to apologise to Tania Billingsley for the government's mishandling of the Malaysian diplomat case. Because of their incompetence, Muhammad Rizalman bin Ismail, the man accused of assault and attempted rape, was allowed to leave New Zealand and has so far escaped facing justice. Key had previously said that he would apologise but then reneged because Billingsley spoke out against the government.

The rest of National's MPs aren't much better either with nearly 80% of the party comprised of males. Unlike the Labour party, which has worked hard to have proportional representation, that unbalanced amount of males compared to females in John Key’s party is a clear sign that the current government is chauvinistic!

Let’s hope that enough right-minded New Zealanders vote these sexist bastards out.

Thicke Parody - Defined lines

Garth McVicar - Asshole of the Week

Today, Stuff reported:

Crime will rise if gay couples are allowed to marry, says the head of the country's victim lobby group.

Sensible Sentencing Trust leader Garth McVicar has submitted to Parliament that changing the law to allow same-sex marriage will be yet another erosion of basic morals and values in society which have led to an escalation of child abuse, domestic violence, and an ever-increasing prison population.

"The marriage amendment bill will not benefit society at all and will ultimately have detremetal (sic) effect on crime at all levels," the submission read.

So letting gay couples marry, which in most cases will increase the couples love for each other, is going to be bad for society? WTF! It's likely that the opposite will occur, with the long overdue law change ensuring that gay people are more accepted within "normal" society.

Criminologist Dr James Oleson, from Auckland University, an expert in deviance, said he was not familiar with any research that would suggest homosexuals would be responsible for a disproportionate amount of crime.

For McVicar's argument to be plausible, he said, it would have to be proved that allowing homosexuals to marry degraded morality, and that this produced more crime. "But I'm not sure that's true." The more common drivers of crime were economic issues, alcohol, drugs, education and employment and family dysfunction, Oleson said.

In my opinion, the law change would strengthen communities and therefore reduce crime. It's only through a less prejudiced society that we can hope to reduce discrimination, which would also reduce the likelihood of crime occurring.

McVicar did not respond to requests for comment.

So not only is McVicar obviously a cowardly homophobe, he's also a bigot as well, with the deluded old fool often expressing racist sentiments that just goes to show he's an asshole of the first order.

Let's hope that the media gives McVicar and his Insensible Sentencing Trust even less attention during 2013.

John Key's gay pink top

Earlier this month, Stuff reported:

Prime Minister John Key made controversial comments about a "gay red top" the same day as reportedly calling footballer David Beckham "thick".

Key reportedly said Beckham was a nice man but also ''as thick as bat s***'' during a talk with a group of high school students in Dunedin on Friday. He today refused to deny making the comment - but said he had been misheard.

Key flirted with controversy again that day on the Farming Show radio programme when he slagged off host Jamie Mackay for wearing red.

Is there something Key isn't telling us?

John Tamihere - Asshole of the Week

John Tamihere might come across as a jovial kind of chap, but his recent statements have been entirely undiplomatic and show him to be just another political fool.

Worse yet, Tamihere's spiteful comments directed at past and present Labour MP's make it look like he has no intention of actually joining Labour at all. In fact Tamihere spends most of his time agreeing with National party policy and bagging the things Labour believe in.

Clearly he's just another tory shill and displays all the signs of a full blown right-winger...

Last Saturday, GayNZ reported:

Former Labour MP John Tamihere has attacked the party as being ‘too focused on issues like gay marriage’ after being kept out of its conference this weekend.

While he wants to make a political comeback, his membership is yet to be approved by the party hierarchy.

“It’s a bit like joining the Head Hunters,” he said in an interview with 3 News reporter Patrick Gower. “As I'm trying to walk through, trying to get my membership, they are all there beating you – it’s a bit like a gang, a gang initiation.”

[...]

On his Radio Live talkback programme he has repeatedly voiced homophobic slurs and has also made derogatory comments about Labour's gay MPs.

On Sunday, Scoop reported:

There have been no cries of alleluia to the prospect of former Labour Party cabinet minister John Tamihere’s resurrection from political purgatory to re-join Labour’s ranks again.

While the Party’s faithful gathered for their conference in Auckland this weekend, John Tamihere told TVNZ’s Marae Investigates this morning that he’d been advised it would be inappropriate for him to attend.

“I’ve got media accreditation, I could go and make it a media circus but I’m not interested in doing that.” Mr Tamihere told interviewer Scotty Morrison.

During the Marae Investigates interview (video), John Tamihere also said:

"Parekura is going porkies mate," and "He's doing well on the balls-up circuit".

The hypocritical Tamihere then says:

"You just have to get the conversation raised above the pettiness".

Yesterday, the NZ Herald reported:

Loizos Michaels has denied 31 deception charges at the Auckland District Court.

[...]

Last week the 45-year-old claimed he had lost money in an online gaming venture with former Christchurch Casino chief executive Stephen Lyttelton and that National Party President Peter Goodfellow was involved in a bid to take over Sky City.

Michaels also pointed the finger at politicians Pita Sharples and John Tamihere, who he said had been paid money by Mr Lyttelton.

There's probably no validity to what Loizos Michaels has said about Pita Sharples and John Tamihere, basically because he's a bullshit artist. The problem here is that Tamihere is a bullshit artist as well and has only been making sounds about joining Labour in order to gain attention, media attention he's then used to attack Labour with.

It appears that there's no truth to the claims that Tamihere was banned from Labour's conference over the weekend. Tamihere is simply not a member of the party and therefore couldn't attend in that capacity. He would also need to arrange a media pass, and couldn't simply waltz in like he owns the place. There's nothing new about this, and all major political parties in New Zealand operate this way.

So clearly Tamihere is gaining too much attention for what is effectively a lie. Why anybody would give the drunken animal abuser the time of day is beyond me. Clearly the only reason he wants to get back into politics is to get his grubby hands on some more golden handshakes. Where did that $800,000 go btw John?

There will be no benefit to Maori if Tamihere actually manages to advance his septic political career, because for all intents and purposes he's a honky who only cares about his own interests. The misogynistic John Tamihere has been tested and found wanting, he therefore wins this week's asshole award.

Paul Mackay - Asshole of the Week

Today, the NZ Herald reported:

Business NZ employment relations manager Paul Mackay yesterday presented the group's submission on Ms Moroney's Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months' Paid Leave) Amendment Bill. The submission said it was difficult for employers to find suitable temporary staff to fill parental leave vacancies.

"Employers who have been forced to bear considerable replacement costs, or to find those amongst their other employees willing to provide cover, may well think hard before again employing a woman of child-bearing age."

There's no evidence to base these claims on... Paul Mackay is simply making shit up.

Despite what the dinosaur seems to believe, it's illegal under the Human Rights Act 1993 (PDF) to discriminate in the way described by the Business NZ submission on Sue Moroney's Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months' Paid Leave) Amendment Bill (PDF).

It's predominantly old white men who ensure Woman are paid less, don't attain as many positions of power, are belittled and often objectified. This is despite scientific evidence that females are more intelligent, run businesses better and have more qualifications than their male counterparts.

The thing chauvinists don't understand is that being a mother imparts many skills that can be highly beneficial in many work place situations. Instead of being viewed as a burden, motherhood and indeed parenthood in general should be respected and admired. But instead we have people like Paul Mackay promoting chauvinistic claptrap... What an asshole!

In this day and age, such sexism shouldn't be tolerated.

Julia Gillard vs Tony Abbott

Gender inequality in New Zealand

On Tuesday, the OECD reported:

In OECD countries, in 2009 nearly 60% of university graduate students were female. But men and women still choose different study and career paths. More than 75% of health and social science graduates are women, while some 70% engineering, manufacturing and construction graduates are men. New ways must be found to attract women to study and pursue careers in male-dominated sectors, which often offer better career and earnings prospects.

Employment rates are 13 percentage points lower for women than for men in OECD countries. Women are also much more likely to work part-time. Better and more affordable child care and more flexible work conditions are key to helping parents to be in paid work or increase hours and work full time, says the report.

Pay gaps also remain stubbornly high: on average in OECD countries women earn 16% less than men and female top-earners are paid on average 21% less. Across the OECD less than one-third of managers and only 10% of board members are women.

The OECD's Gender Equality in Education, Employment and Entrepreneurship: Final Report (PDF) also states that Woman in New Zealand do more unpaid work than paid work, gain more tertiary qualifications than men and women-owned new enterprises outperform men-owned enterprises.

Although wage inequality between men and woman has been slowly dropping, the report finds that the government funding allocated to reduce inequality in New Zealand is on the low side in comparison to other OECD countries.

So basically woman are getting a raw deal. In fact the gender pay gap in the public sector was 14.4% in 2010. If we include all areas of the workforce, woman on average earn around $10,000 less per year.

There are many reasons why this is a problem, but perhaps the most pressing is the fact that woman who do not have financial security are more likely to remain in an abusive relationship. Therefore if the government wants to reduce the amount of domestic violence it must look at measures to increase gender equality.

New Zealand currently has one of the worst domestic violence rates in the world.

Stats highlight growing bigotry

Today, the NZ Herald reported:

The number of people employed in construction fell to 174,600 from 178,800, while education and training fell to 192,900 from 199,300.

Youth aged 15 to 24 not in employment, education or training (NEET) rose to 13.6 per cent in the quarter from 13.1 per cent in the December quarter.

Auckland unemployment climbed to 7.9 per cent from 6.7 per cent in the prior quarter, with an increase in the participation rate to 69.1 per cent from 68.7 per cent. The Manawatu-Wanganui region posted the highest unemployment rate at 8.9 per cent, while Southland joblessness was the lowest at 4.4 per cent.

The rate of unemployed Pacific people rose to a record-high 16 per cent from 13.8 per cent in December, while Maori unemployment rose to 13.9 per cent from 13.4 per cent.

The ironic thing is that National's main pledges were to reduce debt and create jobs. Unfortunately for New Zealand, they're doing the opposite... creating more welfare dependent people and dramatically increasing government debt, which has grown by more than 200% since National took power in 2008.

Steven Joyce claimed in the House of Representatives today that employment has grown by 9000... but Statistics NZ's latest Household Labour Force Survey report (PDF) shows that employment grew because of an increase in part-time employment, while full-time employment actually decreased by 3,000 over the latest quarter.

Those who are in part-time employment in most cases need welfare support of some kind, because part-time work simply doesn't pay the bills.

The other main statistical change is that unemployment for woman has grown dramatically as well as for pacific people. National's policies are clearly adversely and disproportionately affecting people who are not white and male. This indicates a chauvinistic, racist and myopic policy direction, which is ultimately detrimental for New Zealand.

Garth George the dinosaur

Today, Garth George wrote a stupid article for the NZ Herald in which he apparently quotes a couple of his mates:

"The Greens," he wrote, "are a serious threat to the sanctity of life ethic and the right to life of every person from conception to natural death. They are also a threat to the sanctity of marriage.

Allowing a woman the choice depending on their circumstances is hardly a threat to "the sanctity of life." Likewise allowing somebody who has reached the end of their life and is suffering to choose a dignified death is hardly usurping nature.

Only sadists expect others to suffer interminable pain, which in my opinion amounts to torture. Nature can often be very cruel... finding ways to alleviate that cruelty is what humanity is all about.

We should recognise that the long-term objective of the Greens is to reduce the world's population, creating a world in which nature is the dominant 'right' with humanity subservient to that 'deity'."

Allowing mankind to continue to dominate and procreate beyond the earths capabilities is a sure way to ensure our mutual destruction.

It's a no brainer really... either the worlds population stabilizes at seven billion and we work towards reducing the problems we already face or we continue to reproduce until resources fail to sustain us.

Coupled with the effects of climate change on crops and it's a recipe for unprecedented disaster. Perhaps he/she is untravelled and hasn't seen the overcrowding in other countries... it's awful!

Another mate of mine suggests that same-sex adoption is likely to be pushed by the Greens and Labour this term, but opposed by NZ First. The big question is whether National will resist this social engineering. The same applies to same-sex marriage.

I'm surprised that same sex marriages and adoption are illegal in New Zealand... especially considering the boost to the economy that arises from such legislative common sense.

New Zealand has certainly fallen well behind the progressive attitudes that resulted in us becoming the first self-governing country in the world in which all women had the right to vote in parliamentary elections.

As for the decriminalisation of abortion, Labour MP Steve Chadwick, who was championing this law change, lost her list seat at the election but we can expect that "cause" to be picked up by another Labour, or Green, MP.

George's "mate" seems to think that abortion was until recently a crime. However the Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion Act 1977 (PDF) says otherwise. Steve Chadwick was elected in 1999, 22 years after decriminalization. George's mate the dinosaur is obviously an idiot!

The article does get a little better though:

Among other matters which will be carefully watched is what the Government will do about the drinking age and the intolerable harm done by excessive alcohol consumption.

This will be back on the parliamentary agenda early next year but unfortunately last term's National-led government showed little will to deal with the obvious harms of alcohol abuse.

It has ignored many of the solutions put forward by the Law Commission after consulting extensively with the public, and far too many senior politicians are promoting a split drinking age that will send a mixed message and fail to acknowledge the harm alcohol does to the developing brains of teenagers.

I bet George doesn't realize that less than 10% of the heavy (problem) drinkers in New Zealand are under the age of 20. The heavy drinking culture is essentially an adult problem.

C'mon NZ Herald... surely you can do better?

UPDATE: Garth George plagiarized most of the article from some bigot called Ken Orr... what a hack!

Addressing the Imbalance

A month ago there was a little bit of media coverage concerning the wage difference between males and females in New Zealand. The impetus for that reporting was to highlight the defunct thought process of Alasdair Thompson who was dismissed from the EMA for his sexist remarks.

Although slowly declining, wage inequality is still a problem that disproportionately attributes wealth based on a male dominated hierarchical system.

But it’s not just wage disparity that’s the problem... The New Zealand blogosphere is an unequal realm where males outnumber females by around ten to one.

So what could be the cause? Is it indicative of our unequal society or does sexism have little effect in causing the online gender imbalance?

The blogosphere is much like a community in the real world, where shit happens. However in the real would there are rules and people there to enforce them. There are no such enforceable rules on the Internet. You cannot make a complaint to the BSA for instance because they have no legal mandate over blogs.

Sure, there are things in the real world that can be applied to try and deter Internet abuse and some websites have mechanism for dealing with it. However there are ways around the rules and the cost of taking any legal action is usually a deterring factor.

In light of this, it is helpful to have a Blogger's Code of Conduct which was a proposal by Tim O'Reilly for bloggers to enforce civility on their blogs by being civil themselves. It has been widely praised as well as deconstructed, but remains the closest thing to a rule of thumb that the Internet has.

1. Take responsibility not just for your own words, but for the comments you allow on your blog.
2. Label your tolerance level for abusive comments.
3. Consider eliminating anonymous comments.
4. Ignore the trolls.
5. Take the conversation offline, and talk directly, or find an intermediary who can do so.
6. If you know someone who is behaving badly, tell them so.
7. Don't say anything online that you wouldn't say in person.

I must admit to breaking a few of these rules myself from time to time. In the future, I will try to abide by Tim O'Reilly's self imposed rules, even if others don't.

The week that was 26 June - 3 July

Air New Zealand has terminated its membership to the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) following disparaging comments made by its chief executive Alasdair Thompson.

The EMA has been hit by angry feedback from its membership and others over Thompson's comments during a radio interview last week which suggested women take more sick leave because of their monthly periods.

"I have received a number of questions asking whether Air New Zealand is a member of the EMA following outrage at the CEO's public comments suggesting women are less productive and take more sick level because of their monthly periods," said chief executive Rob Fyfe.

"Air New Zealand was a member of the EMA, we terminated our membership this week," he said.

Alasdair Thompson has been under fire since June 23rd when he made comments that the gender wage gap was due to women taking more sick leave than men. He cited their "monthly sick problems" as a reason why.

Union member Jen Natoli said she expects more from a company that represents the views of businesses throughout New Zealand.

"It's also an issue with the EMA. They represent businesses and advise managers on how to treat their employees. As an organisation this represents a collective view that women can be paid less, and I don't think that's on," she said.

More than 3 millisieverts of radiation has been measured in the urine of 15 Fukushima residents of the village of Iitate and the town of Kawamata, confirming internal radiation exposure, it was learned last Sunday.

Both populated areas are about 30 to 40 km from the Fukushima Dai-ichi power plant, which has been releasing radioactive material into the environment since the week of March 11, when the quake and tsunami caused core meltdowns.

“This won’t be a problem if they don’t eat vegetables or other products that are contaminated. But it will be difficult for people to continue living in these areas," said Nanao Kamada, professor emeritus of radiation biology at Hiroshima University.

This follows a number of frightening revelations concerning further radiation releases and containment mismanagement at the devastated nuclear power plant.

New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) is calling for greater levels of support, including lifting benefit payments, for families with children and for more investment to be made in rangatahi Maori and in Pacific young people.

After two years of releasing Vulnerability Reports, NZCCSS is distressed to be reporting a real and continuing deepening of vulnerability within New Zealand communities.

"The first Vulnerability Report was published in March 2009. Now a full 2 years later almost every indicator shows that New Zealand's inequalities are increasing with more people becoming worse-off as support for those on benefits and lower level wages doesn't keep up with costs," said Trevor McGlinchey, NZCCSS Executive Officer.

"The unemployment rates for young Maori and young Pacific people are unacceptably high and have been since the recession started. We must invest more in our youth - not to do so is will result in increasing cycles of income inequality along with health and social disparities instead of a hopeful and prosperous future. Community Max, employers' subsidies and other Youth Training schemes need reinstating or beefing up to help get our young people into employment," he said.

The Report shows that the numbers of people receiving unemployment benefits have increased by 214.9% since 2008 and that over the last 2 years Maori youth unemployment has risen from 18% to 28.8% with Pasifika rates rising to 28.1%. In 2009 the number of children supported in homes dependent on a social welfare benefit was 211,736 now it has increased to 232,262 - an additional 20,528 children who are likely to be living in poverty.

The report also states that the increases in basic living costs such as food, power, petrol and rent have been much greater than the increases in benefits and basic wages.

"All of these increases have been reflected in the worse-off getting much worse off and many who were doing okay now falling into the worse-off category. As a result Christian and other social service agencies have mobilized to meet a huge increase in need - food banks, counseling, budget advice, emergency housing and advocacy, even as they themselves face funding pressures as charitable donations and government funding has not keep up with demand,” said Ruby Duncan, NZCCSS President.

Poverty Action Waikato is deeply concerned by the findings within the Vulnerability Report released by the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services.

“This report confirms the stories we are hearing from the coal face in the Waikato. Many people are struggling to meet their basic needs, food and electricity are becoming luxury items, and there are not enough opportunities for our young people” said Anna Cox, Poverty Action Waikato.

The report states that the increases in basic living costs such as food, power, petrol and rent have been much greater than the increases in benefits and basic wages.

“There are no surprises in this report. Our clients are ravaged by increasing living costs but their incomes have stayed the same. We need to ensure that people have the financial resources to meet their basic needs, or we all suffer the consequences in increasing stress, violence and crime in our communities” says Clare Mataira, Hamilton Budgeting Advice.

People throughout New Zealand travelled to various beaches and joined hands on Monday 25th June in a symbolic gesture to protest against non-renewable energy.

Hands Across The Sand is an international movement of people calling for Governments and industry to abandon their fossil fuel agendas.

"Coal emissions must be phased out as rapidly as possible or global climate disasters will be a dead certainty. Coal is the single greatest threat to civilization and all life on our planet,” said Dr James Hansen, a top NASA climate scientist recently on tour in New Zealand.

"To see people joining hands today and literally making a line in the sand is very inspiring, 70 people came to hear Jeanette Fitzsimons speak on Southland Lignite developments at a meeting on Monday, and to have double that participating today in the international call for a renewable energy future, sends a strong message to the Government and industry, that New Zealand must leave the coal in the hole,” said Coal Action Network Aotearoa spokesperson for Top of the South, Helen Tulett.

Coal Action Network Aotearoa came out in support of the Hands Across the Sand regional actions, which occurred at Tahunanui, Motueka, Pohara beaches and other beaches throughout New Zealand. These events will kick off an international day of action against fossil fuel extraction.

“We call for New Zealand to leave the coal in the hole. Coal Action Network Aotearoa stands in solidarity with the people in Nelson, Motueka, Golden Bay and people from countries around the world who are using their voices to call for a clean energy future – such as Australia, UK, Ireland, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Norway and South Africa. There are 180 events confirmed in the US alone,” said Frances Mountier, spokesperson for Coal Action Network Aotearoa.

"Coal Action Network Aotearoa supports the call from the top of the south to phase out fossil fuels. We don't want to contribute to catastrophic climate change by supporting further fossil fuel extraction. Instead there needs to be more discussion around the economic opportunities Aotearoa New Zealand will miss out on. We need to priortise the development of home-grown clean technologies," she said.

Coal Action Network Aotearoa (CAN Aotearoa) is a group of climate justice campaigners committed to fighting the continuation of coal mining in Aotearoa New Zealand. CAN Aotearoa's objectives are to:

1. Phase out coal mining and coal usage within 20 years, initially by opposing new and expanded coalmines.
2. Promote a cultural change so that mining and using coal are unacceptable.
3. Work towards a society where people and the environment are not exploited for profit.
4. Be part of a just transition to a coal-free Aotearoa New Zealand.

An ExxonMobil pipeline in the US state of Montana has ruptured, leaking hundreds of barrels of crude oil into the Yellowstone River, downstream from the famed Yellowstone national park, which is a major tourist attraction in the US.

The company said the pipe had been shut down and the segment where the leak happened had been isolated. Nearby residents were evacuated, but later allowed to return to their homes.

ExxonMobil spokeswoman Pam Malek said an estimated 750 to 1,000 barrels of oil had leaked from the pipe for about a half-hour before it was shut down.

"We recognise the seriousness of this incident and are working hard to address it. Our principal focus is on protecting the safety and health of the public and our employees," she said.

"If fish get oil on them, if they break the surface and get oil on them, it tends to plug up their gills and it often is fatal," said Bob Gobson, of the Billings Fish, Wildlife and Parks Program.

Exxon Mobil has been ordered to pay more than $1.5 billion in damages to 160 families and businesses affected by a 2006 gasoline leak in Maryland. Jurors awarded more than $1 billion in punitive damages on Thursday, after earlier awarding $495 million in compensatory damages. The award in Baltimore County Circuit Court follows a $150 million award in 2009 involving about 90 households. The company is appealing that ruling.

Exxon Mobil Corp, based in Irving Texas, said that it will appeal this ruling as well. The 2006 leak occurred in Jacksonville, a small, affluent community about 20 miles north of Baltimore. An underground pipe that burst beneath the gas station allowed more 26,000 gallons of gasoline to escape in the oil spill.

Cameron Browne - Asshole of the Week Award

ACT on Campus Auckland vice-president Cameron Wayne Browne recently told somebody to “get raped." Apparently he was having a heated debate on Facebook when he made the unacceptable comment.

Being that rape is not acceptable under any circumstances, using such a chauvinistic remark is disgusting! The use of such derogatory language shows a lack of debating skill, not to mention a level of stupidity thicker than a short plank.

It's sad to see somebody so young espouse such a sick ethos. Especially considering that New Zealand has one of the highest rates of rape crime in the world. It's estimated that 1 in 4 females are likely to experience Sexual Violence or Abuse in their lifetimes, many before the age of 16.

Rape crime is a huge problem that is not helped by people like Cameron Browne and his cognitive deficiencies. I would suggest that he receive some counseling and if that doesn't work, let's just deport the asshole to Siberia.

 

The person who the dispicable insult was leveled at, Tania Lim wants an apology from ACT on Campus Auckland vice-president Cameron Browne over the comment.

"I was shocked, to be honest, because I didn't know who he was. I've been sexually assaulted before and I didn't really appreciate that comment. I felt like I was personally attacked and it brought back bad memories,” she said.

ACT leader Don Brash said:

"If the comment was made then it was grossly inappropriate."

Heather Roy tweeted:

"I don't condone the comment, rape is never acceptable and I'm not responciable for Act on campus member's comments."

So no apology so far from Act. Rape Prevention Education director Dr Kim McGregor said she was upset by what Cameron Browne suggested:

“Inappropriate comments about rape are offensive to most rape survivors. I think that anyone who has experienced the often frightening and painful, degrading act of rape will k now that it is not anything that someone should make a throwaway comment about," she said on RadioLIVE.

Ms McGregor believes Mr Browne could benefit from some voluntary work.

“It would probably be good if he went and spent some time volunteering in a rape crisis centre, so that he could witness the hundreds of people who are attending the rape crisis centre annually,” she said.

UNICRI Percentage of rape victims for 2002.

Peter McCaffrey then tried to justify Cameron Browne’s despicable comment yesterday by posting on the Act Party website:

Last week, Cameron Browne, ACT on Campus Auckland Vice-President, and a few friends were having a debate on their private Facebook walls and discussed, amongst other things, the existence of the Maori seats. At some point during the debate a group of left-wingers, most of whom Cameron didn't know, joined in the debate. They proceeded to call him:

An Idiot, Fucked Up, A Marxist, A Fatuous, self-serving, carpetbagger, Uneducated, A Wanker, A skinhead, A Neo-nazi, A member of the KKK, An Aryan, A Genocide supporter and a white supremist.

Plus many more horrendously offensive slurs, many of which have since been removed by their posters, presumably due to their own embarrassment. All because he suggested that people in New Zealand be treated equally regardless of the colour of their skin.

Cameron, somewhat understandably, was angry at the onslaught and made a stupid comment in reply. A few minutes later Cameron apologised unreservedly, explaining that even though he was angry it still wasn't appropriate.

The sexist Cameron Browne did not apologize in any way shape or form. This is what he wrote soon after his bigoted Facebook comment:

The comment was not something I meant seriously. You guys are seriously overeacting.

Peter McCaffrey then made the matter worse by writing:

He probably should have told her to "get fucked" instead. :D Feel free to send us any offensive comments you see from party-affiliated people, and journalists, we expect to see front page articles about each and every one of them.

Are these idiots for real? Talk about foot in mouth disease. There's a huge difference between getting fucked and getting raped... To think otherwise and that the insults are similar shows that these people are mentally deficient.

Cameron Browne doesn't even seem to comprehend the damage he's done to his reputation and career path... Although his acceptance within the Act Party is obviously assured. How long they manage to survive is yet to be seen.

Alasdair Thompson - Asshole of the Week Award

Alasdair Thompson is clearly a fully fledged asshole! He typifies the chauvinistic male, which is unfortunately a prevalent disease in this country.

It's mainly caught by older males who think they're somehow superior to woman, who they believe need to be subservient to the status quo.

You might be aware that New Zealand has a serious problem with sexual discrimination, which is what Thompson is professing.

Pay disparity is a significant part of the sexual discrimination formula, with women earning on average 13% less than men. As the head of the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA), Alasdair Thompson should know better than to try and justify that inequality. Earlier this week he told Newstalk ZB:

"There's a gender pay gap, but people only need to look at who takes the most sick days, as to the reason for it. Women's productivity, in general, is lower than men's and while women might be more productive on an hourly basis, some take sick days when they get their period. 

Once a month they have sick problems. Not all women, but some do. They have children, they have to take time off to go home and take leave. I don't like saying this because it sounds like I'm sexist but it's a fact of life."

Speaking to ONE News about the interview Thompson also said that:

"Many women at some point in their life take more leave. Not just sick leave, they take maternity leave. There are other things which I mentioned, which I don't want to mention again, because that's the cause of the problem."

 Thompson later issued an EMA statement attempting to clarify what he meant:

"We believe in and promote advancement of women in the workplace and in business. It should not matter if a man or a woman is off work on sick leave more than others if their output is high they should be paid highly."

 Thompson had earlier stated:

"The statistics about pay inequality don't address the facts. The payroll tells the true story, not statistics. It is unfortunate but men and women are different. I don't like saying this, this is how contentious this is. Here's a fact of life... look at who takes the most sick leave," he said.

It's not unfortunate that Men and Women are different. As a country, we need to move forward and start to celebrate our differences. If what Thompson states is true, and woman are more productive on an hourly basis, why are they being paid less?

Labour's Women's Affairs Spokesperson, Carol Beaumont said the Government should be demanding an explanation from Thompson:

"I am sure women do take more time off to look after children - they do the lion's share of caring work - but to suggest they deserve to be paid less for doing so, or because they are having 'monthly sick days' is shameful," she said.

Catherine Delahunty said his comments were "utterly out of date, sexist, and inappropriate" and she said it was concerning the Government received business advice from him:

"I am kind of tired that we should have to listen to this kind of rhetoric when we are trying to have a mature and modern debate about a long term problem," she told NZPA.

Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly said Mr Thompson should stand down.

"Leaders spouting this sort of crap makes it very, very difficult for women to assert themselves and to suggest there might be discrimination," she said.

Green Party co-leader Russel Norman said Thompson's comments were outrageous and maybe it was time a woman took the helm at the EMA.

Thompson doesn't intend to resign though, arrogant in his sexist old man syndrome. By trying to justify pay disparity, Thompson shows himself to be a bigot! In my opinion, there should be no acceptance of such divisive behaviour and he should step down.

I would like to discontinue the weekly Asshole Award, however when dinosaurs like Alasdair Thompson keep putting their hands up and going "I'm an Asshole, look at me," I'm obliged to award them accordingly.