I imagine readers of this blog are also sympathetic to the Taxpayers Union, obsessed as it is with exposing government wasteful spending.
My God there’s rich pickings here.
Last year, for example, the Taxpayers Union drew attention to $4 million plus of taxes wasted on an utterly bogus expenditure, namely to play whale music to Kauri forests.
This we were told was to test the proposition that traditional maori folk lore was backed by western science. Traditional maori folk lore on this topic referred to Kauri forests responding well to music being played, a nonsensical proposition.
The Taxpayer’s Union has now received a threating letter to sue for damages on behalf of a Ms Mark-Shadbolt who has demanded they remove in its entirety the comments on this tax-payers rip-off.
And why? Because it’s a company owned and operated by Ms Mark-Shadbolt which copped the payment. Ms Mark-Shadbolt referred to having abstained from voting on this appalling expenditure, but plainly was the beneficiary.
I will run this blog permanently.
Try this maori folk-lore bullshit on me and my readers.
And don’t run to lawyers and have them write to me threatening legal action. I’ve been involved in numerous libel cases over the last half century and threats won’t work with me.
Just bring it on.
24 Comments
Great stuff
A very deep trough that one.
Exactly how did Māori stumble across this remarkable fact? Did they haul whales into the kauri forests and hold auditions?
Bravo Bob
Keep it up Bob!
The gravy train is leaving the station….
Well done Sir Bob. We are all sick to the back teeth with the Maori BS. My understanding is there was no Maori music prior to the coming of Europeans. Rather it was howling of sorts. Of course we will never know.
I believe the best response to this is as you have said Bob
Bring it on ! If the taxpayer union is correct with its facts no need for lawyers or whatever let the facts speak for themselves and the more publicity the better. Let fools expose themselves.
Nice work if you can get it. What a bloody rort.
Your lawyers will be welcoming the upcoming battle, Sir Bob. As long as your costs amount to, oh, say, around 4 Mill, and you get awarded as such, things will work out even.
Ironically, this will result in a forest being cut down to supply the paper for the court case. And we all know how well a forest reacts to the dulcet tones of a chainsaw.
Stupidity abounds
We also need to “Drain the Swamp” asap but sadly we lack the leadership to do so
Good on you Bob
Who needs the movies? I’m buying myself some popcorn and have a ringside seat.
👍
Good to see the fire’s still in the belly
4 million for playing whale music to a forest. a place whales aren’t known to have ever inhabited, Dodgy as Bro. Dodgy as….Hmmmmn ? i wounder how much i can get for playing Enya to my avocados? now that theres a precedent , which govt dept did they say was that gullible?
Good on you Bob. I am wondering if a group of subscribers to the Taxpayers Union & your blog could contribute to underwrite the Taxpayers Union to call Shadbolt’s bluff. Any starters
$4 MILLION to play whale music to forests??? I’d have done it for half that….
A new low for us as a species…
Bring It on Bob just the man to deal with this nonsense
Who is funding her legal action?
I can understand your anger SB.Some Maoris believe Kauri trees and whales are related, and by playing whale sounds and rubbing the trees with whale oil Kauri die back may be prevented. Yes it is laughable, and needless to say berifit of any proven benefit.
I thought there were plenty of experienced tree huggers in the Green party that would have hugged those trees for free.
Hopefully it won’t be a white navy bloke, (there aren’t many if any) explaining the difference between DEI and multi-tasking.
…well, come on !
yeah
Apparently it works because whales and kauris are routers. Next time I’m feeling poorly I’ll have my big brother pop in and serenade me. (The prospect fills me with dread, he couldn’t carry a tune with silver handles but I’ll take one for the team. ). I’ll let you know how it goes.
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