RUGBY BRAWL

Police are still investigating the cause of a brawl at a high school rugby match in South Auckland. A 15 year old who threw a punch - leaving another 15 year old unconscious - is being referred to Youth Aid following a lengthy police investigation into last month's incident. But area commander Jason Hewitt says a number of other people, including adults were also involved and should also take responsibility. They are looking at CCTV footage. There has been a lot of talk about what Auckland Rugby can do to stop deadbeat adults fighting when they don't like a refs decision or a player does something. The answer is, not a lot. They should of course be banned from all rugby matches, and if they can be identified charged, but beyond that, the union can't do much. I'm not even sure they have the power to ban them. You can talk about putting ropes up and having a union official present but this won't stop lowlife adults acting irresponsibly. The fact is, society is full of brainless adults.

CHINESE HOUSE BUYERS

I'm getting a lot of feedback on the Chinese buying property here. Its fair to say there is an anti-Chinese sentiment. I think it goes further than just non-residents buying property. It extends to Chinese residents buying property. Labour's xenophobia has worked quite well on some then. I note they're not saying they will ban immigration. So get used to it, we have immigration, they will buy houses. House prices have risen around the world. Its not just an Auckland thing. 

In Australia the NAB have released a survey of foreigners buying established homes in April, May and June. 9.4% were sold to foreigners. In Victoria, the most popular state for foreign investment, foreigners bought 16.1% of established houses and apartments -almost as high as their 16.7% share of new home purchases.

Australia has the following restrictions - non-Australian citizens can only buy newly built homes; they have a capital gains tax, a land tax and stamp duty.
As the evidence suggests, Labour's policy of targeting specifically Chinese non-resident investors 1 - will not work, and 2 - probably can't be implemented anyway due to Labour's signature on the FTA with China.

POLITICAL RUGBY BRAWL

There's a bit of a beat up going on about a few MP's going to the UK to play in the Parliamentary World Cup. Its just before the real World Cup. Winston Peters is going along as media manager and of course he'll be having serious talks in London with very important people. Admittedly that's a bit of a stretch but there is nothing in this. Its a regular thing. Its mostly sponsored so its not taxpayer funded. They are taking 4 days out of Parliament. Its easy to beat up on them for taking another junket and for sure its just a piss up trip, but its nothing to get worked up about.

TRUMP

In the US Donald Trump has surged into the lead in the Republican Presidential race. Trump now has almost twice the support of his closest rival. Trumps modus operandi is to abuse pretty much everyone in his way. Its seems to be going down a treat. Remarkably Trump is a serious contender now and I suspect Hillary Clinton is quite enjoying the possibility of the Republicans imploding.