As BFD writer Christie noted, it seems that New Zealand has a new visa category: Friends of the Prime Minister. This should surprise no one, really: socialist regimes always have their nomenklatura and Princelings. What’s really interesting is who’s on the Friends List and who isn’t.
Rod Stewart’s three upcoming New Zealand shows have been cancelled due to ongoing travel restrictions at New Zealand’s border.
The two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee has on Thursday announced he has cancelled three dates scheduled for Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium on April 6, and two shows at Napier’s Mission Estate on April 9 and 10.
So, it looks like Rockin’ Rod just isn’t in the same league as The Wiggles, Ru Paul, Bill Gates, Larry Page, James Cameron or Lorde. Presumably, he appeals to the wrong crowd: pitch to an audience in nappies and you’re in; appeal to an audience in adult diapers, and you’re out.
“My dear friends, once again I feel we’ve all been cheated by this evil disease, so it is with great regret that I announce my shows for 2022 have had to be cancelled,” said Sir Rod Stewart.
It’s not the disease that is “evil” and cheating you, Rod. It’s the politicians.
Stewart’s shows are the latest in a long series of international gigs to be cancelled or postponed over the last two years as Covid-19 continues to impact on international travel, including Lenny Kravitz, Faith No More, Backstreet Boys, My Chemical Romance, Alanis Morrissette, Patti Smith and Violent Femmes.
Stuff
Perhaps they should have got the PM’s partner on the phone?
Or maybe be an Omicron-Mary, “superstar DJ”.
DJ Dimension – New Zealand’s first Omicron community case – is on his third border exemption to New Zealand since the start of the Covid pandemic, the government has confirmed.
Robert Etheridge?, known professionally as Dimension, most recently arrived in New Zealand on December 16, and returned three negative tests before testing positive on December 27 – the result of a day 9 test.
Etheridge left MIQ seven days after arriving, on December 23 – and was required to continue self-isolating for three further days, but was out in the community before he received his day 9 test result.
Stuff
The double standards are so obvious that even Newshub were forced to take notice.
It’s not just visas stoking worker shortages. They also need to get a golden ticket to managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) – unless you’re a Government minister. It turns out James Shaw managed to avoid it.
Then there are unelected list MPs.
Some animals are always more equal than others.