A hell of a speech

Written By: - Date published: 10:40 am, March 22nd, 2011 - 74 comments
Categories: election 2011, nz first - Tags: , , , ,

Recession

The worldwide recession is not your fault.

It was caused by the greedies in the banking and finance industry.

To make extra profits and to earn huge bonuses, US financiers created a scheme by which they packaged shonky mortgages and sold them as prime investments.

As well, banks and finance houses in many parts of the Western world went on a lending spree that pushed up property prices, creating a big bubble that burst.

Governments and ordinary people were left to clean up the mess. The cleaning up is continuing and it will take a long time.

Not content with crashing the democratic world’s financial systems, the greedies are back in action gambling on the price of commodities.

Food, oil, whatever you can think of is being bought and sold many times before it even gets to the factory that processes it.

It’s a new way for the greedies behind computer screens to suck billions out of the pockets of ordinary people.

You are at the bottom of the food chain.

It’s called “globalisation” and you’ll hear just about every so-called financial expert saying what a good thing it is.

What they really mean is that it is a good thing for them.

The New Zealand economy is the plaything of international currency traders and speculators.

Our currency is one of the most volatile on the planet.

We keep hearing about the virtues of the free market. Trouble is it’s not free to the families trying to make do on low incomes or pensioners facing a long cold winter with big power bills.

Budget

You are being softened up for cuts in social spending in the next Budget.

Every day the Prime Minister and senior cabinet ministers tell the nation how bad things are.

And every day a new figure of ten, fifteen, twenty billion is thrown about as the amount of extra money the government will need.

This is a clear signal that more state assets will be sold than the government is letting on.

Surely someone, somewhere in this government knows the folly of selling state assets.

For example, the state companies that generate electricity are going to be partially privatised.

Now why would anyone of sane mind sell off its only renewable sources of energy.

Make no mistake.

If our power stations are part of a public share float they will end up owned overseas.

Probably by China because China is one of the few countries that are in the black.

Why are they in the black?

Because they are a one party state with a planned economy, a strictly controlled workforce and a forest of factories handed over by industrial leaders in the West.

They’ve gone to China because manufacturing is cheaper where the workers get paid a few dollars and a bowl of rice a day.

So why would we hand over our energy generating resources?

Between 1984 and 1996 Labour and National governments privatised and sold off huge chunks of state owned assets.

They were sold for a song and companies like Telecom have made a killing for their overseas owners.

NZ First

The most important party for senior citizens for the next few years will be New Zealand First.

People in powerful places have decided that our party stands in the way of their grand designs so they have tried to take us out.

If we were gone your pension would be reduced tomorrow and your SuperGold card would be worthless.

As well, the age of eligibility would be lifted.

We are your insurance so don’t forget to pay it!

And remember we are extending the SuperGold card into senior medical care next year when we get back.

There will be a free medical; check each year for over 65s and doctors visits will be capped at ten dollars.

We cannot continue with a situation in which elderly people cannot afford to go to the doctor.

Position For Election

So let me explain what our position is for the election this year.

If you don’t want to vote for National, vote for New Zealand First.

If you don’t want to vote for Labour, vote for New Zealand First.

If you don’t want the others, vote for New Zealand First.

If we have to, and if that is what NZ First decides, we will be pleased to sit on the cross benches guarding the interests of ALL New Zealanders.

We have done it before.

National and Labour can look after themselves.

We will support legislation that’s in line with New Zealand First policies.

And we will always support any policy or idea that’s good for the country – no matter where it comes from.

We have done it before.

In return we will expect support for our initiatives.

This makes our position clear.

No pre-election deals, no nudge-nudge, wink-wink political horse trading before you the voters have spoken.

Those who argue for pre-election deals are trying to weaken your vote.

Don’t let them.

Instead of doing pre-election deals, we will concentrate on the big issues facing New Zealanders.

You were promised before the last election there would be no increase in GST.

That’s right – you will find the clip on YouTube in which John Key says National would not increase GST.

To that we say …yeah right!

If we look back at that exercise in tax fiddles this is what happened.

The wealthy people at the top – the people this government looks after did very well.

Look for example, as the boss of the Australian bank Westpac in New Zealand.

His salary is $5.6 million dollars.

When John Key handed out his tax cuts – the bank boss got more than $5,000 a week extra.

That’s right $5,000 a week extra because of his tax cut.

Now for the unfairness of it all.

National recently lifted the minimum wage by 25 cents an hour to $13 an hour.

That means someone on the minimum wage – and there are thousands of them – now receives just over $27,000 a year.

That amounts to about $437 a week take home pay.

It’s easy to see the people this government is looking after.

If you are a bank boss on $5.6million, helping cause a recession, you get an extra five thousand a week.

If you are on the minimum wage – you get an extra 25 cents an hour.

And hope you don’t have too far to walk to the local foodbank.

This policy also hits the pockets of those people receiving the pension.

If pay rates are kept down, your superannuation payments are kept down as well.

And here’s something else to think about. How can a single pensioner live on just over $330 a week in these times of explosive food prices, rising power costs, rising petrol costs and government charges that go up every time you look at them?

Times are tough through no fault of your own. And we commend those thousands of New Zealanders who look after each other and help each other out.

You paid your dues while in the workforce. You raised your kids, did work for the community and kept your side of the bargain.

Now you are regarded as a public expense when you really are a public asset. Each and every one of you.

Your parents and their parents tried to make this country special. WE led the world in social advances.

It is our duty to restore our country to the caring egalitarian society they were proud of.

WE CAN do it again. Help us make it happen.

Speech by Winston Peters, NZF, to Ashburton Grey Power, 21 March 2011.

74 comments on “A hell of a speech ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. ianmac 1
    22 March 2011 at 10:59 am

    Laid out in very clear simple terms. As an ordinary not economics sort of chap I can get this. Perhaps Mr Goff could get lessons on how to present clear unequivocal messages.
    Anyway whose speech was this? Winston’s? I wonder why Key sees Winston Peters as a threat? Mmmmm……

    • lprent 1.1
      22 March 2011 at 11:13 am

      Ummm. Putting in who gave the speech would help. Perhaps whoever posted this would oblige.

      But at a guess I’d say that it is Winston Peters… Bugger I was hoping we were quit of him. But this is exactly the type of thing that I suspect will bring him back into the house.

      [I didn’t post it. I wondered if not mentioning Peters in the post was a deliberate strategy? I read it thinking damn, good speech, then had the slowly dawning horror as I gradually worked out who it was! But I’ll add the details in at the end. — r0b]

      • Pat 1.1.1
        22 March 2011 at 11:15 am

        Perhaps a Who, When and Where would help.

      • Marty G 1.1.2
        22 March 2011 at 11:36 am

        I wasn’t going to mention who gave it until the end, for exactly the effect r0b got. But I guess I thought the pic and the tags gave the game away without need for anything else. 🙂

        Simply, it’s the best speech I’ve seen in years, I didn’t think it needed any analysis from me and I wanted to leave the debate wide open, so I put it up under the standard

        • Richard 1.1.2.1
          22 March 2011 at 1:06 pm

          I agree it is a great speech.

          It certainly is superior to anything Labour has produced recently. Peters had a speech similar to this a month or so previously, too.

          If I didn’t know who Winston Peters was, or had forgotten his past, I would vote for him on the basis of speeches like this.

          • the sprout 1.1.2.1.1
            22 March 2011 at 1:36 pm

            Indeed an excellent speech, and by providing such an example to compare with – yet another sad reminder of the resounding hopelessness of the current Labour leadership and its comms and strategy team.

            If he stands in Epsom, as I’ve been suggesting for over a year now, I’ll be sorely tempted to help with his campaign. That’s from a founding and still current Century Fund member, someone whose given thousands of volunteer hours campaigning for Labour, from someone whose campaigned against NZF in the past because many of their policies I detest. But honestly, I think NZF will be more effective in removing Key than Goff will ever be.

            Believe me, it feels very odd to think Peters offers more of something I can believe in than Labour.

            • Richard 1.1.2.1.1.1
              22 March 2011 at 2:34 pm

              Believe me, it feels very odd to think Peters offers more of something I can believe in than Labour.

              Yeah.

              I’m not sure that I can quite believe that he has any intent/capability to substantially following through on this rhetoric.

              But the rhetoric itself I like.

          • LynW 1.1.2.1.2
            22 March 2011 at 3:47 pm

            This is a superb summary of events delivered simply and clearly so a wide audience of New Zealanders can understand and relate to it. A wonderful speech. Why has this not come from Labour?! Well I do know who Winston Peters is, and the past I mainly remember him for is the Winebox enquiry and I have to say I admired his tenacity through that. The later stuff was so confusing to me that I didn’t link him with dishonesty, just political fallout! I am not as well informed as you political commentators are but I will now look further into NZ First’s policies because I am sitting up and LISTENING! I know my elderly parents have been listening to him for a while and this will probably cement their support for him. Note for the first time in my fathers life he didn’t vote last election (usually Labour, definite left leaning voter) such was his disappointment with Labour ( at least he didn’t vote for Key! ) and my Mum has always supported Labour. Funnily enough my brother-in-law who voted Act last election has already been saying he will vote for Peters. His appeal should not be underestimated.

          • Salsy 1.1.2.1.3
            22 March 2011 at 7:28 pm

            Agreed, its almost as good as his trip to the third world speech, given in greymouth last year. Winston has an incredible ability to write simple speeches that threaten and terrify almost all of New Zealand. I had a realisation some time ago that Winston is a wild card indeed, far too radical for for many of us – but just radical enough to terrify those swing voters back into the safe pens of Labour.. Look out Key, Winston can already smell the blood.

            • Pete 1.1.2.1.3.1
              22 March 2011 at 8:46 pm

              Ah, so Labour are going to try and safely sloganise their way to the election, and rely on National to lose the election and for Winston to win it for them. All they have to do is line up afterwards and a compliant willing bunch will fall in behind them.

              A cunning strategy that relies on everyone else and all they have to do is to wait for their rightful (leftful?) place at the head of the table.

              • Salsy …
                22 March 2011 at 9:09 pm

                Yes you hit the nail on the head. Almost as sneaky & effective as the old Labour-Lite trick huh?

        • lprent 1.1.2.2
          22 March 2011 at 2:09 pm

          …I didn’t think it needed any analysis from me and I wanted to leave the debate wide open, so I put it up under the standard

          Oh I agree. The Standard is exactly right. Damnit the speech stands on its own without analysis.

          What r0b has done is exactly right. I came into the post from the side navs rather than from the front page so I didn’t see the picture. Like r0b, I was thinking good speech and then had a horrible sinking feeling when it said “NZ First” a fair way down.

        • The Baron 1.1.2.3
          22 March 2011 at 5:54 pm

          I’d agree that it is the best speech in years in terms of how it is written and how effective it is. no surprise though – this is winston, and this has always been his strongest suit.

          but the ideas in here about supergold benefits and pensions are truly fucking frightening. we already face a demographic timebomb, and all winston seems to want to do is shorten the fuse.

          don’t get me wrong – the elderly aren’t on the streets in my world. but funding the current suite of entitlements for the elderly is already an emerging problem. these would make it far worse.

          • the sprout 1.1.2.3.1
            22 March 2011 at 6:03 pm

            funding the current suite of entitlements for the elderly

            classic Baron, ‘suite of entitlements’. 😆

            that is so true – and now National have stopped pre-funding national superannuation there won’t be any such things for my and subsequent generations come retirement.

            much better instead to fund the current ‘suite of entitlements’ for the rich.

    • Anne 1.2
      22 March 2011 at 11:45 am

      Yes ianmac I agree with you. It’s not only Phil Goff who needs to learn how to present clear unequivocal messages but some of his senior colleagues as well. Perhaps they need to place themselves (mentally) at the head of Jo and Mary Bloggs’ dinner table when doing interviews and responding to reporters’ questions, instead of a university lecture theatre?

      And if WP continues to make speeches like that watch out! He will take votes roughly equally from Labour and National and… whoever gets to form the next govt. will have to include NZ First whether they like it or not.

      • Bored 1.2.1
        22 March 2011 at 12:06 pm

        Too right, the buggers are still mentally “managing” things really well, being good little parliamentarians doing committee work etc. Post Geoff Palmer they are all “professionals” who follow a proscribed management style. can you imagine Norm Kirk tamely following this model? He prefered to prop up the bar with real working people. Labour wont rock the boat too much, just provide a respectable grey boring alternative, must not frighten the horses too much.

        Winston meanwhile, love him or loathe him understands that the job is not about managing, its about rhetoric and debate, getting the message across. Who in Labour will thump the tubs?

        • Shane Gallagher 1.2.1.1
          22 March 2011 at 1:46 pm

          Matthew Hooten (and I am choking whilst writing this) actual said something I agree with… that the Labour caucus don’t think they are going to win – don’t want to really fight to win because it is risky – and are quite content to hang on to their seats. It is bloody depressing but I think explains their behaviour… They are too comfortable and out of touch of the reality of most people’s daily struggle to survive. There are some exceptions but they do not have the hunger to win – nothing like it.

          • the sprout 1.2.1.1.1
            22 March 2011 at 2:00 pm

            i get the distinct impression the Labour caucus doesn’t want to win, or certainly don’t want to risk anything to attempt winning.

            • Bored 1.2.1.1.1.1
              22 March 2011 at 3:50 pm

              Shane / Sprout, cant deny your comments, it is pretty depressing from that viewpoint. We are at an apex of history, peak bloody everything and a challenge to our societies survival….and neither side really think that the crisis is real. If our democracy as represented by the Nats and Labs fails to rise to the challenges of managed economic contraction and social distribution something else will. Its not only depressing, its fekkin dangerous.

  2. pollywog 2
    22 March 2011 at 11:00 am

    Yeah yeah… it’s a pity we can’t trust Uncle Winnie to look after our interests first before his own though eh ?

    NZ first party should be called, ‘Winston First, NZ second party.’

    • Bored 2.1
      22 March 2011 at 11:24 am

      Gooday Polly, you dont expect transparency and honesty really do you? OK I thought not, so lets phrase it another way…”Can we trust Winston First more than Labour or Nact to look after our pension etc?”

      (PS Winston First and Horitocracy…pretty good monickers methinks, excellent).

  3. grumpy 3
    22 March 2011 at 11:14 am

    He is “The Master”, like him or loath him, his speeches are superb.

    The perfect Opposition leader, why don’t Labour and NZF join forces and make Winston leader, they could even win!

    • Matt 3.1
      24 March 2011 at 10:23 pm

      The problem with that idea is that Labour has been overun in the past couple of years by Liberal pushover members who are more prepared to want a smiling goon like Key then someone like Phil or Winston who will stand up and speak out even if the PC media dont like what they are saying

  4. apples are yum 4
    22 March 2011 at 11:16 am

    So that’s the outline of the trojan horse, what’s inside?

    • Bored 4.1
      22 March 2011 at 11:27 am

      A cardboard box bereft of bottles (but with a full audit trail of commercial criminality that when put before the courts proved the active connivance of the system to protect its “own”).

  5. Pete 5
    22 March 2011 at 11:26 am

    Speech subtitle – buying old people’s votes first.
    With the aim of following with by Baubles First.

  6. Alwyn 6
    22 March 2011 at 11:53 am

    I see Winston left out one bribe being considered for the Oldies.
    I have been told that he has been trying to decide whether offering free Viagra to everyone over 65 would be a vote winner.
    The other three members of the NZF party can’t make up their minds.
    One claimed it would get all the men’s votes.
    One said it would lose all the women’s votes.
    The third apparently wanted to know what Viagra was.

  7. Lanthanide 7
    22 March 2011 at 12:06 pm

    I want to vote for the things he’s talking about. But I don’t trust him.

    I wish Goff would say these things so then I’d have no problem voting for him.

  8. higherstandard 8
    22 March 2011 at 12:09 pm

    Look you’re a grumpy bunch of old twats therefore let me list a whole lot of things to moan about.

    Waffle waffle blah blah blah, they’re all evil I’ve got great hair and I’m very charming so vote for me.

    • grumpy 8.1
      22 March 2011 at 12:15 pm

      Please don’t use the words grumpy and twats in the same sentance – I’m having a hell of a time on another thread 🙂

  9. Rich 9
    22 March 2011 at 12:20 pm

    Racism and bigotry isn’t the answer. If people like Peters get traction, they’ll be coopted by the very people he’s attacking.

    • Draco T Bastard 9.1
      22 March 2011 at 12:51 pm

      Racism and bigotry isn’t the answer.

      Didn’t see either in the speech so WTF are you talking about?

      • Rich 9.1.1
        22 March 2011 at 12:57 pm

        It’s Winston Peters we’re talking about here.

        Just because he didn’t come up with his usual attacks on “asians” at this juncture, doesn’t mean he doesn’t still believe it.

        • Draco T Bastard 9.1.1.1
          22 March 2011 at 1:13 pm

          Is it because he’s racist against Asians or just doesn’t want NZ owned by anyone other than NZers and thus using “Asians” as a hot button due to their growing economic clout?

      • mcflock 9.1.2
        22 March 2011 at 1:58 pm

        to be fair, Winston has played that card before.

        He needs to atone for it in the same way that Labour need to atone for Rogernomics.

  10. Colonial Viper 10
    22 March 2011 at 12:24 pm

    Yeah this speech is a corker.

    Winston leans a bit hard on the old folk, but does enough to get support from a much wider range of New Zealanders.

    He’s stuck in a few lines about – possibly – not chasing Ministerial baubles as well 🙂

    Damn fine Left leaning rhetoric, a perfect mix of past and present. Nice. (Given that it’s Winston of course).

    And hey, thanks John Key, by ruling him out, you’ve given Winston permission to go WWAAAAAYYYYY Left. He’s got nothing to lose by doing so lol 😀

    • Lanthanide 10.1
      22 March 2011 at 12:30 pm

      “And hey, thanks John Key, by ruling him out, you’ve given Winston permission to go WWAAAAAYYYYY Left. He’s got nothing to lose by doing so lol”

      I think he’s really capitalising on Labour and Goff’s poor showing, as well. If you don’t want National (because they branded themselves as Labour-Lite last time and you’re a sucker), but also don’t want Labour (because they seem to have no vision or solutions), then vote NZFirst!

    • Matt 10.2
      24 March 2011 at 10:29 pm

      Yeah and he has also given Winston the chance to attract the Conservative(on social views that is) vote from National so together with going more “Left” on economic policy Winston stands a good chance of stealing votes from BOTH National and Labour

  11. Kenny 11
    22 March 2011 at 12:30 pm

    You can mock him all you like but there will be thousands out there taking all this in! People have had enough of all the bullshit.

    Come November don’t be surprised when he holds the balance of power

    • grumpy 11.1
      22 March 2011 at 12:34 pm

      …”balance”….????

    • MrSmith 11.2
      22 March 2011 at 12:57 pm

      I agree kenny, I have this picture in my head as I guess a lot of people do of Hide going after Winston for his dishonesty, but after the David garret affair Hide just has no credibility any more.
      I will take anything but another 3 long years of the Nacts stealing from the Poor and giving to the rich.

  12. Afewknowthetruth 12
    22 March 2011 at 12:41 pm

    Peters is just about the slimiest liar of the whole lot.

    He will unbdoubtedly fool plenty people, YET AGAIN..

    What we are experiencing is not a ‘recession’: we are experiencing the early stages of the collpase of corrupt and inefficient system that has been transferring wealth upwards for over four hundred years; the system is now running out of energy and resources, and is polluting the planet to death.

    Most people prefer to ignore such realities and stick with their delusions about recovery and a ‘better brighter future’. Ha!

  13. ianmac 13
    22 March 2011 at 12:46 pm

    And it is amazing that this speech given in little old Ashburton should resonate here?
    And imagine how Garner and Ralston will react. Garner became explosively obsessed with Winston in 2008 as did Hooten. And smugly Key. Perhaps Winston is really a threat should he become “born again.”

  14. sweetd 14
    22 March 2011 at 12:51 pm

    Whose money is he spending for election? Is NZ First eligible for any monies? Not being on telly will be the killer come election time.

    • marco 14.1
      22 March 2011 at 1:41 pm

      If he stands in either Key or Hide’s electorate he will get all the TV he needs.

      I like Winston, but have always steered clear of him because of his borderline racist rhetoric. If he can distance himself from that, as well as keeping Michael Laws at arms length, he may just pull this off.

      National have moved further towards the rich, Labour have moved further left. Whilst middle NZ can relate to unions and business owners, they struggle with the self righteousness of the academic left. The middle is there for the taking and only NZ First are speaking their language. It’s going to be an interesting election.

  15. vto 15
    22 March 2011 at 2:19 pm

    Peters often makes some good sense.

    Unfortunately he is his own worst enemy. He is bound to make all the same mistakes again like lying and hypocrisy and baubles and on it goes.

    Mind you if he can help tip Key out then perhaps he could be tolerated in a minor way.

    • Colonial Viper 15.1
      22 March 2011 at 2:30 pm

      The main question is – who is the team he has around him? That is what could make all the difference in his performance this year.

    • ianmac 15.2
      22 March 2011 at 3:41 pm

      vto. “lying and hypocrisy and baubles and on it goes.” I’m interested in religion but am not an atheist. I am interest in politics but am not a Winston voter.
      I am therefore curious about the constant repetition of comments like yours. The accusations and the evidence seems to me to be about the same as for Key or Hide or whoever yet the moment that Peters is mentioned out comes the oft quoted “lying and hypocrisy and baubles and on it goes.” Peters posed a huge threat to NAct and are we so gullible that we still buy their “lying and hypocrisy and baubles and on it goes?”

      • vto 15.2.1
        22 March 2011 at 4:04 pm

        Well I completely agree with you ianmac. They are all the same – they twist the truth, display blatant hypocrisy, and line their pockets with the baubles of office. I don’t have an answer. Perhaps it is simply that Peters has done it more? Or more loudly? Or more blatantly?

        For me personally I can’t stand the twat because imo he has displayed simply more of those characteristics than anyone else. He is the worst, though the others are chasing his heels.

        • the sprout 15.2.1.1
          22 March 2011 at 4:44 pm

          not surprising the right are worried about him

        • logie97 15.2.1.2
          22 March 2011 at 9:54 pm

          And the perk buster, who spent an inordinate amount of his time in opposition (in harness with Judith Collins) on his character assassination of Peters – pursued him with an unhealthy vengeance – has certainly enjoyed the baubles of office. (Ultra expensive European jaunts on the tax payer? And he is so proud of what he has achieved, and so proud of how he managed Garrett and so proud of the way Garrett resigned. Oh he is so proud. And what is it they say about pride…?

          • Swampy 15.2.1.2.1
            24 March 2011 at 1:13 am

            Who was the first perk buster (along with everything else buster i.e. Whistleblower extraordinaire)? Winston way back in the 80s, Wikileaks had nothing on him. Those days are long gone though aren’t they. And Winnie is very fond of the baubles as we all know. Which is about all he has a clue about in office.

  16. tc 16
    22 March 2011 at 3:22 pm

    This gap in position exists because Phildo and Labour have allowed it to, this speech is exactly the type of speech I’d expect from Goff but all you get is waffle and a snooze rendering delivery.

    The NACT/MP have sown the seeds of their demise but Labour appear incapable of raising those seeds into the flowering plant of victory for themselves..I genuinely despair at Goff’s pathetic leadership, best he can do is let some young blood take it on like Parker/Cunliffe and focus on Sideshow John. Less is more Phildo, step aside as you’ve lost the plot/energy and drive.

  17. logie97 17
    22 March 2011 at 6:08 pm

    Now THIS is a speech of substance… Mustafa Kemel Ataturk – 1934 ANZAC Memorial at Gallipoli, Turkey

    Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives..
    you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
    Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies
    and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours.
    You the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries wipe away your tears.
    Your sons are now living in our bosom and are in peace.
    Having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.

  18. chris73 18
    22 March 2011 at 6:57 pm

    I’d sooner vote Labour then this short-arse liar

  19. gobsmacked 19
    22 March 2011 at 9:12 pm

    I wouldn’t vote for Winston because of his previous record – the appeals to bigotry, racist dog-whistles.

    But here’s the thing. He spouted nasty rhetoric in opposition – and then once he got his baubles (under both National and Labour) he quietly changed his tune.

    Whereas ACT are beating the racist drum now, and they’re in government.. Which is much worse. And of course Don Brash is joining in.

    (note – for the benefit of National-voting amnesiacs … Orewa Brash was your hero, even though you now pretend he doesn’t exist. Loyal bunch, aren’t you?).

    • chris73 19.1
      23 March 2011 at 6:34 am

      Actually I regret the tactical errors he made (not keeping his trousers on, not being upfront with the bretheren etc etc) which kept him from winning the election

      I believe he would have made a fine leader of this country

      Ah well such is life

      • Pascal's bookie 19.1.1
        23 March 2011 at 7:43 am

        tactical errors. Good one.

        Also, he was pretty upfront with the bretheren chris, it was everyone else that he bullshitted to.

  20. Armchair Critic 20
    22 March 2011 at 9:47 pm

    Great rhetoric, it will attract votes. Thing that springs to mind is that the enemy of my enemy is not neccesarily my friend. I don’t trust Winston.

    • M 20.1
      23 March 2011 at 1:06 am

      Agreed AC, but I do have to salute Winston on his clear and direct points. The one thing I can remember where he did some good was the scheme where doctors’ visits for the under sixes were free which was a real boon at the time as it seemed that I almost had a weekly standing appointment for the kids at the time.

      Anti-spam: manipulation

  21. Daveosaurus 21
    23 March 2011 at 6:33 pm

    I’m disappointed to see this old crook being given the oxygen of publicity. He’s just making a pitch for some of the racist vote that National has been haemorrhaging since they got into government and into coalition with the Maori Party. Currently it looks like Peters is picking up the anti-Asian vote and ACT is picking up the anti-Maori vote. Let’s hope both of them get 4.5% of the vote in November, and that Hide loses his seat.

  22. burt 22
    23 March 2011 at 9:35 pm

    The privileges committee finding you guilty of telling lies is not your fault.

    It was caused by the rich pricks who lent you money refusing to lie about it…

    Yip it was Winston.

    • Steven 22.1
      25 March 2011 at 11:47 am

      the Privileges Committee found him guilty wow really? and yet following the 2008 election both the serious fraud office and the New Zealand police found that he had done nothing wrong. wow the privileges committee which is/was made up of members of parliament (including national party members) must be more accurate than the serious fraud office and the New Zealand Police. I cant believe i ever thought that the serious fraud office is in some way a more authoritative source than a group of MP’s. thank you for enlightening me Burt.

  23. Swampy 23
    24 March 2011 at 1:10 am

    Yawn, it’s the same old Winston Peters golden oldie rhetoric for the only group of voters blind or senile enough to support him. Everyone else has seen how useless he actually is when he gets into office.

    Let’s admit it, his party is more and more a one man band every day, they must have long since given up the pretence of being broad based or anything like it. Is there any kind of party machine behind Winnie these days or is it like Jim Andertons outfit.

  24. Samuel Hill 24
    25 March 2011 at 10:50 pm

    Every politician has lied to the public at some point.

    Winston Peters is currently the greatest political opponent to John Key because he is the Western political-economic ideological opposite. If Peters is able to get enough people together he could get his party big enough to challenge Labour as the second party in the country. I doubt NZ First has the people power to provide such a grassroots operation, but Peters’ message has been consistent since the late 1980s, and it seems that in these times we certainly are going to be subject to direct central command from Wellington. It is already happening. Best we get as many disruptive people in opposition and making as much noise as possible to bring down National. Maybe in 6 years there will be a big enough group on the left of Labour, Greens, NZ First and Maori supporters to form a new coalition. And yes we all know how interesting they can be, but it is exactly what will have to happen to keep the balance of things.

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  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
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    6 days ago

  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago

  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: “What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    Bowalley Road
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  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
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    3 hours ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
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    1 day ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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