And then there were four

Written By: - Date published: 4:21 pm, October 14th, 2014 - 173 comments
Categories: labour, Nanaia Mahuta - Tags:

Nanaia MahutaParliamentary reporters are tweeting that Nanaia Mahuta is to enter Labour’s leadership race.

Update:  And Nanaia’s candidacy has been confirmed.  From Stuff:

Mahuta said she had decided this afternoon to run for the top job. She joins Grant Robertson, David Parker and Andrew Little in the leadership race.

Mahuta said the other candidates had a lot to offer but she offered a difference.

Her run at the leadership is a sign of the party’s Maori caucus flexing its muscle.

Mahuta said the Maori and Pasifika base had retained a key vote for Labour.

She said she had been a solid contributor to the party. She had come to the decision to run for the leadership “not lightly”.

173 comments on “And then there were four ”

  1. JanM 1

    It would be good to see her as the deputy leader

    • Ant 1.1

      Yes, I think Nanaia would be great.

    • Clemgeopin 1.2

      Why not as leader? I think that would be great, actually!

      My 1st and 2nd preference votes are sorted now: Mahuta, Little.

    • Tom Gould 1.3

      The dream team: Little as leader; Mahuta as deputy; Cunliffe as finance and #3. Signed, sealed and soon to be delivered.

    • AmaKiwi 1.4

      I predict Nanaia will win the leadership contest because she has a month to enroll 10,000 Maori in the Labour party and decisively win the membership vote.

      She will win the Maori and Pacifika in caucus and probably some Pakeha women.

      Cut the paternalistic crap about how she will make a nice deputy.

      Nanaia is the odds-on favorite to win the leadership.

      You want a major shake-up in the Labour party. This could be it.

  2. Skinny 2

    Not sure if it will happen? Maybe the Left of the part crunched the numbers and it’s too close to call on first ballot so Mahuta is called in too dilute Parkers vote?

    • Chris 2.1

      Trouble is she’ll dilute the left vote and let Robertson romp home. Little’s the only hope for reestablishing core Labour values before installing a proper left leader from outside. Robertson will be rubbing his hands hearing of Mahuta’s entry. Stupid, stupid people.

      • Lanthanide 2.1.1

        The election uses STV, so there is no “dilute the left vote and let Robertson romp home” problem.

      • mickysavage 2.1.2

        Preferential voting system. I can see supporters clustering to the left (Little and Mahuta) and to the right (Robertson and Parker). Then whoever gets through the early rounds will probably get the majority of support from the other candidate who drops out.

        I do not see this as hurting at all.

        Besides Nanaia is an utterly decent human being and in my view quite a star. She will bring a dignity to the contest that it would otherwise not have.

        At this stage I would certainly rank her in my top two preferences.

        • Chooky Shark Smile 2.1.2.1

          +100….. to Nanaia ..I would like to see her as Leader ( in absence of Cunliffe) but if not , then Deputy…she is someone I would vote for!

          ….and she will bring a cleansing to the whole sorry business

        • leftie 2.1.2.2

          @mickysavage.
          Me too.

        • Bunji 2.1.2.3

          I don’t think you can characterise Grant or Parker as “right”. That’s not where their policy platforms sit.

          But I’m very pleased to have Nanaia join the race. She’ll offer a different perspective and make sure it gets discussed at the meetings.
          Much like Diane Abbott was needed at the UK Labour Leadership selection a couple of years back.

          • mickysavage 2.1.2.3.1

            Thanks Bunji.

            I agree about Robertson not being “right”. I would also agree that Little and Robertson are probably in a similar position but I used Little’s likely Union support as a reason for his categorisation.

            I was making a generalisation of the likely area they will derive support from rather . Nanaia I would certainly categorise as “left”.

            • Colonial Viper 2.1.2.3.1.1

              Robertson isn’t right wing.

              But he will quickly and easily come to accommodations with the right wing (pro-free market, pro-globalisation, pro-American empire, pro-corporate rights, minimal market intervention) elements of the Labour Party.

          • Not a PS Shark Sashimi 2.1.2.3.2

            I’d characterise Robertson as a central controller and not a supporter of devolving real influence to the membership. His modus operandi is to use others to do his work and to play his card close to his chest about his true plans. That is a typical central controller.

            I’d see Nanaia as a traditional leader who listens extensively and then make her own decisions.

            I agree Robertson does not fit easily into a right/left. That is why he does not get support from the membership. He may be quite genuinely left but his disposition is to hide it.

        • Anne 2.1.2.4

          Me too ms @2.1.2

          An excellent duo- Little and Mahuta.

      • Eralc 2.1.3

        Mahuta as deputy to Robertson maybe?

    • Treetop 2.2

      Caucus vote is 40%. Will be interesting to see what Mahuta’s caucus vote is? (I think she will beat the other contenders re the caucus component).

  3. Treetop 3

    Just heard the confirmation on Radio Live.

    • aspasia 3.1

      My comment below when Nanaia stood for deputy still stands! Once again I’m grateful to have a candidate to vote for (rather than trying to decide who is the least bad of an indifferent bunch). Right now it is irrelevant whether ignorant trolls know what Nanaia has done. This is the Party ie the MEMBERS voting for someone we know and trust to lead a party we can recognise as a Labour Party. I am not Maori but I am glad in my heart to see the Maori seats come back to Labour…and in this case it has not been the noisy cocks but the productive hen who has achieved this outcome! Kia kaha wahine toa!

      13 December 2011 at 1:30 am
      Kia ora Nanaia. As a long time party activist I hope to see you and David as our new leaders. Substance and competence are what we really need. I can’t believe the caucus can be so blind as to rely on the media’s appetite for novelty as the main mechanism to attract support for Labour. We all know how fickle the commentariat’s support and attention span can be. Thank you for giving hard-working party members a better alternative–let’s hope enough of your colleagues can also see it this way. Kia kaha!

  4. Atiawa 4

    Fantastic. Jacinda for deputy.

    • JanM 4.1

      Jacinda is good, but her time will come

      • Halcyon 4.1.1

        True Jan. She still has to mature. But she is one of the most promising potential leaders. Labour needs a mongrel leader to sort out the internal politics before she becomes leader.

        • Atiawa 4.1.1.1

          My point was tinged with sarcasm . All the talk around quota’s and being representative I had never heard a female leader & deputy floated as a possibility.
          How would that sit with the electorate?

  5. Jim 5

    Its great to see Nanaia Mahuta putting her name forward. When listening to her speak at the prospective leaders presentation in Wellington two years ago I was very impressed. She has the experience and mana to do a great job as opposition leader. Remember the Maori caucus is a lot larger this time, and the Maori membership base is also large. I think Nanaia will have wide appeal in the party.

    • SHG 5.1

      Experience and mana? What has she ever accomplished?

      • Tracey 5.1.1

        mind you, you are still trying to work out why hager needs a legal fund a week aftr every other nob who ran that diversion.

      • Lanthanide 5.1.2

        +1

        Please, someone, tell me what she’s done?

        • SHG 5.1.2.1

          Well, there was the way she managed to vote both for AND against the foreshore and seabed bill. That was a backflip of pretty epic proportions.

          Other than that, she stands out as having done… um…

          *tumbleweed*

          • JanM 5.1.2.1.1

            She had Hobson’s choice, really, didn’t she, apart from walking out with Tariana – I don’t call that a backflip – it must have really hurt.

        • karol 5.1.2.2

          She had two or three portfolios in the Clark government.

          • rhinocrates 5.1.2.2.1

            I hear that she has a very good reputation at electorate level, away from the cameras for working and engaging. Some things are real even if they aren’t on TV.

            Something the beltway show ponies have forgotten.

            • Colonial Viper 5.1.2.2.1.1

              She’s never pulled a segment with Paul Henry, so she can’t be any good.

            • karol 5.1.2.2.1.2

              She must be the senior member of the Labour Māori caucus, since the demise of Horomaia. She speaks regularly on Maori TV. So she must take some credit for the strong Māori vote for Labour this election.

            • boldsirbrian 5.1.2.2.1.3

              She does. She is VERY good.

          • Tracey 5.1.2.2.2

            Minister of Customs, Minister of Local Government, Minister of Youth Development, Associate Minister for the Environment and Associate Minister of Tourism

            • Phil 5.1.2.2.2.1

              …and then opposition spokesperson for Maori Social Development, Spokesperson for Energy and Associate Portfolio Spokesperson for Law and Order.

              With all due respect to Ms Mahuta, for someone that has been in parliament for eightteen years, that’s a very average and unspectacular ministerial and shadow-cabinet resume.

              • Clemgeopin

                She can not appoint herself to cabinet positions, can she? See the circumstances/MPs of the times when Labour was in power.

                • Phil

                  No, but she could have demonstrated enough skill and competency to rise above the ranks and perform well in one of the ‘banner’ portfolios, either as minister or shadow. After 18 years in parliament, that she has not done so should at least give pause for thought.

                  Recent examples…

                  Key was (briefly) Shadow Finance before taking on the leadership
                  Clark; Min Health
                  Shipley; Min Social Welfare and Min Health

                  • Clemgeopin

                    You do realise it is not as simple as you make it to be because the PM that appoints the ministers takes a lot of factors into consideration, including political advantage, expectations from other contenders etc. You seem to be bringing up an unimportant marginal or non issue to suit your own agenda or bias. I have no issue with Mahuta’s ability, integrity, experience, wisdom or calibre. Sure, the leadership contest will be a learning experience for her, as will be for any aspiring leader in any political party. let us not put her down just because of whatever prejudices we may have. I am keen to see and hear the contestants in the next few weeks and see how they perform and how they improve in that short time.

        • Tracey 5.1.2.3

          what does your question mean?

  6. Karen 6

    I have a lot of respect for Nanaia. She has had more parliamentary experience than any of the other applicants.

    I wonder if she decided to run after hearing Shearer this morning decrying the need for a Maori or a woman as deputy?

    • leftie 6.1

      @Karen.

      David Shearer is an embarrassment, his mouth has gone rogue and continues to undermine the party. He should follow his own advice and leave.

      • greywarshark 6.1.1

        @ lrftie 6.1
        Shearer is possibly very irritated. Could it be that he had this plan to be Prime Minister for a term and then get a job in the United Nations, following in Helen’s footsteps and possibly with her help and support to get the position. Sweet if it worked out. Why oh why does everything not work for me, he thinks. I’ll vent to the media about these scungy thankless types in Labour here.

        For too many pollies nowadays, getting into government is just a stage in their career, a stepladder to better and bigger things. It used to be a great accolade and a high peak in itself that one would aspire to in one’s life. But the world is your oyster now, eat it before it becomes extinct.

        • Clemgeopin 6.1.1.1

          The place to vent his perceived or real grievance was in the caucus, not in the public to the MSM print and TV media. He definitely did a massive amount of harm to the party by his stupid move.

    • Mike 6.2

      ***I wonder if she decided to run after hearing Shearer this morning decrying the need for a Maori or a woman as deputy?***

      I think his point is more that a person should be picked for their record & abilities rather than categories on their birth certificate.

      • leftie 6.2.1

        @Mike.
        Media hogger David Shearer’s mouth has been running amok on a number of things lately further undermining the party, in my opinion.
        I stand by my original comment.

      • Colonial Viper 6.2.2

        Ahhhh nicely picked up.

      • blue leopard 6.2.3

        You attempt to explain Shearer’s point, Mike, yet both you and Shearer appear to miss the important reasoning behind any concerted efforts toward having a ‘balanced representation’ of gender/race/culture.

        Such ‘balancing up acts’ were originally formulated with the express intent to counteract the effects of bias in our culture. That is, the bias that would tend to immediately assume someone who was a white man was best for the job and would also involve a built-in tendency to overlook others who might actually be better for the given role.

        • karol 6.2.3.1

          Yes. I think there is research that shows men are way more confident about putting their hands up for promotion than women with similar, or even better, credentials and experience.

          See for instance Shearer – first term in parliament puts his name forward for leader. Andrew Little – 2nd term, but never been in government.

          Mahuta is way more qualified than both of them.

          • Chooky Shark Smile 6.2.3.1.1

            +100 karol

            • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 6.2.3.1.1.1

              Nanaia is solid. I would put my family, my house and my country in her hands to look after, and I know they will be cared for and come through well.

          • Tracey 6.2.3.1.2

            yup…

          • Saarbo 6.2.3.1.3

            “Yes. I think there is research that shows men are way more confident about putting their hands up for promotion than women with similar, or even better, credentials and experience.”

            @carol
            I remember hearing this article on RNZ about 12 months ago or so, I think it was on a Kim Hill show. Men felt comfortable applying for a position with only a fraction of the credentials needed while women would only feel confident to apply when they felt they had 100% of the credentials required…or something to that effect. Proof here.

      • Clemgeopin 6.2.4

        So, what is wrong with the record and abilities of Nanaia Mahuta? Very good, in fact. Another excellent quality in her is that she does not go blathering out of place on national or Maori TV undermining Labour or its leaders.

      • greywarshark 6.2.5

        @ Mike
        You are so bogged down in last century argument about the little woman being grateful for getting a bit of recognition from the males, and a bit of a leg-up if she was lucky.

    • Anne 6.3

      Very good point Karen. She isn’t the descendant of warrior chiefs for nothing.

      I bet she fumed all morning and decided… that’s it, I’m going to stand. We’ll see who really has the stripes and who hasn’t.

      • SHG 6.3.1

        Very good point Karen. She isn’t the descendant of warrior chiefs for nothing.

        Very good point Anne, I agree that if it wasn’t for who she’s descended from it’s unlikely she’d be in Parliament.

        • Saarbo 6.3.1.1

          @SHG
          Nanaia is voted in democratically.

          • SHG 6.3.1.1.1

            Getting elected in the Maori electorate of Hauraki-Waikato when you’re a Tainui Maori Labour candidate named Mahuta who lives in Ngaruawahia is about as much of an achievement as a white Irish Catholic male named Kennedy winning something in Massachusetts.

        • greywarshark 6.3.1.2

          SHG
          What a champion sneerer and smog creator you are.

  7. I think she’s as good as the others. Labour doesn’t need a Maori or woman as deputy. She’s worth it on merit alone.

  8. Jenny Kirk 8

    YES ! Good on Nanaia for putting her name forward. This gives all of those on the left
    a straight-forward run, and it will allow the caucus to see the depth of feeling from the members about how they view the neo-libs and their policies.

  9. Tracey 9

    i have been impressed by her statements in leadership races before.they were considfered, passionate and seemed to speak to core values around education and health.

    it must be soul destroying being a LP mp who is not embroiled in this mess… but am guessing everyone is having to choose sides now.

  10. shorts 10

    decent… good luck to her

  11. Cancerman 11

    Finally Labour comes up with a potential leader that will be a legitimate threat to Key and National.

    • The Lone Haranguer 11.1

      For the past year, you guys were saying that David Cunilffe was the legitimate threat to Key and National.

      Still, Little as leader, Mahuta as deputy and Cunliffe at three would be a good call by Labour.

    • Rodel 11.2

      C-m-yawn yet again

  12. Finally! Someone who speaks of Labour’s real constituency which those pasty-faced, complacent careerists have betrayed over and over again. Hopefully she will inspire. Hoots hates her because she’s a “stupid Maori” (or was it “dumb Maori”? I forget which) so that’s a point in her favour already.

    • Chooky Shark Smile 12.1

      and finally a woman!…and a strong woman with mana!….who will appeal to both the 50% + voting electorate of women and Maori

      …lets hope she becomes the new Leader of the Labour Party and will be able to pull all the Left Parties to work cooperatively together and win the next Election!

      (…now wait for all the right wing naysayers to come out of the woodwork!…and perfidious spinners like Hooton!)

  13. J Mex 13

    I would suggest that wider (non-political) NZ would struggle to know who Nanaia Mahuta is. She has been nearly silent for the last 3-4 years.

    Seems like a profile building exercise (‘look what it did for Shane’), and a late minute ‘nothing to lose’ bid*, and probably a serious run at the Deputy position

    *If it were more well co-ordinated, Cunliffe wouldn’t have thrown his support behind Little, as (AFAIK) Nanaia was a strong Cunliffe supporter

  14. The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 14

    Three more and that’ll be every MP in the caucus standing for leader.

    • Clemgeopin 14.1

      Why do you persist in being an idiot and wasting time and bandwidth?
      Don’t answer. Not worth reading you anyway.

  15. les 15

    Does anyone really think she has widespread voter appeal?Can she beat Key?I guess Mallard will throw his hat in the ring next,just because…he can.

    • weka 15.1

      She doesn’t have to beat get. Getting sick of the politics as bloodbath meme. Time to do it differently.

      • Lanthanide 15.1.1

        How is she going to be PM if she doesn’t beat Key at the election? Bizarre.

        • wekarawshark 15.1.1.1

          It’s not about Key, and this whole framing of Key as invincible and Labour needing someone who can take him down is a narrative that suits the right at this time. Of course whoever is leader needs to be a competent debater, able to think on their feet, reasonably hardy. But where Labour is losing is on its own ground, not in relationship to Key. If Labour sorts out the internal shit I think a whole bunch of other things will become clear, including how to form good relationships with voters so that the voters feel engaged and listened to and start to look at Labour again as viable.

          The other part of all that is plainly at this time Labour don’t have anyone who can beat Key at his game (and no-one on the horizon either). So change the game.

        • Shrubbery 15.1.1.2

          Nanaia doesn’t have to defeat Key in debates, or brutally destroy his credibility or anything like that. All she really has to do is show a much better way for New Zealand.

    • Clemgeopin 15.2

      You will be surprised. She will shine with her inner qualities, wisdom and unselfish character, more than the external slime-ball smiley Wiley looks of some leaders in some parties, especially National, ACT, UF and the Cons. Don’t you worry about that! She will turn out to be a well respected leader among the World leaders too, I bet. Don’t under estimate her just because….

  16. Rosie 16

    Interesting. I had been thinking about Nanaia Mahuta and wondering where she was at these days. What I have seen of her, mainly on panels and interviews on Maori TV, I’ve liked. Need to find out more about her of course.

    Putting her name forward brings a refreshing new energy to this contest and something for this new Labour Party member to think about, after the despair of the news of David Cunliffe withdrawing.

  17. simon 17

    Can anyone let me know what either Little or Mahuta have achieved in their parliamentary careers.

    • karol 17.1

      Nanaia had some portfolios in the Clark government – youth development, customs, associate for environment & local government. She has been spokesperson, especially for Maori Affairs while in opposition. She put up a private members bill to give Iwi more say in RMA decisions – it was defeated by Key’s government at the first reading.

      Little has never been in government. He has taken Key’s government to task/held them to account over employment law and ACC.

    • Scott1 17.3

      Having achieved something in parliament is a red herring.

      That sort is strategy would have you picking a politician’s politician every time – and Labour is in the process of getting thrashed by someone who had achieved basically nothing before he was prime minister…

      I think the key factor is simply whether they have the personal characteristics that will make them successful in the leadership role even if those might be a little different from the things that made others successful in getting credit for bills in parliament.

    • Tracey 17.4

      did keys singular lack of achievement in parliament stop him being groomed and trained for the leadership

    • Chooky Shark Smile 17.5

      @ simon…see Tracey’s list at 26 and 27

    • JAMESMAXTON 17.6

      What did John Key achieve before he became Prime Minister.

      • Jim 17.6.1

        Foreign Exchange Committee of the New York Federal Reserve Bank
        Global head of foreign exchange – London
        Head of Asian foreign exchange – Singapore
        Auckland-based Bankers Trust
        Foreign exchange dealer at Elders Finance in Wellington
        Lane Walker Rudkin – Project Manager
        McCulloch Menzies – Auditor

  18. boldsirbrian 18

    I have seen Nanaia at several public meetings.
    She is smart, personable, articulate, and very experienced.
    Unexpected but my instant reaction is that she is a very worthy candidate.

  19. music4menz 19

    She is one of the few Labours MPs (like other Maori MPs) who delivered a sizeable Party vote for Labour- something that NONE of the other candidates for the leader’s job did. Little was abysmal both in terms of electorate and party vote. It would be an insult to Nanaia to have to play 2nd fiddle to someone like Little who is such as failure at both electorate and party vote level. I look forward to the leadership outcome with expectation!

  20. Zaz 20

    Wohooo made my day.
    Thanks Nanaia. Girlpower to you.

    • Dialey 20.1

      My thoughts exactly. If Labour want to do something different, here’s your opportunity and what a one for the history books – first Maori PM and a woman to boot – now that’s what I call aspirational

  21. feijoa 21

    I liked what Nanaia had to say on the election ad – you know, the one where they did up the house. She spoke eloquently and spoke to core values. I remember being impressed at the time, but I can’t find the ad now
    Bit of a concern is I believe she has a young family – after seeing the crap David C had to put up with this election, she is going to need to be tough to weather any of that if she becomes leader

    • karol 21.1

      The video is here.

      I remember also particularly liking Mahuta’s bit in the video.

    • b waghorn 21.2

      The right would have to be a lot more carful attacking a Maori woman IMO.

      • Paul 21.2.1

        Sadly I think the media would attack anyone who threatened their owners.
        They’d just do it a different way.

      • Colonial Rawshark 21.2.2

        They’d just assign Bennett and Perata on to it. Problem solved.

      • Chooky Shark Smile 21.2.3

        @b waghorn..”The right would have to be a lot more careful attacking a Maori woman IMO”….YUP!

    • Lanthanide 21.3

      You mean her segment starting at 5:20, where she doesn’t mention any policy or platform of Labour’s at all?

      Her’s was by far the weakest out of all of them.

      • Clemgeopin 21.3.1

        I don’t believe she was the producer or director of the ad.

        • Lanthanide 21.3.1.1

          Surely everyone in the caucus agreed on the general direction of the promo itself, and then each person would have had some level of control over the piece they were given to do.

          Regardless of whose fault it was, her’s was still the weakest part.

          • Clemgeopin 21.3.1.1.1

            So what? Why are you being anti Mahuta in your comments today?

            • Lanthanide 21.3.1.1.1.1

              So I was trying to find out if that is the same thing that feijoa was talking about, or if they were talking about something different.

              Then I added my opinion that it was the weakest part of the whole video.

      • karol 21.3.2

        She actually came across as someone well into engaging with, and interested in, the community, and wasn’t stilted and seemingly parachuted in to the (semblance of a) community environment to outline a bit of policy.

  22. Dorothy 22

    Yes made my day too,
    Nanaia has dignity, intelligence , experience and mana and I know who I’ll vote for now.

    • boldsirbrian 22.1

      @ Dorothy (22)

      Nanaia has dignity, intelligence , experience and mana and I know who I’ll vote for now

      Dignity was the word I was searching for before. I’ve already mentioned the experience and intelligence. She certainly has mana.

      I also know who I will vote for. My wife also. She was like the cat with the cream when she heard the news.

  23. b waghorn 23

    Would Nz be the first colonised country to elect a first nation person if she got the top job.

  24. Paul 24

    Mahuta most likely of all the candidates to attract the disengaged non-voters.

    • Chooky Shark Smile 24.1

      @ Paul …agreed!….so she will be inclusive of Mana/int and the Greens and Winnie NZF ( as long as they behave themselves)

      …I can see a great leader in the making here!

      …and dignified and integrity are the words

      • Tracey 24.1.1

        oh but what about middle nz, what about all those ordinary kiwi blokes who cant imagine having a beer with her, oh wo, wo, wo.j

      • lurgee 24.1.2

        “so she will be inclusive of Mana/int and the Greens and Winnie NZF ( as long as they behave themselves)”

        What are you basing this on?

  25. SHG 25

    This is truly a game changer.

    • Chooky Shark Smile 25.1

      yup! ….My teenage son says she looks like a Maori Helen Clark…..so she has to be a WINNER !

      ..even he is impressed!…and she most definitely looks like someone you could have a beer with…or a wine …or a whiskey

  26. Tracey 26

    ” my electorate, they have been: the formation of the first standalone Maori language high school, Nga Taiatea, the resolution of the Waikato River Claim, the increased emphasis on youth transitioning from school to further training or employment, the rollout of Family Start initiatives supporting young and vulnerable families and the emergence of Teen Parent Units to help young mums. I have also seen the initial launch of Te Hurihanga and the establishment of the Rangatahi courts [marae-based courts for young Maori offenders]. I have supported campaigns such as CanTeen, Relay for Life, Breastfeeding Awareness Week and Diabetes Awareness Week.

    “… want to help young people be the best they can be. This means creating greater opportunities for them in terms of education, affordable and quality healthcare services and safe, violence-free homes. I want them to be able to believe the future is in their hands. I’m also passionate about being a great mum and helping communities become better places to live. I want to see Maori move beyond treaty grievances and settlements and really focus on shaping our great country. …”

    “.. For the energy portfolio, I would like to see our country move from its reliance on fossil fuels towards renewable energy generation and bio-diesel production to improve our country’s options for electricity and transport. We also need to continue to work towards a more efficient use of electricity and I support campaigns to do this. The best thing we can do to support a happy and healthy future is to ensure we have warm and energy-efficient homes. It’s good for our kids, good for the environment and, most importantly, good for family wellbeing.

    For the law and order portfolio, my objective is quite simple: to stop the tide of young Maori going to prison and following a life of crime, and feeling they need to belong to gangs to get ahead. This means doing all we can to improve choices for young people while they’re still in the education system.

    We need to offer them more support as they take on new education, training and employment opportunities. I am beginning to warm to the notion that young people should be directed towards military training if they display problematic behaviour. Young people who lack direction can often be steered on to the right track through this experience.
    .”

    • boldsirbrian 26.1

      @ Tracey (26)

      What caught my eye here was the specific mention of the Te Hurihanga scheme for Young offenders. This was a standout achievement of the last Labour Government, stopped immediately by National when they came to power.

      There have been many pet projects in justice, ranging from military style camps; get tough on crime etc etc. The difference with Te Hurihanga, is that the scheme actually worked, and gave every indication that it would work in the long term. (It was a wrap around scheme that required the support of the youth, together with whanau, and supporting employers)

      Yes it was costly compared to schemes that do not work, but if anybody is seriously interested in keeping kids out of prison, this one has to be revived as soon as possible. That appears to be 2017 at the earliest.

      The project probably would never have happened if it had not been for the combination of three powerful forces: A judge (and I’m ashamed to say I cannot recall her name off hand); The Labour Party, and Tainui. Nanaia was of course an integral part of two of those three forces.

      A brilliant concept, that should not be forgotten. The building now languishes, being used a little by CYPS. (I guess it would be embarrassing to leave the relatively new building empty)

      The scheme in a Hamilton suburb was controversial, with opponents spreading misinformation and calling it a “borstal” (It wasn’t). To counter the rednecks, who booted us out of a public meeting for saying that we supported the project, we set up a thriving “Te Hurihanga Neighbourhood Support Group” It was a brilliant piece of successful local action ~grin~

      I’ve always been a little surprised that Labour never trumpeted their achievement. Or have used that success in subsequent election campaigns. There are so few good news stories in justice.

      Mr. Botany (B.)

  27. Tracey 27

    2009 Current parliamentary roles

    Member, Local Government and Environment Committee

    Spokesperson, Environment

    Spokesperson, Tourism

    Associate Spokesperson, Maori Affairs

    1997 – 2008 Former parliamentary roles: 

    5 Nov 07 – 19 Nov 08 Associate Minister Tourism

    5 Nov 07 – 19 Nov 08 Minister of Local Government

    19 Oct 05 – 19 Nov 08 Associate Minister for the Environment

    19 Oct 05 – 19 Nov 08 Minister of Youth Affairs

    19 Oct 05 – 19 Nov 08 Minster of Customs

    19 Oct 05 – 05 Nov 07 Associate Member for Local Government

    28 Jul 04 – 11 Aug 05 Member, Maori Affairs select committee

    27 Aug 02 – 16 Aug 05 Member, Local Govt & Environment select committee

    27 Aug 02 – 16 Aug 05 Member, Health select committee

    15 Aug 02 – 19 Oct 05 Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister of Local Government

    15 Aug 02 – 19 Oct 05 Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister of Education

    8 Feb 00 – 18 Jun 02 Member, Education and Science select committee

    21 Dec 99 – 18 Jun 02 Member, Justice and Electoral select committee

    20 Mar 97 – 19 Oct 99  Member, Electoral Law select committee

    12 Mar 97 – 19 Oct 99 *Member, Regulations Review select committee

  28. Chooky Shark Smile 28

    +100 thanks Tracey…that is a very very impressive list of achievements for Nanaia Mahuta!.

    ..it should be made into a POST

    ….and i would like to see an interview with her …maybe a Q @A

    imo she is certainly the stand out candidate for Leader of the Labour Party

    • Rosie 28.1

      Agree on the +100 to Tracey and agree that it would be good to see Nanaia doing a Q&A on TS, following on from Andrew Little’s. To be fair it would be good to see Grant Robertson and David Parker doing the same.

      • Chooky Shark Smile 28.1.1

        yes you are very fair Rosie to include the other two ….looks like I will be staying in the Labour Party to vote after all…smirk

      • greywarshark 28.1.2

        What is fair at this stage of the fight? Scarborough Fair has Fair Trade tea, Fair Trade stands for something. Fair and Labour are neighbours eyeing each other across a fence. Maybe they’ll come to a working agreement which will stand for something.

        • Chooky Shark Smile 28.1.2.1

          @ greywarshark …fairness is a sliding scale and in the eye of the beholder …..personally i feel it would be “fair” to dump the “other two” in a bag out at sea…but i bow to Rosie’s higher standards of “fairness”…she truly is a good and fair person

  29. Yes Nanaia you’ve made my day too!

    I’d been having a horrible day listening to Shearer spilling his bile. He really revealed what a truly nasty piece he is. I’ve always known that his ‘back story’ (UN administrator) did not stack up with his academic papers advocating hiring mercenaries to sort international issues.

    Mr Shearer you went too far today. Who’d like to join a mission to have him expelled? He stepped well beyond the rules today, has brought the Party into disrepute and must go before the Council.

    I believe Cosgrove has done the same today too.

    Am now starting to pull together the evidence and documentation for a formal complaint.

    The ABCers have started their purge and its time to stop them in their tracks.

    • Halcyon 29.1

      You are correct Ben. But Shearer and Cosgrove are only puppets, You need to seek behind the veil and find the core of the boil. Until the boil is removed you will gain nothing. Expel Shearer and Cosgrove and others will be hoodwinked to take their place,

    • Clemgeopin 29.2

      [“Mr Shearer you went too far today. Who’d like to join a mission to have him expelled? He stepped well beyond the rules today, has brought the Party into disrepute.
      I believe Cosgrove has done the same today too”]

      Do you have links for those two please. I haven’t seen them today.

      • lprent 29.2.1

        They did. I read the stuff on facebook and a couple of blogs, but never had time to dig out some definitive links.

        Busy busy day.

    • lprent 29.3

      Do that – after the leadership is completed. I have a wee backlog myself. You should have seen my first trashed post on it today….

      • Colonial Rawshark 29.3.1

        Yeah I’m in. I think I can get a few local members onboard too. After the leadership stuff is settled.

    • wekarawshark 29.4

      DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

      383) Forms of discipline available within the Constitution shall be censure, prohibition from seeking or holding any office, prohibition from seeking or holding candidacy, suspension of membership and expulsion from the Party. Any of these disciplinary measures may be imposed, as appropriate, for specified periods of time, according to the New Zealand Council’s resolution. Any communication whether verbal or in writing or otherwise made by any member or committee or organisation of the Party to another member or committee or organisation of the Party pursuant to or arising out of action taken under Rules 384 or 385 of this Constitution shall be privileged.

      384) The New Zealand Council shall be the only body to determine disciplinary action against any Party member by its own motion or upon application by any constituent body of the Party.

      385) Upon the application of any Branch or any Labour Electorate Committee or any other constituent body of the Party or by its own motion, the New Zealand Council may, for reasons determined sufficient by it, expel any person from membership of the Party or apply other forms of discipline. Such person shall be notified of the reasons and be given opportunity to state his or her case before the New Zealand Council.

      386) In all cases, principles of natural justice shall apply. There shall be a right of appeal to a body constituted for the occasion by the New Zealand Council, consisting of three (3) members of the Party. There shall be one (1) further, subsequent and final right of appeal to the New Zealand Council. The ruling of the New Zealand Council shall be binding on all parties.

      387) Disciplinary action shall be applied for and ruled upon on the grounds of:

      a. Contravention of the Principles, Rules and policies of the Party as contained in the current
      Constitution and policy documents of the Party;

      and/or b. For bringing the Party into disrepute;

      and/or c. For standing as a candidate in opposition to, or publicly campaigning against, an official Labour Parliamentary candidate or candidates or a Local Body candidate or candidates selected pursuant to the allocation of campaign rights under Rules 105 to 112. Any such person standing as a Parliamentary candidate shall, from the closing of candidate nominations, have their membership of the Party automatically suspended or be not permitted to join the Party for a period of two (2) years unless the New Zealand Council specifically makes a different decision in that case. Any such person standing as a local body candidate shall have the suspension or the ban on joining the Party as set out applied by resolution of New Zealand Council.

      https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/nzlabour/pages/1487/attachments/original/1412164169/September_2014_Constitution.pdf?1412164169

  30. Craig Glen Eden 30

    Nania is a great person she is humble, she has Mana she is a great listener and she is passionate about Labour’s values. Most of all I believe she is trust worthy. Nania could actually be just what Labour needs. Thanks for standing Nania. 🙂

  31. Cave Johnson 31

    All I see is added confirmation that caucus is heavily fragmented.
    I can’t see how any leader can hope to thrive in this environment.

    • Clemgeopin 31.1

      That is actually a little silly to say on your part.
      Are you suggesting that the caucus should be united in supporting one person as leader of the party without input from the party members and without giving an opportunity for MPs to seek the position of leadership? Then why have a democratic exciting election?
      Are you suggesting that we too, like National, have a cabal of faceless invisible, some external powerful interests hoist a leader for the party?
      We are not in Guatemala or Timbuktu or North Korea even, are we!

  32. vto 32

    Nanaia has always impressed in many ways imo. She seems to do a lot for her people and for the downtrodden – good for her (it is people like her who deserve the title of “honourable” and not the shitheads like Collins and Banks and Worth …. sheesh).

    But I don’t understand her jumping into the ring. It must clearly be part of some wider internal political game in order to achieve some other outcome ……

    (just as long as they get their shit together real fast so those 10,000 houses per year can be built, electricity price gouging can be brought under control, our waterways can stopped from becoming too toxic to swim in or drink from, on it goes ….. so htfu (that’s “hurry the f*%k up”))

  33. RedLogix 33

    Given the reaction on this thread – does anyone want to reflect on Cunliffe’s selection of Nania as his deputy running mate back in the first primary?

    • Lanthanide 33.1

      I’m slightly surprised by the positive comments here, because I don’t recall anything like this number of them back in 2011.

      Also regardless of her merit in being leader or deputy, Cunliffe’s decision to run a double-ticket was a big mistep, because none of the other candidates did. And as much as people here are praising her achievements, I don’t think her caucus colleagues think all that much of her, and as we can see from Shearer’s and other’s comments today, they may have perceived her being the token Maori woman deputy, rather than having actually earned or deserved it.

      • RedLogix 33.1.1

        My reading is this; that really capable and fundamentally decent people like Cunliffe always underestimate just how much jealousy and hostility they induce people around them.

        Look at the calibre of the ABC clique who have taken him down – small people all of them. Perhaps the only exception I would make is Phil Goff who seems to have wisely kept his mouth shut throughout the entire debacle.

        I personally thought asking Nania to run with him in 2011 was an inspired, prescient choice. Yet this too was turned by the hands of his enemies into a weapon to use against him.

        • Colonial Rawshark 33.1.1.1

          With a political system and culture like this on “our” side, we’re royally screwed.

          • RedLogix 33.1.1.1.1

            And that’s how you can draw a straight line between Roger Douglas and Trevor Mallard.

            Not so much via the ideology park – but direct through the swamp of betrayal and hubris.

        • les 33.1.1.2

          Cunnliffe had his chance and blew it.Said he had Keys measure and stood like a possum in the headlights when asked about CGT.Not as clever as his ego thinks he is.Big flop,and hugely unpopular with the general public.

      • stargazer 33.1.2

        “Cunliffe’s decision to run a double-ticket was a big mistep, because none of the other candidates did.”

        shearer ran a double ticket with grant robertson as his deputy. the four of them did the roadshow that year, even though the membership did not have a vote at that stage & all four had speaking slots at the meetings.

        • Lanthanide 33.1.2.1

          No, here’s what wikipedia says:
          “David Cunliffe, David Shearer and David Parker stood for the leadership, and Nanaia Mahuta and Grant Robertson contested the deputy position. Cunliffe and Mahuta ran as a ticket. During the campaign Parker pulled out of the race and endorsed Shearer. Shearer and Robertson won the votes for their respective positions. ” and also: “Shearer did not indicate a preferred deputy.”

          David Cunliffe explicitely ran alongside Nanaia Mahuta, and announced his candidacy in that fashion.

          David Shearer was independent of Robertson; Robertson later endorsed Shearer, but it’s not the same as what Cunliffe did.

  34. Jan 34

    Sent a formal complaint to Gen. Sec, about Shearer using “bringing Labour Party into disrepute” section of constitution. Threw in every position in Party I have ever held, nearly forgot Women’s Council, as credentials for making complaint, but every member should do the same email, might start to clean up caucus. Had a go at hypocricy of telling all us plebs to behave ourselves from President then having Shearer blow the lot. Come on everyone – strength in numbers ! Had acknowledgement back from Tim to say complaint would be referred to constitution committee.

  35. Yeah Red, I am looking forward to this primary even more than if Cunliffe had been still standing.
    Nanaia has more backbone than the whole of the ABC and their media puppets.
    I can’t wait to see Robertson of the “oh dear Cunni said he was ashamed to be a man”, the miserable balancer of budgets, and the former union bureaucrat who is frightened of taxing parasites, stand up to a Maori leader with the Mana of her people, who fought the land grabbing settlers and refused to fight an imperialist war, as she puts them all to shame.
    This will be a milestone of workers democracy that will show up the fake democracy of the general election.

  36. RRM 36

    And then there were four.

    FOUR forgettable journeymen, standing in a row.

    One fell off and bumped his head.

    Mum called the voters, and the voters said:

    Meh. :-/

  37. Delia 37

    So tired of the old boy club in Labour and the pathetic fighting. I will watch Nanaia closely during the campaign, but if I am honest I am sold.

  38. greywarshark 38

    Bites of info on Nanaia.
    Official Labour bio -Nanaia Mahuta
    MP for Hauraki-Waikato
    Spokesperson for Maori Affairs
    Spokesperson for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations
    Spokesperson for Climate Change
    Associate Spokesperson for Innovation, Research and Development

    Since becoming an MP, Nanaia has been committed to youth development, advancing Maori success through education and training opportunities, Iwi development, care for kaumatua, support for Maori women and sustainable ways to care for the environment and create jobs.
    About Nanaia
    As a serving Member of Parliament Nanaia held a range of spokesperson roles, served on a number of Select Committees and in the last term of the Fifth Labour Government had the privilege of being a Minister.
    She is currently the spokesperson for Maori Affairs and Treaty Settlements, and is the Senior Maori Vice-President of the Labour Party.
    Nanaia’s other roles include:

    Trustee of Te Whakaruruhau Maori Women’s Refuge
    Trustee of the Waikato College for Research and Development
    Co-Chair of the Waikato-Tainui Governance and Representation Review
    Parent on the Te Kaahu Kohanga Reo Committee
    Patron of the Rahui Pokeka Waka Ama club.
    ********************************************************

    Her own education path: attended the local Rakaumangamanga School and Diosecan School in Hamilton and graduated with her BA and then MA (Hons) in Social Anthropology at Auckland University.
    Further background – http://www.naumaiplace.com/site/ngati-manu/home/page/642/nanaia-mahuta-labour-mp/
    ********************************************************

    In her own words to Her magazine 2011/2012?
    http://www.herbusinessmagazine.com/Power+Profile/Nanaia+Mahuta.html

    What have been the highlights of your career so far?
    In my electorate, they have been: the formation of the first standalone Maori language high school, Nga Taiatea, the resolution of the Waikato River Claim, the increased emphasis on youth transitioning from school to further training or employment, the rollout of Family Start initiatives supporting young and vulnerable families and the emergence of Teen Parent Units to help young mums. I have also seen the initial launch of Te Hurihanga and the establishment of the Rangatahi courts [marae-based courts for young Maori offenders]. I have supported campaigns such as CanTeen, Relay for Life, Breastfeeding Awareness Week and Diabetes Awareness Week.

    She explained her involvement in the foreshore debate. She has also stated that she wants to see reducing dependence on fossil fuels and considered that moving to bio-diesel production and furthering renewable energy would be a sensible step.

    • Cave Johnson 38.1

      Does anyone know what her work history is prior to entering parliament?

      • Colonial Rawshark 38.1.1

        I think that she has been representing her iwi since she was born. (I know, slightly tongue in cheek, but also the truth).

        • Cave Johnson 38.1.1.1

          So Nanaia does not appear to have ever held down a non-political day job that she is prepared to document on her bio? If anyone can fill in the gaps I would be keen to hear it.

  39. Red delusion 39

    OMG are you guys serious Mahuta, please tell me this an early April fools, I know the left are delusional and live in an alternative reality but come on……… She has zip, 0 sweet FA, the parrot is dead chance of wining a general election that is the point isn’t it in regard to who you should vote for

  40. Clemgeopin 40

    Unfair and stupid comment. Those are the type put down comments some people said about Helen Clark too when she took over the party leadership. Once Mahuta gets known, gets heard and seen more often on the media, people may begin to warm to her like they did to Helen and Key. Don’t assume anything yet based on your own perception, ignorance and bias.

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  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    5 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    5 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
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