The Standard » national

Brand Key, a do nothing Government & the hidden agenda

Guest post — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:37:44 +0000

A number of terms are bandied about to describe both John Key and the John Key Government. Using such terms and trying to reconcile their seeming contradictions can prove confusing. Indeed, from time to time we have seen such confusion manifest itself on this blog amongst the right wing who argue how Key can indeed have a ‘hidden agenda’ whilst simultaneously being ‘smile and wave’ or ‘clueless’ and ‘doing nothing’.

Selling asset sales to [insert region here]

Eddie — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 22:09:56 +0000

Not everyone in the Beehive is thrilled that National is throwing away its chance at a third term for the sake of asset sales which make no sense, economically or politically. The Standard has obtained a copy of the generic column that National MPs are meant to add some 'local flavour' to and have published in their regional papers. It shows how cynical and shallow their position really is.

National standards fail in America

Anthony R0bins — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:49:08 +0000

New Zealand schools achieve excellent results and are very cost effective. The Nats are determined to break this great system via the introduction of national standards. They're ignoring the advice of their own experts, and all the international evidence. But will they be able to ignore the now self-evident failure of standards based testing in America, as Obama pulls the plug on No Child Left Behind?

NRT: Nats censoring the media

The Standard — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:02:05 +0000

I/S at NoRightTurn writes - Fresh from his attempt to censor programmes likely to embarrass the government during the election, National's hack on the NZ on Air board, Stephen McElrea, is now actually selecting the topics of political documentaries to receive NZ on Air funding. Its amazing how the topics chosen all just happen to align with the government's political agenda.

A reply to Steven Joyce

Anthony R0bins — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:00:38 +0000

Steven Joyce's piece on Tuesday was a transparent and hypocritical attempt to frame political opponents negatively, and soften us up for more asset sales, mining, deep sea drilling and the like. Thing is, it's the Nats with their misguided austerity cuts who are the real nay-sayers holding the country back.

Super sized problem

Anthony R0bins — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:32:37 +0000

The superannuation problem isn't going away. The Nats will be fuming that Treasury have just dropped in their laps again.

Key gets what he wants at Waitangi

Eddie — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:24:19 +0000

While Key was away on his 4-week holiday in Hawaii, the world economy deteriorated, reports on the dire state of poverty in our country came out, and access to strategic resources became a pressing issue - both with our farmland being bought and Iran threatening to close off the globe's oil supply. But Key was working on a plan - to stoke up racial dissent at home.

Don’t dream it’s over

Eddie — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:42:40 +0000

The Maori Party is threatening to leave the government over the asset sales legislation removing the companies' Treaty obligations. Key knows their threat is hollow. He just got away for 3 years of insulting Maori and worsening Maori statistics. Why would Sharples and Turia take a pay cut and lose their limos for their last few months working before retirement?

Teapot tattle

lprent — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:25:19 +0000

The Teapot Tapes have leaked on to the internet.

You can torrent it and listen past all of the noise.

A brighter future for Maori?

Eddie — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:41:50 +0000

Headline - PM to Ratana: National has made a difference

Maori unemployment under National: +15,300
Median Maori income under National: -$78 per week

Are Maori looking forward to another three years of Key's 'difference'?

End of the holiday season on Morning Report

Rupert the Beer — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:26:49 +0000

It was great to hear the familiar Morning Report tune this morning, signalling the end of the holiday season and, with it, an end to the popcorn journalism that Radio NZ has dished up since Christmas Eve. I don’t have any problem with National Radio’s summer line-up (in fact, Matinee Idle is radio gold), but ...

1951 it ain’t, for now

Eddie — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:38:05 +0000

Some have compared the Port of Auckland dispute to the 1890 waterfront dispute, 1913 general strike, and 1951 lockout. They want Labour and the Greens to get involved. Actually, this is no 1951 redux. The POA fight is just about one company trying to undercut another. The net effect on New Zealand is zero. The last thing the workers need is Labour creating an excuse for National to attack them.

Concerns Mount Over Absence Of Social Media Gaffes

The Standard — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:52:31 +0000

Scott at ImperatorFish is worried. A National Party MP's colleagues have become increasingly concerned about his wellbeing, after he failed for two consecutive days to make a fool of himself on Twitter. Concerns were raised when colleagues of Tau Henare realised that they had not noticed a single social media brainfart from the list MP for over 48 hours.

Petty

The Standard — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:17:22 +0000

Under cover of Christmas, the Nats are following in their long tradition of intimidating journalists, by going after the teapot tape reporter for "costs".

Still no plan

Ben Clark — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:05:34 +0000

“Once in office, you've got to do something. That is why having a plan matters.” - Simon Power, 2011, valedictory speech to parliament