Labour leadership campaign – day four

Written By: - Date published: 8:16 am, September 3rd, 2013 - 72 comments
Categories: david cunliffe, grant robertson, labour, leadership, Shane Jones - Tags:

cunliffe labour leader campaign

Day four and the campaign is off to the Hawkes Bay.

The campaign trail is starting to get its own momentum.  I have seen three of the meetings and the candidates are honing and refining their skills and presentations.

Last night they met in Shane Jones territory in Whangarei.  The meeting was one of the biggest Labour meetings held in the north for many years with well over 200 people attending.  Proceedings were delayed as a number of new members wanted to join and their applications had to be processed.

The meeting started with Dover Samuels receiving a well deserved gold medal.  Never one to waste an opportunity he took the chance to promote his campaign for the Regional Council and to advocate for the first Prime Minister from the far north.

Proceedings were good natured and there was a lot of laughter and gentle ribbing amongst the candidates.  May this new found unity become the norm.

To my mind David Cunliffe stood out.  He was more relaxed than he was the day before.  He can be genuinely funny and engaging and was certainly this last night.  The Shane Jones supporters I spoke to agreed that he had performed best.

And the right definitely do not like the amount of air time the campaign is generating.  Labour is dominating the media in a positive way like it has not done in a long time.  Expect the usual mouthpieces of the right dial up the hysteria and start to get personal in their attacks.

The venue today is Pukemokimoki Marae, 191 Riverbend Road, Maraenui and the meeting starts at 7:30 pm.

The details about eligibility to attend are as before.

People entitled to attend include members, former members as long as they sign up again and new members who sign up at the door.

Media can attend but for the preliminaries and the speeches only.

If you are going you should get to the meeting early as there will be a vetting process and this could take some time.  People should bring their membership cards or ortherwise photo ID so that they can be identified.  Photos and social media can be taken and used during the open part of the meeting.

And a reminder that current members and those who have been financial members of the Party sometime between January 1 2011 and August 22 2013 but have not yet paid their membership for 2013 can renew their membership and vote, so long as they do so before 12.00am on Friday 6 September. This can be done by clicking here.  New members will not be able to vote.

UPDATE DISCLAIMER:  Just in case anyone is not aware of this I am a supporter of David Cunliffe and a member of his LEC.

72 comments on “Labour leadership campaign – day four ”

  1. Jenny Kirk 1

    Yes – Mickey – it was a great night. Labour hasn’t seen this sort of response in the north for a very long time. We put a bit of effort into emailing and phoning people, and they responded by coming into town from all over the north – quite a trek for some at the end of a working day. This augurs well for Labour over the coming year, and like you I thought Cunliffe had the outstanding performance. Jones was funny and the audience enjoyed him, but they responded more substantially to Cunliffe’s policy ideas. Robertson faded a bit during his 10 minute speech, but rallied at Q & A time.

    • Comrade Coba 1.1

      Who done the PR & setup work on this meeting, Wellington or they get in pro’s ? Looked awesome from tv!

      • Cassius Dundee 1.1.1

        If it was done well, then it’s safe to assume that it definitely was NOT Wellington.

  2. Sanctuary 2

    According to RNZ, the meeting was delayed because of people signing up/renewing their membership. So far, the party seems to have learnt from the process of electing Shearer and this going out to the members business is actually electrifying people who now suddenly feel they can make a difference. BTW – when/how will the postal voting work?

  3. Marty 3

    Greg, as Cunliffe’s electorate chair, it is hardly surprising you’re excited about his performance and might judge it better than the other candidates. Helps to be upfront about these things.

    But you’re right – all candidates appear to be over their initial nervousness and are getting to grips with the process. As a result, the political news cycle is dominated by the Leadership race and the Nats can but hope to regain some traction.

    • mickysavage 3.1

      Thanks Marty.

      Clearly I am in camp Cunliffe and I have said so a few times. I had put in a previous disclaimer and have added one to this post.

      I have not been the chair of the LEC for about 8 years although I am still a member.

      To be honest day one of the campaign I think went to Robertson and day 2 was an interesting mix.

    • Greywarbler 3.2

      Half informed Marty. Hope other interested parties know better than you.

  4. irascible 4

    The National-ACT reaction to the Living Wage pledges by the Labour Party leadership contenders.
    http://theirasciblecurmudgeon.blogspot.co.nz/2013/09/joyce-attacks-living-wage-pledge-key.html

  5. LynWiper 5

    Very much appreciating these daily post and updates. Thanks to everyone making it happen. I have been involved as much as possible, watching the TV appearances and also attending the Otahuhu session as I live in rural South Auckland. It is indeed interesting to watch these three men together. In my opinion the comic relief Shane Jones offers, while entertaining for most, is not what is required for Labour’s next Prime Minister. I felt that David Cunliffe usurped Grant Robertson in his substance and it is great to read that he has become more relaxed as the sessions progress. All three men have talent which should be channelled wisely.

    Just to clarify my understanding of the voting. Is it correct that each Labour Party member, each union member and each caucus member has x1 vote. And if so this would mean some individuals have x3 votes? Do union members have to be Labour Party members? I’m just trying to get my head around the actual potential number of voters and the potential power of union votes.

    It was made very clear at the meeting I attended that one has to place all three candidates in a preferential order or the vote is not valid. Earlier I had wondered about voting for just one to increase the power of my vote.

    It is indeed wonderful and invigorating to see this historic process occuring. Gratitude to all who made it happen.

  6. Anne 6

    I hope ‘Ron’ doesn’t mind me repeating part of a comment he made this morning on “Labour Leadership campaign – day three”

    I am a little perturbed that an alleged member of Robertson’s Parliamentary support group (reported by news this morning) should try to influence the leader vote by releasing the support figures for inside caucus. Apart from how one can tell what members may or may not vote in a secret ballot it shows a possible attempt to convince the other two arms of the new voting system that they should get in behind the Politicians.

    If it’s true then I’m more than a little perturbed. Clearly some a—–e in caucus is attempting to undermine David Cunliffe yet again!!! It’s malicious, traitorous and designed to prevent Cunliffe from becoming leader… and in doing so, significantly reducing Labour’s chance of winning in 2014. I know this from my own soundings among swinging voters with whom I’m associated. They are solidly in favour of David Cunliffe.

    I haven’t been able to find an online link but if someone has any further information could they please enlighten me because this time I will lay a formal complaint to the NZ Council and I hope others consider doing like-wise.

    • Ron 6.1

      Just checked my memory. The item was on Radio Live news all through their breakfast programme. You can listen to their bulletins on line try the 7am one as the item leads the news.

      It states Robertson is emerging as a clear winner in the leaderships stakes. Reporter Jessica Williams stated that sources withing the caucus have told her that Robertson has 18 votes Cunliffe has 11 and Jones 4 with Shearer abstaining.
      Robertson supporters include Goff, King, Parker, Mallard, Hipkins and Faafoi

      I see this as a deliberate attempt to skew the vote and if it was a general election being held and a statement was made on election day that was likely to affect outcome of the election I would suspect the Electoral Commission or Police would get involved.

      It is interesting that the most of those people named above are the ones that I would instinctively want out of Parliament as dead wood. Wonder if thats the reason for the fight to stop change in the party

      • Anne 6.1.1

        Wonder if thats the reason for the fight to stop change in the party.

        Of course it is. Looking after number one. Those who are being so adversely affected by this despicable government are only of secondary importance to them. Add to that a few weak caucus members who maybe afraid to go against them, and you have your caucus majority. Lets face it, with a chief whip who does the numbers for the ABC club and thinks nothing of leaking secret ballot information (he did it late last year or earlier this year – not sure when), they know which way they voted is NOT going to remain secret.

        • Olwyn 6.1.1.1

          So disappointing. If this proves to be another disguised palace coup, it will be hard if not impossible for me to take this present Labour lot seriously again. For God’s sake! It is one year out from an election, and these people have already spent the last 20 months dissipating whatever authority and credibility they once enjoyed. You would think that under the circumstances they would see the value in actually listening to the members, paying attention to the polls, and generally considering what people actually think, rather than what they might, at a pinch, be persuaded to accept.

          • Anne 6.1.1.1.1

            +1 Olwyn.

            It will upset me very much because I’m tribal Labour, but if it proves to be true and they succeed then I will have to seriously consider resigning. An awful decision to have to make.

            • Jilly Bee 6.1.1.1.1.1

              +1111 Anne – I too will seriously consider resigning – after having been re-energised by attending the Women’s Conference and by the wonderful calibre of the younger women present. I have voted today on line and have relegated GR to number 3. I pretty much had to swallow a dead rat with my number 2 choice, so I hope I have fully understood the voting procedure.

          • lurgee 6.1.1.1.2

            Good grief. So if Cunliffe loses after an open contest where votes are divived between caucus, the membership and the unions, some people will STILL not be happy with the result?

            I think he will win – though a bit less certain since Ronertsonseems to be quite hungry – and I want him to win. But I can’t believe we can already see the factionalist refusniks already starting their wailing and gnashing of teeth.

        • George D 6.1.1.2

          Congratulations to Moira and Tim though, for making the right decisions and allowing the membership and affiliates to have their say on their parliamentary party.

      • Bill 6.1.2

        Scoured the news archive from yesterday morning and Sunday morning. No mention that I could find.

      • David H 6.1.3

        “Goff, King, Parker, Mallard, Hipkins and Faafoi” 5 Names that should disappear from the election. But unless the right man wins, then I see the supporters leaving in droves, because these 5 will just keep on with the same ol’ same ol’, and nothing will change.

    • Tracey 6.2

      would this not have breached the code of conduct? Surely he fish starts rotting at the head. Robertson may not have directly ok-ed it but isn’t he ultimately responsible for it, especially as he may benefit from it?

  7. Virginia Linton 7

    Shane says he’s aiming for support from women who read the NZ Women’s Weekly, not those who read Germaine Greer. He’s so one dimensional he doesn’t realise that some of us read both. How odd to have someone vying for a senior role in the Labour Party, who is blatantly sexist. Sad too to see people like Kelvin Davis and David Shearer and Stuart Nash coming out for a sexist phoney arsehole. On that basis alone, I now have no respect for them either. As a Far Northerner I could not now support Kelvin to have a high list position; to line up with a sexist (we wouldn’t tolerate racism, so why sexism?) demeans not only these men but all of the women in their lives (who include, as colleagues, the women of the Labour Party).

    • LynWiper 7.1

      +100 Well said Virginia. I agree entirely.

    • Mary 7.2

      Sexist phoney arsehole is a perfect description of Jones, the most accurate I’ve ever heard. I’d initially thought it’d missed lazy but upon reflection think that could probably slot into phoney or arsehole equally well.

    • Murray Olsen 7.3

      Now I know why I must dislike Jones so much – I’ve read a bit of Germaine Greer. Oh, and the odd Women’s Weekly as well, so now I’m just confused.

      • karol 7.3.1

        And Jones has no interest in women who read neither Greer, nor WD, but something completely different…. say, The Economist, or The Guardian, or Max Rashbrooke, or George RR Martin, or Naomi Klein……?

        • Tracey 7.3.1.1

          Jones is confirming he sees women as two dimensional, either WW or GG. I note he made no comment let alone a commitment) to gender equality on his front bench. The other to did (rightly or wrongly).

  8. James 8

    It looks like both the membership and the unions are going to vote in Cunliffe, outvoting the caucus. If the caucus doesn’t see this and act accordingly then I predict a big bloodletting and a new fresh-faced Labour party going into the 2014 election.

  9. Delia 9

    I completely agree with you Virginia. I chew through history books and than read the Women’s Day. Shane is just the good old boys of the left, and does not represent my vision for my future and family’s.Like some of those sexist union men of the 1970’s. Honestly what a has been he is and he can take his has been supporters in caucus (who are well past their use by date) with him. Cunliffe’s has a wife with a successful career in her own right, that tells me something about the man. He actually likes women with a brain, not exploited porno girls.

  10. Ron 10

    The information about numbers has been spread fairly widely. My LEC had the figures early in the week and well before MSM got it. Someone is going to a lot of trouble to ring round I guess they would never trust email for such scurrilous gossip.
    My hope is that the unions and the party members punish those that spread such dangerous gossip by voting DC and thus nullify any mischief the MP’s get up to

  11. Tautoko Viper 11

    There is an outside possibility that the “leak” could have come from gcsb sources and the pm’s mate. The result of this Labour party vote is of huge importance to National. Let’s stop disembowelling ourselves as this could be a “false flag” incident. Think carefully and clearly.

    • Ad 11.1

      … because that’s the history of Labour caucus anti-Cunliffe media leaks over the last 18 months. Tui billboard.

      Think with the truth.

    • Ron 11.2

      I doubt the GCSB are ringing up LEC’s and giving caucus voting figures

    • Anne 11.3

      This is a repeat performance of Nov/Dec. 2011 Tautoko Viper. Some stuff never came out including a ring around of LEC officials requesting they find out how members were intending to vote. And that was before the constitution changed and the members views was just a guide only – a guide that was completely ignored.

  12. Craig GlenEden 12

    Look the truth is all this leaking that comes from this caucus is always anti Cunliffe and pro the status quo, but this time the members get to have their say so make sure you have your say vote for the person who can get rid of Key and this Nat Government. Labour does indeed need a fresh/new beginning if it does not happen this time we will bleed activists to the Greens and we wont see them back.

    • Ad 12.1

      Since Cunliffe is going to win, I’m sure he will be incredibly graceful and “hold his enemies close”, whoever they are. Fortunately I will not be in power as I would round them up against the wall, shoot them, cremate them, mix their dust with rubber and hand them out as balls for dogs to chew on.

      Like I said, fortunately…

  13. redpete 13

    Had the opportunity to be in Levin on Saturday. .interesting to see the gap between how media reported things and what I experienced. Waiting till after tonight to make my decision.

    Have seen a lot of politicans speak over the years and was impressed by all three. Grant stole the show at Levin, was authentic and articulate at describing our values, followed by Shane (extremely entertaining, but with some very good points), then DC.

    The key point I think the media missed was the energy that was there, cannot remember seeing a Labour crowd ever looking so energised. It was clear also that who ever gets choosen will have a mandate. The caucas, party, union’s and special interest groups need to be on notice….no more in fighting. Country, party, self in that order as DS said on his departure. I also hope that who ever wins has the foresight and courage to continue the the reform and democratisation of the Labour party.

    I found some of the comments in respect to how the caucus intends to vote kind of hysterical. ..every person and his dog knows that Grant is most popular amongest the caucus. … I wonder why DC isn’t? ….makes you think. …

    • North 13.1

      Clever, Redpete. Last paragraph.

    • Colonial Viper 13.2

      I found some of the comments in respect to how the caucus intends to vote kind of hysterical. ..every person and his dog knows that Grant is most popular amongest the caucus. … I wonder why DC isn’t? ….makes you think. …

      Ever wonder why Shearer was voted in by those very same MPs you are referring to? Despite it being bleedin’ obvious that Shearer was desperately inexperienced. He finally only made half a term as leader limping along.

      The words “self interested bad judgement” ring a bell?

    • miravox 13.3

      ” I wonder why DC isn’t? ….makes you think”

      It makes me think some people (e.g. Mallard) will have their jobs on the line if DC is in charge. A great reason to vote DC.

      • the sprout 13.3.1

        Amen

        • Comrade Coba 13.3.1.1

          Someone in Labour seriously lifted the game up a notch or two last night. In a blue ribbon town (strange that I could never work out) Theatre venue- very professional, huge crowd, looking like every media outlet in the country showed up. They hired a PR firm?

  14. tracey 14

    To be honest foot in mouth mallard supporting grant, doesnt help grant.

  15. hush minx 15

    does anyone know the procedure for how a complaint as to a alledged breach of the code of conduct would be handled by the Party? do they have any ability to hold people accountable, or at least tell them to lift their game? just wondering how meaningful it is if this sort of ring around is undertaken with no consquences.

    • Colonial Viper 15.1

      If the complaint was serious enough it would go to New Zealand Council for consideration and be actioned constitutionally.

  16. tracey 16

    I have heard some accuse jones of being lazy. Truth or smear?

  17. amirite 17

    And this is why the media and the Right keep championing Shane Jones, and why Shane Jones should never ever become a Labour leader:

    http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/09/03/why-shane-jones-cant-be-leader-of-the-labour-party/

  18. Venezia 18

    Just voted online. DC for leader. Then GR.

    • miravox 18.1

      I still can’t work out if you can choose to vote just one or two people, or if you must rank all 3 candidates…

      Does anyone know for sure? I don’t want to rank all 3, but I want the choice I make to be counted.

      • Colonial Viper 18.1.1

        You MUST rank all 3 for your ballot paper to be valid.

        • miravox 18.1.1.1

          Thanks. Disappointed.

          Now, if I rank SJ second preference on the assumption that most people will rank him 3rd, will that mean it’s less likely for GR to overtake DC in a run-off? Decisions. Decisions.

          • Bill 18.1.1.1.1

            And if a pile of people think like that, then SJ gets in.

          • Colonial Viper 18.1.1.1.2

            Hi miravox. In practice it won’t work like that. If you rank DC first, then your 2nd preference will only be counted if DC is already out. Your second preference will not be counted if DC gets in (problem solved).

            Therefore, you should put in as your second preference who you really actually want to be your 2nd preference. Because DC will already be out, and your 2nd preference will have no impact on that having already happened.

          • lurgee 18.1.1.1.3

            The person you rank second will only be relevant if your preferred candidate is eliminated. Ranking Jones second won’t give him any boost as long as Cunliffe is in the contest .

            So, obviously, rank your second choice second. It will have no bearing what-so-ever unless Cunliffe is beaten. In which case, you want to give your vote to your next preferred candidate, rather than play ineffectual tactical games with it.

            EDIT – In other words, what CV said.

        • weka 18.1.1.2

          “You MUST rank all 3 for your ballot paper to be valid.”

          Please tell that it says that on the paper.

  19. Comrade Coba 19

    I would ask these 2 questions but can’t be bothered going through the process.

    Virtual question: Who would the contenders prefer to be speaker when Labour takes the Govenment benches in 2014 ?

    Virtual question: Will you have the Labour party ready to fight a camgaign if a snap election is called?

    • Boadicea 19.1

      Robertson has already promised the Speaker perk to Mallard. Fenton (list) is asking for whip again and hopimg for a high list place.

  20. Colonial Viper 20

    A snap election this year indicates a crisis of confidence in the Government and will almost guarantee a National loss so…

  21. Comrade Coba 21

    Oh rephrased, I hear Key might go early before referendum 2014. How’s that work cobber?

    • Colonial Viper 21.1

      Dangerous for National, because the General Election could be positioned by Opposition Parties as being the de facto referendum. Which Key would lose.

  22. Comrade Coba 22

    In other words he is fucked both before and after. The mug doesn’t listen bit like the GCSB bill.

    Some people shouldn’t listen to radio-live/ tv 3 bulshit, or should I say Gower & Garner. I got a call from an MP who is ‘not’ declaring so confirmed GR vote my arse!

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    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • 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
    3 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
    4 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
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Echoes of 1968 in 2024?  Pocock on the repetitive problems of the New Left
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days 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
    6 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
    8 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
    9 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
    22 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
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  • 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 ...
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  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
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  • Minister’s Ramadan message
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  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
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