Luxon’s little experiment
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11:32 am, February 12th, 2023 - 30 comments
Categories: chris hipkins, Christopher Luxon, labour, Maori Issues, maori party, national, same old national, treaty settlements -
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It is really difficult trying to appear to be Prime Minister material and inclusive and to appeal to racists at the same time.
Christopher Luxon this week has shown how difficult it is.
Waitangi day has now been and gone but it pays to reflect on what he said, using cards, so that his words were uttered accurately, he made soothing noises but then described Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a little experiment. He backed this up by repeating a Don Brash policy and said there should be full and final treaty settlements by 2030.
Then on Waitangi Day, the day that historically Labour cooked everyone breakfast Luxon did something peculiarly National like. He went and had breakfast at the Takapuna boat Club.
By contrast Chris Hipkins managed to be at the dawn service at Waitangi and then be at West Auckland to celebrate Waitangi at Waititi, an event organised by John Tamihere’s Waipareira Trust and Hoani Waiti Marae. The two organisations have very strong and deep links with the Maori Party. The mutual respect between Tamihere and Hipkins was clearly strong.
Luxon then had to perform yet another U turn on what he had earlier said.
From Radio New Zealand:
One part of Luxon’s speech … caused some controversy: “We started on the 6th of February 1840 as a little experiment, and look at us now – the 21st century success story able to tackle the challenges that come our way.”
Today, Luxon clarified that he did not mean to say that the treaty was an experiment.
“What we’ve done here in New Zealand is incredibly special, I mean if you think about the goodwill of those people who were here negotiating that treaty, it was unprecedented in many ways.”
Looking at what happened in other countries and how they have developed over time the treaty what had been done in New Zealand was incredibly special, he said.
“So it was a brave experiment to set up a treaty as a foundation for a whole new country, that didn’t happen if you think about it pre-1840 around the world.”
Hipkins has also shown this week that he is different to Jacinda Ardern. He threw a couple of jabs at Luxon and both of them connected.
About co govenance he said this:
“Those who seek to use misunderstanding around it for political advantage need to reflect on their own behaviour.
“I certainly think the Opposition – National and Act – have used, as they have done in the past, uncertainty to try and stoke fear.”
And about National’s criticism of Labour’s reset he said this:
“Look, I mean, I’ve come to accept that the National Party just like to sort of whinge and moan about things, it’s difficult to have a contest of ideas with them when they don’t really seem to have any,” he said.
“We’ve been very transparent about the things that are not going to happen and the things that we’re taking some more time on, to have another look at to make sure that we’re doing the right thing there.”
The pressure will be on National. They have to come up with some policy soon. Right now their relentless negativity will not persuade people that they are a Government in waiting.
And National supporters must go through the same sorts of emotions I went through when former Labour leader David Shearer was interviewed on morning report, wondering if he would come through unscathed. The latest interview of Luxon by Guyon Espiner would suggest that the comparison is valid.
This year’s campaign will be very interesting. Luxon is flat footed and once you strip away his programmed talking points he descends into nonsense and becomes easily flustered. He clearly relies on his briefing notes and in this interview repeatedly called Guyon Espiner “Corin” because that was what was written down.
By way of contrast Hipkins is very deft and nimble. He may not have Ardern’s emotional attraction but the current political dynamic may suit him.
The battle of the two Chris’s will win or lose the election this year. So far Chippy has a clear points advantage over Luxon.
And Luxon’s dog whistling may not provide him with the advantage that he is hoping for.
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- State of the Planet speeches, 2024Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick used this year's State of the Planet to call on the Government to prioritise people and planet as the delivery of the Budget approaches. A full transcript of their speeches can be found below. ...2 weeks ago
- State of the Planet: Government must be guided by values not moneyGreen Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chlöe Swarbrick have used their State of the Planet speeches to challenge the Government to prioritise people and planet over profit as the delivery of the Budget approaches. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Chris Hipkins’ speech: New Zealand in 2040 – A vision worth fighting for...2 weeks ago
- Release: 4,500 jobs lost – and countingMore than 4,500 jobs are set to go as the National Government continues its deep cuts to services to pay for irresponsible and ill-timed tax cuts. ...2 weeks ago
- No-cause evictions leave no hope for rentersThe Government’s introduction of legislation that would enable landlords to end tenancies with no reason marks a dark day for the 1.4 million people who rent their home in Aotearoa. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National winding back mental health workThe Minister for Mental Health has found the Suicide Prevention Office and mental health support for 111 calls slipping through his fingers, says Labour spokesperson for Mental Health Ingrid Leary. ...2 weeks ago
- Government ignorant of evidence in neglect of tamarikiToday’s justification from the Minister for Children for scrapping protections for our tamariki was either a case of ignorance or deliberate deception. ...2 weeks ago
- Gang policy setting communities up for failureThe Green Party says the Government’s misguided policy on gangs will fail, following the announcement of the establishment of a national gang unit and district gang disruption units to target gang activities. ...2 weeks ago
- Statement from police spokesperson Ginny Andersen“With Police pay negotiations still unresolved after six months in Government, Mark Mitchell has today rolled the Commissioner out for a rebrand of their approach to gang crime,” Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said. ...2 weeks ago
- Charter schools not a serious solutionWe need serious investment and solutions into our education system, not a vanity project from David Seymour. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Ideological charter schools won’t increase achievementThe Government bringing back 50 charter schools will not increase achievement and is a distraction from the core mission of the education system, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Visas needed for Palestinians with family in New ZealandThe Government must show some compassion and create a special visa to allow Palestinians with family in New Zealand to be reunited with them here. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt’s stubbornness will harm Māori childrenGovernment has remained stubborn and is ramming its Bill into the House today, which the Waitangi Tribunal has said will hurt vulnerable children. ...2 weeks ago
- ‘Lucky dip’ process too casual for hearing critical submissions on Fast Track approvals billTe Pāti Māori is showing extreme concern over the Environment Select Committees adoption of a lucky dip draw to determine hearings for the Fast Track Approvals bill. Of the 27,000 submissions, 2,900 requested to present. All organisations will be heard; however, the remaining 2,350 submitters will be subject to a ...2 weeks ago
- Budget delivers on promises to Kiwis
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says Budget 2024 delivers on the Government’s promises, with savings across the public sector being reinvested in frontline services and meaningful tax reductions to support hard-working Kiwis. “This Budget is prudent and fiscally responsible. By identifying billions of dollars of lower-value spending across the public sector, ...4 hours ago - Nicola Willis – Budget 2024 SpeechMr Speaker, I move that the Appropriation (2024/25 Estimates) Bill be now read a second time. Tēnā koutou katoa. E mihi ana ki a Ahumairangi, ki a Tangi-te-keo, ki te Whanganui-a-Tara. Tāne whakapiripiri e tū nei, e ngā tāngata whenua o te rohe, e ngā mema ...4 hours ago
- Budget supports practical climate actionResponsible and effective climate related initiatives that support New Zealand to reduce emissions, and adapt to the future effects of climate change are a priority, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Our Government is committed to meeting emission reduction targets, including the overall goal of carbon net-zero by 2050, while ...4 hours ago
- More than $1 billion for Cyclone relief, resilience and emergency preparednessBudget 2024 invests more than $1 billion in a package of initiatives to further support the rebuild and recovery of communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary floods to improve New Zealand’s emergency preparedness, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell say. ...4 hours ago
- Waste levy changes to improve environmentRevenue from the Waste Disposal Levy will be spent on a wider range of projects supporting the environment and climate change mitigation and adaptation in addition to minimising waste, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “The Government will introduce a Bill as part of Budget 2024 legislation which expands the scope ...4 hours ago
- Rewarding hard work in tertiary education and trainingBudget 2024 sets the path for a sustainable tertiary education sector that supports and incentivises hard working learners, businesses, and tertiary education providers, Tertiary Education Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The first year Fees Free policy was an expensive failure and did not deliver its aim of more students going into ...4 hours ago
- Investing in transport for growthBudget 2024 confirms a $2.68 billion investment in roads, rail, and public transport to unlock economic growth and enable Kiwis and freight to get to where they want to go quickly and safely, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “This funding includes a billion-dollar increase over that signalled during the consultation ...4 hours ago
- Budget assures funding for Te MatatiniKua tū te haka a Tāne Rore me ngā mahi a Hine Rēhia! Secure long-term funding of $48.7 million from 2025 will ensure the future of Te Matatini prospers with the support of the Government, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says. I tēnei tahua pūtea kua whakangaoa e te Kāwanatanga ...5 hours ago
- Regional resilience and prosperity focus of new fundSupporting regional productivity, prosperity and resilience will be at the heart of the Regional Infrastructure Fund, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. “The coalition Government is committed to building a stronger, more productive economy, and this fund will help support our regional economies to grow,” Mr Jones says. “Building infrastructure ...5 hours ago
- $1.1 billion investment to support disabled peopleCritical support services that improve the lives of disabled people, their families, and those who care for them will receive significant investment through Budget 2024. “The coalition Government wants the best outcomes for the disability community, which is why we are prioritising the essential frontline services they rely on,” says ...5 hours ago
- Fixing New Zealand’s infrastructure deficitBudget 2024 lays the foundations for a better performing infrastructure system, with investments to ensure Kiwis spend less time waiting in traffic, that improve our climate resilience, and in modern classrooms that support our kids to achieve at school, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Government is determined to address ...5 hours ago
- Budget 24 turns tide on wasteful spendingAssociate Finance Minister David Seymour says this Budget makes a good start in reducing low value government spending, and there is more efficiency to be found in future Budget cycles. “The coalition Government inherited a dire fiscal situation. Core Crown expenditure increased nearly 70 percent between 2017 and 2023. Debt ...5 hours ago
- 500 more Police to improve public safetyFrontline Police numbers will be increased by 500 officers by the end of 2025 to help reduce crime and improve public safety, Associate Police Minister Casey Costello says. “We are serious about restoring law and order and that starts with having more Police on the beat to deter crime and ...5 hours ago
- Budget backs Police on the front lineA focus on supporting frontline Police in this year’s Budget will keep our communities safer, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. “We are serious about cracking down on crime and keeping communities safe so people can go about their lives in peace. We back our Police and are giving them more ...5 hours ago
- $2.93 billion investment to lift educational achievementThe coalition Government is boosting education spending by $2.93 billion over the next four years to improve student outcomes, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. "The investment includes extra funding for new classrooms, additional teacher support and early childhood education,” Ms Stanford says. “It also includes previously announced additional funding for ...5 hours ago
- Budget prioritises frontline health services & workersHealth will get a significant funding boost of $16.68 billion across three Budgets as part of our plan to invest in frontline services such as emergency departments, primary care, medicines and public health to ensure New Zealanders can get the healthcare they deserve, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says. “Our ...5 hours ago
- Rebuilding the New Zealand economyBudget 2024 restores discipline to spending to get the books back in order, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Operating allowance for Budget 2024 lowered to $3.2 billion: the lowest operating allowance since Budget 2018 Future operating allowances lowered to $2.4 billion The Multi-Year Capital Allowance receives a $7 billion top-up, ...5 hours ago
- Responsible tax relief for the squeezed middleBudget 2024 delivers overdue tax relief to 3.5 million New Zealanders so they can keep more of what they earn. Tax relief as set out in the National Party’s 2023 tax plan From 31 July this year average income households receive tax relief of up to $102 a fortnight and ...5 hours ago
- Budget 2024 delivers for New ZealandBudget 2024 sets out the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy, ease the cost of living, deliver better health and education services and restore law and order, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis. “This is a fiscally responsible Budget that delivers on key coalition Government commitments.” Tax relief for the squeezed ...5 hours ago
- Speech to National Family Violence Conference 2024Hon. Karen Chhour National Network of Family Violence Services National Family Violence Conference 2024 9:25am Wednesday 29 May 2024 It is an honour to open this conference, and I want to acknowledge the broad range of expertise, experience, and hard work represented by the people here in this room. ...7 hours ago
- Government improves mass arrival managementThe Government has strengthened settings for managing a mass arrival, with the passing of the Immigration (Mass Arrivals) Amendment Bill today. “While we haven’t experienced a mass arrival event in New Zealand, it is an ongoing possibility which would have a significant impact on our immigration and court systems,” Immigration ...1 day ago
- Super Fund to get more investment opportunitiesFinance Minister Nicola Willis has welcomed the passage of legislation giving the New Zealand Superannuation Fund a wider range of investment opportunities. The New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income (Controlling Interests) Amendment Bill passed its third reading in Parliament today. “The bill removes a section in the original act that ...2 days ago
- Crown and iwi settle three decades of negotiationsThree decades of negotiations between iwi and the Crown have been settled today as the Whakatōhea Claims Settlement Bill passes its third reading in Parliament, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “While no settlement can fully compensate for the Crown’s past injustices, this settlement will support the aspirations and prosperity ...2 days ago
- New Zealand to support PNG landslide responseNew Zealand will support Papua New Guinea’s response to the devastating landslide in Enga Province, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins have announced. “Ever since learning of the horrendous landslide on Friday, New Zealand has been determined to play our part in assisting Papua New Guinea’s ...2 days ago
- Speech to WasteMINZ ConferenceTena koutou katoa. Kia ora tatou. Na mihi nui kia koutou. Greetings and thank you for having me at this year’s WasteMINZ conference. In particular, I acknowledge WasteMINZ’s chair Parul Sood, WasteMINZ board members, CEO Nic Quilty and the team, and all of today’s delegates. I’m going to take this ...2 days ago
- Government to consult on regulation of shooting clubs and rangesThe Government is consulting New Zealanders on a package of proposals for simple and effective regulation of shooting clubs and ranges, Associate Minister of Justice, Nicole McKee announced today. “Clubs and ranges are not only important for people learning to operate firearms safely, to practice, and to compete, ...2 days ago
- Successful New Caledonia repatriation winds up, need for dialogue remainsOver 300 people have been successfully flown out of New Caledonia in a joint Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) operation. As of today, seven New Zealand government aircraft flights to Nouméa have assisted around 225 New Zealanders and 145 foreign nationals ...2 days ago
- Minister to Singapore for defence, technology talksDefence and Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins departs for Singapore tomorrow for defence and technology summits and meetings. First up is the Asia Tech X Singapore Summit, followed by the Five Power Defence Arrangements Defence Ministers Meeting and wrapping up with the Shangri-La Dialogue for Defence Ministers from ...3 days ago
- Major investment in teacher supply through Budget 24Over the next four years, Budget 24 will support the training and recruitment of 1,500 teachers into the workforce, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced today. “To raise achievement and develop a world leading education system we’re investing nearly $53 million over four years to attract, train and retain our valued ...4 days ago
- Joint statement on the New Zealand – Cook Islands Joint Ministerial Forum – 20241. New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rt Hon Winston Peters; Minister of Health and Minister for Pacific Peoples Hon Dr Shane Reti; and Minister for Climate Change Hon Simon Watts hosted Cook Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Hon Tingika Elikana and Minister of Health Hon Vainetutai Rose Toki-Brown on 24 May ...5 days ago
- Middle East, Africa deployments extendedThe Government has approved two-year extensions for four New Zealand Defence Force deployments to the Middle East and Africa, Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced today. “These deployments are long-standing New Zealand commitments, which reflect our ongoing interest in promoting peace and stability, and making active ...6 days ago
- Climate Change Commission Chair to retireThe Climate Change Commission Chair, Dr Rod Carr, has confirmed his plans to retire at the end of his term later this year, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Prior to the election, Dr Carr advised me he would be retiring when his term concluded. Dr Rod Carr has led ...6 days ago
- Inaugural Board of Integrity Sport & Recreation Commission announcedNine highly respected experts have been appointed to the inaugural board of the new Integrity Sport and Recreation Commission, Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Integrity Sport and Recreation Commission is a new independent Crown entity which was established under the Integrity Sport and Recreation Act last year, ...6 days ago
- A balanced Foreign Affairs budgetForeign Minister Winston Peters confirmed today that Vote Foreign Affairs in Budget 2024 will balance two crucial priorities of the Coalition Government. While Budget 2024 reflects the constrained fiscal environment, the Government also recognises the critical role MFAT plays in keeping New Zealanders safe and prosperous. “Consistent with ...6 days ago
- New social housing places to support families into homesNew social housing funding in Budget 2024 will ensure the Government can continue supporting more families into warm, dry homes from July 2025, Housing Ministers Chris Bishop and Tama Potaka say. “Earlier this week I was proud to announce that Budget 2024 allocates $140 million to fund 1,500 new social ...6 days ago
- New Zealand’s minerals futureIntroduction Today, we are sharing a red-letter occasion. A Blackball event on hallowed ground. Today we underscore the importance of our mineral estate. A reminder that our natural resource sector has much to offer. Such a contribution will not come to pass without investment. However, more than money is needed. ...7 days ago
- Government sets out vision for minerals futureIncreasing national and regional prosperity, providing the minerals needed for new technology and the clean energy transition, and doubling the value of minerals exports are the bold aims of the Government’s vision for the minerals sector. Resources Minister Shane Jones today launched a draft strategy for the minerals sector in ...7 days ago
- Government progresses Māori wards legislationThe coalition Government’s legislation to restore the rights of communities to determine whether to introduce Māori wards has passed its first reading in Parliament, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says. “Divisive changes introduced by the previous government denied local communities the ability to determine whether to establish Māori wards.” The ...1 week ago
- First RMA amendment Bill introduced to ParliamentThe coalition Government has today introduced legislation to slash the tangle of red and green tape throttling some of New Zealand’s key sectors, including farming, mining and other primary industries. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says the Government is committed to unlocking development and investment while ensuring the environment is ...1 week ago
- Government welcomes EPA decisionThe decision by Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to approve the continued use of hydrogen cyanamide, known as Hi-Cane, has been welcomed by Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay. “The EPA decision introduces appropriate environmental safeguards which will allow kiwifruit and other growers to use Hi-Cane responsibly,” Ms ...1 week ago
- Oral Submissions On The Local Government (Electoral Legislation And Māori Wards And Māori Constitu...
The committee will meet as a full committee on Tuesday 4 June to hear from local government and iwi/hapu groups. ...40 mins ago - Budget Day Hīkoi heads to Parliament as thousands gather around country
A crowd marched on Parliament in Wellington, where inside the country's leaders were ushering in this year's Budget. ...1 hour ago - Budget 2024: Political parties react to coalition government's budget announcementPolitical parties are less than impressed with the contents of the coalition government's first Budget. ...2 hours ago
- Budget 2024: Education sees funding for new schools, training and cyber securityBudget 2024 includes $2.5 billion in new spending over four years for education and a further $429 million in redirected savings, most of it from the Ministry of Education. ...2 hours ago
- Budget 2024: Winners and losersWho is set to gain and who is missing out as a result of this year's Budget? RNZ takes a look. ...2 hours ago
- Budget Eases Some Local Infrastructure Pain – But Stronger Medicine Is NeededCouncils will see some relief from the huge infrastructure challenge they’re facing right now in the Government’s Budget, LGNZ Vice-President Campbell Barry said today. ...2 hours ago
- Willis opens her head, not just her heart
Opinion: So here we are then, back on a track. Having wandered off into the foothills of kindness, the valleys of wellbeing and the sheer rock walls of high inflation and interest rates, guide Nicola Willis has appeared in her bright blue trouser suit holding up a blue balloon to ...2 hours ago - Government “living In An Alternative Universe” With 2024 BudgetThe Government’s Budget ignores the climate and biodiversity crises Aotearoa is facing and will shoulder future generations with “unconscionable debt”, says the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) New Zealand. ...2 hours ago
- What is in Budget 2024 for Māori?From changes to health, education, housing and kapa haka, here's what the budget will mean for Māori. ...3 hours ago
- Federated Farmers: No Frills Or Surprises In Budget"Just like the average farmer’s budget, the Government doesn’t have a lot of spare cash laying around to spend on nice-to-haves and optional extras," says Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford. ...3 hours ago
- Budget 2024 Fails To Deliver Relief For General Practice Pressures“Budget 2024 was always going to be delivered against a backdrop of significant fiscal constraints and GPNZ recognises those challenges. We were well briefed, we knew despite our desperate situation this wasn’t going to be our year for change,” ...3 hours ago
- Budget 2024: More money for new doctors, increased breast screening access and security in EDThe Finance Minister says she "regrets" funding for extra cancer drugs was not possible in Budget 2024, despite it being promised during the election campaign. ...3 hours ago
- What are nootropics and do they really boost your brain?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nenad Naumovski, Professor in Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Canberra LuckyStep/Shutterstock Humans have long been searching for a “magic elixir” to make us smarter, and improve our focus and memory. This includes traditional Chinese medicine used thousands of years ...3 hours ago - As Expected – A Bots Budget From The National CoalitionNothing in this year's budget can disguise the fact that this government is hellbent on worsening conditions for all of us, at the expense of all of us. ...3 hours ago
- Flood protection schemes a drop in the infrastructure bucketA Regional Infrastructure Fund is one aspect of the new Budget’s infrastructure package, partially focused on resilience and recovery. But mostly it’s about roads. The infrastructure package represents “a record amount” of investment via a “coherent pipeline” according to Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop. These are the statements that industry ...3 hours ago
- Budget 2024 in charts: What does it all mean?The promise of tax cuts isn't enough to disguise the other clear message in the government's Budget: the economic outlook is still gloomy. Kate Newton breaks down what that means for you. ...4 hours ago
- Budget 2024 at a glance: What you need to knowThe coalition is confident Budget 2024 is just what was promised: tax relief for the squeezed middle and reduced spending. Here's the main spending and savings. ...4 hours ago
- Budget 2024: The Mother Of All DisappointmentsAll in all, this Budget means New Zealand goes further into the red. Debt servicing costs for the coming year will be $9.2 billion. That’s the same as we are forecast to spend on primary schools, secondary schools, and justice combined. ...4 hours ago
- Live: Budget 2024 unveiled – here's everything you need to knowWho gets tax cuts? Where is the economy going? The books have been revealed. ...4 hours ago
- Nicola Willis delivers the Budget she promisedFinance Minister Nicola Willis has delivered the Budget she has been promising – even before she became finance minister – almost to the letter. Exciting? No. Snazzy? No way. But basic, balanced and relatively bland? You bet. Like the strict school principal who’s come in to crack the whip, after ...4 hours ago
- Budget 2024 in chartsThe promise of tax cuts isn't enough to disguise the other clear message in the government's Budget: the economic outlook is still gloomy. Kate Newton breaks down what that means for you. ...4 hours ago
- Further spending cuts will be needed in future Budgets – WillisThe $3.9 billion of cuts to public sector initiatives and staff numbers isn’t a one-off, Finance Minister Nicola Willis has said, with further cuts needed to meet cost pressures in future Budgets. Willis’ first Budget unveiled a relatively slim operating allowance of $3.2 billion for this year, dropping to $2.4 ...4 hours ago
- National unveils Budget 2024, keeps tax cut promisesNational has kept its tax cut promise, laying out a relief package largely in line with the 'Back Pocket Boost' it campaigned on during the election. ...4 hours ago
- Live updates: All the latest as the budget is revealed
All the latest news from budget day, including live news and reactions. The budget has officially been released. You can find all the top lines here. Follow this blog for up to date reaction, including from the opposition and in the debating chamber. For coverage of today’s hīkoi and rallies ...4 hours ago - Tax cuts central in ‘disciplined’ coalition BudgetA $14.7 billion package of tax cuts is at the heart of a Budget otherwise light on new initiatives and heavy on funding reductions, with Finance Minister Nicola Willis saying the new coalition Government is “weaning off” high spending under Labour. Health, education and law and order are the main ...4 hours ago
- Budget details: Public service cuts to pay for tax cuts“It all adds up,” Finance Minister Nicola Willis said revealing exactly how $3.9 billion each year until 2028 has been cut out of the public service. Details for 34 public agencies and departments show that five met their baseline savings targets, 17 did not, and 12 went over and above. ...4 hours ago
- Parents are increasingly saying their child is ‘dysregulated’. What does that actually mean?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cher McGillivray, Assistant Professor Psychology Department, Bond University ShUStudio/Shutterstock Welcome aboard the roller coaster of parenthood, where emotions run wild, tantrums reign supreme and love flows deep. As children reach toddlerhood and beyond, parents adapt to manage their child’s big ...4 hours ago
- Labor’s new National Urban Policy is welcome. But will it be transformative?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Freestone, Professor of Planning, School of Built Environment, UNSW Sydney In March 2021, then-Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese declared “cities policy has been one of the abiding passions of my time in public life”. He promised a new national urban policy framework ...4 hours ago
- Tonga’s volcanic eruption could cause unusual weather for the rest of the decade, new study showsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Martin Jucker, Lecturer in Atmospheric Dynamics, UNSW Sydney NASA Worldview Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai (Hunga Tonga for short) erupted on January 15 2022 in the Pacific Kingdom of Tonga. It created a tsunami which triggered warnings across the entire Pacific basin, and ...5 hours ago
- In pictures: Thousands join Budget Day protest hīkoi across AotearoaProtesters have taken to the roads to oppose government policies toward Māori, for an 'activation day' to coincide with the Budget. ...5 hours ago
- Live: Budget Day Hīkoi heads to Parliament as thousands gather around country"We are protesting not for ourselves alone, but for our tūpuna, our mokopuna," say protesters among those gathering around the country for a Budget Day Hīkoi. ...5 hours ago
- Women are 14 times more likely to die in a climate disaster than men. It’s just one way climate ch...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carla Pascoe Leahy, Adjunct Researcher, University of Tasmania When we think of climate and environmental issues such as climate-linked disasters or biodiversity loss, we don’t tend to think about gender. At first glance, it may seem irrelevant. But a growing body of ...5 hours ago
- How to cut stray cat numbers in a way that works better for everyoneSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacquie Rand, Emeritus Professor of Companion Animal Health, The University of Queensland ozanuysal/Shutterstock Stray cats are a big problem across most Australian cities and towns. They cause many complaints related to nuisance behaviours and concerns about urban wildlife, as well as ...6 hours ago
- Suddenly, there’s talk about Labor reforming company tax. What did minister Ed Husic say, and what...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kristen Sobeck, Research Fellow, Tax and Transfer Policy Institute, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University When politicians talk about business tax reform, and talk about using it to stimulate investment, they are usually referring to one of (or a mix ...6 hours ago
- Three Nouméa police officers face prosecution after viral violent videoBy Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Three Nouméa municipal policemen are now facing a prosecution after a disturbing video was posted in a Facebook neighbourhood watch group, allegedly implicating them in acts of severe violence against a Kanak man they had just arrested. The municipal police officers ...6 hours ago
- Budget 2024: Nicola Willis gets her tax cuts through hundreds of little slashesNicola Willis has announced the smallest budget since 2018, with an operating allowance of $3.2 billion. For the most part, it makes good on National’s promised tax cuts. Joel MacManus reports from the Budget 2024 lockup at the Beehive, thanks to the support of Spinoff Members. For rolling coverage ...6 hours ago
- Budget 2024 live: Follow along as tax cuts and the government books are unveiledWho gets tax cuts? How much will the government have to borrow? The books are about to be revealed. ...6 hours ago
- Dawn raids never died: why formal apologies and restoring NZ citizenship are still not enoughSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Johnstone, PhD Candidate, Criminal Justice, University of Canterbury Getty Images The dawn raids of the 1970s, when police descended on Pacific Island households in New Zealand’s main cities to find and deport “overstayers”, remain a scar on New Zealand’s collective ...6 hours ago
- Review: Dawn French proves being a huge twat is a good thing, actuallyStewart Sowman-Lund spends an evening with the legendary British comedian and learns why we should all feel comfortable about being a twat. Dawn French wants us to know she’s a huge twat. It’s the name of her tour, it’s the name of her tie-in book, and it was the running ...6 hours ago
- Official admits new school lunch model unlikely to be as nutritious due to costA principal says she has been told the meals won't meet the same nutrition standards because of cost . ...7 hours ago
- Ten memorable moments from the Aotearoa Music AwardsAhead of the 2024 awards ceremony, we look back on some of the most memorable moments in the event’s long and sometimes weird history. Tonight, New Zealand’s biggest and brightest music talents will gather in Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre for the Aotearoa Music Awards. After a 17-month hiatus, the awards ...7 hours ago
- Corrections Department confirms 107 vacant positions to be axed"No staff have been made redundant," The department says as it gets rid of back office jobs that hadn't been filled. ...8 hours ago
- Live updates from the budget day protestsAll the latest news from today’s protest action over the government’s policies affecting Māori. A series of hīkoi and rallies held to coincide with budget day are under way around the country. Supporters have been encouraged to go on strike and join today’s “nationwide activation”, aligned with the Toitū te ...9 hours ago
- Sleight of hand: Australia’s Net Zero target is being lost in accounting tricks, offsets and more ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bill Hare, Adjunct Professor of Energy, Murdoch University In announcing Australia’s support for fossil gas all the way to 2050 and beyond, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pushed his government’s commitment to net zero even further out of reach. When we ...9 hours ago
- New Disney documentary The Beach Boys tells the iconic band’s story – but not the whole storySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jadey O’Regan, Lecturer in Contemporary Music, Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Co-author of "Hooks in Popular Music" (2022), University of Sydney Disney/Getty In 2012, I watched as the remaining members of the Beach Boys played together for their 50th anniversary. As they ...9 hours ago
- Help Me Hera: My coworkers’ throat-clearing is driving me nutsI think I probably have misophonia, but what can I actually do about it? Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nz Hi Hera, What can I do about constant throat-clearing and other assorted noises in an open-plan office? Truly going insane with regularity, volume and tone of the clearing. Think I have ...9 hours ago
- Hundreds To Gather In Auckland To Make A Stand Against The Government's Reckless Fast-Track App...SAFE is proud to back the Greenpeace initiated March for Nature to stand up against the government's reckless Fast-Track Approvals Bill. ...9 hours ago
- What does AI mean for Australian democracy? And what can we do about it?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zoe Jay Hawkins, Head of Policy Design at the Tech Policy Design Centre, Australian National University Dan Breckwoldt / Shutterstock Last week, the head of Australia’s election regulator warned the organisation “does not possess the legislative tools or internal technical capability ...9 hours ago
- What’s the difference between shyness and social anxiety?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kayla Steele, Postdoctoral research fellow and clinical psychologist, UNSW Sydney pathdoc/Shutterstock “What’s the difference?” is a new editorial product that explains the similarities and differences between commonly confused health and medical terms, and why they matter. The terms “shyness” and ...9 hours ago
- Generous perks equals happy workers? Not always. Here’s what employees really wantSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sunghoon Kim, Associate professor, University of Sydney Business School, University of Sydney WBMUL/Shutterstock Many Australian companies offer a range of benefits and perks to workers, hoping to attract top talent and strengthen employee loyalty. These might include a work car, free ...9 hours ago
- How long should everyday appliances last? Why NZ needs a minimum product lifespan lawSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Win Thandar Zaw, PhD Candidate, Te Piringa-Faculty of Law, University of Waikato borevina/Getty Images When a product or appliance fails, how often have you asked yourself whether it’s even worth fixing? Chances are, even if the item is repairable, the cost ...9 hours ago
- Live: Traffic jams as Budget Day 'Carkoi' protests set offPolice are warning of possible traffic disruption as protesters gathering for a national drive and hīkoi aimed at government policies. ...10 hours ago
- Five budget day takeaways from chats with Nicola Willis and Barbara EdmondsAhead of the budget being unveiled at 2pm, The Spinoff speaks to finance minister Nicola Willis and her Labour Party counterpart Barbara Edmonds. This is an extended write-up from today’s edition of The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s daily morning news wrap. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...11 hours ago
- Live Budget Day protests: Call for action across AotearoaProtesters are gathering for a national hīkoi aimed at government policies toward Māori and police are warning of possible traffic disruption. Follow RNZ's live blog. ...11 hours ago
- Public service cuts: Full scale to be revealed in Budget 2024Finance Minister Nicola Willis directed ministries and agencies to slash expenditure by either 6.5 percent or 7.5 percent to help reduce annual public service spending by $1.5 billion. ...12 hours ago
- Budget 2024: Tax cut details to be revealedNew Zealanders will find out just how much they will pocket from the coalition government's tax cuts when the full 2024 budget is unveiled this afternoon. ...13 hours ago
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He (Luxon) really is an empty vessel, and like most empty vessels, makes a lot of sound!
. . . "signifying nothing." McBeth.
And that's not even the most accurate bit of the quote… his rantings are, of course, "a tale told by an idiot"! Hopefully he'll strut and fret his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more.
[My fave speech in all Shakespeare, btw, nice pick! 👏👍👏]
The birds here certainly agree with you. All I hear every morning is "Chippy! Chippy! Chippy!" 😁
Luxon is pandering to the high value donors when he goes on these absurd little excursions into nonsense.
The odd word here , the hanging phrases there, its all deliberate
The other week it was the talk about 'double voting', which is how MMP works but he wanted to give a different coded message.
the only coded messages luxon is giving are saying" help me". he is so obviously out of his depth that even the nat hacks on granny herald are talking about it.
Micky, your posts are always sensible, reasonable, and perceptive. In the current climate of extremism, thank you. Our new PM is handling his role very well and people I know seem happy about how he is performing.
That 'photo flatters him, as it was taken when he was slim!!
Luxon's face showing his displeasure in some 'photos is not flattering and actually reveals his thinking imo.
Find some of those photos where he is clearly calculating Micky.
You mean like the second photo in this Stuff article from 2021?
Easy enough to take a screen shot of it, but I don't know how to paste it onto the Standard.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/127212385/why-christopher-luxons-first-question-time-was-a-success-but-also-showed-jacinda-arderns-extra-gears
He looks really vengeful in this photo – watch out, bottom-feeders!
Let’s if copying and pasting the image address works.
Or maybe that "breakfast of champions" wasnt sitting well ? Give that hollow man some prunes : )
Maybe the masthead photo was taken at the recent National Party Conference. The party leader surrounded by diehard National supporters.
Made me think of a new moniker – "The Not-very-good Shepherd"
Have to say…I wanted to hear it for myself. And, oh boy , Mr Luxon was sure getting off his (pre?) prepared track. Gotta wonder..would he maybe have preferred "Corin"… and not Guyon?
Hopefully more questioning of him…will reveal all. Such as it is. A hollow man ?
Could be. Luxon has a lot to be hollow about – seven houses for a start.
Five Labour MPs , three Green MPs and one ACT MP don't own a property.
Hey Luxon, how about giving that ACT MP a hand-up – the Nats have done it before.
National has always run a candidate in Epsom electorate, so dont 'step aside' in your words. Their candidate doesnt campaign must be what you mean, but the ACT member would still win even if National made a bigger effort. Its that sort of electorate.
The MMP flaw is the party threshold is a bit high ( it should be taken from the viable party size 4 or 5 Mps rather than fixed 4 or 5%) and the coat-tail should go.
"Stepped aside" [in 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2014 GEs] are Kirsty Johnston's words.
The increase in % and number of Epsom voters who cast their electorate vote for Hide did soar in 2005 (when ACT's party vote collapsed to from 7% to 1.5% nationally) and 2008, and yes, the influence of any Nat "hand-up" (my words) in 2005 under Brash (later leader of ACT), and in 2008 under Key, is debatable.
2002: 22% (7059 votes)
2005: 43% (15251 votes)
2008: 56% (21102 votes)
Agree about lowering the threshold (maybe in cautious 1% increments, to ~2%), and ditching coat-tailing.
The party threshold should the minimum number of votes to have a viable party , at least 4 maybe 5 Mps. I think about 4.2% will give you 5 Mps
An electorate MP is just that mostly on his/her/there own. But if you are going to be a party it needs to be viable for sittings in the house , committees and the staffers that do all the work
A variable % as a minimum to achieve a certain number of MPs then means something . Theres no rationale behind say 2% or 3%
A candidate can win with a majority of only one vote over their nearest rival and become an Electorate MP. Yet, a Party needs to receive 100,000 or more votes to be a ‘viable’ party and allowed to be in Parliament at all!?
If it is about the workload and efficiency of one MP on their own then Parliamentary Services need to ensure that they receive sufficient support to fulfil their duties & responsibility as a representative of the people. This should not depend on the size of a party. You got it completely wrong – the resources & efficiency should not limit representation in Parliament, only the number of votes received should limit it!
Whether one MP on their own calls themselves a Party or Independent is a red herring – irrespective, they represent a number of voters and that number is much greater than one.
Imho, your comment @6.1.1.1.1 contains a trivial inconsistency. As you say:
and
Fwiw, a "no rationale" 3% will give you 4 MPs. You’d be on former ground if you changed “at least 4” to ‘at least 5’.
https://elections.nz/stats-and-research/mmp-seat-allocation-calculator/
Yes. Its around 2.5% for 4 Mps and 3.6% for 5. Thanks for settling that
I expect a staffer prepares his briefing notes for him and he/she assumed Corin Dann would be the interviewer. Luxon just follows what he’s told.
The picture above of Chris Luxon doesn't look right. His head looks as though it's been planted on to another body. Even his hand on the fence looks odd in comparison to the rest of him. But it's good to see his followers behind him, bleating away about nothing, like their leader!
Meanwhile, Luxon is National's "…little experiment…"
Can see the phrase "…little experiment…" coming back to haunt the boy. Probably very soon after the window for a by-election closes and they can get rid of him cleanly, kinda…
The Nat voters I know can’t stand the guy, say he’s not up to the job and going to loose a dead cert election.
The words “little experiment” evoke so many negative connotations that are diminishing and misleading of Te Tiriti. I could write pages about it but in the end, it all comes down to Luxon’s personal set of values and expectations. For example, one would assume that to Luxon faith, family & friends, marriage, and parenthood, for example, are not ‘little experiments’ but long- if not life-time commitments that endure and overcome inevitable obstacles and difficulties. But each of these examples are also dynamic, they change over time, they grow, develop, and evolve. And the commitment endures, or doesn’t it, Mr Luxon? Luxon seems to view Te Tiriti more as some kind of (business?) contract or deal …
"Aye, that's the Tories fur ye"…
Luxton is National's Little Experiment which has gone horribly wrong.
Tax cuts and racism – as a political strategy this is the gift that keeps on giving and has proven highly successful in overseas elections from Brexit in the UK (getting rid of filthy Eastern European workers) to Modi in India (responsible for the massacre of over a 1000 Muslims) and Netanyahu in Israel (responsible for the deaths of thousands of Palestinian civilians). Nothing galvanizes the average voter more than the opportunity to kick the "underserving" in the face.
Luxon may not have blood on his hands (yet) but the forces he is tapping into are extremely dangerous to civil discourse and race relations, but likely to garner him huge amounts of support across the electorate.
Disturbing, yes. But is there evidence that it works in NZ?
Brash lost in 2005, Key won in 2008 by toning down the "Iwi/Kiwi" rhetoric.
"Huge amounts of support"? No polling evidence to suggest that. The loud are not the crowd, and headlines are not votes.
The more that voters learn about Luxon, the less they like him:
Latest poll numbers
Tick, tock … pick the date the cold blue knives go in his back, I'm sticking with May.
Luxon is a biggus dickus a wind up dildo who can't think on his feet.if he debates anyone of substance he will be found out.He sounds like a nagging school boy.He has had his time to impress and that plane has flown.there is no way back.National have no body to replace him so will have to stick with this luddite bellend.