I admire the courage, wisdom and leadership, as well as the calm, compassion and respect for others, she has shown in these challenging times. ~ The Dalai Lama
Now comes the hard part – alloying the base metals of NZ's poorly governed peoples into something brighter and stronger.
But she may have an easier task than National – tasked to rebuild with a tired crew of deadwood who survived on the list, while what little youth and talent they had fell away.
Greens winning AKL Central, which if they work hard could become a real stronghold and they’ll never have to worry about the bloody threshold again. And defying the MMP curse of small parties in government and growing their vote.
Māori Party back and perhaps another seat on the list, I’d like to see Debbie Ngarewa-Packer in the parliament.
And National really, really trounced. That hasn’t happened enough in my lifetime.
Yes feels great this morning. Best possible outcome ever!
Did anyone else watching one get sick of Niki Kayes poor me, the boys are hurting stance? Ok a tough night for her, but it was all about how hard it was fort them. Her commentary was all “when you get a broad swing like this” as if it was some random event. Gerry was working so hard and everyone else in Nats so much talent. Woe is me! They just can’t take a lot of personal responsibility can they. She ran the coup that ended up being part of the train wreck…….
but maybe a poor choice of guest by TVNZ………Liam Hehir a Tory, had some worthy commentary.
iswitched to three a couple of times, but it looked a bit nasty over there with Pagani (who someone on the Standard reprted)she thought labour would end up with 43%
Well Trotter found time to write an interesting piece on cannabis though. He had said already all the things that were mouthed yesterday. And putting him next to Boag is not reasonable. He speaks to the problems and shows us scenarios of what the others might do given a chance. It alerts those with active brains!
In this election I split my vote, giving my electorate vote to Jessica Hammond (TOP), and my party vote to the Green Party. It was gratifying to see Jessica finish 3rd behind Labour and National, as in 2017, with 3800 odd votes (2017 – 2800 odd) a 33% increase. I suspect, though I haven't yet looked at other electorates, that TOP may have maintained its support in the electorates but lost party vote support. Probably many TOP supporters, like me, would have given their party vote to other parties on the assumption that TOP would not score 5% anyway.
I think I have come up with an appropriate soundtrack for the visuals of the inevitable slow-mo media parade of the losers…it is the chorus from the recently released (and an instant stone-cold classic..b.t.w…) from local artist Reb Fountain..it's called 'don't you know who I am..?'..and I would submit it strikes just the right note of plaintive incredulity ..
Wednesday 14th – working in New Plymouth, stayed in motel. Ship he worked on is en route to Napier.
Returned home to Auckland.
Thursday 15th – at home in Auckland.
As for ASB and Kaikoura Fish and Chip Shop naming rights to Eden Park.
1. A fisherman is home from the sea with food for newsmedia.
2. You can read the results of the election in fish and chip wrapping paper before the test starts.
(some people know how to do this)
3. The plan is to hunt the deer in the electorate headlights for the cull swing comes for them
4. In the north where the young mother is PM bares her breasts within Fin’ish fashion, whereas in the south another seeks to return to her place as head of her party down under in a place where the Maori word for fish and head have something to do with a grandmothers jaw bone and leaving someone behind to take care of the older women so they are safe.
5. Sometimes different colours involve different accents, but only here are we free, old and young, of COVID.
And so in the end, it came down to how many stars/tries were awarded, to determine the winner in the day. The end.
PS The journalist knows it is all about narrative and being the one who prevails as heroic resilient character of the story by its end.
A few Questions for you avant-garde Auckland Types with your fancy Post-modern Hairdos (if you'd be so kind as to reply at your earliest convenience)
I'm thinking of looking at the geography of the Vote (incl the swing). Amongst other things, I want to break Auckland down into its constituent regions … (1) Central/City …… (2) East …… (3) West …… (4) South …… (5) North Shore.
Q1: Where the hell does Panmure-Otahuhu go ? I've tentatively stuck it under Central/City … but seems a liitle bit East & a little bit South as well.
Q2: Upper Harbour … North Shore or West ? … (have it under NS at moment)
Q3: Whangaparaoa .. include in NS ? … otherwise would need to go under Upper NI Provincial
Q4: Papakura = presumably South ? (given overwhelming majority of voters in this seat are located in southern extreme of Urban Auckland). But clearly larger rural component than other Auckland seats.
Throw this parochial old Wellingtonian a friggin bone for Chrissakes ! Or I’ll have the Rozzers onto ya.
Panmure-Otahuhu is mine. We used to be Maungakiekie before the boundary change. If demographics are the most important criteria I’d say the following.
Panmure-Otahuhu = South Auckland.
Partly geographically, but almost wholly demographically. The bit that is East is Panmure and Glen Innes. They are slowly being gentrified but still loads of state housing there.
Upper Harbour = North Shore
Load of new housing there, particularly in the area which crosses into West Auckland. It capture Massey but this is a small part.
Whangaparaoa = North Shore
It’s a well developed suburb and an extension of the Northern suburbs rather than an independent regional entity.
Papakura = East Auckland
It is mostly wealthy rural Clevedon which is where Collins gets her support from.
Hmm Papakura is geographically way south. Collins also gets support from the flash new developments at Karaka and thereabouts. But the old town centre is still very South Auckland and not benefiting from the new money
Might have had a case for that before the last boundary change but the Papakura electorate is now rural despite the 'old town centre'. The 'old town centre' will have less and less significance in the future with a lot of new developments slated for the areas south and west of Papakura itself.
Hate to disagree with any other Standardista this morning, while still celebrating, but was brought up in Maungarei (Mt Wellington) and consider it to be central Auckland rather than South, although Otahuhu would be considered South, Panmure definitely not. Maungakiekie is One Tree Hill, and more Penrose/Green Lane.
Papakura is also another place I've called home, and it is definitely South. However, as Muttonbird says, there is a lot of money in certain parts of Papakura, and that money does not like hearing it said that they live in South Auckland.
South Auckland apparently is a state of mind. Primarily, where the brown and poor are located, despite geographic location. Which is why you are bizarrely told that Panmure is south, while Papakura, located further south – is not. (The geographical spread of Papakura does go east, but the population spread is predominantly south.)
I think I explained this, Molly. I weighted the descriptions demographically rather than geographically. For the purposes of the intent of electorate capture, Panmure and most of Glen Innes are definitely South Auckland.
You may have been brought up under Maungarei but I live here right now. I know who my neighbours are.
Here's Papakura in 2020. One thing it is not is South Auckland!
Though I am happy to re-advise Swordfish Papakura should probably go into his ‘Upper NI Provincial’ category. In fact it would be a better fit than East Auckland.
Re-enforcing that, this map excludes Papakura entirely from Auckland Metro.
If you go further south than Papakura, as you have it – then you are in Waikato.
The majority of the population of Papakura are South Aucklanders. The majority of the people who would refer to themselves as East, are probably living east, but are still in the minority when it comes to population.
As for the living here now, comment…
Great, but all sports codes and school competitions etc were with other central/East Auckland schools and groups. The differentiation you speak of existing presently, is due to snobbery and gentrification. The estuary divided Panmure/central from Pakuranga/East. But Mt Wellington was never considered South. Otahuhu was, but just because it was located after Mt Wellington highway joined the Southern Motorway. Your concept ignores history, and is based on feels.
(PS. Glad you found out you live in Maungarei, and not Maungakiekie. Will make finding your way around easier. )
Rubbish. The new Papakura boundaries capture a huge rural area as you can see. Swordfish will no doubt be able to tell us from booth breakdowns where Collins got her support from – I'm picking most of it was from Clevedon/Whitford way. As shown above at least one graphic does not even include Papakura as part of Auckland.
Frankly, I don't think you have much of an idea what Auckland looks like now and appear completely lost on the new electorate boundaries. I explained this also but perhaps you didn't bother reading it; in 2017 we lived in Maungakiekie electorate, in 2020 we live in Panmure-Otahuhu electorate, same house…in Mt Wellington/Maungarei.
A note for you; while both Mt Wellington/Maungarei and One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie describe suburbs of Auckland, only one is also the name of an electorate.
" The new Papakura boundaries capture a huge rural area as you can see. "
Which follows much of the previous Papakura District Council and Manukau District boundaries. Both were considered south Auckland authorities. Still doesn't mean that the majority of the population live there. I would say that most of them are located close to the Southern motorway. There is a cohort of people who quite rightly, although they are in the Papakura electorate would consider themselves East. Because they are east geographically. But the majority would be located in the southern part of the electorate.
Swordfish, was asking whether we considered Panmure/Otahuhu south. I don't because I thought south was a location rather than a demographic. South always started at the crossroads of Mt Wellington highway and the southern motorway. Everything else was considered central. That remains true, despite boundary changes. Maungakiekie is definitely central, and so is Maungarei. Otahuhu on the other hand is the traditional beginning of South Auckland so there is a crossover of that electorate boundary. But looking at your map, I would still consider the bulk of it to be central.
You however, referred to areas being "demographically" south, and that is something that I'm not going to touch with a bargepole as it that perspective that makes you believe that Papakura only only East because Judith Collins and Whitford.
BTW, South Aucklanders are very used to being left out of Auckland maps. The Wikipedia entry is not alone in ignoring vast swathes and populations of Auckland.
Swordfish wanted to know where to place the new electorate Panmure-Otahuhu for his research: Central, East, or South Auckland. I rightly said South Auckland.
You didn't give an answer and went on to confuse electorates and suburbs.
“You didn’t give an answer and went on to confuse electorates and suburbs.”
Yes, fair enough… But you were giving these electorates designations that already exist within Auckland, and I disagreed with you in the way you definitively made those choices.
The Panmure/Otahuhu electorate crosses the boundaries of Central and South Auckland. Designating it only South Auckland is a choice. But the same choice can be made for designating it only central. Why can't we just say the distinction is arbitrary?
Calling Papakura only east is a problem. Because although it involves people who would consider themselves South Aucklanders there are others that would recoil in horror at that designation. Both groups are right, there are some in the Papakura electorate that live in East Auckland, but I would say the majority live South.
In actual fact, I agree with DTB (on the other thread) that the distinction is probably pointless. The diversity of lived experiences of those within both electorates are most likely immense. What data or information is going to be found by the grouping?
Ok. The reason I'm certain Panmure-Otahuhu should be placed in South Auckland for the purposes of Swordfish's research is the suburbs which incorporate this new electorate are Papatoetoe, Otara, Otahuhu, industrial Westfield, largely industrial Mt Wellington, Panmure, and Pt England.
The demographic of these suburbs are about the same, low income worker families, beneficiaries, and state house residents.
I looked at the Electoral Commission website to find out what factors a boundary review takes into account. I wanted to show that household income is a factor where possible. It doesn't say that explicitly but the Representation Commission does consider factors such as communities of interest.
I actually found the Electoral Commission's info on this pretty useless because to me it's obvious electorate boundaries are drawn where possible to contain similar socio-economic peoples.
This makes sense because their elected representative is likely to be able to satisfy the interests of most people within an electorate rather than having to juggle competing interests.
This is not always possible while also satisfying their main objective which appears to be ensuring all electorates contain the same number of people, about 65,000. That I guess is why anomalies occur such as having to put some low income families in Papakura in the same electorate as horse breeding Karaka and lifestyle block owning Clevedon.
And it names Wanganui National Party member Tony Stuart as the man behind the Keeping Stock political blog.
When contacted by the Chronicle yesterday, Mr Stuart confirmed it was true. Keeping Stock is a right-wing blog and Mr Stuart is also frequently on Twitter under the same name.
He was named in the New Zealand Herald's list of tweeters to follow throughout the election.
However since then, Mr Stuart has deactivated his @Inventory2 Twitter account.
Keeping Stock's tagline is "an eclectic mix of some of the finer things in life – politics, sport, music, humour and God", and Mr Stuart has been writing the blog for seven years, as a hobby.
He said he was considering its future in the wake of the Dirty Politics furore. Until Hager's book, the name behind the blog had been anonymous, which Mr Stuart said was for personal reasons.
There was no suggestion of any wrongdoing on Keeping Stock's behalf and Mr Stuart said he didn't engage with politicians to get information for his blog.
Keeping Stock's brief mention in Dirty Politics comes on page 50 after Cameron Slater posted the name and contact details of public servant Simon Pleasants on his Whale Oil blog. Mr Stuart wrote two comments under that post which read "Superb work Cam!" and "I wonder if Mr Pleasants will get a less-than-pleasant invitation to have a wee chat with his boss sometime this morning … "
The Whale Oil blog accused Mr Pleasants of working on behalf of the Labour Party while a public servant.
Mr Stuart said he would look at the future of the blog in the coming weeks.
Shipley,of all their leaders changes, got their worst ever ballot box. John Key,was asked once, what politician inspired you to dare be Prime Minister, he replied Jenny Shipley.
Why are there only 40 odd comments here? There's no spirit on the left for these people. I didn't even see spirit on the part of Matamata Jacinda. The BBC has tagged her even. 'Be kind' but leave the neediest behind.
The Left should speak up. Not only is it true but it's the thing you cu-rmudgeons treasure most, politic.
Why do you defend them — the 'art of the possible' from '84 over the rationality of the necessary? When the former will sink us in 8 years. It's just our present comfort. 90 % of the West agrees with you.
Letters columns. It pays you and your missus.
20 years on you'll be doing Cormac McCarthy's 'The Road'. and I will have had a reasonably long life of the utmost comfort.
I've just mentioned your and Bowalley's overactive oversight, it killing the Left in preference for a not particularly Left party. Martyn doesn't moderate at all these days.
Lprent maybe wouldn't have got "The Road' reference, You're another CV kid like Jacinda and Grant. So you'll go far, except there is no far anymore — see 'The Road ' reference.
The Left is dead about this victory. Nil excitement.
You seem a confused person who’s conflating quite a number of things and people.
All TS Authors and Moderators act as volunteers on this site and spend their free time to their best ability on making it work as well as possible. The whole platform is free to anyone to comment as long as they stick to the simple and lenient rules set out in the site’s Policy.
If you have an issue with Moderation, take it up with Lprent or leave TS for TDB.
Lastly, before you start criticising people whom you don’t know from a bar of soap you may want to give some pause to your assumptions as they could easily morph into assertions and/or personal attacks that you cannot back up nor defend.
You just seem shallow and ignorant to me, befitting some younger crawler. Just my impression. Maybe you're an old cove who doesn't know anything. Seen plenty of'm.
I'm certain there's something technical in the above para that can get me kicked off so as to maintain your pure, and rapidly diminishing, 'Left'. The endless but slightly worthwhile footnotery TS is known for.
A number of years ago I came across The Standard for information. I decided to hang around because it was and is such a rewarding place for those who’d like to learn and educate themselves. I’m still learning much here, almost every day.
Moderation is a bit like pest control, i.e. to weed out comments and commenters who make it harder for others to thrive here. This has nothing to do with one’s political leanings but everything with one’s behaviour here. The Standard has no policy to maintain or even advocate for some kind of ideological ‘purity’; it is a pathetic straw man used by those who have no argument or are too lazy to think and put some effort into a constructive criticism.
Sniders such as you contribute very little to the commentary here. Depending how (ob)noxious the weed is, it will be dealt with accordingly.
It is not my habit to divulge personal information here but for you I’ll make an exception. I chose this book for my reading list of English Literature when I was at secondary school: Hurry on Down by John Wain. It was a prescient choice I can say now in hindsight.
Para2: doesn't wash with me. Your blog has a reputation for over the top command directives. For the 1984 establishment in my personal experience. 'Pest control'. I have zero affect on others, they all ignore me.
Para 3: 'sniders'! I love it for the word. And you carry on threatening me, proving my point.
You're a bit of a sniffling wonder. There's this thing called social democracy in which I grew up in and for which all the best of my (younger) generation is presenting their chins to reality now.
Reason and demo-cracy are the vital reality. All the endless details here are third-ary and more.
Don't fight me, I'm (NZ) Scots, we can't be beat and anyway we come entirely self-defeating.
As it is, at the moment, you come across as Labour’s future Jamie Lee Ross.
[One thing I’ve learned here is that there’s no point arguing with the obnoxious. I’m too soft and tend to give self-digging gravediggers the benefit of doubt and without exception, they start digging harder and deeper. Human stupidity continues to amaze me.
Ad paragraph 2:
This is not my blog. I’ve already explained I’m merely a volunteer here. Unlike other blogs, this site has clear, simple and lenient rules to encourage robust debate and unlike other sites, this site is serious about that.
I have no idea what “the 1984 establishment” has to do with this site or its founders and trustees but if it fits in your view of the world then so be it.
You have very little ‘effect’ on others here because you contribute next to nothing here. The upshot is that you won’t be missed 😉
Ad paragraph 3:
A snider is an obnoxious commenter who makes snide remarks. Like most obnoxious weeds here, you conflate a warning with a threat.
I’m not fighting you and nobody is trying to beat you. Moderation is all about making sure that we have robust debate here and that nobody feels excluded because of obnoxious sniders, for example. I tried to give you a warning, several in fact, and the benefit of doubt. You opted to ignore it.
You keep calling me names – a “future Jamie Lee Ross”?? – and keep on barking up so many wrong trees that your carbon offset must be larger than that of a medium-size coal-powered electricity generator. You should have read this site’s policy and/or read today’s topical Post A bit about how The Standard works. If you had done either, you would have known that attacking Moderators is a sure fire way of getting banned.
Ad paragraph 4:
You missed your opportunity to discuss relevant literature. I shared personal information with in good faith and you completely ignored it. That hurts!!
Because I’ve already banned a notorious gravedigger tonight, I’ll reserve judgement on you – Incognito]
McCarthy's 'The Road' describes a desperate situation very soon after the most sophisticated of societies. Climate change by the models and the facts always ahead of the forecasts will bring that round in my lifetime. So a violent death by starvation or assault by the other desperate.
And in our political scene, more roaring by the Left to match Trump's idiocy for the rich. Except Jacinda raising her voice would be notable. Makes me cry our present hopeless complacence prior to the end of everything.
The present twits are Jace and Grant at about 40. Honed to a fine point by Clarkian watchful caution. And many other useful careerists.
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The land around Lyme Regis, where Meryl Streep once stood, in a hood, on the Cobb, is falling into the sea.MerylThe land around Lyme Regis, around the Cobb that made it rich, has always been falling slowly but surely into the sea. Read more ...
Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was bound to win headlines when he set out his thinking about AUKUS in his speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. The headlines became bigger when – during an interview on RNZ’s Morning Report today – he criticised ...
The Post reports on how the government is refusing to release its advice on its corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law, instead using the "soon to be publicly available" refusal ground to hide it until after select committee submissions on the bill have closed. Fast-track Minister Chris Bishop's excuse? “It's not ...
As pressure on it grows, the livestock industry’s approach to the transition to Net Zero is increasingly being compared to that of fossil fuel interests. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above ...
The New Zealand Herald reports – Stats NZ has offered a voluntary redundancy scheme to all of its workers as a way to give staff some control over their “future” amidst widespread job losses in the public sector. In an update to staff this morning, seen by the Herald, Statistics New Zealand ...
On Werewolf/Scoop, I usually do two long form political columns a week. From now on, there will be an extra column each week about music and movies. But first, some late-breaking political events:The rise in unemployment numbers for the March quarter was bigger than expected – and especially sharp ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: TVNZ says it is dealing with about 50 formal complaints over its coverage of the latest 1News-Verian political poll, with some viewers – as well as the Prime Minister and a former senior Labour MP – critical of the tone of the 6pm report. ...
Muriel Newman writes – When Meridian Energy was seeking resource consents for a West Coast hydro dam proposal in 2010, local Maori “strenuously” objected, claiming their mana was inextricably linked to ‘their’ river and could be damaged. After receiving a financial payment from the company, however, the Ngai Tahu ...
Alwyn Poole writes – “An SEP,’ he said, ‘is something that we can’t see, or don’t see, or our brain doesn’t let us see, because we think that it’s somebody else’s problem. That’s what SEP means. Somebody Else’s Problem. The brain just edits it out, it’s like a ...
Our trust in our political institutions is fast eroding, according to a Maxim Institute discussion paper, Shaky Foundations: Why our democracy needs trust. The paper – released today – raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand’s political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency ...
This article was prepared for publication yesterday. More ministerial announcements have been posted on the government’s official website since it was written. We will report on these later today …. Buzz from the BeehiveThere we were, thinking the environment is in trouble, when along came Jones. Shane Jones. ...
New Zealand now has the fourth most depressed construction sector in the world behind China, Qatar and Hong Kong. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 8:46am on Thursday, May 2:The Lead: ...
Hi,I am just going to state something very obvious: American police are fucking crazy.That was a photo gracing the New York Times this morning, showing New York City police “entering Columbia University last night after receiving a request from the school.”Apparently in America, protesting the deaths of tens of thousands ...
Winston Peters’ much anticipated foreign policy speech last night was a work of two halves. Much of it was a standard “boilerplate” Foreign Ministry overview of the state of the world. There was some hardening up of rhetoric with talk of “benign” becoming “malign” and old truths giving way to ...
Graham Adams assesses the fallout of the Cass Review — The press release last Thursday from the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls didn’t make the mainstream news in New Zealand but it really should have. The startling title of Reem Alsalem’s statement — “Implementation of ‘Cass ...
This open-for-business, under-new-management cliché-pockmarked government of Christopher Luxon is not the thing of beauty he imagines it to be. It is not the powerful expression of the will of the people that he asserts it to be. It is not a soaring eagle, it is a malodorous vulture. This newest poll should make ...
The latest labour market statistics, showing a rise in unemployment. There are now 134,000 unemployed - 14,000 more than when the National government took office. Which is I guess what happens when the Reserve Bank causes a recession in an effort to Keep Wages Low. The previous government saw a ...
Three opinion polls have been released in the last two days, all showing that the new government is failing to hold their popular support. The usual honeymoon experienced during the first year of a first term government is entirely absent. The political mood is still gloomy and discontented, mainly due ...
National's Finance Minister once met a poor person.A scornful interview with National's finance guru who knows next to nothing about economics or people.There might have been something a bit familiar if that was the headline I’d gone with today. It would of course have been in tribute to the article ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”.As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...
Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of Māori land. ...
A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co. Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government. I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America. “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says. “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Stories from the tenancy trenches, featuring spider infestations, cupboard rats and same-sex discrimination. Lucy’s brother was living in a damp 1930s building in Mt Eden where “he had to tie the cupboard doors closed so the rats didn’t get in”. Although he shared custody of his six-year-old son, his property ...
Simeon Brown, Chris Luxon, and Wayne Brown climbed into a hole and announced a plan to solve Auckland’s water woes. This is how it’ll work. New Zealand’s pipes are munted. They’re cracked and leaking, and struggling to handle all the extra poos excreted by our rising population. It’s a big, ...
I knew Taika Waititi quite well when he was a kid. His mother lived in a tall narrow house in Aro St, and my youngest sister had a similar house two doors along. They were both single mums, they each had a son aged seven. Taika and my nephew Stepan ...
Opinion: “As time passes, knowledge of the circumstances of the August 2016 outbreak will fade and its immediate impact will be lost.” This statement is from the 2017 report of the Official Inquiry into the Havelock North campylobacteriosis outbreak. The then National-led government established the inquiry after the outbreak left ...
Opinion: Nicholas Khoo looks at two key points in the high-stakes foreign policy pact debate – and asks if NZ can engage with as little drama as possible. The post Where to next for the Aukus ruckus? appeared first on Newsroom. ...
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Opinion: ‘Reference-class forecasting’ is at the heart of improving pricing a project and identifying the expected timeframe but it doesn’t appear to be in use here The post ‘Think fast and act slowly’ is failing big projects appeared first on Newsroom. ...
What do a sombrero in Argentina and cognitive driving tests have in common? Don’t worry, we’re not setting up a bad joke. Hinengaro Clinic dementia clinician Gregory Winkelman has the answer on today’s episode of The Detail. “We ask a patient’s spouse or son or daughter: If you went to ...
Wellington long jumper Phoebe Edwards is back and she’s having fun again. Until this year, Edwards, a top athlete in her teens, had never competed as a senior athlete in New Zealand. In March, the 26-year-old won a national long jump title in a lifetime best of 6.28m after ...
After replacing a fifth of their caucus in just four months, the Greens’ opportunity to reset, reshuffle and refocus on the Government is quickly slipping away The post Persistent Green Party scandals delay caucus reset appeared first on Newsroom. ...
ANALYSIS:By Olli Hellmann, University of Waikato When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day today on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also to mark a defining event for national identity. The battle of Gallipoli against ...
By Robin Martin, RNZ News reporter A New Zealand local authority, Whanganui District Council, has passed a motion calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, condemnation of all acts of violence and terror against civilians on both sides of the conflict and the immediate return of hostages. It comes as ...
Asia Pacific Report The Aotearoa chapter of the Women’s International league for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) has appealed to the New Zealand government to call out Israel over the “cruel and barbaric use of force” in Gaza and demand a permanent ceasefire. The league’s open letter was sent to Prime ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government will invest $566 million over a decade on data, maps and other tools to promote exploration and development in Australia’s resources industry. The project will fund “the first comprehensive map of what’s ...
Asia Pacific Report Following an open letter by Auckland University academics speaking out in support of their students’ right to protest against the genocidal Israeli war on Gaza, a group of academics at Otago University have today also called on New Zealand academic institutions to “repair colonial violence” and end ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Linda J. Graham, Professor and Director of the Centre for Inclusive Education, Queensland University of Technology Ryan Tauss/ Unsplash, CC BY Two male students have been expelled from a Melbourne private school for their involvement in a list ranking female students. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The Reserve Bank is now assuming Australians will see no interest rate cuts this year – and quite possibly none before the next federal election, due next May. That’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Hayward, Emeritus Professor of Public Policy, RMIT University The Victorian budget offered more of the same on Tuesday, with the only change being how the budget papers were packaged. The usual shrink wrap was gone, hinting at savings in the pages ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Coalition is demanding extensive amendments to the government’s legislation targeting non-citizens who refuse to co-operate with their removal. In a dissenting report to the senate inquiry into the legislation, the Coalition says it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vanita Yadav, Senior Research Fellow, Urban Transformations Research Centre, Western Sydney University Brett Boardman/Belvoir The complex and grappling issue of violence against women takes centre stage in the soul-stirring solo dance drama Nayika: A Dancing Girl. During a dinner conversation ...
Disruption to patient care from a nationwide junior doctors strike is bordering on unsafe, a senior doctor claims, despite what health officials say. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Diepstraten, Senior Research Officer, Blood Cells and Blood Cancer Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute Ground Picture/Shutterstock The anti-cancer drug abemaciclib (also known as Vernezio) has this month been added to the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to treat certain ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dominic McAfee, Postdoctoral researcher, marine ecology, University of Adelaide Robbie Porter, OzFish Unlimited Around Australia, hundreds of people are coming together to help a once-prized, but decimated and largely forgotten marine ecosystem. They’re busy restoring Australia’s native oyster and mussel reefs. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sara Webb, Lecturer, Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Swinburne University of Technology Austin Human/Unsplash How does Earth stop meteors from hitting Earth and hurting people? –Asher, 6 years 11 months, New South Wales Alright, let’s embark on a meteor ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rory Mulcahy, Associate Professor of Marketing, University of the Sunshine Coast Professional sports organisations regularly promote and develop initiatives to support diversity, equity and inclusion. While sport has the power to change attitudes by sparking conversations about political issues and social ...
Comment: The weekly Monday post-Cabinet press conference is a useful forum for observing Christopher Luxon and how he is developing into the job of Prime Minister. He attempts to convey the impression of a man of action, speaking fast, delivering memorised National Party strategies in a connect-the-slogans kind of way, ...
Double votes, missing ballot boxes, tired tech and stressed staff: how tick-tallying went astray at last year’s election. Cast your mind back to November 2023, that bleary-eyed post-election period duringwhichwewaited, andwaited, for a coalition deal to be hammered out. A distraction from the hotel-hopping of our ...
International audiences are starting to discover what New Zealand already knew about After the Party.When After the Party aired in New Zealand last year, the response was fast and furious. In his preview for Rec Room, Duncan Greive said it was a “gritty, wrenching and highly confronting” series. By ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shahram Akbarzadeh, Convenor of the Middle East Studies Forum (MESF), and Acting Director the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University Iran’s leadership has been a direct beneficiary of the months-long war in Gaza. With every missile that Israel fires ...
Claire Mabey reviews the haunting and sexy debut novel from Sinéad Gleeson, who is about to touch down in Aotearoa for a string of live events.When Irish writer Sinéad Gleeson was in Aotearoa in 2018 with her spectacular collection of essays, Constellations, she told me she was working on ...
PNG Post-Courier Bougainville Affairs Minister Manasseh Makiba has described the Post-Courier’s front page story yesterday regarding a meeting between Bougainville and national government leaders as “sensationalised” and without substance. The Autonomous Bougainville Government (AGB) had warned it might use “other avenues to gain its independence” should the PNG government “continue ...
Where some saw the worst press conference given by the government to date, Anna Rawhiti-Connell recognised girl maths game.Nicola Willis, recently exasperated by comparisons to Ruth Richardson, said she was “a bit sick of being compared with every female finance minister that’s ever been out there.”Some think that’s ...
The March results are reported against forecasts based on the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update 2023 (HYEFU 2023), published on 20 December 2023 and the results for the same period for the previous year. ...
Jamie Arbuckle, the district councillor who became an MP but decided to keep getting paid for both roles, will instead donate one salary to charity. ...
Adding gender to the Human Rights Act would simply make the implicit explicit. So why is it so controversial? Paul Thistoll explain. At present, Aotearoa’s 1993 Human Rights Act (HRA) includes sex, marital status, religious belief, ethical belief (meaning a lack of religious belief), colour, race, ethnicity or national origin, ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jane Kelsey, Emeritus Professor of Law, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images Resources Minister Shane Jones has reportedly asked officials for advice on whether oil and gas companies could be offered “bonds” as compensation if drilling rights offered by ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yen Ying Lim, Associate Professor, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio Dementia is often described as “the long goodbye”. Although the person is still alive, dementia slowly and irreversibly chips away at their memories and the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Judy Bush, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, The University of Melbourne Adam Calaitzis/Shutterstock I met with a friend for a walk beside Merri Creek, in inner Melbourne. She had lived in the area for a few years, and as we walked ...
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I admire the courage, wisdom and leadership, as well as the calm, compassion and respect for others, she has shown in these challenging times. ~ The Dalai Lama
Now comes the hard part – alloying the base metals of NZ's poorly governed peoples into something brighter and stronger.
But she may have an easier task than National – tasked to rebuild with a tired crew of deadwood who survived on the list, while what little youth and talent they had fell away.
I barely have a voice this morning.
The morning after the night before – and it still feels great!
My faith in NZ'ers is restored somewhat. They actually were paying attention. – General election.
My faith in campaigning and the power of grassroots has been restored – Chloe Swarbrick.
Now, will the PM who preaches teamwork discard her previous partners? I'd like to think no.
When will we know?
She is not the only one who gets a say in that. Are there still some FPP mindsets amongst those who do?
Got everything I wanted last night.
Labour majority.
Greens winning AKL Central, which if they work hard could become a real stronghold and they’ll never have to worry about the bloody threshold again. And defying the MMP curse of small parties in government and growing their vote.
Māori Party back and perhaps another seat on the list, I’d like to see Debbie Ngarewa-Packer in the parliament.
And National really, really trounced. That hasn’t happened enough in my lifetime.
Gerry doing a mea culpa on NatRad right now for his dumbarse Covid conspiracy comments. My morning is just getting better and better.
Did anyone else watching one get sick of Niki Kayes poor me, the boys are hurting stance? Ok a tough night for her, but it was all about how hard it was fort them. Her commentary was all “when you get a broad swing like this” as if it was some random event. Gerry was working so hard and everyone else in Nats so much talent. Woe is me! They just can’t take a lot of personal responsibility can they. She ran the coup that ended up being part of the train wreck…….
but maybe a poor choice of guest by TVNZ………Liam Hehir a Tory, had some worthy commentary.
iswitched to three a couple of times, but it looked a bit nasty over there with Pagani (who someone on the Standard reprted)she thought labour would end up with 43%
I can't watch anything involving Josie Pagani. She's a professional Job's comforter and annoys the crap out of me.
Well done excellent result
Right you fuckers you got no excuses now . You've had 3 years, nzf is gone, get to work .
Was that jacket David Seymour had on when he arrived via boat a life jacket or just a wet weather jacket?
If it was not an inflatable life jacket then he should be called out for lack of boat safety.
Is there a job Kelv can do? Minister of Racing? Minister of Defence But Don't Touch A Bloody Thing?
He seems to handle his portfolios well – just not the communications/media stuff.
Minister for Phil Twyford.
my faith in the MSM restored. I hope their ratings trash the opposition's.
https://twitter.com/VodBox_IO/status/1317413558108352512
very pleased that trotter and boag have finally been ignored for election coverage.
Well Trotter found time to write an interesting piece on cannabis though. He had said already all the things that were mouthed yesterday. And putting him next to Boag is not reasonable. He speaks to the problems and shows us scenarios of what the others might do given a chance. It alerts those with active brains!
https://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/2020/10/fitz-on-cannabis.html
an OK weekend for the fam
https://twitter.com/NZClarke/status/1317716028676173826?s=20
In this election I split my vote, giving my electorate vote to Jessica Hammond (TOP), and my party vote to the Green Party. It was gratifying to see Jessica finish 3rd behind Labour and National, as in 2017, with 3800 odd votes (2017 – 2800 odd) a 33% increase. I suspect, though I haven't yet looked at other electorates, that TOP may have maintained its support in the electorates but lost party vote support. Probably many TOP supporters, like me, would have given their party vote to other parties on the assumption that TOP would not score 5% anyway.
I think I have come up with an appropriate soundtrack for the visuals of the inevitable slow-mo media parade of the losers…it is the chorus from the recently released (and an instant stone-cold classic..b.t.w…) from local artist Reb Fountain..it's called 'don't you know who I am..?'..and I would submit it strikes just the right note of plaintive incredulity ..
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/428581/covid-19-patients-suffered-harassment-and-abuse
Poor petals.
Dr. Bloomfield is fronting a special announcement at 1 pm – 10 mins away.
From Ashley’s briefing.
1 community case. Port worker.
Wednesday 14th – working in New Plymouth, stayed in motel. Ship he worked on is en route to Napier.
Returned home to Auckland.
Thursday 15th – at home in Auckland.
A reminder there is no room for complacency.
Is Bloomfield going to rain on the parade?
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/10/livestream-dr-bloomfield-to-provide-covid-19-update-after-case-of-infectious-disease-reportedly-detected-in-auckland.html
Or is he going to demonstrate that everything's working?
As for ASB and Kaikoura Fish and Chip Shop naming rights to Eden Park.
1. A fisherman is home from the sea with food for newsmedia.
2. You can read the results of the election in fish and chip wrapping paper before the test starts.
(some people know how to do this)
3. The plan is to hunt the deer in the electorate headlights for the cull swing comes for them
4. In the north where the young mother is PM bares her breasts within Fin’ish fashion, whereas in the south another seeks to return to her place as head of her party down under in a place where the Maori word for fish and head have something to do with a grandmothers jaw bone and leaving someone behind to take care of the older women so they are safe.
5. Sometimes different colours involve different accents, but only here are we free, old and young, of COVID.
And so in the end, it came down to how many stars/tries were awarded, to determine the winner in the day. The end.
PS The journalist knows it is all about narrative and being the one who prevails as heroic resilient character of the story by its end.
.
A few Questions for you avant-garde Auckland Types with your fancy Post-modern Hairdos (if you'd be so kind as to reply at your earliest convenience)
I'm thinking of looking at the geography of the Vote (incl the swing). Amongst other things, I want to break Auckland down into its constituent regions … (1) Central/City …… (2) East …… (3) West …… (4) South …… (5) North Shore.
Q1: Where the hell does Panmure-Otahuhu go ? I've tentatively stuck it under Central/City … but seems a liitle bit East & a little bit South as well.
Q2: Upper Harbour … North Shore or West ? … (have it under NS at moment)
Q3: Whangaparaoa .. include in NS ? … otherwise would need to go under Upper NI Provincial
Q4: Papakura = presumably South ? (given overwhelming majority of voters in this seat are located in southern extreme of Urban Auckland). But clearly larger rural component than other Auckland seats.
Throw this parochial old Wellingtonian a friggin bone for Chrissakes ! Or I’ll have the Rozzers onto ya.
Looking forward to your fascinating and enlightening breakdown of the data.
Panmure-Otahuhu is mine. We used to be Maungakiekie before the boundary change. If demographics are the most important criteria I’d say the following.
Panmure-Otahuhu = South Auckland.
Partly geographically, but almost wholly demographically. The bit that is East is Panmure and Glen Innes. They are slowly being gentrified but still loads of state housing there.
Upper Harbour = North Shore
Load of new housing there, particularly in the area which crosses into West Auckland. It capture Massey but this is a small part.
Whangaparaoa = North Shore
It’s a well developed suburb and an extension of the Northern suburbs rather than an independent regional entity.
Papakura = East Auckland
It is mostly wealthy rural Clevedon which is where Collins gets her support from.
Cheers, M … appreciate the help.
Hmm Papakura is geographically way south. Collins also gets support from the flash new developments at Karaka and thereabouts. But the old town centre is still very South Auckland and not benefiting from the new money
Might have had a case for that before the last boundary change but the Papakura electorate is now rural despite the 'old town centre'. The 'old town centre' will have less and less significance in the future with a lot of new developments slated for the areas south and west of Papakura itself.
Hi swordfish,
Hate to disagree with any other Standardista this morning, while still celebrating, but was brought up in Maungarei (Mt Wellington) and consider it to be central Auckland rather than South, although Otahuhu would be considered South, Panmure definitely not. Maungakiekie is One Tree Hill, and more Penrose/Green Lane.
Papakura is also another place I've called home, and it is definitely South. However, as Muttonbird says, there is a lot of money in certain parts of Papakura, and that money does not like hearing it said that they live in South Auckland.
South Auckland apparently is a state of mind. Primarily, where the brown and poor are located, despite geographic location. Which is why you are bizarrely told that Panmure is south, while Papakura, located further south – is not. (The geographical spread of Papakura does go east, but the population spread is predominantly south.)
I think I explained this, Molly. I weighted the descriptions demographically rather than geographically. For the purposes of the intent of electorate capture, Panmure and most of Glen Innes are definitely South Auckland.
You may have been brought up under Maungarei but I live here right now. I know who my neighbours are.
Here's Papakura in 2020. One thing it is not is South Auckland!
Though I am happy to re-advise Swordfish Papakura should probably go into his ‘Upper NI Provincial’ category. In fact it would be a better fit than East Auckland.
Re-enforcing that, this map excludes Papakura entirely from Auckland Metro.
If you go further south than Papakura, as you have it – then you are in Waikato.
The majority of the population of Papakura are South Aucklanders. The majority of the people who would refer to themselves as East, are probably living east, but are still in the minority when it comes to population.
As for the living here now, comment…
Great, but all sports codes and school competitions etc were with other central/East Auckland schools and groups. The differentiation you speak of existing presently, is due to snobbery and gentrification. The estuary divided Panmure/central from Pakuranga/East. But Mt Wellington was never considered South. Otahuhu was, but just because it was located after Mt Wellington highway joined the Southern Motorway. Your concept ignores history, and is based on feels.
(PS. Glad you found out you live in Maungarei, and not Maungakiekie. Will make finding your way around easier. )
WTF does demographically mean in this context?
Rubbish. The new Papakura boundaries capture a huge rural area as you can see. Swordfish will no doubt be able to tell us from booth breakdowns where Collins got her support from – I'm picking most of it was from Clevedon/Whitford way. As shown above at least one graphic does not even include Papakura as part of Auckland.
Frankly, I don't think you have much of an idea what Auckland looks like now and appear completely lost on the new electorate boundaries. I explained this also but perhaps you didn't bother reading it; in 2017 we lived in Maungakiekie electorate, in 2020 we live in Panmure-Otahuhu electorate, same house…in Mt Wellington/Maungarei.
A note for you; while both Mt Wellington/Maungarei and One Tree Hill/Maungakiekie describe suburbs of Auckland, only one is also the name of an electorate.
" The new Papakura boundaries capture a huge rural area as you can see. "
Which follows much of the previous Papakura District Council and Manukau District boundaries. Both were considered south Auckland authorities. Still doesn't mean that the majority of the population live there. I would say that most of them are located close to the Southern motorway. There is a cohort of people who quite rightly, although they are in the Papakura electorate would consider themselves East. Because they are east geographically. But the majority would be located in the southern part of the electorate.
Swordfish, was asking whether we considered Panmure/Otahuhu south. I don't because I thought south was a location rather than a demographic. South always started at the crossroads of Mt Wellington highway and the southern motorway. Everything else was considered central. That remains true, despite boundary changes. Maungakiekie is definitely central, and so is Maungarei. Otahuhu on the other hand is the traditional beginning of South Auckland so there is a crossover of that electorate boundary. But looking at your map, I would still consider the bulk of it to be central.
You however, referred to areas being "demographically" south, and that is something that I'm not going to touch with a bargepole as it that perspective that makes you believe that Papakura only only East because Judith Collins and Whitford.
BTW, South Aucklanders are very used to being left out of Auckland maps. The Wikipedia entry is not alone in ignoring vast swathes and populations of Auckland.
Following your logic Otahuhu, Papatoetoe, and Otara are central Auckland.
News to me and I expect news to people who live there.
No. Your reading comprehension is failing:
"South always started at the crossroads of Mt Wellington highway and the southern motorway. Everything else was considered central. "
I said the electorate boundary seems to encompass both, but that Panmure/Mt Wellington was central – not south.
BTW, still don’t understand what you mean by “demographically” South Auckland as opposed to geographically. Care to elaborate?
(Maungakiekie and Maungarei are also primarily the names of two of Auckland’s volcanic cones. Both in central Auckland.)
Nope, it's you who can't read.
Swordfish wanted to know where to place the new electorate Panmure-Otahuhu for his research: Central, East, or South Auckland. I rightly said South Auckland.
You didn't give an answer and went on to confuse electorates and suburbs.
“You didn’t give an answer and went on to confuse electorates and suburbs.”
Yes, fair enough… But you were giving these electorates designations that already exist within Auckland, and I disagreed with you in the way you definitively made those choices.
The Panmure/Otahuhu electorate crosses the boundaries of Central and South Auckland. Designating it only South Auckland is a choice. But the same choice can be made for designating it only central. Why can't we just say the distinction is arbitrary?
Calling Papakura only east is a problem. Because although it involves people who would consider themselves South Aucklanders there are others that would recoil in horror at that designation. Both groups are right, there are some in the Papakura electorate that live in East Auckland, but I would say the majority live South.
In actual fact, I agree with DTB (on the other thread) that the distinction is probably pointless. The diversity of lived experiences of those within both electorates are most likely immense. What data or information is going to be found by the grouping?
Ok. The reason I'm certain Panmure-Otahuhu should be placed in South Auckland for the purposes of Swordfish's research is the suburbs which incorporate this new electorate are Papatoetoe, Otara, Otahuhu, industrial Westfield, largely industrial Mt Wellington, Panmure, and Pt England.
The demographic of these suburbs are about the same, low income worker families, beneficiaries, and state house residents.
I looked at the Electoral Commission website to find out what factors a boundary review takes into account. I wanted to show that household income is a factor where possible. It doesn't say that explicitly but the Representation Commission does consider factors such as communities of interest.
I actually found the Electoral Commission's info on this pretty useless because to me it's obvious electorate boundaries are drawn where possible to contain similar socio-economic peoples.
This makes sense because their elected representative is likely to be able to satisfy the interests of most people within an electorate rather than having to juggle competing interests.
This is not always possible while also satisfying their main objective which appears to be ensuring all electorates contain the same number of people, about 65,000. That I guess is why anomalies occur such as having to put some low income families in Papakura in the same electorate as horse breeding Karaka and lifestyle block owning Clevedon.
Excellent interview with former central banker this morning on RNZ…was cut off this morning by Judith Collins stand up…the link isnt cut short.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/audio/2018768894/punk-economist-the-most-prudent-thing-to-do-now-is-spend
and I hope all Labour MPs are listening to what he has to say
Dude's a fuckwit.
https://twitter.com/TonyStuart55/status/1317619063409967104
And it names Wanganui National Party member Tony Stuart as the man behind the Keeping Stock political blog.
When contacted by the Chronicle yesterday, Mr Stuart confirmed it was true. Keeping Stock is a right-wing blog and Mr Stuart is also frequently on Twitter under the same name.
He was named in the New Zealand Herald's list of tweeters to follow throughout the election.
However since then, Mr Stuart has deactivated his @Inventory2 Twitter account.
Keeping Stock's tagline is "an eclectic mix of some of the finer things in life – politics, sport, music, humour and God", and Mr Stuart has been writing the blog for seven years, as a hobby.
He said he was considering its future in the wake of the Dirty Politics furore. Until Hager's book, the name behind the blog had been anonymous, which Mr Stuart said was for personal reasons.
There was no suggestion of any wrongdoing on Keeping Stock's behalf and Mr Stuart said he didn't engage with politicians to get information for his blog.
Keeping Stock's brief mention in Dirty Politics comes on page 50 after Cameron Slater posted the name and contact details of public servant Simon Pleasants on his Whale Oil blog. Mr Stuart wrote two comments under that post which read "Superb work Cam!" and "I wonder if Mr Pleasants will get a less-than-pleasant invitation to have a wee chat with his boss sometime this morning … "
The Whale Oil blog accused Mr Pleasants of working on behalf of the Labour Party while a public servant.
Mr Stuart said he would look at the future of the blog in the coming weeks.
https://web.archive.org/web/20140820194640/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=11312020
There was a kiwibugger under that monicker. Smug git.
.
So … Wellington
Wellington (Greater)
–Lab– …. –Green– …. –L+G– ……….. –Nat– …. –ACT– …. –N+A– …. –NZF–
52.6% ……. 15.7% …… 68.3% ………… 18.9% ….. 5.6% …… 24.5% …… 2.1%
Constituent Regions
City
48.5% ……. 22.6% …….71.1% …………17.2% ……5.1% …….22.3% ….. 1.7%
Hutt
56.4% …….. 8.1% ……. 64.5% ………….21.3% …. 6.1% …… 27.4% …… 2.7%
Porirua
57.8% …….. 9.6% …….. 67.4% ……….. 19.3% ….. 5.9% …… 25.2% ….. 2.3%
Auckland
–Lab– …. –Green– …. –L+G– ……… –Nat– …. –ACT– …. –N+A– …. –NZF–
48.8% ……. 7.6% ……. 56.4% ………. 29.7% …. 7.6% ……37.3% …… 2.1%
.
Constituent Regions
Central/City
49.5% …… 14.0% ……. 63.5% …….. 23.7% ….. 6.7% …… 30.4% …… 2.0%
East
39.3% …….. 6.2% ……. 45.5% ……… 39.4% …. 10.0% ….. 49.4% …… 1.7%
West
56.9% …….. 8.8% …….. 65.7% …….. 21.6% …… 5.6% …… 27.2% ….. 2.5%
South
60.3% …….. 3.7% …….. 64.0% …….. 24.0% …… 4.8% …… 28.8% ….. 2.8%.
North Shore
42.9% ……… 6.3% ……. 49.2% …….. 34.8% …… 9.2% …… 44.0% …… 1.9%
Shipley,of all their leaders changes, got their worst ever ballot box. John Key,was asked once, what politician inspired you to dare be Prime Minister, he replied Jenny Shipley.
Thoughts on Taieri:
The Hunt for Red October: Musings on Taieri
Why are there only 40 odd comments here? There's no spirit on the left for these people. I didn't even see spirit on the part of Matamata Jacinda. The BBC has tagged her even. 'Be kind' but leave the neediest behind.
The Left should speak up. Not only is it true but it's the thing you cu-rmudgeons treasure most, politic.
314 comments today, this one not included.
Did you do a communications degree?
I went to school and learned counting at a young age.
Why do you defend them — the 'art of the possible' from '84 over the rationality of the necessary? When the former will sink us in 8 years. It's just our present comfort. 90 % of the West agrees with you.
Letters columns. It pays you and your missus.
20 years on you'll be doing Cormac McCarthy's 'The Road'. and I will have had a reasonably long life of the utmost comfort.
What are going on about now?? You’re starting to sound like a troll-bot.
I've just mentioned your and Bowalley's overactive oversight, it killing the Left in preference for a not particularly Left party. Martyn doesn't moderate at all these days.
Lprent maybe wouldn't have got "The Road' reference, You're another CV kid like Jacinda and Grant. So you'll go far, except there is no far anymore — see 'The Road ' reference.
The Left is dead about this victory. Nil excitement.
You seem a confused person who’s conflating quite a number of things and people.
All TS Authors and Moderators act as volunteers on this site and spend their free time to their best ability on making it work as well as possible. The whole platform is free to anyone to comment as long as they stick to the simple and lenient rules set out in the site’s Policy.
If you have an issue with Moderation, take it up with Lprent or leave TS for TDB.
Lastly, before you start criticising people whom you don’t know from a bar of soap you may want to give some pause to your assumptions as they could easily morph into assertions and/or personal attacks that you cannot back up nor defend.
You just seem shallow and ignorant to me, befitting some younger crawler. Just my impression. Maybe you're an old cove who doesn't know anything. Seen plenty of'm.
I'm certain there's something technical in the above para that can get me kicked off so as to maintain your pure, and rapidly diminishing, 'Left'. The endless but slightly worthwhile footnotery TS is known for.
A number of years ago I came across The Standard for information. I decided to hang around because it was and is such a rewarding place for those who’d like to learn and educate themselves. I’m still learning much here, almost every day.
Moderation is a bit like pest control, i.e. to weed out comments and commenters who make it harder for others to thrive here. This has nothing to do with one’s political leanings but everything with one’s behaviour here. The Standard has no policy to maintain or even advocate for some kind of ideological ‘purity’; it is a pathetic straw man used by those who have no argument or are too lazy to think and put some effort into a constructive criticism.
Sniders such as you contribute very little to the commentary here. Depending how (ob)noxious the weed is, it will be dealt with accordingly.
It is not my habit to divulge personal information here but for you I’ll make an exception. I chose this book for my reading list of English Literature when I was at secondary school: Hurry on Down by John Wain. It was a prescient choice I can say now in hindsight.
But why no reply for that Incognito?
I respond to sincerity.
Para1: very ,much so.
Para2: doesn't wash with me. Your blog has a reputation for over the top command directives. For the 1984 establishment in my personal experience. 'Pest control'. I have zero affect on others, they all ignore me.
Para 3: 'sniders'! I love it for the word. And you carry on threatening me, proving my point.
You're a bit of a sniffling wonder. There's this thing called social democracy in which I grew up in and for which all the best of my (younger) generation is presenting their chins to reality now.
Reason and demo-cracy are the vital reality. All the endless details here are third-ary and more.
Don't fight me, I'm (NZ) Scots, we can't be beat and anyway we come entirely self-defeating.
As it is, at the moment, you come across as Labour’s future Jamie Lee Ross.
[One thing I’ve learned here is that there’s no point arguing with the obnoxious. I’m too soft and tend to give self-digging gravediggers the benefit of doubt and without exception, they start digging harder and deeper. Human stupidity continues to amaze me.
Ad paragraph 2:
This is not my blog. I’ve already explained I’m merely a volunteer here. Unlike other blogs, this site has clear, simple and lenient rules to encourage robust debate and unlike other sites, this site is serious about that.
I have no idea what “the 1984 establishment” has to do with this site or its founders and trustees but if it fits in your view of the world then so be it.
You have very little ‘effect’ on others here because you contribute next to nothing here. The upshot is that you won’t be missed 😉
Ad paragraph 3:
A snider is an obnoxious commenter who makes snide remarks. Like most obnoxious weeds here, you conflate a warning with a threat.
I’m not fighting you and nobody is trying to beat you. Moderation is all about making sure that we have robust debate here and that nobody feels excluded because of obnoxious sniders, for example. I tried to give you a warning, several in fact, and the benefit of doubt. You opted to ignore it.
You keep calling me names – a “future Jamie Lee Ross”?? – and keep on barking up so many wrong trees that your carbon offset must be larger than that of a medium-size coal-powered electricity generator. You should have read this site’s policy and/or read today’s topical Post A bit about how The Standard works. If you had done either, you would have known that attacking Moderators is a sure fire way of getting banned.
Ad paragraph 4:
You missed your opportunity to discuss relevant literature. I shared personal information with in good faith and you completely ignored it. That hurts!!
Because I’ve already banned a notorious gravedigger tonight, I’ll reserve judgement on you – Incognito]
See my Moderation note @ 9:54 PM.
Tell us your trick sumsuch as to how you'd be avoiding McCarthy's apocalypse? Do you have a special bunker?
Paddy, my major tactic is to have been born 20 years earlier than these terrible present twits.
I'm too comfort-loving idle to adapt. So, violence. A rightful sentence.
How old do you think the present are?
Wha is your present political sway and why the violence?
What do you think should happen in our political scene ?
McCarthy's 'The Road' describes a desperate situation very soon after the most sophisticated of societies. Climate change by the models and the facts always ahead of the forecasts will bring that round in my lifetime. So a violent death by starvation or assault by the other desperate.
And in our political scene, more roaring by the Left to match Trump's idiocy for the rich. Except Jacinda raising her voice would be notable. Makes me cry our present hopeless complacence prior to the end of everything.
The present twits are Jace and Grant at about 40. Honed to a fine point by Clarkian watchful caution. And many other useful careerists.
Congratulations to the Maori Party.
https://twitter.com/KiwiPoll/status/1317723705884123137?s=20