My votes

Written By: - Date published: 9:22 am, September 12th, 2013 - 100 comments
Categories: david cunliffe, grant robertson, labour, Shane Jones - Tags: , ,

I voted for Cunliffe, Robertson, and Jones in that order. My reasons are in this post. It is unnecessary for people to speculate on additional motivations.

But if Clare Curran, Trevor Mallard*, Patrick Gower or anyone else wants to run a politically based smear on me like they did on Jenny Michie, Mike Williams, and others then I’m perfectly happy to tear them a new rectum through their political credibility over the next decade.

As David Shearer has so predictably and clearly demonstrated, actual political experience in our local system is the primary requirement to being the leader of Labour’s caucus. Other attributes may get help in getting your party elected. But absolutely nothing puts off voters more both in the intermediate future or over a decade than having a inexperienced hand trying to guide a fractured caucus and party.

David Lange demonstrated that in an earlier decade when he was elected leader but was far too reliant on a small coterie within caucus and the wider party. We still see reverberations of that to this day with the size of the party membership being dwarfed by the Labour Ulterior of ex-party members who left and never came back – which seems to be where I’m slowly heading.

You can see much of the same attributes within the National party at present with the continual factional discussions popping into view as people jostle for the lead position when John Key decides he needs his knighthood on his CV more than losing an election. Besides, he could emulate Keith Holyoake and be the second National party leader to leave without a knife sticking out of their back.

The role of the parliamentary leader(s) of a party are to help to win elections  and to lead any subsequent government. To do that they have to have credibility that they can win elections and that they can run an effective government afterwards. Cabals of power like the “backbone club” running a political figurehead simply don’t work in either of these. Yes – it is possible to lie your way into power through an election. But the subsequent government will ensure that party will forever afterwards have to win elections with reluctance of their own supporters to see a repeat dragging them like an anchor.

To be able to be the leader of a political party having the well-rounded experience to be credible to your members, the voting public, and even your colleagues is the crucial requirement.

Getting parachuted into a safe electorate seat is one thing. But running a couple of a successful campaign is a crucial learning experience for new MP’s. Losing a campaign beforehand in an unwinnable and even hostile electorate is an even better one. And any electorate MP who cannot manage to largely hold their own vote and at least retain much of the party’s vote really needs to be looked at with askerance.

Unfortunately list MPs despite several attempts to provide them one do not have that cauldron of experience. It wouldn’t be that hard to set them up virtual electorates across the countries or regions for the party and their colleagues to assess their actual effective performance. However this hasn’t seemed to be a consideration during selection. List selection seems to be based more on a factional criteria than performance.

Experience around the party organisation helps a lot. Much of a parties political power comes from harnessing their activists so that regardless of their differences, they are at least pulling in much the same direction.

This is and always has been especially the case in movements from the social democratic traditions. The possessors of capital who own the plant required by most media simply aren’t very sympathetic to the labour or green causes who are more concerned with societies as a whole then the effects on affluent individuals. It doesn’t matter how sympathetic individual media workers may be, their jobs often depend on showing an imbalance towards their employers views. Hopefully the steadily reducing costs of media will break this eventually.

So social democratic movements always rely heavily on their members and activists to push messages and ideas into a population in a way that can’t be distorted or jammed. Knowing how to build the consensus that makes this happen amongst the disparate parts of a widespread and largely voluntary organisation is an artform that is more learnt than taught. It also acts as about the best sounding board for strategies that a party can have. It invariably has the bets critics if they are listened to.

Being a minister to really important. I don’t think that anyone can really be able to become an effective Prime Minister if they have never been had the pressures and stresses of being a minister. They’d be far too easy for ministers new and old to bamboozle. That would make a cabinet impossible to run as anything other than a negotiating point between opaque fiefdoms. Hardly a way to build any coherence in a governmental policy. Its wavering courses woud probably look somewhat like the current government’s strategies..

Experience in parliament in both the house and the select committees is also a basic requirement. Being able to deliver a good speech, argue a good case, and question people arguing a case is important. Being able to think and articulate interjections, adapt your speech on the fly, and to understand what others are saying is even more important. So is understanding the rules the surround these activities to protect the course of debate.

Being able to do the same inside caucus is much the same. But even more importantly this is also where the general electoral strategies of a party tend to get argued out. The main requirement is that whatever agreed must be coherent and be able to be seen to be coherent to the wider membership because if you can’t convince them, then you have no hope of convincing the wider electorate that it makes sense.

This isn’t a matter of getting a consensus or even the factional win of a vote. If a single decision of caucus undercuts the overall strategy agreed across the wider party, then we should be able to expect that a leader will treat it as a vote of confidence. Because ultimately the role of a leader of party is to make sure that all parts of a party are working towards the same goals.

Being liked or fully supported by caucus colleagues or even your members is simply not a requirement. Partial or conditional support will do. After all if there is a broad agreement about objectives then a few diversions on the way that people personally disagree with can and usually are tolerated.

I volunteered to work for Labour starting in 1984 almost in spite of a personal highly individualistic (some say outright eccentric) views because I considered that they had the best solutions for what my society needed. I worked closely with Helen Clark from 1993 onwards despite having a political and personal philosophy that was quite different to my own because she had the vision, experience and competence that I thought that a Labour party needed.

The need to have a leader that is personally liked doesn’t happen in any other successful workplace. And I’m rather surprised that some people in the party and even the political media seem to think it should be. It is nice to have a candiadte

I don’t personally know any of the candidates well. But I don’t need to.  This leadership contest is pretty much of a no-brainer for me.

Shane Jones has a political career that to me seems to be more punctuated by bad decisions and impulse control than anything else. I’ve had to try to defend his actions in these pages far too often until these days I don’t bother any more. He seems more intent on playing clown than working for the party. His electoral performances have been piss-poor to date because he doesn’t seem to organise them. I think that the party should either find a court jester role that he can work in effectively while he sorts his shit out, or they should dump him from selection.

Grant Robertson is shaping up as being an effective minister whenever he gets a chance. But he has only been a MP since 2008. In my view he is more characterised by what he doesn’t as yet know and understand than by what he does. I’m going to be very interested in what he manages to do with his weak points throughout the party over the next few years. Also what happens with such basics like his electorate numbers – which currently don’t distinguish themselves from the parties numbers over the last few elections.

David Cunliffe gets my support almost through default due to the lack of a credible alternative. He has been in parliament since 1999 after being parachuted into New Lynn winning the National held Titirangi seat. After the Titirangi was eliminated in boundary changes, he was selected for safer next door New Lynn seat which took the bulk of the Titirangi population. He has maintained a strong hold on it ever since.

He actually has a pretty good track record at almost every level – electorate, parliamentary, ministerial, and even party. About the only thing that seems to be an issue is a relatively small number of MPs who appear to personally dislike him, which says more about their lack of professionalism than it does about Davids. There also appears to be a faction of the caucus who don’t appear to agree with some of his ideas. But their lack of a credible candidate means that they will probably have to accept this one.

What both this and the last leadership debate highlights most to me is the paucity of seasoned talent that has developed from 1999 onwards. One suitable candidate?

I think that Labour has to look very closely at the selection procedures that have been in use from 1999 onwards. They clearly are not recruiting or selecting a good standard of candidate.

* Trevor may be completely innocent on this one. But since I usually subsequently seem to find him embroiled in the middle of this style of political infighting I’m going to include him in a Napoleonic  justice approach – guilty until proven innocent.

Updated: I made a mistake about how David Cunliffe entered parliament.

100 comments on “My votes ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Demi 1
    12 September 2013 at 9:41 am

    Seems pretty reasonable reasons and I used a lot of the same ones in my voting which was the same as yours. I personally like David and am quite over 4 MPs using their personal agendas and dislike to cause problems for our wider party its divisive and unnecessary.

  2. Sanctuary 2
    12 September 2013 at 9:53 am

    I voted for who I thought would be best for the NZLP in order from 1st to 3rd. I didn’t try to apply any Machiavellian calculations about preferences, I just voted 1-2-3 in the order I thought they were the most suitable to lead Labour.

    “…Shane Jones has a political career that to me seems to be more punctuated by bad decisions and impulse control than anything else. I’ve had to try to defend his actions in these pages far too often…”

    The final straw for me was Tuesday, when I read he had walked out on his wife and seven kids. Mate, you can talk about Germaine Greer vs Woman’s Weekly all you like. But the reality is no one will vote for a cad and a bounder.

    So I guess you can all work out who was at number three on my ballot paper.

  3. Demi 3
    12 September 2013 at 9:55 am

    Jones was number three because of his attitudes and comments about women, ESP when discussions were held about quotas for seats, and recently regarding feminists.

  4. Craig GlenEden 4
    12 September 2013 at 9:58 am

    +1 Lprent x 10 Demi

  5. Colonial Viper 5
    12 September 2013 at 10:00 am

    Great insight into the current state of the Labour Party and its candidates, Lyn.

    I think that Labour has to look very closely at the selection procedures that have been from 1999 onwards. They clearly are not recruiting a good standard of candidate.

    THIS.

    Recruitment from and of a clique which doesn’t understand NZ outside of Wellington and Auckland, and therefore cannot take Labour where it needs to go seems to have been the general outcome.

    • Anne 5.1
      12 September 2013 at 11:41 am

      Recruitment from and of a clique which doesn’t understand NZ outside of Wellington and Auckland, and therefore cannot take Labour where it needs to go seems to have been the general outcome.

      Couldn’t put it better.

      I can name two MPs off the top of my head who were victims of that mindset – Carmel Sepuloni and Kelvin Davis. There were others. It was ironic how some in Labour (who fell in behind the ABC club) had a sudden conversion after the 2011 election from previously complaining about the inadequacies of the list selection procedures to unequivocally supporting the status quo.

      I was amused.

      • Ron 5.1.1
        12 September 2013 at 1:56 pm

        I have always thought the list should be ranked by all Labour members. MP’s and affiliates should get no votes other than individual members.
        I can envision having a group to ensure that we have a fair spread of women on the list as part of plan to have at least 50% women reflected in our party. That group should not be MP’s they have shown they cannot be trusted to do things fairly when it may affect their future. Maybe a small group selected from the party by ballot.
        We also need to get the selection of electorate MP’s to be changed so that we get a good mix of smart competent MP’s. I wonder if we should have a max of say 3 terms for an electorate MP to force change.
        It would be really good for the party to have something on this at conference to start the talking.

  6. Demi 6
    12 September 2013 at 10:05 am

    I live in provincial NZ, in the only labour held North island seat outside AKL or Wlg, we have an excellent MP who is sidelined by ABCs which sucks, provincial NZ has slickly different needs to bigger cities, we still have the same dreams though. Selling the Labour brand is hard work at times ESP against slimy Key and we need a leader who will resonate with all areas of NZ not just beltway NZ, I felt Cunliffe could do this, that he could get provincial NZ back to the polling booth.

  7. Demi 7
    12 September 2013 at 10:05 am

    Slightly not slickly sorry, bloody iPad and auto correct

  8. Bill 8
    12 September 2013 at 10:16 am

    One of the contenders had vision while two of the contenders had colouring in books…

  9. bad12 9
    12 September 2013 at 10:48 am

    i couldn’t bring myself to change back to being a Labour member despite my acute interest in the current leadership contest,

    Full credit and points must go to Labour for the running of such an efficient and highly public leadership contest and i am sure upcoming polls will reward the Party for having done so,

    i do know and like Grant Robertson having bumped into Him around Wellington a few times and i do think the ‘beltway Grant’ thing is a little overdone as i have seen Him in the electorate in place like the Soup Kitchen where there was no press coverage so His time spent there is hardly in the vein of ‘beltway politics’,

    Having said that and having watched Grant perform in the leadership contest i do tho agree that He needs more time in the Parliament and in a Ministerial role to round out His curriculum,

    Should circumstances warrant it Grant Robertson can when the evidence is undeniable be shifted from His cautious approach to politics evidenced by His call for rents in Christchurch to be set by Government edict after He got to view the rack-renting first hand in that city,

    Shane Jones???, the only thing Jones has got going for Him is that He is one of the Brown Brothers and a large part of the demographic support Shane soley on that basis(and He knows it), while i too could be forgiven leaning toward Jones on that basis i cannot escape the fact that uncharitably perhaps, i see Him as being a wanker in both senses of the word in the English language,

    If Labour want a ‘bloke’ in the Caucus to represent the ‘smoko room’ they would be far better served plucking someone from within a ‘meatworks’ someplace who got the kick from school early in the piece and who’s required reading has never gone past the crossword in the back of the daily paper,

    David Cunliffe, take a bow the next Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand who will hopefully oversee the departure of the last remnants of the Rogernomics error,(lolz era),from the ranks of Parliamentary Labour along with the policy reforms necessary to wipe that particular nasty stain from our society,

    From having listened to David Cunliffe a lot more because of the leadership contest i can only say that i am impressed BUT, David should definitely not use His ‘Yelly Voice’ when either campaigning or attacking the National Government,

    Cunliffe has a ‘deep voice’ which resonates far more with the listener than does the ‘yelly one’ which comes across as ‘strident’ and i would go so far as to suggest that Labour should, especially for campaigning purposes,get themselves a state of the art sound system along with a sound mixer so as to be able to carry David Cunliffes deep voiced speech to all parts of a town-hall type meeting without it being necessary for Him to resort to that ‘yelly voice’…

    • Akldnut 9.1
      12 September 2013 at 11:57 am

      +1 nice call on all of the above.

    • McFlock 9.2
      12 September 2013 at 2:05 pm

      I’m actually considering joining Labour if either cunliffe or robertson win (would not want to be associated with a party run by a gradeA dickhead, so Jones is out). The downside is that I’d have to ditch my Alliance membership, I believe.

      But if Labour continue the trend they started with their 2011 policies and keep moving leftish, there might be some point to joining.

  10. Alanz 10
    12 September 2013 at 11:18 am

    LPRENT:

    wow. just WOW.

  11. The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 11
    12 September 2013 at 12:15 pm

    It’s always about you, isn’t it Lynn?

  12. Sosoo 12
    12 September 2013 at 12:17 pm

    Hard to disagree with anything you’ve written here… for a change. 😉

    • lprent 12.1
      12 September 2013 at 12:24 pm

      Drat. I was hoping for some argument. 😈

      • weka 12.1.1
        12 September 2013 at 12:28 pm

        Should have posted one of the earlier drafts 😉

        • lprent 12.1.1.1
          12 September 2013 at 12:49 pm

          Oh no this was the first and only draft of this post – penned this morning (and a few words tweaked later on). I did my vote after the meetings finished just in case anything showed up of political interest, and this post immediately afterwards.

          I did write several other posts over the last couple of days about Clare Curran and Patrick Gower. But they were definitely incendiary. In fact I had plea from one other author who read the drafts *not* to publish them.

          I was going to resurrect the part of one of those posts about Patrick Gower/TV3 use of weighted poll questions. But karol has had a go at that this morning.

          • Anne 12.1.1.1.1
            12 September 2013 at 1:35 pm

            I did write several other posts over the last couple of days about Clare Curran… that were definitely incendiary.

            Yes. Had the presence of mind to delete some comments of mine in the immediate aftermath of her sh….y, bitchy tweets.

      • chris 12.1.2
        12 September 2013 at 12:46 pm

        I hadn’t read your post before I made my comment on “Assessing the contenders”.

        It would seem we agree re Jones being the court jester.

        No copying intended 🙂

  13. Saarbo 13
    12 September 2013 at 12:42 pm

    Kia-ora Lynn.

  14. shona 14
    12 September 2013 at 12:46 pm

    I’d really like to cast an identical vote to you, Lprent, but alas no voting paper has arrived despite my having joined Labour 18 months ago. I have tried daily since Tuesday to get an online version delivered to my email address. Nothing has shown up? WTF???

    • Bill 14.1
      12 September 2013 at 12:50 pm

      So…if you joined 18 months ago, doesn’t that mean that your membership came up for renewal some months back?

      • shona 14.1.1
        12 September 2013 at 1:14 pm

        Membership is current as it’s renewed, been in touch with local branch and have followed their advice. The problem seems to be with the server for the email vote>

    • weka 14.2
      12 September 2013 at 1:00 pm

      details here on problems with getting voting papers and what to do about it http://thestandard.org.nz/voting-update/

      Or phone your LEC?

    • Alanz 14.3
      12 September 2013 at 1:02 pm

      I would advise Shona, as a matter of urgency, to phone 08004LABOUR !

      • shona 14.3.1
        12 September 2013 at 1:19 pm

        done that twice.

        • weka 14.3.1.1
          12 September 2013 at 1:27 pm

          Did you read the link above? Looks like some papers have only just been sent and could still be in the mail.

          On the other hand, if you’ve not received your ballot by Friday please contact HQ – you’ll probably need to vote electronically.

          • Alanz 14.3.1.1.1
            12 September 2013 at 2:11 pm

            I don’t think there is much time left for postal votes and so the fail-safe way to ensure the vote will be counted is to do it electronically.

            So Shona needs help with getting an email with her PIN and password to access the e-voting site. (Already tried emailing reception@labour.org.nz?)

            If she has the first two, and cannot access the site for some reason, maybe try another computer?

            Can a moderator, with her email address, help connect her to someone who can assist?

            • weka 14.3.1.1.1.1
              12 September 2013 at 2:51 pm

              I would phone the 0800 number, and get them to send the email while I am on the phone and check that it has arrived.

    • lprent 14.4
      12 September 2013 at 2:17 pm

      I got a hard copy with the codes via snail mail. I wouldn’t expect that they’d send a email for something like that.

      I did make sure that Labour had my correct smail address the day after the election by using the contact form on the labour.org.nz site. I’d suggest that you try that (obviously being read) plus whatever other suggestions anyone else has.

    • Jenny Kirk 14.5
      12 September 2013 at 8:49 pm

      Shona – urgently – phone Labour HO 04 3847649 NOT after hours of course tho no doubt there could well be some beavers in there afte hours, but first thing tomorrow (Friday) morning.
      If you are genuine, then they may be able to give you your passwords over the phone so you can vote on-line

      And BTW LPrent – totally agree with you. My thoughts match yours. Good post.

  15. Not a PS Staffer 15
    12 September 2013 at 12:59 pm

    Cunliffe was selected in a contested process for Titirangi.
    That was a National seat held by whatshername now with the EMEA.
    He gave up his job at Boston Consulting and based himself in a local office in the year before the elections.
    He walked every street and knocked on every door.
    He won the election and turned a National Seat into a Laboutr seat.
    Titirangi was then abolished and most of it went into a re-formed New Lynn.
    That is not parachuting.

    • lprent 15.1
      12 September 2013 at 2:04 pm

      Cunliffe was selected in a contested process for Titirangi.
      That was a National seat held by whatshername now with the EMEA.

      My apologies you are correct. I will correct my post.

      The first time I noticed him was in New Lynn which had been a safe seat for a long time. I assumed that he’d been parachuted in.

      Frigging hell, that is impressive even for the 1999 ‘landslide’.

  16. AmaKiwi 16
    12 September 2013 at 1:11 pm

    @ lprent Thanks for a thorough and well constructed article.

    An unforeseen consequence of MMP has been the “unelectable high on the list MPs.”

    Their allegiance must be to the party leadership, not the voters. If they are high on the list they are back in Parliament irrespective of how poorly the party does in the election.

    The lack of a parliamentary pension is also a serious problem. Some MPs with safe seats cannot afford to retire.

    I can think of several ABC MPs who fit these descriptions.

    • s y d 16.1
      12 September 2013 at 2:33 pm

      whats wrong with national super? not good enough for the gander?

    • Colonial Viper 16.2
      12 September 2013 at 2:45 pm

      Can’t afford to retire, and otherwise unemployable.

    • Jenny Kirk 16.3
      12 September 2013 at 8:54 pm

      AmaKiwi – WTF re parliamentary pensions ? There was a pension scheme when I was there, and I thought it had been changed, but it was still possible to join (voluntarily) a parliamentary scheme. I reckon someone is bullsh–t— you on that aspect.. The “old guard” of Mallard, King, Goff, Ross Robertson – etc – who’ve been there for years and need to go to grass will all have been a part of the compulsory scheme that was in place when I was there (one term only, spent strenuously objecting to Rogernomics).

  17. Rich 17
    12 September 2013 at 1:18 pm

    Joh Bjelke-Peterson had himself knighted while still in office. I imagine John Key might try the same if he gets elected, or go the whole hog and become the Earl of Oʻahu.

  18. Blue 18
    12 September 2013 at 1:34 pm

    + 1 lprent.

    David C is the only candidate out of the current talent pool and it’s depressing that the caucus has dragged this out for so long (and in the end, most of them will probably still vote Robertson).

    It’s hard to fathom how a group of people with a common goal (Labour winning the 2014 election) can be so hopeless at doing what needs to be done to ensure it.

    • Alanz 18.1
      12 September 2013 at 1:39 pm

      I am still hopeful that the ABCers will put the party ahead of themselves.

      • Blue 18.1.1
        12 September 2013 at 8:11 pm

        Sadly there is a difference between hope and expectation. I hope that the ABCers will put the party ahead of themselves. I expect them to put themselves above any other consideration.

        The nuts and bolts of it so far is that the public, the unions and the members all appear to be backing Cunliffe. The caucus are the only sad sacks backing Robertson.

        A member of Labour’s caucus has two options. One is to continue to back Robertson knowing that you are out of step with public opinion, that you will lose and that the low caucus vote will be a stick for National to beat Cunliffe with once he becomes leader.

        The other option is to throw your vote behind Cunliffe so he surprises everyone with strong caucus support, neatly derailing National’s spin of how hated he is and how divided the caucus is, and providing him with a strong platform to focus on Labour’s message and leave the infighting talk firmly behind.

        It doesn’t take a genius to work out the best way forward here, but it seems to be all too hard for Labour’s ABC crop. Never even mind the idiots throwing their votes away on Jones.

    • Greywarbler 18.2
      12 September 2013 at 3:20 pm

      I think that it’s not Labour generally that they want to see in office in 1914, it’s the right sort of Labour that should get in. The in-group who know it all, ie know how to manage the system to fit their comfort zone. And that’s the problem for the rest of us, as we think that the country needs keen bright people with nous with an inclusive set of policies.

      • GregJ 18.2.1
        12 September 2013 at 6:43 pm

        I think that it’s not Labour generally that they want to see in office in 1914, it’s the right sort of Labour that should get in.

        .

        Ahh – so that’s what they’ve been wasting their time with in Caucus over the last 18 months – building a time machine to go back and defeat Massey’s Government. 😈

        Did Shearer actually become leader because he had access to the super secret UN/Illuminati technology similar to the one that emits Contrails 😉 (Ev can you help us out here?)

        Sorry Warbler – couldn’t resist – I’ll get my coat! 😆

  19. shona 19
    12 September 2013 at 2:20 pm

    Thanks everyone.
    I knew if I had a whinge on The Standard my email vote would come thru!
    Looking forward to the long overdue change in direction in NZ politics as bulldozed by the blogs( that no one reads! )
    Cheers!

  20. Don't worry. Be happy. 20
    12 September 2013 at 2:55 pm

    When does the Caucus vote? Will they know any more about how the affiliated union vote or the membership vote has gone before they do?

    • Anne 20.1
      12 September 2013 at 3:10 pm

      Same as members. Any time they want to from the time voting opened to the time it closes.

      Will they know any more about how the affiliated union vote or the membership vote has gone before they do?

      They shouldn’t do because I understand the voting process has been contracted out. But if the caucus is allowed to have a scrutineer watching the process then it is likely to be Chris Hipkins who now has a record for leaking voting information.

    • Prickly Jill 20.2
      12 September 2013 at 11:21 pm

      No one will know the results of each College until all results are known on Sunday.

  21. Jenny Michie 21
    12 September 2013 at 3:03 pm

    Solid analysis Lynn and a great read. I despair at the list selection procedure. I have long argued that before anyone is selected (for a seat or the list) that the have ably demonstrated that they can build a team, recruit new members, raise money and have some knowledge of the party. Along with the other attributes like good judgement, integrity and intelligence, of course. and that list candidates should stand in national seats.

    • Greywarbler 21.1
      12 September 2013 at 3:14 pm

      @ Jenny Michie
      That sounds like a sensible way for list members to be chosen. I used to think that young members would work their way up and gain experience then be ready for office. It seems that at present the top can get to be piled with the driftwood that the high tide has thrown up on the beach.

    • Bunji 21.2
      12 September 2013 at 3:16 pm

      I don’t necessarily agree that list candidates must stand in national seats – some are used to best effect on non-geographically based constituencies (ethnic groups etc).
      But everybody should have a designated constituency, even if it’s not geographically based (and then they can be measured against their performance with that constituency, and ranked in future accordingly).

      But *have some knowledge of the party* – how do we let people in who don’t have that background? It’s just basic to me, for them to understand who they’re representing, and truly understand the philosophy as well as structure. And yes to build a team, recruit new members, raise money, good judgement, integrity and intelligence obviously.

      I’m all for MP contracts as well (as introduced by UK Labour). Have the KPIs – including party & constituency ones – that they can be measured against etc.

    • lprent 21.3
      12 September 2013 at 3:54 pm

      If candidates don’t stand in actual seats, then they should be given specialised electorates to work. Afterall the list goes on forever and there aren’t enough physical seats to do.

      For instance if (godforbid) someone like myself wanted to run, make a virtual ‘electorate’ of the computer and tech people by occupation to work on – there are about 70k people in the IT sector. Someone could do builders. Public servants. Teachers. Factory workers (with their appalling turnout). Beneficiaries. Whatever.

      Overlaps physical electorates, but given a national database it is a trivial exercise to work in conjunction with physical electorates. Measure on non-voters starting to vote as an very effective indicator of effectiveness. They build teams and funds to do that task.

      As it stands right now many list candidates stand around without any responsibility/authority. They’re almost useless as supernumeraries in an electorate.

      • Pete 21.3.1
        12 September 2013 at 4:43 pm

        Even if there is a local MP, some electorates are far too big, geographically speaking, for just one person. An associate Labour list MP who assists Rino Tirikatene in Te Tai Tonga may well be worth while. And would help foster Maori talent within the caucus.

        Edit: I see Chris at comment 23 has the same idea.

        • Colonial Viper 21.3.1.1
          12 September 2013 at 8:37 pm

          Absolutely. TTT is an insane electorate. Having an electorate that you can drive through in 15 minutes is more like it.

          • lprent 21.3.1.1.1
            13 September 2013 at 12:11 am

            One of the smaller electorates is Mt Albert. On a sunday morning it might take 15 minutes (more likely 20), assuming you took the northwestern motorway from eden park to pariki road. On Wednesday morning it will take closer to 40-50 minutes if you drove towards town and 25-30 the other way.

            By way of a comparison I could get to Hamilton from home in 90 minutes most days.

            There really aren’t that many small electorates any more.

        • lprent 21.3.1.2
          13 September 2013 at 1:22 am

          Oh I’d agree. But I’d like to see virtual electorates the size of NZ – but targeted to specific groups. It isn’t the size of the electorate that is most of the problem, it is the approach you use to handle them.

          At least in the SI many of the electorates still have listed landlines at 90% of the electorate.

      • Linz 21.3.2
        13 September 2013 at 9:00 am

        If candidates don’t stand in actual seats, then they should be given specialised electorates to work.
        I’d like some of them to be given safe National seats to work in. Here in North Otago, I feel unrepresented more than somewhat. It would be really good if a list Labour member was assigned to look after workers and Labour voters in our electorate. And it would be a great training ground for the member, with the possibility of replacing any sitting member in South Dunedin who proved to be not up to the job. It would keep both on their toes.

    • geo 21.4
      12 September 2013 at 6:11 pm

      The idea that a person can get a dispensation and join the party within weeks of the list being moderated and then “hooked” to be higher on the list is just wrong.If the leadership selection process is thwarted by MP’s this time around and the peoples choice is not listen to , I would suggest that ALL candidate’s need to go through the list process, including those who are MP’s.The idea that the ‘few should decide for the many’ has to change.The backlash will be deafening if the membership is not rewarded this time around.Unity starts from the chosen being aware of why they are there,To be a voice of the members.NOT for self!!!

  22. Demi 22
    12 September 2013 at 3:19 pm

    List selection istricky, I have been involved twice under two different leaders and the outcome was quite different be use of the agendas of the people involved and the leadership of the leaders. Moderating committee can work and work well if it is allowed too and the people there are allowed to work in their represented groups best interests, when deals are brokered before moderating committee meets then you end up with disunity and problems.

    I agree with Jenny too that better selection criteria need to be in place before people are considered for being Candidates and MPs.

  23. chris 23
    12 September 2013 at 4:02 pm

    New List members could perhaps undertake an internship with the larger geographical Electorates e.g. Ikaroa Rawhiti and West Coast/Tasman. They are both ridiculously too large for single Electorate MP’s to do them justice.

  24. Mike S 24
    12 September 2013 at 4:09 pm

    +1 Very good article, well explained, very detailed and actually satisfying to read if that makes sense!. Probably why there’s been no right leaning troll comments on it.

    ps: Can’t you just tear them a new rectum over the next decade anyway, that would be fun.

  25. Treetop 25
    12 September 2013 at 4:35 pm

    It has been the best month for Labour in five years because it has been a big wake up call. Better to happen now than on the day of the next general election as then it would be too late. No one could have predicted how well the leadership candidates would do.

    It is ironic that the process (the structure to elect a leader) has breathed life into the Labour party.

    I wish the new leader all the best, (hopefully Cunliffe). Even though they have a year to really mobilise, I know that Key only has 14 months left of ruining the country.

  26. Pete 26
    12 September 2013 at 7:31 pm

    My papers arrived today and I have just voted. My ranking was the same as Lynn’s. I’m feeling a lot more positive about politics than I have in a long time.

  27. lurgee 27
    12 September 2013 at 8:18 pm

    Cunliffe should win, surely? But I lost a some respect for him over Michiegate and his rewriting of Labour history to exclude the 1980s.

    Robertson has risen slightly in my estimation, as he’s shown a bit of fire and at least said the right things, policy wise, though I can;t shake the suspicion he doesn’t mean a word of it.

    Sideshow Shane should go away. A good quip at Curran’s expense doesn’t redeem his performance otherwise. Some might say, ah, but you weren’t at the meetings, you didn’t see his performances in front of the members blah blah blah but the number of Really Stupid things that ended up on the news was enough – and this from one of the few people who will defend Jones over the ‘geldings’ comment.

    Be funny watching you lot explode if Cunliffe doesn’t win, of course.

    • Colonial Viper 27.1
      12 September 2013 at 8:41 pm

      There is no fucking way that the Jenny Michie incident is a -gate already. That’s stupid, like the rest of your analysis.

      • lurgee 27.1.1
        12 September 2013 at 9:15 pm

        Exploding. And the results aren’t even in!

        I couldn’t be bothered typing out “over the dismissal of Jenny Michie from his campaign team.” I thought most people would have recognised the lighthearted intent of the reference.

        What’s stupid about my analysis? Are you suggesting Cunliffe won’t win? That Grant Robertson really, really means all these nice sounding leftish things he said and will strive to realise them? That Shane Jones is ace and shouldn’t go away?

        Must say, you come across as a bit ‘tightly wound.’ Getting nervy?

        • Colonial Viper 27.1.1.1
          12 September 2013 at 9:40 pm

          Yes haha! 😈

          Low membership turnout could prove very good or very bad for Cunliffe.

    • Greywarbler 27.2
      12 September 2013 at 9:14 pm

      lurgee
      This is not a game of three halves. It’s our lives and how they get pushed, pulled and pummelled by avoidable factors under the next controlling elected power, which we hope will deliver the policies we need to avoid insolvency of the country.

      [lprent: sorry – was in code + SGA. ]

      • Greywarbler 27.2.1
        12 September 2013 at 9:31 pm

        Any chance of getting off moderation soon? Went up at 9.14 pm.

      • lurgee 27.2.2
        13 September 2013 at 8:13 am

        Oh, indeed. But watching the wailing and gnashing that would happen here, and how people reacted would be fascinating. How long do you think some would abide by their talk about uniting behind the leader and focusing on the enemy would last if the leader turns out to be Anyone But Cunliffe?

        (See what I did there?)

        From a psychological perspective, it would be interesting.

        • Colonial Viper 27.2.2.1
          13 September 2013 at 8:16 am

          Hey fuck head, we’re not your lab animals.

          Robertson/Shearer was a leadership team which could not and did not fire. I can’t see what is going to change with Robertson as leader instead of deputy leader.

    • karen 28.1
      13 September 2013 at 9:06 am

      Thanks for those links. Comparing Grant Robertson and David Cunliffe on the parliament website it seems absolutely inexplicable to me that Grant Robertson is even standing let alone getting support in the caucus. In every category he is so below Cunliffe in experience and commitment, even when it comes to community contribution.

      • Anne 28.1.1
        13 September 2013 at 12:15 pm

        Thanks Perplexed for a timely reminder. David Cunliffe’s credentials are so far in advance of anyone else in caucus, I have long since come to the conclusion that jealousy and self preservation are the underlying causes of their antipathy.

        Cunliffe has his faults. He doesn’t suffer fools gladly for starters which is something he shares with Helen Clark. But I venture to suggest that his ‘faults’ are no worse than those of his enemies in caucus. I find some of his detractors almost pathological in their condemnation of David.

        • karol 28.1.1.1
          13 September 2013 at 12:23 pm

          It was interesting to hear Penny Hulse, Auckland Deputy mayor (and ex-Waitakere city deputy mayor) on Citizen A last night. She said she had had a lot of interaction with Cunliffe in her dep mayor roles, and really didn’t seem to understand or support the criticisms of Cunliffe coming from the ABCs. Hulse seemed to support Cunliffe for leader of the Labour caucus.

  29. peterlepaysan 29
    12 September 2013 at 9:15 pm

    It is very long overdue that the LP caucus grew up and realise that they exist because there is (or was) a party and electorate that support them.
    Caucus power over leadership encourages personality (read ego) politics to rule.

    Party membership power over leadership encourages policy matters and democracy to rule.

    No wonder Curran and Hipkins and their ilk are pissed off. They might be accountable to the very people who put them into power in the first place.

    Shit! Oh dear! What a horrible thought, being accountable to supporters.

    • lurgee 29.1
      12 September 2013 at 9:20 pm

      Not sure that simple opposition really works. ‘Party membership power over leadership’ encourages demagougery, big talk and troughing, surely?

      • Colonial Viper 29.1.1
        12 September 2013 at 9:22 pm

        How?

        • lurgee 29.1.1.1
          13 September 2013 at 8:08 am

          Because the party members will be receptive to impossible appeals. Cunliffe and Robertson have said a lot of nie sounding things which they will probably not be able to deliver on. So the most compelling and unprincipled demagouge will often prosper. That’s how John Key wins general elections, after all. Theoretically, caucus will have a clearer idea of what is possible, so will be less less open to such nonsense, as they know it is the Art of the Possible, not about promising everyone a golden speedboat.

          Of course, caucus are open to another sort of flattery and bribery. So I think the current college system is just about right – thank you David Shearer, you visionary – but perhaps the weighting could be tweaked a bit. 30% caucus, 40% membership, 30% unions?

          • Colonial Viper 29.1.1.1.1
            13 September 2013 at 8:15 am

            All I hear from you is more of the same neoliberal TINA talk from the last 30 years.

            Full employment on a living wage is certainly deliverable. NZ did it for decades.

            Serious economic policy is not “bribery” or “flattery”. It is taking the matters of this nation seriously. Something that Key doesn’t understand, and it seems, neither do you. The first step of which is recognising that this nation has been heading down the wrong track for 30 years.

            So the most compelling and unprincipled demagouge will often prosper.

            What are you talking about? Demagogues? Have you been watching bad WWII movies?

            Cunliffe is a mainstream politician of a mainstream political party. I don’t understand why you are reaching for the extremism and hyperbole of “demagougery”.

            • lurgee 29.1.1.1.1.1
              13 September 2013 at 4:29 pm

              Full employment on a living wage is certainly deliverable. NZ did it for decades.

              It is desireable. Whether or not it can be turned into policy, because it will be opposed, is another matter. Whether it can be sold to the elctorate yet another. Unfortunately, the DEBT IS BAD message is a lot easier sell than the SPENDING IS GOOD one. Key will exploit that effectively, being a compelling and unprincipled demagouge.

              Serious economic policy is not “bribery” or “flattery”. It is taking the matters of this nation seriously … I don’t understand why you are reaching for the extremism and hyperbole of “demagougery”.

              Did I say it was? I didn’t intend to suggest Cunliffe and Robertson were rabble rousering – though looking back I see the way I phrased things gives that impression. I was responding to the – to my mind – somewhat naive claim that membership holding power over leadership encouraged good policy. It can, but it isn’t a given.

            • lurgee 29.1.1.1.1.2
              14 September 2013 at 9:03 am

              All I hear from you is more of the same neoliberal TINA talk from the last 30 years.

              I don’t think that’s a very fair comment. I don’t think I’ve ever posted anything that suggests I support the social disaster of the last 30 years. I’ve pointed out – pragmatically – that here are somethings that are desireable and possible, and somethings that are desireable and not possible. As I’m sure you know, politics is the art of the possible, not of impossible dreams. I would love to see New Zealand go off on a Long March to the Left, but it isn’t going to happen so there is no point in trying to fool myself – or anyone else – that it will.

              • Colonial Viper …
                14 September 2013 at 9:06 am

                As I said, just more of the same old neoliberal “TINA” There Is No Alternative message. Boring. And a failure.

                • lurgee …
                  14 September 2013 at 9:31 am

                  Was Clark a failure? She didn’t challenge the over-arching economic settlement significantly, but her governments did manage some key reforms and improvements. But proportional representation changes things. You can’t just wait until you get handed a majority and then barge into power and start changing stuff any old how.

                  If you can’t build a consensus you can’t win and can’t govern. You can’t build a consensus with divisive policies expect under extreme circumstances (Thatcher after Winter of Discontent / Falklands, Reagan in 1980) or with a brilliant leader and – all respect to the three contenders – they ain’t that.

                  Consensus means gradualism / Fabian dilution, not violent purging. Oddly, massive reform is more likely under FPTP where you are more likely to win an absolute majority and ram through whatever reforms you see fit. Under MMP, it’s a lot hard to do really good or bad stuff. Key is as close to having domintion as anyone is likely to get under MMP – a very loyal party, ACT and generally loyal minor players – and even he’s being stimied because he doesn’t have the numbers. MMP doesn’t give you them. That’s why it is good. The 80s probably wouldn’t have happen under MMP – Lange only got 43% of the vote. But undoing them is going to be a very long, slow process.

          • Tangee 29.1.1.1.2
            13 September 2013 at 10:03 am

            Haha I think it should be 1% caucus and the rest between membership and unions as both are more the voting public instead of the elected or listed MP’s

  30. big bruv 30
    13 September 2013 at 7:08 am

    I hope you all voted for Cunliffe, I also hope that you made a note of the date and time.

    Next year when Key wins a third term you can all look back at the date and time you voted for Cunnlife and see that as the momnent Labour lost any chance of forming a government.

    • pasupial 30.1
      13 September 2013 at 7:26 am

      BB

      All NACT need to lose is a single seat and they will be unable to govern – look how their gutting of the RMA has been stalled by Dunne and the Maori party telling them to get lost. Of course it is unlikely that either of those two parties will be back next time – Mana is going to devour the Maori seats, those that don’t go back to Labour.

      What you seem to be saying is that Winston will sell-out his own mana by cutting a deal with a ShonKey government. His price will include the absence of Key; and Collins (or Joyce) will never have the chops to defeat a Cunliffe led Labour.

  31. Peter 31
    13 September 2013 at 7:18 am

    Thank you for sharing your insights. The best information about the Labour leadership contest I have read. MSM, for the most part, be ashamed! Patrick Gower here is something for you to aspire to rather than wasting your well paid time inventing contrived headlines.

  32. Linz 32
    13 September 2013 at 9:04 am

    Let’s talk about the other ABCs: All Behind Collins, and Anyone But Collins. Much more fun.

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    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    1 day ago

  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago

  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    2 days ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    2 days ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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