A young person’s view on why we have to change the Government

Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, May 4th, 2017 - 78 comments
Categories: activism, election 2017, jacinda ardern, labour, Politics - Tags:

I attended the recent campaign launch of Romy Udanga who is the Labour candidate for the North Shore.  He is a phenomenally good candidate, well networked in the Philippine community and his politics are heavily related to his Catholic faith and his belief that we should all strive to achieve good and we should look after each other.

It was an inspiring event.

As you can see from the photo there were many people there.  I have been to Labour campaign launches in National strongholds where you could count the attendees on one hand and that includes the candidate.  This launch resembled the sort of launch that I would expect in Labour strongholds.

A number of people spoke.  One of them was a young man called James.  He is aged 14.  He gave a speech that to this jaundiced veteran activist reminded me why politics is so important.  And why young people are our future.

Here it is.

Thanks for that so yep I’m James and exactly a week ago Romy asked me to speak in front of you today. He asked me to tell you about myself and why I want to do everything I can to help Labour change the Government.

So here it goes.

My story began when I meet Jacinda Ardern in the summer of 2015 and she kindly signed me up to the Labour Youth Party, even though I was a nervous 12 year old. And from then on I was finally one step closer to achieving what I think needs to be accomplished

But for many years I just had to cheer on from the side lines and although I was invited to party events I couldn’t exactly drive to Auckland University at 6 on a Wednesday night to debate fiscal policy because I was just twelve.  I couldn’t legally drive and it was a school night so that wouldn’t have worked out anyway.

But when I went to my first Party event, the Labour and Greens joint State of the Nation speech, I was inspired because as I was standing in the middle of the crowd I realised that we could not only change the government but change the country and peoples’ lives.

So I went door knocking for the first time in the Mt Albert by-election and those two experiences just cemented my belief that we can change the country because even though I’m just 14 I know the issues and the problems in New Zealand.  But the one that gets me out of my seat every single time is child poverty

Because when my family moved here nine years ago we moved so that my brother and I could live a better life and we do.

But 295,000 kids don’t and in an amazing country like New Zealand that is fundamentally wrong.

You know I’m lucky to have a warm dry home, I’m lucky to have a good education, I’m lucky to be healthy and these things are now seen as privileges when they should be the bare essential for every kid’s life.

That is the reason why I am going to do everything I can to change the government in 2017.

And I hope you will join me because my life has changed from just joining the party. Just think of what we can do if we change the government.

To every young person thinking of getting involved in Labour or the Greens can I suggest that you follow James’ example?  For all the reasons he gave we have to change the Government.

78 comments on “A young person’s view on why we have to change the Government ”

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  1. infused 1
    4 May 2017 at 8:26 am

    “My story began when I meet Jacinda Ardern in the summer of 2015 and she kindly signed me up to the Labour Youth Party, even though I was a nervous 12 year old”

    haha. Man. hoodwink them while they are young. Nice move, Labour.

    • mickysavage 1.1
      4 May 2017 at 8:34 am

      Yeah fill their young impressionable heads with crazy ideas like there should be no child poverty in New Zealand …

    • roy cartland 1.2
      4 May 2017 at 8:49 am

      Fuck that. I went on a springbok tour march when I was 6, I found it as easy to understand then as I do now.

      Kids understand fairness, which isn’t all that complex an issue.

    • Draco T Bastard 1.3
      4 May 2017 at 9:00 am

      I note that national also has a youth wing.

    • WILD KATIPO 1.4
      4 May 2017 at 5:11 pm

      @ infused

      From out of the mouth of babes this young one speaks the truth , – you disgusting nebulous fatalist … and your unmatched condescending arrogance…

      Where Do The Children Play – Cat Stevens (Lyrics) – YouTube
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a4DCxAi020

      • WILD KATIPO 1.4.1
        4 May 2017 at 5:27 pm

        And to you , arsehole – answer this :

        ……………………………………………………………..
        New Right Fight – Who are the New Right?
        http://www.newrightfight.co.nz/pageA.html

        Who Is The Mont Pelerin Society ?
        ……………………………………………………..

        This looting and destruction of the nation-state of New Zealand was planned and implemented by the London-based Mont Pelerin Society.

        In 1947, Mont Pelerin founder von Hayek lamented that the war had drastically strengthened nation-states, which must be replaced, he said, with the classic, anti-state free trade “liberalism” of eighteenth and nineteenth century Britain.

        Many of those continental Europeans present, like von Hayek, carried the prefix “von” before their surnames, signifying that they came from the noble families which had governed Europe for centuries.

        Mont Pelerin shared the same “conservative revolution” philosophy as the Nazis. It also shared some of the same personnel.

        For instance, Max von Thurn und Taxis was a sponsor of von Hayek and his new society. Thurn und Taxis’ family had founded another society in southern Germany before World War 1, which was composed entirely of aristocrats, known as the Thule Society.

        Thule in turn formed a special “workers division” known as the “National Socialist German Workers Party” (NSDAP). The NSDAP, into which an Austrian corporal named Adolf Hitler was recruited, later became better known by the abbreviated version of its name, the “Nazis.”

        In 1989, Max von Thurn und Taxis attended a meeting of his Mont Pelerin Society in Christchurch, New Zealand, to judge, first hand, the results of the “worlds most radical free market revolution.”

        …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

        ” A primary focus of the Thule Society was a claim concerning the origins of the Aryan race. In 1917, people who wanted to join the “Germanic Order”, out of which the Thule Society developed in 1918, had to sign a special “blood declaration of faith” concerning their lineage:

        “The signer hereby swears to the best of his knowledge and belief that no Jewish or coloured blood flows in either his or in his wife’s veins, and that among their ancestors are no members of the coloured races.”
        ……………………………………………………………..

        Thule Society – Wikipedia
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thule_Society

        Young Hitler – Excerpts Appendix | The Thule Society
        http://www.younghitler.com/thule_society.htm

        You aint got nothing to add and nothing we want , – so fuck off .

  2. Antoine 2
    4 May 2017 at 8:34 am

    Waitaminute, so he immigrated here as a child, and now wants to join a party that plans to slash immigration? Talk about pulling up the ladder

    • mickysavage 2.1
      4 May 2017 at 8:37 am

      Like every other Aucklander he can see that this Goverment’s policy of rampant immigration to bolster the economy without putting the necessary infrastructure in place is not working.

      • Antoine 2.1.1
        4 May 2017 at 8:39 am

        He told you that?

        A.

      • james 2.1.2
        4 May 2017 at 9:18 am

        “Like every other Aucklander” so you speak for EVERY Aucklander now?

        • mauī 2.1.2.1
          4 May 2017 at 9:56 am

          No, “every other Aucklander”. Please don’t take peoples words out of context.

        • WILD KATIPO 2.1.2.2
          4 May 2017 at 5:57 pm

          @ james , …

          Are you some sort of anti nationalist subversive???… OK ,… time for the truth treatment.

          And BTW – we don’t like fascists down here in New Zealand … come up with a counter to THIS for all the ANZAC New Zealander’s who lie in their graves who fought the NAZI’s ya prick:

          ……………………………………………………………..
          New Right Fight – Who are the New Right?
          http://www.newrightfight.co.nz/pageA.html

          Who Is The Mont Pelerin Society ?

          This looting and destruction of the nation-state of New Zealand was planned and implemented by the London-based Mont Pelerin Society.

          In 1947, Mont Pelerin founder von Hayek lamented that the war had drastically strengthened nation-states, which must be replaced, he said, with the classic, anti-state free trade “liberalism” of eighteenth and nineteenth century Britain.

          Many of those continental Europeans present, like von Hayek, carried the prefix “von” before their surnames, signifying that they came from the noble families which had governed Europe for centuries.

          Mont Pelerin shared the same “conservative revolution” philosophy as the Nazis. It also shared some of the same personnel. For instance, Max von Thurn und Taxis was a sponsor of von Hayek and his new society.

          Thurn und Taxis’ family had founded another society in southern Germany before World War 1, which was composed entirely of aristocrats, known as the Thule Society. Thule in turn formed a special “workers division” known as the “National Socialist German Workers Party” (NSDAP). The NSDAP, into which an Austrian corporal named Adolf Hitler was recruited, later became better known by the abbreviated version of its name, the “Nazis.”

          In 1989, Max von Thurn und Taxis attended a meeting of his Mont Pelerin Society in Christchurch, New Zealand, to judge, first hand, the results of the “worlds most radical free market revolution.”
          ………………………………………………………………..

          ” A primary focus of the Thule Society was a claim concerning the origins of the Aryan race. In 1917, people who wanted to join the “Germanic Order”, out of which the Thule Society developed in 1918, had to sign a special “blood declaration of faith” concerning their lineage:

          “The signer hereby swears to the best of his knowledge and belief that no Jewish or coloured blood flows in either his or in his wife’s veins, and that among their ancestors are no members of the coloured races.”
          ……………………………………………………………..

          Thule Society – Wikipedia
          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thule_Society

          Young Hitler – Excerpts Appendix | The Thule Society
          http://www.younghitler.com/thule_society.htm

          As usual- silence.

          Silence from the slimy shits who want to keep on the gravy train.

          You are less than pathetic.

          You need to be made an example of. Its time we dragged you scum before our courts for subversion and treason.

          Answer that with your smarmy bullshit laden lies , – if you can.

          • Antoine 2.1.2.2.1
            4 May 2017 at 9:40 pm

            Ok you’re going a bit weird on this Thule thing

            A.

          • james 2.1.2.2.2
            5 May 2017 at 10:26 am

            You are coming off as unhinged. But hey – apart from the childish name calling of “scum” and prick”, which are pointless personal attacks , you want to me off to court for subversion and treason to make an example of – be my guest.

      • BM 2.1.3
        4 May 2017 at 10:05 am

        Is Labour going to cut the pacific quota.

        If not why not?

        • WILD KATIPO 2.1.3.1
          4 May 2017 at 5:47 pm

          Because WE , are a Pacific nation , and our interests are in the PACIFIC.

          We are NOT an Asian nation .

          We are NOT a European nation .

          We are NOT a nation of the Americas.

          WE ARE A PACIFIC NATION.

          Is that too hard a concept to grasp barring our unfortunate allegiance to the 5 eyes spy nations and the bullshit we have been dragged into because of them ???

        • KJT 2.1.3.2
          6 May 2017 at 11:18 am

          No.

          We have responsibility and obligations to Pacific islands due to our past history.
          We also have a moral duty to take refugees from the countries we have assisted the USA in destroying.

          We do not have to take the comfortable middle class, from China, India, USA, UK and Europe.

    • Molly 2.2
      4 May 2017 at 8:40 am

      Yes.

      Someone who is developing critical thinking, will often have the capacity to consider wider implications of benefits they have enjoyed and will take a more considered stance on issues.

      It is hard perhaps for you to understand, but not impossible I hope.

      • Antoine 2.2.1
        4 May 2017 at 8:42 am

        You’re putting words into this kid’s mouth. I don’t believe it until I hear him say, “Yes, Antoine, I want to keep foreigners out of this country because it’s the best thing for New Zealand.”

        • mickysavage 2.2.1.1
          4 May 2017 at 8:46 am

          Que?

          I think you are putting words in his mouth. He clearly said that child poverty is of concern to him yet you are commenting on what he apparently thinks about immigration even though he said nothing whatsoever about the subject in his speech.

          Sheesh.

          • Antoine 2.2.1.1.1
            4 May 2017 at 8:50 am

            Well, I guess you can agree with some of a party’s policies while disagreeing with others

            • WILD KATIPO 2.2.1.1.1.1
              4 May 2017 at 6:07 pm

              You seem to be getting a bit mealy mouthed there , mate… are you trying to attempt wedge politics , by any chance?

              If so,… it seems like a desperate attack on a child who is stating the obvious. Unlike an adult like yourself who seems to exhibit certain benefits for the status quo…

              Kind of viscous behavior, don’t you think ?

        • Psycho Milt 2.2.1.2
          4 May 2017 at 8:50 am

          Labour wanting to cut back on National’s scam to import cheap labour from overseas != “I want to keep foreigners out of this country.” You must be aware of the logical fallacy “false dilemma,” so why make the comment?

          • Antoine 2.2.1.2.1
            4 May 2017 at 8:51 am

            I can’t see the distinction, sorry

            • Psycho Milt 2.2.1.2.1.1
              4 May 2017 at 9:02 am

              Well, if there’s no distinction between controlling immigration numbers and wanting to keep foreigners out of the country, all significant political parties in NZ and the overwhelming majority of the population want to keep foreigners out of this country – why should this kid be any different?

        • Molly 2.2.1.3
          4 May 2017 at 9:25 am

          Spoke in general terms about an abstract idea that might explain the student’s motivation, and your response is… “putting words into this kid’s mouth”

          Read again my initial comment.

  3. ianmac 3
    4 May 2017 at 8:39 am

    Good work James.

  4. Stunned Mullet 4
    4 May 2017 at 8:42 am

    Good luck to Romy as he does his rounds on the Northshore.

    I suspect he’ll have a very hard time in what is a very blue electorate which is groaning under the weight of recent immigrants, in fill housing & apartments and crap public transport, although to be fair the “local” electorate MP will also likely get soundly heckled at local meetings as well.

    • Anne 4.1
      4 May 2017 at 9:50 am

      … a very blue electorate which is groaning under the weight of recent immigrants, in fill housing & apartments and crap public transport,…

      Yep. Pretty blue.

      Groaning under the weight of immigrants? Gross exaggeration. Most people welcome them. They pull their weight and have become valued local citizens who bring new cultures and cuisine to our part of town. North Shore is well served by public transport. In fact the former NS City Council was one of the more innovative movers of public transport in the Auckland region.

      True, we need to keep a close eye on the amount of apartment building, but thus far they have been an improvement to the region – not a hindrance.

      Just get something done about effing Lake Rd Wayne. It’s now beyond beyond!!!

      • Stephen Doyle 4.1.1
        4 May 2017 at 10:27 am

        The Shore is not at all well served by public transport. Try travelling across town, Birkenhead to Albany for example. Cycleways are by and large a dangerous joke.
        But as long as there’s a new Thai restaurant in your neighbourhood, its all sweet.

        • Tautoko Mangō Mata 4.1.1.1
          4 May 2017 at 10:44 am

          +1 There are I’m-all-right-jack and self satisfied people in abundance in some areas, but I believe that deep down most Kiwis have a sense of fairness and are not happy to have others struggling.

        • Karen 4.1.1.2
          4 May 2017 at 11:03 am

          +1
          Public Transport has improved a bit but it is not by any means good and there are very few cycleways.

          Also there is a big difference between the North Shore electorate (Takapuna, Milford and Devonport) which is what Anne and Wayne are talking about and the North Shore as a whole. There is plenty of poverty on the North Shore for those who wish to step outside their affluent bubbles.

    • WILD KATIPO 4.2
      4 May 2017 at 9:04 pm

      @ Stunned Mullet

      Silly fool,… plays right into the hands of NZ First ,… and ensures the next Labour led govt,… long may the fool speaketh…

  5. Wayne 5
    4 May 2017 at 9:20 am

    Stunned Mullet,

    I live in North Shore, and what you are saying simply isn’t correct; “groaning under the weight…”

    Sure there has been some development, for instance infill housing in my suburb of Bayswater, which is invariably better than the prior single dwelling (basically the old house is moved off a 1000 m section and two modern townhouses built). And new apartments in the core of Takapuna.

    But the basic character of North Shore has hardly changed in the last decade. It remains a great place to live with great amenities. Neither has there been much population growth. Most of that is further north in Albany and East Coast Bays.

    There are more cars, but that is because just about everyone over 18 owns a car. Households that once had two cars now have three or four. This is really an expression of personal freedom and increased affluence, rather than bad public transport, which has improved markedly in the last 15 years.

    • Tautoko Mangō Mata 5.1
      4 May 2017 at 10:02 am

      @ Wayne. It is very easy to live in an area which is siloed from the reality of how life is for many people. I too live an area in which everyone “seems” to be doing well. Their house values have gone up , but many of these people have real concerns about climate change, water quality, the ruining the environment for short term profit, a decent education for their children, the chance of their children ever being able to afford to buy their own home, the traffic gridlock, the sale of NZ land and home to foreign investors, the destructive influence of USA on keeping peace, the future of work, SUSTAINABILITY instead of growth …etc.

      Most NZers have a sense of fairness and the knowledge that many people are struggling to pay rents (if they can find a house to rent) while CEOs are getting obscenely large amounts is not going down well with many. I think we have reached a peak greed-tolerance limit.

    • ropata 5.2
      4 May 2017 at 1:31 pm

      I live on the North Shore as well, not in the posh part that Wayne seems to inhabit.

      “the basic character of North Shore has hardly changed in the last decade”

      ?!?
      property prices have tripled
      all “affordable” areas have been colonised and Kiwis priced out
      schools are overflowing and struggling for teachers
      mega developments in Albany and further afield have caused traffic chaos

      Of course there are lots of great things about the Shore but Wayne must be living in a bubble if he thinks it hasn’t drastically changed.

  6. Anne 6
    4 May 2017 at 10:03 am

    … just about everyone over 18 owns a car. Households that once had two cars now have three or four. This is really an expression of personal freedom and increased affluence,…

    It only applies to the affluent areas Wayne and not the rest of the city who are being held back by over-crowding and increasing rates of poverty – and the resultant increase in violent crimes. There is scant personal freedom for them. In an egalitarian society – which is the one I grew up in – everybody had the opportunity to improve their standard of living and become “personally free”. Not so under the market driven society we live in today.

    • Wayne 6.1
      4 May 2017 at 11:38 am

      Anne,

      I think the increased affluence of the last decade is actually quite widespread. Retail sales figures certainly indicate that. It is obviously true that not everyone has benefited, but most have in one way or another. Unemployment is now down to 4.9% and overall employment rates are about the highest they have ever been. Minimum wage is $15.75.

      I obviously recognize that Bayswater is more affluent than many suburbs. However, it has a wide spread of socio-economic groups. There are about 1000 households in total, with around 150 of them Housing NZ and 100 are Navy. The most expensive houses (the top 30) would be valued at between $5 and 10 million.

      Over the last 10 years all households seem to have become better off, including those in Housing NZ units. No doubt relatively low rents in the Housing NZ units have helped those households. Those lower income households in the private rental market probably find it harder, though they will have accommodation supplement to help with the rent

      Bayswater Primary is decile 8, so not the highest which is an indication of the mixed nature of the suburb. All other schools in Takapuna and Devonport are decile 10.

      We have an excellent park for sport and recreation, and improving civic amenities like the coastal walk and coastal park. There has been a big effort to improve and cleanup the foreshore. Ferries, buses and cycle ways are hugely better than 10 years ago.

      Crime is way down over the last fifteen years. I know that particularly, having previously been the local MP.

      So yes, I am optimistic about our community. I don’t believe that Bayswater is some sort of closeted community in a bubble, divorced from wider reality. In many respects, because of its socio-economic spread, it is quite a good reflection of New Zealand.

      • ropata 6.1.1
        4 May 2017 at 1:59 pm

        National party PR from Planet Key.
        Denying reality doesn’t fix anything mate.

        Did you read the article? There are 295000 kids in poverty.

        Just because a select few lucky urbanites are sitting on a mountain of cash doesn’t mean wealth is trickling down to the rest of NZ.

        • Wayne 6.1.1.1
          4 May 2017 at 2:43 pm

          ropata,

          295,000 kids are not in poverty. That figure is based on a percentage of the median income. Based on the Children’s Commissioners information, the actual number suffering material deprivation is around 70,000. Still a lot, but also a much more solvable problem.

          Most people in Bayswater are not sitting on mountains of cash. It is a pretty middling suburb (a bit above the average) as I indicated.

          • ropata 6.1.1.1.1
            4 May 2017 at 4:00 pm

            Judging by average prices in Beachlands and Long Bay, the average dwelling in Bayswater is probably worth $1.8 to $3 million or more
            http://www.sra.co.nz/pdf/AucklandNewHouseCostsMay17.pdf

            mountains of cash…

            Hat tip

            Rodney Dickens charts the failure of National's housing policies and says Labour's policies offer more hope. https://t.co/5T0nCy5xfo— Phil Twyford (@PhilTwyford) May 4, 2017

          • Matthew Whitehead 6.1.1.1.2
            4 May 2017 at 9:02 pm

            If your friends in government would allow us a better measure I’m sure we’d quote you numbers you’d still disagree with but were slightly more accurate. Until then, if you think 70,000 is acceptable, you’re definitely off golfing on Planet Key.

            I don’t think anyone’s arguing your whole neighbourhood is affluent, Wayne. I think the point is that the parts of it that have problems don’t feel like sharing with you- and honestly, why would they? There’s practically no events at which local communities meet and share their opinions anymore, and honestly I can understand why people would be reluctant to share their personal stories with a former National MP anyway.

            It’s also worth noting that things like cars or retail sales can be driven by debt. A household could be pretty underwater and struggling without any visible sign that they’re not doing well because their economic problems are on paper. They could have a primary earner that’s doing well, but maybe the kids are having difficulty finding employment because they’re not able to work in some of the more soul-destroying positions that millenials are expected to happily fill nowadays.

            I think you’re being awfully naive to assume that because your comparatively well-off neighbourhood visually appears to be okay and because retail sales aren’t crashing that there aren’t painful stories of poverty, frustration, and economic inequality that are developing all over the nation right now because of how the government has mismanaged the country. There are ways for an economy to be deeply unhealthy that don’t require an immediate plunge into recession.

        • infused 6.1.1.2
          4 May 2017 at 3:00 pm

          ah the bullshtit poverty figure. Try measuring it properly.

          • McFlock 6.1.1.2.1
            4 May 2017 at 3:08 pm

            It is measured properly. You just don’t like the reading on the gauge.

          • Wayne 6.1.1.2.2
            4 May 2017 at 3:09 pm

            infused,

            Exactly the point. Using a percentage of income to determine whether a person is in poverty does not actually measure poverty. That is why a material deprivation measure is more relevant.

            Are you saying the Children’s Commissioner, Andrew Becroft, does not know his job?

            • McFlock 6.1.1.2.2.1
              4 May 2017 at 9:22 pm

              It measures relative poverty, the extent to which a population can participate economically in the society of which they are theoretically a part (you know, live in a warm house and buy food). Material hardship, which is also measured, provides another piece of the picture – specific ways relative economic poverty impacts on peoples’ lives.

            • KJT 6.1.1.2.2.2
              6 May 2017 at 11:24 am

              It does measure poverty because prices reflect the median income.

              Prices increase to what the median can afford.

              In fact the level of poverty is probably worse because, as we know many, things are more expensive if you are poor.

              Interest rates, food brought in small amounts, transport, etc.

              Nationals apologists don’t like it as a measure because it shows how much National MP’s, like Wayne, should be ashamed of themselves.

          • ropata 6.1.1.2.3
            4 May 2017 at 5:25 pm

            Where did you pull that figure of “70000 in material deprivation”?

            155000 in material hardship
            295000 in income poverty, i.e. 28% of kiwi kids in households earning below 60% of the median nz income (i.e less than $436 pw)

            http://www.childpoverty.co.nz/

            Don’t believe everything RW thinktanks tell you
            http://www.inequality.org.nz/the-new-zealand-initiatives-new-report-on-inequality/

          • WILD KATIPO 6.1.1.2.4
            4 May 2017 at 9:09 pm

            @ Wayne / infused

            New Right Fight – Who are the New Right?
            http://www.newrightfight.co.nz/pageA.html

      • Sacha 6.1.2
        4 May 2017 at 3:28 pm

        You think a decile *8* school shows a wide socio-economic spread? That really is coastal thinking.

  7. james 7
    4 May 2017 at 10:33 am

    I personally dislike seeing kids in politics simply as a general rule – they are more parrots for their parents and not really thinking for themselves.

    However there are always exceptions and exceptional young people. If he is one of those, whilst I do not agree with him, I wish him all the best, the country needs all the smart passionate people they can get – regardless what side of the house they are on – the country is better for it.

    • WILD KATIPO 7.1
      4 May 2017 at 9:18 pm

      Joan of Arc

      Joan of Arc – Wikipedia
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc

      The uncrowned King Charles VII sent Joan to the siege of Orléans ( 1428 -29 ) as part of a relief mission. She gained prominence after the siege was lifted only nine days later.

      She was around 16 years of age.

      On 23 May 1430, she was captured at Compiègne by the Burgundian faction, which was allied with the English. She was later handed over to the English[7] and put on trial by the pro-English Bishop of Beauvais Pierre Cauchon on a variety of charges.[8] After Cauchon declared her guilty she was burned at the stake on 30 May 1431, dying at about nineteen years of age.

      …………………………………………………………………………

  8. Ad 8
    4 May 2017 at 10:39 am

    +100 inspiring post

  9. aerobubble 9
    4 May 2017 at 1:27 pm

    Nz is booming compared to OZ, so why so few Kiwis returning? Could it be something Key said, or did, didn’t do. Now the Aussies are doing everything to make Oz less of a brighter future, even exporting as mant kiwis they can claim to be undesirable. How can a country do so well yet those that know it best stay away even as their circumstance wain. Could it be! No! A culure that rewards negatives eqully to positives.e.g Keys’ son shouting out at a passerby, somehow this abusive behavior, is a good lok, a means to get successful, a path to wealth. Oh, i know, lets call all youth druggies, that’ll help the economy…

    When a society eats itself, when its citizens choose bad equally to good, the spiral sets in, negatives with instance gratification are emphasized while longer term planning rewards are over looked. Thrown them in jail, call the weak names, abuse passersby, its all the same classic religious scam, war on secular society, so they return to the fold…

    Of course wiser head know that negativity should neither be rewarded nor responded to, but principled self awareness, and older values of talking openly to power that predates Jesus.

  10. One Two 10
    4 May 2017 at 2:32 pm

    Must be a large Pino community in Auckland..New Lynn and North Shore…

    Using a 14 year old, who was 12 as a prop for the LP is not credible..

    It’s like the use of youngsters to pump products for adults..

    A child might be able understand issues in a silo, but they do not have the awareness to understand why politics is the problem, nor that the NZLP are the solution..

    Changing the government, changes little to nothing in the medium to longer term without cutting every treaty/contract/globalist entity which NZ is bound by!

    Those who support the political system by believing it’s part of the solution..are a major part of the problem!

    • mickysavage 10.1
      4 May 2017 at 3:05 pm

      Que? He volunteered to speak and wrote the speech himself.

      Outrageous that you think young people should not have political beliefs or that mainstream politics is a waste of time.

  11. AsleepWhileWalking 11
    4 May 2017 at 3:03 pm

    That’s very cool.

  12. Muttonbird 12
    4 May 2017 at 8:31 pm

    Don’t the RWNJs hate it when a child calls them out.

    • WILD KATIPO 12.1
      4 May 2017 at 9:28 pm

      TBH ,… it wasn’t really that hard,… nothing said that adults haven’t already been saying .

      Its just that having a very young person pointing out whats glaringly obvious to all is somewhat of a disturbing home truth in the neo liberal right wings assumed secrecy for their agenda…

      A little bit like the story of the Emperors new clothes…

    • Antoine 12.2
      4 May 2017 at 9:39 pm

      Just startled by the use of a young immigrant as a poster child for a party that wants to slash immigration, is all

      • Muttonbird 12.2.1
        5 May 2017 at 10:26 am

        And yet this young immigrant wants to change to a socially conscious government. One which recognises the value of managed immigration for the benefit of the whole country, not just employers, homeowners, and immigrants themselves.

    • RightWingAndProud 12.3
      5 May 2017 at 7:56 am

      So child poverty doesn’t exist in left-wing countries. Got it.

  13. RightWingAndProud 13
    5 May 2017 at 7:59 am

    While I admit that wars are won on the ground sending 14 year olds out to fight is a bit much isn’t it? I mean even Hitler waited until Germany was just about defeated before he started doing crap like that.

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