Author Archive

A NZ First First; Winston outvoted in Caucus

Written By: - Date published: 11:25 am, July 3rd, 2015 - 46 comments

The extraordinary battle for the Deputy Leadership of NZ First is over. Winston’s pick has been rejected by the NZF caucus and his grip on the party has loosened significantly. But what does this mean for Labour, the Greens and the prospects of a better Government?

Nick Smith; Thick as a Short Plank?

Written By: - Date published: 9:56 am, July 3rd, 2015 - 25 comments

National’s Nick Smith appears to have misled Parliament over the illegal export of Kauri logs. Thankfully for Smith, it’s nothing to do with the rumours swirling around who is responsible for the loss of our irreplaceable heritage timber, but more to do with the Minister’s inability to understand a clear and explicit piece of legislation.

Amazing Grace

Written By: - Date published: 8:57 am, June 27th, 2015 - 99 comments

Barack Obama sings the spiritual Amazing Grace during the eulogy for Clementa Pinckney, one of those killed by a racist gunman in Charleston. Not completely in tune, but he hits the right note. As his Presidency winds down, Obama has one last opportunity to move the American mindset. The rule of the gun must end.

Colin Craig’s Contempt for His Victim

Written By: - Date published: 7:30 pm, June 22nd, 2015 - 113 comments

The Conservative Party’s Colin Craig has victimised his former Press Secretary by deliberately breaching a confidentiality settlement in order to frame his inappropriate behaviour as a minor matter they were both equally responsible for. Well, that’s crap, Colin. It’s actually a rich man using his power and privilege to belittle a woman. Again.

The Best of British; The NHS, the Welfare State and David Bowie

Written By: - Date published: 12:39 pm, June 21st, 2015 - 24 comments

Massive anti-austerity marches have just ended all over Britain. Tens of thousands of protesters have turned out to let the Tory government know that the fight against the right has not ended with the general election. Welsh singer Charlotte Church told the crowd in London that she is proudly British, but for all the right reasons.

 

Enter Sandman

Written By: - Date published: 6:57 pm, June 18th, 2015 - 52 comments

Nathan Guy reckons he knows what killed hundreds of kiwi taxpayer funded lambs in the dodgy Saudi Arabian model farm. Believe it or not, this time it’s not Labour! No, it’s the Sanding of the Lambs.

Snakeheads

Written By: - Date published: 12:17 pm, June 15th, 2015 - 30 comments

It is looking likely that the Australian Government has broken its own laws and international treaties by paying off people smugglers. Did John Key know? Did he approve of what may be criminal activity?

NZLP Review of Election 2014; the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

Written By: - Date published: 5:34 pm, June 3rd, 2015 - 124 comments

The NZ Labour party’s review of election 2015 makes for interesting reading. It’s honest, straightforward and heartening. There is much to be learned from the last election campaign and it looks like the membership have got their points across to the review team. Good work, Labour!

Reid Research Poll: Nats, Key slump.

Written By: - Date published: 7:39 pm, June 2nd, 2015 - 98 comments

New Reid Research poll; National, Key tank. Opposition parties nudge 50%. Little, Peters rise in preferred PM.  Taxi for Mr Key?

Coup Coup Ca Choo!

Written By: - Date published: 10:20 am, May 30th, 2015 - 58 comments

So why was Maurice dancing with ACT? Why was Borrows bullshitting about bikes? Does Judith Collins sleep with a copy of the Art of War under her pillow? I don’t know, but I think we should be told.

Campbell Live Dumped

Written By: - Date published: 2:42 pm, May 21st, 2015 - 83 comments

John Campbell has quit TV3. Campbell Live is dead.

John Banks; Conviction Quashed

Written By: - Date published: 12:14 pm, May 19th, 2015 - 198 comments

John Banks has been acquitted of electoral fraud and his re-trial has been abandoned. Kim Dotcom has once again failed to follow through. Banks vs Goff in next year’s mayoralty race?

UK Election; the lessons.

Written By: - Date published: 6:52 pm, May 8th, 2015 - 393 comments

Like a punch drunk boxer, the pollsters didn’t see it coming. Three leaders could be writing their resignation letters over night. David Cameron is pinching himself at how easy it all turned out. And Scotland had another referendum.

Some brief thoughts on the UK Election and what can be learned.

Update: Ed Miliband resigns. Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage have also quit.

#milifandom! Labour are going to win the UK Election. Fact!

Written By: - Date published: 10:21 am, May 7th, 2015 - 243 comments

Ed Miliband is dominating social media in the UK on the eve of the election. #milifandom is the meme of the day!

UPDATE: Exit Poll suggests Tory win, Lib Dem’s smashed. SNP dominate in Scotland, Greens may win 2 seats. UKIP stuffed, Farage to lose in his seat. Labour still a possibility to govern.

UPDATE 2:  Rumours that both Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg will resign in the morning. George Galloway loses his seat, UKIP have flopped and it appears Nigel Farage will not be an MP. However, Tory win not yet confirmed.

 

Worst. Interview. Ever.

Written By: - Date published: 9:30 am, May 4th, 2015 - 85 comments

On Radio NZ this morning John Key gave an interview that was cringe-worthy, defensive and accidently hilarious. The man is a joke … and not even an original one.

I Fought the Law

Written By: - Date published: 8:28 pm, April 28th, 2015 - 148 comments

A quick look at the legalities of Ponytailgate as it affects the worker, the cafe, the NZ Herald and the PM. There could be court, tribunal and commission hearings that drag on for months, with potential big financial and political implications for the players.

A Friend first, and a Boss second, probably an Entertainer third.

Written By: - Date published: 1:56 pm, April 26th, 2015 - 44 comments

“I’m a friendly guy that likes to interact with the public. I do like to have a bit of a laugh and I’m probably the most casual Prime Minister New Zealand has had.”

John Key’s week has turned from drama to farce. David Brent looks good next to this clown.

My Little Ponytail

Written By: - Date published: 9:49 am, April 22nd, 2015 - 407 comments

A really strange story has appeared on The Daily Blog. It claims to be a first person account of PM John Key regularly physically harrassing a staff member in his local cafe over the summer. While it may be much ado about nothing, the Prime Minister really should tell NZ his side of the story. Or resign if it’s true.

Update: It’s true. Key’s office has confirmed the harassment.

Save Campbell Live!

Written By: - Date published: 5:41 pm, April 9th, 2015 - 285 comments

It looks like NZ’s last outlet for daily TV investigative journalism is going to be axed. TV3’s owners, Mediaworks, are going to focus all their resources into propping up the odious Paul Henry’s breakfast show. The bad taste jokes don’t end there, though. Campbell Live is going to be replaced with a comedy show. No, really. Updated with links to petitions.

Unintended Consequences

Written By: - Date published: 10:09 am, April 1st, 2015 - 148 comments

Winston Peters is poised to announce who will replace him on the NZ First list. It may even be someone who can lead the party after he retires. There’s one really obvious candidate; an ex MP suffering from relevancy deficit syndrome and keen to get back in the political spotlight. It’s ….

Northland: 3News Poll Nails Nats.

Written By: - Date published: 6:35 pm, March 25th, 2015 - 113 comments

Well, it’s pretty much a done deal now. Winston’s going to win Northland. But who’s the biggest loser?

Caption Contest: Northland Special

Written By: - Date published: 10:00 am, March 25th, 2015 - 46 comments

All Apologies

Written By: - Date published: 12:49 pm, March 17th, 2015 - 332 comments

Did commenters on the recent Julian Assange post overstep the mark in their defence of the Wikileaks founder? Are they really rape apologists?

The Killing Moon

Written By: - Date published: 4:11 pm, March 16th, 2015 - 75 comments

TV3 have sacked two judges on X Factor NZ, while Jeremy Clarkson is more popular than ever. When is TV going to pull the plug on itself?

Key: I Apologise for Not Being a Man

Written By: - Date published: 12:04 pm, March 10th, 2015 - 61 comments

It’s hammer time! Prime Minister John Key apologises for not being a man …

Nudge Nudge in Northland

Written By: - Date published: 11:07 am, March 7th, 2015 - 97 comments

Two interesting changes in the Northland by-election overnight.

 

Northland Polls; Horrorshow for National

Written By: - Date published: 10:19 am, March 6th, 2015 - 204 comments

The first polls in the Northland by-election are grim reading for National. It looks likely that Winston will win and National will lose their Parliamentary majority. Have the Tories snatched defeat from the jaws of victory?

Brassneck

Written By: - Date published: 12:21 pm, March 2nd, 2015 - 64 comments

The release of the candidate donation returns has shown us that the National Party are still rorting the system. However, there are issues for the NZ Labour Party as well. Four MP’s have taken money from sources that do not have the interests of the Labour party or, indeed, the majority of Kiwis at heart. Brassneck or bought and sold?

Winston: We Will Fight Them on The Beaches of Northland!

Written By: - Date published: 1:29 pm, February 27th, 2015 - 376 comments

NZ First leader Winston Peters is to stand in the Northland by-election. A three way race between NZ First, Labour and National will make for an interesting campaign and factors outside of National’s control may determine the result.

Andrew Little; leadership, loyalty and lasting the distance.

Written By: - Date published: 1:19 pm, February 26th, 2015 - 64 comments

Its 100 days since the NZ Labour Party elected Andrew Little as its leader. What an inspired decision that has turned out to be! Little has galvanised the party, united the caucus and looks set to be the next PM. How has he turned Labour around?

ISIS. Crowdsourcing a solution.

Written By: - Date published: 11:15 am, February 24th, 2015 - 172 comments

So, we’re off to Iraq. If the answer to ISIS isn’t sending Kiwi troops, what do Standardistas think practical alternatives might be?

EDIT: Key announces 143 troops to go to Iraq and support staff.