Bridges’ biggest gamble

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 3:46 pm, February 2nd, 2020 - 103 comments
Categories: crime, democratic participation, national, nz first, political parties, same old national, Simon Bridges, winston peters - Tags:

Simon Bridges has made the call and ruled out working with NZ FIrst after the election. From Henry Cooke at Stuff:

National leader Simon Bridges has ruled out working with NZ First after this year’s election, telling voters he can’t trust the party.

Bridges’ move, announced at a caucus retreat in Havelock North, sets the stage for a no-holds barred election campaign between the three parties that make up the Government and National.

It echoes a move made by then-oppositon leader John Key ahead of the 2008 election, when he too ruled out working with NZ First.

And the reasons?

“I don’t believe we can work with NZ First and have a constructive trusting relationship.”

Bridges pointed to the decision of NZ First leader Winston Peters to sue several National Party ministers during coalition negotiations as a factor in the bad blood between the parties.

“I don’t trust NZ First and I don’t believe New Zealanders can either.”

There are some interesting parallels in what happened in 2008 and what is happening now.

Back then there was a SFO investigation into a $100,000 dollar donation by Owen Glenn to NZ First that Peters disputed.

From a NBR article at the time:

National Party leader John Key has ruled out working with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters post-election altogether and says opponents are wrong to suggest that would change if he was struggling to form a government.

Mr Peters’ party is being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office over questions how donated money was spent and Parliament’s privileges committee is looking at whether rules were broken regarding an undeclared $100,000 donation from billionaire Owen Glenn.

…

Mr Key told NZPA that the bar he set for who he would work with was higher than if they were cleared by investigations or not.

“I have to have confidence in them and confidence in their word. The sheer weight of allegations and the actions of Mr Peters in the last few months means that I have lost that confidence in him.”

Mr Key ruled out having Mr Peters as a minister, forming a coalition with his party or entering any kind of support arrangement with NZ First.

“The lot… we have categorically ruled him out altogether.”

Mr Key said he did not think Mr Peters would be able to clear up all the allegations swirling around.

“I think it’s highly unlikely he will be able to resolve to my satisfaction answers to all of those allegations and that still leaves you with his handling of the situation.”

Gee, $100,000 dollar donation, SFO investigation, allegation that the donation was declared.

Perhaps given the obvious sensitivity to such behaviour Simon Bridges should rule out working with Simon Bridges after the election.

103 comments on “Bridges’ biggest gamble ”

Comments are now closed

mac1 1

2 February 2020 at 3:58 pm

Bridges burning another bridge? Except he hasn't got any.

I reckon he has got in early before Peters turned him down. Less face to lose. It could also be heralding a break to the right. We'll see with policy announcements and candidate selections as the year progresses.
- woodart 1.1
  
  2 February 2020 at 6:46 pm
  
  huge difference between then and now. then nats had three poodle parties, now only have one. bridges is trying to fight a fpp election, wont work now. nats dont like mmp, (cant stand sharing things,typical right wing character flaw), but have successfully cheated the system, with poodle parties.
SHG 2

2 February 2020 at 3:59 pm

“I don’t trust NZ First and I don’t believe New Zealanders can either.”

Bingo.

National’s election chances just got a LOT stronger.
- observer 2.1
  
  2 February 2020 at 4:12 pm
  
  Only if you believe that Simon Bridges will lead National to a higher percentage of the vote than John Key managed.
  
  So the least popular National leader since polling began, will do better than the most popular leader (of any party) since polling began. That's some heroic optimism.
  - Chris T 2.1.1
    
    2 February 2020 at 4:25 pm
    
    Going by the polls if Peters isn't around they won't need it.
    
    Unless Labour gift him a seat.
    
    Which would be kind of against Ardern's promise of a transparent and truthful election campaigning.
    
    He has actually pushed her into a corner a wee bit.
    - observer 2.1.1.1
      
      2 February 2020 at 4:31 pm
      
      Going by the polls National had a single-party majority under Key in 2008, 2011 and 2014.
      
      Going by the votes, they never did.
      - Chris T 2.1.1.1.1
        
        2 February 2020 at 4:45 pm
        
        Fair call.
        
        If nothing else it makes things more interesting.
    - Ed1 2.1.1.2
      
      2 February 2020 at 5:05 pm
      
      You seem to be implying that Simon Bridges is not being transparent and truthful about his intention to gift ACT a seat again . . .
      - Chris T 2.1.1.2.1
        
        2 February 2020 at 5:08 pm
        
        Not really.
        
        I'm implying that no politicians from any party are ever going to be transparent and truthful.
        
        They just tend to normally not make such un-achievable promises.
        
        Makes for a nice slogan though.
    - Chris 2.1.1.3
      
      3 February 2020 at 9:40 pm
      
      Being transparent and truthful doesn't prevent gifting seats to other parties. If gifting a seat to another party makes sense strategically they simply need to do it transparently and truthfully. The problem for Labour is that they haven't properly understood that yet.
- Clive Macann 2.2
  
  2 February 2020 at 6:25 pm
  
  SHG
  
  Funny.
  
  Is that "joke of the day"?
- Muttonbird 2.3
  
  2 February 2020 at 6:48 pm
  
  By shedding even more coalition partners?
  
  Don't think so.
  - Jimmy 2.3.1
    
    3 February 2020 at 4:10 pm
    
    I don't think after the 2017 election, Nats were ever any more likely to go in to coalition with NZF than say the Greens, so I wouldn't say they've really got rid of a potential partner.
observer 3

2 February 2020 at 4:00 pm

Thanks for the NBR link, it chimes in with my own memory that Key made his move much later in the year. He had kept his options open until Peters really was in the poo. People tend to forget that.
Sacha 4

2 February 2020 at 4:06 pm

Look, I would never have dated Elle MacPherson either. It's good that Simon has got in first to clarify his prospects with that suave Winston chap.
observer 5

2 February 2020 at 4:07 pm

One of the (many) weird things about Bridges' move is that in 2017 we had many Nats in the media urging the Greens to talk to National. For a couple of weeks it was a concerted (albeit deluded) campaign. James Shaw was to blame for not being reasonable!

So National's position now seems to be that NZF are unacceptable in 2020 (when the parties agree about some things) and therefore worse than the Greens were in 2017 (when they agreed about almost nothing).
Whispering Kate 6

2 February 2020 at 4:17 pm

I fear there is a new right wing party being formed right now and along with Act could see them getting into power this election, hence his confidence in giving NZ First their marching orders. Disgusting thought. Nightmare stuff really.
- Fireblade 6.1
  
  2 February 2020 at 4:42 pm
  
  Is that the gun loving, racist, white supremacist party?
  - Chris T 6.1.1
    
    2 February 2020 at 4:48 pm
    
    You realise you are saying this on a thread about a bloke that said "Two Wongs don't make a white" on National TV?
    - Fireblade 6.1.1.1
      
      2 February 2020 at 4:58 pm
      
      That "joke" by Winston was inappropriate and racist.
- mosa 6.2
  
  3 February 2020 at 2:25 am
  
  The rumor is that Tamhere will make a comeback for the Maori party and contest Tamaki Makaurau.
  
  He would work with Simon as he was always in Labour's right leaning faction.
  
  Problem solved.
  - Lucy 6.2.1
    
    3 February 2020 at 9:43 am
    
    He thought he had Auckland mayoralty in the bag too. Never count your elections til they are over! Many voters will never forgive him for his New Zealand is run by front bums comment, or his pretty legal mortgage, or his roast busters comments.
  - lprent 6.2.2
    
    3 February 2020 at 12:31 pm
    
    Problem with JT is that he doesn't seem to realise that over the years he has been steadily irritating whole groups of people in politics because he is useless at being a politician. He works best as a shock jock gripping himself tightly to expel his white flecks of ‘wisdom’.
    
    It seems very unlikely to work that he trying to revive the MP will work as a strategy. I hope he tries. I suspect that it will just suck conservative Maori voters away from voting party-vote National.
    
    It doesn't seem likely that the MP will win an electorate, and this isn't an area that I think that the National party could offer a seat to another client party.
    
    But JT sure hope that he tries. The way that he plays with others, especially women, will effectively block someone else decent winning a vital Maori electorate.
- Wayne 6.3
  
  3 February 2020 at 7:26 am
  
  Whispering Kate,
  
  What right wing party would that be?
  
  No new party has got a hope of getting more than 5%, and National is certainly not going to gift a seat to any such party. Epsom was different. Act (Hide) actually won the seat off Richard Worth in 2005. Thos are the only situations where major party basically give a seat away. When they have already lost it. Like Sydenham.
  
  The only party not currently in parliament that has any hope of getting in is the Maori Party, and that will be if they win one of the 7 Maori seats.
  - Incognito 6.3.1
    
    3 February 2020 at 7:32 am
    
    You might be correct but any new party might eat into the support for NZF or the Greens and drive them under 5%. Now, wouldn’t that be handy for National?
    - Wayne 6.3.1.1
      
      3 February 2020 at 7:57 am
      
      What if the new party eats into National? Which is quite likely if it is a right or a centre-right party. A bit of an own goal if that happens.
      
      As for the Greens, I don't see them dropping below 5%. Just about every existing Green voter knows the Greens will never go with National, so there is no notional right vote to be carved off.
      
      Not true of NZF. A fair chunk of their vote was originally National. In fact they probably have already peeled off, which accounts for NZF hovering right around 5% or a bit less. So yes, a real chance that NZF will go under 5%.
      
      But that won't happen if it looks like National can't win anyway. In that case some people will go with NZF to act as a moderating force on Labour. Which probably suits Labour. They never want to be as left as the Greens (the recent infrastructure package shows that). So being able to use NZF as an excuse helps Labour do what it already wants to do.
      
      [Fixed typo in user handle]
      - Incognito 6.3.1.1.1
        
        3 February 2020 at 8:12 am
        
        We are in agreement. National can probably afford a drop of, say, 0.5%, but NZF cannot.
        
        Even if the Greens will stay above 5%, which is likely, I agree, then an eroded vote for them will mean fewer seats in Parliament.
        
        I reckon we’ll see a few new parties sprouting up before the election but the window is closing.
      - Sacha 6.3.1.1.2
        
        3 February 2020 at 8:30 am
        
        Yes, Winston First is a convenient figleaf for the right-wing of Labour just like Act has been in National.
        
        More savvy left voters need to vote Green rather than Labour to change that calculus.
        
        Winston having nowhere else to go is a great opportunity to reduce his leverage in the next coalition.
  - Chris 6.3.2
    
    3 February 2020 at 10:32 pm
    
    With Bridges as its leader National could easily gift a seat to a new right wing party. He will do anything if he thinks it will increase the nat's chances of winning the election and his current bunch of mates are just as Machiavellian. What ever they decide to do doesn't need to make sense. Add their lack of cohesion, infighting and array of personal ambitions and you've got an 'anything can happen with these clowns' situation.
mary_a 7

2 February 2020 at 5:06 pm

Simon must be very confident re coalition partners this coming election.

Let's see … apart from one MP ACT, so far there is the Sustainable NZ party with Green reject Vernon Tova. Then there is the Vision NZ party led by God bothering Destiny's Tamakis, maybe the Maori Party will make a return with ?? as leaders. Oh dear! Geeze Simon … not a great deal of talent in that conservative pool to charm the electorate.
- woodart 7.1
  
  2 February 2020 at 6:53 pm
  
  my facebook feed has been infested in the last few weeks by ads for, sustainability party, one nz party,new conservative party,and two others who I have already forgotten, all jostling for space around the nats arse. will take each others votes mostly. hilarious.
  - WeTheBleeple 7.1.1
    
    2 February 2020 at 8:20 pm
    
    Let's not forget the Prosperity Party, ecological policies include: pandering to 1080 protesters, and heapings of dung.
- Psycho Milt 7.2
  
  3 February 2020 at 6:47 am
  
  Simon must be very confident re coalition partners this coming election.
  
  He doesn't give a shit about coalition partners. National's aim is a relatively high wasted vote, which would enable it to form a government with a minority of the vote – as little as 45% if it can get the wasted vote high enough.
  
  On that basis, a proliferation of new parties that will never make 5% is a great thing for National. If they can also drive NZF below 5% via a dirty-politics campaign, it's all go for a return to minority government. Don't underestimate just how low they'll go to win power.
  - AB 7.2.1
    
    3 February 2020 at 9:20 am
    
    "National's aim is a relatively high wasted vote… On that basis, a proliferation of new parties that will never make 5% is a great thing for National."
    
    Yes. A new blue-green, pretend 'real environmentalist' party would be just for this purpose also.
    
    "Don't underestimate just how low they'll go to win power"
    
    Yes – when there is wealth to defend people will go very low. Right up to, if not including in this case, pushing their opponents out of helicopters over the sea Pinochet-style.
Anne 8

2 February 2020 at 5:56 pm

I presume the case Bridges is referring to is the leaking of Peters' superannuation details by unknown persons – a case which is still being determined by the presiding judge.

Crikey that's some logic innit. Somebody maliciously leaks information about Peters for political gain so Peters sues two former Nat ministers (among others) who were aware of the details – one of whom has history when it comes to malicious disclosure – and Bridges says: Nah, can't work with him. He can't be trusted.

So, the victim is the one not to be trusted cos well… victims can't be trusted.
Muttonbird 9

2 February 2020 at 6:53 pm

Perhaps given the obvious sensitivity to such behaviour Simon Bridges should rule out working with Simon Bridges after the election.

Lol. Shot of the match so far.
Muttonbird 10

2 February 2020 at 7:01 pm

Stuff headlines are good.

Simon Bridges chooses scorched earth approach that will be the end of him or Winston Peters

Bridges choses all-out war

Paints him as combative, radical, impulsive, and intolerant. All things centre and swing voters abhor.

I think Farrar and others pushed him into this.
- Chris T 10.1
  
  2 February 2020 at 7:26 pm
  
  Not really
  
  Which one out of NZF or the Greens would go with them anyway?
  
  It is just saying to the public a vote for either means Labour again, if you were too thick to work it guys, and girls.
  - Muttonbird 10.1.1
    
    2 February 2020 at 7:31 pm
    
    You didn't address my point about the headlines.
    
    Neither NZF or the Greens would go with them of course because in the case of the first National tried unsuccessfully to destroy NZF in 2017, and in the case of the second their policies are incompatible.
    
    This is the way in which National finds itself in opposition. The same will be true this year.
    - Chris T 10.1.1.1
      
      2 February 2020 at 7:45 pm
      
      Not sure what you want me to address.
      
      Political party leaks info on another. It is not exactly new.
      - Muttonbird 10.1.1.1.1
        
        2 February 2020 at 7:58 pm
        
        I think the headlines show Bridges as being some kind of desperate retreating military figure. The voting public will be turned off by this clumsy and ill-timed behaviour.
        
        You went off on a tangent, of course. Let me know when you decide to come back.
        
        Chris T 10.1.1.1.1.1
        
        2 February 2020 at 9:09 pm
        
        Still not sure what you want.
        
        Nat's obviously leaked Peters info, Peters got annoyed, didn't pick Nat's, Sued Nats and then dropped it as he presumably had no evidence.
        
        If you are asking anything else please feel free to say
        
        Muttonbird …
        
        2 February 2020 at 9:20 pm
        
        I see. You are trying to claim that the leaking of Peters' Super info by elements within the National Party for political gain, after receiving a heads-up from state services, is just a big fat nothing and everyone does it.
        
        This, which was the biggest bombshell of the 2017 campaign, which occupied the media for weeks and is heavily referenced and influences 3 years later was a meh. An event which superseded even JA’s massive rise to power, was simple politics and nothing at all out of the ordinary.
        
        Yeah, right.
        
        This is the same line you ran yesterday and one which another Nat voter used to try attack Labour voters with.
        
        You know when National are in massive trouble when their foot soldiers use the 'everyone does it' defence.
        
        Chris T …
        
        2 February 2020 at 10:06 pm
        
        How is me posting what I said attacking Labour voters?
        
        It is between NZF and the Nats.
        
        And also another reason for Bridges to rule out Peters.
        
        Seriously man. I know it stuffs things up for Peter's prospects, but a bit of perspective.
        
        Google Clark Doone
        
        Muttonbird …
        
        2 February 2020 at 10:19 pm
        
        Your stablemate Climaction attacked Labour voters after I had called you out on your 'everyone does it' position which generalises political skullduggery to try dilute the blame, in this instance, of the pretty corrupt National Party.
        
        Chris T …
        
        2 February 2020 at 10:24 pm
        
        I don't have any stablemates, and please criticise me if you want to for what I say, not others you for some weird reason connect me to.
        
        And yes they all do it. Actually probably not the politicians themselves. Their teams of PR.
        
        Thanks
        
        Muttonbird …
        
        2 February 2020 at 10:33 pm
        
        Don't be naive. In the case I referred to, you and Climaction are stablemates because you are from the same political persuasion. That of blindly attacking Labour and defending National.
        
        Don’t go all Dark. Own your beliefs.
        
        Chris T …
        
        2 February 2020 at 10:39 pm
        
        Please point out where I have defended National for leaking Peters super info'
        
        It was a shit thing to do.
        
        I just said don't pretend both sides don't do it.
        
        Muttonbird …
        
        2 February 2020 at 10:44 pm
        
        You dilute the impact of the Nats' leaking of the info by accusing Labour of the same thing when clearly they have done no such thing.
        
        You continue to dilute National's corrupt work on this (perhaps inadvertently) by claiming both sides do it.
        
        Simply not true.
        
        Chris T …
        
        2 February 2020 at 10:46 pm
        
        Diluted the issue?
        
        It probably cost them the last election, for being so dim.
        
        Seriously dude. Just say what you actually mean.
        
        Do you honestly think all Parties don’t strategically leak things?
        
        Muttonbird …
        
        2 February 2020 at 10:55 pm
        
        You are falsely equating again. National have made a complete mess of corruptly using state apparatus for their own gain over the 9 years they were in charge.
        
        This is not arguable.
        
        You have admitted that the Peters' Super leak was corrupt but can't/won’t point to an instance when Labour did something similar, despite claiming all sides do it.
        
        I suspect you also admit Key was corrupt when he used what he considered his personal security services to damage Phil Goff, the leader of the opposition, in 2014.
        
        I also suspect you would fail to find an instance when a Labour government did the same…
        
        Chris T …
        
        2 February 2020 at 11:01 pm
        
        The reason I haven't is because I have been labelled as an evil righty.
        
        I mentioned Clark/Doone, If I did mention something like you know, the pledge cards or anything remotely bad I would be banned again for being off topic again, and frankly I don't want to give an easy excuse.
        
        This place is cool and interesting but some people can go off topic and some can't.
Jackel 11

2 February 2020 at 7:12 pm

I don't think ruling out working with NZF will gain the tories any votes or make it easier for them to sink NZF. Everyone knows that if they needed Peters after the election and he gave them the nod they would jump in bed with him quicker than I can say Jack Rabbit.
- Muttonbird 11.1
  
  2 February 2020 at 7:15 pm
  
  Indeed. It's incredibly arrogant of the Nats to believe they can do without NZ First and the Greens.
  
  Decent New Zealanders dislike such arrogance.
  - Lettuce 11.1.1
    
    3 February 2020 at 3:32 pm
    
    Conversely, there are plenty of New Zealand arseholes who think this sort of thing constitutes "strong leadership".
ScottGN 12

2 February 2020 at 7:18 pm

Nice timing (Accidental or otherwise) today from the PMO on the government moving to restrict travel from China and the Health Minister outlining further details on the repatriation of NZers from Wuhan. The government is getting on with dealing with a rapidly developing crisis while Simon Bridges drones on about his election strategy. Ardern owned him again today.
Chris T 13

2 February 2020 at 7:29 pm

Be interesting to see if Shaw rules out National again.

Slightly more interesting to be honest
- Muttonbird 13.1
  
  2 February 2020 at 7:31 pm
  
  Does he need to?
  - Chris T 13.1.1
    
    2 February 2020 at 7:46 pm
    
    Don't know.
    
    Guess it depends on whether NZF goes and how much they want to stay in govt.
    
    National didn't need the Maori Party in any of their elections, yet invited them in. Might do the same.
    - weka 13.1.1.1
      
      2 February 2020 at 7:57 pm
      
      The Greens won't support formation of a National-led government. It's not Shaw's decision, it's the party's. Neither Shaw, nor the other MPs, nor the rest of the party want National in government, and there is nothing to be gained by offering them C and S. On climate action alone, they will achieve far more in opposition than they would with a few trinkets tossed their way by National.
      
      Kind of moot though. It's unlikely NZ won't give Labour a second term.
      - Chris T 13.1.1.1.1
        
        2 February 2020 at 9:13 pm
        
        Depends on current polls whether Ardern breaks her most honest transparent election promise and gifts NZF a seat.
- Incognito 13.2
  
  2 February 2020 at 7:45 pm
  
  The Green Party as Kingmaker, I like it, but I wouldn’t recommend that they campaign on it though.
  - weka 13.2.1
    
    2 February 2020 at 7:59 pm
    
    It's not really viable for the Greens. The membership wouldn't allow it and the Greens would bleed votes to Labour. I'm guessing there will clear messages well ahead of election day re-affirming that the GP won't support a Nat govt.
    - Incognito 13.2.1.1
      
      2 February 2020 at 8:07 pm
      
      I agree, which is why I’d discourage them from campaigning on it. However, they might find themselves being the accidental Kingmaker, not by choice. I’d suggest they don’t rule out anything categorically. I think the Green Party is too straight up to play such a devious game – only Winston could pull it off – and good on them.
      - weka 13.2.1.1.1
        
        2 February 2020 at 9:52 pm
        
        If it comes down to the Greens alone, I hope that they invent some new language and concepts. I still can't really see it though. If they've said pre-election that they will only work with a Labour led govt, how can they hold the balance of power?
        
        Incognito 13.2.1.1.1.1
        
        2 February 2020 at 10:05 pm
        
        Well, if they have clearly excluded going it with National then that’s it, I guess. They would have as much bargaining power as NZF. There’s no point bluffing if they have no intention whatsoever but they could get some leverage from playing their cards right. Still, it’s all hypothetical until 19th September. Personally, I can’t see much good coming from some kind of coalition deal with National but that’s just my opinion.
        
        weka …
        
        2 February 2020 at 11:18 pm
        
        My first post at TS, quoting the 2011 position (controlled by the members), but referring to their position in 2015. I think there's a later post (can't find it right now) showing where Shaw was unequivocal going into the 2017 election. The 2011 position used the term 'highly unlikely', which made sense for the Greens, but caused confusion in the electorate. That was clarified by 2017.
        
        https://thestandard.org.nz/green-politics/
weka 14

2 February 2020 at 7:43 pm

So National greatly reduced Peters' leverage with Labour? NZF can either choose to support Labour or let National form govt without them?

I bet the Greens are happy.

I assume this means the Nat spin machine is gearing up to run a scare campaign about the extreme left.
- Incognito 14.1
  
  2 February 2020 at 7:48 pm
  
  They already started with Steven Joyce’s article in Stuff. It sounds like a broken record: On The Road Again.
- Muttonbird 14.2
  
  2 February 2020 at 8:02 pm
  
  Odd, since the the Left is very mainstream right now having coached their far left voices and compromised on a whole lot of policy appealing to the centre.
  - weka 14.2.1
    
    2 February 2020 at 8:03 pm
    
    By Left there do you mean Labour and the Greens?
    - Muttonbird 14.2.1.1
      
      2 February 2020 at 8:09 pm
      
      Correct. They have reacted to government and show policy appealing to the centre. In short there is no extreme left for the Nats to attack.
      
      No more radical outbursts from Davidson and (then) Turei, no matter how true they were.
      
      Shaw is forming consensus with farmers. Labour is building roads.
      
      All this is a raid on Nats territory and I think the right are now terrified of what is coming.
      
      And JA hasn’t even got started yet.
Muttonbird 15

2 February 2020 at 7:46 pm

Speaking to media, Bridges said he did not trust New Zealand First and the public could not either.

Also think this is a calculated strategy to frame Peters as dishonest right at the very time Bridges himself is in the spotlight for acting dishonestly.

It's an attempted distraction engineered by Farrar and co. They simply had to do this now, well ahead of when they intended to because of the shit National is in at the moment (when are they not, lol).

He seems to believe New Zealanders won't register the staggeringly arrogant hypocrisy.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/408672/simon-bridges-rules-out-working-with-new-zealand-first-to-form-a-government
Paul Campbell 16

2 February 2020 at 7:52 pm

This is a big gamble – essentially NZ First is made up of people who, back when we were a 2 party state, used to vote Labour and people who used to vote National .

I think Bridges is gambling that by saying he wont do a deal with NZ First he can splinter off some of those ex-National NZFirst voters who really want a NZF/Nat coalition and bring them back to National.

I think he has 2 goals:

a) more National votes

b) but more importantly to pull NZFirst below 5%

Of course the smart thing for Labour to do would be a Mt Eden sort of arrangement giving NZFirst an electorate seat (Northland? Tauranga?) – the Nats would scream bloody-blue-murder if they did
- Anne 16.1
  
  2 February 2020 at 7:59 pm
  
  – the Nats would scream bloody-blue-murder if they did.
  
  Now that would really show the Nats up for what they are… hypocrites.
  
  So, Labour won't do it.
- Incognito 16.2
  
  2 February 2020 at 8:00 pm
  
  Labour could make it easier for NZF to win an electorate by not fielding a candidate. Northland could be the battleground.
- weka 16.3
  
  2 February 2020 at 8:02 pm
  
  I don't know, NZF voters seem kind of fickle to me, or maybe just true centrists. I know there's some research that shows % of NZF voters that want NZF to support Lab or Nat, but it doesn't appear to affect the vote at the following election (apart from the one where he betrayed the left voters).
  - WeTheBleeple 16.3.1
    
    2 February 2020 at 8:30 pm
    
    The NZF voters I know are centrist. No hardcore right or left. Their oldies might hold some antiquated views, but my peers seem relatively human – unlike how they are often painted – the xenophobic party etc. Maybe they keep that stuff close to their chest, but it's normally detectable when the booze is flowing.
- Muttonbird 16.4
  
  2 February 2020 at 8:08 pm
  
  I think the NZF voters who used to vote National have already split from NZF in the polls after 2017 and that is reflected in the drop in NZF party vote.
  
  They Nats gain no more from this move.
  
  It would be hard to stomach a Labour/NZF electorate deal particularly in light of the behaviour of Shane Jones this term. And it stinks of National's corrupt electoral behaviour over the years. "Tea-cup gate", etc.
  - Paul Campbell 16.4.1
    
    2 February 2020 at 8:13 pm
    
    What's interesting is that it might give Labour more control over Shane (especially if he's the guy who gets the seat, giving Winston space to retire)
Muttonbird 17

2 February 2020 at 8:22 pm

Haven't heard much from the Sustainability Party.

Perhaps they are having trouble with sustainability without funds from the National Party coffers?
- WeTheBleeple 17.1
  
  2 February 2020 at 8:38 pm
  
  They (Sustainability Party) blather on in social media a lot: the format is as follows.
  
  'We're going to do this and we'll do it better than the Greens. We care about New Zealand and it's people, and wish to protect them from the Greens. We are going to clean up the water, and plastic, and poos, because the Greens wont.'
  
  I think Vernon must edit all their copy, to make sure he gets a jab in every time. He's a very petty man.
  - Muttonbird 17.1.1
    
    2 February 2020 at 8:44 pm
    
    Yep.
    
    It's hard to envisage someone who cares less about the environment and more about his political profile while pretending to do the opposite, than Vernon Tava.
  - mary_a 17.1.2
    
    3 February 2020 at 10:12 am
    
    Vernon Tova hates the NZ Greens with a vengeance, since party members didn't elect him co leader, hence the reason spitting the venom at the Green Party every time he opens his toxic mouth. No workable sustainable policies, despite the name of his party.
    
    Indeed a very nasty, petulant, spiteful man.
- Dennis Frank 17.2
  
  3 February 2020 at 10:35 am
  
  Not since mid-November: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/11/sustainable-nz-leader-blasts-greens-and-xenophobic-nz-first-in-message-to-jacinda-ardern.html
  
  "Their view that we must have radical systemic change and an end to capitalism tends to alienate the great majority of voters" but he cites no evidence of any such view. It'd be great if the current GP did have that view. I've seen no evidence that they do. They keep trying to front as Green mainstreamers.
  
  So Vernon is waving a Green strawperson at the media, trying to get traction by recycling the popular 1980s view of the Greens as stark raving radicals. Nostalgic.
  - Muttonbird 17.2.1
    
    3 February 2020 at 10:51 am
    
    Yep. As described by weka @14 above. Government opponents will attempt to manufacture a scare campaign about the "radical left". That's all they have left.
    
    I don't think it will work because I'm pretty sure Kiwis have registered that extreme elements on the left are very quiet right now and that sound political management from Shaw and Ardern has contributed to this.
Cinny 18

2 February 2020 at 9:56 pm

Burst out laughing when I heard the news.
the other pat 19

3 February 2020 at 11:20 am

oh look a loaf of bread holding a biscuit…..just sayin'
mac1 20

3 February 2020 at 11:41 am

Bridges may say in Feb 2020 he won't countenance NZF, but would not rule out last year a deal with Hannah Tamaki.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/05/simon-bridges-not-ruling-out-coalition-with-hannah-tamaki-s-coalition-nz.html

I'd say this is evidence that Bridges is turning to the Right for support.

The announcement by Bridges had him complaining of the negotiating with coalition partners that Labour underwent.

Now, is he too lazy or unskilled to negotiate with partners?

Does he understand MMP?

Is he unaware that he might have to negotiate with ACT, Tamaki, TOP, Conservative, Sustainability, Maori parties et al.?

Does he not see that his whole reliance on getting coalition mates by ceding them an electorate seat as with ACT and United Future is itself a form of electoral manipulation, and actually denies that they are truly a national party by use of this manipulative device?

Bridges is surely, as Peters avers, a political tyro. Some say he is badly advised, but I fear his use of 'belief' and emotion rather than thinking, his penchant for dark politics as he tries out attack politics, smearing and lies. Witness the claims of anti-semitism, the deceitful advertisements, his ranting and barking, his dogwhistles to the loony right.
- Sacha 20.1
  
  3 February 2020 at 11:50 am
  
  I fear his use of 'belief' and emotion rather than thinking, his penchant for dark politics as he tries out attack politics, smearing and lies.
  
  He is not in charge of those. Just doing as he is told.
  - mac1 20.1.1
    
    3 February 2020 at 12:09 pm
    
    Sacha, told by whom? Caucus or 'the nation' as your comment below talks about. or other, darker forces? Is he the adviser or the advised? He says in the article you cite below at #21 that he consulted but it was his idea.
    - Sacha 20.1.1.1
      
      3 February 2020 at 2:57 pm
      
      Of course he says that. His party's leaders behind the scenes: Goodfellow, et al.
      - Anne 20.1.1.1.1
        
        3 February 2020 at 4:13 pm
        
        And don't forget the filthy rich tycoons… Gibbs, Heatley, Fay, Richwhite and company. I expect they're still in the mix.
- mac1 20.2
  
  3 February 2020 at 3:43 pm
  
  I see now that both Ardern and Bridges in December 2019 have ruled out coalition with Hannah Tamaki's Vision Party. I can see by the volume of commentators hastening to correct me how the people are disturbed by all this.
  
  https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/12/jacinda-ardern-simon-bridges-rule-out-working-with-hannah-tamaki-s-vision-nz.html
  
  What's in a name? The reverse sometimes seems the truth. National is not, Vision is blinded, United Future does not exist, the Greens are much experienced, ACT does not; Labour, at least Jacinda laboured to be a mum.
Sacha 21

3 February 2020 at 11:48 am

The interests of the party are the interests of the nation, he reckons: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/408713/simon-bridges-says-caucus-backs-him-on-ruling-out-new-zealand-first-move

While Bridges said he wanted to collaborate with others and believed in the MMP (Mixed-member proportional) system, he did not trust New Zealand First considering Winston Peters' lawsuit actions against MPs and staffers.

"I think that tells us prospectively for the future that it's about New Zealand First and not the interest of New Zealanders.
- mac1 21.1
  
  3 February 2020 at 12:12 pm
  
  Sacha, I read the article you cited. I am blowed if I can see a justification for your saying "the interests of the party are the interests of the nation, he reckons."
  
  I'd appreciate your expanding on this.
Adrian 22

3 February 2020 at 11:59 am

Good ol Simon, always late with the news, Winston ruled him out ages ago.
- Enough is Enough 22.1
  
  3 February 2020 at 2:21 pm
  
  When?
Philg 23

3 February 2020 at 4:54 pm

' National Launches Contraception Campaign'

Oh, thought it was a Caption Comp! My bad.
- Sacha 23.1
  
  3 February 2020 at 10:06 pm
  
  Junior staffer endorses local hash brownie startup.
roblogic 24

3 February 2020 at 10:18 pm

National is desperate; they have no integrity & no policies. Their only hope is a dirty politics campaign such as we have never before seen in NZ. Get ready for a Trumpian campaign of disinformation and outright falsehoods. They are just testing the waters with their fake graphs and shit stirring of coalition parties.
JustMe 25

4 February 2020 at 8:32 pm

I think we can happily come to the conclusion that Simon Bridges just doesn't trust anyone.

Maybe due to his actions no-one can ever trust Simon Bridges.

Trust is a two-way street and if Bridges cannot trust Winston then how can we(the voters)ever trust Simon Bridges???

Recently this thought crossed my mind:

Last November Jacinda apologised to the families of the Erebus victims. That is more than a previous National government would have done. In fact can someone name one previous National government that apologised for the actions of say the Muldoon government or what the previous Bolger(then Shipley)government did especially to beneficiaries like National government hating but now deputy National Party Leader Paula Bennett???!!!!

In fact National, in their current form, wouldn't apologise to anyone if they didn't want to. And so that shows up Bridges and co as being perfectly arrogant.

The previous Muldoon government allowed the false-hood that the pilots of the ill-fated Air NZ flight were to blame for the plane hitting Mt Erebus. Not one National MP in the previous Muldoon government let alone any National government since said that the actions of the Muldoon government were blatant lies and untruths.

At no time has any National government ever apologised to the families!. Nope in fact it has take a current Coalition government to make the apology.

And whilst Bridges and co will deride this current government I think it's time they were put in their place when it comes to blaming others and never accepting the blame themselves. That attitude is arrogance.

So right now Simon Bridges pouts like Donald Trump and barks at everything like a Mongrel Dog. Hardly meritable qualities one must think worthy of voting for when he deems himself all so holy and the National Party all so above reproach even whilst one of its former MPs Double Dipped on the NZ taxpayer and others resorted to greed whilst on the boards of various companies eg Mainzeal, Lombard etc.
- solkta 25.1
  
  4 February 2020 at 8:52 pm
  
  Thing is, nobody trusts Winston. Only a fool would. But others work with him because that is what democracy is under MMP.

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5 days ago

Game on; Hipkins comes out punching
Labour leader Chris Hipkins yesterday took the gloves off and laid into National and its leader Christopher Luxon. For many in Labour – and particularly for some at the top of the caucus and the party — it would not have been a moment too soon. POLITIK is aware ...
PolitikBy Richard Harman
5 days ago

Tax Cut Austerity Blues.
The leaders have had their go, they’ve told us the “what?” and the “why?” of their promises. Now it’s the turn of the would be Finance Ministers to tell us the “how?”, the “how much?”, and the “when?”A chance for those competing for the second most powerful job in the ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
6 days ago

MIKE GRIMSHAW: It’s the economy – and the spirit – Stupid…
Mike Grimshaw writes – Over the past 30-odd years it’s become almost an orthodoxy to blame or invoke neoliberalism for the failures of New Zealand society. On the left the usual response goes something like, neoliberalism is the cause of everything that’s gone wrong and the answer ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
6 days ago

2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #38
A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Sep 17, 2023 thru Sat, Sep 23, 2023. Story of the Week Opinion: Let’s free ourselves from the story of economic growth A relentless focus on economic growth has ushered in ...
Skeptical Science
6 days ago

The End Of The World.
Have you been looking out of your window for signs of the apocalypse? Don’t worry, you haven’t been door knocked by a representative of the Brian Tamaki party. They’re probably a bit busy this morning spruiking salvation, or getting ready to march on our parliament, which is closed. No, I’ve ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
7 days ago

Climate Town: The Brainwashing Of America's Children
Climate Town is the YouTube channel of Rollie Williams and a ragtag team of climate communicators, creatives and comedians. They examine climate change in a way that doesn’t make you want to eat a cyanide pill. Get informed about the climate crisis before the weather does it for you. The latest ...
Skeptical Science
1 week ago

Has There Been External Structural Change?
A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase. Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was similar to the May Budget BEFU, ...
PunditBy Brian Easton
1 week ago

Another Labour bully
Back in June, we learned that Kiri Allan was a Parliamentary bully. And now there's another one: Labour MP Shanan Halbert: The Labour Party was alerted to concerns about [Halbert's] alleged behaviour a year ago but because staffers wanted to remain anonymous, no formal process was undertaken [...] The ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
1 week ago

Climate Change: Ignoring our biggest problem
Its that time in the election season where the status quo parties are busy accusing each other of having fiscal holes in a desperate effort to appear more "responsible" (but not, you understand, by promising to tax wealth or land to give the government the revenue it needs to do ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
1 week ago

JERRY COYNE: A good summary of the mess that is science education in New Zealand
JERRY COYNE writes – If you want to see what the government of New Zealand is up to with respect to science education, you can’t do better than listening to this video/slideshow by two exponents of the “we-need-two-knowledge-systems” view. I’ve gotten a lot of scary stuff from Kiwi ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
1 week ago

Good news on the GDP front is accompanied by news of a $5m govt boost for Supercars (but what about ...
Buzz from the Beehive First, we were treated to the news (from Finance Minister Grant Robertson) that the economy has turned a corner and New Zealand never was in recession. This was triggered by statistics which showed the economy expanded 0.9 per cent in the June quarter, twice as much as ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
1 week ago

The Scafetta Saga
It has taken 17 months to get a comment published pointing out the obvious errors in the Scafetta (2022) paper in GRL. Back in March 2022, Nicola Scafetta published a short paper in Geophysical Research Letters (GRL) purporting to show through ‘advanced’ means that ‘all models with ECS > ...
Real ClimateBy Gavin
1 week ago

Friday's Chorus: Penny wise and pound foolish
TL;DR: In the middle of a climate emergency and in a city prone to earthquakes, Victoria University of Wellington announced yesterday it would stop teaching geophysics, geographic information science and physical geography to save $22 million a year and repay debt. Climate change damage in Aotearoa this year is already ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
1 week ago

CHRIS TROTTER: Calling the big dog’s bluff
For nearly thirty years the pundits have been telling the minor parties that they must be good little puppies and let the big dogs decide. The parties with a plurality of the votes cast must be allowed to govern – even if that means ignoring the ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
1 week ago

The electorate swing, Labour limbo and Luxon-Hipkins two-step
Another poll, another 27 for Labour. It was July the last time one of the reputable TV company polls had Labour's poll percentage starting with a three, so the limbo question is now being asked: how low can you go?It seems such an unlikely question because this doesn't feel like the kind ...
PunditBy Tim Watkin
1 week ago

A Womance, and a Nomance.
After the trench warfare of Tuesday night, when the two major parties went head to head, last night was the turn of the minor parties. Hosts Newshub termed it “the Powerbrokers' Debate”.Based on the latest polls the four parties taking part - ACT, the Greens, New Zealand First, and Te ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
1 week ago

Release: National’s plan means more cuts, more kids in poverty
National’s fiscal plan has failed to fill the massive fiscal hole in its dodgy tax scheme, it will mean more cuts to public services, more children being put into poverty and an end to action on climate change. ...
Labour Blog
14 hours ago

Release: Labour will continue to back Kiwis when the going gets tough
Labour’s Social Development Plan will build on the social welfare safety net, rather than strip it back. ...
Labour Blog
18 hours ago

Policy Announcements: Law & Order and Justice, Courts & Corrections
New Zealand First Policy Announcement: Law and Order New Zealand First believes that keeping society safe should be the priority of law-and-order policies. Every New Zealander deserves to feel safe, secure, and have their person and property respected. That is why New Zealand First continues to fix the flaws in ...
NZ First Press Release
2 days ago

Labour's Dirt Campaign Exposed With Media Help
In last night’s leaders debate Labour Leader Chris Hipkins referred to a quote without giving any explanation of its content, which was about the ‘disease of co-governance’ that is perpetuated by the Māori elite, and he said it was racist. Then, without even examining the content, National leader Christopher Luxon agreed with ...
NZ First Press Release
2 days ago

Labour's Dirt Campaign Exposed With Media Help
In last night’s leaders debate Labour Leader Chris Hipkins referred to a quote without giving any explanation of its content, which was about the ‘disease of co-governance’ that is perpetuated by the Māori elite, and he said it was racist. Then, without even examining the content, National leader Christopher Luxon agreed with ...
NZ First News
2 days ago

Chris Hipkins: Speech Progressing Together
Today, Chris Hipkins delivered a speech about Labour’s relationship with and ongoing commitment to Māori. ...
Labour Blog
2 days ago

Release: National out of ideas on law and order, copies Labour’s policies and costings
After years of criticising the Government on law and order, National have embarrassed themselves by conceding they have no new ideas and instead copied Labour’s Police policy announced three weeks ago, Labour Police spokesperson Ginny Andersen says. ...
Labour Blog
3 days ago

Release: Labour releases balanced, costed and credible fiscal plan
Labour’s fiscal plan will continue its focus on carefully managing the books while protecting critical public services like health and education and investing to deliver high wage jobs and a low carbon economy. ...
Labour Blog
3 days ago

Policy Announcement: Capped Time-Period For Job Seeker Beneficiaries
New Zealand First today is announcing a policy on adjusting the rules and restrictions around access to the Job Seeker Benefit. New Zealand First’s policy is to introduce a capped time-period for any person to access the Job Seeker Benefit during their lifetime. Any individual will have the ability to access the Job Seeker ...
NZ First Press Release
4 days ago

Policy Announcement: Capped Time-Period For Job Seeker Beneficiaries
New Zealand First today is announcing a policy on adjusting the rules and restrictions around access to the Job Seeker Benefit. New Zealand First’s policy is to introduce a capped time-period for any person to access the Job Seeker Benefit during their lifetime. Any individual will have the ability to access the Job Seeker ...
NZ First News
4 days ago

Release: National’s traffic light system has child poverty reduction stalling
National’s cuts to funding for beneficiaries will once again leave children and their parents with less, Spokesperson for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni said. ...
Labour Blog
4 days ago

Green Party will end child poverty
The Green Party will double the Best Start payment and make it available for every child under three years of age - and it will be paid for with a fair tax system. ...
Greens
4 days ago

Release: Labour pledges billion-dollar medicines boost
Labour will fund more medicines for more New Zealanders by investing over $1 billion of new funding into Pharmac if re-elected, Chris Hipkins announced today. ...
Labour Blog
4 days ago

National's welfare policy is cruel
The National Party’s job seeker policy announced today is heartless. ...
Greens
4 days ago

Labour's PHARMAC Policy A Placebo
Labour has just announced a policy to increase Pharmac funding by $1billion over four years to fund additional medicines. With the current Pharmac budget of $1.2billion per year and needing a further $213million, by Minister Verrall’s own admission, just to keep up with current costs - then this is nothing ...
NZ First Press Release
4 days ago

Labour's PHARMAC Policy A Placebo
Labour has just announced a policy to increase Pharmac funding by $1billion over four years to fund additional medicines. With the current Pharmac budget of $1.2billion per year and needing a further $213million, by Minister Verrall’s own admission, just to keep up with current costs - then this is nothing ...
NZ First News
4 days ago

Re: The Call For Corporate Manslaughter Legislation
This matter begins with the Pike River investigation being inadequate, inexplicably lengthy, and after millions of dollars, the evidence that should have been placed before the public still has not been. We have always believed that Pike River is a crime scene, and that a proper investigation would have come to that conclusion. Blue ...
NZ First Press Release
5 days ago

Re: The Call For Corporate Manslaughter Legislation
This matter begins with the Pike River investigation being inadequate, inexplicably lengthy, and after millions of dollars, the evidence that should have been placed before the public still has not been. We have always believed that Pike River is a crime scene, and that a proper investigation would have come to that conclusion. Blue ...
NZ First News
5 days ago

Release: Labour releases New Zealand’s first climate manifesto
New Zealand faces a stark choice this election – vote for Labour to continue to confront the climate emergency with eyes wide open or bury your head in the sand alongside Christopher Luxon. ...
Labour Blog
5 days ago

Green voice crucial for climate action
The Green Party is today welcoming Labour’s climate manifesto, but is clear that much more will need to be done to tackle the climate crisis. ...
Greens
5 days ago

Speech: Chris Hipkins – Wellington Rally, 24 September
...
Labour Blog
6 days ago

People need a government that will build many more homes
Labour’s plan to build more homes is a welcome step forward, but it lacks ambition. ...
Greens
6 days ago

Release: Supercharging public housing
Labour is supercharging its plan to solve the public housing shortfall created by National, promising another 6,000 homes on top of what has already been committed says Labour Housing spokesperson Dr Megan Woods. ...
Labour Blog
6 days ago

Release: New Super Visa for migrants’ parents and rights for Dawn Raid victims
Labour will back migrant working families by introducing a 10-year multiple-entry parents’ and grandparents’ Super Visa, and make good on the Dawn Raids apology by providing a one-off visa for overstayers who have been in the country ten years or more, Labour’s Immigration Spokesperson Andrew Little says. ...
Labour Blog
6 days ago

Only the Greens will deliver a fair amnesty for overstayers
The Green Party is today welcoming Labour coming to the table to ensure an amnesty for overstayers, but only the Greens will ensure immigration settings actually reflect the reality of people who have been failed by our immigration system. ...
Greens
7 days ago

Climate future of communities on the line this election
Green Party co leader James Shaw attended a South Dunedin Future street meeting today to discuss local responses to climate change. ...
Greens
7 days ago

Green Party calls for stronger action by Auckland Council to protect urban trees and native forest
The Green Party is calling on Auckland Council to do more to protect urban trees and housing developer Aedifice Property Group to restore and replant the native forest it cleared, and protect all the remaining trees on Ngahere Road in Pukekohe after a significant number of native trees were cut ...
Greens
1 week ago

Release: Ram Raids drop to two-year low
Latest Police data shows monthly ram raids have hit a two-year low, laying waste to Christopher Luxon’s false claim that there are two ram raids a day says Labour’s Police Spokesperson Ginny Andersen. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Every party needs to step up on school lunches
Labour has finally said it would continue free school lunches - and the Green Party is calling on every party to step up. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Release: School lunches on the line this election
Free and healthy school lunches will be here to stay if Labour is re-elected, guaranteeing food for our kids who need it most and significant cost saving for parents. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: Labour commits to a new hospital for the people of Hawke’s Bay
The next Labour Government will build a new hospital in Hawke’s Bay, Labour leader Chris Hipkins and Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall announced. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Govt changes fall short of what’s needed for migrant protection
The Green Party will keep up the fight to support exploited migrant workers, including pushing to end single employer visas, after the government picked up Green recommendations to improve immigration settings. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Clean Power Payment the smartest way forward to reduce emissions and bills
Green Party co leader James Shaw visited a home in Auckland today that has been upgraded with a wide range of energy improvements, similar to those that would be supported through the Green Party’s Clean Power Payment. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Foreign Minister's Action – A Contempt For “Caretaker Government” Convention
The Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta’s presence in New York today at the United Nations General Assembly is a contempt of New Zealand’s “caretaker government” convention. Despite the long-standing caretaker convention, Minister Mahuta is today at the UN to sign a highly contentious “Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement”, delivering a ...
NZ First Press Release
1 week ago

Back To Black Responsibly
The Pre-Election Fiscal Update Changes Everything Within an hour of this speech there is going to be a debate between the political parties that the media, under MMP, still think are the only parties that matter in this campaign. Both of those parties are riddled with inexperience, as evidenced by ...
NZ First Press Release
1 week ago

Stop the cuts before they start – Labour launches new TV ad
National and ACT's tax plans don't add up, and that means deep cuts to the public services New Zealanders rely on, says Labour Campaign Chair Megan Woods. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Free school lunches paid for with a wealth tax
The Green Party will expand free school lunches and pay for it with a fair tax system. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

The Pacific Reset & the Blue Continent
Thank you for your invitation to speak with you this afternoon about New Zealand Foreign Policy. After offering one or two general thoughts about the nature of foreign policy, the focus today will be the Pacific Reset and why its goals remain even more important today as when they were ...
NZ First Press Release
2 weeks ago

Release: Huge hole in National’s climate budget
National’s plan to cut policies that are reducing New Zealand’s climate emissions will result in a huge gap in the country’s emissions budgets and could see Kiwis paying significantly more at the petrol pump as a result of Christopher Luxon hiking the ETS price. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Greens would push Labour much further on solar power
Labour’s plan to support rooftop solar is a step in the right direction, but falls short of what could be achieved through the Green Party’s Clean Power Payment. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 days ago

Immigration settings updates
Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
7 days ago

Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

COVID-19 funding returned to Government
The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Appointment of District Court Judge
Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today. Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
The economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today. “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

More support for victims of migrant exploitation
Temporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
An export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te Karaka
The Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Further business support for cyclone-affected regions
The Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underway
Defence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
Around 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 weeks ago

New Zealand provides support to Morocco
Aotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 weeks ago

Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilience
The Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today. A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 weeks ago

Government invests in Greymouth’s future
The Government has today confirmed a $2 million grant towards the regeneration of Greymouth’s CBD with construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility. “It will include a visitor facility centred around a new library. Additionally, it will include retail outlets on the ground floor, and both outdoor and ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 weeks ago

Nanaia Mahuta to attend PIF Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will attend the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in Suva, Fiji alongside New Zealand’s regional counterparts. “Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply committed to working with our pacific whanau to strengthen our cooperation, and share ways to combat the challenges facing the Blue Pacific Continent,” ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 weeks ago

PREFU shows no recession, growing economy, more jobs and wages ahead of inflation
Economy to grow 2.6 percent on average over forecast period Treasury not forecasting a recession Inflation to return to the 1-3 percent target band next year Wages set to grow 4.8 percent a year over forecast period Unemployment to peak below the long-term average Fiscal Rules met - Net debt ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 weeks ago

New cancer centre opens in Christchurch
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall proudly opened the Canterbury Cancer Centre in Christchurch today. The new facility is the first of its kind and was built with $6.5 million of funding from the Government’s Infrastructure Reference Group scheme for shovel-ready projects allocated in 2020. ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 weeks ago

Government invests in top of the south’s roading resilience
$12 million to improve the resilience of roads in the Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman regions Hope Bypass earmarked in draft Government Policy Statement on land transport $127 million invested in the top of the south’s roads since flooding in 2021 and 2022 The Government is investing over $12 million to ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 weeks ago

New Zealanders continue to support the revitalisation of te reo as we celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Mā...
Ko tēnei te wiki e whakanui ana i tō tātou reo rangatira. Ko te wā tuku reo Māori, e whakanuia tahitia ai te reo ahakoa kei hea ake tēnā me tēnā o tātou, ka tū ā te Rātū te 14 o Mahuru, ā te 12 o ngā hāora i te ahiahi. ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 weeks ago

Media targeting public for a war with China, warns Declassified Australia
Pacific Media Watch Barely a day passes without a story in the British or Australian media that ramps up fear about the rulers in Beijing, reports the investigative website Declassified Australia. According to an analysis by co-editors Antony Loewenstein and Peter Cronau, the Australian and British media are ramping up ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
5 hours ago

Indonesian police raid church office, home in Nduga – arrest six, torture 12
Asia Pacific Report Members of Indonesia’s Nduga District Police and the Damai Cartenz Police Task Force have raided a residential house and the local head office of the Papuan Tabernacle Church (Kingmi Papua) in the town of Kenyam, Nduga Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province, reports Human Rights Monitor. Before raiding the ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
7 hours ago

Candidate's home broken into, vandalised, threat left behind
The home of Te Pāti Māori candidate Hana Maipi-Clarke was broken into, vandalised, and a threatening letter left behind this week. ...
Radio NZ – political
7 hours ago

‘Politically motivated attack’: Te Pāti Māori candidate’s home vandalised, ‘threatening le...
Te Pāti Māori’s candidate for Hauraki-Waikato says her home was “invaded, vandalised, and left with a threatening letter” in what the party is calling a “politically motivated attack”. Hana-Rawhiti Maipi Clark said the “premeditated and targeted attack” was the latest of three incidents to take place at her home just ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
8 hours ago

Ghoulish smoke and mirrors: Reaction to National's fiscal plan
The National Party's fiscal plan is ghoulish smoke and mirrors that will put more children into poverty, if you listen to Labour and the Green Party. ACT is critical, too. ...
Radio NZ – political
8 hours ago

Taking The Politics Out Of The Covid-19 Royal Commission
“ACT will take the politics out of the Royal Commission into the Government’s Covid-19 response by allowing all New Zealanders to have their say on what should be investigated through a new crowdsourced terms of reference”, says ACT Leader ...
Scoop politics
8 hours ago

Te Pāti Māori Candidate Hana Maipi-Clark’s Home Invaded In Politically Motivated Attack
Te Pāti Māori are not strangers to hate speech and online threats. Today however, a line was crossed. Our Hauraki-Waikato candidate, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi Clark’s home was invaded, vandalised, and left with a threatening letter. This premeditated and ...
Scoop politics
8 hours ago

The disability royal commission recommendations could fix some of the worst living conditions – bu...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Di Winkler, Adjunct Associate Professor, La Trobe University The bite mark on Ashlee’s cheek, her broken teeth and other photos of injuries from assaults in disability housing are some of the haunting images emerging from the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
10 hours ago

The Week in Politics: Luxon likely to get what he doesn't want
Analysis - Christopher Luxon's announcement that he'll work with Winston Peters after the election if he has to boosts NZ First's chances of getting back into Parliament, writes Peter Wilson. ...
Radio NZ – political
11 hours ago

National's big guns come out in Tāmaki
National has wheeled out its stars into the blue, blue seat of Tāmaki which is under friendly fire attack from Act deputy leader Brooke van Velden First Bill English, then Christopher Luxon fronted within two days of each other for Simon O'Connor in the previously safe National heartland of the east ...
Newsroom
11 hours ago

Concern at candidate's assault: 'He shook me, slapped my cheeks'
Chris Hipkins has condemned the increased risk of campaign trail violence as police investigate an assault on Labour’s Angela Roberts Labour’s candidate for Taranaki-King Country has confirmed she was assaulted following an election debate at the Inglewood Rotary Club earlier this week. Angela Roberts explained in a Facebook post after ...
Newsroom
12 hours ago

National's fiscal plan doesn't answer tax cut questions
National may have hoped its detailed fiscal plan would put to bed the lingering questions about how it will pay for its tax cuts, but there are no satisfactory answers in sight, Marc Daalder writes Analysis: Grant Robertson says National's new fiscal plan has a $537 million hole in it and ...
Newsroom
12 hours ago

Beneficiary Bashing Continues This Election With National, ACT & NZ First Policies
“People who experience poverty as sanctioned by a capitalist system shouldn’t be punished for the predicament they’re in” says Brooke Pao Stanley, AAAP Coordinator. These parties use fear based politics to gain popularity and continue to push a narrative ...
Scoop politics
12 hours ago

Foreign policy has been missing from NZ’s election campaign – voters deserve answers to these bi...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato Tax cuts, crime, the cost of living, potholes and co-governance … these and various other issues are now familiar to most voters. But there has been one major election area missing the serious debate ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
12 hours ago

Labour candidate slapped following debate in Taranaki
Labour candidate Angela Roberts, a list MP campaigning in Taranaki-King Country, was shaken and slapped by a member of the public following a debate on Tuesday this week. She described the incident on Facebook. While talking about education policy with an attendee after an event at Inglewood Rotary Club, the ...
The SpinoffBy Shanti Mathias
13 hours ago

Forest Owners Welcome National's Forest Policy But Hold Reservations On Planting Restrictions
The Forest Owners Association generally welcomes the National Party forestry policy announcement that National wants to give certainty and support to the forestry and wood processing industry clearly recognising its economic and environmental advantages. ...
Scoop politics
13 hours ago

Funding The Basics Brilliantly Would Be A Start
Both major parties needed to have prioritised ongoing new investment in children and education in their allowances for new spending, NZEI Te Riu Roa president Mark Potter said today. “The two fiscal plans released this week made pre-commitments ...
Scoop politics
13 hours ago

National’s Fiscal Plan Continues Attack On Low Income Households
National has finally released its fiscal plan after much delay and it reveals a plan to cut the incomes and essential public services the poorest New Zealanders rely on, just so they can pay for tax cuts for landlords and the well-off, says NZCTU ...
Scoop politics
13 hours ago

Governor-General’s Official Visit To Malaysia
The Governor-General of New Zealand, Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, and Dr Richard Davies will depart for an official visit to Malaysia on Sunday 1 October 2023. Their Excellencies are travelling to Malaysia at the invitation of His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong ...
Scoop politics
14 hours ago

‘Forcing more children into poverty’: Labour responds to National’s fiscal plan
Labour says National’s plan to index benefits to inflation rather than wages will result in more children living in poverty. Speaking in Lower Hutt today, party leader Chris Hipkins said National was proposing “$2 billion in benefit cuts”. “In the middle of a cost of living crisis, they’re cutting benefits ...
The SpinoffBy Alice Neville
14 hours ago

Review Of Wellbeing Strategy Needed As Police Recruitment Declines; Suicides Continue
Hatikvah Blue Hope Foundation is gravely concerned following the suicide of another serving police officer in the past month, and we extend our deepest sympathy to the grieving family. This tragedy comes as NZ Police is seeing a staggering 48.5% decline ...
Scoop politics
14 hours ago

Here’s how to fix Australia’s approach to soil carbon credits so they really count towards our c...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aaron Simmons, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, University of New England William Edge, Shutterstock Australia’s plan to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 relies heavily on carbon credits. These credits are awarded to projects that avoid the release ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
14 hours ago

Tough Times Ahead For Children In Hardship Under Next Government, CPAG Warns
The Child Poverty Action Group is asking the National Party to make good on its commitment to children in poverty, but says the party’s fiscal plan reveals it has no desire or intention to help those living in the greatest poverty in Aotearoa. ...
Scoop politics
15 hours ago

Review: Patricia Highsmith play never quite reaches its subject’s brilliance
Sam Brooks reviews Auckland Theatre Company’s Switzerland, which can’t quite meet its subject straight in the eye. What is it? The last show in Auckland Theatre Company’s programme is somewhat of a pivot from the rest of its programme this year. It’s a psychological thriller by an Australian playwright (Joanna ...
The SpinoffBy Sam Brooks
15 hours ago

The Friday Poem: ‘farm to table’ by kī anthony
A new poem by kī anthony. farm to table there is a story in my body that you want to hear. pull me apart like supermarket pizzabread and tell me who i am. narrative unspools my broken cassette; pick up your fork. wind me up. present me on masterchef and ...
The SpinoffBy kī anthony
15 hours ago

'Completely unacceptable': Labour candidate Angela Roberts 'slapped' following p...
The candidate for Taranaki-King Country says she was going to let it go, but realised it was important to take a stand against aggressive and unacceptable behaviour. ...
Radio NZ – political
15 hours ago

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending September 29
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (Vintage, $26) Gamer Queen of the list! ...
The SpinoffBy The Spinoff Review of Books
15 hours ago

Taxpayers’ Union Slams National’s Alternative Fiscal Plan
The Taxpayers’ Union is slamming the plan released by the National Party today saying it barely touches the sides in terms of cutting waste, and realigning the sector to live within the country’s means. Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Jordan ...
Scoop politics
16 hours ago

Nicola Willis confirms plan for pre-Christmas mini-budget
A National-led government would deliver “a mini-budget before Christmas”, Nicola Willis has confirmed, with the intention of “setting out some of the savings and reprioritisations we believe are necessary to get New Zealand back on track”. Speaking as National unveiled its revised, post-Prefu fiscal plan, she said heads of government ...
The SpinoffBy Toby Manhire
16 hours ago

National sets aside funding for predicted rise in prison population
National’s “tough-on-crime” approach will result in a higher prison population, and $700 million has been set aside to deal with this, Nicola Willis has confirmed. “We do expect the prison population to rise as a result of our sentencing policy,” National’s finance spokesperson said at the announcement of the party’s ...
The SpinoffBy Alice Neville
16 hours ago

National promises bigger surplus by 2027
National is promising a bigger surplus and lower debt than Labour in its fiscal plan, which has just been released by leader Christopher Luxon and finance spokesperson Nicola Willis in Auckland. National’s plan says a surplus of $2.9 billion will be reached in 2027 – the same year as Labour. ...
The SpinoffBy Alice Neville
17 hours ago

Election 2023: National Party fiscal plan promises lower taxes, disciplined government spending
The National Party has released its fiscal plan, saying it will lower taxes and reduce net debt. Watch a live stream with leader Christopher Luxon and finance spokesperson Nicola Willis here. ...
Radio NZ – political
17 hours ago

Meet the Gen Z politics nerd who’s made a game out of the election
Can learning about politicians and policies be fun? A 23-year-old Ōtautahi illustrator thinks so, if you turn it all into a card game. A pencil drawn Chris Hipkins, with freckles and a big wide smile, looks like a little school boy. Underneath the portrait, he is briefly and somewhat ruthlessly ...
The SpinoffBy Gabi Lardies
17 hours ago

Parties use Facebook less – and don’t always share accurate information
Smaller parties contending the 2023 election use social media most, shows a new study. Conducted by Victora University’s Internet, Social Media and Politics Research Lab, researchers analysed 681 posts made by political parties and party leaders on Facebook. Act posted almost twice as much as any other party. “Most of ...
The SpinoffBy Shanti Mathias
17 hours ago

Election Study Tracks Facts And Fiction In Political Parties’ Social Media Campaigns
In the lead-up to the general election on 14 October, ACT is pipping other parliamentary parties for the number of Facebook posts. However, some of its posts contain “half-truths”, said Dr Mona Krewel, director of the Internet, Social Media and Politics Research ...
Scoop politics
18 hours ago

Ngāi Tahu Marks 25 Years Since Crown Settlement
Ngāi Tahu is celebrating the anniversary of its Crown Settlement by holding a tribal climate change symposium with whānau today. In 1998, Ngāi Tahu received an apology from the Crown, cultural and tribal redress, and $170 million compensation. It was ...
Scoop politics
18 hours ago

Election 2023: ACT Party would call for public submissions on Covid-19 inquiry terms of reference
It is "wrong" that the government gets to set the terms of reference of a Royal Commission of Inquiry into its Covid-19 response, the ACT Party says. ...
Radio NZ – political
18 hours ago

National to release its fiscal plan today
It’s Friday, September 29. Welcome to The Spinoff’s election live updates. Learn more about the political parties at Policy.nz The agenda Coming up today: National is releasing its fiscal plan in Auckland at midday, after which leader Christopher Luxon is doing a walkabout in St Heliers and attending ...
The SpinoffBy Alice Neville
18 hours ago

Māori leaders pen open letter condemning racism from political candidates
Māori leaders, including Dame Naida Glavish, Tā Mark Solomon and Tukoroirangi Morgan, have released an open letter to politicians this morning calling on them to “call out racism and race-baiting and publicly condemn it”. The letter appears to reference a line from National leader Christopher Luxon’s speech at Waitangi this ...
The SpinoffBy Anna Rawhiti-Connell
18 hours ago

A taste of democracy: What political leaders eat (or don’t eat) on the campaign trail
With just over two weeks till election day, we asked party leaders about the kai that fuels them along the campaign trail. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. One of the great (or only) joys of election campaign season is the abundance of footage and ...
The SpinoffBy Charlotte Muru-Lanning
19 hours ago

Save The Children Calls For Children To Be Back On The Agenda In Election 23
Save the Children is asking politicians and voters to put children’s needs at the top of the agenda ahead of Election 23, with five vital asks for tamariki. The child rights organisation, that has been gathering children and youth voices in recent ...
Scoop politics
19 hours ago

Election 2023: The foreign affairs, trade and defence policies in two minutes
New Zealand makes lots of money from foreign trade, and spends lots of money on the defence force. What role do the parties want the country to play overseas? Policy.nz has the full version, but we can tell you the basics in two minutes. One of the roles of a ...
The SpinoffBy Shanti Mathias
19 hours ago

Election 2023: ACT Party would amend Inquiries Act to allow public submissions on Covid-19 inquiry
It is "wrong" that the government gets to set the term of reference of a Royal Commission of Inquiry into its Covid-19 response, the ACT Party says. It is "wrong" ...
Radio NZ – political
19 hours ago

Election 2023: Māori leaders call on politicians to condemn racism
In an open letter, Māori and community leaders are calling for an end to a "divisive style of politics", and asking National leader Christopher Luxon to condemn race-baiting by NZ First and ACT. ...
Radio NZ – political
19 hours ago

The Bulletin: Willis scores big with CEOs in Herald’s Mood of the Boardroom
National leader Chris Luxon beats his Labour rival – though not overwhelmingly so – in the NZ Herald’s Mood of the Boardroom survey out this morning. The regular pre-election survey of 100 business leaders asks them to rank government ministers and opposition MPs on their handling of economic issues and overall political ...
The SpinoffBy Catherine McGregor
19 hours ago

Media And Police Attribute Success Of Operation Dickinson To The Firearms Registry
The Sporting Shooters Association of New Zealand (SSANZ) is concerned about the political neutrality of New Zealand Police in the leadup to the 2023 General Election. We also have concerns about the media’s understanding of the Firearms Registry ...
Scoop politics
20 hours ago

A search for links between two of the universe’s most spectacular phenomena has come up empty – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Eric Howell, OzGrav Associate Investigator; Adjunct Research Fellow in Astrophysics, The University of Western Australia Carl Knox / OzGrav, CC BY Every so often, astronomers glimpse an intense flash of radio waves from space – a flash that lasts only ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
20 hours ago

Lions to roar or Magpies to soar? It’s a remarkable revival story either way on grand final day
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daryl Adair, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Technology Sydney Saturday’s premiership tussle between Collingwood and Brisbane features the two top-ranked teams from 2023. Hopefully, unlike last year’s final, it will be a gripping match. The 2023 finals series has so ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
20 hours ago

Handkerchief or tissue? Which one’s better for our health and the planet?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Patrick Taylor, Chief Environmental Scientist, EPA Victoria; Honorary Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University Shutterstock Maybe you have hay fever, COVID, a cold or the flu, and are reaching for a tissue or handkerchief. But which one’s better ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
20 hours ago

‘You’re constantly worrying’: pregnant women, bushfire smoke and the impossibility of safety
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mary Lou Rasmussen, Professor, School of Sociology, Australian National University Smoke covered large swathes of Australia during the catastrophic summer fires of 2019-2020. You could see the plumes from space. Over 20% of Australia’s forests went up in smoke and flame. ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
20 hours ago

Michael Woodhouse is prepared to lose in Dunedin one last time
The former cabinet minister withdrew from National’s list after implying the party had valued his experience below the need for diversity. Shanti Mathias speaks to him in Dunedin as he contemplates what comes after 15 years in politics. Michael Woodhouse is always repping – both Otago and the National Party. ...
The SpinoffBy Shanti Mathias
20 hours ago

Michael Woodhouse is prepared to lose in Dunedin one last time
The former cabinet minister withdrew from National’s list after implying the party had valued his experience below the need for diversity. Shanti Mathias speaks to him in Dunedin as he contemplates what comes after 15 years in politics. Michael Woodhouse is always repping – both Otago and the National Party. ...
The SpinoffBy Shanti Mathias
20 hours ago

Boos and strong language mark forum on housing
Political candidates have heard the plight of renters at a forum in Wellington, with all promising to continue funding tenant services. ...
Radio NZ – political
20 hours ago

ACT climate policy could see NZ Paris Agreement pledge walked back
The ACT Party has raised the possibility it would renege on New Zealand's international climate pledge under the Paris Agreement. ...
Radio NZ – political
21 hours ago

Public sector headcount rises in last pre-election recruitment drive
The public administration and safety sector takes on 2,300 new workers in a month ...
Newsroom
21 hours ago

Weet-bix case shows size of mountain supermarket challengers need to climb
It’s just one product, in one chain of stores. But few stories symbolise the ongoing power of the supermarket duopoly as well as The Warehouse’s Weet-bix situation, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign ...
The SpinoffBy Catherine McGregor
21 hours ago

Election 2023: All the latest developments on 29 September
The National Party is set to reveal its fiscal plan today after much controversy over how viable its foreign buyer's tax is and Labour's release of their fiscal plan on Wednesday. ...
Radio NZ – political
21 hours ago

Try queen almost quit her Black Ferns dream
A prolific try-scorer in any team she makes, Martha Mataele is looking to cross the try line for the Black Ferns, as she's named in the squad for the first time. Martha Mataele almost gave up on her Black Ferns dream before her call-up came this month. When the Black ...
Newsroom
22 hours ago

Short story of a NZ Loyal Party candidate
"They're using cloud seeding to alter the atmosphere!": a NZ Loyal candidate is sadly imagined by Jack Remiel Cottrell, in our series of short stories set in the election campaign "Andy, what you're saying is unhinged." Despite Ethan being one of the sheeple, Andy does appreciate that he visits. ...
Newsroom
23 hours ago

Hipkins commits to calling out racism and defending Te Tiriti
Labour leader Chris Hipkins is continuing to target his political opponents over their rhetoric around Māori, saying it's race-baiting, while those accusing say he's "desperate". ...
Radio NZ – political
23 hours ago

It’s happening: There’s finally construction on Wellington’s Golden Mile
The revitalisation of the city centre that Wellington has been debating for years is finally actually happening. Joel MacManus explains what that means. There’s a handful of road cones and some tradies hanging around Grey Street this morning, and it’s possibly the best thing to happen in Wellington since Elijah ...
The SpinoffBy Joel MacManus
1 day ago

It’s happening: There’s finally construction on Wellington’s Golden Mile
The revitalisation of the city centre that Wellington has been debating for years is finally actually happening. Joel MacManus explains what that means. There’s a handful of road cones and some tradies hanging around Grey Street this morning, and it’s possibly the best thing to happen in Wellington since Elijah ...
The SpinoffBy Joel MacManus
1 day ago

There’s always another Winston
Christopher Luxon looks like he will have to call Winston Peters on October 15 to form a government. But which Winston will answer the phone? Winston Peters has been booted from parliament on three separate occasions since he first entered in 1979. Every time it has changed him. In 1981 ...
The SpinoffBy Henry Cooke
1 day ago

There’s always another Winston
Christopher Luxon looks like he will have to call Winston Peters on October 15 to form a government. But which Winston will answer the phone? Winston Peters has been booted from parliament on three separate occasions since he first entered in 1979. Every time it has changed him. In 1981 ...
The SpinoffBy Henry Cooke
1 day ago

NZ cancels final 21.5m Kyoto-era carbon credits
Climate Minister scraps 21m carbon credits left over from the international Kyoto Protocol markets ...
Newsroom
1 day ago

Road safety loses funding fight as more Waka Kotahi plans off track
Resources have been focused on maintenance because of severe weather ...
Newsroom
1 day ago

Torn apart by war, kept apart by bureaucrats
‘Let these young people have a life’ is the plea from a lawyer for an Afghan teenager living without her parents in New Zealand. She's one of a dozen children who fled here when the Taliban took over who are now forcibly separated from their families. It's not difficult ...
Newsroom
1 day ago

Winston reaches deep in his kete of scaremongering soundbites
Baseless fear and loathing regarding Māori political issues is nothing new, but claims that the sky is falling could decide this election ...
Newsroom
1 day ago

Raw Politics: Act and NZ First grab steering wheel
This week on the Raw Politics podcast: We look at what common wins might await New Zealand First and Act if National needs them both post-election; Plus How good are the Greens in the polls, and do overseas votes count for much? Much of the focus of the political ...
Newsroom
1 day ago

This week's bestselling books
The latest Nielsen BookScan New Zealand bestseller list, described by Steve Braunias FICTION 1 The Bone Tree by Airana Ngarewa (Hachette, $37.99) Number one for the seventh straight week. A free copy was up for grabs in last week's book giveaway; readers were asked to comment about another example ...
Newsroom
1 day ago

Daily crossword, Friday 29 September
...
Newsroom
1 day ago

Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 29 September
Loading...(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. ...
Newsroom
1 day ago

Former Papuan governor Enembe’s corruption trial ends – verdict soon
SPECIAL REPORT: By Yamin Kogoya Former Papuan Governor Lukas Enembe has presented his case for the defence, denying the corruption and bribery charges against him, with the end of the controversial and lengthy trial at the Tipikor Court of Jakarta Central District Court this week. The verdict is due on ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
1 day ago

What causes lithium-ion battery fires? Why are they so intense? And how should they be fought? An ex...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Muhammad Rizwan Azhar, Lecturer, Edith Cowan University Shutterstock Picture this: you’re cruising down the Great Ocean Road in your brand new electric vehicle (EV), the ocean to your left and the wind in your hair. But what if I told ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Australian universities have dropped in the latest round of global rankings – should we be worried...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Judith Ireland, Education Editor, The Conversation, Australia Every year, Times Higher Education – a global higher education publication – ranks universities around the world. This one of three prominent international ranking systems for universities. Its 2024 list has just been released ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Bridges’ biggest gamble

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