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- Thank you Jacinda Ardern!
- ‘To the future we strive, to the challenge we rise’
...14 mins ago - #Decision17: Waiting for Winston
Hang in there for another couple weeks. Winston Peters' NZ First has the power to decide the next government. Photo: RNZ/Brad White The only poll that matters this election has left the voting public with ...1 hour ago - Post election thinks
Well… that was a bit shit. The empty feeling that appeared deep in my gut last evening around about 8:30pm remains. New Zealand has decided the born-to-rule Tories of the National Party will lead the next government. Yes, we can ...1 hour ago - Sunday reading 24 September 2017
Welcome back to Sunday reading. Best thing I’ve read this week wasn’t an article – I’ve just finished re-reading Replenishing the Earth, James Belich’s epic history of the ‘settler west’ in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and a few other ...2 hours ago - Hopey-changey stuff
First of all, people are talking about a 'vote for change' based on the combination of Labour, Greens and New Zealand First.‘Change’ was not a candidate on the voting paper I saw. People voted for parties. Those parties need to ...2 hours ago - How did the polls do (provisional outcome)?
Provisional results are in. Here’s how the polls have done so far. You can find the detailed comparisons in this Google doc. Here are a few notes: In 2014 the official results changed things quite a lot. I’ll post ...3 hours ago - How did the polls do (provisional outcome)?Provisional results are in. Here’s how the polls have done so far. You can find the detailed comparisons in this Google doc. Here are a few notes: In 2014 the official results changed things quite a lot. I’ll post ...3 hours ago
- 2017 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #38
A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook page during the past week. Editor's Pick August 2017 was second warmest on record From NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies A global map of the August 2017 ...5 hours ago - Legal Beagle: Election 2017: the Special Votes
The 2017 General Election has a preliminary result.The preliminary result is an unofficial count of all the ordinary votes cast at the election: votes cast on the day by people whose name appears on the printed electoral roll who voted ...6 hours ago - Brinkmanship and the security dilemma
There is a concept in international relations known as the “security dilemma.” Uncertain about each other’s capabilities and intent, adversaries ramp up their military preparations for war as a hedge against a preemptive strike against them. Seeing their adversaries ready ...8 hours ago - First reflections on the NZ election results
by Phil Duncan The frontstabbers have won yet again (National) and the backstabbers have lost yet again (Labour). (For votes and seats see end of article.) Labour so little inspires the working class, that the majority of workers opt for ...8 hours ago - Skirting the law: Was it legal for Jacinda Ardern to walk around malls all day wearing a bag over he...
This woman, identified as Labour leader Jacinda Ardern, spent today walking around Auckland malls shaking people’s hands and picking up their children. The Electoral Commission says it’s investigating complaints that Labour leader Jacinda Ardern spent most of election day walking ...15 hours ago - Bill English held a press conference to say he hates everyone but electoral law made it illegal to r...
The Prime Minister hates us but we voted for him anyway. Prime Minister Bill English held a press conference at 1pm this afternoon to tell all New Zealanders that he hates them, and that he can’t stand their “stupid fucking ...15 hours ago - The 2017 election threadPre-Election Witterings (written before polls closed, but not posted until after 7pm) I gave Ian Lees-Galloway my constituency vote, and my party vote to the Greens. I wanted to deny National the great city of Palmerston North, and make sure ...15 hours ago
- Get in the mood!
Can't believe it has been 20 years since Okay Computer. ...15 hours ago - PoemSince we can't talk about the 'lection, here's a poem, written by John Cornford during the Spanish Civil War. He fought for the POUM, the anti-Stalinist militia which Orwell was part of. Unlike Orwell, he didn't return to Britain. He ...21 hours ago
- Poll/forecast/avg deviations from the provisional 2017 election resultI’ve compiled this Google Doc, that I’ll update as things progress this evening. It shows all pre-election polls, forecasts and poll-of-poll averages that I know of. For each poll/forecast/average it will also calculate the deviation for each party and across ...1 day ago
- Poll/forecast/avg deviations from the provisional 2017 election resultI’ve compiled this Google Doc, that I’ll update as things progress this evening. It shows all pre-election polls, forecasts and poll-of-poll averages that I know of. For each poll/forecast/average it will also calculate the deviation for each party and across ...1 day ago
- Grant Robertson breaking into people’s homes screaming ‘let’s do this’ in last ditch electio...
Do not go gently into that goodnight. Rage, rage, against the closing of the campaign window. Political parties are leaving no stone unturned tonight as they aggressively campaign for every last vote. Campaigning and other indications of political support will ...1 day ago - David Seymour spent final day of campaign standing next to stack of his books saying ‘Hey, check t...
The ACT Party leader had a relatively muted final day of the campaign. ACT Party leader David Seymour spent his final day of the campaign standing in a local Whitcoulls, next to a stack of his own new book, Own ...1 day ago - Election Day Blackout.
...1 day ago - New research, September 11-17, 2017
A selection of new climate related research articles is shown below. Climate change 1. Modelling past, present and future peatland carbon accumulation across the pan-Arctic region "We found that peatlands in Scandinavia, Europe, Russia and central and eastern Canada will ...1 day ago - Bill English confessionalPADRE: Hello my child. BILL: Forgive me father for I have sinned. It’s been one week since my last confession. PADRE: Go on my son. BILL: I must ask for forgiveness for I have committed sins against others. PADRE: How ...2 days ago
- Post Truth Politics works for National
New Zealand is a land of Bullies. While many New Zealanders are good caring people it is a bullying culture that leads and governs us. The evidence for this came out strongly in the recent Unicef report. We have the ...2 days ago - 2 days ago
- Hard News: Friday Music: With PicturesKia ora koutou. It's been a big few weeks, I'm tired and there's work to be done yet – so I thought I'd just whack in a few quality music-related videos for you all to enjoy. See the (very simple) ...2 days ago
- Last day to enrol
Today is the last day on which you can advance vote. It is also the last day you can enrol to vote - for some odd reason we don't allow enrolment on election day. So, if you're not enrolled, get ...2 days ago - The best and worst moments of the 2017 election
It’s almost over! Bill English goes for the cat lovers vote. Photo: RNZ/Chris Bramwell Like a Rugby World Cup or a James Cameron film, this election campaign feels like it’s gone on too damn long. In ...2 days ago - How to spend your election night: A guide
It's all been leading up to this. So how will you spend the final hours of decision 2017? After a long, rough, and occasionally exciting few months of bickering, scandals, weird adverts and cringeworthy twitter feuds, the moment ...2 days ago - Final Election Forecast update
I’ve updated my Election Forecast with the results of the final Colmar Brunton and Reid Research polls. Either National or Labour could form government, but they would both need the help of NZ First, Labour would also need to add ...2 days ago - Some Things Never Change.
2 days ago - What I’m voting for tomorrow
A hell of a lot is riding on this election. A hell of a lot could change if we get a genuine change of government. A hell of a lot of policies near and dear to my heart could be ...2 days ago - Access: Part 5: The tide will turn if floater voters make enough wavesThis is the last of the Disabled Persons Assembly’s (DPA’s) election blogs, and includes an overview of disabled people’s political participation, related questions for candidates, and a wrap up. For marginalised groups everywhere, increasing participation and achievement in political life usually ...2 days ago
- How your vote may turn into a government
So it all comes down to this: It's close. While the the lack of polls this election means it's hard to pick trends, it looks clear that Labour's Adern-tastic August has hit a September slump. Momentum has stalled. It may ...2 days ago - Hamilton: City of the Future
This post is about: How spillovers from the Auckland boom are driving growth in nearby regions. The opportunities for these communities to benefit more from this economic change. The central role of inter-regional transport infrastructure for reviving small towns and ...2 days ago - Trump and TrumanIncinerating Hiroshima by Don Franks US President Donald now threatens to “totally destroy” North Korea’s country of 26 million people. This from the leader of the only power that ever used nuclear weapons. Trump isn’t a one-off nutcase. He follows ...3 days ago
- You’re Wrong Keith: We Have To Do This NOW.
3 days ago - Lies, damn lies and the National Party This week Patrick Gower called it. The National Party was guilty of the biggest lie of the campaign. It’s not the only lie, but it’s certainly the biggest. Labour, apparently, is going to lift income tax. National are arguing, like ...3 days ago
- Fluoride, pregnancy and the IQ of offspring
Anti-fluoride campaigners don’t agree. Image credit: “Dental Care Tips for Mom and Baby” presentation What’s the story about this new IQ-fluoride study? The one that claims fluoride intake by pregnant women could endanger their children’s IQ? Whatever the truth, ...3 days ago - BSA and ASA to political parties: “sure, lie all you like”
When I first saw the National Party’s blatantly misleading “Let’s Tax This” ad, I thought: the Advertising Standards Authority would have to uphold a complaint about this one. And if the ad is broadcast on TV or radio, the Broadcasting Standards ...3 days ago - WINZ steals from the poorestHot on the heels of yesterday's news of WINZ lawlessness, we learn that WINZ has been illegally underpaying the poorest beneficiaries: More than 7000 of New Zealand's most-desperate beneficiaries have been short-changed by the Government - and they're about to ...3 days ago
- Verse Chorus Verse: Precipice – Indi
Indi, aka Indira Force, gives a track-by-track breakdown of her new album. Cover art from Precipice. 'Demeter' This one is about as close to a pop song as i get on this album. It's sort of a ...3 days ago - SuspiciousRemember National's court case with Eminem? A decision was supposed to be issued within three months of the trial ending in May. But strangely, its late:Justice Helen Cull reserved her decision on May 12 - noting at the time that ...3 days ago
- Māori Party confirms opposition to tertiary education Bill
The TEU is pleased to report that Marama Fox, co-leader of the Māori Party, has told the TEU that her party is opposed to National’s tertiary education Bill. The Bill would give Ministers greater powers to divert public funds away from public ...3 days ago - Second chance learners rely on public tertiary educationCraig West, a senior lecturer at Otago Polytechnic, discusses the importance of public tertiary education for second chance learners and its role in the local community. Education sits at the heart of every community and this could not be truer than ...3 days ago
- Election a huge opportunity to improve lives of studentsJonathan Gee, national president of the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations, says this election is a chance to make politics work better for students – which, he says, will benefit us all. For too long, students and young people ...3 days ago
- National announces tertiary education policyNational published its tertiary education policy for the election with minimal fanfare last week. The policy contains little of substance, but there are two commitments worth pointing to. The first is a target to increase the value of international education in New Zealand ...3 days ago
- What next for tertiary education?David Cooke, national chair of the Quality Public Education Coalition, looks at some of the key issues facing the tertiary education sector after the election before offering some thoughts on what we can do together to ensure a positive future for students and ...3 days ago
- TEU celebrates Suffrage DayTuesday 19 September was Suffrage Day and TEU members were out in force to celebrate. Many chose to honour those women who fought and won the right to vote 124 years ago by coming together to vote early. The TEU teams at ...3 days ago
- Access: Disabled floater voters Part 4: Health and SupportThis is the fourth of a series of blogs from the Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA). We have used DPA’s strategic areas of focus, as identified by our members, as a guide to examine key areas of each party’s policies. We ...3 days ago
- A positive signWhile Donald Trump seems trying to start nuclear wars with both North Korea and Iran, there's abeen a positive sign: the UN has outlawed nuclear weapons. And New Zealand was one of the first countries to sign up to the ...3 days ago
- New Auckland Transport Chief Executive
Yesterday, Auckland Transport finally announced who would replace David Warburton as Chief Executive later this year. The job has gone to Shane Ellison. It certainly seems that he has significant experience with running public transport which will be very useful for ...3 days ago - What Do the Chinese Pay For?
The Herald’s readiness to alert its readers to the important conclusions of the University of Canterbury research into the links between China and past and present New Zealand politicians and their family members is to be commended, not because there ...3 days ago - Hard News: The Day After TomorrowThe Westpac McDermott Miller consumer confidence index dipped marginally this week, but, said the bank's chief economist, "households remain in good spirits". In truth, our good spirits rely on us not looking too far ahead.New Zealanders' perception of their current ...3 days ago
- Rotten to the coreHow rotten is WINZ? So rotten that they use false names for those serving on their internal Benefit Review Committees, and present them as truthful to their statutory appeal body. As if that's not bad enough, they then continued to ...3 days ago
- The Grow Room Profiles – Villette
Local Alt R&B songstress/producer Villette discusses some of her formative musical experiences, her positive forecast for Women within Aotearoa's music industry, and finally drops the name of her new mixtape. This video was made with funding support from NZ ...3 days ago - The Singles Life: What happened to political music in New Zealand?
Welcome to weekly series The Singles Life, where known experts Katie Parker and Hussein Moses peruse, ponder and pontificate on the latest and (maybe) greatest in New Zealand music. In these trying times, political music feels like it would ...3 days ago - Media Link: Chinese influence operations, Hillary’s blame game, Trump’s incoherence and NZ’s 3...As part of the series of radio interviews I do with Mitch Harris on RadioLive on Wed nights, this week we decided to be a bit more free ranging than usual (since the normal focus of the radio version of ...3 days ago
- The beginning of the end for nuclear weapons
"I have been waiting for this day for seven decades and I am overjoyed that it has finally arrived,” said Hiroshima survivor Setsuko Thurlow in July, when a new treaty banning nuclear weapons was agreed at the United Nations in ...3 days ago - Election Transport Policy Roundup
Transport featured prominently in this election, particularly in the opening weeks of the campaign. At the same time, the differences between the parties when it comes to transport policies has been stark. It’s also worth remembering the outcome of the 1News ...3 days ago - The loneliness of the election hoarding
Every three years the institution of the election poster gives us an object lesson in psychogeography, remaking the country into red zones, blue zones, contested zones. A sign erected on a private fence or put up at one’s window makes ...3 days ago - This is how civil wars startAs I write this, Spanish police are raiding Catalan government offices and arresting government officials in an effort to prevent Catalans from voting in a referendum on independence:Spanish police officers have raided three Catalan regional government departments and arrested 12 ...3 days ago
- Election edition of It’s Our Future BulletinA vote for National is a vote for the TPPA-11 Kia ora koutou katoa, This will be a short Bulletin as you are all, no doubt, up to your eyeballs in political spin and campaign rhetoric. The general election Saturday ...4 days ago
- National Increased and Introduced 18 New Taxes, How Many More to Come?
While National have been the failed Government of New Zealand they have increased or introduced 18 taxes on the ever suffering New Zealand public! These included an increase in GST, taxing your Kiwisaver contributions, increased your Prescription ...4 days ago - Bugger
4 days ago - It takes just 4 years to detect human warming of the oceans
We’ve known for decades that the Earth is warming, but a key question is, how fast? Another key question is whether the warming is primarily caused by human activities. If we can more precisely measure the rate of warming and ...4 days ago - Why I was an idiot for not voting last election
Three years is a long time. Image: The Wireless/Luke McPake I have a flatmate who probably won’t vote. He says he might, but it’s not looking good. A capital gains tax could persuade him, but Labour’s ...4 days ago - Not That Kind of VotingAs is customary in the run-up to an election, there is some hand-wringing going on about what turnout is going to be like.read more ...4 days ago
- Bill English is incompetent
4 days ago - Pre-emptively poking holes in the land tax bucket
Land taxes have – unexpectedly – become a hot policy topic in the run-up to the election. Land taxes were originally suggested by the economist and social reformer Henry George as a fairer alternative to income or business tax. The ...4 days ago - Kiwis support a water taxThe prospect of making farmers and water bottlers pay for their use of public water has been a big issue this election campaign. Irrigation-dependent dairy farmers hate the idea, of course - they're freeloaders who don't want to pay their ...4 days ago
- National censors NZTA
Last month, when the National Party announced ten expensive new roads as the core of its election campaign, the Greater Auckland blog noticed something interesting: the business case for one of them, Whangarei to Wellsford, had disappeared from NZTA's website. ...4 days ago - Follow the Leader: Winston Peters – NZ First
...4 days ago - Access: Disabled floater voters 3: Education and JusticeThis is the third of a series of blogs from the Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA). We have used DPA’s strategic areas of focus, as identified by our members, as a guide to examine key areas of each party’s policies. We ...4 days ago
- Observations on the 2017 Election campaign thus far… (ono)
. . You show me yours, I’ll show you mine… . Perhaps the most ill-considered public statement from NZ First leader, Winston Peters, was his recent (11 September) demand that Labour disclose it’s full tax plan as a pre-condition for ...4 days ago
- Housing report earns Nats the red card
National’s failure to acknowledge and fix the housing crisis will be their legacy. Labour will tackle the housing crisis head-on, says Labour Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford. ...3 days ago - Sluggish growth reflects nine years of drift from NationalToday’s GDP figures reflect an economy that the National Government has allowed to drift along on the basis of growing population rather than improving productivity and adding value, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson. “It is important to recognise that ...3 days ago
- National’s campaign of deception an affront to democracyVoters this week have a clear choice between Labour’s optimism and honesty, or rewarding National’s campaign of relentless lies, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson. “Day after day National has been deliberately spreading lies about Labour, our intentions and what ...4 days ago
- National’s economy scorecard: D for driftNew Zealand’s economy is failing the very people it is supposed to uplift, characterised by stalled productivity, exports going backwards and a Government content to let it drift, says Leader of the Opposition Jacinda Ardern. “Voters have a clear choice ...4 days ago
- Another day – another health crisisNews today that the emergency department at Waikato has turned 180 patients away is another crisis for the Government and its besieged health system, says Labour’s Health spokesperson David Clark. “It’s astonishing that the Government has had to rely on ...4 days ago
- Labour will get tough on loan sharksLabour will take a tough stance on loan sharks and make sure that the Commerce Commission is properly resourced to protect Kiwi consumers, says Labour’s Consumer Affairs spokesperson Michael Wood. “People on low incomes must be protected from ...4 days ago
- GP letter more evidence of failure in mental healthA letter of complaint by medical practitioners to the Ministry of Health and Capital and Coast District Health Board underlines how badly patients are being let down by mental health services in Wellington, says Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern. “The ...5 days ago
- GP letter more evidence of failure in mental healthA letter of complaint by medical practitioners to the Ministry of Health and Capital and Coast District Health Board underlines how badly patients are being let down by mental health services in Wellington, says Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern. “The ...5 days ago
- Tax cuts when kids go hungry shows National’s lack of moral compassNational’s campaign of tax cuts that give $400 million to the top 10 per cent of earners, at a time when 120 Kiwi kids every year are being hospitalised for malnutrition, shows they have lost their moral compass, says Labour’s ...5 days ago
- Freight being shifted off planes as fuel crisis worsensExport freight is being shifted off flights because of the Government’s failure to manage the risk of disruption to jet fuel supplies, says Labour’s Economic Development spokesperson Stuart Nash. “It has been revealed to Labour that non-perishable export freight is ...5 days ago
- Apologise now JonathanHealth Minister Jonathan Coleman must apologise for his part in a $2.3 billion shortfall that has contributed to delays in cancer diagnosis and treatment, says Labour’s Health spokesperson David Clark. “All the Minister could say in an interview this morning ...5 days ago
- National’s health report card shows need for new planFrom increased GP fees, to kids getting sick from cold homes, to denial of important surgeries, National’s underfunding of health has hurt Kiwi families, says Leader of the Opposition Jacinda Ardern. “It’s time to invest in the health of ...5 days ago
- Eye clinic wait downright dangerousThe fact that 9,500 Kiwis are waiting one and a half times longer than they should to get follow-up eye appointments is unacceptable and dangerous, says Labour’s Health Spokesperson David Clark. “These people are entitled to the reassurance that if ...5 days ago
- National has serious questions to answer over Auckland fuel crisisThousands of air travellers looking for answers to Auckland Airport’s fuel crisis should be demanding the National Government come clean over its failure to secure fuel supply for the airport, says Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern. “There are serious questions the ...6 days ago
- Come clean on trade before the election
In the two days before the election, New Zealand MFAT negotiators will attend a negotiations meeting in Japan on the successor to the failed Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), now called the TPP-11. The negotiations are shrouded in secrecy but we ...1 week ago - National unravels on transportThe release of extraordinary information showing that the East-West link could be the most expensive road in the world, at $327 million per kilometre, shows that National is fiscally reckless and out of ideas on transport, says Labour’s Transport spokesperson ...1 week ago
- Saudi cover-up a perversion of democracyThe Government has been exposed as dishonest after it was revealed that they were wrong to claim they paid out $11 million dollars to a Saudi businessmen after legal advice, says Labour’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson David Parker. “OIAs revealed on ...1 week ago
- Labour supporting Te Reo Māori in schoolsLabour will support a future where New Zealanders from every background will have the ability to use Te Reo Māori in everyday conversations, says Labour’s Deputy Leader and Māori Development spokesperson Kelvin Davis. “Labour will commit to a target that ...1 week ago
- Is National planning a secret fuel tax?Sources suggest National is considering a secret fuel tax to fund its controversial Roads of National Significance (RONS) programme, says Labour’s Transport spokesperson Michael Wood. “While the Government keeps up its stream of lies about Labour’s tax policy, sources indicate ...1 week ago
- Labour’s plan for West Coast prosperityLabour’s regional development plan for the West Coast will build on its strengths in engineering and tourism, while delivering a much-needed upgrade to the Buller Hospital, says Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern. “Labour’s vision is for a thriving regional New Zealand, ...1 week ago
- Labour committed to fair and progressive tax systemLabour is committed to a tax system where everyone pays their fair share and where we start to address the imbalances that have fuelled the housing crisis, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson and Labour’s Revenue spokesperson Michael Wood. "Today ...1 week ago
- A challenge to Bill English...1 week ago
- Flavell’s fake news an insult to Māori votersA desperate Te Ururoa Flavell has resorted to fake news about Labour’s position on his unpopular Ture Whenua reforms, says Labour’s Ikaroa-Rawhiti MP Meka Whaitiri. ...2 weeks ago
- National’s tax cuts reckless and irresponsibleIt is time for Bill English and Steven Joyce to stop the scaremongering and lies, and front up to New Zealanders about the impact of their tax cuts, Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson says. “Bill English has no credibility on ...2 weeks ago
- Calculator shows Labour’s Families Package deliversLabour has launched a new online calculator that show how much extra families with kids will get from Labour’s Families Package, says Leader of the Opposition Jacinda Ardern. “Families can go to www.labour.org.nz/calculator and see how much better off they ...2 weeks ago
- Strengthening New Zealand’s identity through Labour’s media and film policyLabour has today launched its media and film policy aimed at strengthening New Zealand’s identity and providing sustainability for the industry, says Leader of the Opposition Jacinda Ardern. ...2 weeks ago
- Labour to invest in parents and babiesLabour will fund an additional 100 Plunket and Tamariki Ora nurses to increase the help available for vulnerable parents and babies, says Leader of the Opposition Jacinda Ardern. “It’s so important that our children get the best start in life. ...2 weeks ago
- Labour to build affordable homes and state houses in Hawke’s BayLabour will build a mix of 240 affordable KiwiBuild starter homes for first home buyers and state homes for families in need in Napier and Hastings, says Leader of the Opposition Jacinda Ardern. “In 2016, the populations of Napier and ...2 weeks ago
- Labour pledges more for Whānau OraLabour will strengthen the oversight of Whānau Ora and provide an extra $20 million over four years to improve outcomes for whānau and families, says Labour’s Deputy Leader Kelvin Davis. “We’ve created a new position of Whānau Ora Reviewer ...2 weeks ago
- National’s housing band aidThrowing subsidies at an under-supplied housing market is one last desperate bid by National to be seen to do something about the housing crisis, says Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford. “First home buyers have been the collateral damage of National’s ...2 weeks ago
- Housing, families, education and environment top priorities in Labour’s first 100 daysLabour will take urgent action in its first 100 days in office to expand support for families and students, make rental homes warm and dry, find solutions to the mental health crisis and accelerate efforts to clean up our waterways, ...2 weeks ago
- Labour pledges to unlock funding for Te Hiku sports hub projectThe Labour Government will inject nearly $3 million into the Te Hiku Sports Hub project, to help realise a much-needed health and recreational facility for the Far North, says Labour Deputy Leader and MP for Te Tai Tokerau Kelvin Davis. ...2 weeks ago
- Labour’s plan to get job seekers into better workLabour will provide real support for people looking for work by increasing the amount of money someone can earn before their benefit begins to reduce, reinstating training incentives, and putting a renewed focus on upskilling and training, says Labour’s Social ...2 weeks ago
- Labour sets strong target and plan for climate actionLabour will set a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and take the necessary steps to achieve it, says Leader of the Opposition Jacinda Ardern. “Climate change is my generation’s nuclear-free moment. We have to take our place ...2 weeks ago
- Are education cuts missing in National’s Fiscal Plan?National needs to explain why its plans for cuts to school transport have not been announced in its fiscal plan, says Labour’s Education spokesperson Chris Hipkins. “Buried in the Pre-election Budget update is a $5m a year cut to ...2 weeks ago
- Joyce must come clean on Health and Education fundingSteven Joyce needs to front up to New Zealanders and tell them whether he will fund health and education to meet increasing cost pressures, or risk seeing services cut and costs increase for parents, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson. ...2 weeks ago
- Housing crisis is National’s legacyReports of tenants languishing in boarding houses for years because they cannot get a state house is yet more evidence National’s legacy is the housing crisis, says Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford. “We used to pride ourselves in this country ...3 weeks ago
- Labour calls for release of report into civil defence flawsThe National Government must stick by its word given to other political parties and release a technical report before the election addressing critical flaws in New Zealand’s civil defence capability, Labour Civil Defence spokesperson Clare Curran said today. “Cross party ...3 weeks ago
- Credibility shot as Government runs out of steamNew Zealanders are witnessing the desperation of a government clinging to survival, evidenced by policy on-the-hoof, dodgy maths and dirty politics, says Labour MP Phil Twyford. “New Zealand had been hoping we’d seen the end of dirty politics, but what ...3 weeks ago
- Steven Joyce must apologise to New ZealandSteven Joyce needs to front up to New Zealanders and apologise for his patently false and cynical attack on Labour’s Fiscal Plan, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson. “Every respected economic commentator has come out and said that Labour’s Fiscal ...3 weeks ago
- Bill English didn’t answer because the Oreti is badly pollutedLast night Bill English was asked by Paddy Gower in the Leader’s Debate: “Which river did he swim in as a kid, and is it now polluted?” Bill English named the Oreti River, but did not answer whether it is ...3 weeks ago
- Nats put out dodgy numbers – againNational’s promise to increase the number of elective surgeries to 200,000 is bizarre, given Jonathan Coleman has claimed 200,000 electives are already being performed, says Labour’s Health spokesperson David Clark. ...3 weeks ago
- Prime Minister’s Award to encourage young people into trades trainingLabour will introduce a $2,000 award for the best pupil in vocational courses in each public secondary school, says Leader of the Opposition Jacinda Ardern. “We know there’s huge demand for trades workers, particularly in the building sector, where construction ...3 weeks ago
- Not another Nick Smith wild goose chaseOnly the election on September 23 can save the country and the RMA from Nick Smith, say Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford and Environment spokesperson David Parker. ...3 weeks ago
- Government supresses Climate Change reportThe Government has deliberately sat on a critical Climate Change report for 5 months which they must now release, election or no election, says Labour’s Climate Change spokesperson Megan Woods. “I want the report released immediately, so that New Zealanders ...3 weeks ago
- Joyce gets it wrong on Labour’s Fiscal PlanLabour’s Fiscal Plan is robust, the numbers are correct and we stand by them despite the desperate and disingenuous digging from an out-the-door Finance Minister, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson Grant Robertson. “Steven Joyce has embarrassed himself. This is a desperate, ...3 weeks ago
- Beyoncé polling at 4.8% as preferred PM among 18-24s
Beyoncé is the fifth most preferred Prime Minister according to an informal poll run by a youth voting organisation. ...2 days ago - ACC’s computer-aided decision-making questionedACC’s computer-aided decision-making questioned by Otago experts University of Otago researchers are warning of the potential pitfalls in government departments using computer-based risk prediction models, as has been recently revealed through ...2 days ago
- MSD challenging Social Security Appeal Authority decision-- To be attributed to Brendan Boyle, Chief Executive, Ministry of Social Development: The Ministry for Social Development is challenging the Social Security Appeal Authority’s interlocutory decision and has today lodged an appeal. As the matter will now be ...2 days ago
- NZME To Deliver Unprecedented Digital Election CoverageNZME To Deliver New Zealand Unprecedented Digital Election Coverage Friday, 22 September 2017 – NZME continues to raise the standard of news and current affairs in New Zealand with its planned 2017 Election Night Live coverage. Embarking on what’s ...2 days ago
- Bridge the rural/urban divide with clear communicationCall to bridge the rural/urban divide with clear communication The farming community needs to step up to help lessen the rift between city and country, according to Hayden Dillon, Managing Partner and Agri Specialist at Crowe Horwath. Hayden Dillon believes ...2 days ago
- What Young Voters Expect From These ElectionsYoung voters have been a huge issue during this general elections, in which enrolled 18-24 year-olds represent over 338 000 potential votes. For this election, half of the persons who are still not enrolled on 22 September are under 25, ...2 days ago
- A billion bottles, 7,000 sent to the MinisterA billion plastic bottles are manufactured worldwide every day, and today we launched a new website, https://billionbottles.org.nz/ , to highlight this astounding fact! ...2 days ago
- Conservation group “brings wilderness to the big smoke”New conservation campaign group Enjoy Not Destroy expects large turnout for their campaign launch party in Grey Lynn, Auckland tonight, featuring some of Auckland's finest in alternative music. ...2 days ago
- Election & Maori Still Experiencing Second Class CitizenshipWhatever the results of the election this weekend, all New Zealanders should be concerned at the withholding of democracy for Maori electors and what the longer-term implications of this might be for Aotearoa New Zealand, argues a Maori politics and ...2 days ago
- The Fraud of Labour’s “Free Education” PolicyOne of the New Zealand Labour Party’s main promises for this Saturday’s national election, printed on flyers sent to homes throughout the country, is to “introduce three years’ free university or trade education.” ...2 days ago
- Ending Poverty Not an OptionAs we head into the last day of the election, it is important that we season some of the rhetoric with a little reality, rather than blanket, great sounding statements that have no substance, we need to put some practical ...2 days ago
- Great Kererū Count takes to the skiesThe Great Kererū Count (GKC) takes flight today and New Zealanders across the county are asked to keep their eyes on the skies to help build up a comprehensive picture of where our native pigeon is – and isn't – ...2 days ago
- Waikato could soon have NZ’s biggest egg factory farmNew Zealand's biggest egg producer, Mainland Poultry, want to build a massive industrial chicken egg laying farm at 64 Old Road, Orini in the Waikato. ...2 days ago
- An open letter to the new GovernmentTomorrow, millions of New Zealanders will step inside their local halls, schools, hospitals and sporting clubs to vote for the candidates and party they feel best represent their values and aspirations for this country. We as a nation may debate ...2 days ago
- New Government should look to skillsChief Executive Kirk Hope says it’s a key issue that causing problems in many parts of the economy. ...2 days ago
- Final Newshub-Reid Research PollFinal Newshub-Reid Research Poll: All Eyes Are on Winston Peters Two days out from Election day, the results of the final Newshub-Reid research poll* show that it could all come down to the decision of Winston Peters. The final poll ...3 days ago
- Chinese Communist Ideology Attempts to Infiltrate DemocracyOn 16th September 2017, the United Chinese Associations of New Zealand organised an event for Act Party Leader, Mr David Seymour, to attend. ...3 days ago
- Canterbury disaster response knowledge sharedThe University of Canterbury’s extensive emergency response leadership expertise is being shared internationally with a group of Southeast Asian disaster management experts. ...3 days ago
- Bill English asked to show evidence for E-therapy claims“The prime minister was premature in suggesting e-therapy works as well as face-to-face in the leaders’ debate. The evidence is minimal and contradictory and so far confined to treating depression with one modality only (CBT)” says Sean Manning, Dunedin ...3 days ago
- Who has the plan for solving one of the election issues?Mental health and addictions issues rapidly became, and have persistently remained, one of the most prominent issues this election. The sector and public have called on candidates from all sides to make better support a priority. Almost 2,000 people, ...3 days ago
- Final Campaign Meeting for Gareth Morgan And TOPThe Opportunities Party Leader Gareth Morgan will hold his final campaign rally at Victoria University at 6pm this evening. ...3 days ago
- Water tax ‘not about bottlers’Labour leader Jacinda Ardern should not answer questions about the party's proposed water tax by saying it's about targeting water bottlers, says IrrigationNZ. ...3 days ago
- Use your power – vote for the child in your life21 September 2017 - Teachers and educators are calling on all whānau, including parents, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunties, and grandparents, to use their power today to vote for a fair, well-resourced education system that sets our children ...3 days ago
- ACT will declare Housing State of EmergencyACT will insist the next government declare a Housing State of Emergency in Auckland to allow the building of new homes within the first 100 days, leader David Seymour said today. ...3 days ago
- New World’s plastic bag poll “rigged”, says GreenpeaceThursday, September 21: Greenpeace has joined growing public criticism over New World supermarket’s poll on single-use plastic bags, which neglects to offer public the option of an outright ban. ...3 days ago
- 3 Reasons the Housing Shortage Won’t get Sorted SoonLeighton Baker, Builder, Construction Company CEO and Conservative Party Leader, says, "There are 3 reasons why the housing shortage won’t get settled any time soon. ...3 days ago
- Addressing skills shortage vitalAddressing the deepening skills and labour shortage is vital for the incoming Government, says EMA. ...3 days ago
- Last Chance to Enrol to VoteLast chance to enrol to vote Voters who aren’t already enrolled need to hurry and enrol by the end of tomorrow, Friday 22 September, to be able to vote in the 2017 General Election. “Election day is almost here and ...3 days ago
- Fatal shooting of Michael Taylor at PaeroaThe Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that a Police officer was justified in shooting Michael Taylor at Paeroa on 10 June 2016. ...3 days ago
- Annual Net Migration Remains HighAnnual net migration was 72,100 in the August 2017 year, Stats NZ said today. This compared with 69,100 in the August 2016 year. Migrant arrivals reached 132,200, a new annual record, and migrant departures were 60,100 in the year ended ...3 days ago
- Safety of Ministry of Social Development staff importantUnfortunately threats, abuse and even violence towards MSD staff is a daily reality in our country. In 2016 twelve staff were assaulted, there were 468 serious and critical security incidents and 242 threats made. ...3 days ago
- Te Matapihi Calls for Māori Housing Finance Reform21 September 2017 - In a statement made last Sunday 17 September, Māori Party co-leader Marama Fox promoted the party’s Iwibank policy, which will see a Māori bank set up to administer housing, land development and business start-up loans. According ...3 days ago
- Housing has been a big topic for the electionAlthough the slowing market is reducing its importance, housing has been a big topic for the election with different parties having different policies on helping first home buyers into the market. ...3 days ago
- TPP negotiations should not bind the new incoming governmentNational’s last minute pitch to get the Trans Pacific Partnership 11 (TPP-11) agreement across the line just days before the general election should not bind the new incoming government, the Green Party said today. ...3 days ago
- Students have their say on education policyNew Zealand high school students want policymakers to bring more life skills, mental health services and balanced workloads to the classroom. Ahead of this weekend’s election, free online NCEA support platform StudyTime asked a selection of Wellington ...3 days ago
- Ban1080 Party Wins Broadcasting Standards Authority DecisionDuring the last two weeks of the 2017 election campaign, the Ban 1080 Party had several TV advertisements produced and broadcast across Maori Television, Sky TV, Prime TV, Facebook, Youtube and other internet platforms. Two complaints were submitted to ...3 days ago
- From ‘likes’ to votesA University of Canterbury researcher has found a simple and accurate way of predicting voter intention – and it may come down to a single Facebook ‘like’. ...3 days ago
- Minister’s Decision Erodes Māori Fisheries SettlementPrimary Industries Minister Hon Nathan Guy’s decision to decrease the Total Allowable Commercial Catch in pāua will eventually erode hard won Māori Fishing Settlement rights says Te Ohu Kaimoana Chief Executive Dion Tuuta. ...4 days ago
- New Zealand First pledge to improve Overseer lacks clarityFederated Farmers is encouraged to learn that New Zealand First proposes a catchment-by-catchment approach to addressing the nation’s water quality. ...4 days ago
- NZ among first states to sign nuclear ban treaty tonight“The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons represents an important step and contribution towards the common aspiration of a world without nuclear weapons. The Treaty reflects growing concerns over the risk posed by the continued existence ...4 days ago
- Growing Up In NZ – Longitudinal StudyA petition calling on the government to restore critical funding to the Growing Up in New Zealand study has gathered thousands of signatures within days of being launched. Organisers believe funding the study should be a priority for the next ...4 days ago
- National Party election advertisement not in breach of codeThe BSA has not upheld a complaint that a National Party campaign advertisement parodying the Labour Party’s campaign motto, ‘Let’s do this’ with the tagline, ‘Let’s tax this’ was inaccurate and misleading. ...4 days ago
- Ban 1080 Party election advertisement did not breach rulesThe BSA has not upheld two complaints that a Ban 1080 Party election advertisement broadcast on television was inaccurate and misleading and breached broadcasting standards. ...4 days ago
- Ardern monopolises hope, English stabilityRarely published polling on how main party leaders are making New Zealanders feel may reveal what’s behind “Jacindamania”. ...4 days ago
- Labour’s income tax would hurt Kiwi workersThe average Kiwi worker will be $1060 worse off a year if Labour is elected to government, National Party Finance spokesperson Steven Joyce says. ...4 days ago
- Don’t use TPPA-11 talks to stop the changes Kiwis want"National should not be pretending to other TPPA countries that it can make commitments on behalf of New Zealand three days before a General Election," says CTU Secretary Sam Huggard. ...4 days ago
- Colourful weather on Election DayMost New Zealanders can be confident of a dry trip to the polling booth on Saturday, according to NIWA meteorologist Seth Carrier. ...4 days ago
- Make Your Home A Safety Zone Grant now openIf you work with families and whanau to promote child safety in the home, you are invited to apply for the ACC and Safekids Aotearoa Make Your Home a Safety Zone Grant. ...4 days ago
- No political party has answer for rural health crisisNone of the political parties have an answer to solve the growing rural health crisis, a leading rural health expert says. ...4 days ago
- NZ’s Child Sex Crimes Ranking Demands Urgent ResponseSexual violence advocacy group Stop Demand Foundation says that a UN report that ranks New Zealand as being in the top seven countries for child sex crimes, highlights the urgent need for action. ...4 days ago
- The best of The Spinoff this week: Praise God, the election draws mercifully to a close
Compiling the best reading from your friendly local website.Jane Yee: I was there when The Block NZ shat itself“As the season recap and Block Party footage played I started to get excited about the auction. I’d watched 54 hours of the ...39 mins ago - Support partners gone, National’s courting of Winston begins
Unless Bill English can concoct one of his 'innovative solutions', National will find itself beholden to an old flame, Ben Thomas writes. ...1 hour ago - 10 things we learned last night
Simon Wilson went round the party election parties last night, and lived and breathed the campign. These are the 10 things he learned.1. Time is not of the essence.Bill English said in his speech last night that it was important ...2 hours ago - Parties poised for negotiationsNational Party leader Bill English will "undoubtedly" talk to Winston Peters today, campaign manager Steven Joyce says. ...2 hours ago
- Jacinda stumbled into a $520bn minefield
Jacinda Ardern's 'captain's call' to consider introducing a Capital Gains Tax in her first term was the strategic error that may have cost her the Prime Minister's job - at least for three years. ...2 hours ago - How the battleground seats fellAs predicted there were some tough battles in key electorate seats. Here's how the the votes fell yesterday. ...2 hours ago
- LIVE: Election17 – Coalition talks loomThe National Party has won the most votes, but will still need other parties to govern. RNZ's live blog brings you all the post-election developments. ...3 hours ago
- Inside the National-Labour chasm
'If you believe Labour can govern from here, I’ve got an airport tram to sell you.' ...3 hours ago - Seymour keeps ACT in Parliament but flying soloACT Party leader David Seymour says he's disappointed he won't be bringing any extra MPs into Parliament. ...3 hours ago
- Metiria Turei bows outMetiria Turei has bowed out of politics after 15 years, saying she does not regret telling her benefit fraud story. ...4 hours ago
- ‘We did everything we could’Māori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell has signalled an end to his political career after voters ousted him and his party from Parliament. ...4 hours ago
- Winston in box seat as ‘youthquake’ fails to fireAnalysis - No one dared claim victory last night - not Bill English, not James Shaw, not Jacinda Ardern - because no one's going anywhere without Winston, writes David Slack ...5 hours ago
- Winston’s choiceThe outcome of yesterday's election is still not certain, with the balance of power now resting with New Zealand First. ...5 hours ago
- Which way, Winston?The outcome of yesterday's election is still not certain, with the balance of power now resting with New Zealand First. ...5 hours ago
- Seymour keeps ACT in Parliament with Epsom victoryACT Party leader David Seymour has comfortably held on to the Epsom seat, guaranteeing him a return to Parliament. ...7 hours ago
- The Māori Party meltdown
Te Ururoa Flavell's failure is a thorn in National's side. Shane Cowlishaw reports on what went wrong for National's key support partner. ...7 hours ago - LIVE: Election17The National Party has won the most votes, but will still need other parties to govern. RNZ's live blog brings you all the post-election developments. ...7 hours ago
- ‘Every little thing got you over the line’Labour's Greg O'Connor has won Ōhāriu, left vacant by United Future's Peter Dunne, barring a huge turnaround in special votes. ...8 hours ago
- Winston Peters plots a path as kingmaker
Defiance mixed with disappointment at NZ First's election night event. But "all roads lead to Russell". ...8 hours ago - VIDEO: Political party leaders in their own wordsAt the end of the night National's Bill English was celebrating the result, while Labour's Jacinda Ardern said they had given it their all. ...8 hours ago
- Election17 – how it happenedThe National Party has won the most votes, but will still need other parties to govern. See how it all went down with RNZ's live blog here. ...8 hours ago
- Bill in the lead, but Winston holds the balanceNZ First leader Winston Peters holds the balance of power based on the preliminary vote count, despite losing his Northland seat. ...8 hours ago
- Analytic Brief: Influence Operations, Targeted Interventions and Intelligence Gathering: A Primer.
Analysis syndicated by 36th Parallel Assessments – Headline: Analytic Brief: Influence Operations, Targeted Interventions and Intelligence Gathering: A Primer. Source: http://logos.nationalinterest.in/2017/01/mind-map-russian-influence-campaign-us-2016-presidential-elections/ Revelations of Chinese influence operations in Australia and New Zealand, and the ongoing sequels to the Russian ...9 hours ago - Election17 – by the numbersCatch up here on the party vote, candidate votes, the Māori seats and see how the map looks compared to 2014. ...9 hours ago
- ‘I will not be giving any answers tonight’NZ First leader Winston Peters holds the balance of power based on the preliminary vote count, despite losing his Northland seat. ...9 hours ago
- Parliament by the numbersWhat colours will be seen in Parliament based on tonight's preliminary results? Check out the new make-up of the debating chamber here. ...9 hours ago
- What the next Parliament could look likeWhat colours will be seen in Parliament based on tonight's preliminary results? Check out the new make-up of the debating chamber here. ...9 hours ago
- LIVE: National in the lead, but NZ First holds the balanceOn the numbers tonight, the National Party is set for a fourth term in government but will need New Zealand First's support to govern. ...10 hours ago
- Māori Party fails in bid to return to ParliamentLabour has made a clean sweep of the seven Māori seats, with even Māori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell conceding defeat in Waiariki. ...10 hours ago
- Bill English to begin talks with NZ FirstNational leader Bill English says he will start talking to New Zealand First in the next few days about forming a new government. ...10 hours ago
- Chloe Swarbrick to be youngest MP in 42 yearsGreens candidate Chloe Swarbrick looks almost certain to be going to Parliament. ...10 hours ago
- Jacinda Ardern: ‘We gave it our all’Labour leader Jacinda Ardern has admitted she has not done as well as she would have liked, with National holding on to a 10-point lead tonight. ...10 hours ago
- Labour takes Christchurch CentralNational's Nicky Wagner has called Labour's Duncan Webb and conceded defeat. ...10 hours ago
- 11.18pm: Party Watch – The look in the eyes of the NatsElection Night 2017: Simon Wilson is at the National Party’s party at Sky City in Auckland.It’s business as usual at Sky City. A bustling Saturday night in the casino, diners coming and going all over Federal St, and in the ...10 hours ago
- Election Live: Winston in the Kingmaker position
National falls just short of governing alone as the Maori Party loses its seats. That leaves Winston Peters in the Kingmaker position, but he won't decide until all the votes are counted. ...11 hours ago - 10.45pm: Bill English wins. Winston Peters loses. And Winston Peters winsThe resurgence of the left has fallen short, as the ruthless final weeks of National’s campaign have them well placed to secure a fourth term. As predicted for months, NZ First will ultimately decide – but the calculus favours the ...11 hours ago
- Find out what the politicians said part way through the countSo how has the night been for the politicians? Here's what they had to say part way through the counting process. ...11 hours ago
- Christchurch Central looks like Labour gainIt is looking increasingly likely that Labour's Duncan Webb will take the Christchurch Central seat from National's Nicky Wagner. ...11 hours ago
- Seymour claims victory in EpsomDavid Seymour - about 2000 votes ahead halfway through the count - is calling Epsom: "This is the beginning of another big three years for ACT." ...11 hours ago
- Winston Peters: ‘I do believe we have the balance’NZ First leader Winston Peters has told supporters any decision about a potential coalition would be in the national interest and could take some time. ...12 hours ago
- Election Live: Winston in Kingmaker position
National is 11 percentage points ahead of Labour with 75 percent of the vote counted. But it is two seats short of governing with ACT because the Maori Party is set to lose all its seats. ...12 hours ago - 10.03pm: Party Watch – the Greens are getting used to thisElection Night 2017: Simon Wilson reports from the Green Party party in central Auckland.David Farrier is at the Greens and Peter Gordon’s at Labour. Election night party parties attract the celebs, although not as many as you might think. Weirdly, ...12 hours ago
- ‘Sunset on choice day’We asked, and you delivered - a collection of homemade haiku for tonight's grand political occasion. ...12 hours ago
- National holds the lead at halfway markNational is maintaining its 10-point lead over Labour with more than half of all votes now counted. ...12 hours ago
- Election Live: National on the verge of victory
National is 11 percentage points ahead of Labour with 50 percent of the vote counted. But it lacks support partners. The Maori Party is set to lose all its seats. ...12 hours ago - Māori Party faces tough task to return to ParliamentThe Labour Party could manage a clean sweep of the seven Māori seats, with Māori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell in danger of losing Waiariki. ...12 hours ago
- The big night in picturesAround the country, political party leaders, members and supporters are waiting anxiously to hear the results. ...13 hours ago
- Election Live: National way ahead in early results
National leads Labour by 10 percentage points with 25 percent of the vote counted. Maori Party set to lose seats. ...13 hours ago - ‘A hell of a ride’: Gayford on Ardern’s meteoric riseJacinda Ardern's partner Clarke Gayford has described what the last seven weeks have been like since she took over the leadership. ...13 hours ago
- 8.33pm: Party Watch – Meanwhile Labour is having a partyElection Night 2017: Simon Wilson reports (almost) live from the Labour Party victory party/wake.That moment, when Clarke Gayford was standing on the street outside his house, a tray of sausages and tomato sauce in his hands, teatowel over the shoulder. ...13 hours ago
