election funding
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Party donations analysis
Written By: - Date published: 7:02 am, June 20th, 2017 - 101 comments
Max Rasbrooke has done an analysis of donations to political parties, and raises the concern that donations buy influence. There is a solution to this problem.
Political donations and conflicts of interest
Written By: - Date published: 12:30 pm, March 2nd, 2015 - 53 comments
Whether it’s about election donations or portfolios, some people do seem to think MPs should always get the benefit of the doubt.
Brassneck
Written By: - Date published: 12:21 pm, March 2nd, 2015 - 64 comments
The release of the candidate donation returns has shown us that the National Party are still rorting the system. However, there are issues for the NZ Labour Party as well. Four MP’s have taken money from sources that do not have the interests of the Labour party or, indeed, the majority of Kiwis at heart. Brassneck or bought and sold?
“Mr Slater’s made it quite clear”: Key standup transcript pt1
Written By: - Date published: 1:10 pm, August 19th, 2014 - 25 comments
How slippery is John Key? Part one of transcript of Key’s press standup last Thursday. On accessing Labour’s website private details, OIAs to the SIS, Dirty Politics, Nicky Hager and Mr Slater. [Updated]
Positive Labour policy for meat industry
Written By: - Date published: 10:57 pm, July 27th, 2014 - 4 comments
In the late 1980’s I worked on the establishment of the Meat Industry Tradesmens Agreement, bringing eight awards into one. My lasting memory is how the meat companies hated each other more than they hated the unions, and they were no union-lovers. 25 years later, the companies still can’t get their act together, and it is the country as well as the farmers who are hurting. It may surprise some, but it’s the Labour party who is putting forward policy to bring in the necessary change to the $8billion industry. Good work from Damien O’Connor and the Labour leadership.
NZ First conference – the kingmakers?
Written By: - Date published: 4:48 pm, July 15th, 2014 - 50 comments
It looks like I’ll be able to head to the NZ First conference at Alexandra Park racecourse on the weekend as media. This election the position of NZ First party members is probably going to be crucial for any coalition that forms. In this rather long post I explain my (and other peoples) thinking on possible coalition results for National after the election. They aren’t good because they really depend on a political group that National has been denigrating for quite a while.
Polity: A clear choice on education
Written By: - Date published: 12:33 pm, July 7th, 2014 - 144 comments
One of the most prominent battlegrounds in this election campaign will be education. Both large parties know our kids deserve better than the two-tier education system we currently have. Both have clear, costed plans they think can help. And now the public can choose. Actions, of course, speak louder than words. Both John Key and Bill English have chosen to send their own kids to private schools. Asked why John Key said “Their schools have smaller class sizes and are better resourced than most state schools.”.
No Right Turn: Electoral donations, corruption, and transparency
Written By: - Date published: 4:11 pm, June 11th, 2014 - 36 comments
Writing in the Herald, Fran O’Sullivan tells us what we all knew: that political donors have expectations, and want favours in exchange for their cash. She’s too polite (and Establishment) to call it corruption, but that’s what it is. Its time we forced parties to do so as well. Transparent public funding if required. If the choice is spending public money or permitting corruption, the choice is pretty clear.
Through the looking glass
Written By: - Date published: 7:35 am, June 8th, 2014 - 93 comments
Banks look very likely to be gone by Monday. But, some journalists are going to bat for John Banks, claiming he hasn’t really done anything wrong with respect to the verdict of guilty for filing a false election funding return. They are ignoring the facts of the case, and trying to rewrite history. [Update: Banks to resign]
Polity: Dotcom’s $3 million donation
Written By: - Date published: 12:25 pm, June 1st, 2014 - 132 comments
Kim Dotcom has shaken up the election with a claim his new Internet Party will have a $3 million war chest. The big questions are: is this kind of donation good for democracy, and are left-leaning campaigners hypocrites for accepting it? The answers are respectively yes and no. A politician’s job is to campaign within the rules as they currently stand. They owe no duty to provide their opponents with advantage by pre-emptively limiting their own campaigns.
Labour’s Mana Internet Party dilemma
Written By: - Date published: 1:02 pm, May 30th, 2014 - 232 comments
So what does Labour do? Gift Te Tai Tokerau and be open to allegations of manipulating the system (even though National has made an art form of this particular type of activity) or campaign hard and risk the loss of 3 – 4 % points of party vote if Hone loses his seat?
Here’s an idea: electoral funding
Written By: - Date published: 6:01 pm, January 11th, 2014 - 25 comments
“Want to get some transparency back into politics funding in New Zealand? Tired of electoral funding skullduggery?” Standardista freedom suggests “NZ creates the Electoral Donation Register of New Zealand.”
What’s in a glance?
Written By: - Date published: 3:37 pm, October 26th, 2013 - 50 comments
David Jones QC argues Banks could not have signed a false declaration of election donations because he did not read it. But Banks’ campaign manager’s evidence was that Banks “glanced at it before signing it.” The Oxford dictionary defines “glance” as “take a quick or hurried look;” “read quickly or cursorily.” So Banks did read the donations return. It would have been hard to miss the $15,690 recorded as both a radio expense and an anonymous donation which he had personally solicited.
The fish rots from the head
Written By: - Date published: 8:12 pm, October 16th, 2013 - 91 comments
Today’s decision that John Banks will stand trial for signing a false donations return signals the beginning of the end of the Key government. Increasingly it resembles the last days of the Shipley government only worse, as corruption replaces shambles. The decision also puts the famous tea party conversation between Key and Banks, where they stitched up the deal to provide the present Government’s majority, into new perspective.
Dotcom on what Banks knew
Written By: - Date published: 12:59 pm, October 15th, 2013 - 27 comments
The District Court is hearing evidence today as to whether John Banks should stand trial for signing a donations return that he knew to be false. Kim Dotcom has given evidence – the Herald reports that when he agreed to give Banks a donation of $50,000, Banks asked for it to be split and to be made anonymous., so that if Banks helped DotCom in the future it would not be known that he had donated to him.
Epsom by election?
Written By: - Date published: 8:28 am, May 3rd, 2013 - 73 comments
John Banks is in court to answer allegations over his Dotcom donations and electoral returns. If convicted he loses his seat. How would an Epsom by election play out?
Known unknowns
Written By: - Date published: 9:44 pm, September 12th, 2012 - 8 comments
My OIA request for the Police file of their investigation into Banks’ anonymous donations arrived today. John Key had said the law would be changed if “they could find the time.” Today David Carter found the time to say the law will be tightened before the 2013 elections.It will be very important that all the lessons from this sorry affair can be properly considered at select committee.
Know when to run
Written By: - Date published: 8:17 pm, September 3rd, 2012 - 21 comments
Key has gone for a gamble again; but not the gamble some of the pundits were expecting. On the asset sales, he’s chosen flight over fight. But the real problem the asset sales face now isn’t Maori action, it’s the state of the economy.
Banks case to Police lawyers
Written By: - Date published: 10:07 pm, July 5th, 2012 - 36 comments
The Police have concluded their investigation into John Banks’ donations to his 2010 mayoral campaign. The Police legal section will now decide whether or not to prosecute. There are two tests; the evidential test and the public interest test. There is no question that if the evidence is sufficient, prosecution is in the public interest. It comes down to credibility – best decided in court.
The name’s on the cheque!
Written By: - Date published: 11:04 pm, April 30th, 2012 - 55 comments
Campbell Live showed us pictures of the Cheques by which Kim Dotcom’s company Megastuff made donations to Team Banksie 2010. How can John Banks argue that the two donations of $25,000 from Kim Dotcom’s company Megastuff Limited are anonymous when the company name is on the cheque? You could look up their address on the website. Game over, John and John.
Firewalls up in smoke
Written By: - Date published: 6:35 pm, April 30th, 2012 - 34 comments
David Cameron’s defence of embattled Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has been called a “firewall” that’s failing to hold.
Cameron needs Hunt to stay or else Cameron is the next to go. It is the same for John Key.
As the stench of corruption around John Banks grows, he desperately needs him to stay or else all he loses legitimacy for asset sales and potentially his majority on the issue as well.
Policy for Money?
Written By: - Date published: 9:50 pm, April 29th, 2012 - 13 comments
Party donations for the 2011 general election will be published on Tuesday . One new provision in the Act provides for the declaration of the number of donations in two bands; $1500 to $5,000, and up to $15,000. It will be very interesting to see the number of upper level donations in National and ACT particularly. They could hide Banks-type split donations from asset-sale backers.
What the BSA said – Key on RadioLive
Written By: - Date published: 3:00 pm, October 14th, 2011 - 112 comments
The Broadcasting Standards Authority has decided that Key’s hour-long promotional programme on RadioLive was not an election programme.
It will now be very interesting to see what the Electoral Commission decides in relation to advertising complaints.
What the Commission said – Key on RadioLive
Written By: - Date published: 3:30 pm, October 11th, 2011 - 62 comments
Key’s staff spun to media that his Radio Live show was ok if he didn’t discuss politics, saying the station had received advice from the Electoral Commission that “political content’ could breach rules. That didn’t sound right to me, so I asked the Commission what they actually said.
Interesting elections #3 – recall in Wisconsin
Written By: - Date published: 8:15 pm, August 22nd, 2011 - 2 comments
The recall elections in Wisconsin over Governor Walker’s attempt to remove collective bargaining for public servants had it all – Republicans running fake Democrats in primaries, massive spending by faceless outside bodies, and two Republican senators losing their seats in the subsequent ballot. Democrats did not succeed in overturning the Wisconsin Senate majority for Walker’s Republicans, but it is down to one and there is one Republican who voted against the anti-union law.
Electioneering on the public dime?
Written By: - Date published: 9:50 am, June 29th, 2011 - 47 comments
According to Audrey Young: “National and Act, the parties that kicked up a stink in Opposition about Labour’s taxpayer-funded election advertising, are engaging in their own taxpayer-funded binge this month”…
Broadcasting allocations
Written By: - Date published: 3:20 pm, June 1st, 2011 - 21 comments
No Right Turn asks an interesting set of questions about the state allocation of broadcast media time.
“..if we think TV and radio broadcasting is so influential that it must be restricted to produce a level playing field between parties – which I agree with – why do we allocate it so it produces the opposite?”
Democracy Under Attack!!!
Written By: - Date published: 10:15 am, December 21st, 2010 - 18 comments
I couldn’t let the last of the year slip away without a fond farewell to the good old Electoral Finance Act. Last week the government passed its replacement legislation. It tweaks some thresholds, but retains the principles and much of the substance of Labour’s EFA. But this time there is no “Democracy Under Attack” campaign. I wonder why…
Spending Brown
Written By: - Date published: 2:41 pm, December 13th, 2010 - 46 comments
ACT, through Rodney (who’s so careful with the taxpayer’s money) and Jami-Lee Ross, are trying to make an issue with Len Brown’s spending. I’m shocked…
Where in the world is Wong?
Written By: - Date published: 7:13 am, November 24th, 2010 - 60 comments
Two Friday’s ago, corrupt Nat Pansy Wong resigns as minister. Key tells her not to talk to media. As if she can’t remember her own overseas trips. Gives her a week’s leave. Wong disappears. Week’s up – no Wong. Where is she? Mallard’s heard she’s overseas. Fundraising for the Nats. Is she using her travel perk?
Meet the new EFA same as the old EFA
Written By: - Date published: 8:45 am, November 23rd, 2010 - 64 comments
In developing their replacement for the EFA the Nats have decided to limit what lobby groups can spend on election campaigning — despite strongly objecting to limits in 2008. Interesting how the responsibilities of government mean that the Nats have to repudiate so much of their irresponsible opposition rhetoric! But some of their spinsters are still stuck in the past…
- National would tax water as well
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- Canterbury kids get more support for mental healthChildren in Canterbury and Kaikoura will get dedicated mental health support to help them overcome the trauma of the earthquakes, says the Leader of the Opposition Jacinda Ardern. “We’ll fund an extra eighty mental health professionals for the next three ...1 day ago
- Statement on Julie Bishop’s commentsIt is highly regrettable that the Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has chosen to make false claims about the New Zealand Labour Party. I have been utterly transparent about this situation. I stand by my statements this morning that I ...2 days ago
- Labour stands with Pike familiesA Labour Government will stand with the families of Pike River and reaffirm its commitment to safe workplaces by ensuring there will be a Minister responsible for Pike River, says Leader of the Opposition Jacinda Ardern. “The Pike River disaster ...2 days ago
- Yes to Sallies – Labour will build more state housesThe Salvation Army’s latest report ‘Taking Stock’ shows why New Zealand needs a Labour-led Government committed to a massive house building programme, says Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford. “When the Sallies say the country needs 2000 extra state houses a ...2 days ago
- New Zealanders deserve better than scaremongering over waterNew Zealanders need to hear from National about how they will fund the clean-up of our rivers and lakes for future generations. Instead, National has broadened its scare-mongering, says Labour’s Water spokesperson David Parker. ...3 days ago
- School Leavers’ Toolkit to equip young people for adult lifeLabour will give school leavers the practical skills and knowledge they need for adult life with a new School Leavers’ Toolkit, says Leader of the Opposition Jacinda Ardern. “Our teachers and schools do a great job of teaching our children ...3 days ago
- Pay equity to be a priority for LabourLabour will make sure that the country’s mental health workers are a priority when it comes to pay equity negotiations, says the Leader of the Opposition Jacinda Ardern. “It is very important for me to right the wrong created ...5 days ago
- Labour’s positive education planToday’s announcement on learning support is more tinkering and proof that only a Labour Government will deliver the resources that schools and parents are crying out for, says Labour’s Education spokesperson Chris Hipkins. “We have a positive vision for a ...6 days ago
- Pike footage raises questions over government’s actionsThe Government’s seeming determination to turn a blind eye to new questions about what happened at Pike River Mine is troubling, says Labour’s West Coast-Tasman MP Damien O’Connor. ...6 days ago
- Solution to rent rises lies in building houses and stopping speculatorsThe spread of rental increases from the big cities to the surrounding regions shows why we need to get on top of the housing shortage build homes our families can afford, and lock out the speculators, says Labour’s Housing spokesperson ...1 week ago
- Clean rivers don’t cost $18 a cabbageNational is falling into a bad pattern of promising the world and not saying how they will fund it, says Labour’s Water spokesperson David Parker. ...1 week ago
- Time for honest answer on transport fundingNational needs to explain how they will fund the $6 billion funding gap in their 10-year Auckland transport plan, says Labour’s Auckland Issues spokesperson Phil Twyford. ...1 week ago
- Time for true numbers on overseas speculatorsIt’s time for the Government to give accurate figures on the number of houses being bought by overseas speculators, says Labour’s Land Information spokesperson Raymond Huo. ...1 week ago
- Fair and sustainable trade: A Green Party vision for New Zealand’s trading relationships
Trade is a cornerstone of the New Zealand economy. It provides us with the things we want and need, and enables us to pay for those with exports that generate business opportunities and jobs. However, it should be recognised that ...1 week ago - Clean rivers for future generationsLabour will lead a nationwide effort to restore our rivers and lakes to a clean, swimmable state, says Leader of the Opposition Jacinda Ardern. ...1 week ago
- New Zealand really can do better on healthLabour’s commitment to affordable access to high quality healthcare will provide a better service for New Zealanders than the current Health Minister, who will not apologise for statements that he made that wrongly criticised hard-working staff in the Southern DHB’s ...1 week ago
- Labour’s plan the answer to motorway chaosLabour’s plan to build a light rail network and improve heavy rail and bus services across Auckland is the only answer to the kind of motorway congestion Aucklanders endured this morning, says Labour Transport spokesperson Phil Twyford. ...1 week ago
- Labour to build rail to Auckland AirportA world class city needs a rail connection from the CBD to its international airport – that’s why Labour will build light rail to Auckland Airport as a priority, says Leader of the Opposition Jacinda Ardern. “Let’s get Auckland moving ...2 weeks ago
- Is pay equity just too hard for this Govt?You are hard pressed these days to find someone that openly admits their misogyny, that men should still be paid more than women. Politicians proclaim that they want to see women paid more, but do their actions back it up? ...2 weeks ago
- Labour’s commitment to our Rainbow nationThe Labour Party has reaffirmed its commitment to New Zealand’s rainbow community with its 2017 Rainbow policy, featuring the goal to end HIV in New Zealand by 2025. Grant Robertson says Labour continues a long and proud tradition of advocating ...2 weeks ago
- Labour’s vision for Auckland more than reheated roadsLabour is more ambitious for Auckland than the reheated set of transport projects proposed by National, says Labour’s Auckland Issues spokesperson Phil Twyford. ...2 weeks ago
- Waiting urology patients are the tip of the icebergThe 10 patients waiting for urology surgery at Dunedin Hospital are just the tip of the iceberg, says Labour’s Health spokesperson David Clark. "Hundreds of patients are waiting for follow-up appointments, but they are not deemed serious enough to be ...2 weeks ago
- Maori Landowners Misled by Maori PartyMāori landowners are being misled by Government hui being held throughout the country promoting the troubled Māori Land Service (MLS), which underpins the Crown’s unpopular Ture Whenua reforms, says Labour’s Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP Meka Whaitiri. ...2 weeks ago
- Government’s Johnny-come-lately approach to multinational tax won’t washIt’s a case of baby steps for a Government that still allows multinational companies to avoid paying their fair share of tax, says Labour’s Revenue spokesperson Michael Wood. “After nine years in government, five years after the issue of multinational ...2 weeks ago
- Auckland congestion up there with the world’s worstTraffic congestion is costing Auckland up to $2 billion in lost productivity according to the latest report from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, says Labour’s Transport spokesperson Michael Wood. “This is a disaster and underlines the need for ...2 weeks ago
- Experience in Youth Parliament 2016
Being a Member of Youth Parliament was an unexpected, but fabulous opportunity for me. It provided me a way to connect with other young people who have some things in common, and to learn what it is like to be ...2 weeks ago - Labour backs renters’ call for warm, healthy homes80 per cent of renters wish their home was warmer and drier, and that’s what Labour will deliver, says Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford. ...2 weeks ago
- We can – and must – do better for Kiwi jobsLabour has the plan to get more young New Zealanders into jobs and tackle concerns raised in the latest statistics which show an extra 3000 young Kiwis are neither earning or learning compared to the same time last year, says ...2 weeks ago
- Statement from Jacinda Ardern, Leader of the New Zealand Labour PartyI want to start by giving my thanks to Andrew. His announcement today and the situation we have found ourselves in is not what anyone expected or wanted In my time working with Andrew I know one thing to be ...2 weeks ago
- Better homes for Maori under LabourLabour’s vision is that Māori enjoy an equal playing field and have the same home ownership opportunities as non-Māori, says Labour’s Māori Development spokesperson Kelvin Davis. “Today Labour is proud to announce a detailed Māori housing policy from South Auckland’s ...3 weeks ago
- Labour to build replacement for Gorge RoadLabour will build a new road to replace the Manawatu Gorge Road as quickly as possible, says Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little. ...3 weeks ago
- Government suppresses better transport options for AucklandA newly-revealed un-redacted report into options for Auckland freight movement shows the Government has been actively trying to suppress more efficient and cost-effective options to construct a third rail line, says Labour’s Transport spokesperson Michael Wood. “While Auckland’s congestion gets ...3 weeks ago
- How to vote and keep your info privateGoing to vote or enrolling to vote can be scary. Having your details out there can open a can of worms. I wish we lived in a country where everyone was safe and secure enough to be openly enrolled, but ...3 weeks ago
- Coleman’s lost control of his MinistryBasic blunders and chronic underfunding revealed in Treasury documents obtained by Labour clearly show Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has lost control of his ministry, says Labour’s Health spokesperson David Clark. “Every New Zealander deserves affordable access to quality healthcare but ...3 weeks ago
- ANZASW expresses its appreciation of Turei’s contribution
The Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers wishes to place on record its appreciation of Metiria Turei’s contribution, both at the political and grassroots level. Throughout her 15 years in Parliament Metiria has been an advocate for the ...45 mins ago - The Battle for Te Tai HauaruTe Tai Hauauru MP Adrian Rurawhe hasn’t put himself in the spotlight in his first term, but how will that translate into votes against two high profile opponents? ...1 hour ago
- Microbead policy a “good start”Greenpeace is welcoming the Government’s latest announcement on microbeads as a good start. ...2 hours ago
- Cheaper to stay at The Langham than emergency housing motelsLabour’s comprehensive plan to fix the housing crisis and ensure there’s enough state housing, means we won’t be paying through the nose for emergency accommodation like the current Government has to, says Labour’s Social Development spokesperson ...2 hours ago
- Labour And National Fiddling While Housing Crisis Burns onAfter Labour’s announcement yesterday that it would look to conduct a “review” of taxation mechanisms to deal with the housing crisis, it is now obvious that both old establishment parties have zero commitment to deal with the root causes of ...2 hours ago
- National Scheming to Lock in TPPARt Hon Winston Peters New Zealand First Leader Member of Parliament for Northland 17 AUGUST 2017 National Scheming to Lock in TPPA So Future Govt Has No Influence ...3 hours ago
- Local Government stepping stone to Parliament stingRatepayers should not be paying councillors for one job while they are out campaigning for another, says the Taxpayers’ Union. At least four candidates in the three main centres are still enjoying salaries over $90,000 while they campaign for seats ...3 hours ago
- Oranga Tamariki’s staff exodusThe number of social workers leaving Child, Youth and Family during the formation of Oranga Tamariki was largely down to the expertise of long-serving staff being ignored in the review process and a costly and wasteful Expert Advisory Panel (EAP) ...4 hours ago
- Volunteers collect shoes for suicide preventionVolunteers are collecting hundreds of shoes across the country to draw attention to our alarming suicide rates, says YesWeCare.nz . ...4 hours ago
- Earlier ban on microbeads welcomedWater New Zealand welcomes the earlier than expected ban on the manufacture and sale of wash-off products containing microbeads. ...4 hours ago
- The success of Te Taka Keegan – a modern day tohungaTe Reo Māori in a Changing World: The success of Te Taka Keegan – a modern day tohunga ...4 hours ago
- Garner, Gower And Owen to Front Decision17Duncan Garner will be hosting Three’s election night special from 7:00pm on September 23rd, 2017. With close to 20 years press gallery experience and host of The AM Show, Garner will be joined by Newshub Political Editor Patrick Gower and ...5 hours ago
- Labour Party spot on – not government’s role to own hotelsThe Taxpayers’ Union agree with Labour: the use of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money for the Government’s desperate attempts to pepper over the housing crisis by buying its own hotels, is ridiculous. Responding to Carmel Sepuloni's comments ...5 hours ago
- Tourism supports call for better biodiversity managementProtection of New Zealand’s unique biodiversity is imperative to our social and economic future, Tourism Industry Aotearoa says. ...6 hours ago
- Addressing the Freshwater Crisis – It’s Time for ActionWater is a hot topic at the moment. The Māori Party has long been advocating for water to be recognised as a taonga, not just at election time. We have always said that the absolute priority is for all New ...6 hours ago
- Rahui Papa – why criticize Metiria Turei?The status quo is not working for our people – we need a higher level of care ...6 hours ago
- Ministry of Defence Major Projects Report 2016 PublishedIn 2008, the Office of the Auditor-General identified a need for the Ministry of Defence and the New Zealand Defence Force to report better and more complete information to show how well they manage projects to acquire new defence capability. ...6 hours ago
- Why will the least swimmable rivers receive less funding?IrrigationNZ is continuing to challenge the logic of Labour’s water tax proposal, after finding that regions with more swimmable rivers will receive more funding from the water tax, while those with the least swimmable rivers will receive less funding ...6 hours ago
- REINZ applauds voluntary Rental Warrant of FitnessThe Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) applauds moves by the Wellington City Council today to launch a voluntary Rental Warrant of Fitness for minimum housing standards in Wellington. The Council has partnered with the University of Otago to ...7 hours ago
- How low can the Health Minister sink?The on-going performance of Jonathan Coleman as health minister is no longer a major concern but a complete disaster for the New Zealand public health system, according to Democrats for Social Credit health spokesman David Tranter. ...8 hours ago
- Interactive Webinars on Living and DyingParliament’s Health Select Committee suggested in their recent report on public attitudes to ‘assisted dying’* that “greater communication between health professionals and the general public is required to explain the dying process and alleviate fear” ...8 hours ago
- ACC Fails to Implement Will of ParliamentA matter has come to my attention that I have a duty to inform the New Zealand public about. In my role as ACC advocate I have obtained information that raises serious concerns about the conduct of the Accident Compensation ...9 hours ago
- Is a WOF for rental properties the answer?Wellington Council is introducing a voluntary Warrant of Fitness for rental properties that they intend to make compulsory in three years. The council says that they want to raise standards and that "every Wellingtonian deserves a warm dry home". ...9 hours ago
- Community Letter Demands Inquiry into Family CourtsA letter calling for an Inquiry into the NZ Family Courts goes to Parliament on Thursday 17 August at 12.30pm. ...9 hours ago
- National selects Clutha-Southland candidateNational selects Clutha-Southland candidate Hamish Walker has tonight been selected by local party members as National’s 2017 Clutha-Southland candidate. Mr Walker, 32, lives in the Clutha-Southland electorate with his partner Penny and has a strong ...21 hours ago
- Government pays twice the price for emergency housing motelsGovernment pays twice the price for emergency housing motels – with two more on the way ...1 day ago
- Search for Rollie Heke extends nationallyThe response to the events of Sunday night have now been split into two phases. ...1 day ago
- National Commemoration of the Vietnam WarVietnam Veterans’ Day will be commemorated on Friday at the National War Memorial, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Chief Executive Paul James said. ...1 day ago
- Concerning comments made in online videoPolice are investigating a video posted online which shows an individual making very concerning comments about members of our community. ...1 day ago
- Inquiry report recognises accessibility for the disabledThe Human Rights Commission says parliament’s Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee’s report on the “Inquiry into the future of New Zealand’s Mobility” recognises that accessibility for people with disabilities is crucial ...1 day ago
- Transition to a better futureWinston Peters New Zealand First Leader Member of Parliament for Northland 16 AUGUST 2017 Christchurch Transitional Cathedral, 234 Hereford St, Christchurch. Wednesday, August 16, 1-2pm ...1 day ago
- Tourism sector urged to get active in environmental advocacyThe Environmental Defence Society has urged the tourism sector to get more active in advocating for New Zealand’s natural heritage at the Tourism Export Council’s conference in Te Anau today. ...1 day ago
- Current Electoral Law Discriminates Against MāoriAndrew Judd - Former Mayor of New Plymouth Howie Tamati - Māori Party Candidate for Te Tai Hauāuru 16 August 2017 ...1 day ago
- Howie Tamati – Māori Party Candidate for Te Tai Hauāuru16 August 2017 - Howie Tamati Backs the Call for Inquiry into Abuse of Children in State Care ...1 day ago
- 18,534 ask for protection of rare kiwiA mother and child pair of costumed kiwis sought sanctuary on Parliament steps today to highlight the plight of the endangered Haast Tokoeka Kiwi, threatened by a West Coast company’s plan to build a pipeline through their habitat in order ...1 day ago
- SAFE condemns appalling neglect of dairy cowsSAFE was appalled to learn of one of New Zealand’s most serious cases of systematic neglect of farmed animals this week. ...1 day ago
- National And MPI Need to up Their Biosecurity GameRichard Prosser MP Spokesperson for Biosecurity 16 AUGUST 2017 National And MPI Need to up Their Biosecurity Game ...1 day ago
- New Zealand First announces Canterbury candidatesSitting list MP, Denis O’Rourke, will again contest Port Hills for New Zealand First in the forthcoming general election, New Zealand First Leader and Northland MP, Rt Hon Winston Peters, announced today. ...1 day ago
- Reedy-Taare: Health of Māori men matters too!Mei Reedy-Taare Māori Party candidate for Te Tai Tonga 16 August 2017 Reedy-Taare: Health of Māori men matters too! ...1 day ago
- NZ Government delegation snubs NGO groups at UN in GenevaSOUL, the mana whenua-led community group fighting Fletcher Residential Ltd, the Government and Auckland City over a proposed Special Housing Area on confiscated land at Ihumātao near Auckland Airport, has presented its case to the UN Committee ...1 day ago
- Hard questions to candidates at an election forum next weekNelson’s volunteer and community sector will be putting the hard questions to candidates at an election forum next week. ...1 day ago
- Dunne’s Spending Promises Suggest Desperation16 AUGUST 2017 - Government support partner Peter Dunne appears to be abandoning the Government‘s commitment to fiscal prudence – offering some $4.76 billion of election bribes, according to the Taxpayers’ Union election policy costing ‘ ...1 day ago
- Nats Too Slow Out of Gates Over NZ Racing Industry CrisisThe Government has been far too slow in addressing the crisis facing the racing industry, says New Zealand First. ...1 day ago
- Time running out to make voting easyTime is running out for people wanting to make voting easy in the 23 September general election. ...1 day ago
- Surf life-saver going deaf to deliver 26,000-strong petitionA 22-year-old surf life-saver going deaf will deliver a 26,643-strong petition to Parliament at noon today, on the Parliament forecourt. ...1 day ago
- Call for inquiry into state abuse reaches the United NationsRace Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy is in Geneva and has asked a United Nations committee to urge the New Zealand government to initiate an inquiry into the physical and sexual abuse of children and disabled people held in state ...1 day ago
- Purpose, Skills & Jobs Needed for Pasefika and Māori Youth‘When our Pasefika and Māori youth lose their purpose focus in life because they failed in school, lack marketable skills, and find no job opportunities…they end up as our wayward children. It is not an excuse but it is the ...1 day ago
- Maniapoto Māori Trust Board Signs Agreement in PrincipleĀ muri kia mau ki tēnā, kia mau ki te kawau mārō, whanake ake, whanake ake ...1 day ago
- Survey reveals overwhelming support for water chargingNine out of ten New Zealanders believe that there should be a charge for extracting water from the environment for bottled water and similar industries, according to a recent survey by Water New Zealand. ...1 day ago
- New Zealand First announces Wellington region candidatesLong-term Wellington City Councillor, Andy Foster, has been selected to contest the Wellington Central seat for New Zealand First at this year’s election. ...2 days ago
- Kiwis of Snapchat: Gerald Cobb, Auckland commuter
In our video series Kiwis of Snapchat, comedian Tom Sainsbury sources exclusive Snapchat footage of Kiwi citizens making the news. Today: Aucklander Gerald Cobb walks us through his early morning commute.Click here for all our Kiwis of Snapchat videos.The Spinoff ...38 mins ago - Watch: MPs’ last question time before election
This parliamentary term is coming to an end as MPs prepare to hit the road for the election. Watch the final question time here. ...1 hour ago - ‘I’m trying not to be a rock band’: Merk on the isolation of lap-top production
Henry Oliver talks to bedroom producer and multi-instrumentalist Merk, who is playing at Seamless, an all-ages show, in Auckland this weekend. To win tickets, read till the very end!So what are you up to at the moment?I’m just working on new ...2 hours ago - An interview with the climate change-obsessed CEO of NZ’s biggest petrol company
Z Energy is the largest retailer of petrol in New Zealand, yet is paying to promote Al Gore’s climate change movie An Invonvenient Sequel. Duncan Greive meets Z CEO Mike Bennetts and asks what’s up with that.The CEO stood atop ...3 hours ago - I studied in Charlottesville as an Asian New Zealander and racism was… selective
The horrific events of last weekend at the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, brought back memories for Hye Ji ‘Erica’ Lee, a Korean New Zealander who studied there six years ago.In 2011 I was a student at the University ...3 hours ago - Tears as petition for Family Court inquiry handed over
Rain in the capital has not stopped an advocacy group delivering tearful demands for family law reform to Parliament following a Newsroom investigation. ...3 hours ago - Which online political tool is best for you? Use our online tool to help you find the best online to...
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- On the blind, mulish idiocy of reviewers and the genius of Pip Adam
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Lucy Zee revisits the sensual Toffee Pops ad of the 90s starring Carlos Spencer and a whole lot of lust. The best factory produced, mid-range, supermarket shelf, chocolate coated cookie in New Zealand according to this statistically accurate twitter poll is: ...5 hours ago - Chartlander: What we were listening to the day Helen Clark became Prime Minister
Every week Chartlander travels back through time, landing in a different year on the official New Zealand singles chart in the hopes of (re)discovering forgotten Top 40 gold. Today we go back to the last time the Labour Party came ...5 hours ago - A showdown in Winton
Last night the Clutha Southland National Party selected Hamish Walker, a 32 year old business advisor from Dunedin, as the replacement for disgraced MP Todd Barclay. But if National think that will put to rest the questions swirling around their ...6 hours ago - The ETS is ready to reduce New Zealand’s emissions
So far our Emissions Trading Scheme has been deemed largely ineffectual by low-integrity overseas credits and low emission prices. Motu’s Catherine Leining believes recent global and local changes mean the ETS can do its job – if we are ready ...7 hours ago - Bryce Edwards Analysis: Political Roundup: NZ (and Australia) needs better political scandals
Bryce Edwards Analysis: Political Roundup: NZ (and Australia) needs better political scandals Trans-Tasman rivalry between New Zealand and Australia.Dr Bryce Edwards.The current trans-Tasman citizenship saga doesn’t warrant the level of hysteria coming from politicians in both countries, on both sides ...7 hours ago - Ned Stark is alive and well and trapped in a British stoner comedy
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- Hundreds of thousands of young Kiwis not yet enrolled to voteThe Electoral Commission is targeting the 225,000 young people who are yet to enrol to vote, with the election just weeks away. ...9 hours ago
- Law to prevent Phillip Smith-style escape passesThe government hopes the change will prevent a repeat of the convicted murderer and sex offender's infamous escape. ...10 hours ago
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All the political parties say regional development is A Good Thing. But which of them has much of an idea how to make it happen? Simon Wilson suggests they take a good look at a brand new proposal for Regional ...11 hours ago - Coogan and Brydon trip over themselves
The Trip to Spain just about manages to stay on the right side of not being irritating. ...11 hours ago - Boot camps won’t sell politics to young people
How can politics appeal to young people? Not through National's old-school boot camp policy, writes Max Harris. ...11 hours ago - How tough was life in colonial New Zealand?
Scientists from Otago University are unearthing new information on the lives of early New Zealand settlers. ...11 hours ago - A good start, but water charge plan flawed
Labour’s water charge plan isn’t perfect, say commentators, but it’s an important step down the road to equitable use of a public asset. ...11 hours ago - Labour hire companies a setback for employment
Catriona MacLennan argues the spread of labour hire employment exacerbates poverty in NZ. ...11 hours ago - Health advocate Bartlett ‘let down’ by Govt
Just four months ago, the Government described its $2 billion deal with Kristine Bartlett as an historic first step. So why does Bartlett now feel betrayed? ...11 hours ago - Australia, NZ slug it out with Asian counterparts for FIBA Asia Cup crown
Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz Australia and New Zealand face-off against Asia-Pacific counterparts … basketball tournament kicks off. Video: FIBA Asia Cup By Jeremaiah M. Opiniano in Adelaide Basketball countries in the rugby-crazed Pacific will try to rule a merged Asia-Pacific regional ...18 hours ago - National chooses Barclay’s replacementThe National Party has chosen Hamish Walker to fill disgraced MP Todd Barclay's shoes in the Clutha-Southland electorate tonight. ...21 hours ago
- PM hopes trans-Tasman spat short-livedThe Prime Minister says he hopes New Zealand Australia relations will soon be back on an even keel after the citizenship furore across the ditch. ...22 hours ago
- Govt defends price paid for motels to house homelessThe government has spent almost $8.5 million on four motels at more than double the QV to temporarily house homeless people - and it plans to buy another two. ...23 hours ago
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- My son will never be classed as a Young Serious Offender – and that’s not fairThe National Party’s plan for ‘Young Serious Offenders’ is causing outrage among youth justice advocates. JustSpeak director and pregnant mum of one Katie Bruce asks us to imagine if it was our child being given this label.The new category of ...1 day ago
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- A timeline of trans-Tasman political chaosThe Australian Deputy Prime Minister's discovery he had dual New Zealand citizenship escalated into a trans-Tasman spat. We look at how the saga unfolded. ...1 day ago
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Dirty Politics landed like a bombshell in the NZ election campaign of 2014. It may not have affected that outcome, but that was never the ambition. It has, however, made a big impact on our politics, argues Nicky HagerThree long ...1 day ago - Getting your shit together: yoga as a survival tool
Getting Your Shit Together is a monthly column on everyday mental health from Auckland mindfulness educator Kristina Cavit. This month she’s talking about the effect yoga has had on her own life, and on those of the prisoners and children ...1 day ago - ‘We lose the ability to think critically’: on the danger of hype culture in gaming
Superhot, an innovative critique on the dangers of hype culture and gamer identity, has been ported to virtual reality. But something critical is lost in translation, writes Matthew Codd. Superhot was one of the most inventive games of 2016. I don’t ...1 day ago - Field of dreams: the council wants to know what to do with the Takapuna carpark
There’s a big carpark on Takapuna’s Anzac Street and the council wants your imaginative ideas for what to do with it. Councillor Chris Darby has been thinking about movies…When does a carpark become something better than a carpark? Panuku Development ...1 day ago - How New Zealand songs are made in 2017
Gareth Shute examines the varied ways songs are written in the modern era by speaking to three artists who’ve released work recently – Herriot Row, Raiza Biza and October.The last two decades have seen digital technology offering new possibilities not ...1 day ago - Make Me Tick: getting down with democracy
In the lead up to the election, comedians Melanie Bracewell and Angella Dravid take a journey through the voting process in Make Me Tick, The Spinoff’s new four part video series with the Electoral Commission. Today, Melanie gets hyped for the ...1 day ago - A queer kind of karma for my fellow Australia-based Kiwi Barnaby Joyce
Given Australia’s deputy PM seems to have been a New Zealander all along, he should join his compatriots in embracing marriage equality and allowing a free vote, writes Kerry McBride.On 17 April, 2013, I stood in Scotty & Mal’s on ...1 day ago - To hell with writing for the stage: Dean Parker on his novel based on the hero of Man Alone
Auckland writer Dean Parker backgrounds the making of his novel – a kind of sequel to a classic of New Zealand fiction, Man Alone.I started writing my novel Johnson in 2008. Originally it carried the more effusive title, Hooray, Fuck.I know the ...1 day ago - Susan Devoy: Why I’m telling the UN about NZ’s immoral inaction on state care abuse‘This is not my New Zealand.’ Ahead of her speech to the UN this week, the Race Relations Commissioner calls on politicians to stand on principle and do right by the victims of institutional abuse.Earlier this year I was on ...1 day ago
- How Barnaby Joyce’s citizenship saga unfoldedThe Australian journalist who looked into the deputy prime minister's dual citizenship tells Morning Report "parallel investigations" were under way. ...1 day ago
- Why The AM Show has got me in a tizzy
Following a couple of weeks of controversial headlines, Alex Casey assembles a brief history of sexist drivel on The AM Show. Of all the soothing alarm sounds you could use to welcome a new beautiful day on Earth, Mark Richardson barking ...1 day ago
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