greens

Latest Roy Morgan

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:32 pm, May 7th, 2014 - 168 comments

The latest Roy Morgan poll result is out and although it bounces around and trends rather than individual results are more important National’s support has slumped signficicantly and Labour’s and the Green’s support has risen.

The local in the bigger picture: new Green conservation policy

Written By: karol - Date published: 9:47 am, April 30th, 2014 - 12 comments

Largely overlooked yesterday, the Green Party launched their “Conservation in Our Backyards” policy. Focusing on protecting New Zealand’s socially and environmentally rich biodiversity, it provides a means to act locally in countering the current track towards global social, environmental and economic destruction.

Remembering forestry workers

Written By: karol - Date published: 8:17 am, April 28th, 2014 - 15 comments

The deaths of forestry workers are outrageous & sad.  Helen Kelly has campaigned extremely well for change.  An international day of remembrance yesterday, a procession on parliament today – a belated govt Bill that is an improvement, but does not go far enough.

NRT: The Greens’ “internet bill of rights”

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 10:55 pm, April 23rd, 2014 - 2 comments

No Right Turn is critical of the implementation aspects of the Greens’ internet bill of rights. Looking at his points about its flaws, it does appear that it has few real teeth. “…if you want to outlaw ISPS shaping customer traffic for anti-competitive reasons” … “then amend the Telecommunications Act to outlaw it. It wouldn’t sound as great as an “internet bill of rights”, but it would do the job better, and with more certainty of the outcome. Trying to use a general law to do it, without checking the underlying policy details, doesn’t just risk failure – it also comes across as lazy.”

Polity: I am still holding out for a three-way

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 12:38 pm, April 22nd, 2014 - 110 comments

I think the pundits misjudge Peters. I think he wants a major, polity-based legacy in the 2014-2017 term, as well as baubles. Only the left can offer this. With the left, Peters can be The Man who Saved the Power Companies. National cannot compete with that. Which gives everyone on the left, including the Greens, some leverage. So count me out of the consensus that Winston in Cabinet means no Greens in Cabinet. I see a feasible three-way deal on the horizon.

The housing bubble

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:38 am, April 20th, 2014 - 176 comments

Another week and another report suggesting that New Zealand’s housing market is heading towards a potential crisis.  The Government’s primary response is to blame Labour.  The Greens and Labour have a collection of policies which would improve matters significantly.  But the politics are difficult because who would want to threaten the value of the family home?

Politics by numbers

Written By: geoff - Date published: 7:57 pm, April 13th, 2014 - 125 comments

The first rule of politics is learn how to count. And, as much as we would all like to see Labour and the Greens govern by themselves, 13 and 32 don’t add up to 50

That’ll be why, when the Greens came to Labour with a plan to campaign together, Labour said no.

NRT: Unsurprising

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 2:52 pm, April 10th, 2014 - 17 comments

But on any realistic numbers, its unthinkable for a future Labour government not to include the Greens, and as Gordon Campbell points out, by refusing to define their relationship themselves, Labour has given National a free hand to do it for them – and in undoubtedly negative terms. That won’t do the Greens any harm. But its unlikely to be good for Labour.

Drill baby drill

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:12 am, April 3rd, 2014 - 40 comments

Two days after the IPCC has warned us of the threat posed by climate change and Simon Bridges has announced a huge block offer of parts of New Zealand and much of its territorial water.  This will include the pristine waters off Auckland’s west coast, home of Maui’s dolphin.  In a world that has to address its consumption of petroleum you have to question if it is worth the risk.

Labour and the Greens announce forestry policies

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 3:48 pm, March 19th, 2014 - 39 comments

Labour announced policies today seeking to reinvigorate the Forestry Industry and to promote more local processing of logs.  And the Greens have announced a policy designed to increase the use of wood in local buildings.

Russel Norman on consumerism & happiness

Written By: karol - Date published: 8:23 am, March 16th, 2014 - 38 comments

An interview provides an insight into Russel Norman’s working class background & frugal, anti-consumerist outlook. Combines well with Metiria Turei’s working class background –  which has motivated her campaign against child poverty and inequality.

ImperatorFish: A statement from Shane Jones

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 11:48 am, March 14th, 2014 - 14 comments

[probably satire] This statement has been reposted from ImperatorFish and is believed to be a work of satire by Scott Yorke (who generously allows us to reproduce his posts). However with Shane Jones, one can never be too sure what is truth and what is fantasy. Shane Jones or a reasonable facsimile thereof takes on why he isn’t going to attack the terrible Green party again (to the nearly universal chorus of “dickhead”).

Auckland Council CCO 2 step

Written By: karol - Date published: 10:42 am, March 7th, 2014 - 13 comments

Mai Chen argues that the current review of Auckland Council CCOs will put them on a tighter leash.  Tony Holman argues against the whole CCO set up: it’s a trojan horse, 2 step towards privatisation of Auckland assets.  Aucklanders need to have their say. Vote out Team Key to prevent such sales.

Taxpayers Union – concentrating on the banal and ignoring the big issues

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 1:56 pm, March 3rd, 2014 - 45 comments

Mojo Mathers has been criticised by the Taxpayers Union for the travel costs associated with attending a recent interview in Masterton.  Attacking her for doing her job is completely mean spirited.  But the means of generating the story, where details are fed to the media and then the Taxpayer’s Union are offered up for comment, are of concern.  And surely there are bigger issues to worry about.