political parties

There is no child poverty in New Zealand

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 9:03 am, October 29th, 2014 - 64 comments

A recently published UNICEF report on levels of child poverty amongst developed economies suggests that despite our rockstar economy and our brighter future child poverty levels in New Zealand have stagnated since 2008 while in Australia meaningful changes have been made.

NRT: Cronyism in Christchurch II

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 6:39 pm, October 28th, 2014 - 18 comments

Back in August, National announced they were handing a $284 million contract to build a new convention centre in Christchurch to a consortium which included the Speaker’s brother. From the outside, it looks like cronyism, if not outright corruption…

Questions for the candidates

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 10:28 am, October 28th, 2014 - 120 comments

The live Q&A sessions have been great, but we would like to put some written questions to each of the Labour leadership candidates, so that more detailed answers can be compared. Suggestions please…

National losing the middle?

Written By: Bunji - Date published: 8:23 am, October 28th, 2014 - 133 comments

In its first term, National was very careful to be incremental – Key hung to the middle, chipping away carefully at workers’ rights without doing anything dramatic. Having gained the public’s trust by continuing (outside the House) to be a clown they’d like to have a drink with, they went with one big hit with […]

All Things Being Equal…

Written By: Bill - Date published: 1:46 pm, October 27th, 2014 - 173 comments

Assuming that all four contenders for leadership of Labour are equally worthy, there is a defining factor that ought to be considered…vulnerability to attack.

Save our tea breaks

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 7:49 am, October 27th, 2014 - 60 comments

Labour hopes to collect signatures for this petition over Labour Weekend…

Andrew Little’s Palmerston North Speech

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 2:18 pm, October 26th, 2014 - 38 comments

Video and the transcript of Andrew Little’s speech at the Palmerston North Labour Leadership meeting

Collective bargaining? Yeah right …

Written By: Guest post - Date published: 10:30 am, October 26th, 2014 - 11 comments

JAmooches continues their analysis of the effects of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill. Today the focus is on the provisions that negate the requirement for the parties to act in good faith bargaining, in particular for being able to conclude collective agreements.

I’m backing Grant

Written By: Ben Clark - Date published: 9:28 am, October 26th, 2014 - 175 comments

We have 4 great Leftie contenders, who all want to take Aotearoa where we want it to go. Whomever wins, I’ll back them to the hilt. But I have a vote and a voice, and I’m backing Grant – here’s why.

Have a coffee and a yarn with Andrew Little on Labour Day (Auckland)

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 3:48 pm, October 25th, 2014 - 17 comments

Servo Cafe, Te Atatu, 2:30 on Monday 27 October.

NRT: Political interference at Maori Television

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 5:04 pm, October 24th, 2014 - 11 comments

A government-owned television channel arranges an interview with a former opposition MP, but the government-appointed CEO spikes it. Something from Russia or Cuba maybe? No – according to Hone Harawira its happening right here in New Zealand. National’s specially appointed CEO Paora Maxwell apparently personally doing the gagging of a previously independent Native Affairs show.

Auckland Labour Day Event

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 12:05 pm, October 24th, 2014 - 14 comments

The Mangere Labour Electorate Committee is planning an interesting event on Labour Day in Auckland to commemorate the contributions of three different people to the Labour movement.

Save our tea breaks

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 2:50 pm, October 23rd, 2014 - 97 comments

The first hustings

Written By: geoff - Date published: 8:29 am, October 23rd, 2014 - 128 comments

The leadership contest has kicked off with a bang.

Cullen endorses Robertson

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 6:50 am, October 23rd, 2014 - 137 comments

Grant Robertson picked up a heavyweight endorsement yesterday.

The wisdom of David Seymour

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 2:15 pm, October 22nd, 2014 - 45 comments

David Seymour’s maiden speech must be a front runner for most unusual Parliamentary speech this term and it has only just started.

Dirty politics and dirty cyclists

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 10:18 am, October 22nd, 2014 - 32 comments

Jason Ede has resurfaced at Teamtalk, a company with significant links to the National Party and a managing director with unusual views about cyclists.

Parker on cults and colours

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 8:31 am, October 22nd, 2014 - 152 comments

David Parker is reported in The Herald this morning with some comments which seem likely to provoke a strong response! His email pitch to party members also arrived today…

I have the form – but none to vote for

Written By: lprent - Date published: 7:34 pm, October 21st, 2014 - 233 comments

My Labour leadership voting form turned up in email today. The problem is that unusually I have absolutely no idea who I want to vote for. Nor who I want to vote against. Perhaps a blender might help? Any advice? But please read to the end of my post. It is safer.

NRT: National’s failure on housing

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 1:54 pm, October 21st, 2014 - 25 comments

A year ago National rammed through special housing areas promising 9000 homes consented in the first year under it. Over the last year they have managed to build 5 and consented 294. Nick Smith fails maths yet again. This year 13,000 – yeah right!

EPMU endorses Andrew Little for Labour leader

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 9:07 am, October 20th, 2014 - 67 comments

The EPMU have just announced they’re endorsing Andrew Little for Labour leader.

Labour’s Leadership campaign heats up

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 7:44 am, October 20th, 2014 - 101 comments

The Labour leadership campaign is now under way and the first meet the candidates meetings are scheduled for this week.

The 4th estate & its pretenders

Written By: karol - Date published: 10:59 am, October 19th, 2014 - 63 comments

Some journalists continue to try to fulfill the fourth estate ideal of pursuing truth & speaking truth to power. Others, with powerful links to corporate media & governments, work to suppress debate and democracy, often using threats, abusive nastiness & fear mongering.

To arms!

Written By: Guest post - Date published: 12:43 pm, October 18th, 2014 - 49 comments

We are about go to war partnered with multiple armies, none of whom is a champion of any of our democratic values of fairness, equality, human rights, or impartial justice. Meanwhile one in ten of us is about to be evicted from our state house home and put into the streets. Labour’s leadership candidates are silent in the media..

No point in state houses

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 8:32 am, October 18th, 2014 - 75 comments

There’s no point in state houses. Not according to the Nats anyway. Unbelievable.

Sherman Cunliffe

Written By: Bunji - Date published: 8:50 pm, October 17th, 2014 - 308 comments

Surely this should put Paddy Gower and co to bed once and for all. With great grace despite Shearer’s baiting, and with great clarity, Cunliffe has declared he will never seek the Labour leadership again. It was Shermanesque. Now surely he can get on with using his great talent for Labour and not have him […]