political parties

Official advice on poverty

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 9:01 am, October 15th, 2014 - 53 comments

An excellent piece by Brent Edwards on Morning Report today, looking at official advice to the government on poverty. Underneath the politicised process the answer is as obvious as ever.

The final field

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 8:18 am, October 15th, 2014 - 61 comments

Well, the list of Labour leadership contenders has defied the predictions of the pundits (myself included). Here’s my 2c on the final field.

David Parker – my choice for Leader

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 7:12 am, October 15th, 2014 - 199 comments

Heavyweight Cabinet experience, strong egalitarian values, a cool debater, with a passion for manufacturing and a high-value economy, a good deal of steel and with an open mind and a twinkle in his eye – these are the reasons why I support David Parker for Labour Party Leader.

ImperatorFish: A useful terror threat tool

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 4:53 pm, October 14th, 2014 - 7 comments

Scott examines our threat level.

And then there were four

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 4:21 pm, October 14th, 2014 - 173 comments

Twitter is suggesting that Nanaia Mahuta will enter Labour’s leadership race. Update: Her candidacy is confirmed.

On the unruly parts of the Labour caucus

Written By: lprent - Date published: 1:17 pm, October 14th, 2014 - 105 comments

It has been disappointing in the last few days to see the lack of respect that some of the Labour politicians on the right of the caucus have for the policy of restraint requested by the party. It appears they see themselves to be above such restraints.

The power & the pressure

Written By: karol - Date published: 11:00 am, October 14th, 2014 - 115 comments

We need a new green left direction, now and for the future. A future Labour-Green-Mana coalition government could provide such a direction. The original NZ Values Party Manifesto provides an important Blueprint.

Dear David Shearer

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:51 am, October 14th, 2014 - 278 comments

David Shearer has chosen to publicly call for unity while at the same time attacking David Cunliffe and the concept that Labour’s leadership should be representative.

Some thoughts on David Cunliffe’s withdrawal

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 2:30 pm, October 13th, 2014 - 111 comments

Some personal comments on news today that David Cunliffe has withdrawn from the Labour leadership contest.

David Cunliffe announces withdrawal from the Labour Party leadership contest

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 2:11 pm, October 13th, 2014 - 336 comments

Statement from David Cunliffe I am today announcing that I have decided not to nominate for the 2014 Labour Party leadership contest. It has been a hard decision to make but it is one that I believe is in the best interests of the wider Labour Party. There is so much work to do on […]

Cunliffe to pull out?

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 12:35 pm, October 13th, 2014 - 154 comments

Only a rumour at this stage…

Q&A with Andrew Little

Written By: Guest post - Date published: 2:45 pm, October 12th, 2014 - 188 comments

I’d like to say thanks to the Standard for hosting me today. I’ve always enjoyed robust political meetings and I’m a firm believer in fronting up and answering the hard questions. Labour is a great party. Our movement’s values are values that New Zealanders share – we’re a party and a nation that believes deeply […]

Q&A with Andrew Little 3pm Sunday

Written By: lprent - Date published: 8:38 pm, October 10th, 2014 - 39 comments

At 3pm on Sunday, Andrew Little will be on The Standard for discussion with questions from our audience of ardent left-wingers, greens, those who are just interested, and the odd troll with a fenestration obsession.

Progressive social media

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 9:27 am, October 10th, 2014 - 70 comments

Now that the dust is settling on the 2014 general election it is a good time for progressives to review our and our opponents’ use of social media and what can be done better. And how do we respond effectively to the approach of the right which is now thanks to Nicky Hager painstakingly clear.

Harawira’s recount bid did not “backfire”

Written By: Natwatch - Date published: 3:17 pm, October 9th, 2014 - 155 comments

The usual Tory cheerleaders have been quick to heap further bile on Hone Harawira.

Then there were three

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 11:19 am, October 9th, 2014 - 345 comments

Andrew Little has formally announced that he is also seeking the Labour Party leadership.

NRT: We don’t need new laws to fight terrorism

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 2:14 pm, October 8th, 2014 - 10 comments

John Key has been busy lying about the need for yet more ‘anti-terrorism’ laws. How many do the police and security forces need? As NRT points out, are they just too lazy to use the ones they already have? Or is this just because John Key wants to get his own plastic sword? Surely we pay him enough to buy his own?

Cause of poverty and inequality found!

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 8:06 am, October 8th, 2014 - 36 comments

Good news citizens! The National government has revealed unto us today the cause of poverty and inequality.

NRT: A surprise policy

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 7:12 pm, October 7th, 2014 - 32 comments

Remember National’s social housing policy? The one they campaigned on? The one that talked about how much money they were spending and was all about upgrading and investing in state houses? Somehow, post-election, its transmogrified into selling off a third of the state housing stock. John Key lying to voters as usual eh?

Labour Day essay competition (Southern)

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 1:49 pm, October 7th, 2014 - 12 comments

“Labour Day is a public holiday celebrated on the fourth Monday of every October. What important events, conflicts and values in history does Labour Day signify? What lessons from that are especially relevant to young New Zealanders working and studying today?”

About those other police complaints …

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 6:51 pm, October 6th, 2014 - 52 comments

Police action in obtaining a warrant to search Nicky Hager’s home in politically charged circumstances raises issues why in other politically charged incidents no similar action has been undertaken.

On Navel Gazing and Looking Out.

Written By: Bill - Date published: 2:38 pm, October 6th, 2014 - 63 comments

As the NZ Labour Party stands on the cusp of some soul searching, it might want to note that there are alternatives to pointless navel gazing.

Polity: National’s new ministry: Key fires himself!

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 12:53 pm, October 6th, 2014 - 36 comments

Key has basically fired himself from most of his Security and Intelligence responsibilities. This is a big change.

The long reach of “5 Eyes”: re-post

Written By: karol - Date published: 11:52 am, October 6th, 2014 - 15 comments

With Chris Finlayson just announced as minister in charge of GCSB & SIS, I thought it appropriate to re-post something I published on The Standard back in July 2013: links 5 Eyes’ attorney generals, cyber-security, Dotcom, etc.

Mediawatch on the media orgy

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 10:51 am, October 6th, 2014 - 12 comments

RNZ’s Mediawatch is a bright spot in the media wilderness! This weekend’s episode examined the media’s orgy of hyperbole and spin on the Labour leadership contest. Well worth a listen.

Starving the universities

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 8:02 am, October 6th, 2014 - 52 comments

NZ’s universities are falling down the world rankings. This should come as no surprise, because National have systematically cut funding to the tertiary sector. How stupid do you have to be to deliberately run down our universities?

A Little Goes A Long Way

Written By: Guest post - Date published: 2:22 pm, October 5th, 2014 - 241 comments

Finally confirmed as a Labour List MP, Andrew Little is mulling over a tilt at the leadership. This is good news for the party. Cunliffe is a busted flush and Robertson is too bland to win voters back. Labour needs a circuit breaker. A Little may go a long way.