political parties

Campaign heroics or hubris?

Written By: Jenny Michie - Date published: 12:02 pm, June 6th, 2013 - 38 comments

I was impressed by this press statement from the Mana Party on the ground in the Ikaroa Rawhiti by-election reporting that they door-knocked over 1000 houses over the weekend and found that support for their candidate was over 70%. As a political campaigner of many years experience, and I’m now running Labour’s by-election HQ in […]

The policing of women’s bodies

Written By: karol - Date published: 10:00 am, June 6th, 2013 - 116 comments

(Socialist) feminism seems to be on the rise internationally, exposing how threats to “old boys” corporate-aligned power are countered by policing women’s bodies. Sue Bradford highlights the contradiction between Owen Glenn’s paternalistic corporate capitalism and the feminist-aligned participants in his Inquiry. Jan Logie addresses the gender pay gap.

Slums for Auckland?

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 9:05 am, June 6th, 2013 - 28 comments

Housing Minister Nick Smith had ominous words for Auckland. Hands up all you Aucklanders who are keen to sacrifice quality housing?

You can’t be a leader of nothing

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 8:50 am, June 6th, 2013 - 19 comments

Peter Dunne’s status as a party leader in Parliament (i.e. funding and perks) is under threat. Seems pretty cut and dried – you can’t be a leader of nothing. Being a sensible type, I’m sure that Peter will agree.

OECD report leans left

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 11:56 am, June 5th, 2013 - 24 comments

Both sides of the political spectrum will draw some comfort from the recent OECD report on our economy, but overall the report is much better aligned with Labour / Green policy.

Charter schools have no future

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 8:50 am, June 5th, 2013 - 68 comments

The charter schools legislation passed its final reading last night. Labour and the Greens declare that charter schools have no future in this country…

Fairness and freedom

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 12:49 pm, June 4th, 2013 - 51 comments

If the left had to pick one word to describe the essence of its political philosophy, that word might be “fairness”. If the right had to do the same that word might be “freedom”. Labour MP David Clark considers the balance.

Christchurch schools for sale

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 10:32 am, June 4th, 2013 - 17 comments

Recently closed Christchurch schools, which according to the Nats don’t have the student base and/or are too quake damaged to keep running, are going to be sold off for purposes including – charter schools.

Stable government?

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 10:30 am, June 3rd, 2013 - 55 comments

There isn’t a single party in the government coalition that could be said to be stable.

Lusk papers 2 – selling out to America

Written By: Eddie - Date published: 9:21 am, June 2nd, 2013 - 248 comments

Here’s the second of the Lusk papers that we were leaked, as was to be covered in today’s Sunday Star Times.

This paper confirms that a faction within National sees New Zealand as a vassal of America, and wants to see American influence (and American money) gain control over our politics.

The National government’s divided society

Written By: karol - Date published: 7:56 am, June 2nd, 2013 - 14 comments

A Fairfax poll shows an NZ divided by income inequalities & political allegiances. Little unemployment for National voters & more for opposition voters: a precariat with a high proportion of Maori & Pacific people. The right time for Russel Norman’s speech and blockupy?

The Lusk paper

Written By: Eddie - Date published: 9:50 am, June 1st, 2013 - 130 comments

This is the first of the Lusk papers, as leaked to us a couple of days ago, and as currently being discussed on The Nation.

Poverty Watch 33

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 8:52 am, June 1st, 2013 - 12 comments

Welcome to Poverty Watch, a weekly update on National’s lack of response to the urgent and growing issue of poverty in NZ. This week we look a the reaction to the government’s response to the report on poverty from the Office of the Children’s Commissioner.

Hollow Men 2 ?

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 11:50 pm, May 31st, 2013 - 62 comments

There are three leaks in play this weekend, similar but different. Someone has taken a media shotgun to the Collins / Lusk faction. Hollow Men 2 ?

Green Party for democracy

Written By: karol - Date published: 9:30 am, May 31st, 2013 - 34 comments

Yesterday in Question Time, Green MP Holly Walker challenged to government’s anti-democratic rush to enable the government to over-ride local councils on housing. Today Russel Norman challenges the Key government’s anti-democratic processes. This weekend there is a democratic Green Party conference.

That Lusk article

Written By: Eddie - Date published: 7:40 am, May 31st, 2013 - 71 comments

I’ve been meaning to write something on Andrea Vance’s very good piece on Simon Lusk. It tells us a lot that we already know: Lusk is the brains behind Slater; Lusk was involved in the demolition of Gilmore; and he’s very tight with the Collins camp. What’s interesting is why he has come out in the public light now. And the messages he is sending to National MPs. The leadership battle is heating up.

Images of our time: ‘shock’ capitalism

Written By: karol - Date published: 11:03 am, May 30th, 2013 - 87 comments

As Naomi Klein said in the Shock Doctrine documentary, disorienting natural and economic shocks result in the wealth being shifted from “public hands” to the wealthiest. The wealth gap, and extent of poverty in NZ is increasingly & devastatingly marginalising good Kiwis. Meanwhile, Peter Jackson is flying high.

The Battle of Auckland

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 9:47 pm, May 29th, 2013 - 8 comments

“The Auckland that never was” in my view is the most interesting chapter in Chris Trotter’s “NO LEFT TURN”. It details the Ministry of Works’ post-war plan outlined in a document The Shape of Things to Come that was scrapped by the Sid Holland National party. Now we see history repeating itself. In what Labour accurately describes as a “War on Auckland” Key, Joyce and Brownlie are following in the footsteps of the much unloved Sid Holland.

Shocking the people into submission

Written By: karol - Date published: 10:10 am, May 29th, 2013 - 24 comments

Last night The Shock Doctrine (2009) aired on Maori TV. John Key, and his cheerleaders have followed their latest series of shock-inducing attacks on democratic processes and (low income) people’s rights, with positive forecasts for our future. Meanwhile, the gap between the haves & have-nots has grown.

Nats split on food in schools?

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 6:40 am, May 29th, 2013 - 87 comments

Does food in schools show up a split in National between the hardline conservatives who would leave kids hungry in the name of parental responsibility, and pragmatists who will swallow a dead rat every now and again in an attempt to stay popular?

Better than nothing

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 12:44 pm, May 28th, 2013 - 156 comments

The government’s expansion of the KickStart breakfast programme is better than nothing – but that’s about all you can say about it.

Priorities: $9.5 Million over 5 years to feed hungry kids – but in 2012 just 4 private schools got $10.9 Million.

The wheels are falling off

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 8:32 am, May 28th, 2013 - 60 comments

The Nats have tried to do too much too soon, and now the wheels are obviously falling off their sad “flagship” privatisation programme.

Note to John Key and David Shearer

Written By: karol - Date published: 7:29 am, May 28th, 2013 - 89 comments

John Key and David Shearer have made similar (inaccurate) statements about who has ultimate responsibility for feeding the kids.

Labour to repeal RMA changes

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 2:10 pm, May 27th, 2013 - 35 comments

Good to see a case where Labour is clear about repealing some of National’s damaging law changes.

Election narratives

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 11:11 am, May 27th, 2013 - 123 comments

National has set out its narrative for the 2014 election. Time for the Left to do the same.

Back to the future: John Key’s Dickensian values

Written By: karol - Date published: 9:13 am, May 27th, 2013 - 161 comments

John Key has been shamed by Hone Harawira’s “feed the kids” private members Bill. Key’s approach to child hunger is a sly use of Dickensian-type PPPs & charities to absolve the government of responsibility, while falsely presenting a caring face.

How far right is John Key’s “centre”?

Written By: karol - Date published: 10:17 pm, May 26th, 2013 - 69 comments

Once again the MSM reports John Key’s assessment of his party’s place on the political spectrum without any critique. The NZ Herald has repeated Key’s line about his government being “centre right” and the Greens being “far left”. Key’s government’s continuing abuse of democracy is a long way from the centre of the “right”.

Selection and election

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 9:06 pm, May 26th, 2013 - 3 comments

I’ve always been in favour of contested selection for parliamentary candidates. Being a Member of Parliament requires commitment, energy and above all a robust mental and physical constitution – clear values and strong bodies.When Parekura Horomia was selected in 1998 there were a little over 20 Labour party members in the electorate. This time its different. Media reports have party membership at 850, and the three selection meetings in the huge electorate attracted 180 in the Hutt, 110 in Tolaga Bay, and 430 in Napier. That’s the base from which Meka Whaitiri, Labour’s chosen candidate comes.

Marama Davidson: a promising Green candidate

Written By: karol - Date published: 7:43 pm, May 26th, 2013 - 12 comments

The Green candidate for the Ikaroa-Rahiti by-election, Marama Davidson is someone to watch. However, Labour’s Meka Whaitiri is the front runner and a very strong candidate. Mana’s Te Hamua Nikora and the Maori Party’s Na Raihania also have the opportunity to make their mark.

Congratulations Meka Whaitiri

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 6:13 pm, May 26th, 2013 - 51 comments

Meka Whaitiri and been selected as Labour’s candidate for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti.

Congratulations, Meka. Now it’s time to start the campaign.

Poverty Watch 32

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 9:02 am, May 25th, 2013 - 28 comments

Welcome to Poverty Watch, a weekly update on National’s lack of response to the urgent and growing issue of poverty in NZ. This week – a final look at the OCC report, and in current news an Amnesty International report cites child poverty as a stain on NZ’s human rights record.