political parties

Labour’s popular housing policy

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 3:40 pm, January 10th, 2013 - 122 comments

I’m delighted to see that over 70% of respondents to a recent Herald poll, published today, think Labour’s 100,000 houses plan is “a winner for Labour”. The plan was announced by David Shearer at Labour’s November conference. I’d also like to thank Olwyn for asking some questions about Labour’s policy on housing in response to Zetetic’s post – they deserve an answer.

David Shearer isn’t Jesus? No sh*t, Sherlock

Written By: QoT - Date published: 6:37 pm, January 9th, 2013 - 100 comments

I know I criticise David Shearer a lot, but if I sound bitter it’s just because I totally thought he would turn out to be Jesus.

Why the February vote could be very bad for Labour

Written By: QoT - Date published: 6:55 pm, January 7th, 2013 - 300 comments

Going on previous form, Camp Shearer seem to think a successful caucus vote in February will silence all criticism of his parliamentary leadership of the Labour Party. Boy, are you all wrong.

2013 – the policy year

Written By: IrishBill - Date published: 10:43 am, January 5th, 2013 - 260 comments

As our own Labour grandee Mike Smith has pointed out, 2013 is the year Labour develops its policies.

That means Labour members (and the broader left) need to start talking about what they want before conference. And what better place to have that discussion than the Standard…

2012 cabinet report card

Written By: IrishBill - Date published: 12:25 pm, January 2nd, 2013 - 18 comments

After Eddie dissed the usual beltway year in review style of column/post I was a little chary about doing this one. And then I realised the good thing about The Standard is we do real world and beltway issues. So here goes my once-over assessment of the 2012 cabinet performance and what it’s likely to mean for the future.

The year in review

Written By: Eddie - Date published: 4:58 pm, December 31st, 2012 - 68 comments

Most of the years in review I’ve seen in the couple of weeks have concentrated on gossip and rating individual MPs. Most of what matters not a jot outside the beltway. What matters is how the parties are doing in terms of progressing or thwarting the government’s policy agenda – how’s the government doing at governing? – and how polling is shaping up for 2014.

2012: “celebrity” PM – collective action

Written By: karol - Date published: 10:00 am, December 23rd, 2012 - 47 comments

Individualism & “celebrity” PM, John Key were still strong in 2012. But, there was opposition from some (often local) groups working collaboratively: Occupy, Glen Innes protesters, MUNZ, Asset Sales referendum, AAAP advocacy activism, manufacturing inquiry, NZLP democratisation, TS nest of vipers. And 2013?

John Key’s Summer

Written By: karol - Date published: 8:53 am, December 22nd, 2012 - 131 comments

While John Key spends the summer in Hawaii, he will need to make some decisions about the future of his cabinet. Parata’s future is poised in the balance, and he is looking to move Tim Groser on later next year.

I wish it could be Xmas every day…

Written By: karol - Date published: 11:10 am, December 21st, 2012 - 27 comments

… then maybe more attention would be given to increasing numbers of people struggling to get the necessities of life. Record queues outside Auckland’s City Mission. The Brighter Future never comes. Revisit The Spirit Level.

Media Bias & Democracy I: truth to power

Written By: karol - Date published: 11:49 am, December 20th, 2012 - 37 comments

Democracy needs independent news media, acting in the public interest, to speak truth to power. The commercial imperatives and neoliberal capture of corporate news organisations skew their political coverage, and contribute to voter disengagement. A perfect context for Key’s government to dismantle democracy: ECAN, CERA, Auckland Council, asset sales.

Shearer Says

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 11:46 am, December 20th, 2012 - 55 comments

David Shearer’s weekly e-newsletter, this week – Merry Christmas!

We’re happy to post similar newsletters from other opposition leaders – our email is on our contact page.

Turei: Green Party retrospective

Written By: karol - Date published: 11:26 am, December 19th, 2012 - 44 comments

Green Party co-leader, Metiria Turei, was confident and clear on TV3, talking about their consistent, disciplined & successful year &: the RONS tax, MP pay rise, government’s poor record, the economy, printing money, jobs, equality issues and child poverty. Little on green issues. Zero on the climate. [Update] Turei RNZ interviews.

How to mess up “good” news

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 5:17 pm, December 18th, 2012 - 57 comments

Trying to distract attention from the increased taxes required to maybe balance the budget one day, Key was pushing supposedly good news on health. Instead he scored a social media own goal. Ooops.

The spinmeister of Planet Key: Retrospective

Written By: karol - Date published: 10:07 am, December 18th, 2012 - 37 comments

On TV3 this morning, John Key was soothing and slick. All is well on Planet Key, and critics are delusional. He reeled of numbers and facts, but material realities of daily lives, and the suffering of people on low incomes aren’t mentioned. And asset sales?

Don’t blame MMP for Nat stupidity

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 9:32 am, December 18th, 2012 - 18 comments

Recent pieces by Bernard Hickey and John Armstrong both highlighted the problem of our aging population and the unsustainability of super – in Hickey’s memorable words we are “consuming our future”. Armstrong tries to balme MMP, but that won’t wash, it’s just the usual short-sighted Nat stupidity…

What’s new? Shearer retrospective.

Written By: karol - Date published: 11:35 am, December 17th, 2012 - 124 comments

David Shearer was on TV 3 this morning, reflecting on his last year. He claimed that he and Labour are doing well under new and settled leadership, taking a new direction. How accurate are his claims?

The dark side

Written By: karol - Date published: 7:30 am, December 16th, 2012 - 75 comments

Fran O’Sullivan & Audrey Young are awestruck by Judith Collins as ruthless Force. FO’S does a fan-girl rave, slipping into fanfic mode.Was the Binnie episode a daring bid to become the next Nat leader? Will English & Joyce respond with callous, socially-destructive manoeuvres?

Poverty Watch 16

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 11:16 am, December 15th, 2012 - 14 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, two damning reports on child poverty, and the Nats refuse to act.

Hone in the House

Written By: karol - Date published: 7:30 am, December 15th, 2012 - 75 comments

Mana has established a clear identity, as shown in Hone’s adjournment speech. Based in practice and activism. For all people, especially those on low incomes. A voice for Maori, Pasifika people and children. The Maori Party’s future is in question. What’s the future for Mana and Hone?

Shearer Says

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 9:21 am, December 14th, 2012 - 17 comments

David Shearer’s weekly e-newsletter – on a year to remember.

We’re happy to post similar newsletters from other opposition leaders – our email is on our contact page.

Turia’s legacy

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 7:36 am, December 14th, 2012 - 34 comments

Tariana Turia’s on-again off-again retirement is on-again. She will not be standing in 2014, and is looking to her “legacy”. Unfortunately, Whanau Ora is profoundly flawed. But if Turia wants a legacy to be proud of she still has time…

National’s 12 days of Christmas

Written By: Bunji - Date published: 4:16 pm, December 13th, 2012 - 43 comments

Grant Robertson in the Christmas adjournment speeches yesterday gave a great list of National’s terrible 2012 gifts to Aotearoa. For the twelfth day of Christmas National’s gift to Kiwi folk, twelve Hekia stuff-ups, eleven diplomats a leaking, ten cronies conspiring, nine paper boys crying, eight leaks of personal details, 7.3% unemployment, six ACC casualties, five […]

A country to love: a country to fight for

Written By: karol - Date published: 10:07 am, December 13th, 2012 - 59 comments

Key’s government and his MSM cheerleaders, lead the country backwards to increasing inequalities. It’s been a year of the battle of the men. Yesterday, Metiria spoke of an inclusive country to collaboratively fight for, and Jacinda Ardern spoke passionately for children in poverty.

Shearer on fine form

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 4:46 pm, December 12th, 2012 - 148 comments

David Shearer was on fine form in this speech yesterday, rounding up the year with thanks to Parliament’s workers, greetings to the opposition “family”, a friendly dig at the Press Gallery, the year of “Partial Recall” and memory dot gone, and finally the serious business of holding the Nats to account on their appalling record. Good work.

NRT: Reported back

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 3:23 pm, December 12th, 2012 - 4 comments

The Transport and Industrial Relations Committee has reported back on David Clark’s Holidays (Full Recognition of Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day) Amendment Bill, with the National majority recommending it not be passed. The bill will now go back before the House, where its fate will be in the hands of Peter Dunne. Will he vote for it or not?

Will the Maori Party make a stand for kids?

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 9:40 am, December 12th, 2012 - 14 comments

The Maori Party has publicly called on National to act on the child poverty report. Was this a token protest for form’s sake, or will the Maori Party actually make a stand for kids?

Judicial review of water ownership rejected

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 9:53 pm, December 11th, 2012 - 17 comments

A win for the Nats, a loss for the country. The Maori Council’s request for a judicial review of water rights has been rejected.

Advocacy activism in precarious times

Written By: karol - Date published: 5:31 pm, December 11th, 2012 - 25 comments

In these troubling times, it was uplifting to see the flax-roots, practical and collaborative action at the Onehunga Recession Busting rally for beneficiaries today. Volunteers in front of the WINZ office in Onehunga Mall, are giving support and assistance to those most in need.

Something rotten in the state…

Written By: karol - Date published: 9:58 am, December 11th, 2012 - 88 comments

As an outsider watching the struggles in the Labour Party unfold, I am becoming increasingly despondent about the state of Left wing politics in NZ. Right now, NZ, and those of us who party vote Green/Mana, require a strong, democratic and solidly left wing Labour Party.

Doha blah blah blah

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 2:12 pm, December 10th, 2012 - 14 comments

The climate change talks still grind on every year, but nothing useful seems to happen as a result. The recently concluded Doha talks are no exception. By the time the Power Shift generation takes over they will be facing a near impossible task.

Butterfly upon a wheel, or we haven’t changed

Written By: Eddie - Date published: 11:20 pm, December 9th, 2012 - 251 comments

Back five years ago*, when The Standard was founded by people like Ralph, Irish, Lynn, Tillerman, and Tane, it stood for a few basic Leftwing principles. Pro-worker, pro-environment, pro-equity, and anti-elitist. And it saw a Labour-led Left government as the best vehicle to achieve those goals. Much of the crew has changed but the values and the goals haven’t.