political parties

The days of National dick waving

Written By: lprent - Date published: 8:06 am, November 7th, 2017 - 28 comments

The spin that National are running is that they are unhappy with the move to reduce the MPs in select committees. That their ~~dick size~~ opposition party is the largest make me see teenage boys being idiots. Because there is no substantive difference to parliament from when this was recommended and now.

Paradise lost

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:04 am, November 7th, 2017 - 19 comments

The Paradise Papers have provided further evidence of a small group of very wealthy people are using complex trust arrangements based in tax havens to avoid paying tax.

Australia, you’re being a dick

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:35 am, November 6th, 2017 - 139 comments

Australia has refused New Zealand’s very generous offer to take 150 Manus Island refugees.

Labour and rural voters

Written By: advantage - Date published: 7:30 am, November 6th, 2017 - 94 comments

In recent years Labour has allowed National to dominate rural politics. Maybe it is time for Labour to think about reaching out to rural voters and suggest to them that a progressive vote is in their interests.

Jian Yang and his residence application

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 10:35 am, November 5th, 2017 - 68 comments

Just before the election news broke that National MP Jian Yang had previously taught in a Chinese University training spies. A recent OIA release of his immigration application raises further issues.

Trust, Labour and the TPPA

Written By: weka - Date published: 6:05 am, November 5th, 2017 - 96 comments

A look at Labour’s PR around the TPPA-11, and a campaign by Action Station to stop the signing.

So there was a housing crisis after all

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:05 am, November 4th, 2017 - 403 comments

The briefing to incoming Housing Minister Phil Twyford shows clearly that a crisis in housing developed under National’s watch.

The Green Party goals in government

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 6:54 am, November 4th, 2017 - 113 comments

“This is an incredible opportunity for the Green Party to make that good, green change that we’ve talked about – since ages ago!”

Let’s do this

Written By: advantage - Date published: 2:42 pm, November 3rd, 2017 - 11 comments

With a change of Government it is a time for a change in the public entities that run New Zealand.

No renewal for National

Written By: Natwatch - Date published: 8:49 am, November 3rd, 2017 - 22 comments

Bad luck you back benchers!

National reverts to type

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 7:47 am, November 3rd, 2017 - 225 comments

Bill English has claimed that it is not the role of National to make Parliament run properly.

She’s back …

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 3:58 pm, November 2nd, 2017 - 77 comments

National’s Parliamentary list has been announced. The big mover is Judith Collins who has jumped 7 places to number 9 and she is on the front bench.

Three strikes law to go

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 3:04 pm, November 1st, 2017 - 147 comments

Andrew Little has announced that Act’s three strikes for offenders legislation is going to be repealed.

Labour plans to stop overseas purchases of residential properties

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 9:41 am, November 1st, 2017 - 192 comments

Labour has announced plans to prevent foreign residents from buying residential homes in New Zealand.

Deary me.

Written By: Bill - Date published: 4:26 pm, October 30th, 2017 - 87 comments

It would seem Labour’s got nuffin when it comes to the TPP.

Teachers will be dancing in the streets at the latest Education announcement

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 2:59 pm, October 30th, 2017 - 58 comments

Chris Hipkins has announced that significant changes will be made to testing regimes for Primary and Secondary schools.

The repeal of the Hobbit law

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 12:24 pm, October 29th, 2017 - 70 comments

Labour has indicated that as a priority it wishes to repeal the Hobbit law, a clumsy attempt in breach of International Law to prevent workers in the film industry from organising collectively and to divert attention from the fact that the National Government had been played by Warner Brothers.

Why is James Shaw our new Minister for Statistics?

Written By: Matthew Whitehead - Date published: 7:00 am, October 29th, 2017 - 124 comments

Why statistics? Some speculation as to how this fits together with James Shaw’s other portfolios, and what the motivations and goals were taking up what is seemingly a minor ministerial position as part of a confidence and supply agreement.

The Green Party on 1080 and predator control

Written By: weka - Date published: 6:30 am, October 29th, 2017 - 197 comments

Let’s clear up some misconceptions about the Green Party’s Conservation Policy.

The new government and the TPPA-11

Written By: weka - Date published: 6:45 am, October 28th, 2017 - 150 comments

An update from Professor Jane Kelsey on the TPPA-11, a look at the issues for the new Labour-led government, and reasons why we still need to be concerned.

The new Green Ministers and Undersecretary

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 6:30 am, October 28th, 2017 - 60 comments

An outline of the Green Party positions in the new government, and which Green MPs hold them.

Spare a thought for Steven Joyce

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 9:30 am, October 26th, 2017 - 36 comments

Steven Joyce had a bad day yesterday. His claim that National’s use of one of Eminem’s song was “pretty legal” was shown to be anything but. And he stuck to his claim that there was a $11 billion dollar hole in Labour’s budget, casting doubt either on his honesty or on his competence.

Critiquing A Modest National Party Proposal

Written By: Matthew Whitehead - Date published: 7:09 am, October 26th, 2017 - 69 comments

Some National supporters are proposing the Governor General direct coalition talks in the future. How would that actually work out?

National loses itself

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 3:46 pm, October 25th, 2017 - 86 comments

It seems that National’s use of Eminem’s song lose yourself was not so legal.

The new cabinet

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 12:07 pm, October 25th, 2017 - 41 comments

Details of the new cabinet have been announced.

Say goodbye to roads of national significance

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 7:29 am, October 25th, 2017 - 55 comments

National’s roads of national significance programme looks to be no more with an early casualty being the East West Link in Auckland, which per kilometre was destined to be the most expensive transport project the world has ever seen.

Labour Green confidence and supply agreement released

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 4:40 pm, October 24th, 2017 - 28 comments

The text of the Labour Green confidence and supply agreement has been reached.

Labour – NZFirst deal details announced

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 3:54 pm, October 24th, 2017 - 60 comments

Details of the Labour – NZ First coalition agreement have just been announced.

The new cabinet

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:03 am, October 24th, 2017 - 78 comments

Details about how the next Cabinet may be made up are emerging. Winston Peters may regain the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs as well as being Deputy Prime Minister.

The mess that the new government inherits

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 11:47 am, October 23rd, 2017 - 51 comments

This post is too long to read. Its purpose is to serve as reference material, a “one stop” snapshot of where we are as a country. The mess that the new government inherits. The consequences of the nine long wasted years of National. The magnitude of the challenge ahead of us.