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Vid of Nicky Hager talk tonight, Waikato

Written By: karol - Date published: 9:11 pm, September 8th, 2014 - 32 comments

Nicky Hager’s talk at the University of Waikato was very well attended. It was livestreamed. A video of it is now available online,

What kind of government would National lead?

Written By: Stephanie Rodgers - Date published: 12:45 pm, September 8th, 2014 - 112 comments

The choice for NZ voters is becoming clearer in the last days of the 2014 election. The irony is that after John Key’s scaremongering, our options are a three-headed coalition of natural allies versus a five-or-six headed hydra of extremists and sworn enemies.

Where is Jason Ede?

Written By: karol - Date published: 10:54 am, September 8th, 2014 - 19 comments

Jason Ede’s disappearance from public view suggests a cover up in response to Hager’s Dirty Politics. The book implicates Ede (past PM staffer) in a coordinated black ops smear machine working with blogs like Whale Oil. Key may need to come clean soon about some of Ede’s activities.

National’s mating dance with the Conservatives II

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:39 am, September 8th, 2014 - 30 comments

National is now talking up the possibility of a post election accommodation with the Conservative Party. But the thought of the Conservatives having a significant say in policy formation should make all progressives very afraid.

Tax cuts – simple question simple answer

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 9:54 pm, September 7th, 2014 - 84 comments

Duncan Garner asks – “when we’ve just borrowed $55b over 6 years how on earth are tax cuts suddenly affordable?”. Presumably it’s a rhetorical question…

Airbrushing the VRWC

Written By: karol - Date published: 10:10 am, September 7th, 2014 - 111 comments

In today’s Sunday Star Times, is an article on a Matthew Hooton & the VRWC (Vast Right Wing Conspiracy). Hooton criticises John Key, does a couple of mea culpas, but ultimately, airbrushes the whole disgusting mess of dirty politics. [Updated: comment from Bill]

Perceptions of National’s government

Written By: lprent - Date published: 12:57 pm, September 6th, 2014 - 114 comments

There is how John Key and a few of his acolytes like to think of his government. Then there is how everyone else now does. The many ministers who have been abusing their position, were caught and ‘resigned’. Now we can see the true nature than lurks beneath. A vote for National is a vote for Cameron Slater.

Two weeks to go …

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 11:05 am, September 6th, 2014 - 139 comments

Two weeks to go and polls suggest that National’s slide in the poll may be arrested. But for how long?

Slater’s bid- fail!

Written By: karol - Date published: 5:40 pm, September 5th, 2014 - 121 comments

TV3 News reports Slater’s bid to gag the media has failed. High Court decision is that media can report on previously published material, & material they already have. doesn’t apply to previously published material. Rawshark had already given remaining material to the media and departed. [Updated]

The Big Lie in action

Written By: Stephanie Rodgers - Date published: 12:30 pm, September 5th, 2014 - 13 comments

This morning Rob Salmond did a great post about the “big lie” – the spin coming from the Right that Labour hasn’t concentrated on policy, just dirty politics.

Like clockwork, David Farrar has a post up about the latest polls, suggesting “Their focus on hacked e-mails instead of policy is backfiring.”

‘Dirty Politics’ symposium, streaming today

Written By: karol - Date published: 11:34 am, September 5th, 2014 - 16 comments

The University of Otago had a symposium on Nicky Hager’s Dirty Politics book now. The event has ended but video on youtube: Interviews with Hager, speakers, panel.

Tories! Scared of Internet/Mana? I have the solution …

Written By: Guest post - Date published: 7:19 am, September 5th, 2014 - 64 comments

Labour are going to lead the next Government. So what’s a Tory voter to do to keep the damge to a minimum? If the possibility of Hone Harawira and Laila Harre being Ministers in the Cunliffe administration is keeping you up at night, then Te Reo Putake has the answer.

NRT: Sensationalising the status quo

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 1:41 pm, September 4th, 2014 - 55 comments

Pity the political reporter. Committed to horse-race style reporting and desperate for an ‘angle’. Patrick Gower on 3 News last night was desperately talking up how “complicated’ National’s… current arrangements are?? Use your brain Paddy…

Show us the money John

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 1:32 pm, September 4th, 2014 - 76 comments

John Key and National are talking about tax cuts. But when you think about the actual cost of the Christchurch rebuild and tumbling international milk prices you have to question if tax cuts are affordable or even justifiable.

Thoughts from the crowd on Tuesday night’s debate

Written By: James Dann - Date published: 7:50 am, September 4th, 2014 - 51 comments

I was in the front row of the audience at the Press leader’s debate between David Cunliffe and John Key. While the media in Auckland and Wellington might have called it one way, the people in Christchurch were only presented with one leader who understands the issues in this city, and it wasn’t the Prime Minister.

Debate tonight: Climate Voter

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 4:36 pm, September 3rd, 2014 - 41 comments

Climate Voter is streaming a debate between the major parties tonight at 7pm.

Early Voting starts

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 11:00 am, September 3rd, 2014 - 43 comments

Advance votes can now be cast.

National’s campaign train wreck

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:33 am, September 3rd, 2014 - 243 comments

So far National’s election campaign has been a train wreck. What was meant to be a leisurely walk to the finish line has turned into a limp. David Cunliffe is more than holding his own against John Key. And dirty politics is having a gradual corrosive effect on National’s support.

Score draw?

Written By: Bunji - Date published: 9:45 pm, September 2nd, 2014 - 181 comments

Cunliffe started best, Key got in a zinger and put him off his stride, Cunliffe dominated the second half.

The Press Debate – tonight, livestreamed on Stuff

Written By: Stephanie Rodgers - Date published: 2:00 pm, September 2nd, 2014 - 227 comments

The second big head-to-head between David Cunliffe and John Key will be livestreamed on Stuff from 7pm tonight.

Why Is John Key Not Compelled to Give Evidence Under Oath?

Written By: Bryan Gould - Date published: 12:13 pm, September 1st, 2014 - 75 comments

I have today sent an open letter to the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security to ask why Mr Key is not required to attend her inquiry and to give evidence under oath. The letter is attached.

Labour’s broadcasting policy: public service TV-RNZ

Written By: karol - Date published: 10:03 pm, August 31st, 2014 - 40 comments

Labour’s broadcasting policy includes setting up a new public service TV channel, to be located with RNZ, incorporating RNZ values. The Greens are open to the idea. NZ First has a similar policy. Laila Harre makes some good points about public broadcasting and industrial relations. [Update: RNZ report; video clip added]

For a better way…

Written By: karol - Date published: 4:53 pm, August 30th, 2014 - 10 comments

The NACT way is Not Our Way. We need a better way of governance and democracy. One that is for all the people. I joined the hardy souls who went to the Not Our Way rally and march in Auckland.

Some thoughts…

Written By: geoff - Date published: 2:04 pm, August 30th, 2014 - 113 comments

The English faction is now calling the shots inside the National party.

“VRWC” exposes rift at top of National

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 11:48 am, August 30th, 2014 - 18 comments

There is a self-appointed “Vast Right Wing Conspiracy” in New Zealand. Odgers and Slater are key members. Search VRWC on Slater’s website and you’ll find their activities. After Pansy Wong’s forced resignation from Cabinet for misuse of her travel perk the VRWC thought the National Cabinet needed “some serious steel going forward.” You can read the minutes of their virtual white-board session on post-it cards – the rifts at the top are deep and nasty.

‘Malevolent males’, ‘Mistress Collins’ & a ‘free press’

Written By: karol - Date published: 5:00 pm, August 29th, 2014 - 7 comments

Dirty Politics shows the need for a reformation of our media, broadcasting and related online content. It’s about democracy. Lucy lawless agrees. Laila Harre and Colin Craig have been added to the line up for Sunday’s Broadcasting Debate in Auckland.

NRT: Kiwis care about inequality

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 3:46 pm, August 29th, 2014 - 8 comments

Roy Morgan has a poll out today looking at the issues affecting New Zealanders and therefore this election. Social inequality is rising as an issue as the world economy has stopped getting worse.

Cunliffe 1 Key 0

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:39 am, August 29th, 2014 - 73 comments

Two new polls with different conclusions drawn and the first Leadership debate with a win to David Cunliffe. He may be a sterling campaign away from being the next Prime Minister.

And the winner is…

Written By: Bunji - Date published: 10:07 pm, August 28th, 2014 - 119 comments

The pundits say: Cunliffe

I think that most New Zealanders…

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 12:35 pm, August 28th, 2014 - 17 comments

Our PM is fond of telling us all what we think. In the wake of Dirty Politics he is working it overtime, telling us all that we believe his spin. Interesting then to get some actual data on what (extrapolating from a sample) most New Zealanders really do think. Many thanks to the Horizon polling people for putting this up on line.