Coat-tail of Many Colours
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- Date published:
1:19 pm, November 22nd, 2013 - 72 comments
Categories: act, conservative party, Economy, election 2014, electoral systems, greens, hone harawira, john key, mana, maori party, MMP, national, nz first, paula bennett, united future -
Tags: colin craig, Iain Lees-Galloway, mana party, murray mccully
John Key’s desperate and disloyal promotion of the Conservative Party in recent days and yesterday’s unseemly rush by Paula Bennett to claim the new Upper Harbour seat as her own sends a couple of interesting messages. Firstly, that National’s internal polling must be confirming that they are going to lose their current coalition partners. Secondly, that their declining popularity, combined with the proposed electorate boundary changes, mean they are going to lose their marginal urban seats.
I have a sneaking suspicion that the Hollow Men have already decided that the choice is stark; Colin Craig or a decade or more on the opposition benches. I imagine they will be willing to accept Craig’s opposition to asset sales, given that they will have completed their un-mandated program by the time of the next election anyway. They may even agree to wind back marriage equality and child protection to an extent, if that is the price of power.
While the talk today is that the seat they will gift Craig is Murray McCully’s East Coast Bays, I think they have a plan B as well. And it involves rorting the results of the MMP review.
Palmy Labour MP Iain Lees Galloway has had his private member’s bill on MMP drawn from the ballot. This bill builds on the findings of the MMP review, which supported a lower threshold and an end to extra MP’s coming in as a result of a single electorate seat win. The bill was actually written by Lianne Dalziel and Iain LG has picked it up following Lianne’s election to the post of Christchurch Mayor.
The indications are that it will receive enough support from various parties to at least get a first reading.
The effect would be to end an obvious distortion in the results for minor parties. The bill aims to stop additional list MP’s going to Parliament on the coat-tails of a single electorate MP. It would also see the 5% threshold for list representation drop to 4%. The classic example of the unintended disparity is the 2008 election where NZ First achieved 4.07% of the party vote and gained no seats and ACT achieved just 3.65% of the party vote but were entitled to 5 MP’s as a result of being cynically gifted the Epsom electorate seat.
So far, so good. This is what NZ wants.
List only parties such as the Greens and NZ First have nothing to fear from this change, and in the case of Winston Peters, it offers an opportunity for revenge for his three years in the wilderness. However, the Maori Party, ACT and United Future will recognise this as the death knell for their hopes of any significant influence in the next Parliament. Even if these parties retain their total of five current electorate seats, they would have no extra MP’s unless they enjoy a dramatic change in their public popularity and, therefore, they will not be able to offer a lifeline to save the current coalition.
Mana will have reason to be worried, too. While current polling has Hone Harawira trailing a yet to be named Labour candidate in Te Tai Tokerau, there are encouraging signs that they will get a big enough party vote to see a second MP elected via the list should he hold that electorate. This bill would end that hope.
But Mana are not my concern; John Key is. I believe that National will support this bill from start to finish.
Call me cynical, but I think the Hollow Men will be looking at this bill as a means to ensure they can form a new coalition with Colin Craig. Clearly, they already understand that the current governing arrangement is not going to keep them in power, hence the bigging up of the Conservative Party in the last week. The desperation of Key to cling to power is shown in how swiftly he is prepared to publicly write off his current partners and talk of a National/Conservative Government even when the N/ACT/MP/UF arrangement still has 12 months to run.
So why would the Nats support the bill, if it hurts the chances of their current partners?
Well, to sneakily ensure the Conservatives have two options for getting into Parliament. My feeling is that National will seek to amend the bill to drop the anti-coat-tailing provision, but retain the proposed 4% threshold, thereby allowing Colin Craig two distinct chances of winning seats. One via a patsy arrangement in East Coast Bays, with coat-tail MP’s in tow, or via the more legitimate list only result above 4%.
There is a genuine risk that Key will scupper the real intent of the bill (ending coat-tailing) but promote the 4% threshold for his own ends. Iain Lees Galloway is going to have to work hard to make sure both aspects of this bill get through the house, in the form the MMP review says voters prefer. He’s going to have to convince all the opposition parties to support it, even though some will have doubts. Then he will have to make sure it is not watered down to benefit the right.
Never underestimate the lengths these villains will go to in order to cling to power. Blatantly manipulating the genuine wish of NZ voters to further democratise Parliament as a way of gifting Colin Craig a Parliamentary presence would be nothing to them. Democracy means nothing to them. We mean nothing to them. Nothing.
Power is everything.
Te Reo Putake
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New Zealanders needing aged care support and the people who care for them will be worse off if the Government pushes through a flawed and rushed redesign of dementia and aged care. ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt fails hundreds of workers as mills close
Labour is devastated at news hundreds of workers are set to lose their jobs following the closure of Winstone Pulp mills. ...6 days ago
- Job losses from mill closures consequence of Govt inaction
Hundreds of jobs lost as a result of pulp mill closures in the Ruapehu District are a consequence of government inaction in addressing the shortfalls of our electricity network. ...7 days ago
- Ngarewa-Packer devastated for Ruapehu following WPI closure
Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader and MP for Te Tai Hauāuru is devastated for the Ruapehu community following today’s decision to close two Winstone Pulp mills. “My heart goes out to all the workers, their whānau, and the wider Ruapehu community affected by the closure of Winstone Pulp International,” said Ngarewa-Packer. ...1 week ago
- Release: Cabinet should stop the Treaty Principles Bill
National Party Ministers have a majority in Cabinet and can stop David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill, which even the Prime Minister has described as “divisive and unhelpful.” ...1 week ago
- Release: Staff gagged to keep fast track list secret
The National Government is so determined to hide the list of potential projects that will avoid environmental scrutiny it has gagged Ministry for the Environment staff from talking about it. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour challenges Te Whatu Ora gag orders
Labour has complained to the Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission about the high number of non-disclosure agreements that have effectively gagged staff at Te Whatu Ora Health NZ from talking about anything relating to their work. ...1 week ago
- Greens call on Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned after letter from Christian leaders
The Green Party is once again urging the Prime Minister to abandon the Treaty Principles Bill as a letter from more than 400 Christian leaders calls for the proposed legislation to be dropped. ...1 week ago
- Sign the petition: Keep military-style firearms off our streets
Help us tell the Government that reintroducing military-style firearms should not be up for debate. ...1 week ago
- Vast majority of councils support Māori wards
Councils across the country have now decided where they stand regarding Māori wards, with a resounding majority in favour of keeping them in what is a significant setback for the Government. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Government on the wrong side of Māori wards
The National-led government has been given a clear message from the local government sector, as almost all councils reject the Government’s bid to treat Māori wards different to other wards. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour congratulates Kuīni Ngā Wai hono i te po Paki
The Labour Party congratulates Kuīni Ngā Wai hono i te po Paki on being crowned as the eighth Te Ariki Nui – head of Te Kiingitanga. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party welcomes new Maaori Kuiini
The Green Party welcomes the coronation of the new Maaori Kuiini, Te Arikinui Nga Wai Hono i te Po, today in Turangawaewae. ...2 weeks ago
- ECE teachers deserve better than this Government
The Green Party is unsurprised but disappointed by today’s announcement from the Government that will see our Early Childhood Centre teachers undermined and pay parity pushed further out of reach. ...2 weeks ago
- Urgent intervention needed on supermarkets
The Green Party is calling on the Government to intervene in the supermarket duopoly dominating our supply of groceries following today’s report from the Commerce Commission. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Rainbow youth neglected in mental health funding
Labour backs the call from The Rainbow Support Collective members for mental health funding specifically earmarked for grassroots and peer led community organisations to be set up in a way that they are able to access. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Transport in NZ has to be more than just roads
As expected, the National Land Transport Programme lacks ambition for our cities and our country’s rail network and puts the majority of investment into roads. ...2 weeks ago
- Speech: Barbara Edmonds Building Nations 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa, Thank you for your warm welcome and for having my colleagues and I here today. Earlier you heard from the Labour Leader, Chris Hipkins, on our vision for the future of infrastructure. I want to build on his comments and provide further detail on some key elements ...2 weeks ago
- Govt transport plan deepens fossil fuel fix
The Green Party says the Government’s new National Land Transport Programme marks another missed opportunity to take meaningful action to fight the climate crisis. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens call for public to back Wrybill in BOTY and beyond
The Green Party is calling on the public to support the Ngutu Pare Wrybill not just in this year’s Bird of the Year competition but also in pushing back against policies that could lead to the destruction of its habitat and accelerate its extinction. ...2 weeks ago
- Building consents data bad news for construction
News that the annual number of building consents granted for new homes fell by more than 20 percent for the year ended July 2024, is bad news for the construction industry. ...3 weeks ago
- Te Pāti Māori Pay Tribute to Kiingi Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII
Papā te whatitiri, hikohiko te uira, i kanapu ki te rangi, i whētuki i raro rā, rū ana te whenua e. Uea te pou o tōku whare kia tū tangata he kapua whakairi nāku nā runga o Taupiri. Ko taku kiri ka tōkia ki te anu mātao. E te iwi ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Gaps still to be addressed in callouts response
The Government must guarantee New Zealanders will not be at risk after making changes to the way mental health callouts are handled. ...3 weeks ago
- Prioritising victims with tougher sentences
The Government has today agreed to introduce sentencing reforms to Parliament this week that will ensure criminals face real consequences for crime and victims are prioritised, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. "In recent years, there has been a concerning trend where the courts have imposed fewer and shorter prison sentences ...17 hours ago - Targets data confirms rise in violent crime
The first quarterly report on progress against the nine public service targets show promising results in some areas and the scale of the challenge in others, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “Our Government reinstated targets to focus our public sector on driving better results for New Zealanders in health, education, ...17 hours ago
- Asia Foundation Board appointments announced
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced the appointments of Hone McGregor, Professor David Capie, and John Boswell to the Board of the Asia New Zealand Foundation. Bede Corry, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has also been appointed as an ex-officio member. The new trustees join Dame Fran Wilde (Chair), ...20 hours ago
- Endeavour Fund projects for economic growth
New Zealand’s largest contestable science fund is investing in 72 new projects to address challenges, develop new technology and support communities, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins says. “This Endeavour Fund round being funded is focused on economic growth and commercial outputs,” Ms Collins says. “It involves funding of more ...24 hours ago
- Social Services Providers Whakamanawa National Conference 16 September 2024
Thank you for the introduction and the invitation to speak to you here today. I am honoured to be here in my capacity as Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, and Minister for Children. Thank you for creating a space where we can all listen and learn, ...24 hours ago
- Parihaka infrastructure upgrades funded
The Government will provide a $5.8 million grant to improve water infrastructure at Parihaka in Taranaki, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka say. “This grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund will have a multitude of benefits for this hugely significant cultural site, including keeping local ...1 day ago
- Serious assaults down 22% in Auckland CBD
Cross-government action to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour in Auckland is getting traction, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Our central cities should be great places to live and work, but in recent years they have become hot spots for crime and anti-social behaviour. In Auckland, businesses and residents suffered as ...2 days ago
- Increased certainty for contractors coming
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says upcoming changes to the Employment Relations Act will provide greater certainty for contractors and businesses. “These changes to legislation are necessary to ensure businesses and workers have more clarity from the start of their contracting arrangement. It is an ACT-National coalition ...2 days ago
- Draft critical minerals list released for consultation
A draft list of minerals deemed essential to New Zealand’s economy and strengthening its mineral resilience has been released for consultation, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The draft Critical Minerals List identifies 35 minerals essential to economic functions, are in demand internationally, and face high risk of supply disruption domestically ...2 days ago
- Government eliminates $190 million in trade barriers to boost the economy
The Government has successfully removed trade barriers affecting nearly $190 million worth of exports to help grow the economy, Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay today announced. “In the past year, we have resolved 14 Non Tariff Barriers (NTBs), returning significant value to kiwi exporters. These efforts directly boost our ...2 days ago
- Reo Māori the ‘beating heart’ of Aotearoa New Zealand
From private business to the Paris Olympics, reo Māori is growing with the success of New Zealanders, says Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka. “I’m joining New Zealanders across the country in celebrating this year’s Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week, which has a big range ...3 days ago
- Need and value at forefront of public service delivery
New Cabinet policy directives will ensure public agencies prioritise public services on the basis of need and award Government contracts on the basis of public value, Minister for the Public Service Nicola Willis says. “Cabinet Office has today issued a circular to central government organisations setting out the Government’s expectations ...4 days ago
- Minister to attend Police Ministers Council Meeting
Police Minister Mark Mitchell will join with Australian Police Ministers and Commissioners at the Police Ministers Council meeting (PMC) today in Melbourne. “The council is an opportunity to come together to discuss a range of issues, gain valuable insights on areas of common interest, and different approaches towards law enforcement ...4 days ago
- New Bill to crack down on youth vaping
The coalition Government has introduced legislation to tackle youth vaping, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2) is aimed at preventing youth vaping. “While vaping has contributed to a significant fall in our smoking rates, the rise in youth vaping ...5 days ago
- Interest in agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review welcomed
Regulation Minister David Seymour, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard have welcomed interest in the agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review. The review by the Ministry for Regulation is looking at how to speed up the process to get farmers and growers access to the safe, ...5 days ago
- Bill to allow online charity lotteries passes first reading
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government is moving at pace to ensure lotteries for charitable purposes are allowed to operate online permanently. Charities fundraising online, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and local hospices will continue to do ...5 days ago
- Tax exempt threshold changes to benefit startups
Technology companies are among the startups which will benefit from increases to current thresholds of exempt employee share schemes, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Revenue Minister Simon Watts say. Tax exempt thresholds for the schemes are increasing as part of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024-25, Emergency ...5 days ago
- Getting the healthcare you need, when you need it
The path to faster cancer treatment, an increase in immunisation rates, shorter stays in emergency departments and quick assessment and treatments when you are sick has been laid out today. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has revealed details of how the ambitious health targets the Government has set will be ...5 days ago
- Targeted supports to accelerate reading
The coalition Government is delivering targeted and structured literacy supports to accelerate learning for struggling readers. From Term 1 2025, $33 million of funding for Reading Recovery and Early Literacy Support will be reprioritised to interventions which align with structured approaches to teaching. “Structured literacy will change the way children ...5 days ago
- Survivors invited to Abuse in Care national apology
With two months until the national apology to survivors of abuse in care, expressions of interest have opened for survivors wanting to attend. “The Prime Minister will deliver a national apology on Tuesday 12 November in Parliament. It will be a very significant day for survivors, their families, whānau and ...5 days ago
- Rangatahi inspire at Ngā Manu Kōrero final
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini kē - My success is not mine alone but is the from the strength of the many. Aotearoa New Zealand’s top young speakers are an inspiration for all New Zealanders to learn more about the depth and beauty conveyed ...5 days ago
- Driving structured literacy in schools
The coalition Government is driving confidence in reading and writing in the first years of schooling. “From the first time children step into the classroom, we’re equipping them and teachers with the tools they need to be brilliant in literacy. “From 1 October, schools and kura with Years 0-3 will receive ...6 days ago
- Labour’s misleading information is disappointing
Labour’s misinformation about firearms law is dangerous and disappointing, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says. “Labour and Ginny Andersen have repeatedly said over the past few days that the previous Labour Government completely banned semi-automatic firearms in 2019 and that the Coalition Government is planning to ‘reintroduce’ them. ...6 days ago
- Govt takes action on mpox response, widens access to vaccine
The Government is taking immediate action on a number of steps around New Zealand’s response to mpox, including improving access to vaccine availability so people who need it can do so more easily, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. “Mpox is obviously a ...6 days ago
- Next steps agreed for Treaty Principles Bill
Associate Justice Minister David Seymour says Cabinet has agreed to the next steps for the Treaty Principles Bill. “The Treaty Principles Bill provides an opportunity for Parliament, rather than the courts, to define the principles of the Treaty, including establishing that every person is equal before the law,” says Mr Seymour. “Parliament ...6 days ago
- Government unlocking potential of AI
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced a programme to drive Artificial Intelligence (AI) uptake among New Zealand businesses. “The AI Activator will unlock the potential of AI for New Zealand businesses through a range of support, including access to AI research experts, technical assistance, AI tools and resources, ...6 days ago
- Government releases Wairoa flood review findings
The independent rapid review into the Wairoa flooding event on 26 June 2024 has been released, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced today. “We welcome the review’s findings and recommendations to strengthen Wairoa's resilience against future events,” Ms ...6 days ago
- Promoting faster payment times for government
The Government is sending a clear message to central government agencies that they must prioritise paying invoices in a timely manner, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Andrew Bayly says. Data released today promotes transparency by publishing the payment times of each central government agency. This data will be published quarterly ...6 days ago
- Acknowledgement to Kīngi Tuheitia speech
E te māngai o te Whare Pāremata, kua riro māku te whakaputa i te waka ki waho moana. E te Pirimia tēnā koe.Mr Speaker, it is my privilege to take this adjournment kōrero forward. Prime Minister – thank you for your leadership. Taupiri te maunga Waikato te awa Te Wherowhero ...7 days ago
- Interim fix to GST adjustment rules to support businesses
Inland Revenue can begin processing GST returns for businesses affected by a historic legislative drafting error, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says. “Inland Revenue has become aware of a legislative drafting error in the GST adjustment rules after changes were made in 2023 which were meant to simplify the process. This ...7 days ago
- Strong uptake for cervical screening self-test
More than 80 per cent of New Zealand women being tested have opted for a world-leading self-test for cervical screening since it became available a year ago. Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti and Associate Minister Casey Costello, in her responsibility for Women’s Health, say it’s fantastic to have such ...7 days ago
- Ministry for Regulation’s first Strategic Intentions document sets ambitious direction
Regulation Minister David Seymour welcomes the Ministry for Regulation’s first Strategic Intentions document, which sets out how the Ministry will carry out its work and deliver on its purpose. “I have set up the Ministry for Regulation with three tasks. One, to cut existing red tape with sector reviews. Two, ...7 days ago
- Māori Education Advisory Group established
The Education Minister has established a Māori Education Ministerial Advisory Group made up of experienced practitioners to help improve outcomes for Māori learners. “This group will provide independent advice on all matters related to Māori education in both English medium and Māori medium settings. It will focus on the most impactful ways we can lift ...7 days ago
- Government welcomes findings of NZ Superannuation Fund review
The Government has welcomed the findings of the recent statutory review into the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation and the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, Minister of Finance Nicola Willis says. The 5-yearly review, conducted on behalf of Treasury and tabled in Parliament today, found the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation ...7 days ago
- First of five new Hercules aircraft takes flight
Defence Minister Judith Collins today welcomed the first of five new C-130J-30 Hercules to arrive in New Zealand at a ceremony at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base Auckland, Whenuapai. “This is an historic day for our New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and our nation. The new Hercules fleet ...1 week ago
- Have your say on suicide prevention
Today, September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day, a time to reflect on New Zealand’s confronting suicide statistics, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “Every death by suicide is a tragedy – a tragedy that affects far too many of our families and communities in New Zealand. We must do ...1 week ago
- Action to grow the rural health workforce
Scholarships awarded to 27 health care students is another positive step forward to boost the future rural health workforce, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “All New Zealanders deserve timely access to quality health care and this Government is committed to improving health outcomes, particularly for the one in five ...1 week ago
- Pharmac delivering more for Kiwis following major funding boost
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour has welcomed the increased availability of medicines for Kiwis resulting from the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When our Government assumed office, New ...1 week ago
- Sport Minister congratulates NZ’s Paralympians
Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop has congratulated New Zealand's Paralympic Team at the conclusion of the Paralympic Games in Paris. “The NZ Paralympic Team's success in Paris included fantastic performances, personal best times, New Zealand records and Oceania records all being smashed - and of course, many Kiwis on ...1 week ago
- Government progresses response to Abuse in Care recommendations
A Crown Response Office is being established within the Public Service Commission to drive the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care. “The creation of an Office within a central Government agency was a key recommendation by the Royal Commission’s final report. “It will have the mandate ...2 weeks ago
- Democraticising stocks: At 33, Brooke Roberts leads an investment platform valued at $500 million
At 33, Brooke Roberts leads a $500m investment platform. She believes if you have $5 to invest, you should have the same choices. ...1 hour ago - New data reveals rates of family violence among those who died by suicide
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Professor (Practice), Faculty of Business and Economics, Monash University, Monash University Shutterstock Domestic, family and sexual violence is rightly recognised as a national crisis. While the evidence base has built significantly in recent years, one important missing piece ...1 hour ago - How perpetrators of domestic violence use drugs and alcohol to control their victims
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cathy Humphreys, Professor of Social Work, The University of Melbourne panitanphoto/Shutterstock At least three decades of research on the intersection of substance use with domestic and family violence consistently shows the frequency, severity and impact of violence increases in the context ...1 hour ago
- ‘Pirate birds’ force other seabirds to regurgitate fish meals. Their thieving ways could spread ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Gorta, PhD Candidate in ecology, UNSW Sydney Skuas chase a gannet to force it to regurgitate its meal Bob Brewer/Unsplash, CC BY-NC-ND It’s not easy finding food at sea. Seabirds often stay aloft, scanning the churning waters for elusive prey. Most ...1 hour ago
- Are kiwi and moa recent immigrants from Australia? Neither fossils nor genetic evidence support the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nic Rawlence, Associate Professor in Ancient DNA, University of Otago Marty Melville/AFP/Getty Images Aotearoa New Zealand is a land of birds, from the smallest of wrens to the mightiest of moa. The ancestors of some species have been here for tens ...1 hour ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Ong ViforJ, ARC Future Fellow & Professor of Economics, Curtin University Bricolage/Shutterbox For many Australians, the family home is their largest financial asset. With an increasing variety of ways to tap into home equity, the temptation to access this wealth ...1 hour ago
- Are credit checks for ‘buy now, pay later’ schemes enough?
Providers like Afterpay don’t have to carry out affordability tests and were recently allowed to set fees at whatever level they like, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in your inbox every weekday morning, sign up here. ...3 hours ago - Nursing jobs ‘ghosted’ as Health NZ cuts costs
Te Whatu Ora insists recruitment has continued, but staff say their colleagues aren't being replaced. ...3 hours ago
- Live: Focus on Government law and order efforts
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon can't put a timeframe on when law and order policies will start to reduce the number of victims. ...3 hours ago
- Victims advocate urges frontline investment after increasing violence statistics
It's a stark reversal of the government's goal: 20,000 fewer victims by 2030. ...3 hours ago
- The social media app you forgot about is on every kid’s phone
With nearly 95% of young New Zealanders using Snapchat, staff writer Lyric Waiwiri-Smith looks back at the rise and fall and rise of the yellow app. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that each new generation to possess a smartphone will believe the technology habits of their elders are too ...5 hours ago
- Windbag: How Wellington’s bike network has grown, in three maps
Few cities have ever attempted to build a connected cycling network this quickly. Windbag is The Spinoff’s Wellington issues column, written by Wellington editor Joel MacManus. It’s made possible thanks to the support of The Spinoff Members. Wellington’s cycleway debate is an interminable bore. We’ve had the same mind-numbing arguments ...5 hours ago
- Bipartisan support for constitutional change to Parliament
Years of work spanning three governments has produced a significant reform for Parliament with support from both National and Labour The post Bipartisan support for constitutional change to Parliament appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 hours ago - ‘Cognitive dissonance’ over social services cuts
Social services providers mix frustration over government funding cuts with optimism that they can weather the storm The post ‘Cognitive dissonance’ over social services cuts appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 hours ago
- The neoliberal attack on the Treaty of Waitangi
Opinion: The Government, led by a run-of-the-mill-corporatist, a garden-variety populist and a 10-a-penny libertarian has been considering the future of a singular and unique treaty that is at the heart of what is so special about Aotearoa New Zealand. In the guise of the Treaty Principles Bill, these politicians will ...5 hours ago
- A long, personal and painful read for the minister called Goldie
Analysis: At least 15 times in its urgent report on the proposed law to tighten Māori marine customary rights, the Waitangi Tribunal called out one person The post A long, personal and painful read for the minister called Goldie appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 hours ago
- East Coast forestry industry facing the axe
“Absolutely impossible” consent conditions are causing some East Coast forestry companies to “bleed money” and this could force them to move offshore.Forestry harvesting has already ground to a halt in some areas of Tairāwhiti, part of the fallout after the district was hit by devastating cyclones Hale and Gabrielle last ...5 hours ago
- Brussels still sprouting same old stale economic plans
Opinion: EU plan reflects a deep-seated distrust of market forces and an over-reliance on state-driven solutions The post Brussels still sprouting same old stale economic plans appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 hours ago
- ECan pushes plan change that ‘entrenches water exploitation’
Critics pan a proposed fix after a Supreme Court decision upended how water consents are considered in Canterbury The post ECan pushes plan change that ‘entrenches water exploitation’ appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 17 September
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 17 September appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 hours ago
- Red tape earns quarrying spot on Jones’ critical minerals list
Controversy and consenting issues put sand and aggregate on the draft critical minerals list, alongside the likes of cobalt and vanadium The post Red tape earns quarrying spot on Jones’ critical minerals list appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 hours ago
- Daily crossword, Tuesday 17 September
The post Daily crossword, Tuesday 17 September appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 hours ago
- Up close and friendly with Vietnam’s war resistance Củ Chi tunnels
Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – COMMENTARY: By David Robie in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam’s famous Củ Chi tunnel network was on our bucket list for years. For me, it was for more than half a century, ever since I had been editor of the ...12 hours ago
- Another assassination attempt, baseless claims about pets, and Taylor Swift: the US election is wild...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jared Mondschein, Director of Research, US Studies Centre, University of Sydney It has not yet been a week since the debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump – in which the Democrat was widely held to have bested the Republican – and ...12 hours ago
- Papua New Guinea celebrates 49 years of independence from Australia
By Scott Waide, RNZ Pacific PNG correspondent, and Lydia Lewis RNZ Pacific journalist Papua New Guinea is today celebrating almost half a century of independence from Australia. The journey has not been easy, and the path since 16 September 1975 has been filled with challenges and triumphs, Prime Minister James ...13 hours ago
- Australia’s new scam prevention draft is welcome – but it needs to be broader in scope
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mohiuddin Ahmed, Senior Lecturer of Computing and Security, Edith Cowan University ParinPix/Shutterstock The federal government is stepping up its fight against scams, which last year cost Australians more than A$2.7 billion. On Friday, the federal treasury released a draft scam ...16 hours ago
- Hipkins loses support in latest TPU-Curia poll
Labour leader Chris Hipkins has lost support in a new Taxpayers Union-Curia poll showing small gains for National and Labour, and mostly small losses for minor parties. ...16 hours ago
- What is ‘health at every size’ lifestyle counselling? How does it compare with weight-focused tr...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle Health at every size (or HAES) is a lifestyle counselling approach that promotes mindful eating and lifestyle behaviours to pursue health and wellness, without focusing on weight loss. Weight loss is ...16 hours ago
- National parks and other protected areas often fail to conserve Earth’s forests, research finds
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Neal, Senior lecturer in Economics / Institute for Climate Risk and Response, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock The destruction of nature is a global crisis. Establishing protected areas of forest is a common policy governments use to tackle the problem. Indeed most ...16 hours ago
- Oscar: the tragedy and beauty of Wilde’s life, and an historic moment on the ballet stage
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yvette Grant, PhD (Dance) Candidate and Dance History Tutor, The University of Melbourne Benjamin Garrett and Callum Linnane star in Wheeldon’s new ballet production. Christopher Rogers-Wilson Christopher Wheeldon and The Australian Ballet’s Oscar, which had its world premiere in Melbourne on September ...16 hours ago
- PNG police chief Manning declares emergency for Porgera
The National Papua New Guinea’s Police Commissioner David Manning has declared emergency orders to safeguard infrastructure and residents in Porgera due to escalating law and order issues brought about by illegal miners. Manning said police would be increasing the legitimate use of force to remove combatants in order ...17 hours ago
- Watch: Christopher Luxon holds post-Cabinet press conference
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is speaking to reporters at Parliament after the weekly Cabinet meeting. ...18 hours ago- Up close and friendly with Vietnam’s war relic Củ Chi tunnels
COMMENTARY: By David Robie Vietnam’s famous Củ Chi tunnel network was on our bucket list for years. For me, it was for more than half a century, ever since I had been editor of the Melbourne Sunday Observer, which campaigned against Australian (and New Zealand) involvement in the unjust Vietnam ...18 hours ago- Government at risk of not meeting two of its nine public service targets
The government has identified education and reducing violent crime as the biggest problem areas. ...18 hours ago- What would a second Trump presidency mean for the global economy?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra Evan El-Amin/Shutterstock Donald Trump inherited a strong economy from President Obama and managed it poorly. Real GDP grew more slowly under Trump than it had under any ...18 hours ago- Government extends alternative to tough literacy and numeracy tests
Students will have until the end of 2027 to get literacy and numeracy standards by internal assessment, rather than tests - two years later than planned. ...18 hours ago- Experts oppose speed limits increase
A coalition of leading academics, health professionals and road safety experts have issued an open letter, urging the government to reconsider plans to increase speed limits. ...18 hours ago- All hail Christian Cullen, ‘mysterious smooth guy’ of Celebrity Treasure Island
We’re one week into the new season, and a surprising and sulky breakout star has emerged. Before 2022, Dame Susan Devoy was known to most New Zealanders as a world champion squash player first, Race Relations Commissioner second, and Centrum spokesperson third. Her public image was serious and straight-laced: she ...19 hours ago- A ‘forever language’ – te Wiki o te Reo Māori marks 52 years of extraordinary progress
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeanette King, Professor, Aotahi School of Māori and Indigenous Studies, University of Canterbury Getty Images Ko tēnei te Wiki o te Reo Māori – it’s Māori Language Week. It’s been 52 years since the landmark moment on September 14 1972, when ...20 hours ago- A new play brings Trent Dalton’s Love Stories to the stage in a joyful and exuberant celebration o...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Caitlin West, PhD Candidate in Drama and Theatre Studies, The University of Queensland David Kelly/QPAC/Brisbane Festival Unapologetically sentimental, uncynically joyful, and brimming with wholeheartedness, Love Stories delivers exactly what its title promises. Adapted by Tim McGarry from Trent Dalton’s 2021 ...21 hours ago - Watch: Christopher Luxon holds post-Cabinet press conference
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Very likely correct.
In that case the opposition parties need to put their heads together to play the same game. Not standing a Labour candidate in Te Tai Tokerau and possibly also in Waiariki would vastly improve the chances of Mana representation. Not splitting the vote in Ohariu and Epsom by having both Green and Labour candidates would also be worth considering. The same could very well apply in whatever seat is gifted to Craig. There will be many moderate Nat voters who will be turned off by the prospect of voting for Craig and the Conservative Party, so offer them a very moderate Labour candidate who won’t frighten the horses.
It’s all very well gnashing teeth because the Nats have gamed the system and won the election, but for goodness sake the answer is obvious.
There’s a third option to gnashing of teeth or rolling in the gutter with lowlife Tories: win the friggin’ election!
Still advocating for WWI “over the trench top” tactics in an MMP age of coalitions and multi-party alliances?
And describing it as ‘honourable’ to boot?
Nothing like a brave bayonet charge against a machine gun pill box eh?
What? Are you having problems with the notion that Labour/Green getting over 50% of the vote can be described as “winning”?
Try harder.
hey mate, I’m happy to be in the wrong 12 months from now and for you to be right. However, I think Labour will certainly need 3rd party support for more than a 1-2 seat majority.
That will still not qualify as “losing”, hence, “winning”.
OAK +1
38 + 12, 35 + 15, whatever combination you like, there’s 50% there for Labour plus Greens. No machinations can defeat a majority (yes, I know, a multi-seat overhang would, but ain’t gonna happen).
Eyes on the prize.
+1. The machinations are a turn off to me, no matter who is oing it.
I’d rather the coat tail option was ended. But, failing that, nothing beats a majority coalition/alliance.
Does the Standard have a profanity filter? I’m trying really hard not to break it right now. I thought it was bad having McCully for an MP, but I’d vote for him in a second if the alternative was Colin Craig.
Jeepers, this is bad. Even in the unlikely event of a Labour/Green cup of tea in East Coast Bays, if National only run a token candidate Craig is going to walk in.
I hate my Tory neighbours.
[lprent: No it doesn’t. However we do require that the abuse is pointed, and we have a rapid ejection mechanism for people advocating violence in any shape, manner or form. ]
Withdraw the bill Ian.
The faint hope it has to get going in the House is not worth the risk of the gerrymandering.
Key has so far left the MMP review until very late in the term, if at all.
The balance of power is tilting the right way, and the Governor-General has signalled strongly he does not want to see a government proposed to him that consists of rats and mice.
The bill is a dangerous waste of parliamentary time.
I believe that National will support this bill from start to finish.
No they won’t. Would have been much easier for Collins to have made changes months ago.
Agreed. The NATs would like to see Winston gone with all the NZF votes wasted. but at 4%, he’d definitely be staying around.
Maybe CV, but they can’t rely on Winston being gone at 5%. They can rely on Colin Craig being a good little boy and doing exactly what Daddy tells him to do. He may turn out to be their only chance of survival.
Yes but month’s ago their internal polling was probably telling them they were still on track to win the next election – bearing in mind they have a few lolly scrambles in store for election year. Then along came David Cunliffe and the story starts to change. Even if the MSM polling is not yet recording anything too significant, I bet their own polling is coming up with a worrying change to the electoral dynamics.
I think TRP has sussed it very well.
Perhaps its a long term power play… Bennett wins her seat, but JK loses… Bennett rolls JK… and looks towards the next election
Rolls JK? Or annointed by JK?
So in summary: National playing the rules of the game = bad
Read the post, PR. It’s about National changing the rules of the game, via ILG’s bill.
Or, if you only mean dumping McCully out of East Coast Bays in favour of Colin Craig, then it’s also going to require changing the rules of the game, because, unlike, Epsom, the voters in ECB can’t be relied on to do as they are told. National will have to seriously consider not standing a candidate at all to guarantee Craig gets up. And that would be unprecedented in a general election.
Well tell you what you let me know what rules they’ve changed and we’ll discuss it…oh right they haven’t yet have they
Oh dear, not only have you apparently not read the post, you don’t even appear to have read the introduction. But if you’d genuinely prefer to stay away until the bill becomes law, I’m sure there’s many here who would applaud your decision.
The post is all utter speculation.
And what’s wrong with speculation? Informed speculation often turns out to be right.
Better speculation than peculation. We here are working towards getting elected an honest competent intelligent Labour/Green Government not the shoddy bunch that we are dishonoured with at present.
East Coast Bay’s elected Gary Knapp from Social Credit in 1980, so my bet is still Rodney for the cup of tea.
Either way it’s a play that the left is going to have to learn as well.
Look at this way PR: lowlife Tory corruption bad, however they sleaze their way in. Exclusive Brethren Hollow Men Crazy Colin Craig John Banks all pale into insignificance next to the incompetence of Bill English or John Key’s self-interest.
I think the 4% list vote is Craig’s best chance to getting into parliament. He mustered a massive 3.6% at the last election, and with people “knowing” he would get in at 4%, I expect the vote would go up from there. The 3.6% came on the back of misleading push polling that he was going to win the Rodney electorate – I’m sure without that they would have only been around 1-2% because no one likes ‘wasting’ their party vote.
For the coat-tailing provision, I’d actually be happier if it wasn’t removed completely, but watered down: a maximum of 1 list MP per electorate won. Eg if you win 1 electorate and get PV sufficient for 4 MPs, you would instead get the 1 electorate + 1 list MP. If you won 2 electorates and sufficient PV to get 5 MPs, instead you would get 2 electorates + 2 list MPs.
This seems like a fairer reflection for small parties that get above the single-electorate appeal, with less distortion from 1-man-bands like CC winning an electorate and bringing in a bunch of nobodies with them.
If it was also implemented with a 4% threshold then I think it would be pretty fair for representation.
Too complicated
Why is it too complicated? It seems Lanthanide came up with a practical idea. On first view it seems sound. So why should it add uncopable complexity. We have managed MMP and have chiselled a little way into fairer political party representation.
on some ‘electorate’ matters;
“The survey over the page includes questions on some nationwide issues, but of equal importance, issues that affect us in Hawke’s Bay […] Your answers are important and will help me understand the priorities of our Hawke’s Bay community”.
Funded by the Parliamentary Service and authorised by Craig Foss MP. 6 November 2013
1.Which of National’s steps to build a stronger economy do you believe are most important?
Boosting skills and supporting jobs (hmmm, Blinglish said “govt doesn’t create jobs”)
Investing in science and innovation (hmmm)
Developing export markets (MFAT, Biosecurity, Fonterra, and 100% Pure)
Offering minority shares in energy SOE’s and Air New Zealand (What???)
Better utilising [polluting] our natural resources
Rolling out faster broadband and investing in roads. (hmmm)
2.In which areas are better public services most important to you?
Better, sooner, and more convenient healthcare (Read Health Cheque )
Raising achievement in our schools
Reducing welfare dependency with a focus on work (surprise, surprise)
More frontline Police and safer communities (how’s that coming along…)
3.Which do you believe will grow our region’s economy and create more jobs.
Extension of the national cycleway (lol 🙂 )
Water Storage projects to protect against drought (while rooting the rivers and aquifers )
Oil or gas exploration (spoilt for choice 😉 )
4. If you could fix one problem in our local area what would it be?
Toss out the sitting MP! Any colour but Blue will do.
No little blocks to tick labeled “none of the above”
Nope, leading the flock overall.
Or leading the herd …
Developing export markets – Fonterra – a special case? Why no the dairy industry generally, or any other industry? This and tourism – is that all we’ve got now that the hobbits are done?
contents within the brackets are my (embellishments) mira’
Ah – I see – Note to self – read properly. It must be too early in the morning for me 🙂
A derivation of that self serving phone message ” Your call is very important to us”.
Another of their [insert electorate here] dick surveys. I wonder if someone will do an ‘Anne Tolley’s electorate secretary’ and forget to fill in the [—] bit.
gets hot in Gizzy, maybe heat-stroke 😀 (ironic the crime-stats in the Eastern Policing District) chuckle
Good Post you are correct in your assertion that the crooked vile Nats will do anything to cling to power they are filthy scum in suits the fact they would rort the system to accomodate the unproven Crazy Colin Craig with a bunch unknowns apart from Christine Rankin says it all would,nt bet against Dunne retaining Ohariu/Belmont also a disgrace to Parliament he deserves to cast off to political oblivian
While the best Left wing electoral thinking in counter is the equivalent of a WW1 style “over the trenches” campaign with the aim to win fair and square FPP style; or is that FFS.
FPP style is thinking electorate seats matter a damn if the theft have a solid win.
And if they don’t get a solid, it’ll probably be down to Winston anyway.
Yeah labour would never have dunne a dirty deal like that, would they Jim?
Being a life-long resident of Wigram up until the start of this year, Labour always campaigned in Wigram. They never did any cuppas or handshakes with Jim Anderton.
Just Nods and winks, seats at the cabinet table and forgotten labour candidates…
So exactly what both Labour and National do when they stand candidates in seats that they know the other party will win, then?
Smounds like failure ..
I’d like to see someone proposing to dump the threshold all together.
If Colin Craig can get 1-2% then he has a constituency and they deserve to be represented, even if I think they’re idiots.
End the stupid machinations around electorate seats. If you get more than 0.85% of the party vote, you have an MP.
The original 5% threshold, and subsequent recommendation of a 4% threshold, was done for a very good reason.
I reckon that if we keep a 4 or 5% threshold, we should get rid of sub-threshold list mps coattailing on a single electorate MP, or lower the threshhold of each election to the smallest represented party or 5% (whichever is smaller).
Never voted for either party, but ACT getting (5?) MPs from one electorate and a couple of % when the more popular NZ1 got nothing was a farce, in my opinion.
Was the reason because there are less than 100 list mp’s so translating 1% of the vote for example if it were a case of there being 50 list mp’s in parliament then for the party receiving 1% of the total vote there would be no representation (1% of 50 = 0.5 mp’s)
So why is the threshold not worked out as the lowest possible percentage of the total party vote that can be translated to one mp, which in our parliament would be 2% because we have 50 list mp’s. For example we have 50 list mp’s, then with the threshold at 2%, a party receiving 2% of the vote gets one list mp, a party getting 10% gets 5 list mo’s and so on. Seems far simpler to me than messing around with 3,4 or 5%
I’m not sure if I agree with thresholds anyway. I’m thinking do away with electorate seats and simply have 100 mp’s in parliament. Each party gets the number of mp’s represented by the percentage they receive of the party vote. That way, if 1% of the population votes for the such and such party, then that party gets one mp in parliament and so on. Seems much fairer and more democratic to me, also it removes the ability of parties to play the system like National and Act in Epsom, removes coat tailing and has the lowest possible threshold to enable a real representation of votes cast.
Er, nothing like that.
We already have cases where a PV calculates out to a fractional seat and the current system has to deal with that, which is actually done automatically and transparently by the Sainte-Laguë formula.
Also what you’re describing is actually a supplementary member voting system (the one John Key was rooting for), not MMP.
i tend to agree with Mike S, if we are going to remove the gaining of an electoral seat as the means to bring in further MP’s without reaching 5% of the Party Vote then to keep the system ‘representative’ i believe we would need lower the % for a single party MP down to as low as 1.8%,
Having said that tho, i see no real reason to disenfranchise the voters who based around a sitting MP choose to cast their vote for the Party that that MP claims to represent,
i quite enjoy the ramifications and machinations that the present system throws up, and must add that it is the right that has taken to ‘using’ the system to it’s best advantage through ‘co-operation’ rather than ‘competition’ and the ‘left’ lags behind mired in the First Past the Post mentality of ‘winning’ as many electorate seats as possible when in reality to gain and maintain the use of the Treasury benches the major Parties of the left need only choose ‘it’s friends’ and like the right has shown, openly give the aknowledgement to it’s supporters that such ‘deals’ will lead to a stronger for longer government of the left,
There has been no real ‘backlash’ from the electorates from the rights deals done and Labour not standing a candidate against Jim Anderton shows that such deals are the pathway to the Government benches and the left should speed up the putting in place of a mechanism to sort such electoral dealing out…
Agreed. If a party can get together ~20,000 (depending on how many people vote) people to support them above all the other options, why shouldn’t they be able to be represented in parliament?
@Lanthanide, can you give the “very good reason” why we have thresholds? I’m struggling to figure that out…
To ensure there is not a plethora of tiny parties in parliament all with radically different ideas whom are impossible to group together to form a coalition.
I know there are people who say “doesn’t happen” or “that’s democracy” but actually the point of a government is to govern. If it can’t do that because of too many tiny factions that won’t co-operate together and are more or less just there for the paycheck, it doesn’t actually achieve much.
For example, just look at the Australian senate as a result of thei recent election. Their electoral system allowed 8 single-seat parties to get in, through manipulation of the preferences (they literally get together and determine through mathematics, not politics, which combinations will best allow them to win their seats). It’s resulted in a something verging on a hung parliament and there was serious talk about requiring a new election because of the result.
In terms of an operational caucus 4 MPs = 3% threshold would work well. The trick to a true MMP environment with smaller parties is actual and ongoing negotiation. Parties have to develop and get compromise legislation which better represents public opinion through.
Yeah, I’d be happy with a 3.5% threshold (4.2 vs 3.6 minimum).
Yep 3.5% is a good balance. One which will still keep the neo-skinhead types out.
‘old baldheads’
I really don’t like comments about keeping people out of our electoral process. If there are 37,000 skinheads in NZ (1/120th of the NZ population of 4.433 million), they have a right to a voice and someone in parliament who represents their views.
It’d be great for my personal political satisfaction level if we kept stupid people who can’t see that they’re voting against their own interests out of the process. Also if we kept out rich people who have very little connection to the reality of life in NZ and who through their, sometimes willful, blindness make life harder for the rest of us.
But that’s not how it works.
I hate their message, but I will defend to the death their right to speak it.
Also on a practical level, it’s been my experience that people who are involved in the process are much easier to educate about the realities of their position than people who are marginalised and unengaged.
I’ll say both of those things..
Whether there are a plethora depends more on the national character and expectations of the electorate than the MMP system. National could implode into 8 minor parties, Labour into another 6 and we would have a plethora. They could all get over 5% and some of them could govern together. Nothing in MMP says this won’t happen. The New Zealand electorate says it won’t happen.
If we did have a plethora, and it resulted in a hung election, past experience says that the New Zealand electorate doesn’t like such things and tends to punish whomever they think are responsible at the next election. As such, it’s a self-correcting problem.
We expect our government to govern under whatever conditions we set, if it’s difficult because of problems negotiating with minor parties, tough bikkies. If they can’t get themselves together and provide a functioning government, we get out the Vote stick and hit them with it. It’s a big stick.
Yep and its also why the NZ electorate will never approve a 4 year time. Too much time in between wielding the stick 🙂
What are the chances of Winston playing nicely with the Greens in coalition?
The short answer is ‘very low’, i would like to have thought that NZFirst could have found common political ground with the Green Party as much of their economics fit neatly together but have the sneaking suspicion that ‘personalities’ would negate both parties sitting round the Cabinet table with Labour,
Labour could ensure it’self the Treasury Benches in November 2014 by simply ‘gifting’ the Mana Party the 3 Maori Party seats held by neither,
i would go as far as suggest that Labour would openly campaign in those seats for the Mana Party to gain the electorate vote while campaigning solely for the Party Vote and having Mana campaign solely on the electorate vote while campaigning for it’s supporters to give Labour their Party Votes,
Lolz, it’s never going to happen tho while Labour concentrate on ‘winning’ instead of ‘co-operating’,there’s also the not small consideration that Labour have no intentions of radically increasing the number of State Houses or addressing the child poverty issue in any meaningful way and would rather spend another 3 on the Opposition Benches than have the Mana Party force them to address these issues…
You’re assuming Mana would formally support a labour led Government, Bad. I’m not so sure. My feeling is that they would be more comfortable voting issue by issue, though if Hone was offered the job of looking after whanau ora or something else significant to mana’s voters, then I suppose support on confidence and supply might be possible.
Re: Winston and the Greens, I take heart from the unions’ Manufacturing Enquiry, where the 3 parties worked closely together. If there are enough points of common interest (asset sales, for example), then I can see a 3 way government working OK.
Why Te Reo would the Mana Party not support a Labour lead Government???, after all, Treaty issues aside, Mana is simply campaigning on State Housing policy that was at the heart of Norm Kirk’s Labour Government and considering the Kirk Governments payment of an extra welfare benefit to all beneficiaries at Christmas, Hone’s attitude to the alleviation of child poverty would in a truly ‘RED’ Labour simply be at the top of the to do list…
For starters, I don’t think mana have ever indicated that they actually would formally support a labour led government. As far as I know, they value their independence. And sitting on the cross benches, voting issue by issue, is one way of preserving that independence.
Secondly, they have to be asked to join the coalition (or just be asked to give support on C&S). Because they are likely to support most progressive legislation, in effect, Labour already have their vote in the bank.
Thirdly, personalities. I can see Winston getting on far better with Russel Norman than with Hone and if he were to go down the path of rejecting parties to go into coalition with (as he once did to the Greens), then taking a negative stance on mana seems more likely to me.
A GUEST POST!
You have ARRIVED, Te Reo!
Well done—and very well written.
[lprent: He has done several before. Here and here. Now that my work load has reduced at work I’m going through the backlog of guest posts and apologising for my inattention and putting them up if they are still relevant. ]
Thanks for that. I must pay attention more.
Thanks, Morrissey. I’m only good for the occasional guesty, but if others are keen, Lprent and the team are quite encouraging and very helpful with layout and graphics etc. I’m certainly in awe of the authors who pump them out week after week; kudos guys.
I put this in OM (its in mod) but it should probably go here.
——
How the Left is less numerate at MMP than the Right
Yeah that’s what I’ve been saying. But no, let’s not change a thing and play straight into National’s game plan instead.
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/11/22/dont-moan-about-mmp-disqualification-rules/
Indeed CV, lets get intelligent people, for the bigger parties it’s the Party Vote that counts, under MMP smaller parties are needed to make up a Government, co-operation rather than competition is what will gain and retain the Government benches for the left,
Labour need not hold a particular electorate to have representation in it, in marginal seats it does not hold Labour should simply fund an office and assign a list MP to that electorate…
Except that not running candidates in an electorate affects the party’s spending cap.
http://www.elections.org.nz/parties-candidates/candidates
Murray McCully channels Elton John … “I’m still standing”:
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/228673/mccully-indicates-he-will-contest-east-coast-bays
Now, I’d guess that McCully gets what he wants – he’s not Paul Goldsmith or some other patsy-listy, only there to do what the party HQ requires.
So if he digs his heels in, then Colin Craig is left with Rodney. Or bust.
National can channel Tiffany – “I think we’re alone now…”