Corbyn Coup; Hilary Benn is Sacked for Disloyalty

Written By: te reo putake - Date published: 2:52 pm, June 26th, 2016 - 129 comments
Categories: Europe, International, Jeremy Corbyn, uk politics - Tags: brexit, jeremy corbyn, uk labour

In a extraordinary 1am phone call, UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has sacked his Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Hilary Benn.

It had been reported a few hours earlier that Benn had been canvassing fellow shadow cabinet members about an immediate coup against Corbyn. It’s understood that the majority of the shadow cabinet want Corbyn gone and that some were considering resigning their posts if Corbyn could not be convinced to quit.

Corbyn confidant John McDonnell is set to run as the candidate for the left, should the Labour leader stand down. He will almost certainly face Benn, whose speech on the Syrian intervention was widely regarded as the best piece of rhetoric heard in Parliament in years.

It is looking more and more likely that Corbyn will not see out the week. The possibility of an early election has emboldened his opponents in caucus, who fear losing even more heavily against a Boris Johnson led Tory Party.

It will be a shame if Corbyn goes, but he hasn’t steadied his party in the way Andrew Little has here in NZ. And the real shame of it will be that at a time when the British right are at each others throats, the UK Labour Party will be launching into yet another round of self harming in fighting.

129 comments on “Corbyn Coup; Hilary Benn is Sacked for Disloyalty ”

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Paul 1

26 June 2016 at 3:02 pm

The Guardian is Blairite to the core.
Does anyone know of more unbiased sources to follow this story?
- Grantoc 1.1
  
  26 June 2016 at 5:09 pm
  
  The BBC
  
  Or is it to Blairite to the core too?
  
  Its happening. There is a struggle for the leadership of the British Labour Party, which ever way you cut it.
- Bearded Git 1.2
  
  26 June 2016 at 5:26 pm
  
  Possibly to the right of Blair these days Paul.
  - Colonial Viper 1.2.1
    
    26 June 2016 at 5:36 pm
    
    Jacob Appelbaum – one of the key technology journalists helping bring Snowden’s and Assange’s revelations about the security state to light – explains why The Guardian is the shittiest MSM publication in the English language.
    
    https://youtu.be/KJValv4YQcY?t=236
    - Bill 1.2.1.1
      
      26 June 2016 at 7:56 pm
      
      That’s what you call ‘calling a spade a spade.’ 🙂
      
      Brilliant, but unfortunately rare example of proper public speaking.
  - Paul 1.2.2
    
    26 June 2016 at 10:17 pm
    
    Good dissection of the Guardian here
    
    https://off-guardian.org/2016/06/25/guardian-watch-insults-fly-in-post-brexit-hysteria/
RedLogix 2

26 June 2016 at 3:09 pm

The electorate will rightly read this as rank opportunism by a pack of traitors.

If they do dump Corbyn, UK Labour will finish well behind UKIP in the coming election, handing the UK a Parliament totally dominated by the right. And an extreme right at that.

I mean FFS what are they thinking! A General Election is on the cards within months if not weeks; there is no new leader in the cards who has the slightest chance of establishing themselves in this time. Indeed you have to ask yourself who would be deluded enough to stand?
- GregJ 2.1
  
  26 June 2016 at 3:34 pm
  
  They thought they would have 4 more years to undermine his leadership – now the prospect of an early election has got them rattled they want to act. The Guardian has been running post Brexit anti-Corbyn pieces in the last 2 days.
- Lanthanide 2.2
  
  26 June 2016 at 3:42 pm
  
  I’d say a GE wouldn’t be until the start of next year at the earliest. Brexit and Cameron resigning doesn’t mean they need to have a GE.
  
  Anyway, if brexit goes ahead, and Scotland leave, Labour won’t have a chance of getting back into government anyway.
  - RedLogix 2.2.1
    
    26 June 2016 at 3:48 pm
    
    I agree the timing is a big unknown. Another de-stabilising factor.
    
    Yes it doesn’t constitutionally force an election, but Boris Johnson taking over the Tory’s, Labour in terminal disarray, and UKIP on a gloating ascendancy, so re-shapes the landscape that it may become a political necessity.
    - Colonial Viper 2.2.1.1
      
      26 June 2016 at 4:32 pm
      
      It’s clear that the Shadow Cabinet consider their own the true enemy, not the Tories. So many similarities between UK Labour and NZ Labour.
      
      The Guardian – now thoroughly compromised by the Deep State – has always hated on Corbyn.
- Richardrawshark 2.3
  
  26 June 2016 at 5:50 pm
  
  A general election? Which they just had, we know their penchant to hang onto power. They will try for a leadership election and the right to carry on under the new leadership now Cameron has resigned. They had to really.
  
  A general election. Only if they have to.
- Wensleydale 2.4
  
  26 June 2016 at 8:22 pm
  
  What they’re thinking is probably something along the lines of, “If I can’t lead my party, I’ll see it burned to the ground.” Labour is fucked. If they knife Corbyn in the back, they’re terminally fucked. It’ll take them the rest of forever to resurrect themselves from a political apocalypse of their own making. They’re absolute fools and wholly deserving of the electorate’s contempt because they quite obviously hold democracy and the will of the people in contempt. Some of them are barely able to disguise their loathing for Jeremy’s unsophisticated, cardigan-wearing ways, but the thing is… Jeremy won. So suck it up and take one for the team you rapacious, narcissistic shits.
Ad 3

26 June 2016 at 3:10 pm

Keep going Corbyn.
Good to see your nads finally drop.

no way back now.
Greg 4

26 June 2016 at 3:14 pm

Managing management rules 101,

1 Dont embarrass the Management (or partner!)
mickysavage 5

26 June 2016 at 3:23 pm

Weird. This sort of careerist type back stabbing is the thing that puts people off politics. Dumping Corbyn will only reinforce the impression.
- RedLogix 5.1
  
  26 June 2016 at 3:36 pm
  
  Two probable outcomes; if the plotters win Labour will be reduced to a rump Party of no consequence, and they will be irrelevant.
  
  If they lose … mass sackings. Corbyn offered them their opportunity to work with him and they clearly spat on it. There is no second chance now; regardless of how illustrious their name.
  
  Either way it’s lose-lose. The kind of madness called hubris.
  - Colonial Viper 5.1.1
    
    26 June 2016 at 4:34 pm
    
    Scottish voters will take this as another sign that Labour should be kept out of Holyrood for a generation.
    
    And after Scottish independence, UK Labour is over anyway. They will never come close to a majority again without Scotland.
    - Paul 5.1.1.1
      
      26 June 2016 at 5:18 pm
      
      Wonder if Newcastle will vote to join Scotland?
      - Colonial Viper 5.1.1.1.1
        
        26 June 2016 at 5:22 pm
        
        Is this an actual thing?
      - Richardrawshark 5.1.1.1.2
        
        26 June 2016 at 5:52 pm
        
        Not bloody likely.
    - Richard McGrath 5.1.1.2
      
      27 June 2016 at 7:34 pm
      
      Would be great to see Scotland break away. They are so different to England. The Scottish economy would likely go down the toilet rapidly as they become the next Venezuela, and England would finally rid itself of the tartan albatross around its neck.
      - Kiwiri 5.1.1.2.1
        
        27 June 2016 at 7:40 pm
        
        Post-Elizabeth I, England came together with Scotland, united into One Kingdom.
        
        Compare and contrast a scenario after Elizabeth II, …
Draco T Bastard 6

26 June 2016 at 3:28 pm

I’m pretty sure that Corbyn will be returned as Leader of the party by the membership if he stands for it again (which he should do). The people who rebelled against him won’t be but I’m sure that they’ll find good employment in Big Business to continue their undermining of the people for the benefit of the rich.
- miravox 6.1
  
  26 June 2016 at 6:23 pm
  
  +1
- David H 6.2
  
  27 June 2016 at 11:51 am
  
  Or if thet stab Corben in the back. You will be able to watch ther support leave with Corben..
mosa 7

26 June 2016 at 3:36 pm

If the neo lib labourites move against Corbyn who won by huge numbers a short while ago then the hopes of millions of britons that want REAL CHOICE and a roll back of this cruel system that has a gun to the head of millions of innocent people worldwide incl here will be a serious set back to real change that Bernie Sanders and others have been articulating.
These so called Labour members should question where they fit in the Labour party in the UK.
The speed in which this BREXIT vote has played out and the huge financial fear campaign it has unleashed incl the response of the guardians of the Free Market should concern but not surprise anyone.
They are not used to people rejecting the status quo.
Stuart Munro 8

26 June 2016 at 4:38 pm

The really stupid thing is that the Tories are in disarray – this is the time when a united Labour party could seal the election.
- Colonial Viper 8.1
  
  26 June 2016 at 5:27 pm
  
  To reframe: the BREXIT vote has left the British Status Quo Establishment in “disarray.”
  
  That includes both the Tories and Labour. Two sides of the same coin.
  - Stuart Munro 8.1.1
    
    26 June 2016 at 6:32 pm
    
    Yep – I’m seeing them (UK Labour) as being a mixture of liberals and neo-liberals, the latter being less abundant. The working class is simply not represented even as unprecented numbers of lower middle are precipitated into it through income insecurity. Hope Corbyn survives – but like Cunliffe, the blighters are after him.
    - Colonial Viper 8.1.1.1
      
      26 June 2016 at 9:17 pm
      
      fingers crossed for Corbyn.
  - Bill 8.1.2
    
    26 June 2016 at 10:45 pm
    
    Aw c’mon CV!
    
    It’s not as if ex -Labour Chancellor Alistair Darling shared a platform with current Tory Chancellor George Osborne, as though he’d learned nothing at all about the consequence of sharing platforms with the Tories during the Scottish Independence referendum, now is it?
    
    I mean, Jeremy (allegedly useless) Corbyn got that much…
    
    Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has been careful to avoid making any cross-party appeals during the campaign, repeatedly insisting that he would like to see very different reforms to the EU to those negotiated by the prime minister.
    
    But Osborne has already appeared alongside another of his former sparring partners, ex-shadow chancellor Ed Balls, to campaign for remain, with Balls arguing that the issues at stake in the 23 June referendum mean party politics should be put aside.
    
    http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/02/george-osborne-alistair-darling-unite-against-vote-leave
- The Pink Postman 8.2
  
  29 June 2016 at 12:58 pm
  
  I agree, there is also a split in the Tory party . Who would know this ,according to the Right -Wing press and media here and in the UK one would believe that only the LP is in trouble.My understanding is that the rank and file of UK labour support Corbyn.
  As the Chinese say we live inn interesting times.
AmaKiwi 9

26 June 2016 at 4:44 pm

“These so-called UK Labour MPs should question where they fit in the Labour party in the UK.”

The working class know where they fit in. Half a step to the left of the Tories.

Same problem here. If NZ Labour MPs do not speak out unequivocally against the myriad of failures and injustices, someone else will fill that void.

“Thank you, AmaKiwi. The caucus will consider your opinion and maybe in a few years the caucus can publish a meaningless statement all the caucus members can accept.”
weka 10

26 June 2016 at 5:15 pm

“It is looking more and more likely that Corbyn will not see out the week.”

What does that mean? I thought that the leader of the Labour party was voted in by membership, one person/one vote. Which presumably takes time to organise. So how can Corbyn be gone in a week? Or are you saying he will stand down until a leadership vote?
- Colonial Viper 10.1
  
  26 June 2016 at 5:25 pm
  
  It’s wishful thinking by the UK Labour careerist/right wing/Blairite/Third Way caucus factions.
  - Draco T Bastard 10.1.1
    
    26 June 2016 at 7:36 pm
    
    +1
    
    An idea which seems to have some supporters here in NZ.
- GregJ 10.2
  
  26 June 2016 at 5:34 pm
  
  Corbyn has already said he would run again if the Parliamentary Labour Party tried to force a Leadership election.
  
  http://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/im-going-nowhere-jeremy-corbyn-vows-to-stay-on-as-labour-leader-a3280796.html
  - weka 10.2.1
    
    26 June 2016 at 10:05 pm
    
    ta, so how does a leadership vote get triggered?
  - Bill 10.2.2
    
    26 June 2016 at 10:48 pm
    
    Been reading wee bits and pieces that the kids of ‘New Labour’ will try to prevent him standing again by ensuring he doesn’t get enough endorsements from the caucus.
    
    Which just means, I guess, that he won’t resign and seek re-election, but will stand against any challenge as the incumbent leader.
- Grantoc 10.3
  
  26 June 2016 at 10:10 pm
  
  There is apparently growing pressure on him to resign if he loses a probable no confidence vote next week amongst MP’s.
  
  If he does or if he doesn’t, it seems inevitable that civil war is about to break out in the British Labour Party.
  
  Brexit is stimulating the breakup of seemly solid institutions – the British Labour Party may be next.
adam 11

26 June 2016 at 5:17 pm

Am I the only one reading this as the radical centre crushing any whiff of a working class voice?

This faction of the centre has proven itself over and over to be incredibly destructive. We need not look far to find similar figures who represent this radical centrist position in NZ politics – Mike Williams and Josie Pagani come to mind without much thought.
- miravox 11.1
  
  26 June 2016 at 6:18 pm
  
  Nope. I’m reading it the same way. As do others here, I’m sure
  - Draco T Bastard 11.1.1
    
    26 June 2016 at 7:37 pm
    
    +1
- mickysavage 11.2
  
  26 June 2016 at 7:57 pm
  
  Mike’s heart is in the right place. Josie’s tho …
  - Anne 11.2.1
    
    26 June 2016 at 9:36 pm
    
    Agreed ms. It’s Phil Quin and Josie Pagani with a handful of acolytes in the background.
- Tooting Popular Front 11.3
  
  26 June 2016 at 7:59 pm
  
  Adam, you are definitely not alone
- Priss 11.4
  
  28 June 2016 at 2:31 pm
  
  Adam, +1
Nic the NZer 12

26 June 2016 at 5:32 pm

Why does it have to be Labour parties which engage in this foolishness?
- stunned mullet 12.1
  
  26 June 2016 at 5:35 pm
  
  Not just Labour, fuckwittery is well entrenched in all political parties, it’s just that Labour in NZ and the UK have raised it to a special type of performance art for the masses.
- GregJ 12.2
  
  26 June 2016 at 9:35 pm
  
  Well in fairness the whole Brexit referendum only came about because of factional politics within the Tories.
Chris 13

26 June 2016 at 5:33 pm

“It will be a shame if Corbyn goes, but he hasn’t steadied his party in the way Andrew Little has here in NZ.”

More like he hasn’t steadied his party by clinging desperately to the neo-liberal model in the way Andrew Little has here therefore is paying the price.
- stunned mullet 13.1
  
  26 June 2016 at 5:37 pm
  
  Yes a leap to the far left will have the proletariat coming back to Labour in droves.
  - Colonial Viper 13.1.1
    
    26 June 2016 at 5:41 pm
    
    If your spouse has cheated on you half a dozen times, their sudden heartfelt vow of future faithfulness isn’t exactly going to bring you running home, is it.
    - stunned mullet 13.1.1.1
      
      26 June 2016 at 5:44 pm
      
      The thing that amuses me is that the politicians still think that when they’re espousing their cak that anyone is listening to them rather than looking at another talking head on TV or the radio and thinking quietly to themselves “shut up you dozy cunt” and proceeding to change the channel.
    - Hanswurst 13.1.1.2
      
      26 June 2016 at 9:13 pm
      
      Of course, your spouse is unlikely to be able to change their head and constitution in order to underscore their claims.
      - Colonial Viper 13.1.1.2.1
        
        26 June 2016 at 9:20 pm
        
        Lipstick and a new dress
        
        Hanswurst 13.1.1.2.1.1
        
        27 June 2016 at 3:25 am
        
        Possibly in this case. It’s too early to tell, and Brexit means that all bets are off, in any case. My point still proves that yours is a very poor analogy, however.
- Colonial Viper 13.2
  
  26 June 2016 at 5:39 pm
  
  If Little doesn’t win in 2017 he’s gone. His support in caucus is a mile wide and an inch deep.
  - Chris 13.2.1
    
    26 June 2016 at 5:52 pm
    
    Yes, probably more accurate to say Little’s created the illusion of steadying his party, but even then is not much an illusion. Ipredict should run a stock on Robertson trying to knife Little before 2017.
    - Colonial Viper 13.2.1.1
      
      26 June 2016 at 5:56 pm
      
      Robertson’s best bet is to stay well in the background and give Little ample space to fail in 2017. Then challenge for the leadership as per the constitution.
      - mosa 13.2.1.1.1
        
        27 June 2016 at 9:10 am
        
        Robertson has said he wont run again after the last ballot.
        i hope he changes his mind because the party made a mistake not selecting him.
  - locus 13.2.2
    
    26 June 2016 at 9:05 pm
    
    – which of course is going to be increasingly tough for Little given the amount of propoganda and sneering levelled at him by not only right wing shills, but also those who purportedly represent the left
    - Colonial Viper 13.2.2.1
      
      26 June 2016 at 9:08 pm
      
      dear sir, I believe you flatter me.
      - locus 13.2.2.1.1
        
        26 June 2016 at 9:11 pm
        
        hah CV …it’s been a long time since I thought of you as a Labour supporter
Bill 14

26 June 2016 at 5:49 pm

Benn tells Corbyn he has no confidence in him as leader…but doesn’t resign on the spot?!

Point is, I’m not seeing how that makes Corbyn’s call “extraordinary”.

The one person/one vote scenario for the leadership makes it pointlessness times absurdity for caucus to temporarily remove him.
- Colonial Viper 14.1
  
  26 June 2016 at 5:58 pm
  
  So what the hell are these Labour Shadow Cabinet Ministers thinking? Surely they know the constitution as well as anyone can.
  - Bill 14.1.1
    
    26 June 2016 at 7:29 pm
    
    Yesterday’s men and women hanging on for grim death?
    
    Desperate nails dig in and gouge, damage is caused, oblivion is averted…for now.
    - Draco T Bastard 14.1.1.1
      
      26 June 2016 at 7:41 pm
      
      +111
Richardrawshark 15

26 June 2016 at 5:59 pm

Blair and Cameron both went to Oxford. Tin hat time. I wonder which professors had the most influence on these two during their time at Oxford.

I bet it was during the greedy wall st years and Neo lib is the answer period.
- Colonial Viper 15.1
  
  26 June 2016 at 6:03 pm
  
  Was Blair also a member of that spedcial undergrad club?
  - miravox 15.1.1
    
    26 June 2016 at 6:17 pm
    
    The Bullingdon Club? I don’t think so, but Boris was!
    
    https://twitter.com/Shandypockets/status/746441650830872576
    - Colonial Viper 15.1.1.1
      
      26 June 2016 at 6:25 pm
      
      Gawd how horrific
- TheSocialDemocrat 15.2
  
  26 June 2016 at 6:57 pm
  
  You’re forgetting that Blair regarded himself as a Marxist, or at least a socialist, when he entered Parliament in 1983. His drift to Blairism (duh) occurred from around 1988-1992. Before then he was (as I said) a socialist or from the ‘soft left’.
- miravox 15.3
  
  26 June 2016 at 7:35 pm
  
  I wonder which professors had the most influence on these two during their time at Oxford.
  
  As far as I’m aware, Blair was converted to his Third Way politics by Anthony Giddens some time after he left university.
  
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Giddens
  “the overall aim of third way politics should be to help citizens pilot their way through the major revolutions of our time: globalisation, transformations in personal life and our relationship to nature”
  
  Make of that what you will…
Paul 16

26 June 2016 at 6:11 pm

Sounds like it’s getting worse…..

Hilary Benn seeks shadow cabinet backing to oust Corbyn
Shadow foreign secretary plans mass resignation following EU referendum result’s ‘existential’ threat to Labour

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/25/hilary-benn-jeremy-corbyn-labour-leadership-eu-referendum-brexit
Peter Swift 17

26 June 2016 at 6:18 pm

For me, the most pertinent points in that piece are these, and like Shearer over here, the mps there are saying ‘we can’t win with him. Get him out’.

“The development comes as leaked internal Labour party polling of people who voted for Labour in 2015 reveals that nearly a third (29%) would support a different party if a general election was held today.”

“Leaked internal Labour party polling suggested that Labour would attract nearly 3 million fewer votes than it did in the 2015 general election if one were called today.
It shows that just 71% of those who voted for Ed Miliband’s Labour party in May last year say they would vote Labour now, and this drops further – to 67% – among working and lower middle-class C2DE voters.”
- Colonial Viper 17.1
  
  26 June 2016 at 6:34 pm
  
  Fuck the MPs.
  
  Like Labour here, they don’t get the biggest say in choosing the Leader.
  
  Labour MPs have gotten too cosy into the habit of shafting the general membership.
  
  As for Labour struggling in the UK. These idiot MPs should start looking the the mirror. Their support of Blairite Third Wayism has fucked the Labour Party. Blaming Corbyn who has been Leader for 5 minutes is thoroughly disingenuous.
  
  As for your odious comparison with Shearer. At least Corbyn understands what Labour actually means. Unlike Johnny Come Lately Shearer who was gifted a safe seat after zero experience in the Labour Party.
  - locus 17.1.1
    
    26 June 2016 at 9:08 pm
    
    +1
- Ad 17.2
  
  26 June 2016 at 7:35 pm
  
  Ever notice how MP’s who over-read polls are too similar to stockbrokers who over-read market patterns?
  
  They are the same kind of person.
  
  Corbyn is a medium term hold. Not a buy.Not a sell. Hold.
  (At least until after the Conservative conference).
Peter Swift 18

26 June 2016 at 6:47 pm

Mps don’t get the biggest say, but they do get to initiate leadership elections.
That you have personal issues with them here doesn’t change anything in my post, nor the facts reported from the article.
Do calm down with the aggression, brother. Engage like a grown up or go off and punch a wall or something.

What can be argued, however, is whether the 1/3 drop off of labour’s voters in those internal polls are down to Milliband’s labour permanently screwing it up, or as is being suggested by some parliamentary members, among others, that it is Corbyn who has further disaffected support and failed in winning over the electorate and more importantly the core voters, and should so be held accountable for his failings.

With his lacklustre EU campaign adding ammunition to his list of negatives, criticism does look rightfully attributed. The third of vote losses does match with the number who rejected his ‘leadership’ during the Brexit campaign.

As for Shearer, and far from being odious, it is the most relevant bit of all.
I’m sure there were plenty on the standard who wanted rid of him for exactly the same reason I stated; he wasn’t ever going to win.
Did you ever call for him to remain in the job because despite everything, you thought he couldn’t lose?
- Colonial Viper 18.1
  
  26 June 2016 at 7:10 pm
  
  And then you have the shitty entrenched habit of Labour MPs and Labour staffers leaking a steady stream of shit to the media – like internal polling or other rumours – in order to undermine and back stab their Leader.
  
  Both Labour NZ and Labour UK have sick organisational cultures within the Parliamentary hierarchy and it is apparent for all to see.
  
  Unfit to rule.
save nz 19

26 June 2016 at 7:18 pm

Shocking. More signs of politicians just putting their own careers and interests ahead of the party they belong to. Good on Corbyn his for sacking Benn. The Blairites have done enough damage with their war mongering (remember the tens of thousands of people who marched against the Iraq war around England). The Blairites have lost votes from Labour by being ConcervLite now they have helped BREXIT by having UK people so alienated by being paupers in their own country under neoliberalism, they just want OUT.
- whateva next? 19.1
  
  27 June 2016 at 2:58 pm
  
  aye to that Save NZ, unbelievable behaviour, and shows me how out of touch they are with public, chance for Jeremy to show what he is made of.
  To all of those who are playing #regrexit now, stop wasting our time and get on with what needs to be done
save nz 20

26 June 2016 at 7:25 pm

Yep this is an example of the Blairite foreign minister – wonder why Labour is out of power if this is the Blairite legacy of their reign.

Battle to stop Jack Straw facing Libya rendition charges
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/25/mi6-600k-legal-bill-block-libyan-couple-rendition-civil-case?utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=GU+Today+main+NEW+H+categories&utm_term=179174&subid=13842748&CMP=EMCNEWEML6619I2
newsense 21

26 June 2016 at 7:26 pm

Yep. If only the British public would listen to the warnings of a main party about how bad Brexit would be. If only Corbyn had badgered them, told them they were stupid.
Ad 22

26 June 2016 at 7:33 pm

ONe of the best things for us here that comes out of Brexit, is that the left can pay less attention to the left in Britain, and more attention to the left across Europe: Europe now matters more in every field in politics.

The UK is still socialism’s spiritual home, granted. But the industry of leftie intellect is migrating to another town.

The UK have chosen to diminish themselves; as goes their politics, so will go left political discourse.
Paul 23

26 June 2016 at 7:42 pm

Heidi Alexander’s resignation

Dear Jeremy,

It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to you to resign from the shadow cabinet.

The result of the referendum last week means that our country is facing unprecedented challenges.

Those who will be hit hardest by the economic shock associated with the vote to leave the EU need a strong opposition, as do those communities who fear rising levels of intolerance, hatred and division.

More than ever, our country needs an effective opposition which can hold the government to account and which is a capable of developing a credible and inspiring alternative to an increasingly rightwing and backward-looking Conservative party.

As much as I respect you as a man of principle, I do not believe you have the capacity to shape the answers our country is demanding and I believe that if we are to form the next government, a change of leadership is essential.

I would like to thank you for the opportunity to serve in the shadow cabinet.

Yours sincerely,
Heidi Alexander
- Colonial Viper 23.1
  
  26 June 2016 at 7:47 pm
  
  The Labour third way truck is going to run Corbyn over
  - ScottGN 23.1.1
    
    26 June 2016 at 7:52 pm
    
    That may well be CV but Corbyn was pretty fucking useless for the Remain camp in the referendum. To a large extent he’s brought it on himself.
    - GregJ 23.1.1.1
      
      26 June 2016 at 8:57 pm
      
      Nah – the coup’s been in place for months. It was going to happen sooner or later. Brexit has just bought it to a head.
      - Colonial Viper 23.1.1.1.1
        
        26 June 2016 at 9:10 pm
        
        this sounds more like it
      - swordfish 23.1.1.1.2
        
        26 June 2016 at 10:26 pm
        
        Spot on, GregJ. Long-planned Coup … utterly fabricated pretext. Although I’d take issue with the idea that Brexit has brought it to a head. This Coup was scheduled to happen right now regardless of the Referendum result.
- whateva next? 23.2
  
  26 June 2016 at 8:01 pm
  
  “The result of the referendum last week means that our country is facing unprecedented challenges.”
  ………And I (and some other flakies) am going to add to the chaos by reacting, rather than standing steady and showing strength and stability.
  - ScottGN 23.2.1
    
    26 June 2016 at 8:06 pm
    
    Chaos, for the moment at least, is all there is in the UK. I wouldn’t be surprised though, to see Nicola Sturgeon, standing on the top of heap when the dust settles.
    - whateva next? 23.2.1.1
      
      27 June 2016 at 2:16 pm
      
      I did wonder if the coup is BECAUSE they were worried Jeremy Corbyn was within reach of being PM, as opposed to him not being able to lead?? and yes, but when will the dust settle???
ScottGN 24

26 June 2016 at 7:42 pm

Heidi Alexander, the Shadow Health Secretary has tendered her resignation to Corbyn in the wake of his sacking of Hilary Benn. Most of the Shadow Cabinet is set to follow.
- Colonial Viper 24.1
  
  26 June 2016 at 7:45 pm
  
  Was she originally a true Corbyn supporter or someone he aimed to co-opt with a position?
  - ScottGN 24.1.1
    
    26 June 2016 at 7:48 pm
    
    She was considered a “loyal and pragmatic” member of Corbyn’s team (whatever that means) according to Anushka Asthana in the Guardian live feed.
    Things are moving fast now though.
    - Peter Swift 24.1.1.1
      
      26 June 2016 at 7:51 pm
      
      Hilary Benn is to appear on the Andrew Marr Show shortly.
      Would love a live feed of that tonight.
      
      I don’t believe any video will work in our region, but here’s a live minute by minute BBC news feed which may be of interest to some.
      
      http://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-politics-36570120
  - GregJ 24.1.2
    
    26 June 2016 at 9:05 pm
    
    Supported Andy Burnham in the 2010 leadership contest and presumably in the 2015 one as well.
    
    As Shadow Minister for Health she’s been lukewarm on the Junior Doctor’s strike – actively keeping other MPs away from the picket lines and showing little support and is open to private involvement in the NHS.
- Peter Swift 24.2
  
  26 June 2016 at 7:46 pm
  
  “More signs of politicians just putting their own careers and interests ahead of the party they belong to” apparently. lol
Morrissey 25

26 June 2016 at 8:07 pm

He will almost certainly face Benn, whose speech on the Syrian intervention was widely regarded as the best piece of rhetoric heard in Parliament in years.

Thanks, Te Reo, that was the funniest single sentence written by you, or indeed by anyone, this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFGit_tZDqs
- Tim 25.1
  
  26 June 2016 at 8:23 pm
  
  You don’t think it was a good piece of rhetoric? It certainly made Corbyn seem weak and ineffectual.
  - Morrissey 25.1.1
    
    26 June 2016 at 8:48 pm
    
    I agree with you that he made Corbyn seem weak; such audacious disloyalty should have been punished with instant demotion. I don’t think a chickenhawk undermining his leader by cravenly appealing to the Murdoch press and the Conservative government—they were his loudest cheerleaders—is either inspiring or effective.
Bill 26

26 June 2016 at 8:16 pm

Called it…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FqAaD_lsRw
- miravox 26.1
  
  26 June 2016 at 8:39 pm
  
  Right on the Button…
  
  Except for the Brexit triumphalism from Boris Johnson – He seems a bit “OMG what have we done”.
- gsays 26.2
  
  27 June 2016 at 11:34 am
  
  Cheers for posting that, Bill.
  
  His fingers are on the pulse.
  - left for dead 26.2.1
    
    27 June 2016 at 12:47 pm
    
    Smart young man. 😉
Morrissey 27

26 June 2016 at 8:58 pm

U.S. version of heroic Hilary Benn tries
to explain why he never served in the military

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwTUlWZb8ns

Chickenhawk n., usu. derogatory a person who strongly supports war or other military action (i.e., a war hawk), yet who actively avoids or avoided military service when of age.
fisiani 28

26 June 2016 at 9:41 pm

“It will be a shame if Corbyn goes, but he hasn’t steadied his party in the way Andrew Little has here in NZ.”

Yep 28% is fairly steady with 2014.
- swordfish 28.1
  
  27 June 2016 at 12:07 am
  
  “Yep 28% is fairly steady with 2014”
  
  Labour Party-Vote 2014 General Election = 25.1%
  Labour Average of last 4 polls = 29.5%
  = Labour Up 4.4 points
  
  Plus, of course, both the Greens and NZF up on their 2014 Party-Vote.
  Oppo Bloc Party-Vote 2014 General Election = 44.5%
  Oppo Bloc Average of last 4 Polls = 50.7%
  = Oppo Bloc Up 6.2 points
  - maninthemiddle 28.1.1
    
    27 June 2016 at 12:51 am
    
    If you really think a 4.4% improvement on Labour’s lowest election result is anything to crow about, then good luck. What’s really funny is the idea that you can count the ‘opposition bloc’ as some kind of legitimate government in waiting. NZF will never join a government that includes the Greens, so there goes your 50.7%.
    - Colonial Viper 28.1.1.1
      
      27 June 2016 at 1:04 am
      
      Oppo Block up 7 MPs mate, that’s National Govt all over.
      
      Depending on Winston, that is.
      - maninthemiddle 28.1.1.1.1
        
        27 June 2016 at 10:29 am
        
        Exactly. Depending on Winston. And he won;t support a government involving the Greens.
        
        whateva next? 28.1.1.1.1.1
        
        27 June 2016 at 2:21 pm
        
        I didn’t think he would go with Bolger the first time he had to chose, but he did. Never say never with Winston, and he would sell his soul to get another cabinet position
        
        maninthemiddle …
        
        28 June 2016 at 2:28 pm
        
        Not in government with the Greens. It isn’t just about the enormous policy differences, it’s also about ego. Peters won’t share the table with anymore guests than he has to.
        
        Priss …
        
        28 June 2016 at 2:30 pm
        
        Oh, MITM, you’re over here now? Did they ban you at The Daily Blog?
        
        maninthemiddle …
        
        28 June 2016 at 3:01 pm
        
        No.
swordfish 29

26 June 2016 at 11:36 pm

The irony being that – if Corbyn’s personal style has sometimes been seen as a little disconnected from core Labour voters – Hillary Benn is even more in the mode of Duffle-Coat wearing, late Middle-Aged, Upper Middle Class, Pipe and slippers, Leafy London Eccentric. But without Corbyn’s anti-Establishment politics.

Clearly sees himself as Leadership material but in reality he’s about as far away from a Populist – a dynamic, intuitive Man of the People – as you can possibly get.
- Colonial Viper 29.1
  
  26 June 2016 at 11:46 pm
  
  The disconnection of the UK Labour caucus from the electorate appears to be the stuff of legend.
- RedLogix 29.2
  
  27 June 2016 at 12:27 am
  
  Gone from Labour’s front bench today;
  Hilary Benn
  Heidi Alexander
  Gloria Del Piero
  Ian Murray
  Lilian Greenwood
  Lucy Powell
  Kerry McCarthy…
  
  Keep em rolling …
  - Tom 29.2.1
    
    27 June 2016 at 9:43 am
    
    Ouch, that is going to damage labour big time. In the UK its less about the leader and more about the leadership team and it looks like thats just taken a hit. What is it about leaders who want to hang on and damage their party?
    - Colonial Viper 29.2.1.1
      
      27 June 2016 at 9:51 am
      
      The entire Shadow Cabinet is supposed to be setting an example of good leadership. So much for that theory.
    - framu 29.2.1.2
      
      27 June 2016 at 12:29 pm
      
      what is it about MPs who refuse to work with the leader their bosses chose?
      
      (kind of ironic for a party that claims to represent workers)
    - whateva next? 29.2.1.3
      
      27 June 2016 at 2:23 pm
      
      “Ouch, that is going to damage labour big time” ……unless Corbyn is able to show leadership and calmly allow the self servers to walk away (good riddance) making room for people who are also (as Corbyn is) the people’s choice, and in touch with reality
      - fisiani 29.2.1.3.1
        
        27 June 2016 at 4:11 pm
        
        Corbyn and the Corbanistas would simply accelerate the path to oblivion. The Left wants ideological purity over competency , same illness here. Same outcome.
        
        One Anonymous Bloke 29.2.1.3.1.1
        
        27 June 2016 at 7:51 pm
        
        Unwittingly describing yourself again, homeless hater.
whateva next? 30

27 June 2016 at 5:47 pm

well, we shall see

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6 days ago

GRAHAM ADAMS: Will the racists please stand up?
Accusations of racism by journalists and MPs are being called out. Graham Adams writes – With the election less than three weeks away, what co-governance means in practice — including in water management, education, planning law and local government — remains largely obscure. Which is hardly ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
6 days ago

Gordon Campbell on whether Winston Peters can be a moderating influence
As the centre-right has (finally!) been subjected to media interrogation, the polls are indicating that some voters may be starting to have second thoughts about the wisdom of giving National and ACT the power to govern alone. That’s why yesterday’s Newshub/Reid Research poll had the National/ACT combo dropping to 60 ...
Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
6 days ago

Tuesday’s Chorus: RBNZ set to rain on National's victory parade
ANZ has increased its forecast for house inflation later this year on signs of growing momentum in the market ahead of the election. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National has campaigned against the Labour Government’s record on inflation and mortgage rates, but there’s now a growing chance the Reserve ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
6 days ago

After a Pittsburgh coal processing plant closed, ER visits plummeted
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Katie Myers. This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Pittsburgh, in its founding, was blessed and cursed with two abundant natural resources: free-flowing rivers and a nearby coal seam. ...
Skeptical Science
6 days ago

September-23 AT Board Meeting
Today the AT board meet again and once again I’ve taken a look at what’s on the agenda to find the most interesting items. Closed Agenda Interestingly when I first looked at the agendas this paper was there but at the time of writing this post it had been ...
Greater AucklandBy Matt L
6 days ago

Electorate Watch: West Coast-Tasman
Continuing my series on interesting electorates, today it’s West Coast-Tasman.A long thin electorate running down the northern half of the west coast of the South Island. Think sand flies, beautiful landscapes, lots of rain, Pike River, alternative lifestylers, whitebaiting, and the spiritual home of the Labour Party. A brief word ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
6 days ago

Big money brings Winston back
National leader Christopher Luxon yesterday morning conceded it and last night’s Newshub poll confirmed it; Winston Peters and NZ First are not only back but highly likely to be part of the next government. It is a remarkable comeback for a party that was tossed out of Parliament in ...
PolitikBy Richard Harman
6 days ago

20 days until Election Day, 7 until early voting begins… but what changes will we really see here?
As this blogger, alongside many others, has already posited in another forum: we all know the National Party’s “budget” (meaning this concept of even adding up numbers properly is doing a lot of heavy, heavy lifting right now) is utter and complete bunk (read hung, drawn and quartered and ...
exhALANtBy exhalantblog
7 days ago

A night out
Everyone was asking, Are you nervous? and my response was various forms of God, yes.I've written more speeches than I can count; not much surprises me when the speaker gets to their feet and the room goes quiet.But a play? Never.YOU CAME! THANK YOU! Read more ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
7 days ago

A pallid shade of Green III
Clearly Labour's focus groups are telling it that it needs to pay more attention to climate change - because hot on the heels of their weaksauce energy efficiency pilot programme and not-great-but-better-than-nothing solar grants, they've released a full climate manifesto. Unfortunately, the core policies in it - a second Emissions ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
7 days ago

A coalition of racism, cruelty, and chaos
Today's big political news is that after months of wibbling, National's Chris Luxon has finally confirmed that he is willing to work with Winston Peters to become Prime Minister. Which is expected, but I guess it tells us something about which way the polls are going. Which raises the question: ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
7 days ago

More migrant workers should help generate the tax income needed to provide benefits for job seekers
Buzz from the Beehive Under something described as a “rebalance” of its immigration rules, the Government has adopted four of five recommendations made in an independent review released in July, The fifth, which called on the government to specify criteria for out-of-hours compliance visits similar to those used during ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
7 days ago

Letter To Luxon.
Some of you might know Gerard Otto (G), and his G News platform. This morning he wrote a letter to Christopher Luxon which I particularly enjoyed, and with his agreement I’m sharing it with you in this guest newsletter.If you’d like to make a contribution to support Gerard’s work you ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
7 days ago

LINDSAY MITCHELL: Alarming trend in benefit numbers
Lindsay Mitchell writes – While there will not be another quarterly release of benefit numbers prior to the election, limited weekly reporting continues and is showing an alarming trend. Because there is a seasonal component to benefit number fluctuations it is crucial to compare like with like. In ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
1 week ago

BRIAN EASTON: Has there been external structural change?
A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase. Brian Easton writes – Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
1 week ago

Labour Manifesto 2023
Labour is in it for you. This election Kiwis will decide what kind of country they want New Zealand to be, who they trust to have their back, and how we can be better, together. This election matters. View our full Manifesto below. ...
Labour Blog
20 hours ago

Release: National's water U-turn will drive up New Zealanders' rates bills
The National Party's U-turn on water reform has left local councils high and dry and will drive up Kiwi's rates bills, Labour Party Local Government Spokesperson Kieran McAnulty says. ...
Labour Blog
23 hours ago

Labour's Rainbow Manifesto
A re-elected Labour Party will continue to tackle discriminations still faced by members of the Rainbow community in areas ranging from surrogacy and adoption to blood donation. ...
Labour Blog
2 days ago

Release: National’s plan means more cuts, more kids in poverty
National’s fiscal plan has failed to fill the massive fiscal hole in its dodgy tax scheme, it will mean more cuts to public services, more children being put into poverty and an end to action on climate change. ...
Labour Blog
3 days ago

Release: Labour will continue to back Kiwis when the going gets tough
Labour’s Social Development Plan will build on the social welfare safety net, rather than strip it back. ...
Labour Blog
3 days ago

Policy Announcements: Law & Order and Justice, Courts & Corrections
New Zealand First Policy Announcement: Law and Order New Zealand First believes that keeping society safe should be the priority of law-and-order policies. Every New Zealander deserves to feel safe, secure, and have their person and property respected. That is why New Zealand First continues to fix the flaws in ...
NZ First Press Release
4 days ago

Labour's Dirt Campaign Exposed With Media Help
In last night’s leaders debate Labour Leader Chris Hipkins referred to a quote without giving any explanation of its content, which was about the ‘disease of co-governance’ that is perpetuated by the Māori elite, and he said it was racist. Then, without even examining the content, National leader Christopher Luxon agreed with ...
NZ First Press Release
4 days ago

Labour's Dirt Campaign Exposed With Media Help
In last night’s leaders debate Labour Leader Chris Hipkins referred to a quote without giving any explanation of its content, which was about the ‘disease of co-governance’ that is perpetuated by the Māori elite, and he said it was racist. Then, without even examining the content, National leader Christopher Luxon agreed with ...
NZ First News
4 days ago

Chris Hipkins: Speech Progressing Together
Today, Chris Hipkins delivered a speech about Labour’s relationship with and ongoing commitment to Māori. ...
Labour Blog
4 days ago

Release: National out of ideas on law and order, copies Labour’s policies and costings
After years of criticising the Government on law and order, National have embarrassed themselves by conceding they have no new ideas and instead copied Labour’s Police policy announced three weeks ago, Labour Police spokesperson Ginny Andersen says. ...
Labour Blog
5 days ago

Release: Labour releases balanced, costed and credible fiscal plan
Labour’s fiscal plan will continue its focus on carefully managing the books while protecting critical public services like health and education and investing to deliver high wage jobs and a low carbon economy. ...
Labour Blog
5 days ago

Policy Announcement: Capped Time-Period For Job Seeker Beneficiaries
New Zealand First today is announcing a policy on adjusting the rules and restrictions around access to the Job Seeker Benefit. New Zealand First’s policy is to introduce a capped time-period for any person to access the Job Seeker Benefit during their lifetime. Any individual will have the ability to access the Job Seeker ...
NZ First Press Release
6 days ago

Policy Announcement: Capped Time-Period For Job Seeker Beneficiaries
New Zealand First today is announcing a policy on adjusting the rules and restrictions around access to the Job Seeker Benefit. New Zealand First’s policy is to introduce a capped time-period for any person to access the Job Seeker Benefit during their lifetime. Any individual will have the ability to access the Job Seeker ...
NZ First News
6 days ago

Release: National’s traffic light system has child poverty reduction stalling
National’s cuts to funding for beneficiaries will once again leave children and their parents with less, Spokesperson for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni said. ...
Labour Blog
6 days ago

Green Party will end child poverty
The Green Party will double the Best Start payment and make it available for every child under three years of age - and it will be paid for with a fair tax system. ...
Greens
6 days ago

Release: Labour pledges billion-dollar medicines boost
Labour will fund more medicines for more New Zealanders by investing over $1 billion of new funding into Pharmac if re-elected, Chris Hipkins announced today. ...
Labour Blog
6 days ago

National's welfare policy is cruel
The National Party’s job seeker policy announced today is heartless. ...
Greens
6 days ago

Labour's PHARMAC Policy A Placebo
Labour has just announced a policy to increase Pharmac funding by $1billion over four years to fund additional medicines. With the current Pharmac budget of $1.2billion per year and needing a further $213million, by Minister Verrall’s own admission, just to keep up with current costs - then this is nothing ...
NZ First Press Release
6 days ago

Labour's PHARMAC Policy A Placebo
Labour has just announced a policy to increase Pharmac funding by $1billion over four years to fund additional medicines. With the current Pharmac budget of $1.2billion per year and needing a further $213million, by Minister Verrall’s own admission, just to keep up with current costs - then this is nothing ...
NZ First News
6 days ago

Re: The Call For Corporate Manslaughter Legislation
This matter begins with the Pike River investigation being inadequate, inexplicably lengthy, and after millions of dollars, the evidence that should have been placed before the public still has not been. We have always believed that Pike River is a crime scene, and that a proper investigation would have come to that conclusion. Blue ...
NZ First Press Release
7 days ago

Re: The Call For Corporate Manslaughter Legislation
This matter begins with the Pike River investigation being inadequate, inexplicably lengthy, and after millions of dollars, the evidence that should have been placed before the public still has not been. We have always believed that Pike River is a crime scene, and that a proper investigation would have come to that conclusion. Blue ...
NZ First News
7 days ago

Release: Labour releases New Zealand’s first climate manifesto
New Zealand faces a stark choice this election – vote for Labour to continue to confront the climate emergency with eyes wide open or bury your head in the sand alongside Christopher Luxon. ...
Labour Blog
7 days ago

Green voice crucial for climate action
The Green Party is today welcoming Labour’s climate manifesto, but is clear that much more will need to be done to tackle the climate crisis. ...
Greens
7 days ago

Speech: Chris Hipkins – Wellington Rally, 24 September
...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

People need a government that will build many more homes
Labour’s plan to build more homes is a welcome step forward, but it lacks ambition. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Release: Supercharging public housing
Labour is supercharging its plan to solve the public housing shortfall created by National, promising another 6,000 homes on top of what has already been committed says Labour Housing spokesperson Dr Megan Woods. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: New Super Visa for migrants’ parents and rights for Dawn Raid victims
Labour will back migrant working families by introducing a 10-year multiple-entry parents’ and grandparents’ Super Visa, and make good on the Dawn Raids apology by providing a one-off visa for overstayers who have been in the country ten years or more, Labour’s Immigration Spokesperson Andrew Little says. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Only the Greens will deliver a fair amnesty for overstayers
The Green Party is today welcoming Labour coming to the table to ensure an amnesty for overstayers, but only the Greens will ensure immigration settings actually reflect the reality of people who have been failed by our immigration system. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Climate future of communities on the line this election
Green Party co leader James Shaw attended a South Dunedin Future street meeting today to discuss local responses to climate change. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Green Party calls for stronger action by Auckland Council to protect urban trees and native forest
The Green Party is calling on Auckland Council to do more to protect urban trees and housing developer Aedifice Property Group to restore and replant the native forest it cleared, and protect all the remaining trees on Ngahere Road in Pukekohe after a significant number of native trees were cut ...
Greens
1 week ago

Release: Ram Raids drop to two-year low
Latest Police data shows monthly ram raids have hit a two-year low, laying waste to Christopher Luxon’s false claim that there are two ram raids a day says Labour’s Police Spokesperson Ginny Andersen. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Every party needs to step up on school lunches
Labour has finally said it would continue free school lunches - and the Green Party is calling on every party to step up. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Release: School lunches on the line this election
Free and healthy school lunches will be here to stay if Labour is re-elected, guaranteeing food for our kids who need it most and significant cost saving for parents. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: Labour commits to a new hospital for the people of Hawke’s Bay
The next Labour Government will build a new hospital in Hawke’s Bay, Labour leader Chris Hipkins and Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall announced. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Govt changes fall short of what’s needed for migrant protection
The Green Party will keep up the fight to support exploited migrant workers, including pushing to end single employer visas, after the government picked up Green recommendations to improve immigration settings. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Clean Power Payment the smartest way forward to reduce emissions and bills
Green Party co leader James Shaw visited a home in Auckland today that has been upgraded with a wide range of energy improvements, similar to those that would be supported through the Green Party’s Clean Power Payment. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Foreign Minister's Action – A Contempt For “Caretaker Government” Convention
The Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta’s presence in New York today at the United Nations General Assembly is a contempt of New Zealand’s “caretaker government” convention. Despite the long-standing caretaker convention, Minister Mahuta is today at the UN to sign a highly contentious “Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement”, delivering a ...
NZ First Press Release
2 weeks ago

Back To Black Responsibly
The Pre-Election Fiscal Update Changes Everything Within an hour of this speech there is going to be a debate between the political parties that the media, under MMP, still think are the only parties that matter in this campaign. Both of those parties are riddled with inexperience, as evidenced by ...
NZ First Press Release
2 weeks ago

Stop the cuts before they start – Labour launches new TV ad
National and ACT's tax plans don't add up, and that means deep cuts to the public services New Zealanders rely on, says Labour Campaign Chair Megan Woods. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Free school lunches paid for with a wealth tax
The Green Party will expand free school lunches and pay for it with a fair tax system. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

100 new public EV chargers to be added to national network
The public EV charging network has received a significant boost with government co-funding announced today for over 100 EV chargers – with over 200 charging ports altogether – across New Zealand, and many planned to be up and running on key holiday routes by Christmas this year. Minister of Energy ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
18 hours ago

Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identity
Tuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 days ago

Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Immigration settings updates
Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

COVID-19 funding returned to Government
The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Appointment of District Court Judge
Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today. Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 weeks ago

Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 weeks ago

Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 weeks ago

There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
The economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 weeks ago

Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today. “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 weeks ago

More support for victims of migrant exploitation
Temporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 weeks ago

Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
An export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 weeks ago

Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te Karaka
The Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 weeks ago

Further business support for cyclone-affected regions
The Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 weeks ago

New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underway
Defence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 weeks ago

Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 weeks ago

Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
Around 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 weeks ago

New Zealand provides support to Morocco
Aotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 weeks ago

Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilience
The Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today. A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 weeks ago

Government invests in Greymouth’s future
The Government has today confirmed a $2 million grant towards the regeneration of Greymouth’s CBD with construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility. “It will include a visitor facility centred around a new library. Additionally, it will include retail outlets on the ground floor, and both outdoor and ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 weeks ago

Nanaia Mahuta to attend PIF Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will attend the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in Suva, Fiji alongside New Zealand’s regional counterparts. “Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply committed to working with our pacific whanau to strengthen our cooperation, and share ways to combat the challenges facing the Blue Pacific Continent,” ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 weeks ago

PREFU shows no recession, growing economy, more jobs and wages ahead of inflation
Economy to grow 2.6 percent on average over forecast period Treasury not forecasting a recession Inflation to return to the 1-3 percent target band next year Wages set to grow 4.8 percent a year over forecast period Unemployment to peak below the long-term average Fiscal Rules met - Net debt ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 weeks ago

New cancer centre opens in Christchurch
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall proudly opened the Canterbury Cancer Centre in Christchurch today. The new facility is the first of its kind and was built with $6.5 million of funding from the Government’s Infrastructure Reference Group scheme for shovel-ready projects allocated in 2020. ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 weeks ago

Election 2023: Winston Peters wooing small crowds as popularity creeps up in polls
Small crowds of mainly seniors have been gathering at public meetings in community halls to hear New Zealand First leader Winston Peters speak and ask him questions. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 hour ago

Are NFTs really dead and buried? All signs point to ‘yes’
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra Shutterstock Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are in dire straits. With the market in a severe downturn, it’s safe to assume the NFT bubble has well and truly ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 hours ago

What kind of Australia will we wake up to if the Voice referendum is defeated on October 14?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Strangio, Emeritus professor of politics, Monash University It was Robert Menzies, father of the modern Liberal Party, who famously remarked: “to get an affirmative vote from the Australian people on a referendum proposal is the labour of Hercules”. Menzies knew ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 hours ago

Our mood usually lifts in spring. But after early heatwaves and bushfires, this year may be differen...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tara Crandon, Psychologist and PhD Candidate, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute When we think of spring, we might imagine rebirth and renewal that comes with the warmer weather and longer days. It’s usually a time to celebrate, flock to spring flower festivals ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 hours ago

The road is long and time is short, but Australia’s pace towards net zero is quickening
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna Skarbek, CEO, Climateworks Centre This article is part of a series by The Conversation, Getting to Zero, examining Australia’s energy transition. The marks of industry have forever changed the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, edged by the Blue Mountains ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 hours ago

Too hard basket: why climate change is defeating our political system
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Judith Brett, Emeritus Professor of Politics, La Trobe University Unsplash This article is part of a series by The Conversation, Getting to Zero, examining Australia’s energy transition. When I was first asked to write an opening piece in The Conversation’s ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 hours ago

Replacing gas heating with reverse-cycle aircon leaves some people feeling cold. Why? And what’s t...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Pears, Senior Industry Fellow, RMIT University Shutterstock Researchers and policymakers are advocating all-electric housing to reduce energy bills and emissions. Using energy-efficient reverse-cycle air conditioners is a core element of the shift from gas. However, not everyone is happy ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 hours ago

Avoid cramming and don’t just highlight bits of text: how to help your memory when preparing for e...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Penny Van Bergen, Head of School of Education and Professor of Educational Psychology, University of Wollongong Pixabay/Pexels With school and university exams looming, students will be thinking about how they can maximise their learning. Memory is a key part of ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 hours ago

Wartime hijinks, wilderness survivors and contemporary dance: what we’re streaming this October
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Erin Harrington, Senior Lecturer in English and Cultural Studies, University of Canterbury SBS/Paramount+/Binge If you’ve made your way through our September picks and are looking for something new, this month’s streaming picks have something for everyone. There is a ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 hours ago

Barging into an ore-some future
A huge government-subsidised barge is being seen as a boon for mineral exports and coastal shipping The West Coast’s first bulk shipment of heavy mineral sands sets sail for Asia on October 3 marking a major milestone for the region’s fledgling industry. The 26,000 tonnes of ore concentrate from Westland Mineral ...
Newsroom
2 hours ago

Third leaders’ debate up in the air – so should the deputies face-off?
With the third scheduled leaders’ debate up in the air as a result of Chris Hipkins’ sudden Covid diagnosis, a senior National MP has suggested a possible alternative: could the deputy leaders debate? Hipkins and Christopher Luxon were meant to participate in The Press debate from Christchurch tomorrow night. Both ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
2 hours ago

Diagnosis: disaster, as Covid forces Hipkins off campaign trail
It really couldn’t have come at a worse time, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Labour leader laid low by lurgy There’s no good time for a prime minister on the ...
The SpinoffBy Catherine McGregor
3 hours ago

Election 2023 live updates: All the latest developments on 2 October
The Labour Party is having to find new options on the campaign trail now that its leader Chris Hipkins is isolating with Covid-19. Follow the latest with RNZ's live blog. ...
Radio NZ – political
3 hours ago

Election 2023: Early voting opens
The Electoral Commission chief executive says two in three people voted early in 2020 and that's expected to go up slightly this election. ...
Radio NZ – political
4 hours ago

Property industry tops political donations
The property industry gives more in political donations than any other, and its millions of dollars almost all go to two parties. ...
Radio NZ – political
4 hours ago

Kieran McAnulty’s been touted as a future Labour leader. He’s not having a bar of it
The Wairarapa MP talks to Stewart Sowman-Lund about his commitment to the regions – and why he definitely doesn’t want to be prime minister. It’s a cold and blustery day in central Hawke’s Bay, but Labour minister and Wairarapa MP Kieran McAnulty has still attracted a small group of prospective ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
5 hours ago

Kieran McAnulty’s been touted as a future Labour leader. He’s not having a bar of it
The Wairarapa MP talks to Stewart Sowman-Lund about his commitment to the regions – and why he definitely doesn’t want to be prime minister. It’s a cold and blustery day in central Hawke’s Bay, but Labour minister and Wairarapa MP Kieran McAnulty has still attracted a small group of prospective ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
5 hours ago

A low-energy, small-vision campaign could spell a slump in voter turnout
As advance voting gets under way, the signs point to a significant drop in participation, reckons Toby Manhire. ‘It seems to me from a distance,” said former Tory minister Rory Stewart, beginning a question to Chris Hipkins, “maybe this is very unfair –” Doubt it, Rory, carry on. “That when ...
The SpinoffBy Toby Manhire
5 hours ago

A low-energy, small-vision campaign could spell a slump in voter turnout
As advance voting gets under way, the signs point to a significant drop in participation, reckons Toby Manhire. ‘It seems to me from a distance,” said former Tory minister Rory Stewart, beginning a question to Chris Hipkins, “maybe this is very unfair –” Doubt it, Rory, carry on. “That when ...
The SpinoffBy Toby Manhire
5 hours ago

A sometimes summer of sun
Don't put those winter clothes away just because sunnier days are predicted – El Niño blows both hot and cold A New Zealand summer with potential cold snaps and lots of rain, coupled with sun and hot, record-breaking temperatures. What, come again? That's what's forecast for this summer – if the ...
Newsroom
6 hours ago

Act confident it will woo National on gun reform
Act sure it can convince Nats to scrap gun register ...
Newsroom
6 hours ago

The colonial cul-de-sac: Land loss, land use and the devastation left behind
Aaron Smale goes back to his grandmother’s home town and finds a community weighed down by weather disasters and decisions of the past that have a region broken. A series on the slow destruction and devastating impact of the pine industry on Tairawhiti. You know you’re there when you catch a ...
Newsroom
6 hours ago

A 'hawkish' Reserve Bank rates decision will be bad for borrowers, good for savers
ANZ economists expect rates rise before year's end; Kiwibank thinks hikes aren't necessary ...
Newsroom
6 hours ago

Daily crossword, Monday 2 October
...
Newsroom
6 hours ago

Iwi 'aghast' at Cabinet decision on privatising Ruapehu ski fields
Ministers must decide on a bailout to stop a fire sale of ski field assets by liquidators ...
Newsroom
6 hours ago

Epic fail of arts policies
A lobby group went looking for arts policies. It's still looking. Election 2023 has provided a chance for political parties to launch an exciting new arts policy that would provide a welcome boost to New Zealand writing. But the opportunity has withered on the vine. A lobby group with ...
Newsroom
6 hours ago

Luxon's 'wet, whiny and inward-looking' supporters
National's would-be partners have either been catastrophising or reselling last season's snake oil ...
Newsroom
6 hours ago

A tale of two Ferns in one city
Both the Silver Ferns and Black Ferns pulled in crowds and took home the spoils in one frenzied day in Hamilton. But is there room in Kiwi hearts for both? Usually playing two internationals in two rival codes in the same city on the same day would spell disaster for one – if ...
Newsroom
6 hours ago

Bike sales falling but commuters resilient
A 'major dislocation' in the bike market doesn't worry advocates ...
Newsroom
6 hours ago

Greens play their own game
The Greens are in the dispiriting position of having a good election campaign but facing years again in opposition watching climate and social equity gains undone. They're pitching forward, regardless. Sporting metaphors have been thoroughly overworked this campaign, but forgive just one more: the Greens find themselves as the in-form player of a ...
Newsroom
6 hours ago

Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 2 October
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Newsroom
7 hours ago

Labour Party’s Manifesto Commitment To Extend Diplomatic Recognition To The State Of Palestine Is ...
Sunday, 1 October 2023 Justice for Palestine and Alternative Jewish Voices welcome the Labour Party’s announcement that if elected it will extend diplomatic recognition to the state of Palestine, by inviting the Head of the General Delegation of Palestine ...
Scoop politics
14 hours ago

Opportunities Party Candidate Reveals Takapuna As The Centre Of Burgeoning Cannabis Trade
The Opportunities Party (TOP) candidate for North Shore, Abe Gray, is proud of his electorate's outsized role in the burgeoning, newly legal trade in high THC cannabis flower. Did you know that millions of dollars worth of cannabis has been sold in ...
Scoop politics
15 hours ago

Luxon promises ‘quick off the starting block’ government
Despite potentially messy coalition talks, Christopher Luxon is confident he can get a full to-do list ticked off in 100 days 100 day promises, media jousts and tractors over the Auckland Harbour Bridge – it was a busy Sunday on the trail for politicians approaching the last sprint of the ...
Newsroom
18 hours ago

Winston Peters lashes out after being rattled by TV interviewers
Two interviews in two days have seen the NZ First leader make personal attacks on journalists after struggling badly to answer questions about his policies and costings Current polls show Winston Peters and his party returning to Parliament after being soundly defeated in 2020. With the resurgence has come closer ...
Newsroom
19 hours ago

Two Million Free Hours Of Maths And Literacy Catch Up
Intermediate and secondary school students will have access to two million free tutoring sessions to help lift maths and literacy achievement A maths and literacy training fund for all primary and intermediate teachers More funding to help young ...
Scoop politics
20 hours ago

Let’s Vote For The Aotearoa We Deserve
The Future is Up to Us released today by the Green Party is a clear vision of the future we can build together. The Green Party has also published an independent fiscal review of the policy priorities set out in The Future is Up to Us , which shows ...
Scoop politics
20 hours ago

National’s water U-turn will drive up New Zealanders’ rates bills
The National Party’s U-turn on water reform has left local councils high and dry and will drive up Kiwi’s rates bills, Labour Party Local Government Spokesperson Kieran McAnulty says. “The National Party said they’ll repeal Affordable Water ...
Scoop politics
20 hours ago

Election 2023: Green Party unveils policy priorities and fiscal plan review
The Green Party has unveiled its policy priorities as well as an independent fiscal review, which it says shows their plan adds up. ...
Radio NZ – political
20 hours ago

Why you must vote ACT for real change
Today, ACT Leader David Seymour released a video asking New Zealanders to Party Vote ACT to avoid inaction and instability. You can watch the video by clicking the image below. “ACT is making one final appeal to voters before the polls open tomorrow. ...
Scoop politics
20 hours ago

National Announces 100 Day Action Plan
If New Zealanders choose a National-led government to rebuild the economy and deliver tax relief, we will go to work immediately implementing our 100 Day Action Plan, National Party Christopher Luxon says. “New Zealanders have waited six long years ...
Scoop politics
20 hours ago

It could all come down to one seat: Seymour
With advance voting almost under way, Act pitches hard for voters to exclude "chaos" in a future government by ensuring National and Act can govern, Tim Murphy reports Act leader David Seymour is emphasising one extra seat could be the difference between "real change" and "chaos" in a centre-right government after ...
Newsroom
20 hours ago

'It's because I'm young, I'm female, and I'm Māori'
The country’s youngest candidate to run for Parliament has made three separate reports to police after her home was broken into and her rubbish rifled through. Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke says other political leaders have gaslighted her experience. Te Pāti Māori Hauraki Waikato’s candidate says she isn’t scared or shaken by the ...
Newsroom
20 hours ago

Election 2023: Labour reveals full policy plan
Labour has released its full policy plan this afternoon, with a focus on improving education for children and funding for training and work for youth. ...
Radio NZ – political
21 hours ago

Chris Hipkins isolating with Covid-19
The Prime Minister and Labour leader has tested positive for Covid-19 and is isolating for five days or until he returns a negative test After feeling unwell on Sunday morning and cancelling his attendance at a Samoan church service in Auckland, Chris Hipkins has now tested positive for Covid-19. He ...
Newsroom
22 hours ago

'Bugger' – Labour leader Chris Hipkins tests positive for Covid-19 at crucial point ...
Labour leader Chris Hipkins has revealed that he has tested positive for Covid-19, just as the party prepares to release its manifesto today. ...
Radio NZ – political
22 hours ago

Prime minister tests positive for Covid-19
Prime minister Chris Hipkins has tested positive for Covid-19, and will be isolating for five days or until he returns a negative test. A spokesperson confirmed he has cold and flu symptoms that began yesterday and will continue with engagements he can undertake via Zoom. Hipkins missed an event on ...
The SpinoffBy Anna Rawhiti-Connell
22 hours ago

Mediawatch: Giving young people an election voice
The TVNZ Young Voters' debate run by Re:News was a rowdy interjection into a relatively subdued election campaign, and its moderator has some ideas on how media organisations can better cater to young people. ...
Radio NZ – political
22 hours ago

‘I’ve got news for you and your masters’: Winston Peters takes aim at ‘corrupt’ TVNZ
In a bizarre interview with TVNZ’s Q&A programme this morning, NZ First leader Winston Peters said he would “make sure” he secured the broadcasting portfolio should his party make it into government. “We’ll start with TVNZ after the campaign,” he told journalist Jack Tame in an interview that made yesterday’s ...
The SpinoffBy Alice Neville
24 hours ago

Election 2023: National Party releases 100-day action plan if elected
The National Party has released its plan of what it would do in its first 100 days in government, if elected. ...
Radio NZ – political
24 hours ago

Hipkins missing morning campaign event but will launch Labour manifesto
Labour’s manifesto launch will go ahead this afternoon, despite leader Chris Hipkins missing an event on the campaign trail this morning due to being unwell. Deputy prime minister Carmel Sepuloni is speaking at a Sāmoan church service in Auckland this morning in Hipkins’ place, but according to a Labour spokesperson, ...
The SpinoffBy Alice Neville
24 hours ago

National sets out priorities in ‘100-day action plan’
National has pledged to remove the Auckland fuel tax, repeal water reform and resource management legislation, ban gang patches and remove funding for cultural reports used in sentencing in its first 100 days in office. The party has set out a range of priorities for its first 100 days in ...
The SpinoffBy Alice Neville
1 day ago

Chris Hipkins unwell, to miss morning campaign event
The prime minister is missing an event on the campaign trail this morning because he’s unwell. Chris Hipkins was due to speak at a Sāmoan church service in Auckland, but deputy prime minister Carmel Sepuloni is stepping in to take his place. Hipkins is scheduled to launch Labour’s manifesto at ...
The SpinoffBy Alice Neville
1 day ago

Make it strange: an interview with Bill Nelson
Lawrence Patchett talks to Bill Nelson about Root, Leaf, Flower, Fruit, a verse novel that Nelson has just released with Te Herenga Waka University Press. Bill Nelson demonstrated his versatility with his first book, Memorandum of Understanding. A book of surprising range and humour, it included a love poem styled ...
The SpinoffBy Lawrence Patchett
1 day ago

The French vanilla fraud
None of New Zealand’s commercial French vanilla ice creams contain the crucial ingredient. Dylan Jones busts the case wide open. Like any good investigation, this one started as an innocuous Thursday night question among flatmates: what is French vanilla ice cream, and how is it different to regular vanilla? A ...
The SpinoffBy Dylan Jones
1 day ago

An Ode for .. the Kingmaker
Bard Billot on Lord Winston The Duke of Hazard Lord Winston, the Duke of Hazard, Rose late and yawned. The Palace was loud with the hubbub Of busy courtiers preparing to flee the city. Outside the gates, the followers of Baron Luxon Prepared for their assault upon the ...
Newsroom
1 day ago

Election 2023: All the latest developments on 1 October
National leader Christopher Luxon says he wouldn't do a deal with The Opportunities Party leader Raf Manji, even if it could help avoid a potential coalition with New Zealand First. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

All Black legend’s Mitey legacy
School-aged children in the south are increasing their emotional literacy and talking about the tough stuff thanks to a rugby star’s commitment and a Southland teacher’s persistence Belinda Brown was a teacher with two decades of classroom experience when she heard Sir John Kirwan talk at a Winton pub about his ...
Newsroom
1 day ago

The time is ripe to turn wine waste into gold
The promise of science to add commercial value to the waste of the New Zealand wine industry while limiting how much of it is sent to landfill Opinion: The New Zealand wine industry has been a great success story, creating world-renowned wines with continued export demand, but it’s an industry ...
Newsroom
1 day ago

The Sunday Essay: The joy of paper diaries
My appointment diary will never be replaced by apps and platforms. It is the only true record of the minutiae of my life. The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Images by Tina Tiller. I bumped into an old friend and former colleague ...
The SpinoffBy Venetia Sherson
1 day ago

The truth behind the ‘audacious’ return of the Pop-up Globe
The Pop-up Globe might be returning to the stage, but not everybody’s happy about it. Sam Brooks talks to some creditors – left in the dark after the company’s liquidation – about its shock 2023 return. On September 15, the Pop-up Globe announced it would be making an “audacious” return ...
The SpinoffBy Sam Brooks
1 day ago

NZ elections 2023: Green Party, Te Pāti Māori call out ‘harmful emboldening of extremism’
RNZ News Green Party co-leader James Shaw has compared the language of New Zealand First leader Winston Peters to former US president Donald Trump, saying it may be emboldening violence against candidates in Aotearoa NZ’s election campaign. It comes after several candidates from different parties have spoken out about being ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
1 day ago

Hipkins claims the 'm' word
Chris Hipkins endured four seasons in one hour at an outdoor festival in an Auckland park – and claims to be sensing a rapid change in mood in the electorate as well, a fortnight from the election The Labour leader has gone there. He's publicly claiming his party has picked up 'momentum' in this ...
Newsroom
2 days ago

Labour releases Rainbow Manifesto, promising reformed surrogacy laws and LGBTQ+ refugee quota
The party also wants to look at possibly removing the stand-down period for blood donation men who have sex with men currently face. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 days ago

Green Party and Te Pāti Māori call out 'harmful emboldening of extremism' after incident...
Green Party co-leader James Shaw has compared the language of New Zealand First leader Winston Peters to Donald Trump, saying it may be emboldening violence against candidates. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 days ago

1 in 50 Fijian children may have rheumatic heart disease, says health chief
By Pauliasi Mateboto in Suva One in 50 Fijian children could have rheumatic heart disease and children between the ages of five to 15 years are the most at risk of rheumatic fever. While revealing these alarming statistics, Health Secretary Dr James Fong revealed the high figures indicated the high ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
2 days ago

NZ election 2023: Police investigate after invasion of Te Pāti Māori candidate’s home
RNZ News New Zealand police are investigating after the home of Te Pāti Māori election candidate Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke was invaded, vandalised, and a threatening letter left behind. They said the burglary of a Huntly home was reported to police on Monday. On Friday, Te Pāti Māori issued a statement saying ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
2 days ago

Anti-co-governance march to parliament overshadowed by counterprotest
A protest against co-governance led by Julian Batchelor, a prominent figure in the movement, has ended, with police saying there were no issues. About 300 people marched from Civic Square to parliament in Wellington today, according to a police press release, and they have now departed parliament grounds. About 45 ...
The SpinoffBy Alice Neville
2 days ago

ACT's business plan: Removing January holiday, putting minimum wage on hold
The ACT Party says it would abolish Fair Pay Agreements, put a hold on minimum wage increases for three years, and remove the 2 January public holiday. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 days ago

Police investigate after invasion of Te Pāti Māori candidate's home
Police are investigating after the home of Te Pāti Māori candidate Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke was invaded, vandalised, and a threatening letter left behind. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 days ago

Election 2023: All the latest developments on 30 September
There's no break in sight for the political party leaders as they continue to campaign in communities on Saturday. Follow RNZ's live blog for more. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 days ago

Andy Foster plots his glorious return
Former Wellington mayor Andy Foster is attempting a political comeback as a candidate for NZ First. He talks to Joel MacManus. Fear not, Wellingtonians, your leader has returned from exile: Andy Foster is back. After nine terms on council and one term as mayor, Foster lost his re-election bid to ...
The SpinoffBy Joel MacManus
2 days ago

Andy Foster plots his glorious return
Former Wellington mayor Andy Foster is attempting a political comeback as a candidate for NZ First. He talks to Joel MacManus. Fear not, Wellingtonians, your leader has returned from exile: Andy Foster is back. After nine terms on council and one term as mayor, Foster lost his re-election bid to ...
The SpinoffBy Joel MacManus
2 days ago

‘Who’s that?’ says Peters of Luxon in at times jovial, at times furious interview
In an interview that swung from jovial to furious and back again, Winston Peters joked about National leader Christopher Luxon’s claim not to know him, and denied his party was responsible for race-baiting that’s led to an escalation in vitriol towards Māori. In an interview on Newshub Nation this morning, ...
The SpinoffBy Alice Neville
2 days ago

‘Who’s that?’ says Peters of Luxon in at times jovial, at times furious interview
In an interview that swung from jovial to furious and back again, Winston Peters joked about National leader Christopher Luxon’s claim not to know him, and denied his party was responsible for race-baiting that’s led to an escalation in vitriol towards Māori. In an interview on Newshub Nation this morning, ...
The SpinoffBy Alice Neville
2 days ago

Corbyn Coup; Hilary Benn is Sacked for Disloyalty

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