Cunliffe wins – now what?

Written By: - Date published: 12:26 pm, September 16th, 2013 - 91 comments
Categories: david cunliffe, john key, labour, same old national - Tags: ,

Cunliffe leadership announcement-2

So David Cunliffe is now leader.

The scale of the win is somewhat overwhelming.  He had significantly greater support from members and affiliates than his competitors.  And the vote in caucus was closer than some had predicted.  Winning on the first ballot was not expected even by his most ardent supporters.

His call for caucus unity is important and appropriate.  I suspect that any MP thinking of rocking the boat will be intimidated by the size of the party’s support for David and they would be well advised to behave.

All eyes will be on the reshuffling of the seats in Parliament.  David’s stated intent to reward on merit and to make appointments across the three caucus groupings will be an important early change to what has occurred previously.

On Morning Report this morning David gave an excellent interview with Kathryn Ryan.  He also gave a stunning interview on Firstline and made it clear that his intention is to enthuse the 800,000 kiwis who did not vote last time to vote this time.  If he keeps this standard of interview up then he will do well.

He has also settled onto a theme.  John Key is a funny popular person but his actions in favouring the rich corporates such as Sky City, Rio Tinto, Chorus, and the various merchant bankers gorging themselves on our assets cannot and should not be tolerated.

The first Parliamentary question time will be eagerly awaited and I am sure that the topic of the question is having some thought put into it.

I would suggest that the first question to the Prime Minister should be about the Axe the Copper Tax campaign.  This ticks all the boxes.  A wealthy corporate is increasing its wealth to the expense of the rest of us and the Government is overturning a decision of the Commerce Decision which it does not like, even though the decision benefits ordinary kiwis.

Key has made come bizarre claims about the issue, suggesting that Chorus may go broke if the Commerce Commission Decision is allowed to stand.  It seems that he has not received a briefing from Chorus but presumably has performed the calculation himself.

The estimated saving to Chorus of the proposed change is in the vicinity of $100 million per year.  Given that it made a profit of $171 million last year this possibility is difficult to comprehend.  As I noted earlier Chorus’s problems appear to be that it underestimated the cost of the roll out.  A faulty tender is not normally grounds for not reducing charges as far as they should be.

What is really interesting about this issue is the signs of a split in National’s ranks.  Prominent National Party blogger David Farrar has joined the ranks of the Axe the Copper Tax campaign.  It seems there may be elements of a power play in this move.  The responsible Minister Amy Adams is a strong supporter of Judith Collins whereas Farrar has links to the English/Ryall faction of the National Party.  A question on this topic will have the dual benefits of highlighting National’s crony capitalism and at the same time drilling in on an issue that is causing internal dissent in National’s ranks.

And  there seems to be the whiff of change in the air.  A Te Karere commissioned Digipoll of a thousand Maori voters showed a 5% gain by Labour on the party vote over a previous poll taken in January.  The Greens did even better and picked up 7% points.  The Maori Party will be concerned as it lost 15% points.  A movement of support to the progressive parties by Maoridom is welcome news.

Time will tell but dare I say that there is now hope amongst progressives that the next election will see a change in Government?

91 comments on “Cunliffe wins – now what? ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Lanthanide 1
    16 September 2013 at 12:43 pm

    What’s next? Radio NZ were reporting on the midday news that Chris Hipkins has stood down as chief whip and that tomorrow the caucus will be electing new whips.

  2. chris73 2
    16 September 2013 at 12:46 pm

    http://www.3news.co.nz/Cunliffe-vows-to-spare-detractors/tabid/1607/articleID/313349/Default.aspx

    – Is it true Hipkins has been removed as whip?

    [lprent: No. He has stood down as whip. I don’t expect that you will understand the distinction. ]

    • Olwyn 2.1
      16 September 2013 at 12:57 pm

      from what I have heard, I think that both the whip and the deputy leader need to be voted in by caucus rather than appointed by the leader.

    • chris73 2.2
      16 September 2013 at 1:04 pm

      Ah yes…stood down voluntarily 🙂

      Well I’d suggest that maybe someone talks to Curran and Mallard and tells them to “voluntarily” fall on their swords as well

    • Tim 2.3
      16 September 2013 at 5:57 pm

      Much to your disappointment Chris73 – and despite the cnut he is – he did something honourable.
      Hard for you to understand I know, but there it is.
      A stiff G & T maybe?

      Btw – do you have an adequate supply of incontinence pas?
      If not – hey!!!! have I got a deal for you!

    • Core_Labour_Voter 2.4
      18 September 2013 at 12:53 am

      Stood down – Removed = He is gone. Let us move on.

  3. Waffler 3
    16 September 2013 at 12:52 pm

    That was an awesome interview on Firstline! Great to see he’s pitching his voice down as well.

  4. blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 4
    16 September 2013 at 1:01 pm

    @ Mickey Savage,
    Just wish to extend congratulations to you, Jennie Mitchie and the rest of Mr Cunliffe’s campaign team for a job well done.

    • mickysavage 4.1
      16 September 2013 at 1:29 pm

      Cheers BL. Yesterday was a good day but last night David said in his speech that we were all going to be very busy until the next election …

      • Colonial Viper 4.1.1
        16 September 2013 at 1:43 pm

        The busiest year of our lives, he said 😯

      • blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 4.1.2
        16 September 2013 at 1:44 pm

        Yep, saw that comment by a very serious looking Mr Cunliffe on the News “what I’ve got now is a big job to do” (words to that effect).

        I’ll say

        I had to laugh, due to my sense of humour being a wee bit dark at times.

        Gonna have to have a hard-working and effective team to undo the mess Nats have made to when he [hopefully] wins the election too…..

  6. Rich the other 6
    16 September 2013 at 1:10 pm

    Good riddance to hipkins , cunliffe needs to recognise the threats around him and demote Robertson and a few others.

    What interests me more is the dynamics between the greens and labour , will cunliffe stomp on this group of extremists who will ensure defeat for labour at the next election.

    A real blow to the greens must be the unfolding events in Britain , their flagship stance on global warming / climate change is in tatters with the ippc in panic mode and are currently being exposed as fraudsters.

    Any one with doubts about this should read the daily mail, 15sept also 8 sept.

    The bottom line is the greens are being left with a huge gap in policy and their destructive attitudes towards employment , farming , and business in general will be easy picking for the nats.

    • Hayden 6.1
      16 September 2013 at 1:15 pm

      their destructive attitudes towards employment , farming , and business in general

      Citation needed.

      (edit – remove formatting like moderator’s comments)

      [lprent: good idea. 😈 ]

      • weka 6.1.1
        16 September 2013 at 2:00 pm

        “Citation needed.”

        For that and every other lie Rich told.

        As if the Daily Mail is the bastion of left wing political understanding 🙄

    • blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 6.2
      16 September 2013 at 1:22 pm

      @ Rich the Other
      Greens took a very proactive stance toward employment in the last election and continue to do so, to say otherwise is simply untrue; Rich, it is very unwise to simply absorb the spin that Nats place on things. The only interests they support are those who are taking a very monopolistic attitude toward work and finance.

      Monopolistic attitudes are what is leading to job shortages and low wages. These attitudes need to be addressed for us to get healthy employment statistics and conditions. An improvement in this area will lead to a much healthier society and economy for us all. Nat spin will only progress us toward worsening these factors.

    • weka 6.3
      16 September 2013 at 2:06 pm

      “What interests me more is the dynamics between the greens and labour”

      Ae, me too.

      Keith Locke this morning, signalling that the Greens are stepping forward too:

      Much of the success of a Labour/Green government will depend on how well the policies of the two parties are merged post-election, hopefully taking in the best of each. On some matters the coalition policy will be easy to determine. As both parties support a capital gains tax, there will be a capital gains tax. On other issues, like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which Labour supports and the Greens oppose, it will be more difficult. Because of this it would be stupid for Labour to promise now, in areas where the Greens and Labour have a different policy, that a Labour/Green government will adopt the Labour policy. That is something to be worked out post-election, so a little bit of MMP caution is required from parties before the election.

      David Cunliffe could also help the public better understand the nature of MMP by rejecting the mantle of “Leader of the Opposition”, which is offensive to our multi-party system, where parties vote for and against legislation in different alignments. David Cunliffe is the leader of the Labour Party, and only the Labour Party.

      http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/09/16/david-could-improve-the-labourgreen-relationship/

      • bad12 6.3.1
        16 September 2013 at 4:07 pm

        Yes i agree with Keith Locke, but, always both Labour and the Greens should be highlighting the areas they do agree upon,

        It’s going to be a shame that Government policy for a Labour/Green Government looks like it will have to be thrashed out in the compressed period between the 2014 and the Government’s formation,

        Perhaps what is needed is a weekly meeting between these two party’s where at least an initial policy discussion across all areas can be laid out for discussion,

        Counting the chickens befor they hatch this may be but both party’s really need to know at which point in both party’s policy either are going to say NO!!!,

        ‘The Left’ sooner or later has to become more co-operative in how it views the electorates and elections and deliberately look for areas where co-operation rather than competition will deliver the best overall result,(a Government of the left),

        There are a number of electorates where Labour/Green/Mana would be far better rewarded for co-operating and hopefully David Cunliffe who has grasped MMP politcs with far greater knowledge than many,(not living in the electorate He represents), can begin at some stage to openly plan for bolstering where possible the election chances of other left leaning party’s,

        For far too long now under the auspices of MMP we have political party’s behaving in a quasi MMP/FFP manner when the left especially should be ‘building’ future coalition partners…

        • ak 6.3.1.1
          16 September 2013 at 4:22 pm

          Not bad, bad. Not bad at all. Indeed a very passable comment old boy. Learn from the old Alliance/Labour example eh what I say, united we stand and all thet…..Mr Joseph Public esquire is quite the fan it seems….(and if I may just say, bad old chap, parties, dear boy, parties. Let’s leave the grocers’ apostrophes to the petit bourgeoisie eh old man?)

    • Craig 6.4
      16 September 2013 at 3:02 pm

      No, they are not. The Daily Mail is a British tabloid and prone to Tory bias as such. And if you think we’re not aware of the successful SPD/Green coalition in Germany back in the early noughties, dream on, matey. Moreover, what’s the alternative…Winston?! Good old prehensile, lets-have-a-bob-each-way Winston?! Just because the Nats have no viable coalition partner in sight…

    • Murray Olsen 6.5
      16 September 2013 at 4:37 pm

      Bugger, I’ve been wasting my time for years getting my scientific information from Nature, Science, Physical Review Letters and other recognised journals. I should have just looked at the Daily Mail.

      • Rich the other 6.5.1
        16 September 2013 at 5:01 pm

        Murry O,
        I suggest you start collecting these journals , in time they will be collectables, monuments to deceit and gross stupidity.
        The change global warming /climate change fanatics are in trouble and are being exposed, the truth is on it’s way.

        global warming and religion have one thing in common , both require huge amounts of faith

        • Macro 6.5.1.1
          16 September 2013 at 6:09 pm

          “global warming and religion have one thing in common , both require huge amounts of faith”

          OMG!!

        • srylands 6.5.1.2
          16 September 2013 at 8:29 pm

          “global warming and religion have one thing in common , both require huge amounts of faith.”

          what? the scientific evidence for climate change and its causes is profoundly convincing. It is nothing like religion (aka as witchcraft) Of course, the appropriate policy responses to climate change are open to debate.

      • lprent 6.5.2
        16 September 2013 at 5:43 pm

        Obviously. Mind you it is just as clear to me that each of us should be served a dollop of brains from child born so that they too can become Daily Mail readers…

        On the other hand I could read a online paper that isn’t written by lazy illiterates.

        • Rich the other 6.5.2.1
          16 September 2013 at 6:05 pm

          Iprent
          The point is those online papers are changing , some of those writers are already running for cover.
          Reputations are seriously under threat.
          The truth is on the way.

        • andyS 6.5.2.2
          16 September 2013 at 6:19 pm

          The latest Mail article on climate change by David Rose was endorsed by Judith Curry, who said he was basically right.

          Mind you, Curry is a “denier” and should be ignored.
          She has spoken badly of the great Mann

          • Macro 6.5.2.2.1
            16 September 2013 at 7:17 pm

            You poor deluded fool…..

            Curry is an academic embarrassment – it’s a wonder she continues to hold her position.. One can drive a bus through the gaps in her logic.. But for those, like yourself, grasping at any straw in the debate, her word is the ultimate TRUTH.

            Never mind andy i’m sure you lot will all be left out in the cold, and you can continue to mutter your inanities to your hearts content amongst yourselves – in the meantime – for those of us in the real world – we have work to do

  7. tracey 7
    16 September 2013 at 2:04 pm

    If chris has any self respect he wld not have forced his own sacking. The leader will propose his choices for 2 whips and deputy and then caucus vote as they choose.

    The work begins today. If people found this leadership contest tiring they need to step aside now. Its a marathon not a sprint.

  8. Ancient Ruin 8
    16 September 2013 at 2:06 pm

    Mallard will be looking forward to that Speakers role a bit more too…

  9. Not A PS Staffer 9
    16 September 2013 at 2:12 pm

    David Cunliffe should give a regular pitch on his strategic initiatives on The Standard.

    He should tap into the energy (and intelligence!) of the beauts on this site.

    Many of us are willing foot soldiers in the battle to make Godzone a better place for everone and not just the select few.

    Go on David…

  10. Sable 10
    16 September 2013 at 3:00 pm

    If he gives Keys the swift kick up the ass the little twit deserves then good job.

  11. Craig 11
    16 September 2013 at 3:04 pm

    What I’d like to know is when we can expect elaboration and increased attention to the Capital Gains Tax, given that Cunliffe and Robertson both agree on its importance to the centre-left.

  12. captain hook 12
    16 September 2013 at 3:07 pm

    forget the crap from the mealy mouth gnats and the poormouthing from the Dompost.
    Its time for all good men to come to the aid of the party and fight for social justice and equality.

  13. Frank Macskasy 13
    16 September 2013 at 3:42 pm

    Congratulations to all three candidates for a civilised, intelligent primary campaign. All three would have made fine Labour leaders. But, as a certain Highlander said, “there can only be one”…

    Now the hard work starts to rid ourselves of this nasty, self-serving government and it’s despicable leader.

    And if any Labour MP has any bright ideas about “white anting” Cunliffe – Shane Jones and Stuart Nash put it quite nicely: find another job. We have no time to waste on further internal squabbles.

    There’s a Tory government to destroy.

    • andyS 13.1
      16 September 2013 at 6:21 pm

      There’s a Tory government to destroy.

      and then, a country

      • bad12 13.1.1
        16 September 2013 at 6:26 pm

        Your free to leave, the sooner the better…

        • andyS 13.1.1.1
          16 September 2013 at 6:31 pm

          I certainly intend to leave to Australia if there is any indication that the Greens get a share of power, as will a large part of the productive part of NZ

          Then the feral underclass will be left to cannibalise what’s left of NZ.

          • bad12 13.1.1.1.1
            16 September 2013 at 6:42 pm

            Better book your tickets then as there is every indication that the Green Party will have a major role in the next Government,

            Here was i thinking that the ‘feral underclass’ were already busily cannibalizing the place via the sell off of Mighty River Power and Genesis Energy,

            i suppose you are going to tell us all that they have an entitlement,

            Please leave sooner rather than later, the less of your ilk there is polluting our air the better…

            • andyS 13.1.1.1.1.1
              16 September 2013 at 6:52 pm

              More than happy to leave bad12. Having been reminded that I am a “guest” in this country, and a White MotherF**fcker who has been raping your land, I am more than happy to leave you to your own fate

              I might pop back now and then to take a holiday and the poor people can amuse me with their juggling and unicycle tricks

              • bad12 …
                16 September 2013 at 7:06 pm

                All good then AndyS, your admission of wanting to scarper resonates through your comment akin to an admission of guilt,

                You seem with the ‘your land’ bit to be directing something here personally at me, or is that simply a whine about ‘the Maaris’ in general,

                As far as you being a guest goes i think it is more a self perception and how you feel, the WMF tho from your initial comments seems to fit…

              • phillip ure …
                16 September 2013 at 9:27 pm

                can i suggest far north rural queensland as a destination for you there..andy s..?

                ..there i am sure…you will find many more of your own kind…

                ..and no worries about any p.c.-bullshit there..eh..?..

                ..you can call a spade a boong..as it were..

                ..and no-one will turn a hair..

                ..that’s you..eh…?

                ..eh..?

                phillip ure..

          • Murray Olsen 13.1.1.1.2
            16 September 2013 at 6:58 pm

            As opposed to the feral overclass who’ve been cannibalising Aotearoa since Lord Roger blessed them with his slavish devotion to Chicago?
            I might pass you half way across the Tasman anyway – I’m more optimistic about coming back than I have been for years.

          • Macro 13.1.1.1.3
            16 September 2013 at 7:03 pm

            give my regards to bill 🙂

          • srylands 13.1.1.1.4
            16 September 2013 at 8:24 pm

            Sadly it may require the implementation of Green policies to demonstrate their capacity to destroy wealth. It is easy to be a cheer leader for these policies if you live in a State house on welfare. You get a short term sweetener but it won’t last.

            If the Greens win, I hope it will be full on with their economic policies. That way it will be a one term government. It will also be a great demonstration effect. We can watch from offshore and pass the popcorn.

            • bad12 13.1.1.1.4.1
              16 September 2013 at 8:51 pm

              Snuck back for a snivel have you SSLands, you havn’t got a clue what Green policy entails so why pretend you have,

              i suppose tho the pretense dovetails in nicely about your comical pretense of being an economist and the further fantasy that you regularly live in both Australia and New Zealand,

              Your a laughable charade SSLands…

            • Rogue Trooper 13.1.1.1.4.2
              16 September 2013 at 9:49 pm

              could be an all-decade sucker punch.

            • framu 13.1.1.1.4.3
              17 September 2013 at 9:55 am

              “It is easy to be a cheer leader for these policies if you live in a State house on welfare”

              thanks for proving you know jack shit about who votes green

              any other rank ignorance you want to put out in front of people?

          • srylands 13.1.1.1.5
            16 September 2013 at 8:33 pm

            Wow.. at last another rational contributor to The Standard.

            • lprent 13.1.1.1.5.1
              16 September 2013 at 10:37 pm

              Actually AndyS is a rather well known nut with a persistent delusion that they understand science. Unfortunately this rather falls down under its own weight because he doesn’t have any maths and appears to be incapable of reading scientific papers.

              One of the more entertaining delusions is that the Daily Mail trumps Nature every time. He does amuse those of us with science degrees and a fetish for dissection as a person on whom to exercise our talents – especially me when I have time. But praise his perceptive insights, and I’m sure this will enhance the general awareness of your own intellect. 😈

              However I’m sure that Andy will feel more comfortable in Aussie. After all he looks more rational than your new PM

              • Macro …
                16 September 2013 at 10:46 pm

                andy also claims to hold a Masters in Maths from Cambridge – forgetting to add that 3 years undetected crime following a Bachelors = a Masters at said uni… on one occasion I had to point out to him that the use of the word “likely” had a specific meaning in statistics and did not refer to events with a less than 50% chance of occurring.

                • lprent …
                  16 September 2013 at 10:54 pm

                  Crikey. He will do well in Aussie. I can just see him now propping up a bar somewhere with his bushmans hat… Yaknow like in Croc Dundee spinning that and other ‘true’ tales

                • Rogue Trooper …
                  16 September 2013 at 10:57 pm

                  Thank God for Aristotlean Logos then, but what do I know, although, if I’m bored enough next year I might try out for one of them new-fangled Masters thingys; they say you can become a Doctor by entering the Box. 😀 (already been accepted twice, yet, the timing was a little out; not ‘pinking’ enough).

          • Draco T Bastard 13.1.1.1.6
            16 September 2013 at 8:47 pm

            Once the feral overclass, John Key and his ilk, have left everyone else will be free to make NZ a better place. Unfortunately, as they’re liars and don’t keep their word, we can’t expect them to keep their promise to leave.

      • Daveosaurus 13.1.2
        16 September 2013 at 6:52 pm

        If he wants to destroy a country, all he needs to do is leave its Tory government in place. Destruction of countries is all the Tories can do – cf. Thatcher.

        • srylands 13.1.2.1
          16 September 2013 at 8:31 pm

          “Tories” = “A Tory holds a political philosophy (Toryism) based on the traditionalism and conservatism originating with the Cavalier faction during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. This ideology is prominent in the politics of the United Kingdom, and also appears in parts of The Commonwealth, particularly in Canada. ”

          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tory

          Which country are we in?

          • ZET 13.1.2.1.1
            16 September 2013 at 8:37 pm

            That’s called cherry picking. If you’d bothered reading to the bottom of the linked page you would have found the last paragraph entitled “Current Usage”. Of course there aren’t any pictures to give you a clue and some of the words run to three or more syllables..

            • McFlock 13.1.2.1.1.1
              16 September 2013 at 8:54 pm

              yet another tory who thinks that they’re the only ones with access to teh interwebz. In Australia, “Tory” is used as a pejorative term by members of the Australian Labor Party to refer to members of the conservative coalition Liberal and National parties.[15]. Are you not familiar with the parlance of your homeland, spylands?

              But a much clearer outline of the term is actually expressed when describing “tories” of the Texas Revolution. It doesn’t scan perfectly given the particular political issues of the time, but the essence is the same: The Tories generally were long-term property holders whose roots were outside of the lower South. They typically had little interest in politics and sought conciliation rather than war or they withheld judgment from both sides. The Tories preferred to preserve the economic, political, and social gains that they enjoyed as citizens of Mexico, and the revolution threatened to jeopardize the security of their world. Tories were, and are, people who grew rich at the expense of the majority and generally by some mechanism of massive injustice, and who will use every tool and weapon of power that their privilege grants in order to continue to oppression of their fellow citizens.

              But to be fair, many of them (like spylands) are so disconnected from the reality that faces most people that they might really have no idea about the real harm their policies cause.

  16. jaymam 16
    16 September 2013 at 4:54 pm

    Now what? A deputy, that’s what!
    Sure Grant Robertson has talents and deserves to be deputy rather than Jacinda Ardern. However Labour would get more party votes with Linda’s unretouched portraits beaming out from the billboards. She would also get much more of the female vote, and the anti-gay vote. So what does Labour want, votes or fairness? Grant will still be competent and effective in the House, given important portfolios.

  17. Tim 17
    16 September 2013 at 5:51 pm

    Chorus DOES tick all the boxes … it’s a natural monopoly which is being funded by tax payer (public) money, and there to serve the public (aka tex payers/consumers/end users – call ’em whatever your flavour dictates).
    In that sense, and like any other natural monoploy (usually there for ‘reticulation’ purposes – it should/must either be PUBLICLY owned, or heavily regulated.
    Whether its water, gas, roading, railway lines, electricity ‘grids’, or telecommunications ‘grids’, it is the mechanism by which other operators (private or public) deliver.

    I was hoping Key’s threat that it could go broke wasn’t as idle as it was. GOOD stuff I would have said – and the sooner the better.
    I still hope it will. It’ll be the fastest way for a return to public ownership that there could be.

    Let’s see just how far the next gubbamint will go.

    As Cunliffe says – if ensuring a quarter of a million children are fed, educated and watered is ‘left wing’ …. so be it.
    I’d go further. If ensuring 4 million plus are equally reticulated with the services most of them (or their ancestors) paid for anyway is ‘left wing’, so be it!

  18. pollywog 18
    16 September 2013 at 6:02 pm

    What next?…now I have to make good on my pledge to join the Labour party.

    That’s what…give it a month or so though 🙂

    • Colonial Viper 18.1
      16 September 2013 at 9:23 pm

      Need you onboard to help hold Labour to account, and to set expectations that Labour must deliver on its promises.

  19. burt 19
    16 September 2013 at 6:41 pm

    What now … All existing staff from the old leader need to be given jobs by the new leader …. Or is it different for Labour and their policies are not to be applied to themselves ?

  20. Tim 20
    16 September 2013 at 6:50 pm

    “Cunliffe wins – now what?”

    It’s only just gone 24hours.

    I’d suggest we give the guy a break, and not subscribe to the 24hr news cycle or the 24hr party people syndrome – lest we repeat the sins of the MSM on alternative platforms.
    A good time to just have a lay down (even a cup of tea)
    A couple of days maybe …
    Let the bubblists sweat a little!

  21. Tanz 21
    16 September 2013 at 8:24 pm

    Key on Breakfast this morning, honestly, lame.
    Cunliffe is already much different from Shearer, much more in-charge and decisisive.
    This can only be good, I suppose.
    Key is far too self confident.

  22. vto 22
    16 September 2013 at 9:12 pm

    what now?

    well push towards a greater spread of the wealth

    for one thing

  23. xtasy 23
    16 September 2013 at 10:35 pm

    Now what? A decisive, early START of the election 2014 campaign, from the very early hours on Tuesday, 17 September 2013 onwards, until Key and Natzies are beaten and chased off the treasury benches!

    And make sure you have lots of garlic chains around your necks, to keep those nasty blood sucking vampires at bay (MSM and the likes).

  24. trickledrown 24
    17 September 2013 at 7:55 am

    99% of all scientific researchers agree global warming is happening.

    The 1% ters disagree!
    the very same people who are destroying our caring sharing society!

  25. Rodel 25
    17 September 2013 at 2:15 pm

    Now What?
    Heard from an MP’s spouse that with Cunliffe/Parker and a real team, the Nats can see the writing on the wall and are going for broke.

    Their time for sneaky little adjustments that people don’t notice has gone.

    Watch for a big increase in hasty right wing action as they try to mould New Zealand to suit their friends before the risk of 9 years out of power after the next election. i.e Meridian this month, Air NZ before Xmas.etc.etc.Kiwi bank?…

    I’m glad that parliament is sovereign and can undo legislation and repair the damage.
    I hope Cunliffe makes it clear that this could happen with a Labour government.

  26. Wayne (a different one) 26
    19 September 2013 at 12:58 pm

    Whats next?

    Well, firstly I’m going to sack all my staff (so much for the “workers” party).

    Then I’m going to kick all the “ABC’s” in the slats.

    Then I’m going to present a united & happy Labour Party to the country (Yeah Right)!

    • blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 26.1
      19 September 2013 at 1:34 pm

      Nonsense Wayne,

      Representing ‘workers’ doesn’t mean ‘anything goes’

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-26T19:48:01+00:00