Back to level pegging between the left and right on this poll.
The Greens should be happy with this result — everyone else has cause for concern.
Apart from TPM (which dropped slightly from the previous RM poll to 3%) – there are a lot of wasted votes for minor parties well under the 5% threshold.
However, taking that with a grain of salt, as previous RM polls appear to over-estimate minor party vote, compared to the average.
There’s a notable drop for both major parties, compared to the other October poll results. Which may mean that there’s a lot of volatility out there – with many voters not really committed to any party at this stage.
Also, it’s silly to link TPM in the results with National/ACT – they may be in opposition – but I don’t think there is any doubt which way they’d go, if it came down to a choice between left/right.
Still well under the 5% threshold. TBH – I don't see that they have any realistic chance of getting over it. Their one hope is to score an electorate win and coat-tail other MPs in.
if one is building a political party over time for the long haul (rather than just trying to get into parliament in an election), then an increase towards 5% is a good thing.
Yes, I was speaking in the context of the possible 2023 results.
I don't think that any minor party has managed to get into Parliament without coat-tailing on an electorate or a high-profile current politician (thinking here: ACT, NZF, TPM, United Future, Alliance (though that one was complicated with the multiple parties involved – Anderton had to be a big factor, so both electorate seat and high-profile pollie)
The Greens would be the possible exception. [I'm sure you know the history better than I]. They coat-tailed Anderton in on the Alliance ticket – but then stood separately at the next election, where they got 5% but also the Coromandel electorate.
So a borderline case.
Even then they hovered just above the 5% threshold for the next couple of elections – without the safety of an electorate seat – in what I'm sure was a very nervous time for the party leadership – before building up to a relatively 'safe' buffer.
The problem with bringing in a result around 3.5- 4.5% is that people who voted for you feel that their vote was wasted – and are less likely to risk that again next time around.
I think (and this is just me speculating) – that minor parties benfit (not thinking Green or ACT here – they're now mid-weight contenders) when there is a clear 'winner' in the election – and people feel safe to experiment ("I don't need to vote Labour, because they're going to win anyway, I can give TOP a chance"). The other time they benefit is when there is a strong moderate (or perceived as moderate) party (United Future or NZF) – and people can feel safe voting for them as a handbrake on the major party of choice.
Where, I don't think minor parties benefit – is when there is a close election (as 2023 is shaping up to be) with a pretty even split between the right and left blocs. People are likely to be really concerned over throwing their vote away on a party which doesn't even get into parliament – and this resulting in the 'wrong' outcome (e.g. TOP gets 3.5%, and Labour/Green fail to beat National/ACT by 2%). In that scenario, many people vote strategically – to get the best outcome they can, rather than the perfect one they might desire.
Of course, all bets are off, if the minor party has a good solid chance (through a deal or otherwise) at an electorate seat – in that case, every party vote will count – and people can feel confident going for the party they really want, rather than the second-best one which is likely to get in.
If he can't pick up support for National in these times, when will he ever?
Overall Morgan polls should be taken with a good serving of salt, especially for minor parties, but then again … there aren't any polls taken by anyone that say the public like Luxon.
Six leaders (English Bridges Muller Collins Luxon Willis?) in <6 years would smack of panic and desperation, so the puppeteers might decide to stick with Key’s anointed one.
In 4 years time, Luxon will have had the same amount of parliamentary experience as honest John had when he became our least politically experienced PM in modern times.
After all, what's the rush? Just think of how much more Luxon et al. will be able to promise they will repeal, during the 2026 general election campaign.
I've no idea what National will do about retaining Luxon as leader.
I think that they are in much the same situation (though polling slightly better) than Labour were in 2016-2017 with Little as leader. Even the departure of Key, didn't improve his leadership rating.
There are some politicians who – regardless of their merits – just fail to fire with the electorate on a personal level.
Perhaps they will roll Luxon in favour of someone with more electorate appeal (though they'd have to be darn sure that this was the case – the Muller debacle took a lot of heart out of the NP.).
One difference is that Little had enough self-awareness to realize that he wasn't connecting. The Labour caucus and Ardern didn't need to force him out (and she wouldn't have).
Luxon doesn't appear to have much self-awareness at all. He genuinely thinks he's good at this, when he so obviously isn't.
However, Little had been leader of Labour in Opposition for 2 years (2015-2016) with his approval figures at roughly the same figure (low teens) for the whole of that time It was only when they dropped even further, and showed no signs of rebounding when Key left (2017) – that I think he saw the writing on the wall.
In addition, he had Ardern, waiting in the wings, who clearly had that personal connection with the voters.
I don't see anyone else in the NP who has a similar spark at the moment.
So, Luxon, with approval ratings in the 20s – is probably a better bet for National, than an unknown.
Lowish personal popularity ratings are not historically unusual for a leader of the opposition. Helen Clark polled mostly in the 20s prior to her 1999 election victory – while the Labour Party was polling considerably higher – late 30s and early 40s.
I think that after the 'rockstar' leaders, Key and Ardern – we've become conditioned to expect high individual approval rates for leaders – but historically, these haven't been necessary to cement an election victory.
…but historically, these haven't been necessary to cement an election victory.
As you say, voter expectations have changed. Luxon's on avery steep learning curve and as weak as a bee's knee imo. He needs a tailwind – expect rumours.
Mmm. I was meaning that we as commentators have been conditioned, not that the electorate has.
Election polls have voters rating National considerably higher than Luxon – i.e. they're not put off voting for the party, because they're lukewarm about the leader.
It will be interesting to see how that plays out in practice in 2023.
NB: did a double-take and checked your ‘bee’s knees’ reference. Our family usage is positive. To say something is the bee’s knees means that it’s excellent or outstanding in some way. Not the meaning that I think you intended, here 😉
Mmm. I was meaning that we as commentators have been conditioned, not that the electorate has.
Mmm, are we commentators not part of the electorate?
"The bee's knee" reference isn’t positive – we see what we want to see
Whereas the phrase "the bees's knees" is a Johnny-come-lately, much like Luxon as the unprecedentedly inexperienced ‘leader’ of the opposition.
Etymology
Attested since 1922, of unclear origin. There are several suggested origins, but it most likely arose in imitation of the numerous animal-related nonsense phrases popular in the 1920s such as the cat's pyjamas, cat's whiskers, cat's meow, gnat's elbow, monkey's eyebrows etc.
A popular folk etymology has the phrase referring to the world champion dancer Bee Jackson. Another suggestion is that the phrase is a corruption of business but this may be a back-formation. The singular bee's knee is attested from the late 18th century meaning something small or insignificant in the phrase big as a bee's knee. Also as weak as a bee's knee is attested in Ireland (1870). It is possible that the bee's knees is a deliberate inversion of this meaning but is not attested.
It will indeed "be interesting to see how that plays out in practice in 2023", if Luxon has staying power within National – I sincerely hope he does.
Yes, I could see from the context that you weren't using 'Bee's knees' in a positive sense – I was simply pointing out that there are two, fairly contradictory, meanings. Nothing to do with perception. Simply language usage.
Commentators often raise issues, or draw inferences which are apparently invisible or unimportant to the general electorate.
A large chunk of voters are polling for National – regardless of whether or not they think Luxon would be the best PM.
The (observed) poll preferences don't seem to tie into the current narrative that a party needs a personally popular leader, in order to be elected.
If Luxon remains (and I'm not placing bets either way) – we may get to see that theory tested in 2023.
Yes, I could see from the context that you weren't using 'Bee's knees' in a positive sense – I was simply pointing out that there are two, fairly contradictory, meanings.
Thanks for pointing that out Belladonna, although if you had clicked on the link in my brief comment @4.1.1.1.1.1, then it might have become clear that I'm aware of the two meanings, whereas it appears that you were simply aware of one. Happy to raise awareness.
Commentators often raise issues, or draw inferences which are apparently invisible or unimportant to the general electorate.
Indeed. Whether Luxon’s unprecedented lack of political experience, and the impact of that lack of experience on his performance as ‘leader’ of the opposition, proves “unimportant to the general electorate” only time will tell. I certainly hope he remains leader of the opposition National party for the foreseeable, however long that might be.
I would have been content with her remaining 'leader' of the opposition into her dotage, but it was not to be.
And I’ll admit to being worried when Chris, honest John's anoited one, was elevated to leader barely a year after entering Parliament.
In recent months, however, my worries have flown – a lesser millstone for the Gnats Chris be may, but a millstone nevertheless. Couldn’t have said this about JuDarth, but Chris being as weak as a bee's knee makes him the dog's bollocks – just the mutt's nuts, imho.
(As a child, I conflated it with "busy as a bee" and concluded that for a busy bee good knees would be incredibly important. Hence, bees knees was associated with being useful, and perfectly fit for purpose)
Now that my knees are not-as-fit-for-purpose, I wouldn't mind a couple of bees' knees knees. Please.
Don't know about Luxi's knees, but as a politician he's "as weak as a bee's knee" and daft as a brush, imho. He'll be sick as a parrot that he's failed to fire with the electorate – I sincerely hope cLux hangs in there.
I clicked your “parrot” link somehow expecting the Dead Parrot sketch from Monty Python, but found it circled back to a relevant but not comedic comment about sick parrots.
Which is all good, but just not funny.
For those, who like me, now want some comedic relief:
It's not believable: in the light of media reports of deaths caused due to excessive wait times; and, from the misery which results in extended wait times for seriously unwell people in an environment which is not designed for long-term care.
It quite simply makes him look out of touch with the issue and with reality.
Zurich (AFP) – Roughly three-quarters of people who have bought bitcoin have lost money according to a study published Monday as the cryptocurrency sector reels from the collapse of a major exchange that has sapped confidence.
It has been like a housing market, but despite periodic corrections, there are still yet more people to buy in and inflate the price (of land/netcoin).
Similarly the share market goes up because of the baby boomer saving for retirement, this can only be sustained by replacement investment from offshore/or migrants.
The "food" pyramid has the "carnivore" at the top for a reason. The herd is the prey.
But each round of musical chairs is one closer to the Titanic market collapse.
If there is the technology available then perhaps farmers could look at buying one of these, or collectively (heaven forbid!)
I saw the article and thought here is a farmer heavily involved in BAU, cross fingers and the notion that plant it and they will come.
The article is a modest look at how moving ahead can help the country. In a tight employment situation rather than hoping that workers will magically appear why not cut our cloth to reflect the ability to hire workers within NZ without having to resort to immigration. We could allow a modest number of RSE workers for the hard to mechanise crop harvesting and to recognise NZ's relationship with the Pacific countries they come from.
I'd love to read of a farmer in this situation, even though borne of short-sightedness, make the crop available for the likes of those supporting community pantries, food boxes……..
I some how think that people would work for nothing, supervised but working hours to suit if the produce was gathered for needy people.
PS perhaps the farmer could also look at the type of lettuce crop. I have noticed a trend away, at least in the two supermarkets I go to, from lettuce heads and more towards the leaf crop shown in the harvesting machine.
In dairy farming there are milking machines that identify the milk production of each cow. It gives the farmer better information and the cows wander in for milking all by themselves (and seem to prefer this, easier for them and takes less time).
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The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
“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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 - ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
I was initially resistant to the idea often suggested to me that the Government should deliver an arts strategy. The whole point of the arts and creativity is that people should do whatever the hell they want, unbound by the dictates of politicians in Wellington. Peter Jackson, Kiri Te Kanawa, Eleanor ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the country’s major TV network of broadcasting “propaganda” backing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to men’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
The sector says it’s hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action, 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 ...
The government can't just rely on axing public sector jobs and has to do more to cut spending, says the chief economist at a free market think tank. ...
Rock The Vote NZ, known for its advocacy for minor party unity and its role within the Freedoms NZ Coalition during the 2023 General Election, celebrates this merger as a strategic enhancement of its operational strength and outreach. ...
Nearly everyone has experienced the frustration of something you use breaking and being difficult or expensive to fix. Proposed legislation could change that. It’s been raining on and off all Sunday afternoon but people are lining up outside a building in a corner of Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham, Auckland. In ...
What does a forever relationship look like when you don’t believe in marriage? And how do you celebrate it? This essay is part of our Sunday Essay series, made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.I’m going to do it, right now. I’m going to say ...
The Prime Minister has committed to resuming direct flights to Thailand. But it’s not a promise he will be able to deliver on anytime soon. The post Prime Minister jumps the gun in Thailand appeared first on Newsroom. ...
It’s not that long ago Eliza McCartney was seriously wondering if the Paris Olympics would be her pole vaulting swansong. After years of being hounded by injury after injury, the Rio Olympics bronze medallist was still confident she would compete at her second Olympics in Paris in July, unless something ...
FICTION 1 Take Two by Danielle Hawkins (Allen & Unwin, $36.99) There’s commercial fiction, like this book, and then there’s quality fiction, quality writers, quality literature; the forthcoming Auckland Writers Festival is full of quality, and ReadingRoom has two tickets to give away to the following events: Paul Lynch (Dublin ...
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You can’t have missed the Gallipoli story as the movies, documentaries, essays and books capture what it was like for New Zealand troops in their eight-month campaign on the Peninsula. But this Anzac Day the Auckland War Memorial Museum has published a book that sheds light on a little-known aspect of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the free-for-all between the Australian government and Big Tech boss Elon Musk this week, the government had to be on a winner. Most people would have little sympathy with Musk’s vociferous opposition to ...
Asia Pacific Report Chief Mandla Mandela, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla in istanbul as the ships prepare to sail for Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. Mandela is also the ambassador for the Global Campaign to Return to ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Pōneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealand’s complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magdalena M.E. Bunbury, Postdoctoral Researcher, James Cook University Burial with a horse at the Rákóczifalva site, Hungary (8th century AD).Sándor Hegedűs, Hungarian National Museum, CC BY How do we understand past societies? For centuries, our main sources of information have been ...
Amanda Thompson doesn’t really do Anzac Day. But what she does do is remember the people she knew who had a lifetime to remember stuff they didn’t really want to, because of a war they didn’t ask for. And she does make Anzac biscuits.First published in 2021.All my ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Willis, Postdoctoral Researcher, CSIRO Xavier Boulenger/Shutterstock In the two decades to 2019, global plastic production doubled. By 2040, plastic manufacturing and processing could consume as much as 20% of global oil production and use up 15% of the annual carbon ...
With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace. ...
Principal reasons for the opposition is the loss of the public’s democratic right to have “a fair say” and the vital need for a government free from corruption, said Casey Cravens of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater ...
Never mind the scoreboard – in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff.First published in 2016. The dawn of the new millennium was a dark time for the All Blacks. Their final game pre-Y2K was a 22-18 loss to South Africa in the ...
I’m on the wrong side of 40, I never pursued creative work and now my job is killing my soul. Help! Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,May I start with the least original conversation opener you’re likely to hear around the motu at the moment, particularly in Wellington: ...
“Never again - No AUKUS” was the message of the wreath laid at this morning’s national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
Sickening.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/14/iran-court-issues-first-death-sentence-for-protests
Latest Roy Morgan Poll
Labour/Greens 44.5%
National/Act 44.5%.
National 32%
Labour 29%
Greens 15.5%
Act 12.5%.
New Zealand First 3.5%
Maori Party 3%
The Opportunities Party 3%
New Conservative Party 0.5%
https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/9114-nz-national-voting-intention-october-2022
Back to level pegging between the left and right on this poll.
The Greens should be happy with this result — everyone else has cause for concern.
Apart from TPM (which dropped slightly from the previous RM poll to 3%) – there are a lot of wasted votes for minor parties well under the 5% threshold.
However, taking that with a grain of salt, as previous RM polls appear to over-estimate minor party vote, compared to the average.
There’s a notable drop for both major parties, compared to the other October poll results. Which may mean that there’s a lot of volatility out there – with many voters not really committed to any party at this stage.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_next_New_Zealand_general_election
Also, it’s silly to link TPM in the results with National/ACT – they may be in opposition – but I don’t think there is any doubt which way they’d go, if it came down to a choice between left/right.
TOP would be happy too wouldn't they?
Still well under the 5% threshold. TBH – I don't see that they have any realistic chance of getting over it. Their one hope is to score an electorate win and coat-tail other MPs in.
if one is building a political party over time for the long haul (rather than just trying to get into parliament in an election), then an increase towards 5% is a good thing.
Yes, I was speaking in the context of the possible 2023 results.
I don't think that any minor party has managed to get into Parliament without coat-tailing on an electorate or a high-profile current politician (thinking here: ACT, NZF, TPM, United Future, Alliance (though that one was complicated with the multiple parties involved – Anderton had to be a big factor, so both electorate seat and high-profile pollie)
The Greens would be the possible exception. [I'm sure you know the history better than I]. They coat-tailed Anderton in on the Alliance ticket – but then stood separately at the next election, where they got 5% but also the Coromandel electorate.
So a borderline case.
Even then they hovered just above the 5% threshold for the next couple of elections – without the safety of an electorate seat – in what I'm sure was a very nervous time for the party leadership – before building up to a relatively 'safe' buffer.
The problem with bringing in a result around 3.5- 4.5% is that people who voted for you feel that their vote was wasted – and are less likely to risk that again next time around.
I think (and this is just me speculating) – that minor parties benfit (not thinking Green or ACT here – they're now mid-weight contenders) when there is a clear 'winner' in the election – and people feel safe to experiment ("I don't need to vote Labour, because they're going to win anyway, I can give TOP a chance"). The other time they benefit is when there is a strong moderate (or perceived as moderate) party (United Future or NZF) – and people can feel safe voting for them as a handbrake on the major party of choice.
Where, I don't think minor parties benefit – is when there is a close election (as 2023 is shaping up to be) with a pretty even split between the right and left blocs. People are likely to be really concerned over throwing their vote away on a party which doesn't even get into parliament – and this resulting in the 'wrong' outcome (e.g. TOP gets 3.5%, and Labour/Green fail to beat National/ACT by 2%). In that scenario, many people vote strategically – to get the best outcome they can, rather than the perfect one they might desire.
Of course, all bets are off, if the minor party has a good solid chance (through a deal or otherwise) at an electorate seat – in that case, every party vote will count – and people can feel confident going for the party they really want, rather than the second-best one which is likely to get in.
Clock ticks for Luxon …
Latest poll (Roy Morgan)
(posted same time as Fireblade)
If he can't pick up support for National in these times, when will he ever?
Overall Morgan polls should be taken with a good serving of salt, especially for minor parties, but then again … there aren't any polls taken by anyone that say the public like Luxon.
Please keep him, National. (Bet they won't).
Six leaders (English Bridges Muller Collins Luxon Willis?) in <6 years would smack of panic and desperation, so the puppeteers might decide to stick with Key’s anointed one.
In 4 years time, Luxon will have had the same amount of parliamentary experience as honest John had when he became our least politically experienced PM in modern times.
After all, what's the rush? Just think of how much more Luxon et al. will be able to promise they will repeal, during the 2026 general election campaign.
I've no idea what National will do about retaining Luxon as leader.
I think that they are in much the same situation (though polling slightly better) than Labour were in 2016-2017 with Little as leader. Even the departure of Key, didn't improve his leadership rating.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_2017_New_Zealand_general_election#Preferred_Prime_Minister
There are some politicians who – regardless of their merits – just fail to fire with the electorate on a personal level.
Perhaps they will roll Luxon in favour of someone with more electorate appeal (though they'd have to be darn sure that this was the case – the Muller debacle took a lot of heart out of the NP.).
One difference is that Little had enough self-awareness to realize that he wasn't connecting. The Labour caucus and Ardern didn't need to force him out (and she wouldn't have).
Luxon doesn't appear to have much self-awareness at all. He genuinely thinks he's good at this, when he so obviously isn't.
I agree that Luxon shows no signs of leaving.
However, Little had been leader of Labour in Opposition for 2 years (2015-2016) with his approval figures at roughly the same figure (low teens) for the whole of that time It was only when they dropped even further, and showed no signs of rebounding when Key left (2017) – that I think he saw the writing on the wall.
In addition, he had Ardern, waiting in the wings, who clearly had that personal connection with the voters.
I don't see anyone else in the NP who has a similar spark at the moment.
So, Luxon, with approval ratings in the 20s – is probably a better bet for National, than an unknown.
Lowish personal popularity ratings are not historically unusual for a leader of the opposition. Helen Clark polled mostly in the 20s prior to her 1999 election victory – while the Labour Party was polling considerably higher – late 30s and early 40s.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_1999_New_Zealand_general_election
I think that after the 'rockstar' leaders, Key and Ardern – we've become conditioned to expect high individual approval rates for leaders – but historically, these haven't been necessary to cement an election victory.
As you say, voter expectations have changed. Luxon's on a very steep learning curve and as weak as a bee's knee imo. He needs a tailwind – expect rumours.
Mmm. I was meaning that we as commentators have been conditioned, not that the electorate has.
Election polls have voters rating National considerably higher than Luxon – i.e. they're not put off voting for the party, because they're lukewarm about the leader.
It will be interesting to see how that plays out in practice in 2023.
NB: did a double-take and checked your ‘bee’s knees’ reference. Our family usage is positive. To say something is the bee’s knees means that it’s excellent or outstanding in some way. Not the meaning that I think you intended, here 😉
Mmm, are we commentators not part of the electorate?
"The bee's knee" reference isn’t positive – we see what we want to see
Whereas the phrase "the bees's knees" is a Johnny-come-lately, much like Luxon as the unprecedentedly inexperienced ‘leader’ of the opposition.
It will indeed "be interesting to see how that plays out in practice in 2023", if Luxon has staying power within National – I sincerely hope he does.
Yes, I could see from the context that you weren't using 'Bee's knees' in a positive sense – I was simply pointing out that there are two, fairly contradictory, meanings. Nothing to do with perception. Simply language usage.
Commentators often raise issues, or draw inferences which are apparently invisible or unimportant to the general electorate.
A large chunk of voters are polling for National – regardless of whether or not they think Luxon would be the best PM.
The (observed) poll preferences don't seem to tie into the current narrative that a party needs a personally popular leader, in order to be elected.
If Luxon remains (and I'm not placing bets either way) – we may get to see that theory tested in 2023.
Thanks for pointing that out Belladonna, although if you had clicked on the link in my brief comment @4.1.1.1.1.1, then it might have become clear that I'm aware of the two meanings, whereas it appears that you were simply aware of one. Happy to raise awareness.
Indeed. Whether Luxon’s unprecedented lack of political experience, and the impact of that lack of experience on his performance as ‘leader’ of the opposition, proves “unimportant to the general electorate” only time will tell. I certainly hope he remains leader of the opposition National party for the foreseeable, however long that might be.
Yes. Clearly I was only aware of one.
Hence my comment "did a double-take and checked your ‘bee’s knees’ reference."
I'm surprised, that, if you were aware of two, you chose to use such an ambiguous phrase.
Perhaps your awareness has also been raised.
It’s a lovely thought, but in regard to the phrases “as weak as a bee’s knee” and “the bee’s knees“, my awarenes is unaltered.
I'm surprised you're so easily surprised – hope they're not all bad.
Re apparent "ambiguity" of the phrase "as weak as a bee's knee" [btw that's Luxon – as weak as a bee's knee], it's in the eye of the beholder
As a lefty voter, it's true that I was devastated when JuDarth's 'leadership' of the Gnats imploded a little under a year ago.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/27/the-era-of-judith-crusher-collins-ends-in-a-blaze-of-fury
I would have been content with her remaining 'leader' of the opposition into her dotage, but it was not to be.
And I’ll admit to being worried when Chris, honest John's anoited one, was elevated to leader barely a year after entering Parliament.
In recent months, however, my worries have flown – a lesser millstone for the Gnats Chris be may, but a millstone nevertheless. Couldn’t have said this about JuDarth, but Chris being as weak as a bee's knee makes him the dog's bollocks – just the mutt's nuts, imho.
Bee's knees is used similarly in our family.
(As a child, I conflated it with "busy as a bee" and concluded that for a busy bee good knees would be incredibly important. Hence, bees knees was associated with being useful, and perfectly fit for purpose)
Now that my knees are not-as-fit-for-purpose, I wouldn't mind a couple of bees' knees knees. Please.
Don't know about Luxi's knees, but as a politician he's "as weak as a bee's knee" and daft as a brush, imho. He'll be sick as a parrot that he's failed to fire with the electorate – I sincerely hope cLux hangs in there.
I clicked your “parrot” link somehow expecting the Dead Parrot sketch from Monty Python, but found it circled back to a relevant but not comedic comment about sick parrots.
Which is all good, but just not funny.
For those, who like me, now want some comedic relief:
https://youtu.be/vZw35VUBdzo
Thanks Molly for the confirmation that bees knees isn't just local to my family – but is much wider throughout NZ.
This kind of soundbite really doesn't do Little, or the government any favours:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/130480284/eds-totally-safe-despite-ballooning-wait-times-minister-says
It's not believable: in the light of media reports of deaths caused due to excessive wait times; and, from the misery which results in extended wait times for seriously unwell people in an environment which is not designed for long-term care.
It quite simply makes him look out of touch with the issue and with reality.
Fools and their money.
Zurich (AFP) – Roughly three-quarters of people who have bought bitcoin have lost money according to a study published Monday as the cryptocurrency sector reels from the collapse of a major exchange that has sapped confidence.
https://www.rfi.fr/en/business-and-tech/20221114-three-out-of-four-bitcoin-investors-have-lost-money-study
It has been like a housing market, but despite periodic corrections, there are still yet more people to buy in and inflate the price (of land/netcoin).
Similarly the share market goes up because of the baby boomer saving for retirement, this can only be sustained by replacement investment from offshore/or migrants.
The "food" pyramid has the "carnivore" at the top for a reason. The herd is the prey.
But each round of musical chairs is one closer to the Titanic market collapse.
And not every rose survives. Some get burnt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQxV7ojsk9M
Then one could be a sub contractor on a Trump development, or invest in Truth Social.
Some farmer employs 100 people each year to harvest lettuces. He ploughed back 300,000 lettuce heads recently because of a lack of workers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxAaKpRMOTw
If there is the technology available then perhaps farmers could look at buying one of these, or collectively (heaven forbid!)
I saw the article and thought here is a farmer heavily involved in BAU, cross fingers and the notion that plant it and they will come.
The article is a modest look at how moving ahead can help the country. In a tight employment situation rather than hoping that workers will magically appear why not cut our cloth to reflect the ability to hire workers within NZ without having to resort to immigration. We could allow a modest number of RSE workers for the hard to mechanise crop harvesting and to recognise NZ's relationship with the Pacific countries they come from.
I'd love to read of a farmer in this situation, even though borne of short-sightedness, make the crop available for the likes of those supporting community pantries, food boxes……..
I some how think that people would work for nothing, supervised but working hours to suit if the produce was gathered for needy people.
PS perhaps the farmer could also look at the type of lettuce crop. I have noticed a trend away, at least in the two supermarkets I go to, from lettuce heads and more towards the leaf crop shown in the harvesting machine.
In dairy farming there are milking machines that identify the milk production of each cow. It gives the farmer better information and the cows wander in for milking all by themselves (and seem to prefer this, easier for them and takes less time).