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 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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
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 ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
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. ...
Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now she’s very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice – both in ...
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell.First published in 2022.The high school’s head girl and ...
Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or Returned Services Association.First published in 2018.When I was a boy cub I attended Anzac Day services in the South Auckland suburb of ...
A poem by Wellington writer Tayi Tibble.Hoki Mai She kisses him goodbye with her eyes still wet and alight from their last swim in the Awatere river. At the train station celebration, she leads the Kapa Haka but her voice keeps breaking under and over itself like waves. ...
A poem from Bill Manhire’s 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin.My World War I Poem Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging. Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum. ...
There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihan’s gorgeous and sad debut Kōhine, Noelle McCarthy’s memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend Ngāhuia te ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 25 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Australian teddy bear bees are cute and fluffy, but get a look at that massive (unbarbed) stinger! James Dorey Photography Most of us have been stung by a bee and we ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jen Roberts, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong Aussie~mobs/FlickrVictor Farr, a private in the 1st Infantry Battalion, was among the first to land at Anzac Cove just before dawn on April 25 1915. Victor Farr ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Gregory Moore I had the good fortune to care for the sugar gum at The University of Melbourne’s Burnley Gardens in Victoria where I worked for ...
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. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Ong ViforJ, ARC Future Fellow & Professor of Economics, Curtin University Just when we think the price of rentals could not get any worse, this week’s Rental Affordability Snapshot by Anglicare has revealed low-income Australians are facing a housing crisis like ...
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 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Holmes, Professorial Fellow in Sport, University of Canberra When the news broke last weekend that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive to a banned drug in early 2021 and were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games six months later ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cally Jetta, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead; College for First Nations, University of Southern Queensland Australian War MemorialAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people, as well as sensitive historical information ...
RNZ News Melissa Lee has been ousted from New Zealand’s coalition cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a reshuffle. Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts will take Lee’s spot in cabinet. Simmonds was a minister outside of cabinet. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University laurello/Shutterstock Some reports and popular books, such as Bill Gammage’s Biggest Estate on Earth, have argued that extensive areas of Australia’s forests were kept open through frequent burning by ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon framing the demotion of two ministers as the portfolios getting "too complex" is a charitable way of saying they weren't up to the job. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With Jim Chalmers’s third budget on May 14, Australians will be looking for some more cost-of-living relief – beyond the tax cuts – although they have been warned extra measures will be modest. As ...
Analysis: Melissa Lee has lost the media portfolio and her spot in Cabinet after multiple failed attempts to find solutions for a media industry in crisis. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced Lee would be losing her spot in Cabinet along with her media and communications ministerial portfolio. The job ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Wilmot, Senior Lecturer, Film, Deakin University Among the many Australian who served during the second world war, there is a small group of people whose stories remain largely untold. These are the Muslim men and women who, while small in number, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Saunders, PhD Candidate, University of Canberra There has been much analysis and praise of Justice Michael Lee’s recent judgement in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Channel Ten. Many people were openly relieved to read Lee’s “forensic” and “nuanced” application of law ...
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The Fairer Future coalition of anti-poverty groups say Whaikaha must be properly funded going forward, and that to argue that poor financial management of the new Ministry is a red herring by the Prime Minister. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is today congratulating Hon. Paul Goldsmith on his appointment as Minister for Media and Communications and urges him to rule out state intervention in the private media sector. ...
Asia Pacific Report The West Papuan resistance OPM leader has condemned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden, accusing their countries of “six decades of treachery” over Papuan independence. The open letter was released today by OPM chairman Jeffrey P Bomanak on the eve of ANZAC Day ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits and quirks of New Zealanders at large. This week: writer and one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024, Lauren Groff.The book I wish I’d writtenIf I wish I’d written a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Fechner, Research Fellow, Social Marketing, Griffith University mavo/Shutterstock Imagine having dinner at a restaurant. The menu offers plant-based meat alternatives made mostly from vegetables, mushrooms, legumes and wheat that mimic meat in taste, texture and smell. Despite being given that ...
“Three Strikes is a dead-end policy proposed by a dead-end government. The Three Strikes law ignores the causes of crime, instead just brutalising people already crushed by the cost of living.” ...
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Australian-born judge in Kiribati could well face deportation later this week after a tribunal ruling that he should be removed from his post. The tribunal’s report has just been tabled in the Kiribati Parliament and is due to be debated by MPs ...
With its clear mandate for police use, political nuances, and nuanced public trust, Denmark's insights provide valuable considerations for Australia and New Zealand. ...
Books editor Claire Mabey reviews poet Louise Wallace’s debut novel. A famous poet once said to me that he’s always suspicious when a poet publishes a novel. I never really understood why but maybe it’s something to do with cheating on your first form. Louise Wallace is a poet. She’s ...
For a few months at the turn of the millennium, TrueBliss burned bright as the biggest pop stars in the country. Alex Casey chats to two superfans who still hold the flame. During a humble backyard wedding in Nelson, 1999, one of the cordially invited guests had to excuse themselves ...
How will the recent wave of job cuts impact ethnic diversity in the media? In November last year, I was working a very busy day in the newsroom of a large online news site, interviewing whānau about their concerns over the imminent closure of one of the few puna reo ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Knight, Researcher, Queensland University of Technology Have you ever felt sick at work? Perhaps you had food poisoning or the flu. Your belly hurt, or you felt tired, making it hard to concentrate and be productive. How likely would you be ...
Despite heavy criticism and an ongoing select committee process, the Police Minister says the Government will forge ahead with a ban on gang patches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
A new survey says ‘outlook not great’ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
A leaked document shows the Canterbury/Waitaha arm of health agency Te Whatu Ora is scurrying to save $13.3 million by July. The “financial sustainability target”, which was “allocated” to Waitaha, is consistent with what’s happening in other districts, says Sarah Dalton, executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. ...
A look at the state of the previous government’s affordable housing scheme, and what could come next.Remind me: What’s KiwiBuild again?First announced in 2012, KiwiBuild was a flagship policy of the Labour Party heading into both its 2014 and 2017 election campaigns. With Jacinda Ardern as prime minister, ...
Labour in opposition will be shocked to learn which party had six years in power but squandered any chance to make real change. Grant Robertson’s valedictory speech was a predictably entertaining trip down memory lane. The acid-tongued incoming Otago University chancellor administered a sick burn to the coalition government. He ...
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).