Are the Right trying to set up The Greens a scapegoat and Peters as a dangerous trouble-maker, then call on the country to reject the rules around MMP and instead crown National as the Right & True Government?
“The Greens’ environmental policies, on the other hand, would require National to actually seriously challenge farm owners, drilling/mining companies, and other capitalists. Currently the costs of these capitalists’ activities are largely falling on the environment, and therefore on the present and future public. The Greens want to stop these business activities destroying our shared home by preventing and internalising these external costs. They’ll ban some unjustifiably polluting business activities, such as drilling or mining or exploring for more fossil fuels at a time when even burning the fossil fuels already dug up will make the Paris target impossible. They’ll tax other business activities for their pollution—making those who produce the costs pay the costs, instead of externalising them. And they’ll use the tax revenue to clean up the damage and to subsidise farmers and other businesses moving to more sustainable ways of doing business.
Do you really see National doing that? The party whose base is farm owners and other capitalists? The party that think climate change is only an issue for “elites”, and that it’s not a “pressing concern”, and that we should adapt to climate change rather than mitigating it? The party who scaremongered on a small water tax for some big farms that are currently destroying the quality of Aotearoa’s awa and wai?”
That’s just the greens, I can imagine the gnashing of teeth when Labour clamp down on the free loading, property portfolio owning, tax manipulating land lords.
We will need compassion for our capitalist brethren, of right and left persuasion.
Sorry to hog the thread, only, I’m in full research mode right now 🙂
“National’s focus on having a strong economy prevents them from having any interest in what is fundamental to the Greens, which is sustainability and fairness. The challenge in forming this kind of coalition is that there would have to be a shift in the essence of their being.”
Nice. Although I would stay that the Greens want a strong economy where strength comes from sustainability and resiliency, and National want a perpetual growth until it falls over economy
Actually developing the economy costs and thus lowers profits. And it most definitely needs everyone working which would raise wages which also cuts profits.
There is no way for National’s economic management to actually work because everything that needs to be done cuts profits. And National only ever works to maximise profits while cutting costs.
There is a petition going:
“Show your support for the idea of a National/Green govt.” 6,000 signed up.
Reckon they were the desperate Nats?
And another one:
“We don’t support your water tax because:
“You can’t tell us what the impact of the tax will be on food producers, jobs, communities & food prices
You are only taxing……
UPDATE: we have surveyed irrigators and found that a water tax could lead to many arable, sheep and beef farms converting to more intensive farming like dairy and that farmers would reduce spending in rural communities to pay for the tax.”
5,011 signed up. Same folk as in the first petition?
Shall we tell that the Election is over?
lol..all very aspirational and just like current policy settings …Farrar kite flying by request no doubt….only one thing needed to know…..National lie.
Billshit – remember bill lying by omission when Todd declared that there is no recording and Bill each day there watching the misleading and putting his shameful head down? That list is more of that shit behaviour.
Farrar spins propaganda for the National Party for a living. What makes you think any of that list is real?
And even if it was, National can’t be trusted.
But thanks, because I think that list demonstrates very clearly that National don’t want to end poverty or clean up rivers, but they are willing to sell some policy to gain power. So they can keep running a poverty economy and destroying the environment.
Excellent Chris, if you believe any of it, I have a bridge you may like to buy.
Conveniently located in Auckland, many lanes, chance to expand,great views…
All of it? No. Some it? Absolutely, I mean the cycleways alone can be linked to greater tourism possibilities so thats an easy one, predator freer NZ is also easy as its only 65 million, children in poverty well Bill pledged something similar so that wouldn’t take much
All of which would be more than the Greens have achieved in over 20 years
smoke and mirrors…cycleways are already included in nat policy, as is the predator free and the climate target is already not going to met so increasing it just means it wont be met by more…now about that bridge…….
The cycleways? The ones we were promised from the 2009 job summit would create jobs and address the layoffs from GFC? You guys keep letting them retell you they are going to do something, you get excited, they do nothing, and when pushed, repeat it
Does beg the question, would the Greens achieve more in one deal with National then they have over the last 21 years and i think the answer would be yes and that includes when Labour had the opportunity to have the Greens in power and whatever concessions the Greens achieve is good for the country, isn’t it?
Perhaps just encourage National to formulate some effective and sustainable pro-environment policies – good luck with that.
If I had a week to spare I would start compiling a list of the posts/comments extolling the ‘advantages’ of a National-Green alliance: would make an excellent soporific. Nodding off now…
Christchurch Transport Plan
Clean water, great farming
South Taranaki Whale Sanctuary
Turning trash into cash
Wellington Transport Plan
Auckland Transport Plan
Thriving Nature
Protecting drinking water
Empowering NZ
Tourism Levy
Safer, cleaner freight
2015 Climate Action – Yes we can!
Climate Impact Disclosure Statement
Public Finance (Sustainable Development Indicators) Amendment Bill
Clean Groundwater Bill
Regional rail: connecting Manawatū and Hawke’s Bay
No, it doesn’t, though you’d have us believe otherwise; * thinks, shall I drink this goblet of hemlock juice? I’m ever so thirsty and this is the first drink I’ve been offered in ages!
Even if Lab/NZ1 go it alone, whatever they would do on their own would still be better than the “concessions” from the nats. Not the same, but better overall.
The only thing they’ve achieved in 21 years is some insulation in homes, isn’t the point of being in parliament that you get to do some of the things you want to do?
No, the point of being in parliament is that the things you want done get done.
When you don’t care about the credit, they’ve achieved a lot more than that.
The Greens played a significant role in NZ poverty being recognised, counted and now even reduction targets being included as national party election policy. In making water quality an election issue that the nats are the only ones holding back on. In making the housing crisis a recognised problem.
They didn’t do that by accepting “compromises” that included largely what the nats were going to do anyway.
Pffffffft Jacinda wasn’t a feature at the previous election and The Greens done good 🙂 And the election before that, and before that. Chris, your reckons are feeble.
Obviously, making her leader was far more than a cosmetic change, she completely reversed the public dialogue on half a dozen major election issues all by herself.
Credit where credits due she did a pretty impressive job, not quite enough to topple English but from where she started to now was not a bad effort at all
She just needs to shore up on the economy and she’ll be near on unstoppable in 2020
Best and most likely case they go with National, worst case we have Lab/NZFirst/Greens but most likely (of the worst situation) is Lab/NZFirst with a severely neutered Greens, I dunno C & S or something
And yet ended on 36.5%, roughly the same figures David Shearer was polling before he got rolled years ago…..come on, she fizzled out when it came down to it.
Why do you even want the Greens in govt when you voted National and the recent leader considers them looine left wing activists? Is it so you can be on the “winning” team. Greens reasons for not going with Nat is clear. There have been so many posts on it with people like you asking and saying the same things over and over again. By all means disagree with it but doing the online version of holding up your hands and wailing “but why. But why” is redundant.
Start an open mike chat with Wayne. Then you can both say the same thing over and over to each other and see at which number of repetition the Greens say “god chris, you are right”
What about cycleways … don’t really recall what happened the last nine years… perhaps a bit of dishonesty along the way, oh, and poisoned waterways, and “50 K” in poverty
Why would they be satisfied with a few paltry concessions – when the long term game is to keep getting the message out there and to make right-wing ideology unthinkable? (Overton’s window and all that.)
Well thats one way of thinking but while that happens, another 20 years maybe, thats a lot of wasted time
The longest journey may begin with a single step but that step still needs to be taken and even if they didn’t reach an agreement with National it would still mean Labour would have to negotiate with the Greens and not take them for granted
While you are going all Confucius on us try ruminating on the cost of lying to keep power, and how it ruins trust in future relationships required to coexist in govt.
I feel a bit sorry for the Nats and their supporters: short of a majority, no natural support parties left, and increasingly out of touch with reality….
I’ve changed my mind the Greens are fucking hopeless, National shouldn’t even bother.
The best thing going forward is they do Cand P for a Lab/NZ First, that way they’ll drop under 5% in 2020 and then NZ will be rid of the useless pricks and a decent flexible, cross-party like TOP can take its place.
You guys have National derangement syndrome, you’d prefer to suck up and work with a xenophobic ultra-conservative party like NZ First then deal with a party that’s basically continued on from where Helen Clarks Labour left off.
The logical disconnect does my head, It’s so fucking ridiculous, as I said the sooner the Greens are gone the better, you’re just getting in the way of a decent functioning MMP system.
Really though, BM, you sound like a baby diplodocus, left behind in the swamp, bawling, while mummy diplodicus browses the tree tops.
Have you no pride?
And you think that calling them infantile will make Green party members reading your comments want to vote for a coalition agreement with the nats, just to prove how machua they rooly are?
After nine years in government, you guys still think that gaining a coalition partner involves the “negging” date technique so popular among male young nats.
“You guys have National derangement syndrome, you’d prefer to suck up and work with a xenophobic ultra-conservative party like NZ First then deal with a party that’s basically continued on from where Helen Clarks Labour left off.
The logical disconnect does my head, It’s so fucking ridiculous, as I said the sooner the Greens are gone the better, you’re just getting in the way of a decent functioning MMP system.”
Lol, the new Crosby Textor memo. National are basically Helen Clark. The Greens ruin MMP.
Not enough 🙄 🙄 for that.
Pretty sure you’re not supposed to be so tetchy with it though.
The only religious zealotry that has place in an MMP environment is allowed in the National Party as espoused by the double dipper from Dipton Mr. Bill English – especially when it comes to the right of a women to choose. Then of course religious zealotry is a sign of devout piousness and no one is more pious then the double dipper from Dipton, after all confession on Saturday, taking mess on Sunday and then its all good for another week. Right?
Neoliberal economics may be a travesty of religion, but it is the closest thing to a Church that Americans have thesedays, replete with its Inquisition operating out of the universities of Chicago, Harvard and Columbia.
was it not just this year that Blinglish invoked his faith in regards to the ‘criminal’ act of abortion that forces women in this country to literally declare themselves mentally unwell in order to receive an abortion?
As a centre right voter, I admit id prefer for Winston to go with Labour and the Greens, im sick of all his nonsense. Let the three of them try to govern for the next term, oh what fun that will be…..they deserve each other.
No. When you have the chance for power you always take it because you never whats going to happen later and even if what you say comes to pass then NZ will suffer for it.
Just cannot cope with not knowing if you are on the winning team BM? Try to lure them over and then resort to name calling when they dont do what you want?
They have got over the 5% thrrshold every time since 1999.
Surely now that the votes have come in and there is now a waiting period for the overseas vote to come in – then there should be a limbo period where the MSM and other vested interests should be kept out of any news, electronic and newspapers.
Once the completed votes have been counted then that’s the time to sit and wait patiently until a new government can be formed. The way its carrying on is absolutely a disgrace. Maybe the Governor General should step in and inform all the hysteric much rakers to just keep the hell out of it – a government will be formed – let the voters have their say as a democratic society decrees.
There should be no persuading, leaning, goading and deciding what and who should be doing what – the electorate must be absolutely sick to death of it – the MSM seriously needs a rein in. Our family have completely turned off all MSM and now get videos out and watch overseas content online. How many other people have had a guts full of mouthy “no it alls” who spout heaps and know nothing.
I saw them play in pretty much the same spot but facing the other way (and without the camera), must have been 1981. Don’t Point That Thing at Me drifting across the Square, fucking awesome.
Hugh Hefner non-consensually published nudes that endangered Marilyn Monroe's career & then purchased the right to be buried with her corpse— Sady Doyle (@sadydoyle) September 28, 2017
A serious organised criminal group has come to power in Crimea, Ilmi Umerov said after being sentenced to two years in prison. https://t.co/ckrIqSwaYQ— X Soviet (@XSovietNews) September 27, 2017
(Kyiv) – A Russian court in Crimea on September 27, 2017, convicted a prominent Crimean Tatar leader on bogus separatism charges following an unfair trial, Human Rights Watch said today.
The court imposed a two-year prison sentence and banned Ilmi Umerov, the Crimean Tatar leader, from involvement in public activities, which includes contact with the media, for two years. The sentence is harsher than the three-year suspended sentence sought by the prosecution. Russian authorities should take the necessary steps to have Umerov’s two-year prison sentence set aside, and stop persecuting him and other Crimean Tatars for their peaceful opposition to Russia’s occupation of Crimea.
And the speculation continues, what a crack up this 2-week wait is. As I type the political panel comes on radiolive, hard case, at least Rodney and Chris have a clue, I very much enjoy their segment on Thursday nights.
The real election horror is this seasons American Horror Story, now that’s some twisted trump/clinton based storyline, bravo to the writers
I have recently shifted (retired) back to my childhood and early adult region – the Waikato after 40 years of living in Auckland, in both National and Labour seats, latterly Mt Albert, Waitakere and finally Te Atatu electoral districts. Of course Waikato is just sooooo blue, one could pin a blue rosette to a rabid dog running down Broadway in Matamata and the locals would gladly vote for it. I attended a couple of meetings prior to the election to see what the candidates were made of – it was indeed an interesting exercise. The Nat guy came across as such a self-entitled, arrogant, born to rule Tory, I suspect he has a long career as part of their cabal if he so chooses. The other candidates were an interesting group – they’ll be all the wiser for their experience, if they so decide to have another crack next time, particularly Brooke Loader, who stood for Labour. I hope she recalls that Helen Clark stood in the same electorate, then Piako in 1975 and then went on to greater heights. I read today that the N Z First candidate, who was interesting to observe in his naivety, but total dedication to his party, did not only have that bloody Myrtle tractor run over his foot at that National Party/Farmers’ rally at Morrinsville prior to the election, but has been attacked and mocked about his misfortune at his various farming ventures. I’m not in any shape or form a N Z First supporter, but can’t help feeling for Stu Husband. I recall Ed Hillary stating many years ago – probably at the time he was part of the ‘Citizens for Rowling’ campaign, that we needed a few ‘honest to God politicians’ in Wellington to bring some reality to politics. https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/97324748/farmer-candidate-abused-by-my-own-people
Hey there Jilly, thanks for the link, crikey that was an eye opener of a read, so was your post.
One thing I’ve come to realise is that bullying is rife in most sectors of NZ society, put-downs and intimidation usually from those with a lack of knowledge or understanding on particular subjects and its freaking disgusting.
I strongly feel this bullying behaviour as demonstrated by the actions of protesting farmers outlined in your link and a particular political party is one of the factors in our devastatingly high suicide rates.
One of the reasons I lean left is because the opposition parties value people over personal power trips, made clear by how they’ve interacted this election.
“Local Māori and conservationists have claimed the right to access a Northland river today – by driving though the middle of a working dairy farm.
The farm belongs to Northland Regional Council chairman Bill Shepherd.
Northland Environmental Protection Society, Fiona Furrell, opined that …”It gives the only public access to this part of the river; to the waterfalls and the rapids. Kayakers and young people into adventure sports would love it.”
She said in its earlier days the Wairua River and its rapids had been singled out for praise by the American adventurer and sports fisherman Zane Grey.
On the riverbank where his ancestors used to camp and wait for the eels to come down the river in autumn, Mr Ruka eyed the fast-flowing Wairua and choked up a little.
He said all over the country, Māori and Pākehā had been shut out of riversides like this one because of land development …
by Molten Moira from Motueka If you want to be a woman let me tell you what to do Get a piece of paper and a biro tooWrite down your new identification And boom! You’re now a woman of this nationSpelled W O M A Na real trans woman that isAs opposed ...
Buzz from the Beehive New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti is hosting the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers for three days from today, welcoming Education Ministers and senior officials from 18 Pacific Island countries and territories, and from Australia. Here’s hoping they have brought translators with them – or ...
Let’s say you’ve come all the way from His Majesty’s United Kingdom to share with the folk of Australia and New Zealand your antipathy towards certain other human beings. And let’s say you call yourself a women’s rights activist.And let’s say 99 out of 100 people who listen to you ...
James Shaw gave the Green party's annual "state of the planet" address over the weekend, in which he expressed frustration with Labour for not doing enough on climate change. His solution is to elect more Green MPs, so they have more power within any government arrangement, and can hold Labour ...
RNZ this morning has the first story another investigative series by Guyon Espiner, this time into political lobbying. The first story focuses on lobbying by government agencies, specifically transpower, Pharmac, and assorted universities, and how they use lobbyists to manipulate public opinion and gather intelligence on the Ministers who oversee ...
Nick Matzke writes – Dear NZ Herald, I am a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland. I teach evolutionary biology, but I also have long experience in science education and (especially) political attempts to insert pseudoscience into science curricula in ...
James Shaw has again said the Greens would be better ‘in the tent’ with Labour than out, despite Labour’s policy bonfire last week torching much of what the Government was doing to reduce emissions. File Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The Green Party has never been more popular than in some ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah Wesseler Poor air quality is a long-standing problem in Los Angeles, where the first major outbreak of smog during World War II was so intense that some residents thought the city had been attacked by chemical weapons. Cars were eventually discovered ...
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This week marks the twentieth anniversary of the Iraq War. While it strongly opposed the US-led invasion, New Zealand’s then Labour-led government led by Prime Minister Helen Clark did deploy military engineers to try to help rebuild Iraq in mid-2003. With violence soaring, their 12-month deployment ended without being renewed ...
After seventy years, Auckland’s motorway network is finally finished. In July 1953 the first section of motorway in Auckland was opened between Ellerslie-Panmure Highway and Mt Wellington Highway. The final stage opens to traffic this week with the completion of the motorway part of the Northern Corridor Improvements project. Aucklanders ...
National’s appointment of Todd McClay as Agriculture spokesperson clearly signals that the party is in trouble with the farming vote. McClay was not an obvious choice, but he does have a record as a political scrapper. The party needs that because sources say it has been shedding farming votes ...
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The columnists in Private Eye take pen names, so I have not the least idea who any of them are. But I greatly appreciate their expert insight, especially MD, who writes the medical column, offering informed and often damning critique of the UK health system and the politicians who keep ...
A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Mar 12, 2023 thru Sat, Mar 18, 2023. Story of the Week Guest post: What 13,500 citations reveal about the IPCC’s climate science report IPCC WG1 AR6 SPM Report Cover - Changing ...
Buzz from the Beehive The building of financial capability was brought into our considerations when Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced she had dipped into the government’s coffers for $3 million for “providers” to help people and families access community-based Building Financial Capability services. That wording suggests some ...
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By the end of the week, the dramas over Stuart Nash overshadowed Hipkins’ policy bonfire. File photo: Lynn GrieveasonTLDR: This week’s news in geopolitics and the political economy covered on The Kākā included:PM Chris Hipkins’ announcement of the rest of a policy bonfire to save a combined $1.7 billion, but ...
When word went out that Prime Minister Chris Hipkins would be making an announcement about Stuart Nash on the tiles at parliament at 2:45pm yesterday, the assumption was that it was over. That we had reached tipping point for Nash’s time as minister. But by 3pm - when, coincidentally, the ...
Two senior economists challenge some of the foundations of current economics. It is easy to criticise economic science by misrepresenting it, by selective quotations, and by ignoring that it progresses, like all sciences, by improving and abandoning old theories. The critics may go on to attack physics by citing Newton.So ...
Photo by Walker Fenton on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week again when and I co-host our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kaka for an hour at 5 pm. Jump on this link on Riverside (we’ve moved from Zoom) for our chat about the week’s news with ...
In a nice bit of news, my 2550-word deindustrial science-fiction piece, The Dream of Florian Neame, has been accepted for publication at New Maps Magazine (https://www.new-maps.com/). I have published there before, of course, with Of Tin and Tintagel coming out last year. While I still await the ...
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Photo by Joakim Honkasalo on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for the next hour, including:PM Chris Hipkins announcement of the rest of a policy bonfire to save a combined $1.7 billion, but which blew up ...
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Thomas Cranmer writesLike it or not, the culture wars have entered New Zealand politics and look set to broaden and intensify. The culture wars are often viewed as an exclusively American phenomenon, but the reality is that they are becoming increasingly prominent in countries around the world, ...
Here’s an analogy for the Stuart Nash saga. If people are to be forgiven for their sins,Catholic dogma requires two factors to be present. There has to be a sincere act of confession about what has been done, but also a sincere act of contrition, which signals a painful ...
Here’s an analogy for the Stuart Nash saga. If people are to be forgiven for their sins,Catholic dogma requires two factors to be present. There has to be a sincere act of confession about what has been done, but also a sincere act of contrition, which signals a painful ...
Human Destabilisers: Russia now has a new strategic weapon – migratory waves of unwelcome human-beings. Desperate people with different coloured skins and different religious beliefs arriving at, or actually breaching, the national borders of Russia’s enemies can wreak as much havoc, culturally and politically, as a hypersonic missile exploding in the ...
Hi,After Webworm contributor Hayden Donnell wrote his latest piece, ‘RIP to Millennials Killing Everything’, he delivered this exciting and important bonus content.It will make more sense if you’ve read his piece.David. Read more ...
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Primary, secondary and kindergarten teachers are all on strike today, demanding higher pay and an end to systematic understaffing. While the former is important - wages should at least keep up with inflation - its the latter which is the real issue. As with the health system, teachers have been ...
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* Dr Bryce Edwards writes – I teach a first-year course at Victoria University of Wellington about government and the political process in New Zealand. In “Introduction to Government and Law”, students learn there are rules preventing senior public servants from getting involved in big political debates – as we ...
I teach a first year course at Victoria University of Wellington about government and the political process in New Zealand. In “Introduction to Government and Law”, students learn there are rules preventing senior public servants from getting involved in big political debates – as we have recently witnessed with Rob ...
An issue of integrity has claimed the first ministerial scalp in Prime Minister Chris Hipkins’ premiership. Police Minister Stuart Nash lasted mere weeks in the role after admitting in a radio interview this morning that he had called Police Commissioner Andrew Coster to ask him if police were going to ...
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Most days, Chris Hipkins and James Shaw seem a bit like the Seals and Crofts of the centre-left: Earnest, inoffensive, and capable of quite nice harmonies at times. They blow gently through the jasmine in your mind, but you know they’re never going to rock your world. Back in 2020, ...
The reflection gazed back at him. Pale and a little paunchy, he wasn’t a well man.He had a toga made from a fitted sheet and it kept bunching up under his armpits.His Laurel wreath was made from some Christmas tree branches he’d found in the shed, not a real pine ...
Yesterday we covered the government’s latest policy/delivery changes with a focus on light rail. But there was another important transport part of the announcement: The government will also intends to scale back its road safety plans. The programmes that are being reprioritised include: Significantly narrowing the speed reduction programme to ...
Unbridled Consumption: This civilisation we have built (we being the whole human species) is the most astonishingly wonderful thing homo sapiens has ever seen. We love it. We cannot imagine how awful life would be without it. And, we most certainly are not going to co-operate with anyone who advises ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Let’s start with the absolute truisms.Politics is the art of the possibleHalf of something is better than all of nothingLet us now consider these with reference to the Under New Management government.What is a supporter of progressive politics to make of the abandonment of various policies, as announced in recent post-cabinet ...
Chris Hipkins has surprised even some of his closest friends and backers with the bounce he has secured for Labour in public polls since he became Prime Minister. He has been put to the test since he took over from Jacinda Ardern in the top job, and has shown a ...
Buzz from the Beehive It was a big day for the stopping or slowing of a second tranche of government programmes, an exercise which Beehive publicists are pitching as measures to allow the Government to focus more time, energy and resources on “the bread and butter issues” facing New Zealanders. ...
Last night there was a One News political poll which was welcomed by the left and will cause some concern in the opposition camp. A poll that showed no path to victory for ACT and National and which would likely result in another Labour/Greens government, possibly with the inclusion, or ...
Our young renters can vote Labour or Green as often as they like, but will end up paying the price of more and bigger climate emergencies, while also paying most of their after-tax income on rent with little hope of owning their own homes. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTLDR:PM ...
Dr Bryce Edwards writes – Labour’s shift in focus is working. Under Jacinda Ardern they were a party and government focused on the voters and ideologies of liberal Grey Lynn and Wellington Central. Now under Prime Minister Chris Hipkins Labour has a laser-like focus directed at ...
Labour’s shift in focus is working. Under Jacinda Ardern they were a party and government focused on the voters and ideologies of liberal Grey Lynn and Wellington Central. Now under Prime Minister Chris Hipkins Labour has a laser-like focus directed at the working class politics of places like West Auckland ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Chris Baraniuk It was an engineering problem that had bugged Zhibin Yu for years — but now he had the perfect chance to fix it. Stuck at home during the first UK lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic, the thermal engineer suddenly had all ...
Hi,I just wanted to say hello as this week really gets going, and check in about a few things. They’re a series of fractured random thoughts, so bear with me! First up — I haven’t watched the Oscars in ages and I’m really glad I watched yesterday. It felt like ...
Yesterday the Prime Minister laid out the next tranche of plans to scale back the ambition of Labour’s policy/delivery programme – and this time the Auckland light rail project gets a mention. “I can also confirm today that we will roll out transport projects in Auckland in stages. “Reducing transport ...
The Hipkins Government revealed its true colours yesterday as it chopped a whole series of “nice to have” policies — many of them promoted by the Greens — and instead diverted the savings to relieve the impact of inflation. His approach is all about taking action; no more excuses, ...
Saving The People From ... The People: The strangest aspect of the mass Israeli protests, from a New Zealand perspective, is that the judicial reforms proposed by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government would only confer upon Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, powers which the New Zealand House of Representatives has not only exercised ...
Political parties that want to negotiate with the Green Party must come to the table with much faster, bolder climate action, co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson emphasised in their State of the Planet speech today. ...
Political parties that want to negotiate with the Green Party after the election must come to the table with much faster, bolder climate action, co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson emphasised today. ...
You will never truly understand, from the pictures you’ve seen in the newspapers or on the six o-clock news, the sheer scale of the devastation wrought by Cyclone Gabrielle. ...
We’re boosting incomes and helping ease cost of living pressures on Kiwis through a range of bread and butter support measures that will see pensioners, students, families, and those on main benefits better off from the start of next month. ...
The error Labour Ministers made by stopping work on a beverage container return scheme will be reversed by the Greens at the earliest opportunity as part of the next Government. ...
“Cabinet needs to do better - and today has shown exactly why we need Green Ministers in cabinet, so we can prioritise action to cut climate pollution and support people to make ends meet,” says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson. ...
Biggest increase in food prices for over three decades shows the need for an excess profit tax on corporations to help people put food on the table. ...
The Green Party has today launched a submission guide to help Aucklanders give crucial input and prevent potentially disastrous Auckland Council budget proposals. ...
With calls growing for inquiries and action on bank profits, the Greens say the Government has all the information it needs to act now and put a levy on banks. ...
As large parts of Aotearoa recover from two of the worst climate disasters we have ever experienced, it would be a huge mistake for the Government to deprioritise climate action from future transport investments, the Green Party says. ...
The Green Party is celebrating the signing of a historic United Nations Ocean Treaty, and calls on the new Oceans and Fisheries Minister to urgently step up protection for Aotearoa’s oceans. ...
This year has seen a series of extreme weather events, unparalleled in New Zealand’s recent history. From Cape Reinga in the far north down to the Tararua Ranges, families and businesses across the country have suffered enormous loss and hardship. While the severe weather hasn’t directly affected every part of ...
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has today appointed Ginny Andersen as Minister of Police. “Ginny Andersen has a strong and relevant background in this important portfolio,” Chris Hipkins said. “Ginny Andersen worked for the Police as a non-sworn staff member for around 10 years and has more recently been chair of ...
Six further bailey bridge sites confirmed Four additional bridge sites under consideration 91 per cent of damaged state highways reopened Recovery Dashboards for impacted regions released The Government has responded quickly to restore lifeline routes after Cyclone Gabrielle and can today confirm that an additional six bailey bridges will ...
Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta departs for China tomorrow, where she will meet with her counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, in Beijing. This will be the first visit by a New Zealand Minister to China since 2019, and follows the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions between New Zealand and China. ...
Education Ministers from across the Pacific will gather in Tāmaki Makaurau this week to share their collective knowledge and strategic vision, for the benefit of ākonga across the region. New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti will host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) for three days from today, ...
A vital transport link for communities and local businesses has been restored following Cyclone Gabrielle with the reopening of State Highway 5 (SH5) between Napier and Taupō, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan says. SH5 reopened to all traffic between 7am and 7pm from today, with closure points at SH2 (Kaimata ...
Internal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds has thanked generous New Zealanders who took part in the special Lotto draw for communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Held on Saturday night, the draw raised $11.7 million with half of all ticket sales going towards recovery efforts. “In a time of need, New Zealanders ...
The Government has announced funding of $3 million for providers to help people, and whānau access community-based Building Financial Capability services. “Demand for Financial Capability Services is growing as people face cost of living pressures. Those pressures are increasing further in areas affected by flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle,” Minister for ...
Minister of Education, Hon Jan Tinetti, has announced appointments to the Board of Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao. Tracey Bridges is joining the Board as the new Chair and Dr Therese Arseneau will be a new member. Current members Dr Linda Sissons CNZM and Daniel Wilson have ...
Fifteen ākonga Māori from across Aotearoa have been awarded the prestigious Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships and Awards for 2023, Associate Education Minister and Ngarimu Board Chair, Kelvin Davis announced today. The recipients include doctoral, masters’ and undergraduate students. Three vocational training students and five wharekura students, ...
High Court Judge Jillian Maree Mallon has been appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal, and District Court Judge Andrew John Becroft QSO has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today. Justice Mallon graduated from Otago University in 1988 with an LLB (Hons), and with ...
The economy has continued to show its resilience despite today’s GDP figures showing a modest decline in the December quarter, leaving the Government well positioned to help New Zealanders face cost of living pressures in a challenging global environment. “The economy had grown strongly in the two quarters before this ...
Aucklanders now have more ways to get around as Transport Minister Michael Wood opened the direct State Highway 1 (SH1) to State Highway 18 (SH18) underpass today, marking the completion of the 48-kilometre Western Ring Route (WRR). “The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport system to make it safer, more ...
This section contains briefings received by incoming ministers following changes to Cabinet in January. Some information may have been withheld in accordance with the Official Information Act 1982. Where information has been withheld that is indicated within the document. ...
Aotearoa New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta reaffirmed her commitment to working together with the new Government of Fiji on issues of shared importance, including on the prioritisation of climate change and sustainability, at a meeting today, in Nadi. Fiji and Aotearoa New Zealand’s close relationship is underpinned by the Duavata ...
The Government is delivering a coastal shipping lifeline for businesses, residents and the primary sector in the cyclone-stricken regions of Hawkes Bay and Tairāwhiti, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan announced today. The Rangitata vessel has been chartered for an emergency coastal shipping route between Gisborne and Napier, with potential for ...
The Government will progress to the next stage of the NZ Battery Project, looking at the viability of pumped hydro as well as an alternative, multi-technology approach as part of the Government’s long term-plan to build a resilient, affordable, secure and decarbonised energy system in New Zealand, Energy and Resources ...
This morning I was made aware of a media interview in which Minister Stuart Nash criticised a decision of the Court and said he had contacted the Police Commissioner to suggest the Police appeal the decision. The phone call took place in 2021 when he was not the Police Minister. ...
The Government’s sharp focus on trade continues with Aotearoa New Zealand set to host Trade Ministers and delegations from 10 Asia Pacific economies at a meeting of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission members in July, Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor announced today. “New Zealand ...
$25 million boost to support more businesses with clean-up in cyclone affected regions, taking total business support to more than $50 million Demand for grants has been strong, with estimates showing applications will exceed the initial $25 million business support package Grants of up to a maximum of $40,000 per ...
80 per cent of 2021 Resident Visas applications have been processed – three months ahead of schedule Residence granted to 160,000 people 84,000 of 85,000 applications have been approved Over 160,000 people have become New Zealand residents now that 80 per cent of 2021 Resident Visa (2021RV) applications have been ...
The Lead Coordination Minister for the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission’s Report into the Terrorist Attack on the Christchurch Mosques travels to Melbourne, Australia today to represent New Zealand at the fourth Sub-Regional Meeting on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Security. “The Government is committed to reducing the threat of terrorism ...
The health and safety practices at our nation’s ports will be improved as part of a new industry-wide action plan, Workplace Relations and Safety, and Transport Minister Michael Wood has announced. “Following the tragic death of two port workers in Auckland and Lyttelton last year, I asked the Port Health ...
Bikes, electric bikes and scooters will be added to the types of transport exempted from fringe benefit tax under changes proposed today. Revenue Minister David Parker said the change would allow bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, electric scooters, and micro-mobility share services to be exempt from fringe benefit tax where they ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will hold bilateral meetings with Fiji this week. The visit will be her first to the country since the election of the new coalition Government led by Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sitiveni Rabuka. The visit will be an opportunity to meet kanohi ki ...
The Government is introducing the Severe Weather Emergency Legislation Bill to ensure the recovery and rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle is streamlined and efficient with unnecessary red tape removed. The legislation is similar to legislation passed following the Christchurch and Kaikōura earthquakes that modifies existing legislation in order to remove constraints ...
Approximately 1.4 million people will benefit from increases to rates and thresholds for social assistance to help with the cost of living Superannuation to increase by over $100 a pay for a couple Main benefits to increase by the rate of inflation, meaning a family on a benefit with children ...
$1 billion in savings which will be reallocated to support New Zealanders with the cost of living A range of transport programmes deferred so Waka Kotahi can focus on post Cyclone road recovery Speed limit reduction programme significantly narrowed to focus on the most dangerous one per cent of state ...
The remaining state of national emergency over the Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay regions will end on Tuesday 14 March, Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty announced today. Minister McAnulty gave notice of a national transition period over these regions, which will come into effect immediately following the end of the ...
The Government is today delivering on one of its commitments as part of the New Zealand Government’s Dawn Raids apology, welcoming a cohort of emerging Pacific leaders to Aotearoa New Zealand participating in the He Manawa Tītī Scholarship Programme. This cohort will participate in a bespoke leadership training programme that ...
Industry Transformation Plan to transform advanced manufacturing through increased productivity and higher-skilled, higher-wage jobs into a globally-competitive low-emissions sector. Co-created and co-owned by business, unions and workers, government, Māori, Pacific peoples and wider stakeholders. A plan to accelerate the growth and transformation of New Zealand’s advanced manufacturing sector was launched ...
New Zealand will provide support for Pacific countries to prevent the spread of harmful animal diseases, Associate Minister of Agriculture Meka Whaitiri said. The Associate Minister is attending a meeting of Pacific Ministers during the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry in Nadi, Fiji. “Highly contagious diseases such as African ...
The Public Transport Futures project will deliver approximately: 100 more buses providing a greater number of seats to a greater number of locations at a higher frequency Over 470 more bus shelters to support a more enjoyable travel experience Almost 200 real time display units providing accurate information on bus ...
All but six schools and kura have reopened for onsite learning All students in the six closed schools or kura are being educated in other schools, online, or in alternative locations Over 4,300 education hardpacks distributed to support students Almost 38,000 community meals provided by suppliers of the Ka Ora ...
A new health centre has opened with financial support from the Government and further investment has been committed to projects that will accelerate Māori economic opportunities, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan says. Community health provider QE Health will continue its long history in Rotorua with the official opening of the ...
The new three year NZ UK Working Holiday Visas (WHV) will now be delivered earlier than expected, coming into force by July this year in time to support businesses through the global labour shortages Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says. The improved WHV, successfully negotiated alongside the NZ UK Free trade ...
It seems like only yesterday that we launched the discussion document Enabling Investment in Offshore Renewable Energy, which is the key theme for this Forum. Everyone in this room understands the enormous potential of offshore wind in Aotearoa New Zealand – and particularly this region. Establishing a regime to pave ...
Police has reached a major milestone filing over 28,000 charges related to Operation Cobalt. “I’m extremely proud of the fantastic work that our Police has been doing to crack down on gangs, and keep our communities safe. The numbers speak for themselves – with over 28,000 charges, Police are getting ...
The Government will provide $15 million in the short term to local councils to remove rubbish, as a longer-term approach is developed, the Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty announced today. “Several regions are facing significant costs associated with residential waste removal, which has the potential to become a public ...
$15 million of immediate reimbursement for marae, iwi, recognised rural and community groups $2 million for community food providers $0.5 million for additional translation services Increasing the caps of the Community and Provider funds The Government has announced $17.5 million to further support communities and community providers impacted by Cyclone ...
The Government’s approach of using frontline service providers to address inequities for Māori with mental health and addiction needs is making good progress in many communities, a new report says. An independent evaluation into the Māori Access and Choice programme, commissioned by Te Whatu Ora has highlighted the programme’s success ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frank Jotzo, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy and Head of Energy, Institute for Climate Energy and Disaster Solutions, Australian National University IISD/ENB The world is in deep trouble on climate change, but if we really put our shoulder to ...
RNZ Pacific New Caledonia’s only daily newspaper, Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes, has folded after the commercial court accepted the publishing company’s request for its liquidation. The court had deferred its decision by a day after an injunction by the public prosecutor who wanted to see if there was still a possibility ...
By Arieta Vakasukawaqa in Suva The installation of the Turaga Bale na Vunivalu Na Tui Kaba, Ratu Epenisa Cakobau, clearly indicates that Fiji’s traditional chiefly system still has a strong footing and chiefs still command respect among the country’s citizens. This is the view of Dr Paul Geraghty, the University ...
ANALYSIS:By Shailendra Bahadur Singh in Suva The long-running row between the former Fiji government and the Suva-based regional University of the South Pacific (USP) has come back to haunt former Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, who spent a night in a police cell on March 9 before appearing in ...
By Antoine Samoyeau in Pape’ete About 3000 activists of French Polynesia’s pro-independence Tavini Huiraatira party met for six hours at the weekend with the executives insisting that they were “united’ after a recent upheaval over leadership. The party also presented a “renewed” slate of 73 candidates for next month’s territorial ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The first arrest has been made following the Brereton inquiry into allegations that Australians committed war crimes in Afghanistan. Former SAS soldier, Oliver Schulz, 41, has been remanded in custody after his arrest by ...
We have our 2023 finalists after a big Sunday double-header at North Shore Stadium. Alice Soper reviews.Matatū vs BluesMatatū have scored the first try in every match they have played this season. It looked like this streak was going to be broken as the Blues finally found ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Park, Judith and David Coffey Chair in Sustainable Agriculture, Plant Breeding Institute, University of Sydney Shutterstock Some 70% of the World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island has been closed to non-essential visitors in response to a recurrence of the plant ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Suranga Seneviratne, Senior Lecturer – Security, University of Sydney Shutterstock Are you tired of receiving SMS scams pretending to be from Australia Post, the tax office, MyGov and banks? You’re not alone. Each year, thousands of Australians fall victim to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Misha Ketchell, Editor, The Conversation Thanks in no small part to the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), today few people would be foolish enough to dispute the scientific consensus on the climate crisis. But as ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Eric Windholz, Senior Lecturer and Associate, Monash Centre for Commercial Law and Regulatory Studies, Monash University Inadequate, inequitable, and in some cases possibly in breach of workers’ compensation laws. That’s how bad the current insurance arrangements are for Australia’s professional sports people, ...
The newly-minted Police Minister, Ginny Andersen, has been called on by the Council of Licensed Firearm Owners (COLFO) to investigate how the previous Minister allowed Police to propose extraordinary fee increases for licensed firearm owners without ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Kingsford, Professor, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney Bill Ormonde, Author provided Millions of dead fish float on the surface of the river. Native bony herring and introduced young carp, as well as a few mature ...
Things make more sense when people are speaking your language! This CAB Awareness Week (20-26 March), we are celebrating diversity and multiculturalism within our service. At the Citizens Advice Bureau, we are committed to making sure our service ...
The second week of the Auckland Arts Festivals showed the versatility of the city’s spaces, even when not matched entirely correctly with shows. Sam Brooks reviews (with assistance from Shanti Mathias).I often dismay at the lack of performance spaces we have in Auckland, and it takes something like the ...
The free and easy SMS two factor authentication (2FA) to log into your Twitter account ends today. That concerns Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster because it takes away one of the most common ways to verify who users are on their free accounts, which ...
New Zealand’s new minister of police will be one of the freshest faces around the cabinet table. Ginny Andersen, the MP for Hutt South, has been named as the new minister taking over from Stuart Nash. Andersen first became an MP in 2017 and only became a minister for the ...
The government has announced further roading reconnections, several weeks on from Cyclone Gabrielle. Earlier this morning it was confirmed the link between Napier and Taupō had been reestablished. And now, transport minister Michael Wood said another six bailey bridges would be constructed. “Our immediate priority has been to reopen lifeline ...
The Taxpayers’ Union has slammed the revelation that government agencies and State Owned Enterprises are spending hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars on lobbying firms as revealed by Radio NZ this morning. Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter McNeil, Distinguished Professor of Design History, UTS, University of Technology Sydney Sydney World Pride and Mardi Gras 2023 were a huge success. Sydney was activated in a way rarely seen – block and street parties, cultural festivals and dance parties for ...
For the first time since 2019, a New Zealand minister will head to China this week. Foreign minister Nanaia Mahuta will meet with her Chinese counterpart Qin Gang in Beijing. “I intend to discuss areas where we cooperate, such as on trade, people-to-people and climate and environmental issues. I will ...
The Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has completed his investigation into complaints about Auckland Council’s role in the National Erebus Memorial project. The complaints relate to the council’s approval and consents process for the memorial site in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hal Pawson, Professor of Housing Research and Policy, and Associate Director, City Futures Research Centre, UNSW Sydney Pandemic-generated pressures have left our rental housing market reeling. Australia-wide, vacancy rates are at rock-bottom levels. Rents are soaring at record rates. Queensland has ...
The first edition felt like a breath of fresh, local music-filled air. This year, with many of the same headliners as 2008 (and every year since), the long-running Wellington festival has grown stale. It’s finally time to admit that on a cold night in Palmy 20 years ago, I felt ...
The first edition felt like a breath of fresh, local music-filled air. This year, with many of the same headliners as 2008 (and every year since), the formula has grown stale. It’s finally time to admit that on a cold night in Palmy 20 years ago, I felt Shihad frontman ...
The anti-transgender activist that provoked aggressive protests in Australia over the weekend may not be able to enter New Zealand. Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, the British anti-transgender campaigner, is scheduled to visit New Zealand next weekend for two public events. But according to a new statement from Immigration NZ, her ability to ...
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is pleased to hear that the Minister of Local Government, Kieran McAnulty, has invited concerned mayors to the Beehive to discuss the Three Waters reforms but believe he should meet with the country’s largest ...
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 Dan Himbrechts/Paul Braven/AAP The New South Wales state election will be held on Saturday. I had a preview of both ...
Whether the anti-trans campaigner can enter the country without a visa is now up in the air. Controversy surrounds the upcoming visit by Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, the British anti-transgender campaigner on a global tour who is scheduled to visit New Zealand next weekend for two public events. During an appearance in Melbourne ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lynne Chepulis, Associate Professor Health Sciences, University of Waikato Getty Images The controversial 2021 decision by the government drug-buying agency Pharmac to prioritise Māori and Pacific patients in its funding of two game-changing new diabetes drugs appears to have paid ...
The idea of the Greens flirting with National gets an airing before almost every election. It remains as much of a nonstarter as ever, writes Henry Cooke.This article was first published in Henry Cooke’s politics newsletter, Museum Street. It’s far more reliable than clockwork. Every election cycle – often several ...
With half the value of all Lotto, Powerball and Strike tickets going to cyclone relief, the "Must-be-won" draw for $15.5 million on Saturday went to a Canterbury player. ...
Auckland’s mayor has taken aim at road closures and traffic disruption around the super city, revealing a plan to reduce road cones. Wayne Brown had previously pledged to clean up the city of road cones and set it out as an “immediate priority” for the council’s transport agency. Now, he’s ...
The name's Bond – unhedged Treasury bond. Jonathan Milne argues that bond traders have again become sexy, for all the wrong reasons.Analysis: Giant Swiss bank UBS has agreed to buy its rival Credit Suisse for 3 billion Swiss francs (US$3.23 billion) and to assume up to $5.4 billion in losses, in a shotgun ...
‘Don’t fucking come and talk to me, write a submission,’ reckons Mayor Wayne Brown. So how do you do that?Let’s be honest, most people don’t understand local politics. We know that we vote for a mayor and councillors every couple of years, and that’s about it. But local politics ...
The link between Napier and Taupō has reopened this week for the first time since it was damaged in Cyclone Gabrielle. State highway five will be open to all traffic between 7am and 7pm, with overnight closure points at Kaimata Road, Glengarry Road and Matea Road. Kiri Allan, the associate ...
Analysis by By Geoffrey Miller. Political Roundup: NZ’s Middle East strategy, 20 years after the Iraq War This week marks the twentieth anniversary of the Iraq War. While it strongly opposed the US-led invasion, New Zealand’s then Labour-led government led by Prime Minister Helen Clark did deploy military engineers to try to help rebuild Iraq ...
If you find yourself stressing about the cost of living crisis and how it will impact your home loan, talking to your bank as soon as possible is important. If you are experiencing financial challenges or think you might in the future, it’s important to reach out to your bank ...
Despite being entrenched practice in New Zealand schools, the practice of academic streaming in schools might not be around much longer. A plan launched today sets out a pathway to achieve this.If you went to school in Aotearoa, odds are that streaming was part of your experience. The numerically-inclined ...
The Paediatric Society of New Zealand/Te Kāhui Mātai Arotamariki o Aotearoa are very concerned about the high number of tamariki injured by dogs in Aotearoa. Auckland emergency doctor Natasha Duncan-Sutherland says, “Over 2800 dog-related injuries ...
MP Ibrahim Omer will replace Grant Robertson as Labour’s candidate in the Wellington Central electorate after beating former party president Claire Szabo in the candidate selection race. Omer arrived in New Zealand as a refugee and worked as a cleaner before enrolling at Victoria University in 2014. “As someone who has ...
A new report from Australia highlights the significant community exposure to alcohol advertising through social media platforms. Over a one-year period researchers observed nearly 40,000 advertisements from a subset of alcohol-related accounts on Meta platforms ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leah Ruppanner, Professor of Sociology and Founding Director of The Future of Work Lab, The University of Melbourne pexels/tara winstead, CC BY-SA You’ve probably heard about the “great resignation” which saw large numbers of people resigning from their jobs in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Beckett, Senior Lecturer (Food Science and Human Nutrition), School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle Shutterstock You’ve probably heard about the medication Ozempic, used to manage type 2 diabetes and as a weight loss drug. Ozempic (and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Menna Elizabeth Jones, Associate Professor in Zoology, University of Tasmania Human life on Earth is utterly dependent on biodiversity but our activities are driving an increase in extinctions. Yet some extinct species continue to hold our fascination. New methods in genetics and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Kidson, Senior Lecturer in Educational Leadership, Australian Catholic University Shutterstock Australian schools have been under huge pressures in recent years. On top of concerns about academic progress and staff shortages, schools have faced significant, ongoing disruptions due to ...
The Green Party has made it clear it’s frustrated after being shafted by Labour during last week’s so-called policy bonfire. The prime minister recently ditched a number of policies announced during Jacinda Ardern’s tenure, many of which were backed strongly by the Greens. In a state of the nation address ...
The US banking crisis may help force a rethink by the Reserve Bank here, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here.Did last week’s turmoil stop interest rate hikes in their tracks? ...
The Greens have laid down a challenge to potential coalition partners: come to the table with faster and stronger climate action if you want our support. ...
The early days of Māori Television were chaotic. After the founding CE was fired and imprisoned for fraud, Dr. Jim Mather was tapped to lead the fledging broadcaster. An account with no previous media experience, he was an unlikely choice for the role, but ended up leading the channel through ...
Regional public transport is where money can do the most good in the shortest time. So why is the government giving the regions’ funding to the main centres? I used to think of public transport mainly as a way to reduce our environmental impact. It was only when I started ...
The most recent piece of research on actual menstrual blood volume was conducted in 1964, which has left many people without key health information, writes researcher Claire Badenhorst. Last month, after being in the office for only half a day, I headed home early for the sole reason that I ...
The amazing success story of a Takapuna writer In 2021, I self-published The Lighthouse, a novel I had been working on for 10 years. Something that kept me going was the thought I might one day walk into a bookstore and see my book sitting on the shelf. Would ...
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“It is a barren wasteland, riddled with fire and ash and dust, the very air you breathe is a poisonous fume.”
‘You will have no lack of water as you walk in Ithilien, but do not drink of any stream that flows from Imlad Morgul, the Valley of Living Death.”
New Zealand’s capital city, Orc Land?
Are the Right trying to set up The Greens a scapegoat and Peters as a dangerous trouble-maker, then call on the country to reject the rules around MMP and instead crown National as the Right & True Government?
Probly.
Yes – expect one of the Nat’s proxies to start a petition about replacing MMP – with the aim getting enough signatures to force a referendum.
“The Greens’ environmental policies, on the other hand, would require National to actually seriously challenge farm owners, drilling/mining companies, and other capitalists. Currently the costs of these capitalists’ activities are largely falling on the environment, and therefore on the present and future public. The Greens want to stop these business activities destroying our shared home by preventing and internalising these external costs. They’ll ban some unjustifiably polluting business activities, such as drilling or mining or exploring for more fossil fuels at a time when even burning the fossil fuels already dug up will make the Paris target impossible. They’ll tax other business activities for their pollution—making those who produce the costs pay the costs, instead of externalising them. And they’ll use the tax revenue to clean up the damage and to subsidise farmers and other businesses moving to more sustainable ways of doing business.
Do you really see National doing that? The party whose base is farm owners and other capitalists? The party that think climate change is only an issue for “elites”, and that it’s not a “pressing concern”, and that we should adapt to climate change rather than mitigating it? The party who scaremongered on a small water tax for some big farms that are currently destroying the quality of Aotearoa’s awa and wai?”
https://cutyourhair.wordpress.com/2017/09/28/blue-green-is-not-going-to-happen-and-its-not-the-greens-fault/
That’s just the greens, I can imagine the gnashing of teeth when Labour clamp down on the free loading, property portfolio owning, tax manipulating land lords.
We will need compassion for our capitalist brethren, of right and left persuasion.
Sorry to hog the thread, only, I’m in full research mode right now 🙂
“National’s focus on having a strong economy prevents them from having any interest in what is fundamental to the Greens, which is sustainability and fairness. The challenge in forming this kind of coalition is that there would have to be a shift in the essence of their being.”
http://thewireless.co.nz/articles/could-a-national-greens-coalition-work
Nice. Although I would stay that the Greens want a strong economy where strength comes from sustainability and resiliency, and National want a perpetual growth until it falls over economy
😉
I’m not sure the Gnats are serious about growth – short term profit sure – but they’ve been happy to fake their growth numbers instead of fixing them.
Actually developing the economy costs and thus lowers profits. And it most definitely needs everyone working which would raise wages which also cuts profits.
There is no way for National’s economic management to actually work because everything that needs to be done cuts profits. And National only ever works to maximise profits while cutting costs.
The Nats want us to be using our energy refuting their lies. Why?? What are we not doing.??
Shouldn’t we be reaching out to others on the left and painting a picture of what could be a great coming together of the true majority.??
The forming of a strong community based social and environmental coalition???
Just wondering …. they always have an agenda!! We should stick to ours instead of looking for Wally in their picture.
Yes, indeed, Patricia. Better still, employ some of that latent lampooning skill we all have and give the Natty shills a good thrashing!
There is a petition going:
“Show your support for the idea of a National/Green govt.” 6,000 signed up.
Reckon they were the desperate Nats?
And another one:
“We don’t support your water tax because:
“You can’t tell us what the impact of the tax will be on food producers, jobs, communities & food prices
You are only taxing……
UPDATE: we have surveyed irrigators and found that a water tax could lead to many arable, sheep and beef farms converting to more intensive farming like dairy and that farmers would reduce spending in rural communities to pay for the tax.”
5,011 signed up. Same folk as in the first petition?
Shall we tell that the Election is over?
Time for Action Stations, then …
http://www.actionstation.org.nz/
And more! to counter the Fake, Dirty politics!
Interesting from David Farrar, does he have the ear of anyone…
https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2017/09/what_could_the_greens_get_if_they_went_with_national_not_winston.html
$1 billion over ten years for cycleways
A levy on nitrate pollution
A South Taranaki Whale Sanctuary
A levy on plastic bags
Accelerated timetable for rail to Auckland Airport
Doubling the funding for DOC
$65 million a year more for predator-free NZ
Stricter water quality standards to increase the number of water bodies rated
excellent from 42% to 70%.
A commitment to double the reduction of children in poverty from 50,000 to 100,000
Double the reduction target for greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 from 11% to 22%
lol..all very aspirational and just like current policy settings …Farrar kite flying by request no doubt….only one thing needed to know…..National lie.
Billshit – remember bill lying by omission when Todd declared that there is no recording and Bill each day there watching the misleading and putting his shameful head down? That list is more of that shit behaviour.
Farrar spins propaganda for the National Party for a living. What makes you think any of that list is real?
And even if it was, National can’t be trusted.
But thanks, because I think that list demonstrates very clearly that National don’t want to end poverty or clean up rivers, but they are willing to sell some policy to gain power. So they can keep running a poverty economy and destroying the environment.
You don’t like my principals.. …well, these are my new ones….
//
Excellent Chris, if you believe any of it, I have a bridge you may like to buy.
Conveniently located in Auckland, many lanes, chance to expand,great views…
All of it? No. Some it? Absolutely, I mean the cycleways alone can be linked to greater tourism possibilities so thats an easy one, predator freer NZ is also easy as its only 65 million, children in poverty well Bill pledged something similar so that wouldn’t take much
All of which would be more than the Greens have achieved in over 20 years
smoke and mirrors…cycleways are already included in nat policy, as is the predator free and the climate target is already not going to met so increasing it just means it wont be met by more…now about that bridge…….
The cycleways? The ones we were promised from the 2009 job summit would create jobs and address the layoffs from GFC? You guys keep letting them retell you they are going to do something, you get excited, they do nothing, and when pushed, repeat it
I am trying to understand why Nats want to be in govt with “loonies” “rent a mob” “communists” etc…
Misses the point by so far. Does he have any idea of what their policies are………
Does he have the ear of anyone?
Only his dysfunctional commentariat.
Even they can see through his pish.
Does beg the question, would the Greens achieve more in one deal with National then they have over the last 21 years and i think the answer would be yes and that includes when Labour had the opportunity to have the Greens in power and whatever concessions the Greens achieve is good for the country, isn’t it?
The Green party would indeed ‘achieve’ much more – their self-destruction for a start.
Perhaps just nodd off. M. Kram
Perhaps just encourage National to formulate some effective and sustainable pro-environment policies – good luck with that.
If I had a week to spare I would start compiling a list of the posts/comments extolling the ‘advantages’ of a National-Green alliance: would make an excellent soporific. Nodding off now…
You have a couple of weeks, so No pressure.
Sleep well.
It’d probably result in the self destruction of the National Party as well. and probably before the Green Party.
Seriously, can you see Judith Collins and Anne Tolley going along wiht the Green Party’s social objectives? Living wage? Changing WINZ culture?
The bright spark who put together a National government supported by the Green Party would be rolled by lunchtime….
Green Party social objectives are what the Nat-Green proponents are expecting the Greens to drop.
Ah, well, of course no problem getting the Nats to take up the Green Party environment policies if the GP give up the social policies.
Includes:
Christchurch Transport Plan
Clean water, great farming
South Taranaki Whale Sanctuary
Turning trash into cash
Wellington Transport Plan
Auckland Transport Plan
Thriving Nature
Protecting drinking water
Empowering NZ
Tourism Levy
Safer, cleaner freight
2015 Climate Action – Yes we can!
Climate Impact Disclosure Statement
Public Finance (Sustainable Development Indicators) Amendment Bill
Clean Groundwater Bill
Regional rail: connecting Manawatū and Hawke’s Bay
What part of NO do Nats and their cheerleaders not understand? But, I guess they probably are just trying to follow the lead of the ponytail puller.
Nats, please attend: No means NO.
Now go sort out your own policies, and do your own negotiations with NZ First, or its off to the opposition benches for you!
No. All that would happen is that the Greens would be destroyed.
But that’s probably what you and National want.
BTW, The Greens have achieved quite a bit over their lifetime.
That Nats even have some slightly Green ideas is because the Green Party existed for over 20 years.
No, it doesn’t, though you’d have us believe otherwise; * thinks, shall I drink this goblet of hemlock juice? I’m ever so thirsty and this is the first drink I’ve been offered in ages!
So rather then gain some concessions with National its better to hope Winston invites them in?
Even if Lab/NZ1 go it alone, whatever they would do on their own would still be better than the “concessions” from the nats. Not the same, but better overall.
The only thing they’ve achieved in 21 years is some insulation in homes, isn’t the point of being in parliament that you get to do some of the things you want to do?
No, the point of being in parliament is that the things you want done get done.
When you don’t care about the credit, they’ve achieved a lot more than that.
The Greens played a significant role in NZ poverty being recognised, counted and now even reduction targets being included as national party election policy. In making water quality an election issue that the nats are the only ones holding back on. In making the housing crisis a recognised problem.
They didn’t do that by accepting “compromises” that included largely what the nats were going to do anyway.
With all due respect, bollix, the only reason they’re to the forefront is Jacinda Ardern, not the Greens.
Pffffffft Jacinda wasn’t a feature at the previous election and The Greens done good 🙂 And the election before that, and before that. Chris, your reckons are feeble.
Piffle to your pfft, the Greens only do well when Labour does poorly
The Greens have been in Parliament for yonks.
They’re regulars.
Wow. She did that all by herself?
Obviously, making her leader was far more than a cosmetic change, she completely reversed the public dialogue on half a dozen major election issues all by herself.
Credit where credits due she did a pretty impressive job, not quite enough to topple English but from where she started to now was not a bad effort at all
She just needs to shore up on the economy and she’ll be near on unstoppable in 2020
We’ll see what nz1 does first.
Best and most likely case they go with National, worst case we have Lab/NZFirst/Greens but most likely (of the worst situation) is Lab/NZFirst with a severely neutered Greens, I dunno C & S or something
lol reverse that for my perspective.
There’s only a few options. I suppose another one is if he decides to abstain from all C&S, but argue from issue to issue.
I don’t think even Winston would go that far
shhh don’t jinx it lol
And yet ended on 36.5%, roughly the same figures David Shearer was polling before he got rolled years ago…..come on, she fizzled out when it came down to it.
Well yes but Labour were looking at historic low levels and then (7?) weeks later the numbers are back up
Even as a National voter I can still say she did a pretty good job
Why do you even want the Greens in govt when you voted National and the recent leader considers them looine left wing activists? Is it so you can be on the “winning” team. Greens reasons for not going with Nat is clear. There have been so many posts on it with people like you asking and saying the same things over and over again. By all means disagree with it but doing the online version of holding up your hands and wailing “but why. But why” is redundant.
Start an open mike chat with Wayne. Then you can both say the same thing over and over to each other and see at which number of repetition the Greens say “god chris, you are right”
If Shearer had boosted his party’s polling by 12% or more from when he took over as leader, He’d be prime minister to this day.
I always thought they ditched him too early
nah. The fish trick killed him.
Didn’t Grant Robertson have something to do with that?
I figured it was more that his office panicked because of the incessant bitching of the self-loathing labourites of the time.
Fuck it’s nice to see a strong, stable Labour party under a popular leader again.
Bit early to say that yet I reckon, if Winston chooses National I can see a few knives being drawn behind Jacinda.
In two months she delivered the best polls in years.
Blinglish, on the other hand…
Nope
Last Polls of Shearer’s leadership
Roy Morgan 12–25 Aug 2013
Lab 31.5
Fairfax Media Ipsos 10–15 Aug 2013
Lab 31.6
Roy Morgan 29 Jul – 11 Aug 2013
Lab 34
Colmar Brunton 27–31 Jul 2013
Lab 33
Roy Morgan 15–28 Jul 2013
Lab 29
Reid Research 9–14 Jul 2013
Lab 31
Roy Morgan 1–14 Jul 2013
Lab 31
Roy Morgan 17–30 Jun 2013
Lab 31.5
Herald-DigiPoll 12–23 Jun 2013
Lab 30.9
What about cycleways … don’t really recall what happened the last nine years… perhaps a bit of dishonesty along the way, oh, and poisoned waterways, and “50 K” in poverty
Why would they be satisfied with a few paltry concessions – when the long term game is to keep getting the message out there and to make right-wing ideology unthinkable? (Overton’s window and all that.)
Well thats one way of thinking but while that happens, another 20 years maybe, thats a lot of wasted time
The longest journey may begin with a single step but that step still needs to be taken and even if they didn’t reach an agreement with National it would still mean Labour would have to negotiate with the Greens and not take them for granted
While you are going all Confucius on us try ruminating on the cost of lying to keep power, and how it ruins trust in future relationships required to coexist in govt.
Rather than align with proven liars and enemies of Green principles, try our luck with Winston?
Yes. Alright.
Cheers, chris73.
Make it so.
Another scene from the *brighter future* we were promised.
I feel a bit sorry for the Nats and their supporters: short of a majority, no natural support parties left, and increasingly out of touch with reality….
I’ve changed my mind the Greens are fucking hopeless, National shouldn’t even bother.
The best thing going forward is they do Cand P for a Lab/NZ First, that way they’ll drop under 5% in 2020 and then NZ will be rid of the useless pricks and a decent flexible, cross-party like TOP can take its place.
And then that’s the kind of response that happens when the harasser finally realises No does mean No – abuse follows.
Oh, and btw, NO
🙂
Yep – textbook and ugly
+111
Nothing to do with harassing it’s just realisation what a fruitless effort it would be trying to deal with the Greens.
Religous zealotry has no place in an MMP environment, sooner the Green disappear from the NZ political scene the better.
Roll on 2020.,
You are not “trying to deal with the Greens”.
You are trying to demean and undermine them. No wonder you are constantly being shown the door.
You guys have National derangement syndrome, you’d prefer to suck up and work with a xenophobic ultra-conservative party like NZ First then deal with a party that’s basically continued on from where Helen Clarks Labour left off.
The logical disconnect does my head, It’s so fucking ridiculous, as I said the sooner the Greens are gone the better, you’re just getting in the way of a decent functioning MMP system.
Really though, BM, you sound like a baby diplodocus, left behind in the swamp, bawling, while mummy diplodicus browses the tree tops.
Have you no pride?
Good honesty for a change – your plans are broken and you never gave a shit anyway – hint – we ALL knew it lol
But when you lot try to negotiate a coalition deal with that very same “xenophobic ultra-conservative party”, that’s cool?
Maybe you’d prefer going back to the polls?
It’s about trying to work with what you’ve got.
Greens don’t seem to even remotely understand what MMP is all about.
Almost 25 five years in and the Greens haven’t got past the equivalent of toilet training, it’s embarrassing.
‘How much is he asking? Tell him he’s dreaming…’
It’s about values mate, you just don’t want to get that.
The Greens Are Still Here.
Eat It.
And you think that calling them infantile will make Green party members reading your comments want to vote for a coalition agreement with the nats, just to prove how machua they rooly are?
After nine years in government, you guys still think that gaining a coalition partner involves the “negging” date technique so popular among male young nats.
Hey, hey hey we’re not all PUAs thank you very much
At least I learnt a new word tonight
“Negging”
Work with what you’ve got BM = 0.7% Seymour
“You guys have National derangement syndrome, you’d prefer to suck up and work with a xenophobic ultra-conservative party like NZ First then deal with a party that’s basically continued on from where Helen Clarks Labour left off.
The logical disconnect does my head, It’s so fucking ridiculous, as I said the sooner the Greens are gone the better, you’re just getting in the way of a decent functioning MMP system.”
Lol, the new Crosby Textor memo. National are basically Helen Clark. The Greens ruin MMP.
Not enough 🙄 🙄 for that.
Pretty sure you’re not supposed to be so tetchy with it though.
Yep he’s definately gone early on these lines – Paula is still trying to flatter them lol
😆
LOL how quickly the facade of reason unravels… and they Wonder why Greens dont trust them
Wah wah why wont people do what I want wah wah I need to win wah wah I hate youwah wah
Shaw said English was welcome to call him … Odd way of showing someone the door.
He’s a gennelmin, inny.
The only religious zealotry that has place in an MMP environment is allowed in the National Party as espoused by the double dipper from Dipton Mr. Bill English – especially when it comes to the right of a women to choose. Then of course religious zealotry is a sign of devout piousness and no one is more pious then the double dipper from Dipton, after all confession on Saturday, taking mess on Sunday and then its all good for another week. Right?
Good grief BM ask for better talking points.
Actually, t’is the post 1980s version of free market, small government capitalism (often referred to as neoliberalism) that has all the features of faith-based religion:
was it not just this year that Blinglish invoked his faith in regards to the ‘criminal’ act of abortion that forces women in this country to literally declare themselves mentally unwell in order to receive an abortion?
…what a fruitless effort it would be trying to deal with the Greens.
Religous zealotry has no place in an MMP environment…
What’s wrong with you assholes? We’re offering beads and blankets, for fuck’s sake! Don’t you hicks recognise a good deal when someone offers you one?
Lets not forgot the syphilis and typhoid in the blankets.
Heh, that’s pretty spot on.
LOL
As a centre right voter, I admit id prefer for Winston to go with Labour and the Greens, im sick of all his nonsense. Let the three of them try to govern for the next term, oh what fun that will be…..they deserve each other.
No. When you have the chance for power you always take it because you never whats going to happen later and even if what you say comes to pass then NZ will suffer for it.
No im off the National-NZF bandwagon let the left deal with him.
It hasnt even been a week. Maybe go and do some gardening or play with the kids. NAT supporters really are no good at patience or the long game.
Mostly they hate not knowing if they are on the winning side.
BM: “I’ve changed my mind the Greens are fucking hopeless”
Classic!” I’ve changed my mind” – ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
Poor BM, he’s not getting what he wanted and feeling all upset with the Greens for not giving it to him.
Just cannot cope with not knowing if you are on the winning team BM? Try to lure them over and then resort to name calling when they dont do what you want?
They have got over the 5% thrrshold every time since 1999.
Hey! Where are those pandas we were promised???
coming on the same ship as the hospital and all those bridges.
You guys are cracking me up…
Isnt it good that those who run the country have more patience and stability than these voters… oh wait
Surely now that the votes have come in and there is now a waiting period for the overseas vote to come in – then there should be a limbo period where the MSM and other vested interests should be kept out of any news, electronic and newspapers.
Once the completed votes have been counted then that’s the time to sit and wait patiently until a new government can be formed. The way its carrying on is absolutely a disgrace. Maybe the Governor General should step in and inform all the hysteric much rakers to just keep the hell out of it – a government will be formed – let the voters have their say as a democratic society decrees.
There should be no persuading, leaning, goading and deciding what and who should be doing what – the electorate must be absolutely sick to death of it – the MSM seriously needs a rein in. Our family have completely turned off all MSM and now get videos out and watch overseas content online. How many other people have had a guts full of mouthy “no it alls” who spout heaps and know nothing.
Hear hear. Just wait and all will be revealed.
Stop making sense Kate. These here Nat voters just wanna know if they voted for the winning team.
Silver Scrolls 2017.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/nat-music/audio/201860259/live-silver-scrolls-2017
Happening now in Dunners.
30 + years of iconic music. “The Clean” are being inducted into the Hall of Fame,
Legends!
And we’ve come a long since!
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201860240/silver-scrolls-five-women-finalists-vie-for-award
I saw them play in pretty much the same spot but facing the other way (and without the camera), must have been 1981. Don’t Point That Thing at Me drifting across the Square, fucking awesome.
Great post, with links, up on Public Address.. if you haven’t seen it..
https://publicaddress.net/hardnews/music-god-save-the-clean/
Spenser Rapone is ruffling feathers…
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DKrOairVwAA6Ukn.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DKtIOQ4W4AAu304.jpg
cheers Joe, I enjoy your contributions.
Creeper’s final creep.
“He was the greatest living feminist” Hugh Hefner on Hugh Hefner
When the Kremlin invades your country,
(Kyiv) – A Russian court in Crimea on September 27, 2017, convicted a prominent Crimean Tatar leader on bogus separatism charges following an unfair trial, Human Rights Watch said today.
The court imposed a two-year prison sentence and banned Ilmi Umerov, the Crimean Tatar leader, from involvement in public activities, which includes contact with the media, for two years. The sentence is harsher than the three-year suspended sentence sought by the prosecution. Russian authorities should take the necessary steps to have Umerov’s two-year prison sentence set aside, and stop persecuting him and other Crimean Tatars for their peaceful opposition to Russia’s occupation of Crimea.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/09/27/crimea-crimean-tatar-leader-convicted-spurious-charges
And the speculation continues, what a crack up this 2-week wait is. As I type the political panel comes on radiolive, hard case, at least Rodney and Chris have a clue, I very much enjoy their segment on Thursday nights.
The real election horror is this seasons American Horror Story, now that’s some twisted trump/clinton based storyline, bravo to the writers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-27J0sR9268
I have recently shifted (retired) back to my childhood and early adult region – the Waikato after 40 years of living in Auckland, in both National and Labour seats, latterly Mt Albert, Waitakere and finally Te Atatu electoral districts. Of course Waikato is just sooooo blue, one could pin a blue rosette to a rabid dog running down Broadway in Matamata and the locals would gladly vote for it. I attended a couple of meetings prior to the election to see what the candidates were made of – it was indeed an interesting exercise. The Nat guy came across as such a self-entitled, arrogant, born to rule Tory, I suspect he has a long career as part of their cabal if he so chooses. The other candidates were an interesting group – they’ll be all the wiser for their experience, if they so decide to have another crack next time, particularly Brooke Loader, who stood for Labour. I hope she recalls that Helen Clark stood in the same electorate, then Piako in 1975 and then went on to greater heights. I read today that the N Z First candidate, who was interesting to observe in his naivety, but total dedication to his party, did not only have that bloody Myrtle tractor run over his foot at that National Party/Farmers’ rally at Morrinsville prior to the election, but has been attacked and mocked about his misfortune at his various farming ventures. I’m not in any shape or form a N Z First supporter, but can’t help feeling for Stu Husband. I recall Ed Hillary stating many years ago – probably at the time he was part of the ‘Citizens for Rowling’ campaign, that we needed a few ‘honest to God politicians’ in Wellington to bring some reality to politics.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/97324748/farmer-candidate-abused-by-my-own-people
Hey there Jilly, thanks for the link, crikey that was an eye opener of a read, so was your post.
One thing I’ve come to realise is that bullying is rife in most sectors of NZ society, put-downs and intimidation usually from those with a lack of knowledge or understanding on particular subjects and its freaking disgusting.
I strongly feel this bullying behaviour as demonstrated by the actions of protesting farmers outlined in your link and a particular political party is one of the factors in our devastatingly high suicide rates.
One of the reasons I lean left is because the opposition parties value people over personal power trips, made clear by how they’ve interacted this election.
Thanks for this. And [email protected] rabid dog
“Local Māori and conservationists have claimed the right to access a Northland river today – by driving though the middle of a working dairy farm.
The farm belongs to Northland Regional Council chairman Bill Shepherd.
Northland Environmental Protection Society, Fiona Furrell, opined that …”It gives the only public access to this part of the river; to the waterfalls and the rapids. Kayakers and young people into adventure sports would love it.”
She said in its earlier days the Wairua River and its rapids had been singled out for praise by the American adventurer and sports fisherman Zane Grey.
On the riverbank where his ancestors used to camp and wait for the eels to come down the river in autumn, Mr Ruka eyed the fast-flowing Wairua and choked up a little.
He said all over the country, Māori and Pākehā had been shut out of riversides like this one because of land development …
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/340472/northland-hapu-and-conservationists-fight-for-river-access