How about we forget that he’s a naturally reticent speaker. Forget that he’s no show pony like John Key was – and Winston Peters still is – and concentrate on what he says for a change.
How about the MSM do an honest job for a change and highlight what he and Labour stand for… what their policies are… and how it will change the lives of so many people for the better. How about they stop this interminable gotcha claptrap that is slowly crippling this country. How about they do the job they are supposed to do and keep the public informed so that they are able to make rational decisions for a change.
Funniest post ever … you demand the media focus on the Labour’s message not personality … but then want to focus on English’s stodgy personality. Love you work!
“Demand”? No, dreaming of real journalism and admitting that is too much to ask. Then, accepting we sadly live in a time of crap msm, further horrified by the awful bias. Simple really.
I dunno Anne. That definitely wasn’t a “gotcha” interview, and yet…
something like the entire first half of it was conducted from the back foot, and it ended with a stated determination to lead NZ Labour into the election which…well does the gap between that, and a determination to be the next PM of New Zealand need to be spelled out?
I really wish the interview hadn’t oozed defeat, but it did. And it’s going to get worse if the soft bagging of the Greens carries on. He should have been pointing out how irrelevant the shift in voting intentions within any Labour/Green bloc is, not doing the woe is unto us it’s all the fault of the Greens (and NZF) for grabbing headlines routine.
That definitely wasn’t a “gotcha” interview, and yet…
I was referring to the general gotcha claptrap that has permeated throughout the MSM – Newshub in particular – not the linked interview. Its just so puerile and pathetic and its getting worse.
I thought the interview with Dann yesterday was interesting. If you ignore the MSM stuff and just listen, some things come through. One is that Labour are now willing to say that if people want to change the govt they need to vote Labour not NZF. The other is that he is a fighter.
Little looked worn out, so I hope he can rally his own reserves and Labour say this again and again but stronger and clearer.
All the positioning stuff seems fine to me, and they’ve got decent enough policy.
This time tomorrow Jacinda Ardern will be leader of the labour party, as someone whose been calling for littles resignation for well over a year this is bittersweet as at best we hold our current seats.
Little is half as popular as cunliffe. Should have been arsed out a long time ago.
Promoting Jacinda Ardern to leader is like taking a shy third former and making her Head Girl – not good for the individual and very bad for the organisation she is supposed to lead.
Y’a mean, Alan, she’s not yet been Prime Minister?
Have you checked to see if she’s lead any organisations before? Bet you’ll be surprised. And spare a thought for Deputy Paula while you’re at it.
Yeah she’s older than Princess Di if that is the type you are referring to.
That lady was a dazzler but there were too many things against her, and she needed more for her.
I have no problem with Andrew Little. He leads by consensus and that is good. My problem is the word LABOUR. So old and out of date that word. Labour needs a new name that says “we stand for an egalitarian society” because that is what National is destroying in New Zealand.
We have suffered in the last 2 elections from dirty tricks in which the media were (only sometimes) an unwitting part. We can’t afford to have this election hijacked by the media.
Listen up, Paddy Gower, Corin Dann, etc. This election is not about all about YOU. It is not a circus with you as the ringmaster, We have a country which has huge problems to solve. The climate change is going to have an enormous effect on our land, and we need to start planning NOW for the huge impact of rising sea levels, warming seas. The very lives of many of our people will depend on the choice of government in this election and their plans (or lack of plans) for the future. For other people the choice of government is literally life and death for them. For those who cannot access help for their mental health problems soon enough, time is running out. How many more children are going to get rheumatic fever and require heart valve operations? How many more people will die before they can get operations in Dunedin?
How many more roads will be built while rail is in neglected in Auckland?
We want you to ask about POLICIES. We want you to stop obsessing about polls. We want you to stop asking politicians how they feel. We want you to clarify the policy information so that voters can make a fair, educated choice.
Certain elements of the MSM want Labour gone as the main left wing party and replaced by the Greens, which is why you’re seeing this piling into Labour.
The worse decision was to prevaricate about supporting Metiria and not pump a hand on a lecturn and say- we are having good times but we can have that and not hate the poor, not demonise the poor, not make them into criminals just to provide for their own family.
In a government I lead we will have prosperity without the meanness of spirit, aspiration without the snobbery and anger, compassion and confidence in the ability of New Zealanders to build and grow businesses.
Not in God’s own country will we stand by while families live in cars and people die living on the street. Like the Liberals and the First Labour Government we say enough. Enough teaching our children to walk past the homeless, teaching them to blame those who have misfortune, enough teaching them that we owe no service to the country that got us here, that we owe no service to our society, that we don’t need to invest in our housing, our education and our health services and that all we need is a little bit of a tax cut. We are one people, one country, one tribe, but we are not all equal. We need to help our weakest and we should judge our society on how we judge them. And by that measure our country, lead by these heartless hounds who say with all honesty have not knowingly cheated to get ahead, is very poor indeed.
And the people they are suggesting should lead the party instead won’t make anything better.
The swing to Metiria was because of this. Being racist hasn’t split off votes from NZ first, because Labour isn’t racist. Believing in a kind of austerity hasn’t split off voters from National, because they already have austerity. Labour needs to come out swinging, look at the full reason they are failing and it is the whole leadership team and its failure over two cycles to come out swinging strongly and genuinely as Labour.
Well said. I have been home most of today and found it unbelievable how that poll result dominated the news with broadcasters’ breathless statements about Andrew Little talking of resigning. There are so many important challenges facing this country, but they get crowded out because some functionary at RNZ national decided that this was leading the news all day.
Winstone loathed the Alliance, remember that?
Then he loathed the Greens.
And the current Green party is doing a very good impersonation of the old Alliance.
Yes, this is MMP
Alternatively Little goes to caucus tomorrow morning challenges them to make a move, announces a press conference and makes it look like hes about to resign, the press attention will be crazy, instead of resigning does a firey angry speech about why he wants to be pm and uses the attention to announce a policy on Marijuana reform or something equally controversial but popular and radical. This would result in littles face being all over the news.
This could be the making of the man. Labours current policies are boring they need some radical announcements that will get people talking about them
the problem with that approach is that anything radical will likely have a strong left wing edge to it – net result, he drags a few back from the greens and zero from the centre or right.
While he’s talking to caucus he could ask who’s going to contradict policy next, so he can figure out how to pretend it’s all fine. Or give them notice they’re on their own.
I agree Ad. Would rather have Andrew Little as PM in a coalition govt with the Greens than another horrifying 3 years of the Bill and Nat show. How many deaths in the streets will it take before people wake up to stop the current madness?
Anyway, I have taken the quote/Leunig cartoon at the very end and ‘butchered’ it to:
Labour is being threatened by a dark force. We must help Labour. What is this dark force which threatens Labour?
It’s Labour …
PS if this is not permissible, for any reason, please delete forthwith.
[lprent: Not a problem. I presume you’re worried about astroturfing. It follows the site rules by being in the right kind of post (OpenMike or Daily Review) and you explained what it was, why you thought it was important, and provided a link. Even when I’m on a irritable rampage at reading crap, I wouldn’t give this a glance. ]
“As recent anthropological research has pointed out:
Keeping the playing field level was a matter of survival. These small-scale, nomadic foraging groups didn’t stock up much surplus food, and given the high-risk nature of hunting – the fact that on any given day or week you may come back empty-handed – sharing and cooperation were required to ensure everyone got enough to eat. Anyone who made a bid for higher status or attempted to take more than their share would be ridiculed or ostracised for their audacity. Suppressing our primate ancestors’ dominance hierarchies by enforcing these egalitarian norms was a central adaptation of human evolution, argues social anthropologist Christopher Boehm. It enhanced cooperation and lowered risk as small, isolated bands of humans spread into new habitats and regions across the world, and was likely crucial to our survival and success.”
IMHO, I reckon Labour/Greens should follow Winston’s lead and ditch the budget responsibility agreement, the media/Nats would hate it, the subsequent squealing would highlight , Nationals position as being out of step with Lab/Green/NZ1st (the majority). Double down by bringing forward the free tertiary policy.
National’s neglect leading to the appalling state of NZ infrastructure – needing urgent action.(and it does)
Housing, Water, Rail, Health, Education., the list is massive
I scraped around last night and did exactly that and donated 3.36 times the monthly operational costs for this site. A considerable sacrifice I thought until I was given today 2/3rds of the amount as a reward for obsessive work a few months ago in the form of a prezzy card.
Oh well there is always next month to be more sacrificial.. Maybe I’ll donate to the greens then. 😈
Any left wing party trying to get policy out has to deal with the neoliberal media wanting to talk about ……polls……….Personalities….polls…..leadership…….personalities…polls….
The MSM is certainly hostile to the left – and to any kind of social or moral standards for that matter. I just hope the incoming government returns the favour.
“Any left wing party trying to get policy out has to deal with the neoliberal media wanting to talk about ……polls……….Personalities….polls…..leadership…….personalities…polls….”
Then don’t.
It’s all getting rather silly – you want cut through – give the media what it want’s – ratings.
Why at the 11th hour are people moaning, we all know it goes on. Say stuff that will get the media attack dogs attacking, say the things people actually want to hear.
In my experience giving cash leading into an election to a political party tends to be way more productive than that the much large amounts that I routinely donate to political parties over the previous 2.75 years. I do have to admit that it is way easier albeit less productive than giving my skilled hours.
I guess that is why the inherently lazy, shiftless and apparently untalented National and Act supporters (like yourself?) prefer doing it that way.
Yeah, they really seem to have reached their peak of commenting sophistication in 2008. Probably need soem time in opposition to encourage them to start learning again. eh?
Earning: Vegans should now avert their eyes….
They do seem to respond well to accurate assessment about their probable abilities. It is like sishing in the Kaipara used to be like. Foolish fish rising to take the barbed bait (and whining as they bleed out for breakfast)
Yes, we’re all lazy, shiftless and apparently untalented, lprent.
Luckily we’re left under no illusion about how (very self deprecatingly) you are amazing, skilled and probably the biggest computer aficionado since Steve Jobs. Or not.
Except you dipstick she doesn’t know what she’s talking about. She said that at this level of 24% he wouldn’t get in.
She’s wrong, but show me a Nat that can do simple arithmetic.
The barefaced Nat plant glossed over the leader poll, Peters, Ardern and LITTLE all went up, only English went down.
Quick ,look over there, a pony tail, oh no wait, it’s only horseshit.
Undermine the leader and get round the party.
Keep voting until we get the right result, yeh? If you can’t convince the people, marginalise them.
Might be time to vote for the Greens and join them after all.
Nash auditioning to be the leader of NZ first? Ahh…Simon Wilson the new Josie Pagani. Such a pity. “Nash would be a big, bold call” Lol except “it’s hard to pinpoint any quality new ideas he’s produced.”
Ardern/Hipkins possibly. drop Nash hard and fast. Little attorney general. Robertson has not impressed. He hasn’t damaged any of the Nats Finance ministers. He is Little’s finance guy. He’s gotta wear that. He’s a key player in this leadership team.
Electorate vote labour, as they’re either first or second place, and disregard traditional, historical reasons, party vote for the most left leaning party who you see as able to push the progressive cause. Imo, the greens.
Don’t feel bad for deserting labour in supporting the greens. You’re making the best decision. They’ve had eight and a half years and wasted them with internal division and ego driven politics.
Just don’t be a loser and vote Top or NZ1st and misguidedly think you’re doing the right thing to oust the government.
Slowly coming around to the possibility of a Grant leadership if he can sell the whole thing better. Well, not hating it if it can change the government. Bring several positives and the possibility of selling a decent manifesto better.
I should be out door knocking for Labour.
I should go be pissed off elsewhere on the internet. or not on the internet at all.
FFS Labour. The votes aren’t leaving the left. They’ve gone to a party that’s put its beating heart out there for a Labour cause. Don’t panic. Don’t go- we should not be Labour and we should ditch the Greens. The votes may come back. They are still in the coalition. National has lost voters. They are vunerable. That’s why the attacks are coming in.
You ceded leadership of the left for a bit. Don’t be sad about that. Respect it. Praise Metiria for looking after hers, as many have. Say why you will decrease poverty and increase the kind of social mobility that Metiria embodies and why this is important to Kiwis and why a government that demeans NZ workers and brings in near slave labour in some cases can f- right off. Labour inspectorate cases seemingly rushing in now there’s an election on eh?
I hear you, but reality bites and says labour are as left wing as my right nut. lol.
Time will come when the greens are the biggest left wing group in parliament. I suggest getting in on the ground floor to claim bragging rights.
But if you want to chose a party that goes through leaders like I do knickers after a week on the curry, so be it, just don’t get scared when you have to play second fiddle to a team that have had no rankles, dramas, and internal divisions while they claim to be acting in the interests of the common people on the street.
I can wait for the tide to change, but only ’cause I know it’s coming sooner rather than later. All depends on when you old hat, died in the wool guys feel brave enough to make the change. 😉
The whole poll thing on talkback today, what I found really messed up is it appears many NZers don’t like honesty. That’s fucked up.
People ringing in saying, oh Andrew shouldn’t have said anything… are they for reals? Dang, they need help, as does the likes of Garner running the narrative with his poll.
Andrew has never been in it for himself, he’s not that kind of man, team player all the way, kudos to him for that, his honesty with Labour and the NZ public in the weird world of polls makes a refreshing change.
Andrew I really admire your integrity among other things, and am backing you all the way.
Question please…. Why does both the leader and the deputy of NZ’s 2nd largest party feature on the preferred PM poll, but only the leader of largest party features on said poll and nationals deputy is nowhere?
Maybe newshub and the like could do a story on why paula bennett does not appear to feature in any poll, anywhere?
Paula Bennett cannot afford to be a focus of attention. Her ‘harassment’ by a member of the public is too recent. She will be keeping well away from the media. The old adage ‘where there is smoke there is fire’ always has an element of truth in it. I would like to see her have an in depth interview regarding her views on lying and fraud, pertaining to Turei’s admittance of the same. Possibly birds of a feather. Who knows? All imo.
Good god, I can’t believe what I’ve been reading and listen too since this morning! Is this shit real or is it my brain tricks on me and I know they (Weather Boffins) are calling for a early build (going to be a real stinker) up to the wet season so I may have gone troppo a little early well I have loaded a trailer full fencing gear this arvo.
Little should go for broke either you are with or you are on your own? Where’s Churchill (yeah I know a few here hate him, but Little needs to deliver a Churchill style speech to those political middle class toff’s who infect our great party) when you need him!
An DS from my Army times said: Politics is war and War is Politics by other means and either side must be bold in attack and steely neve in defence as a poker player ie know when hold them and know when to fold them. ( A bit of Clausewitz and Kenny Rogers)
One last comment from me. Would Labours Finance spokesman (was he a member of the ABC mob?) currently lack luster over the last couple mths, would be so stupid at this stage of the election to try and trip up Little as I believe he had caucus support and Little had party support like the last poor bloke?
The very last comment, do you think I should come home when I get my Med Discharge from the ADF and kick some of these clowns from the middle class toff’s up the ass and ask those team you are on.
Certainly by deepsea fishing standards there’s a few that ought to be overhauled with a deck spanner. I think they listen too much to the vermin on the right – we want Andy angry – way too many suicides and kids in poverty is not a coffee table conversation – it’s war.
What did it matter to ya
When you got a job to do you got to do it well
You got to give the other fella hell…
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The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi are saying that the Government should do the right thing and deliver minimum wage increases that don’t see workers fall further behind, in response to today’s announcement that the minimum wage will only be increased by 1.5%, well short of forecast inflation. “With inflation forecast ...
Oh, I weptFor daysFilled my eyesWith silly tearsOh, yeaBut I don'tCare no moreI don't care ifMy eyes get soreSongwriters: Paul Rodgers / Paul Kossoff. Read more ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Bob HensonIn this aerial view, fingers of meltwater flow from the melting Isunnguata Sermia glacier descending from the Greenland Ice Sheet on July 11, 2024, near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. According to the Programme for Monitoring of the Greenland Ice Sheet (PROMICE), the ...
In August, I wrote an article about David Seymour1 with a video of his testimony, to warn that there were grave dangers to his Ministry of Regulation:David Seymour's Ministry of Slush Hides Far Greater RisksWhy Seymour's exorbitant waste of taxpayers' money could be the least of concernThe money for Seymour ...
Willis is expected to have to reveal the bitter fiscal fruits of her austerity strategy in the HYEFU later today. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/TheKakaMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, December 17 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast ...
On Friday the government announced it would double the number of toll roads in New Zealand as well as make a few other changes to how toll roads are used in the country. The real issue though is not that tolling is being used but the suggestion it will make ...
The Prime Minister yesterday engaged in what looked like a pre-emptive strike designed to counter what is likely to be a series of depressing economic statistics expected before the end of the week. He opened his weekly post-Cabinet press conference with a recitation of the Government’s achievements. “It certainly has ...
This whooping cough story from south Auckland is a good example of the coalition government’s approach to social need – spend money on urging people to get vaccinated but only after you’ve cut the funding to where they could get vaccinated. This has been the case all year with public ...
And if there is a GodI know he likes to rockHe likes his loud guitarsHis spiders from MarsAnd if there is a GodI know he's watching meHe likes what he seesBut there's trouble on the breezeSongwriter: William Patrick Corgan Read more ...
Here’s a quick round up of today’s political news:1. MORE FOOD BANKS, CHARITIES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS AND YOUTH SOCIAL SERVICES SET TO CLOSE OR SCALE BACK AROUND THE COUNTRY AS GOVT CUTS FUNDINGSome of Auckland's largest foodbanks are warning they may need to close or significantly reduce food parcels after ...
Iain Rennie, CNZMSecretary and Chief Executive to the TreasuryDear Secretary, Undue restrictions on restricted briefings This week, the Treasury barred representatives from four organisations, including the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi, from attending the restricted briefing for the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update. We had been ...
This is a guest post by Tim Adriaansen, a community, climate, and accessibility advocate.I won’t shut up about climate breakdown, and whenever possible I try to shift the focus of a climate conversation towards solutions. But you’ll almost never hear me give more than a passing nod to ...
A grassroots backlash has forced a backdown from Brown, but he is still eyeing up plenty of tolls for other new roads. And the pressure is on Willis to ramp up the Government’s austerity strategy. Photo: Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
Hi all,I'm pretty overwhelmed by all your messages and emails today; thank you so very much.As much as my newsletter this morning was about money, and we all need to earn money, it was mostly about world domination if I'm honest. 😉I really hate what’s happening to our country, and ...
A listing of 23 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, December 8, 2024 thru Sat, December 14, 2024. Listing by Category Like last week's summary this one contains the list of articles twice: based on categories and based on ...
I started writing this morning about Hobson’s Pledge, examining the claims they and their supporters make, basically ripping into them. But I kept getting notifications coming through, and not good ones.Each time I looked up, there was another un-subscription message, and I felt a bit sicker at the thought of ...
Once, long before there was Harry and Meghan and Dodi and all those episodes of The Crown, they came to spend some time with us, Charles and Diana. Was there anyone in the world more glamorous than the Princess of Wales?Dazzled as everyone was by their company, the leader of ...
The collective right have a problem.The entire foundation for their world view is antiscientific. Their preferred economic strategies have been disproven. Their whole neoliberal model faces accusations of corporate corruption and worsening inequality. Climate change not only definitely exists, its rapid progression demands an immediate and expensive response in order ...
Just ten days ago, South Korea's president attempted a self-coup, declaring martial law and attempting to have opposition MPs murdered or arrested in an effort to seize unconstrained power. The attempt was rapidly defeated by the national assembly voting it down and the people flooding the streets to defend democracy. ...
Hi,“What I love about New Zealanders is that sometimes you use these expressions that as Americans we have no idea what those things mean!"I am watching a 30-something year old American ramble on about how different New Zealanders are to Americans. It’s his podcast, and this man is doing a ...
National has only been in power for a year, but everywhere you look, its choices are taking New Zealand a long way backwards. In no particular order, here are the National Government's Top 50 Greatest Misses of its first year in power. ...
The Government is quietly undertaking consultation on the dangerous Regulatory Standards Bill over the Christmas period to avoid too much attention. ...
The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs. ...
The Ministry of Regulation’s report into Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Aotearoa raises serious concerns about the possibility of lowering qualification requirements, undermining quality and risking worse outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. ...
A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...
Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...
The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...
The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...
The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...
Te Pāti Māori has this morning issued a stern warning to Fast-Track applicants with interests in mining, pledging to hold them accountable through retrospective liability and to immediately revoke Fast-Track consents under a future Te Pāti Māori government. This warning comes ahead of today’s third reading of the Fast-Track Approvals ...
The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...
All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...
The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...
The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...
The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...
New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...
The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...
Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...
Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...
The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...
Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...
Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced four appointments to New Zealand’s intelligence oversight functions. The Honourable Robert Dobson KC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, and the Honourable Brendan Brown KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. The appointments of Hon Robert Dobson and Hon ...
Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...
The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...
Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Justice Christian Whata as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Whata’s appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect on 1 August 2025 and fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon Justice David Goddard on ...
The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...
Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last year’s Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Network’s new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...
The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...
The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...
Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has passed through first reading in Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “As a growing share of audiences get their news and entertainment from streaming services, these restrictions have become increasingly redundant. New Zealand on ...
Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. “He is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. “Earlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...
The Government is delivering regulatory relief for New Zealand businesses through changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. “The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill – the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed further progress on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS), with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board approving funding for the detailed design of Stage 1, paving the way for main works construction to begin in late 2025.“The Government is moving at ...
The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...
Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...
A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...
The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). “The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...
It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...
“Accelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...
Mehemea he pai mō te tangata, mahia – if it’s good for the people, get on with it. Enhanced reporting on the public sector’s delivery of Treaty settlement commitments will help improve outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. Compiled together for the ...
Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...
More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. “This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in ...
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...
The Government welcomes the Commerce Commission’s plan to reduce card fees for Kiwis by an estimated $260 million a year, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.“The Government is relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of living, so Kiwis can keep more of their hard-earned income and live a ...
Regulation Minister David Seymour has welcomed the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory review report, the first major report from the Ministry for Regulation. The report makes 15 recommendations to modernise and simplify regulations across ECE so services can get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care ...
The Government‘s Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a new regulatory regime that will enable firms to construct offshore wind generation has passed its first reading in Parliament, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.“New Zealand currently does not have a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy as the previous government failed ...
Legislation to enable new water service delivery models that will drive critical investment in infrastructure has passed its first reading in Parliament, marking a significant step towards the delivery of Local Water Done Well, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly say.“Councils and voters ...
New Zealand is one step closer to reaping the benefits of gene technology with the passing of the first reading of the Gene Technology Bill, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins says. "This legislation will end New Zealand's near 30-year ban on gene technology outside the lab and is ...
Te Pāti Māori has had to adopt a new way of debating, operating and even thinking in Parliament in response to the Government’s “onslaught” against te ao Māori, co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says.In an end-of-year interview with Newsroom, the Te Tai Hauauru MP reflected on how 2024 has differed from her ...
Opinion: The latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science report was announced earlier this month, yet it didn’t get the flurry of media attention and political hand-wringing that typically accompanies these announcements. This might be because it presented good news, or you could argue, no news; the results paint a ...
NewsroomBy Dr Lisa Darragh, Dr Raewyn Eden and Dr David Pomeroy
At long last, The Spinoff shells out for a nut ranking. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today.It recently came to The Spinoff’s attention ...
I was one of hundreds of people who lost my government job this week. Here’s exactly how it played out. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a ...
Summer reissue: One anxiously attentive passenger pays attention to an in-flight safety video, and wonders ‘Why can’t I pick up my own phone?’ The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up ...
Summer reissue: Why do those Lange-Douglas years cast such a long shadow 40 years on? The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today. First published June ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 23 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...
The Government’s social housing agency has backed out of a billion-dollar infrastructure alliance that would have built about 6000 new homes in Auckland – less than 18 months after signing a five-year extension.Labour says the decision to rip up the contract and sell off existing state houses could lead to ...
ByKoroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor New Zealand’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) says impending bad weather for Port Vila is now the most significant post-quake hazard. A tropical low in the Coral Sea is expected to move into Vanuatu waters, bringing heavy rainfall. Authorities have issued warnings to people ...
Cosmic CatastropheThe year draws to a close.King Luxon has grown tired of the long eveningsListening to the dreary squabbling of his Triumvirate.He strolls up to the top floor of the PalaceTo consult with his Astronomer Royal.The Royal Telescope scans the skies,And King Luxon stares up into the heavensFrom the terrestrial ...
Spinoff editor Mad Chapman and books editor Claire Mabey debate Carl Shuker’s new novel about… an editor. Claire: Hello Mad, you just finished The Royal Free – overall impressions? Mad: Hi Claire, I literally just put the book down and I would have to say my immediate impression is ...
Christmas and its buildup are often lonely, hard and full of unreasonable expectations. Here’s how to make it to Jesus’s birthday and find the little bit of joy we all deserve. Have you found this year relentless? Has the latest Apple update “fucked up your life”? Have you lost two ...
Despite overwhelming public and corporate support, the government has stalled progress on a modern day slavery law. That puts us behind other countries – and makes Christmas a time of tragedy rather than joy, argues Shanti Mathias. Picture the scene on Christmas Day. Everyone replete with nice things to eat, ...
Asia Pacific Report “It looks like Hiroshima. It looks like Germany at the end of World War Two,” says an Israeli-American historian and professor of holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University about the horrifying reality of Gaza. Professor Omer Bartov, has described Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza as an ...
The New Zealand government coalition is tweaking university regulations to curb what it says is an increasingly “risk-averse approach” to free speech. The proposed changes will set clear expectations on how universities should approach freedom of speech issues. Each university will then have to adopt a “freedom of speech statement” ...
Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – COMMENTARY: By Caitlin Johnstone New York prosecutors have charged Luigi Mangione with “murder as an act of terrorism” in his alleged shooting of health insurance CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month. This news comes out at the same time as ...
Pacific Media Watch The union for Australian journalists has welcomed the delivery by the federal government of more than $150 million to support the sustainability of public interest journalism over the next four years. Combined with the announcement of the revamped News Bargaining Initiative, this could result in up to ...
MONDAY“Merry Xmas, and praise the Lord,” said Sheriff Luxon, and smiled for the camera. There was a flash of smoke when the shutter pressed down on the magnesium powder. The sheriff had arranged for a photographer from the Dodge Gazette to attend a ceremony where he handed out food parcels to ...
It’s a little under two months since the White Ferns shocked the cricketing world, deservedly taking home the T20 World Cup. Since then the trophy has had a tour around the country, five of the squad have played in the WBBL in Australia while most others have returned to domestic ...
Comment: If we say the word ‘dementia’, many will picture an older person struggling to remember the names of their loved ones, maybe a grandparent living out their final years in an aged care facility. Dementia can also occur in people younger than 65, but it can take time before ...
Piracy is a reality of modern life – but copyright law has struggled to play catch-up for as long as the entertainment industry has existed. As far back as 1988, the House of Lords criticised copyright law’s conflict with the reality of human behaviour in the context of burning cassette ...
As he makes a surprise return to Shortland Street, actor Craig Parker takes us through his life in television. Craig Parker has been a fixture on television in Aotearoa for nearly four decades. He had starring roles in iconic local series like Gloss, Mercy Peak and Diplomatic Immunity, featured in ...
The Ōtautahi musician shares the 10 tracks he loves to spin, including the folk classic that cured him of a ‘case of the give-ups’. When singer-songwriter Adam McGrath returns to Kumeu’s Auckland Folk Festival from January 24-27, he’s not planning on simply idling his way through – he wants the late ...
Alex Casey spends an afternoon on the job with River, the rescue dog on a mission to spread joy to Ōtautahi rest homes.Almost everyone says it is never enough time. But River the rescue dog, a jet black huntaway border collie cross, has to keep a tight pace to ...
Asia Pacific Report Fiji activists have recreated the nativity scene at a solidarity for Palestine gathering in Fiji’s capital Suva just days before Christmas. The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and Fijians for Palestine Solidarity Network recreated the scene at the FWCC compound — a baby Jesus figurine lies amidst the ...
By 1News Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver and 1News reporters A number of Kiwis have been successfully evacuated from Vanuatu after a devastating earthquake shook the Pacific island nation earlier this week. The death toll was still unclear, though at least 14 people were killed according to an earlier statement from ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Scully, Professor in Modern History, University of New England Bunker.Image courtesy of Michael Leunig, CC BY-NC-SA Michael Leunig – who died in the early hours of Thursday December 19, surrounded by “his children, loved ones, and sunflowers” – was the ...
Just listened to Andrew Little on Checkpoint.
How about we forget that he’s a naturally reticent speaker. Forget that he’s no show pony like John Key was – and Winston Peters still is – and concentrate on what he says for a change.
How about the MSM do an honest job for a change and highlight what he and Labour stand for… what their policies are… and how it will change the lives of so many people for the better. How about they stop this interminable gotcha claptrap that is slowly crippling this country. How about they do the job they are supposed to do and keep the public informed so that they are able to make rational decisions for a change.
Asking too much I know.
Andrew Little talks to John Campbell.
And how about it be highlighted by MSM that Bill English has a stodgy personality and is not a riveting speaker.
Precisely Reality. The hypocrisy of the Right and their MSM acolytes is staggering almost beyond words.
Funniest post ever … you demand the media focus on the Labour’s message not personality … but then want to focus on English’s stodgy personality. Love you work!
“Demand”? No, dreaming of real journalism and admitting that is too much to ask. Then, accepting we sadly live in a time of crap msm, further horrified by the awful bias. Simple really.
Simple to us Violet but too complicated for Dazzer. 😉
Love you too Dazzer – great of you to drop in and give us your valuable feedback.
I dunno Anne. That definitely wasn’t a “gotcha” interview, and yet…
something like the entire first half of it was conducted from the back foot, and it ended with a stated determination to lead NZ Labour into the election which…well does the gap between that, and a determination to be the next PM of New Zealand need to be spelled out?
I really wish the interview hadn’t oozed defeat, but it did. And it’s going to get worse if the soft bagging of the Greens carries on. He should have been pointing out how irrelevant the shift in voting intentions within any Labour/Green bloc is, not doing the woe is unto us it’s all the fault of the Greens (and NZF) for grabbing headlines routine.
That definitely wasn’t a “gotcha” interview, and yet…
I was referring to the general gotcha claptrap that has permeated throughout the MSM – Newshub in particular – not the linked interview. Its just so puerile and pathetic and its getting worse.
I thought the interview with Dann yesterday was interesting. If you ignore the MSM stuff and just listen, some things come through. One is that Labour are now willing to say that if people want to change the govt they need to vote Labour not NZF. The other is that he is a fighter.
Little looked worn out, so I hope he can rally his own reserves and Labour say this again and again but stronger and clearer.
All the positioning stuff seems fine to me, and they’ve got decent enough policy.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95282759/vandalised-national-party-billboard-in-riverton-claims-bill-english-has-brain-fade
the riverton ripper strikes
This time tomorrow Jacinda Ardern will be leader of the labour party, as someone whose been calling for littles resignation for well over a year this is bittersweet as at best we hold our current seats.
Little is half as popular as cunliffe. Should have been arsed out a long time ago.
Promoting Jacinda Ardern to leader is like taking a shy third former and making her Head Girl – not good for the individual and very bad for the organisation she is supposed to lead.
She’s 37. Comparisons with a third-former are ridiculous, unless you similarly want to compare Bill English to the dull boy who’s been made prefect.
her age is irrelevant, it is her leadership experience that matters – she has none.
Y’a mean, Alan, she’s not yet been Prime Minister?
Have you checked to see if she’s lead any organisations before? Bet you’ll be surprised. And spare a thought for Deputy Paula while you’re at it.
What ,- Pullyer Benefit and put em up in a Motel Bennett ?
Geez.
And I thought the Double Dipper was bad…. strewth !!!
“she has none”
I always find this an odd argument. You don’t have experience therefore can’t have the job, but how do you get the experience without having the job?
Yeah she’s older than Princess Di if that is the type you are referring to.
That lady was a dazzler but there were too many things against her, and she needed more for her.
I reckon Jacinda will be gone sometime during the next electoral term, she’s off to have babies.
THat’s why she’s not interested in the leadership.
I reckon what you reckon has as much worth as Mike Hosking’s sleeve-pulling habit.
I would normally agree, but Jacinda herself has said she doesn’t want the leadership because she still has possible intention of starting a family.
Craig – good point. I still though, reckon about BM’s reckons 🙂
Mike Hosking’s sleeve-pulling habit…
Trying to place a defensive position between himself and the camera in public.
Body Language 101.
I reckon she could probably have a baby and do her job slyrants.
I have no problem with Andrew Little. He leads by consensus and that is good. My problem is the word LABOUR. So old and out of date that word. Labour needs a new name that says “we stand for an egalitarian society” because that is what National is destroying in New Zealand.
Bet that doesn’t happen Cynical.
We have suffered in the last 2 elections from dirty tricks in which the media were (only sometimes) an unwitting part. We can’t afford to have this election hijacked by the media.
Listen up, Paddy Gower, Corin Dann, etc. This election is not about all about YOU. It is not a circus with you as the ringmaster, We have a country which has huge problems to solve. The climate change is going to have an enormous effect on our land, and we need to start planning NOW for the huge impact of rising sea levels, warming seas. The very lives of many of our people will depend on the choice of government in this election and their plans (or lack of plans) for the future. For other people the choice of government is literally life and death for them. For those who cannot access help for their mental health problems soon enough, time is running out. How many more children are going to get rheumatic fever and require heart valve operations? How many more people will die before they can get operations in Dunedin?
How many more roads will be built while rail is in neglected in Auckland?
We want you to ask about POLICIES. We want you to stop obsessing about polls. We want you to stop asking politicians how they feel. We want you to clarify the policy information so that voters can make a fair, educated choice.
Certain elements of the MSM want Labour gone as the main left wing party and replaced by the Greens, which is why you’re seeing this piling into Labour.
MOU = the worst tactical decision ever.
The worse decision was to prevaricate about supporting Metiria and not pump a hand on a lecturn and say- we are having good times but we can have that and not hate the poor, not demonise the poor, not make them into criminals just to provide for their own family.
In a government I lead we will have prosperity without the meanness of spirit, aspiration without the snobbery and anger, compassion and confidence in the ability of New Zealanders to build and grow businesses.
Not in God’s own country will we stand by while families live in cars and people die living on the street. Like the Liberals and the First Labour Government we say enough. Enough teaching our children to walk past the homeless, teaching them to blame those who have misfortune, enough teaching them that we owe no service to the country that got us here, that we owe no service to our society, that we don’t need to invest in our housing, our education and our health services and that all we need is a little bit of a tax cut. We are one people, one country, one tribe, but we are not all equal. We need to help our weakest and we should judge our society on how we judge them. And by that measure our country, lead by these heartless hounds who say with all honesty have not knowingly cheated to get ahead, is very poor indeed.
And the people they are suggesting should lead the party instead won’t make anything better.
The swing to Metiria was because of this. Being racist hasn’t split off votes from NZ first, because Labour isn’t racist. Believing in a kind of austerity hasn’t split off voters from National, because they already have austerity. Labour needs to come out swinging, look at the full reason they are failing and it is the whole leadership team and its failure over two cycles to come out swinging strongly and genuinely as Labour.
I like what you say Tautoko but Paddy Gower, Corin Dann and people like them dont care.
Well said. I have been home most of today and found it unbelievable how that poll result dominated the news with broadcasters’ breathless statements about Andrew Little talking of resigning. There are so many important challenges facing this country, but they get crowded out because some functionary at RNZ national decided that this was leading the news all day.
We’re lucky there wasn’t a school shoot out in the USA, we’d never have heard anything about us only the USA.
This is MMP.
Winstone loathed the Alliance, remember that?
Then he loathed the Greens.
And the current Green party is doing a very good impersonation of the old Alliance.
Yes, this is MMP
Alternatively Little goes to caucus tomorrow morning challenges them to make a move, announces a press conference and makes it look like hes about to resign, the press attention will be crazy, instead of resigning does a firey angry speech about why he wants to be pm and uses the attention to announce a policy on Marijuana reform or something equally controversial but popular and radical. This would result in littles face being all over the news.
This could be the making of the man. Labours current policies are boring they need some radical announcements that will get people talking about them
the problem with that approach is that anything radical will likely have a strong left wing edge to it – net result, he drags a few back from the greens and zero from the centre or right.
And how has 9 years of going for the radical center worked out for labour??!? Like pretty much all the traditional left parties – all but dead…
While he’s talking to caucus he could ask who’s going to contradict policy next, so he can figure out how to pretend it’s all fine. Or give them notice they’re on their own.
Hang in there Andrew Little.
You are a good man.
New Zealand needs a good man as Prime Minister and I hope you make it.
I agree Ad. Would rather have Andrew Little as PM in a coalition govt with the Greens than another horrifying 3 years of the Bill and Nat show. How many deaths in the streets will it take before people wake up to stop the current madness?
+1000.
On reflection I agree Ad.
If Little cut loose and campaigned like he had nothing to lose, he just might win it.
I’m sure he has the nous to do it but it depends on whether his caucus members have the nous to back him up.
Yeah, that’s the sense I have. Nash breaking ranks today is not a good sign.
Puddleglum has written the first blog in a long time and it’s well worth the read: http://www.thepoliticalscientist.org/whos-afraid-of-radical-politics/
Anyway, I have taken the quote/Leunig cartoon at the very end and ‘butchered’ it to:
PS if this is not permissible, for any reason, please delete forthwith.
[lprent: Not a problem. I presume you’re worried about astroturfing. It follows the site rules by being in the right kind of post (OpenMike or Daily Review) and you explained what it was, why you thought it was important, and provided a link. Even when I’m on a irritable rampage at reading crap, I wouldn’t give this a glance. ]
Nash can fuck right off.
Agreed! I was thinking the exact same thing about hanging in there.
Yes, yes for sures agree with you Ad
“As recent anthropological research has pointed out:
Keeping the playing field level was a matter of survival. These small-scale, nomadic foraging groups didn’t stock up much surplus food, and given the high-risk nature of hunting – the fact that on any given day or week you may come back empty-handed – sharing and cooperation were required to ensure everyone got enough to eat. Anyone who made a bid for higher status or attempted to take more than their share would be ridiculed or ostracised for their audacity. Suppressing our primate ancestors’ dominance hierarchies by enforcing these egalitarian norms was a central adaptation of human evolution, argues social anthropologist Christopher Boehm. It enhanced cooperation and lowered risk as small, isolated bands of humans spread into new habitats and regions across the world, and was likely crucial to our survival and success.”
Puddleglum – clever thinking, always.
http://www.thepoliticalscientist.org/whos-afraid-of-radical-politics/
Sounds like a whole New World 🙂
Stuart Nash turns out to be a liability, who knew? 🙄
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/larry-williams-drive/audio/stuart-nash-labour-admits-agreement-with-greens-hurting-its-chances/
Hmm…. I admit Labour agreement to select Stuart Nash is hurting its chances with me.
Yeah, a liablity in your view, Weka.
But we all know that you still think in an MMP world that 24% +15% + 11% = a credible government.
I’m not sure that most outside this echo chamber would agree.
Plus this:
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/95300591/switching-leaders-at-this-point-is-not-easy-but-andrew-littles-exit-seems-more-likely
But you’re a Tory and you would think that.
Well, what would you think, Ed?
Can’t you do the maths?
Are you giving odds on Little stepping down tomorrow?
Bet he doesn’t.
He should have been told to fuck off and join National a long time ago.
IMHO, I reckon Labour/Greens should follow Winston’s lead and ditch the budget responsibility agreement, the media/Nats would hate it, the subsequent squealing would highlight , Nationals position as being out of step with Lab/Green/NZ1st (the majority). Double down by bringing forward the free tertiary policy.
Pretty hard to back track on such a major policy. What would they say made them change their mind?
National’s neglect leading to the appalling state of NZ infrastructure – needing urgent action.(and it does)
Housing, Water, Rail, Health, Education., the list is massive
Wonder if David Cunliffe is having a naughty chuckle to himself, or shedding a bitter little tear, right about now?
Can’t but wonder how low the price of mincemeat would have fallen to after him dealing to dopey Bill in a few leadership debates.
Instead of talking to each other, send a message of support to Andrew.
(My national voting brother-in-law says he received a request for a donation by Judith
Collins.)?????
Lets support Andrew on NZ labours’ facebook and donate!!!!!
We DON”T need a new Leader. We need to get policy out there!!!!!!!
I scraped around last night and did exactly that and donated 3.36 times the monthly operational costs for this site. A considerable sacrifice I thought until I was given today 2/3rds of the amount as a reward for obsessive work a few months ago in the form of a prezzy card.
Oh well there is always next month to be more sacrificial.. Maybe I’ll donate to the greens then. 😈
You’ve had 3 years to get policy out there and sway the vote. What makes you think $20 here or there with 8 weeks to go is going to make a difference?
Supporting Andrew on Facebook won’t make him PM, sadly for you.
Any left wing party trying to get policy out has to deal with the neoliberal media wanting to talk about ……polls……….Personalities….polls…..leadership…….personalities…polls….
Msm… blah… Radio Nz bias.. blah… picking on Labour… blah.. picking on Metiria even though it bumped the Greens… blah…
The MSM is certainly hostile to the left – and to any kind of social or moral standards for that matter. I just hope the incoming government returns the favour.
You know it.
Watch Chomsky if you don’t
Or watch this
ALL GOVERNMENTS LIE: Truth, Deception, and the Spirit of I.F. Stone
“Any left wing party trying to get policy out has to deal with the neoliberal media wanting to talk about ……polls……….Personalities….polls…..leadership…….personalities…polls….”
Then don’t.
It’s all getting rather silly – you want cut through – give the media what it want’s – ratings.
Why at the 11th hour are people moaning, we all know it goes on. Say stuff that will get the media attack dogs attacking, say the things people actually want to hear.
In my experience giving cash leading into an election to a political party tends to be way more productive than that the much large amounts that I routinely donate to political parties over the previous 2.75 years. I do have to admit that it is way easier albeit less productive than giving my skilled hours.
I guess that is why the inherently lazy, shiftless and apparently untalented National and Act supporters (like yourself?) prefer doing it that way.
Well, I guess with 8 weeks to go, your hard earned dosh may help to purchase some new hoardings for the new Labour leader to be announced tomorrow.
I hope you’ve programmed your donations accordingly lprent.
What is it with the turds repeating the same attack line.
It’s like a round robin of dumb, and dumber.
Yeah, they really seem to have reached their peak of commenting sophistication in 2008. Probably need soem time in opposition to encourage them to start learning again. eh?
Earning: Vegans should now avert their eyes….
They do seem to respond well to accurate assessment about their probable abilities. It is like sishing in the Kaipara used to be like. Foolish fish rising to take the barbed bait (and whining as they bleed out for breakfast)
What’s the attack line Adam?
Do you seriously think Little will still be Labour leader this time tomorrow?
I don’t.
That’s not an attack line. That’s a subjective statement based on what’s happened over the past couple of days.
Yes, we’re all lazy, shiftless and apparently untalented, lprent.
Luckily we’re left under no illusion about how (very self deprecatingly) you are amazing, skilled and probably the biggest computer aficionado since Steve Jobs. Or not.
Umm.. Definitely a small snapper from the 2008 contingent.
Ummm. I may be a snapper, but what does that make Audrey?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11897368
Are you willing to wager, lprent!
John Key confessed that he considered resigning long before he did a runner, the media lapped it up.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11897067
A point though, Andrew Little didnt actually offer his resignation.
Except you dipstick she doesn’t know what she’s talking about. She said that at this level of 24% he wouldn’t get in.
She’s wrong, but show me a Nat that can do simple arithmetic.
The barefaced Nat plant glossed over the leader poll, Peters, Ardern and LITTLE all went up, only English went down.
Quick ,look over there, a pony tail, oh no wait, it’s only horseshit.
Quick, look over there. Andrew has pulled out of all media interviews this morning.
Nothing to see here though, I’m sure.
Ahh….brilliant.
Undermine the leader and get round the party.
Keep voting until we get the right result, yeh? If you can’t convince the people, marginalise them.
Might be time to vote for the Greens and join them after all.
Nash auditioning to be the leader of NZ first? Ahh…Simon Wilson the new Josie Pagani. Such a pity. “Nash would be a big, bold call” Lol except “it’s hard to pinpoint any quality new ideas he’s produced.”
Ardern/Hipkins possibly. drop Nash hard and fast. Little attorney general. Robertson has not impressed. He hasn’t damaged any of the Nats Finance ministers. He is Little’s finance guy. He’s gotta wear that. He’s a key player in this leadership team.
Anyone in the know want to tell us what the fuck is really going on and why us two tickers should still do it?
Electorate vote labour, as they’re either first or second place, and disregard traditional, historical reasons, party vote for the most left leaning party who you see as able to push the progressive cause. Imo, the greens.
Don’t feel bad for deserting labour in supporting the greens. You’re making the best decision. They’ve had eight and a half years and wasted them with internal division and ego driven politics.
Just don’t be a loser and vote Top or NZ1st and misguidedly think you’re doing the right thing to oust the government.
Not a chance of the latter, mate.
Slowly coming around to the possibility of a Grant leadership if he can sell the whole thing better. Well, not hating it if it can change the government. Bring several positives and the possibility of selling a decent manifesto better.
I should be out door knocking for Labour.
I should go be pissed off elsewhere on the internet. or not on the internet at all.
FFS Labour. The votes aren’t leaving the left. They’ve gone to a party that’s put its beating heart out there for a Labour cause. Don’t panic. Don’t go- we should not be Labour and we should ditch the Greens. The votes may come back. They are still in the coalition. National has lost voters. They are vunerable. That’s why the attacks are coming in.
You ceded leadership of the left for a bit. Don’t be sad about that. Respect it. Praise Metiria for looking after hers, as many have. Say why you will decrease poverty and increase the kind of social mobility that Metiria embodies and why this is important to Kiwis and why a government that demeans NZ workers and brings in near slave labour in some cases can f- right off. Labour inspectorate cases seemingly rushing in now there’s an election on eh?
I hear you, but reality bites and says labour are as left wing as my right nut. lol.
Time will come when the greens are the biggest left wing group in parliament. I suggest getting in on the ground floor to claim bragging rights.
But if you want to chose a party that goes through leaders like I do knickers after a week on the curry, so be it, just don’t get scared when you have to play second fiddle to a team that have had no rankles, dramas, and internal divisions while they claim to be acting in the interests of the common people on the street.
I can wait for the tide to change, but only ’cause I know it’s coming sooner rather than later. All depends on when you old hat, died in the wool guys feel brave enough to make the change. 😉
It’s simple Newsense, the Nats can’t win it from here and English has admitted it, so they’ve released their media hounds on on Little and Labour.
Newshub-Reid Research poll – July 2017 ~ July 2014
….….….….….….….….. . …. 2014 ………..….….. 2017
National…. …. …. . .…. … 49% ………..….…… 45% …. – 4
Labour…. …. …. ….…. …. 27% ………..……….. 24% ….. – 3
Greens …. …. …. …. …. .. 12% ………..………..13% ….. + 1
NZ First …. …. …. …. …. . . 4% ………..……….. 13% ….. + 9
Newshub-Reid Research poll
Opposition Leader Performance Rating
Cunliffe during 2014 election campaign
July 2014
Performed
Well 27
Poorly 53
Net Score – 26
August 2014
Performed
Well 22
Poorly 56
Net Score – 34
Sep (1) 2014
Performed
Well 33
Poorly 48
Net Score – 15
Sep (2) 2014
Performed
Well 41
Poorly 46
Net Score – 5
Sep (3) 2014
Performed
Well 41
Poorly 46
Net Score – 5
Little
July 2017
Performed
Well 30
Poorly 46
Net Score – 16
________________________________________________________
Cunliffe ~ Little
July 2014 ~ July 2017
Performed
Well 27 ………. . . . . . 30
Poorly 53 ……. . . . .. 46
Net Score – 26 …. – 16
The whole poll thing on talkback today, what I found really messed up is it appears many NZers don’t like honesty. That’s fucked up.
People ringing in saying, oh Andrew shouldn’t have said anything… are they for reals? Dang, they need help, as does the likes of Garner running the narrative with his poll.
Andrew has never been in it for himself, he’s not that kind of man, team player all the way, kudos to him for that, his honesty with Labour and the NZ public in the weird world of polls makes a refreshing change.
Andrew I really admire your integrity among other things, and am backing you all the way.
Question please…. Why does both the leader and the deputy of NZ’s 2nd largest party feature on the preferred PM poll, but only the leader of largest party features on said poll and nationals deputy is nowhere?
Maybe newshub and the like could do a story on why paula bennett does not appear to feature in any poll, anywhere?
Labour need to be talking about how unpopular Bennett is A LOT. Why would you want to elect a government like that?
the slipperiness of Bill Clinton with the heartlessness of …Bennett.
On his lonesome
“Andrew Little and Jacinda Ardern look well together, sharing the Labour Party billboard, Leader and Deputy, side by side.
The Green leaders too, Metiria Turei and James Shaw make a happy pair on their billboard, along with their binding message “Great together”.
National’s billboards however, have Bill English standing without support, alone.
Why hasn’t deputy Paula Bennett joined him on the campaign?
Her face is missing from the picture. Bill looks abandoned.”
The Southland Times – letters to the editor 31/7/2017
He is abandoned – and Paula could never take John’s place.
She could be, but she’d have to get twice as sleazy and ten times as popular.
and Paula could never take John’s place.
No one could ever takes Sir Johns place…
Yup – as worthless as his eponymous predecessor in Thomas Hardy.
Paula Bennett cannot afford to be a focus of attention. Her ‘harassment’ by a member of the public is too recent. She will be keeping well away from the media. The old adage ‘where there is smoke there is fire’ always has an element of truth in it. I would like to see her have an in depth interview regarding her views on lying and fraud, pertaining to Turei’s admittance of the same. Possibly birds of a feather. Who knows? All imo.
Good god, I can’t believe what I’ve been reading and listen too since this morning! Is this shit real or is it my brain tricks on me and I know they (Weather Boffins) are calling for a early build (going to be a real stinker) up to the wet season so I may have gone troppo a little early well I have loaded a trailer full fencing gear this arvo.
Little should go for broke either you are with or you are on your own? Where’s Churchill (yeah I know a few here hate him, but Little needs to deliver a Churchill style speech to those political middle class toff’s who infect our great party) when you need him!
An DS from my Army times said: Politics is war and War is Politics by other means and either side must be bold in attack and steely neve in defence as a poker player ie know when hold them and know when to fold them. ( A bit of Clausewitz and Kenny Rogers)
One last comment from me. Would Labours Finance spokesman (was he a member of the ABC mob?) currently lack luster over the last couple mths, would be so stupid at this stage of the election to try and trip up Little as I believe he had caucus support and Little had party support like the last poor bloke?
The very last comment, do you think I should come home when I get my Med Discharge from the ADF and kick some of these clowns from the middle class toff’s up the ass and ask those team you are on.
Certainly by deepsea fishing standards there’s a few that ought to be overhauled with a deck spanner. I think they listen too much to the vermin on the right – we want Andy angry – way too many suicides and kids in poverty is not a coffee table conversation – it’s war.
What did it matter to ya
When you got a job to do you got to do it well
You got to give the other fella hell…
Ayn Rand’s hobby was pissing and moaning to the FBI about books she thought were seditious.
https://www.muckrock.com/news/archives/2016/aug/03/ayn-rands-date-j-edgar-hoover/