Date of the 2017 election

85 comments on “Date of the 2017 election ”

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1. james 1

   1 February 2017 at 2:10 pm

   Go Bill and Paula …… Although Im guessing some on here may disagree…
   • DoublePlusGood 1.1

     1 February 2017 at 2:19 pm

     Yes, we prefer competent government.
   • adam 1.2

     1 February 2017 at 2:19 pm

     Let me fix that for you

     Going away Bill and Paula. Ta ta.
     • james 1.2.1

       1 February 2017 at 2:24 pm

       No need to fix – it was my preference. Along with the majority of voters according to polls…
   • Leftie 1.3

     1 February 2017 at 2:49 pm

     Who would want the same, old tired failures of the last 9 years?
     • Draco T Bastard 1.3.1

       1 February 2017 at 2:54 pm

       The same, tired old failures that voted for them in the first place.
       • Leftie 1.3.1.1

         1 February 2017 at 3:02 pm

         Lol, very true. What’s National’s 3 strike legislation? The Gnats have had 3 strikes, they’re out.
         • james 1.3.1.1.1

           1 February 2017 at 3:05 pm

           You know a strike is when you miss right? – so far National have had three (to continue the softball analogy) home runs.

           Labour and the greens are the strikes.
           • Leftie 1.3.1.1.1.1

             1 February 2017 at 3:13 pm

             National are a 3 termed failed government. They’re out.
             • james …

               1 February 2017 at 3:24 pm

               Actually – no they have not failed. It is for that reason they keep getting voted back in.

               You may think they have failed – and thats OK. But when you keep winning elections – thats the people speaking and they voted for more of the same.
               • Leftie …

                 1 February 2017 at 3:47 pm

                 James. You appear to think National winning 3 elections is unique, it is not. NZ politics is largely cyclic, and regardless of people voting for branded ideology, National is still a failed government.
                 • james …

                   1 February 2017 at 3:55 pm

                   Never said it was unique – nor do I think it such.

                   I was simply pointing out your analogy was wrong.

                   And as for failed – you have opinion on that (well done) – but plenty disagree with you. Most likely enough to leave labour on the opposition benches yet again.

                   Still time will tell wont it.
                   • Leftie …

                     1 February 2017 at 4:14 pm

                     Says you, a right winger.

                     That’s how you came across James, and you never know, it could be you that turns out to be wrong.
               • Greg …

                 2 February 2017 at 9:38 am

                 Where’s that brighter future when you natz the economic supermen going to deliver after 9 years you need to deliver now
       • mosa 1.3.1.2

         1 February 2017 at 8:42 pm

         Perfectly put Draco.
   • Macro 1.4

     1 February 2017 at 3:13 pm

     Oh no James!
     Many of us here agree with your sentiment – We really want to see them GONE.
     😈
   • Stuff The Politicians 1.5

     1 February 2017 at 3:14 pm

     I reckon you are just stirring , Jimmy
   • Phil 1.6

     1 February 2017 at 4:18 pm

     No, I thik most will agree that it is indeed high time they went.
   • Chris 1.7

     1 February 2017 at 5:57 pm

     Here’s just one example, James, of the difference between Key’s bullshit and English’s bullshit. The former managed to fool most of the people most of the time. The latter fools some of the people some of the time, and it’s 2002 revisited. Add the icing on the cake which is Paula “thick as a brick” Bennett, and National just might manage to lose in September. Remember, James, no more The Key Phenomenon.

     http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/88843382/peter-thiel-citizenship-details-revealed

     There is the wildcard, of course, and that’s Labour doing something horribly stupid, which there’s a pretty big chance will happen. The question is will it be bad enough to outweigh the gift National has given them in the triple whammy that is Key’s departure and the two clowns he’s left in his place. There’s no guarantee, but I’d like to think even Labour couldn’t manage something so dire on the strategy front to beat having Bill “2002” English leading the nats and someone so completely thick as Bennett as his deputy. If Labour can’t make hay out of a situation like this they never can.
     • Gavin 1.7.1

       1 February 2017 at 7:55 pm

       Have to agree about Paula Bennett, she is challenged. Has read about hyperbole, but doesn’t know how to say it.

       http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/climate-change-paris-agreement-signed-video-6464414
       • Chris 1.7.1.1

         1 February 2017 at 11:29 pm

         That’s definitely good material. I remember two clips of Bennett at a conference on youtube. Can’t find them now but they were good. Was some kind of “innovation” bullshit. Was in two parts. Bennett was totally on form. The shit was flowing. Was just beautiful. Every word was wholly nonsensical. Complete art. Can’t find it now. They must’ve had it taken down. Even they must’ve seen how well her bullshit was captured.
2. weka 2

   1 February 2017 at 2:29 pm

   Excellent. Game on!
   • james 2.1

     1 February 2017 at 2:33 pm

     Indeed – its going to be an interesting year.
3. weka 3

   1 February 2017 at 2:58 pm

   Here’s an idea. Instead of filling up this thread pushing back against RW trolls who are going to go hard against anything the left might feel excited about, how about we talk about what we can do this year to make sure there is a change of govt?
   • Macro 3.1

     1 February 2017 at 3:25 pm

     Well I’m already involved – scrutineering, door knocking, bill boards, leaflet drops, fundraising, Cottage Meetings, etc, etc.
     If people really want to change the gov’t its not going to be done by sitting on here although I understand that for some much of the above activities I have listed are not possible. Yes we need to energize and this and similar forums help to provide the stimulus and glue with which the emerging movement for positive change (women’s marches – the protests against despotic unilateral bans – help for the homeless – and so on – that is occurring not only here, but world wide) depends.
     • weka 3.1.1

       1 February 2017 at 3:46 pm

       I was referring to on TS, but I take your point. I can’t get out and be active, so am happy to be here and do what can be done. I’m all ears for how that can support actions out there in the world 🙂 so in that sense I would still be interested in what can be done with this space on TS. Great to hear you are already on the job Macro.
       • Macro 3.1.1.1

         1 February 2017 at 6:33 pm

         I think here TS more than any other site in NZ (and I’ve been a commentator here for longer than I care to remember) helps to provide a good forum for the discussion of ideas ,and in doing so, provides the stimulus and the “Glue” which helps bind the progressive movement together. I’m talking about the left here as a movement, for from my point of view, the centre in political thought has moved in the past 3 or 4 decades to the right so much, that we need to get back to where the left started from 100 years ago. There weren’t the party structures that we have today. They were women’s and labour movements.
         I understand weka that u are not able to participate in campaigns but I so appreciate your contributions and the great work you do here.
         • lloyd 3.1.1.1.1

           1 February 2017 at 10:05 pm

           Actually Macro, the left-wing centre hasn’t moved, it’s just that we have been told time and time again by Key and his sycophants that right-wing policies are “centre-right” so often, without true Kiwis pointing out that the true core of New Zealand is socialist and that the white stars on the Kiwi flag are surrounded by a red band.
           The forty hour week and the ‘Jack is as good as his master’ and ‘give him a fair go’ philosophies are central to the Kiwi ethos and are socialist in their basis. Kiwis must tell everyone that being socialist is patriotic and central to being a good Kiwi, along with supporting the All Blacks.
           • Macro 3.1.1.1.1.1

             1 February 2017 at 10:34 pm

             Oh yes it has.
             The 40 hour week is a thing of the past. Secure employment is something very few now have, and people accept this as the way it is.
             As for Jack being as good as his master! That was certainly the way it was. I grew up the son of a factory worker, my best mates were the doctor’s son and the son of (someone who would now be the CEO of the Wellington DHB). There are few factory workers today – but I’ll bet none of their sons would be playing with sons of a CEO!
             The gains my dad fought for, over the 30 years he was a Union rep, have virtually all been whittled away. and the rot set in in 1984, and has steadily worsened with a minor readjustment in the early 2000’s followed by a brutal decline under Key.
             Most people today have no understanding of what job security and a fair days wage would be, and our society is much the poorer for it.
     • james 3.1.2

       1 February 2017 at 3:57 pm

       “Well I’m already involved – scrutineering, door knocking, bill boards, leaflet drops, fundraising, Cottage Meetings, etc, etc.”

       And thats the smartest way to get change – believe in something and be active in supporting it.

       Whilst I support “the other guys” – I admire people getting out and being involved.

       Good on ya.
   • HDCAFriendlyTroll 3.2

     1 February 2017 at 5:30 pm

     National has effectively stolen the centre-Left from Labour. Get that back and Labour might have a chance of winning. If not, and if Labour continues it’s obsession with identity politics, it doesn’t have a chance in hell.

     Just saying.
     • weka 3.2.1

       1 February 2017 at 5:59 pm

       Yawn.

       That’s how much interest I have in RWers running troll lines about what the left should do in an election year.

       Just saying.
       • HDCAFriendlyTroll 3.2.1.1

         1 February 2017 at 6:21 pm

         Oh, and forgot to add. Actually go out and *listen* to what people are *saying* rather than stay in your little echo chamber. And I wasn’t talking about what the *Left* should do, I was talking about what *Labour* should do. If Labour can capture the centre-left and centre voters they will beat National, guaranteed. If they just get the centre-Left then they have a chance but it’d depend on how many centre-voters they get.

         And so far the only ones making practical suggestions are me and Macro.

         But hey, maybe I’m being the ultimate right-wing troll knowing that whatever I say Labour will do the exact of. 🙂
         • Leftie 3.2.1.1.1

           1 February 2017 at 8:06 pm

           The last thing Labour needs to do is listen to a right winger like you HDCAFriendlyTroll.
           • HDCAFriendlyTroll 3.2.1.1.1.1

             1 February 2017 at 9:29 pm

             You know you’re absolutely right (no pun intended).

             Don’t go for the centre-left.

             Ignore the centre.

             Keep to identity politics.

             Keep turning-off potential voters.

             Stay in your echo chambers.

             With all that Labour will be a shoo-in.
             • Leftie …

               1 February 2017 at 11:44 pm

               Yawn.
4. Brutus Iscariot 4

   1 February 2017 at 3:00 pm

   English’s first cock up as leader. He’s allowed more time for the Labour-Green coalition to gel, more time for international developments to affect NZ negatively, more time for the economic cycle to top out and decline.

   Call it the Geoff Boycott captaincy vs Brendon McCullum style. Conservative, over-cautious, and unimaginative.

   The best move for him would have been an April/May election – hit quick and hard using the necessity of a fresh mandate as the argument.
   • weka 4.1

     1 February 2017 at 3:03 pm

     I was wondering about that too. Chicken was the word that came to mind. But maybe they want the extra months to do what they can before the lose the govt benches.

     Don’t think it’s BE’s first cock up though, maybe 3rd or 4th.
     • Brutus Iscariot 4.1.1

       1 February 2017 at 3:06 pm

       Not sure there’s much on the legislative programme in the next few months – nothing that’s remotely controversial like RMA reform at least.

       It’s a rather limp move, to be honest.
       • james 4.1.1.1

         1 February 2017 at 3:07 pm

         Just curious – is there a site that you can see the legislative programme and the progress of it?
         • Brutus Iscariot 4.1.1.1.1

           1 February 2017 at 3:24 pm

           https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/
           • james 4.1.1.1.1.1

             1 February 2017 at 3:25 pm

             Thank you.
       • Jenny Kirk 4.1.1.2

         1 February 2017 at 4:44 pm

         The govt will move things like the RMA reform forward ….. and push it thru. That’s probably what they need the extra time for.
     • Leftie 4.1.2

       1 February 2017 at 3:09 pm

       +1 Weka.
     • Morrissey 4.1.3

       1 February 2017 at 4:46 pm

       Chickens have a backbone.
   • james 4.2

     1 February 2017 at 3:06 pm

     “Labour-Green coalition to gel” or more time for it to self destruct.
     • Brutus Iscariot 4.2.1

       1 February 2017 at 3:23 pm

       At the moment people still think English is a competent technocrat. The public doesn’t need time to get to know him – more chance they get bored/sick of him. It’s not a vote-maximising move to wait until September. I’ve got no doubt Key would have gone early, his trader’s instinct would have ensured that.
       • Jenny Kirk 4.2.1.1

         1 February 2017 at 4:48 pm

         I’m a bit puzzled about this late Sept date – it’ll be near the end of winter – and presumably more endless stories about people living out in the cold and wet. Its not straight after the Budget ….. its months later after the Budget excitement has worn off. And like Brutus I says, it gives us all the more chance of getting bored with Blinglish.
         On the other hand, it does give the Nats plenty of time to try to discredit Labour and the Greens.
         • lprent 4.2.1.1.1

           1 February 2017 at 6:13 pm

           It is a pretty weird time for electoral purposes…

           However I suspect that you need to look at possible implications of
           1. the pre-election fiscal update
           2. an international governmental event later in the year.
           3. MPs wanting to jump ship and how long they are willing to stay (by-elections)

           Probably something like a May budget bribe and when it is due to land in peoples pockets.
           • weka 4.2.1.1.1.1

             1 February 2017 at 6:22 pm

             what’s #2?
             • lprent …

               1 February 2017 at 8:11 pm

               I don’t know of any. However these sometimes influence election dates.
               • weka …

                 1 February 2017 at 9:26 pm

                 Ah, ok, I thought you were referring to something specific.
               • Jerko …

                 2 February 2017 at 5:01 am

                 I think you mean some International Rugby game involving the All Balcks. Perhaps!
         • Draco T Bastard 4.2.1.1.2

           1 February 2017 at 7:46 pm

           And like Brutus I says, it gives us all the more chance of getting bored with Blinglish.

           We’ve always been bored with Blinglish – he’s simply got that type of personality.
         • Bill 4.2.1.1.3

           1 February 2017 at 9:33 pm

           Shite weather? No car, bit of a way to go…not going out in that…
   • Leftie 4.3

     1 February 2017 at 3:08 pm

     Remember the Mt Albert by election, BI? Caretaker Bill had his chance, he refused point blank to go for an early election.
   • Draco T Bastard 4.4

     1 February 2017 at 3:24 pm

     /shrug

     National have tried snap elections before. History tells us that they’d lose having one.

     I suspect that this is National trying to show confidence when they’re all actually panicking.
     • Brutus Iscariot 4.4.1

       1 February 2017 at 3:28 pm

       “National have tried snap elections before. History tells us that they’d lose having one.”

       One occasion, 30 years ago? I bow to your statistical inference skills.
     • Brutus Iscariot 4.4.2

       1 February 2017 at 3:29 pm

       2002 “snap”(-ish) election worked well for Labour.
   • HDCAFriendlyTroll 4.5

     1 February 2017 at 5:32 pm

     Bill’s ineptitude has left not a few former National voters in limbo. But as it is they’re more likely to go to NZF than Labour.
   • mauī 4.6

     1 February 2017 at 5:44 pm

     Why didn’t they call an election for early this year and coax Key into staying for a few more months to end out the term. Then the next leader of the nats (Bill or Paula) could have been built up under Key’s shadow without having their hands on the wheel. The voters may have sleepwalked into electing them again.
5. Draco T Bastard 5

   1 February 2017 at 3:20 pm

   And I’d still like to see a fixed date for the election. Say, the second Tuesday in November and make it a stat holiday.
6. Sacha 6

   1 February 2017 at 4:11 pm

   Why do so many folk here think it’s English who gets to make decisions like this? Just continuing the daft fixation with the previous front-guy. Know who you’re fighting is a good first step.
7. Jenny Kirk 7

   1 February 2017 at 5:03 pm

   Ah ! I see the election date is exactly one week after the All Blacks/ Springbok clash !
   How cliche’d is that !
   • Anne 7.1

     1 February 2017 at 5:27 pm

     Yeah… well it’s worked well for them in the past so they’re trying it on again.

     Up to the oppo. parties to make a big noise about it… “they’re so bereft of vision and policies they have to rely on winning a rugby match to get re-elected. How pathetic is that blah, blah.” That’s what they ought to do and start doing it early but, you know, what they ought to do is sometimes what they don’t do.
   • Brutus Iscariot 7.2

     2 February 2017 at 8:53 am

     I don’t think the rugby thing resonates any more – it’s a meaningless test match in the current climate of rugby saturation that will be forgotten in two days. I think the decision is simply explained by conservatism and timidity.
8. Carolyn_nth 8

   1 February 2017 at 5:47 pm

   Hmmm, when I left home this morning I had just seen this tweet from Toby Manhire. He claims that last November Patrick Gower was 100% sure the election date would be 23 September.

   big afternoon for @patrickgowernz.
   This from November:

   The original Gower prediction was on Spinoff here.

   So a September 23 election next year, you sure on that?

   I’m 100% confident.

   Someone suggested September 30th to me the other day.

   They’re wrong.

   NB John Key announced his decision to resign in early December, I think.
   • Leftie 8.1

     1 February 2017 at 8:16 pm

     5th December, 2 days after National got a hiding in the Roskill by election.
     • Carolyn_nth 8.1.1

       1 February 2017 at 8:27 pm

       So, basically, if Gower got his certainty about the election date from Natz sources in November, the date was set before JK resigned as PM?
       • Sam C 8.1.1.1

         2 February 2017 at 8:25 am

         There are plenty of people who predicted a 23 September date before Gower did.

         It isn’t rocket science Carolyn.
9. Cave Johnson 9

   1 February 2017 at 6:04 pm

   I heard Little on the radio criticising English as weak, but it didn’t seem to quite gel. I recently heard an interview with English where he was asked what he believed in and he said “Like most Kiwis, I believe in taking a risk and making a profit.” It seems to me that English’s vulnerability this election is that he’s a money man. I was hanging out for Little to say “Of course English isn’t comfortable speaking out against Trump’s immigration ban because Bill is basically just a finance guy, and he’s not really very interested in people issues like human rights and workers rights etc.”
10. Observer Tokoroa 10

    1 February 2017 at 6:26 pm

    To : James

    James you are passionate without naming the source of the your data, that 63% of the voting population are supportive of the current Government.

    But neither you James nor the current Government is concerned that 37% of the voting population is not supportive.

    You don’t set the bar very high do you? You positively like the grim day in day out struggle of 37 out of every 100 New Zealanders.

    Ignoble James. Ignoble National.
    • lprent 10.1

      1 February 2017 at 8:20 pm

      James got his just deserts.

      I really don’t like people hijacking a post with ‘facts’ without mentioning their source or providing a link.

      Both James and Fisiani got 4 week bans for neither mentioning this was from the most recent Roy Morgan poll, nor linking to it. Since I looked it up, linked to it, even provided some comparision figures, and bumped those comments to Open Mike.

      I also banned them both for doing a obvious diversion unsubstantiated and unlinked ‘fact’ comments that ignited flames. I really don’t like that particular form of trolling. It makes too much work for moderators
11. Adrian Thornton 11

    1 February 2017 at 6:52 pm

    Sadly the Labour Party is going into the 2017 election with their ” we can have affordable housing” slogan, on one hand we have $500-600,00 affordable houses, which is a joke, while on the other, no policies addressing long term security protecting renters in either length of tenancy or rent increases, nor any talk about protecting the tidal wave of renters who will be heading into retirement, no as far as I can see Labours Hosing policy looks a lot like class war to me.
    If I have missed Labours policies covering these issues I would appreciate being informed about them.
    • Carolyn_nth 11.1

      1 February 2017 at 8:24 pm

      Nope can’t see anything about regulations for private rentals as regards rent prices, and tenancy security.

      Labour Party Housing policies

      There’s stuff on PPPs to build houses; stuff on state houses/HNZ; stuff on making all rental properties healthy ….
      • Adrian Thornton 11.1.1

        1 February 2017 at 8:59 pm

        Yeh as far as I know there is nothing there, and nothing has been said, effectively just a continuation of, and entrenching class divides in New Zealand.
        So as I said, unless there is something I missed, Labour is conducting Class War against the working classes.
        Relegating them to a life of insecure renting, while living without the hope of owning their own home…
        Still at least they are looking after their precious middle classes.

        I will also add, if the landlords, yeh and this included ma and pa investors, can’t have a house for rent that is fit for purpose, ( warm and dry) then why the fuck should we all have to pay them to do so, maybe they should be in another business where the public don’t have to subsidize their business model…which is again entrenching class divides, and propping up an unsustainable economic ideology.. is this the best Labour 2017 has to offer?
      • Jenny Kirk 11.1.2

        1 February 2017 at 10:22 pm

        Just doing the things Labour has said it will do, in its Comprehensive Housing Package – on state housing – will help regulate the private tenancy market and improve tenancy security. Doing this will undermine the private tenancy market and regulate rentals – it’s been done before, it can be done again.

        Labour’s policies include – Immediately stopping Nat’s state house sell off and substantially increase the number of state houses.
        Make Housing New Zealand a public service with one job – a focus on housing people in need, rather than paying a dividend. This will leave Housing New Zealand more money to invest in housing families and fixing up cold, damp state homes.
        • Adrian Thornton 11.1.2.1

          1 February 2017 at 11:39 pm

          Thanks Jenny, for my information where can I find in Labours manifesto, does it say “will help regulate the private tenancy market and improve tenancy security” ?
          or words to that effect.
          A link would be good.
          Thanks in advance.
12. rhinocrates 12

    1 February 2017 at 7:20 pm

    Now if Robertson can be given the right medication to control his Chronic Backstabbing Disorder until September 24…
    • weka 12.1

      1 February 2017 at 11:59 pm

      He’s pulled his head in lately hasn’t he?
    • tc 12.2

      2 February 2017 at 10:25 am

      Plenty of others need that medication especially the beltway throughers like mallard and nash.
13. timeforacupoftea 13

    1 February 2017 at 7:21 pm

    Come on Andrew tell us what you want to do when you win.
    The same goes for the Green Party.
    If they don’t come in with big changes I will refuse to vote full stop !
    • Draco T Bastard 13.1

      1 February 2017 at 7:43 pm

      The Election
14. Ad 14

    1 February 2017 at 11:12 pm

    Willie Jackson goes to Labour:
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11792898

    My household are in two minds:
    – Worse than the worst and somewhere near Trump, or
    – Spectacular vote-hoover with a powerful radio station
    • weka 14.1

      1 February 2017 at 11:51 pm

      Shall I hazard a guess which is you 🙂

      Those two positions aren’t incompatible of course.

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