Even Mike Hosking thinks that a National-Act-NZ First coalition would be an absolute disaster
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10:22 am, September 26th, 2023 - 63 comments
Categories: Christopher Luxon, election 2023, greens, labour, national, national/act government, nz first, same old national, winston peters -
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Yesterday morning in a 7 am social media dump Christopher Luxon finally announced what we have all known for ages and that was he would pick up the phone and ring Winston if National needed NZ First support.
Here is the clip.
It’s crunch time pic.twitter.com/lHCBW3vs3V
— Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) September 24, 2023
The method was interesting. I guess this way Luxon did not have to answer pesky questions from reporters.
Luxon had the temerity to describe a Labour Green Te Pati Maori coalition as a coalition of chaos twice during the clip. If ever there was a coalition that deserved that monkier it is a National/Act/NZ First coalition.
The reason for Luxon’s desperation became clear later on in the day. Last night’s Reid Research poll matched the previous One News Verian poll and had National shed a couple of points. Act also went in reverse, Labour was essentially stable and the Greens surged. The right no longer have an absolute majority.
If this trend continues for the next three weeks then things will get really, really tight.
So Luxon had no option but telegraph his intent to pick up the phone and call Winston. If he has to.
The problem for Luxon is that NZ First has positioned itself as an extremist party. It is no longer the party dedicated to handing out lollies to provincial New Zealand. It has some Trumpian extremist policies and candidates.
Like this guy who is number 12 on NZ First’s list. At the Young Leaders debate he came up with some unusual views. From Radio New Zealand:
He is 12th on NZ First’s list and – with the party polling around 5 percent – seems very unlikely to enter Parliament. His intro skated over the party’s priorities of wanting to stand up against “woke extremism”, say no to co-governance, “put the K back into iwi”, protect assets, and incentivise careers for those who stayed in New Zealand.
During the rainbow issues segment, he was asked about the party’s policy of removing “gender ideology” from curriculum, challenged over whether it really was an important issue. He justified it by saying parents are very concerned about “complex, sexual, inappropriate discussions happening at school”, and referred to warnings from a right-leaning lobby group about primary school children being disciplined if they did not affirm other children’s gender: “we can’t shut people up because it hurts our feelings”.
Swarbrick interrupted, saying “I think you’re talking about consequences, bro”. She said the data showed trans people and children were more highly represented in mental ill health and suicide statistics, “and mate, it’s driven by rhetoric from the likes of your party,” to applause from the audience. Donoghue responded that “more people are transgendering, or transitioning, than ever before”, blaming Swarbrick’s rhetoric, to boos.
His beliefs about international organisations are also very interesting.
The final surprise of the night came when the participants were asked to explain why they were in politics, audience members outright laughing at Donoghue for referring to a desire to protect the country from “globalist NGOs like the UN, world economic forum”.
Both organisations are the targets of multiple conspiracy theories, and while Donoghue may not subscribe to them, his comment certainly seems likely to court the vote of believers.
And any party that as one of its major policies is to “[e]nsure a full scale, wide ranging, independent, one year inquiry conducted publicly with local and international experts, into how the Covid pandemic was handled in New Zealand” is clearly after the cooker vote.
Clearly the calculation is that 5% of the country’s electors have Trumpian views.
NZ First’s announced policies are an interesting collection. There are three separate policies all involved in moving Auckland Wharf to Northland. I wonder who would benefit from such a move?
National’s cheerleaders in the media have not taken this well. Mike Hosking for instance said this:
This morning’s call by National that they will deal with New Zealand First, if they have to, is exactly the sort of thing they should have been able to avoid if they took the advice of people like me weeks ago.
The poll last week showing 82 percent of us wanted to know one way or the other shows how shockingly National misread the mood.
By spending all that time and energy the way Chris Luxon did sticking his fingers in his ears, telling us he wasn’t even thinking of it, he didn’t want to talk about it, he wasn’t above the threshold, he wasn’t in parliament, it wasn’t an issue, has all led to this.
And this:
The line that National had about the Greens and the Maori Party and the coalition of chaos is now null and void, as you look at the prospect of National and Act and Peters, with the latter two openly hating each other.
And this:
Cue Luxon, bumbling and stumbling his way through question after question, refusing to deal with an elephant in the room that was getting more and more embarrassing.
Winston is something of a poisoned pill. And stand by as people who are really worried about the country’s future decide that the mix offered by the right decide to vote left.
Despite predictions to the contrary this election is getting tighter and tighter. I would not be surprised if this election ends up in a 2005 style cliff hanger.
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- Greens call for public to back Wrybill in BOTY and beyond
The Green Party is calling on the public to support the Ngutu Pare Wrybill not just in this year’s Bird of the Year competition but also in pushing back against policies that could lead to the destruction of its habitat and accelerate its extinction. ...1 week ago
- Building consents data bad news for construction
News that the annual number of building consents granted for new homes fell by more than 20 percent for the year ended July 2024, is bad news for the construction industry. ...1 week ago
- Te Pāti Māori Pay Tribute to Kiingi Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII
Papā te whatitiri, hikohiko te uira, i kanapu ki te rangi, i whētuki i raro rā, rū ana te whenua e. Uea te pou o tōku whare kia tū tangata he kapua whakairi nāku nā runga o Taupiri. Ko taku kiri ka tōkia ki te anu mātao. E te iwi ...1 week ago
- Release: Gaps still to be addressed in callouts response
The Government must guarantee New Zealanders will not be at risk after making changes to the way mental health callouts are handled. ...1 week ago
- Poroporoaki: Kiingi Tuheitia passing
Haere e te Kīngi o te kotahitangi Haere ki o nui, ki o rahi I te pō ...1 week ago
- Green Party pays respects to Kiingi Tuuheitia
The Green Party is paying tribute to the Māori King, Kiingi Tuuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero XVII, after he passed away earlier this morning. ...1 week ago
- Potaka Brings Whakaata Māori to its Knees
Today’s Whakaata Māori announcement is yet another colossal failure from Minister Potaka, who has turned his back on te reo Māori, forcing a channel offline, putting whānau out of jobs, and cutting Māori content, says Te Pāti Māori. “A Senior Māori Minister has turned his back on Te Reo Māori. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National restricts access to disability care homes
With disability communities still reeling from the diminishing of Whaikaha, a leaked document now reveals another blow with National restricting access to residential care homes. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt must help save 230 manufacturing jobs
Labour is calling on the Government and Mercury Energy to find a solution to the proposed Winstone Pulp mill closure and save 230 manufacturing jobs. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt shirks its responsibility to Whakaata Māori
The Green Party has called out the Government for allowing Whakaata Māori to effectively collapse to a shell of its former self as job cuts and programming cuts were announced at the broadcaster today. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ First Member’s Bill To Disestablish Auckland Transport
Today New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill that will restore democratic control over transport management in Auckland City by disestablishing Auckland Transport (AT) and returning control to Auckland Council. The ‘Local Government (Auckland Council) (Disestablishment of Auckland Transport) Amendment Bill’ intends to restore democratic oversight, control, and accountability ...2 weeks ago - Release: PM fails in constitutional role and leadership
The failure of the Prime Minister to condemn his Minister for personally attacking the judiciary is another example of this Government riding roughshod over important constitutional rules. ...2 weeks ago
- Waititi urges Rotorua Lakes Council to immediately stop works at Lake Rotokākahi
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and Member of Parliament for Waiariki, which includes Rotorua, has written to Rotorua Lakes Councillors requesting they immediately stop sewerage piping works at Lake Rotokākahi in Rotorua. “Mana whenua have been urging Rotorua Lakes Council to stop works and look at alternative plans to protect the ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Patient care at risk from redundancies
Patient care could suffer as a result of further cuts to the health system, which could lose thousands of staff who keep our hospitals and clinics running. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens call on Govt to wake up on child poverty
The Green Party says the latest statistics on child poverty in this country highlight the callous approach that the Government is taking on this issue of national shame. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Police are off the beat under National
Foot patrols around the country have decreased 15 percent since National took office, despite National’s Mark Mitchell claiming otherwise. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Climate denial is an insult to Pacific leaders
Winston Peters’ climate denialism at the Pacific Islands’ Forum is an embarrassing new low. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt must end solitary confinement
The Green Party is urging the Government to end the use of solitary confinement within our prisons after new research revealed some prisoners have been held in confinement for more than 900 days. ...2 weeks ago
- Fossil fuels never the answer in climate crisis
The Government’s moves to enable the import of Liquefied Natural Gas is another step away from the sustainable and affordable energy network that this country needs. ...2 weeks ago
- Government must respect Court’s Uber employee decision
Today’s court ruling upholding the rights of Uber drivers is a message to the Government that it must not tamper with employment protections. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Uber court decision recognises workers’ rights
The Court of Appeal decision that Uber drivers are entitled to employee rights such as minimum wage, sick leave, holiday pay and collective bargaining is welcome news for the drivers involved and their unions. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour calls on Govt to divest from illegal settlements
The Labour Party is calling on the Government to tell the two major wealth funds, the NZ Super Fund and ACC, to withdraw investments from companies listed by the United Nations as complicit in Israel’s illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt backtrack on fast-track still not enough
Labour welcomes news that the National Government is backing down on its reckless proposal to give Ministers final sign-off on significant projects, but it’s still not enough. ...2 weeks ago
- Fast track still on track to environmental destruction
Our environment remains at risk despite the Government's proposed changes to its controversial fast-track legislation. ...2 weeks ago
- Ohinemuri River pollution highlights mining risks
The harrowing images of the severely polluted Ohinemuri River caused by an old mining shaft could become a more common occurrence under the mining regime the Government is looking to roll out. ...2 weeks ago
- Action to grow the rural health workforce
Scholarships awarded to 27 health care students is another positive step forward to boost the future rural health workforce, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “All New Zealanders deserve timely access to quality health care and this Government is committed to improving health outcomes, particularly for the one in five ...6 hours ago - Pharmac delivering more for Kiwis following major funding boost
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour has welcomed the increased availability of medicines for Kiwis resulting from the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When our Government assumed office, New ...7 hours ago
- Sport Minister congratulates NZ’s Paralympians
Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop has congratulated New Zealand's Paralympic Team at the conclusion of the Paralympic Games in Paris. “The NZ Paralympic Team's success in Paris included fantastic performances, personal best times, New Zealand records and Oceania records all being smashed - and of course, many Kiwis on ...8 hours ago
- Government progresses response to Abuse in Care recommendations
A Crown Response Office is being established within the Public Service Commission to drive the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care. “The creation of an Office within a central Government agency was a key recommendation by the Royal Commission’s final report. “It will have the mandate ...3 days ago
- Passport wait times back on-track
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says passport processing has returned to normal, and the Department of Internal Affairs [Department] is now advising customers to allow up to two weeks to receive their passport. “I am pleased that passport processing is back at target service levels and the Department ...3 days ago
- New appointments to the FMA board
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister has today announced three new appointments and one reappointment to the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) board. Tracey Berry, Nicholas Hegan and Mariette van Ryn have been appointed for a five-year term ending in August 2029, while Chris Swasbrook, who has served as a board member ...3 days ago
- District Court judges appointed
Attorney-General Hon Judith Collins today announced the appointment of two new District Court judges. The appointees, who will take up their roles at the Manukau Court and the Auckland Court in the Accident Compensation Appeal Jurisdiction, are: Jacqui Clark Judge Clark was admitted to the bar in 1988 after graduating ...3 days ago
- Government makes it faster and easier to invest in New Zealand
Associate Minister of Finance David Seymour is encouraged by significant improvements to overseas investment decision timeframes, and the enhanced interest from investors as the Government continues to reform overseas investment. “There were about as many foreign direct investment applications in July and August as there was across the six months ...3 days ago
- New Zealand to join Operation Olympic Defender
New Zealand has accepted an invitation to join US-led multi-national space initiative Operation Olympic Defender, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. Operation Olympic Defender is designed to coordinate the space capabilities of member nations, enhance the resilience of space-based systems, deter hostile actions in space and reduce the spread of ...4 days ago
- Government commits to ‘stamping out’ foot and mouth disease
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says that a new economic impact analysis report reinforces this government’s commitment to ‘stamp out’ any New Zealand foot and mouth disease incursion. “The new analysis, produced by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, shows an incursion of the disease in New Zealand would have ...4 days ago
- Improving access to finance for Kiwis
5 September 2024 The Government is progressing further reforms to financial services to make it easier for Kiwis to access finance when they need it, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Financial services are foundational for economic success and are woven throughout our lives. Without access to finance our ...4 days ago
- Prime Minister pays tribute to Kiingi Tuheitia
As Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII is laid to rest today, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has paid tribute to a leader whose commitment to Kotahitanga will have a lasting impact on our country. “Kiingi Tuheitia was a humble leader who served his people with wisdom, mana and an unwavering ...4 days ago
- Resource Management reform to make forestry rules clearer
Forestry Minister Todd McClay today announced proposals to reform the resource management system that will provide greater certainty for the forestry sector and help them meet environmental obligations. “The Government has committed to restoring confidence and certainty across the sector by removing unworkable regulatory burden created by the previous ...4 days ago
- More choice and competition in building products
A major shake-up of building products which will make it easier and more affordable to build is on the way, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Today we have introduced legislation that will improve access to a wider variety of quality building products from overseas, giving Kiwis more choice and ...4 days ago
- Joint Statement between the Republic of Korea and New Zealand 4 September 2024, Seoul
On the occasion of the official visit by the Right Honourable Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand to the Republic of Korea from 4 to 5 September 2024, a summit meeting was held between His Excellency President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea (hereinafter referred to as ...5 days ago
- Comprehensive Strategic Partnership the goal for New Zealand and Korea
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol. “Korea and New Zealand are likeminded democracies and natural partners in the Indo Pacific. As such, we have decided to advance discussions on elevating the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive ...5 days ago
- International tourism continuing to bounce back
Results released today from the International Visitor Survey (IVS) confirm international tourism is continuing to bounce back, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey says. The IVS results show that in the June quarter, international tourism contributed $2.6 billion to New Zealand’s economy, an increase of 17 per cent on last ...5 days ago
- Government confirms RMA reforms to drive primary sector efficiency
The Government is moving to review and update national level policy directives that impact the primary sector, as part of its work to get Wellington out of farming. “The primary sector has been weighed down by unworkable and costly regulation for too long,” Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. “That is ...5 days ago
- Weak grocery competition underscores importance of cutting red tape
The first annual grocery report underscores the need for reforms to cut red tape and promote competition, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “The report paints a concerning picture of the $25 billion grocery sector and reinforces the need for stronger regulatory action, coupled with an ambitious, economy-wide ...5 days ago
- Government moves to lessen burden of reliever costs on ECE services
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says the Government has listened to the early childhood education sector’s calls to simplify paying ECE relief teachers. Today two simple changes that will reduce red tape for ECEs are being announced, in the run-up to larger changes that will come in time from the ...5 days ago
- Over 2,320 people engage with first sector regulatory review
Regulation Minister David Seymour says there has been a strong response to the Ministry for Regulation’s public consultation on the early childhood education regulatory review, affirming the need for action in reducing regulatory burden. “Over 2,320 submissions have been received from parents, teachers, centre owners, child advocacy groups, unions, research ...5 days ago
- Government backs women in horticulture
“The Government is empowering women in the horticulture industry by funding an initiative that will support networking and career progression,” Associate Minister of Agriculture, Nicola Grigg says. “Women currently make up around half of the horticulture workforce, but only 20 per cent of leadership roles which is why initiatives like this ...6 days ago
- Government to pause freshwater farm plan rollout
The Government will pause the rollout of freshwater farm plans until system improvements are finalised, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard announced today. “Improving the freshwater farm plan system to make it more cost-effective and practical for farmers is a priority for this ...6 days ago
- Milestone reached for fixing the Holidays Act 2003
Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden says yesterday Cabinet reached another milestone on fixing the Holidays Act with approval of the consultation exposure draft of the Bill ready for release next week to participants. “This Government will improve the Holidays Act with the help of businesses, workers, and ...6 days ago
- New priorities to protect future of conservation
Toitū te marae a Tāne Mahuta me Hineahuone, toitū te marae a Tangaroa me Hinemoana, toitū te taiao, toitū te tangata. The Government has introduced clear priorities to modernise Te Papa Atawhai - The Department of Conservation’s protection of our natural taonga. “Te Papa Atawhai manages nearly a third of our ...6 days ago
- Faster 110km/h speed limit to accelerate Kāpiti
A new 110km/h speed limit for the Kāpiti Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS) has been approved to reduce travel times for Kiwis travelling in and out of Wellington, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy. ...6 days ago
- IVL increase to ensure visitors contribute more to New Zealand
The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) will be raised to $100 to ensure visitors contribute to public services and high-quality experiences while visiting New Zealand, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Matt Doocey and Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka say. “The Government is serious about enabling the tourism sector ...6 days ago
- Delivering priority connections for the West Coast
A record $255 million for transport investment on the West Coast through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will strengthen the region’s road and rail links to keep people connected and support the region’s economy, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The Government is committed to making sure that every ...1 week ago
- Road and rail reliability a focus for Wellington
A record $3.3 billion of transport investment in Greater Wellington through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will increase productivity and reduce travel times, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering infrastructure to increase productivity and economic growth is a priority for our Government. We're focused on delivering transport projects ...1 week ago
- Record investment to boost economic and housing growth in the Waikato
A record $1.9 billion for transport investment in the Waikato through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will create a more efficient, safe, and resilient roading network that supports economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “With almost a third of the country’s freight travelling into, out ...1 week ago
- Building reliable and efficient roading for Taranaki
A record $808 million for transport investment in Taranaki through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will support economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Taranaki’s roads carry a high volume of freight from primary industries and it’s critical we maintain efficient connections across the region to ...1 week ago
- Supporting growth and resilience in Otago and Southland
A record $1.4 billion for transport investment in Otago and Southland through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will create a more resilient and efficient network that supports economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Transport is a critical enabler for economic growth and productivity in Otago ...1 week ago
- Delivering connected and resilient roading for Northland
A record $991 million for transport investment in Northland through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will strengthen the region’s connections and support economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “We are committed to making sure that every transport dollar is spent wisely on the projects and ...1 week ago
- Top of the South to benefit from reliable transport infrastructure
A record $479 million for transport investment across the top of the South Island through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will build a stronger road network that supports primary industries and grows the economy, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “We’re committed to making sure that every dollar is ...1 week ago
- Government delivering reliable roads for Manawatū-Whanganui
A record $1.6 billion for transport investment in Manawatū-Whanganui through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will strengthen the region’s importance as a strategic freight hub that boosts economic growth, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering infrastructure to increase productivity and economic growth is a priority for our Government. ...1 week ago
- Restoring connections in Hawke’s Bay
A record $657 million for transport investment in the Hawke’s Bay through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will support recovery from cyclone damage and build greater resilience into the network to support economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “We are committed to making sure that ...1 week ago
- Transport resilience a priority for Gisborne
A record $255 million for transport investment in Gisborne through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will support economic growth and restore the cyclone-damaged network, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “With $255 million of investment over the next three years, we are committed to making sure that every transport ...1 week ago
- Prioritising growth and reduced travel times in Canterbury
A record $1.8 billion for transport investment Canterbury through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will boost economic growth and productivity and reduce travel times, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Christchurch is the economic powerhouse of the South Island, and transport is a critical enabler for economic growth and ...1 week ago
- Supporting growth and freight in the Bay of Plenty
A record $1.9 billion for transport investment in the Bay of Plenty through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will boost economic growth and unlock land for thousands of houses, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Transport is a critical enabler for economic growth and productivity in the Bay of ...1 week ago
- Getting transport back on track in Auckland
A record $8.4 billion for transport investment in Auckland through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will deliver the infrastructure our rapidly growing region needs to support economic growth and reduce travel times, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Aucklanders rejected the previous government’s transport policies which resulted in non-delivery, phantoms projects, ...1 week ago
- What is 3-phase power? And how do I know if my house needs it?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Asma Aziz, Senior Lecturer in Power Engineering, Edith Cowan University If you’re building, renovating or planning to install a solar battery, your builder or installer might ask whether you’ve considered upgrading from single-phase to three-phase power. This upgrade often comes with a ...60 mins ago - MSG is back. Is the idea it’s bad for us just a myth or food science?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evangeline Mantzioris, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, University of South Australia Dr. Victor Wong/Shutterstock MSG is making a comeback. The internet’s favourite cucumber salad recipe includes fish sauce, cucumber, garlic and – as the video’s creator ...1 hour ago
- South Australia is proposing a law to ban kids under 14 from social media. How would it work?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa M. Given, Professor of Information Sciences & Director, Social Change Enabling Impact Platform, RMIT University Artie Medvedev/Shutterstock The South Australian government is moving ahead with plans to ban children under 14 from social media. Under the proposal, teens aged 14 ...2 hours ago
- Australia’s construction industry needs more hands on deck – so why is it ignoring skilled migra...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Martin Loosemore, Professor of Construction Management, University of Technology Sydney Shutterstock Australia’s construction industry is facing a perfect storm: enormous targets for building – 1.2 million new homes and A$230 billion worth of infrastructure over the next five years – at ...2 hours ago
- At Melaka Art & Performance Festival I watched dancers overcome by a trance in the rain, and the...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonathan W. Marshall, Associate Professor & Postgraduate Research Coordinator, Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Edith Cowan University Feifei Liao performing in the village ruins. Photo by and courtesy of Teo Swee An. Melbourne-based Tony Yap is a leading figure in ...2 hours ago
- Google is facing another crucial court case in the US – and it could have major consequences for o...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Barbora Jedlickova, Senior Lecturer, School of Law, The University of Queensland One month after a US court ruled Google had illegally maintained its monopoly on internet search, the tech giant will this week face the start of yet another important antitrust case. ...3 hours ago
- Christopher Luxon refuses to speak about Treaty Principles Bill after it was handed to Cabinet
The Prime Minister says ACT leader David Seymour will have more to say on the Bill soon. ...3 hours ago - Jesus’s vision fulfilled: David Seymour restores unity to the church
The Christian church has had quite a few dust-ups with itself over the last 20 centuries. This week, the Act Party brought it together. Since Jesus prayed that his followers may all be one (John 17:20-21), Christians have barely stopped fighting. Yes, they’ve occasionally broken off to slaughter people in ...4 hours ago - PODCAST: The Politics of Desperation – Trump, Netanyahu, Maduro, Ortega
Podcast: A View from Afar with Paul G Buchanan and Selwyn Manning. Building upon recent episodes of A View from Afar, Political Scientist Paul G Buchanan and journalist Selwyn Manning discuss The Politics of Desperation. This episode flows on from our discussions about long transitions and the moment ...4 hours ago
- Pope Francis’ visit to Timor-Leste is powerful and symbolic, but also political
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shannon Brincat, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, University of the Sunshine Coast Author provided, Author provided Timor-Leste has had much to celebrate recently. August 30 marked 25 years since the Popular Consultation – or “The Referendum”, as many call ...4 hours ago
- What’s the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest? One’s about plumbing, the other...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Todorovic, Associate Professor of Medicine, Bond University Explode/Shutterstock In July 2023, rising US basketball star Bronny James collapsed on the court during practice and was sent to hospital. The 18-year-old athlete, son of famous LA Lakers’ veteran LeBron James, had ...5 hours ago
- If we truly want our Paralympic athletes to shine, their coaches need more support
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Bennie, Associate Professor, Health and Physical Education/Sport Development, Western Sydney University The 2024 Paris Paralympics delivered heightened attention and awareness of a pinnacle sporting event for para athletes. Australia has often set the standard for para sport, consistently achieving top ...5 hours ago
- New to streaming: What to watch on Netflix NZ, Neon and more this week
We round up everything coming to streaming services this week, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+, ThreeNow, Neon and TVNZ+. If you love celebs out of their comfort zone: Celebrity Treasure Island (TVNZ+, starting September 9) We’re back on the beach for a new season of celebrity ...6 hours ago
- Harris’ lead dips in national US polls and it’s very close in the key states
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The United States presidential election will be held on November 5. In analyst Nate Silver’s aggregate of national polls, Democrat Kamala Harris ...7 hours ago
- Rewriting history: how the Treaty ‘principles’ evolved and why they don’t stand up to scrutiny
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jane Kelsey, Emeritus Professor of Law, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images ACT Party leader David Seymour has said the goal of his Treaty Principles Bill is to stimulate an overdue conversation on te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi. ...7 hours ago
- Surge in non-disclosure agreements at Health NZ sparks Labour complaint
Nearly 70 staff at Te Whatu Ora have signed non-disclosure agreements since the end of November. ...8 hours ago
- ‘Numerous questions’, but Fiji govt sticks with new anti-corruption chief
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist The Fiji government is backing the appointment of the country’s new anti-corruption chief who was under investigation by the office she now heads, which has left Fijians asking questions. Barbara Malimali — who was also the Electoral Commission chairperson — was revealed as the ...8 hours ago
- Pope Francis calls for end to tribal ‘spiral of violence’ in PNG visit
Inside PNG reports that Papua New Guinea is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, a proclamation even Pope Francis acknowledges. But Papua New Guinea is also challenged with socio-economic developments that do not reach the rural majority despite the presence of numerous extractive industries. The Pontiff in his remarks ...8 hours ago
- Anne Salmond: A Cabinet of principles?
The effrontery of David Seymour’s riposte to Church leaders over his Treaty Principles Bill is breathtaking. He accuses them of being undemocratic. When the Act Party took the idea of a referendum on Te Tiriti to a general election in 2023, it won just 8.6 percent of the vote. The other ...8 hours ago - Public feedback sought on new tolls for lower North Island
Consultation on the proposed tolling schemes for the Manawatū Tararua Highway and the Ōtaki to north of Levin highway is now open. ...8 hours ago
- A new festival celebrates the art of the picture book
Picture Me is a brand new book festival happening in Wellington and Christchurch between 11–28 September. Here’s the inside scoop on the international headliners and what they’ll be doing while in Aotearoa. A good picture book has a timeless quality: a story you don’t mind reading over, and over and ...8 hours ago
- Minister tried to hide NZDF criticism of boot camp comments
The criticism was revealed to RNZ in an official information act response, but new documents show Judith Collins asked for them to be redacted. ...9 hours ago
- LIVE@12:45pm – The Politics of Desperation – Trump, Netanyahu, Maduro, Ortega
The LIVE Recording of A View from Afar podcast will begin today at 12:45pm September 9, 2024 (NZST) which is Sunday evening, 8:45pm (USEDT). Building upon recent episodes of A View from Afar, Political Scientist Paul G Buchanan and journalist Selwyn Manning will discuss The Politics of Desperation. ...9 hours ago
- David Seymour hits out at church leaders over Treaty Principles Bill
The ACT leader says churches are abandoning their core beliefs, after 400 Christian leaders condemned his controversial Treaty Principles Bill. ...10 hours ago
- Some home truths about gene technologies
In response to criticism of proposed changes to our GM settings, scientist Revel Drummond says we should discuss the issue of regulatory change from a position of educated debate, not fear-mongering. New technologies often get pushback from sectors of society. In the 19th century people feared the unknown effects on ...10 hours ago
- Dane and Stacey on making travel a business, owning half a dog, and finding balance
Earning money while you travel sounds like a dream to many of us – so how hard is it to make the dream a reality? Travel content creators Dane and Stacey joined Kiwibank’s This is Kiwi podcast to talk about documenting their adventures online, and remembering to sometimes put the ...10 hours ago
- Councils’ credit ratings downgraded over debt, rising costs
A reduced rating will mean higher borrowing costs for two major city councils. ...10 hours ago
- Is America ready to elect a Black woman president?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Shortis, Adjunct Senior Fellow, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University It’s the big question that has loomed over Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign from the start: is the United States ready for a Black woman president? I get ...11 hours ago
- Murdoch to Musk: how global media power has shifted from the moguls to the big tech bros
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Ricketson, Professor of Communication, Deakin University Until recently, Elon Musk was just a wildly successful electric car tycoon and space pioneer. Sure, he was erratic and outspoken, but his global influence was contained and seemingly under control. But add the ...11 hours ago
- Africa desperately needs mpox vaccines. But donations from rich countries won’t fix this or the ne...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joel Lexchin, Professor Emeritus of Health Policy and Management, York University, Canada Africa says it needs an estimated ten million doses of mpox vaccine to control this public health emergency. The situation is particularly concerning in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ...11 hours ago
- Plot twist: how giving old graveyards new life as parks can improve our cities
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Stokes, Industry Professor, Environment and Sustainability, Macquarie University Camperdown Cemetery in Newtown, Sydney Rose Marinelli/Shutterstock Old graveyards are a forgotten land asset that can find new life as urban parks in crowded cities. As the density of our cities increases, efficient ...11 hours ago
- 91% of Australian teens have a phone – but many are not keeping their identity and location secure
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yeslam Al-Saggaf, Professor in Computing, Charles Sturt University Halfpoint/ Shutterstock , CC BY Most Australian teenagers have their own smartphone. According to a 2023 survey, 91% of young people between 14 and 17 owned a phone. At the same time, ...11 hours ago
- Pay-by-weight airfares are an ethical minefield. We asked travellers what they actually think
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Denis Tolkach, Senior Lecturer, James Cook University Jaromir Chalabala/Shutterstock Imagine checking in for a flight with your two teenage children. At the counter, you are told that your youngest teenager’s suitcase is two kilograms over the limit. You get slapped with ...11 hours ago
- Popes were once confined to Rome. Now they travel the world – and Francis’ current journey is pa...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Darius von Guttner Sporzynski, Historian, Australian Catholic University Pope Francis is continuing the tradition of papal journeys, having embarked on the longest trip of his papacy yet to Asia and the Pacific. In recent decades, apostolic journeys have emerged as a powerful ...11 hours ago
- Inside the cold war between Live Nation and the Powerstation
Auckland’s best live music venue is feuding with the world’s biggest promoter. Only one side is willing to speak about what happened that fateful night in April. The artist is dressed in black, with a DJ and live drummer, and the crowd bobbing in unison to sinewy R&B. Footage from ...11 hours ago
- How well are NZ companies reporting their climate impacts? Our new tracker shows very mixed results
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NZF has always been Trumpian in their views. That is not something new. They have been anti-immigration, inward looking and anti free trade since their inception.
This hasn't stopped both major parties jumping into bed with Winston when they need to.
There is no way that Winston will sit at the cabinet table with ACT. In the same way as he dictated negotiations in 2017 to shut the Greens out he will do the same with ACT.
Which is actually a better outcome if there is to be a change of government.
Is that bad to say it ain't on to flood a country with immigrants when we can't house our own, and that it'll drive up unemployment?
Yeah maybe
1.restrict migration to skills shortage areas and otherwise where the employer guarantees both a job and housing.
2.restrict students with work rights to study in areas where we have skills shortages or otherwise to those at above undergraduate level – masters and doctorates.
3.tourists with short term work rights.
You say anti-free trade, inward looking like they are bad things. Surely if we are serious about mitigating against CC then the solutions are local. The potato products from Belgium, and their like, have to stop.
Also immigration, this government has the immigration tap on full bore. Undermining worker's pay and conditions, keeping housing inaffordability up and placing severe strain on under funded infrastructure.
I'm no fan of Peter's and we simply can't keep Neo-Liberaling our way through CC.
Then I think you should be voting for NZ First
That has been their policy and would be WP's preference.
NZF has always been in two party coalitions. 1996-1999 (did not last), 2005-2008 (did last, ignore Anderton) and even in 2017, Greens were relegated to support partner.
Whether he can pull it off this time is less certain. Luxon professes a preference for a coalition with ACT (to move those of the right concerned about Seymour's hubris towards National).
NZF would want ACT's slide to continue but the Herald will keep publishing pro right wing policy opine in favour of the policy prescription of ACT to hold up their vote at 5-10% levels.
If ACT's vote stays above NZF, then the outcome might be a National minority government as per 2008-2017. Then Key had multiple options to dominate the support partners. If National forms the next government and Luxon needs both to have majority, then he has to play them off against the other.
1.Where ACT's policy is too extreme for the electoral centre, use Peter's as a block and have NZF claim the credit (super policy etc).
2.Where ACT and NZF agree, let ACT claim these as policy wins (Brash Orewa etc).
Whether as a formal coalition agreement (not resolved until Dec 24 or the 2024 new year most likely) or a minority government with 2 support partners.
If Hipkins has the guts to call them the Coalition of Crap he'll start to seem a winner. I bet he fails this credibility test. Why? Because it's obvious & he's Labour.
Talking the lingo of the land will always get you maximum traction. Effing elementary, my dear Watson. Collective resonance makes it happen.
As for the young fella trying to save the country from globalists, he's obviously a hero and there's few of them left. Don't count him out!
Yes even Luxon has even risen to using the word "malarkey"…not sure that his mentor and advisor on Winston and numbers saw the irony in that………then again some would say we Kiwis don't do irony….
Cool, I get to mine the depths of culture:
Could be Irish ancestry in the Lux. Them celtic genes can do some notable sideways moves at times. Maybe he'll surprise us with wit??
If Luxon has any celtic genes then they would most likely be the result of a bit of darkened room, under the covers fully clothed malarkey on the Shankill Road…..
The metaphor to use, is what a mess that coalition would make and "we/Labour" would have to clean it all up, once again.
Best used in debate about having a provision in the budget (unlike National raiding of funds for tax cuts) to manage recovery from flood events and also prevent them in the future.
And then onto having a plan to ensure safe drinking water quality in the provinces.
A National-Act-NZ First coalition might be an absolute disaster.
What is a Labour-Greens-Te Pāti Māori-NZFirst opposition going to look like? That is a possibility.
Depends on the seats each has.
I like to think if the first 3 have enough to pass legislation then we could get some genuine social change.
Chippy would have to depart but that's on him for taking the position he has on a wealth tax.
Just as 'chaotic' as the National/ACT/NZF one.
There is a stark divide on policy between Winston and TPM (for example); and he's got form in ruling the Greens out of government.
He Chippy believes in Democracy and Social Justice. So he would accept the will of the people and accept the direction.
Some other stuff I’ve seen on the socials is that the Nats have a gutsful of ACT cannibalising “their” RWNJ voter base, but they see Winston First as less of a threat as it’s soaking up floaters, cookers and the soft left vote
This is a campaign of fear uncertainty and doubt. It seems pretty clear to me that Nact’s policies are short sighted and self serving and will cause widespread suffering. I hope the voting public will realise this before making a huge mistake this election.
There may be some fair criticisms of some of the left’s pet projects, but the Nats want Kiwis to focus on fringe issues and forget about our real problems of housing health and inequality, which they have no intention of fixing
Nice summary – thanks for that.
NAct's policies are short-sighted, self-serving and will cause widespread suffering.
The Nat's have no intention of fixing our real problems of housing, health & inequality.
You should have heard Seymour's interview on Midday Report yesterday.
Seymour ducked, dived and avoided the questions on whether he would work with Winston. He couldn’t give a straight answer.
He is obviously feeling very uncomfortable with the current position as the polls suggest.
http://www.rnz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=2018908386
By the way I suggest an alternative moniker for National/ACT/NZ First: A coalition of division.
Not perhaps as satisfying as other monikers but just as pertinent.
Winston will not give him the option being in government/cabinet.
If the numbers stay the same as they are now, it would be a minority Nat/NZF government with ACT supporting on confidence and supply. The right wing version of the 2017 Labour/NZF government.
Seymour might get a minister or 2 outside of government
Peter's pivot to the cooker end of the market is most little more than supreme opportunism from a guy who recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of the party he founded yet, on his passing, it will disappear. That is because Winston is in it for Winston. It is all about him. Always has been. His party is an empty vessel, a vehicle for a venal and capricious man whose main aim is to be the centre of attention. Let's face it – he hates Jacinda mainly because she became way, way more famous than him.
I don't for a moment think Peter's believes any of the cooker bullshit he is peddling – he just want to be back in power. He'll forget about the cookers the minute he is back in parliament. Of course, it is a dangerous to not take a politician on his or her word, except that Peters is a complete snake so his case is an exception.
Having made clear what I think of Peters, should NZ First return to parliament and be kingmaker to a potential National-ACT coalition then it'll be an MMP triumph. MMP is specifically designed to keep extremists out of power. ACT is an extremist party. David Seymour was today in the paper described by a party candidate as a cult leader. Paul Henry endorsed Seymour ina piece in the Herald that can be best described as a quasi-fascist rant. Returning a party to the parliament that will stymie the far right and increasingly authoritarian ACT party from enacting a Pinochet agenda is exactly what MMP was adopted to do – remember, MMP was voted for to stop far right political "reforms".
If that does happen (or if Labour-Greens-TPM stitch up a government) the billionaire and multi-millionaire class that has invested a lot into National and ACT in the expectation of a return to rentier crony capitalism business as usual will not be happy. Most likely they will turn on democracy itself. A stymied Seymour and the right wing of National will start talking about "electoral reform" to get rid of MMP, mutter about rigged elections, demand voter ID laws & other voter suppression laws, and move on defunding the electoral commission and all the rest – which they may do if even if they win anyway.
Peters definitely works out which way the tide is flowing and swims with it. In 2017 he was claiming that capitalism needs to regain its human face. In 2023 he's saving us from the woke mob. Very Protean in his principles.
Yes – well noted. It may be too late to exhume Peter Shirtcliffe by then. Though somebody like the Taxpayers Union could do the job – what is democracy but wasteful spending after all? I was thinking the other day how there are probably more twists and turns to come in the MMP story. To some extent I think NZ has found our own way of making MMP work that is beginning to feel 'settled' and perhaps strong enough to resist future attacks. But nothing is certain.
I have to love the reference – "hating Jacinda because she became way, way more famous …"
And my comment is related to something way out of left field. I was searching for articles on Chris Kelley 2018 Chairman of the English RFU. A profile of him says he met several famous people in his time, including the NZ foreign Minister "Winston Jones". Pour old Winston must have been brown-nosing on one of his overseas missions and tried to use his rugby connections to get a seat at Twickenham.
[In your next comment, please change your e-mail back to the one that you used before here on TS, thanks – Incognito]
[lprent: this one is a deliberate change – see https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-17-08-2022/#comment-1906261
logie97 sent me an e-mail, including the previous ‘e-mail’. BTW: Generally we treat the e-mail as a shared secret between the site and the guest commenter (ie without a login). Since I stopped allowing non-author logins to be added back in about 2009. That is a very small set of people. ]
Mod note
my apologies.
I care for neither of their politics.
It has to be admitted, post 2020 election, more than just myself was rubbing their hands together in glee at the prospect of Seymour having to keep his big intake of rookie politicians in line.
I begrudgingly acknowledge they have done a great job of keeping themselves out of the spotlight. I can only name the top 2.
Similarly Luxon has done a good job of implementing discipline over the National party. Judith Who? They were clearly unfit to govern 3 years ago.
Contrast that with Labour's upheavals: retiring ministers, a so-called left wing minister not able to keep his share portfolio in order etc. Couple that with the tension created by one outburst from the Green co-leader in regards to the cause of violence in society.
May you live in interesting times….
Sorry to rain on the parade: I'm firmly left-wing. The RSE material coming out of the MoE is concerning. It contains message after message that suggests that gender-non-conforming kids have something wrong with them that needs fixing, The outcome is that supposed progressives are telling LGB kids that they are broken and need to be fixed, and screaming "fascist" at anyone who spots the problem.
It's completely accurate to say that parents are concerned about " “complex, sexual, inappropriate discussions happening at school” , as is their right.
When the national scientific bodies of multiple OECD countries are saying that it perhaps isn't a good idea to do irreversible things to kids on the basis of low quality evidence, we should listen.
It's a disgrace that these opinions are considered "right wing" and it's a disgrace that only right wing MPs are willing to express them, especially when I know for a fact that several Green MPs agree with me.
I don't think the opinions you state are incompatible with left wing.
We've created a world of such hyper-individualism that kids are being told they can just be whatever they want just by saying so; and legions of online networks, clinics and metaverses will always be there to 'support' them (driving away anyone that disagrees).
It's much more profitable to do this than to teach kids to love themselves as they are. Women, men, old, young, rich, poor are all targets of hate in society now, and running away to be anything else is celebrated.
It's the most neo-liberal ideology there is in some ways.
The MOH position of this is changing and has already changed based on evidence of harm (to the brain and skeletal from early intervention – the do no harm principle).
Evidence please. An acceptance of those stating a difference to their birth sex is not the same as placing any pressure on those children who appear to be gender non conforming.
Evidence please. Those non gender conforming – artistic/indoor boys/outdoorsy active tom boy girls are generally not LGB anyhow. And those who will/might be are not identifying as such at that stage. There is more acceptance of gender non conformity than the past but no pressure to relate that to being transgender.
This is a development of the old scares that acceptance of same sexuality among adults and this knowledge being part of social studies in schools was indoctrinating children to be so.
These are my subjective interpretations of what’s in a public document on the MoH website. I don’t think I need evidence for the existence of a document or my interpretations of it. You are free to read it and come to your own subjective interpretations. It’s not hard to find.
Evidence please. Some won’t be , some will be.
So we have no idea what part of the document you base your suppositions on because you will not say.
OK.
Evidence of what? I said most not conforming to gender stereotypes are not LGB. You confine your reckon to some are and some are not.
I base my more specific reckon on the fact that the numbers not conforming to gender stereotypes are more numerous than those LGB.
So this is both of us saying the same thing, except I'm not claiming a level of specificity that you are.
I'm not going on about this because I don't actually want it to be an election issue, because it will make the Greens look bad, and nobody has any gender on a dead planet. It's clear to me that NZ cannot discuss this coherently in this election cycle. We'll have to wait for the lawsuits and medical scandals before this gets discussed rationally.
Given the Greens have never been in government – policy on this has not been its responsibility.
And given our ACC legislation, this won't be a lawsuit issue here. It could result in a health review depending on number of past problem cases and rate of change in code of practice.
The SUFW and the political party will focus on the detail of the HRA and the inter-changeability of gender with sex to date. Because this has occurred elsewhere in government legislation and on documents.
It'll be discussed on an issue by issue basis – they will raise the way prisons operate to ensure safety, and then move on from there. Safety practice in refuges, right of groups to exclude (in person gatherings and online – the same right that religious groups have etc). And if there is to be self ID, can this be lost, if there is offensive/illegal behaviour?
The public places – changing rooms – schools/swimming pools/gyms/sports clubs. The public use bathrooms. Etc.
And of course the schools "student policy" regime and government organisation "employment policy" practice.
Plenty to work on …
The Ministry put up inaccurate information about medical treatments intended for minors, left it there for ages after it became clear how inaccurate it was, quietly removed the information when their position became untenable, and then did sweet FA to counter the dangerous and inaccurate ideas about this treatment, ideas spread by them.
That Guy: "The RSE material coming out of the MoE is concerning. It contains message after message that suggests that gender-non-conforming kids have something wrong with them that needs fixing"
Really? News to some teacher friends.
As I patiently point out every time this point is made, schools do not have to use the material. Many do not, because parents are often deeply uncomfortable with it.
It isn’t compulsory to teach. We stick to what our BOT authorises. In consultation with our community.
I find myself astonished. I agree with Mike Hosking about what I call the potential "Coalition of the Incompatible"
Act – National – NZ First is a coalition would be a ungoverning mess. It'd be fun to harpoon and lambast.
It would be a fun result if NZFirst got about the same 8+- % as ACT.
That would make such a stark difference in $$ spent per vote, just to rub in the difference between ACT donor class and NZF donors.
And to think ACT were targeting 15% two weeks ago…
I am looking for 6.5% each with National contained to under 35% – c 48%.
An impasse. Labour 30% Greens 14% and TPM 3% – c48%.
Leaving it to the flexible centre to resolve
WP Minister of Foreign Affairs outside of Cabinet and SJ as Speaker.
NZF abstaining on matters of confidence and supply in return for …. some stuff not happening in the 3 year period and …
So, suddenly NZF isn't a disastrous coalition partner, if the coalition is on the Left!
All of the arguments you've been making about him destabilizing government as part of a RW coalition – are just as valid if he's in a LW coalition.
Really, WP will be exactly the same in negotiations with either side – if he'd settle for FM outside of cabinet – as his bauble of office – then I'm quite sure that National would fall over themselves to give it to him.
I wonder if he's hanging out for Speaker…..
The glory and power of being speaker would be right up his alley. Trouble is having to be on the ball every minute, the onerousness of the task, not having the luxury of being able to pass everything off to minions and the strictures.
Speaker Gerry.
Winnnie would be way more fun than Brownlee as speaker plus the wood work teacher would be pissed off.
A Knight of the Realm, Sir Jonky no less, mentioned that (Winnie as speaker) as a possibility on RNZ last evening. He had been chatting with Luxon for a while now and didn’t deny ‘advising’ Luxon.
The mind boggles.
A case made of straw, that blows away in the wind. .
Breathe through the nose and comprehend.
Should there be an impasse.
The only party in the centre able to be flexible is NZF
If it then withdraws from the centre-right block, then the Labour led government backed by Greens and TPM has the majority on confidence and supply votes.
Thus order out of deadlock chaos.
Obviously a NZF Speaker and while Jones loves to talk, Peters has the diplomatic circuit and his home away from home MFAT. Given most of our policy in this area is bi-partisan not a concern to left or right.
Befitting a party not providing confidence and supply to a government he would be outside cabinet and he and other NZF MP's able to criticise domestic policy.
No it only applies with an impasse. This is an option only available to NZF with those on the other block.
I’m not quite sure what you mean by an “impasse” – but if WP holds the balance of power, then he can (and I’m quite sure will) negotiate with both sides.
It doesn’t matter if one side only need 1 MP, and the other needs 5 to gain a majority – if NZF control all 6 seats.
The Right can offer him all of this as well.
So your "order out of deadlock chaos" can just as easily benefit the right.
Amazing how the 'chaos' you were decrying only yesterday, can be magically ordered when you see some potential benefit for the Left.
Myself, I have no time for Peters – whether he goes Right or Left – the ultimate calculation is 'what's in it for Winston'.
But, if you want to regard WP as a potential savour…..
I am having to seriously doubt your capacity to debate honestly in an election period.
You have to be playing dumb.
60 seats to 60 seats. Impasse
Peters cannot install a centre-right government and he has said that he will not support a Labour government (either in a coalition or confidence and supply).
In such a case it is either another election, or as I suggested.
This is my last debate with you before the election.
I'm seriously doubting your ability to do basic MMP arithmetic.
It doesn't *matter* if the seat total is 59 Right and 56 Left (or any other combination of numbers in the high 50s).
If NZF have 6 seats (getting 5% of the party vote) then they *hold the balance of power*. Without them, neither side can form a government.
It doesn't matter if NZF are in government, or sit on the cross-benches with confidence and supply (your magic wand solution to this issue for the benefit of Labour)
That means that WP is the kingmaker, and can negotiate with either or both sides, to get the best deal for him (note, I don't say for the country)
If neither will give in to his demands – then, yes indeed we have another election.
For some strange reason, you seem to think that it will all be roses if WP chooses Labour, but will be an unmitigated governmental disaster if he chooses National.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winebox_Inquiry#History
Still, he facilitated the termination of the 5th National govt, and looks set to entertain again. Say what you like about Winston – he's got staying power.
Plus I'm grateful for the SuperGold card.
Pollies (and their supporters) who see NZ as a collection of assets ripe for plunder are (imho) NZ's real "bottom feeders". Have Willis and Luxon looked at the wider picture re relaxing the ban on foreigners purchasing Kiwi homes? I reckon some of their donors have – nothing new under the sun.
Also weird that 2 weeks ago we were agog at how ACT at 15% of Cabinet positions were going to be a handful for National …
… when the fun story for progressives is how is Labour's caucus ego going to deal with themselves finishing in +- 26% and Greens get 15% on current trend.
With a full wipeout forecast of Labour's next generation of leadership on the List, maybe the most obvious choice for rebuilding the Finance portfolio is in fact with James Shaw.
On current trend it's looking like Anderton's New Labour but with a slower and more measured growth rate.
Would vote for Shaw to take Finance. Had enough of Robertson's instinctive 'safe option' of status quo neoliberal centrism when what we really needed in the wake of Covid was actual change.
And it looks like "Change" is what we are going to get, for better or worse
Winston is a very clever politician he has courted the drongos each with their 500 or 1000 or so supporters to just get him over the line but I think only one is in the first six lineup and that one is looking a bit shakey. If Winston does get in the phone is off the hook to them after the vote. That’s when it will get nasty. Can anyone see Winston agreeing to sell 2000 NZ homes every year to Arab Gulf absentee owners as the spokesperson for Sothebys predicted a few nights ago on one of the news outlets, where he stated that his phones/ emails had not stopped since the Luxon announcement. He was rubbing his hands in glee as he said that. ( bit of sarcasm there )
Winston only cares for the baubles of office, he has a history of saying whatever his parochial supporters want to hear and then turning around and signing up to anything regardless of its impact on the people of NZ. It's Winston First all the way
We don't need Winston's small-c conservatives in government when Chris Hipkins is doing that job already.
True, can't blame him for being a handbrake now
Let's hope nzf gets 4.9% and act keeps going down where it should be given its extremist policies
Read a article in Chinese publication yesterday saying Chinese investors exiting overseas investments big time good luck Nicola, who loses jobs for her incompetence
"…NZ First has positioned itself as an extremist party…"
Extremist?? That's rubbish.
"…no to co-governance, “put the K back into iwi”, protect assets, and incentivise careers for those who stayed in New Zealand…"
Those positions are hardly extremist, probably being the views of a sizeable number of voters.Trump isn't an extremist either, nor are his views.
"…removing “gender ideology” from curriculum…"
I don't know but would guess that a large majority of voters would agree that gender ideology should be removed from the curriculum, so is hardly extremist.
Wanting to protect the country from globalist organizations is hardly extremist either. Many people see globalism as the failure it is for ordinary people and you only have to look at the UN or WEF or WTO websites to see how scary their overarching agendas and some of their ideas are.
To suggest NZ First is now an extremist party. regardless of whether you agree with any of their policy ideas, is ridiculous.
Extremist policies, not party, is what was stated. And to mix and mingle with extremists to then pander to them, I think the E word is justified here. As Patricia says, dogs and fleas and all that.
If you walk among and encourage extremists… Like a dog and fleas.
If you put your Luxon hat on there's a silver lining to the Winston cloud…
National has been promising some dubious policies and the populace is all primed up for Winston to ruin a three way handshake coalition.
Dont underestimate the potential for National and ACT in this. It could give them an excuse to push for a bigger share of the 2026 vote…
What would be supremely satisfying would be the look on Hosking's face if Labour/Greens/Te Pati Maori defied the odds and won.
It was said that after the 2020 election Hosking looked like someone who had swallowed arsenic.
Good if this could be recreated another time.
"Even Mike Hosking thinks that a National-Act-NZ First coalition would be an absolute disaster"
The obvious thing is Hoskins has said that to try and rally all the National or potential National voters together to stop it happening. Really clear about his intent.
National have had the rug pulled by Peters before , Winston gets tail wagging rights Winston will play them for the fools they are! Since National have said they are going with Winston National and ACT have lost support! Keep it Winston bagging ACT and National.