Garner tweets on what he was told was latest UMR poll result

Written By: - Date published: 5:04 pm, September 27th, 2013 - 100 comments
Categories: labour - Tags:

Just a short post and a song for Friday afternoon.  Duncan Garner has tweeted the results of a UMR poll.

Just been told that UMR poll has Nats 39, Lab 36, Green 14, NZF 5.1%. Not sure if it’s out yet. Internal presentation yday.

And the most appropriate song I could think of …

Of course it is early days and there is a lot of work to do.  But things look promising.

100 comments on “Garner tweets on what he was told was latest UMR poll result ”

  1. Jenny Kirk 1

    Yep – its far too soon, Mickey. But good for morale. We’ve got a long course to sail yet – we don’t want a last-minute Oracle ! (scuse flights of fancy – couldn’t help myself)

    • Tangee 1.1

      At least the polls are a bit consistent in that labour is on the rise. and now it is to maintain or grow that increase

  2. Chooky 2

    Fantastic!…and great song!!!!

    ….Go Cunliffe Team NZ!!!!

  3. Macro 3

    Then again there is BB King at the White House
    Seems appropriate for some 😉
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLh-8HkvmyM
    “The Thrill is Gone.” hehehe

    • Chooky 3.1

      @Macro….how cool is that ? Great music!…(the cat loved it too )

      Yup!… bye bye Nact and Key.!!!….there is a new man Cunliffe leading a new Labour Party to a great victory in 2014!!! …..with the Greens!!!

  4. karol 4

    I never pin any hopes on polls. But it’s useful PR.

    And great song for this Friday PM.

  5. SDCLFC7 5

    There’s 6 points missing. Seems a lot for Mana, Utd; Conservative; Maori; Act but then again maybe not (I’m just surprised by the drop in National)
    While this is good to see I really want to see us getting up around 38/39.
    I also think the increase has got to come at the expense of the Greens. We’re not going to get 40 points while the Greens are polling at 12+

    • Labour doesn’t need to eat into the greens to make an extra 3%, they can keep on chipping away at people who didn’t vote the last few elections, and so can the Greens. Ideally I’d like to see a really strong majority with just those two parties, I don’t particularly care the mix so long as they can play nice together.

    • karol 5.2

      There’s only about 6% missing.
      Lab-Green 50%.
      Nats 39%
      NZF 5.1%
      = 94%

      • Vagabundo 5.2.1

        Garner didn’t mention ACT, Maori, UF, Mana and the undecideds + parties out of parliament.

        I’d imagine the coalition partners probably got about 4% combined, and probably 1% each to Mana and the Conservatives.

        • Actually it’s been more like 3% conservatives, 1% to each of the other parties in recent polls, but that may be because the recent ones have been the more right-wing polls.

          • Vagabundo 5.2.1.1.1

            Where’s the 3% for the Conservatives coming from? I just checked the most recent Herald, CB and RM polls, and all three of them have the Conservatives at around 1%. Specifically, the Herald poll had them at exactly 1%, CB had them at 0.8% and RM had them at 1.5%.

      • ScottGN 5.2.2

        Balance made up of the minnows, Mana, Maori Party. ACT, UFP and Conservatives. Seems about right. Best thing though is Nats below 40%.

      • David H 5.2.3

        They must be saving the 6% for the convivial cup of tea.

        • miravox 5.2.3.1

          Key has already had one with The Hair, hasn’t he? Or was that coffee? – maybe the tea is tainted

    • Saarbo 5.3

      Well its an exciting trend, Im not surprised though as I was aware of many people who were sick and tired of national’s lies, they just wanted a decent alternative Labour….. and its arrived.

  6. Sosoo 6

    No wonder Hootoff was so down in the dumps yesterday. The pig party must know from internal polling that things have turned south.

    Wait until Cunliffe is whipping Key on a regular basis in parliament.

    • North 6.1

      Wait for March/April when Sir Kiwi Kim Dotcom’s gonna really stick it up the simpering Balmoral Bitch we call PM. Who calls Balmoral “a magnificent ‘property’ “. Yokel !!!

      I’m punting here, no links, no authority, just a feeling. ShonKey Python’s seen the writing on the wall already. (KDC above). He’s not gonna hang around to lose. He’s bored. Democracy’s a bitch when you get into the detail. Those New Zealanders seem not to be lying down to a smile anymore. Much more interesting to pick up the knighthood and cruise around being a gauche proslytiser for Her Madge.

      Such is the cheapness of the construct we know as The Honourable ShonKey Python the Earl of Arselick.

      Judge Judy sits and knits.

    • North 6.2

      Wait for March/April when Sir Kiwi Kim Dotcom’s gonna really stick it up the simpering Balmoral Bitch we call PM. Who calls Balmoral “a magnificent ‘property’ “. Yokel !!!

      I’m punting here, no links, no authority, just a feeling. ShonKey Python’s seen the writing on the wall already. (KDC above and Cunliffe of course). He’s not gonna hang around to lose. He’s bored. Democracy’s a bitch when you get into the confusing detail of it. Those New Zealanders seem not to be lying down to a smile anymore. Much more interesting to pick up the knighthood and cruise around being a gauche proslytiser for Her Madge.

      Such is the cheapness of the construct we know as The Right Honourable ShonKey Python Earl of Arselick.

      Judge Judy sits and knits.

    • David H 6.3

      “Wait until Cunliffe is whipping Key on a regular basis in parliament.”

      Then I think there will be a brief flurry of activity, and the New Nat leader will emerge with all the fanfare and excitement of a visit to the dentists.

  7. Blue 7

    Makes you want to cry thinking about how much time Labour wasted on Shearer.

  8. Steve 8

    This is great news and demonstrates why the right were so vehemently anti-Cunliffe.

    With the H – bro’s scoring a couple of home goals this news rounds off a very good week.

    No time for complacency though – expect the full smoke and mirror set to be deployed by team Slippery.

    • karol 8.1

      No time for complacency though – expect the full smoke and mirror set to be deployed by team Slippery.

      Yep. Shonkey’s been off on a refresher course on that.

  9. Linz 9

    iPredict:
    There will be a Labour Prime Minister after the 2014 General Election
    Probability: 50.0% ( up 0.02%)

    There will be a National Prime Minister after the 2014 General Election
    Probability : 49.1% (down 4.77%)

    Have a very nice weekend everybody.

    • jaymam 9.1

      Yeah I used to be impressed by Ipredict. But if you look at the actual bets for 2014 Nat PM, most of the fluctuation is caused by bets of a few dollars. I could throw a few dollars away to influence Ipredict graphs. But I won’t.

  10. ak 10

    At eight nil ahead, it was simply inconceivable that even superior financial resources could scupper the proud kiwis’ march to victory……

    No rest yet, brothers and sisters. Crush every filthy Orewa One derivative (and there’ll be plenty) at birth: with all the venom it deserves. Then pound those pavements to the sun like there’s no tomorrow.

    Grab your one chance. Hammer the stake home, then join progressive history. For your and my beautiful wee ones.

  11. xtasy 11

    Can we “garner” Garner a bit more to put him on the spit for a nice grilling? I would love to see his station suffer immensely under a new public broadcasting policy to be launched by a new Labour led government, which will be so overdue. The Nats have destroyed all sensible quality media in this country and seized on it to make the gutted remnants their propaganda mouthpieces!

    Is Garner waking up, or desperate to calm the dissent and “time they are a changin?”. Is he preparing to get employment in future public broadcasting.

    Anyway, getting to his poll tweeting, this sounds very interesting, and I wish it was true!!!

    That is what we need, a real “time they are a changin”!

    But to all now so excited Labourites, do NOT get over excited, the rise in the polls was to be expected. You must work on keeping the momentum going, full steam, and you must do all now, to HAMMER OUT the smart policies this country is “hungry” for!!!

    We cannot just rely on Kiwi Build, on that Power plan, and a bit here and there, more is needed, a total GAME CHANGER! Future policies, in economic development, science, research, trade, labour, local body and regional development, new, more sustainable and progressive energy policies, public transport expansion, environmental safeguarding, immigration, and do NOT forget, policies for the socially disadvantaged, please, which I fear, will once again be overlooked!

    Policy is the decisionmaker, not just much talk and a “war” on the goverment, get into POLICY, and that means a real PLAN for NZ, a future for ALL, and to get us AHEAD, not stuck and backward, thanks, I will celebrate with all of you, when we get this, best of luck anyway!

    I will continue to vote Green, as that is the better choice for me, but we must ALL work together, and WILL work together!

    • Dem Young Sconies 11.1

      +1

      This really is a strong mandate from the electorate for the complete repudiation of neo-liberalism. The 10% should fear the coming storm.
      We’re coming for ya!
      and yes, firm media control must be in the mix to end right wing bias.
      Goodbye Garner, goodbye Gower, goodbye Fairfax, goodbye Murdock.

      Nationalisation without compensation for the public good will be the call
      Banks, supermarkets, construction, energy generation & distribution, media, and other significant industries.

      It’s time for Cunliffe to get bold!

      Kiwibuild needs to be bolder, bigger, and be 100% State house builds
      NZ Power should be full, completely integrated nationalisation, not a half-way house – return to the Energy Board.
      The living wage is for all
      Full employment
      Abolish the GST
      Scrap benefits and replace them with the Universal Basic Income
      Set it at the living wage (so it becomes the defacto minimum wage)
      No more marginalisation of the most vulnerable in our society
      No income tax on the UBI – positive income tax kicks in from this point
      Set flat tax rate on income above UBI at 49%
      Align corporate and trust rates to ensure no rorts.
      Capital gains tax
      Reintroduce duty on imported goods
      Set-up a 100% State owned manufacturing industry
      Set-up a State construction & apprentaship scheme to power the State house build
      Tax private land
      Tax financial transactions
      Tax carbon pollutants
      Tax sugar & fat – and outlaw corporate fast food & drink
      Use the tobacco control model for alcohol, sugar, fat & caffeine.
      Free education and the UBI for students
      Abolish National standards, and close all non-State schools
      Increase the size of the State to improve the services it delivers, and to ensure full employment
      Implement a high-tech carbon neutral economy
      End ruminant farming immediately – cull all stock
      Ban the use of nitrates and other agricultural poisons
      End all mining, drilling & fracking
      Stop all road building and invest heavily in 21st century public transport solutions
      Phase out the use of private vehicles, once public transport can meet demand
      Try slippery and his cronies for the treason they have committed against the people
      Outlaw political groups of the far right

      Exciting times 🙂

      • karol 11.1.1

        love your list.

      • One Anonymous Knucklehead 11.1.2

        The Local Government Rating Act 2002.
        7(1): All land is rateable.

        Would you really close all Montessori and Steiner schools?

        The tobacco model won’t work for alcohol because alcohol is easy to make. Alcohol abuse issues correlate to inequality; there are far more elegant solutions available.

        I expect any government of the left to uphold human rights, so outlawing political groups is off the table.

        How do you reconcile a high tech economy with the end of mining?

        • Colonial Viper 11.1.2.1

          Parts of the tobacco model will work just fine for alcohol. In thinking particularly of advertising bans, plain packaging, and stiffer enforcement of no use zones.

          • One Anonymous Knucklehead 11.1.2.1.1

            None of those measures will address the causes of the problem.

            “Stiffer enforcement” – which we all know discriminates against younger adults. Set up the societal conditions that exacerbate substance abuse then punish those who succumb.

            • Colonial Viper 11.1.2.1.1.1

              You can feel free to address the societal “causes” of the problem (as you put it) over say the next 10-20 years. I’m merely remarking that steps to greatly reduce the use and acceptability of alcohol in society, and without resorting to prohibition, are available, immediately implementable, and well understood.

              I’ll also add no alcohol outlet sales on Sundays, and no alcohol outlet sales after 8pm. Dropping the drink drive limit.

              I recommend that these measures are used immediately while you get on with changing the “societal conditions” that you think should be changed.

              • One Anonymous Knucklehead

                “…greatly reduce the use and acceptability of alcohol in society…”

                Debatable. Making alcohol harder to buy according to arbitrary calendar events like “Sunday” will have this effect will it? How do you know it won’t have a greater effect of a massive backlash against the nanny state?

                In the countries that have introduced these “well understood” measures (I’m sure you’ll be able to tell us which countries those are), what happened? How long did the social engineering take?

                • Colonial Viper

                  Feel free to keep debating sociological theories as long as you would like. After all, National/Dunne ignored a large number of recommendations re: the alcohol industry, using the line that more research was needed.

                  I would hope that Labour doesn’t use the same line.

                  Making alcohol harder to buy according to arbitrary calendar events like “Sunday” will have this effect will it?

                  Maybe arbitrary calendar events like turning 18 don’t have any meaning for you in the alcohol debate either?

                  How about closing times, isn’t 2am or 3am or 4am just arbitrary markers of time?

                  And 80mg breathalyser limits, do they mean anything? why not 75mg? 85mg?

                  I mean, get a grip man and try and use a real argument.

                  How do you know it won’t have a greater effect of a massive backlash against the nanny state?

                  You think that the laissez faire side of governing is more your style? Help yourself mate.

                  • McFlock

                    I think you’re confusing “arbitrary measures” with “measures based on evidence at the time according to increasing response:damage ratios and then mangled via the public policy process”. Eg 4am closing is associated with greater assault numbers than midnight closing.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      and then mangled via the public policy process

                      Yes. That’s politics for you.

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead

                      McF, no, I’m questioning whether ambulances at the bottom of the cliff and Nanny’s big wagging finger will have the slightest effect on alcohol abuse.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      McF, no, I’m questioning whether ambulances at the bottom of the cliff and Nanny’s big wagging finger will have the slightest effect on alcohol abuse.

                      Don’t make light of ideas for increased restrictions on alcohol use, sale and advertising. They can cut alcohol consumption and desirability immediately.

                      That’s why National/Dunne ducked the whole issue.

                    • McFlock

                      OAK – nah, I was talking to CV.

                      He’s off on one of his “ooo, we can just do anything if we ignore everything that humanity has learned about the issue to date – if I can say it in seven words, it must be achievable, and anyone who has actually ‘studied’ the topic is a slave to the zeitgeist” trips.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      Hey McFlock.

                      I’m a supporter of increased regulation of the use, advertising and sale of alcohol.

                      Perhaps you think additional deregulation is fine, maybe you think the current regime is perfect and need not be changed, maybe (like National/Dunne) you think that the answer is to do a few more years of research before doing anything; but those aren’t positions I subscribe to.

                    • McFlock

                      I’m a supporter of increased regulation of the use, advertising and sale of alcohol.

                      Hey CV, so am I.

                      But beyond that bumper-sticker similarity between us, I don’t think you have any idea about the issues or effects of any specific regulatory change a google search throws your way. And that’s the sort of shit that creates more problems than it solves – six o’clock closing was followed by the seven o’clock wife thumping. Complete banning results in more power to the mob and an “in” for corruption. And you spinning that calling you a public policy idiot is the same as being a shill for the liquor industry is just more of your faith-based bullshit.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      I haven’t mentioned any bans or prohibition mate, nor any 6pm closing rule.

                      However I am glad to hear that you are for the increased regulation of the use, advertising and sale of alcohol in society. From what you have said I know that you understand that it would bring immediate and measurable public health benefits to NZ. I don’t know about your 12am closing idea however, it seems a bit too early.

                    • McFlock

                      Nor did I ever say I thought the current regime is perfect.

                      increased regulation of the use, advertising and sale of alcohol in society. From what you have said I know that you understand that it would bring immediate and measurable public health benefits to NZ.

                      Depending on the regulation, yes. Or maybe no, again depending on the regulation.

                      I don’t know about your 12am closing idea however, it seems a bit too early.

                      Ok, ignoring for the moment that it was an arbitrary mono-dimensional comparison between two regulatory options, let’s go with that. Why do you think that it’s too early?

                    • Colonial Viper

                      Well, the party is usually only starting at 12.

                    • McFlock

                      which says more about evolving social mores than anything else.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      It’s been the case with parties that I’ve been going to since 14, so yeah, it’s been evolving.

                    • McFlock

                      One of these days you’ll get around to realising that not everybody in the country is exactly like you.

                  • One Anonymous Knucklehead

                    According to you, it will take 10-20 years for changes in the GINI to flow into healthier attitudes to alcohol. According to you, we will “…greatly reduce the use and acceptability of alcohol in society…”, using changes to price and availability and “stronger enforcement”.

                    I think that it will take you a bit longer than 10-20 years, especially as you have the minor issue of being thrown out of office at the next election to contend with.

                    I know you don’t like that argument, but it is nonetheless a real one.

                    Inequality, not closing time, drives substance abuse.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      hey mate, don’t twist my own words around and ignore my main point – that we can cut alcohol use in society immediately and measurably.

                      Meanwhile you go work on your inequality stuff. Let me know how many months you think it will take to sort out child poverty, for instance.

                      And not be accused of perpetuating the nanny state. And still be able to stay in Government.

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead

                      Price controls only affect moderate drinkers. Licensing enforcement exports problems to less well policed areas. The evidence on advertising is “inconclusive” – source – MoJ.

                      Meanwhile, there is an established link with the GINI.

                      I’m sure you mean well and all, I just don’t think the measures you’re proposing will be effective or popular.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      Sorry, I happen to believe that increased controls on alcohol use, availability and pricing directly affect alcohol consumption. So does the Law Commission. So does the National Government and Peter Dunne.

                      Maybe you thought that National was right not to reduce the drink driving level etc. but I do not.

                      Feel free to pursue your improvements to GINI though, and the changes in alcohol abuse which might result as second and third order effects of that down the track.

                      Meanwhile, as McFlock pointed out, reducing opening hours now will reduce violent assaults and hospitalisations this weekend.

                      Price controls only affect moderate drinkers. Licensing enforcement exports problems to less well policed areas. The evidence on advertising is “inconclusive” – source – MoJ.

                      Yet hitting cigarette advertising is seen as effective and de riguer.

                      Frankly you sound like a right wing libertarian. Regulation is not effective, deregulation has no bad effects, and increased regulation is not likely to do a thing.

                    • McFlock

                      Meanwhile, as McFlock pointed out, reducing opening hours now will reduce violent assaults and hospitalisations this weekend.

                      in on-licences, and not if taken too far, because that just shifts the problem to preloading and binges when people purchase for the weekend. The problem-diversion issue is real.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      I thought you said that 12am closing was supported by the evidence.

                      In fact here:

                      http://thestandard.org.nz/garner-tweets-on-what-he-was-told-was-latest-umr-poll-result/#comment-702853

                    • McFlock

                      I know you did. That’s why discussing policy with you is so painful.

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead

                      CV, prices have gone up, there is more enforcement than there was twenty years ago. Therefore the problem should have diminished by now, eh?

                      The fundamental difference between me and a Libertarian is that I want to see the evidence. I asked you to provide some, you failed, so I found a handy MoJ discussion paper, which discusses your assertions and cites evidence that undermines them, as if experience hadn’t already done so.

                      I’ve nothing against regulations when they work, but when they’re just there to appease social conservatives I can do without them.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      I’m going to go with the Law Commission report as a good basis, not your MoJ discussion document.

                    • McFlock

                      cherry picking? Maybe they’re both good bases to take into account when developing policy.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      Well good for you for being so open minded, mate.

                    • McFlock

                      It’s called “weight of evidence”.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      well of course, that’s a completely unscientific notion introducing way too much subjectivity.

                    • McFlock

                      obviously, because you said so.

                      in the real world, however…

                      edit:Oh, you changed the line to something equally as trite.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      Oh? You know of peer reviewed evidence demonstrating that decision making incorporating heuristics around the “weight of evidence” are superior?

                      I’d sure be keen to take a look at that evidence.

                      Because I’m sure that it’s not just because you said so.

                    • McFlock

                      No, just pointing out that policy analysis comes under a BA, not BSc. It incorporates scientific evidence, but requires more subtlety than the binary thinking you are so fond of.

                      All information provides a piece of the picture, it’s willful blindness to simply choose one analysis document over another for no real reason. They all have factors to consider.

                    • Rogue Trooper

                      debate grows more original down here.

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead

                      Meanwhile you go work on your inequality stuff. Let me know how many months you think it will take to sort out child poverty, for instance.

                      And not be accused of perpetuating the nanny state. And still be able to stay in Government.

                      Measures to combat child poverty are in a completely different league than measures to scold people who take a drink while failing to change the behaviour of problem drinkers one iota.

                      So no, I don’t think food in schools will be seen in quite the same light as booze tax and compulsory bed-time. Electorally speaking, that is.

      • Populuxe1 11.1.3

        “This really is a strong mandate from the electorate for the complete repudiation of neo-liberalism.”

        Ah, no. Labour is just a slightly kindler, gentler neoliberal party of the Blairite, Third Way type. Hello! David Parker is deputy leader! They support the TPPA and have been very slippery about National’s asset sales.

        • Colonial Viper 11.1.3.1

          Ah, no. Labour is just a slightly kindler, gentler neoliberal party of the Blairite, Third Way type.

          Of course, that must be why National’s big business backers are so worried about Labour. It’s because Labour are just a slightly watered down National. Very worrying for the corporate set.

          • karol 11.1.3.1.1

            I think the right may be afraid of losing control of the dominant narrative, as much as of the proposed policies.

            There looks to be a mood for change from the base and flax roots. Must be very worrying for the right that has controlled the dominant narrative for a few decades.

            • Colonial Viper 11.1.3.1.1.1

              Exactly. A lot of latent/inactive Labour supporters have been waiting a long time for a Labour Party of principle that they could be proud of supporting. Looks like we might have one finally – maybe.

              And the Righties are very worried.

    • Steve 11.2

      Is Garner waking up, or desperate to calm the dissent and “time they are a changin?”. Is he preparing to get employment in future public broadcasting.

      This is a very interesting point xtasy. I noticed during the term of the third Clark government the mainstream media moved to the right and by the time the election arrived many were almost screaming “Vote National”.

      I think this move is just beginning to play out in reverse. It’s probably a combination of arse protecting and following public sentiment – not wishing to be on the wrong side of history. Neverless it is real and I believe we at that tipping point. This thing does have momentum.

      No time for complacency though as most mainstream media still have a neo-lib bias.

      • Pete 11.2.1

        Neverless it is real and I believe we at that tipping point. This thing does have momentum.

        I believe you’re right. The big mo is gathering behind the Left. I wouldn’t quite label Key as yesterday’s man just yet. But it does feel like time is running down on his administration.

      • lurgee 11.2.2

        I think Garner, in common with most journalists, is simply eager to report the most interesting story first. To correct the supposed ‘neo-liberal bias’ Labour has to make sure it is that story, and in a good way.

    • Lloyd 11.3

      The Gnats may have eaten away at the edges, but they haven’t destroyed National Radio yet. There is still some good journalism there.

    • Sean Carroll 11.4

      Great! But are you after neoliberal change, like Blair’s Thirds Way?

  12. BrucetheMoose 12

    Once the times have changed, hopefully it might be more a case of Ray Charles’s advice for Johnny –

    • Chooky 12.1

      Bruce the Moose…+1 … great song also! …especially for the two Johnnys (Key and Banks) of Nact!

  13. Mary 13

    Is Garner tweeting the truth all of a sudden? I’d wait for the poll to come out before I believed it.

  14. finbar 14

    I am a recent user to this blog line.My political belief is in no way opposed to the harm of the blogs intention far from it.I do find though the censor a bit precious about others opinions that are not in line with their ideals,however fair the comment may be.

    [lprent: Read the policy. For the moderators, people’s opinions count for very little. Their behaviour both present and past counts for a lot. We find that having an active moderation policy keeps the sanctimonous arsehole population (whining about how we run the site) under control.

    I’ll be happy to demonstrate but perhaps you should first read the section in banning on darwin awards. ]

    • finbar 14.1

      Are you infering im a arsehole..

      [Lprent: there was a word in front of it… Figure it out. ]

      • finbar 14.1.1

        Aside from the front word whatever offended your dialect, escapes me,that what did you find not worthy of my comment about the direction of Labour, under Cunliffe!s direction.I think my comment, was a fair assumption.

  15. Tracey 15

    Not convinced altho it cld explain sHooten up going rabbid.

  16. lurgee 16

    UMR used to do fortnightly polls but seemed to stop doing so earlier this year, which is a shame as they seemed to be very consistent. You can see their table on page 12, of the PDF below, they had National on 44-45% consistently for 2012. it’s a shame we don’t seem to have any more recent data, as if they are getting consistent results, this is really interesting. A huge chunk taken out of National, Greens still bubbling along nicely? And, crucially, Labour close enough to look like a credible governing party, rather than a distant second placer being jobbed into power by the third placer … That is very important in the long term, I think.

    http://umr.co.nz/sites/umr/files/umr_mood_of_the_nation_2013_online_0.pdf

    I have a horrible feeling I might be eating some humble pie. Oh well, gotta try everything once.

  17. The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 17

    I am a bit confused about when a leak from within Labour to Garner is a baseless lie (like the coup talk) and when it is a solid fact (such as a favourable poll result).

    I know it can’t be as simple as: good news for Labour is a fact and bad is a baseless lie, but I am just struggling to crack the code.

    • Craig GlenEden 17.1

      Ok this is the code if it came from Mallard its a baseless lie serving his own purpose.If its a leak that has positive implications for Labour and Garner is stating it publicly its going to be the truth. Simple code really.

  18. Sable 18

    Sorry nice thought but these spot polls are really not that useful as a measure of anything meaningful. Worse still they can lead to complacency which in this case is potentially dangerous. Keys is odious but he’s no fool and to underrate him and his regime is a mistake….

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    You got a fast carAnd I want a ticket to anywhereMaybe we make a dealMaybe together we can get somewhereAny place is betterYesterday’s newsletter, Trust In Me, on the report of abuse in state care, and by religious organisations, between 1950 and 2019, coupled with the hypocrisy of Christopher Luxon ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 hours ago
  • Stories of varying weight

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    11 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    23 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 day ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

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