Go well Helen Kelly

Written By: - Date published: 10:29 am, October 8th, 2015 - 60 comments
Categories: activism, Unions, workers' rights - Tags: , , ,

Helen Kelly was made the first life member of the new E tū union yesterday.

Helen is standing down from her role as President of the CTU due to health reasons (lung cancer), but will remain active supporting union causes.

Thank you Helen. If the rest of us were 1/10 of the activist you are, NZ would be a workers’ paradise.

60 comments on “Go well Helen Kelly ”

  1. Tracey 1

    Glad she was able to witness the merger yesterday.

    Whether one agrees with her or not, she has been a tireless worker. The “job” that was done on her by Brownlee and Jackson over the Hobbit stuff was mind boggling for its duplicity. Those who bothered to read the documents will know that both those parties perpetuated a lie and denigrated Kelly (wrongly) in the process.

    It’s like those on the right who say with a straight face that their side doesn’t play the man, just the ball, didn’t bother to read the truth on this one.

    • Chris 1.1

      When the right feel the need to attack someone personally you know they’re being got to. It’s badge of honour when the right do that.

  2. maui 2

    Nice post. She is an inspiration.

  3. ianmac 3

    Best wishes to Helen. Wish she could be cloned.

  4. Tiger Mountain 4

    the term “role model” has been devalued by everyone from real estate agents to rugby players, but Helen is an example of what a good one is

    she has taken on whatever local and international capital has thrown at NZ workers and supported union members and their communities in person, Pike River, Lord Jackson and the US studios, NZ’s dirty little secret–farm conditions, slaughter by contractor and Nat anti unionism

  5. infused 5

    Did she actually smoke? Just curious about her lung cancer.

    • Tracey 5.1

      Did you try doing an online search instead of posting that here?

    • northshoredoc 5.2

      @infused you don’t have to smoke to get lung cancer, sometimes cancers are just downright bad luck as in Helen’s case.

      • infused 5.2.1

        Yes, which is what I wanted to know.

        [r0b: Helen has never smoked, as 10 seconds with Google would have told you. You are no longer welcome to comment on this post.]

        • Tracey 5.2.1.1

          This thread is clearly a tribute thread to Helen Kelly, not a thread to discuss your need to know more about what causes lung cancer. Take your discussion to Open Mike. Consider this a warning.

          • Anne 5.2.1.1.1

            Further evidence righties have no empathy and compassion.

            • Heather Grimwood 5.2.1.1.1.1

              I know not ‘Infused’ your political preference, but your question is in disgustingly bad taste, and it beggars belief that anyone could be so lacking in decency.
              Helen deserves caring compassion from all.

              • One Anonymous Bloke

                Infused’s contribution, unless I’m very much mistaken, was designed to be as hurtful as possible within comment boundaries.

                Perhaps it’s appropriate that right wing malice be represented here, in some small way. Who would be a moderator?

          • esoteric pineapples 5.2.1.1.2

            I think this discussion was an interesting thread. But being respectful of the subject of this particular opinion piece, I’ve popped a comment on the issues surrounding people with lung cancer and other types of cancer being blamed for their illness on Open Mike. It sits at number 15.

        • DoublePlusGood 5.2.1.2

          Is that so you could feel extra self-satisfied and smug if she was a smoker?

        • Chris 5.2.1.3

          How about a ban from the site? There was nothing innocent in that remark.

        • the pigman 5.2.1.4

          As Chris BishopChris Bishop’s staffer is used to running these lines in defence of Big Tobacco, you can’t blame him for the instinctive reaction kicking in. He knows full well Helen never smoked.

          Back to stuffing your face at the Bellamy’s trough, mate.

  6. Chooky 6

    I have the greatest of admiration for Helen Kelly as do many other New Zealanders …she is a ray of light and warmth for justice and equity for all New Zealanders!

    She is a reminder of old New Zealand cherished values in the now Dark Ages under jonkey nactional

  7. Nigel Gregory 7

    I have been following Helen Kelley on twitter and look forward to her tweets daily.
    She is such a motivational person and as was said in the post makes me feel embarrassed for how little I do.

    • Rosemary McDonald 7.1

      “She is such a motivational person and as was said in the post makes me feel embarrassed for how little I do.”

      Ditto.

      Honourable. Staunch. She has the courage of her convictions.

  8. red-blooded 8

    A great woman – determined, empathetic, a good heart and a good mind. All the best to her.

  9. mary_a 9

    Despite personal health issues, Helen’s dedication to the rights of the Kiwi workforce, is an inspiration.

    All the best Helen and thank you for your continued unwavering support of the workers of NZ. Take good care.

    Kia Kaha.

    • Tricledrown 9.1

      Their is no one in recent history who have had the guts to stand up for worker rights.
      Especially in addressing the horrific numbers Dying and being permanently maimed while working especially alot of those who are being killed by negligent employers are on low wages with little or no representation.
      Work place mansluaghter which this govt continues to support a broken system which allows this to happen.
      So this govt is an accessory to the crime by its deliberate neglect to fund prevention and prosecute those who have unsafe work places.
      Helen is a Hero!

      • Atiawa 9.1.1

        Etu. How about a campaign for the return of compulsory unionism?

        Where’s the harm?

  10. Best wishes Helen from all the members of the Cambridge Labour Party.
    Once you are well again .as you will be, you can have a visit to our small but active branch.

  11. Hami Shearlie 11

    THIS Helen truly is a champion of workers. A wonderful and caring woman. One of the few who will inspire others to go down the same path. I pay tribute to you, Helen Kelly, you are a true friend to all the workers of NZ.

    • miravox 11.1

      Well said Hami.

      In particular, the campaign for safety in the workplace has been truly magnificent.

  12. Anne 12

    Helen Kelly is the Kate Shepherd of today. The generations to come will be taught about her at school and there will be films/documentaries celebrating her achievements.

    • Jenny Kirk 12.1

      And she has shown extraordinary courage in facing her illness, publicly as well as privately. A grand person.

    • Saarbo 12.2

      +1.

      Helen Kelly is truly courageous, fearless with spades of empathy for people who need it. Absolutely inspirational. Good luck Helen.

  13. One Anonymous Bloke 13

    You have done well Helen Kelly. An inspiration, in fact.

  14. tracey 14

    National is putting a rush on presenting her with a Dame-hood, right?

    • vto 14.1

      Oh yeah right… Key is racing for the photo-op with a hero of the poor working people…. because that’s where he came from yep ….

      Key would rather sycophantise with that sycophant professional recreationalist Richie McCaw …. (he should avoid Key for his own good before it bites him more)

    • maui 14.2

      When she fights for the rights of the All Blacks and Red Peak then she will probably be on their radar.

      • tracey 14.2.1

        paul holmes gong was rushed through. 😆

        • Bill 14.2.1.1

          Can I ask…(?)… assuming these comments aren’t meant to be dripping in cynical irony? Wouldn’t it (just possibly – and yes, I’m coming from my own perspective) be a ground thudding screaming fucking insult to be offered such ‘dripping in establishment meaning and righteousness’ tokens of recognition?

          • Anne 14.2.1.1.1

            Mine wasn’t Bill. I think she has earned a high place in the history books of the future.

            • Bill 14.2.1.1.1.1

              Totally different. Your comment didn’t dance around the idea of an official honour being bestowed

          • vto 14.2.1.1.2

            Yes it would.

            The establishment has always fought against the interests of workers.

            Always.

            I think the comments above are dripping in Key-dribbling over all blacks

  15. vto 15

    Helen Kelly is a true New Zealand hero..

    She stands up for those struggling at the bottom..

    Go well Helen – inspirational

  16. Tautoko Mangō Mata 16

    Helen has the qualities that I respect in a leader: integrity, sincerity, a sense of fairness and compassion. courage and determination. She is a fantastic role model.

    • Karen 16.1

      +1
      Helen Kelly would make the best possible Prime Minister of New Zealand if she was given the power to choose who else got to govern. She is a tremendous person who has spent her whole life trying to make this country a fairer place to live.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 16.1.1

        I disagree: she’d make a great PM because, far from excluding opposing voices, she’d take steps to let all arguments be heard at the top table.

    • McFlock 16.2

      100% agree

  17. Chooky 17

    re lung cancer this is of interest from a small socialist state

    ‘Cuba’s Had A Lung Cancer Vaccine For Years, And Now It’s Coming To The U.S.’

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/14/cuba-lung-cancer-vaccine_n_7267518.html

    ‘Bringing Cuba’s lung cancer vaccine to the States’

    http://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-08-cuba-lung-cancer-vaccine-states.html

    …To date, CimaVax has been administered to 5,000 patients across the world, including 1,000 Cubans. Expansive clinical trials have been underway for some time now, with published data showing prolonged life…

    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-to-study-cubas-lung-cancer-vaccine-what-the-world-can-learn-from-castros-health-service-10249474.html

  18. calltoaccount 18

    Don’t usually post here, but this sadness makes me ask… I guess any possible options with the new immunotherapy trials for late stage lung cancer – Keytruda – have been tried? Overseas and work only for some at this stage but maybe some hope?

  19. Thinker 19

    “Deeds, not stones, are the true monuments of the Great” (John Motley)

    “There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group; there is less competition there.” (Indira Gandhi)

  20. A leader and carer of people, a true hero. Kia kaha Helen.

  21. ankerawshark 21

    Thank you Helen for all you have done. You are a remarkable and inspirational woman.

  22. Gavin 22

    Helen Kelly is such a clever, well-spoken, and strong advocate for worker’s rights. She continues to do a fantastic job.

    Just look at this interview on Q&A around the middle of this year. She really knows her stuff. All the best to her and her family.

    http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/helen-kelly-video-6333099

  23. millsy 23

    Kia Kaha Helen.

    Being a union leader in 2015 NZ is pretty much the same as being a Jewish rabbi in 1935 Germany, so she deserves credit for putting up with all the shit she put up with. Especially all those knuckle dragging cockies in Twitter when she drew attention to the condition of farm workers.

  24. Chooky 24

    Message from CLEANGREEN on the Daily Blog to Helen Kelly

    CLEANGREEN says:

    OCTOBER 10, 2015 AT 11:46 PM

    Bless this very courageous woman for her enduring care for workers safety & rights when she is battling Lung Cancer, as announced on “The Nation” today.
    If anyone can reach Helen Kelly give her my recommendation to try H2O2 (Hydrogen Peroxide) Cancer treatment with IV administration with Vitamin C IV administration after. The IV Monographs can be found on Dr Majid Ali’s website for all cancer therapies.

    http://aliacademy.org/dr_ali_course_on_cancer.htm

    http://educate-yourself.org/cancer/ozonebymajidli17jul03.shtml

    Hydrogen Peroxide kills cancer cells.
    We need to save this marvellous lady.
    I would be dead now if I didnt’ take IV treatment to support the immune system.
    Helen Kelly is another Florence Nightingale, (lady with the lamp)..

    – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/10/10/helen-kelly-continues-to-be-a-human-rights-crusader-cannabis-reform-now/#comment-307476

    • northshoredoc 24.1

      FFS Chooky…. words fail me.

    • miravox 24.2

      Really Chooky? I can’t believe how crass your comment is.

      Moderators deleted other comments on this tribute post for questioning the cause of Helen’s lung cancer- it rankles to see this here – questioning whether, in the most polite term I can think of, Helen is on the most appropriate treatment plan.

      • Chooky 24.2.1

        @ miravox and northshoredoc (sic) depends on how open minded you are…you obviously are NOT! ….and quite paternalistic, authoritarian and chauvinist to boot ( I seriously hope you are NOT doctors…because your EQ or EI is fu.ked and you could do serious damage to people)

        http://psychology.about.com/library/quiz/bl_eq_quiz.htm

        (I did not question the cause of the cancer….cancer is cancer… no matter how you get it…I simply passed a message on from another well meaning commenter on another blog wishing … with great warmth and regard and care… Helen well and giving what he hopes is help, from his OWN experience…good on him! )

        However I am told by a friend whose husband recently died of cancer ….that the worst thing is people and friends NOT talking about cancer and NOT talking to the person concerned about how they are and wishing them well!

        … it made her very very angry that MALE work colleagues who had worked professionally with him for years ( people of very high IQ) could NOT talk to him at a personal level …he was quite isolated with his condition….she said it seems to be a particularly MALE syndrome!!!…

        …of course Helen Kelly is a very open minded and strong minded woman …she will make up her own mind …as she has done about cannabis…

        http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/72923212/Helen-Kelly-says-Government-needs-to-get-real-about-medicinal-cannabis

        no doubt you also disapprove of her freedom of choice!

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    The Prime Minister elect had his silver fern badge on. He wore it to remind viewers he was supporting New Zealand, that was his team. Despite the fact it made him look like a concierge, or a welcomer in a Koru lounge. Anna Burns-Francis, the Breakfast presenter, asked if he ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • LINDSAY MITCHELL:  Oranga Tamariki faces major upheaval under coalition agreement
     Lindsay Mitchell writes – A hugely significant gain for ACT is somewhat camouflaged by legislative jargon. Under the heading ‘Oranga Tamariki’ ACT’s coalition agreement contains the following item:   Remove Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 According to Oranga Tamariki:     “Section ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • BRIAN EASTON:  Peters as Minister
    A previous column looked at Winston Peters biographically. This one takes a closer look at his record as a minister, especially his policy record. Brian Easton writes – 1990-1991: Minister of Māori Affairs. Few remember Ka Awatea as a major document on the future of Māori policy; there is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Cathrine Dyer's guide to watching COP 28 from the bottom of a warming planet
    Is COP28 largely smoke and mirrors and a plan so cunning, you could pin a tail on it and call it a weasel? Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: COP28 kicks off on November 30 and up for negotiation are issues like the role of fossil fuels in the energy transition, contributions to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Top 10 news links at 10 am for Monday, Nov 27
    PM Elect Christopher Luxon was challenged this morning on whether he would sack Adrian Orr and Andrew Coster.TL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere at 10 am on Monday November 27, including:Signs councils are putting planning and capital spending on hold, given a lack of clear guidance ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the new government’s policies of yesteryear
    This column expands on a Werewolf column published by Scoop on Friday Routinely, Winston Peters is described as the kingmaker who gets to decide when the centre right or the centre-left has a turn at running this country. He also plays a less heralded but equally important role as the ...
    4 days ago
  • The New Government’s Agreements
    Last Friday, almost six weeks after election day, National finally came to an agreement with ACT and NZ First to form a government. They also released the agreements between each party and looking through them, here are the things I thought were the most interesting (and often concerning) from the. ...
    4 days ago
  • How many smokers will die to fund the tax cuts?
    Maori and Pasifika smoking rates are already over twice the ‘all adult’ rate. Now the revenue that generates will be used to fund National’s tax cuts. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The devil is always in the detail and it emerged over the weekend from the guts of the policy agreements National ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How the culture will change in the Beehive
    Perhaps the biggest change that will come to the Beehive as the new government settles in will be a fundamental culture change. The era of endless consultation will be over. This looks like a government that knows what it wants to do, and that means it knows what outcomes ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • No More Winnie Blues.
    So what do you think of the coalition’s decision to cancel Smokefree measures intended to stop young people, including an over representation of Māori, from taking up smoking? Enabling them to use the tax revenue to give other people a tax cut?David Cormack summed it up well:It seems not only ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #47
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science  Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Nov 19, 2023 thru Sat, Nov 25, 2023.  Story of the Week World stands on frontline of disaster at Cop28, says UN climate chief  Exclusive: Simon Stiell says leaders must ‘stop ...
    5 days ago
  • Some of it is mad, some of it is bad and some of it is clearly the work of people who are dangerous ...
    On announcement morning my mate texted:Typical of this cut-price, fake-deal government to announce itself on Black Friday.What a deal. We lose Kim Hill, we gain an empty, jargonising prime minister, a belligerent conspiracist, and a heartless Ayn Rand fanboy. One door closes, another gets slammed repeatedly in your face.It seems pretty ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • “Revolution” is the threat as the Māori Party smarts at coalition government’s Treaty directi...
    Buzz from the Beehive Having found no fresh announcements on the government’s official website, Point of Order turned today to Scoop’s Latest Parliament Headlines  for its buzz. This provided us with evidence that the Māori Party has been soured by the the coalition agreement announced yesterday by the new PM. “Soured” ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The Good, the Bad, and the even Worse.
    Yesterday the trio that will lead our country unveiled their vision for New Zealand.Seymour looking surprisingly statesmanlike, refusing to rise to barbs about his previous comments on Winston Peters. Almost as if they had just been slapstick for the crowd.Winston was mostly focussed on settling scores with the media, making ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • When it Comes to Palestine – Free Speech is Under Threat
    Hi,Thanks for getting amongst Mister Organ on digital — thanks to you, we hit the #1 doc spot on iTunes this week. This response goes a long way to helping us break even.I feel good about that. Other things — not so much.New Zealand finally has a new government, and ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Thank you Captain Luxon. Was that a landing, or were we shot down?
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Also in More Than A FeildingFriday The unboxing And so this is Friday and what have we gone and done to ourselves?In the same way that a Christmas present can look lovely under the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • Cans of Worms.
    “And there’ll be no shortage of ‘events’ to test Luxon’s political skills. David Seymour wants a referendum on the Treaty. Winston wants a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Labour’s handling of the Covid crisis. Talk about cans of worms!”LAURIE AND LES were very fond of their local. It was nothing ...
    6 days ago
  • Disinformation campaigns are undermining democracy. Here’s how we can fight back
    This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Misinformation is debated everywhere and has justifiably sparked concerns. It can polarise the public, reduce health-protective behaviours such as mask wearing and vaccination, and erode trust in science. Much of misinformation is spread not ...
    6 days ago
  • Peters as Minister
    A previous column looked at Winston Peters biographically. This one takes a closer look at his record as a minister, especially his policy record.1990-1991: Minister of Māori Affairs. Few remember Ka Awatea as a major document on the future of Māori policy; there is not even an entry in Wikipedia. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    6 days ago
  • The New Government: 2023 Edition
    So New Zealand has a brand-spanking new right-wing government. Not just any new government either. A formal majority coalition, of the sort last seen in 1996-1998 (our governmental arrangements for the past quarter of a century have been varying flavours of minority coalition or single-party minority, with great emphasis ...
    6 days ago
  • The unboxing
    And so this is Friday and what have we gone and done to ourselves?In the same way that a Christmas present can look lovely under the tree with its gold ribbon but can turn out to be nothing more than a big box holding a voucher for socks, so it ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • A cruel, vicious, nasty government
    So, after weeks of negotiations, we finally have a government, with a three-party cabinet and a time-sharing deputy PM arrangement. Newsroom's Marc Daalder has put the various coalition documents online, and I've been reading through them. A few things stand out: Luxon doesn't want to do any work, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Hurrah – we have a new government (National, ACT and New Zealand First commit “to deliver for al...
    Buzz from the Beehive Sorry, there has been  no fresh news on the government’s official website since the caretaker trade minister’s press statement about the European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement. But the capital is abuzz with news – and media comment is quickly flowing – after ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Christopher Luxon – NZ PM #42.
    Nothing says strong and stable like having your government announcement delayed by a day because one of your deputies wants to remind everyone, but mostly you, who wears the trousers. It was all a bit embarrassing yesterday with the parties descending on Wellington before pulling out of proceedings. There are ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Coalition Government details policies & ministers
    Winston Peters will be Deputy PM for the first half of the Coalition Government’s three-year term, with David Seymour being Deputy PM for the second half. Photo montage by Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: PM-Elect Christopher Luxon has announced the formation of a joint National-ACT-NZ First coalition Government with a ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • “Old Coat” by Peter, Paul & Mary.
     THERE ARE SOME SONGS that seem to come from a place that is at once in and out of the world. Written by men and women who, for a brief moment, are granted access to that strange, collective compendium of human experience that comes from, and belongs to, all the ...
    6 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 23-November-2023
    It’s Friday again! Maybe today we’ll finally have a government again. Roll into the weekend with some of the articles that caught our attention this week. And as always, feel free to add your links and observations in the comments. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    7 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s strategy for COP28 in Dubai
    The COP28 countdown is on. Over 100 world leaders are expected to attend this year’s UN Climate Change Conference in in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which starts next Thursday. Among the VIPs confirmed for the Dubai summit are the UK’s Rishi Sunak and Brazil’s Lula da Silva – along ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    7 days ago
  • Coalition talks: a timeline
    Media demand to know why a coalition government has yet to be formed. ...
    My ThinksBy boonman
    7 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to Nov 24
    Luxon was no doubt relieved to be able to announce a coalition agreement has been reached, but we still have to wait to hear the detail. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago
  • Passing Things Down.
    Keeping The Past Alive: The durability of Commando comics testifies to the extended nature of the generational passing down of the images, music, and ideology of the Second World War. It has remained fixed in the Baby Boomers’ consciousness as “The Good War”: the conflict in which, to a far ...
    7 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #47 2023
    Open access notables How warped are we by fossil fuel dependency? Despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine, 35-40 million cubic meters per day of Russian natural gas are piped across Ukraine for European consumption every single day, right now. In order to secure European cooperation against Russian aggression, Ukraine must help to ...
    7 days ago

  • New Zealand welcomes European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement
    A significant milestone in ratifying the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was reached last night, with 524 of the 705 member European Parliament voting in favour to approve the agreement. “I’m delighted to hear of the successful vote to approve the NZ-EU FTA in the European Parliament overnight. This is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Further humanitarian support for Gaza, the West Bank and Israel
    The Government is contributing a further $5 million to support the response to urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel, bringing New Zealand’s total contribution to the humanitarian response so far to $10 million. “New Zealand is deeply saddened by the loss of civilian life and the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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